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.

queen I hope you find a good solution.

speakout I am in the bad habit of MNing on my breaks.

QueenRollo I hope that you are able to resolve this in a manner that works out for the best financially, practically and health wise for you.

HillsBesidetheSea your name is so lovely. I have been reading about Callieach deciding where to put hills.

How is everyone?

This might seem an odd post for this board but I am trying to make my little flat nicer, for the 100th time, and I feel quite despairing. I was looking to make an altar space and honestly it's hard to do that.

I think the only answer is to accept that the place simply won't look nice. Living in a small space isn't great for free flow of energy. But there is a huge difference between what works in practical terms and what looks nice.

Some of you mention charity shops. Luckily I don't enjoy physical shops, there are lots of charity shops here!

I have lovely pagan ornaments, crystals etc, which I don't like to display in case visitors decide I am mad, so they are hidden away among practical things.

Definitely feeling an energy block in spite of a busy week.

@EmmaH2022 I don’t trouble myself with what visitors think of the witchy doo dads in our house. If they’re judging, they’re not welcome in the first place.

I probably phrased that inadequately

It is partly true, but also I am a very private person and I don't like people asking questions, even if they are perfectly innocent.

I agree about visitors- some of the items on my altar are very private, I don't like them being touched even by well meaning but curious guests, so I keep my most precious things in my bedroom.
It is hard for me to keep my most obvious pagan items on public display- my mother lives with me, and has visits from church friends, a pastor and sometimes bible study classes.
She is quite elderly and the church is a lifeline for her- in terms of her social life, outings, coffee mornings etc. Takes a bit of pressure off me as she has support oitside the home.
Unfortunately the church is quite fundamental, and any hint of paganism- devil worship in their eyes would get their hackles up, and may impact the relationship my mother has with the church. It ultimatey benefits me for my mother to have a social support.
So I keep entertaining space fairly free of witchy stuff, apart from a few things- pictures of stags and hares, a few candles- no one has noticed my witch weather vane yet!
It is so dark this morning, I notice a decrease in daylength already, and a cool 12 degrees. I am resisting the heating- it is july! But it has been raining every day for a couple of weeks, my house is starting to feel a little damp- although I keep lots of windows open, there isn't much fresh dry air outside. We do get glimpses of sunshine, but they are short lived, there are contant waves of black clouds bringing more rain.
Off to body balance this morning, and a few hours of work.later, but first a spa shower, I bought some shower melts- they were so good, but have run out, so I think some warming citrus oil is on the cards.
Have an enchanted weekend sisters.

Speakout same struggle here with the heating! I live in such a an old house that a run of wetter and cooler days brings the temp down inside noticeably and damp is definitely an issue. It's such a pain lighting the Rayburn though that I too am resisting.

My monthly night out was cancelled last minute so I was left feeling out of sorts. I miss the company of others a great deal and this monthly gathering is really a balm for me. I messaged around but everyone was busy so it was just another night at home, with me feeling quite low. I try be realistic about balancing my time with family/work etc so when I lose one of my very few social outings I do find it saddens me.
Oh well, up early this morning and the sunshine and birdsong are cheering me.

"no one has noticed my witch weather vane yet!"
Speakout You'd be surprised just how many people never look up these days. They miss so much.

Sorry your night out as cancelled QueenRollo

Thank you EmmaH2022 very kind of you to say so.

queenrollo sorry about your night out.

speakout the Christian aspect wasn't something I thought about. Then a religious neighbour popped in to borrow something and told me the cat picture in the hallway was "creepy". To be fair, my parents said that too, but they are only familiar - pun not intended! - with imagery from films etc. Then I had some tradesmen asking about it.

Then I took it down. You'd think someone would notice it as a beautiful exercise in blue and black shading, but no. I thought the colour palette was lovely, but others just saw a black cat.

People are funny about witchy things! It amuses me that people are perfectly comfortable with decorating their houses for Halloween, I guess it's about conforming and doing what society expects. My house is subtlety witchy, I've got hares and foxes dotted around and various crystals and lots of candles, witchy books. I don't really like clutter so wouldn't want too much on display. I love that no one has spotted your weather vane Speakout! I bet some children will have seen it. Little ones always seem to spot things that adults miss.

Sorry you're night out didn't happen queenrollo. I know how you feel, when you don't get too go out that often, it's disappointing when plans change. Now I work from home full time, I look forward to time with friends more than ever.

I was due to see my best friend today, but she's got Covid unfortunately. I've just been Pilates and running some errands . I'm feeling a bit flat and tired today. DS1 has various mental health issues and it's been a difficult week. I'm going to treat myself to some new skincare products and have a bit of a pamper session later and get an early night.

Sorry to hear your night off was cancelled queenrollo, I hope you have found other ways to be kind to yourself this weekend, and you too violettecharlotte, sorry to hear that your son isn’t too well this week. Mental ill health is a really hard thing to deal with, sometimes we can only hope for a slightly less bad time ahead. You are wise to focus on self care- it becomes even more crucial when times are tough.
It's sad too hear of others feeling judged for witchy things, pictures, objects. In an ideal world I would be out and proud, pagan ways are still an area seen fit for criticism and derision. For some a pagan path is a philosophy or even a religion- if an Islamic or Bhuddist person had pictures or statues relating to their choices in their own home it would be considered very poor judgement to make a negative comment.

I guess I am in an unusual situation having family who are fundamentalist Christians, so I always have to do a run pass to determine is something would be viewed as “iffy”. Anything from dream catchers, incense, astrology, yoga, crystals, ideas of evolution, pop music, meditation tarot- all “iffy” and demonic.
I’m aware that many Christians celebrate Halloween, our local Catholic church runs a Halloween party for children. My family view Halloween as a demonic time, and their churches run “Light Parties “ at that time.
Some of my family won’t accept anything that
they see as pagan in origin- so no Christmas trees, no santa, no stockings or
reindeer- no easter bunny.
Of course they are right- easter and Christmas are re- formed pagan festivals, I am surprised they celebrate them at all
Thankfully most of my family live overseas!
A little dull to start here today, but the forecast predicts sunshine today,
so I will wash bedding and hopefully it will dry outside.
I am just off to give myself a facial, then get ready while my nourishing mask does its magic.
Candle and
soft affirmations to listen to.

Then I have a yoga class at 9.15. All these things are of critical importance in my world!!

I have just been looking at these beautiful bracelets- and wondering if I should treat myself- iamstunning.co.uk/collections/bracelets/products/twisted-ocean-jasper-wrap-bracelet
The website has lots of similar stuff, so eyecatching.
Off to start my day- have an enchanted one sisters!

Yesterday was strange in a lovely way. We had gone to a local town to an event but no-where had it said there was a fee to get in (actually it did, but that part of the image was cut off the bottom on the social media postings) and it was too expensive for my liking, so we changed plan.
It was very close to my dad's childhood home, and where until early last year my uncle still lived. So we walked along and I showed my son where his Grandad grew up, and where I visited my Gran. Then to a churchyard very close by to visit my Grandparents/Uncle's grave. A walk up into the main town via a very old tree that I loved as a child and was delighted to see still there.
It's also the town I spent most of my 20s and was a huge part of my life.

I treated myself to a new face cream and some cake for after dinner.
Came home to some reflection and contemplation.
Bright weather to start the day here. Just getting some laundry done, a little gardening to do. It's not long now until my youngest DS breaks up for the summer holidays and we are all very ready for a few weeks of slower pace.

queenrollo- that sounds an incredibly synchronistic day, a lovely way to pass on family legacy to your son, and your great childhood tree has watched it all.
Our schools broke up last week- although not so significant to me now, but does mean the roads will be quieter, and I can still enjoy the zeitgeigst!
I enjoyed my facial and sheets are in the washng machine, but black couds are rolling in, so not sure how much of a drying day it will be,

OK - talk me down someone.

Just back from the US. Severely jet lagged. Not unpacked. Two weeks arrears of work. Websites closed to sales oh and foot injury so I can't walk far...

More or less straight from airport to my parents to help them pack up the house for the sale completing Tuesday. Since then we've been helping them unpack ( they've moved about 10 minutes walk from us) and they've been staying with us whilst they get the house straight.

I am about to explode. My mother is a master at PA aggressive comments. My tea isn't good enough (fairtrade looseleaf) so she's bought her own co op tea bags. The coffee is "too good for her", she likes the cheap instant stuff, the handwash is wrong, she can't do her own washing because "no one has put the spike in the garden" ( it has rained solidly all week) and my latest transgression is that I have scrapped new potatoes for lunch - far too much work for me apparently. And that's only part of it.

Self care? I don't have a minute for that. Hopefully they will move in to their new bungalow tomorrow and not a minute too soon. We had my PIL live with us for 15 years and it was nowhere near this bad.

Hi it’s painting clocks, had some issues with MN and had to make a new account. I’ll catch up on what you’ve all been up to now!

Elphame that sounds tough... breath... and gin!
My DM is the Queen of passive aggression, I know exactly how you feel so sending solidarity. Can you use the jet lag as an excuse to shut yourself in your bedroom for the rest of the day?

Queenrollo what a lovely twist your afternoon took. I love taking a trip down memory lane occasionally and revisiting places. How wonderful that your tree is still there!

School holidays don't really impact me anymore either, although work does tend to be quieter, generally, which is always a relief and gives me a chance to draw breath before the busy autumn and winter. I've been fantasising today about having a complete life change, handing my notice in, moving somewhere out of the south east where the cost of living is cheaper and the pace of life is slower, taking a less stressful job... in reality I know I don't really want to move away from my family and friends, but it's a sign a break is needed I feel.

Elphame- huge sympathies, I also have a mother who is passive agressive, it is so hard to deal with. If I stand up to her she feigns innocence, and gaslights me into thinking I am a bully. All part of covert narcissistic behaviour I think.
Hi rosemarygrows good to see you again- I like your new username.
I daydream about different lives too- usually living alone!! Maybe an island in the Seychelles wher I can grow tropical fruits, or in an old cottage by the sea, Swedish wilderness, or a little Finca in southern spain. Some of my dydreams become quite elaborate!
But even those lives would have downsides, I have spent quite a bit of time in the tropics, , and after a while I would crave cool weather. Hot temperatures usually mean venomous creatures trying to bite or sting, we are lucky to live in a place where roaming is fairly hazard free.
Overall I know I am fortunate to live where I do.

How is everyone?

Very tough work day here.

I feel sorry for those of you with problematic mums, and also guilty as I really struggled with mine yesterday, even though she is a lovely person, I just struggle.

Elphame I hope you are over the jet lag, last time I did a US trip it took me ages to get back on track.

speakout I think where you live sounds amazing. I increasingly think the answer to a lot of things would be to have two homes, one north and one south. I realise this would not make me popular!

I have to do something about my space in my evenings this week, if the flat isn't too hot. (I started a thread for people living in sweatbox flats).
Like VioletCharlotte I dislike clutter. I think some people can curate it really well but I don't have the space. I gave away a lot of stuff that I would have kept if my move hadn't fallen through. I am still turning over ideas of how to make my home space feel better.

I am going to have to ask the spirits to help me with patience in a lot of ways. I have a friend who knows some lovely short pagan prayers but I am a bit rubbish about keeping notes, I must get better at that!

EmmaH2022 I hear your challenges living in a hot flat- I have done the same in the city during sweltering summers, it is a challenge.
Like you notekeeping is not one of my strengths.

I do keep notebooks and grimoire, but journaling is a step too far- I know it is popular, but I know I would use it as a dump for bad emotions, and preserving those words in script wouldn't work for me. If I evoke, I like to release.
Patience is something that can be nurtured ,I have found mindfulness a really helpful tool.
Elphame I hope the situation with your mother is calmer.
Scraped new potatoes sound delicious, I think they
can reach a perfection that can't be reached with skins on, and
being naked absorb salt, butter or mint far more readily.
I have had a difficult situation today, regarding money, and an acquaintance- we both seemed to have different verions of events, and lots of sharp charged feelings around regarding blame and misinformation.
The amount of money was small, and although we couldn't agree on the circumstances or events - involving other people too- we did agree to hold different understandings, and it was not important enough to impact on our relationship- no blame, just moving forward, and not worth damaging our relationship nor to go seeking blame to others.
Big mug of tea here, thinking about my cozy bed, clean sheets and a relaxation candle.
Magical dreams dear friends.

speakout I am sorry to hear you had a tough day but glad it seems to have been resolved.

Your words have made me re-realise something. I do keep a diary - but I don't think it does me much good. I have noticed in the better times, I never write in it, which is telling.

I am normally good at note taking but tend to step away from any kind of spiritual path very easily, hence it didn't occur to me to make notes.

I will be experimenting with habits and routines this week. I tend not to light candles because I am anxious I will forget to blow them out. I will think on rituals though as I constantly drift from my centre. And the diary, the writing down...actually has been no help at all through a tough period. Hmm. Worth pondering.

I have a to be burnt on completion book for the negative thoughts and general pondering. It helps me process and purge thoughts i don't need to dwell on. And it is not meant for returning to. It is meant to be destroyed in fire. I don't write in it every day. i write when i need to. I would like to do more regular writing as it does help me, but never sit regular in that habit. As it is for destruction on completion i do not write in it things that are meant to be kept.
It is something that could be considered if appropriate.

Speakout Sorry you had a tricky day
Elphame hoping that things with your mum improves, the sniping is not something that is ever fun. May you find a peaceful corner to relax in.

Hello ladies, I've been quiet on here as pregnancy and nesting has consumed all my time and energy.

I had a bit of an upsetting week last week. I left my job in April, they refused to let me back into the building to retrieve my personal belongings despite union intervention. I asked them to pay me for the items they have essentially stolen from me. Their retaliation was to say that I had never taken these items into the building in the first place, calling me a liar.

I know want to draw a line under this. I can let these belongings go but I need some help dealing with emotional side - I'm hurt and angry. Also not too happy about the deformation of my character.

Can you recommend any rituals that can help me leave this behind now? I want to go back to focusing on my family and home. Thank you.

Turquoisedreamcatcher I'm so sorry this has happened to you, what a horrible situation. There are things that will help. I've just been reading the posts from earlier today about writing things down, like Hills, I find it cathartic to write down everything that I'm feeling, then set fire to the piece of paper, releasing all the emotion to the universe. Self care is important to work on resolving any negative feelings about yourself you may be holding on to as a result of what these people have said about you. Try repeating a mantra to yourself to increase your self compassion. It'll take a little time to get over something like this, so be kind to yourself

Speakout sorry you've had a difficult day, hope you get a peaceful nights sleep and tomorrow is better.

EmmaH2022 I don't journal either. Like others, I don't like the idea of having a book full of negative thoughts and energy. I do scribble ideas and thoughts down everywhere though, I've got lots of notebooks and post it notes! Living in a hot flat doesn't sound much fun, I've got a colleague with the same problem, she said it's almost unbearable at times. I think the problem is that new builds are so well insulated...great in the winter but awful in the summer!

I'm conscious I've got in a bit of a rut recently. Working from home full time, like had become a bit of a treadmill. I find myself repeating the same routine day in, day out, so I'm trying to shake things up and be a bit more mindful about what im doing, rather just going through the motions.

Thank you @VioletCharlotte, I do like that idea of writing it all out and setting fire to it. I would just like to write off the whole experience of me working there. It was the worse 7 months of my life. Time to be kind to myself.

Turquoise I'm so sorry to hear that
I carried a lot of workplace anger around for ages, it's hard.

A colleague did an all over body scrub after leaving one place. He said he literally wanted to exfoliate the place out of his pores! Maybe that's something you'd like to do?

I like the idea of setting written things on fire but have nowhere to do it.