🫥 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Empaths & Empathic Abilities

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Magick of Movement

After last week’s exercise in exercise, we’re staying active- but this week finds us activating our emotional and sensory abilities

The theme for this week’s challenge was inspired by the caring @Artemisia and is…

Empathic Abilities

What is an “Empath”?

@MeganB

An empath is one who experiences the emotions of others . You may be able to read the room and know what happened, or you may be in a crowd full of people and experience sadness, anger, or even panic, for no apparent reason. Empaths come from all walks of life, but it is often those who are more open to the world around them that experience it the most.

Everyone has some level of empathic ability- those who hone their empathic powers or have naturally strong abilities often also have strong intuitive abilities, are able to forge close connections with others, and can cast potent healing magick.

Due to their high sensory powers, Empaths are often prone to taking on the energy and emotions of others- sometimes to a negative effect. As such, many Empaths use special protective magick to help them stay in control of energy and emotions that come their way.

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This week’s challenge is all about Emapths and Empathic Magick - how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

Please note that you do not have to identify as an Empath or feel confident with your empathic abilities to take part in this challenge- exploring empathy in magick and in our lives is a great exercise for all of us!

From Spells8: Are You An Empath?

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STEP 1 : An Empath’s Abilities

This challenge is all about emapthic powers - but as always, how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

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Your Empathic Powers

Everyone has some level of empathy (“the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” ~ Oxford Dictionary) that can aid them in their daily lives and is reflected in their Craft. Consider exploring empathy for your entry this week!

Some suggested journalling prompts:

• How do you experience and show empathy to others in your practice?
• Do you identify as an “Empath”- why or why not?

Related discussions and resources:

• Are you an Empath?
• Questions for Empaths
• Empath Masterpost
• empath tag

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Honing Empathic Abilities

Empathic magick is a type of sensory magick- magick that involves your senses. Empaths are particularly in tune with emotions and energy, as they can sense, pick up, and potentially work with the energies of those around them.

For your entry this week, consider exploring some energy or sensory work that involves empathy.

For sensory and energy magick ideas, consider exploring the entries shared by fellow Coven members in the previous Reading Auras , Energy Work , Magickal Senses , and energy-work tag

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Empath Protection

As someone who is extra aware of the emotions and energies of others, it can be an important part of an Empath’s practice to protect their own energy and emotions from unwanted negativity or outside influence.

Empath Shielding Spray Recipe

Protective Amulet Enchantment

Protective Herbs and Spices

Bindrune - Protection for Interacting with People

Related discussions and resources:

• Protection for Empaths: Jar Spell
• A Protective Veil
• Protecting my Energy
• How to Block People’s Energies

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… And More!

The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore empathic magick in another way, you are welcome to do so!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme

From Spells8: How to Send Healing Energy to Someone

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Should I Share My Entry?

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, February 13 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2024-02-13T12:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

Picture from Canva

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

Picture from Canva

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Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start
But all you need is an open heart
To reach out to others and see as they do
You’ll find the soul of humanity real and true

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Blessed Be!

[DreamWithin]

Oooh, another good one! I even feel energy from “non-living things”. I remember when my husband and I were newly married, and we were putting away dishes together. I was placing freshly cleaned coffee mugs in the back of the cabinet and scooting the other mugs to the front…

Him: “Uhh… what are you doing?”
Me: “Oh, just rotating the mugs.”
Him: “… Why? Those other cups are also clean.”
Me: “Yeah, but if we keep using the same ones over and over, the unused ones will feel bad.”
Him: “… Whut”
Me: “This way, nobody feels neglected.”

He then gave me a look I’ve kinda gotten used to since then, a mixture of “amused” and “concerned” lol.

I’m excited to do this challenge! It’s going to be interesting

[CelestiaMoon]

@DreamWithin

“This way, nobody feels neglected.”

That’s so sweet
I feel you did the right thing, cups have feelings too

[celineelise]

@BryWisteria Thank you for continuing to be in the web of my thoughts and choosing this topic. Needing to enchant some feng shui cure this week for lunar new year… how did you know? Whenever I question if thinks are connected .i keep seing winks from source. Grateful to be a part of this coven.

[celineelise]

I love your sweetness. No one gets neglected

[Kyrstyn]

I used to be an empath as a teen, but it was sooo overwhelming that I completely blocked that part of me out. I havnt had access to that side of me in a very long time, im not even sure how to tap back in?

[Artemisia]

This week has put too much on my plate, or perhaps more accurately, I’ve put too much on my plate. I feel like I’m running behind with everything and not getting everything done.

However, tomorrow is another day. I’ll readjust my expectations and take some time to nurture my practice. I’ve been working on body, mind, and home pretty darn hard the past 5 days.

Looking forward to this challenge and working on it in the morning!

[john1]

This is my entry , me and my flames entry

All Empaths Have These 10 Rare Superpowers Unknowingly

11 signs you are an empath

I figured we do this one together for fun

[deborah15]

What does it mean when you can literally feel someone else’s pain? I don’t know how to explain it, but if someone gets hurt it’s like I can feel their pain and when I was younger my mom would have terrible migraines and she would have me put my dominant hand on her head and after sometime my head would start hurting. I know I’m an empath but I feel like I have this tremendous energy inside and I want to do so much to help people. I guess I really started mainly seeing it when I had a severe car accident, I had died and came back and ever since then I feel like I’m here for a reason.

[Mystique]

So excited for this! So many ideas! Can’t wait to get started in this challenge!

[celineelise]

Go talk to the teen that you left behind and tell her/ them you are ready to attend to her. And be ready to listen, process. I have similar experience and shoved that sensitve one down. I have been reconnecting with those parts and seeing it as a super power and lesson in boundaries of what I let in and what I say no to so I am always caring for me and my parts and then others.

[starborn]

Challenge entry

Abilities

When it comes to the concept of being an empath, I’ve been on the fence. To be honest, it’s a term shrouded in so much ambiguity for me. It’s like trying to grasp a cloud – I know it’s there, but defining its contours is another matter entirely.

You know what… I’m hitting the brakes on overthinking this. Let’s return to this wonderful definition:

@MeganB

An empath is one who experiences the emotions of others . You may be able to read the room and know what happened, or you may be in a crowd full of people and experience sadness, anger, or even panic, for no apparent reason.

So, here goes: I am an empath.

I recall this particularly in the workplace. Picture this: a small office, just nine people, including myself, yet the atmosphere felt as populous as a bustling market. I could sense every undercurrent of emotion, each ripple of discontent or joy, as if they were my own. It was overwhelming, to say the least.

This extends to my personal life, too. Take my partner’s occasional battles with depression, for instance. Their low periods affect me, and this has caused a mutual descent into gloom in the past, which feels like a spiral neither of us could escape.

In terms of how I express this empathy, it’s less about grand gestures and more about being there, hopefully, in the ways that truly matter. But it’s not always straightforward. I’m an overthinker, and this can cloud my judgment, leading me to misinterpret situations. Without complete information, my mind races to fill in the gaps, sometimes landing on the conclusion that I’m the problem when I’m not.

Tarot Readings

Delving into tarot readings has been a transformative experience for me, both in terms of personal introspection and in aiding others. Initially, it didn’t seem like something I would find much interest in. But curiosity led me to pick up my first deck, and from that moment, there was no looking back. It was as if I had discovered a hidden part of myself I never knew existed.

Now, the practice of tarot reading has woven itself into my life. Each time I reach for my deck, there’s this sense of peace that washes over me. It’s akin to the feeling of returning home after a long, tiring journey. The cards, with their beautifully morbid designs and deep symbolism, speak to me in a language that’s mysterious yet familiar. It’s a meditative process.

This journey with tarot has opened a new avenue for me to support and connect with people. When I read for others, it feels like I’m offering a piece of myself, a form of guidance and understanding that transcends conventional conversation. Each spread, each card, tells a story, and deciphering these helps bring clarity and solace to those who desire it.

I’ve realised that tarot can be a gateway to empathy, understanding, and self-discovery. The cards have become my allies, guiding me through emotions and situations in my life and in the lives of those I read for. They help me provide a sense of direction when the path ahead seems clouded.

Aura Reading

Recently, my journey took a turn when I began to understand aura reading. I appreciate @Artemisia for sharing the video she used in the post below.

Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE ~ Catch-Up!

Challenge Entry #2 - Reading Auras Reading auras has never been in my practice nor a skill that I have had. But I thought I’d try it out for this challenge. I wasn’t sure where to start to learn how to see auras but after an online search I picked this video to start [AURAS: Practice & Exercises to see them! - HOW TO SEE AURAS -] I started the first exercise last night but felt I was too tired to really concentrate so I tried again this morning. Holy heck!!! I was able to see a b…

My aura encounters with the world around me were usually with familiar colours – blues, greens, purples, and oranges. But then, I perceived white when I actively tried the task upon myself. It was startling, like discovering a new colour in a rainbow you’d thought you’d known by heart.

That being said, I’d been oblivious to auras until a few months ago, dismissing them as something beyond my sensory reach. But learning about them opened a floodgate of understanding and possibilities, much like a dam bursting open, unleashing a torrent of newfound knowledge and experiences.

Magickal Senses

Reflecting on my previous entries in the magickal sense challenge, some of my perceptions and attitudes have evolved a little. Linked below for reference.

Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Honing Your Magickal Senses

Challenge entry This one’s been really difficult for me. While I have an interest in all of these senses, I haven’t actively engaged with any. It’s a bit like asking someone what it’s like to see and hear things, isn’t it? We’re all probably so used to them by now, that we don’t even gauge them. Anyway, I very much like @georgia’s write up of 23 Senses, Not 5. That’s where my interest started to grow greater in the first place. It’s like she opened up…

The aspect that’s been most pronounced since moving to our new place is my heightened spiritual sensitivity. Maybe it’s the layout and the influence of better feng shui, which I’ve been making efforts to utilise and have begun documenting below.

Feng Shui, the Bagua Map, and Furniture Placement

Continuing the discussion from Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Of Hearth & Home: My objective for this week is to begin planning the layout of our new apartment, with a focus on achieving overall positive feng shui. What’s particularly fascinating about our apartment’s layout is its resemblance to what the Chinese refer to as the “crab layout.” This layout is known for its balanced design on both sides. The central space encompasses the kitchen, dining area, and living room, which are symmet…

As for the effect… My dreams have transformed into vivid narratives, each more intense than the last, leaving me in awe.

And then there’s the matter of spirits. Since setting up my new spaces with all things witchy, my interaction with the spiritual realm has intensified. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this profound shift. This challenge has been a catalyst in pushing me to explore these changes more deeply, but I need more time to fully understand and articulate what’s happening in this intriguing new chapter of my life…

Protection

Protection, in my world, is a blend of the tangible and intangible. My first line of defence, my stalwarts, are crystals. Their presence is woven into the fabric of my daily life – some are constant companions, resting against my skin, others are special reserves, called upon for specific outings. They grace my everyday objects, like the bag I carry or the keychain that jingles in my pocket.

Beyond these personal amulets, my home is a sanctuary guarded by spell jars. These jars are a mix of herbs and crystals, some even exclusively crystalline. Some stand as silent sentinels on my desk, their arrangement as much a part of their magic as their contents. If you could see the before and after of my desk from our move, you’d witness not just a change in location, but a transformation in energy.

[Spell Jars]

But my protective practices extend beyond solid forms. I have a couple of sprays that I use, like an empath healing spray and an energy renewal mist. They’re like a balm to the soul, a mist that clears the air and rejuvenates the spirit. I use them primarily in my apartment, which is where I spend most of my time. It’s a ritual that helps me reset and maintain a sanctuary within these walls, especially when our doors are so open to visitors.

Then, of course, there’s the spirits. Part of my protective ritual involves a short meditation, a practice that I’ve somehow managed not to share here yet! I’m surprised at myself for not sharing it earlier. It’s a meditation that forms a shield, a barrier against negative energies and influences. I’ll have to share it here when I gather more energy. Right now, I feel I’m already pouring so much into this post, yet there’s always more to explore and share in this journey of protection and spiritual guardianship.

Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation is not just self-care, it’s a necessity. I imagine it akin to being a sponge, absorbing the emotions and energies around us and therefore, there’s also the need to wring out that sponge regularly. That’s where my rejuvenation ritual comes in, though it’s a bit elaborate.

A Power & Energy Retrieval Ritual

This ritual is dedicated to those of us who often find themselves giving energy and support to others and the world around us, sometimes to an excessive degree. It serves as a reminder that while generosity and empathy are wonderful traits, it’s essential to ensure we also nourish ourselves and maintain a healthy balance. By taking a moment to practice self-care and replenish our own energy, we can continue to be a source of strength and compassion for others, without depleting our own reserves.…

This ritual is crucial because of the intense energy drain I experience. It’s like every interaction, every emotion I sense from others, and every ounce of care I feel for them, trickles away my reserves, leaving me in need of restoration.

I’ve also been finding solace in the simple act of taking baths. They’re great for cleansing, refreshment, and renewal. With the room dimly lit, casting shadows that dance in harmony with the flickering flames of scented candles. The water, embracing part of my weight, feels like a supportive friend. Its warmth wraps around me like a comforting blanket, while the bath salts work their magic on my tired muscles. Each additional element, be it a fragrance or an oil, has its role. It’s a wonderful experience, one that replenishes my spirit and washes away fatigue.

[Bathing in the “Blood” of My Enemies – A Hibiscus & Rose Infused Experience]

But there’s also power in the mundane, particularly in conversation. Talking about the events of my life with my partner acts as an incredible release valve. It’s fascinating, really, how verbalising my experiences helps to lift the weight of others’ burdens off my shoulders. This might seem trivial, but it’s a great way to shed the accumulated feelings and troubles that aren’t mine. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest acts can greatly affect wellbeing.

And with that, I find the weight of exhaustion is upon me, a gentle yet insistent reminder that it’s time to retreat and recharge… Transitioning from my usual light-hearted, conversational style to this more reflective and detailed form of writing certainly demands a greater level of effort. Crafting each sentence, pondering over each word choice, capturing and editing photos, and ensuring the depth of my thoughts and experiences are adequately conveyed is a task that requires a significant amount of mental and emotional energy. However, it allows me to explore and share deeper thoughts and feelings.

Anyway… Take care, and keep nurturing your own lights, my wonderful Infinite Roots family.

[Litha]

I feel this. I have a few remaining remnants that I am going to work on this week (clearly motivated by the challenge). I learned to shield, became obsessed with amethyst and hematite and now I am largely unable feelings of others. It’s like a wall that I have to purposefully climb to peer at other people.

I was going to try small with just intentionally listening in small groups while also reaching out to sample the vibrational energy in the room (energy I’m decent at). Do you remember how you initially blocked all of it out?

[AIRAM]

Challenge entry
There is a feature…
it’s called empathy…
in the language of the Mystics it is called empathy…no relation as you understand in the dictionary…
Empaths are those who receive the emotions of others before they manifest themselves… experience the energy of others…that’s why they are usually solitary creatures…they avoid the many connections of the world…
There are protective shields and Mantras, but in order to get into the process of learning them, one must first open the eyes of his Soul to realize that he is a… special… gifted person … who is acrobat on a tightrope… .
These special people become powerful Healers…
it is as if they have come from another world…
since I started working with magic I started to feel the energies around me
I started to see…inside …of man …and when I need to protect myself…
I always wear a protective shield with white light when I have to leave the house
a white bubble that we close in with the vision…
I hope the translator explained it correctly

[tracyS]

Challenge Entry

Empath. How does this work in me. It’s an instinct since childhood, a second sight that sits in my chest and hurts when activated. If I ignore it because I’m tired, busy or just don’t want to do something about it, it hurts more. So I’ve learnt over the years to hear it and act on it.

So I pay attention, then what? A name will appear in my head, or I’ll be scrolling and the name will appear, or I’ll be guided to look at my contacts and the name will stand out. If I try to just ignore that , tell myself it’s just me scrolling, that pain in my chest intensifies until that name, of that person won’t go away. Then I know, it’s my intuitive empath yelling at me saying, they need to hear from you, it’s important!

Is it a gift? Is it a curse? Yes and yes, but that’s ok, because I wouldn’t want to be any other way. Right now my empath has been yelling at me about the suffering in our world, and it’s yelling now. So I’ve joined a group that are trying, through peaceful campaigns, to change things for the better. I thought I was too old for that, at 53! But, no. The empath feels it, so Tracy does it. To me my empath is a part of me, but also like another person that dwells inside me, like a spirit. A spirit that is more sensitive, intuitive and wants to heal everyone and everything. Part of me knows I should shield better, but another part of me, feels she’s better free.

[Artemisia]

Challenge Entry - Empaths & Empathic Abilities
If I have time and energy I’ll do another entry but for now, I chose to use this

Bind Rune - Protection for Interacting with People

~ Bind Rune for Protection when Interacting with People ~ Bind Runes are the combination of two or more runes to create one unified symbol that holds the magickal energy of both runes. They have many uses in magick such as in spellwork, carved onto magickal tools, or as a personal sigil. This bind rune combines Mannaz ᛗ and Algiz ᛉ in a symbol that offers protection when interacting with other people. Depending on your intention, this bind rune can be used by an Empath before going out in pu…

and place it on a piece of jewelry I always wear.

[georgia]

@AIRAM

Empaths are those who receive the emotions of others before they manifest themselves…

Thank you for this alternate definition. There is an opening here, for the potential to do something positive before the wave of negativity starts and overwhelms the innocent. I like that idea.

[Devenne]

Challenge entry

I think I already have this badge. But I’m % an empath. I feel other people’s anger, sadness, pain, happiness, loss, I feel it all. When I first came here I was seeking advice on how to protect myself and my energy. I’ve really come along way on this since then. I was miserable before I learned to shield myself and grew confidence back to stand up for myself like I used to.

Other people’s emotions would change my mood almost instantly that’s how I knew it wasn’t created by me. It can be a strength when wielded properly.

[Kasandra]

Challenge Entry

Negative energy is very powerful, especially when you’re at work around a lot of people who’re carrying so much of it. I’ve been absorbing so much of it lately, I went for a walk yesterday in the woods since it was 63. I felt opened, exposed, because there were no leaves on the trees or plants on the ground like there is in the warmer months. But I later saw that as a way for the negative energy to dissipate more quickly. Kind of like how you have to open the windows when burning sage so it isn’t bouncing” around the room.

[Kyrstyn]

I honestly dont remember exactly how, i just remember feeling like i was cursed and wishing and hoping i wouldnt feel so much. This is before i discovered witchcraft.