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.

HillsBesideTheSea I hope you are feeling better today.

queenrollo I am glad you had a good birthday, feeling understood is beyond measure isn't it. I have a few people in my life who gift me in his way- treasures that truly count, not expensive- a stone or seeds from someone's garden, a jar filled of reasons why I am loved, Home made candles and bath salts.

You have people that love and care for you.

A lovely yoga class this morning has given way to the sun breaking through- so laundry time and an easy pace of work.

Catch the magic sisters!

I have been quiet for the last few of these threads but I’m wondering if I can reach out for some guidance?

I have a close friend who was raised with very similar values to me.

Recently she has shunned anything relating the witchcraft, new age, even down to throwing out her crystals and removing anything from her house that is not seen as healthy by Christians.

I support her in her new beliefs and would never push my beliefs on her but I am finding now that she sees me a needing to be ‘saved’
She’s sending me videos of people speaking about how dangerous witchcraft, new age, crystals etc is abs how she hopes it reaches me to wake up and come out from the dark side.

It’s really quite upsetting as I don’t feel like I need saving and I don’t feel like there is anything dark at all about my beliefs or what I practise

She doesn’t want to see me anymore and I’m feeling like I’ve lost a sister

My house isn’t full of anything dark or potentially dangerous.

She believes that any health issues my child has had is caused by my beliefs and that god would save them if only I believed in god

Do I just forgo this friendship assuming that she will now no longer accept me as the same friend I always have been?

Do I just forgo this friendship assuming that she will now no longer accept me as the same friend I always have been?

I would say yes.

Christian indoctrination is very powerful. She doesn'tt realise how rude she is either.

I would step back. I am sorry this is happening to you.
I am very protective of my path, my journey and my energy.

@32inchtv

I have been quiet for the last few of these threads but I’m wondering if I can reach out for some guidance?

I have a close friend who was raised with very similar values to me.

Recently she has shunned anything relating the witchcraft, new age, even down to throwing out her crystals and removing anything from her house that is not seen as healthy by Christians.

I support her in her new beliefs and would never push my beliefs on her but I am finding now that she sees me a needing to be ‘saved’
She’s sending me videos of people speaking about how dangerous witchcraft, new age, crystals etc is abs how she hopes it reaches me to wake up and come out from the dark side.

It’s really quite upsetting as I don’t feel like I need saving and I don’t feel like there is anything dark at all about my beliefs or what I practise

She doesn’t want to see me anymore and I’m feeling like I’ve lost a sister

My house isn’t full of anything dark or potentially dangerous.

She believes that any health issues my child has had is caused by my beliefs and that god would save them if only I believed in god

Do I just forgo this friendship assuming that she will now no longer accept me as the same friend I always have been?

I think you need to let it go.

She may return to you one day. I actually know alot of people who have 'turned to christianity', in the last year. Which is fine, no judgment from me.

But the vast majority have become evangelical about it and have become quite negative about anyone else's choices.

My mums family are mainly Irish Catholic, my dad's family is Hindu. So I am used to rubbing along with people of a different religions and outlooks and its not been a problem. But these other people I know (from RL, work and social media) are acting as though someone has terrified them when it comes to paganism and witch craft. They are saying things they know aren't true, but still going along with it and still believing it.

Let her go in the hope she finds peace, whichever path she ends on. She may come back, she may not. But trying to stay close to her will not help you or her. i think she needs to figure this out without you.

@32inchtv

Something similar happened to me with a friend who became an evangelical Christian many years ago.

She even brought in the ‘big gun’ to convince me, her vicar, who told me that because of my views my whole family was doomed.

As for your friend saying, or even implying, that your child’s health issues are linked to you not believing in her god - words fail.

Sadly, your relationship with your friend cannot be saved while she continues to hold these views.

Her loss. Stay strong.

I agree that you need to walk away from this person. I had a very similar experience with a friend and there is no reasoning with this kind of evangelical dogma.
Like others here I have many friends of differing faiths, including some very devout Christians but their faith is one of acceptance of other paths while travelling their own. In fact one of my Christian friends loves to talk to me about how my candle lighting meditation and intention is a similar form of energy channeling to their own meditation and prayer.
I'm sorry you are going through this though.

We popped out earlier and I ended up getting into a very public argument with a total stranger. In all honesty we were in the right and they were not but I feel quite unsettled by it now. My eldest DS bought me lots of calming goodies from Lush so I think a bath is in order to wash this negative energy off.

De lurking to say that I left evangelical Christianity some years a go. I am very new to pagan/ witch beliefs but am so happy to have found them. I have to hide all my witchy interests (Crystals, herbs, tarot) from my family. They think anything witchy is from the devil and would completely freak out. It’s really hard. I am your friend Is involved in Christianity. It’s such a awful belief system , I am so glad to be out!

Sorry meant “I am sad your friend is involved in Christianity “ !

pandapop17 I am glad you have joined us. I know deconverting can be really hard. We are a warm group, and accepting. Relax and have tea.
queenrollo sounds an unpleasant encounter, no surprise you are feeling ruffled.
Your DS sounds lovely- turning up with just what you need. Rest well dear friend.

Gosh, this thread moves quickly! Lovely to see some newcomers and welcome back to old friends.

Hills so glad your DS is ok , I hope he's recovering well. Pleased you managed to get your vaccines.

Aerwyna great news about your new job, I'm so happy for you. I'm enjoying all the manifestation too, it's always heart warming to hear when others are successful.

Wildewitch I love the change of seasons too. I'm enjoying the cooler mornings and I like the fact the evenings are getting darker now and I can shut the curtains and light my candles. It's been getting hot here on the afternoons though, I'm starting the day in jumpers and woolly socks and ending it in shorts!

Trenzalor thank you for sharing the image of that beautiful oak. I love that you've given her a name!

32inchTV. I can only echo what others are saying in that I think all you can do is step away from this friend. It sounds like she's been fully indoctrinated, she won't change her views and accept you so it'll just cause you pain.

Queenrollo sounds like you had a lovely birthday. A hug from a good friend means the works doesn't it? I hope you enjoy your new candle - is it an online company by any chance......? I do love a candle! Sorry to hear about your encounter earlier, I hope you're ok now.

Speakout sounds like a magical walk with DD. I'm planning a walk by the river this weekend, I feel like I need to be near water.

It's been a funny old week. My energies were all over the place at the start of the week but I'm feeling more settled now and have found a place of calm. I'm looking forward to the long weekend and planning some nice walks and time for self care and catching up with loved ones. Hopefully we'll be blessed with sunshine 🌞

Just had a quick catch up and I agree with the others 32, I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this loss and harassment with dogma.

I’m afraid I am judgemental of evangelical christians, it stems from being damaged by a cult like sect of them when I was younger. I’m very sad to read how many difficult experiences others have had too.

Sadly it sounds like for now, at least your friend has been brainwashed by them and part of that is the obligation to ‘save’ anyone who will give them the time of day. If it were me I would distance for my own peace of mind. Hopefully she’ll see sense in time but right now you need to focus on your own sense of equilibrium.

It’s always hard to lose a friend, I hop you can be gentle with yourself and give yourself the time you need

Love to you as well panda I know how hard it is to break free and it sounds like you’ve done incredibly well to carve out what feels right for you on your own path. As speakout says, we’re warm and accepting here. I’m glad you’ve joined us too

It makes me sad to read that some of us still have to hide our practice. I've been immensely lucky that my family and friends accept me and my path. I wasn't raised with any religion so that helps! I began to lead toward the pagan path in my early teens, I was lucky that my parents allowed me to explore it.

WildeWitch

You are right.It is very sad.

It is very sad. But its still completely acceptable to belittle our beliefs and just be downright bigoted towards us.

In the last year I have seen some really worrying incidents.

I find it incredibly sad that some still hide from their family. Although to be fair, this is the first relationship where I have been able to just go about my witchy business without judgement.

Thanks for the welcome. I wish my family were more open minded. It’s sad hiding part of yourself, I just really can’t cope with their judgment and don’t need their approval.

@32inchtv I think you will have to put this friendship on pause. It doesn't mean to say you won't be friends in the future, your paths might be destined to cross again.

I would never enforce my views on other people. I used to go to the Catholic Church with my Nan. Neither of us were catholic, she aligned her views with Catholicism and I used to go to keep her company. Spending time with her was important to me. I think what I'm trying to say is, we all find comfort in different beliefs but we should be respectful to others. It doesn't sound like your friend is doing that right now.

Tomorrow, I'm visiting my new classroom. I will be discreetly smudging it ready for fresh start fir me and the kids in September. My classroom will be filled with optimism and encouragement. Most of all I want everyone to feel safe there.

@pandapop17

Thanks for the welcome. I wish my family were more open minded. It’s sad hiding part of yourself, I just really can’t cope with their judgment and don’t need their approval.

Welcome! Offers freshly cooked ginger biscuits.

And welcome to any other newbies that I've missed!

Thank you all for the gentle guidance.
It feels a bit like a painful parting at the moment. We’ve known each other for over 30 years after all.
I hope she comes back to me in future but for mow I will make space and hope that I can start to feel safe and grounded with my own beliefs and path.

The evangelical church certainly seems to engulf people in a way I’ve never witnessed before. It’s cult like and unfortunately some of the beliefs they hold towards certain groups are quite antiquated

32inchtv I understand. An evangelical church swallowed my mother and only sister many years ago. As a result my path -and my business-are kept like a dirty little secret.
Thankfully I have amazingly supportive people around me, and my OH and his family are super proud! My MIL brags about her DIL being a witch!

It is wonderful to have so many new friends on the thread at the moment. Wonderful fresh energy. Everyone is welcome.

www.witchycandles.co.uk/

My candle is from this site @VioletCharlotte
She has a wonderful range, I can't wait to explore some more. I follow her on Instagram and she periodically has codes for discount. She happily does custom candles too.

I love those candles queenrollo- I may wait for a discount though!!

I agree @32inchtv, sometimes you need to eat people go. Sometimes they come back to us - sometimes our shared path is simply come to and end and forks.
@TotoAnnihiliation I smudged my classroom on Monday! I also rearranged the plants and am deliberating which crystal should subtly sit on my desk as a paper weight!
I had a dreadful nights sleep which is very unusual for me these days and my youngest also did which is also unusual for him. He’s four so he’s still got that young child link with things beyond this life. I’ve no idea what was going on but definitely something!
I’m going to position myself close to the aga and hope someone has some coffee brewing.

Let not eat! Don’t eat people

Trenzalor, no contrary to some beliefs us witches don’t actually eat children or anyone else! Autocorrect does amuse me sometimes!

I’ve just made some coffee anyway, freshly ground beans, plenty to go round. I have maple pecan danish for a treat too

I agree with speakout, it’s lovely to have new friends here and add fresh energy to the magical mix.

I’m enjoying hearing about the smudging of classrooms ahead of the new term. When I worked face to face with clients I would use speakout’s fabulous smudge spray to prepare the space and clear the room in between sessions. One room I used to use had no windows and the spray worked a treat. I’ll be taking some with me when I start my job. I’d never used smudge spray before and I love the way it makes it so easy to weave magic into the everyday experience of work.

Wishing everyone a magical day