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..

Yes I am really liking the book so far. I have read the section on Imbolc and it has a general overview, recipes, crafts, spells and meditations. Exactly what I wanted and I like the writing style and illustrations.

I was quite interested in doing the meditations and was thinking I'd have to record myself reading it and I wasn't sure if I'd find it jarring with my own voice but I don't see how else I'd do it as I'd never remember all the details.

Anyone expecting to be affected by the storm?

Although I'm in the yellow area (just)for snow, I'm really not expecting much if any at all. It's raining a bit and there is a spot of wind but no worse than any other wet January afternoon. We rarely get snow despite being high on the Mendips.

I'm a bit disappointed actually as I love a good storm and I'll be out there collecting the energy if it does come on properly.

I’ll put it on my wish list!.

I think recording yourself is probably the only option, though I’m like you I find it jarring to hear my own voice. I remember being about 10 and thinking I was a wonderful singer and recording myself singing, only to play it back and delete every trace of the recording immediately!.

We’re in the amber warning for snow and ice. It’s been raining since about 3 but it’s so cold that I think that might freeze over and the snow from 7pm until 9am might just stick!.

We had lots of snow at the start of the week but last night's snow has not stuck. Not been stormy here as yet.

I've done a meditation this morning which was good. Lots of work to do on my focus but it's a start.

We had lots of snow and ice last weekend and through to the beginning of the week. It's all gone now, but we have lots of rain and freezing wind.

As I expected. Storm? What storm? The rain stopped early evening and we're back to our usual damp grey cloudy weather.

At least I don't want to go an play in the snow so some work will get done. The ritual year for me starts soon so I need to clean out my temple space ready. It's amazing how much clutter the altar accumulates over a 12 month period so now it gets its annual pruning.

We’ve had a LOT of snow over here, we travel to the next town to get our shop every Saturday and even the roads today were difficult to drive on when we were down the country lanes.

Doing some preparation here today.
I'm drying out some herbs for my first witch's ball.
Picked up some tree branches from the side of the road where the farmer has been trimming, they are potentially for a witches broom but will need to have a proper look when the rain and wind has stopped.
Also picked reeds to try and make a Brigid's cross.
Lovely to get out in the wind and rain always feels so fresh.

Did some yoga and meditation. One of my hopes for the year is that I get back into yoga. I used to do it regularly and now maybe 6 times a year. Hopefully will keep at it as I think it's such a positive thing to do regularly.

@GreenSageBlueTopaz that sounds like a lovely, productive day!

I went to a Mala bead making workshop, we talked about the purpose of mala beads, the meanings behind the precious stones. We did an intention-setting meditation and chose the stones that called out to us. We knotted our intentions into them. At one point we were working in silent mindfulness. My teacher said she will do a ritual blessing of them for me. A great, but quite intense day.

That sounds lovely and interesting @quirkychick
I've never worked with mala beads though when I was young I bought some rosary beads despite not being catholic as I thought they were so beautiful.

Which stones did you choose?
Will you wear them regularly or use for meditation or both? I never really wear jewellery but am trying to incorporate meditation into my life.

@GreenSageBlueTopaz I haven't used them before either, but the idea is pretty similar to rosary beads. Apparently, you can have dress ones or sacred ones. I think I'll use these as sacred ones because I made them with my teacher (who I'm training with) and she can bless them for me. I used dark red garnet, mother of pearl, butter yellow jade, red agate and carnelian. Not a great photo, as the light's poor this morning. But I'm very pleased with them (I had a lot of help!)

They are beautiful, sounds like a great experience to make your own.

They’re beautiful, you’re very talented!.

@visionpools thank you - I had a lot of help and it was an all day workshop. Everyone's looked really good. I'm really pleased with them.

Just a photo of some of the new life stirring in the garden. When the snow melted the snow drops were waiting underneath.

My rambling rose is in full bloom. I have never seen it flower in January, it's always May or June

@GreenSageBlueTopaz beautiful photos! @TheWytch sounds beautiful but strange.

I know we've had a discussion about tea, has anyone seen these tea filters that you can use with loose tea? Dp and I went to a local tea room which uses them and has a tea shop at the back. They were about £7 for 100, though there might be cheaper places! They make loose tea much easier and the teapot easy to clean.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DS27MPLP/?encoding=UTF8&aref=CjVxitqTbd&pd_rd_i=B0DS27MPLP&ref=sbx_be_s_sparkle_ssd_tt&qid=1768591964&pd_rd_w=Q6BJY&content-id=amzn1.sym.7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f%3Aamzn1.sym.7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f&pf_rd_p=7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f&pf_rd_r=25943QTDR3KJK30092K2&pd_rd_wg=7A7kw&pd_rd_r=7b2f7b63-3cfe-4b3a-b98a-dad3a57f4f4d&pd_rd_plhdr=t&th=1
I've got one one these - it makes beautiful crystal clear tea for one, just rinse it all under the tap afterwards, and is so well designed. I know it's expensive (it was a gift) but it is one of those things that is a pleasure to use (almost like a private tea ceremony!).

@FizzingAda that looks beautiful!

Blessed 2026 everyone. I do tend to flit in and out of this thread and have only posted once or twice. Life is too busy but when I do pop in here it always feels like a warm hug.
@visionpools I resonate with some of what you said about your Christian and pagan beliefs. And am a firm supporter of us all following whatever path best suits us.
On a different note my aunt passed away recently and I've inherited a beautiful opal ring. Not had the best couple of weeks and my mum has told me that opal is bad luck. Would love opinions on this.

Well if opals are bad luck then I'm doomed. I bought a dozen today at a trade show to use. 5 pairs of earrings and some pendants will appear over the next week from my studio including the most stunning one I've seen for a long time!

The superstition seems to be rooted in the delicacy of opals. You need to treat them gently as they are easily damaged.

If I recall, opal is traditional in an engagement ring but they are a delicate gem.
The bad luck reputation stems from a Sir Walter Scott novel, where a character died after her opal was damaged.

Some of them have high moisture content and can shrink, crack or chip if exposed to fluctuating temperatures and humidity. The moisture evaporates causing the opal to break.
It was seen as a bad omen for a marriage if the opal in the engagement ring cracked.

I love opals too. I also have a fire opal necklace, it's one of my favourite. Opals are connected to our inner worlds, supporting intuition and creativity, soothes emotions.
I am sceptical of anything that is supposed to be "bad luck".

Also the tea- I have a small cast iron Japanese teapot- it has a built in basket for tea which you can remove once reached desired strength. It's quite sturdy and tea stays hot for ages. Amazon sell different sizes, and start around £9. If I am making a quick cup I use small resusable muslin bags, which can be washed.

That is a very handsome teapot.
I love opals too, they can be quite magical.