Dolmen Grove Chronicles Summer Issue In this issue – Tribal Dreams and Crow Dancers News
Mentoring the Psychic Child – Alea Dawn
Cord Magic
Peter Nash
CASTLEFEST LIVE CD REVIEW
www.dolmengrove.co.uk
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’ www.dolmengrove.co.uk
CONTENTS 1… A Flower of the Sun by Andrew Cowling 2…Crow Dancers Update and Camp Dates 3…Book Review of Rachel Patterson Pagan Portals- The Cailleach by Morgan Daimler 4…Tribal Dance - Childrens Dance Competition by Taloch Jameson 5…Cord Magic by Peter Nash 6…Aromatherapy by Sandra Wiseman 7…Lenormand – A beginners Guide by Eirwen Morgan 8…Mentoring the Psychic Child by Alea Dawn 9…Dolmen Grove Moot Information 10…Diary of the Hedgewitch by Rachael Moss 11…Portland Witches Past and Present by Scott Irvine 12…News from the Dolmen including cd review by Diane Narraway Photos in this issue by Andrew Cowling, Rachael Moss, Joanna Caswell,, Scott Irvine All Dolmen Grove artwork by Sem Vine Unless otherwise stated all other images are from the public domain. . 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 and images are assumed to be the work of those being credited https://www.facebook.com/DolmenGroveMagazine?ref=hl Editor… Diane Narraway email dolmengrove@dolmengrove.co.uk
A Flower of the Sun It helps to normalise and rebalance menstruation; being particularly effective at addressing the absence of periods and easing period pain.
Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a favourite herb of mine. A true healing plant where the properties reside in the flowers. An herb of the sun, of love and consecration, the name derives from the Latin Calends, meaning the first day of each month. It is also the origin of the word calendar. In ancient Rome the plant was said to be in bloom in each ‘calend’ throughout the year. Quite accurate in my experience; I have had marigolds in flower all year round. A wonderful herb for skin conditions with genuinely healing properties; promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue. It can be used on the skin as a lotion or cream for inflammatory conditions such as eczema, for bleeding, wounds, burns, sunburn, bruising, strains, and insect stings and bites. Marigold cream is a marvellous remedy for the sore nipples suffered by nursing mothers and can also be applied to treat varicose veins and leg ulcers. The flowers contain resin (fingers quickly become sticky when picking the flowers) which has antifungal properties meaning that the flowers can be used to treat fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm. For the same reason it is often used as a remedy for vaginal thrush. Internally its healing and anti-inflammatory action is mainly of benefit in the digestive system where it can be used for any type of inflammation. In addition it is a cholagogue which means it stimulates the flow of bile from the liver. This aids fat absorption, and has a cleansing action on the gut (bile is our own natural laxative), thus relieving congestion and stagnation in the gut. This is particularly important in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema which need to be treated from the inside as well as topically.
Because of their connection with the sun, marigold flowers have many magickal and spiritual uses. They can be used in all festival rites, particularly solstices and equinoxes to honour the sun. Strewing the petals around the circle offers protection, insight and consecration; they may also be used on the altar. Marigold flowers are important in rituals concerned with dying and death. They add a loving magick and are often used as part of the ceremony to honour the person who has passed over. The petals may be added to incense or strewn in the path of the casket or urn. The energy from marigolds planted by the grave is said to bless the departed soul. The plant has been linked to various aspects of sight. Older herbalists recommended it for diseases of the eye and head; it was said to strengthen eyesight and simply gazing at a marigold flower would cleanse any negative energy that may be causing the physical symptoms. Try sitting and gazing at a marigold flower for a while and sense the effect it has on you. Psychic properties are also attributed to it. It was said that visions of one’s beloved could be generated by meditating after drinking a beverage containing marigold, marjoram, thyme and absinthe (This is not recommended). Also it was said that sleeping with marigolds under the pillow would stimulate prophetic dreams and enable identification of the thief if you had been robbed.
Like many herbs, marigolds were used to protect the home from evil spirits, in this case by hanging a garland on the door.
A beautiful herb which gives us so many different things. Use it as a way to celebrate the appearance of the sun and the onset of summer.
Marigold flowers open and close on a daily basis following the rhythm of the sun. In my experience they open in the morning and close mid-afternoon, regardless of the length of the day. The famous naturalist Carl Linnaeus who devised the system of plant classification still used today, planted the first flower clock over 200 years ago. He used nine different flowers which opened and closed at different times of the day, thus indicating what the time was according to which flowers were open or closed.
Andrew Cowling BSc(Hons),Dip.Phyt,D.Hyp,RCST,MNFSH,FN IMH. Herbalist, Craniosacral Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Healer. 62 Grove Road Portland DT5 1DB. Tel. 01305 860611.
The strong colour of marigold flowers lent its use also to cooking and the dyeing of wool and cloth. It was often used in broths and soups (hence one of its names is Pot Marigold), in conserves and in cheese to make it yellow.
(photos by Andrew Cowling)
MEMBERSHIP 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
CROW DANCERS The Crow Dancers debuted their first live stage performance at one of the UK’s premiere events The 3 Wishes Faery Festival organised by Karen Kay and as to be expected the performance was a major success The Crow Dancers are led by The Dolmen’s Bass player Kayleigh Marchant who swaps the bass guitar for flute and lead vocals who throughout the entire show gave a stunning performance her unique voice invoking a magical atmosphere of an ancient and mystical world. The line-up also featured a monumental performance on electric Guitar from Josh Elliott, the driving bass of KT Two Spirits, atmospheric keyboards and Celtic chants by Locana. Drummer Chris Harris was joined on stage by Taloch's 9 year old son Connach Caswell Jameson, adding his own ethereal presence to the music. The young drumming prodigy conjured tribal rhythms to drive the powerful energies of the band turning the stage into a ritual ground of primeval spirits. Crow Dancers are an unusual band in respects to their views and musical ideas, the original concept first employed by Taloch Jameson, as far back as 1994 has its foundation within a world that the average person may find quite fantastic. However, to those who are open to the esoteric and metaphysical side of life there is a strong magick at work and most definitely an exciting time ahead. It is safe to say that the spirit of The Crow Dancers was finally released into this world and despite the rain and the wind, the audience were unperturbed as they embraced it's simple but powerful message with open hearts, Equality, Opportunity, Wisdom, Freedom and Love. https://www.facebook.com/Gathering-of-Crow-Dancers1022216127812903/?fref=ts https://www.facebook.com/crowdancers/?fref=t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUvMAwreCDE https://www.reverbnation.com/crowdancers
RACHEL PATTERSON
PAGAN PORTALS THE
CAILLEACH An introduction to the mysteries, myths and magic of the ancient goddess of the landscape. The Cailleach - goddess of the ancestors, wisdom that comes with age, the weather, time, shape-shifting and winter. Within the pages of this book Rachel Patterson gives the reader an introduction to the mysteries, myths, legends and magic of the ancient hag goddess The Cailleach, drawing upon ancient legends, stories told and her own experiences. REVIEW: Pagan Portals - The Cailleach is one of those rare books that perfectly balances folklore and modern interpretations to create a vision of the ancient Crone Goddess which is both grounded and visionary. The author's wit and engaging writing style make the re-tellings of old stories fun, while her honest presentation of information invites the reader to think and draw their own conclusions. A must read for anyone interested in the Cailleach.
Morgan Daimler (Author of Pagan Portals - The Morrigan, Pagan Portals - Brigid, and Fairycraft) Paperback ÂŁ5.99 || $9.95 Jul 29, 2016 978-1-78535-322-2 BUY ONLINEe-book ÂŁ2.99 || $3.99 Jul 29, 2016 978-1-78535-323-9
Tribal Dance Children's Dance competition. This year we plan to introduce a Tribal Dance competition. This will be open to anyone under the age of 16 can and although all competitors will win a prize, the winner will receive a cash prize of £20 and the two runners up will receive £10 each. Each competitor must choose from one of the following categories to interpret through costume make-up and dance. 1. Animal Totem…Choose an animal and build a dance that you would relate to it. The dance style is purely down to you and it should be no shorter than 2 minutes in length. Consider things that represent the animal – fur, bone, teeth claw whether it slithers or swims. All these can be represented through face painting, costume and style of dance. 2. Bird Totem… Likewise build a dance that you relate to the bird, again no less than 2 minutes long. Feathers are of great importance and the birds colouring whether the black of the crow or bright colourful plumage of the peacock/parrot etc. can again be displayed through face paint and costume. 3. The Elements… This involves building a dance to represent one of the four elements or all of the elements the choice is yours. Earth, air, fire and water can all be portrayed with relevant colours and textures used to create costumes and creative use of face paint as well as through dance movements. Locana from the Crow Dancers band will be available for face painting throughout the weekend and I’m sure her experience with tribal face and body painting will prove invaluable for the dancers. Plus, Ana Adnan will be offering a spiritual workshop in the form of a sacred dance ritual using visualisations alongside music and interpreted through dance. All competitors will dance to the tribal drums provided by the Dolmen Drummers and there will be different opportunities to enter over the weekend. The dance will be held on Saturday afternoon around 4pm. Competitors will not only be judged upon their dancing but also upon face make up, tribal costume and how they interpret their chosen category. All competitors will dance to tribal drums provided by the Dolmen Drummers there will be different opportunities to enter over the weekend and if there is enough interest the competition will be held twice over the weekend. Although the competition is a chance for the kids to embrace their own individual spirituality, it is also intended above all else to be fun!!! Tribal face and body painting available at Dolmen Grove Events from Locana Crowdance Facial Artwork from £1.50/ Body and Face Artwork from £3.00
February ...Enchanted Market Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 2LN. March …Ostara Psychic Fayre and Spring Ball. April …Beltane Spirit of Rebirth Camp, Dorset. July…Tribal Dreams Camp, Dorset. August …Crow Dancers Camp, Dorset September (Mabon) – Local Ceremonies. October 31st (Samhain) – Local ceremonies and Events. December – Yule Winter Wonderland Market and Ball., Hampshire www.dolmengrove.co.uk
Cord Magic There are numerous ways of working practical magic in Wicca, some highly ritualised and complicated, others very simple. Probably one of the most popular in the craft today is cord magic, not least because it is a very powerful method of working in a coven environment, but also it is easily adapted for use by the lone spell worker. The cord as a magical tool certainly has its own characteristics and symbolism, it is particularly suitable for spells that involve for example binding and/or grounding; and certainly they generate an energy of their own, and are particularly useful for spells where other forms of magic may be inappropriate such as banishing spells. In the binding of the initiate in the firstdegree initiation, the cords represent the restriction of the womb before the candidate is symbolically reborn, furthermore the blindfold represents the darkness therein. Powerful symbolism indeed! In my parent coven, the main method of working cord magic was that after the power had been raised and everyone had fallen to the ground to welcome it and show respect, the assembled coven would then sit around the perimeter of the circle man/woman alternately as far as possible. Each brother or sister present would then name the petition. This would continue, with the invocation being repeated over and over again, faster and faster until the High Priestess decided that enough power had been raised, and all would release their end of the cord so that the cords would then collapse in a bundle in the centre of the circle whilst the coven concentrated on the power being discharged into the astral sphere and the universe. The cords were then gathered up and placed on the altar with the knots still intact; these were not undone until just before the next circle. One advantage of this type of cord magic is that it is easily adapted for use by the solitary practitioner as with this mode the lone worker simply holds the cord at each end in each hand and ties the knots him/herself, but the method is essentially the same; the knots being tied not just as an aid to concentration, but to represent the accumulated power summoned and gathered together.
The other main method of cord magic is by the use of the so-called Witches' Ladder; the traditional length of cord for this method of working is 18 inches although any multiple of 3 may be used. Similarly any colour of cord may be employed, although red, white, or blue is traditional. Gold, however is a good general purpose colour. To begin, sit quiet in a contemplative / meditative state of mind while visualising the outcome you are trying to achieve. (First class visualisation and concentration skills are an absolute must for any practitioner of the craft or any magical discipline at all for that matter.) Next, take the cord in hand and recite a rune, preferably self-composed, as this will have more power and meaning to the spell worker. A typical example would be something like: "By the knot of one, the spell's begun... by the knot of two, it cometh true... by the knot of three, my will shall be... by the knot of four, the power is more... by the knot of five, my spell's alive... by the knot of six, the energies mix... by the knot of seven, the stars of heaven... by the spell of eight, the power of fate... by the power of nine, the (name object of spell) is mine!" The first knot is tied in the centre of the cord, the next two are tied in the left and right ends respectively with the remaining knots tied in between, working on the left and right sides of the centre knot alternately. This method of working is therefore very similar to the method of solo cord magic previously described, with the chief difference being that more knots are used and in a specific pattern, also there is greater emphasis on a verbal spell being recited in conjunction with tying the knots. Having completed the knots, the operator then concentrates hard on the object to be accomplished before letting the cords go, again imagining the power being disapersed into the universe; charged and ready to bring about the desired result. Once the ladder spell is completed you may either put the cord safe if you intend to use it again or return it to the elements by burning it, burying it, throwing it into running water in the same
direction that the water is flowing or abandoning it on a hilltop or other high place. This should be done after one full lunar phase. If the spell is successful before the end of the lunar month, you may undo the knots within the circle, thank the gods and pass the cords through the elements once again to neutralise the cord so that it is ready to be used again. If however the spell has not produced the desired result, undo one knot each day for nine days, again concentrating on your intent coming to pass. Sailors are believed to have used a spell similar to the Witches' Ladder many years ago to try and raise winds of sufficient force and coming from the correct direction to aid their journey. Cord magic may even be one of the oldest forms of magic to be practiced at all; it seems that prehistoric man may have used a form of sympathetic magic to bind clay models of animals, thus symbolising them being ensnared in traps. Legend has it that a form of Witches' Ladder was used by wives to inflict impotence on faithless husbands. But one of the first recorded historical accounts of cord magic is from Burchard, Bishop of Worms in the Rhineland of Germany who observed peasants placing knotted ropes in the branches of trees in order to divert harmful influences away from their cattle. Another variation of cord working within a coven context was that of the High Priestess lying beneath the wheel of cords as the coven worked. She would have the hub of the cords wrapped round her athame which then acted as a sort of lightning conductor as the High Priestess focused her will thus directing the power raised which was then amplified by the rest of the group. This style of working however should only be attempted by an experienced coven as there can be side effects; such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and extreme fatigue all of which have been reported caused possibly as a result of the energy not being directed properly or by a psychic overload of the mental, psychic and etheric bodies. Clearly a very experienced High Priestess is required as well as a skilled coven working completely in tune psychically with one another and in perfect harmony. Great care must be taken to ensure that
the power is directed accurately and that no "residue" as it were remains. Cords may also be used in the celebration of the Sabbats, where the coven may again gather around the perimeter of the circle; man-to-woman, with a witch of the opposite sex holding each end of the cord. Here the spokes created by the cords represent the wheel of the year. If the coven then performs a ritual or spiral dance, the symbolism of the working is further amplified. This form of sympathetic cord magic I feel is particularly potent at the solar festivals, i.e. the equinoxes and the solstices. I have even seen the cords released at the conclusion of the raising of the power so that the cords then fell into the burning cauldron on a bonfire. When performed at Yule, the sacrificed cords represent the death of the Sun at this time of year. A new set off cords were then produced to represent his simultaneous rebirth during the remainder of the ceremony. Many covens keep several sets of cords for practical magic purposes; some of the more hermetic groups keep cords corresponding to the ten sephiroth on the Tree of Life using them in appropriate invocations. There are those who use cords to bind parts of their body with in order to restrict the blood flow and alter their consciousness with the intention of opening of the third eye for clairvoyance and possibly even astral projection. This is not recommended as binding is too tight can cause physical damage . Some witches wear a cord around the waist during coven meetings with the colour then denoting rank within the craft; e.g. white for first-degree; red for second-degree and blue for third-degree. Although there are reasons for each colour being assigned to a particular degree it would not be appropriate for me to reveal them here. Cord magic is a simple, yet highly effective form of magic and even just meditating on the colour of the cords can provide much food for thought and insight. The cord links matter to spirit, the material world to the realm of the gods, and it binds not just the material base of the craft but the four elements and the four points of the compass. Peter Nash (Taken from a short talk to a coven, 1987)
Aromatherapy If you are new to Aromatherapy or have not read previous articles on this then an insight to it is: 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 medical herbs have been utilized since antiquity, many of which have become of 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.
Moringa Oil (Moringa oleifera) Moringa oil is also known as Ben Oil or Behen oil because it contains high amounts of behenic acid. It can also be referred to as the drumstick tree. The oil is obtained by cold compressing or solvent extraction from the seeds. It is native to the Himalayan foothills but can also be found in Kenya, India, Malawi, Sri Lanka, and other parts of Africa. The tree grows long pods containing seeds which are quite nutritious. It is said that the nutrition of moringa leaves is even superior to that of highly nutritious vegetables such as spinach When extracted it is a light yellow in colour, odourless with a mild taste. Rich in Palmitoleic, Oleic and Linoleic acids, plus vitamins A and C it is extremely beneficial as a moisturiser as it has nourishing properties that remove dead skin cells, makes the skin glow, look smooth and it absorbs deep into the body when used for massage. It can be used to treat wounds and for aches and pains as it is anti-inflammatory. Because it resists rancidity it can be used to preserve many products The oil is unrefined and similar to olive oil. It is rich in fatty acids and natural antioxidants and because it contains solidifiers it can sometimes form crystals when stored at cool temperatures but hen warmed
returns to liquid again.
The tree produces a resin and the oil is extracted by steam distillation. To the eye it is a colourless to pale yellow liquid with the aroma of balsamic, spicy and with hints of lemon. In the first part of 20th century because of the war, Frankincense became more difficult to get hold of and is also very expensive, so Elemi was often used in its place, and has since gained value in its own right. The main uses of Elemi are, for the mind as it lifts the spirits, so can assist with nervous exhaustion and stress. For the skin as helps rejuvenate ageing skin by smoothing wrinkles as well as reducing scarring, acne and helping the healing of infected cuts and wounds. For the respiratory system it helps ease bronchitis, catarrh chest infections and unproductive coughs.
Elemi Essential oil
This is a lovely oil to meditate with by blending with a cream or carrier oil, and putting a few drops on the chakra areas of the hands and feet.
(Canarium luzonicum)
As this is closely related to Frankincense it blends well with Myrrh, Geranium, Lavender, Rosemary, Ginger and Cinnamon.
Elemi essential oil comes from a tropical tree that grows 30metres high in the Philippines and neighbouring area. It is closely related to Myrrh, Frankincense and Opopanax.
For Nervous Exhaustion put a few drop in a warm bath or a diffuser to help calm you or blend with a base oil and massage for respiratory problems.
Safety Data Elemi essential oil can be irritating to very sensitive skins, so it should not be used on the skin of babies or in pregnancy or while breast feeding unless directed by a qualified Aromatherapist or G.P. Sandra Wiseman
Reflexology (including Maternity Reflexology) Indian Head Massage – Aromatherapy Seated Acupressure Therapy Reiki Thermo Auricular Therapy Sound Healing / Sonar Expansion Healing Magnified Healing Rahanni Celestial Healing Psychic Healing - Metamorphic Technique Also Pamper and Tarot Parties for further information www.thetarottable www.therapies4you.com Email:sandra@therapies4you.com Mob:07804 13858
COMING SOON FROM BLACK MOON PUBLISHING LUCIFER Light of the Aeon written by Rebels A subjective look at Lucifer from the heart of the Luciferian written and edited by Diane Narraway with contributions from Teach Carter, Jaclyn Cherie Eirwen Morgan, Laurie Pneumatikos, Sean Witt, Richard K Page, Rachel Summers, Geraldine Lambert and assistant editor Cheryl Waldron. With some fabulous artwork by some brilliant artists and photographers. This is something different to anything else written about Lucifer approaching Lucifer from a subjective, authentic and irreligious perspective. Something new and exciting for the Luciferian section of your bookshelves
http://blackmoonpublishing.com/ https://www.facebook.com/blackmoonpublishing/?fref=ts
Lenormand – A beginners Guide Lenormand is a method of card divination which is becoming increasingly popular. It is akin to tarot in some respects as some of the cards use the same symbolism, although the meanings are different. It is regarded as less esoteric than Tarot, as it does not contain the amount of symbolism within each card and the symbols are easily learnt which is why it appears ‘superficial ‘by comparison. However the symbols resonate on a very deep level. The student of Lenormand can learn a very simple 3 card spread in an hour or so, and as one learns more about the deck, combinations, and more complex spreads, the apparent simplicity of the cards becomes recognised as an illusion. I plan to write a series of articles, which will build up the history, the symbols and meanings of the cards, and the different spreads. There are numerous decks of cards with some being slightly adapted according to the designer which is why I recommend using the basic French Cartomancy deck which allows for easier concentration on learning the symbols and their meanings within each spread. As with many systems of divination their origins are vague but the cards themselves are attributed to a Madame Lenormand; a French woman who lived in the 1800’s and who gained a reputation for divination amongst the elite members of society. Le Petite Lenormand deck was first made public two years after her death by a former student, although searching through history there are other similar decks which appeared earlier. Serious researchers who would like to delve more into their origins may wish to look up authors such as Caitlin Mathews and Mary Greer. In the next article I will be starting to look at the individual cards in depth and how they are used in divination. I would suggest looking at the different packs as there are many to choose from and that you choose a very simple pack with the symbols on a fairly plain background. The plainer the background the easier the symbols will ‘jump ‘out at you and the easier it will be to learn their meanings. To begin with you need to get to know your cards. Play with them, try guessing the meanings of the symbols, cleanse them, wrap them, and keep them handy, taking the odd five minutes here and there to look at them.
Eirwen Morgan missseirian@gmail.com
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Mentoring the Psychic Child It’s the moment you look into her eyes and you feel pulled into a pool of abyss. As if you could spend an eternity there, drifting into the astral lands, discovering for the first time what she seems to already know with the innate ability to just understand. You know in this moment, there is something special, something unique about your child. The psychic child has been given many labels: Star Child, Crystal Child, Indigo Child, and many others. The truth is that these children, while all children are special, are actually a part of a larger group of sentient beings called - Human Beings. And I don’t say this lightly. As a Pagan Parent, you are most likely aware of a word we call energy. You have probably tossed this word around in your speech, felt it, tried to describe it, and used it in your practices. And you most likely feel a greater, purer form of energy in your divine systems, whether that be of the Gods, Goddess, the elements, animals, plants and other natural resources. The energy of everything, exists in everything including human beings. And psychic abilities are just another form of energy. There are a thousand forms and variations of psychic ability and every human being on the planet has some form and variation of this ability. But still, you recognize that your child seems to have a natural gift and may even seem separated or different from other children or even from yourself. As a parent it can be frustrating to foster
a child’s growth when you feel he or she is experiencing an ability that is in unchartered waters for yourself. The good news is, there is hope, as psychic abilities are like art forms. Everyone can draw a line with a pencil, but not everyone is naturally a Picasso. The capability to learn to paint however, is a skill that we can all develop, even if we never become another Picasso, in the learning and understanding of how to paint we build understanding of what other painters experience. The same applies to psychic ability. The secret – children are highly sensitive and have a greater psychic awareness than most adults. More so, children who display a natural gift of ability have actually acquired this ability through their gene pool. We adults are a product of our experiences and teachings and as such, through some innocent structural teachings our teachers, parents and mentors may have actually helped us create blocks to psychic ability. Some common examples of this are as follows:
By teaching that Imaginary friends are not real. Many of my imaginary friends were actually spirit guides that I reconnected with later in life. By teaching logic over creativity. Who says grass can’t be purple? Color perception in coloring can often times lead to aura energy type connections that the child is experiencing. It’s just a dream! Often times our dreams have precognitive elements that help prepare or teach us about upcoming events in our waking lives. Being taught that psychic ability is only gifted to a few or that displaying ability is evil or a wrong doing in some way. Having your experiences and thoughts minimized or passed over. Being taught to shrug off Deja Vu as just a coincidence. By being taught to have a certain structure or set of rules that curtail your free will and personality. Example: You must go to college.”
So the question becomes are you psychic or do you, yourself possess psychic ability? The answer to that may surprise you. The following examples could be forms of psychic ability for you or your child.
Sometimes I see something out of the corner of my eye only to turn and find nothing there
I have had my name called out in the middle of the night
I can usually tell upon meeting someone if I am going to like them or not
I hear what sounds like whispering sometimes; even when I am alone
Sometimes I just know things and I don’t know where it came from
When I go to sleep at night, just before I fall asleep, I see pictures or what looks like a movie playing in my mind
I hear weird sounds sometimes like bells or phones ringing or what sounds like music
I have so many thoughts at times that I have to journal them all down or I will forget
I talk to myself often and sometimes even answer myself
Sometimes I cry for no reason or get really happy for no reason
I will have a thought or an idea that I think only belongs to me only to find out sometime later it was already conceived by another
I dream in color often
I love to listen to the sound of wind and/or I pay attention to sounds that other people don’t seem notice (like car tires on the road)
I can feel when something bad is going to happen even if I don’t know what it is yet
I have a very vivid imagination
I know what other people are thinking sometimes
Sometimes I know something’s up cause the hair on my arms raise and I feel goosebumps
I can feel when someone is sick. I can’t explain it but I can look at them and know I feel connected to the wind, I can feel changes in the air In older buildings sometimes I feel dizzy or nauseated I have a unique tendency to be able to figure anything out. I am a hands on kind of person
I get messages in music
Sometimes I see odd shapes forming in the air
Sometimes when waking, words, names or phrases that have no meaning to me, come into my mind
Often times, parents of psychic children will try to find a mentor for their child. Because of their sensitivities, it’s important to raise a healthy, well rounded, confident child. You are the best advocate and resource for a child younger than sixteen years of age. There are thousands of resources online and reading materials to give you a head start on developing knowledge or your ability. Some practices you can put into place now are:
Develop a daily meditation program. Meditation is the single most profound way to develop your ability and it doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple 15 minute meditation, concentrating on nothing but breath will do wonders! Keep in mind, nothing needs to be happening while meditating for it to be effective. Set some personal life boundaries and decide what you are willing to accept from others and what you are not. Teach this to your child and show them how to use their own voice for this empowerment. This is important because what you do in life mimics what happens in your vibration – and psychic ability with no boundaries can take over your life if you allow it! Don’t minimize or dismiss your child’s experiences. Maybe that boogie man in the closet is real? By teaching your child that they have dominion over all energies and using that as a tool to show them that they can rid themselves of the experience liberates them from the fear of the ‘unknown’.
Psychic ability is heightened in the imagination. Play imagination games with your child – find outlets for creativity. Music, art and dance are wonderful ways to enhance creativity. Take some classes, find workshops, and talk with others who are learning to develop their ability. Find a mentor for yourself. The more you learn the more you can share and teach with your child. Developing psychic ability can be fun, and always remember to keep it fun while learning. Each individual has their own unique psychic quality so each person’s development will differ. The less stress you put on yourself during development the better success rate you will have and the even stronger energetic bond you will create with your child.
Alea Dawn www.keracenter.com
The Boarding Crew
Gig Guide 9th July - Bedford hotel gardens Tavistock Fringe Festival 29th July – Dolmen Grove Tribal Dreams Weymouth 19-21st August - South Wales Pirate Festival. Caldicot Castle Wales. https://www.facebook.com/theboardingcrew/?fref=ts
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 - First Monday of every month, 7:30pm onwards. https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.dolmengrovehampshiremoot/?fref=ts Essex - Scout Hut, Cromwell Road, Grays, RM17 5HT Weekends https://www.facebook.com/groups/dolmengroveessexmoot/?fref=ts Dorset Weymouth – Old Town Hall High West Street DT4 8JH Weymouth, Dorset Second - Wednesday of every month, 7:30pm onwards https://www.facebook.com/groups/435089566582005/ Dorset - Portland - The George Inn 133 Reforne, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2AP Last Wednesday of every month, 7:30pm onwards https://www.facebook.com/groups/148075512033935/?fref=ts Cornwall, St Austell - Polgooth Inn Ricketts Lane, Polgooth, St.Austell, First Wednesday of every month, 7:30pm onwards https://www.facebook.com/groups/460165050682366/?fref=ts Berkshire, Bracknell - The Acoustic couch 11 Market St, Bracknell, RG12 1JG Third Tuesday of every month, 8:00pm onwards https://www.facebook.com/groups/150234135114242/?fref=ts Dorset, East Dorset Travelling Moot – Various locations in East Dorset - first Thursday of every month 7:30pm onwards https://www.facebook.com/groups/285539554914086/?fref=ts Berkshire, Newbury - Last Thursday of every month, 7.30pm onwards See Facebook group for venue details https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654789994736431/?fref=ts All Dolmen Grove moots are advertised regularly on www.dolmengrove.co.uk Up-to-date information on individual moot Facebook pages
Diary of a Hedgewitch I love the heady sensuality of this time of year; eruptions of insatiable birdsong, wet dripping dew, and the spurting sap, growing things throwing themselves heedlessly into the rampant orgy of be-cumming, thrust into the juicy salivating throes of lust; scent ravages in primal animal savagery, sweetness of blossoms tug at an ancient nostalgia, and the gentle summer breeze as soft as a lover’s touch prickles the skin in an ache and swell of longing…some great purpose is unfurling in every leaf and bud, in every whisker, hoof and claw, in each and every breath, and the great Dance rushes onwards…. Wobbly heads of cow parsley topple from the hedgerows, wafting their musty scent, bright splashes of red campion sprinkle the verges, along with the tiny white blossoms of stichwort; delicious pink spires of tall foxgloves line the woodland edge, May blossoms like sweet scented clouds smother the twisted wind ravaged hawthorn bushes, creamy elder flowers froth; and golden paddocks of buttercups glow in the afternoon sunlight and luscious plump scarlet strawberries lay scrumptiously in mouth watering temptation. On still summer nights there is a tingling sense of anticipation as something immense is quietly stirring. As the Sun sets and the evening fragrance drifts into the hazy dusk, and the evening dew dampens, the faery world can be felt more deeply as the veil flutters in the summer breeze and the mysterious worlds can be revealed…. The vividness of early summer has been startling; the deep vivid blue of the sky and the incredible hue of the spectacular masses of bluebells, and the contrasts of bright colour, blue sea against pinks, lush green
leaf against yellow dandelion, the yellow-green of fresh unfurling leaves, as the Sun rises higher and higher towards the Solstice. The cool spring has meant that many flowers have been later blooming this year, leaves have been slow to unfurl on the trees, and I have noticed fewer bees and butterflies, and I have yet to hear the nightjars sing their strange song this year. However, the swallows are swooping inexhaustibly and the birdsong reverberbrates the morning and evening air, hungry fledglings with wide open mouths are fed by attentive parents, and at dusk the bats flitter and swoop, and the sound of the wind has altered now it has leaves to sing through. The spiralling nature of growth is seen in the unfurling of fern leaves and the twisting of climbers such as morning glory, honeysuckle, and runner beans, in their clockwise or anticlockwise growth. As we giddying head towards the summer solstice, much plant growth is at its most rampant, as it speeds towards an orgasmic climax, a luscious flower to send bees, moths, butterflies, insects, into a frenzy, pollinating and fertilising seed of future generations, so that life, in this particular form, for now, can continue, ever-evolving. In the garden, roses have revealed their scrumptious bloom, and in my garden at the time of writing, night scented sweet rocket is blooming profusely with its pink or white sweetly scented night time fragrance, a plant whose name (Hesperis Matonalis) means evening of the mother, and the Victorians associated it with deceit (of course, it’s a female associated with the night, no surprise there…) and was also known as Eveweed. This creative impulse surges pumping in our blood and is displayed outwardly in the wild dance of nature, endless possibilities swell into being, the power of hope thrusts in our desires and aspirations as we expand out into
the sensuality of the world without and within with re-kindled passion. We are enchanted and enchant the world around us and within us, weaving it with our imagination. We are creators as we sculpt and thread our existence, anticipating and seeing the world around us that reflects and is reflected by our own inner self, moulding each moment as it quivers and shivers with life, desire, aching longing, like the plant that strives yearningly ever upward towards the Sun, opening its beautiful blooms in enticing receptivity, to begin to become and understand what we truly could be‌
Rachael Moss (photography by Rachael Moss)
July Sowing Calendar Mon
Tue
Weds
Thurs
Fri 1
Sat 2
4
5
6
7
8
9
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
P 7am from 1pm
11am
2am
11
12
18
19
A 5am
1am
4am 25
20
11pm
8am
26
27
28
29
30
from 3pm x all day P 12pm
11pm Key to Astrological Symbols Capricorn
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
x
Crops to Sow in July Root/Earth Carrots Hamburg Parsley Radish
Flower/Air Broccoli Flowers
Leaf/Water Chard Florence Fennel Kohl Rabi
No sowing
Parsley Salad
Fruit/Fire Peas Runner Beans
Element S
August Sowing Calendar Mon 1
Tue 2
Weds 3
Thurs 4
Fri 5
Sat 6
Sun 7
11
12
13
14
19
20
21
27
28
from 11am
9pm 8
8am
9
10
from 1pm
7pm A 12am 15
16
17
1pm 18
from 10am
from 11am
9am 22
23
24
x before 3pm P 1am 29
30
31
2pm
25
26
4am
Crops to Sow in August Root/Earth Onions Radish Turnip
Flower/Air Flowers
11am
Leaf/Water Cabbage (spring) Chard Lettuce Salad Leaves
Fruit/Fire Spinach
September Sowing Calendar Mon
Tue
Weds
Thurs 1
Fri 2
Sat 3
5
6
7
8
9
10
16
10am
A 7pm
12pm
12
13
14
15
19
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
30
12am
10pm 17
7pm 24
10am
5pm
10pm Crops to Sow in September Root/Earth Onions
Flower/Air Flowers
Leaf/Water Cabbage (spring) Chard Lettuce Salad Leaves
Fruit/Fire
Lane in Chiswell in a building that has been known as Conjurors Lodge ever since. The breakaway group were accepted back into the church ten years later.
The standing stones radiated the heat of the day as the sun disappeared over Lyme Regis turning the western sky a deep orange. The Portland witches of the Dolmen Grove were performing a ritual to the full moon; a super moon. This occurs when the moon is closest to the earth making it appear massive as it rises above the horizon which on this occasion occurred on the Summer Solstice 2013 at the Circle of Stones in Tout Sculpture Park. The stone circle is a set of stone sculptures surrounding a large flat stone table that acts as an altar and was created in 2001 by Group 85; a Dutch group of stone carvers that return to Portland every autumn to add new sculptures to the landscape. The witches follow in the footsteps of a long tradition of witches on the island dating back at least 600 years. These early witches were the old wise people of society who understood the lore of herbalism, medicine and healing. They were the nurses and doctors of their day and important members of the community. The earliest recorded mention of witchcraft on Portland came in 1784 when the message ‘Witchcraft is a certain evil heart, whereby, with the assistance of the Devil, or evil spirit, some wonders may be wrought, which exceed the common apprehension of men’, was printed on the back of rent receipts given to the local tenants. Thirty-two years later a breakaway group of fifty men and women led by Charles Whittle and Robert Hind left the Methodist congregation to form a witchcraft church at the bottom of Clements
The witches were often the wise men and women that used their craft to cure the sick and care for the community. They were seen as important members of any community until witchcraft was denounced as evil by Pope Innocent III in a Papal Bull in 1484 which began 300 years of persecution by the church that ended with the Inquisition in the 18th Century during which time at least 200,000 were tortured and murdered throughout Britain and Europe. With the book Malleus Maleficarum, ‘The Hammer of Witches’, by two Christian zealots Jakob Sprenger and Heinrich Kramer as their guide witch hunters harassed and tortured the European population into confessions that led the so called witch to be burnt at the stake, hung or drowned. Over 70% of the accused were women whose only crime was to dispense herbal remedies to the community. It was believed that witches could control the elemental spirits that existed in the ether. Sorcerers could influence the weather, the harvest and the fertility of cattle and could drive out an illness out of a body or bring good fortune to call on a person. Those that used the power for bad; maiming cattle, bringing illness into a community or calling on storms to destroy crops were accused by the church as being witches.
A major part of the work the Portland Witches do is to send a healing energy where it is needed into the earth. Pagans see the planet as a living entity and while she is being stripped of her assets without gratitude, the earth hurts. The Portland Witches of the Dolmen Grove help to ease that pain.
In reality these witches were more likely to use herbs and crystals to heal the sick believing there was a deep connection between humanity and nature and even the whole of creation where to harm another living thing was tantamount to harming themselves. At Beltane and Samhain; the beginning of summer and winter, great celebratory fires were lit at Portland Bill to welcome the strengthening and diminishing power of the sun. These celebrations continued into the 19th Century until quarrying destroyed the stone rows and circles that covered the Portland landscape and Victorian ideals tightened its grip on the population. For the last decade or so the Portland Witches of the Dolmen Grove have held sunrise ceremonies at the Bill to welcome in the solstices and equinoxes each year and have held several handfasting ceremonies that join two people in pagan marriage with pagans from all over the world attending. Since 2012 the ceremonies have been held at the Circle of Stones in Tout, a wonderful spot for watching the sun set and the moon rise. The sound of drums echoed around the west cliffs as the sun sank from view. The Portland Witches of the Dolmen Grove led the congregation of around two dozen Pagans; Witches, Druids and Pirates from all over Dorset and beyond. The drumming stopped when everyone was circled around the stone altar. One of the witches cleansed the group with an ash smudge stick before the ceremony began. The four directions and their elemental spirits were called to attend the ritual and the Gods and Goddesses were asked to witness the work to be done. Attitudes towards witches are very different today with the Portland Witches now accepted members of the community, holding moots in the local pub and celebrating their pagan ways at local sites.
The Portland Witches of the Dolmen Grove are a part of the Dolmen Grove which is a large pagan spiritual organisation that began in Dorset and now spans the globe with regular moots around the South of England. The Portland Moot is held on the last Wednesday of the month at the George Inn, Reforne starting around 8 o’clock. Everyone is welcome to attend. Scott Irvine (photography Scott Irvine)
Saturday, July 16th, 2016 - The Heathfield Arms Fareham PO15 5BZ UK Tickets: ÂŁ5 p/p Sunday, July 17th, 2016 - Hastings Pirate Day Old Hastings Town, East Sussex TN34 3AR UK Free Entry Saturday, August 13th, 2016 - Artemis Gathering Oxfordshire UK Tickets available http://witchfest.net/ Friday, August 26th, 2016 - Middeleeuws Winschoten Stadspark Winschoten The Netherlands Tickets available http://www.middeleeuws-winschoten.nl/ Saturday, August 27th, 2016 - Middeleeuws Winschoten Stadspark Winschoten The Netherlands Tickets available http://www.middeleeuws-winschoten.nl/ Sunday, August 28th, 2016 - Middeleeuws Winschoten Stadspark Winschoten The Netherlands Tickets available http://www.middeleeuws-winschoten.nl/ Sunday, September 4th, 2016 - Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spectaculum Hamburg Germany Tickets available http://www.spectaculum.de/ Monday, September 5th, 2016 - Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spectaculum Hamburg Germany Tickets available http://www.spectaculum.de/ Saturday, September 17th, 2016 - Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spectaculum Borken Germany Tickets available http://www.spectaculum.de/ Sunday, September 18th, 2016 - Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spektaculum Borken Germany Tickets available http://www.spectaculum.de/ www.thedolmen.com
OUT NOW the new album available from www.thedolmen.com
https://www.facebook.com/messages/10000001 4573113#https://www.facebook.com/messages/ 100000014573113#
LIVE AT CASTLEFEST Having seen the Dolmen play live on several occasions and witnessed first-hand a captivated audience (including myself) dance their socks off, I can safely say that the Live at Castlefest album is the closest thing to actually being there. This is the first live album by the Dolmen, with none of the tracks ever being previously released live plus there is the exclusive ‘Go Laddie’, known for its shamanic drumming and which has been a favourite with live audiences throughout Europe. I have often heard it said by several people that seeing the Dolmen live is as much of a spiritual and emotional experience as it is musical. I have to concur and this is something that can be both heard and felt on this album. The individual band members’ personalities, talent and individuality can be felt on each track along with the chemistry between them all especially on the ever popular ‘Dead Cats Don’t Meow’ that has become made virtually iconic by the sultry vocals of Kayleigh Marchant. Live at Castlefest features banter, ritual and heartfelt tributes to those now passed along with polished musical performances from highly acclaimed, dedicated musicians and vocalists. This album is an essential for anyone who has either never seen the Dolmen live or those who have and wish to recreate the experience because Live at Castlefest will make you smile, dance, shed a tear and lose yourself in the music and magic of the Dolmen.
Diane Narraway
Taloch Jameson - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar. Josh Elliot – Electric Guitar, Banjo & Vocals. Kayleigh Marchant - Bass Guitar & Vocals. Chris Jones – Drums Anja Novotny – Flute and Pipes Marloes Visser –manager@thedolmen.com CD Artwork by Sem Vine Pre order cd’s available from - www.thedolmen.com
Further information on Dolmen Grove can be found www.dolmengrove.co.uk Dolmen Grove Facebook links Portland Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/14807551203393 East Dorset Travelling Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/556080981209172/ Weymouth Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/43508956658200 Berkshire/Bracknell Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/15023413511424 Cornwall Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/46016505068236 Essex Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/dolmengroveessexmoot Hampshire Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.dolmengrovehampshiremoot/ Berkshire/Newbury Moot https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654789994736431/?fref=ts Dolmen Grove Chronicles https://www.facebook.com/DolmenGroveMagazine Dolmen Grove www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dolmen-Grove/110124449082 Email Diane Narraway (chairman Dolmen Grove/Editor Dolmen Grove Chronicles) dolmengrove@dolmengrove.co.uk
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