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

That sounds very interesting watchyourfriends.

I agree about low conflict in pagan beliefs, we are a very open minded community.
My family is christian, but different denominations, and that causes conflict, and they are all christians!

I don't see my pagan path as a religion, and if an outsider asks then I tell them I am atheist- because I feel that is the closest description of my beliefs.

But I work with deity and observe sabbats.

Just typed a really long post and lost the whole lot, so frustrating!

I'll come back to the thread later, but just wanted to say send @Hedjwitch some positive energy 💫 Sorry you're suffering, Fibro is a horrible condition. It sounds like you've got on you're play, elderly care is physically and emotionally exhausting. I think cancelling your moon circle is entirely sensible. Sometimes self care is just cancelling plans and going to bed if that's what you need to do.

It is very infuriating when that happens VioletCharlotte.
I try to write first in Word which autosaves, if I intend to write anything of length, but we don't always know when our post will be a longer one.
Writing things out a second time never seems to capture the same flow does it.

I hope those feeling unwell, tired or overwhelmed find some supportive energy today.
I have to wrap and send some christmas gifts abroad soon- the box and paper have been sitting for a week, I brought everything down from the spare room hoping I would find the initiative. But that hasn't worked so far!
It feels like flicking on the christmas switch and I am not ready for that just yet.
I normally do get in the seasonal mood- I am sure it will happen. at some point.

It is very cold and windy here, I can hear things clattering about outside and rain battering against the windows.
Time for a hot shower to start my day.
I have a yoga class later this morning, it is along a country road, but not far, and the studio is usually warm and inviting. I feel very fortunate to have affordable classes so close to me.

Have a good day sisters

Good morning and hello to new folks. Sending energy and healing to anyone in need of it today. I call the feeling I get as the year moves to its close PST or Pre-Solstice Tension. My energy levels just dwindle regardless of what I do. We are mammals and I think we should be hibernating but we live in a complex modern world that, bizarrely, decides we should all embrace more work and energy expenditure during the time of least natural light, all in the name of celebrating. I try to get some contact with Nature and some daylight and to try not to expect too much of myself. This is also, I find, a reflective and ‘turning inwards’ time of year, which I welcome.

Sorry if I'm sure interrupting conversations but I saw this this evening while out walking and can see something in it. It felt like a picture that would fit in well here. I sent it to a friend I haven't seen for a while thinking she would like it and she replied to say it cheered her up as she has been unwell, as I was nearby I dropped in a small gift. It feels like the the picture in the skies was guiding me. I just wanted to share. X

Hello lovely people. Been taking some time out as BOTH myself and baby got Covid and oh my god, that was the pits.

@Hedjwitch sending you strength and solidarity with the tiredness.

And @Craftycorvid I couldn't agree more that our bodies and minds are crying out for what nature intended at this time of year - a bloody good rest, a turning inward and less going on. Not more. We humans (and the system we live under and take for normal) are pretty crackers. I envy the bare trees in my garden and the slowing down of nature. We are of course nature too, but capitalist systems and society would have us believe otherwise.

Beautiful photo @Hoolahoophop

MaculataO I am sorry to hear you have been unwell, I hope you are feeling a bit stronger.

A beautiful photo Hoolahoophop , it has a very magical, ethereal feel.

I think you are spot on Craftycorvid, we struggle to push the boat out for christmas when our minds and bodies crave quiet, inward soft energy.
I have grown to love the still quiet of winter, perfect for shadow work, tending our roots.
I have always loved the first weeks in January, when christmas is packed away, the house calm and still.
I am trying to calm the christmas this year.
Eating out on christmas day should lessen the load a little, and I will do most of my gift buying online or locally.
If I do need to visit stores it will be outside peak times, I find big busy retail parks and shops overwhelming. If I plan my visit- say for a Tuesday morning at 9am, 2 shops and 30 minutes max I can minimise the impact.

Well today is chemo day so I am going to be doing nothing but relaxing this afternoon but a good thing is that I am having my second mastectomy 3rd Dec (a Sunday! I didn't know they did surgery on a Sunday) which means I will be off work until after Yule so I am feeling very much like we will be having a lovely quiet celebration.
So as a family we have decided to spend until 23rd in a cottage in the middle of no where, watch the sunrise on the solstice morning do our ritual for the year to come and spend the rest of the day with cheesy movies and board games...that sounds like my idea of bliss!

I hope everyone is able to have a relaxing weekend and not get too overwhelmed. Have a great one everyone 😀

Slightlylostalongtheway I hope your chemo today went smoothly.

I am glad you popped in, please take supportive energy from this thread.

The cottage you booked sounds wonderful, I am rather envious!
Making Yule/Solstice/christmas meaningful for you is such a wise thing to do.
It is very easy to get caught up in the drama and panic and forget to enjoy the season.

@Slightlylostalongtheway I hope things went ok for you. Sending lots of healing goodness your way.

I have a question that some of you may know the answer to. This winter solstice we are planning a trip to Stonehenge with the baby to welcome it in. However from what I can see, the English Heritage website doesn't announce the day they'll be opening up early until quite near the time (20th or 21st Dec apparently). I am wondering how/ where I can keep an eye on this. We aren't local and luckily have a lovely person putting us up for two nights, but obviously we will need to know when to leave so not to miss it. So yeah, just wondering if anyone's done this before and how you found out the date! I am assuming its Eng Heritage site...

Apologies for the massive link, the EH website has all the details.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/solstice/winter-solstice-2023/%23:~:text%3DEntry%2520to%2520the%2520monument%2520will,the%2520car%2520parks%2520by%252011am.&ved=2ahUKEwjmzO3l-d-CAxWiV0EAHSRlAyAQFnoECA0QBQ&usg=AOvVaw3gfs60O3cf9bvyEceshEul

I'm going to Edinburgh for a few days in the morning. Looking forward to paying my respects at the Witches Well...

LadyLolaRuben that sounds lovely.

While you are there you may enjoy The Museum of Magic
https://www.museummfw.com/ - it has only recently opened - so I can't vouch for it personally but does have good reviews

or Black Moon Botanica in Candlemaker Row https://blackmoonbotanica.co.uk/ small but packed full of candles, Tarot decks, incense, jewelry and other magical items.

Both are a short walk from the Witch's Well on the castle esplanade.

The Witchery restaurant is a stone's throw from the well too- a bit pricey, but lots of good fresh Scottish food, the restaurant is beautifully decorated, very opulent, dramatic, gothic, a visual feast.
https://www.thewitchery.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=hotel-witcherybythecastle

Full moon blessings friends.
I hope the moon brings a manifestation of good things.

Today's full moon in Gemini illuminates information.
Truths may be revealed or secrets told, announcements come with a fanfare.
A square with saturn shows that acting in haste due to new information may not bring the best outcome, taking time to process and consider will be the best path.

Thank you so much for these. I visited the Witches Well today.

I saw Black Moon Botanica today as well during an open top bus sight seeing tour. Hope to go on foot tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing the full moon tonight over Edinburgh Castle...

Full moon blessings sisters. @speakout thank you for this, currently embroiled in a saga of idiocy, and have had to change lots of appointments and plans this week to accommodate calls and research ahead of a meeting on Thursday evening. It's driving both me and my mum mad so this is timely advice!

I've been feeling off kilter all day today and more anxious as night approached - not entirely sure why, but hoping sleep will help and despite the frustrations, tomorrow will be a better day. Sorry, I am such a mood hoover lately!

On the plus side my new office and studio is still bringing a lot of joy and I will try and remember to get a photo of my magical shelf - it's all fairly magical in there but one shelf on my main desk has tarot, oracle, a raven and a magpie and it makes me smile every time I look up.

Hugs to all with medical stuff going on too - I have no useful advice as all my broken and wonky bits that cause pain come and go rather than being constant. But you're in my thoughts.

@Slightlylostalongtheway hope chemo behaved!

Morning sisters, this was the view outside my window and on the windowsill around 5am

Hello all, so sorry not been on felt a little rubbish! Picked up now. Thanks for the kind words, so nice to feel the added support.

@hilariousnamehere whenever I get like that I deep clean my house and then cleanse it. Some lovely oils to lift my spirits. That might help you feel better. Or sit with the feelings, explore them and just know that you are loved regardless of whether you are a feeling a bit grumpy.

I'm sure you've all heard of elf on a shelf...well in our house we do the Yule Tomte, we read a page of the story each day and then the "tomte" leaves a challenge for the children to do. These challenges might be "bake some biscuits to give to a neighbour" or "smile at 3 strangers" all in an aim to spread happiness and I think we all need a bit of that. What are your Yule traditions...if you celebrate

Beautiful moon over Krakow last night. Feeling rested after a lovely city break.

@Slightlylostalongtheway as kids we grew up on the Julenissen version. But we didn't do challenges or anything. We also had the annual watching of Risen til Julestjerne.

I have an SN kid who detests christmas, the change and the sensory overstimuli. So we are very low key. I personally mark the Solstice. We then mark the 24th and the 25th with good food and company. I like an advent candle (because fire) rather than the calendars.

I am feeling very lost and disorientated. And emotionally down. Turns out the building work is even bigger than feared and won't finish until possibly Easter. I am tired of living in a house where the lounge is full of the contents of 4 rooms and you can find nothing. It is hard to find magic in this situation. So i am going to plan a few trips out to find that magical feeling I am currently craving.

Hello, I'm hoping I can join this thread and lurk at the back. I've had a difficult year and am finding myself more and more drawn to elements of pagan thought as a way to cope. I'm just learning about the wheel of the year and want to really lean into that from now on. I live very rurally and within sight of Glastonbury Tor, out most days with the dog so am very much aware of my place and the changing seasons here. I'm off work today as I don't feel able to cope with it. Hope it is ok to sit at the back and enjoy the sound of that chat.

@HillsBesideTheSea I get that, my son is autistic and struggles with change and the over stimulation that's why we tend to be very low key. He loves the tomte though because he's in the house year round and part of our traditions year round it doesn't freak him out.
I know it's easier said than done but try to focus on the end point rather than the situation at the moment...it's so hard with building work. Nothing is ever where you need it to be and everything feels off but once it's done you will feel so much better. I had to spend so much time out of my house when mine was being renovated (following a fire) but it fades once it is finished. We made the magic outdoors last year when our house was in chaos...fire pit, forest walks with head lamps etc. Here if you want to vent xxx

@tinselvestsparklepants oh I love Glastonbury. I used to live in Frome (Rode actually) and visit often. Sit a while, everyone is lovely here...as far as I've seen. I'm sure everyone will welcome you. Hope your day of self care has helped 😊

@HillsBesideTheSea sorry you're struggling. I would find long term building work/ home renovations extremely difficult. I struggle with having trades people in my home just to do small jobs, so I really feel for you. As you say, it'll be lovely when it's all done, but not much fun while you're living with it. I hope you manage to find some magic.

Positivity going out to everyone who's struggling or feeling under the weather at the moment. I'm feeling very low energy myself this week. I'll light a candle for us all at 8 🕯️