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Philosophy/religion

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Any Witches here? Part 20

982 replies

speakout · 16/02/2024 12:56

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

Any Witches Here?- Part 18 | Mumsnet

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 an...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4717929-any-witches-here-part-18?page=1

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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quirkychick · 02/02/2025 09:38

Welcome @LostInAMist and Imbolc blessings to you too. (Great name btw)

After a heavy emotional week of trying to piece together family stuff and therapy, I went to a great Earthstar workshop, yesterday. It was Yin Yoga and Chakra Dance fused with Carl Jung philosophy. At the end we drew a mandala and my wonderful teacher gave us all a Chakra Oracle card. I'm usually a bit sceptical about things like that, but I had the Destiny card and it couldn't have been more appropriate, for me and Imbolc. The whole thing was wonderful and very emotional.

I hope everyone has had a lovely Imbolc with the stirrings of new beginnings. I think the shedding of old skin into a new start will continue to be both exciting and painful for me. But there does seem to be light and a path forward.

speakout · 02/02/2025 09:55

Blanktimes- yes, forward with hope, with trust in ourselves, shedding old skin as we move into the year of the snake.

I am glad the workshop was good for you quirkychick, events like these always feel deeply healing to me.
I am waiting for the forthcoming schedule of women's circles at a shamanic centre near me- they feel so powerful. I don't always understand the meaning or significance of the ceremonies- they are South American, and not of my heritage, but they are moving and healing at a very deep emotional and spiritual level.
I have had a long soak in the bath this morning using some magical bath salts made by a dear friend who used to frequent these threads- and sadly no longer in touch. I am down to the last cupful, so I use them sparingly. I am working, but have a yoga class soon, and plan to move through the day with a soft energy.

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 02/02/2025 10:32

Welcome to our new sisters. Pull up a beanbag and help yourself to a brew. Eye of newt today. ( or possibly mint and chamomile).
Feeling a bit low energy today so am going to skip the sea swim for fear of overdoing it and triggering a fibro flare up. Still in bed with the old fella....

Any Witches here? Part 20
speakout · 02/02/2025 13:04

Hedjwitch - oh wow- now I have goosebumps!

I came downstairs yesterday at home- and looking into the room ahead saw this beautiful cat! Lying exactly in this position of your photo on the chair. I have two cats- one is a grey tabby, the other jet black, so no mistaking. I blinked a few times and the chair was empty. I remember thinking how handsome the colouring is of a piebald cat, and despite having several cats over the years, none with that colouring.
Your old fella is a powerful familiar! Seems to have traveled a distance in the blink of an eye!

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 02/02/2025 13:38

Wow. I'm glad he visited you. He was oddly restless this morning as if he couldn't get comfy,before he finally settled. His name is Jericho.

magnummum · 02/02/2025 14:15

I’m not desperately green fingered but as things turn slowly towards spring was thinking I’d like to plant a few bits in the garden. Anything any of you grow that you use a lot? I’ve got a few pots of mints and lemon balm for teas, beautiful lavender…

quirkychick · 02/02/2025 15:43

@Hedjwitch and@speakout that's amazing! Your cat is very beautiful and special. I'm also quite low energy today, it's been an emotional week. We went for brunch at a favourite café and then a walk by the river, lots of snowdrops. I'm chilling out with a green tea and dark chocolate cashew nuts.

@magnummum I'm not very green fingered either, and we have a small, city garden. I have spring bulbs on the kitchen windowsill, hyacinth and tête-à-tête daffodils, which I'll pot for next year when they're done. I have lots of pots of herbs: mint, thyme, oregano, parsley; some perennials (they come up year after year) hardy geranium and another purple flower, I can't remember. Lots of wild strawberries grow rampantly in the garden, so I potted some away from the drive and road, so not near fumes. I have some lavender and a wisteria.

Hedjwitch · 02/02/2025 16:49

@magnummum I grow lots of culinary and medicinal herbs. Mint is an easy one to start with but grow it in a pot or it will spread like crazy. Other good ones that I use a lot are chamomile,calendula,lemon balm,sage,thyme and yarrow.
In early spring some of my real favourites appear all by themselves: nettle,plantain,dandelion and chickweed are all gratefully received and used in recipes and oils.

LostInAMist · 02/02/2025 16:54

Thank you all for the warm welcome 😊 @speakout & @Hedjwitch it's lovely to hear of the connection and the familiar visit! I love how animals for a connection with their person and with others who they feel an affinity to. It's been a very blustery day here in my part of the world, I've had the wind snatch my hat off my head several times out with my animals today! @quirkychick that sounds like a very powerful and spiritual experience, thank you for sharing it. @magnummum I do try to grow some herbs and forage a lot, but all is for use with my animals rather than for people use, I'm not entirely sure how to prepare them for that! The horses, sheep and hens can just graze them, I plant and provide depending on what's required! Lots of signs of life blossoming out on a walk today, I have seen some primroses and daffodils already fully open in hedgerows that weren't showing a few days ago, and some of my vibrant orange crocus bulbs have popped up in the garden, it's cheering to see these little faces peaking through. I feel I need to wait a little while longer before planting any of my seeds and young plants out though, I'm planning an organised chaos cottage garden bed, with lots of pollinator friendly and nectar rich plants, for the wildlife and our own bees. Hoping to encourage more moths, and therefore more bats eventually too, I love seeing them all flitting about in the twilight. I do like to try and garden/tend the fields by the moon, but unfortunately modern life can intervene and put this off course, as some jobs need two of us and work and lunar schedules don't always align! Everything is done with love and respect for the natural world though, so hopefully that balances out any odd timings. Wishing you all a calm evening

speakout · 03/02/2025 08:27

LostInAMist thanks for sharing such beautiful parts of your life, I am nodding at the "organised chaos" cottage bed. Moths are such magical creatures- I love them too, despite the fact they are munching their way through many of my carpets.
Hearing of gardening plans makes me a little wistful.
I do have a patch of organised chaos outside my living room window, but have no time to garden unfortunately. My week is squeezed so much that hard decisions have to be made!
I have planted a number of trees, including some fruit trees, and lots of bug friendly perennial shrubs, so my garden is full of insects, butterflies, birds, foxes, hedgehogs and sometimes deer.Rrosemary and mint grow well with little help, I have pots of other herbs too.
I would love to grow vegetables, and have done in the past- hopefully at some point in the future.
I am very fortunate to be living in a heavily wooded place, so although my garden is small, just over the fence is a riot of native woodland, my three sentinal sycamore sisters guide the way into nature's paradise.
If I lived in the city I think my garden would have huge importance, but I can fill my lungs and mind with nature's beauty all around.

Off to yoga this morning, and then work, I am thinking ahead for later in the week, I want to be up to date with laundry and shopping.

Have a magical day sisters.

OP posts:
FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 13:27

@magnummum we grow oregano and thyme for cooking
Plus rosemary. Which is my favourite. We have two plants either side of the front gate to touch as we come and go for an amazing feel good invigorating scent. Even the postman said he loves to brush past our rosemary and I think I see a skip in his step afterwards.

Hedjwitch · 03/02/2025 22:10

I really chuckled at that last sentence about the postman brushing past " our Rosemary". Hope she gets a spring in her step too

Craftycorvid · 03/02/2025 22:30

Evening, sisters all! It’s a pleasure catching up with your posts and all the creative ways you have marked Imbolc. I hope everyone had a blessed and peaceful time. We had a rather belated wassailing of our old apple tree and took time to feel grateful for friendship and healing.

speakout · 05/02/2025 16:28

It's a lovely idea to put a fragrant shrub near an entrance.
Craftycorvid good to hear of these traditions being upheld.. they really tune into community and give us a sense of belonging.
Wassailing isn't practiced in my neck of the woods, but I love to hear of rituals and festivals from other parts.

It has been a clunky day for me DD came over and we had an emotional conversation about a difficult family issue, and although not reached a solution have gained more understanding of each others stance. We both both agreed find a solution, although we don't yet have one unpleasant though with tears on both sides

I was hoping for a calm day as I have surgery tomorrow, but there is time left to enjoy a calm evening.
I have my yoga mat soaking in the bath atm, and will give it a scrub later.
It takes a few days to dry, but that's ok.
Bright Blessings sisters.

OP posts:
LostInAMist · 05/02/2025 17:01

Wishing you well for tomorrow, and for your family dilemma @speakout.
If I'm right in remembering, you plant either rosemary or lavender by your front door to keep bad spirits from crossing the threshold!

BlankTimes · 05/02/2025 17:53

May tomorrow go smoothly and peacefully sister witch 🕯🎉😍

FizzingAda · 05/02/2025 19:34

Hope tomorrow goes well 🕯️

speakout · 06/02/2025 07:20

Thanks LostInAMist and FizzingAda yes I have both rosemary and lavender in my garden, thankfully they require little in the way of maintenance. My rosemary is a single huge low lying bush, she is a tough old hag, survived breakages due to wind and the weight of snow, but she comes back stronger than before, with massive amounts of new growth through the summer months. She is 6 foot wide and some branches as thick as my wrist.I gave her a spot with lots of room to grow, and still she insists on growing over a path, but I admire her attitude and refusal to be contained!

Thanks Blanktimes, I would like to pick your brains a little- if that's ok! ( For any newcomers Blanktimes is our expert in many areas, including ancient civilisations, monuments, stones, barrows and mounds- a wise and knowledgeable valued member of our group).

I have been investigating peoples of the neolithic time, from 10,000 BC in our lands and Europe, but it such a complex area.
It seems that the Celts although widespread have been fairly recent, the Picts perhaps a bit older, and I understand it is very difficult to label groups of people as tribes were diverse, widespread in habits and ways of living.
Information is sparse, second or third hand hand , dependant on archaology and viewed through the lens of victors, churches and other interested parties.
My sister's church tells her that humans were savage creatures before christianity came along to instill morals and were "cavemen" but that feels so wrong. I imagine our neolithic and paleolithic ancestors were much like us, when resources are scarce or some individuals crave power then things get messy- just like society today!
If you can suggest any sources of information Blanktimes I would be grateful- especially if they are in audiobook or podcast format- I don't know if my eyes will be comfortable enough for extended periods of reading for a little while. Thanks. x

Have a magical day sisters.

OP posts:
quirkychick · 06/02/2025 08:18

Thinking of you today @speakout.

I'm not an expert, but Neil Oliver's series on Ancient Britain (iplayer) is very good. There's a special on Orkney. His series on Sacred Places is also good. I was watching these the other week, when I had a virus and Jo energy.

Craftycorvid · 06/02/2025 15:54

Wishing you well and a swift healing @speakout

quirkychick · 06/02/2025 16:07

*no energy

This is a link to the programme
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ms282

@BlankTimes I would also be interested in any recommendations for neolithic podcasts etc. The above shows they were far from savage and very sophisticated.

BBC Two - A History of Ancient Britain, Orkney's Stone Age Temple, Exploring Orkney's Stone Age Temple

Neil Oliver talks about Brodgar boy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ms282

FizzingAda · 06/02/2025 18:03

I know you are not looking for books at the moment, but when your eyes are recovered I recommend:
After the Ice by Steven Mithen, brilliant book, have read it more than once.
BritainBC by Francis Pryor
DH bought me Neolithic Britain by Ray and Thomas, but haven’t got round to reading it yet.
I'm very interested in Palaeolithic peoples, as well as Neolithic, was able to visit some of the wonderful sites in France.
the new reconstruction (after the disastrous fire )on Loch Tay is on my list to visit this year.

quirkychick · 06/02/2025 18:07

@FizzingAda thanks for those, I will add them to my ever-expanding booklist!

BlankTimes · 07/02/2025 10:51

quirkychick, try this. I really love the way these 2 guys film and present their info.

It was made some time ago and at that time, it.2 stated that the pillar inside the mound Bryn Celli Ddu could be fossilised wood. This idea had legs, then after much research, it was tested and found to be stone, blue schist.

They have a lot of podcasts too.

Speakout. try these podcasts, done by the same people who made the above video

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVtCvyABxjR8MNfVNsyrMNr3lNyETB2S1&si=UOQX-k6fFCacGIC5

I'll write a more detailed reply for you soon, thinking of you and today's op a😎😍

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVtCvyABxjR8MNfVNsyrMNr3lNyETB2S1&si=UOQX-k6fFCacGIC5

quirkychick · 07/02/2025 18:17

@BlankTimes thank you so much, I will enjoy watching that. The Ancient Britain series has really whetted my appetite - plus I grew up in Hampshire, not that far from Stonehenge and the South Downs.