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

That's a very atmospheric photo. I feel soothed just looking at it, thank you.

Atmosphere makes such a difference. I went to Regent's Park yesterday and I instantly felt better. It was still cold and grey but something about the park just lifted my spirits. I need to go more often.

I hope everyone is moving towards a smoother path as we head into the weekend- whatever that looks like for you.
I remember that Friday feeling, as a child, and then an adult working usual Mon-Fri hours, and even though my life doesn't have such a structure any more, I can still feel the Frriday feeling.
It has been a strange week for me, an intense need to pull up the drawbridge and disengage from others- as much as I can.
I have been doing a lot of shadow work and refurbishing the birdhouse in my soul, observing my thoughts, moods and mind shifts and strengthening the processes that help me change gear, quench rumination, and find deeper self compassion. I have been sleeping a lot more than usual and my dreams have been vivid and powerful.
I have pulled a single Tarot card each day this week and the first four days were exactly the same card, even over two different decks and thorough shuffling.
Today has been a different card- it has all made perfect sense to me.
For those of you who use Tarot I would love to know how you use it.
I don't often use it for prophecy, and will do large spreads only a few times a year, but I find Tarot incredibly helpful in opening up layers and showing possibilities.
So if I have a problem then I will often do a single card pull, or often with a clarifier to gain deeper insight into a situation, or need to find a new approach, whether I need to pull back a little, or push forward.
I also have favourite cards, and will choose to remind myself of the symbolism through the day.
The Chariot, The Star and the three of swords are some cards that I often use as meditation tools.
I'm settling down with some herb tea, the house is quiet, I will enjoy the space and time to myself.

I am feeling smoother. And I have a few minutes with a beautiful being before the school run.

This always helps. She wasn't a lap cat so much when she was younger but she is now.

ISaySteadyOn what a comforting ball of ease. I am glad things are a bit smoother for you today.
I love the connection we have with animals.
I also have an ( all black) cat who wasn't much of a smoocher when she was young, but has grown increasingly affectionate over the years.
Cats will tell you just how they want to be stroked, where and for how long. My older cat likes slow languid strokes, the younger loves a bit of a rough raggle.
School runs seem an increasingly distant memory, although many schools in Scotland finish their week on Friday at lunchtime. It thas been that way for decades, Friday afternoons were all about blowing off some steam or resting depending how the week has been.
I can't say I miss the school runs, especially with fast turnarounds of extra curricular stuff too. My DD in particular had 15 hours of extra curricular activities a week, I remember feeling like a taxi service!

I have two in opposite directions. And when I returned, guess who stole my chair? Although really, it's her chair isn't it? 😸

My Grandmother died today, very peacefully after a short stay in hospital. She was 98.

Ive been able to spend a lot of time with her this week, just sitting talking to her and holding her hand while she slept. It's been a difficult week, waiting for the phone to ring. So it was almost a relief this morning when the call finally came.

This evening I've lit a candle for her while I sit with my thoughts.

What a wonderful old age your Grandmother lived to. And how lovely that you could keep her company over this last week.

"Death is a wild night and a new road"

That sounds like such a wonderful way for your grandmother to go. What a great age. I love that quote above. I must remember it.

VioletCharlotte I am thinking of you and your grandmother today. I will light a candle to ease the transition for you both.

DH is in for surgery at the back end of next week. I've gone quiet too as I've tried to process his diagnosis, but more and more I'm coming to view this as a blessing rather than the reverse. We are very, very fortunate that his condition has been caught early. Because it's symptomless, most men don't get a diagnosis this early and the cancer remains undetected, enabling it to do more damage.

The doctors are using the word 'curable'. I choose to cling to that, and although I get the odd wobble, I'm finding myself able to remain positive.

He'll be scanned around 6-8 weeks after surgery to ensure they've got it all. That will be quite a frightening time. Meantime, I've been brought off anticoagulants and tested to ensure I can remain off them. The tests have all come back negative. So, assuming I don't have any further clotting issues, I've come out of my ordeal with nothing more than a sometimes stiff and sore lower back.

It's been a rough 8 months, but I consider we've been fortunate given other possible outcomes. So today, I'm visiting my sacred spring and clootie tree. I'll leave a crystal in its waters as an offering. And this time I've even managed to persuade DH to come with me. That is a turn up!

Sending positivity and brightest blessings to all. I'll light a candle for your grandmother @VioletCharlotte

It's a quote from Emily Dickinson x

I am glad to hear you sounding a little brighter SerafinasGoose, and able to have a positive focus.
Life can throw us many challenges, and it's absolutely fine to have a wobble- we are human.
I love the idea of a clootie tree, I think it's a very old tradition isn't it.
I often have wobbles or bad days. This past week or two have been difficult for me.
I believe the goddess often manifests herself when we need her.
In the past few months she has supported me several times, often in the form of other women.
I spoke to a woman yesterday waiting outside the yoga hall, I was wrestling with huge thoughts, my life, the bigger picture, my burdens.
I hadn't met this woman before, but when we started talking it felt I had known her a hundred years. I am normally a private person, but within minutes I was telling her deep feelings- she is in a similar situation, we seemed to tune in and understand each other with just a few minutes. I felt so known and understood in only 3 or 4 minutes.
She has asked me to go for a coffee after the next class so we can talk more.
The goddess is everywhere, we often don't notice her support, but we can see her if we look.

So good that you met someone IRL that you can talk to @speakout

I'm in Barcelona for a long weekend,so sending you all some sunshine

Thanks for the bright energy Hedjwitch.
Barcelona is a beautiful city.

Blessings to one and all, and hoping those who need it find comfort in furry companions as well as human ones and the natural world.

It was the local Pagan moot this afternoon. I notice how an awful lot of the conversation was reminiscence about the things people did and the adventures undertaken pre-pandemic. Clearly the world has changed. I suspect we will continue to notice changes for some time - in things we haven’t thought of in a while then realise are forever altered.

I think the pandemic gave us all an opportunity for reflection, and the current economic situation is also forcing us to think about our priorities.
The world is changing- humans must change their relationship with the earth for our survival, and it is a bumpy ride.
Tonight's dark moon will give us time for shadow diving and exploring the dark, before tomorrow's full moon exposes our reality.
Virgo and Pisces are playing tug of war tomorrow, turning our attentions towards finding balace between the everyday and the spiritual.
A good time for a dust down of the altar, or re think our magical practice- are we allowing the mundane to swamp our deeper needs? Also a time to find that sweet spot of giving to others/keeping for ourselves.
Always a moving place for me, but it helps if I at least give that balance point attention, watching for signs of the warning light on the fuel tank.
I feel refreshed after a calm weekend, I have been mostly working, but it never feels like work if I find flow and take breaks when I need them.

An easy yoga class to start my day, maybe some laundry if it stays fair, heavy snow is heading our way tonight so wrap up warm!

Can full moons or their imminence exacerbate feelings which you normally have at the back of your mind but mostly ignore in order to get on?

I've wept with self loathing almost every day since Thursday. And most of the time, I don't give in to it but right now, it's come right to the forefront of my mind. And I keep on trying to do useful things which is good but I would like to hope that perhaps it will pass and those feelings will fade into the background again where they belong.

ISaySteadyOn oh sister, I am sorry to hear you are struggling like this.
I think the full moon can illuminate or show a way forward- perhaps ideas for healing too.
It is very hard bto deal with negative emotions when they dominate our thinking, but there are usually reasons for our inner voice to emanate such feelings. Pushing them down and squirrelling away while at times is essential for our functioning they will often pop up in a different place, manifest in a different way, and can feel like a game of Whack a Mole.
I know personally my critic comes from my inner child, desparate to be heard, soothed and reassured of the shame and sadness she feels.
Safety is paramount when we delve deep, but child healing can be short, kept safe.
I know counselling or therapy is not for everyone, but it has been life changing for me- it is never too late to heal.
And please don't be afraid of posting here- we are all real women and many of us are dealing with similar challenges.
You don't need to divulge any more than is comfortable for you, but we will hold you safe, help you feel understood. We can see the beauty in your soul and the love in your words.
We will sit with you, and I will light a candle this evening to send self love and soothing energy.

It's the impact of my dyspraxia on my daily life really. And the fact that dyspraxia isn't really considered a real disability by most people.

We need work doing on our house but no tradesperson will touch it with a 10 or even 15 foot pole. DH can do a lot of it, but he has to work as well and here I am at home with the time and space to do it and I can't physically do it no matter how much I want to.

But there are green shoots in the garden and the hydrangea I thought was dead has bounced back plus the camellia might flower this year so it is not all doom and frustration. Just sometimes.

ISaySteadyOn I am glad you found something to lift your spirits, life can be such a mixture of crap and joy.

I hope everyone found some positive energy from the full moon last night.
My DD and I often text or send photos of the full moon when we are in bed.
Although we live 8 miles apart or bedroom windows face the same way, we share the same view of the sky and it feels a good way to connect.
A couple of children at her work have scarlet fever, and when my DD was getting ready for bed she became unwell.
Facetiming me she was covered head to toe in a red rash, temperature, headache, sore throat, feeling unwell.
She didn't want to seek help because she knows we have a really bad NHS out of hours service- it can take 8 hours to get a call back.
I suggested she take some paracetamol and sleep, then phone GP in the morning.
She said she would leave her curtains open and moonbathe through the night.

So this morning she woke completely fine, no headache, sore throat gone, no trace of a rash anywhere, feeling good and has gone to work.

I know there is probably a very rational reason for her fighting off whatever was wrong, but I can't help but feel the moon's energy played some part.

Wow! That’s amazing speakout. So glad your daughter is OK. I’m surprised children get scarlet fever these days though! I thought it had been eradicated?

BeautifulDayintheneighbourhood unfortunately cases of scarlet fever- also called Strep A- are rocketing in the UK, several hundred fatalities this winter, mostly children. It does sound an " old fashioned" illness doesn't it.
A new highly infectious strain seems to be the reason, cases around the world are high too- including USA and Australia.
Although it can be serious it is very easily treatable with antibiotics.
I know several scools in my area are reporting cases.

Scarlet fever is still around unfortunately, it has recently had a resurgence. It was in the news a lot a few weeks ago because children especially were getting strep A, which can lead to scarlet fever. I had it as a child, it's a nasty virus. I hope your daughter stays well @speakout but please encourage her to be vigilant, just in case.