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

Ahhhh I miss you all and life is ridiculous again but sending love and magic and oomph and energy to you all. Have managed to clear a day at the weekend without anyone needing me for anything so going to read (books, and catching up with this thread and the stationery thread mainly) and eat cake and very possibly just sit in the sun in my PJs all day. If it rains I'll happily stay in bed 😂

Hope you're all ok, I'm sorry to fly in without reading but I will catch up over the weekend x

Hope you get that weekend break @hilariousnamehere

I’m currently deciding which job I tackle on any given day as most of my day revolves around hospital visiting/getting to and from the hospital, so I either have a morning to myself or an afternoon. It’s still a weird limbo state in that I can’t get anything in motion around making adaptations in the house as I just don’t know what will be needed/recommended. Mr C can walk with assistance but his vision and processing problems mean he has no idea of direction. I am just gathering as much information as I can at the moment. The dire state of our public systems of health and welfare means I am assuming we will have to fend for ourselves, financially and practically.

I am also trying my best to look after myself in the middle of it all. I’m hopefully seeing a friend later and going to an evening meditation/sound bath. I’m trying to stay active and exercise. I see a therapist (was doing so in any case, but it’s good to have in place). And it’s great to have this on-line community to connect with! I’m slowly working my way through a spell/meditation around the moon phases at the moment. Bit by bit seems to be the theme.

Lovely to see you hilariousnamehere, I hope you get the rest you need and deserve.

Craftycorvid I am glad you are taking time for self nurture too, especially needed during challenging times.
How did the meeting go with the discharge team?

You can't be expected to decide what adaptations and support Mr C needs on his return home. Have the hospital discussed ongoing home assessment?

When my mother returned home after a recent stroke I made it very clear that I would not be doing any care for her- despite the fact she lives with me. So she was assessed as a person returning home alone.
I did have to shout a little to make my needs known, I work full time and I care for someone else too.
But they did listen and the support was fantastic.

The LA provided lots of equipment- a shower seat, call alarm, a walker, toilet frames.
In the first few months we had carers 3 times a day, to help dress shower and breakfast, a lunch visit, evening visit for dinner and bedtime.
She also had physio and OT visits several times a week, the carers would take her through the daily exercises as instructed.
All this support was also part of the assessment, and some visits were dropped by mutual agreement by my mother, me and OT.

At no point were we left in the lurch, the care was pretty seamless.
My mother has made a very good recovery and needs no carers now, but she has transport to supermarkets, a day centre, social activities.

I would urge you to find some carer's support to advocate for your position.
For the practical side of things, financial if you need it, emotional support too.

Sending love and energy.

@speakout and @Craftycorvid sending love and positive energy to you and your families.
Hope you’re ok @hilariousnamehere.

More good news for our little puppy. All the test results are clear. The growths are scar tissue from her ingesting poison - the vet has said that she will be able to make a full recovery and with a few special considerations should live a full and healthy life.

I just wanted to thank you all again and also ask for ways I could give an offering to thank the universe. I’m not very far along in my journey so I didn’t pray to any specific gods or goddesses. But I do want to say thank you for the higher powers that guided us through.

I’m going to make some extra donations to animal charities this month, but I would welcome any more ideas or ways I can show my gratitude.

I hope everyone has a blessed and positive weekend and thank you all again for the support. This is such a special group x

@Craftycorvid whereabouts are you?

I have found that getting help you're entitled to is heavily dependent on knowing what to ask for. It's rare they will actually tell you.

@speakout and @EmmaEmerald many thanks for the reassuring words and the advice. I am in Yorkshire. We have had a meeting at which Mr C’s progress was discussed - it didn’t tell me anything I hadn’t already observed for myself. We arranged a home visit to assess what we might need - that’s almost certainly going to include a safe way to get in and out of the house! We live in an old house with lethal steps both back and front. I’ve been pricing up carer support (think local authority round our way tends to be dire). I think it’s going to be complete ‘suck it and see’ as to how much he needs at home, but I like the concept of starting with high support and tapering.

@OfTheNight so glad the puppy is on the mend!

@Craftycorvid oh that's good they got the ball rolling.

you should get help from the reablement team and I think that might include equipment, and carer visits, for six weeks, regardless of income.

Craftycorvid Mr C should be entitled to non means tested free home care anywhere in the UK. you say your LA is dire, but they have a legal obligation to provide it.
Most home care seems to be delivered by private companies contracted by the LA, but is regulated and has to be of an agreed standard.

Is there a reason you think your LA won't deliver adequate care? I was very surprised at the huge support the LA could muster.

Please prioritise your own needs in this situation. You are important.

OfTheNight I am glad to hear of puppy's progress, great news.

It's good that you felt supported here, and the healing energies helped puppy during the last week or so.

I hear your gratitude, but this is how our group works. Although we are online we are real people, with real lives behind the keyboard. And the energy we create together can do some amazing things. As much as you feel supported, many of us have gone through difficult times, and this magical place can support, heal, give wisdom.
My friends on this thread have given me so much support in the past few years, and I know I can speak for others who feel the same.
And in turn we help our sisters when they are down, or lost, or troubled. The energy spins around as we give and take to each other and create magic.
We empower each other, give when we can, receive with an open heart when we need to.
A gratitude ceremony sounds a lovely thing to do, if you feel a higher power, then good- many of us don't. To see the divine you only need a mirror.

I have been sitting on my hands a little. Unfortunately Speakout whether or not there is a legal duty many many many people in this LA are missing out on the care that in theory they should have because there is just not enough staff to cover it. In a previous role we spend many hours trying to direct people to services. Frustrating as hell because there were none to direct them to. No public funded, virtually non private. Not all LAs are equal. And if you are in an area that has coverage it can be hard to understand how bad the LAs are which don't

What i will say is ask, and push for it. but sometimes as much as people want to help there is just not enough staff and resourses.
That said the Red cross used to have a service wrt equipment and it would be worth looking into it before you purchase. Just bare in mind that their stuff is typically for short term use, so longer term use it might still be necessary. But please do request and go down the LA route first.

"To see the divine you only need a mirror."
Love this quote @speakout

Me too!

Ofthenight I think just the way we conduct ourselves can be a form of gratitude.

speakout I'm glad things worked out with your mum. I've ended up having a nervous breakdown over it all.

EmmaEmerald I am sorry to hear of your breakdown. Life throws some heavy duty stuff at us doesn't it. I was lucky in a way that my mother's illness came at at time I was having some amazing psychotherapy. I was able to process and find coping strategies with the help of my therapist.

I hear what you say about inadequacies in the care service HillsBesideTheSea. I can believe that support is a post code lottery. And often it comes down to the route of those that shout the loudest get the best care, and that is often not those in need or the most vulnerable.
In retrospect I fought hard to secure home care for my mother, I researched, I spoke to agencies and charities, I found out what was likely or possible, I told everyone, repeatedly that I would not be giving her care of any type, except for a bed and a roof. It worked, but many people would not have the resources or fortitude to do so, and sadly these are the people most in need.

I feel so tired this evening, a busy few days, and emotionally taxing at home due to ongoing drama. I am having my second cup of sleepy tea and not sure I can even muster energy to eat. I have bought some fresh fruit so maybe have some of that before bed.

Morning all! Thank you @speakout @EmmaEmerald and others who have offered support and advice. No one ‘official’ has given me any information beyond ‘here’s how Mr C is doing with his physio’. One more mature (and emotionally savvy) therapist has told me of a few things she happens to know via her role, otherwise nada. ‘Kindly attend hospital, do your partner’s laundry and shut up’ appears to be the message. To answer the issue of LAs, without being too revealing, I live in an area of completely shocking poverty and social deprivation. LAs are drowning. I know just how much they are drowning as I have worked as an IAPT therapist. I also see what people are already battling in daily life. We have enormous rates of addictions and mental health difficulties in our area. It’s great to know that non-means-tested support ought to be there, though, and I will be firm about needing it.

I enjoyed a brief interlude yesterday evening with a meditation and sound bath, which was a lovely antidote to some of the stress and anger of the week. It’s quite a new yoga studio, tucked away behind a supermarket and a takeaway. No less tranquil for its setting and maybe there is a message in that?

Wishing you all tranquil Saturdays.

I am glad to hear you are caring for yourself Craftycorvid.

The idea of a yoga studio behind a supermarket sounds perfect, and I think carries a message.
If we wait until we have a perfect idyllic life and situation we will never find the magic, the power of spirit the calm in our soul.
Despite all the man made around us the spirit of Gaia is strong, she has such patience, resilience, tenacity, and energy.
On my few visits to the city I love to see how nature manifests in the smallest of paving crack reminding us of the power beneath our feet.

It's a wild and windy day here, but dry , so I have hung my laundry outside with a double row of pegs.
My sheets will be crackling with wind energy when I bring them in.

I love that image, @speakout ! I have seen a stinging nettle wearing a tarmac ‘hat’ before now. Resilience, it is!

Mr C has today been described by a nurse as ‘a very difficult man’. I’m very proud. 😁 And my ‘return the stolen items and no one gets hurt’ spell worked a treat. Meek expressions and ‘er, a patient’s family took them by accident - they returned them.’ 😈 Casually remarking that it could be foolish going on the rob from a witch works a treat.

@Craftycorvid good work! You and DH sound like a force to be reckoned with. You have to stand up for yourself and advocate for your loved ones when they're on hospital, I found that out when my Grandmother was in there. The staff are incredibly busy I know, but honestly, some of them just don't seem to care. We found things were noticeably worse at the weekend.

I've had a quiet weekend which was much needed after going to a festival on Friday. Being able to dance in a field to love music was fabulous, but my stamina isn't what it used to be! The weather has been warm and dry and I enjoyed a long walk in the forest with my dog and picked some blackberries. I'm noticing a hint of autumn in the air, the hedgerows are full of berries and the nights are starting to draw in earlier now. Normally by the end of august, I'm looking forward to the cosy autumnal days, but it's been so wet this year we don't seem to have had much of a summer, so I'm hoping we've got a bit more sunshine to come.

I love the sound of your forest walk Violet Charlotte, picking blackberries with a dog. I am planning a forest walk today if it keeps dry.
Welcome Diplidocus4, I am glad you have posted. I would love to attend a sound bath, but most I have found are too far or very expensive.
I do meditate though, there are many ways to do that, youtube has lots of amazing guided meditations.
I learned TM many years ago, it is a powerful technique, and many yoga classes include meditation or have a special yoga nidra session.
Many Bhuddist temples welcome non Bhuddists to meditation sessions, often free or by donation, worth a visit if that interests you.
Meditation can be very simple, I sat in the garden yesterday to do some shadow meditation, it was very healing.

Have a great day sisters.

Morning all!

@VioletCharlotte I like to think we are a resourceful pair.

I too have noticed the nights drawing in and all the berries ripening, though I don’t think we’ll get many blackberries this time with all the rain. Our apple tree is loaded and I hope that bears a good crop.

I have been looking for the power of Nature in unlikely places. At the hospital they have a courtyard garden - very sadly neglected. Judging by the tubs and plant labels, and the tool lock-up, it seems someone once planned for the garden to be a real project (and possibly the pandemic and a strained budget has interrupted). It’s alive with buddleia and bees, though, and Mr C enjoyed being able to make his way around the paths with the aid of a couple of hiking poles. We sat in the sunshine and just enjoyed the warmth. Would be lovely if someone could adopt the garden as a ‘friends’ group. With all of our medications and surgical interventions, we ignore how much healing potential there is in being connected to the natural world.

Morning all!

I'm up to my eras in packing. We are having our bathroom completely ripped out, stud walls built and new suite etc. They start next week so we're having to pack away so much stuff - not just the bathroom - because of the inevitable dust.
In all honesty there is so much going on right now that I am not finding this summer holiday relaxing at all.
We did manage a trip to the cricket in Nottingham at the weekend.
My ear felt itchy, I rubbed the back of it thinking maybe a bug was on me and discovered a huge and very rough patch of eczema. I have never had this before. I think my body is really struggling, I have so many health issues suddenly.

Anyway, on the bright side we're going to a camp out party at friends this coming weekend, always with a group of wonderfully creative people. And the host recently saw the Silver Spoons Collective at Lancaster so I am looking forward to hearing all about it.

obviously that should be ears and not eras....

Morning all, hope you had a lovely weekend!
@VioletCharlotte the walk sounds great! We went to do the same but once in the car realised it's so lovely outside why not go to the beach instead - so I was collecting shells and stones instead of blackberries ☺️

A great find SeaEssence, I love hagstones. I have a couple but on the lookout for one small enough to be worn as a necklace.

queenrollo I hope the building work goes smoothly. It will be worth the disruption.
I am not great with workmen in the house, really ruffles my feathers having people stomp about my space. I only have them visit when absolutely necessary.
I am not fond of decorating either, but I have plans to spruce up my living room to reflect my interests.
I have had enough of "protecting" people from my true self and interests.
I have been mulling over colours, furniture and artwork for a while.
I love the stripped back scandi style, but like soft things. I also plan a reading nook at the far end of the living room, which looks out into my garden.

I love the bones and stones feel of this video.
I have developed a liking for the band Heilung, a rock/pagan/neolithic/new age type sound. Totally magical and mesmerising.
Some of their music is a little heavy for my tastes, but this song is captivating-

I would love some musical ideas, I love listening to music while I work.

g

Thanks for the link, @speakout I’ve just enjoyed a magical tour of Heilung’s music. Will investigate further but for now we must do the chores.