Any Witches Here? Part 21

[speakout]

Just settling into the new place, plumping the cushions and opening the windows. Welcome to n everyone, newcomers, old friends, the curious.
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..

A reflective day here, the weather is very wet and wild, so I am trying to sort out my various scraps of paper containing knowledge into a more organised book. So far I just have books and paper everywhere! @Hedjwitch you sound more purposeful than me with your harvesting of nature's bounty. I had grand aspirations to make elderberry syrup, rosehip syrup, drying hawthorn berries, yarrow etc... I usually end up filling my pockets and then distributing my harvest as fresh treats to my menagerie! They enjoy and reap the benefits, I don't mind my plans going to the wayside for them.

It is so lavely to hear of the abundance at this time of year. My DD visited today and we have harvested a bucket full of plums and apples- all ripe and delicious. She has left with a bag full, and I am considering my options...

The fruit is perfect for eating, but I will need to use them up in other ways. I love a fruit pie or crumble, I may chop, freeze as a breakfast topper, but plum honey sounds tempting too.

I had decided I was done with autumnal foraging then spotted the brambles in the garden at work! Another tub of blackberries to turn into spiced syrup. Yum

There seems to be fresh produce everywhere! In the past week or two people have been bringing fruit into my yoga class, so many people have grown more than they need. This mornings class was no exception. Three or four women brought in huge bags of plums, apples, pears to share.
This made me think about my yoga community. Women- for it is mostly women- seem to have a beautiful vibe, wise, emotionally atuned, open to fresh ideas, and mostly take no shit ! I met my two best friends at a yoga class, and speak to a wide circle of like minded people. A great place to go if you would like to meet new friends.

The fruit is here in abundance this year and I can't remember when I saw so many acorns. I've been putting out boxes of apples at the end of the driveway where they've been steadily disappearing (along with the box on occasion🙄)

I am currently in North Wales and there are 3 loaded apple trees here too ( coals from Newcastle comes to mind) so I've made a few apple cakes. We're here for 2 weeks, my parents are here too for the first week and then a member of my coven will be joining us next week. I foresee some fun and games there!

TheWytch interesting to hear you are a member of a coven. It is good to hear you have a group of good people to work with.

I can't remember such an abundant fruit year. I'm in Scotland, so damp cool weather can impact success. Wet spring weather rot flowers before they have a chance to set, and in summer affect ripening.
I have noticed tons of acorns too.
I didn't know whether there is a big harvest or whether I was simply noticing things more.

Not so much acorns, but the horse chestnut opposite has shed a deluge of conkers. I do love this time of year, the feeling of shifting and change in the air. It's an anticipation of what's to find.

@TheWytch I hope you do have fun and games!

It is feeling so autumnal today- just glorious.
Trees are starting to change colour, leaves glistening like sovereigns in the warm golden sunlight. Signs of abundance everywhere.

I feel so very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place with peace, food, clean water.

I need to bring down my autumn wreath from the attic and give it some fresh decoration.
I love autumn, the colours, the darkening evenings, low light, cosy blankets, hot chocolate candles, and of course the spooky season, full of cauldrons, cats, witches hats. I feel very at home in this season!

I am still overflowing with creative energy at the moment, I am still painting stones- my sovereign token to my magical realms. I have also been working on a little goblin door for my own use, There has been quite a bit of trial and error, using clay, paints and other materials. It has taken me a few weeks off and on, but I am super happy with the finished result. My daughter saw it and asked if I could make a similar door for her damce school, but in a pink fairy vibe instead of dark goblin. She uses a lot of imaginary play when she teaches the little ones, exploring music, rythmn, types of movement.
So door number two is underway.
I have also been looking at rock wrapping- using different twines and materials, some of the results online look amazing, and with the same ambiguous look, maybe a token or touchstone, or meaning yet to be discovered!

Wow Speakout, you have been busy. It's been chilly here these last few days and despite the still green leaves on the trees and shrubs, there's that feeling of gently changing season. * *

In the last few days, I've made some rice pudding, some focaccia bread and some energy ball mix. The nuts looked so autumnal before I blitzed them in the blender, see photos. 😋

Hi all!
Hope i can join you. I've been exploring my witchy interest on and off but I want to do so whole heartedly now. Feeling much more grounded since exploring herbs, crystals and some basic spell casting!

Well let's just say this week has not gone to plan. The failure of the Welsh NHS to be able to treat a simple nosebleed in my father (blood thinners so more serious than it sounds) meant a dash back to Bristol for a hospital with some silver nitrate. I had to hitch a ride back with my friend.

More successful was Fairy Glen this afternoon. I stayed on top of the gorge and was singing softly to the trees under my breath. Friend came up from the river and asked if I had been singing as she had heard me. There is no way she could actually have heard me as you you wouldn't have heard me from 3ft away and I am not known for singing!

Yarrow is a very effective herb to stop bleeding,especially nosebleeds. It might help until you can get further assistance if needed.
Have any of you read "Hagitude" by Sharon Blackie? I read it on holiday and found it extremely interesting.

Welcome MedievalBabyWitch.

Thank you - yes yarrow would have been worth a try. I'd certainly use it on myself(with bramble) but my father would be horrified at the suggestion. His faith is in "modern" medicine sadly.

Today was a trip to Llyn Tegid, one of my favourites but now I have to say goodbye to North Wales as we are moving on to the Isle of Man which is somewhere I have never been so I'm looking forward to it

TheWytch
Sounds like a great trip. I've not been to the Isle of Man, one day .....
There are some interesting ancient places if that's your thing
https://www.megalithic.co.uk/asb_mapsquare.php?sq=SC

Don't forget to greet the fairies when you cross their bridge!
More fairy lore
www.visitisleofman.com/blog/read/2024/11/fairy-culture-hotspots-on-the-isle-of-man-b417

@Hedjwitch that's on my (ever expanding) list to read. I read her book, If Women Rose Rooted last year and found it comforting and inspiring at a dark time.

I went to a Soundbath on Sunday, I usually find them relaxing, but I had a strong (good) reaction this time - really tingly and almost overwhelming with energy. They are going to hold them regularly at our yoga studio.

I usually do more foraging and cooking, but I have been insanely busy with starting tutoring and then I'm starting Yoga teacher training on Monday. I did pick up a whole load of chestnuts from a lane nearby.

Hedjwitch Hagitude is a wonderful book, a must for any women coming of age.

MedievalBabywitch a warm welcome, I am glad you have joined us.

It has been an energetic few days for the skywatchers, Mercury and Venus changed signs, today the Sun and Mars enter new signs, opening pathways to transformational and energetic experiences. These may happen with a clatter and a bang.
Today's new moon in Libra will help us find common resolutions, aid negotiations, but may also leave us swithering and feeling indecisive.

This autumn change is so wonderful. It was still dark when my alarm went off this morning, the temperature only 2 degrees- almost frosty!
I am not sure what today will bring, OH has a day off work, DD is over too as she is having her car serviced and needs us for lifts etc. It has been a busy weekend for work, and although I feel some degree of obligation to cook a family meal I don't want to be spending lots of time in the kitchen.
My enthusiasm for cooking has taken a nosedive this year, especially my motivation to cook food for others that I don't enjoy eating.
We are all adults here, and although cooking for others can be a lovely thing to do, I don't see others cooking food that they don't like in order to please me.
That doesn't seem fair !

I am off for a Ylang Ylang spa shower before others get up, so I can take some time to have a delicious slow sacred start to my day.

I hate fibro. Hate it with a passion. I don't know how I got through today. Got home at 6, face plant on the bed,woke up after 7. Now back in bed with hot water bottle and a tea of chamomile,skullcap and lemon balm. Have also downed two valerian tablets. I desperately need to sleep.

Oh Hedjwitch I am sorry you are feeling so unwell.
I hope you managed to get some sleep. x

@Hedjwitch I hope you feel a bit better today.

@speakout I'm with you on the cooking. I used to really love it, but after many years of family meals, lots of fussy/particular eaters I don't feel very enthused. It's just dp and I but he's not a cook and is quite fussy/stuck in his ways. I veer between grabbing something quick but healthy-ish and cooking the odd meal. Though tonight I've got a slow cooker stew mash up with bits from the freezer, leftover veg some broth and a butternut squash.

I started my yoga teacher training last night, exciting and a tough hatha class to follow. I'm aware I'm now very busy and need to build in rest proactively.

We went to visit dd2 today, which is always lovely. She's so happy in her Residential Placement - I'm so relieved and pleased not to be killing myself caring for her. We all benefit from it.

Edited for typos

Thanks sisters. WFH today so was able to take it easier and do emails from bed for a while. Managed to make some lentil soup and soda bread for ds coming home tonight with his g/f. Still tired.
Days like yesterday are infrequent thankfully but I really worry they will become more regular. I don't know what I will do then.

Hedjwitch- so glad you are feeling a little better.

A place I go to sit and be at peace with the wild things

So beautiful Hedjwitch.

I am feeling this autumnal splendour much more deeply than usual this year. Colours feel so vivid, the air smells crisper, the light more golden, I am overwhelmed by the majesty of the season, the pinnacle, nature full to the brim in a zenith of earth energy.

I am having a nurturing day, yoga this morning, a quick visit to the post office to post 40+ parcels ( ok technically work) a trip to my favourite charity shop- bought a winter coat (£2) and an artificial christmas tree - new-still boxed (also £2) for my mother in sheltered housing. with a big bag of decorations attached.
I swung by Starbucks to buy myself a brown sugar latte, then home for a light lunch of rasperries picked from my garden, nuts and yogurt.
DD has just called to ask me to come to the cinema (we had been mulling that over) then on to have a meal somewhere. So just getting ready before meeting at the cinema. It feels good to have a day free of hard and heavy things.

Hope you are having a better day today Hedjwitch.

We did lots of the old sites on the Isle of Man - there is a real wealth of pre Christian and Viking remains there. I loved the site of the Viking boat burial which was on top of an earlier Christian burial - it really showed how the religion of the island swung backwards and forwards between pagan and Christian before finally settling down. That site had a bronze age cist (burial), the Viking boat, the early Christian burials and an early church. All set in an Iron age fort!

I collected a selection of the plants growing around some of the sites to make an incense so those are now drying. Hopefully ready to add the resins later this week.

Back now to reality. I have a load of events coming up and very little stock so I've been busy making pagan rosaries today as I can do those very quickly now. Tomorrow it's back to the precious metal as I need to make some 9ct earrings for my niece as a personal gift for her wedding. I've a few almost finished silver pieces too which need to go with them to the assay office for hallmarking. I would love to be able to retire but no prospect of that at the moment.

I think I've missed the rowan berries around here which is annoying as I was planning on making some charms.

TheWytch I love the sound of all your activities, your jewelry making sounds amazing.
It has been an eventful week, doctors appointments, A&E visit with my mother, helping DD as she is moving house at the moment, so we are heliping, back and forward with boxes etc. it's a 2 hour round trip and into the city centre too - that is where she is moving to. I have to pick up her cat to bring here as he will be in a more peaceful environment rather than be subject to moving sofas!
I am giving OH lots of support as he is going through a difficult legal process relating to his childhood, but will be resolved in his favour.- but legal processes are so slow, it has been 9 months so far, I don't think there will be aa resolution until after christmas.
I am trying to nip time from things today I don't want to drop my self care completely, as I know that becomes even more important when we are stressed and busy.
So instead of my usual body balance in a nearby seaside town - with shopping, I am popping into my local gym for a weights session on my own. I will also take a trip to my favourite charity shop wjich is nearby, and swing by starbucks for a brown sugar latte- so yummy.
I can do all that and still be home before lunch.

Autumn is in full pelt here, yesterday was very stormy, I had a large window blow out in the spare bedroom, one hinge is broken, the glass intact, and I struggled to close it. But I did- thankfully, locked it, and I may seal or tape it up to be safe.
That's another odd job that needs doing in my home. Is anyone else like this?
I am so enjoying this weather though, wild, wet, so much energy in the air.