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

I'm actually not into structured anything but a couple of times I've felt my bits and bobs and wishes have attracted a wee bit more than I bargained for, is all I can say. Not necessarily in a bad way, though.

but it made me think about "be careful what you wish for" I guess. Though I haven't had any luck with lottery tickets or anything!

Thanks. Its not right on the doorstep but only half an hour away so not too bad. Such a glorious feeling once you are in and over the shock

Weechookiebirdie I don't think I have ever cast a spell that hasn't worked to some extent, and many dramatic manifestations so quick and powerful they have sent me reeling.
During my 20s and 30s I loved big flamboyant ceremonies that would have me collecting materials and planning for weeks ahead.
But seasons change and I find myself practicing small magic, my days are peppered with lots of little enchanted acts. I do big spellwork maybe twice a year or so if situations present themselves, so not that often.

Everyday magic allows me to live a more enchanted life- magical acts have become so second nature that the lines have become blurred between mundane and magical. I find myself doodling sigils, stirring magical intent into food, using flames, candles, blessings, herbs, tea, plants, stargazing.
Doing housework is magical, cleansing and clearing. Yoga is magical, meditation is magical, having a shower is magical, I stop at my wolf wood on my way back from the supermarket to check in with the spirits and soak up some divine energy.
I feel magic everywhere.

@VioletCharlotte thank you for the good wishes. We have a meeting with the therapy team on Thursday to discuss Mr C’s progress. It’s difficult because we don’t yet know what adaptations he will need at home yet, just that he will need some.

re: crochet. Yes, it can be fiddly doing double crochets into your base chain. You certainly could try experimenting with a slightly larger hook and yarn. In the meantime, you could try the yarn you have been using with a slightly smaller hook. Generally, if you just see each loop of the chain as a stitch and then count again once you have done your base row to ensure you still have the correct number, that should help. And when you turn rows, I suggest two chains at the end of the row, turn and make the first stitch into the second double crochet along. Otherwise it’s easy for the sides of your work to increase and decrease rather randomly! But just experiment. Do a few pieces to test. Is there a knit and natter group near you? Sometimes just sharing tips with other crafters helps a lot and they can actually show you as well.

I want a Wolf wood as a detour on my way home from shopping! I think you must all live in wonderful places. Finding the wild in a city can be a challenge. We do have a park with one or two hidden wild spaces, such as a lovely grove of Yew trees, and we have a garden at home (a wet brambly one at the moment - I need to brave the rain and get snipping). Peaceful Mondays, all.

Craftycorvid good luck with your meeting on Thursday.
You may want to consider having a carer's assessment before discharge.
Although your caring capacity will hopefully be temporary take all the support on offer.
Having been through this process with my mother recently it has been a steep learning curve.

Mr C's needs at home will be hard to determine, so there will be ongoing assessement on his return.
That will be done by a community based discharge to assess team, which may include OT, physios, nurses, carers depending on need.
Push for as much care as you can before discharge, it can then be trimmed back later when home needs are better understood.

Be mindful of your own needs in all this- which is why I suggested a carers assessement. That will look at the time you have - working hours, and your need for uninterrupted sleep. You can't be expected to deliver night time caree then work a full day for instance. Your own mental and physical health can be considered and other caring or responsibilities you have.

I had an early start today, fitted in an hour's work before breakfast, I want to be on hand in case DD drops by. She is having investigations at the Cardiology dept at the hospital, she has been having concerning episodes.
She wants to go alone- just like her Mum! I prefer attending medical appointments alone, having someone being sympathetic beside me makes things worse! She may swing by afterwards, so I will have some time carved out if she does.

Have a magical day sisters.

I keep meaning to join this chat but never get around to it.
I am an Alexandrian Wiccan High Priestess running an active coven. Archdruidess. Running an active Fellowship of Isis group too. Waves to everyone 🙂🙂

I've been meaning to post this for a little while as I am mulling it over and would really like outside persepctive.
I have connected with someone local to me on social media, who is so lovely. They run courses but all of it based around Angels and I know in the Spirit and Destiny type magazines there is always a lot of talk of Angels too.
For me I really struggle to connect with the idea of working with angels because in my mind they are a Christian/orthodox religious construct and I don't believe in that ideaology at all.
Just wondering if anyone else has thoughts on this?
I find so many spiritual workshops will talk of angels (like Reiki for example) and then I just lose interest because I equate them so much with God and the bible and 'heaven' that I just can't invest emotionally or energetically in it.

queen if it's not for you

but I went to a church school and completely forget the links with Christianity. I guess I think if someone or something is going to help you out, it doesn't matter what earthbound links I have in my head.

speakout re your DD, I had VTC and palpitations in my 20s. It was nothing, work stress maybe. But, at the time, I was told women in their 20s are a group who often have this and it turns out to be random, not sure if that's any help but I'm fine still, nearly twice the age now!

Sorry my brain is a bit mushy for names as i have been under the weather.

Wrt crochet, i ALWAYS do my starting chain in a hook bigger than i intend to work. I am a tight crocheter and my chain stitch particularly suffers from this.
I started an attice 24 grannie stripe blanket that i am working in 4mm needle for the body but i used a 5.5mm for the starting chain, and it is still so tight i possibly could have gone up but it is close enough that a boarder and blocking will hide it.

Honestly i have been know to do a knitted cast on to start my blanket because of tightness and tension issues with the starting chain. It is ok, but remember when you do the chain NOT to pull the stitches tight, and a death grip will result in your wrist hurting so relax and try to make flowing rather than forced stitches. Tension takes a while to figure out sometimes, and it is ok. It is part of the learning process. Congratulations and well done for getting started.

Thank you for the advice, @speakout and I do hope your daughter’s appointment goes well. I can totally relate to doing that kind of thing on my own as well! Sending her some good vibes.

I got a call from the community stroke people yesterday. I think they imagined they were calling Mr C as he must have told them my mobile was the contact at some point. I have been considering the carer impact. I want and need to continue my work (and some training I have been doing). I’m self employed so my hours are flexible but no work=no pay! I have had to keep reminding them that I am a lot younger than my husband, but that does not mean I’m signing up to be 24/7 support - I doubt we’d have a marriage left if I did that and my health would suffer, so where would that leave us? Being a lot younger also means I hope to continue working for longer. When my mum was alive, she had some input from Helping Hands so I intend to give them a call as well. When I visited yesterday, Mr C was rather confused. I’m not sure how much of the confusion may resolve over time and be mitigated by familiar surroundings, but I also think he was skirting the boundaries of memory loss before the stroke; I had noticed subtle changes. We plod on!

So, today the sun is out but the grass is still soaking wet from yesterday’s deluge so I don’t think I can tackle that just yet. I’m going to get some bread on the go in the bread maker whilst I crack on with some admin’. Peaceful days, all!

@queenrollo I’m having a very similar dilemma. I never consciously realised the Christian connection but I feel uncomfortable as soon as angels get mixed into articles/books/courses. I used to go to Sound healing meditation regularly, until one day there was a mention of Archangel Gabriel - not gone back for over a year (just started again). No mention of angels so far, and I’m prepared to phase out the talking altogether if it comes again because otherwise it’s incredibly relaxing and powerful. But the lady running it is about to start a spiritual wellbeing course, which I’d jump on head first if I wasn’t aware of her angelic tendencies - it sounds interesting and would help me learn new techniques and there’s sound healing involved more often which I really enjoy. I’m inclined to stick to my herbs 😁

@queenrollo angels don't really resonate with me either. When I used to go to the spiritualist church, they were worked a lot with angels and used angel Oracle cards. My personal view is that angels, spirit guides, gods and goddesses are all just energy. Turning energy into something tangible - an angel, a guide, a dragon...something we can visualise, helps us to connect to it and work with it. I think it's best to pick and choose the things you're drawn to. Like you, if I can't connect with something, I lose interest.

@Craftycorvid I'll continue to send positivity to you and MrC. I hope you manage to get some support in place when he comes home. You can't do it all alone and have to consider your own wellbeing too.

@Speakout I hope that your DD's appointment went ok. Interesting that you said you prefer to attend medical appointments alone. I'm the same, but I don't know anyone else like this! I like to be able to process what I'm being told and just focus on the reason I'm there.

Thanks for all the crochet tips. I think I must be pulling the stitches far too tight as I'm struggling to even see the chain! I will persevere and let you know how I get on.

Yes, I agree that there’s magic to found everywhere @speakout. I’ve no truck with authority or any kind of officialdom so anything that’s terribly structured wouldn’t be my thing. There’s an intimacy to magic which feels very personal. I hope your daughter got on ok at her appointment.

That sounds hugely stressful @Craftycorvid. Sending strength to you and Mr C.

Hello all, I’m so sorry for not updating sooner. Puppy is making a fantastic recovery, she’s been allowed to come home. The vets can’t believe that she’s managed to pick up so well. She’s very bright and playful and so happy to be home. We are still waiting for test results to determine what caused the illness to suddenly occur, but she’s doing very well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the healing energy and love sent to us and her. It has been a huge support and means so much to us. I’m truly blessed to be a part of this group, your kindness is truly appreciated.

Ofthenight I'm so glad to hear about your puppy! Thanks for updating us.

I always prefer to do medical appts alone, especially if there's waiting around.

I'm going to a spiritualist church in my new area this week, if I can muster up the energy. One of those healing things that's donation based. Really hope it helps.

Evening all. Hoping your day has been good. I’m fuming. I bought new clothes for Mr C so he’d be comfortable and smart and would have things that are easy to get on and off. The nicest item has gone missing from his locker and I strongly suspect theft. Mr C does tend to think the locker opposite is his but he definitely hadn’t put anything there. No one could seemingly give a toss when I raised the issue. He was also missing his toothbrush and had someone else’s 🤢 - I’ve replaced that. The clothes he’d been wearing were scattered on the locker and on the floor. I have hurled my choicest curses at anyone who would steal from someone vulnerable.

@Craftycorvid that's terrible, I can't believe anyone would do that! Really hope the lost item will make its way back, sending positive energy to you and Mr C

@OfTheNight great news about the puppy xx

Just flying by, it is a busy week.
DD has had the all clear from cardiologist, told she needed to rest and allow antibiotics to heal a chest infection.

She won't rest of course, but seems to be improving anyway.

There are lots of interesting posts I want to reply to, hopefully I will find time this evening. I have yoga and work before then.

Craftycorvid I am sorry to hear about the clothing going missing.
When my mother was in hospital this summer £50 went missing from her locker.
Storage is inadequate for longer term patients, she had to keep her belongings in carrier bags beside her bed.
Hospitals are such public places, staff, other patients, visitors.
Patients are taken out of the ward for tests, scans, x rays etc, usually with no notice or time to secure possessions.
My mother didn't want me to ask staff about the missing money, because she didn't want staff or other patients to feel accused.
Maintaining good relationships while in hospital is important. Patients are vulnerable, and rely on others for care, so in the end we told no-one about the missing money.
It still was annoying though.

speakout good news re DD.

Crafty we were warned about this by nurses a few years back. My parents had a few hospital stays with no cash or card kept with them, mum slept with a carrier bag actually under the blanket.

@speakout that is great news about your daughter. It must be such a relief.

I’m afraid I just lost it yesterday. I wasn’t shouting but it must have been clear I was outraged. I’m certain the staff did think I meant to accuse them (I wasn’t accusing anyone, I just wanted someone to take the situation seriously, acknowledge it wasn’t right and bloody well do something about it). I may have to grit my teeth and say as much today. And yes, my curse still goes out to anyone who would steal from a vulnerable person - but it was not spoken out loud. His wallet with cards is with me at home and it’s staying there!

Today I just feel low in spirits about the whole experience. It may seem ludicrous in the grand scheme of things. Most things can, after all, be replaced and we have much bigger concerns at present, but it really was the last straw. I think I was also reacting to the bland, bored demeanour of many of the staff - that or they trot out a stock phrase, can’t recall who Mr C is or have called him by the wrong name. This is what happens when you treat a service like a business! Oh and you underfund it for decades.

Anyhow, I’m going to rebalance by getting my nails tidied up (the lady who does them for me is a tonic) and I’m very much hoping to get into an aqua class at my gym to work off some frustration in the water. Good days, all.

Finally having some down time after a busy day. I have peppermint tea and some hazelnut chocolate.
Craftcorvid I can hear your frustrations. You sound tired and that is understandable. Having a loved one in hospital is hard, you still have to keep the home fires burning, keeping work going, bills still need paying, visiting hospital is time consuming, bringing in items, speaking to staff, taking home laundry.The focus is on our loved one, but it is also a burden for those around, however much we love that person.
It sometimes takes only one more straw to feel overwhelmed. You have a safe place here to blow off steam if you need to. I’m glad to hear that you had your nails done and spent time in the pool too. Self care becomes more important during challenging times. Good luck with the meeting tomorrow.

Thanks for the kind words about my daughter, yes it is a relief to know she is OK.
Queenrollo I feel the same way about Christian type spirituality, the angel connection etc. It is not for me. I have been turned off groups, youtube channels etc because of the Christian aspects.
Ideas of a “higher” power don’t sit well with me. If anything divinity resides below us in the earth, or within us, I don’t do boss god. For me Christianity and paganism are too dissonant, diametrically opposed to each other.

Ofthenight- delighted to hear puppy is doing so well. Young animals have such a driving life force and the energy to heal is huge. Keep us updated of puppy’s progess.

Evenings are already becoming darker, the change is noticeable now. It has been a busy day, I spent a long time working, also all the adult stuff, bank, post office, supermarket, laundry, cooking, clearing up. So this moment of calm is already turning into a sleepy moment. I will decant myself to my bed, taking a book and another cup of calming tea.

Sweet dreams sisters.

Greetings all. Sorry not really keeping up with the thread properly but reading and supporting.
A youngster in my team is struggling. Her father is dying,terminally ill with cancer. It wont be long now. Such a lot of pressure on her,supporting her mum and younger siblings. She cried in my arms today bless her. Tonight I held her in my thoughts and made some teas: chamomile,passionflower,skullcap and lemonbalm. Also some bath bags of lavender. I infused them with love and strength.
But now it seems such a trite and insensitive thing to give her. Should I offer them or not?

Hedj I was moved by all offerings when my dad was dying, so I'd say yes.

@Hedjwitch I think a kind offering made with love would be a great comfort.