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Philosophy/religion

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Any Witches Here?- Part 18

995 replies

speakout · 11/01/2023 20:19

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
74
speakout · 17/05/2023 11:39

Craftycorvid I love the sound of your Holy Well- is that in the UK? Magical places still live within us, in our hearts and mind's eye.
There are magical places all over the world, often hidden in plan sight.
My crone years find me back from my wanderings close to a place I grew up.
Depsite being only 2 miles from my chidhood home I never explored the area I now live, so it felt new and familiar at the same time.
And I see it with different eyes too - this area has an inspiring but tragic past, buildings dating back to the 12th century, and sad tales of witch persecutions.
I knew I always wanted to come back to Edinburgh- such an amazing city, but like most cities jammed with traffc, roadworks, noise. House prices in the centre are very high too, many stunning Georgian and medieval properties. Prices drop dramatically away from the city centre, and I have a railway station very close to my home. I can be in the heart of the city by train in under 20 minutes.
It's worth sniffing around for the genius loci in your own place, magic is everywhere.

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 17/05/2023 15:33

Treated myself to this. I find his books quite hard going so maybe a wee one will be easier

Any Witches Here?- Part 18
queenrollo · 17/05/2023 21:16

@Hedjwitch I'm currently dipping into his Ruin of All Witches having previously read a couple of his other books. Funnily enough while my DH was on a call with a client a few months ago he somehow mentioned about me being a witch. The client said he'd just spent a week with a friend who writes books about witches, and then it transpired it's Malcolm. I was offered an introduction if I ever wanted one! I'm not sure what I would say to him if I did meet him!

Today I made a daisy chain headband and cuddled a baby for half an hour and I can safely say that it's been a wonderful day. I have not held a baby since my own 10 year old was born, so it was really quite lovely.

Hedjwitch · 17/05/2023 21:33

Ooh,I'd love to meet him and see if he could explain things more simply for folks like me

queenrollo · 17/05/2023 21:35

Oh me too, I think my reading level is more Meg and Mog to be honest. Between parenthood and perimenopause my brain packed up and left home!

speakout · 18/05/2023 07:10

Thanks for reminding us of daisy chains queenrollo that brings back summertime memories, hazy lazy days.
Its a cool cloudy morning here, I have a pile of laundry to fold and put away, I am always glad I don't have an iron.
Putting laundry away has become a mindful practice for me now, I sit on the bed, fold and make piles, the job has become enjoyable- so all parts of the laundry process is touched by magic for me.
I feel some anxiety today, probably fuelled by thoughts of my mother's return home tomorrow and the uncertainty of how that will unfold. She will have a visiting carer, and I am not great with strangers in my home, but hopefuy they will be short visits, and confined to kitchen/bedroom/bathroom. So I can hole up in the living room when she visits.
I will address the anxiety- I have a yoga class at 9am, hopefull that will calm me, and I have lots of other ways to deal with uncomfortable feelings if I need to.
I am off for a spa shower, lavender and geranium for a calm start.

OP posts:
speakout · 19/05/2023 07:09

A beautiful sunny day here, and I am up early to enjoy the weather.
Yet more laundry, OH picked up my mother's clothes from the hospital leaving her with just an overnightback, prior to her discharge today.
A huge bag full of pjs, blankets, fleeces, underwear, day clothes.
I'm not even sure what is clean or dirty, but everything has a hospital smell, so I will wash everything and hang them outside.
Yesterday OH and I spent the day getting the house clean and tidy, food shopping, visiting the recycling centre.
I have managed to reclaim my large conservatory from the cats, now human friendly too.
My mother dotes on my cats, but over the years has turned the conservatory into a cat room, with several litter trays, scratching posts, toys, bags of litter, scoops, piles of newspaper, garbage bags, hairy blankets, toys etc.
It's a beautiful room, faces west with an open aspect to forest, perfect to enjoy a drink or snack on a summer evening. OH and I spent a lot of time there before it was taken over by cat stuff. Seeing the room reclaimed yesterday was lovely.
I have built cat toilets in the garden a few years ago and ditched the litter trays last month- they have coninuous access to the garden and beyond, no accidents or mess inside in the past month. I have also constructed comfortable hidden beds under furniture, where they have peace and protection, they have already chosen their designated bed. They have moved their scratching activities outside, there are plenty huge mature trees with thick bark. I grew up with cats and can't remember having much parphenalia for them if anything.
Pet stores convince us that large amounts of equipment are needed to care for a cat, but unless a cat is an indoor one, most of it is uneccessary.

Just about to start my morning ritual, first coffee done, spa shower to come, light a candle, some meditation, a Tarot pick, skin nourishing and hair.
No yoga, but I have classes booked for the next 3 days and beyond.
Have a magical Friday sisters.

OP posts:
Craftycorvid · 19/05/2023 08:48

@speakout yes, the holy well is in the UK. Welsh borders. When I was a kid hardly anyone seemed to know about or visit the well, but the last time I was there (last year) there were quite a number of visitors drawn there due to the peace and calm of the place. Lovely to see a mix of Pagans and other faiths.

I hope your mother’s return home goes smoothly today.

I’m seeing a friend this morning and doing a bit of work this afternoon, so a mixed - and hopefully good - way to spend Friday.

tattygrl · 19/05/2023 15:00

I hope you're having a magical Friday, @speakout!

I had a professional tarot reading yesterday that was eerily accurate. I also pulled a card each for my friends this morning from my Unicorn oracle deck. It's the one by Doreen Virtue that's super child-friendly, gentle and positive. I do find it rather simplistic and verging on cheesy, but I've decided to let myself go with it and just enjoy the pure simplicity of it, and let the cards speak to my inner child. I do feel so warmly towards them (Doreen Virtue drama notwithstanding...). I'm also getting more into my tarot practice - shuffling my cards when watching TV just to connect with them and clear any stagnant energy, taking my deck out and about with me, and doing regular single card pulls. I'd love any pointers from tarot readers here about the best ways to dive more deeply as a beginner!

I've been feeling really drawn back to my witchcraft and spirituality generally, ever since Beltane. I felt a really strong pull to celebrate Beltane this year (often the sabbats pass me by), which I did, and I've just felt so connected and in tune ever since.

Anyone up to anything witchy today? 😉🔮

EmmaEmerald · 19/05/2023 20:45

Hi allI haven't got to planting anything yet
Life is very overwhelming atm

I started with that Malcolm Gaskill book, it helps to form a picture but I guess it's only one picture? I read two more of his but have forgotten a lot of it.

If I can ask here please....If anyone feels like doing some tarot for me, I would welcome that.

I have pushed against prevailing winds for about 18 months now, and it currently looks as though that has resulted in quite a few bad decisions, which can't be reversed. Or can they? Regardless, there is lost money and lost time and a great deal of sadness.

but...if anyone does do it, don't be worried about telling me if there's more sadness to come. Forewarned is forearmed in my book!

Hedjwitch · 19/05/2023 21:26

Been feeling down and lonely today. Lit a fire in the fire pit,red wine.

Others have gone home but now feel peaceful. Just me,the glowing embers,the trickling water in the pond,and the blackbird singing.

Lonely and alone are such different things. I'm ok.

Any Witches Here?- Part 18
EmmaEmerald · 19/05/2023 22:02

hedjwitch how lovely to have a fire pit.

lonely and alone are very different, yes.

EmmaEmerald · 19/05/2023 22:09

PS Hedjwitch I was about to say sorry you're lonely but at the end it sounds like you're okay?

I am very lonely. So I can empathise, if that's what you meant.

Hedjwitch · 19/05/2023 22:25

Thanks @EmmaEmerald . I am never lonely when on my own. Alone is ok. But lonely in my marriage. Sitting out on my own by the fire was healing. Have come in now. Thank you for your message.

Any Witches Here?- Part 18
Craftycorvid · 20/05/2023 08:45

What beautiful images of the elements side by side, @Hedjwitch

Hope you all have peaceful weekends planned. I’m sitting and doing some thinking/reading at the moment, then have some errands to run later. The sun is out here.

speakout · 20/05/2023 08:50

An amazing fire Hedjwitch I am glad you found healing.
It looks perfect for pyromancy or fire scrying.

Last night was a Balsam moon, and also a Black Lilith Moon. A time to allow us to explore the deepest reaches of ourselves, to tend our roots.

Today's New Moon in Taurus brings fresh grounding energy, a space to regroup and take a breath, find our feet in the earth.

I can relate to feeling lonely, however much we enjoy being alone.
When we choose to journey in life the route is unclear, and can take us to destinations removed from those we shared with loved ones.
I can see this in my own life, distances open up as paths diverge, and we need to reassess relationships.
I flew too close to the sun in my last relationship, wax on my wings melted and burned, I fell to the ground like roadkill.
I vowed then never to allow a partner to have such access to my inner workings, and I never have.
So OH and I have always had some distance in our relationship of 26 years, but that's OK. I enjoy space and freedom to grow.
Harmful relationships should never be tolerated though!

My mother is settling in, she has a carer 3 times a day, and OH is taking her to a nail salon this morning while I go to Body Balance. My DD is visiting this afternoon to help my mother put her clothes away as she has changed rooms and needs help to get organised.
I have organised church lifts for tomorrow, so seems I have managed to delegate all her care- at least for this weekend!

Any Witches Here?- Part 18
OP posts:
EmmaEmerald · 20/05/2023 09:13

speakout glad that's worked out well for your weekend.

VioletCharlotte · 20/05/2023 14:27

Hedjwitch I know exactly what you mean. I'm never lonely when I'm alone. In fact, I love being alone with nobody to interrupt my thoughts or interfere with my energy. Like you, I have felt really lonely in past relationships, I'm sorry you're experiencing this at the moment.

EmmaEmerald I'm sorry that you're feeling lonely too. Being alone can be wonderful when it's a choice, not so much when it's the only option. I know that's virtual friends are not the same as friends irl, but hopefully the thread will help you feel a bit more connected.

Speakout I'm glad you're getting plenty of support for your DM and that your family are all pitching in and helping. Enjoy body balance this afternoon. I've just been to a Pilates class. I bought some plants at a local sale this morning so off home now to get them planted. It's a beautiful day today, it's so good to feel the sunshine.

Hedjwitch · 20/05/2023 20:07

Re-reading "Circe" again and loving it so much more this time round. I understand it better.

Craftycorvid · 21/05/2023 08:55

Morning, sisters! It’s been lovely weather so far this weekend, and yesterday I did precisely nothing with it besides sit in the sun and read. Every summer seems to have a transition moment for me, where it actually feels like summer - the summer dresses come out and I perk up, but always there’s the day where I’m like a cat in the sun! 😎 I have things to do….plenty of them, but yesterday I thought they could wait. I did consult the Tarot about an ongoing issue and what to do about it. My reading was a bit ambiguous, so I may go back to the cards again today. Lots of wands and swords coming up! I need to break out of the sitting in one spot doing nothing mould today and actually do some of the things. Hope you are all similarly blessed with fine May weather.

speakout · 21/05/2023 13:14

Sitting in the sun and reading sounds perfect Craftycorvid, good for the soul.

It has been a quiet few days of work, so I have been using the spare time to read and journal.
I'm just back from a yoga class- a new one just in the next village, I think that will become a regular one.
It is cool with a fine drizzle here- I have some plants that need bedding in and the soil is good and moist, otherwise it is a chill day reading and journalling again.

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 21/05/2023 17:20

Not up to doing much today so have made a sage and thyme cough syrup, and a tincture of witch hazel. The latter wont be ready for weeks tho.

Craftycorvid · 22/05/2023 08:03

Sunned myself again yesterday whilst feeling guilty about all the things piling up! Today….all the things. Wishing you all a productive Moon Day.

speakout · 23/05/2023 08:34

Looks like summer is strating to arrive, temperature set to rise this week, this year has raced by.
I had to buy a new fridge freezer yesterday, reluctantly- white good are so expensive. I had a look at second hand ones, but not many around, probably due to the price of new ones. The second hand ones did see smelled a bit funky. I have a super acute sense of smell, very hahdy for buying second hand furniture, I always lift cushions and give sofas and chairs a good sniff. I can tell if furniture has come from a smokers or dog owners home, I can even tell if a toddler has been touching armrests- toddler hands have a special type of sweet/food mash grubby smell.
My eyesight is bad, but my hearing is acute, and of course my spidey senses are finely tuned!!
OH is disappointed that our new fridge freezer won't have an ice machine. Our current machine does, and is plumbed into mains water, but prices for machines that make ice are eye wateringly expensive.
Our current fridge freezer is probably around 13 years old, it was left by previous residents as it wouldn't fit into their new place.

I am being gentle to myself today, slept longer than usual, the past few hours dipping in and out of a soft nurturing dreamscape.
The past couple of months have been full of hospital visits and phone calls, and although my mother has been home for four days, we are still working out a new normal, learning about her new limitations, and of course having carers walk in at random times through the day. The carers all seem so lovely, very patient with my mother, but big loud voices. I guess some of their clients are hard of hearing ( as is my mother) and their big booming " GOOD MORNING! CARER HERE" probably a welcome sound for many.
I try to make myself scarce, thankfully only here for 20 minutes or so.
My mother has made significant progress though, and yesterday got up, showered and washed her hair, dressed, came downstairs then made herself tea and toast without help. She is growing in confidence and ability, so at this stage it is not yet clear how much care she will need. The carers and OT are useful in showing her safe ways to move and work in the kitchen, climb stairs and shower which is helpful.

Being comfortable with uncertainty is a liife lesson we all have to work through.

Sorry for such a long mundane post!

I did want to ask if any of you journal- magical or otherwise. I do keep Grimoires I have done for decades, but new to journalling.
Like a Grimoire or book of shadows I know the best rule is "There are no Rules", and exploring how journalling can help me. I have been journalling a very short while, but when I put my pen on the page it feels like gates being opened. Not a day to day, events or dates- more like a stream of consciousness, ideas and topics come tumbling out onto the page, snippets from the past only relevant to me, repetition, turns into poetry for half a page, a few line drawings, would make no sense to anyone else reading it.

During the writing I enter into the flow, I just allow words to be written without much thought at all, so many ideas just pour themselves onto the page. While I write I feel so calm, my breathing slows, I can feel my heart rate lowering. And afterwards I feel relaxed and serene, as if I have been meditating.

Is this what journalling is about? Do others feel that way? I feel myself already looking to that time today- will be late afternoon or early evening, work and chores finished, a cuddly cat and some herbal tea.
This feels like magic!!

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 23/05/2023 10:00

I journal. I have a destroy on completion book. it allows me to ramble my thoughts out of my brain, try to assimilate what is important and needs to be dealt with and what is just clutter to move on from. It also helps me process my feelings. I find it a very helpful tool. And yes it is a very therapuetic process especially if you allow the thoughts to flow rather than control them. I do both depending on what i need. Sometimes i just need to figure out how to do what has to be done in a sensible and timely manner which does need control. But when i am brain dumping it is something i try to allow my brain the freedom to flow. One of my favourite times to journal is when i have had a drink or 2. it is interesting looking back the next day. Subconcious me has got her shit together. Now to get the concious me to get with the program.

I am very all in my thoughts atm. A lot of brain work, a lot of processing and to do. However, there is a looming deadline for all of this and then hopefully my poor brain can take a break from having info crammed into it so it can recover slightly. Making time to walk in nature to try to balance it all out.

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