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

Catching up too. What a plethora of highly emotionally charged challenges we are all facing. Each and every one of us is rising to the situation, overcoming it and by doing so learning so many of lifes lessons. The harder the lessons are, the quicker we progress, I know how difficult it seems when we are so enmeshed in a situation that there seems to be no way out, but slowly a glimmer of light appears, letting us know things are as they should be, even though often it doesn't feel that way.

SeaEssence it's very difficult to identify tumbled stones from photos. I'd think there are a few agates in there, and a few that have been dyed. The most important thing is you are happy with them and it inspires you to learn. I've always found this site a literal mine of information.
https://www.mineralminers.com/

This one's more technical
https://www.mindat.org/

I have a candle lit, radiating healing energy to anyone who needs it. BB sisters.

Good morning! Thanks for the question @hilariousnamehere and my answer is also for @speakout

Mr C has ups and downs - going through a bit of a boggy patch just now, more forgetful and low in mood. He can also be an absolute bugger for making demands and believing I can and should do everything and not have any time to myself. You need to hang on to those boundaries, @speakout Mine include exercise, seeing friends occasionally and continuing to work. None of those is unreasonable in the slightest but to hear the old boy, you’d have social services on speed dial to report the obvious neglect of an elder. We’ve had confrontations about the whole thing but I’ve held firmly to my boundaries. It’s false economy to abandon oneself in pursuit of not abandoning another. We have paid support. Family has been somewhat absent lately but they have their own lives. Friends have been gold dust.

@BlankTimes thank you - yes definitely not easy especially as I struggled to take a better photo. Agate makes sense if you think they may be dyed - I didn't think of that. Thank you for the links, much appreciated.

@Craftycorvid I'm sorry Mr C is on the low. Best wishes to you both. People are like hermits in this weather, hopefully they open up to you more when sun comes out (not that weather is an excuse not to support family and friends)

Dropping into this thread is like balm to my soul.

Craftycorvid thankyou for those wise words.
My mother is scheduled for discharge home on Tuesday, with a full care package, so we will see how that goes.
Having firm boundaries is essential, and I am no longer prepared to abandon myself in order to support others.
Caring can suck the marrow from our bones, and can be relentless. Many of us women have been brought up to believe that caring for ourselves is selfish and egotistical., that good girls are sweet, always kind, quiet, always ready to help and serve.

Fuck that.

I will support my family, but not at all costs.
I have learned such a lot about self abandonment- in recent years especially, and can see the damage it can cause.

I am not prepared to extend myself so much that I become a husk- like a dead fly on the window ledge.
I have aspects of my life which maintain my spirit and mental health- and now that I have claimed my right and tasted the ambrosia of self healing and integration I am not prepared to let that go.
I have recognised the things in my life that are very important to me- rest, sleep, meditation, yoga, spending time with friends and lots more.

Setting boundaries helps me feel safe, and that feeling of safety is an antidote to anxiety, allowing me to move through my day with a calm and centered energy.

Afternoon sisters. After an enormous meltdown on Thursday night when it really hit me my mother was gone,I now feel calmer and more accepting. Letting that negative energy out has allowed some peace to come in.

In othet matters I spent the day gardening until I sliced my finger really badly on a piece of broken glass. Blimey it hurt. I bled like a pig,was beginning to worry then thought " Hedge witch,heal thyself"
Sisters do not doubt the power of plants. A packing of drird yarrow and the blood flow literally dried up before our eyes!
Sceptical husband was struck dumb. I am.now using ither plants..fermented grapes..to ease me!!!

If you have yarrow in the garden,give thanks to the Goddess.

Could you post a photo of yarrow? I don’t know what it looks like.

This is yarrow as it grows,and as it dries. You probably have some in your garden somewhere. Its very prolific

Thank you! I’ll look out for it.

Sometimes, we all need to take a breath, when we stop and look, we can see the magic.

Photo taken in my kitchen tonight. 🕉

@BlankTimes thank you. I really needed to hear that tonight. Feeling particularly pre menstrual and irritated by everyone and everything! Taking a breath and stopping to look at the magic around me is exactly what I needed to do. So now I'm watering my pots and listening to bird song and feeling a little calmer. Thank you 🙏

Hi @VioletCharlotte
You are more than welcome.

We all seem to be being pushed to what feels like beyond our limits for a long time now. It's hard to make any progress. Frustration and exasperation abound. And yet ... Buddha has been on that shelf in my kitchen for decades, the suncatchers on the windowsill have been there about 5 years, the sun at this time of year throws rainbows all over the wall around 6 to 7 pm daily, but in all these years, that's the first time I've ever seen that effect.
Magic Happens. 🔮

Edited to say 5 years, not the phone's version that said 5 heaters !

Just popping in to say hi to my magical sisters.
I love that Buddha rainbow Blanktimes.

It has been a difficult week, my mother is back home with me after her hospital stay- carers are visiting several times a day to help and assess.
I appreciate the help they give, and all lovely people, but they all have such loud cheerful voices, I make myself scarce ( my cats do too- often will hide behind the sofa.
I have felt very down this week with no zest for life, but yesterdays new moon has brought a welcome shift, I have woken to a calm energy within me,
My DS ( who I also care for) can sense my moods easily, and told me yesterday to cut myself some slack- the fridge and freezer are well stocked, no one will starve . He is right of course, and just what I needed to hear.

I have slept well under last night's new moon and woken feeling much calmer.
Just finished a light breakfast of toast and marmalade and a cup of strong cacao.

Setting such high standards for myself is folly, so today I plan to give myself permission to feel at ease, and if dinner turns out to be a supermarket pizza then so be it.
I will eat the foods I need - which no one else seems to like, it is tofu and pak choi for me ( I love the texture of tofu if it has been frozen).

This is one of my favourite tofu recipes- I have made it many times-

i

I would eat tofu and Pak choi with you. I love them too.

I am actually feeling triumphant today. It's the first week back after half term and all 3 of my DC have made it to school every day this week. Some later than others but still all in. For us, this is a big deal.

Also, I set up a Dungeons and Dragons game a couple months ago and tomorrow I will be DMing my fourth session. My players are clearly enjoying themselves and DH is really supportive of my doing this. Helps that he taught me to play in the first place of course. 🐉

Finally, some plants I had given up on have sprouted.

I feel really pleased about all of these things so I am trying to share that energy with you all.

ISaySteadyOn I can feel your energy and your generous post to share with us. Your wise words are gratefully received.

I know that many of us- myself included will post when things are bad and need support.
It is lovely to read to read a post about the pleasure we can find in a day, even when caring for others or chaos reigns!

Finding pleasure in small things are key for me- grandiose events are great, travel, watching a live band, or having an exotic trip.
But small events happen so much everyday if we observe. Smiles from strangers, watching plants thrive, taking a little time to eat well. setting aside time to read a chapter of a book, a 10 minute walk by a river.

So I too will pass on the good energy I have today x

Herb drying season is upon us. Was going to make a skin cream but knocked over my last jar of calendula oil this morning and lost most of it. Grrrr.
No chickweed oil left either. I need to replenish my stocks.

What is that apparatus? It looks really cool 🙂

Its just some fine mesh sheets on the shelves in my greenhouse

Someday I will have a greenhouse. That is the dream anyway 😁.

Mine is tiny and third hand from a friend of a friend. Some cracks in the glass and a few bits missing but I love it. Look locally or on market place and see if you can pick one up cheaply. Mine was less than £50.

I really need a handhold. Some people have just thrown a rock through our front door after what feels like months of low level things.

They really hate us and I don't know why. All I did today was tell them to leave us alone and stop throwing rocks at our house.

And I can't stop worrying that it was my fault somehow even though there's no logic to it.

Oh my goodness how frightening for you, probably a silly question, but have you reported this to the police?

Are you safe at home, do you have somewhere you could go to be safe?

I don't know what to suggest really, but I didn't want to read and not post to give you support. I am appalled that you are having to experience this.

Oh and edited to add this is absolutely not your fault, I'm sure you've done nothing, but there is no excuse for bullying behaviour. Big hug, I wish I could offer something more tangible..

Yes, I called the police and they're coming but probably late.

Fair play to them though, they are keeping me updated.

And DH will be home soon. He was out for today but is hurrying home. I will feel better when he is home as he is quite a strong man.

I'm glad you won't be on your own for long. I hope it gets better soon. xx

Hope you are ok steadyon
I made some skin salve today. It was nice to be back in the place where I feel comfortable. Working with herbs.

I am not ok. I'm angry and scared and sad and I feel stupid and naive.

But your salve is a lovely colour. I bet it feels lovely too 🙂.