@Filene @Ulfra_Wolfe "Joining this Mastodon is the first and biggest step I've taken in socializing myself as a witch instead of merely in my Practice." ^^ I dunno if it's the _first_ thing I've done but Mastodon has proved of vital importance. Damn, I _needed_ this community of like-minded practitioners!

@Ulfra_Wolfe @Filene In fact let me add that I've no longer quite the same itch to find a coven or some other closed-style group like that to join. Twice I've been tempted in that direction, once a long time ago, the other time last year, and got burned both times. I can't say that maybe there isn't some group like that out there but now I feel I've got a more congenial balance: still a "solitary" in most ways, but not isolated from the magickal community and able to learn from the more experienced.

@kara_dreamer @Ulfra_Wolfe

This shitpost (?) comes close to my similar feelings after being here all week https://witches.town/media/KZa0qNgy7FHcG2fIr5M

@Ulfra_Wolfe I guess this is more likely about past lives, or possibly about surrendering virtues upon a condition that merely changed You without providing a greater understanding of it or other virtues. So I'm worried I've failed at understanding how I might best have helped.

I've had people control me through my virtues, and I've had the similar by having a virtue's meaning twisted. I've read that the result of being with a psychopath who projects themselves onto you is that, even after you escape their gaslighting and abuse, that you learned to doubt the intentions and resulting actions behind your behavior.