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

I had no idea about this, I have lived here 21 years and this has solved a”mystery” for me as I’m previously from Sussex and so many Rhododendrons everywhere there at side of country lanes and forests but hardly any here. Apparently it is still being cleared here along with other sites that come under forestry England. You occasionally see it in peoples gardens but if you live on the forest you’re asked to keep it under control so it doesn’t spread. There are small thickets dotted about here and there in the woods but not very large so they must be keeping it in hand. When I first moved here I found the New Forest looked very bleak as they burn the scrub and gorse every year to preserve it as has been done since William the Conqueror (or one of his sons I can’t remember)wanted it as a hunting park. The ponies eat everything too! But there are areas of very old woodland dotted around

@HillsBesideTheSea meant to say that is fascinating about tomatoes. I had previously been advised many years ago now, by a nutritionist, to avoid nightshade vegetables , tomatoes potatoes and aubergine for health reasons, my Uncle who had Rheumatoid Arthritis was told this too. I found it extremely hard as I was vegetarian at the time and so many things had a tomato base. Anyway I don’t eat them now due to acid reflux.
Been catching up with this thread, I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and sending healing thoughts your way and to @MarieIVanArkleStinks too, hope you are recovering from your accident, that’s a huge thing to have happened to you.

It’s such a pleasure to come back here and find so many
new topics and worm holes.
Trenzalor I love your new Tarot deck, I seem to be amassing a collection of Tarot and Oracle cards too, but it is such a pleasure to use them.
667theneighbourofthebeast like you I have several women in my family that I could call witches- they would be horrified at the term, but certainly involved in healing, making tinctures, prophecy etc.
Violetcharlotte I hope you enjoy your time alone this weekend, I love my own company too, it recharges me.
Marlielvanarklestinks, how interesting to have such local stories, I have been exploring my local area too, quite horrifying to know of so many witch executions. The last woman to be executed in Scotland for witchcraft was 1n 1729, a century later. It fills me with such sadness.
Elphame, so good to see you again old friend- I absolutely adore your turnip lantern.
Growing up pumpkins were unheard of, those large swedes ( we call them turnips in Scotland) were a devil to carve, but we did.
Placing a candle stump inside- the acrid smell of burning turnip is seared in my memory! I thik turnip lanterns look a lot more goulish than pumpkins- like this preseerved one from Ireland- over 100 years old.
I am feeling a bit under the weather today, sore throat, headache and shivery ( negative covid test) so I am taking things easy, and had ten hours sleep last night , which has helped. So I am having a quiet day, and taking things easy, something in the slow cooker for supper.

@speakout Love that turnip lantern! @Elphame didn’t spot yours was a turnip, must be so hard to carve.
We have an ongoing issue about turnip vs swedes in my house as my husband is Scottish, they just get called neeps in the end 😊Someone else on here mentioned guising which I had previously heard of as my father a Scot too. It goes way back doesn’t it before trick or treat? I’m interested to hear from anyone living in Scotland whether it differs from Trick or Treat now or has Trick or Treat taken over.
Yes really shocking about last witch being burnt/hung as late as 18th century.

I think the difference between Trick or Treat and Guising is the level of malevolence.
I read somewhere that Trick or Treating in the USA developed a more menacing edge during the 1920s- prohibition years, when crime rates soared, violence and gangs developed. I don't have a reference for that I'm afraid!
Here in Scotland it has always been more about the Treat- no threats involved, no egging, no destruction.
Guisings ( short for "disguising" and nothing to do with penny for the guy) is a form of performance and payment scanario rather than a pure protection racket!
Children will spend the day choosing and rehearsing their little performance, usually a song, a poem or a joke.
Once they have performed their piece on the doorstep they will be rewarded by some sweets, coins, fruit or nuts. ( Although sweets and money are the more acceptable currency these days)
Children will usually only visit homes with Halloween lights, decorations or pumpkins, which indicates which households are participating.
All very good natured, and popular, we usually have 40-50 children on the doorstep on Halloween, the bell being rung every couple of minutes until around 8pm.

@speakout Wow 40 to 50 kids ! We hardly get any and I usually end up eating the sweets myself 😃 I think the local schools here have really pushed the idea that it’s a nuisance and I get it can be if kids are emptying dustbins etc. It’s same here with pumpkins lights being a sign you don’t mind.
That rings a bell now about a song or poem etc as I recall years ago that my husband was surprised kids didn’t have to sing or do anything etc to get sweets.

I am allergic to nightshades and it is in absolutely everything. Gogi berries, pimento, allspice and fennel were some of the ones that caught me out. These days i just have to be aware of the potato starch and the paprika colourant. It is not a fun game when i miss it in the ingredients list. Can't even handle some nightshades without hives etc.

I have a no mato sauce for pasta recipe that i got on a support group that i want to try making. I have all the bits but not the energy. If i get change to make it and it is any good want me to pm if i remember the recipe?

There used to be so so so much rhododendrons in the forest. Ornamental drive was stunning in blooming season. Some of the plant species only propagate through fire which is another reason for the burning. It helps keep the health of the plants going.

Have you gone exploring for the ancients yet?

I have driven 10hrs today. i am so tired i can barely keep my eyes open, but i forgot to buy bread and i need tea - so just trying not to burn the pasta i will shove some cheese on.

@HillsBesideTheSea I use pesto a lot, yes by all means send me the recipe please that’s kind ,thank you 😊
It has always stuck in my mind about nightshades, didn’t know fennel was nightshade ?
The ornamental drive at Rhinefield does still have rhododendrons but they seem to be fairly small not allowed to run riot. I do like that area but it’s usually very busy unless it’s terrible weather, as it has more accessible paths. I also don’t feel the connection and presence of the of old ones here as I do in the ancient part of the forest. I speak to them and leave an offering but I had been going to the same spot and sitting for a long time possibly a year or more before I felt anything.I’m very jealous of people who say they have seen things, I wonder how many of you have experienced something like this ?
I think the New Forest has a unique energy.
I am disabled due to chronic illness so I can’t go anywhere without my husband helping me but he thinks of this time as my meditation time, and leaves me alone in the forest while he walks the dog, if I actually told him what I was doing he would think I was a tiny bit mad lol. I totally get what you’re saying about not having the energy as I’m affected by severe fatigue, I find spell work exhausting but to be honest I don’t do it that much anyway. I had to stop dowsing because of ill health as I was told it’s very bad for the body unless you are fit and well. I was dowsing for geopathic stress or negative subterranean energy. I’ve done this for every house we have lived in.
Omg ten hours ! I really hope you are resting up and recovering today

@HillsBesideTheSea meant to ask did you live in or near New Forest ?

I have long standing connections to the forest that take many forms. It is an area I know well through exploration and study. But i am as equally familiar to the peak district and the south downs.

Driving through the ornamental drive is always good. I love pannage. Tourist season is not my favourite time to visit the forest but there are things - burley fudge shop, which are far more accessible during tourist season. I respect the need of tourist destinations to recover from the tourist invasion outside of tourist season. It is as essential for the community as the tourist £.

My favourite was always the early morning mists over the moors/forests/hills. Cloud inversions are also something that is spectacular to witness.

Rhododendrons are prolific in my area too, ongoing efforts by Forestry Commission and others to keep it down or even eradicate it.
Rhododendrons are beautiful, but are destructive to local flora.
It is a wet dark day here, I am curled up on the sofa with a coffee after a shopping trip.
Managed to get a few bargains from my local charity shop- some crazy embroidered pink loafers with peacocks and flowers, they look sparkling new after a quick wash with disinfectant in the washing machine.
I also bought a lovely duvet set in brushed cotton with a hedgehog print, and a beautiful brick coloured pure silk dress still with tags on it, never been worn.
All three items cost a total of £4.50- so I am happy!
I have had to stop work because of the postal strike, I hope a resolution is found soon, Novemeber is my busiest month. I need a break at the moment- so that is OK, but strikes are set to last for the next four weeks.
I am happy to be mindful of the moment, a quiet day- my elderly mother is carving a pumpkin at the moment- you are never too old!

@HillsBesideTheSea pannage has been extended this year to 9th Dec, presuming it’s due to mild weather. The pigs are a bit of a nuisance if you have a dog I’m not sure why but they get very aggressive trying to chase the dog. Ours is always on a lead in the forest due to deer.

I have lost my big fat hen today. She was old, and a couple of weeks ago she was unwell. I separated her from the rest and gave her lots of TLC and she rallied but yesterday she went downhill again. I have taken some of her tail feathers to place on my Samhain altar. I'm very sad. It's especially hard to lose another from this batch of hens as they are the ones we got before the first lockdown. They were my constant companion while the sanctuary of my garden got me through the pandemic.

I'm generally struggling with depression at the moment, working very hard to lift myself out of it. Mainly it's caused by the frustrations of my life not really allowing me attend events that friends are running. I'm feeling more and more isolated as a result. I need to work on my own emotions around this.

Queenrollo Sorry about your hen. It is hard to lose an animal that has brought so much joy and quality to your life.

Most of the trees round here still have their leaves, and haven't even turned in colour yet. It is an odd autumn. I am yearning for a good hard frost, and yet also grateful for the warm which means that heating is not required.

Sorry about the impact of the postal strikes on your business Speakout

I am having a lazy sit on butt with text books kinda day. It is rather grey outside though.

queenrollo I am sorry to hear about your hen,and that you are feeling generally down at the moment. Losing animals we care about can be tough.
It is a beautiful idea to put some of her feathers on your altar.
I have lit a candle for you to send support and solace.
Treat yourself gently and with compassion. X

As ever it's the wisdom of my 9 year old that strikes me. He's given me a little pep talk about the circle of life and how Peg dying right before Halloween is a reminder that death is natural and will happen to all living things. And that Halloween is for remembering all the people and pets we love who have died.
He's told me he is sad, but not quite enough to cry. But it's ok if I cry and do I want a cuddle?
It's hard not to be comforted by the fact that I am clearly getting parenting right.

Thank you for the love and support that is always here. I have been reading, though not posting. It's always a place of comfort. I often feel that I am sat in our witches kitchen in quiet contemplation, soothed by the chatter of your gentle voices.

I am sorry about the loss of your hen @queenrollo . I'm not allowed to have any (DP is quite adamant and far too fond of his garden to permit chickens free range) but several friends do and they have such character.

Well that is the Samhain ritual over with last night. Now we can celebrate Halloween! We never get the trick or treaters here although we are on the edge of the village. The house is very hidden both by its location and with a little help from me.....

I'm so sorry about your hen, @queenrollo. Your son is a similar age to mine and your post above about his kindness and understanding has made me feel quite emotional. He sounds a lovely little boy.

I'm grateful for the tip about dowsing not being good unless health is optimal. That kind of work takes up a lot of energy, which is currently energy I don't have. The COVID is taking its time to shift. I've had it for two weeks and can currently only taste anything either sugary or salty, which is odd. Everything else is completely bland and tastes of nothing.

@667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast I know what you mean about the energy in the New Forest. There are areas local to me which are not dissimilar, including two ancient, sacred springs that are areas of contemplation for me. I'm feeling a sudden yearning today for the power and energy of the sea, and may head up to the coast tomorrow.

@speakout your local legends sound fascinating but so sad. Very late for that to be happening, and even later for lower-level persecution still to be taking place, with the Craft remaining illegal until the unbelievable date of 1951.

It's one of the reasons I feel so strongly against the persecution of women, and will attempt to fight it with every opportunity that presents itself. To this day, accusations of madness are still a very effective method for silencing us. Label someone 'mentally ill' and you effectively take away their voice. It's as old as the hills, and still very much a pervasive trope.

I hope the postal strikes don't have too great an impact on your business.

queenrollo yes absolute validation that you are a wonderful mother.How insightful and emotionally mature your son is. Children can be so full of wisdom, they can see things straight, in touch with their higher self. I hope your son's words have given you comfort.
MarieIVanArkleStinks I so agree with your words of wisdom.
Magic and feminism are so intertwined for me too.
The inner source of feminine divine energy is at odds with most organised religion. A threat.
The burning times was a murderous effort to keep women in their place.
I was a child in the 1960s, in a very poor council estate.
Women suffered dreadfully. Violence towards women in a marriage was considered " domestic" and police would not intervene. Poverty meant debt, and I saw many women being sectioned, forcibly given ECT, piled up with barbituate tranquilisers. The term for being sectioned was " She is Up By" at the local psychiatric hospital.
Mostly these women were at the end of their tether, abused, probably raped, in debt, no hope of having a career- and so they were sectioned, electrocuted, drugged, voiceless.
So sad.

Queenrollo I'm so sorry to hear about your hen. I know exactly what you mean about pets (furry or feathered) being constant companions. It's very sad when they leave us. I'm sorry too to hear your depressed. The world's a strange place at the moment. Like you, I'm craving time with friends, but on there other hand, I'm exhausted and not really making much of an effort. Sending solidarity and I hope things look brighter soon.

@667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast I love the New Forest. I'm in North Hampshire so not too far away, although I don't get down there as often as I'd like to. When I was a child, we used to go there every year in the summer holidays in my grandparents caravan. I've got wonderful memories of the ponies having free range on the campsite and exploring the forest.

Speakout sounds like you got some good bargains there, I love a charity shop rummage! The postal strike much be very frustrating for you, like you I hope that a deal can be done soon. Lots of discontent at the moment, the trains are striking again in November, which unfortunately coincides with the workshops I'm meant to be attending in London for the qualification im about to embark on. It'll be online instead, which is ok, but not quite the same.

Hills I hope you've recovered from your long drive...10 hours in one day! I'm not sure how you managed that, I think 6 hours is the furthest I've done and that was exhausting. I hope today has been restful for you.

Agree the weather is very warm for October, it's been 20 degrees here today! I'm quite pleased that clocks are going back tonight, I, struggling with the dark mornings and find it very hard to get up! I don't mind dark evenings so much.

@queenrollo Hi and so sorry to hear about your little hen, what your little boy said to you is wonderful and brought a tear to my eye.
Like others have said animals bring so much joy to us but parting from them is very hard. I really hope you feel better soon.

@speakout oh I love a charity shop! I don’t get out and about much to shops now but it’s just as well as I’ve got so many clothes nearly all second hand from charity shop or EBay. I literally couldn’t walk past one !
I grew up on a council estate too and whilst it wasn’t as bad for people being out of work etc being down south ,there was a lot of domestic violence nearly always drink related that people just ignored. My husband grew up on a council estate near Glasgow so I know exactly what you’re talking about, it was just seen as part of life there and yes Valium and worse just seemed to be handed out like aspirin, it never seemed to be the men that were dealt with or had to change.

@VioletCharlotte its strange as I had never been to the New Forest as a child despite having to go past it from Sussex to get to Devon and Cornwall.

Hello sisters! I have been reading but not posting for a while as life overtook me again.

@queenrollo I'm so sorry about your hen, but your son sounds brilliant - definitely some excellent parenting from you 💙 it's hard when our furry or feathery family members pass on but I do like to think of them keeping the humans we've also lost company, and waiting for us over rainbow bridge.

Thank you for the love and support that is always here. I have been reading, though not posting. It's always a place of comfort. I often feel that I am sat in our witches kitchen in quiet contemplation, soothed by the chatter of your gentle voices.
This is exactly how I feel about this thread and you all!

@speakout the strikes are playing havoc with my businesses too, it's such a pain :(

I'm sorry not to respond more specifically to everyone, I'm tired and feeling sometimes inexplicably on the edge of despair, without quite being able to put my finger on why. Taking great comfort from my home and my kitties, but hoping this spate of weird feelings passes soon as I have lots of lovely things to be getting on with.

It's not as beautiful as the fungi pictures some of you have shared but I walked past my kitchen windowsill earlier and it made me laugh - I used to have three little pumpkins and this year through a couple of impulse buys and gifts from lovely friends, they have multiplied muchly without me really noticing 😂 very seasonal, though!

@hilariousnamehere Hi, love those pumpkins 🎃 my daughter has some of the velvet ones for her Uni house, I really think I should have bought some for myself. They look really nice with the wooden candle holder. Wish I had enough room for something lovely like that in my kitchen, it’s not small but it’s so full of crap stuff

Lolol @667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast if you could only see the rest of it! My entire house is always in chaos but I try and keep little pockets of prettiness where I can 🙈 thank you though - the big velvet one was bought for a shoot but much like my crows has mooched its way home from my studio and I think will live here forever now 😂

Oh I love those pumpkins!

I bought some glittery ones reduced a few years ago (only to prevent them going to landfill you understand) and got them out the following October. Somehow they never actually got put away again....

I love that museum turnip carving @speakout posted up thread. Doe anyone know how it got so well preserved. I've tried drying mine but they go all wrinkly.