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

Oh goodness me Speakout you do so very well to cope with that type of behaviour. I'm not blessed with such patience. I'd be tempted to conceal a tracking device in her bag.

Tomorrow will be 12 months since my world turned upside down. Its so easy to preface everything with 'I can't' and reframe it into focusing on whatever 'I can'.

I know all tough experiences help us to have insight and grow, I'd prefer it if mine would lessen their frequency for a while.😊

Have a magical weekend everyone

☀🌕🌟

Thanks for the soup tips! I made some cheese and herb muffins yesterday, potentially to go with the soup but DH is a bit of a food hoover and they’re all gone! 😆

I’ve ended my day with a relaxing reflexology session. I’m going to a women’s workshop tomorrow with a friend. No idea what to expect but very happy to just play.

This time last year my life went upside down when DH had a heart attack and stroke within a week of one another. I’ve changed and grown a lot as a result of having to advocate for DH, run the household and hang on to my job and my ongoing training at the same time. Not at all the way I’d have wished to realise my strength and resilience, but here we are!

Thanks for the understanding re my mother.

She plays the helpless kitten - her aquaintances see her as a soft , kind person.
I have been told many times how "lucky" I am to have such a sweet mother. Behind the scenes it is a different matter. She is a covert narc, I watch her hobble out of church with two members taking her arms. As soon as she knows ahe isn't being watched she stands up straight and starts striding at a fast pace.
My OH usually picks her up from church and waits in the car park- he can feel t to glares from church members as he appears not to help her. He refuses to be complicit in her charade.

Life can be so very challenging can't it. Pain is all part of that.
As you wisely say Craftycovid can hone our strength and resilience. It isn't a pleasant way to learn, but can be done.

I have stared into the abyss in recent times, and felt more pain and fear than I thought could be possible.
But I have survived, I have sought help to allow me to process my emotions and experiences, and as a result have found a spiritual awakening.
I don't think that would have happened without the terror.

I have come to know myself and my world better, I have learned so many lessons..
I start another 6 months of weekly Gestalt therapy soon, with the same therapist as last time, I am both excited and scared! The technique works very well for me, and has been transformative, but the process can be painful.

I am off to yoga this morning, still not sure about attending my women's circle tonight, my energy levels are still low after a bad week, so I will decidel ater this afternoon- if there are any places still available.
Have an enchanted day friends.

Scone Recipe

Sorry, I had to do a lot of other stuff.

I use this very basic one
https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/occasions/mothers-day/mothers-day-afternoon-tea/plain-scones

INGREDIENTS
40g spreadable butter
225g self-raising flour
1½ level tablespoons golden caster sugar
pinch of salt
110ml milk, plus a little more (if needed)
a little extra flour

* Omit the sugar for savoury versions. *

I'm not so precise as Delia, more rustic and simple, plus there is intolerance to cows milk and sulphites and it depends what I have in the cupboard at the time.

My basic scone mix is

5 or 6 heaped tablespoons of self raising flour

Quarter of a tub of plant spread OR plant spread with good olive oil

Put in a bowl and mix with a fork until it resembles breadcrumbs. Shake the bowl periodically and any lumps will come to the top.

Add milk or yogurt and stir gently until a soft dough is formed. Do not over mix.

I don't bother rolling it out on the worksurface, I pick a bit off, shape it into a ball then gently pat it into a flatter round shape and place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment.

Things you can add to the mix depending on what savoury dish you are serving them with,

Cheese chopped into little cubes adds taste and texture, a little celery salt adds a bit of difference.

Dried Italian herbs from any supermarket

Indian spices like curry powder or art masala, turmeric for colour, chilli flakes if liked.

As if that's not enough variety, you can roll the scone mix into balls and add it to a casserole which is nearly cooked. It's called a cobbler topping, its scone-like on the top and soft like a dumpling underneath. I find it can absorb most of the liquid in the casserole so I cheat. I leave the casserole to cook on its own, Take a couple of tablespoons of the liquid out of it, add boiling water to halfway up the casserole dish a stock cube if you think its needed and cook the cobbler topping in that, then add to the casserole when you serve it.

Enjoy !

Thank you Blanktimes= you have inspired me!

Thunder,wind and torrential rain just now. Matches my black mood.
Interred my mother's ashes on Thursday so all done now with just the house to sell. Its all a bit shit really

I haven’t posted for a little while, I feel I offload too much negativity but by Goddess life is bloody challenging this year. I have been focusing SO hard on the positives but the negatives keep poking me in the ribs.

On Friday my DH and youngest DS were involved in a car accident. While both physically unhurt, it is one of those situations where if the car had been literally 2ft to the right I would either be sitting by hospital beds - or even worse.
So here we are to the outside world seemingly had a ‘little bump’ but my husband is, I fear, developing PTSD. I know he isn’t immediately going to bounce back, but the stress has triggered a fibromyalgia flare for him which always comes with a bout of low mood.
There is never good timing for this, but it is spectacularly bad timing in terms of life being full of commitments already.
The car was brand new too, literally picked it up on Monday. He had done 98 miles. It’s written off.

sorry to just appear and immediately offload such despairing words but I am floundering.

I cried into my hands this morning, then remembered a palm reading I had last year. She was hesitant. I felt it. I pressed her and said I could feel it coming off her in waves, I knew she was seeing things she didn’t want to share. She said ‘2024 is going to be difficult for you’
I’m staring at the lines in my hands now thinking she wasn’t wrong!

Evening all
@queenrollo I'm sorry you're having difficult time, glad your family is safe, if completely ok. Fingers crossed it's "just" an immediate aftermath and your DH won't develop a full PTSD.
@speakout I really admire you for how well you cope, considering you are constantly in a presence of, and caring for a toxic person, mother or not. What she did is beyond disrespectful and in no way imaginable a kindness. Glad you're looking after yourself, hope the therapy is not too challenging.

I'm lighting a candle a bit early today as I fear I'll be asleep by 8. Hope it brings a bit of positive energy.
It's a snuggly day on the sofa for me, the weather drained all my energy - I planned to meet a friend with her new baby, walk the dog, pick and process the blackcurrants and gooseberries, pack for holiday and soak in the hot tub that I finally took out last week. Instead I managed couple of loads of washing machine, walked the dog only around the block between two downpours, and repeatedly drained rainwater from the lid of the hot tub so it doesn't tear (it's inflatable and a few years old).

So sorry to hear that many of you are going through difficult times. Sending love and healing energy out to you all.

Speakout the situation with your Mother sounds so difficult. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have her living with you, there's no respite from the behaviour. I admire your courage and strength. I hope you manage to find some solace at your yoga classes.

Queenrollo I'm sorry to hear about your DH and DS. It's easy to say that a car is just a piece of metal and it doesn't matter as long as they are ok, but it can still have a big impact emotionally, even if there's no physical damage. Sending love to you.

Blanktimes thank you for the scone recipe, they sound delicious. I've not done any cooking recently, been living on salad and quick meals, you've inspired me to do some proper cooking!

Life has been fast paced recently and I feel like I'm constantly running and juggling plates. I pulled a muscle in my leg last week which triggered an old back injury to flare up. An osteopath appointment this morning had provided some relief, but it's a warning to slow down I feel! I'm going on holiday next week. My partner is champing at the bit to book stuff and plan days out but I'm resisting as all I really want is some down time and the luxury of having no plans!

queenrollo I am sorry to hear of the accident, I am glad no one was hurt, but any car accident can leave us very shaken. Even minor bumps have a deep impact on my emotions.

I am feeling a lot better thjis week- last week was not good. My emotional dysregulation was intense, and for a few days I could barely eat, I was so overcome with waves of sadness and grief.

OH has taken a long weekend, so I have had 4 days to focus on my own needs, without housework, shopping, cooking. I have slept a lot, and notice the black rings under my eyes have gone.

I will move forward with that lesson-- I wlll cut back on doing stuff for others that they are able to do themselves, and I am planning lots of nurturing activities over the summer- meeting for lunch, a seaside day out with my daughter, meditations in the forest by the river a couple of women's circles and workshops, massages,and of course lots of yoga. I have a 6 month block of weekly psychotherapy starting next week too,

I hope everyone is finding rays of joy today.

Today I went out into my garden to see a gap at the edge of my well established 3ft deep, 12 foot high conifer hedge. The new neighbours under the impression it was on their boundary have cut down the end tree.
There is a small fence my side of it, which the previous owners installed to keep in their dog.
My total privacy, gone. Sound insulation from the road traffic is compromised,

It was the last straw after weeks of just too much stress and I stormed round there and completely lost my shit at their workmen and then the female owner.
Just because of where the fence line is, did not mean their boundary carried on in a straight line.
The damage is done and they have now installed their new posts anyway.

Her workmen feel utterly terrible about it. They were just doing what they were told.
They have offered to remove our small fence panel and install new 6ft ones to try and return the privacy we have lost. We have accepted.

But between this and the ongoing antisocial behaviour from the man over the road I just do not feel this is my home anymore. We are seriously contemplating getting a valuation and seeing if we can afford to move.

That sounds really rough. I don't blame you for storming round and I admire your assertiveness.

I do wonder if the weather is just making everything feel worse. I feel like I ought to be building an ark (or, given my dyspraxia, getting DH to do it).

I really want to do more exercise but I find it hard to do it at home. But I can't easily go out at the moment because DD1 and DS are still struggling with school things and I don't know from day to day what will happen. I don't cope well with that.

It's really difficult being their mum at the moment because I love them both to bits. I hate seeing them unhappy but, equally, they're old enough to take some responsibility to help find solutions to their problems. I don't know.

To end on a positive note, we got DD2's SATs results yesterday. She could not have done better. She worked and revised hard and it paid off. I am very proud of her.

@ISaySteadyOn I can be assertive but yesterday was definitely more a case of me seeing red and completely losing my composure.

They aren’t to know this, but two previous owners of the property tried the same thing! We absolutely know this funny little parcel of land is ours! So this one tree has a lot of history and I am still furious it is gone.
My husband has pointed out it is criminal damage, thru failed to offer us the tree, and they have also disrupted an established hedge in nesting season.
I have to let all of this go. If we do decide to sell I don’t really want a protracted neighbour dispute to declare.

I’m sorry things are difficult with you too and I very much understand the frustration of not being able to find time for yourself due to unpredictable circumstances around children. As my husband is the main breadwinner it tends to be me cancelling plans to deal with the kids. He can and does move work to step up to the responsibility, but still it doesn’t make sense to disrupt his meetings etc when mostly my commitments are not set in stone.

It's why I am a SAHM. My children are fascinating, interesting, kind, clever, all those things but also very difficult.

I hope things have calmed down queenrollo, feeling safe is so important.
isaysteadyon parenting can be very hard, pushes us to our limits, and up our time.
I didn't do much for myself or exercise for years when my kids were small, I was a SAHM for a long whle/
Parenting can be relentless, frustrating, exhausting it is also amazing to have a loving relationship with our children, that deep heart love is so beautiful.
Seasons change as they grow, and you will have more time for self care then.
The weather has been so wet and cool this summer, I had to take a load of clean damp clothes to the launderette yesterday as I can't keep up with the drying.
I am planning a slow flow day, work, yoga and starting off with a spa shower-geranium.
The effects of my emotional crash last week are still in my mind, but motivating me to take more care, let go, release burdens, and be kind to myself.

I had a phone call from a case worker at a locals carer's charity yesterday offering a grant of money to spend on making my life easier. She invited me to the office so she can help with the application, but has urged me to think about what I would like to make my life a bit easier.
I have had the grant several years ago, and bought some beauty treatments and yoga classes.
This time I'm not so sure. I need some soul healing, my massage last week was so impactful - I would love more.

I have to come up with ideas for next week so we can do costings etc. but there are no strict stipulations.
I will hopefully be given £500 ( I know- what an amount!) to be spent over the next 12 months. I also have to save receipts- which is great as I know I would have a tendency to put the money into the household pot and buy cat food and toilet rolls.
Any ideas ?

And just a little astrological update-
From today until August 4th, Venus will be transiting Leo. This cycle is characterized by a warmhearted and generous energy. We take pride in love and are open-handed with our resources. It's a time of expressiveness, pride, and a touch of extravagance.

Just hopping in to say hello and sorry am rubbish and I think of you all a lot but life is insane. I'm also spending too much time doomscrolling and not enough in the places online I actually like so trying to figure out a way to change that as my brain doesn't seem super keen on cooperation! But sending love to you all x

I needed to find this thread today. I am at the start of my spiritual journey. I attend a weekly meditation group and practice meditation/yoga daily. I’m going through a dark time as my sister only has a few weeks left on this earth and I feel like the only way to keep myself available for her is to work on my spiritual path as it keeps me grounded and calm. I will work my way through the threads. But thank you, I was only this morning thinking that I needed more help and then this thread popped up. Xxx

Needsomethingtoread a warm welcome- I am glad you have found us!

I am sorry to hear of your sister's situation- it must be a difficult situation. Life throws us some curved balls, it can all seem so unfair.

Many of us here have navigated some very stormy seas, let us hold space for you during this situation.

I will light a candle for you and your family and will send a little calm and strength.
I am glad you have found ways to ground and ease yourself, your strength will also be felt by your sister.
Be kind and compassionate towards yourself.

Welcome needsomethingtoread.
This is a peaceful sanctuary of a thread. I am sorry to hear about your sister and wish her a peaceful onwards journey. I recently lost my mother so understand the need for spiritual help. Your sisters here will help you and protect you.

Good morning sisters, I hope life is treating you gently.

It's another cloudy morning here, yesterday brought torrential rain for much of the day.
I had planned a riverside walk in the woods yesterday, with some meditation, but the rain hardly stopped. I will go today if it stays dry, the river will be n full spate.
I am fortunate to have native woodland and a river very close to my home. Such a good space to connect with earth and water. I often visit when things are hard, or looking for comfort and grounding.

I have been working with the idea of "letting go" this week, oracle cards and synchronicities have been showing me the way, so I am taking heed.
I carry the burdens of others, scurry around trying to fix things for people, but a lot of this weight is not mine to carry, and may even disempower others. Sometimes I worry about the situation of loved ones when they themselves are working through situations without drama.
My DD lives in our nearest city- her and her flatmate have been given a 3 month notice to quit the lease- it is a furnished flat.
Although it is a beautiful flat and she will be sad to leave she is taking it in her stride. fully confident she will find somewhere else to stay. I have a spare room in my home too so that is there as a back up.

It is bananas for me to be anxious on her behalf, she is in control, calm about the situation- already looking for another place, considering her options, with little worry- confident she will find a suitable place.
I am carrying a burden of my own creation! Even the issues that are mine don't have to be carried 24/7, it doesn't help to lug them around all the time. I can park some stuff in the left luggage room until it is time to deal with them.
I have been meditating and journalling with water energy to release, cleanse and let go, examine my inventory and lighten my load.

Adulting and parenting can be so darn hard at times!

I will light my candle, have a geranium spa shower, and start my day.

@Needsomethingtoread I'm sorry to hear that. The spiritual journey really can help with impending loss and grief, albeit the pain is so hard to bear.

Today I visited my mum's grave. She died at the end of last year and I really miss her, especially recently. I cried for the first time at the grave. On my walk back through the cemetery I spotted a robin on a branch. It was just a foot away from me and it stared at me for ages. Finally I got my phone out to take a photo but it flew off! I like to think it's a message from spirit that my mum is okay and heard me. I have faith that she isn't 'gone' but it's obviously tough without her physical presence. I miss chatting about the TV shows we liked. It's the little things that hurt the most.

BTw @speakout letting go is very painful but so necessary and freeing when you manage it. I also meditate and journal and try not to hold onto painful thoughts and emotions but let them work their way through me without attaching. It's a hard process but well worth it I think.

I hope everyone else is okay. I read here but not a lot of energy to reply atm.

What a wonderful sign existentialpain , grieving can be a slow and ever changing thing, it can't be rushed, but if we recognise it and treat with compassion and care then it can be integrated, become less raw over time.

I hope everyone has something good planned over the weekend, simple or grand. I am halfway through a book right now, and may take a walk or at least sit in the garden for a while.
I have body balance this morning, with my usual swing by M&S, then some work in the afternoon.
Tomorrow is my Full Moon women's circle, this Thunder Moon in Capricorn will bring steadfast energy, stability and structure.. A good time to work with our roots, shadow and base chakra.

I need to be on the lookout for an essential oil burner, I am slightly obsessed with Geranium Oil at the moment, and have been balancing water pots over candles- with some spillage! I need a safer way. In winter time I usually just put oil on a small saucer or tissue on a radiator, I will check my local charity shop.

Off for a spa shower ( geranium of course!), getting ready for my class.

Calm blessings to all.

Lovely Full Moon weekend sisters!
I'm writing from holiday visiting parents - extremely needed, the past two months or so have been so stressful, I felt it's been off but only just realised I gave up on practically all my routines, ate unhealthily, house a mess, and rushed through the last month of DS's school. Now at my mum's house I feel so incredibly grounded and reconnected - jars of herbs, fresh veggies from the garden, candles and potions everywhere. I missed that and need to reintroduce it back home too.
On another note, my parents are remodelling a tiny old farmhouse into a holiday cottage. It's in a beautiful spot, will be a lot of work but worth it - though we've been going there since my childhood and it never felt good. I sense the place has seen cruelty and sadness. With limited resources, what can I do to cleanse it safely? I could take sage leaves and burn in a bowl but no proper bundle, I'm planning salt water spray on the doors/windows, but running out of ideas.

@Needsomethingtoread I'm sorry to read about your sister. Hope your spiritual journey eases your healing.

Blessings sisters, I hope the load is lightening for you all over this weekend, we could all do with some lightness of spirit.

My familiar of 13 years went over the rainbow bridge last week, I miss her so.

SeaEssence, it's your will and intention that will clear and cleanse. Salt water plus those is very effective.

I am sorry to hear of your loss Blanktimes, connection with an animal can be such a precious thing. Unconditional love, no judgement, animals show us how to simply just be.
SeaEssence your Mum's house sounds amazing, I am glad it has inspired you.
It must be such an amazing thing to have a grounded supportive mother.
Blanktimes is right- your will and intention are the key to cleansing, and doesn't really need fancy equipment or money.
As an alternative to smudging you could try sianing, the Celtic/European version - a similar process using dried local plants - I like to use the spirit of place. Use essential oils, pots of wild flowers, scatter dried herbs.
A good physical cleansing will help- sweeping, cleaning.. You could charge a crystal tonight or some salt water under the full moon.
Sound is a good way too- repeating some words in every corner, even just saying "cleanse and bless" as you move. You can sing, hum, beat a drum or biscuit box, use a singing bowl, maracas musical instrument, stamp your feet or dance like a banshee.

I have allowed myself a long sleep last night, and woken up later than usual. I have a tendency to pack my days full, even with nurturing things, but I need to remind myself that sleep is important.
I have cancelled my usual yoga class this morning, I will practice at home today for a shorter time, perhaps in the garden while my mother is at church. I have to work today and have my woman's circle this evening. OH is away tommorow with work until Friday, the thought of looking after two other adults with no support is a little daunting. I will make sure that the my house is clean, no laundry piles, lots of food in the fridge.
I also start another block of weekly counseling on Tuesday- I am both excited and nervous. It is such hard work, painful, I am often tearful, but seems to work really well for me, and worth the effort.
Time to start my day,

Enjoy the full moon energy,