Any Witches Here?- Part 17.

[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..
This is the 17th thread- anyone looking for a deep dive into juicy magical topics may like to browse previous threads.....

It is a long list!!

Part 1 //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3241689-Any-witches-here?pg=1
Part 2
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3338025-Any-Witches-Here-Part-2?pg=1
Part 3
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3366411-Any-Witches-Here-Part-3?pg=1
Part 4
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3404406-Any-Witches-Here-Part-4-Edited-by-MNHQ?pg=1
Part5
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3437092-Any-Witches-Here-Part-5?pg=1
Part 6 //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3482023-Any-Witches-Here-Part-6?pg=1
Part 7 //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3520269-Any-Witches-Here-Part-7?pg=1
Part 8 //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/a3568622-Any-Witches-Here-Part-8?pg=1
Part 9 //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3637696-Any-Witches-Here-Part-9?pg=1
Part 10
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3726266-Any-Witches-Here-Part-10
Part 11
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3850635-Any-Witches-Here-Part-11
Part 12
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3997761-Any-Witches-Here-Part-12
Part 13 //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4116107-Any-Witches-here-Part-13
Part 14www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4213962-Any-Witches-Here-Part-14
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4328830-Any-Witches-Here-Part-15?msgid=113505801
www.mumsnet.com/talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4435233-Any-Witches-Here-Part-16?page=40&reply=118807589

Morning all.
Big change happening in my home. My 17 year old has decided to move in with his dad full time. I completely understand about 80% of his reasoning behind this but that 20% is tied to old wounds and I am having to quietly process this.
The timing of him imparting this news was a less than ideal birthday gift to me (my b'day was yesterday, he told me on Monday) but for him was borne out of needing to get it done. He has been low/depressed/anxious for a long time now and it was because he didn't know how to tell us he wanted to make this change.
So - positive thinking, his mental health will improve and it will build better relationships with us/his brother and him. And he's very mature for his age, and wanting independence. That's more achievable at his father's.

And also for me a lesson in manifesting. I have so desperately needed my own space at home and we were about to start looking into building an extension. But my DS has the biggest bedroom in the house, and we have told him that I will be moving into it as an art/craft/yoga studio space. I am certain he won't want to come back (and if that happens, well - we will facilitate it) and we cannot just hold this room for him in case.

So there we are. After 15 years of this routine of having him live here half the week, it will stop. My parenting now changes. I need to sit with this for a bit, because there are some very mixed emotions. I've raised him well, he's ready to step into more independence. But this is also tied up in him always prefering his dad, and periodically over the years wanting to make this move to 'punish me' (not my impression, he has admitted this).

Argh - I can see my phone has autocorrected incorrectly! It’s Butser not Buster!

@EmmaH2022 i also feel stuck but I think mine revolves around the capitalist society we live in and how we’re kept “in our place”. It’s not a spiritual world we live in, we have to eke out the space for ourselves.

My ds has often held the "move to dad's" to punish me. I am afraid i have always called his bluff and said fine, when where how. Ultimately they love you but the what ifs can be strong. Ds' dad lives far enough away that part weeks have not been possible and he has spent several full summers there as needed. It is hard to have a huge situation shift like that, so sending strong and calming thoughts your way Queenrollo as you find a way to navigate through this transition.

I am stuck again, i know why, but can't see how to make the changes needed. I desperately need a holiday/space from people; but right now I am needed here, have exams etc. The people have a holiday coming up in a few months but a week on my own sounds amazing. completely and utterly amazing right now. <sigh>

Sorry @queenrollo i missed your last post earlier. I remember finding 17 very difficult, not a child and not yet an adult. I hope it beings good things with the change and ❤️ to you as a mother.

Thank you Hills and Trenzalor.
I absolutely couldn't wait to leave home, partly due to not getting on with my parents but mainly because I just wanted to be out there and gaining independence. I left home very shortly after my 18th birthday and never went back. I would have left sooner had a suitable situation presented itself.
So I am glad he is leaving as a measured and well thought out decision and not an angst filled strop (which is pretty much what I did!)

Having caught up with my DH just after lunch he said that DS came downstairs last night after I was in bed they had a heart to heart. It was all good, and he thinks this is definitely a positive move for all involved.

Anyway - we're spending the weekend with friends, camping out. So I am preparing the camper. Am looking forward to it. It's an annual thing but some regulars couldn't come last year so I haven't seen them since 2019. Will be SO wonderful to hug some very dear friends.

Thinking of you @queenrollo . It must be hard but hopefully it will work out positively for you both.

I've been for a lovely woodland walk today. Had to take the kids and dog but it still felt wonderful and peaceful - there was nobody else around. Took the time to just pause and listen and breathe which felt invigorating and calming at the same time. We all enjoyed watching and listening and watching the buzzard circling overhead. Also Collected lots of 'woodland treasure' off the forest floor to try to make a natural pot pourri.

Seems quiet here, hope everyone is well. X

That must be hard @queenrollo I believe though that things do ultimately turn out as they should and we sometimes have to show love by letting our children fly free. My own DS came and went a few times before he finally became independent.

I love woodlands in the dark! They do have a different vibe but I'm more scared of my own kind than I am of other things. There was one expedition I remember vividly, not for the magic but for the necessity of dodging the doggers that infested all the car parks. When we eventually found an empty one, we grabbed our stuff and headed into the trees as fast as possible. Not quite fast enough though as a car came in and drove around several times, clearly looking for the owners of the car we'd left parked. We doused our lanterns and held our breath hoping they couldn't see us. Luckily they gave up after 10 minutes and we could move much deeper into the forest.

Another one who loves Butser too. I've been to a few rituals there in the past when I lived near Farnham. Now it's too far.

Feeling very centred today - more sleep definitely helped. But I also got some very clear spirit guide guidance last night in a card reading so I’m feeling very supported and on the right path.

The sun is shining, I have coffee and no commitments until the late afternoon. It feels good.

I hope everyone else can feel the sun on their face today - literally and metaphorically.

@EmmaH2022 this popped up on Facebook and I thought of you. May or may not be useful

Queenrollo* *
I'm sure you must be having very mixed emotions about your DS moving out. Your response to his announcement sounds very balanced and considered. You may well find your relationship with him grows stronger with a bit of distance between you. I missed by DS so much when he first moved out, but it eased over time, and to be honest I would find it difficult to have him back now!

Trenzalor good to hear you're feeling calm and centred. It's great when you get a message from spirit that gives you some clarity on a situation.

Elphame your story made me laugh! I'm not a fan of woodlands in the dark. I love it during the day, but get a bit spooked at night. Also, my sense of direction goes out the window in the dark so I'd be worried about getting lost!

I've got a day off today and looking forward to the long weekend. I'm at the hairdressers at the moment getting my colour done. I've got plans with friends for a witchy ceremony tomorrow night, so need to go foraging for a few bits later (acorns, etc)

Queenrollo you have had some wonderful wisdom and insight - I am nodding at the good advice.
I don't have a whole lot to add, but I can imagine holding a mixed bag of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
It sounds a positive move for him, and you are possibly glad in a way he is getting out of a rut, but nevertheless have feelings of sadness too.
It's holding the mix that is hard, sommething I work on a daily basis.
I left home at 18, my parents told me I wasn't welcome any more- that was a hard time.
My DD left home at 18 to go to University (despite the fact it was a local uni), she wanted to spread her wings and fully immerse herself in student life- and rightly so.
But still I remember walking round the supermarket with her ( and her friend) buying the stuff she would need- kitchen equipment, sheets, duvets etc.
I tried to be jolly but I was a state! Every little thing would set me off- DD picked up a Winnie the poo honey jar and spoon, the tears would not stop falling.
However I survived, and actually enjoyed having more space and time to myself.
But then covid hit, and she came back home again for a year- then back to another student flat.
We have had and still do have a great relationship, and it is wonderful to have her back , mostly to visit, sometimes for the weekend- but I have to admit it feels good when she goes back too!
Parenting adult children is no less emotionally demanding than little ones!

Lovely to hear of all the woodland walks- I love the energy of the forest- any wid place in fact, mountains, the sea, river cascades.
Being alone in these places seem to shrink my troubles.

Thoroughly bored today - can't do anything that requires any concentration as I am minding Ddog2 who was spayed yesterday and is supposed (hah) to be resting.

She won't wear a cone, I was afraid she'd injure herself in her attempts to get it off so she has a reusable nappy velcroed around her middle which works but looks very peculiar! She is not allowed to jump on furniture (but she does at any opportunity) nor run around etc but she doesn't see why she shouldn't. I need eyes in the back of my head.

Going to be a loooong week!

Oh @queenrollo , I'm sorry I missed this - I hope the transition is a positive one for you both and that lots of silver linings present themselves. I don't have any useful wisdom but am sending you love.

I've been quiet because I've been spending every spare second sorting my house out and hurling stuff in the skip, and veering between feeling elated at the space I'm creating and utterly overwhelmed at how much there still is to do. Mum had to talk me off a ledge today, bless her - by 6pm I was about ready to just sweep everything out of the front door and cry!

On the plus side I've made some really good progress at converting my little spare room into a campervan/ narrowboat/ library hybrid (because I spent my campervan/boat savings on the house, am highly unlikely to ever save that much again, and this is my solution for now - can have little breaks where sleep in it instead of my own room, and then head to the beach or the river for the day, and still be able to feed the cats!) and I'm excited to put finishing touches to it once the skip has gone.

But @Elphame your woodland story made me gigglesnort, you paint a very vivid picture 😂 hugs for ddog and for you - I dread either of my kittens needing the cone of doom or similar because I know the cheeky one will absolutely not tolerate it and will need watching 24/7 instead. She had gingivitis and some gum cut away from where it had grown over her teeth a few years ago, vet gave us all sorts of bland soft food while her mouth was still sore and she refused to eat anything but her crunchiest biscuits 🙈 so you have all my sympathy!

@Trenzalor you've inspired me to start tomorrow with my cards - I have neglected them somewhat lately. So glad you're feeling supported - clarity is a wonderful thing isn't it?

I'm not entirely sure how it got to be gone 2.30am - there are lots of loud sirens outside which is really unusual for this time of night round here, we often have the air ambulance circling but rural roads are usually clear enough for sirens not to be needed in the middle of the night.

I think I might ask Alexa for my favourite "rain on a tent" noise and channel woodland vibes to get to sleep 😂

I hope your bank holiday weekend is magical.

@hilariousnamehere this was the spread I used.

Round here it is all about the solvent fumes due to some bloody more building work. Going to take a couple of days to air out but then the floor is sealed, the toilet can go back and the stuff from under-stair storage can be evicted from the lounge after 3 weeks of work.
My biggest gripe about building work is the mess and clutter it creates. We still have to do the clean up from the airing of the crawl space with glass fibre particles after the roof had to be repaired because of a leak. Clutter stagnates the energy something rotten.

SO as any sensible person would I have been escaping into the hills. The heather has been out so it has made for some really pretty walks, and one of the hills is covered in what the plant app tells me is wild blueberries and lingon berries. Not suitable for picking as the whole area is on a protection order due to fungal disease and you are not allow to take anything out so you don't spread the disease. Biosecurity controls such as washing cars and shoes after visiting the area also recommended. But nice to see it thriving, and the accompanying ecosystems around it except for the midges, not a fan of the midges

Although it turns out the last blip of stuck was actually the precursor days to a horrific migraine that floored me. Currently in the post migraine fug but it will wear off with time, care and patience. In the meantime, I am off into the hills to escape the solvent fumes and constant droning of the extraction fan...

Hope you are all able to enjoy this bank hol wkend

Having a quiet day today after a late night. Some friends and I held a full moon ritual which was wonderful, but I'm not used to late nights 🤣

Hills I feel your pain as I hate having any kind of building work done in my house. I know the end result makes it worthwhile, but having my slave invaded makes me feel violated, if that doesn't sound too dramatic! Good plan to escape to the hills, although the fungi doesn't sound good.

Hilarious your spare room/ camper van/ boat sounds brilliant! Is never think to do anything like that, such a great idea. I hope you managed to get some sleep and the sirens weren't anything too awful.

Elphame your poor dog - and poor you! My boy hates the cone of shame too. I put him in a vest too when he had his last op, knotted securely under his tummy so that he couldn't get to the wound. He looked ridiculous but it seemed to do the trick.

Pic of the altar last night 🧙‍♀️

Escaping to the hills sounds divine Hills. I have been home all day minding Ddog2 who is now clearly feeling better and wanting to play with Ddog 1. This is not a great idea as they play hard, body slamming each other and wrestling as violently as they can complete with blood curdling sound effects!

I love the idea of a spare room escape Hilarious. What a great idea

Was it a full moon yesterday VioletCharlotte? I've completely lost track. I haven't done any decent rituals for weeks and I'm not sure when the next one will be. I do need to do something soon though.

I have however dragged my ancient Remoska out of the cupboard. Amazingly it still works so I'm hoping to be able to not use the oven so much going forward. I am also looking out for a second dehydrator to use for culinary use. The one I have has been used for so many non edibles that I'm a bit reluctant to use it for drying apples

Good evening to you all and have enjoyed reading over the recent posts and catching up. We have been away for the last week in an area without good wifi (bliss!) so have been doing a lot of reading.
I found the most amazing small bookshop with an excellent section on women in history, paganism and the natural world.
This book is amazing - I'm halfway through. It's quite dense with history at times, quite academic, but also so well written that I really admire how thorough the author has been in their research. I've learned so much and what's more, where I was staying had a few cool days, so I was able to read it wrapped in a blanket on the sofa with plenty of tea - my idea of bliss. I could almost pretend it was autumn!

I ment new moon! I told you I was tired! 🤣

I meant new moon! I told you I was tired! 🤣

You'd have had the same comment from me whatever you said!

I'm dreadful at keeping track of the moon phases unless I happen to look up at the sky when it's out.

Waitrose calls today but I'm determined to do something witchy when I get back.

I downloaded a new 101 Green witchcraft book yesterday and apparently cotton can be used in rain making spells. I'm struggling to make any connection personally. Not expecting any great success as the book is pretty bad but I've been accused of being a bit stuck in my ways so I'm going to give it a go!

"Not expecting any great success as the book is pretty bad but I've been accused of being a bit stuck in my ways so I'm going to give it a go!"

tbf a bad book is a bad book, and whether you try to step away from your gutt may never see results. So many books, paths and options available. Unfortunately a lot of books these days are turned out either quick, essentially fill the dots of what the publisher wants, or incorporate the same regurgitated information; that my approach to books is cynical and critical and with extreme caution.

I hope that you are lucky and find the gems of wisdom that may be hidden. New stuff is always fun though, so it is a shame about the book.

Aaarghhhhh I have just come across yet another monster spider, scuttling across the outside of my office/garage wall - but heading for the gate, so now I can't use the gate or go and get medicinal cheesecake from the freezer because it went in that direction and it as ENORMOUS.

Can I realistically do anything mundane or magical to keep the buggers miles away from me and my house? Currently have plug in things which have worked a treat for about five years, mint growing near the doors and peppermint spray and oil wherever I can do that without upsetting cats. But for some reason this year I've had five or six MASSIVE ones around the porch and my office and I'm dreading finding one inside.

My only actual fix is carrying raid spray around and killing them on sight, as there's no one to get rid of them for me, but I hate doing that so much, it makes me cry and also sets off anxiety if I've had to spray anywhere the cats will later be 😳 but also cannot cope with them being anywhere near me, especially when they're that size, so would really like them to just stay the fuck away and I wish they'd learn 😂

Sorry for rant, just slightly at the end of my tether with them and get so frustrated with myself when the spider fear stops me actually doing what I'd planned to!

Hilariousnamehere** essential oils - peppermint, lemongrass, lavender - seem to help. Not sure if you can use these with cats? I make myself sprays consisting of water, witch hazel and the oils which I spritz liberally around the house and I also have my diffuser going all the time as well. Apparently they hate the smell. It does seem to keep them away, I have had one big one but that was a day I hadn't sprayed!

I Don't like them either, but I can catch them in a (non transparent!) cup, slide a card underneath and take them outside. They still make me jump when I see them though!

Elphame sometimes real life just takes over and gets in the way of anything witchy, didn't you say you lived house recently? I'm sure you've been busy, but hopefully will have more time for witchy things once you're settled. Never heard about the connection between cotton and rain making, do let us know how it goes. It's a shame the book isn't very good!

Thank you lovely @VioletCharlotte, I think some of those might actually be alright for cats and certainly fine for ceiling of office and the garage corners! Will hop down a rabbit hole :)

@Elphame I'm also curious about cotton and rain, not come across the connection before although I have a friend who's written a book about telling fortunes with thread - but I've not tried that either. Hope book perhaps improves as it progresses?!

Hi everyone... finally got some time to catch up on everyone's posts - things have been incredibly busy at home for me this last week or so... and are set to become even busier going forward. Need to try and make some time to engage in some magical things each day week... even something small!