Any Witches here? Part 20

[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

[speakout]

A shiny new thread heralded in by spring energy.
I'll set the fire, open the windows put the kettle on and plump up the cushions.

[ISaySteadyOn]

I will bring a tiny bit of mint for scent.

[hilariousnamehere]

Ahhh I need the spring energy and a shiny new thread - life has massively overtaken me lately and I've been doomscrolling instead of checking in with the calm and magic over here.

How are you all doing? Thank you for new thread @speakout and thank you all for putting up with my intermittence.

(Is that a word?!)

Magical lights in my studio office and a delightfully witchy mini sign I found unexpectedly the other day for tax

[hilariousnamehere]

Oh, and I'll bring chocolate to melt into milk or similar over our fire for soothing frothy cups of chocolatey goodness (maybe with some mint added @ISaySteadyOn ?!) 💙

[speakout]

Glad you have found us. The mint sounds divine ISaySteadyOn.
What a cute little sign hilariousnamehere, I love your enchanted office.

I am considering the idea of having an altar downstairs. It is in my bedroom at the moment, but I would love it in a more central place. I bought a wall hanging a few years ago from a local junk shop- its a huge Indonesian mirror with doors- like this one. It is in my garage, needs a little tlc, but will be a fun project and be a lovely backdrop to my magical space.

I am concerned that a downstairs altar will be touched and prodded by others, including visitors and strangers. My altar right now is private, contains all my most precious and meaningful things and I like the fact that few people see it.
But I would love my altar to be more central in my home.

Do you have a public or private altar? I would love to know. And how do you feel about others touching or seeing it?

It's a soft light this morning, pink fluffy clouds heralding the sunrise, and my weekly trip to the next town for shopping and gym with OH.
My OH was in the city yesterday and bought a few packets of exotic dried chillies from a Mexican Deli, so we will start making a killer chilli for DD visiting tomorrow.

Time to light my morning candle, put my clean clothes on the radiator and jump in the shower.

Have an enchanted weekend everyone.

[SeaEssence]

@speakout thank you for the shiny new thread 😊 I don't have a fixed altar as such, but love the idea of using the mirror hanging. Do you get visitors when you're not at home to keep in control?

@hilariousnamehere sorry to hear it's been difficult lately. I love your hare statue (and the sign of course)!

@Hedjwitch belated reaction to your sea swimming photo - absolutely awesome! Such positive energy coming from the pic, as well as the accompanying thread!

[Voltefarce]

Good morning all. Checking in to the new thread. Hoping to be able to contribute a bit more!

I took my sourdough starter out of the freezer last night and this morning started trying to revive it. A good feed and it’s now bubbling away. Hopefully it will make some lovely bread.

A day of family for me today - off to the park, then to a farm shop to stock up on veggies. Have a lovely day!

[Hedjwitch]

Thanks @SeaEssence
Another dip today. This time with my swimmers on! St Monans tidal pool.

[ISaySteadyOn]

Beautiful.

[speakout]

Hedjwitch  your wild swimming is so inspiring. I am tempted to have a go, but I struggle with cold temperatures. I can imagine the burst of energy afterwards.
I also love the colours in your photograph, so many shades of pink, blue, azure, violet.
I love subtle muted shades of colour, so much more interesting than full on primary colours- although they have their place too.

I am having a restful day, no yoga this morning, I have done 7 classes in the past 7 days, and that feels like enough this week. I have muscle ache in my quads and glutes ( that good kind of pain) from an intense warrior workshop yesterday and my knees feel a little cranky ( which is not good!).
DD is coming over to visit, she has had a heavy workload and a chest infection, no time to stop in her busy life, so will be a cosy snuggly day.
I made a huge chilli pot in the slow cooker yesterday, so just some rice, a few side dishes, OH is on hand to make pico de gallo and guacamole.

DD want to do my nails and watch Call the Midwife- a day for both of us to nurture and tend to our roots.

I love the sound of your bread Voltefarce  I haven't attempted such a loaf- I am not a baker, I can't remember the last time I tried.

SeaEssence unfortunately there are strangers and visitors to my house when I am not at home, I don't relish the thought of unknown energy fiddling with my altar. I could set up somewhere else in the house, and it works well in my bedroom, so I will have a think.

I have been washing blankets and covers this morning, I am tempted to hang them outside, although it is still a bit damp in my garden.

I hope everyone has an enchanted day.

[SeaEssence]

@Hedjwitch stunning 🤩

@speakout could you cover it with a cloth or something when not at home? It's a shame you can't comfortably use all parts of your home as you see fit.

@Voltefarce please share your loaves, I love sourdough! My mum has a daily sourdough baking routine, she gave me some starter to try but it's too much faff for me...

I just came home from a long walk with the dog, it was meant to rain heavily all day but was lucky it stopped for a bit. Very wet and muddy, there's something calming, almost therapeutic about squelching through the mud in wellies. I came home pink-cheeked and with fresh mind. Got a few hours before taking DC bowling, just right for some nurturing and self care I think 😊

Have a wonderful Sunday!

[Craftycorvid]

Hello there! Caught up with you all. Just dashing in with the coffee pot and the cakes.

Today we’ve been planting seeds and I’ve been batch cooking - with slightly mixed results. Thought it would work to add ale to a lentil casserole, but it’s emerged a bit meh. I’m freezing the results in any case, they’ll get used up one way or another.

[MaculataO]

Something about the way you describe your morning @speakout is just so calming. I need it right now so thank you! And the swimming pictures @Hedjwitch are very inspiring too.

I've been reading this thread for comfort. Trying times here. A new job that makes me feel small and on tenter hooks with (not good) anticipation. My boss is scatty and things can be quiet, then all of a sudden he chucks a task at me from on high with no context. It's unpredictable in the worst way. Half my brain wants to 'rage quit' haha. The other realises we're in a recession, I have a baby to feed and clothe, and other jobs I've applied for haven't born fruit.

has anyone here 'rage quit' a job? Let me know, haha.

The job has no doubt also contributed to the feeling I'm a bit depressed in all honesty. Something that has luckily never affected me (anxiety, yes, depression, not so much). It's rather disconcerting and untethering.

I like the idea of having a perm altar to ground me. I've always wanted one, sort of had one in my last place, but this place is so tight for surface space I've no idea where I'd set one up. I think I need one though. DH is pagan so he wouldn't think it weird. I should just do it.

Love to all.

[VioletCharlotte]

I thought I'd lost you all then! Thank you for the new thread @speakout I'm bringing crumpets and tea for us all to cheer us up on this dark and rainy day,

@MaculataO sorry to hear that you're a struggling with the new job, it doesn't sound great. I can understand the urge to rage quit! You shouldn't feel that you have to stick it out if it's not right for you, we spend so much time at work, you need to enjoy what you're doing. Do you have tarot cards? Maybe ask them for some guidance.

@Hedjwitch thank you for sharing the photos, I'd love to live nearer to the sea. I would swim regularly if I had the chance.

I'm at the hairdressers this evening, I'm shattered so looking forward to a pamper. It's been a busy week and I've been burning the candle at both ends somewhat!

[BlankTimes]

Good afternoon sisters, it's lovely to hear about you seeing signs of Spring all around.
We have snowdrops, primulas, crocuses and teeny as yet grape hyacinths in flower. Daffs and tulips are a few inches high but only in leaf as yet, so lots of good things yet to come.

[Voltefarce]

Morning all. The sourdough starter is still growing - I think it might be ready to use soon but am no expert.

The weather is back to feeling wintry again here (Kent). Hoping for a dry weekend so we can can some DIY done. Have a lovely Friday.

[FizzingAda]

Is it just me, or does anyone feel sad and uncomfortable about the stuff being sent to our beautiful moon? The thought of commercial companies sending up junk to exploit it, and maybe worse, (there isn't a good record of humans going to unexplored places), makes me sad and angry. The magic will be gone. Or maybe I'm just an old dinosaur.

[Hedjwitch]

Morning folks. Havent been contributing much other than swimming pics as v low energy. Trying to find a care home for mother with all that entails is exhausting.
Yoga this morning if I can manage,then a dip in the sea to try and pull some energy from the water. Hope you all have a good day

[hilariousnamehere]

Hello lovelies. Still exhausted over here but spotted the tree outside the entrance of my new studio space is in full blossom and thought I'd share the magic!

I have been sleeping either not enough or way too much and have no idea how to fix it, but otherwise not too bad, just tired all the time.

@FizzingAda I didn't know about this and having just googled, am a bit baffled as to why anyone would do this. The site suggests sending an heirloom ring amongst other things 🤯 humans are really, really weird sometimes. But echo your sadness that the Moon will have this box full of random objects just sitting there for years to come :(

[Craftycorvid]

@hilariousnamehere what a fabulous tree! And a picture of pink. The pear tree in the garden two doors down from us is a mass of white blossom and is always the first blossom I see.

Wishing you all well. I’ve been on a weekend training course. Just got home. Mr C managed brilliantly with visits from support workers, friends and family.

[VioletCharlotte]

@hilariousnamehere that tree is beautiful! I saw quite a few trees in blossom when I was out and about over the weekend. It lifts the soul to spot these signs that spring and warmer days are gradually getting closer (although it's been freezing today!)

@FizzingAda I agree. We've destroyed our planet and now we're sending more of our junk to the moon :( Space travel and exploration has always interested me, but I firmly believe that we should be leaving things exactly as we find them. Human beings seem to be incapable of doing this and makes me so sad.

I've just got back from yoga, always my favourite class of the week and something nice to look forward on Monday.

[queenrollo]

I'm having a really difficult time emotionally and over the weekend I packed away my altars and all my witchy stuff. I'm just not feeling connected to anything at the moment and none of it is bringing me comfort.
I felt a bit like I needed to put it all out of sight and give myself permission to have a break from it.
I don't know if anyone else here has ever been through a period like this, where you feel you have lost your faith? I hesistate to use that word too, as faith always felt too 'organised religion' to me - but I don't know how else to put it.

[speakout]

It is sad how humans leave stuff everywhere, poisoning rivers, and polluting seas. I use the phone app Nightsky for tracking constellations and planets, the number of man made satellites, rocket parts, orbiting our sky is mind blowing literally thousand. Much of it is now redundant, space waste, left to orbit our planet for ever. I take some solace in the fact that in the long future there will be no trace of mankind. Our existence will be erased, like a puff of fluff. Life will exist in some form, nature will find a new balance. and we again will be stardust.

I am sorry things are tough right now queenrollo life can be so hard. I think
taking a break sounds sensible if you feel that way. Your magical path will be
ever waiting, and may emerge in a different form.
I have had a difficult week, dramas, pulled in too many directions, feeling my
cup near empty, particularly the past day or two.
I have bought ready meals for my family and some bread, olives and fruit for
myself. I am stationed on the sofa with a large cup of peppermint tea, and
apart from lighting some candles my bottom is staying here until bedtime.
My magical path has been convoluted over the years, at times almost forgotten, especially when my children were young, although birthing children could be considered an act of powerful magic.
And although not “pure” magic, many or even most of my activites have some spiritual aspect. So cooking, cleaning, planting, growing are mundane but also inherently charged with witch juice. Journeys with mental health, self nurture, dreamwork, are entwined with the magical, yoga, journaling any creative act is included in my witchy activities. I love listening to Podcasts, Eckhart Tolle and Micheal Singer atm, many seem unrelated to magic, but brush near similar ideas. Take what works, leave the rest.. Our diversity is our power,

[ISaySteadyOn]

I would argue a little that humans also leave behind beautiful edifices like the Parthenon or the Sphinx or in simple ways, gardens. Humans are not an unalloyed good but neither are they unalloyed bad. Look at all of you here on this thread. I would say the world is better off with you in it.

I try to make my tiny piece of the world a bit better every day. My geraniums which I have never grown before have sprouted which I am excited about.

[speakout]

That's a good point SaySteadyOn.

I appreciate stoneworks and structures left by past generations. They help leave a trail so we can better understand who we are. I have planted trees in my life which will hopefully still be here after I am gone.

I also believe in the goodness of humans. Bad eggs are rare, but many of us carry pain and trauma which obscures our shining light.

I had a moving experience on Saturday in a laundrette of all places.

My DD has had health issues of late, her work are not sympathetic so she has been soldiering on. I spent the day with her on Friday, and took away a huge pile of laundry to wash for her- would have been 10 loads for me at home, and too much to dry. My DD was visibly improved after my visit, but I was tired.
So I nipped down to a local laundrette early, with all her stuff. There were already 5 or six women there and the floor was strewn with bags of clothes, baskets. I don't often visit laundrettes and had to use several machines, with different instructions. I started to read and figure out where to put money, powder, select programme. It would have been obvious that I was a newbie, and the women customers and assistant turned their focus to me. With warm words, twinkling eyes and genuine smiles they each started to help me- without being asked.
"I'll put this bag here love it looks like dark stuff"
"You will need a bigger machine for the bedding"
"Can I put the powder in here for you"
" We have plenty change, the money goes in here"
"I'll grab a couple of baskets for you"

In no time I was sorted, several machines started their soapy hum.
I gave my thanks, and as I sat back in my car I could feel warm tears rolling down my face.
I had just had an encounter with the goddess, in her many forms. I felt so uplifted and supported in those moments, flashing eyes and soothing energy, it was very powerful.
And a huge reminder of the beautiful divine human souls that exist on this planet.