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.

Good morning all, thank you for the coffee and danish @Aerwyna, that's a perfect start to the day!

Does anyone have any plans for Mabon? I'm hoping to take DC into the woods, we normally go foraging for pine cones and wands, staffs, twigs for brooms and pentacles - things I can use to decorate the house with over the coming months. Autumn is the month I feel the most connected to, followed by winter - which I absolutely love.

Hi, bright blessings to you all. Do you mind if I join this thread? I'm a solitary witch who likes having my solitary practice but also misses having other witches to chat to and exchange ideas with.

Aerwyna thank you for your kind words.
I have just made a hot coffee too, and put the heating on for a little boost- it's quite chilly here this morning. Maple and pecan danish are my favourite!
I am listening to tales about the Kelpie, an ancient Celtic mythical water horse. Beguiling, but malicious. I can’t help feeling this creature is maligned and the the subject of bad press. The whole idea of a water horse seems suffused with positive energy to me- I will keep burrowing down the worm hole- after all many people things that witches are evil monsters!! Any tales from your patch of the woods regarding water horses would be interesting to hear.

Ieatmarmite a warm welcome, have some tea and a cosy spot on the sofa. Many of us are solitaries too- but as you say it is good to have like minded people to chat with. Glad you have joined us.

Thank you for your welcome

Ooh coffee and pecan and maple danish... they're my favourite too! Thank you Aerwyna I'd better save mine for later as I'm off to yoga shortly.

Speakout I've not come across the Kelpie, something else to add to my list of things to find out more about. I can't believe that any animal could be malicious. That sounds to me like someone applying human behaviour to a horse and misunderstanding their behaviour.

Queenrollo thank you for the link to the website, the candles look beautiful. I'll keep an eye out for a discount code

Trenzalor Your autocorrect really made me smile! I love that both you and Toto are smudging your classrooms and taking in crystals. I can imagine you're both wonderful teachers, bringing a little magic into learning.

Wildewitch I love Mahon! Like you, I want to decorate with things I find the woodlands. I've also just booked myself on to a Reiki drumming ceremony that looks very exciting!

Leatmarmiye welcome looking forward to chatting with you.

Hello, can I also join? I jumped in around thread 7 and was warmly welcomed and given some advice on where to dip my toe in so to speak as a complete newbie.
I bought some suggested books and started some reading, and note taking (I'm a perpetual student 🙄) but got swept up in too much going on in real life. Starting a new qualification, house move etc. and never kept up.

I'm coming to the end of my training and looking forward to applying myself properly 🙂 I feel I need to learn and practise this way. There is soooooo much I want to learn about and already feel pulled in certain directions. My 11 year old DD has also recently started showing an interest in crystals and we are enjoying learning about those together and slowly building up her collection.

Sorry for the long introduction, short version, hello 👋

I have plans for the equinox. They are nor refined or clearly defined atm, though. Just that it will be marked and i am contemplating what form it will take.

Welcome to the new comers, it is so nice to see new faces around the fireplace.

Good news today which allows the moving on to a next phase.

I was on an earlier thread (have name-changed but have kept reading, your threads are so warm and wise) - I don’t have any knowledge about water horses @speakout but equine assisted therapy uses horses to facilitate communication and trust - they are extremely empathic and respond very clearly to intention so I can imagine that if water horses had the same sort of energy they would not have been welcomed by patriarchal religions and may well have been given an undeserved bad press…

@speakout The kelpie! You are on the same track as my nana (irish). She said horse and water shouldn't be so dark. First time I have come across someone saying similar!

I think the equinox for me will be like last year's. House clean, cleanse, renew protections, bonfire, cook dinner and dessert with the kids.

Not sure what to make though this year as we are making it vegan. So really need to look at some recipes with dd.

with regards to the horses and water. I was brought up that they could give and take, and should be given the appropriate respect. Not something to be triffled with. But then my ancestors were great sea faring individuals and many had the misfortune of perishing at sea.

I’m veteran vegan @Hekatestorch if you want to share any ideas or ask any questions?

@Trenzalor

I’m veteran vegan *@Hekatestorch* if you want to share any ideas or ask any questions?

That's amazing. We have been heavily reducing our meat consumption. My son is autistic and steak is one of the meals he eats. I can't drink/eat cows milk.

So eat vegetarian meals most of the time. Just thought it would be good to do vegan.

We are planning a pumpkin pie for dessert, if we can. But that's as far as we got.

I thought baked stuffed squash would be nice. Neither child nor dp agreed 😭

We have far too many food allergies in this house to consider vegan. but we are fairly low meat consumers. high veg. Mostly green beans out the garden atm. Our one weakness is eggs. We do eat a lot of eggs. But i am going to be honest it is horrific trying to cater for everyone in this house and we often end up with 3 different meals for one dinner time; i think i would cry if i had to throw in vegan to that mix.

Trenzalor I'd be really interested too if you have some vegan recipes you'd like to share. I've been eating mainly plant based for the last 18 months as I developed an intolerance to dairy. I feel so much better for it, although I don't consider myself vegan as I do eat the odd thing that contains dairy.

So good to sit with a peppermint tea and catch up with the posts of the day. I’m smiling at the shared enjoyment of fresh coffee and maple pecan danish! Sharing simple pleasures with friends is such a source of joy.

A warm welcome to new and returning friends, thank you for the lovely energy you’re bringing- the mix feels full of magic, the stuff of growth.

I love hearing what everyone’s up to/planning. I absolutely love autumn equinox and that moment of perfect balance. I always feel more grounded in autumn/winter and that gives me a sense of possibility. However I decide to mark it will be a celebration of this I think. Plans to gather woodland treasure, cook and share harvest with loved ones sound wonderful. As does your reiki drumming Violet- potential for some powerful energy work there!

Thank you for bringing the conversation about the Kelpie speakout, I agree with you and Hekatestorch’s Nana, horse and water don’t represent darkness to me , although neither feel afraid to go there I don’t see them as an embodiment of these traits. I don’t have any local water horse legends to share but have a feeling I might be about to fall down the same wormhole as you..I’m
fascinated already.. thank you!

LarkRize your post about equine assisted therapy is pure synchronicity for me! I was talking to a ‘horsey’ friend the other day about this. My therapeutic experience is with humans and we were discussing how both are really about intentionally holding and exchanging energy. She was telling me about the moment of ‘join up’ with a horse and the healing that can lead to. I later watched monty roberts do this on YouTube, fascinating and powerful stuff. I’ve had a bit of an equine theme going on in a ‘spiritual’ sense since an encounter with Rhiannon on a journey a year or two ago, I’ve been enjoying this connection and am very interested to learn more about equine medicine both in shamanic and therapeutic sense. If you have more to share on that I would love to hear it

Hills hurray for your good news and here’s to a new adventure. Again the approach of autumn feels perfect timing for this to me.

Wishing everyone a restorative night

@Trenzalor another person asking for vegan ideas, especially lunches to take to work. Thank you 🙏🏻

So many wonderful topics right now, this thread is buzzing.
I love the equine talk and love the love the support of my thoughts that Kelpies are not malicious.
It can be hard to define and strip away the layers of propaganda and twisted ideas laid down by the church. The ancient forest god, with his horns and cloven feet have been conveniently turned into a bogey man, fae creatures are his flying monkeys, witches are his earthly handmaidens. It would not surprise me that wild horses who guide us in our shadows, show us our freedom and tell the importance of instinct would also be a threat to the new world order.
We have a huge beautiful piece of public scuplture not far from me entitled "The Kelpies" they seem to rise from nowhere - two horse heads, standing 100 ft tall. The sculpture captures the energy and free spirit of the animal- that is how I see a Kelpie!

@Hekatestorch I agree baked squash could be quite bland. It might be a nice side dish though? I found as I became vegan I could taste more subtle flavours but nonvegans would only get bold tastes - which is why I think people say vegan food is bland generally. Squashes make good soups with some curry spices and coconut milk. Seitan is worth making from flour or vital wheat gluten but it’s all in the flavourings you add and how you then treat it. I like to use nuts and lentils (rinse the latter until the water is clear). Lasagne can be made with ground nuts (and usual tomato based sauce) which is a nice change. @TotoAnnihiliation my favourite lunch is orzo pasta, avocado, olives, tomatoes, olive oil and a little vegan cheese. I think I’m going to try some ciabatta rolls this term with similar fillings. I’m also going to make some chia seed puddings (chia seeds mixed with plant milk and topped with fruit. Chia seeds are so good and full of calcium.

Tragic news from Afghanistan 💔 It's such a desperate situation. Let's continue to send our love and blessings to all those who are in danger and those poor souls who have lost their lives 🕯

When we visitied the Kelpies (Ds and I) it had a very unsettling atmosphere and reminded me of how i feel in Glastonbury. I was glad to have see it, fascinated by the construction. But equally glad to leave.

But the older i get the more I am convinced that things are rarely 100% bad or 100% good. But that picture gave me chills and not in a good way. The sea giveth and the sea taketh is something that i grew up with. I wish i could remember the stories I was told about the white horses of the sea... I might ask the folks to see if they remember. Unfortunately the teller, my grandfather, has long been gone so there is no opportunity to ask him. And i was young when i was told so the memory is not as clear as i would like.

Afghanistan is something i can only handle on radio news atm. I see to well the images they describe. I have no need to see the videos that are coming out. Horrific is the only word I have for the situation but even that sometimes feels wrong. too severe, not severe enough.

Loving all the energies here at the moment and am also thinking about Mabon and what I might do to mark it.

Still at my mum's, still exhausted, cats are still not 100%, but I have turned a corner emotionally I think.

Kelpies!! I am a water child - a mermaid and a horse lover and I've always been fascinated by the kelpie legend. I love, love, love that you also think they are not as dark and vicious as they are painted - I've always thought they are misunderstood and misrepresented but not really voiced it. Both water and horses represent freedom and autonomy to me Thinking they might be the next thing I add to my daybook!

Also can't cope with Afghanistan on TV - am trying to make sure I keep up without being overwhelmed, and will send love and blessings with you Violet.

[quote Trenzalor]**@Hekatestorch* I agree baked squash could be quite bland. It might be a nice side dish though? I found as I became vegan I could taste more subtle flavours but nonvegans would only get bold tastes - which is why I think people say vegan food is bland generally. Squashes make good soups with some curry spices and coconut milk. Seitan is worth making from flour or vital wheat gluten but it’s all in the flavourings you add and how you then treat it. I like to use nuts and lentils (rinse the latter until the water is clear). Lasagne can be made with ground nuts (and usual tomato based sauce) which is a nice change. @TotoAnnihiliation* my favourite lunch is orzo pasta, avocado, olives, tomatoes, olive oil and a little vegan cheese. I think I’m going to try some ciabatta rolls this term with similar fillings. I’m also going to make some chia seed puddings (chia seeds mixed with plant milk and topped with fruit. Chia seeds are so good and full of calcium.[/quote]
That all sounds amazing. I am sure my exh used butternut squash to make a healthy korma style sauce. I might see if I can find out exactly what he did. The kids would definitely like that.

Sietan is something my dd has mentioned so definitely worth looking at again and a nut lasagne sound ridiculously good.

I have a ton of fresh herbs on the garden too. Basil for days, which I am going to make some vegan pesto with. I have a special connection with basil plants so have loads of them indoors. My financial situation seems to reflect exactly how much effort I put into them, so they we well looked after .

The Afghanistan situation is so difficult. Its horrifying, yet I cant seem to form a clear picture of what the right thing is to do. My step brother died in Afghanistan so I have always had hugely mixed feelings about it. But I just feel sick everything I think of it.

My idea to put love into the house as the work is getting done is already failing.😭 scaffolding went up, builders meant to be starting on Wednesday. They didn't due to 'supplier issues', fair enough. They cam yesterday stripped half, put the membrane down fixed in place. I went to the supermarket, got back just before 2pm and dp told me they had finished for the day.

Today their 'van broke down' so, with the bank holiday won't be back til tuesday. Its so infuriating. Trying to keep the love though 🤦‍♀️

@Hekatestorch squash can be used for a Mac and cheese sauce as well. I can PM you some recipes if you like as I’m not sure everyone will want to be deluged with them! I have some good recipes from Gousto.

[quote Trenzalor]@Hekatestorch squash can be used for a Mac and cheese sauce as well. I can PM you some recipes if you like as I’m not sure everyone will want to be deluged with them! I have some good recipes from Gousto.[/quote]
That would be amazing. Thank you 😊