Any Witches Here? Part 16

[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.

Morning all. DH and I had a wonderful weekend away. It felt so wonderful to be able to follow our bodies natural rythmn. Waking when rested, and a slow breakfast. Both days we crawled into bed about 2pm, classical music in the background and drifted off into a nap! We did nothing and went nowhere. Just completely powered down and recharged.

This morning's alarm for the school run was most unwelcome!

I went to a candlelight vigil last night, and while it was good to have a collective gathering I have to say that I was upset and realised I was there alone and I felt alone. This is a theme for me right now, everywhere I go I see people together in friendship groups with a very meaningful support system and I don't have that. I just needed a friend to hold me or my hand while I cried. I didn't have one.

Anyway, I have errands today. All the usual daily chores of wood/coal in. Bake a cake (DH birthday today). Collect the cats from the cattery.

Queenrollo your post made me feel both happy and sad.. happy that you had such a lovely weekend with your DH but also sad to hear you felt so alone at the candlelit vigil. I think sometimes that the friendship groups you see around you are not always you seem, there's often drama going in behind the scenes. I read something earlier about how learning to be happy in your own company is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself. You should be really proud of yourself for having the confidence to go alone as many people wouldn't.

Speakout thank you for your understanding. Like you, I'm trying to manage my news consumption. I feel we have a responsibility to keep informed about what's going on, but it's easy to become overwhelmed. I spent some time with a friend yesterday who is being haunted by nightmares of gunfire and being trapped in an air raid shelter after watching the 10pm news.

I've got a day off today as I'm driving DS to his first psychotherapy appointment. Mixed feelings, I'm relieved he's going time be getting some help but also aware that it may be painful for him as he goes through the process. He'll need a lot of nurturing over the next few weeks I think.

queenrollo I am glad you enjoyed your weekend- it sounds very relaxing.
I am sorry you felt alone at the vigil, but I agree with VioletCharlotte friendship groups are not always what they seem.
I feel the same about family, a motley bunch of people who by genetic accident are thrown together, lots of dramas and bad feelings behind the scene.
I hope the appointment goes well VioletCharlotte.
Have been turning my mind to taking a more active approach against Putin.....

Good morning magical friends.
Just wanted to pass on this short 5 minute meditation for quick grounding, and a reminder that while we can't always control the world around us we can make our inner world a peaceful place.

Good morning all - very cold and sunny here, popped out for a few supplies, now enjoying my reward of hot tea. I'm not sleeping well and my dreams are anxious and ominous. I'm finding I'm just getting through the days at the moment, almost like I want to fast-forward to better times. This needs to stop as I am not seeing the everyday magic a lot of the time. My animal friends help to lift me up, but I need to put more effort in myself.

@speakout, when you mentioned a more active approach Re Putin yesterday, what did you have in mind, may I ask? I focus more on defensive as opposed to offensive magic these days, and while I feel the Ukrainian nation are putting up an admirable fight, they could do with more 'fire' behind them, as it were.
I am about to put some fresh laundry out in the hope that the wind picks up, nothing nicer than that 'new', line-dried pyjamas to help me sink into a peaceful slumber!
Peaceful wishes to you all.

Good morning. Thank you for the morning meditation Speakout just what I need right now. I've got into a bad habit of waking up and scrolling social media, news, etc, this could be just what I need to break it!

I'm interested in your post about taking a more proactive approach to Putin and I like AnotherCrazyBirdLadys suggestion of using magic to help the Ukrainians to build their power. Maybe we could look at some work we can do as a collective? (Perhaps as a private group though rather than on here)

VioletCharlotte I think a private group sounds a good idea- I would be interested. Even two or three of us could whip up a storm.

AnotherCrazyBirdLady

An active approach may include a mirror spell, return to sender, karmic payback, freezing spells etc. And no doubt many more.

@speakout, I favour mirror spells and have been tinkering lately with karmic payback. I feel less helpless when I can lend energy to a cause such as this.

Arrrghhhh, MN ate my posts while I was trying to post from my phone again and now I can't remember everything I said!

I am heading up your way in next few days speakout so will wave as I fly past - a new brand shoot for one of my most magical friends and her soul work, in her beloved landscape, and we're both in desperate need of putting the world to rights and hiding from the news for a little while.

But when I'm back I would be interested in adding my energy to any collective work that emerges for Ukraine, I've been lighting candles each day but like the idea of mirror spells and more proactive magic.

Please keep me posted if a group comes together? I won't be online with any regularity for the next week or two between trips, clients and the arrival of my lovely friend from Canada for a 3 week visit including a writing retreat. Which feels so indulgent when the world is falling apart, but also much needed while it is - if I can restore my own depleted energy effectively I will be more useful to everyone.

Today is (was) Dad's fifth anniversary so I've been up to visit his memorial with Mum, there is a gentle enchantment to the garden where his memorial & ashes are, and a bit of time out of time for Mum and I to sit with him there today.

My brain is always treacly with extra sadness around the marker days, so apologies if any of this post is a bit rambly.

Grateful as ever for our paths crossing in this little space on the web.

Wishing you peaceful, calm weeks loves x

Love to you hilarious, be gentle with yourself as you go through this anniversary time. The memorial garden sounds like a peaceful place, I’m glad you were able to go there.

speakout thank you for the morning meditation, like Violet I’ll use it as a reset for a positive morning routine. I like the way it focuses on a word or feeling to take into the day, it reminds me of the practice some of us did a while back, inspired by Violet’s ‘letting a word drop in’. My mind’s been busy of late and you sharing this was perfect timing for me, thank you.

I’m another one who would like to add my energy to the Ukrainian efforts against Putin. From what I have seen they seem such a spirited and brave nation- I’d like to support
that fire they have in their bellies. I was also thinking of planting sunflowers in honour of the energy of the woman who approached Russian soldiers at the beginning of the invasion, telling them to put sunflower seeds in their pockets so when they are defeated the sunflowers would grow on Ukrainian land. I hate to think of anyone dying in war but her spirit of strength and protection for her home was so powerful.

speakout I see that Nicola sturgeon delivered an apology for the women burned as witches in Scotland in international women’s day yesterday. I know that justice for and remembrance of these women is something you have focused a lot of energy and magic on, so good to see this success- I saw your warrior spirit within it.

I hope everyone has a good day

Aerwyna thank you- yes I welcomed the news of Scottish witches about to be pardoned. Execution rates for witches- women- were 5 times higher than in Scotland than any other European nation.
Good to hear that news on international woman's day.
The bill has won cross party support- the ney sayers have been clergy members who deem that the church was acting legally at the time, so has no apology to make. Quite sad as it was the church who started and conducted the persecutions.

Greetings sisters.

I too have been wondering how to support those in Ukraine so let me know if anything develops amongst us.

I increasingly feel the world was on a better path until something went wrong around 2016. I align it with the Brexit vote but I know others put it earlier. I feel we are not where we should be and we need some kind of energy shift to get back to the more unified, caring world we were beginning to create.

Another bout of covid here which is why I finally have time to catch up. Teacher guilt tied to illness always adds another uncomfortable dimension.

I hope you are all well. It was lovely to catch up and ‘hear’ your voices in your words.

I have my youngest DS off school again. Another cold, but as always it's gone to his chest and he is coughing. If it were just the sniffles I might have sent him to school.
We played musical beds as he was upset last night, and so he came in with me. I'm exhausted, but actually it felt kind of nice to feel his little hand on my during the night. Like our old co-sleeping days.

I had a delivery the other day and the driver noticed my tigers eye pendant and tenatively asked me if I was spiritual. It turned into a wonderful exchange, and they are local so we told each other about gatherings/shops etc.
Someone has set up a coffee afternoon at a local cafe for 'lightworkers' and similar to gather. I think I will go, I need to get out there if I am going to find likeminded people to spend time with.

Bright and sunny, actually quite warm out there. Definitely a laundry magic day!

@queenrollo what serendipity!

Trenzalo I agree with your ideas about energy shift. The current situation is so huge, so heavy shift is hard to do.
queenrollo I hope your DS is recovering. It's such a treat to snuggle up to big children isn't it. We were a family of co sleepers too, and enjoyed many nights dozing like a pile of puppies.
When my DS or DD puts their hand in mine - even though they are adults- I am transported back to the early years. It is still the same hand, bigger and stronger, but the same energy, the same connection.
I love the serendipity you had with the tigers eye- touching points like this come out of the blue don't they.

I love this- she is enduring.

www.nytimes.com/2022/03/11/world/europe/ireland-church-female-saint-brigid.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&fb_news_token=9U4VRNLsxUwF%2BeyTBEHRqQ%3D%3D.WL2bS5h4vmBnUnJBojDbKTUVVEZ8rSxhQ55KVvnlL5s%2FecozLxXCgy0Q%2B0UOcTe7oY7Was22tyOTuvKuBEekOcn29eLUOZMhuD8wknhOheFziSxMN7YklV8Th%2FjWEJhdi2p4NuXiz13EwGUIDcE9s1hUInMrnwhFHQmRpQkK7%2B4o5LuQf1HLseBEpJd1vm584VJjvoNmHq2awdVeEScQCiJOqXTLoIa92t4bHmks9pqjFl%2BIM0VImI5GVbYhVTJuKMwscM%2Ba6DfBYtmz52b%2BSCPxO5Pb8ZYyIY4Q%2BflLoGa2c%2BHJy4f075iJvujpslhT&fbclid=IwAR33K4oS6pCFHnqyySRGKMH4ac7m9xMFBnNmotrazg6JrXXgia2FeUzMDCo

Queenrollo I love that! I don't think it's any coincidence that delivery driver came to your door. You've been putting it out there that you want to meet more spiritual friends... looks like the universe is listening 💫 I hope your DS is feeling better. I remember those cuddles with poorly DC well. In fact, my 6ft, 'super cool', 20 year old DS still comes and lies on the sofa with me for a cuddle now when he's unwell. It's just instinct, I think, to look for that maternal nurturing when you're ill. Even now, I still phone my Mum for sympathy when I'm I'll myself!

Trenzalor I agree that the Brexit vote in 2016 felt like a pivotal moment. I feel like changing has been building for some time though, and I know many spiritual people believe that what's going on on the world now is all part of something bigger. I have to say, I struggle with that idea though when I see what's going on in the Ukraine. I was talking to a friend yesterday, about whether everything seems worse than it used to be because of the rolling 24 hours news coverage and social media amplifying everything. In the past when there were wars, we were protected from some of the horrors as we only really saw what was on the news or in the paper. Now we're so much more aware of what is going on in the world.

I'm going to set up a private group for those of us who are interested in working together to help the Ukrainian people build their energy. PM me if you'd like to join and I'll send you a link 🙏💫🧙‍♀️

@Trenzalor

Greetings sisters.

I too have been wondering how to support those in Ukraine so let me know if anything develops amongst us.

I increasingly feel the world was on a better path until something went wrong around 2016. I align it with the Brexit vote but I know others put it earlier. I feel we are not where we should be and we need some kind of energy shift to get back to the more unified, caring world we were beginning to create.

Another bout of covid here which is why I finally have time to catch up. Teacher guilt tied to illness always adds another uncomfortable dimension.

I hope you are all well. It was lovely to catch up and ‘hear’ your voices in your words.

I agree with you, something has been "off" since 2016. This has been reflected in my personal life where lots of things started unravelling in the May. However, politically, in the weather and in health the world seems to have lurched from one disaster to another.

Good evening sisters, I hope you've all had a peaceful Sunday? It' s been cold here again, but sunny. I'm starting to spot more signs that spring is on the way. The blossom is out on a few of the trees and daffodils are in bloom on the verges. Small signs that warmer days are round the corner.

I've been feeling tired all day as I didn't sleep well last night, so it felt like a good day to stay at home and do some kitchen witching. I cooked a nut loaf for dinner and tried out a new recipe for a vegan chocolate cake. It's not bad, but a bit dry. I find vegan baking very hit and miss!

I've also been photographing clothes to sell online. I've recently discovered Vînted and have picked up a few good bargains, so need to clear some space in my wardrobe.

I hope you've all had a relaxing weekend.

Good evening all.

I wanted to share a little magical experience with you. The daffodils are up here, including along the local busy main road. Yesterday, I found out that my grandmother had been responsible for planting them as she felt that the area needed a bit of brightening up after the winter.

These daffodils pop up year after year. Although I lost my gran last year, I feel that she will live on forever not just with me but for all to enjoy.

I thought you wild like to read this after all the miserable and unsettling news recently.

@TotoAnnihiliation that’s beautiful! She planted them for you, for perpetuity! I have it in my head that when I get my forever home the first thing I’m going to do is litter the place with spring bulbs!

I’ve been cleaning and tidying today and feel better for it. I want to make a space for peace with a white candle and just somewhere to focus on Ukraine and send strength and peace. Maybe to start rebalancing the wonky world energy. There was too much mess, so an enormous clear up had to commence.

@TotoAnnihiliation how wonderful.

I remember the spring after my father passed, my parent's garden bursting into bloom with hundreds of crocus flowers which he had planted. It was very comforting.
I have planted lots of trees in every garden I have had. I hope most will still be alive.
I bought a piece of Giant Redwood burr- as a coffee table sculpture. I had visited the John Muir part in San Francisco, and trimmings from trees ( leftover from mamagement of the forest) were for sale in the coffee shop.
Back in Edinburgh I decided to try to cultivate it, and placed the burr in shallow water. Wthin a few weeks sturdy roots started to grow, and leafy green shoots, so I planted it in my garden.
The tree was a couple of feet high when I left the property- I don't know if the new residents were aware that they could potentially have a tree 350 foot high in their garden!!
The sequoia forest is something to behold. I remember walking through a glade flanked by these immense magnificent trees. It was deeply spiritual, it felt like walking through a huge cathedral, with a ceiling that seemed to touch the clouds- but it was nature's cathedral, nothing man made. I cried a lot that day, it was so moving, touched me deeply.

Loving hearing about spring bringing blessings from loved ones and it’s own unique magic. Beautiful and meaningful stories. I would also love to know how the Giant Redwood is getting on now!

Sorry I’ve been quiet here of late, I got a bit weighed down with life’s challenges. But the wheel is turning and I can feel a rise in energy as the sky brightens and days draw out. There are buds of blossom on the trees, the young sparrows in the nest I’ve been watching are fledging and the river seems to spark with new vibrancy.

I think feeling flow and promise can seem jarring when we’re sensitive to the harsh and fearful energy of the world at large. Yet without these moments of grounding and connecting I know I feel disempowered to act, so for now time spent connecting to the incoming energy of growth is time very well spent.

Love to all for a peaceful evening

Aerwyna wise words about bright energy.
Sometimes it's all we have, but is important.
There will always be hardship and suffering in the world, but recent events on our doorstep have turned our attentions.
But globally there are always horrors- that never stop- how do we manage then?
If we focus on pain too much we can be gobbled up and frozen into a state of fear, sorrow and inaction.
It may seem incongruous to enjoy new buds or birdsong, but really we have no choice if we want to stay afloat and indeed be helpful.
Comes back again to keeping our own cup full.
When we nurture ourselves we can give more, not less.
I think the signs of new life and the turning of the wheel is even more beautiful, more poignant when set against a backdrop of pain.
And reminds us that love and hope are powerful.