Any Witches Here?- Part 19

[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 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

Your post fascinated me @Craftycorvid - particularly as a past trauma victim whose 'spidey senses', a great MN name for 'gut instincts', have until recently not operated as sthey should. Those who live with an abuser are in a state of high alert all the time. What happens then is that those instincts are switched off as no one can live in a state of fight/flight/freeze/flop all the time. We'd quickly lose our minds. So the survival instinct is deactivated, and as someone who lived with an abusive father as a child, I simply possessed no gut instinct. I couldn't read when someone meant me harm. A course of EMDR some years ago switched them back on again, and it's been a real revelation discovering a gut instinct for the first time when knocking on middle age.

I was drawn in particular to this comment you made: I also get the strange pull towards certain people even though they seem dangerous - rather like the urge to look over a steep drop.

I recognised this immediately. It's a feeling I got overpoweringly from the razor-sharp precipice at Beachy Head - the feeling of how easy it would be just to annihilate yourself, to run toward the void and keep running. It's one of the most bizarre feelings I've ever experienced: the edge seems to invite you over it to such an extent that I wondered if anyone had ever caught that feeling and gone over without meaning to.

Other chalk headlands, like the ones at Dover or Flamborough in Yorkshire, never give me this feeling. I'm not able to say why.

Edgar Allan Poe called this 'The Imp of the Perverse': those destructive instincts that lie dormant within each of us. He refers in his story specifically to standing on the edge of a precipice. I Googled it, and it seems the term has even made its way into modern psychology - there's a piece here on how it might even have a neurological cause.

The Imp of the Perverse | Psychology Today

Bit of a digression, but I find this stuff really interesting!

Thanks for the post and the links @SerafinasGoose I’m going to take a look.

I’m glad EMDR helped you. I’m an EMDR therapist myself and it’s great to know this approach really helps people. I agree about the mixed signals and how, paradoxically, being always in that threat response zone gets so exhausting that we simply lose the ability to decide what is risky and what is not. I put it as ‘when everything feels threatening, how do you decide what is dangerous?’ And that was in relation to how I tended to approach situations.

Really sorry to hear everyone's having such a rough time

I think I had a nervous breakdown of sorts yesterday, over being unable to care for mum. Feeling exhausted and sick now. There probably isn't a herb that can help with that, unless anyone has any suggestions? Thanks.

re being compelled to darkness, yes, I see that. For me, it's more likely to happen when things are really boring and mundane. I just wonder where the more interesting path leads, even if I know it's only to darkness.

I also think the type of person you are talking about is very good at manipulating people into being compliant, by very quickly establishing a form of control over a group of people. No-one wants to be the dissenting voice, so you find yourself going along with things you find uncomfortable. I used to be very much like that, but somewhere along the line I found a spark in me that actually isn't afraid to speak my mind.
I agree with others (I can't scroll back to see who said what) that you should go into interactions with his person already on guard. To hold your boundary. It may be that rather than speak up you just passively don't comply. Whichever is more suited to you and the situation.
In my experience people like that know exactly what they are doing, and will quickly become aware that you have rumbled them. Keeping your distance as much as is practical is usually the best approach.
Use whatever literary or pop culture reference helps you to shield yourself from them. This works for me as I have a vivid imagination!

We are heading to another festival this weekend. Much smaller than Glastonbury and not so far from home.
I don't know if anyone is aware of the Burning Woman Festival that was held at Belvoir Castle last weekend? It looked stunning on social media and I feel I want to really overcome my fear of driving longer journeys to get myself there next year.

I have felt the same feeling at beachy head. It was very odd. Like something was almost pushing you/willing you to jump. A stunning place but not one i have ever been in a hurry to return to.

But i have also encountered a tree with a similar feeling. Tree was known as a site for people crashing into it. And as you past it whilst driving it was like you were being drawn into it. It was a relief when the council decided enough and cut the tree down, the area lost that feeling.

I have a question: anyone got any advice about how to help plants. Every time i am sick or stressed i kill plants. This time around it has taken 12 plants out of m bedroom, but the plants in the bathroom and lounge which have been neglected as much if not more are still alive and surviving. Any suggestions, although t migh43t be important to note i am still currently sick so there may be more to be affected.

Just flying by and reading the interesting chat about Svengali figures, I too think these types exist and are dangerous because they are so compelling.

I agree we need to use and trust our spidey senses, detaching from these people is the best option.

I was ensnared by such a man many years ago- we lived together for 5 or 6 years.
I was stuck in his sticky web. He was alluring, utterly charming, and I as a willing captive and basked in the earthly delights he would bestow upon me.
I was mesmerised and beguiled, I laid open my heart and he devoured me.
The door was open but the rapture I felt kept me bound.

With him I walked a dangerous path, he led me deep into his world and blindly into danger.
We played on the dark side of the moon, but ultimately flew too close to the sun, and came crashing to earth.
I was left broken and torn. and deeply questioning how I could have been led to such places.

He was an evil man- I haven't seen or spoken to him in a very long time, but I hear he is still charming himself into the hearts and minds of others.
I have come to see I had a lucky escape.
On the positive side my spidey senses are now on pointe.

Speakout it's interesting to see you write about the man from your past, and it has made me think that the time of my life I was exposed to a man like that might be why I have such good instincts and boundaries with people like him.
Someone I knew in passing from the age of us being 14, became involved with my best friend as we hit 16. It became almost a decade of turmoil, with extreme violence and psychological warfare. I saw behind closed doors, nursed my friend's wounds and was a target myself as he tried to isolate her completely. But I also saw him out in the world, turning on the charm and presenting a completely different image of himself. It was a steep learning curve for me of how deceptive people could be. I trust my intution now, but also learned how to watch people for signs of the kind of tactics that are used to deceive. It is not easy.
In fact only in the last few years I have been fooled by someone, but I saw their true colours starting to come through a long time before others did.

Hills apologies if stating the obvious

When you're not well and the bedroom plants suffer, is the heating being used more?

I've never been to Beachy Head. It looks amazing. But I can imagine the pull.

I'm thinking to treat myself to a protective bit of jewellery, probably has to be a ring as my skin is increasingly irritated by wearing even a light chain.

Nope. I like my hot water bottle and it gets used all year round as it is good for pain relief. And right now the heating is on less.
And what gets me is the fact that it is only the bedroom plants, non of the others (well except the cuttings but that is completely natural i forgot to add more water caused) The plants have had worse neglect and pull through when i have not been sick. It is just when i am sick and/or really stressed they die. And it consistently happens (has done so for more than 10yrs)
Randomly i still have last years poinsettia alive and those have a terrible record for surviving in general. but it is on the window sil down stairs.

EmmaEmerald I have sensitive skin too, I dislike chains or hard bracelets. I keep a supply of woven cotton cords with fastenings- they cost pennies on ebay, and use those to wear my favourite necklaces or stones.
It's usually simple to transfer the decorative part over to the cotton cord, and feels much better against the skin.
I only wear cotton rope type bracelets too.

HillsBesideTheSea have you tried a matron plant? One plant that is fiercely vigorous will often encourage other plants to grow. I have no evidence to back up this claim- but it works for me!
If I grow tomatoes or chillies indoors I will place a thriving plant ( any type) amongst the seedlings to show the way.

The same principle works in outdoor spaces too.
In the past 25 years I have taken two gardens from barren to juicy fecundity, bursting with trees, foliage and wildlife.

Both gardens - including my current garden were barren wastelands, gravel, concrete and patchy lawn.
Nothing would grow, seedlings withered. I persevered, started planting trees, and it took a few years, but I could feel the spirit of Gaia making herself at home. When I left my last house the garden was unrecognisable, I was sad to leave but glad I had made a difference.
My current garden has followed the same pattern, the first few years everything struggled, but once the trees started to find their feet everything followed. My garden is bursting with life, anything I plant takes off quickly and vigorously, I have plants popping up that I didn't even sow, most weeds are welcome, wildlife has settled in.

It feels like a "tipping point" for plants indoors and out, I rarely have success with single plants on a window ledge or area, but raising the growth energy encourages other plants or those that struggle.
I would be interested if anyone else has noticed this.

Hi everyone and a belated thanks to you @Hedjwitch for the tips on oils etc. I know I'm being called to investigate this more so great to hear how you go about it.

I've only partially caught up with the thread but I'm sending love to those of you struggling with various things. I really recognise the concept of the imp of the peverse and it resonates with me a lot. My friend who is psychic has a theory that this happens when you come into contact with spirits who are healing through you. Perhaps someone who had a traumatic life... scary whatever it is.

In happier news, I just ate the first tomato from my plants. DELICIOUS. Think I'll make a big batch of bruschetta topping when more ripen mmmm x

Not much to say (as always) but wanted to pop on and send love to anyone having a tough time.

Thanks for the suggestion Speakout unfortunately all that happens is the plant die such that they all get weak (including the one that is supposed to be strong and protective) and progressively drop off. This was a dosy I have lost 9 plants from the same windowsil.
I have resorted to some fake foliage in order to have the plant based oasis atm. I will see when i get back on my feet what i will do about having plants on that windowsil long term. I am too sick at present to even consider the 10min drive to the garden centre.

@HillsBesideTheSea really sorry that you're feeling so unwell, it must be miserable. No suggestions on plants I'm afraid. Like you, I've given in and switched to artificial ones as I don't see, to be able to keep them alive either, but like the look of lots of plants everywhere.

I've not been feeling great the last couple of days either. Generally feeling tired and run down, but also very emotional and low mood which I'm finding it difficult to snap out of. Work is exhausting and mentally draining and I'm finding some of the personalities in my team difficult to deal with. Not sure what to do about it really as I've not got the energy to start job hunting.

Lammas blessings to you all, sisters 💙

Having a very weird couple of weeks! (Is there any other kind?!)

Lammas Blessings ❤️🙏

@hilariousnamehere yes, I can totally relate. I feel like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster 😭 I follow Kirsty Gallagher on Facebook and there seems to be a lot of planetary things going on at the moment, plus tonight's Supermoon, which I'm certain is the reason I'm feeling exhausted, dehydrated and headachy (the full moon hangover feeling!) I've achieved nothing whatsoever at work this week.

Lammas blessings to all.

Hills, so sorry you're feeling so unwell. Wish we could help. Will send healing vibes.

i couldn't sleep till about 3.30 last night, I thought it was full moon but
I guess that's tonight. Doubt I will see it though, too cloudy.

Ayup! Hereditary witch here. (Mum was a witch, dad a muggle!)
Thanks for the post!

Ah! Maybe this is the explanation for how I feel. Also run down, exhausted, overwhelmed, dehydrated and irritable. I feel displaced, disorientated and unwell and so so tired.

Good morning, sisters and hello @SwordToFlamethrower

I hope everyone had a glimpse of the moon and a good Lammas. It threw it down here and when it wasn’t doing that, it was cloudy. No sight of the moon and it’s raining heavily again today. My celebration was gathering some ‘moon daisies’ and other garden plants and setting up a little altar. I had a goddess candle to burn which melted so fast the wick got drowned, and I ended up improvising with an ordinary dinner candle. I doubt the powers that be mind a bit of improv’.

Mr C has been moved on again - so farewell view of trees and roosting pigeons - and farewell actual ward. He is now in a room that is technically for people waiting to be discharged. It’s like the weirdest youth hostel experience ever, no locker for his things so it’s on a chair in bags, no nurse call button but a dainty little bell. At least it’s warm! No news either. I have a meeting with the therapy team on Friday. We plod on.

The melted matriarch!

Some posters have mentioned artificial plants

I know you can get some lovely ones but I tend to find them very expensive, so wondered where you are buying them? Thanks.

I struggle with artificial plants - I feel like they're the opposite of an actual plant. But then I'm pretty good at killing actual plants 🧐, so maybe I should reconsider.

I struggle too but the flat needs a bit of green and I'm crap at plants, hence I wondered where people found good ones.

Just catching up after a busy week.
Welcome to the thread SwordToFlamethrower, good to have you here.

I hope everyone enjoyed Litha/Lammas/Lughnasadh and celebrated in a way that suited.
I attended my women's circle, so deeply healing at a ritual level.
We are so completely saturated with rain here, flooding everywhere, and I notice that even indoor spaces are starting to smell damp- local shops, my gym hall, even W H Smith have buckets for leaking roofs and that earthy mossy aroma.
I think part of success with indoor plants is making sure you have the right plant for the right position.
Light levels, heat, draughts all impact a plant's success, as will size of pot, type of compost, drainage levels.
I watch how plants respond to certain positions and move if I see the slightest deterioration. If you have a new plant also check for new growth- that will indicate if a plant is happy, new growth will usually stop before a plant starts to die, so you have time to intervene.
Most plants need regular watering, but don't like being waterlogged. Test the soil by dipping in a finger or even better lift up the pot to feel the weight. Only water when needed- and this can vary from week to week. Pots need drainage holes, with a saucer or plate underneath. Ceramic pots with no holes are useless.
Plants may need moving throughout the year. A plant may thrive at a windowsill in the winter months, but die in that same position in the summer.

Do some research.
Think about the type of plant you would want in a spot- tall, upright, trailing etc, and what the conditions are like in that spot- how much light, heat, nighttime temperatures etc. Some plants like shade, others bright sun.
I bought a Devil's ivy last year for my downstairs toilet. Very low levels of natural light, a small window facing into my front porch, so I researched and found the ivy which thrives in shady spots. It has taken off completely, outgrown its pot twice, and bursting forth new growth.

I have no experience of plastic plants, but Ikea seem to have a large range.

Off to start my morning rituals, have a great day magical friends.