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.

Hiya I hope you’re all doing well. We took a trip back to my home city on Thursday as it was my little sisters birthday, which was lovely but I’m exhausted now. Does anyone else become the designated fun person with kids?. At one point I was surrounded by a bout 20 children from 6 months-15 trying to entertain them all😂. I’m really trying to do some shadow work lately as I feel it’s so needed for me right now, I’m hoping to get some space to do it later tonight. Todays Goddess is Dag, and we are celebrating her by having a day in her sunlight and we visited a friend earlier to do some horse riding as that is her sacred animal. Gold and yellow items of clothing/jewellery etc also honour her. I’m tuning into my moon app, and trying to stay as calm as possible and meditate. The moon in Scorpio is always a bit of a crazy time for me. Especially as the eclipse is coming up soon, I try not to stress too much and see them as a way of highlighting what I need to check in and work on.

@speakout I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family who accept, and sometimes even participate, in our celebrations. I think red tents are just incredible, I like to read about how they were utilised in ancient matriarchal societies, how wonderful our world would be if we could go back to that is some way. I agree that treating our emotions as children in a way really does help, especially if our emotions weren’t heard in our own childhood. I’m so glad you got the weathervane, it’s beautiful. And I agree with others, stuff what people think, you are living your life authentically and they should too. Your DM saying you’re a fire worker that works from home has really made me laugh, bless her😂. Happy birthday to your DD.
@VioletCharlotte your weekend sounds wonderful, I love swimming in the sea, Cornwall is especially gorgeous too.

I agree that children’s birthdays can bring a range of emotions, especially for mothers. My DD turned 2 in April and I spent a lot of the day reflecting upon her birth. I’m sure I will do the same in November when my son turns 1.

Hello all.

What a glorious sunny day we have had! I feel so energised by it.
I've had a bumpy week with a reaction to some medication that threw me off a cliff mental health wise and I stopped taking it and thankfully it's left my system quickly and I am much better.

We went into town today for a living history event and then home to potter in the garden. Getting the camper ready too, for our first festival of the year in a couple of weeks. It will be the first one since 2019, and I am SO ready. Those who know the sounds, smells and energy of a festival will understand how my soul is yearning for this. We will also see dear, dear friends who we have not seen since 2019.

I was clearing a space under my huge pear tree, it was choked with weeds and had a sudden vision/message that the space should be an outdoor devitional to Freya so today I have placed a plaque there. I bought it off Etsy. I need to add a few more things. It's the first time in a long time I have felt such a direct connection with practice.

I don't really hide my practice/interest at home but then I have always been a little bit 'away with the fairies' as my Gran would say so most visitors kind of expect my house to be a little eccentric. I am very lucky in this respect.
My DH periodically plays songs on his radio show about witches or with witch in the title and lovingly dedicates them to me! He is a completely straight and non spiritual person but I think admires my dedication to my path.

I'm absolutely full of dinner - I made schwarma tonight - so I am going to take a cool drink into the garden and listen to the sounds of nature while I digest!

RiverRats your birthday trip sounds fun- but exhausting. Our house was always the magnet for neighbourhood kids too, the place with chalk, homemade play dough, and a bottomless pot of pasta. Noisy, messy, exhausting but fun.
I am glad you have people around you that are supportive of your path- it makes a difference to feel accepted and validated.My OH and kids are very accepting- and my OHs family are wonderful, they are very proud to have a witch in the family. I have been coming out slowly to my own friends and aquantainces too, and almost everyone is very accepting and curious. It is my own family that has the problem, my mother, sister and extended.I keep it under wraps- and a lot of lies are spun in order to cover up the truth- mostly to protect my mother.
Tonights full moon and lunar eclipse in Scorpio will bring big changes and fresh energy as we end the current season of eclipses, and bring this phase of change to completion.
queenrollo I am glad you had a good day- although the reaction to medication sounds familiar- I had similar recently and was really smashed against the rocks.
Glad your OH is supportive, we don't need people to be on a pagan path themselves in order to cheerlead us. My OH is like this- he is not a magical practitioner, but totally believes in my craft, doesn't care who knows- in fact proud to proclaim his wife is a witch. I love the sound of your pear tree devotional space.
A busier weekend than usual here, DS and I went to the cinema yeasterday to see The Northman, a viking movie, then on for dinner at a restaurant.
I have an earlish yoga class today, then going on to my DDs flat, as she is cleaning before moving to a new place. So I will load up with cleaning stuff, rubber gloves, and a change of clothes and muck in to help get the place in shape.
I could cancel the yoga class, but that is important to my well being. My OH and mother can hold the fort and sort out dinner while I am gone, means when I get back I can rest , maybe have a quiet time with tea and Tarot to unwind.
I could overstretch myself and buy food on the way back from my DDs, hurridly cook after I get back but that isn't going to happen. My precious soul needs down time- that is a priority!
I hope everyone finds time for soul nourishing today.

RiverRats your sister's party sounds like it was good fun. I used to love throwing parties for my DC, I'm not sure I have the energy now though!

Queenrollo I'm so excited for you that you're off to a festival! I know exactly what you mean about the festival energy, there's nothing like it. We used to go to quite a few when the DC were younger. I'm not sure if I could camping and portaloos anymore though! I hope you have a wonderful time.

Speakout I've heard good reviews about the Northman, did you enjoy it? Hope your DD's move goes well and she's happy in her new home.

I've had a bit of a hair disaster this weekend. I fancied a colour change and decided to take matters into my own hands and I've ended up with hair that is much darker than I'd expected. I've had to fess up to my lovely hairdresser who has instructed me to leave it alone and let it recover for a few weeks before he can attempt to get it red again. I'm going to blame a combination of hormones and the full moon 🤣

@VioletCharlotte well for the last 10 years we've had either a caravan or a campervan so it does make that aspect of the festival much easier. The last few festivals we've also taken a toilet tent, mainly for a fallback for our son but to be honest most of the festivals we do now seem to have really cracked the cleaning regime and portaloos no longer hold the same fear they once did. Having survived Reading Festival from '94 to 2002 I think I am quite hardened to them though!

And you have my total sympathy on the hair disaster front. I had some green left in mine but couldn't justify the cost at the salon to have it stripped and dyed. So I did my reading and was going to go red to neutralise and then dark brown over. Well - the red that I chose was nothing like the box. It was actually more of a deep aubergine and it looked awful. I then used a stripper on it and thankfully it worked. It did leave me looking a little ginger but I have used a copper toner and actually I LOVE the result.
My hairdresser is adorable but he would have given me a proper telling off.

@queenrollo a camper van must make festival going much more comfortable. I could probably cope with that! I went to Reading in the 90's too. Reading 1993 was my first ever festival - a real baptism of fire!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has hair dye disasters. I do this at least once a year, you'd think I'd have learned by now! I'm glad yours had a happy outcome. My hairdresser has told me not to use a stripper but my finger is hovering over the 'buy it now' button on Amazon!

How are you all finding the blood moon eclipse energy? Over the course of the weekend, I've found myself wanting to retreat and I'm feeling rather tetchy and irritable. Todays rain has been a blessing as it's a good excuse to stay indoors and shut out the world. I'm going to have a cleansing shower this evening and do some journalling maybe. Blessings to you all.

Full mon blessings sisters, I hope the energy of last night's eclipse is having a positive influence.
I am nodding about hair colour going wrong. I had this happen too, and used a stripper, which worked amazingly well and left my hair in good condition, if rather alarming bright orange. It took the new dye well, and no damage or loss of condition.
My hairdresser is very pro- stripper and doesn't think it damages hair- she thinks it is essential if you use a lot of dye as it removes colour build up. I only dye my roots now, same colour every time, close to my natural pre- grey.
The idea of a camper van sounds great fun- I have never been in one, must put it on my bucket list.
DDs move went well, although tiring on the legs- she is in a 3rd floor flat and I must have done 20 trips up and down yesterday, carrying boxes of stuff- after a hard yoga session. Luckily her new flat has a lift. A little bittersweet for her, she has been sharing with her best friend that she met at school, both been students together and sharing the joys of their first flat together. But now her friend is moving in with her boyfriend, and DD is moving in with another friend- they are not so close, but it will be OK I am sure. Her new flat is beautiful- newish, huge, she has an en suite and a balcony, surrounded by trees, a park, river yet only 10 minues to the heart of the city. I am quite envious!
Thankfully my legs seem good after yesyerday's exertions, off to yoga again this morning.
Have a wonderful week sisters.

How did everyone cope with the full Moon eclipse? My word it has been intense here, a really heavy anxious feeling in the air. In the run-up yesterday, the air was so quiet and still and all the local wildlife was very tetchy! The Moon's not far off hitting Sagittarius now though, so moods should pick up later today!

All this talk of Festivals is making me smile and feel young again, though they're definitely something I avoid these days, I am so much more of a homebody these days, and my ageing body can't rough it anymore!

I struggle to sleep whenever there is a full moon so it makes me bad tempered.

I slept very heavily last night which is unusual for me as it's more common for the few days before and the Full Moon itself to be very wakeful nights.

I'm definitely having some hormonal issues though, and the last two days I am so bloated and uncomfy. I'm nurturing myself with herbal teas and gentle food and I'm going to have a healing bath in a little while.

I wanted to ask if anyone here uses cacao? I see lots of people I follow on social media using it as part of their daily routine but never really looked into it.

Queenrollo I cut out dairy when I started getting bloated and uncomfortable. It's made a massive difference and if do occasionally indulge, I pay for it the next day. My periods are much lighter and less painful too, so I'm convinced there's a link between diet and hormones.

I use cacao occasionally, but not often as it can trigger headaches. I sometimes use it in cooking. Have you ever been to a cacao ceremony?

I slept fitfully last night. My dog was more unsettled than usual too and kept pacing and wanting to go outside - I kept expecting him to howl at the moon! The 'heavy' feeling seems to be lifting now and I've just done a dreamy yoga class which has helped release some of the restlessness I've been feeling. I hope we all sleep better tonight.

I am not a huge dairy fan either,, and my kids won't touch it- My fault I think as children they wouldn't eat dairy- no yogurt, cheese, butter, no milk, no formula. I think if you abstain from dairy at any age the enzymes to digest stop being produced and tummy aches can start.
I drink oat milk which I really enjoy.
I have been sleeping very deeply since the full moon, was in bed by 8pm last, if I get good sleep at night then daytime challenges are much easier to deal with. Good sleep really decreases my feelings of stress and anxiety.
I had a lot of emotional stuff from my past to process yesterday, much of that can be done by my subconcious while I am asleep.
A fresh day, a Mars/Neptune aspect fires up our spiritual and creative powers, a good day for spellwork or activities that are goal orientated.
Not sure I would recommend The Northman- it was interesting, a bit heavy on the blood and mud, but to be expected in a Viking movie. Lots of drums and ritual, storyline was a little thin. I just loved being out with my DS, and we had lots to talk about afterwards.
Off for a spa shower- lime and coconut this morning, yoga class then a day of work.
Bright blessings dear friends.

I don't really consume much dairy, as I have oat milk instead of cows. I eat very little cheese. But actually I had eaten out and consumed a toastie with brie - but it was heavy on the brie and I also had a chai latte. Now I think about it that's a lot of dairy to throw at my system when I eat it very sparingly at home if I do use it. I think it's also hormonal though as it felt very much like when my endometriosis was bad.

I am feeling much brighter for switching my meds though and have even been quite productive at home.
I do however really need to ignroe housework for a bit and settle to making a headdress for my festival costume for next week. I've not been very inspired to make a costume because with no-where to go there was little motivation.

Welcome to the weekend sisters.
Having spent the best part of a fortnight doing a lot for others I am having a self care deep dive this weekend.
Sitting with hair dye on at the moment touching up my roots- hoping to get a trim at the hairdressers later today is she can squeeze me in on a Saturday.
violetCharlotte I don't use much cocoa- I have heard it has health benefits, I have made power balls for those times we really need some chocolate- and I use it in some cooking. I know it is quite fashionable. I know smoothies and smoothie bowls are the thing right now too, but I dislike the texture of mushy food. I also don;t like cold things very much- ice cream or icy drinks give me brain freeze! I was always that weird kid at school who would take the morning milk nearest the radiator!
queenrollo I am glad you have found a medication that suits you I love the sound of your headress.
Which oat milk does anyone use- plant milks are a bit of a minefield- and many have lots of sugar and other additives- although some of those may be helpful, calcium, some vitamins etc. I would like to try cashew milk, but no where around here seem to stock it, I have eaten and really enjoyed cashew cream as an alternative to single cream, it is delicious.
I am also on the lookout for a fancy candle to treat myself- I could make one myself, I have all the kit, but it feels a little more indulgent having the work done for me.
What is your go to candle when you want to nurture your soul? It is so hard buying online- scent is such a personal thing.
I recently bought my DD a Jo Malone candle, and I was a little underwhelmed I have to say.
My roots are nearly cooked, I may also slip in a body balance class this morning, my workload is light this weekend, the goddess often understands when I need to take things easy!
I hope you all find time to take care of yourselves to this weekend.

Speakout I can feel the goddess energy radiating through your words - very uplifting! Good to hear you're focusing on self-care this weekend, I'm hoping to do the same tomorrow. I've been busy this week and I was up early this morning for Body Pump, but i've just been hit by a wave of tiredness so have decided to listen to my body and rest. I've just had a long shower and put my pyjamas on. I love the lighter evenings, but I do find I put more pressure on myself to be doing things!

I was given a Jo Malone candle for Christmas a couple of years ago. A lovely gift, but I can't honesty say it was that different from any other candle. Certainly not worth the money! Aldi candles are supposed to be Jo Malone dupes, I like the Lime, Basil and Mandarin one. Sainsbury's also do some nice candles, my favourite is rhubarb and elderflower. If I want to spend a bit more, I like the St Eval candles. Currently have apple and elderflower burning. As you say, candles and scents are very personal so it's best to buy the, from a shop rather than online.

DS2 is off to Spain tomorrow for five days with some friends to celebrate his 21st. It'll be strange not being with him on his birthday, but I'm so pleased for him that he's able to go. He was only 18 at the start of the pandemic so this will be his first trip abroad with friends. I'll miss him, but I'm also looking forward to having the house to myself!

Good to hear of your plan for a self care day VioletCharlotte, we need to treat ourselves with care and compassion, and recognise when we have been carrying heavy burdens. I hope your S has a good trip- I understand that feeling of missing someone but also enjoying your space.
I plan another quiet day, lots of tea, some Tarot, and enjoying my new candles- Amber and Rose by Shearer and Sweet Honeysuckle by Wax lyrical, both warm, floral feminine fragrances. i am also slightly obsessed by a new incense - Protection by Stamford. I burn incense just outside, I find it a little overwhelming if I burn inside, so I place it on the patio with the doors open, and get the ocassional waft.
It also feels quite exotic burning incense outside, some tropical countries I have visited seem to burn incese everywhere, in gardens, roadside temples entrances to shops.
I have just been surveying my garden this morning, Gaia has finally settled well here. It was pretty barren when I moved here a few years ago, but I have planted a fair bit- trees, shrubs, perennials. I also welcome the plants that have just turned up unannounced- I have some elder, lots of poppies, St Johns wort, brambles, a yew tree, lots of foxglove. Some may consider them weeds, but I know they have chosen the best spot to survive, so they are welcome.
Not sure what is on the menu today, but I don't feel like compromising even if it means cooking a separate meal for myself. Last night I made a simple tofu stir fry- it was very yummy.
Have a good Sunday sisters, and take care of the precious person you are.
Here is last night's dinner!

Speakout I have been using Oatly but sometimes buy whatever else the supermarket has on the shelf that is cheaper.
I recall there being some problem with Oatly ethically (i think to do with who they are owned by) and yet the same happened with Alpro too. I feel very much like there is no easy answer to combine health/moral/ethical prinicples when trying to be kinder to ourselves and the planet.
Many of my vegan friends have horrendous air miles attached to their diets. For me this creates a real disconnect with their claim to be doing it for the 'planet'.
It's not a discussion I ever have though.

I am SO tired. I never understood married couples who had separate bedrooms but my husband is such a noisy sleeper lately that now I do! He would be very upset by it, and there isn't room here anyway to do so - but I am so bloody fed up of disturbed sleep. Even ear-plugs don't help as I have such small ear canals that they end up causing me pain.
I've been reading up on what he is doing and there is no real cause or cure either.

queenrollo- yes the air miles are part of what puts me off soya milk, oats grow abundantly here, so presumably not being flown in. I like Minor Figures oat milk, and Aldi's Acti Leaf is really good too- and only 85p a litre.
I sympathise with the snoring. OH and I have had separate rooms for years- it really is blissful. Our relationship hasn't suffered at all- and I am very grateful for the quiet sanctuary of my boudior!

I so want to make lilac syrup!

woops!

Try this one- %C9%99ndH%C9%99yat%C4%B1

Not sure why the videos are not working- sorry.

Any room for another? I can’t put a label on my practice/beliefs but I’ve been into the witchy way of life since I was about 18. It’s nice to find others with similar beliefs

PaintingClocks you are very welcome, grab a comfy seat and have a brew. Glad you have joined us.
Just been visiting a witchcraft shop deep in the old town, very inspiring, and managed to buy myself a perfume, so I am happy.
It is good to see things in real life, rather than the internet, and be able to smell candles and soaps. There was even a queue outside, ,the shop was so busy.

I tried to make lilac syrup the other year. the results were not great. And there was a root stock issue which lead to our lilac not actually a lilac tree being dug up last autumn. Would you let us know how it turns out Speakout, please?

Has anyone been to Garland day in Castleton? I am vaguely considering if it is worth the trip this year.