Any Witches Here?- Part 18

[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

www.mumsnet.com/talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4598225-any-witches-here-part-17?page=40&reply=122990208

I've been feeling low this week too. Very emotional and lots of dark thoughts. I think Speakout has hit the nail on the head, it does feel that somethings broken. Even though I know it's not helpful, somehow I myself drawn into the news and 'doom scrolling' on social media.

My mood has shifted a little this morning, maybe because the sun is shining and a few crocuses have popped up in my front garden. I'm heading down to the coast in a minute with my friend who is also feeling low. We're hoping some sea magic will cheer us up.

Sending love to you all.

@VioletCharlotte I know exactly what you mean about doomscrolling. Why do we do that?! I'm starting to avoid technology as it makes me anxious. The sea is the perfect antidote though, I miss the sea.

@Hedjwitch enjoy your dip in the sea, I am very jealous! I'm sure it will have a positive effect, a dunk in the sea is just wonderful.
@Trenzalor that's interesting about tomatoes and cucumber. Tomatoes are my favourite thing to grow so it seems even more important now. I grow lots of things (mostly experimentally) but I've always thought that if I could only grow three things, it would be tomatoes, raspberries and french beans. All relatively easy to grow, cost a fortune to buy, bad for the environment to transport by plane, and taste so much better when it's grown in your back garden. Can't wait for growing season now, it's so good for my MH to focus on my garden.

Hedjwitch the idea of having a shadow was coined by Carl Jung.
It contains parts of us that have been locked away - often as a protection.
Our shadows may contain memories or consequences of abuse,sorrow, self deprecation, shame or aspects of our personality that we subconsciously consider undesirable.
Your shadow often resides in our darkest deepest functioning, in the limbic system and are very connected to our inner child.

Although our shadows are mostly hidden, or pushed back, but unfortunately will often often manifest in our thoughts, emotions and behaviour and have a negative impact, leading to shame, anger, anxiety and many more "negative" behaviours. Although our shadow may contain all the horrors and furies there is precious treasure to be found- in my case creativity and playfulness.
So when we do shadow work we get in touch with that inner part of ourselves and heal.
There are many methods in shadow work, but we need to travel lightly- too much too soon can release a storm of emotions. I suffered childhood trauma, so I regularly spend time with my inner child, so I have the opportunity to bring the love, acceptance and comfort to my past self. This in turn heals me in the present- true time travel.
Move gently through this work, it takes time- many psychotherapists use shadow work, but it has a spiritual dimension too.
So a therapist may use the "empty chair" technique allowing you to have a conversation with a part of your past self.
Shadow work can be done through hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, guided meditation, scrying, journalling,tarot art, dream analysis, and no doubt many more. I am not an expert by an means, and others on this thread may have different ways of working
Most of my shadow work revolves around comforting my inner child, remembering scenarios when I was upset, felt sadness and shame.
I meditate on my inner child, just sit with her, give her a hug, try to empower and soothe her feelings.
After sessions like that my anxiety will reduce, as my inner child was given that understanding and empathy.
I can't post youtube links for some reason but there is a truly magical and healing inner child shadow work video on youtube- lots of others too, but this one is particularly powerful, but gentle and relaxing too.
I think a good place to start if you are new to shadow work.

Inner Child Meditation for Codependency, Lack of Self Love and Negative Programming by Michelle Chalfant

There was big drama around here because of lack of tomatoes and lettice. I am afraid i cruelly pointed out that these are seasonal items and should be consumed in season. Else preserved for eating later in the year. It is weird how seasonal eating has become some alien a concept for most of the population.
We will not be growing tomatoes this year. Tbh we will not be growing much this year at all. Although there is likely to be beans and squash as these can mostly be ignored and won't require patio space.

Not sure about the ill feelings that everyone has been struggling with. I have been productively stomping around the house and getting a good start on the spring cleaning. Mostly the people are being wise enough to stay out of the way, although exchanges of words have happened.

it is very tempting to put mother in the freezer but it would only delay the having to deal with, so big girl panties pulled on and i am just trying to deal with that in as good a nature as possible. She is releasing her frustrations with her situation on everyone else. It is exhausting and i am loosing patience with it.

It is half term around here this coming week which means i can disappear out of the house all day every day as wont be needed for taxi services, i have so much that is needed to be done in that time so am really looking forwards to the peace.

I'm sorry that so many of you are feeling out of sorts. My MH was very bad until a few weeks ago, then I slowly started to come out of the fog. The first buds of spring have kept my black dog at bay recently, but I remain worried for the coming year. There's just a feeling of somthing is coming round the corner, I can't put my finger on it, just a general feeling of better get prepared. But a bit difficult when you don't know what you are preparig for.

Yes that exactly. Something round the corner. A feeling of foreboding. Maybe the new moon will dispel it.
Had a very cold dunk in the North Sea today and washed my negativity away on the tide. A lovely lady whom I have met only once before gave me some painted stones for my garden and I was deeply touched by this kindness. She had asked at our first swim about my tattoo which is in memory of my dear friend Elisabeth. I explained it was her favourite flower ( lily of the valley) and I had a little memorial patch in my garden with lily of the valley,a rose named after her,a lantern to reflect the light she brought into my life...and some ceramic frogs to represent the running joke of Elisabeth being French!( and poppies to represent her home in Normandy).
This lady at the swimming today gave me a box of hand decorated stones,including one of a frog.
I felt a tremendous sense of the sisterhood at work. What a blessing.

@Probablymagrat , thank you for using the phrase 'black dog'. It actually is the phrase I had been looking for to describe how I feel.

I don't feel the same sense of foreboding but I do feel stuck somehow. DH is worried about me because I don't really go places outside my local area and I used to. I used to take the children all sorts of places but I think lockdowns killed that part of me or something. I don't feel that anywhere is worth the effort to get there. And I would like to revive that exploratory feeling but I just don't know how.

I have planted rosemary for the first time this year so we shall see how that does.

Just wanted to say I can so relate to this feeling of foreboding and also the ‘can’t be bothered going anywhere’. Lockdown has changed me somehow. It’s killed my zest for life and even holidays feel fraught with worry. I went through my laptop recently deleting lots of stuff and all these passenger locator forms, Covid rules and proof of this or that were on it. It made me feel very gloomy. Glad to delete it all , but it was a stark reminder. In some way I think we are all traumatised .
I’ve been ill for over two weeks with this sore throat and coughing bug which I just can’t seem to throw off. Prior to that I had months of back pain so so I feel this whole winter has just been one long bout of ill health, especially since there have been other health issues too. I haven’t been seeing anyone or going anywhere much and it’s really getting me down.

Hopefully Spring is around the corner and better days are ahead . Sorry to be gloomy, but I can relate to the general feeling of stuck ness !

I feel some energies resurfacing today.The new moon in Pisces, a good time for a fresh start or a new beginning, so lets hope this will bring rejuvenation and a fresh outlook. The winds are still strong here, bare trees set against a dark cobalt sky make a dramatic view from my window,
Although my mood has lifted a little my energies need to be kindled, so I will move at a gentle pace. I have work, and need to visit the post office and bank in the next village.
I need to c

@BeautifulDayintheneighbourhood when i get stuck like that i like to get an old fashion map book out, pick a random place in the UK and explore all the history/landmark type places that are marked on it. I plan a virtual adventure. I rarely actually go on them but looking at what is out there and the what ifs can help "unstick" the meh outside world feeling. Ime online and apps do not work in the same way.

I am currently half planned a round trip around the coast of wales. Would cost a small fortune to do ALL the things but there is so many things and no one says it has to be done as one trip... However my next trip is more likely to be to Scotland so i need to map adventure at some point to figure out that one

Wow! I love that idea. Thank you so much. Inspired!

Hills I love that idea!

I can relate to the feeling of putting off going anywhere. I think it's a combination of getting used to not going out during Covid, plus the cost of fuel and just a general feeling of lethargy. One of my intentions for this year is to stop with the 'what ifs' and just get out and do stuff. It's hard to get out of the rut though.

I've felt a shift in the energy today too Speakout. I always enjoy the sense of hopefulness that comes with the new moon. Problems continue to rumble on around me, but I'm feeling calmer and more confident that I can deal with them.

Oh, and I've stuck the annoying colleague in the freezer!

DH and I once planned a virtual trip around the USA by going through his record collection alphabetically and visiting the place the first band was from. No repeats though so if the first band in a letter was also from say New York we moved onto the next band. It ended up being quite an interesting list!

I'm still periodically enjoying the window swap website too. It was a great comfort to me in the lockdowns and even now it's still brings me pleasure.

I'm not a natural traveller though, I find the actual journey incredibly stressful. Even the trip to the Isle of Wight every year ties me up in knots.

I have spent a week trying to get a muscle spasm in my neck to ease up and finally this morning I feel almost back to normal. I'm frustrated at not being able to get in the garden but I will put myself right back if I don't listen to my body.

I hope some of us are finding brighter skies, things still feel a bit stuck for me right now, and finding solace in unhealthy food and inactivity. Everything seems in monotone, and days so repetitive, has led to existentialist thinking, and the themes there are not helping me either.
I know I still need to be gentle with myself, but need to push towards more nourishing ways to soothe my mind and spirit.
I know that taking the easy route sometimes feels the most comforting, but often in the long term it isn't. Inactivity and overeating leaves me feeling bloated and stiffness in my joints.
I think part of it is still tthe feeling of impending hardship or doom ahead. I see the shortage of salad vegetables, rising prices of everything leaves me and many others concerned. I have been carrying unfixable family burdens for so long, and they seem heavier as time passes.

So I am pushing myself to get to a yoga class this morning, fill up my fruit bowl and step forward.
There is medicine in movement, and I need to find some healing.
The moon moves into Aries today, so hopefully that will stoke the fire for many of us.

Speakout I feel very much the same as you and I feel your struggle. It sounds like you need a holiday .Much of your life seems taken up with looking after others and work. Could you book a week in the sun with your OH and leave your mother and son to get on with things in your absence? No wonder you feel so weighed down and a bit bleak at times.
I am looking forward to some time away in May. It’s what’s keeping me going at the moment. I’ve had a winter of ill health which has prevented me from doing things which normally would keep my head above water. At the moment I feel like I’m drowning. Brighter days ahead let’s hope.

BeautifulDayintheneighbourhood I am sorry things are a struggle for you too at the moment, your description of drowning really resonates with me.
No need to hide your feelingson this thread- we are all human and sometimes life is hard.
I am glad you have a holiday booked, it is good to have something to look forward to- especially a holiday in the sun.
It isn't possible for OH and I to take a break together unfortunately, the situation at home means one of us has to be here. I may get a sunshine break later in the year with my daughter, but she has just started a new job and too soon to be asking about time off.
A holiday can be a huge benefit, but I need to look at adjusting my day to day to lead a more joyful and satisfying life.
Small local activities- even flights of fancy are more available to me, I have booked full moon women's circle for the next few months, and there is a new Museum of Witchcraft just opened in Edinburgh, with a cafe and carft/art display. I am surrounded by amazing nature, old buildings, ruined castles- all worth exploring.
I want to spend a day foraging at the beach.and generally do some inspiring activities to lift my mood.
I did go to yoga this morning- forced myself really, but feel a little better for it.
Brighter days ahead hopefully.

Well, I started a new sewing project yeterday. Its a practice quilt, I rather rashly promised my friend one for her 60th, so I thought Id better practice a bit first as I am far from an expert. I was looking forward to carrying on today, but managed to cut myself right in the crook of my thumb. So thats that plan scuppered. The new moon energy is very welcome though.

www.centralfifetimes.com/news/23338851.kelty-site-set-home-national-witchcraft-memorial/

Thanks for posting that link Hedjwitch, I have been following the work of Witches of Scotland for some time now, they have many really interesting podcasts on their website, deep dives into the topic, not just Scottish Witches, but throughout the UK and Europe too. Some of the listening is not for the faint hearted.
I hope your hand is healing Probablymagrat, hand cuts can be particularly painful, especially as we can't rest our hands easily.
I spent some time yesterday clearing up the garden, the bed at the front of my house, and also washed the large windows. My face was pink with effort by the time I finished. I guess there are always tasks that we enjoy/dislike more than others, cleaning windows is pretty near the bottom for me! But it feels refreshing to look out of a clean glass window to a tidier garden.
OH is off work today, but having his car serviced, so we have done the drop off, and will have to do the pick up at rush hour. So that's 4 x 45 minute trips and are dominatiing the day a bit.
I hope everyone has something enjoyable planned for the weekend, even if that means a slower pace.

I actually live very near to the site so hope to get involved in the project. Busy day dealing with life admin..niff naff and trivia.... but stuff that needs to be done. Car serviced,hair cut,repeat prescriptions etc.
Little flecks of green appearing in all the seed trays now. How exciting

Snowdrops everywhere now. And new playground finally open!

Yoga this morning. I'm useless at it but keeping going. Then sorted mother out and got her shopping before having a few precious moments in the garden tarting up old pots with cheery primulas,and sowing sweet peas.

I hope everyone is having a chill morning, still very cold here, although plenty sunshine- I have laundry hanging outside I love the energy that line drying brings to clothes.
Hedjwitch don't be so hard on your self. I don't see yoga as something to be "good" at- we all have limitations, we are all on a yoga journey.
People vary in their strength and flexibility naturally anyway, and those things improve with time. I generally find most yoga classes are very inclusive and mixed- young, elderly, some new mothers, some recovering from illness,but no judgement. And a sense of humour is useful too- there is a lot of laughter in my classes.
Don't be afraid to use props or modifications, or just go to a resting pose if you need a break for a few moments, absolutely no one will mind, listening to your body is an important part of yoga too.

I am making kebabs for dinner, with salad, dips, flatbreads and couscous. OH does the shopping and clears up afterwards.

Have a magical day friends.