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.

I'm glad the temperature has dropped for many, I hope those affected by fires are keeping safe. A cool 21 degrees here, feeling very manageable. I have brought down all my summer/winter clothes down from the loft and going through everything. I really don’t need 10 pairs of shorts, and I have dresses that I have never worn ( mostly all bought in charity shops originally), also have far too many scarfs, sarongs, I want to pare down all my clothes.
Now in my crone years I have a strong sense of the type of clothes I want to wear, something that has alluded me for decades! I have dumped everything in a spare room, will take me days to get through!
Queenrollo I hope you manage some enjoyment at the festival, I can imagine going along to something you have no interest may seem dull.
I know science has a bad rap, poorly taught in primary schools and dull as dishwater at secondary. You probably know I am a science geek,
I love having that extra layer of understanding to the universe.
From alchemists and geomancers to quantum physicists, taxonomy of living things, rainbows, nebulae, geology as a lens into our past, northern lights,
trees communicating underground to each other, chemical processes within a candle flame, worm holes, , black holes and quarks – I love it all.
I love philosophy of science too- no such thing as a complete truth, only models approximating our understanding. Unlike many religions, science teaches us that it is OK not to know the answers.
I see the world through both magical and scientific eyes- and they are closer than one may imagine.
Just off to the post office, the only shop with air con in the town- people are lingering a little longer there!

@speakout my 9 year old is deeply interested in (and according to school has a natural aptitude for) both science and history so I am absolutely indulging him with this festival. It is very hands on for children and not remotely dumbed down so he will gain a lot of knowledge and enjoyment.
As it is at Jodrell Bank it tends to be very physics/space oriented and I will confess that my own father's obsession with the space race and all things connected means I was overloaded with it as a child and it just turns me off.

Queenrollo the things we do for our DC! I have fond memories of doing a 4 hour round trip to go to a Dr Who exhibition with DS1 and standing in the rain with DS2 watching football. It's lovely that you're making the effort to take him to this festival, I'm sure he'll have a great time, and you'll probably find you enjoy yourself more than you expect to. At least it's meant to be cooler this weekend, and no rain forecast. Your trip to the coast sounds wonderful. I did that one heat, got to the beach about 7pm and enjoyed a cooling dip in the sea, it was blissful!

Speakout your Buddleia sounds fabulous. I didn't know what it was and had to Google and found it's the plant I've been admiring when out on my dog walks. Such beautiful colours!

Turquoisedreamcatcher oh dear you have my sympathies, the last couple of days must have been awful for you. I remember it was hit when I had DS2, not as hot as it has been this week though. I used to sit in my underwear with the fan on, soaking my feet in a bowl of cold water.

EmmaH2022 the fires are awful aren't they? I hope they're not too close to you. I think it was a wise move to stay at home. Do you live near any of the open air lidos in London? Although I suppose they get very crowed.

I'm relieved it's cooler today, but still feeling rather wiped out. I went to a gentle, yin yoga class earlier this evening. Feeling relaxed now and ready for an early night.

VioletCharlotte I am smiling as I read your post- you are right of course, we do lots of things for our children, and we smile and even try to enjoy.
I can remember watching my DS playing rugby regularly on a freezing cold Sunday morning, tractor shows, petting farms steam train rides, endless kids movies at the cinema, kids theatre shows- I still do it now and my kids are in their 20s!. I watched terminator and The Room with my DS, Encanto and Cruella with my DD. Not movies I would watch, but did, just for the shared experience.

Welcome to Friday sisters. A cool end to the week, the air is fresh and light.
A little annoyed with myself this morning, as I have missed a yoga class I love,
My alarm went off at 5.45 this morning, I switched it off closed my eyes for a moment and went straight back to sleep. Very unlike me to miss an alarm.
But then I reminded myself that I am a carer for two family members at home, during an intense heatwave, and one of them- my mother has covid.
So I have been making all the meals, giving room service to two people, bringing up ice for the ice fans, bringing ice lollies, cold drinks, ice cream, food, dealing with all the dirty dishes, making sure I keep up hygiene after dealing with my mother, I have been doing all the cooking, shopping, laundry, dishes, plus I have been working almost full time- 6-7 hours a day.
I can see why I am tired, although yoga does nourish my soul, but sometimes the body is not willing to cooperate!
So I will get ready at a leisurely pace this morning and do some gentle sun salutations at home to soothe my spirit.
Hoping you all find some magic in your day.

And school is out for summer! I feel very proud of my Year 6s who are off on new adventures. Time for a reset of body and mind for me!

How lovely- be proud! Not sure what year 6s is but I am sure you have done an amazing job!
I remember that end of term feeling as a child, I swear the summer break lasted 3 years.

Primary 7 in Scotland: ten and eleven year olds. Just off on their journey to various secondary schools. I swear this week was a month long - trying to teach in 37+ degrees was draining!!!

Trenzalor oh wow - yes that is a big move. And the one I teared up at with my children.
It felt like the end of childhood in many ways as they face secondary school, a very different environment, puberty, the innocence and playful years at primary are left behind. I cried more at that transition with my kids- at the final assembly the kids would sing the same "goodbye" type song. I would bite my tongue to stop me from sobbing. None of the other transitions felt quite so poignant- leaving nursery- was looking forwards, leaving secondary- they were so over it by that time, most of the boys had beards- and unversity graduation was more about being proud rather than loss.
I can imagine teaching in such heat must have been very hard- struggling yourself and also having a class of melting children who can't focus on much else apart from their discomfort.
I can't shake off this weariness of late, I;m trying to sleep as much as I can- last night I was in bed by 8pm. Just off for a refreshing shower and a Body Balance class later this morning. I have to work this weekend, but OH is off, so I can step down from the domestic duties at least.

How is your mum doing Speakout the emotional drain of being the family brain can be especially pressing in unusual circumstances.

I hope that you are able to enjoy your break trenzalor

I am gratefulf for the return of dry weather today as i have washing to get out on the line.

HillsBesideTheSea yes, it's always good to get washing dried outside. It is very overcast here, getting darker by the hour, rain doesnlt feel to far away. I have taken my laundry in and hung another road on the rack, just inside with the back door open, so still getting fresh air but protected from the rain.
Yes it has been a heavy week, but been working hard to keep myself near the top of priorities. My Body Balance was just the ticket this morning, very grounding and gave me a lot of release. My mother is feeling better thanks, now testing negative and is out of bed, she is still a little weak, but has come through well, given her age of 89.

speakout I am also really tired or weary. A strong sense of staleness hanging in the air. Not helped by weather. It's quite hot in London still and that humidity that hangs in the air with the viscous nature of an egg yolk.

EmmaH2022
I can hear your discomfort. I love your poetic ways of describing though!
I love London, one of the most amazing cities in the world. So diverse, steeped in history a very energetic place- but like all cities has problems. Traffic, congestion, prices poor air quality- do you live in the centre? City /rural living both have trade offs don't they.
My mother - is back to her usual argumentative self, rounding off her meal with a large portion of apple pie and ice cream.
It is 18 degrees here with a light refreshing breeze- so normal for this time of year-. I am so lucky to live near the coast, forest and mountains- the air always feels fresh. I hope everyone feels some cool for sleep tonight.

Definitely cooling off a bit here in the SW thank goodness. It's been far too warm to be building wardrobes. We had a fleeting and rare visit from my brother too on his way back from an event. I have my fingers crossed he didn't bring us covid but so far so good. I had it just before Christmas and would rather not have it again!

Preparations for Lammas starting here - for various reasons we will be celebrating it this weekend so the bread man is in the oven baking.

Much cooler here too thankfully. I'm sitting in the garden, enjoying the breeze and the feel of the cool air on my skin. EmmaH2022 I can imagine it still feels pretty warm and stagnant in London. Like Speakout, I love London, I love the vibrancy and the diversity, I always wanted to live there when I was younger, but I don't think I could cope with it now.

Speakout im glad you're mother is feeling better and glad you managed to make some time for your self today and enjoy a body balance class. I must say, I feel you must have the patience of a saint! I've been dealing with my parents this morning and DS this afternoon, it's incredibly wearing, I'm just grateful I don't live with any of them!

Elphame I hope the unpacking is going ok and you're getting things sorted. I quite like building flat pack furniture actually (it's a bit like Lego!) IKEA wardrobes almost had me crying in despair though!

It's hard to believe we're almost at Lammas, I was thinking about it today actually, when I drove past fields full of corn. Soon it'll be time for the harvest. I've even noticed blackberries starting to ripen in the hedgerows.

I was thinking about Lammas as well today. A bread man, yay!

I am in the outer zone of London, I don't cope well with it but stuck for now.

I have been thinking about maiden, mother, crone. As a childfree woman, like so many things, it feels very irrelevant and rather strange to me. But also it struck me that males are not portrayed in the same way - or perhaps they are and I've just missed that?

The maiden/mother/crone thing was invented by Robert Graves in his 1940s book "The White Goddess" so feel free to reject it as yet another thing imposed on women by men! It doesn't sit well with me either. I am not so easily pigeonholed!

Tripartite goddesses go back to classical times or even earlier but there is nothing at all to suggest the Graves interpretation. All depictions (such as Hekate and the so called "Celtic Mothers") show the 3 faces of the goddess being very similar if not identical in age and it seems they were worshipped as one entity

There has been some attempt by modern pagans to invent a similar classification for men such as Stag/Father/Sage but it doesn't seem to have caught on in the same way

Elphame that's interesting, thanks.

I cba to look back but I think some posters mentioned it in context of menopause and perhaps do find it useful.

i rather like the Florence and the Machine line "I am no mother, I am no bride, I am king".

in that song, I also really enjoy "I need my bloody sword to swing...I need my empty halls to echo with grand self mythology". Describes me, lol.

Very interesting, thanks Elphame.
I know in many mythologies there are several triple deities, but none supporting the maiden/mother/crone ideology. Food for thought, especiall in regard. to my own life.
I see this thread is filling up fast- time for a new one soon!
It's a cool 17 degrees here, with rain forecast- back to usual summer weather for the moment!
I have a day of work ahead, at a soft pace, but first my rituals to start the day in a good frame., then off to a 9am yoga class- it's a dynamic, almost scaravelli type of class.
It's so hard to find "pure" forms of yoga- if they even existed! Decades ago there seemed much stricter adherence to certain forms, Like Astanga or Iyengar.
I find most teachers have found their own "blend", blending styles, Hatha or the newer Vinyasa, Kundalini, Yin, often all in one class!
I don't mind, like ideas of Wicca or the Triple Goddess they are modern constructs, but I do think modern constructs can tap into the ancient, so still powerful tools or ideas to work with.
I am off for a warm Rosemary and Lemon Shower to vibe up my morning.

Indeed - I am past menopause but if anyone calls me a crone/hag they get the death stare. I am not happy to be defined so whilst men of a similar age get called "sage" or "elder".

I admit I do not identify much with the "pagan" label and don't engage much with the local pagan groups. Other than being outside the main world religious streams I have little in common. If I'm asked I now tend to use magical practitioner as my identifier. Luckily I have a few friends who feel similarly!

Elphame you make some interesting points, and I have been mulling over your words.
I understand why you dislike the word "crone", so perjorative,heavily loaded even used as an insult, and you are right, heavily mysoginistic.
Assuming the pigeon hole, and placing ourselves into the construct loads us with that baggage too.
I call myself an atheist, but actually not completely accurate, I work with deity, within and without, but I dislike all the baggage that comes with the word "religious". God as a judge and creator is not something I relate to. For similar reasons I don't consider myself pagan either, many people would consider that a religion too, and I prefer not to be labelled that way.
I do call myself a witch, I know many “magical practitioners” who prefer not to use that word, feeling it is disrespectful, or again too heavily loaded. All very valid opinions.
I live in an area that saw
some of the most heinous crimes towards ( mostly ) women during the burning times. My grandmother - born in 1890- was a “spey wife”, one of the cunning folk. She delivered babies, dressed the dead, made tinctures and salves, read tea leaves, cards, flames, made magical bottles and knotwork. She would recoil
at the word “witch”, still loaded with fear and revulsion.
For me the word “witch “ is loaded with power, used as an insult, but loaded with juice.
Women who are strong, grounded, in touch with their power are met with derision in our society.
These are traits that may tip the patriarchal apple cart. I seek to claim that word, in part because some people see it as offensive and derogatory. Women
have been moulded to thing being pretty, kind, silent and submissive are admirable traits.
Everything
a witch as defined is not.
We live in a world that seeks to label,
labels are rarely accurate.

Only label i give myself is overtired toddler and that is usually accompanied by the word grumpy and generally given as a warning.

Was a very hard weekend here, and I am physically broken to the point that everything hurts (literally) and i am so tired that even moving to use the bathroom feels like a chore not worth bothering. It is a chronic illness burnout, it will pass but i will probably feel miserable for a week in the process.

I need a holiday but there is no wiggle room in the schedule til December and as i am the one that makes things happen that means no holiday this year. Thankfully the people are going away for a holiday so that will help. But for now i am bribing ds.

Sorry i can't remember who it was but
How was the joderall bank festival?

@HillsBesideTheSea it was me off festivalling and we got home about 2 hours ago.
It was a mixed bag but overall I have come away feeling blessed that it was better than I had anticipated. It rained (and rained, and rained some more) but we're hardened festival goers in that respect so it didn't put us off.
I got to see a performance that the artist actually hasn't done for quite some time, so that alone was worth the ticket price for me (Andrew O Neill if anyone has heard of them).
We spent time with friends we haven't seen since pre-pandemic. We ate absolutely delicious food - such a variety available that I haven't been near a burger, pizza or chips all weekend!
And most importantly of all my son had the BEST time, he has scienced and danced and done Jedi training and found a new favourite band. They are called Henge and are wonderfully theatrical. We then met them at the signing after and my son got to hold the singer's staff (look them up) and he is absolutely buzzing about it.

I am exhausted though, and working through a pile of laundry! Already had a hot bath and very much looking forward to my own bed tonight.

queenrollo- thanks for sharing your energy of the past few days- it sounds exciting- and exhausting, and I am glad that you and your son had a great time. A bath, pyjamas and our own bed is no better solution