List To Do By 50th Birthday ~ Did I Complete It?

Looking back at past blogs I picked up on the "things to do by the time I reach 50" one and had a wee laugh to myself.

Some of the items of the list are completed but there are still a few I didn't manage to complete ~ and I'm not sure if I will ever do so either.

So what were they and which ones did I successfully achieve?

Here you go..

1. Write a blog ~ Yes, all those years ago I picked up the challenge put down by my therapist and set up my blog. It's been something I have enjoyed writing far more than I realised I would and enjoyed supportive private messages from other bloggers which have been enormously appreciated.
   
   
2. No booze for a month ~ Another tick off the list, I have actually been booze free a few times since writing this on my "to do list" as I find having intermittent detox months help me step away from the booze and prevent me from abusing it. Recently I have found that I am drinking far less than ever before and am almost always below my weekly unit allowance.
3. Get a Tattoo ~ I was late to the game on this one and had my first tattoo on my 41st birthday followed by several more since then. Almost all my tattoos hold specific significant memories for me but one or two are just because. My middle daughter is new tattooist and so I offer my skin to her to practice on.
   
   
4. Have a facial piercing ~ I completed this along with the tattoo on my 41st birthday as I had my nose pierced at the same time. My nose piercing is my all time favourite piercing. My middle daughter is also a qualified piercer and so I have now ears full of piercings and my nipples pierced. I used to have a bridge piercing ~ in fact I had it done 3 times but each time my body decided to reject it and it grew out. After the 3 attempts I gave up and I miss it but I reckon it's not worth the scar tissue if its going to keep growing out.
   
   
5. Donate blood ~ I was a blood donor for years but unfortunately since my chronic illness diagnoses the blood bank no longer want my blood, but at least I can tick it off the list as having done it.
   
   
6. Go Vegetarian for a month ~ I went vegetarian for a month in September 2015, since then I have been vegan for a month on two occasions. Now I mostly follow a diet where I eat either vegetarian or vegan meals, although I do falter occasionally and enjoy a little meat now and then when eating out.
   
   
7. Make my own wine ~ I managed to achieve this at the beginning of 2015 when we bought some home brew equipment. We made white and red wines which were delicious, however we don't have the time and space to make it now so we are selling our equipment and buy the wines!
   
   
8. Visit the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg ~ As a Jack Daniels fan I have always wanted to go and see where it was made. Jack Daniels is a drink that holds happy memories for me, times drinking it  during adventures with Dave. Then, in 2008 mum and dad offered to stay with our girls so that we could go to America for Dave's 40th Birthday and travel around Nashville, Memphis and Lynchburg. I finally visited the distillery and it was awesome! I couldn't quite get my head around the fact that the distillery is in a dry county ~ crazy!
   
   
9. Learn how to hula hoop ~ As a child I couldn't hula hoop and it drove me nuts watching others effortlessly doing it in front of me. I have managed to learn how to hoop in one direction and can do it for about 20 minutes in that one direction but no matter how hard I try I can't do it in the other direction even for a single "hoop", it just drops to my ankles!
   
   
10. Walk inside a glacier ~ This wasn't something I felt I could achieve until my sister moved to Chamonix in France. When I visited we took the girls up and actually went inside a glacier. There they have a train and cable cars that take you up to a glacier. Once at the glacier a cable car takes you down to a spot where an opening has been created and inside ice sculptures are created for visitors to enjoy. Being inside a glacier is beautiful, it has a gorgeous blue light inside and isn't as cold as I thought it would be. Each year when the glacier moves a new entrance and carvings are created for visitors to marvel at. If you are afraid of heights the cable cars are a bit lairy and I had to really focus on my breathing when in them to stop myself from panicking.
    
    
11. See a show on Broadway ~ It was such a fluke how I managed to tick this off my list. Some years ago my husband worked for a well known pest control company. This company regularly offered sales incentives to their staff to encourage them to work harder. Dave won one of these incentives which was a 4 day trip to New York including all tickets to the major sights and dinner on The World Yacht, lunch at Tavern On The Green and tickets to Phantom Of The Opera on Broadway. The entire trip was amazing with many happy memories made.
    
    
12. Complete a photography course ~ I successfully ticked this item off the list when I enrolled on a course with the Open University which started in March 2016 and I completed by the end of the year.
    
    
    
13. Drink a pint of Murphy’s Stout in a pub in Ireland ~I visited Dublin a couple of years ago and as well as visiting the Guinness museum I also managed to drink a lovely pint of Murphy's whilst there too. I have discovered recently several pubs in Derby which sell stout similar to Murphy's, although none of them sell Murphy's anymore.
    
    
14. Put £5 in a book in the library with a note ~ A few years back when I used to visit our local library I did this, I popped it into a paperback version of Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, as it's my favourite book. I wish I had been there to see the face of the person who found it.
    
    
15. *Not Achieved* Visit Pompeii with Dave ~ I nearly achieved this but ill health resulted in the trip being cancelled. We have planned a trip to Zante, Greece, for September as it will be a very relaxing and low key convalescence holiday but I hope that perhaps next year we will be able to make it ~ health allowing, as it requires a certain level of walking. I will have to create a "To Do before 60" list I think for all items not completed on my before 50 list. 
    
    
16. *Not Achieved* Have a (tasteful) nude photo shoot ~ I want to embrace and accept the body I have after years (well almost a life-time) of being dissatisfied and wanting to be thinner, have bigger boobs etc. I am finally learning that this body has carried me well and seen me through tough times, it needs celebrating, stretch marks, rolls of fat, grey hairs and droopy boobs 'n' all! I almost went for this and then bottled it! I may end up taking some self portraits instead but need to learn how to use a remote control with my camera ~ I have no clue with technology ~ to take the photos. This means this will most likely be a "before 60" item.
    
    
17. Say yes for an entire day ~ I have a tendency to say "no" immediately and then think about it before then deciding if I want to change it to a "yes". I think waking up one day and deciding to only say "yes" would be a good exercise for me ~ but obviously I won't tell anyone when I plan on doing this as I feel they may well take advantage! DONE ~ and thankfully as no~one knew I was doing it I had to do nothing that took me out of my comfort zone and the day was spent mostly giving the girls lifts from here to there #Taxi.
    
    
18. Renew wedding vows ~ This was very important for us because we have changed our religious views and beliefs since our married days, been through an awful lot and come out stronger, wiser and more unified. First time round we allowed family to organise our wedding and decide on how the day would run. This time round we wanted to do it our way and involve the girls and celebrate what we have survived and look towards a brighter future together on our own terms. We booked this in for June 2016, inviting friends and family to celebrate with us and were very excited about it. Unfortunately my health faltered and so we cancelled the big do and scaled it right down to just us and the girls, plus Keisha's boyfriend at the time and the celebrant.It was a wonderful, relaxed and low key day. We wrote our own vows and included a sand ceremony into the celebrations which involved everyone in the room. The sand came from our favourite beach in Filey as did the shells to decorate the vase afterwards.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. *Not Achieved* Send a message in a bottle ~ This really appeals to me although I don't know why. Those who know us know that we spend so much of our leisure time down on the coast. I thought this would be a fun thing to do, not sure what message I will send yet. I have absolutely no excuse for doing this except that I keep forgetting! I have had so many opportunities to do this ~ damn my brain and memory! It is something I will tick off when I remember to do it.
20. Try new foods I’ve been too chicken to have before ~ When I first met The Dave I didn't like so many foods, curry's, pizza's etc but now eat them all. However, I am a real baby when I am faced with something new and a coward about trying them ~ so my mission between now and 2019 is to add a list of new foods to my menu. I have successfully completed this challenge and make a point of always trying out new things, it's fun and a practice I intend to continue.
    
    
21. *Not Achieved* Collect acorns and randomly plant them ~ I am a huge lover of trees and was listening to an interview on radio 2 about oak trees and the guy (I forget who he was) was appealing to the public to gather acorns and randomly plant them because oak trees are very slow growing yet hugely beneficial to the environment and we need more of them. So that is precisely what I am going to do whenever I can. Erm except I kept forgetting ~ it's as simple as that ~ if I can remember to do this then I most certainly will!
    
    
    
22. *Partially Achieved* Go on a romantic beach picnic with Dave and sit and watch the sunset ~ Something so simple and yet something we have never done. So hoping to do this one summer evening on the Yorkshire coast. Well, we had the picnic but are always too tired to stay up til sunset and end up asleep and missing that part!
    
    
    
23. *Not Achieved* Go wine tasting ~ Again, this is something I have always wanted to experience and somehow never got round to doing. Hopefully I can tick this off before the end of my lifetime. This one will have to be transferred onto the before 60 list!
    
    
    
24. Let the girls do a make-over on me and wear whatever they decide for the day ~ I have no fashion, I just wear jeans and man jumpers with Docs or trainers. I like to be comfortable. The girls would like to see me looking girly and feminine so I have said they can choose an outfit (gulp ~ even if it is a dress or skirt) and put make-up on me and I will keep the look for the day. I have enjoyed doing this with the girls a couple of times and although worn dresses and smarter more feminine attire I didn't really feel like me and so mostly wear my comfy jean and top combos. The make~up felt weird on my face and so I could only wear it for a few moments before the impulse to wipe it off kicked in. I removed the foundation but kept the eye and lip make~up on for the day. The photo is me wearing make~up after my youngest applied it for me!
    
    
    
    
    
25. Grow my hair ~ I have tried and failed many times to grow my hair. However I finally successfully managed to grow it to shoulder length at the beginning of this year and then, decided that I really don't like long hair on me. After much thought I had it cut back to a more flattering shorter length.
    
    
26. *Not Achieved* Go to Comic Con ~ I hadn't realised there was a comic con in Birmingham and so have promised Tasha that one day when we are both well enough we will go! So far this is still one to tick off but not discounted. Again, one for the before 60 list.
    
    
27. *Not Achieved* Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome with Dave ~ This appeals to the soppy side of me and would like to tour Rome (before going to Pompeii) and take in all the sights. This will be happening at some point ~ putting it on the before 60 list.
    
    
28. *Not Achieved* Have a professional family photo shoot ~ Before the girls all live too far away I would like to gather us all together and have some lovely informal photographs taken of us as a family. Unfortunately we haven't been able to book a photographer and organise all of us to be together in the one place at the same time. I think it would be more realistic to take impromptu group selfies of us together next time we happen to all be in the same place at the same time.
    
    
29. See more live music ~ I would love to see live bands play and yet again never get round to it, it gets put to the bottom of the list and then when the opportunity comes I decide to stay home as too tired etc. This is something I want to do and so will try and change my mindset and just do it one day. Success ~ I have managed to see a couple of bands recently and although it's not as often as I would like it's a start.
    
    
30. *Altered and Ongoing* Buy and keep alive a Bonsai Tree for at least 6 months ~ altered to grow my own food and herbs ~ I decided although a Bonsai tree would be lovely it doesn't really offer any benefits. Instead I am planting and growing my own fruit and veggies in raised vegetable plots and greenhouse, along with tending my own herb garden. It brings me closer to nature and gives me huge satisfaction being able to eat what I grow.
    
    
31. *Aborted* Make Hash Brownies ~ I don't smoke anymore, I gave up in 1996, I have heard that hash helps soothe pain in M.E,. and so am tempted to bake a batch and try them to see if they relieve my pains and aches because normal painkillers have no effect. During our trip to Amsterdam in May this year I tried edibles, the cakes were delicious but my bodies reaction to weed not so much. Had I reacted favourably to the weed then I would have been able to tick this item off. Instead the weed made me feel very unwell and so this is now aborted.
    
    
32. Reintroduce date night ~ Don't you find that it is all too easy to come home and just flop, to be too tired to bother? We used to have a weekly date night and then that fizzled out. I think monthly is more realistic and that we should put aside a night each month to go out on a date and remind each other what we mean to each other. We have successfully implemented this into our routine and even improved upon it by introducing regular weekend mini breaks into the mix too. 
    
    
33. *Not Achieved* Have a full on food fight ~ This appeals to the kid in me, however, due to the OCD side of me it would have to be outside as I couldn't cope with the mess if it was indoors ~ it makes me twitch just thinking about it, but outside is a different matter. Nope ~ not really got round to doing this, it's a testimony to how hungry our family is as we always eat all the food!
    
    
34. Have a water balloon fight ~ Again feeding the inner child, it would be great fun and perhaps something to do when we have friends over. A few years ago we achieved this when we bought a load of water balloons. To be fair I wasn't that impressed with the balloons and prefer the age old method of the long range hosepipe, but it was fun.
    
    
35. Sort out finalising my will - With recent health events it's hit home that you can never be too prepared and we have half done our wills but they really need finishing and so I need to get my arse into gear and do this. Achieved this ~ and gone one further, I have completed my will, funeral plans and living will. Now all I need to organise is power of attorney.
    
    
36. *Not Achieved* Do a ghost tour/walk ~ I used to always watch Most Haunted and love the idea of going on a spooky tour or walk, although couldn't be too long as it would make me too tired. Derby has a great ghost walk and so this is being transferred onto the to do before 60 list and will be ticked off by then.
    
    
37. *Almost Achieved* Visit a strip club ~ I am curious about what goes on in one of these and whether or not the "strippers" enjoy it or not. I would love to watch a show and chat to the strippers to get a feel of what it's all about and whether it feels seedy or not. During our trip to Amsterdam we almost entered a strip club, we had a choice of several but we just couldn't justify the cost of entry, the cost of tipping the strippers and the exuberant cost of drinks ~ so we dipped and opted for a delicious dinner instead.
    
    
38. *Not Achieved* Hold a Tarantula in my hand  ~ I have had a huge fear of spiders for as long as I can remember and someone once told me holding a tarantula is less scary then holding normal house spiders as they are less likely to run up your arm etc. I am terrified at the thought of doing this but wonder if it would help me address my fear (or make it worse). I think someone would have to support me and hold my hand underneath to stop me flinging the spider off though!  I am dreading this one SO much!. I have improved immensely with my fear of spiders by photographing them with a macro lens but as far as holding one, nooo! I'm not that close to facing my fear yet.
    
    
39. Hold a joint 50th shindig with Dave ~ as we are both 50 within 11 months of each other what better way to celebrate half way between our birthdays. I wonder about using the fancy dress theme of Film Characters as we spend much of our time together watching movies. We ended up having a silver wedding and 50th birthday party in June 2018 with close family and friends in the function room of our local pub which was wonderful.

After reviewing this list I feel that the time has come, now I'm 50, to compile the "To Do by 60" list ~ hopefully that will be one I can fully tick off by my 60th birthday.

Have you done a list like this and if so, did you complete it?

~ Blessings ~
 x~X~x

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~ Blessed Be ~

x~X~x

New Domain

I am all about simplifying my life right now and making life easier, smoother, happier and healthier both physically and mentally.

Physically things are a bit pants, but that happens ~ it's pretty much swings and roundabouts, ups and downs right now as I try to establish a base for myself and concentrate on then building up my energy and activity.

However, mentally things are improving bit by bit, I'm finding that discovering my inner witch and learning the craft along with Tai Chi, Therapeutic Touch, Photography, Gardening and surrounding myself by nature and animals is helping me so much. I feel that I have finally found my inner peace and what chimes with me.

I know many folk may snigger at the witch aspect but I say to those people ~ don't knock what you don't understand. Everyone has to find their own path and respect that of others ~ that's just my thought on the matter.

Anyhoo ~ new domain!

This is it ...  https://www.purplelily.net ... my new blog domain on Blogger which will replace my old one over on WordPress which is ..  https://purplelily.blog/  .... although that won't happen immediately.

Initially I shall run both blogs alongside each other until my WordPress domain and plan expire.

Why am I switching?

When I started blogging back in the day I was here on Blogger under the name Crazy Purple Mama. After a few years I started lusting after the designs and layouts of folks blogs on WordPress and so switched. However, I hadn't considered the additional cost being so much greater.

This ongoing excessive cost resulted in me downgrading my WordPress plan at the beginning of this year ~ however this also left me with no media storage and I had to delete all my past blogs to enable me to have any storage at all. I miss not being able to upload videos and photos but can't afford to upgrade my plan to regain storage.

SO ~ I revisited my old Blogger account and gave it a little makeover, bought a new domain name (for just £10 a year ~ a fraction of the cost of my WordPress domain) and the plan on blogger is free  as opposed to the annual fee I have to pay WordPress and can no longer afford. This free Blogger account has won me over because it also allows me to upload photos and videos to my blog ~ for no additional cost!

I am happy to give up the fancy templates with additional features and plugins in order to have a simpler, user friendly blog which allows me add media to my posts. It may not be super fancy but it's clean and efficient and does what I need it to do.

I hope that those of you who follow me on WordPress will continue to follow me over here on blogger by subscribing to my blog by email.

Like I said though, in the interim I shall run my blogs on both sites, so that my existing followers can still find me ~ but I shall only be sharing to social media via this blog.

Then in a few months time I shall be deleting my WordPress site for good, by then I hope all those who wish to continue following me will have already switched over to follow me here.

~ Blessed Be ~

x~X~x

A Break Away

I do love a break~away both the chocolate biscuit and a mini~trip variety.

Last weekend my husband took me away to Whitby for a 3 night break away because we both love the Yorkshire coast, it holds many happy memories for us.

I can’t believe how fortunate we were with the weather too ~ being on the coast meant we could enjoy the high temperatures with the relief of the sea breeze. So it wasn’t unbearable and perfect for being out and about.

Our hotel was perfect, I grew fond of it and the old traditional vibe it had. It was immaculately clean and very traditionally decorated. The room key was a real key and not a key card, plus we had a real key for the car park barrier too. 

The dining room reminded me of the one in Fawlty Towers ~ the double swing doors into the kitchen from the dining room were the same. I kept expecting Basil to enter via these doors cuffing a cowering Manuel as he scuttled ahead of him. The staff wore uniforms of black dresses with white lace trimmed waist pinafores which was quite a throwback. The tables covered with very highly polished silverware (you could use it as a mirror), silver cutlery, silver salt and pepper pots and silver dish ware and teapots, coffee pots, milk jugs etc. 

Breakfast was novel, no self service! Everything was on the menu and had to be ordered individually ~ then it was brought to you at the table. So orange juice arrived in a decent sized glass on a plate with a paper doily between plate and glass. Toast came in a silver toast rack placed in a bowl (to catch crumbs). Cereals, yoghurts, fruits, toast, croissants etc plus full cooked breakfasts came to order. So my orders were long asking for porridge, fruits, juice, toast etc which felt weird as usually these are items you help yourself to and I felt a bit extra.

We visited Whitby Abbey via car not the 199 steps, thankfully the blue badge afforded me access with minimal walking. The Abbey on the East Cliff was gorgeous and we were lucky it was pretty quiet which meant we could sit and just enjoy the surroundings. The graveyard just by the Abbey afforded views to the harbour and the two small lighthouses, we mooched through the graveyard looking at the ancient graves and enjoying the calm peaceful atmosphere.

Each day I got up slowly either up into flip flops and tee for breakfast with bed head in the restaurant or lie in bed whilst Dave went for breakfast returning with a bacon sarnie from the hotel kitchen for me. Each day was divided into two parts, with a return to the hotel midway for me to have a nanna nap to save energy, pacing myself. The hotel bed and pillows just embraced you and were so comfortable, which helped.

Over the long weekend we also took ourselves off to the beach, the quayside and to Bram Stokers bench. We finished with a boat trip harbour tour and the open top bus tour. 

Having this time away has made me realise it may be time to consider purchasing a small mobility buggy as I couldn’t visit parts of the old town because I can’t walk too far and it was steep and involved much walking. My faithful crutches took good care of me but perhaps I could do far more and open my world up more by investing in a buggy.

Also ~ with a buggy I could “walk” the dogs again everyday, which I would really love to be able to do.

Me being me, managed to sprain my neck on the Sunday afternoon during my nap ~ I think I somehow twisted my neck in my sleep as I woke up with pain along the left ligament of my neck and pain on movement with referred pain along the jaw. Thank goodness for thermacare 16 hour heat pads ~ they are awesome and gave a huge amount of relief.

Going away always comes with payback and post exertional malaise, so I have been lying low and resting to return to my “normal”.

Now almost a week after the injury my neck is starting to heal and some movement is coming back. I had to miss my Tai Chi this week and so I am hoping my neck will be sufficiently healed by Thursday coming so I can go to my next Tai Chi lesson, I hate to miss them. I have the second Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD to learn the additional movements to complete the sequence for my physiotherapy and it really is a wonderful way to both exercise and meditate with calming suitable music. 

If you are interested in seeing the full Tai Chi routine for Arthritis I am learning then you can watch it below in the video from YouTube.

I have started my orientation course on The Magickal Circle School and also learning my therapeutic touch alongside it, so all in all I feel life is now moving forward in a very positive trajectory ~ which is fabulous and long may it continue. In order to do this though I have had to severely limited my time on social media because I find I am too easily drawn in and distracted by it, which leaves me no time for “doing” and “being”. 

If you feel I am being “off” on social media I promise you I’m not, I’m just practising self~care and focusing on living the best life I can by improving my health and overall well~being within the limitations of my energy and concentration levels.

I wish you all a great weekend and hope that you are spending time doing what you love.

~ Blessed Be ~

x~X~x

What's A Witch?

What do you think of when you hear that word ~ witch?

Do you automatically go to the witches of our childhood and the fairy stories they exist in?

Do you think of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels and think ah ~ Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax, to name but just two.

Does your mind wander back in history to the witches trials ~ or do you think of the modern witch, someone who could be sitting next to you and you would have no idea?

First stop ~ dictionary definition..

Witch

noun

noun: witch; plural noun: witches

1.

a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

synonyms: sorceress, enchantress, occultist, necromancer, Wiccan; More a follower or practitioner of Wicca or of modern witchcraft.

2.

INFORMAL

an ugly or unpleasant woman.

“he can marry the old witch for all I care”

synonyms: hag, crone, harpy, harridan, termagant, she-devil; More

3.

a girl or woman who is bewitchingly attractive.

4.

an edible North Atlantic flatfish.

verb

verb: witch; 3rd person present: witches; past tense: witched; past participle: witched; gerund or present participle: witching

1.

cast an evil spell on.

“Mrs Mucharski had somehow witched the house”

(of a girl or woman) enchant (a man).

“she witched Jake”

Phrases

as cold as a witch’s tit — very cold.

Origin

Old English wicca (masculine), wicce (feminine), wiccian (verb); current senses of the verb are probably a shortening of bewitch.

Hmm, but that’s not my interpretation of a witch. 

Interestingly when you google search what is the purpose of witchcraft this comes up.. “Witchcraft or witchery is the practice of magical skills and abilities exercised by solitary practitioners and groups. Belief in witchcraft is often present within societies and groups whose cultural framework includes a magical world view. It often occupies a religious divinatory or medicinal role.”

Now that’s more like it ~ for me witchcraft is about understanding nature, our environment, the planet, the stars and all living life forms. It’s about harnessing energies and using them for positive purposes ~ to grow and use herbs, weeds, flowers, plants to create medicinal therapies and/or using the in spells to benefit the receiver. I’m a solitary witch, practising quietly by myself and always learning, discovering and practising the craft to become better and wiser in how to utilise my skills. To find harmony and balance with my surroundings and taking the parts of “witchery” that resonate with me, I don’t worship gods or goddesses but honour the maiden, mother and crone because I see aspects of the in nature, the seasons, in life, everywhere in fact. As a modern day witch I don’t consider myself following a religion but a belief, I don’t adhere to the old and definitive practices but more a open ever evolving freedom to choose my path and decide which aspects to incorporate and which to ignore.

Delving back into the history of witches I find that on the whole they were women trying to help others and were totally misunderstood. “Early witches were people who practised witchcraft ~ they used magic spells and called upon spirits for help or to bring about change. Most witches were thought to be pagans doing the Devil’s work. Many, however, were simply natural healers or so-called “wise women” whose choice of profession was misunderstood.“

Ooh I like the description of “wise woman” no one’s ever called me that! Also the healer description resonates with my inner nurse ~ I like that description because the healing touch ~ or energy healing, is something I am currently learning.

If you are interested in healing touch it is described by The Healing Touch Program as ..

“Healing Touch is an energy therapy in which practitioners consciously use their hands in a heart-centered and intentional way to support and facilitate physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. 

It is a biofield (magnetic field around the body) therapy that is an energy-based approach to health and healing. It uses the gift of touch to influence the human energy system, specifically the energy field that surrounds the body, and the energy centers that control the flow from the energy field to the physical body. 

These non-invasive techniques employ the hands to clear, energize, and balance the human and environmental energy fields, thus affecting physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. It is based on a heart-centered, caring relationship in which the practitioner and client come together energetically to facilitate the client’s health and healing. The goal of Healing Touch is to restore balance and harmonies in the energy system, placing the client in a position to self heal.“

Further explanation from this site goes on to explain how it works..

“Many theoretical frameworks on how energy medicine works exist in the literature of quantum physics and holistic healing. However, while the exact physics mechanisms can not be definitively described at this time, the cumulative results of numerous related studies on energy medicine and consciousness indicate strong support that “something is happening” and that recipients respond positively to energy therapies such as Healing Touch.

Over the years, researchers have developed ways to measure the energy field. Theoretically, by correcting any defects in the energy field, energy therapy practices may facilitate healing of the body, mind and spirit.

Energy therapies focus on removing energy congestion that form in our energy fields (aura) and energy centers (chakras). Once these imbalances and disturbances are cleared, the energy channels resume their task of integrating the body, mind and soul to restore health and promote healing. It may also help to prevent future issues by restoring balance to energy field disturbances, which could later result in illness if left unbalanced.

To gain a deeper understanding of the science supporting energy healing, please refer to the many books, journal articles and research findings written on this subject. Scientific evidence does exist that supports the premise that energy healing is effective. However, an experience is worth a thousand words, so the receiving of a Healing Touch treatment can do more to understand this phenomena than all the writings in the world.“

If you are interested in more information or courses then have a look at this link.. https://ttouch.org.uk/

I am working small spells at the moment, learning very slowly how to harness energies and focus intentions. Not spells that you see in films with bangs, whizzes and puffs of green smoke, more focusing the mind, setting intentions and sending them out. I am also fascinated by Tarot cards and their uses along with runes. I love my spirit animal tarot oracle card pack which I use regularly for guidance. My full Rider Waite deck has just arrived which I need to sage and familiarise myself with before learning how to use them properly.

In addition to the above I am also attending Tai Chi for arthritis classes with a rheumatology physiotherapist which I am loving and we are learning the forms and working towards being able to do the full routine daily as physical therapy and meditation with movement relaxation therapy.

So in answer to the question ~ what’s a witch? 

A witch can be many different things ~ depending on the path they have chosen and the practices they like to follow. 

Some like the occult aspect, some nature, some the religious side and others ~ like me ~ create their own path. Some join covens, working with others, whist some work alone. 

The subject is vast and the paths to take are numerous from the strict historical old practices to the new age modern interpretation. From the occult to the divine, following the moon and astrology to nature and the planets workings. Some do spells, some love crystal usage, meditation and divination and tarot readings and runes. 

There is so much more than this but they are just examples. The beauty of being a witch is that you are the person you choose to be and dabble in the aspects of witchcraft that call to you. Each of us are different and there is no right or wrong ways to practice.

For some it is a religion and Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. I don’t do that personally but I do definitely feel a higher energy exists in some form but I can’t see it as a divine being, more part of the universe itself. 

For me it’s a lifestyle ~ trying not to give out any negative energies when possible ~ that said I’m no saint and have grumpy grouchy days. Mostly I try to work on the basis of give out what I would like to receive back and try to be mindful of my thought processes, mostly to protect myself and stay away from toxicity.

~ Blessed Be ~

x~X~x

Spirit Guides//Oracle Cards

I have chosen to share my journey and discoveries along my new path as a witch via this blog. Whether that is a wise decision or not only time will tell. I am well aware that it is something which may bring derision from some corners but I am prepared to take that on the chin should it occur. 

I am not judgemental of others, I feel we all have the right to choose the path that calls us and we should be able to talk about it and share our thoughts with others. I don’t believe in ramming my opinions and thoughts down your throats, you have the choice whether or not to read this blog. I am also not saying that the way of the witch is the right choice for everyone ~ instead it is an option to further explore should it appeal to you. 

In return all I ask is for you to be open to understanding my beliefs if they are other than your own, I am happy to discuss differences with you but personally find that with belief systems and religions there is often more common ground than initially thought. Discussion about our various beliefs can be healthy so long as all parties are respectful of each other, if we can accept our differences then we can live harmoniously alongside each other with love and respect.

So, part of my journey is becoming familiar with tarot cards and understanding how to connect with them to use them to guide me along my path.

My first deck of tarot cards were gifted to me and are the “Messages From Your Animal Spirit Guides” oracle card deck. The pack contains 44 cards and a small information booklet. They are more than perfect for me because I have a huge love for animals and find myself drawn to watching them and when possible helping them.

Prior to delving into the adventurous journey of discovering my inner witch I had no idea about how these things worked ~ allegedly it is best if your first tarot deck is gifted to you. This happens to be something that happened to me purely by fluke. A while ago I bought my middle daughter this tarot deck, she never really got round to using them and so re~gifted them back to me. So technically I didn’t buy them for myself.

Then, allegedly all subsequent decks can be self~purchased but you need to allow them to call to you and not just buy any old deck. I have just purchased a deck, yet to be delivered, of The Original Rider Waite Cards and guide book. I wanted a traditional full deck of tarot cards to work with alongside my oracle deck.

I have been practising and learning how to use my spirit guide deck and found them to be exceptionally accurate in helping me with my questions and very specific with the guidance too. I have been holding the cards and getting to know them, to connect with them and the spirit animals. 

Since focusing on channelling my energies and setting my intentions I have found signs are coming to me from all around me. I am following intuitive feelings, sensing answers from signs shown in nature, my surroundings and phrases or words said at a significant moment.

I feel as if I am connecting to a higher energy and although I don’t specifically worship any Gods or Goddesses I do believe in a higher energy force which has the power to guide us when we ask it to. I have recently experienced a number of “events” where I have been compelled to do something in a way I wouldn’t normally do only to find that my decision to do it in that way has benefited me in some small way. It really feels as if I am being guided and supported by a unseen force and by parts of myself I am newly tapping into.

Today for the first time I read the cards for other people, two of my daughters and my husband to be precise. What struck me so profoundly was how specific the response from the cards was in relation to the question. Each reading was completely different and gave me chills in how the cards worked through me to provide advice and guidance. 

I am learning to work with my intuition and read the signs around me. I am still a novice and have a long way to go but this is a way of life that feels “right” for me and one that is drawing me along with a power and energy all of its own.

~ Blessed Be ~

x~X~x

Joy Of Herbs

I love herbs, I love their beauty, their variation, their aroma and their flavour ~ that is all but coriander! Coriander is vile, especially when fresh, it is an abomination of the herb family, however when it is dried and ground then coriander is okay if used in curries and chillies or whatnot, then and only then, in my opinion, is it acceptable. 

A while ago I planted a herb garden and it is now, for the most part, thriving. I have re-potted some of the more vigorous growing herbs that have had a huge growth spurt and yet had to start from scratch with the basil, which it seems is harder to grow and maintain than other herbs. I almost lost my thyme but managed to pull it back thankfully.

The chives are hitting the end of their flowering period and we have thoroughly enjoyed their blooms on salads, sprinkled over veggies and added into mash. I will be looking at growing a variety of edible flowers now because they are so enjoyable to experiment with in the kitchen.

Today I used up the last of the chive flowers in the mash with our dinner and also harvested a variety of the other herbs I’m growing to add to my vegan mince ~ a sort of bolognese, heavy with tomatoes but also carrots, peppers, leeks, celery, mushrooms and onions.

It felt pretty damn amazing to chop and add the herbs to the mince and then a couple of home grown bay leaves too! The aroma filled my nostrils as I chopped and a thrill of excitement ran through me at being able to add fresh herbs instead of the standard dried variety.

I am enjoying so much learning about different plants, how to grow them and learning that it’s trial and error ~ some are rather tricky to grow and will take some practice to master the techniques. 

I feel that finally my black thumb is changing colour, the black is now tinged with a hint of green. Who knows how far this will go ~ I have ambitions, so only time will tell.

On June 19th I am enrolling on a online herbology course and so aim to learn as much as possible at growing my own garden pharmacy, to grow and create my own home made remedies and poultices to treat my ailments with. So, watch this space as I will share snippets of my journey with you.

~ Blessed Be ~

x~X~x