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.

Thank you Speakout and Aerwyna. Beltane Blessings to you all.I was hoping to go to Glastonbury this year to join the celebrations but it wasn't to be. I've enjoyed seeing the photos of this morning's celebrations at Chalice Well on Facebook. Mumsnet won't let me add images for some reason.

As fires aren't looked upon favourably on housing estates (!) I'm planning to lights candles later to celebrate the returning of the light and drive away the darkness.

Beltane blessings sisters. I'm with some of my favourite people in the world and will light a candle later as there's no fire here and it's drizzly outside! Hope you all have a peaceful, gentle day x

Beltane blessings to you all dear sisters!

Beltane blessings to you all, sister witches 🧙🏻‍♀️

Thank you for the beautiful photos. Like @VioletCharlotte I too am unable to post photos.

Wishing you all a beautiful and peaceful Beltane with the abundance of health and wisdom.

My family and are will be going to the Jack in the Green festival tomorrow in Hastings, which I'm really looking forward to.

Love to you all on this new moon 🌚

I have lit the tiniest of fires in my garden and will bring a small bough from it inside to light a candle from which I can welcome in the summer.

I am glad that some of us enjoyed marking Beltane, candles were the fire of choice for me too- it was raining outside.
Edinurgh celebrated the annual festival- the largest in the world, thousands gathered in the city centre, complete with a May queen, shamanic drummers, bonfires and dancers. I will attend one year!!

Wow! That festival looks incredible speakout! All that fire energy!
Also good to hear of the quieter ways of marking the turn of the wheel, it was raining where I am too. Despite the grey, there’s a spark in the air, a promise of burgeoning growth ahead in all the big and small ways this can happen in our lives

I've been to the Samhain festival on Calton Hill before, not Beltane though. I'm quite sad that it's now a ticketed event and not the procession through the city that it used to be, which seemed a more organic, equal and interactive way to celebrate. Nevertheless I'm heartened to see it attended so well!

Wow Speakout that looks amazing! I'd love to go to something like that. I don't think any of my friends would go though, and I'm not sure I've got that confidence to go alone.

Another grey and overcast day here. I've just been for a walk in the forest with DS which has lifted my spirits a little. I've been feeling quite low and flat all weekend. I find the Spring is a bit of a funny time for me, there's so much abundance and the promise of brighter things to come, but it always makes me feel a bit sad as well for some reason. It's a strange feeling, I can't quite put my finger on it.

LadyOfTheCanyon There is still a procession at theEdinburgh Beltane festival from the Mound to Calton Hill. I agree it is a pity that it is ticket only, but the organisation is not for profit, use some of the revenue to clear up and, replant and repair any damage. The rest of the profit is given to environmental charities.
The city council are a bit twitchy about non ticketed events, when number of the annual Hogmanay party swelled to 250,000 - all trying to cram into a mile long street for a fireworks party, no one hurt, but Edinburgh is a small city, keeping people safe and the integrity of the city is paramount.
I may go to the Beltane festival next year, my niece is a recovering christian and will be visiting from overseas, she spent a lovely Yuletide with us a few years ago, and was delighted to experience things like Santa, stockings, a tree etc- all things that were banned as a child. So Beltane will be an education!

Beltane blessings to you all.

We spent the Bank Holiday Monday at the Jack in the Green festival in Hastings, it was a great day and Jack looked fantastic, as did all his attendants and the many Morris sides in the procession. We haven't been for years so it was wonderful to return.

@speakout the photos look amazing! Is it always a ticketed festival?

@VioletCharlotte I can relate to the feelings you experience. I'm feeling a little off at the moment and the return of spring brings some sadness with it.

I can get a bit 'in my own head' sometimes and the beauty of everything natural coming into being brings a conflict to the way I'm feeling - I wish I could enjoy it without the tinge of melancholy. I lost my mum almost a decade ago and whenever I see the first magnolia tree blossoming I always think of her and how much she loved them.

There's a lot going on here with DH worries and both DC's are sitting GCSES and A' Levels plus I'm heading towards that time when I think 'Am I really doing what I should be doing? Have I wasted my life'
Full of the joys, aren't I? Apologies.

GebExer the festival sounds fantastic, I've not heard of that one. I've set myself an intention to get myself to a Beltane celebration next year.

I've been thinking about these emotions. I took some time to sit with the feelings and wrote in my journal. I've realised that for me, it's not the spring time that's triggered the sadness. It's about the passing of time and how these milestones in the wheel of the year bring up memories of the past and also life seems to be passing me by sometimes (particular these past two years). I always get melancholy around Christmas time, and I think it hit me harder at Beltane because I'm dealing with quite a bit in my home life at the moment.

It's helped me understand that change is needed and that only I can make that happen!

I think the older we get the more aware we become of the complexities of life.We can feel mixed emotions, or even two distinct ways at the same time.A happy day can sit aside feelings of loss for those not here, nostalgia of previous times, the awareness of life moving forward.

Life's spiral dance brings us around to revisit scenes and events time after time, and each re-visit comes with a greater understanding and deeper awareness of the many layers of being alive.

I have often found spring quite a melancholic time too, expectations that we should be bursting forth with unbridled joy, but I find the glare of spring sunshine exposes the safe shadow places , shines a light on the dusty corners and forces us to closely examine the places that are uncomfortable to face.

Take a large spoonful of self compassion, pour the salve of self love onto those places that sting or feel jagged to carry. We do so much, discard those phoney measuring sticks that suggest we don’t make the mark or our time is being wasted. We live, we love, that is enough, many of the current ideas of success are nothing more than flimflam.

I know every one of us here have performed thousands of acts of love and support to others, we have planted and fed, worked, provided shelter, laughed, caressed, shared wisdom, cared, we all touch many, and like ripples on a pond those effects are passed on, they are still having an effect. Small everyday acts make a difference- smiling at a stranger- these are the things that really count.

Hi sorry I dropped off we’ve had some unexpected news in our family and I needed a bit of time away. Finally pulling myself out of a rut, I did some healing yoga before bed last night which was wonderful and have been turning to my oracle cards. We had a lovely Beltane, we attended a sunrise ceremony at 5:30 and then took the DC for a picnic, followed by a small fire back at home. Today’s Goddess is Ix Chel and she is the Goddess of water, the moon, medicine and childbirth. Today we have called on her to rain her healing power on us, which is especially needed for me today so I will include a honouring to her in my meditation tonight.

@queenrollo it was wonderful, we had the ceremony in a temple in Glastonbury and then visited the springs and had a party in a field and camped overnight, I love going back. I’m so sorry you’re going to miss this years festival, and wow I bet your DH has seen some incredible acts!. I do think the camping situation is a bit dire for families now, I think if we were to go to the festival again we’ll wait until the kids are a bit older.

@speakout yes I agree that some stuff that kids are taught can be a little too scary, especially if they aren’t given constructive ways to help the situation. We have one day a week dedicated to litter picking with the DC, DS is still too little to do anything but it’s nice to be out there with him. It definitely does help to have kids involved in activities like that. I love the Edinburgh Beltane celebrations, would love to see them in person one year.

@hilariousnamehere I’ve listened to the interview and it’s incredible. I agree clean water is so so important and I’m sure you will make a difference!. Wonderful bee pic 🐝.

@AnotherCrazyBirdLady I love that you take care of the birds, my grandad is an avid bird watcher and he always looks after birds he sees. They are wonderful, I love hearing them this time of year.

@Swanhilde beautiful wreath

@VioletCharlotte I love to see the chalice well photos this time of year it’s such a wonderful space.

@GenExer I’m glad the Jack in the green celebrations were good, I’ve always wished to go to one but never had the chance.

@GenExer and @VioletCharlotte I’m sorry to hear you’re both experiencing some difficulties, I completely get it. Journaling is definitely helpful in those situations I find. It’s completely natural to feel waves of this in life though and I’ve always found the best way to heal is to just really feel your feelings. So often we just try and push them away or work through them logically but never allow ourself to feel the emotions. I try to take some time out monthly and sit on my own and have a good cry. It’s helped immensely. I’m considering going to a red tent as they have a ceremonial crying session which sounds incredible to me. @speakout put it much better than I did, such beautiful words❤️.

RiverRats Wonderful to hear of your Beltane celbrations, how you weave the magical into your family life, your everyday activities.
It is such a blessing to have people around who support us, understand and accept- even though they not walk a magical path themselves. It is very freeing to live life with authenticity, and to have loved ones support our endeavours. I love the sound of the red tent- alas none near me, but the idea of giving space to those feelings as a way of healing.
We often push painful feelings aside don't we, but if we allow them controlled space to be heard then they don't hold so much power.
Some of my fears and anxieties feel like a little child tugging on our sleeve as we shop, wanting to be heard, and constantly badgering for attention.
Taking some time out to address the little child is often the best solution- find a quiet spot, get down to the child's level and say "Thankyou for your patience as we shop, I know it takes time. Can you choose us some apples, and if we get this job done soon we can both go for a team milkshake".

Treating our amygdala needs a similar style! Our limbic brain will constantly press the horn until we listen- but if we do- have a howl, cry, sit with discomfort for a while, then the rumination will ease.
It has been a quiet weekend here, just what I enjoy. Walking in the woods, yoga classes, reading and daydreaming.
I hope everyone has had a nurturing weekend too.

Shall I?
I am so tempted for my garden.

Oh Speakout yes! My house is quite gothic Victorian so I could definitely get away with this!

Yes!! My weathervane is more prosaic but I love that one speakout!

Speakout - Yes, absolutely!! I would love one if I could!
I am loving reading this thread with all of its' wisdom right now, just the tonic for a frazzled mind!
I can feel the energies of the upcoming Lunar eclipse, and it's slightly unsettling, but I shall sit with those feelings to see what they uncover.
Just a flying visit, my energy is directing me all over the place!
Blessed be all!

Thanks friends- I have ordered it- I had some birthday money left over and wanted to treat myself.
I know it won't be to everyone's liking, but stuff it!

That’s fabulous speakout!
very glad to hear you’ve treated yourself and love the stuff it attitude! 🧙‍♀️

That's fabulous Speakout, I'm so please you ordered it. I saw one just like this on a house when I was on holiday in Devon last year and took a photo of it as I liked it so much!

I've just got back from a wonderful long weekend in Cornwall. Swam in the sea, went for long walks and soaked up some solar energy. Feel totally revitalised!

Your weekend sounds wonderful VioletCharlotte- including a sea swim, how invigorating. I am in awe of wild swimmers, I don't manage well with cold temperatures, I even brace myself to strip off for a hot shower at home.
I have just the spot for my weather vane, it will be visible to my christian neighbours, and visiting guests to the back of the house. Thankyou for supporting my "stuff it" attitude Aerwyna!
I am growing weary of having to keep my practice secret, I dislike having to collude in lies to make sure secrets are kept, like something shameful or dirty. Especially when my path is also my work and livelihood.
Although I still have a chuckle when I think of my mother telling some friends that I am a firefighter. In a panic when asked directly about my work she said the first thing that came into mind, but then added " But she works from home" in the hope she would explain why I am around the house so much.
I am having a few days off from my firefighting duties as it is my DDs birthday this week, and she is also moving house.
So I am meeting her at Ikea today as she needs a new mattress, not sure it will fit into her little car.
I imagine we will also have a bite to eat too while we are out. Then she will come over tomorrow to celebrate her birthday with us.
Next week's lunar eclipse in Scorpio may bring some changes and transformation AnotherCrazyBirdLady. Like you I await with some trepidation, change can be unsettling, but I know things have been challenging for a few of us recently, so I hope this full moon brings a positive shift in energy.
Morning coffee finished, bracing myself for a hot shower and a start to the day.
Enjoy the rest of the week sisters.

Speakout** I'm very much a fair weather sea swimmer! The day we did it was lovely and hot, and although the water was cold, the sun warmed us up when we got out. I can't imagine doing it in the winter. I've got friends who do and love it.

I did laugh when I read your Mother tells people that you're a fire fighter who works from home! Of all the jobs so have come up with! I know what you mean about being fed up with having to hide your practice. I wish I could be more open. My family aren't religious but my Mother views anything spiritual with suspicion, while my Dad and brother think it's all a bit joke. I'm glad my own DC are more open minded. I hope you enjoyed your day with your DD yesterday and has a lovely birthday today. Sending blessings to you in celebration of the day you gave birth! I find my DC's birthdays always being up a whole rainbow of emotions.

We've got heavy rain here today. I'm rather annoyed that I put my washing out first thing and it's getting soaked!

Violettecharlotte- thanks for the birthday wishes, it is tomorrow, but she is coming over this evening and staying the night- I have one of her favoutite meals cooking in the oven as we speak.
I agree our children's birthdays throw up a lot of feelings for mothers- the focus is rightly on the child, but giving birth is a big deal for mothers too.
I can remember the details very vividly, pain, joy, fear, love, all rolled into an eventful day.
I have had to dash out to bring in laundry too today- bright and breezy here but with some really sharp downpours- tempting to put it all back out again but no doubt there will be more showers to come.
At least the clothes are partly dry and will have absorbed some energy from the spring sunshine and wind.
I am having an easy slow day here, a yoga class this morning, and simply pottering, reading, listening to music, cooking, drinking tea. I love a slow pace.