Dolmen grove winter edition

Dolmen Grove Chronicles Winter edition

www.dolmengrove.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheDolmenGrove/110124449082503 https://www.facebook.com/DolmenGroveMagazine?ref=hl

CONTENTS 1…Astrology – Alex Brocklehurst 2…Medieval Herbal Medicine – Glenys Armstrong 3…Ash to Ashes – Andrew Cowling 4…Animal Totems – The Spider – Cheryl Waldron 5…The Dolmen Grove – Embracing the Future – Taloch Jameson/Diane Narraway 6…Talking Stones – Garry Andrews 7…Diary of the Hedgewitch & Sowing Charts – Rachael Moss 8…The Dolmen -21 Years 9…Embrace the Chaos – Kevin Groves 10…Aromatherapy – Sandra Wiseman 11…Scrying – John Rivers Photos in this issue – Scott Irvine, Rachael Moss, Joanna Caswell, Jennie Jones, Garry Andrews, Therese Spooner.

Artwork – Sem Vine, Dark Magi, Sharmon. Unless otherwise stated all other images are from the public domain.

Cover Image – Gill MacDonald.

Further information on the Dolmen Grove can be found at: www.Dolmengrove.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheDolmenGrove/110124449082503 All information is accurate at the time of publication and all articles are assumed to be the work of those being credited https://www.facebook.com/DolmenGroveMagazine?ref=hl

THE DOLMEN GROVE The Dolmen Grove is a pagan organisation of mixed spiritual paths established in the early 90s by Taloch Jameson, which over the years has grown from one small circle in Weymouth Dorset, to several clans not only across the UK but worldwide.

The Spiritual ethos of the Dolmen Grove has remained the same throughout and is based purely upon the Freedom of the Individual.

It is the collective belief that in an age where technology can often dwarf our humanity, it is important that we take control as individuals and embrace our own spirituality in order to maintain the equilibrium within an ever changing world.

Although the Grove is not a political organisation preferring instead to focus upon the spiritual, this does not prevent either individual members or the Grove as a collective from playing an active part in humanitarian and environmental issues.

There are no hierarchy or titles within the Dolmen Grove as it is our aim to encourage each man and woman to discover their own unique and authentic journey so that their spiritual connection is founded upon that which works for them as an individual rather than a spiritual rule book set for the masses.

The key to our success is the Round Table which is made up of around twenty people from a variety of spiritual paths who uphold the spiritual ethos of the Grove. They not only organise their respective moots but also the festivals and events hosted by the Dolmen Grove.

Our Moots are regular meeting places which are held once a month in several areas. Although these are organised by and largely attended by Grove members, non-members are always welcome to find out more about the Grove and enjoy the company of other free thinking people as well as the activities organised by the Moot.

There is a membership in place that enables those who wish to be part of this ever growing Clan to enjoy reduced ticket prices for Dolmen Grove Events, festivals and where stated ‘member only’ Ceremonies and Courses. Although we host many Ceremonies which are open to the general public, to avoid crowding and to allow our members to celebrate free from pressure we also hold members only ceremonies.

‘ALL ARE SPIRITUALLY UNITED WITHIN THE DOLMEN GROVE’

…

It´s good to ask questions like ¨Why does this work?’

When it comes to divination, whether that involves tea leaves, pendulum, the human palm or oracle decks, the usual answers involve the laws of attraction, ´As above, so below´ etc. Regardless of how these laws are explained, we are always left with debates about faith vs evidence. Just because a numerologist suggests there to be an inherent logic to the relationship between numbers and a perceived reality, I still cannot prove why someone who has a life path number seven will be an uberthinker. Humans like to see evidence and this is why science has ruled the roost in our thinking for centuries. It is also the reason why astrology, as ´queen of the sciences´, offers us scope to balance faith with evidence.

Using planetary positions that are always uniquely configured, as a representation of the realities that lay beyond our immediate perception, is conducive to our understanding. We can study these positions accurately and map them to events on Earth.

Eclipses were always omens, often grave – likewise comets. Venus and Jupiter were considered benevolent forces, with Mars and Saturn counterpart ´malefics´.

Stories have readily emerged about celestial placements and phenomena, relative to the Earth´s placement in the tropical zodiac. Planets, constellations, ´houses´ and a set of glyphs to represent them, can tell the story of your moment you were born and your life path, as well as myriad of mundane events on Earth which have and do affect us all. Is this a secret language? The discipline of astrology says a resounding No! We can learn this language however most do not. Often, they will consult an astrologer, as ´expert´.

Some (many) prefer to consult their Sun sign horoscope in papers and magazines. On all these levels, astrology seems to work well; from the simple through to the extremely complex, while we seek to understand better the unfolding meaning of our lives…Our stories.

Ultimately we seek guidance.

Perhaps astrology´s greatest contribution is in helping us to frame an understanding of our lives.

It can help us to grasp facets of ourselves that may otherwise remain out of reach. My natal moon (where the moon was positioned at the time of my birth) in Pisces, opposing Pluto, may tell me many things about my emotional constitution, interpersonal style and how this is connected to my mother´s personality and the character of the relationship.

In this way a comprehensive picture can be built and astrology can help supply outlets to harness/shape energy dynamics too. These planetary configurations show us not only how human patterns can become entrenched, but also the keys to shifting them - and as the planets are continuing to dance in their cycles... so should we!

That is choreography for you. What astrology can show us is an awareness of the bigger picture that we sit within. The story of my life is not simply the story written about me, it is the story currently being written BY me.

All our stories overlap. When I tell my astrological stories (primarily in the form of written horoscopes) the idea is to connect people to the story of their life (both historically and now), in both broad brush strokes and specific detail.

Limitless possibilities where awareness must be coupled with commitment to one´s own growth journey.

In my own storytelling I also incorporate attention to tarot cards and runes. The major arcana, in particular, speak of the journey from inception with The Fool to completion in with The World.

There is doubtless much that is unseen along that path. We can speculate, we can have faith but most excitingly, we can harness the power of astrology and its attendant stories to paint a picture of where we stand at the various crossroads we often encounter in life; remembering that we are simultaneously located within the much greater cosmic story that is unfolding all around us - of which we are both an integral and magical part.

Alex Brocklehurst For further information: www.healthytreefrog.com Monthly horoscopes: http://www.healthytreefrog.com/category/intuitiveastrology/

Medieval Herbal Medicine Medieval medical Herbals were all originally derived from the “De Materia Medica”, a 1 century AD Greek work by Dioscorides.

A 12th Century German Abbess, Hildegard of Bingen was the first to write a treatise on the symbolic and religious significance of the ingredients of the cures she was employing. Many Abbesses practised medicine, and in the mid-13th century, records show that the Abbess Euphemia of Wherwell Abbey in Hampshire was known as a skilled physician. st

Most women couldn’t read however. Their healing knowledge was passed down from mother to daughter, village wise woman to foundling apprentice or was developed as a personal way of working over a lifetime of watching the animals, stars and landscape and understanding how they interacted.

Every village would have had its wise woman. Her role was to confirm pregnancies, deliver babies, dispense medicines, perform minor surgery and generally try to make everyday life a little easier.

Outside of medicine, she might also be called upon to predict the weather, offer advice on prices for trade or barter, bless the Harvest, weave corn dollies, choose the maiden to represent St. Bridget, and confirm sightings of comets, the shortest and longest days and the turning of the seasons.

The medical and herbal knowledge at the time was based on a few main principles, which would have been fairly universal, although there would have been local variations. One of the main ones would have been The Doctrine of Signatures – that the way a plant or animal looks, smells or tastes reflects its ability to heal or harm. Often these characteristics have led to the names we know plants by today – so lungwort leaves (Pulmonaria Officinalis) look like a lung with their white spots signifying infection. Used to treat coughs, wheezing and other diseases of the lungs, it worked – lungwort contains medicinal properties useful in treating asthma.

The second principle is that of the part affects the whole – magically known as thaumaturgy.

So to cure a cough, not only might the patient be given an infusion of lungwort, but some of their phlegm might be wrapped in a lungwort leaf and placed inside a poppet, (person shaped cloth bag, or wax figure) with some goose fat or lanolin, also used to treat chest infections, so that the cure would continue to work and could be monitored by the healer even when away from her patient.

The 4 humours was another way of deciding on treatment – illnesses were deemed to be hot or cold, wet or dry; so a cure for a hot dry fever caused by poisoning (an excess of yellow bile) might include something like a toad which has a cold wet poison, to counteract it. In the 1390 charges against Jehanne de Brigue who was accused of witchcraft for curing Jehan de Ruilly after doctors had only given him a week to live, she made a waxen figurine of him, and cured it using poison from her pet toad.

Some remedies appear to have no basis in anything that makes sense to us now “for nosebleed: take a cloth, soak it in cold vinegar and wrap it about the privates”; or this for worms: “take a piece of red leather, rub the wrong side of it with wormwood, then spread it with honey and dust with powdered aloes. Lay it across the navel”.

This makes thaumaturlogical but not medical sense. Other remedies were just unhealthy and unpleasant “for a woman struggling to birth a child, give her a posset (a warm milk drink) with horse dung strained in to strengthen her”; or downright poisonous “for giddiness in the head take leaves and stalks of mistletoe and boil them up – drink a little at intervals throughout the day.”

Unless of course, you wanted giddiness in the head – for which this would be perfect.

However, others might have worked: “Heartburning is caused by a congestion of choler in the stomach, and is cured by vomiting followed by a drink of milk and water. Lettuce is also cooling and will cure it, as will crabs eyes ground up and a pinch taken at hourly intervals”. This sounds odd – but “crabs eyes” were in fact the exoskeletons of crayfish, and made of calcium carbonate, an antacid.

Other remedies early healers used which are still in use today include oil of willow – salicylin, otherwise known as aspirin; foxglove, for chest pain from which we get digitalis, a potent heart drug, and the drinking of “earths blood” such as that found at Glastonbury Well for those with pale skin and fainting – who need the extra iron oxidised into the water to treat their anaemia.

Glenys Armstrong References: Smith and Randall (1987) Kill or Cure. The County Record Office, Staffordshire School of Natural Health Sciences (2004) Diploma in Herbalism Study Notes (unpublished) Leyser (1995): Medieval Women, A Social History of Women in England 450 – 1500. Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London.

Laurence (1994): Women in England 1500-1760. Phoenix Grant, London

Due out

early next

year

Due out early next year Women of Babalon - A soon to be published book from Black Moon Publishing Edited by Mishlen Linden and featuring a diverse collection of women authors and artists who offer their concepts of the modern day Babalon through rituals, experiences, and artwork. http://blackmoonpublishing.com/

Ash to Ashes…

The Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) is important to Yule because of its use as the Yule Log (Oak and Beech are other favourites).

An herb of the Sun, it is used to celebrate the birth of the Sun God and is associated with rebirth and new life.

At Yule, an ash log or faggot is gathered (never purchased), decorated with evergreens, doused with cider or ale, brought into the house and placed in the fireplace. It is lit with a fragment of log kept from the previous year, left burning for 12 days, then ceremoniously extinguished. A piece is kept to light the log the following year, another piece is hung in the house as protection against lightning and fire, and an unburnt piece is attached to the plough to bless the earth.

Ashes are mixed with seed which spreads the sun’s power and radiance throughout the earth when the seed is sown in spring and are mixed with the drinking water of farm stock to prevent disease.

Its association with both the sun and water explains why Ash features in so many festivals.

It is a versatile wood due to its strength, flexibility and fast growth rate and has many uses. Due to its magickal properties it is used for making wands, forms the shaft of the witch’s broomstick and is commonly used in divination. It can be used to remove unwanted energies such as spells and hexes and carrying a leaf in your vehicle will bring you safely home.

Although no longer used by herbalists, it has healing properties. The reason for its disuse is probably because there are many other herbs which have the same actions. The gifts offered us by Mother Earth are more than adequate for our needs, if only we would see it.

The leaves were used to treat gout, rheumatism and sluggish kidneys as their diuretic action can aid uric acid excretion. This action explains its reputation as an old remedy for dropsy (heart failure) and for weight loss; although increasing fluid loss is not a healthy way to lose weight. They were also used to treat intermittent fevers such as malaria as well as a laxative.

The bark is a bitter tonic and was used to remove obstructions of the liver and spleen. Bark ash was applied to ‘scabby and leprous heads’.

Ancient physicians used Ash keys to treat flatulence; pickled they are a substitute for capers.

It is famous as a cure for snakebites and as a snake repellent. Pliny wrote ‘if a fire and a serpent be encompassed within a circle of the boughs of an ash tree, it will sooner fly into the fire than into them’.

It was used to cure warts by pricking each wart with a new pin which had been inserted into the Ash; the pin was then returned to the tree and a charm repeated.

Burying a live shrew in the tree was believed to confer the ability to heal paralysis and cramps. But that’s another story…

NB …If you have health problems, self-medication is dangerous and you should always consult a qualified herbalist

Andrew Cowling

Andrew Cowling BSc(Hons),Dip.Phyt,D.Hyp,RCST,MNFSH,FNIMH. Herbalist, Craniosacral Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Healer.

62 Grove Road Portland DT5 1DB. Tel. 01305 860611.

Animal Totems - The Spider

Animal totems are ‘guides or souls’ that walk through life with us, guiding, teaching and protecting us, showing and sharing with us their qualities so that we may learn from and work alongside them, using them and their qualities as spiritual tools on our own spiritual journey through life.

“If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they’d have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That’d lead ‘em right! That’s all I’m sayin”. J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The spider found within the web reminds us that we are the centre of our own world. We are the keepers and the writers of our own destiny, weaving it like a web by our own thoughts, feelings and actions”. Ted Andrews, Animal Speak.

An interesting quote from a very famous collection of children’s books, but a quote that raises questions, one that should make us stop and think, even for just a moment; because spiders, to many can be horrifying creatures, inspiring fear in the biggest and bravest of us. But when we actually look at them in a metaphysical sense, we discover that they are in fact intelligent and fascinating creatures.

The spider is the delicate creature of receptivity, the wise weaver of destiny and fate, it shows us our shadow self and the dark and negative aspects of our own personalities that need to come to fruition.

There are many legends concerning the spider, and usually it is depicted as the totem spirit of the Mother and Grandmother.

Spiders are the skilled weavers of beautiful and intricately engineered webs; revered in many cultures as feminine, patient creatures, they symbolise the spirit of all creation and are associated with the past, the present, the future, birth and creation and all of which lies in-between.

A very common totem animal for Pagan people, the spider warns us to be careful, wary and smart about the life we weave for ourselves.

To watch a spider release her silken, sticky strand of thread into the wind and allow it to be taken by the breeze to its point of anchoring, where her intricate creation of truly awe inspiring organic engineering will begin; and then to watch her skilfully weave her home, her snare of deception and finally rest and wait, and wait…..patiently, until her prey ultimately stumbles unknowingly to its certain doom, teaches us not only that we could perhaps show a little more patience in our way of life, but how to weave our own mental and intuitive thinking and flexibility into our daily routine.

“Spider awakens creative sensibilities. It weaves a web of intricate and subtle fabric, as if to remind us that the past always subtlety influences the present and the future….

In one such legend, it is told that the Grandmother spider carried the gift of fire in a basket she had skilfully woven herself, upon her back and presented it to the people of the Earth. In another it is said that the Grandmother spider bound all things together with her weaving and formed the foundation of Mother Earth itself.

The spider is deceptively strong; after a heavy rainfall and fierce winds, the spider still remains upon her web. This we can reflect on within ourselves, for we are often far stronger than we believe ourselves to be. The presence of a spider totem or spirit in your life should inspire you to gain coherent perspective on current issues, it tells us to explore all of our options, giving sufficient time to discover the solution that we are searching for.

And to end, I shall leave you with another quote, which I think may be appreciated by many arachnophobics.

“I’ll stop eating steak when you stop killing spiders”. Absurdity! Comparing cows to spiders.

Arachnids are pure evil. They’re like a cigarette manufacturer or a terrorist. They’re organised religion on eight legs”. Davey Havok, Pop Kids.

Cheryl Waldron

DOLMEN GROVE MOOTS All Dolmen Grove Moots hold regular meetings where people can find out more about Dolmen Grove membership, ethos and upcoming events including camps, workshops and talks.

Hampshire, Fareham, – The Heathfield Arms 116 Blackbrook Road, Fareham po15 5bz Every first Monday of the month, 7:30pm onwards.

Essex - Scout Hut, Cromwell Road, Grays, RM17 5HT Weekends Dorset, Weymouth – Old Town Hall High West Street DT4 8JH Weymouth, Dorset (The Dolmen Grove’s oldest and most established moot) Every second Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm onwards Dorset, Portland - The George Inn 133 Reforne, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2AP Every last Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm onwards Cornwall, St Austell - Polgooth Inn Ricketts Lane, Polgooth, St.Austell, PL26 7DA Every first Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm onwards Berkshire, Bracknell - The Boot Public House Park Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2LU Every 3 third Tuesday of the month, 8:00pm onwards Dorset, Poole - The Kings Head6 High Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1BD Every third Tuesday on the month 7:30pm onwards All Dolmen Grove moots are advertised regularly on www.dolmengrove.co.uk with up-to-date information on individual moot facebook pages

The Dolmen Grove – Embracing the elements‌

‌ and embracing the future This winter solstice two children from the Dolmen Grove made history by being the first children ever to perform a ritual in the centre circle at Stonehenge. In front of several thousand people they performed a blessing on the children of the world. These children come from a Grove where spiritual freedom is encouraged and where children have a voice.

Children that are brought up with the freedom to develop their own spirituality have an authentic and natural view of the world around them- following a path that is uniquely their own. The greatest hope for humankind is that their children will grow to rebel against the warring and predatory behaviour that is present day normality.

Taking measures to promote individuality as a path that brings peace and spiritual fulfilment is a ceaseless operation as spiritual reformation that encourages individuals to step free from the chains of dogmatic religion is not always welcome to those who are too absorbed to change and evolve. However if children are given the chance to grow free from the taboos and scare tactics endorsed by such religions they will have a chance to percolate that freedom into the consciousness of humankind.

There should be no need for fanaticism or overzealous door banging for this to happen as the natural way of life can be restored by freedom of choice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1MXV7aTtU Taloch Jameson & Diane Narraway

Wheel of the year February 7th – 8th inclusive ...Enchanted Market Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 2LN March 28th …Ostara psychic fayre and spring ball. Princess Pavilions, 41 Melvill Road, Falmouth TR11 4AR Beltane Spirits of Rebirth Camp - 25th 26th April inclusive.

Dorset.

Midsummer Nightmare Tribal Dreams camp - 21st - 23rd August inclusive. Dorset September (Mabon) – Local Ceremonies October (Samhain) - Wytches ball December – Yule Ball

MEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIP OF THE DOLMEN GROVE The Dolmen Grove offers a lifetime membership, which simply means a one-off payment of ÂŁ20 for those who wish to embrace and enjoy the freedom, Clanship and the right to practice their own spiritual path within the Grove family.

Full Members of the Grove will enjoy reduced rates for events such as Gatherings like the Beltane Spirit of Rebirth and Tribal Dreams, and to many other events when stated.

A Full member will receive a Membership Card and a unique Membership Number that identifies who they are when wishing to attend Member only Ceremonies and other Dolmen Grove Events.

The Dolmen Grove does not have a hierarchy, as we do not believe that people need titles or labels to follow a spiritual path; instead the spiritual ethos of the Grove is facilitated by a Round Table, a circle of people from all walks of life.

For further information on the Dolmen Grove and becoming a member please send an email to dolmengrove@dolmengrove.co.uk Also find us on faceboook – thedolmengrove and thedolmengrovemagazine

-Grove

which are aboriginal in design and although very different from our talking stones used in almost identical ways.

I first came across mention of the talking stones in the late seventies but actually saw images of them for the first time in December of 1982 on the front cover of Prediction magazine. Back then books on the occult, witchcraft, Wicca, and other beliefs and practices were very rare, those that were available sold at a premium. At the time this magazine was like water to a thirsty man, and to a newly blossoming “poor” Witch, like me, knowledge from the Gods themselves. I still have that particular issue; I guess it had such a profound effect on me that I have never been able to throw it away. And so began my interest with this rather over looked form of divination.

The official name for divination with stones is lithomancy, in some cultures it was believed to be a fairly common practice, not unlike reading your daily horoscope in the local paper.

So what are the talking stones? Well there are several variations I have come across over the years.

The Saxons appeared to have a set of stones not unlike the talking stones of today which they used alongside the more commonly known Saxon Runes. I have found mention of some stones again not unlike the talking stones which have recently been unearthed in Scotland and appear to be Celtic in design. I have also seen some stones

However the version of the stones I am talking about today are very obviously British in design and old, how old no one knows. There are nine stones generally in this system with a symbol painted on one side of each stone. The talking stones are known by several names to my knowledge and probably several that I don’t know.

They are known as Witch stones, Witches rune stones, Telling stones, talking stones of course, and my personal favourite Mothers bones. I strongly believe based on the names, that this method of divination is very old and because of the mention of the terms witch stones and mothers bones I feel that it is highly likely that this method is a traditional form of divination.

Mother’s bones are a way of describing rock or stone from the earth, the symbolic bones of the earth mother goddesses.

The nine general symbols are, the eye, the sun, the moon, the rings, a wave, crossed arrows, a fence, a bird in flight, and a flower or plant of some type.

Each stone has general meanings/concepts attached to it. One method of divining with the stones is to pick up all your stones, speak the/an incantation of divination and cast the stones downward onto the floor or table, although I feel the ground is more appropriate for this form of divination which ever you are comfortable with would be fine. You would then locate the eye stone, turn it over if it has landed face down; this is the only stone you do this with. Now looking down at your cast you interpret the stones, reading only those that have the symbol face up as these are said to be talking while any face down are in silence.

For instance the sun stone evokes meanings and concepts concerning male energy, power and strength – A sense of going out into the world to create.

The element of fire indicates promotion at work, success or wealth. Generally this stone is considered to be a positive stone if it appears in a cast. However stones must be read in conjunction with each other; a less positive stone lying near the sun stone may very well modify its meaning for instance if near the Fence stone which represents restrictions and delays it may indicate that although there is a positive energy around the querent at the moment there may be some delay in reaping any rewards at this time, success will come but restrictions will have to be overcome first.

using this method it could take you years to assemble a small nine stone set, but it can be a worthwhile experience.

For me, the talking stones system is forever changing and evolving and like any useful tool that man has ever invented, adaption is essential in order for it to function more efficiently. This is a genuine living system which grows with its practitioners. My hope in writing this short piece is that some of you will feel inspired to try it out, taking and spreading this system out into the world again. Who knows maybe one day professional stone casters will be as common as professional Tarot consultants.

As you can see reading the stones together is essential for gaining a clear interpretation of the symbols. Equally these two stones could have been read as “Any restriction will soon come to an end with the influence of the sun stone which is bringing new growth and expansion to the situation”.

Garry Andrews

How do you know which interpretation is correct?

Well that comes down to intuition and experience.

However the stones themselves will give you some clues too. Stones nearest the eye stone are most relevant to the situation or of a stronger influence.

As I have said though the usual amount of stones is nine, there is a commercially available system which has 13 stones which seems to be someone’s adaption of the original nine. Here they have added stones with a planetary glyph painted on to one side. This adds an astrological element to the stones giving a wider depth of meaning to a reading which of course gives the diviner and the client more information.

On my course I teach several ways of divining with this ancient tool, some much more elaborate than others. These I have devised over the years as my personal talking stone system has evolved. My personal set now contains 30 symbols although strangely none of the planetary glyphs. Some are taken from the Saxon system, some have been inspired through my own practice of natural magic and others through my practice of Celtic Reiki.

One of the simplest way’s (and I still keep and use a set gifted this way myself) is to take a walk in nature perhaps along the beach and ask the Gods to lead you to the right stones for you. Of course

To secure a place on the next Talking Stones course please phone Garry on 01305 785353 or 07876565226 Website www.garrystarot.co.uk http://www.holistichealth-weymouth.com/

The Dolmen Grove T-Shirt, (also in a vest design) is available in various sizes at £15 fromthedolmengrove.co.uk

Diary of the Hedgewitch For we are just the shell and the leaf The great death that is found in each Is like the fruit centred in the light�

Rainer Maria Rilke

Air, the first breath of creation, where it spins at infinite speed, slowing further from the centre, like the motion of the planets that seem to spin to a slower tune further from the Sun. The great vortex movements of the dance are imprinted upon our own organs as solidified motion. Winter is a seemingly resting state, forming from and originating in motion, solidifying like the ice crystals; summer a wild dance of movement. Rest and motion the pulse that beats throughout.

I love winter. The withdrawal, the seeming death called out on the black wings of the winter crows, as the world retreats into a world within our imaginings, ruminated, bubbling, conceived afresh, humus ripening from the decay. The starkness, nakedness and coldness instils silence where a gestation takes place upon the ashes.

The potency of summer with its dazzling colour and motion has withered, and it is the winter with its monochrome quietude that gathers it in, and like the seed that falls to the earth and is fertilised within its dark womb, winter impregnates us within its tomb.

Winter contracts, seen in the icy feathery, spiky, geometric patterns on the windows, an imprint of the Cosmic dance flung from the greatest cold heights of the brilliant blazing starry winter skies to that crystal cavern vastness within where the fire of our passion forever burns hot.

With the wintery wetness and the long Moonlit nights we are submerged into a watery world, the ocean the primal womb where lives form bearing the patterns of its vortex spiral motion, contracted within the amniotic fluid within the female mammal. The vortex that spins, dances dizzyingly, contracting, expanding, pulsing with its own rhythms, but reflecting the great dizzying dance of the Cosmos, its suction centre the Sun, filled with

We retreat and rest during the long nights whilst the stars and the Moon ignite the dark in silver and shifting greys. Wandering in the hush of a quiet winter night the Moon flits slowly through the naked shivering silhouetted trees, casting long quivering washed-out shadows upon the spectral earth, gushing her splendorous light, a soft, stark, slicing, sweeping sliver, she illuminates, subtly, reflectively, shimmering in the watery depths of sky.

The craving of wailing foxes, wild shrieks of owls and shooting stars shatter the stillness, stars falling, streaming, slashing the sky with luminous smears, gone in a second, leaving an invisible stain etched eternally upon the forgotten fabric of memory.

Under the fervent power and force of the fecund Moon a trail of mysteries is threaded and woven, lives begotten, forever becoming, spilled and spent, and fertilised anew, as she pulls and tugs at the tides and limits of our imaginings. And we stand there each alone, drowning in the cold moistness of a night swooning in silver.

Winter is not barren, but heaves with all that has been, heavy with the longings and strivings, all possibilities that lie within the hard shell of the egg, sculpting from the frenzied motion of Life, the simmering of new beginnings; and we create anew from the fire of our hearts made visible in the flashing, dancing, flames in our hearth fires, the eternal fire that dwells in Love and creates and re-creates, each rebirth a death and each death a new birth, as the fruit within ripens.

And as spring approaches, the dance whirls to bring forth innocence in the whiteness of the lambs and of the snowdrops breaking through the frozen earth, hatching on the threshold of beginning.

Rachael Moss

A Winter’s Night Silence stalks, cast adrift upon the shimmering waves of night That quietly wash upon some secret shore.

Sparkling pearls glisten submerged in the black depths tangled in the trailing tresses Of dark trees plunged headfirst into the indigo sea lit with jewels.

A shooting thought and a star blazes in its slipstream shattering the surface, And in the edge of sight half seen shapes are tossed In the spectral starlight that glistens upon sodden grass Stiffening under the paralysing bite of Jack Frost.

An owl shrieks muffled cries and a weird dull resounding tolling Dimly rolls from somewhere strange distant church bells call, A slow lazy star streams a thread through the stricken sky.

With each pealing discord the night unfurls.

Suddenly, out of the blackness unseen thundering, thumping hooves pound Pulverising beats pummelling coldblasted earth galloping, Piercing panic-stricken stillness as they thrust into the deepness of night‌..

And within its conception the moment is unbound.

Rachael Moss

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10am

19

6am

20 11am

P 8pm

1pm 26

27

28

10am

11am

5am

1am

February Sowing Chart Mon

2

Tues

Weds

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Sun 1

3

4

5

6

7

8

11

12

A 6am 13

14

15

19

20

21

P 7am 26

27

28

1pm

11pm 9

10

5pm

1pm

4am 16

17

18

23

24

25

11pm

5pm 22

4pm 1pm

5pm

Key to Astrological Symbols Capricorn

7am

Cancer

Dark Moon

A P

Aquarius

Leo

1st quarter

Apogee Perigee North (ascending) node

Pisces

Virgo

Full Moon

South (descending) node

Aries

Libra

3rd quarter

Taurus

Scorpio

Highest Moon

Gemini

Sagittarius

Lowest Moon

Element Symbols Earth Air Fire

x

Crops to Sow in Febuary Root/Earth Garlic Parsnip

Flower/Air

No sowing

Leaf/Water Salad leaves under glass

Water

Fruit/Fire Broad Beans Tomatoes in heated greenhouse

21 YEARS

Ballad Of Cape Clear The album opens with the traditional classic "Rocky Road to Dublin" dedicated with the deepest of respect to the late Luke Kelly, (of The Dubliners) one of Ireland's greatest folk musicians. The songs that follow are a tapestry of melodies giving new life to some old riffs and immortalized as a Celtic production.

The Album reaches a sombre climax with the song "Sisters of the Earth" sung by Kayleigh, over tribal drums and mournful fiddle in a rallying cry to the Daughters of Mother Earth.

The Banquet The 14 Track album is a sincere blend of Medieval Celtic Rock, unique to the Dolmen spirit drawing upon the atmospheric influence of the 2013 tours in Europe, where the band spent much of their time gigging at Medieval and Celtic festivals and composed as a forerunner to "Nuada", a second album due to be released next year.

Wytchlord This album is a celebration of the elemental forces of nature as it encapsulates all the familiar elements from the natural, supernatural and ethereal realms with a raw tribalism that is unique to the Dolmen. Wytchlord speaks the language of witches and mystics since the dawn of time, as ritual chants are adeptly woven in amongst the polished music and lyrics.

Spirits of the Sea A Double Disc Pirate album that captures the raw pirate era of yester year with 13 full on folk rock tracks (Disc 1) as well as short stories, born from a small port at the end of the UK coast full of ragged Pirates in a tavern called the Pirates Keep.

Storm From beginning to end this album captures the heathen spirit of the Pirate and the freedom of those who answer to no man save Davy Jones. Storm speaks to that spark within all of us that longs for adventure and romance, conjuring up the spiritual mystery and intrigue of the high seas, where love and death are interchangeable, and the greatest prize of all is the horizon.

Crann Tara This is a collaboration of two Celtic Bands, The Dolmen and Saor Patrol. When the Spirits of such Celtic Bands as The Dolmen & Saor Patrol unite they produce an intense energy that inspires and can be felt right through to the very soul as a result Crann Tara talks the language of many cultures and the spirit of people throughout the earth.

Whispering Winds A heartfelt mix of traditional and original folk rock songs composed as tributes to everyday people and life experience. The many things all of us as individuals can relate to as a collective and share as a community. It celebrates all those folk who like to lay aside the pressures of the day to dance, sing have loads of fun and enjoy a good drink.

Winter Gig Guide Sat. 7th February Enchanted Market, Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 2LN Fri. 20th February Badger Ball, Carnglaze Caverns, St Neot, Liskeard Cornwall PL14 6HQ Sat/ 28th February Crabchurch Conspiracy Weekend The Ocean Room Weymouth pavillion The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED Sat. 28th March Dolmen Grove Ostara Spring Ball Princess pavilion, 41 Melvill Road, Falmouth TR11 4AR

To Celebrate 21 Years of Dolmen Music We are offering a Special Collection of 4 Re-mastered Vintage Dolmen Albums Dolmenation, Spirits of the Land, Dolmen Folk, Songs of the Cauldron The Vintage Collection covers a wide range of The Dolmen's unique style of Piratical Celtic Folk Music.

From 1993 to 2007.

The Covers of the Four Albums placed together make a complete picture of Portland stone Circle. Where the band have held many Ceremonies.

EMBRACE THE CHA s Chaos magic scares people. Is it because it's dark?

Maybe, but all paths have their dark corners.

Is it because it embraces change? Again maybe, buy change can be good, in fact without change how do we develop? How do we learn?

Those are small points. I think the reasons it scares people are, firstly, it recognises that any system imposes limits on what can be worked with in it. It is the opposite of tradition, if there is such a thing. It invites you to rebel against the rules that say bad things will happen if you go outside them. Whether bad things actually happen or not is another thing, but there is nothing wrong with trying.

Although rules are useful, providing points of reference to aid in many things, however, as we know from life, rules can be broken and boundaries pushed. When they said if you sail far enough you will fall off the edge of the world; someone tried and found that in fact the world is round and you can't fall off. When people said you can't fly to the moon or more recently it’s mad to try and land a probe on a comet someone proves otherwise.

Breaking the rules are a call to challenge, with the acceptance that failure and success occurs in varying degrees. There is a saying in chaos magic that I fully adhere to: There is only one truth in that there are no truths, everything is permissible.

This is where I find the joy in chaos magic. It appeals to my scientific curiosity-driven mind. My engineering O.C.D. brain says why do I need all of these bits around my craft, what happens if I don't create a circle, what if say different words or none at all. It is that freedom to experiment and make things up, and that I feel is what brings worry.

The second point I feel concerns the answer to the question how do I know if my magic works?

Many say chaos magic is results driven, it’s all very clinical and again, I think this scares some, it removes the 'magic', or at least the mystery and the tradition and moves magic to a cold science

where everything is measured, documented and evaluated in a systematic way.

Yes I love ritual, yes I love the mystery and the joy of stumbling through, but on the other hand I need my magic to work reliably, and I want to know when I do something I can do it consistently with results as near identical as possible (event probabilities all being equal – which often they are not).

I can do that because I have deconstructed and stripped away bits that proved to be of no use, at least to me, and in doing so my magic is more functional than it is art. There is no poetry, no elaborate actions, flourishes, chanting, dancing or a heap of items needed every time I do my magic.

I just need my head (often attached) and finger (if it’s available). It will appear cold and lifeless and luckily I am solitary, so I don't have to entertain a group of people while I practice it.

With such a simple approach to very simple methods I feel that I can reproduce without doubt the effectiveness of my magic in a variety of situations. For example I know if I use weather magic (though always used with extreme caution), assuming its short term, close by and soon, it will be very near perfect. Further away, longer duration and sometime later it will be a disaster and so I avoid wasting my time.

I know if my sigil and symbolic work will likewise be spot on because it has been tried and tested like science – and like scientists I forever try and push the boundaries of what I can do.

Along with mind and finger, I make use of other tools, for example I love technology, and any use I can see of technology in magic I will use it - a washing machine, tuned out TV or radio, or a desk fan for scrying, my Wi-Fi signal for sending protective waves over the house, crafted email containing what looks like gibberish or typos but are in fact intent coded sigil style. And of course performing simple magic over the net via video/audio conferencing with those at the receiving end.

Yes I may confuse, amuse, or scare but do I care?

No. I follow what I have always been taught - use the right tool for the job.

It has taken a long time to pick my way through my craft. A good grounding in physics, chemistry, metaphysics and a general love of science has certainly helped. Being in wonder of what the mind can do has helped too. Never being satisfied because although something works, there are always tweaks that can be made.

Another impact has been the mundane world, it has taught me some useful things such as how people and objects work, more specifically as a business systems analyst I have applied a variety of corporate skills into my craft, the most marked of which that causes some light bulbs to come on is when I mention using project management tools for spell craft. Sounds crazy! And it quite possibly is, though it doesn't mean I'm way too organised for casting from the hip and will always dig out my project management software, or a large sheet of paper and start drawing gantt charts or mind maps – Well ok, maybe a little.

What I will do however is consider the objective of the spell and instead of focus all the intent on that objective and let 'nature' take its course, I will instead identify – within reason the discrete steps or events that should bring about that objective. It will be those that I focus on, for a couple of reasons.

The first is that allowing events to occur on their own is risky and so if I focus on those events then I can be sure I'm crossing every‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’. And secondly, smaller steps means I can measure and identify what is working or not as opposed to wondering why the final objective worked or not and if not what went wrong. Each step, one at a time, success or failure and if it all works then we should, or better still, will, arrive at our objective.

It’s a dull method, it’s a cold one, but why leave things to 'chance'?

As PsyberMagick (Peter J Carroll, New Falcon Publications, 2000) says if a fifth of your spells have success then you have true power. To me that is a call to challenge.

By no means do I say this is the only way to practice as it does not suit everyone. What I can say though is embrace a small (or large) bit of chaos, stick your hand down the throat of your magic, rip bits out and see what works or not. You may be really surprised.

Kevin Groves

Kevin Groves is a solitary practitioner who from a young age began to, and still works, almost exclusively with the Egyptian goddess Selket.

A regular contributor to Children of Artemis events and teacher on Second Life. His first book 'A Path Laid Bare' is available from The Wolfenhowle Press.

Our spiritual path, no matter which path that happens to be, changes throughout our lives with ups, downs and stages in between as our journey with the divine develops. In this book, the well-known spiritual teacher Kevin Groves shares his spiritual journey in a frank and honest way. By telling the story of how he found his path, he shows that even though our paths may differ, the gods are with us all the way. A simple premise, but a powerful story, told in Kevin’s own, inimitable way. The light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train!’

May I recommend “A Path Laid Bare” by Kevin Groves?

Kevin describes his way to find his path, his struggles (as modern people who hold a job often do). Then family “takes” over (as for good parents it happens!) Kevin’s journey exposes similar thoughts, self-doubts etc. as I have come across while trying to “juggle the above mentioned”so it helps to hear/read about it! The preparations for the workshops at Witchfest CoA …. Yes I did feel very similar if not the same, (about preparation, the demonstration, the (???) time keeping, the response of those attending!) … so a book that will encourage you to pursue your path! It will give you faith to continue your journey and believe in yourself Heike Kolwe I didn’t know what to expect with this book, other than it was written by Kevin and that it would most certainly be about his beliefs. What I found was in no way a ‘how to book’, yet very much a reassurance to anyone on the pagan path about listening to the voices in your head (Kevin is very much not alone in that) and exploring the path that opens up before you. A beautifully written (and edited by Tylluan Penry) biography that maps a life and a spiritual journey as one and the same thing. Kevin Groves doesn’t teach a spiritual path, he shares it just by being Kevin Shodie Wilson

Available to purchase from http://thewolfenhowlepress.com/books/a-path-laid bare/ email -kev@kiyaheike.me.uk Website http://www.kiyaheike.me.uk

Aromatherapy If you are new to Aromatherapy or have not read previous articles on this then here is a brief insight into it: Aromatherapy is the use of organic essences extracted from aromatic plants for healing and maintenance of vitality. It may help minor ailments, keep us fit, whilst still enabling us to be relaxed and at ease with ourselves.

The oils work by entering the blood stream via the skin, smells evoke memories and the brain registers the scent via the neurological and the endocrine system.

The therapeutic potential of essential oils, like other plant derived remedies, has yet to be fully realized.

Although numerous medicinal herbs have been utilized since antiquity, many of which have become modern drugs (such as Quinine and cocaine) In order to use an essential oil apart from Lavender and Tea Tree they MUST be blended with carrier oil.

This time I am writing about a less well known oil that can be a super food and has so many health benefits …Sea Buckthorn Oil

This oil is mostly extracted by cold compress and the shelf life is 2 - 3 years. There is a lot of history surrounding this oil as it was used in folk medicine. It was used in the Tang dynasty for various problems and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine going back to 5000BC.

With the name ‘sea’ in it, you would think it comes from there but it doesn’t. It’s actually derived from sea buckthorn, a shrub that belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family and grows in the mountainous and coastal areas of Asia and Europe. Its botanical name, Hippophae rhamnoides means “tree that makes the horse shine, It is believed to improve horses health and make their coats shinny and smooth and used to cure blindness in horses so image what it can do for us It originates from the Himalayan regions but it mainly comes from Siberian Russia and is of the highest quality. There are two kinds of sea buckthorn oil: seed oil and fruit oil. They both have a strong musky smell, are small about a third of a size of a a blueberry, yellow orange in colour The seed oil is extracted from the small dark seeds, while the fruit oil comes from the fleshy pulp.

It is known to have more Vitamin A than carrots Vitamin E, as much as Wheat Germ and 22 Essential Fatty Acids and is the only plant that contains omega 3, 6, 9, and 7, has 42 kinds of lipids and 36 kinds of flavanoids.

This oil has lots of benefits to the skin, it slows down aging by nourishing the tissues in the body and skin, it is a natural cleanser helps with sunburn skin damage and rashes, cuts and heals burns. This oil can be taken orally for other health issues and must not be used in high doses. When used tropically it is best diluted with other oils as it is rich in colour so can discolour the skin and is best blended with coconut as its lightness blends well.

For the Essential oils this time I thought that as we have Yuletide soon upon us I have selected two ingredients that as herbs you can sometimes find in Mulled wine.

NB Do not use Essential oils in mulled wine!!

Clove bud Essential oil

Anise Star Essential oil

(Syzygium aromaticum)

(Illicium Verum )

You might have heard of this oil, as a lot of dentists use it because its principal constituent is eugenol which numbs the gums, although I must admit I can’t stand either cloves or their smell. It is a slender evergreen tree with a smooth grey trunk up to 12 metres high and although native to Indonesia is now also cultivated in the Morroccan Islands and the Philippines.

There are different types of clove oil but for aromatherapy only clove bud is used. It is a warming spicy oil that is extracted by steam distillation from the bud and stems of plants.

Clove is the highest-scoring single ingredient ever tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).

It helps treat Acne, Athlete’s foot, bruises, toothache, mouth ulcers and wounds as well being beneficial as an insect repellent.

At this time of year it is good for colds and flu, asthma and bronchitis nausea and arthritis.

Safety Data This oil must be used with Caution as it can cause skin and mucus membrane irritation. Use in moderation. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995),

Sandra Wiseman is available for Aromatherapy workshops Therapies 4 you www.therapies4you .com 07804 138585

Anise Star is Native to South east China, Japan India and also Vietnam but is mainly produced in China.

The Consistency is thin, and is a pale yellow liquid with a warm sweet, strong, Liquorice like scent. It is produced by steam distillation from the fruits, fresh or partially dried, but a small quantities are from the leaves.

This oil can be used to ease muscular aches and pains, Rheumatism, Colic, cramp, flatulence and indigestion as well as Colds, Bronchitis and coughs. As a digestive aid it can be used to quell hiccups by putting 2-3 drop and boiling water and inhaling it.

The Pharmaceutical industry use it in Cough mixtures to mask disgusting odours and other flavours. For the mind it helps concentration and can have a positive effect on the libido and relieve stress related fatigue This oil blends well with Cedarwood, Lime and spearmint.

Sandra Wiseman Safety Data Although this is not a dermal irritant, in large doses it is a narcotic and slows down the circulation and can lead to cerebral disorders. . [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 152.] There is a slight risk of sensitization. Do not use if Pregnant or have endometriosis or estrogen- dependent cancers. Tisserand cautions are to avoid Star Anise Oil in cases of alcoholism, liver disease, and paracetamol . [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995) so use in moderation only.

Scrying I have been scrying for as long as I can remember, so here are a few of my thoughts plus a bit about how I came into scrying.

I had two grandmothers who both influenced my life enormously. Granny Jones and Granny Rivers. Granny Jones, my maternal grandmother, was an army widow who lived on her own, who although I never heard her use the title was definitely a witch. She was the local wise woman, healer, midwife and she sat with many as they passed over.

I spent much of my childhood with Granny Jones and it was through her that I was first introduced to scrying. She had a large glass sweet jar, the kind that used to be on shelves of sweet shops back in the day.

One side was black, turned that way by holding it over a candle flame, whenever she did this she would write on the candle before lighting it, the jar was then filled with water and that became her dark scrying mirror, looking through the water and into the dark black soot on the other side, she called it her seeing jar, which would be washed clean and put carefully away after each use. She helped me make my first scrying mirror, a small square of glass with black paper glued to one side.

Granny Rivers was Romany Gypsy through and through, she met my grandfather because he built Romany Caravans. He was a strict Baptist and Granny Rivers embraced the Baptist traditions but still held onto her Romany roots and could often be found at the same church fete in a little tent reading palms, tea leaves or scying with a crystal ball, she did not approve of Granny Jones because she “dabbled in the occult”

The word Scry literally means to see, Scrying is also sometimes called seeing or peeping and appears to be as old as time itself. The earliest reference I know of comes from “The Shahnameh - a historical epic work written in the late 10th century, gives a description of what was called the Cup of Jamshid or Jaam-e Jam, used in pre-Islamic Persia, which was used by wizards and practitioners of the esoteric sciences for observing all of the seven layers of the universe. The cup contained an elixir of immortality.” (ref: wikipedia) Scrying has been used for centuries and across very many cultures. The Druids, I am told used the crystal beryl for scrying. It is also said that women are said to be better scryers than men - yet the historically famous scryers are men. One of the most famous scryers in history, lived in the 16th century, Nostradamus who used a bowl of water or a "magic mirror" to "see", Queen Elizabeth 1st consulted the famous seventeenth century scryer, Dr John Dee, on matters of state.

Scrying seems to have become more mainstream today although if you asked the average person in the street what scrying is they probably wouldn’t be able to tell you. Yet there is loads of it in The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and similar films and stories, and of course the most famous fairytale scrying incantation “Mirror mirror on the wall” from Snow White.

Although these days scrying has largely become associated with witchcraft but many other faiths and religions have used it. The latter day saints movement was founded by Joseph Smith after revelations he had got from the Seer Stones.

So how do we do it and where do the images come from?

“Depending on the culture and practice, the visions that come when one stares into the media are thought to come from God, spirits, the psychic mind, the devil, or the subconscious.” (Wikipedia) “I once read in C.G Jung that the elemental forces in the souls of people the world over can be accessed through the collective unconscious. In the case of a vision, of healing for example, a

person shaped by the Christian tradition is most likely to see a saint or even Christ himself, whilst a Buddhist is most likely to have a vision of Buddha or Bodhisttva. This is the soul’s way of making sure that our experience of higher worlds comes in a way that the personality can accept and integrate. It also means that there is more than one truth.” (Quotation from Fred Hageneder in his Tree Angel Oracle Cards book)

The most common media used are reflective, translucent, or luminescent substances such as crystals, stones, glass, mirrors, water, fire, or smoke but stones, shells, bark from trees and many other things can be used In my opinion in some ways scrying is harder to do than other methods of divination like Tarot, runes or perhaps reading tea leaves or the palms of hands as you have to see the images yourself, they are not already there laid out in front of you for you to interpret. Yet in other ways it is perhaps easier. There are not 78 cards to learn and remember, there is no right or wrong way to do it, what you see is what you see; it is your interpretation and meanings behind the images.

All that is required is practice and your interpretation of the images will get better and more precise the more you practice.

I don’t believe for one minute that I am any kind of expert on scrying but this is some of my thoughts about it. We have all started to do it at one time or another, laying on our backs gazing into the sky watching the clouds, got drawn into a trance as we look into a flickering flame or just staring into space perhaps. So think what a profound effect doing that and seeing those images would have had on our earliest ancestors sitting around a fire in the darkness of their cave in mid-winter or gazing into pools of water with the sunlight dancing on the surface.

Keeping a journal just for your scrying is not only helpful but I would say essential. It is all too easy to forget what one saw or thought, what feelings were evoked, how things fitted or didn’t fit together. By keeping a journal this gives you the opportunity to see yourself develop as well as being able to link past sessions or individual images to current ones Before beginning scrying you should remember it is hard to receive any messages or images unless you have a good connection with your subconscious mind. Some people like to meditate prior to scrying to help still their mind and set their intention. This can be done using meditation CDs others prefer silence. But these things are all individual and by experimentation you will find the right way for you.

There are those who just do it and see what happens although personally I believe you need an intention, a question or problem you are contemplating, for me it seems to be a helpful thing to do before spell or ritual writing and I have written several of the poems I am most proud of after spending some time scrying. .

I think it is interesting how some books will tell you that you need to perform activation rituals on your mirror or ball or other scrying device, but what if the medium is flame or water, how do you wash your flame in blessed water? Another thing books will tell you is that mirrors and the like need to be covered with black velvet when you’re not using them, the trouble is I like them, I want them out on display and to me I don’t think I get any more or less from them for not having them covered. Again I think it is individual choice.

I have done all sorts of different experiments using a variety of different objects and mediums, Black mirrors seem to be my thing which incorporates any black reflective surface. I also find that bathing my mirror in the light of a full moon does seem to make it, or me, more receptive. Equally it does not seem to matter what time of day you scry. Although most folk prefer a dark or dimly lit room perhaps with just candle light. A good friend of mine in Devon likes to scry in rock pools lit by sunlight.

It is probably worth mentioning the Mocking hour when it is thought the spirits are closest and more prevalent is 3.00 to 3.59 am, so unless you are well practiced and understand how to protect yourself (according to your beliefs) this may not be the best time to be experimenting.

I always scry in a circle I have cast and because I have done it so often I can now do it in my mind’s eye in a few moments, but you need to do whatever your spirituality/faith/religion/calling describes or just do whatever is right for you?

Begin practicing scrying in a dimly lit and quiet room as you want to make sure that, while in this meditative state, you are not going to be disturbed so phones off!

Take some slow, deep breaths and release all tension from your body. When you feel calm and centred, focus on the mirror, crystal ball, container of water or whatever you are using. Don't try to rush the process, stay very relaxed and keep your eyes slightly out of focus. A bit like those old magic eye pictures is a near as I can get to describe it. Don't strain or try to force it. Let your thoughts flow where they will When you look into your medium try to look past the surface into the centre of it. Try to keep your eyes fixed on one spot. Don’t worry about blinking.

Set yourself a limit, no more than say 15 minutes to start with, this may feel like a long time at first, but there is also the danger that you can become so engrossed that the time disappears. If you think you may be susceptible to getting caught up in the process, maybe set a timer or ask someone just too gently bring you out of your trance.

At first it might all seem a little random but do not concentrate on the images just let them flow.

These may come as pictures, colours, words, images or symbols.

Eventually with practice the images will come through clearer and not so randomly.

These images are like puzzle pieces so never assume anything is a separate image. This is when it can prove helpful to have written things down, maybe the next session will give you pieces to complete the puzzle.

Scott Cunningham’s book “Earth Air Fire and Water, More techniques of natural Magic” is full of little hints and tips for all sorts of different scrying/divination techniques.

John Rivers

Yuletide Blessings from

Irvine Photography Pagan photographer www.irvineimages.co.uk scottirvine25@yahoo.com

All Dolmen cd’s and merchandise are available at: www.thedolmen.com

Or download from: www.cdbaby.com www.itunes.apple.com The Dolmen App. can be downloaded at itunes.apple.com www.dolmen.co.uk

Further information on Dolmen Grove www.dolmengrove.co.uk Portland Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/14807551203 393

Cornwall Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/46016505068 236

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Hampshire Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.dolmen grovehampshiremoot/

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Dolmen Grove Chronicles https://www.facebook.com/DolmenGroveMaga zine Dolmen Grove www.facebook.com/pages/The-DolmenGrove/110124449082503

For submissions, feedback and general enquiries regarding either the magazinr or the Dolmen Grove Email Diane Narraway (chairman Dolmen Grove/Editor Dolmen Grove Chronicles) dolmengrove@dolmengrove.co.uk