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.

Happy Mother's Day to those who celebrate. I fell off the last thread and I'm so happy to have found you all again.

I'm going deep into herbs at the moment, trying to really feel my way into them and work with them on a daily basis. I do love this time of year for all the green witch vibes :)

Blessings to you all.

That's beautiful Aerwyna thank you for sharing.
IntendingWell glad you found us again. I think many of us like working with herbs here. such an easy way to incorporate magic into our lives.
I love eating herbs, using them in baths, rituals, making smudge sticks, tinctures, simmer pots.
My mind is turning to planting- a little later this year I too will focus on herbs. I was given some wonderful magical seed kits for christmas, so look forward to starting those off.
I had a wonderful Dru yoga session on Friday- one to one with an instructor, plus a sound bath. I had never heard of dru yoga before, it is an interesting style. I have a block of 6 classes- free- which is wonderful. Also have a clay sculpture class tomorrow, ,it's many years since I worked with clay, so looking forward to see what manifests.

Hoping everyone has a calm joy filled week.

I am hiding hard in nature atm but thought you might understand the significance of these.

HillsBesideTheSea beautiful pictures- do they have a special significance for you?
It has been very cold and overcast here today, 5 degrees, with snow forecast later this week.
Some significant planetary alignments coming up soon for those that may be interested-
www.sciencefocus.com/news/how-can-i-see-the-planets-march-april-2022/#:~:text=The%20planets%20align&text=Not%20to%20be%20left%20out,line%20on%2020%20April%202022.&text=Jupiter%20will%20be%20lowest%20on,then%20Mars%2C%20and%20finally%20Saturn.

I am having a cosy night with tea, cats and blankets.

Speakout it's really cold here too. I struggle with this time of year when we're on the cusp of winter and summer. I find it unsettling somehow, it's a difficult feeling to explain, but it makes me tetchy and uncomfortable.

Hillsbesidesrgesea lovely pictures. I don't know what the significance is, but would be interested to know more.

I seem to be surrounded by negativity and bad news at the moment. I wonder if I'm somehow inadvertently calling it in? I've got a yearning to disappear off somewhere far away from everyone and just spend time alone with nature.

Nettle tea is something i use this time of the year for that purpose VioletCharlotte find it helps with temp swings and the accompanying sinus trouble.

Magnolia tree is like that first smell of cut grass. Just means the turning of the wheel, spring etc

The root through the rock? depend what i need. strength, determination, that nothing is permenant, roots and foundations.

Everything has meaning. nothing has meaning. Ask me one day you will get one answer, a different day another. I am sure you can all find your own. But you understand there can be meaning. And many don't.

It is trying real hard to snow here and gone from the high of 16 last week to a high of 3. I have very much enjoyed false spring. And will be glad when winter has its final hurrah and finally passes the batton.

Life is particularly insane right now but just heading back over to check in and send love, and also because I fell off the thread hope you're all ok, sneaking in a catch up read while on the train back from London and absolutely baffled at how I ever managed this journey daily!

Crazy times here too, lets hope tomorrow's new moon is the start of better times.
I woke to the loudest crack of thunder, followed by the heaviest hail storm I have ever seen, the lightning continued as the snow started to drive down.
Woken this morning to a carpet of snow, with more to come.
Things are topsy turvey in the speakout household at the moment.
Hang on tight sisters.

It sounds like we're all on a bit of a roller coaster ride right now. This thread always feels like a safe place of solace to come back to when things get too rocky.

Speakout I've experienced 'thunder snow' before, it's unbelievable how quick it comes down. Crazy to think that last week people were walking round in vest tops and now we're back in winter again!

Hills thank you for the nettle tea tip, I'll give that a try. I like what you said about things having meanings for different people. You've reminded me that I need to start paying attention to things like this, I've been too caught up in day to life recently and feel like I'm missing these these important reminders.

Hilariousnamehere good to see you, and I'm with you about the the daily commute! I had to go in to my work base twice last week and I thought the same - no idea how I used to do it every day!

I've been absent, I have been really struggling. Physically and mentally. My HRT has stopped working as efficiently, so am waiting to start on a new regime with that and hopefully it will help.
My DH has been an absolute gem after I took myself off to bed at 5pm one evening on the verge of burnout. I'm just starting to feel less stressed now.
I have such a deep yearning to retreat to my garden and have not one single responsibility beyond feeding myself. This isn't possible with a family to raise, but I have dropped anything that isn't absolutely necessary and have made time to nurture myself.

Today's cold snap is a bit of a pest, I am worried a little about my fruit trees which all have tender blossom buds on them.

Hello all!
I'm sorry to read so many of us are experiencing difficulties at this time. I myself am going through an incredibly stressful time that will go on for a while, but I love dropping by here to bask in the positive energy and strength - it really buoys me up! And I am dedicating so much more time to my magical practice, which is really soothing (and hopefully fruitful!).

Absolutely freezing here, I literally have a row of birds at the window asking for food! Take care, all!

It seems a lot of us are struggling right now or facing difficult challenges. There s safety in numbers so lets hold together for strength.
Today The New Moon in Aries is a fresh time of new beginnings and initiative. It can prompt us to try something new and innovative, go at it with enthusiasm and confidence, take charge of our lives, and discover our courage. It's a strong cycle under which to re-evaluate our relationship with ourselves. Because Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, this New Moon is especially ripe with opportunities for a fresh start. We might consider acting on a constructive impulse and following a hunch since Aries learns through experience and action.

Lets hope this ne moon heralds some positive change.
queenrollo I can relate to how you feel. Having no responsibilities sounds wonderful. I hope you get your HRT resolved quickly.
We can't always relinquish our responsibilities, but we can step back for a few hours- and make sure that time is working for us. Little pockets of calm and nurture.
DS has gone to stay with a friend for a week, and my mother is on a pensioners outing with a friend today, leaving the house gloriously empty - at least for a few hours. I aim to make the most of it. Pretty soon all will come crashing back, and I suspect DD wil be back home for time, she is looking for a new flat, given her notice on her current place so a chance she may need to come to me if there is a gap.
Which is great, but she too loves to be nurtured when she is here, and I don't mind, she deserves it and I like making her feel pampered.
A cold night here too, my thermometer is reading minus 4, I too have a few fruit trees with buds, not sure if they will survive, I am glad I have held off planting so far.
I am trying to pluck up courage to get out of my cozy bed and into the shower, I have an early morning yoga class in the next village, and may also have to de-ice my car.
I have work today, but not too manic, and an empty house will mean candles, incense and pagan music while I work. Then another yoga class later, with a sound bath.
Weaving the thread of self nurture around work, housework is my aim today!

I'm sorry so many are struggling, but it's heartening to see the solidarity and support on this thread. We can get through this sisters!

I took myself off to a yoga class last night. My incredible yoga teacher as usual seemed picked up on the energy we're all dealing with at the moment and the feeling that nothing is going right in the world. She asked us to sit for a moment and focus on the positives and then went round the room and asked us all to share one thing that we're grateful for. You could feel the vibration lift as words like 'my home', 'sunshine', 'family', 'nature' 'my children' filled the room. It was a lovely start to he practice and I came home feeling much calmer and more content.

Speakout I hope you enjoy todays classes. I'm also going to a yoga workshop/ sound bath tonight which I'm really looking forward to.

Queenrollo I can relate to that yearning for no responsibilities. I've got an urge to take myself off somewhere for a few days but it's just not possible right now. I hope you manage to carve out a little time for yourself over the weekend.

VioletCharlotte your yoga classes sound lovely- the perfect antidote to everyday stress.
The sun has returned here, although still quite cool, at least the brds have resumed spring activities and laundry is drying.
Just off to the second yoga class of today, not feeling it right now, but I am sure I will feel better afterwards. I'll head off a little early as the village has a wonderful little general grocery store, straight out of 1959, always a cozy and comforting place to pick up a few provisions.

Just flying in to say hello to everyone. I'm hoping as the thread is quiet that everyone is having a nice relaxing weekend.

I've spent time in my garden and can see it slowly awakening from the winter sleep despite some of the cold weather. The frogspawn one my pond has hatched, Mini Toto is very excited! The daffodils are still out and I'm enjoying their cheerful presence.

Hello, I hope you don't mind me popping in. I often lurk on this thread because I find it inspiring and uplifting but feeling like I'm struggling at present.

Today The New Moon in Aries is a fresh time of new beginnings and initiative. It can prompt us to try something new and innovative, go at it with enthusiasm and confidence, take charge of our lives, and discover our courage. It's a strong cycle under which to re-evaluate our relationship with ourselves. Because Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, this New Moon is especially ripe with opportunities for a fresh start. We might consider acting on a constructive impulse and following a hunch since Aries learns through experience and action.

I've been experiencing this but over the last few days, I have experienced a loss of energy, so quite the opposite sadly.

queenrollo I can understand what you have posted completely. I can't take HRT and the peri-menopause has been brutal. I have a wicked combination of young dcs and teen dc (have had last dc later) and grappling with feeling not good enough in terms of my parenting. Also, a lot of (thankfully) minor health niggles (which have triggered some quite invasive testing). My sleep is a bit hit or miss too which really affects things. One thing seems to follow another of late and I now require some expensive dental work.

Looking desperately at my greenhouse/herb patch and wondering what new thing I can plant (I have just planted cucumber and tomatoe seeds). And yes, worrying about blossom on fruit trees and cold weather.

Also, my (yet to be launched) small on-line business is likely to be affected by the rise in the cost of fuel as it is becoming more difficult to justify the amount of miles travelled to source items. Fed up with the general hike in the cost of things and the amount of people thrust into poverty as a result. Ditto with the conflict abroad. Makes my anxieties seem small in comparison. Sorry to hear others are struggling currently too.

There is such a lovely quality about this thread which keeps me returning. Thank you to all the regular posters here.

Good morning.
I started the day with some wise words from Thorn Moony on the subject of social media

Right back into the mountain of text books. I hope that the week treats you all gently. Welcome StoneMattress

I hope the week is being kind to everyone so far. Things have eased a little in the speakout home, although situations still occupying more headspace than I would like.
I have had a few days off work which has been good, turning my attentions to some spring cleaning and taking time to relaxforest walks, reading, candle making, and long baths.
If feels good to have some slow time.
The weather has taken a wintery flavour, cold winds have brought rain and low temperatures have browned the magnificent display of magnolia in my garden. But I notice there is a second flourish waiting in the wings, still protected under their furry sepal casings.
I love the flowers, appearing before the leaves in springtime, huge buttery blooms like lanterns on bare branches. The tree evolved before bees, is pollinated by beetles, and full of ancient wisdom and feminine energy. Great for wand making too.

I am off to view a flat with my DD today, then lunch, so will be fun.

Speakout
Thank you for a lovely, positive post. I'm glad to hear things are a little calmer in your house. I had a rough start to the week but the situation seems to be improving gradually. I'm pleased you've managed to take a few days off for a well earned break. I desperately need to do the same but work is extremely busy right now so it's just not the right time. I'm looking forward to the easter bank holiday. I hope the flat viewing goes well.

I've been doing some soul searching following some things that came up for me during a mediation at a yoga workshop last week. I did some journaling, questioning what holds me back from leading the life I want to lead. And the conclusion was the only thing that's holding me back is myself and my own lack of self belief/ holding on to limiting beliefs. Food for thought.

If you find the solution to that violetCharlotte would you lets us know? That has been my limiting factor for decades.

Had an interesting conversation with my kids the other day. DS had been with his school on a trip to a local church to learn how and why Christians celebrate Easter (sidenote: I love that the school phrased it that way) and had come back with a pamphlet from the church. Seems the church had a very different idea of why the kids were there, and the pamphlet was very much "why you should embrace Jesus". Bet that went down well with all the Muslim/Hindu/Sikh families at the school.

DS showed me the pamphlet, and told me it made him a little uncomfortable. So we had a conversation about everyone being allowed to believe different things, and how no one should be forced to join a religion, at which point both kids told me they were Pagan.

I've always told them they don't have to follow me, and that even if they do decide a religion is for them, they are allowed to change their minds at a later date. But I've got to admit it did make me happy to hear.

I'd like to find them a book, or books, to read that explain Paganism a bit more. Any ideas? They are 8 and 10

VioletCharlotte

I think the motif of letting go is very powerful.
We all carry some unnecessary baggage, we define our own limitations, we hold on to unhelpful ideas about ourselves.
I had always carried the notion that I was a good fire starter, initiating projects, starting things off, but really bad at sticking to things, and
no skill in following through to conclusion.
I had some counsellig a couple of years ago which made me examine that view with examples from my life and I was surprised to suddenly see how flawed my self view was. Actually made me smile, this trope I had been reeling off for decades was totally wrong. It took the opportunity of self refection to question my old self views.
MedusasBadHairDay I have very bad memories of the clergy being wheeled into the school when my kids were young, warming easter stories of torture, crucifiction and zombies.
The church sure know how to ruin an uplifting festival!

MedusasBadHairDay I have very bad memories of the clergy being wheeled into the school when my kids were young, warming easter stories of torture, crucifiction and zombies.
The church sure know how to ruin an uplifting festival!

Oh yes. I remember my school, which was largely not Christian (very high population of Sikh and Muslim pupils) decided to do an RE day. Told us they'd invited speakers from various religious groups, on the day it turned out they meant speakers from different Christian denominations. It went down like a lead balloon.

MedusasBadHairDay one of my mother's churches had an " interfaith" day.
Representatives from local Catholic, Baptist, Anglican churches all came along.

Amazing 😂 It's just such an incredible lack of awareness isn't it?