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..

Hedjwitch I love being alone too. Alone time makes me feel very calm and relaxed, it really charges my batteries.
I often dream of living alone in a little cottage deep in the forest.
You have also inspired me to have a Samhain bonfire.
Not in my garden, but in a fire pit area in my Wolf Wood.

There is an impromtu bonfire area in a clearing, not sure who has created it, there are stones around to contain the fire, large logs set around as seating.

In the 10 years or so since visiting, walking and magical acts in Wolf Wood I have never met another human, it feels like my own personal wood.
Strange though the fire pit often has signs of being used, ashes are often still warm, and whoever uses it is respectful to the area. No litter, no empty beer cans, nothing.
Maybe some local coven or pagans- who knows.
I have booked a event on Friday evening, but think I will make a little bonfire in the afternoon, and practice some rights.

Lots of sun around today, but lots of rain too- the sky looks leaden in its darkness

Is it ok if I join also? I have always had a connection with nature and felt more sympathy for animals than humans generally (because I feel we have mistreated and used them so horrifically) but always with those in vulnerable positions. I hate violence against anyone though. While I want the villain to receive some form of comeuppance, when they face violence it makes me feel uncomfortable, like I feel their pain also. As I've got older I have realised that if I lose my connection with nature while busy, my mental health takes a turn for the worst. I have focused on introducing native and pollinator beneficial plants into my garden, and I feel such awe watching the butterflies and small birds, seeing the holes left by leaf cutter bees etc.
So this seems like a place filled with similar souls from what I've read so far (apologies for the long missive!)

A warm welcome CailleachGhlas, I am glad you have found us! Grab a comfy seat by the fire, there is hot tea in the pot.
Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself.
I think there are many empaths in this cosy corner, and most of us feel grounded in nature.
I think it is really important to take care of mental health- I check in with myself a lot, and if things are going awry then I take steps to nurture myself.
It is a stormy day here, I am sitting with tea doing my new creative project- rock wrapping.

Welcome Cailleach and great name. I am enjoying my solitude,candles lit,cat sleeping alongside and incense in the burner while I re read " The Witching Herbs" by Harold Roth.

Thank you both! @speakout I'm intrigued by rock wrapping, I might ecosia what it looks like/how to do it!

CailleachGhlas I love your name too! I am lovingly embracing cronehood.

I am enjoying rock wrapping- I have been working with rocks for a few months now, painting , different projects. The rock wrapping is very enjoyable- I enclose a picture to give you an idea- although this photo isn't my work, it's a pic from etsy. Mine are similar. I love the fact they look as is they have meaning, or purpose, but it is ambiguous- that's point gives me a lot of pleasure. They are wonderful meditation stones, palm stones, touch stones, they feel reassuring in the paw. There are traditional designs from different countries, the result feels ancient.
Blanktimes - would love any input!

Perhaps used as currency or as test peices, samplers for learning skills that could be used in weapon, clothes or shelter making.

It has taken me weeks to get to grips with, I need seven fingers on each of my three hands! Becoming frustrated with myself doesn't help, but in the last week or so things have become easier, I am relaxing into it, and have ideas to incorporate hagstones, old keys, various types of wood.

I hope everyone has a magical day.

I love your wrapped rocks, they look like something that would be found in a roundhouse, long ago.

FizzingAda - exactly- they have some ancient vibe.

I love those wrapped rocks. I occasionally paint them but never tried wrapping them.

Samhain was last Tuesday by our reckoning (and rites) so Friday is secular Halloween here. I'll be in Glastonbury and probably hiding from the Zombies who will be invading the town in the late afternoon....

Ohh yes, they're gorgeous. Like you say, they have an air of importance and mystery about them.
I'm going to experiement making rosemary water for my hair later on

Speakout, Love the wrapped stones. The different sizes and colours of the natural raffia and threads work so well together with the stones, the visual appeal makes you want to pick them up and hold them. The woven patterns are very appealing. Knots and knotwork for decoration are very appealing.

Previously, the only wrapped stones I've seen have been of a size and shape that would be difficult to wear otherwise. More natural crystals and tumbled stones rather than pebbles.
https://www.etsy.com/market/wire_wrapped_crystal_necklace?

Years ago, I had a go at carving small stones with the same types of patterns that were used in and around ancient constructions,
https://www.newgrange.com/kerbstone-k1.htm

Also see cups and rings as found in the large flat slabs out in the open.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=3d7203d2-bab1-48a0-95f7-a8b900aef62a

Here's a less commercially-influenced ecard
https://www.jacquielawson.com/card/the-poison-patch/3560998

Click the card to play x

Here's a less commercially-influenced ecard
https://www.jacquielawson.com/card/the-poison-patch/3560998

Click the card to play x

On the BBC news webpage there is an article in the Scottish section about the witches of Dumbarton, and witches generally in Scotland. Sorry, can't link, there doesn't seem to be a facility to link a page. A woman is writing a book about it and trying to g to get a remembrance plaque installed there.
it's quite horrific, so strong stomach required. Apparently 4,000 executed in Scotland, mainly women, five times the average in Europe 😱

Beautiful card Blanktimes thankyou. And the links too, another great wormhole!
I am absorbed by rock wrapping at the moment, it is taking a while to master, and has caused me quite a bit of frustration. A great lesson to go easy on myself.
I have been experimenting with different materials, waxed cotton, bamboo, synthetic leather and suede cord.
The bamboo is the hardest to work with as it is quite stiff, even when hot soaked before hand, I am thinking adding bicarb to the soaking water may soften it a bit more,

I saw that article FizzingAda, so very sad.
Scotland was very badly hit during the burning times.
There is a good online interactive map produced by Edinburgh University, showing details of all the women accused and murdered. I have found many of the executed within close proximity of where I live.

https://witches.is.ed.ac.uk/

@BlankTimes thank you for sharing the lovely card.

@speakout what beautiful rocks, they do have a very timeless feeling about them.

I read that article on the BBC about Scottish Witches. There's a local exhibition about Fenland Witches I've seen advertised over Halloween.

Samhain Blessings sisters.

I feel a little wistful today, remembering when my children were little- we lived in a vibrant village in the country, and Halloween was huge. I would decorate the whole house, make pumpkin soup, hot chocolate and an adult potion to keep everyone warm.
Children and adullts would roam the streets, in and out of houses, little witches, gouls and skeletons traipsing from house to house. I remember one year counting the number of neighbours and visitors in my home- there were over thirty- no formal party was planned, just the way things ended up.
It was hard work, but so much fun.

But seasons in life change. there will still be children out guising, but I will be out, attending my event with other women,

I have been dealing with generational trauma this year, I think that is something we all have, our species has arrived at this spot with many battle scars.

So I will take some of my Sovereign Stones, my Land of Visions and my Ancestor rock.
It feels like a good time to let go of some ancestral trauma, not mine to carry, but needs to be acknowledged and released.
In the meantime I am snuggled up with a hot chocolate.

Blessed be sisters. May the ancestors and the travellers join us tonight as we honour them.

Forgot the photo

Samhain blessings.

I'm also feeling wistful, as we no longer do all the celebrations with the children. I've had to cancel my forest walk, as I've had an asthma flare-up up, so it's a quiet evening for me with candles.

Hello, everyone. I've been lurking for a while. Looking for something suitable to listen to on Samhain - has anyone got any podcasts they would recommend?

No podcast recs but here is my favourite Samhain song.

Sorry for typos, typing this one fingered with my laft hand as younger dog is buried under my arm, crying and shaking fron the firework bombardment tonight.

Warmest Samhain wishes! I hope you all found the space to mark the sabbat in your own way.

Thank you, TheWytch, and I'm sorry your dog was so upset.

It's going to be a long week! I don't know why she is so scared, generally nothing will faze her. The older one ignores them and we always act unconcerned around them too.

There is the local moot this Weds that I would like to go to but as that's the 5th there is no way I can leave her at home so I guess she comes too...