Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Any Witches Here? Part 14.

990 replies

speakout · 08/04/2021 12:18

Or Wiccans. or Pagans? Or anyone who is interested in a magical path or feels some magical stirrings.

A place for support, learning, swapping ideas and magical inspiration.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
121
BlankTimes · 19/04/2021 14:48

Good afternoon Sisters!
For everyone I've not mentioned by name, I'd have to write a book length post to do that, but sincerely thank-you all for thinking of me and offering your sage words and help.

Belated but nevertheless warmly wished Happy Birthday Speakout another year of you sharing your wisdom and compassion on here with generosity and kindness, thank-you Halloween Smile

Moregarlic thanks for the rubber ball info, I'd not come across that before, it's a great analogy about work and prioritising.

Hills you have some very interesting observations on the Wheel of the Year. As speakout said, known and provable observations of solstices and equinoxes by ancient Man have been literally set in stone from the neolithic period in the form of stone circles and passage mounds (many were not tombs) and the observations of the sun, moon and stars in those days can now be calculated by complex computer programmes so we know what the ancients could see in their sky on a given day or night at their location at any point in ancient history.
e.g. www.exploreglobe.net/archaeoastronomy-overview.html
The chap who runs that site lets people know where they can observe and photograph or video events today which would actually mirror events at a given time in prehistory.

There are also people who are observing and recording the shadows which the stones erected in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages cast at different times of the year and some of their findings are very interesting. Neither of these types of observations are (yet!) mainstream archaeology, so they are not mentioned much outside more specialised interest groups.
However, the findings that both groups are evidencing for solar lunar and stellar events as well as shadows are beginning to be quite compelling. There's not just one group per category, more like several collections of interested people and solitary researchers now getting together online. Very briefly, so far it's looking as though the solstices, winter and summer, rise and set, were significantly marked at ancient sites worldwide, some in spectacular fashion like the very well-known Newgrange. It appears the equinoxes were also significant, but there's as far as has been observed at present, less visual theatrical spectacle with those, unless people just haven't seen the "right" thing at the right time and made a connection.

What don't appear to fit with these observations are the cross-quarter days. The Celtic Wheel of the Year has them at set dates, whereas the ancients appear to have a much more flexible approach.
Add to all of that the current trend for groups and public ceremonies to be held on the nearest weekend to an event and it waters down the significance for many.

Welcome BilboBercow come and join us, I see you've discovered the meaning of 'hidden in plain sight' Halloween Grin

TotoAnnihiliation I did a different system to the aetts when I learned so my interpretation wouldn't be the same as a classic one and I couldn't see the sigil on the first stone. A couple of tips though. Do not do divination or look for answers when you are in an emotional state, it completely fogs the issue. Ground and centre yourself as a priority, then you'll find you probably didn't need the divination anyway.
Beginners are often better off just picking one stone/card/bone as an answer and working through every aspect of that to see what's applicable in their circumstances. the more stones/cards whatever you pick, the more inferences there are and the more difficult a clear message becomes to interpret.

In byegone days, people would spend years making their own tools, learning a divinatory system, healing system or anything else, attuning to all the nuances and inferences. Nowadays these things come pre-packed in a box or bag with an explanatory book and people expect just to pick one and trust their book interpretation. honing your own insight really doesn't work like that.

Old Crone Repeated Rant, just ignore me if you've heard it before - In some ways the availability of information nowadays is a great thing, but in others, the amount of freely available dreck that should be ignored threatens to overwhelm the genuine and few people seem to be able to want to realise there's difference. Sometimes there is no instant gratification, sometimes the answers only come after a lot of hard work and effort. Sometimes whilst you're typing, the cat jumps onto your knee and misses and her claws hook into your leg so you have to stop typing and attend to your injuries Halloween Blush

Travellinglights · 19/04/2021 14:49

Hello. I am have been reading these threads and find so much in them of interest and support. Thank you everyone.

TotoAnnihiliation · 19/04/2021 17:51

Thank you @BlankTimes for the reminder to stay grounded. I think staying grounded would solve a lot of things in life. Be less reactive, be grounded!

As it happens my day went as I foresaw bit I do wonder if I gave myself a self fulfilling prophecy. Something my husband constantly warns me not to do with a negative mindset.

A lesson has been learnt today!

queenrollo · 19/04/2021 18:44

Just popping in for a cuppa from the magic pot.
I was verging on a panic attack in town yesterday on an unavoidable errand. I have not rushed back to 'normality' as I thought I would. I want to see my friends very much but am just not ready for outdoor cafes etc.
I have never liked shopping (I DO like mooching round charity shops though!) and so having no choice but to queue and wear a mask and be in these places with an AWFUL atmosphere was too much for this empath. All the shielding in the world was to no avail.
I came home and retreated to the garden!

HillsBesideTheSea · 19/04/2021 21:34

Yes to both what you are saying Speakout and BlankTimes I also think that is fascinating to consider not only what we are celebrating but how. How some time passages are still marked the same (greenery in the house at the winter celebration) whilst other aspects - the complete coming together of large populations to feast, perform ritual and share the experience no longer happen the same.

I find delving into the research on the marking of the life aspects a very question creating activity, but equally I am intrigued by the marking of the death aspects. The choice in ritual, how it became a taboo topic, why and how graves were marked, how a loved one was sent off. How celebrating the life of a love one with a wake, vs the wailing tradition/isolation approach. In both life and death there are many interesting points to consider in the passing of civilisation, and why and how these changes occurred and their interaction with civilisation progression as a whole does give me much pause for thought. Each practise had and has its place but we are the same people and yet we are all so very different.
But we all experience birth, life and death, we are all subjected to the passing of the year. It is the what we mark and how we mark that changes between cultures and times. And truly i suppose it is what makes us so human.

QueenRollo I have a long term chronic cough which I have been repressing as much as possible when i go in shops of late. Today i didn't simply because some people have completely negated the whole concept of social distancing. Shopping and being out in the real world is actually more stressful now as people are complacent imo. Refill from the magic teapot?

Are you staying for a cuppa @Travellinglights? just tell the teapot your chosen brew.

Delphinium20 · 20/04/2021 02:32

Welcome BilboBercow!!

Aerwyna Thanks for the introduction to Yael Deckelbaum's video - loved it!

@Spiritwriter I'm so sorry for your mum and dog Flowers

speakout · 20/04/2021 06:46

Thanks for your kinds words and information Blanktimes as always you have so much wisdom and knowledge to bring to us- your posts are always fascinating to read.
I am sorry your day out was a bit unpleasant queenrollo I too feel this. We are still in lockdown here, I think it is lifted next week, but already people are starting to gather in numbers in parks, at the beach, and caution seems to have been forgotten. Like you I don’t enjoy shopping ( apart from charity shops).
I wonder if part of the feeling is a questioning whether this is the right course of action. Those in charge have made some big mistakes ( some well meaning, this is uncharted territory) and seems to have left us back at square one. So many unknowns,it is no wonder we have a sense of trepidation.
But in the meantime I will try to get back to yoga and have a haircut booked, visit a few charity shops to replenish my wardrobe!

OP posts:
queenrollo · 20/04/2021 17:49

@HillsBesideTheSea i have an ongoing issue with clearing my throat and it makes me cough. Wearing a mask exacerbates it! You have my sympathy.

I went out today, to a smaller town and I was just fine. It's where I grew up and I think the familiarity really helped. An older population, closer knit community and I think there is just a lot more common sense and respect.

Welcome to the newcomers to the thread, take a comfy seat and a cup of preference from the magic tea-pot.

speakout · 20/04/2021 18:42

queenrollo
I have a stress cough- tend to get quite bunged up when I am going through stressful time, and have to clear my throat.
It is very embarrasing during Covid times.
I have had it for years- had lots of checks, x ray and blood tests etc, all come back clear.
But it persists. It will resolve for a few months and go completey, but come back when I am feeling under pressure!

OP posts:
speakout · 20/04/2021 18:43

Meeting my DD tomorrow for a seaside walk and coffee!! And restaurants will open next week!

OP posts:
hilariousnamehere · 20/04/2021 21:03

Hello sisters! Mines a tea - a proper big mug of strong builder's tea.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks and with the reopening has also come some medical appointments for me and some loved ones so am running around sorting those out.

Managed to squidge in a good deed today - making tech work for people is magic too right?! - and am pausing for a moment to savour home and take strength from my surroundings and my fluffy familiars before I start work again this evening.

I am loving how much I'm learning from this thread. Although my headspace is too full to make any useful comments or input, I am reading and very appreciative of all your knowledge and wisdom.

I can't remember who asked but I ate the magnolia petals Blush not many as the tree was past her main bloom by the time I got there, but they have such a lovely gingery taste and each year it's one of the ways I know that the seasons are changing.

Even if it did hail the other day!!

speakout · 20/04/2021 21:21

If anyone is looking for 5 minutes of soul soothing, this ia beautiful video about cooking with magnolia.

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 20/04/2021 21:44

QueenRollo glad you had a better experience out in the reality that is.

Speakout your plans sound amazing

Hilariousname magnolia is edible?! pray tell more pretty please. Even if fixing technology for people isn't magical, it can take a lot of patience. Well done you for getting it done.

HillsBesideTheSea · 20/04/2021 21:46

Speakout thank you for answering the question before i'd asked it. Grin Much appreciated

HillsBesideTheSea · 21/04/2021 08:09

Sorry about last night. I opened thread to see Hilariousname as the last poster, typed response, hit post, wandered off, came back and saw speakout's post and never clocked that my post had taken a trip into the ether before posting until after I had thanked Speakout Blush

Feeling exhausted but relieved and also stressed this morning. Am about to send stuff in for a study deadline and it has been a slog, but also concerned about how i have done. teen is back to school refusing and unimpressed with my response. Not even bacon sandwiches in bed is winning me points atm Wink Grin I do remember so there is some slack, it has been a hard year for teenagers - especially as they have cancelled again all the leaving stuffs.

I have refilled the magic teapot with water, and set it to work. Help yourself and i hope you have a day that treats you kindly.

VioletCharlotte · 21/04/2021 08:58

Good morning, just catching up on all the posts while I drink my morning coffee. I'm on holiday from work this week and enjoying being able to slow down a little.

I finally made it to the beach! I can't tell you how lovely it was to listen to the waves and feel the sand beneath my feet, like being in another world. It was nice to see lots of people out and about enjoying the sunshine, after all these months we've spent in lockdown. Speakout I hope you enjoy your beach walk and coffee today with your DD.

Queenrollo and Hills, sorry that you didn't have a great experience of shopping post lockdown. I think it's going to take us all a while to get used to things again. I've not been to the shops yet, other than a very quick trip to town to get some bits from Superdrug, but I've been back to the gym and swimming pool. I'm finding that I'm getting tired a lot quicker, I'd got so used to just being at home or going out for walks.

Hilariousnamehere I'd never thought about eating magnolia petals. I use culinary lavender for baking. I would like to find out more about using flowers for cooking...another wormhole to fall down!

Spiritwriter thank you for dropping in. I'm so sorry to for your loss and to hear you're struggling. I'm sending out love and healing thoughts to you.

Aerwyna thank you for sharing that great video - when women come together, we're unstoppable!

Blanktimes good to see you again. Thank you for your post about the solstices/equinoxes, really interesting.

Apologies to anyone I've not mentioned by name. Sending you all love and blessings for a peaceful Wednesday.

hilariousnamehere · 21/04/2021 23:16

Hello lovelies. I'm popping in with a request - do any of you have any favourite remedies (magical or otherwise) for anxiety? Between some medical stuff for mum and a chaotic week, my anxiety is having an absolute field day (it comes out in irrational worry for my cats, and is particularly bad this evening despite attempts to rationalise, and checking the cats every half an hour to make sure they're not dead.). I have a few things I do to help it but am always open to expanding my magical storecupboard and mental box of tricks, and you are all very wise and soothing! 💙

BlankTimes · 22/04/2021 02:36

Good evening sisters, lovely to see you all, don't forget meteor shower now in the NE of the sky, it's at its most intense 'before dawn'.

Hilarious for anxiety, just off the top of my head, here are a few things you can try.

Rescue Remedy for sudden onset then read through the Bach remedies info to find a combination of essences for you. I much prefer the tincture, follow the instructions on the box. Essences work a lot different to medicines, it's worthwhile reading up on Dr. Edward Bach and his life story.

Counted breaths, in for 7 and out for 11. really focus on that and nothing else.

Valerian root tea

Lavender Essential Oil

Ground and Centre

Ask yourself what good it does your cats displaying your anxiety around them so often, you really aren't doing them any favours, so instead of "checking" on them every 30 minutes reduce those times so you only do it twice a day.
Compartmentalise the anxiety, tell yourself it's fine to have it but you don't have time to deal with it right now, you'll deal with it at the aforesaid twice a day times only.

Hold whichever crystals you find most calming for you.

speakout · 22/04/2021 06:47

BlankTimes thanks for the reminder about the meteor shower- I missed it, I was out like a light last night. I think it may have been my long beach walk yesterday, it was divine. Sunny, but a bracing wind, so we didn't loiter! I was thinking of all the wild swimmers on this thread as I saw quite a number of people in the water- almost exclusively older women which was interesting
Hilariousnamehere you have my sympathies, anxiety is such a had thing to deal with, I know from my own experience, I struggled for decades. I see Blanktimes has given you some great suggestions.
I would also add a few-
EFT ( tapping) lots of great videos on yt.
Meditation – a form that works for you.
Yoga
Exercise of any form to drain nervous energy
Looking at ways to improve your sleep
Counselling
CBT
Spellwork
I think some tools work better for some than others, and often a combination of techniques and practices will be your best help.
I hope you find some relief soon.

OP posts:
hilariousnamehere · 22/04/2021 08:58

Thank you so much both - some very good suggestions there which I shall work my way through! Feeling better after sleeping but definitely need to build a better toolbox for when it does hit.

Wishing you all a magical day!

Aerwyna · 22/04/2021 10:52

Just popping in to say hello and share a tea, always a joy to read everyone’s posts.

BlankTimes thank you for the Lyrid reminder, I’ve been having a read about them and will be on the lookout tonight in case of stragglers!
I’ll echo the others in saying how much I love to read your posts. So full of knowledge and fascinating information- thank you.

I’m delighted to hear about your visits to the coast speakout and Violet, such clarifying and uplifting energy. speakout wild swimming groups I’ve seen seem to be predominantly middle aged/older women too, it is interesting isn’t it. The sea has a special call for the crone I think.

hilarious I’m glad you managed some decent sleep. I agree it’s always helpful to add to the store cupboard/toolbox with a range of tools and skills. In the past I’ve written myself lists of ideas that I can reach for when I need them. They purposefully range in ‘ease of use’ depending on what I’m capable of accessing at that time. In addition to (and probably overlapping with) the wise suggestions you’ve had already, some of mine also include:

Wild water (near it, in it, whatever I can manage)

Again essential oil blends- egs- lavender, geranium and palma Rosa, or rose and geranium (as opposed to rose geranium!) or marjoram, vetiver and lemon. I use them in bath salts, diffusers or rollerballs (diluted in a carrier oil) or a few drops on a tissue in my bra.

Bare feet on the earth for grounding

Time outside in any way I can manage- focus on absorbing solar and lunar energy.

‘No horizontal thinking rule’ (Elizabeth Gilbert)

Soothing self talk

I once read that any state of extreme emotion tends to only last around 8 minutes. I found this hugely comforting and began to consciously notice how it manifests. Eg, I can sometimes feel like I’ve been anxious/down etc for days, weeks months etc but if I tune into the nuance I notice that I feel a whole mixture of things on any given day. So if I’ve been emotionally distraught I can acknowledge that there’s a lull once the wave of distraught energy subsides. It can be a numbness, sense of relief, subdued feeling etc but the point is it’s different to distraught. Once I became more aware of this I tried to consciously’feed’ the less distressing feelings and work on staying there for longer, eventually using them as stepping stones to more favourable states of mind. So for example, numbness can lead to relief, relief can lead to calm and so on. A bit long winded but I guess that one’s a combination of mindfulness, self awareness, reframing and practicing incremental mindset shifts. Hope that makes sense!

It’s a bright, windy day here today and I’ve given myself a bit of time this morning just to be with the elements which has blown the cobwebs out- magic on tap!

Wishing everyone a magical day

speakout · 23/04/2021 10:39

A quick fly by too, this bright sunny day.
Been bogged down with work admin stuff, critical to my business, always raises my anxieties! Hopefully chewed through most of it, fingers crossed I have done what is required.
My son saw my anxiety yesterday and said to me " Right, what you need is a change of scene- I'll take out somewhere and we can clear your head"
Lovely when a child recognises that!!

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 23/04/2021 14:43

Dropping in to say hello. I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine. I'm sitting in the garden at the moment, attempting to read. I'm such a fidget though, can never sit still for very long!

Your son sounds lovely Speakout, very kind and perceptive...you've taught him well! I hope you've managed to get everything done and you're feeling a little calmer.

Hilariousnamehere I hope you're feeling a bit better today. Anxiety is a funny thing. You've been given some great advice. To add to what others have said, I find that when I get stressed, a warm shower with some essential oils and changing into soft, comfy clothing always makes me feel calmer. Also (and this sounds rather odd!) I find household tasks, such as doing the laundry strangely soothing. I'm not sure why, I guess it just takes your mind off the thing you're feeling anxious about. Regular exercise makes a huge difference too, I'm much more relaxed when I'm physically really tired. Also watch your coffee intake as caffeine can make you jittery, and avoiding social media/ the news can make a big difference.

Blanktimes lovely to see you and thank you for the reminder about the meteor showers...although actually they may well be causing some of the anxiety people are feeling. Here's an interesting post copied from Facebook-

The energy of the past few days, from supercharged Schumann Resonance levels, along with an MClass solar flare, solar radiation from a CME, the Sun emitting unusual solar noise, the Lyrids meteor shower for the next two days, and big energy downloads has turned everything topsy-turvy. We are all feeling it, whether it is fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, bloating and weight gain, or a feeling of being lost and ungrounded, that's just the symptoms of more 3D/5D energy integration. There is nothing to do except try to stay grounded, get rest when you need it, take naps when your body says it is exhausted and cannot integrate any more energy, and remember there is a purpose to all of this, we are shifting energy frequencies and there is always an energy upset with an energy reset. The rupture is part of the rapture.
Shine on, one day at a time, we do get to the other side eventually. - Jennifer Hoffman 💗

Aerwyna lovely to see you, I'll join you for a tea BrewI smiled at your post about wild swimmers being predominantly middle aged women. This is my experience too. I have a few friends who swim in the sea and they're all females in their 40's/50's!

speakout · 23/04/2021 18:40

VioletCharlotte

Such interesting information about the meteor showers.
That explanation seems to fit me well right now, quite high anxiety, making lots of mistakes, dreadful driving, forgetful.
Feeling quite paper thin this evening.
Forcing myself to dye my roots and give myself a nourishing facial, my skin is parched, hoping at least I may look a little brighter tomorrow morning.

OP posts:
TotoAnnihiliation · 23/04/2021 18:42

@hilariousnamehere I always find an inner sense of peace after a shower, I pay attention to listening to the sound of the water, the feel of it on my skin. If I add essential oil I always make a point of trying to smell it.

Afterwards, I walk around bare footed. I find this is the ultimate way to ground myself. I feel cleansed and connected.