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..

@speakout thank you so much for sharing that video, it feels very pertinent.

I'm in the middle of a couple of busy weeks. We had yoga training at the weekend, I also taught my first yoga lesson on Monday, which was both nerve-wracking and exciting - one of the regulars told me it was lovely - which was very kind. We also had a tribunal for my daughter, despite already reaching an agreement. Today, I'm feeling a bit rough and exhausted.

I hope your ankle's feeling better, I found the arnica tablets and ice helped.

Today, at least, feels like spring. The snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils were all out, as were lots of birds.

quirkychick sounds like an emotionally full week, glad you managed to sail through with strength.
Well done on teaching your first yoga class- what a gift !
One of my yoga teachers taught her last class this week, she has been teaching for 26 years, and one of my teachers for 20 years. So a bitter sweet time.
However she is also my friend, and often meet for lunch or attend yoga workshops, women's circles together. I will meet her tomorrow for lunch and thinking about our conversation.

Teaching yoga is such a positive thing to do. You bring light and strength to those you teach, but also set up ripples within community. For every individual you teach that energy also reaches those in close connection with those who actually practice, bringing good to many others along the way.
You show students how to tap into their own strength, how to care for themselves, how to listen to their bodies, how to find joy, humility, patience, humour and how to ground and deepen their connection to the earth. You show women how to be warriors, find their strength, their voice, their courage.

I wish you every success in this new path as a yoga teacher. Know what you do really matters. x

@speakout thank you so much, that's really beautiful x

One of the teachers who took us for a workshop said that we are just channels for the yoga - which I love. Our teacher has been trusting us to take some of her classes (she also runs women's circles) and I'm teaching again on Saturday morning. That sounds bittersweet about it being her last class. One of the teachers at our studio, whose classes I regularly went to, left to open her own studio and is sorely missed - in the words of another student she is "Cosmic".

Yoga has been a lifeline to me in very difficult times, so would really love to share it with others.

Sisters,dd is caught up in Dubai and can't get home. She is holed up in her boss' house so at least not alone in a hotel. What can I do as a protection spell over her? She is very frightened.

@Hedjwitch That's a heavy load for a spellworking.

In this case I would be doing an ancestral working - invoking and asking the ancestors to look out for and protect her.

Hedjwitch how are things with your neice? I have been thinking of her when I read the news. I know flights are very limited, so may still be in Dubai, is she in a safe place. I have whispered her a protection incantation in the wind, and will light a candle this evening for all those caught up in this senseless violence.

I have been redefining my place recently within my family and groups. The role of being the person to get things done, be the sensible one, be the empathic one, be the one to heal, support and listen is not serving me well.I have been running on empty for far too long.
I did a huge shop for my mother who lives in sheltered housing and felt very resentful. I am the one who makes sure that she has everything she needs, all her food, personal items, batteries, newspapers.
I couldn't get parked near her place and all the stuff is very heavy so I had to dump the bags on the pavement - and hope it didn't get pinched- while I found parking some distance away. My mother never thanks and usually complains about some items I have bought.
There is an excellent elderly transport service that she has used in the past, it is free, a minibus picks up passengers, takes them to a different supermarket every weekday, it is door to door and the driver is a gem, he loads shopping from trolley to minibus, carries shopping right up into the kitchen so no heavy lifting at any stage for the passengers. My mother chooses not to use the service because she has social engagements most days.

My resentment is unpleasant, but comes as a teacher, and I am taking on board the wisdom inside that feeling. Thanks for reading my rant!

In the meantime I have a counselling session, hard to believe this is a free service, less than a mile from my home, and the therapist has a particular interest in women's spirituality counselling. We haven't ventured into that too deeply yet, but I noticed she had a tiny pentacle on a chain around her neck last week. Not sure where the discussioon will go today.!

@HedjwitchI will light a candle for your daughter. Wishing her and all others caught up in the situation, peace and protection. I have several students who are children in the Dubai and the Middle East - it's very worrying.

I'm glad you're finding the therapy helpful
@speakout. I had therapy last year for the first time, I found it very helpful. Your therapist sounds great and potentially extremely helpful on a spiritual level. Your mother sounds like my late mil, we used to do her shopping in place of carers, but it was always wrong!

I took another yoga class this morning, this is now a regular slot offered by my teacher - I'm very flattered she's offered me a class at her studio. I feel I've had so long as a carer, I'm still amazed that job opportunities have been unfolding for me. I'm very much trying to stay open to opportunities and seeing how it goes and starting to trust the universe instead of trying to control it.

quirkychick I am delighted to hear of your new yoga teaching slot. Your teacher obviously trusts and knows you- it is great you are having your work recognised.
Being a carer for a long time is very eroding. It is easy to place your own needs into second place, and over time that has a huge impact.

I agree with you about trusting the universe. When we nurture our physical, emotional and mental health and live with personal soverignty then opportunities seem to come our way. Having an open heart allows us to accept the good things, we believe we can, our creativity flows, we become self trusting. That is the magic happening,
I had a good session with my therapist only the 4th session, but I feel a good connection, she makes me feel heard.
It can be hard to find a fit with a counsellor, I am glad tis has been an easy connection.

Thank you. DD still stuck in Dubai but on a flight on March 11th if all goes to plan.

I am limiting my intake of news right now, the situation in the middle east is very scary.
And utterly senseless. the situation is so complicated I am not ever sure if any country is acting from a good place.
Ther have been tensions in the middle east for ceturies, men fighting men over power, wealth, religious idealism, control, oil, I can't begin to understand all the complexities.

However violence is never right.
I would like to think this is the death throes of this uncaring patriarchy we live in, world leaders and powerful people are toppling, Epstein files causing a bright light on shady practices.

So I am doing what I can in my own small way to spread light and care. Supporting my sisters when I can, making sure my own impact is as good as I can make it.

I have had a surge of creativity in the past week or so, making changes to my home, I mounted a beautiful wooden wall panel to disguise an ugly and unused gas fire. I bought the panel a few years ago in a junk shop and although I loved it couldn't work out where I could place it. It's large, a metre in height, and I have put some fairy lights inside, so looks even better in evening time.
I'm also moving bedrooms, taking over a larger room upstairs. It needs a bit of work, but I have ideas that excite me, I have such an urge to make my home as calm and tranquil as possible.

I agree the situation in the Middle East is both scary and sadly familiar. I feel we've seen it all before. I hope it is indeed the last throes of patriarchy.

I love your panel @speakout, how beautiful. I feel I've been fighting off a cold the last couple of weeks (dp has had it full scale) but the last couple of days I have wanted to rearrange things round the house for spring. Just little things but it feels like welcoming the light - plants and herbs on the windowsill, changing round the scented candles, the fairy lights....

@Hedjwitch I'll hold your daughter in my thoughts.

@quirkychick I've been fighting off a cold too, and finally succumbed this week. I was hoping a weekend of rest would help, but my throat seems to be getting worse if anything.

I've been focusing more on my inner health and wellbeing recently. Since my food shop this weekend Ive added fresh turmeric to my lemon, ginger, and honey tea in the mornings, and chia and pumpkin seeds to my breakfast. Now I need to start adding some more goodness to the rest of the day.
I've been feeling the stirrings of spring in my soul also. I've planted seeds and done small sorting jobs around the house

@CailleachGhlasI've been drinking a lot of Aldi lemon and ginger tea. Dp bought some turmeric and ginger honey from M&S too, which was a nice treat. I made some elderberry syrup last week too snd chia jam from frozen berries and chia seeds. I'm trying to have more home cooked food and not grabbing something because I'm busy.

I was on the Witches of Scotland zoom call tonight. Very interesting as they apply for their official Coat of Arms.

@Hedjwitch that sounds interesting, is it an official group?
oo@quirkychick they sound lovely. Im grating my turmeric atm which is a bit messy. I will bulk grate and freeze in portions at some point but I'm getting over a bad dose that has completely wiped my energy, so I'm avoiding anything unnecessary.

I've been doing some shadow work recently. I feel like I'm at the start of a journey toward some stability so I'm doing some ground work to hopefully help make it stick! Very much moving into a more self assured space and exploring more things I enjoy and sod whether others do too. I'm quite enjoying it so far, and it's helping me to slowly reduce my perfectionist/all or nothing streak. It's mad that I've always had that streak, because I don't actually believe in perfection at all in the way it typically tends to be described.

Yes,they are working towards being officially recognised as a clan.

Happy spring equinox everyone 🌼

Yes, happy Spring Equinox 🌸

Happy Spring Equinox all! I treated myself to this book today. I'm thoroughly enjoying the brighter days and my seedlings sprouting up through the soil. How is everyone else doing?

Ooh that book sounds interesting!
I've been gardening and planting out herbs. Bit too early for seedlings still but the herbs are more advanced and hardier.

It's so amazing to feel this spring energy burst through.

CailleachGhlas that is an interesting candle photo. I can see a figure, feels like a young person, a scribe, or someone studying for exams. Could that be someone you know? The upper flame feels protective, a calm and soothing energy, overall a grounded peaceful scene. That book looks very interesting- I am embracing cronehood, I was dreading it, to be old and wrinkled, invisible, disregarded, but I wasn't prepared for the surge of power after the menopause. My life feels much softer, liberated. I like the fact I am invisible to male gaze, but absolutely visible to women - strangers- my own age. That flash and glint that sometimes happens, a small connection that speaks of wisdom, understanding. The Cailliach handing over sovereignty to Brigit, some scholars tell us there is a power struggle at this time- what crock! Shows a huge bias towards patriarchy and reinforces patterns of women within that framework. The crone and the maiden are allies, empower each other- just as how things are supposed to run without the mysoginistic imprinting. The Crone is proud of her work, and lets go to Bridgit happily, with love and support. And in turn Brigit is grateful of the groundwork, wisdom and strength that the crone has given to her.Just my view of course- I question everything!

I had a lovely forest walk with my son yesterday- he is an adult, and has been navigating some tough times. It was so good to enjoy a relaxed river stroll, our conversation light, but also curious of our surroundings. We talked about spider webs, fungi, the last ice age, and found a newly erected rope swing, sturdy rope and a makeshift seat. We took turns to swing, we were both squealing with delight and laughed so much our sides ached.
I am back from yoga, and about to start work, I hope everyone has a magical l day.

Your rope swing fun with your son sounds wonderful. What a lovely memory to keep. I have been cleaning out kitchen cupboards which were shamefully filthy.
And now,despite being on a massive alcohol cut down this year( 76 days AF so far in 2026) I am mindfully enjoying a glass of wine in the sunshine,sitting on my top step by my tubs of herbs.

Finally given in and bought a new Rider Waite Smith tarot pack.

My original pack has been missing for months now. What's the betting it turns up in plain sight this week?

Did your Tarot deck turn up TheWytch - that situation happens to me a lot.

I am still cleaning and preparing my new room- last occupied by my son during the teenage years, so a lot of grot and grime. He has been doing a lot of the harder work, sanding down woodwork, using my new steam cleaner to cut through grime. I want to prepare surfaces, fill cracks, holes, and floors as best I can before painting.. I am fortunate that I have no time pressure, as the room is unoccupied, so when I have had enough I can down tools, walk out and close the door.
My son came into my bedroom at 2 am, he said there was some kind of animal fight in the garden. I flew downstairs to find one of my cats in a state of high alert. I think maybe a fox or perhaps another cat. My cats are locked indoors at night usually, but my OH thinks otherwise, so a bit of a problem there.

As I was trying to calm my cat and usher him back indoors I bent down to pick him up and he lashed out at me. Not his fault, he was in a panic. He ripped the top pad of my middle finger open, his claw must have stuck into me, and he pulled it back. It was bleeding heavily, but my DS helped patch me up. I visited my GP this morning who applied steri strips, hydrogel and dressing, and gave me a course of antibiotics. She also suggested I try not to use that finger for a few days. lol!

Not yet @speakout but I've had 4 markets in 5 days and I admit I'm too tired to leave the sofa to look.

I had to have a tetanus jab when one of our cats did sometihng similar to me. Hope it gets better soon