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Any Witches Here?- Part 19

995 replies

speakout · 12/07/2023 17:23

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 18th 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

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4717929-any-witches-here-part-18?page=1

Page 40 | Any Witches Here?- Part 17. | Mumsnet

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 an...

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
96
Hedjwitch · 31/08/2023 20:44

So very,very tired at the moment. Left bedroom.curtains open a bit last night so could see the moon,which was comforting. Feel exhausted. Such a busy time in terms of herbs and foraging and preparations.

Any Witches Here?- Part 19
Any Witches Here?- Part 19
Craftycorvid · 01/09/2023 15:46

What wonderful words and images! I’ll post more later, just attending to the mundane realities of life and bill paying right now.

Hedjwitch · 01/09/2023 20:09

Well,last night I crashed out. Woke twice in the night and each time I could see the moon and moonlight was cast on me and the bed. I said thank you to the moon and then slept like a log!
Feel so much better this morning and re energised.
Today I have swapped an unwanted food processor for rhubarb,green beans and potatoes,and some herbal scalp treatments for aloe vera plants. A good day.

Craftycorvid · 01/09/2023 20:42

I like your swaps, @Hedjwitch. I’m awaiting tomatoes in return for some comfrey and apples.

I feel a bit better for the full moon energy - it’s been a beauty. I’ve been trying some oomph magic for selling my mum’s house but things are a bit stalled on that front. Has anyone else noticed a pattern of delays or reversals lately? It’s been everything from appointments being cancelled onwards.

speakout · 02/09/2023 12:08

Loving the talk of produce swap. I don't grow enough to swap unfortunately. As much as I adore gardening I have such time contraints in my life that I hav to make hard decisions.
I remember my gran used to preserve so much at this time of year, her kitchen always smelled divine, whether she was making chutney, drying mushrooms, making blackberry jelly and cordial, rose hip syrup.
I think all these actiivities help us tune into our ancestor energy. Living in cold climates it would be an absolute necessity to preserve in order to keep us healthy during the winter months.

The full moon was very potent for me, and I am still reverberating to the after shocks in my dreamscape and learning opportunities multiple times a day.

The moon forced me to really examine how I enforce my protective boundaries, so easy to set, often difficult to put into action.
I have also been put into situations that make me choose authenticity or being viewed as a "bad" person. Knowing that being seen in a good light by others is not always in my best interests. And knowing that if I push past my true self and do as others expect or would like, that I risk increasing my anxiety, or have a period of low mood.

It is such a beautiful autumn day here, I love the golden light that suffuses the air, that low sun with longer shadows highlight the orange tinge to trees, giving a calling card of things to come.

I have just finished my brunch, and will set about hanging laundry.
I have attended a yoga class nearby at a posh studio as my usual class is not running today. Posh place is a bit pricy for regular attendance, but it is fun trying out different classes and teachers.

Have an enchanted day sisters.

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 02/09/2023 19:22

Busy day picking herbs and drying them.

Any Witches Here?- Part 19
Diplidocus4 · 02/09/2023 20:44

Has anyone had any mushrooms this year ? Loads in the past but hardly seen one this year sadly . We had 2 huge puffballs in the gateway opposite but it's a bit "too many passers-by" to take them .....

VioletCharlotte · 02/09/2023 21:22

I'm so impressed by all the produce growing and herb drying. Home grown veg tastes so much better than what you buy in the My Grandparents had a big garden and used to grow all sorts, I've got some very happy memories of picking runner beans and pulling up carrots that my Nan would then cook for dinner.

The full moon energy, combined with the fabulous late summer sunshine we've been blessed with over the last couple of days has given me a boost too. I love September, I think it's probably my favourite months.

Craftycorvid · 02/09/2023 22:19

I got home to find two enormous bags of windfall apples on the back step. Our tree overhangs the neighbours’ garden and they get more sunshine so more fruit, which they always kindly bring round. So, my evening’s entertainment has been peeling, chopping, bagging and freezing. I’ve had the radio for company. I find September poignant; it was my mum’s birthday in September and, whilst it’s a glorious time of year, it’s also that delicate cusp between one season and another - both and neither - and this has been such a strange summer for me and Mr C.

SeaEssence · 03/09/2023 07:37

@Hedjwitch love the herb pic!

@Diplidocus4 haven't found any edible ones yet (those that I know), hoping to get my family out to the woods today again.

Back from picking up my ds after the summer at grandparents', no mushroom picking there either - apparently mushrooms should be picked at ungodly hours of 5-7am and I slept till 8 so no point 😩 I wonder whether this is some local tradition or "old ways" I should seek to learn more about, or merely ensuring one is there early enough to head off competition...

Flew back yesterday morning - the night before was terrible, I hardly slept at all, moonlight still visible but I didn't think to take it into account really. Changing between being hot/cold, twice I burst into tears, lots of negative thoughts. It wasn't until I read new entries in this group that I realised perhaps I could do something about it. Lots to learn, but I really like this group and the new (for me) ways of thinking it brings.

Probablymagrat · 03/09/2023 14:35

I'm loving all your foraging and preserving, I used to make jam and chutney every year. I loved doing it. When we moved house, and was clearing out the pantry, I realised that we don't actually eat that much jam and chutney. I had to throw away loads of preserves, some of which were years old. Such a shame.

I limit myself to hedgerow jelly only now, so I still feel part of the autumn activities, and because its so delicious with turkey instead of cranberry sauce. Its different every year, but it must have sloes in for me, I love the astringency.

EmmaEmerald · 04/09/2023 00:13

Hearing about unusual planetary alignments and big changes. Sometimes there is stuff in the air.

hilariousnamehere · 04/09/2023 00:16

I am just hopping in to remind myself to catch up properly this coming week when in theory things calm down 💙 it's been a stressful few weeks with both mum and gran managing to fall, so have been sneaking in occasionally but not had time or brainspace to post a proper response.

Currently should be asleep but recovering from a spider incident and googling how to get over my phobia because I absolutely hate it and want to be able to live side by side with them not kill them, cry and be terrified of being in my own house!

Sending love to you all and sorry I've been so absent again xx

Craftycorvid · 04/09/2023 07:06

@hilariousnamehere I lessened my own arachnophobia by finding out more about spiders as creatures, and they are pretty impressive. I think by engaging interest and knowledge a little bit, it did lessen the visceral response for me, but what worked for me wouldn’t suit everyone. I still wouldn’t pick one up, but I do co-exist with them peaceably enough these days.

I would also say that EMDR therapy is helpful for phobias, so could be something to consider.

speakout · 04/09/2023 07:55

Craftycorvid I think learning about spiders is a good idea, and exploring the mythology too. Spiders are held in regard all over the world, representing wisdom, patience and female energy..
Autumn is mating time for spiders, the males start moving around looking for love, so come out of hiding.
I couldn't pick one up, but never kill them, I generally leave alone. I have two in my bedroom at the moment, close to the ceiling.
If I find one in an empty bath I will drape a towel over to give the spider a chance to climb up.
I see them as helpers in the home, they eat carpet moths and weevils, and keep down levels other more destructive or unhygienic insects.
The spiders that we see are the tip of the iceberg, most homes will have dozens of spiders living alongside us.
It's all part of Gaias web of life.

OP posts:
queenrollo · 04/09/2023 10:11

Oh my word life is chaotic for me right now. Our bathroom conversion is a nightmare. The absolute shoddiness of the conversion done in the 70s causes us such headaches. We're at least a week behind where we should be because of the extra work we have uncovered. Including a chimney breast with the lintel cut out - so it needs remedial work to make it safe.
Absolutely blessed that a friend is letting us use their currently empty property for bathing requirements, and in our village so as little disruption for us as possible.
DS back at school this week, we are not ready. With such awful weather this summer we don't feel we've had a proper break at all.
I did our usual end of hols trip to the arcades yesterday - usually by now the town has quietened a bit. It was heaving and awful.

I'm ignoring lots of other jobs in favour of hedgerow foraging and am freezing lots of soft fruit so I can make elder rob and jams when DS is back at school and I can find a little headspace.

speakout · 04/09/2023 11:22

queenrollo you have my sympathies. Building work always turns out more costly and complicated than we hope. Does for me anyway!

The overly complicated shower dial has cracked and fallen off- the shower still works but I need to turn the spindle with pliers to put it on and off. Of course that shower model is now obsolete, plumber says the shower would need replacing- and it is built into the wall and would need re-tiling. And I can imagine I wouldn't be able to find matching tiles, so may have to re-tile the bathroom..... all for the sake of a £6.99 knob.

So I choose to work with the pliers!

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 04/09/2023 13:06

I've managed to overcome my fear of spiders by controlling the way I think about them and read to them. I grew up thinking spiders were something to be feared as my mum used to scream and run away from them. My Dad would dutifully catch them and out them outside so I used to look to the nearest male (partner, son, neighbour) to do the same for me. I've lived alone with my DC for a long time and a few years ago I realised that my life would be a lot easier if I didn't spend September worrying about a spider making an appearance. I've managed to retrain my brain so now when I see one, I can overcome the initial feeling of fear and tell myself it's just a spider, catch it between a cup and a piece of card and take it outside. Knowing I can deal with them myself and dont have to rely on someone else makes me feel much more in control!

speakout · 04/09/2023 18:31

VioletCharlotte I am glad you have overcome your fear of spiders.
I come from a family of women who scream at the sight of a spider.
That's an interesting comment you make about it being a female thing, men usually don't have that fear.

Mythology the world over tells us of the realm of the spider, weaver of webs and dreams, they have an other worldly aspect.

I have completely overcome my fear of UK creepy crawlies, not a fan of wasps, but only because they will not entertain negotiation.
I have travelled a lot to SE Asia, and spent a year there, including trips to tropical rainforests. Not the place for anyone with a bug phobia, and nothing like the shampoo ads! Every square inch of a rainforest contains bugs, many biting spiders, but also venomous ants, leeches, poisonous caterpillars, scorpions.
Not to mention the cobras and lots of other hazards.
Living in these countries is hazardous!

OP posts:
Probablymagrat · 04/09/2023 18:35

My Father in law is scared of spiders. He is also a misogynist. It gives me great satisfaction to bravely rescue him from the large spider that regularly falls in our bath using the trusty postcard and glass method!

@speakout You are right, I doubt I'd be so handy with my postcard if we lived in the tropics and the spiders could actually do some serious damage.

Hedjwitch · 04/09/2023 19:54

I hate spiders and dread this aspect of autumn. I've tried giving myself a good talking to and can tolerate very small ones or the gossamer harvest men ones. But those big,dark,superfast ones that scuttle across the floor make me physically want to vomit. Gaia fucked up when she made those!

Craftycorvid · 04/09/2023 22:07

We have a ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ one (as in, where did he come from, where did he go?) He/she scurries across our lounge floor approximately once a year in autumn - really has the aura of a spidy with a train to catch. Never see Cotton Eye at any other time of year.

For getting them out of the bath, I employ a spider ladder, otherwise known as draping a towel over the bath so the spider can get out. Resolves all issues peacefully.

queenrollo · 05/09/2023 09:59

two of the builders here are scared of spiders and of course they have disturbed lots while working. I have been called in many times this week with my trusty cup and postcard to relocate them!

progress on the bathroom. At least now we appear to be moving in the right direction.

ISaySteadyOn · 06/09/2023 08:31

I agree with the idea of spiders as helpers in the home. I would add in the garden too as they often eat bugs which eat my plants.

I overcame my own fear of spiders by looking for beauty in them and found it. DD1 and DH still have to remove them though because I worry about my clumsy dyspraxic hands and hurting them. DD1 loves all minibeasts which has also helped, but I don't think I will ever like slugs.

I am hoping this school year will be better than last but this morning is not going too well. I am sitting in the garden posting here in order to calm my feelings.

I hope you all have good days.

FizzingAda · 06/09/2023 08:39

Hallo, long time lurker here coming out from under a bush.

for the early risers and insomniacs there was an interesting piece on Farming Today at 5.45 am on radio 4, about Jekka McVicar the herb lady, now growing lots of old British herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes, particularly with our warming climate in mind. Apparently some old herbs are not surviving the hot weather. Available on Sounds.