Any Witches Here? Part 15

[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.

VioletCharlotte wise words.

Hekatestorch I hope you enjoyed your facial- I love the sunflowers.

What beautiful flowers.

The hot weather has been fantastic for laundry. It's such a pain to dry in winter and I finally got our Christmas blanket clean ready for the colder months.

For me personally I haven't done much goddess or god work with my paganism. Wow it's actual HM really hard to articulate what you do do. Nature, the universe and the celestial is my focus. There, that narrowed it down a bit. I suppose I treat what I call the universe as my omnipotent deity or Mother Nature. Invocations are like mantras, I believe in guiding forces but also tuning in to listen. Gosh it's so hard to explain.

On an unrelated note, I do find this hot weather most uninspiring. I glad everyone is getting a burst of sun fun before the colder months but Autumn is the time of year when I really spring into action.

Hekatestorch beautiful sunflowers, thank you for sharing.

Speaking lovely to hear how you've been nurturing yourself. I love to look after my feet too. It's so easy to neglect them, but they work so hard for us, I think it's important we look after them and show them some love! I'm glad you're enjoying your time off. I've for Friday and Monday off so I'm looking forward to making some time for self care too. I always want to tidy the garden up. I've been wanting to dig out a new flower bed in the front garden, so I'm planning to do that and plant some bulbs ready for the spring.

Susyscat I'm not a lover of the really hot weather either. It's nice when you're abroad somewhere beautiful, but not so good in the UK!

Thank you all for cat advice! I have also slept and that has its own magic, doesn't it - everything felt more bearable today. Vet has recommended switching foods again, and I've tentatively put some of their old favourite biscuits in the snazzy microchip feeders they were refusing to use. Lo and behold, even fussy DFluffyCat is eating from hers Still not out of the woods but maybe getting towards the door of the gingerbread cottage?! Really appreciate all your advice and words and support.

Am another one who doesn't do worship - I don't really do any deity work but the word and act of worship makes me uncomfortable, for many of the same reasons you wise women have already outlined. I am lucky that my family is not practising religious so while I don't parade my witchery, I don't especially have to hide it either. But I do remember being puzzled as a child at the "God loves you but only if and when you're on your best behaviour" teaching. Having said that, I've had some fascinating conversations with devout Christian and Muslim friends over the years. One lovely friend from my time in the Gulf, always said, when I asked her about her rebellious nature yet very strong faith, that it was a matter between her and her god. Same response when she removed her headscarf at home with us. And what Hekatestorch said about it being a relationship, almost a friendship - felt like an echo of her words.

Loving all the foot self care too - I'm a dancer, or at least I was when I was younger and I still dance for myself, and have a weird relationship with my feet where I expect them to do as I ask but probably don't treat them as well as I should. I shall make some time to treat them!

Autumn is definitely around the corner - it's hot here today but there's a scent of the coming season in the air and it feels like possibility and change.

Oh thank you for the warm welcome and comfy beanbag Blank Times , I'll just pour myself a glass of rose and sink down.HecatesTorch speakout hmm, I totally understand where you are coming from. Interestingly Near and Middle Eastern polytheism was henotheistic, where one god/goddess demanded to be the top deity and garner 90% of the worship. So it's not really an Abrahamic thing at all. I was so shocked to discover this whilst researching but it was liberating. It's the geographical area. So no surprise Judaism/Islam/Christianity have an exclusive demanding god at the top.
Hm, I think a better word would be 'venerate' and pour libations. The Roman gods are like terribly well-connected and influential people who can help you. And when they do something for you, they like to know you've appreciated what they've done for you (libation, incense). They can ignore you and you can leave. No harm done. Or you can move on and make friends with other deities.So there is a tremendous amount of freedom.
I have East Asian friends who grew up in urban polytheistic cultures (Taiwan, Japan) and learning from them how they approached and interacted with the gods and goddesses really helped. It's so totally different, really liberating!

I am glad your cats are improving hilariousnamehere, that's good news.
I am enjoying a quieter week, yoga this morning and an easy dinner in the slow cooker. I am wrestling a little with little tinges of guilt- taking time to myself instead of working. I only get paid when I work, so time off is money lost, but I have promised myself not to go back too soon, that my well being is more important than work, that time off is an investment into my work, an essential part of what I do.
It is good for me to deal with these feelings of guilt and work to resolve my feelings around self care. Although I have come a long way I come from generations of women who would consider painting toenails an idle thing to do, a rigid Scottish presbyterian ethos where the worth of a women was measured in the whiteness of her sheets, I was taught that the “devil finds work for idle hands” ( never did find out what that one truly meant). Everytime I feel that pang of guilt it is an excellent opportunity to remind myself of the power soul nurture, of the value of play, how life affirming and spirit soothing acts of frippery can be!
I am off for a spa shower before getting ready for my yoga class in the next village.
Have a wonderful day sisters.

Speakout I think most of us will recognise that sense of guilt. In a capitalist society, we're conditioned to believe that hard work should be rewarded and taking time to rest is lazy and indulgent. Women in particular are kept busy, the patriarchy don't want us to have any down time or heaven forbid, we might start to question the status quo! What's that awful old saying? 'idle hands are the devils tool'! Fuck that! You enjoy your rest and make sure to pamper yourself like the goddess you are

Hilariousnamehere really pleased the cats are a little better.

I've got a busy day ahead, lots of online meetings. But first a morning walk with my dog. Hope you all have a magical day.

It feels so good to be understood VioletCharlotte I love your "fuck that" attitude- exactly what I need to hear.

I hope you manage to bolster your busy day with lots of magical pepper pot practices!

Hear hear to the ‘fuck that!’ Violet
I’m nodding enthusiastically in agreement with your post and also believe that patriarchal/capitalist narratives would have us worked to the bone, taking care of ourselves met with scorn and judgment. Fuck that indeed.

I’m glad you’re taking the time you need speakout and challenging the ingrained guilt as it shows itself. I can relate to all you’re saying. Take good care of our dear friend, we love to hear of you nurturing yourself and taking the time you need.

I hope you had a good walk this morning Violet and that there’s magic weaved through your day. I’m
loving your powerful goddess energy today, it’ll be a fabulous thing to take to those meetings.

It’s interesting to hear your perspective and experience priestessfaustina, as Hekatestorch said yesterday, the mix of ideas and practices is one of the things I enjoy about our gathering. I love hearing how others view things.

It’s making me realise, as hilarious describes, how personal it all is and that my own practice/life choices are very values driven for want of a better phrase- anything with hierarchy doesn’t work for me.it’ll be interesting to see how i get on in my new job that seems to have more of it than I’m used to, that’ll be a learning experience for me! Ha!

hilarious it’s good to read your update. Sleep is certainly a magic ingredient isn’t it, I’m glad you’re better rested and that there’s progress being made with the cats.
Hekatestorch your sunflowers are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing them with us. I agree about the interesting discussion and the joy of having people to have that with. You so eloquently describe many of the things I think and feel too. It’s such a gift to feel understood.

Suzy what you say makes a lot of sense to me and I think again it’s such a personal thing. No need to put labels on our paths if we don’t want to but also so good to be able to talk it all through here.

The skies have darkened here, the rain started and the thunder and lightning have just started- how exciting!! I’m not dressed yet but off I go outside!

Have a magical day friends

Morning all! And especially warm blessings to all newcomers! I have not posted for a while, but have still enjoyed every single post I have read - always inspiration and understanding to be found here.

During my absence, I have been going deep within, sitting with my fears and feelings and questioning everything, from every angle. This new moon just passed has had an extraordinary effect on me - I have not felt such a deep, intense, bittersweet joy in years! It has really helped seeing the world around me turning golden - this time of year really does have its' own treasures!

I have been going back to basics, both in life and my craft, and have rediscovered the utter joy of simple candle magic - no herbs, talismans etc (though these things are still important to me). This was one of the first things I did as a new witch, and I almost forgot the power a single flame can hold.

Last day of this heatwave here, I think, so I shall take advantage of it and hang some laundry outdoors to absorb every drop of the late summer energy. Hope everyone has an uplifting day!

AnotherCrazyBirdLady good to see you- and delighted to hear of your new found vigour for your practice.
Aerwyna a thunderstorm in the morning! What a treat, and quite an unusual time. Electrical storms often occur late afternoon or night during summer, having one to set off your day is lovely.
I have just hung my laundry outside, such a balmy day. It is warm, around 24 degrees, but still a mist/fog haning around. Not the icy fog with cold fingers that is usual here, but a fog like steam, warm, quite tropical!

Having a coffee before setting off on my pottering today, I have been listening to Rupert Sheldrake this morning on youtube, a scientist who has some interesting ideas about "non scientific" stuff, a little like Jung in comparison. Touches on meditation, Eastern Philosphy, telepathy, I did some deep diving into his work decades ago, but time for a re-visit as my journey has moved me into a different place. May be of interest to anyone interested in " mechanisms" of magic, his theories of Morphic Resonance are thought provoking. A former academic at Cambridge he is criticised by many mainstream scientists, but I find his thoughts worth listening to.

Good stuff to listen to while I do some tidying of herbs and oils.

Good evening sisters,

I come bearing corn dolls for the harvest alter.
I meant to pop in sooner but was up late and busy in the garden. It’s been fiercely hot so didn’t make as much progress as I’d wanted. Still no closer to solving the mystery of the missing fish from my water butt. (Affectionately known as my butt fish.) A lovely yellow little thing.

Hear hear Violet.

Turns out buxton did a well dressing this year fb link to picture not sure if available else where.

Might have to see if i can pop over and see in person, but this week is hectic (to the point of bat shit crazy busy when can i sleep?) so i don't know if i will make it up in daylight hours.

I will be glad when this heat breaks, i have blistered heat rash and heat stroke from the massive temp jump. When can i have my snow?

Trying my best to finish the batch prep i started but dang this temp is making it hard when i am fighting burnout.

Hope you all have gentle evenings with a bit of time for whatever will feed your soul.

Good evening all. It's been a while (and several name changes) since I've hung out here.

Any Kitchen Witches around who can suggest where to buy some cheap 100 proof alcohol? With no travel for quite a while I've not been able to stock up on any for tincturing, I used pick up a bottle or two in duty free.

Giggle throws up top of the range, expensive vodka but I was hoping for something a little more bargain basement.

Evening All.

I hope everyone is well. I keept being constantly amazed by the women on the thread. It really is a place where I feel understood too. And love the 'fuck it' sentiment!

I am glad to hear the kitties are doing better ❤

@tinctureThis I don't make tinctures but sometimes use the alcohol method for making my ritual oils. I usually use everclear or grain neutral spirit. Though I have only found them on amazon and they aren't quite 100% proof .

Not sure if you can use it for tinctures.

Have to tried any supermarkets aimed at the Polish community. They usually have Debowa Polska but it's about 80% proof and about £20-£25 per bottle.

They are the best I have found. Not sure if that's helpful.

You can buy up to 190 degree proof food grade alcohol here- liquidessences.co/shop/?gclid=CjwKCAjwvuGJBhB1EiwACU1AiWvBQBlYvyjtGChQS3qS9IJyblFZ7bV9IFU0YTXfWAwJVCSxttRGTxoC24AQAvD_BwE

It isn't cheap though. Are you looking for 100 degree proof ethanol or 100% ABV ethanol- two distinct things.

100 degree proof ethanol is 50% ethanol by volume.
Depending on the solublity of what you are making vodka may work.

suzyscat I seem to be seeking a lot of fox activity in my garden lately, new holes under fences, foxpoop on the lawn. I love the creatures- always welcome, they and my cats rub shoulders quite harmoniously.

Good luck wih your new job tomorrow.

Thank you @Hekatestorch, I can check the local Polish grocers.

Thank you @speakout - Yes, they are definitely two distinct things, it's 50% ABV I need, that link looks very promising. I don't mind paying for decent stuff just hate the idea of paying for a fancy label/bottle.

Maybe this one 69% ABV

www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/grain-neutral-spirit/grain-neutral-spirit/?utm_content=grain-neutral-spirit/grain-neutral-spirit&currencyCode=GBP&utm_source=database&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=mom_base_1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvuGJBhB1EiwACU1AiawtrtkSvIlXrPwWLazXimaYx8kJqeregW4WVlJS6TPlbFuAPIUYJBoC3WEQAvD_BwE

That is perfect @speakout. Will do the job nicely, thank you so much!

Ordered :D tincturing will resume on Tuesday.

I've been in deep reflection the last few days and had a bit of a lightbulb moment.
I'm feeling so 'stuck' in certain aspects of my life - clinging to a future I cannot have and regretting past decisions.
I have options in front of me to occupy me but keep pushing them away, not really drawn to any one in particular. It suddenly occured to me that I am afraid to choose, because in the last 10 years every time I did it took me down a very difficult path and in some cases even took me to a fait accompli that turned these decisions into a burden.

I still don't know which path to pick, but at least now I feel less angry at myself for my inability to choose.

Queenrollo I am glad to hear of your lightbulb moment, and that you are being a little less angry with yourself. You have taken steps in the past which have led to burdens and difficult circumstances. It is no surprise to hear that you feel fear regarding similar options. Your fear is a manifestation of your self protection, seems a very healthy and rational response.It makes sense that you feel stuck- having these experiences has increased your caution- a very reasonable reaction!
There may be gold in these opportunities, they may not be so favourable, life is often a leap of faith- and hat sometimes include saying no to opportunities that look good on paper. Feeling too much fear can also hold us back.
Perhaps do some work on mediations or shadow work surrounding your past self, help her to work though the situations that led to difficulties, both to give her support and guidance. This may release current fear and give you some clarity. I find Tarot or some other divination very useful in these type of circumstances. It may help clear the fog a little.
One of my favourite tools when making a hard decision is time. Days or weeks if you have it. Using other resources, mulling things over, often a muddled situation can become crystal clear if given a week or two.
I will light a candle for you this morning to send clarity.

Queenrollo that's tricky. It's easy to say 'follow your intuition', but it's hard when heart and head become involved, not to mention others and their well meaning advice. Is this a decision you need to make imminently? If you can, I would sit it with it for a while. I find the answers normally come when my mind is at ease, often when I'm walking with my dog or driving. I don't think there's such a thing as a wrong path, my belief is that where I am now is where I'm meant to be (even if it may not be where I'd choose to be!)

Lovely to hear about all the foxy visitors! We don't seem to get them here (probably a good thing as my dog likes to roll in fox poo!) I do love them though, and have various fox related things dotted around my house (along with hares, squirrels, hedgehogs, etc - DS always says he feels like he lives in the woods!)

Hills thank you for sharing the picture of the dresses well. After you mentioned them previously I saw a picture of one at Glastonbury. I hadn't realised this was a thing, this thread is such a source of information, I love finding out about different traditions and rituals.

Busy, but productive day yesterday. I felt a real shift in the energy with the new moon and was able to get a number of things done I'd be procrastinating about for a while! I popped out for a walk lunchtime, I'm lucky enough to have trees and bushes bursting with ripe autumn fruit just outside my front door, so I picked a big bowl of juicy blackberries.

We had a bit of thunder last night but no rain. It's still incredibly hot and muggy her so I'm hoping it'll break soon and we can enjoy some fresh, cooler air.

Crossed posts Speakout