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

Guys what do you do to cleanse your energy?

I'm also dipping my toe in. I was directed here from the Folklore and Mythology thread. I am interested in the connection to the seasons and also the herblore. I do regularly make a very lovely elderberry syrup from a recipe another mner shared years ago. I will check out the videos suggested about Paganism, they sound very much my thing. I've had a year of upheaval and feel the need even more strongly to connect with what's around me.

Welcome @quirkychick - you’re very welcome to this thread I was glad to see that folklore thread as I was thinking something similar myself recently, so it’s nice to see that it’s brought someone over this way.

I recommend researching the Wheel of the Year to get a feeling for the general pagan view of the connection to the seasons, but bear in mind that everyone’s personal practice will be different and will be informed by their beliefs and the landscape they live in - those in the Southern Hemisphere tend to celebrate the Wheel holidays, also known as sabbats, at the opposite time of year to those living in the Northern Hemisphere, for example, as that’s what makes sense in their landscape. Equally, the weather, seasons and natural changes will be different in the US and Italy than they are in the UK, for example, so people might experience them differently and have different mental associations with the holidays depending on geography.

People will also add additional holidays or observances to the annual calendar depending on their beliefs and the Gods they worship, if any. If you’re looking to add extra days to your Wheel of the Year, I recommend the book “Rounding the Wheel of the Year” by Lucya Starza, as well as researching the particular traditions you’re interested in following (if you are drawn to any tradition at all, that is!), such as Celtic traditions, Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc, as they have holy days unique to their religious calendars.

I made a pledge at the start of September that I’d celebrate all the Wheel of the Year holidays properly this year now that I’ve publicly “come out of the broom closet” as a modern pagan. I’ve had great fun and really meaningful experiences in doing this so far, and am happy to share my experiences and celebration ideas as I go for anyone here who is interested.

Separately, I’ve just come back from a week-long holiday which was also a pilgrimage, and I’ve come away feeling much closer to one of my Gods because of this. I’m so thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to visit such beautiful and sacred spaces and to connect with this God through prayer and meditation in such a focused way over the past week. I hope to maintain this stronger connection going forwards now that I’m back as I know it’ll help me to learn and grow. Hope everyone has had a magical start to their week!

Morning to you all. It's very dark here at the moment and I'm sitting with my artificial light lamp to kick start my day. I'm focusing on helping my daughter this week after she has felt quite unsettled recently. I think this Full moon really affected us negatively for some reason (both Gemini) . I wonder if any of you had the same experience? I'm feeling much happier and more resilient now we're in the waning stage again. My daughter tried Reiki for the first time yesterday and found it really beneficial. The lady was so sweet too and asked if she wanted to include any deities in the reiki which was a lovely thing to ask, I thought. I'm trying to get my little connections with nature when I can, even if its just drinking my coffee in the garden. I'm doing bits and pieces of somatic yoga too to try and soothe my overwhelmed mind and body. Have a restful and peaceful day all of you.

For me, I find working in my garden works best. Something about the digging and the connection with soil and growing things even in winter resonates.

I'm very much home, hearth, and garden so looking after those helps me most.

@FrostedSunrise thank you very much for the very warm welcome. I will look into that book, too. I've read quite a bit about Greek and Roman traditions in the past and most recently Sharon Blackie's If Women Rose Rooted has lots of links to place and Celtic traditions.

I already start my day with yoga and meditation and completely agree with getting outside to feel connected.

I wrote this a while ago, think there have been more posts since so will go and catch up. Apologies if this advice has already been given.

Welcome Lisanoonan, not sure what you mean by cleanse your energy.
If it's for yourself, then the whole gamut of what's now known as Wellness practises apply, diet, fitness, meditation, mindfulness, connecting to Nature etc.

If it's for your home, the easiest way is to cleanse it with a little salt sprinkled in all corners, doorways and windows, especially the openings, with the intention to move stagnant energy and bring a natural flow. Physically clean, declutter, think about what sort of chemicals your house is full of and try to substitute with more natural products, it's more of a long term way of life thing than a quick vac and mop 😉

Welcome Quirkychick, I see you have had some great advice already.

Lots of us don't work with pantheon or single deities, it's important to do what's right for you.

Food brings its own connection to the seasons, I find the Gather Victoria site inspirational.
gathervictoria.com/

Theordinary, I think the unsettledness has affected us all, it's more perturbing as there doesn't appear to be a single source.

I'm glad your dd has had a pleasant Reiki experience, much does depend on the practitioner, it sounds as though she has found the right one for her.😁

Im old school - or maybe just old ! Access to information about anything vaguely esoteric was frowned upon and not something you could discuss openly. Nowadays, there are many anxiety and stress relieving practises online, alongside just about anything you could wish to know, so although that's great in principle, it also comes with the caveat to be very careful about what information you are accepting and what is pure fiction.

Always rely on your instincts to decide if a practise is right for you and consider how it will affect you. For example, yoga is wonderful, but if you have hypotonia and/or joint hypermobility, Pilates is much safer for your body.

Enjoy exploring the many opportunities that will come your way.

@BlankTimes thank you for that link. Food, and seasons are very much my bag. I am also of an age where esoteric things were not talked about, although both my maternal grandparents were very into spiritualism, psychics, yoga (when it was not popular here). Though it was not to be discussed with others outside the home.

@BlankTimes I've just realised I've pinned the Gather Victoria page on Samhain already!

Good afternoon sisters,from a bitterly cold north. Definitely colder than this witch's tit out there. The washing has frozen to the line already.
Currently reading " Unwell Women" about the treatment of women's medical conditions over the centuries. It's horrific and fascinating. Generally you would be labelled either hysterical or a witch and treated accordingly.

I would also like to extend a welcome to you quirkychick . We are a friendly bunch, and newcomers are always welcome.
You make an excellent point about the wheel of the year FrostedSunrise, I would love a wall hanging in my kitchen.

For me it is also helpful to find a sense of space, where I am rooted, the genius loci. I love to think of my ancestors treading on the same turf I now inhabit, as there are residual energies in that space.
Whether you are new to an area or living near where you grew up there will always be an energy of that space.
Blanktimes has given useful information on cleansing- indeed there are many ways of cleansing our home, space or our body.
And most of them are easy to shoehorn into our daily cleaning activities, so don't take much time or effort.
I like to use cleansing meditations, smudging or saining, sound or whispers.

There have been some horrific atrocities towards women over the centuries, it weighs on my heart.
I have been given some books about witchunting but I can't bring myself to read them. I have done investigations of the burning times, researched historical happenings in my own area, but it upsets me too much to dwell on the details.

Even now we as women are still suffering from the fallout from those times.

I am back home after a short trip to the post office, supermarket and a few errands. It is so cold outside, I have pumped up the heating and won't be moving far from under my blanket this evening!

The atrocities against women are just evil. I can't stop thinking about the poor woman in France who is bravely fighting for justice. If anything made me want to do a spell for female solidarity, that would be it.
@Hedjwitch I've got that book on my kindle I think, you've just reminded me. I might start reading it again. I tend to start books and run out of steam before the end these days.

Hello, I hope it’s ok to post here. I’m just looking for any advice or pointers which could help me rebalance my emotions and give me mental strength at the moment please. I’m going through an incredibly painful breakup with the father of my two young children. Each time I think I can keep my strength and focus to get through this, something happens and a wave of sadness, grief and regret consumes me again.

I’m going through a massive transition in life it feels and struggling to accept it and have confidence and hope for future happiness with this new identity. Maybe I’m just desperate for some answers or certainty that it will be ok but I feel so destabilised by the whole thing and so want to figure out what I need and how to love myself again.

Thank you for any kind words or thoughts.

@Nosignalnorelationship hugs to you. I'm also looking for meaning and stability too. Not the same circumstances, but also going through a massive transition and trauma. I'm new on this board, but didn't want to read and run.

Thank you @quirkychick, I really appreciate you posting that. I felt drawn to the hope that there would be lots of strong and wise women here as I feel quite lost at the moment.

I am so sorry you are going through a massive transition and trauma and hope you are finding ways to make it gentler.

Hi there, @Nosignalnorelationship, sorry to hear you’re going through such a difficult experience. Could you share a bit about your personal beliefs, if you’re comfortable doing that? My answer will be different depending on which tradition you’re drawn to (if any) and what you personally believe in. I hope things get easier for you very soon.

@Nosignalnorelationship I have been reading lots of myths and folklore (came over from that thread) which has been giving me a sense of connectedness to something bigger than myself. My story is: I've been a carer for my autistic, disabled daughter who had a crisis has just gone into care (she's now v happily settled). It has had a massive impact on the wider family. I'm no longer a carer or mother and I'm adjusting.

Hello Nosignalnorelationship and welcome.

What you are going through is very much akin to grief and you need to give yourself time to go through all of the stages of the grief your experience has caused and let them process. Then and only then can you start to build a new future.

In our society, we give no heed to the emotional side of any adverse events. Everyone is encouraged to show how any physical effects are now healed, but there's no help or support structure available for anyone with wounded and dysregulated emotions.

Instead of support, people previously seen as friends try and make light of the circumstances, brush things under the carpet and chivvy the emotionally hurt person along, suggesting they snap out of it, stop wallowing, count your blessings, get a hobby etc.

In my experience, emotional wounds take many times longer to heal than physical ones.

Be gentle on your self, know that things will improve and be very much better in the future.
Be aware that your emotions take time to heal and take any steps you need to, to help yourself, however long it takes.

Thank you @FrostedSunrise. I don’t feel like I will be very good at explaining this, almost like I don’t have the language to explain so thank you for bearing with me and thank you for asking. I feel like I have a strong connection to where my parents are from in Ireland and so I am drawn to ancient Celtic traditions and mythology. But I have never felt so more at home and connected to the land as when I went to Iceland and I kept going back because I felt more like that was my spiritual home. It really got under my skin. Something about being confronted with dramatic landscapes and vast openness and I was just in awe of it and it felt very comforting and familiar to me. So I am taking comfort in being in a woods and meadow close by a lot at the moment as I’m in an otherwise fairly built up city.

Today I felt like I really wanted to get some tarot cards or see a reader. I was always quite scared about the idea based on ignorance but I think I’m just reaching for some kind of hope to cling onto for the future and feel quite overwhelmed with all of the different emotions going through this breakup, impact on the children, wanting to do the right thing. I am having weekly counselling which is helping but I feel like despite the absolute pain and sadness of this transition, it’s opening me up a bit and I see glimpses of strength emerging so finally, I guess I’m maybe on a bit of a journey of self discovery?

Thank you @quirkychick for sharing what you are going through and your transition. That sounds very hard and complicated and you have my thoughts and love as you navigate this massive change in your life and new way of being.

@quirkychick I'm sorry for what you're going through, that sounds really hard. You are still a mother and I'm glad your daughter is settled at least - you're probably feeling scattered now because you've had to hold your breath and keep everything in until the crisis was over. Hopefully you'll find something meaningful on this thread

@Nosignalnorelationship that's completely normal to struggle to articulate your beliefs at first! I think you're definitely on the right track with spending time in nature, it's so grounding. Perhaps you could visit some of the Icelandic landscape you felt so connected to in meditation? You could create a mental happy place or calm place from that landscape which you can visit when you need to quiet your mind? It doesn't have to be a real place, it could just be inspired by what you saw there.

You could try reading some of the Irish myths to get a sense of connectedness to your heritage and the beliefs of your ancestors. I really recommend the delightful Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland, I've been a fan of his for years and he has over 100 videos on YouTube from when he held daily live streams of reading Irish myths during the pandemic, which I found so valuable during that time. He's also an author, but those YouTube videos are so cosy and welcoming, they're a bit of a comfort blanket for me and you might find that too.

I also have Irish heritage but a bit more removed than you, and the Celtic side of things is really integral to my own practice. One of my patron Gods is Celtic and I went on a pilgrimage to some of his sacred sites just last week! If you're drawn to any of the Celtic Gods, there's no harm in praying or meditating on that, or even lighting a candle to one of them as an offering and stating that you're open to their guidance. I've also been working with trees a lot recently using the Celtic tree zodiac inspired by the Ogham alphabet, and I've found that very grounding, so you might be able to bring that in.

Slightly adjacent to what you've mentioned your beliefs are, but I also do a lot of angel work, and I find the angels to be such powerful healers and comforters, especially during the darkest times. BlankTimes is absolutely correct in saying that the grieving process can't be rushed and is very individual, so you do need to give yourself time, but when I have felt like I was drowning in emotion and even experiencing physical symptoms from emotional pain, I have been offered such relief from asking angels for help. Archangel Michael is a protector, Archangel Raphael is a healer (especially for physical issues), Archangel Jophiel helps us to find joy and Archangel Azrael helps guide us through grief, loss and transitions in life.

I completely understand the urge to turn to a tarot reader for some guidance, but as someone who is experienced in that area I would urge you to seek out someone trustworthy who has genuine word-of-mouth testimonials, not just someone from a generic psychic website or chat line. If you know anyone who has had their cards read, ask them if there's a reader they trust and would recommend - the last thing you need at this point is to end up more confused or upset when you're feeling vulnerable

So sorry to hear of your circumstances, several of us have adult children who have difficulties and/or are ND, so we are aware of what it's like to parent.

I'm so pleased that your DD is now settled, what a massive wrench for both of you. I reiterate what I said in my previous post about treating your emotions as grief and slowly letting them process. Give yourself time to adapt to your new situation and accept the differences it will bring to all of the people it touches. Go gently and give yourself time.

@BlankTimes and @FrostedSunrise thank you very much. You are right, it is definitely grief and I am treating it as such. Grief also for the change in other family relationships caused by it too - this is the most distressing and will probably take the most time to heal. I have being doing Headspace meditations on Grief and Loss, which is very helpful.

I have ordered the book on The Wheel of the Year which I'm looking forward to and the video about Modern Paganism by Ronald Hutton was very interesting. I will check out some of his others too. I'm trying to build in more walks in nature, as I'm getting my strength back after a chest infection. I'm in the UK, in East Anglia, but live in a city.

For those going g through upheaval and trying to find their own paths may I recommend Mary Oliver's poem The Journey. It has helped me through some tough times.

And may I ask a favour sisters. A man called Richard passed this morning after a horrible illness. I never met him but he was the oldest and best friend of a friend of mine,who is today distraught. If anyone is doing candles at eight,please send your energy to guide Richard towards the light,and surround his family and friends with love at this most difficult time.