This is beautiful. Thank you. Many times when I have sat with myself searching for the foundational wound, once I touch it for the first time it could be so overwhelming, that I immediately turn away. This can be very scary. I often have to take many return trips to be able to look at it for any length of time.
I totally get this and I think it's so important that we practice kindness with ourselves when relating with wounds. Your comment makes me think about the notion of capacity and how to know when to honor my present capacity or when to grow my capacity (even a little bit). I think, for me, it's about self-trust and understanding my cycles of confidence. When I'm feeling confident is when I can stretch that capacity a little and if I'm not feeling confident it's time to honor my present capacity. Interestingly, the tarot card for this week is Strength and I think it's all about this very thing! Thank you for commenting! I love you!
I value the content of your post, but I want to focus on just one sentence. "We all need our lives and stories witnessed just to know that we exist." Being alone so much, I've wondered if being witnessed changes anything. Of course we exist when we're alone and richly so. However, there's an advantage to speaking about what matters to someone else. Nuances of understanding emerge, expanding it.
Thank you so much for commenting and bringing this question, Julie! It's interesting, I wrestled with that statement when I wrote it. I wanted to encapsulate the metaphysical question of whether or not something exists if it's not perceived. Like you, I spend a lot of time alone (in fact, I require it), at least in terms of not being with other living humans. For me, being witnessed or perceived by Spirit, and/or being witnessed by my own self, lets me know I exist (reflects my existence back to me). AND, just as you said, sharing some of myself, or being witnessed by another living human, does seem to add a deeper layer to this experience of existence. At least some of the time anyway. I'm so glad you brought this up! Yes, nuances and lots to ponder! I'd love to know more of your thoughts about whether or not being witnessed changes anything.
Following what you said about witnessing yourself, being an artist provides you with artifacts which can later witness you. Reading older journals, any form of writing, or your visual art or musical creations can mirror or witness places in your journey - you. Appreciation for your individuality comes naturally, even if the opinions of others and a career don't confirm your genius. Many famous artists worked in solitude without sales and critical approval. My understanding is we create or exist for spirit.
I like this! 💖 I'm not sure I have a solid answer as to why I exist, but I completely agree that spirit has a lot to do with it. I see myself as a part of a collective, a spirit team (I'm the incarnated one) and we have a collective purpose. I guess I believe that my existence in this life has a lot to do with that. I LOVE that you mentioned that our creations can witness us! That's so perfect! It's inspired me to go back and read some old journals, see what witnessing I find there. 🤗
Wonderful, thank you so much for offering this! I can't wait to read them! 🤗 I'm still learning the ins and outs of communicating on Substack. I did start a weekly check-In thread on my chat today that might be a wonderful place to share your poems. The link to that is above (I think). Or you can email them directly to me at witchcraftandmetaphysics@substack.com
Or maybe post them in notes and tag me? We'll get this figured out! 💖
Well I’m glad you’ve prepared me Jenna! Although I suspect it’s been building to this. I have some strong ancestral wounds on repeat that I would love to release and think they may come to a head this week. Thank you for your beautiful insight to carry me through with courage. 🙏💫
Thank you, Louise! 💖💖 As you already know, your ancestors are with you every step of the way. And please know you can reach out to me too for an added layer of living human support. Blessings to you as you face the wounds. ♥️
Jenna, I really like the way you describe the Tarot. I am a Medium and have never taken on the Tarot. I always thought of it as a serious study. I may have to look at it again! Thanks...M/
Hi Melissa! Thank you so much for reaching out! My relationship with the tarot seems to be ever unfolding. While I have learned a lot from the study of it, in the end I seem to always go my own way with the cards. Maybe that's just my personality. 😁🤪 I'd love to hear more about your work as a medium. That sounds fascinating!
Oh thanks Jenna. I've been a certified spiritual medium for 40 years. Learned and studied the old school way, but eventually went down my own path. Using Symbols is a huge part of the information given through a spirit connection. So, on that part, we may be in similar territory! I learned a long time ago how to 'open and close' the connection, which kept me from being inundated with spirits. (oh, that sounds like a great article title!) Right now, I have been on sabbatical restoring myself from health issues. So, writing about what I do is where I am at right now! You can check out my substack A Mystic's Journal. All the Best!
Subscribed and I can't wait to dive in! 'Inundated with Spirits' sounds like an article I'd love to read. Thank you so much for your work in the world. As someone who also works with the dead, I know that your work is deeply needed and profoundly appreciated.
This is beautiful. Thank you. Many times when I have sat with myself searching for the foundational wound, once I touch it for the first time it could be so overwhelming, that I immediately turn away. This can be very scary. I often have to take many return trips to be able to look at it for any length of time.
I totally get this and I think it's so important that we practice kindness with ourselves when relating with wounds. Your comment makes me think about the notion of capacity and how to know when to honor my present capacity or when to grow my capacity (even a little bit). I think, for me, it's about self-trust and understanding my cycles of confidence. When I'm feeling confident is when I can stretch that capacity a little and if I'm not feeling confident it's time to honor my present capacity. Interestingly, the tarot card for this week is Strength and I think it's all about this very thing! Thank you for commenting! I love you!
I value the content of your post, but I want to focus on just one sentence. "We all need our lives and stories witnessed just to know that we exist." Being alone so much, I've wondered if being witnessed changes anything. Of course we exist when we're alone and richly so. However, there's an advantage to speaking about what matters to someone else. Nuances of understanding emerge, expanding it.
Thank you so much for commenting and bringing this question, Julie! It's interesting, I wrestled with that statement when I wrote it. I wanted to encapsulate the metaphysical question of whether or not something exists if it's not perceived. Like you, I spend a lot of time alone (in fact, I require it), at least in terms of not being with other living humans. For me, being witnessed or perceived by Spirit, and/or being witnessed by my own self, lets me know I exist (reflects my existence back to me). AND, just as you said, sharing some of myself, or being witnessed by another living human, does seem to add a deeper layer to this experience of existence. At least some of the time anyway. I'm so glad you brought this up! Yes, nuances and lots to ponder! I'd love to know more of your thoughts about whether or not being witnessed changes anything.
Following what you said about witnessing yourself, being an artist provides you with artifacts which can later witness you. Reading older journals, any form of writing, or your visual art or musical creations can mirror or witness places in your journey - you. Appreciation for your individuality comes naturally, even if the opinions of others and a career don't confirm your genius. Many famous artists worked in solitude without sales and critical approval. My understanding is we create or exist for spirit.
I like this! 💖 I'm not sure I have a solid answer as to why I exist, but I completely agree that spirit has a lot to do with it. I see myself as a part of a collective, a spirit team (I'm the incarnated one) and we have a collective purpose. I guess I believe that my existence in this life has a lot to do with that. I LOVE that you mentioned that our creations can witness us! That's so perfect! It's inspired me to go back and read some old journals, see what witnessing I find there. 🤗
Jenna, I can send you a couple of relevant poems for you (and anyone) to read. How to do this?
https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/27f9ddee-e521-4f4a-b9ec-cf95f86f31f5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=62nzv
Wonderful, thank you so much for offering this! I can't wait to read them! 🤗 I'm still learning the ins and outs of communicating on Substack. I did start a weekly check-In thread on my chat today that might be a wonderful place to share your poems. The link to that is above (I think). Or you can email them directly to me at witchcraftandmetaphysics@substack.com
Or maybe post them in notes and tag me? We'll get this figured out! 💖
What a wonderful conversation. I'll simmer with your comment and respond soon.
Jenna, this is just exquisite. There is more I am wont to say, but a paucity of words here says more than more words would add!
Thank you, Renee! I treasure your words no matter how many there are. 🤗
Well I’m glad you’ve prepared me Jenna! Although I suspect it’s been building to this. I have some strong ancestral wounds on repeat that I would love to release and think they may come to a head this week. Thank you for your beautiful insight to carry me through with courage. 🙏💫
Thank you, Louise! 💖💖 As you already know, your ancestors are with you every step of the way. And please know you can reach out to me too for an added layer of living human support. Blessings to you as you face the wounds. ♥️
Bless you Jenna, that’s very kind of you. 💫🙏❤️
I love the way you have navigated this and so much to consider this week. 💕
Thank you so much! Please reach out if I can be of any support. ♥️
❤️
Jenna, I really like the way you describe the Tarot. I am a Medium and have never taken on the Tarot. I always thought of it as a serious study. I may have to look at it again! Thanks...M/
Hi Melissa! Thank you so much for reaching out! My relationship with the tarot seems to be ever unfolding. While I have learned a lot from the study of it, in the end I seem to always go my own way with the cards. Maybe that's just my personality. 😁🤪 I'd love to hear more about your work as a medium. That sounds fascinating!
Oh thanks Jenna. I've been a certified spiritual medium for 40 years. Learned and studied the old school way, but eventually went down my own path. Using Symbols is a huge part of the information given through a spirit connection. So, on that part, we may be in similar territory! I learned a long time ago how to 'open and close' the connection, which kept me from being inundated with spirits. (oh, that sounds like a great article title!) Right now, I have been on sabbatical restoring myself from health issues. So, writing about what I do is where I am at right now! You can check out my substack A Mystic's Journal. All the Best!
Subscribed and I can't wait to dive in! 'Inundated with Spirits' sounds like an article I'd love to read. Thank you so much for your work in the world. As someone who also works with the dead, I know that your work is deeply needed and profoundly appreciated.
Hey, I like that we are on the same page. Many Blessings to You! Thanks so much for subscribing!