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.

Hekatestorch you're clearly very intuitive and sensitive to energies. I love that you followed your instincts. Too often we dismiss our gut feelings and let our logical brain override what we know deep inside to be true. I would have felt uncomfortable with this candle too, knowing the history of it and having witnessed the behaviour of the maker. I'm so glad you put trust in your own power. My feeling is that tools like candles are there to help us focus our energy and intention, but the items themselves are not magical, the magic comes from the intention we set.

Brightyellodaffodil thank you for the podcast recommendation! I love listening to podcasts while I'm cleaning or walking the dog. It's nice to just zone out into another world for a while.

Speakout yes - so many opportunities to celebrate! It's a wonderful way to live, there's always something to look forward to. I love that the sabbath can be celebrated very simply, or you can go all out if that's what you like. There's no pressure or expectations.

Suzyscat welcome good to have you with us. There's always room for all in our cosy witches kitchen.

@VioletCharlotte thank you. I think I ordered this when I felt I needed some help in the intention setting department. Like I needed the support of someone else. I don't feel like that now. This year has been a year of growth for me. Still a long way to go. On the plus side, I feel like today was proof of how far I have come this year. Like a physical show of the journey. I did not want that parcel.

@suzycat welcome and hello.

I am currently tucked up in my new King size bed. With some peppermint tea, my altar ablaze with candles and cool air coming through the window. The dogs and children are asleep. Dp is downstairs relaxing. Its a beautiful night. I am going to read and then sleep. And thank my lucky stars for the women on this thread.

Love to you all

@HillsBesideTheSea I’ve just checked and it says “available for over a year” on the app so you’ll be alright for a while! All four series are on there (and website, I presume) so you’ve got plenty to catch up on 🙂

Hello sisters! Oh, how I love this thread - it's like a beacon of light and has become a sanctuary for me - echoing @Hekatestorch that I'm so glad I was brave enough to actually post and join.

@speakout I hope your mum is feeling much better? And love your DDs gifts - I collect pebbles and shells from everywhere I visit for my wonderful stone/rock/tree/pebble obsessed Mum :) she found sixteen hagstones on a single trip a few weeks ago - she thinks she's Catholic but I think (and she agreed when I told her about the folklore of hagstones) that I know where my witchery comes from

She is very earth-based, I am obviously a water witch and Dad was an aviation engineer and spent large parts of his life in the sky - I've always loved the synchronicity of our little family.

Aerwyna thank you for sharing those words, they moved me too - I am passing them on to one of my best friends as I can see so much of her in them, and I hope it will help her realise how much she is loved.

Hekatestorch you did exactly the right thing with the candle - your instincts were spot on. And how wonderful to hear you've come through the other side without the candle. Your runes made me smile too - my tarot cards frequently shout at me, too 😂

Welcome Suzy and Daffodil and anyone I've missed - it's so lovely to see new faces!

August was a generally horrible month and I had hoped September would be brighter - alas, today brought me a flat tyre and more stress trying to find time to get it fixed so I don't lose work and income. But there are worse places to be stranded for a time than my chocolate factory, there have been good things as well, and it's only the third, right? September can still redeem herself - I'd settle for peaceful and untroubled, if not glorious!

Today's magic has been small but hopefully effective - nutmeg and garlic added to my cooking for peace and protection, a tiny treat of new pillows for a bit of luxury, my garnet moon on my bedside table, and cuddling both my still-poorly cats and trying to fix them with love alongside the food trials and vet calls.

I'm later to bed than I hoped but a new book and a hot chocolate and a good sleep should hopefully work its own magic and remove some stress overnight?!

Love to you all - and speakout I have some serious besom envy!!

I am filled with joy to come to this thread finding such words of wisdom and light. Hekatestorch I am glad you have found our tribe to be a support- you are supporting us all with your divine presence, thankyou for joining us. I hope you had a restorative sleep in your new bed.
suzyscat I am so glad you have joined us a warm welcome, always a special cosy spot for new friends.
hilariousnamehere " she thinks she's Catholic " I smiled when I read that! Reminds me of the religious practice in Gozo. People are nominally Catholic, but it is the virgin mary that is celebrated and worshipped above god or jesus. It is thinly veiled goddess worship- feels so right for the island that has the oldest gossess temple in the world.

Morning sisters.

Re “she thinks she’s Catholic” - there was a great tiktok by someone who showed how Catholicism is basically witchcraft practices - insense, praying to saints, praising their deity. There was more to it, and an argument convincingly made.

I’ve had a busy three days back in school (the first couple of weeks are always incredibly stressful and then it settles) but on Tuesday as my last hurrah I went to The Atlantis Bookshop in Bloomsbury as recommended on previous threads. It was busy which was good to see and I had a good look at lots of different Tarot cards but I really don’t need another new deck atm. I wanted a book on The Wheel of the Year and managed to get the last one on the central display. I don’t know when the school work will allow me to begin reading it!

@speakout I hope your mother feels better soon.

Have a blessed day everyone! Thank goodness there’s a weekend at the end of every week!

Ahh I love that take on it! She's not at all practising, but it does make me smile - she is more witchy than she realises

Feeling a bit better today but the cats not so much so am keeping a close eye on what they're eating and trying not to worry too much.

hilariousnamehere I am glad you are feeling a little better today.
I have been finishing the front driveway and clearing out my front porch.
It's quite a large room, and I have seating- I don't like clutter there- so no shoes or coats. My summer planting has made a litle mess so I need to clean and clear, and touch up some paintwork to freshen up, bit wonlt take long. Then I can start gently putting up some autumn things, a dried leaf wreath, some lights to make it feel warm.
Trenzalor I agree about Catholicims, there are aspects to the religion that do feel decidedly pagan. Having saints feel polytheistic, the fact that there is a powerful if clipped woman in the virgin mary. Incense, candles, chanting, ritual and ceremony.
I grew up surrounded by scottish presbyterian faith- very austere, very straight laced, smiling and fun not allowed.
I always thought Catholic faith quite flamboyant in comparison!

Do you want a trip down south to help with mine Speakout?
I am in the middle of the autumn batch cooking run. Kitchen is a disaster, laundry is in various states of abandoned, Lounge is a supplies drop zone. I am waiting for fruit to soften for 2 batches of jam. So stalled out as there is no more space on the hob due to the size of the pots currently on there, and can't run the oven as need it cold for putting jars in to bring to temp for jarring up later.

There is a distinct bite to the air now, isn't there? But i noticed the acorns are still plenty green, even if the rhubarb and other summer plants are starting to wind down. Not the beans though. The runner beans are going to take over the world this year.

HillsBesideTheSea

Your kitchen sounds divine. I can imagine the smell of bubbling fruits- so wonderful. Your energy is powerful HillsBesideTheSea

Do any of the sisters here have a good knowledge of crystals?
I'm drawn to one in particular and would welcome some advice/discussion if anyone felt able.
It's malachite.

*queenrollo( I am no expert- but a beautiful stone. Protective and heart opening, very positive energy.

@queenrollo

Do any of the sisters here have a good knowledge of crystals? I'm drawn to one in particular and would welcome some advice/discussion if anyone felt able. It's malachite.

I am also interested in crystals. I can identify amethyst and rose quartz but that's about it. I am in the hunt for a large one that offers protection, I want it for my desk at work. However, I don't want to buy one of the internet, I want to find it and buy it when I'm out and about as I know the right one will speak to me.

Malachite.

@hilariousnamehere Sanctuary...that's exactly the right word! And thank you for the support on the candle. It was definitely the right thing to do.

@speakout thank you and yes I slept well. I did get up at 5. Which was lovely. Spent some time sat outside while the night faded communing with my goddess and to dogs pottered round the garden.

On the 'thinks she is catholic' it sounds so much like my mum. She is always so shocked how similar my routine is to Mass. She views 'spells' as the equivalent or prayers. She clocked on when she spent 7 nights lighting a candle to St Anthony (I think that's the right saint) to ask for his aid in finding a lost item. Which did turn up the day after the 7th night. Something Something her nana taught her and her mother did. There's load of things mum does that could be label 'spell work' or 'ritual'.

Lots of people feel catholism and witchcraft aren't compatible because of the churches stance on witchcraft. But they are actually very similar.

@HillsBesideTheSea your kitchen sounds truly magical. And yes to the bite in the air and it is quite odd because I still have flowers, flowering. Mediterranean herbs growing fast in the garden. It's a real mix out there. Though over the next week I am going to continue my autumn garden prep as usual. Bulbs to come up. Herbs to split and replant.

@queenrollo I am not really into crystals. Though I do have a few, that I have spotted when out. More of a pebble witch . But malachite sounds and looks beautiful.

My advice, is if you feel drawn to it. Get it, if you can. Sometimes the properties aren't what we need now, but will need soon.

@TotoAnnihiliation may I suggest Obsidian. Its one of the few crystals I have and find it works well for protection. The more unpolished the better. Lots of Sharp edges, seem to work better for me.

When I was in the office I had spell bottles dotted around the room i was in and went in early and put protections round my desk. There's still a sigil under my chair

I also only ever get ones I can see and feel. I get that.

I hope everyone is well this evening. I have a glass of witches brew (rum and coke) and watching wonder woman 1984.

I hope you all have a blessed evening.

Warm welcome to all of our new folks, it's good to see you here in the kitchen, make yourselves comfy by the fire or the aga, there re chairs and beanbags and cushions aplenty. Our Magic Teapot pours you whichever type of tea you desire, so everyone has their favorite. If anyone hasn't already, do have a look through our previous threads.

Queen Judy Hall's crystal books are good to start with, short clear concise text with illustrations.
Melody's Love is in the Earth is one of the best I think, but you need to know what you're looking for as there are no illustrations. If you don't know its name, you won't find it there. I'm pretty sure she did have a separate book of illustrations for one of the editions.
Trenzalor Is that extract from one of Melody's books? it looks like her writing style.
Toto I collected a lot of mine from venues like these. Many of the dealers are very knowledgeable and the prices generally are way below what you's pay in the shops but you can actually get to hold a piece and decide if you're compatible. there are all types of crystals, from tiny tumbled stones to large decorator pieces and everything in-between. Years ago, all of the stands were selling crystals, but as the fashion for them waned, there are more bead and craft and jewellery stalls www.rockngem.co.uk/show-dates/
Several of the serious dealers buy from the huge fairs in Tucson and have a provenance for each piece, others source theirs from one particular country.
It also gives you chance to see which stones you're drawn to, whether you like what's termed 'rough' which is straight out of the mine, or whether you prefer highly polished and finished. Some stones like labradorite can be polished on one side only, showing the best of both worlds.

I've run out of time, so a big hello to everyone else and have a magical evening

@BlankTimes I'll keep an eye on that website to see if any events are happening near me.

I had a lovely experience today, I bought some things of Facebook market place for my new classroom. The lady sold me some lovely Laura Ashley stuff for £5. She was delighted that they were going to enrich the lives of young children. There was something special about this woman, she just emitted goodness and kindness. Today I met someone who enriched my life and has made it better by just chatting on her doorstep for 5 minutes. A beautiful experience and I only hope I can pass that on somehow.

@BlankTimes yes, it’s from Love in the Earth. It’s about twenty years old now and well used!

Good morning. Starting to feel a little burnt out but today is pie/quiche day so the kitchen will be full of all sorts of savoury smells today. I hope you are all waking feeling rest and and gentle/productive days as you wish or need.

Good morning friends,
It’s a cool dull one here after yesterday’s warmth and sunshine, as others have said there’s a unique pleasure in the liminal times between seasons.

The ‘she thinks she’s catholic’ discussion made me smile too, I enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts on this.

Im feeling tired today after socialising yesterday. Worth it but a bit of quiet is in order now I think.

Thank you everyone for all you share here, always such a joy to read. Wishing everyone a magical day

I have lurked since the last few threads and feel like posting for the first time. I hope you do not mind my long post. Its just I feel like I know you, but you don't know me.

I am intrigued about a conversation on how religion comes into it all. And also have a question to ask that some of you may know an answer to.

My mother was incredibly religious Catholic, however she believed that God created everything. She always used water, bread, salt, candles, fire and an array of herbs and other plants for a variety of "prayers to heavens" as she called them, or making healing poultices. She would never use a word whitch. I have seen her use healing spells on so many and actually helping them, as an example she cured a stammer with candle wax and water spell or hernia in babies. She could foresee certain events and always said that there is a " language of universe" and if we listen and follow the signs, we would know what is being said to us.

She never actually actively taught me (or so I thought) and for many years from my childhood and through my early adult life I completely dismissed all of what she did. But somehow it never left me. At first I found myself doing little things like adding thyme to my children's bath or saying a simple water spell to clean the energy. I grew an incredible herb garden and seem to remember all of the plants/ trees and what part of it helps what, e.g. stopping bleeding or helping bad stomach or what helps anxiety etc. I couldn't ever throw away mothers old books and find myself drawn to them. If I need to feel alive and renewed the only way is being outside in the field, by the sea or woodland. Its like something is driving me that is not necessarily my conscious self.

And a question that I have is, there was a day in the late spring early summer (dictated by the lunar calendar) when she would bring leafy tree brunches from the woods and decorate inside of the house, usually somewhere at the top like around mirrors, doors, curtain poles etc. She would burn candles, herbs and oils most of the day after noon. I am not sure if it was the same day or not, but we would also not be allowed to brush our hair for a day on a certain day. I think it's something celtic, but don't remember what it was about. Has anyone ever heard anything like this?

@Fastancurious hello, I hope you are well.

I am thinking it may be something to do with Beltaine, just because of the time of year and possibly being something celtic.

I do recall seeing a video by an Irish witch saying bringing certain wood into the house is common.

I am not familiar with the brushing of hair though, I can't help there I am afraid.

Its not something I am aware of with my Catholic family. Though Easter is dictated by the lunar cycle, if I remember correctly.

Many thanks for all your input on my query!

@Trenzalor that little piece of info you shared has made me realise I very much need some malachite!

@Hekatestorch I am definitely a pebble witch! I have a tiger's eye in a piece of jewelry made by a friend, which I commisioned, but the other crystals I have all came to me by being gifted. All my other stones have been collected on my nearby beach, and for the most part I return them to the sea when I have finished working with them
I also have a few precious pieces of sea pottery.
I feel very much that my practice should centre on what I find in my locality, but I have this deep yearning for malachite.
I can even trace it - we visited the Natural History Museum in Berlin a couple of years ago and they have an amazing crystal display room (huge!) and there was this piece of malachite that I kept going back to.
I am settled and have some birthday money so I will buy myself a piece of malachite.

I have had a difficult day. I had to stop my HRT two months ago and I am waiting now for my next bleed to start the patches instead. I am PMT'ing and it is AWFUL.
I cannot wait for bedtime!

How lovely. I do hope we can find out more.

Thank you for the warm welcome, I am feeling most myself at home already!

My mother always had what I thought was a very pick and mix attitude to spirituality which was great. She was COE, although believes in transubstantiation. She would wake me up to wash my face in the dew every Beltane and we'd sometimes then go for champagne breakfast in Smithfield's at 6am before school. (No fizz for me.) She was deeply knowledgeable about flower remedies and celestial bodies. My father has always been interested in various spiritual practises and divination. He was the seventh son of a seventh son (though I don't know if it counts as there were a lot of sisters. (Does it have to be the 7th boy?) I went to Atlantis books recently. Dad and I would pop in there together when I was little and I always found it to be such an exciting place.

I am very excited for the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness to be upon us. Though a week of sun will help with my autumn equinox preparations. I am busy about decluttering for the end of the pagan year. I've been enjoying the ritual of it, though it is a necessity for us. There's no room for cat swinging and we have 3 birthdays in the house between mid November and twelfth night and with all the festive jollies and gifts we get just right for equinox and then are a mad house again for the other new year.

@suzyscat my decluttering starts now. I donated 5 bags of clothes to charity today.

Ds is autistic and hates his room being changed, so there's so much stuff in there. Toys from when he was 5 in boxes. He is now 10 and never touches then. However, we have a new doggy addition. Ds sleeps with the middle dog and hopes the younger one will sleep with him too. The oldest sticks to my to dp like glue and sleeps next to his side of the bed and has no interest in cuddling with another dog

So I have negotiated with ds to change his room in exchange for a bigger bed, for when puppy can join them. I only actually want to do to declutter for Christmas 🤣

I am always more inclined to have a clear out now than just before spring. I want to be in the garden then.