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

VioletCharlotte I agree, sometimes taking an objective view of our own lives is very helpful.
I think it is common to dwell on the challenges in our lives and areas that don't go so well, but it does give us a boost when we take time to consider all the good things that are going on. Even and especially the small things.
Filling a glass of clean drinking water from a tap gives me a moment for reflection on how fortunate we are to have such an amenity.

EmmaEmerald I think forgiving others in an effort to find healing is a popular idea, I am guessing perhaps the self forgiveness comes in the form as self compassion- an idea I am on board with!

I have the sense that you have done something in the past which you regret perhaps? No need for details, but was that action really fuelled by some "bad" part of you?

I can look at many actions or words spoken in my past which were not as considered as they should have been, and caused others pain.

But I believe I was trying my best, and those actions were born of fear, naiivity, inexperience, unresolved internal trauma, and I don't judge my past self.

I may handle these situations differently if they happened now, but at that time I tried the best I could, and have compassion for that younger version of me, drowing in sorrow, pain and anxiety.

We can reach out through time and reach our past selves, give them the support they lacked, and pour compassion and salve on their hearts.

Although I work with deity, none have the power to forgive us, not their job to do so, but we can seek strength for them to support our healing.

Lovely to meet with @catherineofaragons today. We had a great witchy chat.
Wonderful to meet a spiritual sister.

It was great wasn't it? Such a lovely chat.

Speakout - thank you
your post was really helpful and I am going to write out this bit

"But I believe I was trying my best, and those actions were born of fear, naiivity, inexperience, unresolved internal trauma, and I don't judge my past self.

I may handle these situations differently if they happened now, but at that time I tried the best I could, and have compassion for that younger version of me, drowing in sorrow, pain and anxiety."

EmmaEmerald thank you for your kind words.

It is important to treat ourselves with the compassion we deserve.

Although in retrospect some of my life choices were not the best, if I could be transported back in time and be subject to the same circumstances and baggage then I would make the same choice as I did.
It is easy to have 20/20 vision in hindsight. So for that reason I regret nothing.

We are human creatures. We have big emotions and feel things deeply, life can be hard.

My family's church are fond of telling the congregation they are broken, imperfect. My mother often says " none of us are perfect". But that isn't true.

I am a perfect homo sapien- and all that entails.

If we were able to be "perfect" we would not be human. We need to embrace all our parts, all our shadows to be whole.

Anyone else been foraging,or collecting natures spoils? I am desperately trying to keep on top of apples,plums, greengages, rosehips,blackberries...while drying chamomile,calendula,sage,yarrow and cornflowers! Kitchen is looking very abundant and witchy.

Sounds amazing!

Still recovering from breakdown, haven’t been out much but have seen blackberries growing on my walks.

Hedjwitch your kitchen sounds amazing, I can imagine it must be smelling wonderful too.
I haven't done much in the way of foraging, although I have been picking and tying up bundles of herbs from my garden, they are hanging up in my front porch- the sunniest room in the house.
I have been picking apples from my garden too, but they are a little tart to eat, so I have been making apple sauce for the freezer, mixing in a little local honey.
I would love to make an apple chutney, but it isn't something I have ever tried.

We’ve had fewer blackberries than you might expect for such a wet summer - loads of brambles, though, which seem to grow several feet in a week. Our apple tree is loaded. It overhangs the neighbours’ garden and they always bring round the windfall fruit from their side (it ripens quicker that side). So today I’ve been cutting up all the bruised fruit and packing it in freezer bags. I’ve also been gifted an absolutely mammoth courgette - suggested recipes welcome. 😆

Just came back from a weekend away at Exmoor, loaded with energy from walks by rivers and ancient woodlands.

@Hedjwitch sounds wonderful! I foraged some wild oregano the other day, caught it a but late as it was starting to flower but still a bunch drying in the pantry. I'm waiting for hawthorn berries to ripen and hoping to go on a mushroom hunt soon - I've run out completely. Found this beauty earlier today - first time I found one but I'm almost sure it's Satan's bolette, and anyway too pretty to take...

SeaEssence great pic!

Anyone celebrating Hecate and the full supermoon tonight?
I'll be out around 9 performing a ritual for the Nemoralia, the festival of Diana of Nemi in her triple form as Diana, Luna, Hecate.

I was just thinking about this

that sounds great

I will do a small ritual but I'm not sure if I'll be able to see the moon without wandering out, my flat faces northwest.

I hope you can:)
I'll be doing my ritual here, first time. Hope the sky is clear tonight; I'll try to film it.

I love that mushroom pic SeaEssence. Mushrooms seem to be in a place all of their own, fungi always seem to be otherworldly to me.

I plan some meditation tonight, this potent, intense and healing lunation comes at a special time for me. I have undertaken intense psychotherapy for the past seven months, and we are winding up to finish, at least for a time. The therapy has been life changing. It has been very hard work, at times very painful, lots of talking, tears, shadow work both with the therapist and at home. The process of accepting shadow and integration is a life's work, but the rewards are already far more bountiful than I could have imagined.
A meditation seems the right thing to do this evening, to consolidate my healing, then there will be tea, some journalling and maybe some Tarot work if the mood takes me.
QueenHippolyta your ritual sounds amazing, and that temple! Where is it?

@SeaEssence I love that photo too, it's really magical. I couldn't resist this glass mushroom I found in B&M at the weekend. I thought it would be perfect for my autumn alter.

I was planning a full moon ritual but I'm not really feeling it this evening. I've got a lot going on around me at the moment and I'm feeling rather flat. I find it more frustrating dealing with loved ones issues than I do dealing with my own stuff. At least when it's your own problems, you have some control and can make decisions. With loved ones, all you can do is advise and guide, but ultimately they have decide what to do. And in the meantime, a black cloud hangs over the house!

Wishing you all wonderful full moon energies! I have candles and incense on the go here. I may consult the cards later if I have the oomph.

@VioletCharlotte did you mean to attach a photo? I'd love to see it, I love mushrooms!
I come from a country where mushroom picking is a national sport, 70% of the country is woodlands and mostly public areas so no restrictions. Pantry without jars of dried porcini and other fungi is unthinkable. Visiting this week for a couple of days, def planning an early morning walk in the woods!

I hear that sister!

it's all cloudy here, meh.

I was going to do a three card spread but I think my brain has shut up shop for the day. So it might just be a short ritual. I'll wait to see if the moon comes in view of the flat, then if it doesn't, it will be a pre-bed ritual.

@SeaEssence yes sorry! Here's the pic

@speakout
What a night! Fantastic....My temple is the Templvm in Ukraine. They're on Facebook.

Full moon blessings to all

I got to see the moon from the communal garden, timed it just right I think.

Hi All, glad to have found you again. I've not posted recently due to being a bit unwell. I charged up some basic luck and protection oil in the light of the moon last night. It was such a beauty. This was from my back garden.

Hello to all,
I found this thread by chance and have read with interest, and some sense of connection.
Please excuse any ignorance here, but how do you know you are a witch, or what sort you are?
I have always been described as empathetic by most, 'fey' by others, and just easy to connect to.
I have always wanted to touch- or hug- trees, still thank nature for anything picked or foraged, and sense changes in mood and colour of mood (I don't see auras though). My DD has always said to me 'ooh, you must have a supplement for that' having been raised to believe lavender oil, lemon and honey and different scents will take care of most complaints (or, a large glass of water) - she was born on winter Solstice and I have always called her my magical child, born for a reason.
I believed I could breathe underwater when I was young, still maintain that if you cannot see magical creatures it does not mean they don't exist, and have candles I burn, and stones by my bed that make me smile. I have looked for 'signs' for years - a flock of birds, a feather, like a nod from nature...
I am 50, living a very 'traditional' life, work full time teaching and have never really said all of that in one go...just accepted I am seen as little 'different' by others.
I am unsure, however, where this leads me, or leaves me - I read much about intention, magic, witches and much resonates. Where does one even start, or is this perhaps just me looking for a label to fit me and my indiosyncracies?

Welcome @moonlightandsunbeams others will be along soon to offer sage and useful advice I am sure. This is a safe space, and very supportive.

In my own small experience, I feel that people are born with the propensity to become a witch or not, and if they are, they will feel the craft calling to them.

Like you I felt close to nature and spirituality all my life, and dipped in and out of witchery until I was in my 50s. Menopause brought a strengthening of the call, and I started to research a lot. Too much really.

I completely confused myself, and got overwhelmed by it all. I then had an enforced break due to life events, and found my path being revealed slowly and gently. This was through things presenting themselves, and seemingly chance meetings with people.