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’m 20 weeks @ISaySteadyOn. We also didn’t know the sex with DS and waited until he was born, we were hoping to do the same this time around but the sonographer let slip. It does shock quite a few people that we’d rather wait until the birth, I think because gender reveals have become so popular these days.

@speakout I’m sorry to hear your mum was similar to my MIL. I agree with you that the sex of the baby isn’t important.

I have a bit of a scary meeting at 10, I’m trying to call myself down by scrolling through here but I’m really nervous. Hoping it goes well.

We didnt know the sex of any of our 3 dcs.
I guessed wrong every time!

I hope your meeting went well yesteerday MoonWitchMom.
Finding out the sex of my babies wasn't an option when I was pregnant, although I did have ultrasound scans. I remember a poster up on the wall reminding people not to ask the sex of the baby as the sonographer would not tell. I think it must have been policy within that hospital/health board at the time.
We didn't want to know anyway, it was unimportant to us. A healthy baby was our hope.

Neptune has a positive aspect with Venus today, the two planets bringing love and beauty to our spiritual and mystical worlds. Our instincts are heightened as we view others through a compassionate lens. This soft but realistic focus will make relationships with loved ones run smoothly.
Another cool day here, currently 7 degrees , but I will resist the temptation to turn on the heating! I'll have a hot shower instead and layer up.
Have a magical Friday sisters!

We knew (and wanted to know) the sex of our baby. Not because we thought it was important generally, but for naming plans.

Finding out the sex wasn't an option when I had my DC. Like others, I was happy either way. All babies are beautiful and a blessing.

Speakout I'm glad you're enjoying your yoga classes, I've just upped my practice to three times a week, including two morning classes which I really love. Such a nice way to start the day.

I'm going to Cornwall next week, I'm so excited because it looks like the weather is going to be fabulous! I need to pop into town today to see if I can pick up a couple of sun dresses.

Full moon blessings friends.
A cloudy and cool start to the day here, but forecast to be dry, sunny and warm.
Today's full moon is in Saggitarius, bringing a culmination of energy which may result in new ways of thinking, new ideas coming to fruition, light bulb moments of new approaches.
Known as the Strawberry Moon in the US, traditional names of full moons is so interesting. Ancient people in the US would gather wild strawberries at this time, in Europe the June full moon is known as the Rose Moon or the Mead Moon. In parts of Asia the June moon is called the Lotus Moon.

After a difficult couple of months I have been having a week of deep self care and today is no exception.
My fridge is full of fruit and healthy food, I am enjoying my new journalling journey and I have been making sure I have at least 8 hours sleep a night.
I have a yoga class this morning, it's a new intermediate class, I went last week and really enjoyed it. OH is still in London, and unfortunately my class coincides with my mother's church session, she needs lifts to and from.
So that was an internal tussle, but I had to cancel so much while my mother was in hospital, and even now I am still having meetings with support workers, OT, physio, GP etc. I need my yoga.
My mother has several good friends at church who have cars, and I have suggested that she ask them for today, I have offered to book a taxi but she has declined.
That is her choice.
She is not stuck- she has a carer who takes her for a walk every day for outdoor mobility, including weekends so that is some company for her and a chance to natter.
I have my full moon circle this evening, I am excited about that.
There are two groups running near the property- which is in a remote area in the countryside, a woman's group and a men's group some distance away.
After the ceremonies everyone meets around a bonfire to have tea..
Not sure I can stay for that part, the ceremony lasts over three hours and finishes at my bed time!

I hope the full moon brings abundance to you all.

@speakout what a lovely picture of the moon! Well done for protecting and honouring what’s important to you and holding boundaries with your mum - never an easy course to navigate.

I had a rather odd dream last night - was explaining to a careers advisor (at my actual age, ie not a flashback to being a school leaver) how my choice of career just happened rather than my having a grand plan. It was interesting to reflect on it later, and quite comforting as, in my dream, I was explaining how things were working out for me so far in a way that allowed me to use the skills I have and not have to spend too much time on things I will always find a struggle. Full moon energies working, maybe?

We attended an event yesterday that was a blend of poetic, creative and considered responses to the earth and our relationship with her. Not all of it was to my taste, but it was reflective and often powerful to link, for example, the flow of water over millennia to standing stones, valleys and mountains that appear immovable and permanent but are actually still in a slow process of erosion and creation.

Full moon blessings, all!

Craftycorvid thanks for your kind words, my mother is currently banging about the house in a bad mood. My suggestion of her asking friends for a lift didn't go down well- despite the fact we live on route and the same road as the church.
She doesn't want to "be a bother to anyone" but would be perfectly happy at me cancelling my yoga class to take her. She is now uptight because someone has "stolen" her jewelry box- probably the Asian carer (!!)although hinting I may have taken it. She has little of value, mostly costume jewelry.

We moved her into the biggest room in the house when she came back from hospital- which has an en suite, my DD came over to help her move her stuff.
My mother quickly lost interested in the task, instread decided to pullout all her photographs and make some new albums instead.
She then stuffed all her things into black bags and threw them under her bed and the bottom of wardrobes- now she can't find anything.
But I am pushing forward with calm.
That does sound like a lightbulb full moon moment Craftycorvid- it is very interesting to look at work/career choices over our life.
I could never have planned for the bizarre twists in my life, and much of it has happened through necessity.
That sounds an interesting event you attended. I love the fact that although it wasn't to your taste you managed to find aspects of it that were interesting. Life is like that isn't it.

I am off to hang some laundry in the garden to absorb the full moon and bright sun energy, then off to yoga.

Good morning wise sisters, I hope everyone found some benefit from the full moon this weekend. I know for some the powerful energy can make sleep difficult.
I have slept long and deep my women's circle last night was very powerful.
It was set in the most beautiful spot in native woodland, we had a fire in the pit and incredible women sharing energy and stories.
The shaman led us through a soul retrieval ceremony with our spirit animal. It was so healing and so powerful. Raising the circle energy with other women felt so wonderful. I have already booked my place for the next three months.
The organisation also do shamanic training, voice work, sustainable horticulture, healing through art workshops, mens full moon circle and many other activities, all either outside or in a large yurt.

I have massively overslept this morning and missed my yoga class, but obviously sleep was needed!

Morning Speakout, your circle sounds wonderful! I'm so glad you're making time for yourself as you've had a tough couple of months. There's something so powerful about being with a group of women, reconnecting with nature and our inner wisdom.

I'm off to Cornwall for a couple of days with a friend. The weather os meant to be fabulous this week in the south west, so im looking forward to spending lots of time on the beach, swimming in the sea and female company!

Love to you all for the week ahead.

I popped out this morning to pick up bread and something quick for dinner (it's Scouts evening, we are always chasing our tails a little) and decided to have a wander round the charity shops. I picked up 8 linen napkins for £3 - a real bargain and something that we have got into the habit of using a lot. I also have been looking for a suitable pot to make a candle in. I bought an expensive candle as a treat and unfortunately it burned odd on one side, it went very thin and then flooded wax all on my mantel (and dripped onto the carpet). I was left feeling very disappointed as it was a handmade devotional candle. I dumped it all in an old ice-cream tub, but decided I would melt it down and add my own intention , scent and decoration to it.
I kept looking for a beautiful vintage pot and nothing appealed, then today I stumbled across a plain terracotta plant holder. I kept going back to it, and then realised this was what it needed because I can paint and decorate it for this specific purpose. This afternoon I am going to put together a sigil to paint on it.

We will be heading to Glastonbury Festival in a couple of weeks. I don't suppose anyone else from the thread is going? Drop me a PM if you are, it would be lovely to arrange to meet up!

It’s a beautiful day here, my BIL came over after he finished work so we’ve gone to a beer garden. We’re planning on having our tea here, which I’m happy about as I’m too warm to be cooking. If tomorrow is as sunny as today has been I’m planning on taking DS to the waterfall and having a picnic nearby. I adore spring and summer, I always wanted to live somewhere that was always hot and sunny but I think I’d find it weird celebrating Yule in the sun.

@hedjwitch I guessed sort of right, with our first I thought it was a boy but our family is so full of girls I just didn’t think it was possible. With this pregnancy I thought it was a boy again but there hasn’t been 2 brothers on my dads side for almost 50 years and my mums side for almost 40!.

@speakout the meeting went really well thank you. I always make things out to be worse that they will be. I’m happy to hear you have been looking after yourself and keeping boundaries. The women’s circle sounds incredible.

@VioletCharlotte enjoy Cornwall! I love it there it is so gorgeous.

@Craftycorvid that event sounds really interesting. I love hearing about your dream, I have had really strange and vivid dreams my whole life, they get more powerful when I’m pregnant.

@queenrollo I love charity shops, my home is practically completely furnished and decorated with charity shop finds. Your plan for the candle sounds lovely!. I’m not going to Glastonbury, I’d love to though. I hope you enjoy yourself!.

I had my palm read last night and it was very interesting. I've never had it done before!
I am naturally very sceptical about what people claim to be able to read from these things but alongside some stuff which could be quite generic, she picked out some very specific things that she could not have known. It was a very quick reading as part of an event in my local pub, but she does more indepth readings at her business so I might treat myself to one in a few weeks.

I picked my DS up from school this evening and they had done the Race For Life, and he's limping. He has a disability in one foot and although he is to all intents and purposes cleared by his Consultant to participate in normal actvities, he is still prone to injury if not careful. I have some comfrey in oil which I need to strain and melt down with beeswax (from bees in my village!) to make a salve. It just moved up my list to a job to do this evening as I think he will need it!

I hope you are enjoying Cornwall VioletCharlotte, I have never visited, but it sounds lovely.
One of these places that still hold onto ways of the past, being part of the Celtic fringe of Europe.
queenrollo I love the sound of your candle making, they are so easy to make, it is fun to try out different containers. I hope your son's foot is feeling better.
I hope you enjoyed your waterfall picnic MoonWitchMom, waterfalls are so special. I am lucky enough to live beside several, I have a fast flowing river near my home, some of it is deeply gorged, lots of spots to watch water sprites.

I am going through an intense healing phase of my life right now, lots of very deep work- it's hard, but also very rewarding to have the lightbulb moments, and the changes that are happening.
As I come back to myself I am coming to know myself better, finding gems and treasures, some long forgotten, some I never knew were there.
One of the aspects surfacing is the liking of the "soft" feminine- I have never enjoyed "pretty" things, finding floral artwork or fancy vintage tea cups twee and unappealling.
But these things seem to be drawing my eye in the past few weeks, and I am curious to explore my tastes.
I bought a beautiful kimono/dressing gown yesterday in my local charity shop.
It is a cherry blossom and bird print with a Japanese label at the neck.. Subtle feminine colours, a heavy soft cotton fabric, it lifted my spirits watching it move on the breeze pinned to my washing line. One of the side seams has split, but the fabric isn't torn, just needs a simple repair, it was marked down to 50p because of the damage.

Off to yoga this morning, work has been very quiet for a while, not unusual in the summer months, winter times are my busiest.
I am enjoying having a bit more time to potter, meditate, cook, journal and yoga.
Have a magical day friends.

@speakout I love the sound of your charity shop bargain! Most of the chazzas in my area are very samey and full of lurid synthetic horrors, so it’s rare to find something decent. I do love a rummage, though!

I’ve been having a very tired week. I think I’m a tad burned out with certain aspects of my work, an awareness that is leading me into some decisions about how and where I do my job. It’s almost the summer solstice and yet it feels as though the year has barely begun in some ways. The awareness of time passing is making me both restless and feeling the need to stand still and appreciate the moments more.

I filled in the electronic form for our GP surgery yesterday morning about an ongoing issue I have and got a call back within an hour requesting an urgent blood test this morning. Feeling rattled now at the possibility of having a serious condition, so please send some calming energy for me and keep fingers crossed that this blood test rules it out rather than in.

queenrollo I have lit a candle for you this morning- sending calm, soothing energy. I hope you can find some ease. X

Thank you Speakout. Blood test all done, now to wait for results. Will either be tomorrow or Monday, depending how busy the lab is.
Although I am preparing myself for a little uncertainty as what they are testing is inflammation markers, which due to other things might come back elevated. I think there are specific thresholds for the thing the GP is investigating though, which are quite high.
Either way I just have to deal with the answers when they come.
I did get everything ready to go shopping after my appointment, then got to the surgery and realised I had left my phone at home! It has my bank card in the case. So I had to double back on myself.

In other news our local strawberry patch is now open so I will take my DS up there at the weekend to pick a couple of lbs for eating and jam making.

Sending you good wishes, @queenrollo

Hello sisters, I'm sorry I've been quiet again - there has been an avalanche of bad news for people I love, topped off by the loss of a magical friend of mine from wizard school on Sunday. I only really saw her at those events, but she was so lovely, she was barely 30, and was such a vibrant presence in the world that I can't quite believe she isn't here any more.

But I'm trying very hard not to wallow in sadness but instead to really deeply feel the privilege of getting older and being alive and able to do things that light me up. It definitely gives perspective to problems!

@queenrollo sending you good wishes and keeping you in my thoughts - I hope it is ruled out and speedily so you're not left waiting too long - apprehension is the worst feeling. And sadly no Glastonbury for me but always up for a cuppa if we can find a sensible halfway mark and you ever fancy it! Have a bloody brilliant time 💙

To go back a bit in the thread to journalling, writing is up there with water as my highest magic - I write every day, usually by hand and in the morning but as long as it happens at some point in the day the timing isn't massively important. I've always written like this - regardless of how I feel and what's happening in my life, good or bad. What you described @speakout is how I've often found it - like meditation and a download, but what comes out of my pen is very often not what I'd have said or even knew I was feeling, it's a kind of magic I've never been able to replicate elsewhere. I don't often read it back but I do keep all my journals after burning my teenage ones and hugely regretting it because they were part of the story of my life. My loft is getting very full 😂

In my coven of three we are all writers and one of them described it as her direct connection to the divine, except she never quite knows what will come out so she approaches with caution! I'm so pleased you've found some journalling works for you - and I've found over the years that the key is not to ever make it a should.

Sending love to all of you feeling lonely - virtual hugs coming your way.

In happier news the sunshine has brought me out of my burnout hole a little, and I've been out experimenting with magical self portraits in golden hour. I've acquired a trio of absolutely beautiful quirky witch hats so will be including those in a future shoot 😍 plus Netflix has released a documentary about USA professional mermaids, some of whom I've come across in my mermaid communities, and I was very emotional watching it and realising my weird little obsession might actually get its moment in the sun!!

And today was my Gran's 94th birthday so I've been with family at mum's all day, we threw her an afternoon party and it was wonderful - and exactly the healing I needed to help come to terms with loss.

Sorry for the downer - I am ok, just each loss shakes my foundations a bit and it takes a while to regain my footing and remember what the point of life is. But as @speakout so perfectly put it upthread, we've already got a ticket so we may as well enjoy the ride!

queenrollo I hope if news comes today it will be helpful. x
hilariousnamehere I am sorry to hear of your losses.
Life can me a splendid and amazing thing, but it includes pain and sorrow- that's part of the deal for having love and joy in our lives I think.
I often like to read or watch documentaries about the universe, the beginnings, it helps put my own worries into perspective.
I had a long discussion with my DS last week about the Fermi Paradox- whether we are the only species that have had the capacity to know of the universe in all its majesty. If that is the case then we are in a very fortunate position.

( I think the reality is far more complex than that though).

Having the ticket anyway reminds me of my DD- we had booked a family holiday in Turkey when the children were 5 & 7..
Arriving bleary eyed at the hotel at 3am the receptionist had no record of our booking ( and full payment) she couldn't help as the agent offices in Turkey and UK were closed until morning.
I asked to pay for a room at least if we could be refunded for one night until we could sort things out.
We slept fitfully and in the morning my OH went down to reception in the morning.
My DS was very upset, lay in bed crying, saying our holiday was ruined, we would be going home now, how disappointed he was.

My DD jumped up, started unzipping her case looking for her swimsuit and said " Well if we are going home today I may as well make the most of it and go to the pool for a while".

That really stuck in my head. Of course my OH sorted things out, the booking voucher was sent over, we were refunded for the night, we stayed two weeks.

My DD still has that attitude to life she has such an incredible resilience- it's a magical thing when our children teach us about life!

Thank you for all your positive thoughts. My blood results came back clear, so at least it ruled out something potentially quite nasty.

Oh that's good news @queenrollo 💙

Hello sisters, checking in and catching up with the thread after a few days away in Cornwall. I had an amazing time and we were so blessed with the weather. It was 22/23 degrees most of the time, with a gentle breeze. So not too hot for walking but warm enough for sunbathing and swimming in the sea 😊

I love Cornwall, it's my happy place and full of magic and legend.. lots of witchy shops, pixies, faeries, pirates, mermaids, etc! @hilariousnamehere I thought of you as the place we were staying had a visit from some mermaids the weekend before we arrived. The photos were fabulous!

As always though, I'm happy to be home in my own surroundings and own bed! I started the day with a yoga class which was wonderful. It's been 32 degrees here today which is too hot for me, so have spent most of the day indoors.

@queenrollo pleased to hear that your blood tests came back clear. I hope that you're feeling ok and well enough to enjoy Glastonbury. I've never been lucky enough to get tickets on the occasional I've tried. It always looks amazing on the TV, although ok not sure if I could with the camping now! I hear the Foo Fighters are rumoured to be making a surprise appearance, blow Dave a kiss for me if they do!

Hello everyone... I would love to join in this cosy corner again, if you all wouldn't mind. I used to enjoy speaking with you all, but recently life has gotten in the way and made it difficult to focus on anything other than the immediate!

It's my birthday today, and I've had a wonderful day thinking about all of my blessings, enjoying all of the little things. Hope you're all had a magickal weekend.