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

A beautiful nest Hedjwitch. Highlights sacred geometry- the pentagon is a structure found in many fruits, vegetables, vegetables and used as a magical symbol. I hope you are feeling a little better today.

It is so cold today, my garden thermometer reads minus 7 this morning, I am putting all my clean clothes on the radiator so I can jump into them as fast as possible after my shower.
I spent some time yesterday making pine cone bird feeders - very satisfying. I had been using peanut butter ( unsalted) but my DD suggested lard as a cheaper option. I made a few different varieties as I am curious to see which birds prefer certain types of food. I have made crushed peanut, mealworm, oatmeal, suet and mixed seed varieties. I love the fact that everything is reusable and inexpensive too.
I have a robin who flies in and sits on my fence the moment I start to put out bird food, such a clever little animal who has it all worked out.
There have been some incredible sunsets in the past few days, perhaps atmospheric conditions or clouds on the horizon have been making the sun appear four times larger that it actually is before dipping down for night fall.

I have been listening to lots of podcasts and videos online recently, I have wide interests, but philosophy is always a favourite of mine. Michael Singer, Eckhart Tolle, Alan Watts and many more. I don't buy into any of them completely and although I feel they are all talking from a position of white male privilege there are some very powerful ideas to consider.
I listened to this yesterday by Alan Watts, he talks of the importance of keeping our own cup full and prioritising our own needs first. I know this is old hat for many of us, but he explains the concept at a deep level, personal and societal, I want to listen to it again today. s

I also stumbled across this woman yesterday too- again some very deep food for the mind to cruch on.

Although strictly not "magical" my concept of magic, spirituality and witchcraft touches every area of my life, completely woven into my existence.

I hope everyone has been feeling supported by beauty and magic this week.

I listened to a lot of the first podcast @speakout and I particularly liked that said that self care doesn't mean we have less to give other people, but actually the opposite. Another way of saying you can't pour from an empty cup but also makes a slightly different point. I guess I often think that any time I spend on my needs is taken away from anything else I need to do, but perhaps that's the wrong way of thinking about it.

Nice to see the sunshine and blue sky the last few days. The moon has also been very clear - I bought a little moon calendar so I can keep track of rising and setting times as well as phases.

Sorry- posted one link twice- this is the Alan Watts video

MonstersAndAngels I agree it is a challenging mindset shift, at odds with ideas of productivity, idleness and protestant ethics.
But with awareness and time we can start to see the results of nurturing our body and soul. I know my loved ones are better supported when I care for myself- they positively encourage it!

I will listen to that podcast, @speakout it looks interesting (love philosophy too). I think this past year, when we reached and went beyond carers burnout, I really understand the consequences of not being able to look after yourself. There is definitely still a strong protestant work ideology of you need to keep doing all the time. Except, we need to rest and replenish in order to do and give.

I agree quirkychick the work ethic goes too far and although both sexes are affected by this women in particular bear a bigger burden in many households Working and doing most of the domestic jobs.
And the sad truth that it is often women who police each other lest they fall into the sin of idleness. And that judgement is difficult to release. Guilt can weedle its way into our conciousness and we have to recognise that joy killer.

I grew up in a large council estate and I remember vividly women - including my mother would talk about other women who they thought were slovenly. Front steps had to be scrubbed once a week, on hands and knees with scouring powder and unbelievably would keep tabs on each other. " Mrs Green at number 23 hasn't scrubbed her steps for 3 weeks" with much tutting and eye rolling.
Doing nothing wasn't an option.
And growing up in that environment does leave a legacy.
I still have to remind myself that resting, daydreaming are very important things.

@speakout I think both as a teacher and carer, I've experienced this competitive busyness. There's also a lot of it on mn, poor women run ragged and other posters thinking they should be doing more!

My grandparents and my dad grew up on council estates. That definitely rings true.

Another beautiful gift from the Goddess. Frozen lichen,a tiny tree of life.

Hedjwitch how stunningly beautiful. Thank you for noticing this beauty and sharing with us.

Oh, that's so beautiful @Hedjwitch . Coincidentally, I have been reading Deep Nutrition (about how traditional diets switch on good genes) and was reading about dendrites, the tree-shaped nerves in the body and how these shapes are found all over nature, such as your beautiful lichen. Nature is truly amazing.

Thanks for the podcast and YouTube recommendations @speakout. Really food for thought. The Alan Watts speech finding who you are. Capitalistic Nihilism reminds me of reading Marx and studying the American Dream in Sociology at University. Very interesting.

I love finding beauty in tiny things. So easily overlooked in our stressed busy lives.

That's a lovely thought. Finding beauty in the tiny things...I need to remember to do that especially in these dark winter months.

It is a great reminder that beauty is everywhere - if we dare to look. Good things in life mostly don't come from a flashy new car, expensive clothes or cosmetics.
We can- I know I do- can get a bit stuck in a frame of reference which filters out the tiny, the small as being important. Life can seem flat and grey, especially during the darker months. I don't dismiss mental health issues for a moment, they are very real and can be severe, but for many of us taking a moment to notice and focus on the bright and good. Root work is important, but looking outward is essential too.
My mood has been a bit low for a few days, I need to take some action to move it along. I drove past a local wood yesterday and caught a glimpse of the forest floor, white with a carpet of snowdrops- so that is a walk I need to do soon as Imbolc energy rises.
However much the temptation of sugar appeals when I feel a bit down I steer myself towards healthier options. Not always easy as I swear chocolate sings to me from the cupboard! So I have just finished a peanut butter and banana toast ( sweet and dense enough to feel comforting) with a home made green smoothie- it has taken me a few months to tinker with the recipe and find a combination that I enjoy, and doesn't look and taste too Harry Potterish!

Yes, so important to cherish small, beautiful things, especially from the natural world. I try to take note of any little things that I enjoy to help my mental health as much as possible

We had 2 family birthdays last week, so quite a bit of indulgence. I'm swapping to dark chocolate (which I prefer, and limits how much I eat). A current favourite are the forest feast, small packs of dark chocolate cherries or dark chocolate almonds. Small and reasonably healthy. Your smoothie sounds good @speakout. I used to do a spinach, avocado, apple, ginger and lemon smoothie, you've just reminded me!

Hedjwitch, your bit of lichen is beautiful. DH bought me a digital microscope last year for my birthday, and it has opened up new worlds. So many unseen things. Here is a watercolour of a leaf I did in my nature journal, all the blemishes just look brown. But under microscope they are shades of blue, green and delicate mauve, that you cannot see with the naked eye. Amazing

Wow @fizzingada what a talented artist you are. I am trying to record something beautiful from nature every day this year. Sometimes it's just a small thing like the crunch of my feet on the frosted grass. But today....today I had the utter joy of a wild robin coming onto my hand to take seed. My first birthday in 61 years without my mother and this happens!

That's a thrilling experience, Hedjwitch. Writing or drawing something everyday is a lovely way to stay connected to nature amidst the madness of the world.

@Hedjwitch that's so moving! Happy Birthday, too. I write a list each week of anything lovely that happens and try to draw aspects of nature. I found some drawing pens that I'd forgotten in all the chaos last year, which I've started using. @FizzingAda your microscope sounds amazing. I have a friend who does nature tours with ultraviolet lights and the colours are astonishing. I went with the dds last year, our little local park became magical.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/27/biofluorescent-nature-walk-uv-torch

Bioflorescence here. Nature is wonderful.

We went to a geology day at Authmithie in Angus, last year, and part of the day was viewing a large collection of rocks in the dark with a UV torch. They were incredible, dull brown or grey rocks glowing with wonderful colours. I meant to get to get a UV torch, they are very cheap, but never got round it, must get one. The digital microscopes are not very dear and you pair it with your ipad or computer and can take a photo of of the item, much better than squinting through an eyepiece! There is so much wonder in the world that our poor senses cannot comprehend, we are so lucky to have these little gadgets to help us.

@FizzingAda the UV is amazing, isn't it? We went in winter and a lot of the foliage looked like flowers, apparently a lot of insects see like that. Also, farmers are using it as fungi show up red (I think?) on crops in UV. We did have to wear protective goggles. The digital microscope sounds an amazing idea!

FizzingAda such beautiful artwork- you are so talented!

The UV light stirs memories of swimming in Thailand at night through bioluminescent plankton- so magical.
I bought a UV torch yesterday- and been exploring the house- I thought I kept my toilets very clean!! Underestimated the height of mensplash!! Be warned!

I will pop by later for a longer chat, I have a consultation at the hospital this morning regarding my upcoming cataract surgery.
I am going alone, by choice, will take my journalling book although I don't expect to be sitting around too long.

I am about to start my morning rituals, that will smooth out some anxiety I am feeling at the moment.

Good luck at the hospital today @speakout. I'm about to start my morning ritual too, candle, yoga, meditation and journalling.

Good luck today, @speakout

The energies are currently very odd round our way: we’re without water in the bathroom and a half-hearted drizzle in the kitchen. Two neighbours have the same issue but our water authority still thinks it’s not an issue. We’ve been told next week is the earliest we can expect any action. Meanwhile, I’m thinking hard about just how much water we use every day without blinking - two whole buckets to flush the loo. It’s dreary and inconvenient to be in this situation but also very sobering. I think twice before doing anything that needs water. In other news: house sale completion delayed again, this time the buyer’s mortgage shenanigans to blame. Here we are! No point grumbling. Things take as long as they take.

Good luck @speakout .
I'm going to have to buy a UV torch it seems!