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.

Making my way through the old threads but wanted to de-lurk and say hello.

Have always been interested in nature, yoga and herbs but have been feeling more and more drawn in recently, especially to the wheel of the year.

DD and I are enjoying making our first solstice alter for Tuesday.

Swanhilde

A warm welcome- so good to have you delurk- although lurkers are always welcome too!
Sounds a wonderful project you and your DD have planned - a wonderful way to mark the solstice.

Thank you @HillsBesideTheSea that's an amazing channel, firmly bookmarked :) and you're spot on with there being now and not now hence late reply, clicked through and then fell down a YouTube rabbit hole!

@VioletCharlotte that's exactly me - it's been so helpful to recognise it rather than shout at myself about it.

Welcome @Swanhilde!

I'm loving hearing about your solstice plans, I'm spending it with my mini-coven and am really excited.

@speakout your posts always make me smile, I am very much in favour of delegating the freezer and pursuing your projects

Thank you for the warm welcomes. I grew up in rural south Warwickshire and was introduced to witchy things by my teacher when I was 9. We read a book called The Witch of the Rollrights, which told of the Long Compton witches and of course, the standing stones. We even went on a trip there! It was wonderful and has always stayed with me.

Swanhilde

How lovely.
What an enlightened teacher.

Good morning sisters, I hope we're all doing ok.

I've had a rollercoaster ride of a week too, so I'm relieved the working week has come to and end. It all seems a bit crazy again, doesn't it?! Happily, the energies directly around me and my family seem to be settling a little.

Speakout your post about all the things you'd like to be doing made me smile as I'm exactly the same. Every year I imagine myself foraging in the woods for foliage to make my own holly wreath, making witch balls as gifts from friends, baking lots of delicious homemade goods, but life always takes over unfortunately and so this morning I find myself in the shopping centre buying last minute bits!

It's lovely to hear about everyone's plans for the solstice. All being well, I'm going to a small celebration where we'll mark the turn of the wheel with some chanting and card readings and a long sound bath. The current situation is moving so quickly though, I'be accepted that plans may well change last minute!!

Hilariousnamehere the recent realisation that DS1 has ADHD has been a light bulb moment for both of us. We had a long talk about it yesterday, he's going to see a diagnosis in he new year. He realises there's a long wait and it won't actually change anything but he says it'll help him feel understood, which I completely get. In the meantime I'm doing a lot of reading to understand it better.

Swanhilde a warm welcome to you 😊 Your teacher sounds like an amazing lady.

Morning all!

Seems we're all being buffeted on a rollercoaster at the moment. My week has been much the same. I've had appointments galore. Now facing an expensive dental bill (one that will hopefully see off a much bigger one in the future) and then yesterday the news that my eyes need varifocals. I've also been diagnosed (again) with dry eyes, though this optician said it far more pronounced than my previous optician had stated. So I'm loaded with drops and gels, and told to get a warming eye patch as I have clogged pores too.
Blimey - I feel like I am falling apart all of a sudden!

I've ignored all housework this morning in favour of finally cracking open the last crate of Christmas decorations and getting them up.
My parents are coming later to swap over presents. We don't get together over Christmas itself. They like to be at home, and they think it unfair to drag the children away from the new gifts they get. This suits me, although my childhood christmases were filled with cousins and aunts and uncles, and noise and lights and laughter. I do hanker a little after a Boxing Day like that again.

where does the motivation and energy go to hide this time of the year? Because if we could find that super secret hidey lair we'd make a fortune

queenrollo sorry to hear about your eyes and teeth- my eyesight is not great either and every year the prescription gets stronger.
HillsBesideTheSea I think that secret lair is hiding in plain sight, it is mostly women who make christmas happen, and many of us are stretched to the max aas it is- working, running a home, keeping everyone well and fed. We very often have caring roles for children or other relatives, elderly, often doing tasks for them too that they can't do for themselves.
That's where the energy goes.
I watch all these "witchcore" you tube videos of witches devoting tons of time to their magical practice at these busy times, but worth remembering that is usually not real life.
Not many of these influencers have children, or care for others, often making internet content is a full time job for them, they have a team behind them this gives a very skewed / rose tinted snapshots of what their lives are really like.
I have managed to put on my Christmas cushion covers and given the toilet and bathroom a deep clean. DD is coming over to stay tonight and she likes a soak in the bath ( only has a shower in her flat) So I scrub the bath and bathroom, polish the taps, bought her favourite shampoo and a scented candle, clean soft white towels so she can have a relaxing soak. She has had a traumatic week at work, with a couple of cases that were emotionally challenging.
So tonight it will be cuddling up with me under a blanket, drinking hot chocolate watching a cheesy Christmas movie. I call that magic!!!

Sounds like magic to me too speakout, I hope you have a lovely evening together.

Just popping in for a tea, as I often have been doing quietly of late. Love to those who are stretched and/or unwell. May you find pockets of healing peaceful energy this weekend.

I’ve had some beautiful cards drop through my door this week, full of lovely witchy energy- thank you sisters, your energy has lifted and it’s so good to feel connected.

Wishing everyone a magical weekend

Aerwyna thanks for the reminder- I too have had lots of Yule and pagan cards through the post this week- thank you sisters!
It lifts my heart to see them displayed, images of moons and hares and stags, owls, woodls, green men of the forest and evergreens.
It makes my home feel so much more homely.
When I was a child- as much as I loved christmas cards I always found the imagary very confusing- santa, holly, camels, snow covered village scenes, pyramids, robins, bedouin tribesmen, christmas trees, sand dunes in the desert. Could never quite piece it all together!!
I have created a space in my home this week for my cards- not a camel in sight!!
Also full of witchy energy!

Going to be honest, i am struggling with the basics of tea, laundry and washing up really badly atm, let allow any festive stuff.
I could happily spend all day in bed RICE-ing my sore joints and still sleep 14hrs. I really do hermit this quarter of the year. I know it gets better after the solstice, but right now it is a struggle. I am grateful that i know i struggle and plan to get as much as is possible done before this quarter kicks in so i have less prep. But this year is really bad even for me.

But totally totally agree. We are the family brain, we are the planners and organisers, the jugglers and tamers, the do-ers. And it is hard, and can really suck all the joy of things.

HillsBesideTheSea
I am sorry things are tough. I have a candle for our group burning right now, the solstice is a time of light but also darkness. I hope the full moon tomorrow brings you some respite and relief.

HillsBesideTheSea I wish I could come and help with your laundry. There are many household tasks that are a real chore to do, but laundry I don't mind.
DD has just brought me 8 sets of uniforms that she has been struggling to keep on top of, so I have just washed on a hot wash with some baby soft fabric softner, now drying on hot racks. I would love to spend time embroidering sigils, but no time today.
She had her Covid booster yesterday, feeling sore, feverish and a pounding head. Lying on the sofa with a ht water bottle and a couple of cats.

Hills I feel you so much on that. I have been living in an absolute cluttered mess. If it weren't for the dishwasher (and a very capable DH) I would have resorted to paper plates! It's just a very hard time of year, especially if you are a being who needs to rest and hibernate. Sending you love and healing energy.

I too have had some beautiful cards from you all. As for the ones I sent out, well I picked them intuitively and not knowing what you look like that was quite fun. So the girl is how my mind's eye sees you!

A successful visit from parents earlier who have dropped off SO MANY presents! But I know most of them will be delicious treats so the pile is less daunting as by mid January it will all be eaten!

Flying visit again, I'm in tune with so much of the upheaval we're all part of lately. I was so organised a couple of weeks ago and plans were completed way in advance and now, well, I'm rushing to catch my own shadow.

Solstice soon, for anyone that doesn't know, around 5,000 years ago, our ancestors built huge monuments to make the light of the Solstices visible. Newgrange in Ireland captures the beam of the first light of Winter Solstice Sunrise and Maeshowe in Orkney captures the Winter Solstice Sunset.

There's a Newgrange webcast from Ireland www.newgrange.com/webcast.htm

but so far I can't find one for Maeshowe this year from the usual sources, www.facebook.com/maeshowewebcams/ if anyone does have a current link, please post it.

Solstice Blessings sisters

BlankTimes Thanks for that information- I love the facts and details that you share with us. So interesting. I have visited Maeshow but not Newgrange, it would be wonderful to be there in person.
Also a reminder that our ancients- Neolithic and Paleolithic were not savage immoral individuals eating each other. I have no doubt that there were skimishes and invasions, but alos a great deal of peaceful living, especially in cultures where women were allowed to share the power.
Modern day cults and mass mind manipulation lead some to think we are savage and without altruism unless we have diection from a holy book, or some rules that advises us against eating our offspring.
We dont need to be told that, animals already know how to work in cohesive groups- look to elephants, wolves, even bees.
I see no less warfare in the past 2000 years- and thes wonderful monuments remind us of sophistication of our ancestors.
Full moon blessings dear sisters I hope this day brings some release to the stresses of the season.

Can I pop my head round the door to say hello? I'll sit very quietly in a corner if that is ok. As the years go by I find myself more interested in the solstice than in Christmas and would appreciate a bit of companionship. I'm famous for my flapjack bakes, would anyone like a slice?

BerthaFlapjack you are very welcome- and no need to sit in a corner- claim your space and talk as loudly as you like!
We are all equals here.
And yes please to a flapjack- always lots of tea here too, so perfect for a cosy afternoon with like minded friends. You will find lots of companionship and undertanding here. We are a diverse bunch, but lots of mutual respect and love crackles through our magical kitchen.

Thank you, what a warm welcome. I have chocolate orange flapjack in the stove at the moment. A herbal tea would be great, thank you.

BerthaFlapjack kettle is on- park your broom and grab a place by the fire. I have talents, but baking is not one of them- I would love a flapjack!

Ok now that sounds good BerthaFlapjack
The magic teapot will pour what tea you wish. Welcome.

Thank you everyone. It feels very cosy in here. I look forward to listening and learning.

Any good plans for this week?
Monday I have yoga,Tuesday I will be doing a big food shop with my DD- I have a stack of Nectar points so that will pay for the bulk of the shoppng, Wednesday and Thursday yoga classes, Friday Body Balance.
Tuesday I also have a dermalogica facial booked at the beauty salon on Tuesday- if we are not all in lockdown!
Apart from that just housework, which I am enjoying a lot- it is a pleasure being able to take things at such a relaxed pace.
Lots or wrapping to do too- but again an activity I enjoy.
So hopefully a calm and easy week.

Nervous hello 👋
I'm here basically because my life has fallen apart and I need to rebuild it

My husband left me suddenly 3 weeks ago. I love him and this has honestly left me wanting to just die. He says there's no hope of him ever changing his mind

So I need to start pulling myself together and really want to use this time to get to know myself better, practice some serious self care etc

I was hoping, if not too presumptuous that you wonderful people may be able to guide me
Blessed be 💖