A09

I've collected some unusual stones over time (I live near the beach) and I want to make them into rune stones, even though it's not my favourite type of divination. They just seemed to call to me.

I've always found the faster I try and do something, the more awry it seems to go. If I build up to the spell/ritual slowly, it seems to gather more and more momentum before finally being released. Intent can be such a tricky thing to totally master. But it's all part of the journey and adds to the learning experience. I've asked the Universe for help before though, and wished for something sooooo bad that it eventually manifested. And I'm very interested in different realms and alternate realities other than our own.

I was collecting unusual stones at one point, with a mind to make my own rune stones. I should carry on with this really, but my work keeps getting in the way.

I went though my 'buy loads of magic artefacts' stage in my young witch days also. I think everyone gets so blinded by...'you've just found out you're a witch, so you need this, this and this to get started'...! Especially these days, when consumerism is so rife it's ridiculous. My earlier 'tools of the trade' now convalesce in a special box of memories that I revisit once in a while for nostalgic reasons. I must admit there are a couple of items that (even though they were purchased) are very dear to me - mostly because I believed that they called out to be bought. But some are also presents that the 'very few people who know that I'm a Witch' bought for me. I totally agree that Traditional Witchcraft can be an organic thing, as I have slowly come to the realisation throughout my later journeys that I am a part of the whole universe and every living organism is part of my tiny world for a reason. So if I choose to create something to aid me in my Craft (or if something chooses me) then the magical intent can often be formidable. I am loving this thread..!

I had a friend who was using a ouija board with her daughter. She told me that they started to talk to a relative that had passed. One evening another 'spirit', this time a woman, came through and my friend said that she was asking this 'woman' all sorts of questions and apparently getting lots of replies - when suddenly this woman my friend and her daughter were talking to went quiet....and the planchette stopped moving. My friend and her daughter were concerned and called for the woman's spirit but there was nothing. Then, the relative who had passed on spoke to them through the board, and they asked her 'what happened to the woman? Is she okay? She just went quiet on us'. The relative replied 'Don't worry about the woman you were speaking to. She's just been reborn'. I certainly don't know how true this is, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood up when my friend told me. PS - I have NEVER used a Ouija Board.

Nature is my reset place as well. Walks along the beach or in the woods. I like to be creative too.

I agree. I wouldn't want to wear the costume at the top because of the history attached to it, it makes me feel sick just thinking about it. I just think that in my opinion, most trad Witches don't have to wear a costume for Halloween, because they 'are a Witch' all year round. It's nice to see the little'uns dress up though.....it fires their imaginations.

I never really got 'lost' in the excitement of the discovery of being a Witch because it was always kind of there. I mean, there in the background waiting to be recognised (if that makes sense). My mother was very tuned in and had a best friend with the Sight. So I was very young when I first started experiencing the world of Spirit. Then as the Craft called out to me I leaned towards mind, body and spirit teachings. I discovered Witchcraft at around twenty, and knew straight away. All the energies around me - the dreams, hearing things, seeing glimpses into Spirit, smelling things, feeling everything around me, that buzz when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you know you've got 'company'. It all grew so familiar and comforting, I sometimes have to concentrate on not being too relaxed about it or I can get lazy and not notice things happening right in front of me. I can see how it can be overwhelming for some people though. It is wonderful at first, knowing that you finally fit in somewhere.

These were made by three of my friends....I thought they were a brilliant attempt as they have special needs. 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 (my friends, not the pumpkins).

Pumpkin carving is so awesome. I will be celebrating pretty much the same way as everyone on this thread thus far.. I love this time of year, everything is buzzing with energy. I will probably take a quiet walk myself to commune with the spirits old and new. The excitement is almost palpable. The world of spirit never feels as alive as it does at this time - it's like a rollercoaster ride of emotions right through the entire spectrum, love, loss, memories... Have an awesome Samhain, Halloween, Day of the Dead and whatever other traditions you observe or follow, my fellow Witches.

Onyx, you're a fountain of cool information. Thank you, I'll take a look when I'm not busy.

I used the Witches Tarot. But now I use the Deviant Moon Tarot. I have the borderless cards and they're wonderful...

I've had the knocking and talking before (mentioned this subject in a previous topic). The knocking can be really strange and I have literally jumped awake before, panicking that someone wants to come in and my hubby just looks at me strangely and says 'there was no one knocking'. It probably is all in my mind, but it's so vivid.

I appear to have become more 'finely tuned', not that I didn't see things before. But now I keep seeing more flashes of people who have passed, and hearing voices calling out. And my dreams are so vivid and frightening at the moment. It might just be the time of year, I was born in October and Samhain is drawing near, but even so....the world of spirit seems very discordant right now.

The Beast : 'You are different from the rest. Your heart is pure! Rejoice! The broken are the more evolved'..... - Split (Movie). Probably my favourite quote ever...

I like both but I like the lighting behind the skulls. Beautiful artistry. She's definitely got a little of her Grandad's influence in there...🤨

I ate mud at 3 too.....!

'Quiet people have the loudest minds' -S.Hawking One of my favourites...

Brilliant. I love the Bog Monsters and Bog Witch. And what's with the rowboats? Confusing haha! And two Dads....and the 'fuck off space egg'. Had a good hurrumph....

I was always fascinated with circles. From a very early age I would surround myself with toys when I went to bed...and if one fell off my bed I would quickly replace it or it would be breaking the circle. And I was always drawing circles and swirls. I also loved the Seasons - my favourite being Autumn. I could tell when bad things were about to happen, and sense awful places and atmospheres, as well as lovely places and calming atmospheres. I would also catch things out of the corner of my eye. My Mum thought she might be/was raised/ was encouraged by family to be a born-again christian - but she was actually a kitchen Witch without knowing. She taught me that the supernatural was a perfectly normal part of living and encouraged me to ask the question 'why'. I would speak to spirits without batting an eyelid because I became so used to their presence. I adored trees and forests. And I was always around animals (I actually like animals more than some humans!) I suppose I realised subconsciously that I was a Witch from around the start of my teens, when I discovered punk rock, being a goth and getting my tattoos and piercings done. I was shunned, for being quiet, for being different, and bullied for being both. So I thought 'fuck it, if I'm so different, then I'll look the part'. I didn't realise that there was no need, and although I've never regretted that period of my life, I started to get swept up in the love affair between myself and Witchcraft in my late teens/early twenties and finally the penny dropped. The veil was lifted....and I've never looked back.