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..

Oh, that's a lovely teapot! We have some loose peppermint tea that is very fine, so our usual strainer doesn't fully work. The muslin bags sound similar to the tea filters - what a good idea!

Quick opal lesson here then!

It matters where your opal comes from!

Australian opals are pretty impervious to water so if you get them wet it doesn't really matter. If in long term storage then some degree of humidity is not a bad thing. They don't need to be soaked to keep them hydrated.

Ethiopian opals are hydrophane which means they do absorb water. If they get wet they go transparent and lose all their colour. Fortunately they get it back as the stone dries out so it's only temporary but it's given many proud new owners of a gorgeous rings a bad fright. If you buy a Ethiopian ( Welo) opal ring, take it off before you wash your hands. Don't wear them swimming or in a hot tub/sauna either. If you do get one wet then let it dry out slowly away from direct heat.

They only came onto the market about 30 years ago so most vintage rings will be set with Australian material.

One I particularly like using is Ammolite. It's a rare version from Canada where opal has formed as ammonites fossilised. Whilst it's not true opal it has some gorgeous flashes of colour.

The photo doesn't do it justice but this is a 14ct blue crystal opal from Ethiopia. It has some inclusions which makes this stone unique and quite magical. As you turn it it sends out blue and green flashes with the occasional red.

The inclusions are like looking into a coral reef and the more you look, the more you are sucked into the stone. I picked it up and was immediately lost.

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to part with this one...

I have been on my first course/ lecture with treadwells which was pretty good and interesting to see that I'd instinctively done some of the things she suggested. And have got some other ideas too.

I made my first Brigid crosses, 2nd one a lot better than my first.
Made my first witches ball which I really love with items chosen for their properties/ meanings.

Have also been exploring nearby trying to find a local ancient well but it was too overgrown and boggy, I'll have to go back later in the year.

Does anyone have plans for imbolc? I am exploring different ideas in my mind. Though I think the main one is step one of spring cleaning which is somewhat of an ongoing challenge in our house.

Hello lovely ladies, I used to follow this group ages ago, even contribute a bit, but one day I got logged off and no email address would get accepted for the reset, so I weaned off MN until a lightbulb moment today 😅
Hope you have been well and coping with the winter season. I'm off to read through the last thread or two, you always bring positive energy and inspiration.

Hello all, I follow these threads and have done from the beginning. Have posted from time to time under a different username.
Such a lovely thread!
I am interested in the course through treadwells and would like to know more.

Here is a link to the Treadwell events:
https://www.treadwells-london.com/events
I went to Leanna Morgan's winter practices and she is doing more throughout the year. I would say based on the one I went to they are more suited to beginners. But there's a whole variety of different ones throughout the year. You can attend them live or have up to 2 weeks to access the recording

@GreenSageBlueTopaz that looks amazing, thank you for sharing.

@TheWytch that opal is just beautiful!

In the middle of lots of stressful busyness, we had a really inspiring yoga training weekend. Saturday was with a really amazing teacher, we looked at the History and Philosophy of Yoga, chose a deity and designed a mini class. Yesterday, we finished with a Kirtan, a devotional singing that was completely joyful.

Thank you!

No problem. I first heard about it as I was reading the previous threads.
I notice the threads used to be much busier before, such a shame there are not so many posts these days, I wonder why it changed.

Last weekend I did the RSPB garden bird count which I enjoyed and it's nice to see the number of robins visiting the garden have gone up. I remember so many robins as a child so glad to see lots this year.

I have been reading lots of poetry in the lead up to imbolc which has been lovely. Anyone have any favourites to share?

Magical blessings sisters, and welcome newcomers. We approach a very beautiful festival this weekend- and it will coincide with a full moon in Leo. I adore Imbolc, the light, the colours, the energy is so liminal and nuanced.
The full moon in leo has many planets in opposition, with powerful energies at work igniting each other. The full moon is in the 5th house, our creative source, with venus, mars, the sun, mercury are all grouped in the 11th house which governs connection and group energy. It is an unusual and powerful configuration which will bring great positive change and opportunity, new beginnings, both in our personal lives, and on the world stage. I am hoping for a quiet day, work, pottering, yoga, but off to take a jasmine spa shower.

I loved reading all about the opals. That was fascinating. Not sure what kind mine is but I love how pretty it is and it makes me smile when I look at it.
Today is a quiet day for me after an unbelievably exhausting work week. Coffee and crochet hopefully while the house is quiet. Maybe a walk later. I noticed last week the snowdrops were appearing in my local park.

Thanks for the reminder Flossi24. I live near a wood that is carpeted with snowdrops at this time. I will check it out today!

I went for a walk today, between teaching, and there's a lot of spring flowers starting to come through. I brought in last year's hyacinth 🪻 pot from the garden to go on the kitchen windowsill, along with the weeping fig I'm nursing back to life. I know weeping figs don't normally like windowsills, but the low light this time of year is brighter than its previous spot in the sitting room, where I will return it when the daylight is stronger.

quirkychick hyacinth has such a wonderfrul fragrance doesn't it, I love it too.
The past few weeks have been incredibly difficult and as a family we are still in the midst of the challenges. But Imbolc, the return of that small quiet fire brings us renewal and hope. I have noticed days are becoming a little longer, I need to freshen my home, bring down uninhabited cob webs, change cushion covers and throws to welcome the soft returning light.

Evening, sisters! I’m just catching up with this thread. Energies have been low and are only just picking up. Bought some hyacinth bulbs for an Imbolc planting ritual to set an intention and watch it grow.

Checking back in to celebrate the end of a dreary January and to welcome Imbolc.
I've been doing Dry January and feeling g very proud of myself. I intend to keep going with it throughout the year,shedding my old self and that which no longer serves me. My SIL is Chinese and reminds me we are saying goodbye to the year of the snake to welcome the year of the fire horse. So shedding old skin and old ways is very appropriate!
I will also put a cloth out for Brigid to bless tonight. Talk about eclectic beliefs. I'm covering all the bases.

We also did dry January and feel better for it.
Sorry to hear you have home stress @speakout

Nice to hear people's plans for imbolc.
I got my ice candle (inspired by very early threads) out of the freezer for a look. I will use it on imbolc itself, as a melting of winter symbol. Quite pleased with how it turned our but know what I would do differently next time as it is clouded at the top because of how I did the candle holder space.

@GreenSageBlueTopaz your ice candle is beautiful!

@Hedjwitch the shedding skin and the coming of the fire horse feel very symbolic to me atm.

@speakout I'm sorry you're going through family difficulties - they can feel very challenging and destabilising.

I seem to have had a very busy January -which feels tough as it's fighting against your natural inclination to rest in these dark months. A lot of difficult official stuff to deal with dd2, school place, implications of turning 16. I did go to a yoga re-set class this morning, which ended with a mini massage/assist with essential oils. Pretty sure it was neroli. Dp and I also met with a friend and her adult daughter. Then I fell asleep on the sofa. I needed it today.

Happy Imbolc to all who are celebrating today or in the next few days.

Imbolc blessings!

Imbolc Blessings sisters.

It was so bright and mild yesterday, I had a lovely yoga class, then a walk in Wolf Wood. The forest floor was thickly carpeted with snowdrops, bare branches allowing sunlight to reach the ground.
Wolf wood sits behind a very old church, dating back many hundreds of years, heavily involved in the witch trials.beautiful, but nothing compared to the majestic cathedral like canopy of the forest. I watched church goers file in to church, dressed in their finery- one man - suit and shiny shoes-was eating a bag of crisps. As he came out the car with his family. He scrunched up the empty bag and threw it to the ground behind him. Such disregard, in contrast to his church visit to polish up his moral high ground.

Imbolc blessings!

What a beautiful description of the snowdrops in the wood @speakout. I agree about the church goer - my late mil was and my sil is a bit like this - I've been to church, so it absolves me of anything else.

Today is cold and drizzly, but it was fully light before 7:30 this morning, so definitely moving into light.

I find most religions baffling quirkychick my family are christian, I have seen at first hand the damage christianity can do. Of course the roots and branches of the church go wide and deep- even if we are not believers it is inescapable.

A wet dull day here too. I am home from food shopping and post office, but having a hot chocolate and a rest before getting back to work. I have put the frozen food in the freezer, and let Mr speakout unpack the rest of the bags when he gets home from work- it isn't one of my favourite tasks!

Imbolc blessings all! I smudged the house today, but lots of complaints ensued about the smell afterwards. Is that normal or did I do something wrong?!

I cannot stand people like that @speakout, they think an hour a week absolves them.

Beautiful ice candles @GreenSageBlueTopaz is it still cold enough for them to last where you are? It's not very cold here at all at the moment