Any Witches Here? Part 14.

[speakout]

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.

verbena87 Taat and yes i know bobbins/plastic sandwich bags for the yarn management

Anyone had much dealing with seidr as a tradition? It has a couple of spellings seidhr etc.

Ladies, I have used a candle in a ritual. It smells gorgeous. Am I able to use it again, or are candles supposed to be a one time use? It's only a little tea light candle. Thank you.

I've just had some much needed reflection time and I feel up lifted.

Welcome to the group new friends.

Hills yarn not too horrific as it’s only ever 2 colours per round. But there are 12 colours in all so it’s the weaving in the ends that really does for you! It’s a very slow labour of love - have finished several other things around it!

I don’t know about seidr - off to bed but I’ll Google in the morning.

YarnOver I'd never heard of a yarn cake, so I've been down a wormhole or two, fabulous idea, saves sewing all those ends in! I found this, which is (so far) one of the most amazing crochet blankets I've seen, the squares are so different to traditional patterns and the colour blends are so gentle and unusual. lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/free-crochet-patterns/sophies-winter-dream/

Hills Seidr, I did read about it a long long time ago, Norse shamanic magic, also traditional weaving the present to form the future if I remember correctly.

Toto Candles used in ritual have a purpose, therefore usually they are left to burn out "carrying on the magic" until they expire naturally.
However, you have to consider the safety aspect, few people have somewhere in the home they could leave a candle unattended to do that, I put mine in an unused open fireplace but not many people have a spare one to do that.
It's teaching you a good lesson about forward planning for next time and it's teaching you the ritual isn't the only focus, the preparation and the clearing up matter equally.
Personally I'd not re-use an already dedicated tealight for a different purpose.

Early this evening, the sky turned that particular leaden colour when you just know it's likely there'll be a rainbow, not just any rainbow, but a double one absolutely slap bang opposite our house, I could see the whole arc from our window. It was an absolute joy to watch.

You do remember correctly. Associated with Freya and Odin. And the Norms. written in the Sagas. Particular the Ynglinga Saga which is one of the kings sagas. Freya being the one to have taught the skill to Odin.

Seems I am in a worm hole atm. But I do need to find an English version because my language skills are not up to the translation work that is currently required.

Welcome YarnOver, your project sounds lovely! It's ages since I had time to pick up any kind of crafting.

Yes, was out in my new kayak with friends, we spent all day exploring the river and I have blisters on my thumbs from the paddle but it was such a glorious day and has had the most incredible impact on my mood.

Re candles, what Hills said, although I also do use LED battery candles due to very silly cats clever familiars so perhaps depends on the ritual?

I'd love to take the credit but it was Blanktimes who had the words of wisedom with regards to candles.

I am trying not to wander about the house clearing up after everyone muttering about the fuckers. It is surprisingly hard tbh. Doing house work with enjoyment and intent is something i struggling with simply because there are many who are capable here, and few that are willing. And like to pretend they are not capable to get out of doing. I am trying to tell myself it will be lovely when it is done. except i know the buggers will only go ooooo tidy space I can dump x,z, y in it

I can't safely leave candles to burn but I cannot bear to waste them if they arent fully used. Especially coloured candles, so I will do a smoke/moon cleanse before I use them again. I do find I tend to use them for ritual with similar energy though. For me it is the flame which carries the energy, the candle is the means to provide the flame.

Otherwise I use tealights, which then I will transfer to the garden for use in the evenings.
As ever it's all about individual practice and what feels right. I have had some candles in the past which I knew I couldn't use again, their energy was too connected to certain ritual.

Interesting to see the talk of Norse gods and goddesses as I have spent the last couple of weeks accepting Freya into my practice. I've never really had one Goddess as focus but some experiences recently have made me realise she has been with me all my life. It is one of my own names and worshipping her always felt too obvious but I realise now that my father gave me the name for a reason (his father was a druid and my father himself is a witch/shaman) and I have talked a little with him about this the last few days.

@HillsBesideTheSea the energy around at the moment is exhausting me. It almost feels unbridled, in that people are excited about lockdown easing but this energy is usually 'channelled' into organised gatherings, and restaurants and pubs etc. It's unchannelled at the moment and feels like a frightened animal, bolting left and right looking for escape.
I'm physically manifesting this discomfort and my sinuses and neck and shoulders are all congested and tense. I'm meditating to lots of Solfeggio frequencies trying very hard to balance myself.
Oddly enough the one place it lifts is the gym, where the handful of people are focused and calm. I'm usually anxious about the gym but it's the only thing about my weekly routine that feels like a sanctuary!

Oops, sorry @BlankTimes

The irony that today's job is filling in forms for ADHD assessment later this week - "do you often make careless mistakes" ... 😂

Ah yes the ADHD brain is a very special place Good luck with the assessment and I hope you get the answers you seek and/or will help you find peace with things

I have ADHD if I can be of any support :) I'm also an SEN teacher :)

Thank you for all the advice re: candles. My DD is still small so I had limited time to use the candle. I think I'll keep it as it still smells nice but not use it.

@YarnOver I'm a SEND teacher (well in training). I have 7 weeks of placement left.

I'm thinking of you all on this rainy bank holiday Monday. I feel the rain has cleansed some of my bad mood and stress away. Now to enjoy the rain with my little one by finding some puddles to jump in.

@TotoAnnihiliation

Thank you for all the advice re: candles. My DD is still small so I had limited time to use the candle. I think I'll keep it as it still smells nice but not use it.

@YarnOver I'm a SEND teacher (well in training). I have 7 weeks of placement left.

I'm thinking of you all on this rainy bank holiday Monday. I feel the rain has cleansed some of my bad mood and stress away. Now to enjoy the rain with my little one by finding some puddles to jump in.

@TotoAnnihiliation welcome to the absolute best job!!!! I hope you'll have a super happy career, I honestly couldn't do anything else I love it so much!

I have terrible opinions about SEND/SEN teachers due to decades of encounters with the system. The system sucks, and I would avoid and advise others to avoid it as much as humanly possible Sorry probably not what you would prefer to hear, but much harm has been done to me and ds by SEND/SEN teachers over the years, and unfortunately our experience is not uncommon. And CAMHS were worse. I hope you can do better then the system allows, but fear the system prevents it.

I have delved into translation work. Apparently this is what i do when other things stress me. It was pointed out to me by a work colleague that when I am stressed my brain squirrels horrifically and will often find a project to hyper focus on. I should probably disappear into the sogginess that is nature with a text book instead. I am avoiding looming exam deadlines.

@HillsBesideTheSea

I have terrible opinions about SEND/SEN teachers due to decades of encounters with the system. The system sucks, and I would avoid and advise others to avoid it as much as humanly possible Sorry probably not what you would prefer to hear, but much harm has been done to me and ds by SEND/SEN teachers over the years, and unfortunately our experience is not uncommon. And CAMHS were worse. I hope you can do better then the system allows, but fear the system prevents it.

I have delved into translation work. Apparently this is what i do when other things stress me. It was pointed out to me by a work colleague that when I am stressed my brain squirrels horrifically and will often find a project to hyper focus on. I should probably disappear into the sogginess that is nature with a text book instead. I am avoiding looming exam deadlines.

The system is something that depresses me enormously. It's set up to make things as difficult as humanly possible for everyone involved. I work in a lovely, supportive school, where I'm able to go do what hopefully is the best for our learners... But it's not the same everywhere and I have worked in some places (recently as well) that have been absolutely appalling and they should be ashamed of themselves! I've told them so as well! I'm sorry you've had such a horrible experience @HillsBesideTheSea and I can absolutely understand why you would have such negative feelings towards us!

Yarnover it is such a shame as so much good could be done if the system was different. There are some who really care and bend the system as much as they dare to get the best for their students. Which makes it a shame that the ones who should not be in the specialism cause so much ill feeling it is hard for the ones who should.

@HillsBesideTheSea

Yarnover it is such a shame as so much good could be done if the system was different. There are some who really care and bend the system as much as they dare to get the best for their students. Which makes it a shame that the ones who should not be in the specialism cause so much ill feeling it is hard for the ones who should.

I will generally stop at nothing!

Thank you @YarnOver.

I also agree with you @HillsBesideTheSea. I was a SEND child, I am a SEND adult. The experiences I had at school were shocking, there was bugger all in place to support me.

I want to make a difference, and I feel this is the right route for me. I'm committed to make sure that no child has the same experiences as me.

@TotoAnnihiliation

Thank you *@YarnOver*.

I also agree with you @HillsBesideTheSea. I was a SEND child, I am a SEND adult. The experiences I had at school were shocking, there was bugger all in place to support me.

I want to make a difference, and I feel this is the right route for me. I'm committed to make sure that no child has the same experiences as me.

Likewise ... I ended up getting thrown out of school because no one could "deal" with me. And before I got thrown out I spent my entire time sitting in the coridoor outside of lessons with my teachers just telling me I was too naughty to be in the room so I couldn't be there. I never knew what on earth I'd done wrong. It was miserable.

I'm deaf, it was always noted that Toto did not contribute to class discussions and was too quiet 🤔 I was always told to "just listen more," and I should be able to hear if I had my hearing aids in. Terrible experiences.

It has made me a very anxious person, however finding my spiritual path and being more harmonious with nature has helped heal some very deep wounds.

@YarnOver I hope you don't mind, I'm going to send you a PM.

@TotoAnnihiliation

I'm deaf, it was always noted that Toto did not contribute to class discussions and was too quiet 🤔 I was always told to "just listen more," and I should be able to hear if I had my hearing aids in. Terrible experiences.

It has made me a very anxious person, however finding my spiritual path and being more harmonious with nature has helped heal some very deep wounds.

@YarnOver I hope you don't mind, I'm going to send you a PM.

I've replied :)

Toto that’s appalling! Related-but-not-exactly: I’m a secondary teacher and it does my head in that we’re supposed to include confident contributions to group discussions in our behaviour grades. I don’t do it. Nothing wrong with confident speech in front of a class, but some of my best students would never do it and I refuse to penalise them because they communicate best in a quiet conversation, or on paper, or through doing. The whole of education is biased towards one sort of intelligence and it’s a criminal waste of potential.

Let's put it this way. Mum got called into school about the fact i was suddenly angry. Her response was "well she just discovered that this is what you have been doing..... I actually think she has every right to be angry. Perhaps be glad that she is not the kind of kid to properly kick off"
Primary school caused a nervous breakdown in ds.
I have very strong feelings about exactly how unfit for purpose the English education system is and how very much it is not one of the best in the world. What we export may well be, but you give one of our kids the iGCSE exam and they would have major issues. As for the systematic destruction of self worth and confidence. Criminal. Completely and utterly. It was so bad that i got out and stayed out. And there will be a party when I no longer have ds in the education system.

Seeing lots of posts here echoing how I feel about the education system in this country on a wider scale. My eldest has never been to school, and my youngest is at a private school - I did not want him in school at all but his father did. So my compromise was a school of my choice.
I butt heads with the school/Headteacher on a regular basis.
Many of my teacher friends feel I am at odds with them but it is the system I dislike, not school education itself.
I secretly hope my youngest chooses to ditch school atter Primary - I am dreading navigating Secondary education.

It's what my gran called 'witch weather' outside here right now. Blustery and sideways rain. I like it, it energises me!