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

We went for our daily walk today, the storm has made everything seem so rugged. We’ve all got a bit of a cold so the fresh air has done us some good and then DM did a lovely Sunday roast for us so I’m feeling very relaxed and ready for the week ahead.

I’ve had some issues with one set of my grandparents. They aren’t happy with how little we see each other. I live just under 2 hours away from my home city, so I don’t see them as often as I like and our weekends are usually just full of weekly shops and household tasks so I don’t have the time to visit them on weekends. I’ve told my grandparents they’re welcome to visit whenever, and my other set of grandparents have offered to bring them up when they visit me but that’s not good enough apparently. It’s so frustrating, I’ve had them on the phone today complaining about me not coming down to see them..even though I am at Christmas. It’s wound me up so I’m going to have a calming bath tonight and some meditation by candlelight.

@quirkychick I started with ones that were ready made and then after a while realised it was cheaper for me to just create my own. I have a diffuser too, but I don’t use it very often. Your yoga class sounds lovely, I should look into if there’s any near me but I don’t know if I can commit to any classes at the minute.

@Craftycorvid congratulations on exchanging contracts, I bet that’s a big relief.

@VioletCharlotte I also love storms, if I’m inside!. I think the scenery where I live looks incredible when it’s stormy.
We add essential oils to our mop water, and do lots of other little witchy cleaning rituals. It makes cleaning that little bit more enjoyable.

Welcome @andagen 💫. I love this time of year for looking inwards and being still, I hope you manage to find the time to do so.

@Hedjwitch oh wow I love that you’re doing that! What a brilliant way to see in the new year.

@Hedjwitch I love the idea of the head shave!

@tackychristmas it can be hard trying to keep everyone happy at times and looking after your own and immediate family's needs. (Actually of course it's impossible and we shouldn't feel we have to - but often do) I have never been very good at setting boundaries but I'm getting a bit better as I get older, and I just try to remember that I can't control other people's reactions and behaviour so I can only try to let it wash over me. Not easy though!

@tackychristmas I often buy essential oils and good, scented candles from tkmaxx on sale, but I'm tempted by the roll on idea. I have an oil diffuser on my wishlist.

I have only just been able to commit to going to a yoga class - this was a taster and I have a free class later in the week - due to only recently stopping being a carer for dd2. I sympathise with the family issues, dd1 (19) is going through some difficult stuff and is basically staying with my parents atm. It's been a very strange year with lots of sudden change for us.

@Hedjwitch the head shave sounds great! 2 girls in dd1's yr at school had all their hair cut off and donated it. I like the idea of reclaiming it.

@MonstersAndAngels it’s difficult isn’t it?. I’m the eldest child so I feel like I’ve always took on a caring role for my parents and grandparents, so I think they were quite shocked when I decided to move away from home. I also need to work on boundary setting!.

@quirkychick I love scented candles, wax melts and incense to make the house smell nice.
I think I will have to wait a couple of years before I commit to any in person classes. DD is only 20 months old and I’m expecting DC2 in April so life’s pretty hectic and I struggle to find time to myself. I’d love to go to classes though, but I’m trying to appreciate solitary practice for now.
Sorry to hear about your DD, juggling families is so difficult.

Our morning walk was less windy today, but very cold!. I’m looking forward to lovely spring walks in the distant future!. I’ve been doing some Yule crafts with DD this week, we’ve made some herbal sachets to hang on the tree, and a simmer pot. I’ve got out our yule themed books too and rearranged her bookshelf so we will be reading some of them over the coming weeks.

@tackychristmas congratulations on your pregnancy! You do have enough to be going on with and it's only very recently that I have been able to go to classes. I usually practice yoga at home in the mornings, something I started doing with small dcs. Your seasonal activities with dd sound lovely.

So glad to have found this little corner of Mumsnet. I’m increasingly drawn to following the wheel of the year and have learnt so many interesting things from reading previous threads 🙂

@magnummum that's how I feel too. I've been very drawn to seasonal living and this feels like a natural extension.

In my pursuit to do more things for myself and outside of the house, I went to a Yin Yoga class, candles, fairy lights, beautiful chanting music and a really calm teacher who read us poetry about being not doing. Afterwards, my shoulders felt so loose!

I went for a walk this morning in a local cemetery (that's a bit like a park in a busy part of the city, with paths through to main roads). It's quite quiet and has lots of wildlife in the oldest part. I saw 2 muntjac deer, one crossed the path right in front of me! Lots of squirrels and birds too.

Sisters,can I ask you to send healing to my friend's 17 year old daughter,who was hit by a car outside her school yesterday. Quite serious injuries. Her name is Isobel. Thank you.

Oh, @Hedjwitch how awful!

A warm welcome magnummum, pull up a beanbag by the aga and help yourself to a brew. You're right, there's a lovely atmosphere here, we are all supportive and have a lot of experience between us. The Wheel of the Year is a good place to start your journey, re-align with the natural rhythm of the Earth.

quirkychick sounds like a great day !

Hedjwitch yes, sending healing.💞

@Hedjwitch fierce thinking with your hair! In some cultures, shaving your head is done to signify a new start and bringing the focus of growth and energy into the body, as it’s thought the growing of hair depletes it.

And sending love and blessings to Isobel.

Yes, love and blessings to Isobel.

Thank you. Yes,as well as raising money for charity it very much represents a new start and a new chapter in my life.

Isobel needs your healing. She is undergoing emergency surgery tonight. Her parents are somehow holding it together. Very much in my thoughts.

@Hedjwitch the new chapter and new start sounds exciting. I think I'm in a new chapter, but forced by circumstances and gradually embracing it. Love and healing to Isobel, that sounds very hard.

I have been reading Losing Eden by Lucy Jones about how important our connection with nature is. Fascinating information, how substances in bacteria in the soil helps with mental health and our immune systems. Also, how important it is to children - I used to be an Early Years teacher, so I completely agree! I have cut some ivy from the garden and made a kind of garland on the mantlepiece with loads of fairy lights and candles.

Hello everyone

It’s been a while since I popped in. Life has been so challenging and I had a breakdown at the end of November so I am now on medication and starting therapy as I have been really quite poorly.
It is still so lovely to pop in and read all your messages though.

Sorry to hear you've been so unwell @queenrollo, I hope this peaceful and spiritual thread will give you some comfort.

Sending healing wishes to Isobel @Hedjwitch .

I spent some time at a beautiful and very wild nature reserve on Sunday after a hectic week, and it was just what I needed. I think the rain and wind and grey skies had been getting me down, however much I try to embrace them I feel so much better with a clear sky and a bit of winter sunshine.
I'm looking forward to a cosy Yule fire this weekend. I have a question - I know dates don't really matter but would you traditionally mark the solstice on the eve of 21st as with some of the other sabbats, or on the night of 21st. If the weather is dry either night I might have a fire outside anyway!

@queenrollo I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a bad time. You have my deep sympathy and solidarity - I've had an awful year, though I've not been as ill as you, I've been teetering on the brink. The lovely spirituality on this thread has been both soothing and inspiring.

@MonstersAndAngels your walk sounds really refreshing. I agree about the winter sun, it massively affects my energy and mood. I'm trying to get back into regular walks in nature, so important, especially with the short hours of daylight.

It is so lovely to slip into this cosy place and find like minds and generous support, also a big welcome to newcomers, adding energy into this sisterhood collective.
Like many of us things have been difficult for me too in the past few months, and I have been lurching from one crisis to the next for too long. Just when things seem brighter there comes another crashing storm ripping my sails and battering my internal landscape. The past few days have been especially difficult, loved ones needing support in crisis - especially during the night which eats into my sleeptime.
I am so very tired of situations I cannot change and drain my emotional energy.

However I have learned a lot about myself in recent years, developed self compassionand self awareness. Periods of complete dysregulation still happen, but I feel better equipped to deal with difficult times. I have written a “First Aid” book that I can use when my higher executive function crashes out and logic unavailable. A little book I keep down the side of my sofa, which I have reminders of things that will help when I feel lost at sea. Lots of little things which don’t seem a lot on their own and helps me get a foothold. Just little things like have a warm drink, go barefooting in the garden, journaling, meditation, a warm shower or 10 minutes of nurturing yoga.

I finished up work yesterday and I am glad of that, it is my busiest time of year and I haven’t had a full day off for 6 weeks. So today I have beave doneen to a Body Balance class, little hugs and soft words from my yogi friends, and now sitting with a mug of cocoa admiring my Christmas tree, knowing it took a lot of effort to buy one and decorate it.
I have done very little Christmas shopping but that’s OK, I still have a week, to make all the arrangements, and I want to spend some time to acknowledge the Solstice.On Christmas day I have arranged for a pick up of Christmas dinner- a small local restaurant- very inexpensive -we will set the table with all the things- my DD loves to do that, but no cooking, and no animal carcasses haunting the fridge for days afterwards.

Regarding the timing of Solstice celebrations- I think any celebration around that time will work. The exact astronomical moment this year is 9.20am on the 21st, it varies every year and sometimes even on the 20th or 23rd. I feel the solstice energies are high for a good few days before and after, more important to time any celebrations that fit in your schedule, mornings or evenings. I hope everyone is finding time to fill our cups.

If you are old school like me and enjoy sending and receiving christmas/yule/solstice cards, I would love to exchange. I know a few of you love cards too, and last year we swapped addresses- but now can't find them. If that sounds a good thing for you please pm me your address

I’ve been feeling out of sorts this week, just full of anxiety. It happens a lot this time of year for me, the short days can feel very claustrophobic if I don’t make an effort to get out, so I will be taking myself out for a walk tonight.

@quirkychick thank you ☺️. I wish I was stricter with myself with yoga, I always feel brilliant when I do it but never set the time aside for it, I really should though. I’ve just had a look at Losing Eden, I will add it to my wish list for books. I would love to read more but really struggle to know where to start.

@magnummum the wheel of the year was what attracted me to paganism, following it is such a wonderful way to live.

@Hedjwitch sending love and healing to Isobel, she is in my thoughts❤️.

@queenrollo I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a difficult time, I hope your therapy is helpful❤️.

@speakout your first aid book sounds genius. It’s so easy to forget the little things that help when you’re deep in difficult times, I might pinch that idea.

How is everyone planning to celebrate the solstice? I usually do a book on the eve of the solstice with DD, and one on the night. I try to do a bit of a feast too, it’s usually tied in with a Christmas celebration for the friends I won’t see on the day, they will come over and I will do yule themed food and drink (I try to do this for all the Sabbat’s). I find it interesting how we all celebrate.

That's a lovely idea @speakout, I have pmed you. You speak so eloquently about your difficulties. Sending love to you. I think this time of year really highlights this. We also have most of our birthdays around now and dealing with (unnecessary) family fallouts has just made it harder this year. I love the photo of the woods in snow, too.

@tackychristmas Lucy Jones has also written a book called Matrescence about becoming a mother and how we've lost traditional ways of helping women (I haven't read it yet). There are several interviews with her on the OBOD YouTube channel mentioned upthread.

tackychristmas I am sorry you have been feeling anxious* *of late- I think expectations run so high and it's difficult to avoid the Zeitgeist of the season.
quirkychick thank for your kind words. I feel it is important to share our vulnerabilities - keeping safe boundaries, particularly when it comes to MH issues. I am pretty candid with my friends at yoga class, talking about such things without shame helps everyone I think and takes the sting of stigma out of the equation. We are all touched by challenges, whether personally or of a loved one. Authenticity is so healing - the older I get the less bullshit I am prepared to accept. No-one has these twinkly filtered instagram lives we see on the internet, trying to meet these"standards" is not healthy.
We are human, and sometimes life is difficult and crap, but that's ok.

I've stopped sending paper cards, but if I did, it's likely this would be my choice because of my affinity with our ancient places.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1805207142/hare-sacred-stones-greetings-cards-pack?external=1&ref=plasimilarlistingtop-2&plkey=6595b400c2624263c5f3f75b7b19648bf9a822e3%3A1805207142

5,000 years ago and more, our ancestors built vast constructions, some of which mark Sunreturn with precise accuracy.

On Solstice Sunrise, in spirit I will be at Newgrange https://voicesfromthedawn.com/newgrange/

and at Solstice sunset, in spirit at Maeshowe and Stonehenge.

Solstice Blessings Sisters

Thanks for those links Blanktimes, those cards are beautiful, and I will be tuning into the Newgrange site.
Do you celebrate the Solstice at sunrise or sunset? I have heard of both times used .

I received the loveliest gift from a dear friend yesterday, a beautiful Yule banner decoration, has pride of place above my fireplace, giving me a cosy glow each time I pass.

I have spent the last two days having a soft life, my mood and energy have lifted as a result of resting and sleeping, reading and stroking cats. I feel so calm and centred today.
I have zero plans for the rest of today- there are tasks I could be doing, clearing out my pot cupboard, cleaning the bathroom, I have such a tendency to fill every moment of my day doing things, but I have to remind myself that resting is doing something too, and at the moment feels the right thing to prioritise.

Winter- or wintering as a concept is a time to tend to our roots, to move with the season and the earth energy to retreat, find comfort, move into dark places. Perfect for shadow work and divination, soul nurturing.
With each year that passes my winterplace becomes more inviting, more alluring, more comfortable.

Those are beautiful @BlankTimes . There is something so very special about those Neolithic sites. I grew up near the South Coast and not too far from Stonehenge. As a teenager I remember the draconian laws stopping people even walking towards Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice.

I have booked myself onto a Wellbeing Hub workshop in a medieval building that's now a yoga studio tomorrow. It includes a workshop on wintering, which seems suitably appropriate for the Winter Solstice.