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.

Thank you @speakout. I think I will meditate on it like you suggested for some clarity but I think what you said about balance for me re time for myself may be what it is hinting at. Touch wood I'm managing to balance work and motherhood but not particularly managing to fit in things that are just for me. I think that's what has drawn me back into this thread a bit more of you know what I mean.
I love the synchronicity (is that the right word?!) of you also pulling the same card!

It's lovely to check back in with everyone here and read about how everyone weaves a bit of magic into their lives. Will be incorporating lots of things into mine. I already do the essential oil shower which I picked up many threads ago!

The sun is shining now but it rained like the End of Days first thing this morning! We did need the rain but the cool spell and the wind having brought down the first leaves does bring home the fact that it's Autumn now.

Off for a walk around some local lakes later, which will be lovely in the sun with the Autumn colours starting to come through. I was feeling most discombobulated this morning so hopefully this will bring some balance.

Good morning everyone!

I have been a long time lurker on these threads and found them very useful on my beginner witches path - thank you!

I wonder if anyone who is good with dreams could help me out : I’ve been having very intense detailed dreams recently which I put down to the full moon but there have been recurring themes which feel like a message I should be paying attention to:
A black dog which is friendly and protective and the smell of pomegranate perfume.

I don’t have a dog and though I do wear pomegranate noir perfume I have run out so haven’t worn it in months so it isn’t on my clothes or sheets.

I’ve been doing what I suppose you would call shadow work, and made some healthy but very hard decisions recently and been feeling a bit lost and despondent. But after last nights dream when the dog and smell were very vivid I woke feeling much more at peace with it all.

Googling tells me these may be signs of a guide or deity but those aren’t really part of my practice.

Anyone have any ideas?

Hello, @StarsAboveMe, and welcome!
Dogs in dreams usually signify loyalty and friendship. I'm thinking the 'black dog' symbolism refers to your feelings - have you been feeling low, hopeless at all? To me, this dream speaks of somebody who has or will look after you and help you through tough times. As to the pomegranate scent, these fruits are associated with fertility and motherhood, so I feel a female will be the source of help you need.

Hope this is of some help - I've been having some very symbolic dreams myself lately!

Argh the dreams at the moment are so vivid. I keep dreaming about public toilets and it's always unpleasant. I believe this is to do with a need for privacy but also changes afoot. All of which makes complete sense to me.

I haven't managed to do my daily tarot pull today but I keep seeing the same cards again and again, namely Judgement and king of cups which comes up ALL the time!

Over the weekend I was accepted onto a yoga teacher training course and I am so excited. Have a blessed day all of you.

Thanks @AnotherCrazyBirdLady - that’s really useful! I have been feeling quite low and struggling to see positivity so that’s reassuring.

I’ve actually felt a lot brighter today already on the back of the dream!

There’s definitely something in the air right now.

Had to share this...

~ Autumn Child ~
By Flora Turrill

I was made for autumn time,
Her patient dawns and pensive skies,
Thick, woven scarves and poetry,
The rustling sonnets of the leaves.
I was made for misty days,
The intense scent of life's decay,
A touch of frost upon my nose,
The feral winds that howl and blow.
I was made for autumn rain,
Viewed safely from my window pane,
Beloved books and apple pie,
A glowing hearth and candlelight.
I was made for harvest moons,
All Hallows' Eve and pumpkins too,
The embers of a blessed fire
That sweep throughout a sleepy Shire.
I was made for onyx dawns,
Bewitching noons & breathless morns,
The whispers of a thinning veil,
Enchanted eves and timeless tales.
I was made for cloudless skies,
Autumnal walks and warm attire,
The beauty of each matchless day;
O Autumn, bless me with your ways.

So i left a read on the board and a user kindly directed me here.
IVve always been interested in the more spiritual side of life. My friends lovingly call me a witch, due to some odd occurrances, but I prefer the term intuitive.
Anyway, after a particularly rough few years I've decided to try and explore some alternative therapies, I suppose just try to be open to things I may not have necessarily thought about too much before.
I've recently completed a CBT course and loved it but my therapist was quite spiritual too and we did find ourselves often talking other things rather than convential therapy.
I especially loved the breathing techniques, they instantly helped my anxiety so I've revisited meditation but I have to be honest, I am struggling.
I think what Id really like to look at is gaining some knowledge in crystals and their properties, along side sound bath therapy.
I don't have any understanding of these things really but am very open to learning, all though I dont have an endless supply of money.
So I guess what I'm asking is, are there any hints/tips/advice you lovely people can give me around some basic things/books to begin my journey. Reasonably priced/usefull and suitable for a very new beginner. Rather like a starter pack, although i realise that may sound like a completely ignorant/simplistic way of asking for help. I guess what Im saying is I'm a girl who has the enthusiasm but no idea lol.

Really strange because just reading through a few messages and seeing some of you have been off kilter. I keep a mood diary and always struggle with energy and mood levels shifting between seasons, thought it was just me

ALittleBitConfused1

So glad you have joined us- and lovely to see you StarsAboveMe too.
Some comforting tea in the pot.

Yes I think there are some challengimg energies around- the day started off well, but the apple cart has become upset again here.
Having some Chamomile and honey tea as I consider an early night. Lots of sleep helps most situations!

It's good to join you all by the fire this evening. Like others, I've even experiencing some crazy energy since the equinox. The last few days I feel rather like I've been at sea, riding the waves in a very small boat! Things do seem to have settled a bit today though so I'm hoping that's the end of it.

Speakout thank you for the card, the Four of Wands is a fabulous card and it's good to have such a visual reminder of the strength of the energy we've created on this thread.

Aerwyna I'm so pleased your enjoying your new job, your energy feels so bright at the moment and I can feel your happiness through your words, it's very uplifting.

Toto and Hilariousnamehere thank for the sunset photos, the autumn skies are just beautiful. I've been timing my evening dog walks so I can watch the setting sun.

Brightyellowdaffodil so glad you made it to Glastonbury. Chalice Well is such a special place isn't it? I love the sound of the hazelnut pastry galette!

Hillsbesidethesea
Ooh you've got me thinking about journals now! I do love a new journal. I'm currently using the Moonology one.

Starsaboveme welcome and thank you for sharing. Your dream sounds like it left you feeling comforting and reassured? The black dog feels like a spirit animal to me, he's there to look after you. You may find yourself noticing black dogs around you when you're out about over the next few days. Did a relative have a dog when you were growing up? I feel like you're very much a dog lover, even though you don't own one yourself, and you associate them with feeling safe.

Alittlebitconfused1
I'm so pleased you found us! Come and settle by the fire and grab a tea. It's great that you have decided you want to explore spirituality. There's a wealth of knowledge on these threads, so do read back through the past threads if you get a chance. My advice would be to explore whatever you're most drawn to, you're interested in crystals so read up about them. Some of the crystals mines are rather unethical so read up about this too so you understand what to look for if you decide to buy crystals. Sound baths are wonderful, have you been to one?

A cheap and easy (although time consuming) way to start is to go through the past threads. There is lots of interesting hidden within their depths.

The elfin Diary is not one that I had heard of, thank you for bringing it to my attention AnotherCrazyBirdLady.

Apple cart has been upset here too. Petrol situation has lead to the respite trip i have been trying to take since 2019 has been cancelled again.
To say i am not a happy bunny is putting it mildly. I am more than ready for the break from the crazy here. But i just don't know how to swing it so that i can go away and do things and come back with the petrol I will have after work this week. Worst is that i can't even escape into the hills because that also requires petrol.

Thank you all your warm messages and kind welcome. I'm facing a heavy work schedule this week so am defo going to spend some me time catching up on the thread over the weekend. Already I can tell there's lots I need to learn and discover, but I've spent a large part of my life feeling a little different and very curious in things I that can't be explained so I know it will be worth my while.
Good point made on the ethical aspect of what I buy. I'm going to try and source some second hand books on crystals and sound bowls then maybe buy just one or two things and maybe some reiki stones and go from there. I'm quite sure I have senses that I should develop but feel like I need to find a way to be at peace and unblock that energy (if I'm using the right termonology) to get to that point. So here my journey begins.

I read that a white stag turned up in Liverpool yesterday. It was a beautiful creature. Sadly it was shot by the Police. I thought of this thread when I saw that.

Not a which per se but my parents in law have been wiccans for decades and I'm looking to get an insight into their world. I've done a bit of reading on the subject but not sure what is legit? I would love to learn more. I come from a religious background (non practicing) and my parents are really vocal about their beliefs but my inlaws are very secretive about theirs. They are fairly well known in their community. I went to the new forest fairy festival with my MIL and she literally knew every trader there. I know the deities they have in their home are the stag, the green man and the fertility godess.

@Hdhdjejdj

I read that a white stag turned up in Liverpool yesterday. It was a beautiful creature. Sadly it was shot by the Police. I thought of this thread when I saw that.

That's heartbreaking :(

fluffyatemycake there are no rules in a pagan path, so it is really up to your in laws to determine what is "legit" or right for them.

I come from a religious background and my parents are really vocal about their beliefs but my inlaws are very secretive about theirs.

Why do you think this could be? Worth thinking about.

@speakout

fluffyatemycake there are no rules in a pagan path, so it is really up to your in laws to determine what is "legit" or right for them.

I come from a religious background and my parents are really vocal about their beliefs but my inlaws are very secretive about theirs.

Why do you think this could be? Worth thinking about.

By legit I meant the book I read in terms of how true to actual practice is it, not how my in laws chose to follow their religion. I want to educate myself so I can respect their beliefs.

fluffyatemycake I think it is wonderful that you want to learn and support your inlaws- although people who follow a pagan path are a very eclectic bunch.
Could you start a conversation with your inlaws? Tell them of your desire to learn?
Ther isn't a catch all book I'm afraid. Even on this thread we have pagans, neo pagans, witches, wiccans, atheists some who work with deity, others who don't.
Good luck in your quest.

fluffyatemycake I am going to agree with speakout and I will give this example. I am currently reading (and about to abandon) a book that has been raved about as being amazing, informative, brilliant, good for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. I am abandoning because the Author's practice is not mine, because I complete disagree with some of the way it is written (i am finding the tone condescending and preachy) and that whilst I can see the benefit of some of the exercises that are supposed to help you learn and put into practice the theory, i don't relate to a lot of the theory. Most people like this book, for me it is not a good fit.

At the end of the day an individual's practice is their own and it is not like Christianity/Judaism/Muslim where there is a set frame work which you can learn to understand it. I don't have a faith, i have a practice. My practise is my practise, it is not Speakout's, it is not Aerwyna's or any of the other individual's on this thread.

I work with only 2 seasons so my practice, looks and feels very very different to most peoples. And most would not understand a good deal of my practice if they didn't know, or understand the historic family roots it is grounded in.

So the best advice is that to understand your inlaw's faith is to speak to them.

Thank you for the welcome @speakout.

And thank you @VioletCharlotte : that’s a very accurate summation! I feel very calm and at peace now with a particular situation which has been causing a lot of upset. It truly feels as if a weight has been lifted by that dream. I’m very grateful to who/whatever sent it!

Good afternoon sisters

@MoonlightMedicine that was a beautiful piece of poetry, it really spoke to me.

@HillsBesideTheSea
So sorry about your trip being cancelled I've had several trips postponed in the last 18 months too.
Is there anywhere close by you can go on foot or public transport for a day out?

It's currently raining very heavily here, the sound of rain in the trees is wonderful!
I'm going to complete my Mabon ritual tonight as it draws to a close and cleanse the crystals again if it rains.

A daytrip is all good and well but it is hard to escape the pressure on the subconcious of everything that needs to be done when you get home, what you could be doing, what you are going to walk into; especially when you are only away for a few hours. Mostly i need a couple of nights away simply to put mental space between my brain and the demands that are on me and its space/function.

That said it is a 3 mile walk to the nearest bus station to get a bus to the nearest traffic hub that doesn't even head towards the hills. Arse end of nowhere is great in some respects but a right royal pita others.

Mostly I just want to win the lottery and move, and remove myself from the support role that I am in constantly where it is not needed constantly and it is convenient rather than necessary. Removing myself would allow support to be given in the correct proportion for the best welfare for all involved.

In the meantime I am trying to figure out if there are other ways to work towards this balance. And focus on my welfare in a better proportion to the demands that are placed on my.

I think it is a reflection on my emotional state that i am finding the rain atm oppressive and smoothering.

I made a corn dollie out of squashed paper straws, it didn't come out pretty but it amused me to do the creation. I am considering acquiring some none squashed paper straws for making more another time.