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

Good morning sisters, I hope this full moon brings abundance to everyone.
I had a women's full moon ceremony bookedd yesterday, but had to cancel, my days are busy and I am very tired, yesterday DD and I were clearing out her old room in preparation for my mother coming home from hospital. My mum has lived with me for 8 years, but using my daughters room means she doesn't have to use stairs to reach the toilet.

I did manage yoga yesterday though, and the session was wonderful. It is so good when led by a teacher who knows her students, and can sense if we need nurture, feeling energetic and want to develop further in a pose.
The session was mostly sun salutations, with add ons, in a continuous flowing journey, so nourishing for the soul.
I hope everyone has a magical weekend

Hi all. Sick of the cold,the wet and the rain. Both dh and ds are unwell,house is a tip. Lacking motivation to do anything

Hello sisters! I've been away for a week for a shoot and visiting friends either side of it, and got roundly bollocked by my insurance company last time I mentioned I was travelling while I was actually away, so have been lying low until I got back! Was a brilliant week and has boosted my confidence, but it's wonderful to be home with my cats. They are pottering around with me and making little chirpy sounds of happiness whenever we are in the same room.

Was with decidedly unwitchy but very dear friends for Beltane, but as part of the hen celebrations we made candles which felt apt! And I did some quiet intention setting after everyone else had gone to bed.

@Hedjwitch hugs and sending motivation your way - I know the feeling and have felt like it for ages, you have all my sympathy! Tiny bit of a spark today so sharing it with you 💙 and hoping you escape being ill too.

@speakout I'm glad your mum is shortly coming home from hospital and I hope it pans out ok for you and you're able to hold your boundaries too. Sending you love!

@HernamewasNOLA the singing oak sounds glorious!

@HillsBesideTheSea wise words about what our practice looks like, thank you - I spend a lot of time on social media for my businesses and despite knowing it's a styled front (because I create beautiful photos partly for that purpose for other people, though never misleading ones) - it's easy to get sucked into the comparison trap isn't it? Thank you for the steadying sense 💙

@hilariousnamehere sounds like you've had a great time away! Celebrating at a hen do and all the joy and revelry that comes with seems like a fitting way to mark Beltane! I'm with you though, that's it's always lovely to come home after a holiday, I really miss my own space!

@Hedjwitch it's been raining here all day too. Sorry your DS and DH are still unwell, you sound really fed up. I hope they start to feel better soon.

@speakout I'm glad you enjoyed your yoga class. It's a shame about the full moon ceremony, but there will be others. I'm sure you must be exhausted, hospital visits really take their toll after a while. Sending love and restorative energy your way.

I'm hoping the weather will be better tomorrow. I'm going to the garden centre as I want some new plants to brighten up my front garden. Any suggestions for plants or shrubs that like being in the shade and don't mind chalky soil would be much appreciated!

@VioletCharlotte it was indeed! I was a bit nervous as have now been a bridesmaid 13 times and am not a fan of all the penis shaped stuff, but this was just our annual weekend away with some extra balloons and sparkles as three of us can't make it to her actual hen do. Not a penis in sight 😂

I'm a very un-knowledgeable gardener on the whole, but my everlasting sweet pea has never failed me - it's enormous and abundant and beautiful, smells amazing and re-seeds itself every year and I've also got a smaller one in a pot, so would recommend!

There are also some gorgeous prolific plants with silvery leaves and almost neon pink flowers which have thrived on my neglect and are currently also seeded in my neighbour's driveway, oops... We call them AJ's after the great aunt who originally gave me cuttings but I'll ask mum what they're actually called 😂

@hilariousnamehere could the pink and silver plant be rose campion? I would definitely recommend them too. They are happy in the very dry and hot corner of my garden, along with perennial wallflowers.

@VioletCharlotte I'm not sure about the chalky soil as we have clay, but heuchera do well in the shade for me, along with a red leaved acer that was in full sun when we moved here and continually got scorched. I moved it into the shade and it's lovely now. If you don't mind pruning once a year, a buddleia is always reliable in any conditions, just get one that doesn't self seed if possible. The bees and butterflies will thank you for it.

I love buddleia too, it grows fast and great for screening fences, so easy to grow, and I love the wildlife it brings.
I haven't done much gardening this year, but have planted a few seeds, in trays, and they are diong well.
Hopefully passed the danger stage of night frosts, I have been putting them out during the day to harden them off a bit.
I have around 100 night scented stock seedings and I have cleared a patch of bedding to home the new plants.
As a child I was captivated by the fragrance of night scented stock. My father would grow them - I remember lying on the back lawn next to a clump of the stock at twilight, watching them unfurl and release their sweet heady scent.
Even as child I was mesmerised by them, unassuming in appearance, how they come alive at night, unlike other blooms which open up by sunlight. Pollinated by night creatures, moths, I felt they had a connection to the moon and must have a powerful magic within them.
I know my parents thought I was bonkers, lying on the lawn for an hour at 9pm with my head in a flower border. But they couln't see the magic, I thought if they could they would surely spend all night sleeping with the stocks.
The faintest whiff of night scented stock pulls me back to being a child and being under the spell of the stocks.

@speakout I love the way you described that, it sounds so dreamy and magical, and brings back lots of happy memories of being in the garden as a child. My grandparents had a wonderful garden, full of the most beautiful roses. I used to collect the petals to make potions.

The gardening gene seems to have passed me. All my family have lovely gardens, but I don't really know what I'm doing, or what to plant where and when. My pots and baskets always look nice, but I struggle with the borders. Thank you so much for all of your suggestions, I'll let you know how I get on!

@HazelTheGreenWitch you're a genius, yes that's exactly what it is! Thank you!!

Oh I love night scented stock! It reminds me of when I had a midnight curfew as a teen...my then boyfriend would walk me home and quite a few places had it in their front gardens so I associate it with him 😍Is it too late to plant in a balcony pot?

Sorry speakout that is so unromantic compared to your wonderful description, but it was terribly romantic to me at the time.

I've never come across night scented stock and am hugely intrigued by your stories of it @speakout and @EmmaEmerald! Maybe I need to add some to my own enchanted garden?

@VioletCharlotte potions!! I saw the most wonderful video today about someone who made their niece a potion making box with all sorts of lovely things in - brought back so many memories of mixing them from anything I could find as a child including petals and handwash 😂

I'm feeling a bit at odds with myself this evening, was in a much more normal sleep/wake routine while I was away, and now I'm back to late bedtimes - I love being up late and work better at night but have a bunch of stuff happening in the mornings this week and due at mum's at 10 so would like to be less awake right now... gah!

I am filled with anxiety again. I feel like life is moving too fast.
We have gigs and festivals ahead of us this summer and usually I am looking forward to them, but right now I just don't don't want to leave home! I actually feel like I never get time to just 'be'.
This will be our last Glastonbury Festival (possibly ever) and I hadn't realised that when we bought tickets, so now I feel like I would rather not go.
Gigs on days when there are train strikes, so most likely we won't be able to go. (just over an hour on the train vs 3 hours in the car and parking in london mean driving isn't an option)
I'm not going to rant on and on about everything on my plate at the moment but I am feeling overwhelmed.

EmmaEmerald I am sure it would be a perfect spot for night scented stock, what a good idea. I don't know about timing, but only took a week or two for seeds to germinate indoors.
I am sure your midnight walks were romantic in their way too!
hilariousnamehere I think these flowers would be a great addition to any garden. For those unfamiliar with the fragrance they smell like day time stocks ( often sold in bouquets in supermarkets) but far headier, like lilac or jasmine a little.
And yes to potions! Petals, shampoo, I remember experimenting in the bathroom sink, and using empty bottles to contain my elixers! My daughter was exactly the same, she loved spending time making her magical potions.
I wonder if we were all mini witches in the making!
Another wet day here, I have a good bit of laundry to catch up on, but I see good weather is forecast tomorrow, so I will wait till then. I have hospital clothes to wash for my mother, so need an energetic airing outside.
I am being mindful of my sleep right now, I function so much better with a good amount of sleep, and I like my routines and rituals in the evening and morning to bookend the day.

queenrollo I am sending some calm with my wake up candle.

Recognising how you feel and knowing what works for you are wise things to notice, then we can take steps to make a shift.
Our needs for activity/quiet times change over our lives, even week to week, down time is very soothing for me. A slow mindful pace calms my anxiety, I find a packed schedule can be stressful.
Every event is optional, even if you have bought tickets, don't buy into the sunk costs fallacy. Plans are always open to change, tickets can be given to others.

When anxiety overwhelms me I sometimes use youtube meditations as first aid. There are lots of really good 5 or 10 minute anxiety lifting guided meditations, I have created a playlist for myself of favourites, they, or any type of short meditation can give you some breathing space from anxiety, even if just for a short while.
I hope you find some islands of calm today.

I'm smiling at the thought of us all making potions when we were mini witches!

@hilariousnamehere your late nights make me feel exhausted! I'm a morning person so normally fully asleep by 10pm. I hope you managed to get some sleep.

@queenrollo I can relate to how you're feeling. I have to be really picky with what I commit to, if I have too much planned I get overwhelmed and end up cancelling everything, then feel guilty for letting people down. I think it's really easy to get caught up in the excitement of booking festivals, gigs, etc, but when you factor in the practicalities of transport, bad weather, etc, it all gets a bit much!

@speakout it's wet here too, which is a shame as yesterday was gorgeous. I wore shorts for the first time this year! How are you feeling about your DM coming home? Do you have some support in place to help you?

I had a productive trip to the garden centre yesterday. There were so many lovely plants, I could easily have got carried away! I can't remember the names of the ones I bought, but I picked out a few that like shade. I'm looking forward to watching them grow.

Wet and miserable here again. I have given in and put the heating on to try and bring some cosiness. Done a bit of studying on herbs and plan to make a lavender spritz to give as wee gifts.
While the heating is on, a drop or two of Neroli oil on the radiators might lift the spirits.

Now in a hot bath with Frankincense and Rose essential oils....and a glass of gin. Roll on summer.

Hedjwitch that sounds amazing.
A gin and perfumed bath in the afternoon. I am in awe.

I am having an early meal as I skipped lunch.

Baked halloumi fingers with a spinach, rocket and tomato salad and my favourite hot chilli jam from The Spice Witch.
As the weather forecast promised the evening is warm and sunny.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a wash day, although I have other things to do too- work, a therapy session. and a meeting with my carer's advocate regarding my mother's discharge from hospital.
I haven't had a day to myself for weeks.

Why thank you speakout needs must sometimes. Trying to get myself out from under this cloud of negative energy and ill health plaguing the family. Am trying everything at my disposal from smudging to a cauldron full of nourishing lentil soup.

Hi everyone, I've been reding but haven't had much time to contribute or come and park the broomstick.. The tales of night scented stock evoked similar memories for me, last week we bought this, I'd never heard of it. Popped it on the bathroom windowsill as it was a bit spindly and was almost knocked over with its amazing fragrance, more than highly recommended!
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/19181/zaluzianskya-ovata/details
Blessings to all

@BlankTimes how lovely to see you! I think of you often and wonder how are getting on. Thank you for the phlox link, I've had some great suggestions for things to plant in my garden - if only it would stop raining for 4 minutes so I could get out there!

@Hedjwitch your bath sounds amazing! What a lovely way to de stress on a wet bank holiday afternoon. I hope your family are feeling a bit better.

@speakout I hope that your day went well and that the therapy session helped. It all sounds a bit relentless for you right now. I hope things settle down a little bit soon and you're able to take some time for yourself.

We've had the most incredible storm this afternoon - thunder, lightening, torrential rail, hail... I do love a storm but it feels more like autumn than spring! I've for the heating on and all my candles as it's so dark and cold.

My DS2 has a job interview this week. He doesn't deal with pressure well and is incredibly stressed about it, so any positive energy you can send this way would be much appreciated! It's quite tricky to help him, as his default mode is ask me for help, then to argue against any suggestion I give!

Lovely to see you BlankTimes, and thanks for the plant suggestion.
I really dislike perfume or any type of synthetic fragrance, I have a very acute sense of smell, I know they are all derived from petrochemical sources, I find them overpowering, clumsy and nasty.
Fragrant flowers on the other hand are like a balm to my soul, the very essence of the plant is on display through their scent, like the beauty and colour of their flowers.
I hope your son's interview goes well VioletCharlotte, these things can be nerve racking, a little adrenalin is good, though, it focusses the mind and sharpens our thoughts. I am sure most employers don't mind someone being a little nervous, it shows that the interview and job is important to the candidate, much better than a laissez faire attitude.
Slow deep belly breathing can help while he is waiting, just a few breaths will bring some calm, and can be done surrepticiously while he waits. If you let us know which day I will light a candle to send calm.
I had a fine laundry day yesterday, I have more to do today, I ran out of pegs, so saved some washing for later. Today is rain forecast, so maybe tomorrow.
I have a discharge and assessement meeting at the hospital with me this afternoon, to find out what support my mother needs when she comes home.
My DD is coming too, to give me support, she has had a lot of these meetings as a member of medical staff, so will know what to expect.
It has been a long couple of weeks, and most days have involved hospital visits, meetings and telephone calls with agencies, I can't afford to take so much time off work, so that has been a priority too, leaving little time for myself.
Tomorrow I have a routine mammogram, and although loosely could be called self care, isn't pleasant or nurturing.
I need a hair trim and eager to get back to yoga classes.
In the meantime I will make do with a shower and a little skin care, and give myself a reminder to slow down, I have a tendency to rush through everything, showering, cooking, housework.
Slowing down and finding some mindfulness gets the jobs done just as well, but isn't so tiring. When we rush we flood ourselves with adrenalin and cortisol, it's exhausting for the body and mind to hold that state, and we end up much more tired at the end of the day.
So I am off for a leisurely shower and work before heading to the hospital.

Have an enchanted day sisters.