The Pend le Craft AUGUST 2015 | I SSUE no 4
LUGHNASADH " And so the wheel has turned again, another Sabbat is upon us, and the first harvest begins with the festival of Lammas, or Lughnasadh. " "
Editors Note's Hi, I'm Tasha Clark, I am currently stepping in as second editor due to the regular editor in chief being extremely unwell of late. I have to give my apologies to the lateness of this addition, as well as not having an issue out last month. This is my first time as second editor, so please take it easy on me. Please let me know if there are any articles you would like to submit to the magazine to be published. Please don't be shy and submit questions to our regular Tarot and Oracle readers Aunty Cosmos and Sheena Cundy - who has just joined us - for a reading...... Write in to us at t hependl ecraf t @hot mail .com Please Enjoy this edition. Brightest Blessings From Tasha Clark and the rest of the team at The Pendle Craft
Content s Pg 1 ~ Editors Note's Pg 2 ~ Contents Pg 3 ~ Death - By Andruid Pg 4 ~ Lughnasadh - By Lorraine Ellison Pg 6 ~ Coming Out Of The Broom Closet - Victoria Furmiger Pg 8 ~ Book Review - Nimue Brown Pg 10 ~ Lammas - Raquel Reichert Pg 11 ~ Tarot Reading - Aunty Cosmos Pg 12 ~ The Mindfullness of Colouring In - Yvonne Reeves Pg 13 ~ Children Of Artemis Advert Pg 14 ~ Corn Husk Doll - Tasha Clark Pg 16 ~ Music Review - Becci Freeman Pg 17 ~ Herb World - Adele Sutcliffe
DEATH BY ANDRUID
T his month I want to discuss
the other side of a veil,and is as real to me as
that is our energy has gone and just the
Death. A subject a lot of people do
getting on train and getting off in a different
body is left behind and so everything
not and will not want to discuss
town,A place where those who have
that made us who we are no longer
and consider it morbid and
journeyed over before you,loved ones,family
resides in it.
depressing to talk about.T his is
and friends wait to greet you, to lead you
As a Druid I celebrate a death as the
only my opinion but hopefully may
paddling in the rivers,walking through the
end of this life and the start of whats to
make a few people want to discuss
forests and mountains and running through
come. I mourn for the person close to
it a little bit more.
the fields with all pain and suffering gone.
me,a loved one, a good friend. I t is hard
Death happens to all of us (usually
Our spirit stays young with all the energy of
to lose that connection with someone,
when we least expect it lol), From
youth,our bodies age and start to fail,but the
to see them suffer is painful, to see the
our first breath we are heading for
spark behind the eyes stays young and even
"spark" dimming slowly or sometimes
our last. But death is not an end or
though we may try to do things that we did
just switching off like the lightbulb at
a voyage into eternal darkness, it
when we are young,our spirit is telling
the flick of the switch.
is just a different place where our
porkies as we usually find out the next day
W hen I lose loved ones from the world,
soul, energy, being or whatever
lol.
I remember them, give thanks for the
you wish to call it exists, I like to
T he thing i worry about is the manner of my
joy their presence created in my life
think of it as sunset that is
death,I want to die with dignity and control
and the times shared with them, the
promising the start of a brand new
as i get older,T he body gets old(if we are
best way to respect is to move on, we
day.
lucky) and begins to fail as time moves
celebrate their lives and welcome them
We never know when our wheel
on,hopefully death will be swift and painless
at Samhain, I remember them with a
will turn for the last time, so to
in our sleep or sudden and not a prolonged
smile and a tear,and if I remember
discuss it with loved ones and to
pain filled time.
them, then they are never truly gone.
make plans is common sense to
Of course after death comes the funeral,
I want my funeral to be a celebration of
me. My wife and I have discussed it
usually solemn affairs with a vicar or similar
my life,with friends telling funny,sad
and know what the other wants.
at the front talking about the person as if
embarrassing or naughty stories,with
To me when you die your spirit
they knew them,when usually all they are
music and words that sum up who i was
(as I will call it from now on)
spouting is information that they have
and what i used to like.
travels to a place called T he
learned from the family and friends
After all it will only be for a short time,
Summerlands, it is not a land of
beforehand.
as I will be waiting for them along with
the dead, it does not exist above or
I have heard people when looking at the
the rest of their friends,family and
below us like a heaven or a hell, it
body of a relative or loved one say "he looks
ancestors in the Summerlands
just exists on
like a wax dummy" or "they dont look like
Peace,L ove and Blessings
themselves", this is because the "spark"
Andruid
LUGHNASADH BY LORRAINE ELLISON
L ughnasadh
Food & Drink
L ughnasadh originates from the
L ight red wine or Chianti; ratatouille;
Celtic god, L ugh (also known as
cornbread; nasturtium and green
L ugus), whose name means ?bright
salads; water melon; walnut cake;
and shining one?. L egend has it that
marrow (zucchini).
the holiday was a recognition of the games and ceremonies that L ugh himself began as a homage to his deceased mother, T ailiu. T hese ceremonial games took place in I reland, Britain, and other countries in Europe, and many worshippers around the world today still play these games in celebration of the holiday. T hemes and Colours Today, in celebration of the Sabbat, many themes focus not just on the And so the wheel has turned again, another Sabbat is upon us, and the first harvest begins with the festival of L ammas, or L ughnasadh. I t is a celebration of the fruits of the first harvest of all grains, fruits and vegetables. I t is one of the four Fire Festivals, or Cross Quarter Days, the others being I mbolc, Beltane, and Samhain; it is also one of the first harvest celebrations in our calendar.
Altar Set UP
harvest but also on the underlying ideas, such as renewal, giving thanks,
Set your altar with earthy colours,
making sacrifices, and mourning. To
gold and yellow candles, frankincense
highlight these underlying themes, we
incense and oil, and suitable flowers
find ourselves using colours such as
such as sun- flowers, yarrow, or
earthy oranges, browns, yellows, and
nasturtiums.
golds. T he colours are used to
A Harvest Spell
symbolise the harvest and the sense of renewal that comes with it. Often worshippers will use these colours in every aspect of their celebration.
Set an orange candle on either side of your cauldron; on a piece of paper write the things you have harvested over the past year; light the paper
L ammas Correspondences
from one of the candles and let it burn
throughout Britain, I reland and
Colour: Gold and Yellow
in the cauldron. After it is done, put
Europe celebrated their bountiful
Oil: Heliotrope; Frankincense
cauldron and stir with your wand,
prayers and sacrifices for the success
Herbs & Flowers: Sunflower,
visualizing white light coming from
of future crops and it is still celebrated
Chamomile, L avender, Juniper,
the tip of the wand, filling the
on August 1st today as it resonates
Hyssop, Vervain, Nasturtium, I vy, and
cauldron and entering the seeds; when
with many worldwide with marking
Gladiolus.
you feel all the seeds have been
the end of Summer and the beginning
I ncense: Frankincense
T hroughout history, worshippers
some corn or pumpkin seeds into the
harvests on this day and offered
absorbed by the seeds, stop, put the
of Autumn. Stones & Crystals: Aventurine, Topaz, Amber, Cats Eye
seeds in to another container and keep on the altar until next years planting.
Com ing Out Of The Broom Closet by Victoria Claire Furminger Coming Out of the Broom Closet There comes a point in every Pagan?s life ? whatever path they have chosen to tread ? where they ask themselves a question: ?Do I come out of the broom closet??And this is the topic I wanted to talk about this month. ?Coming out of the broom closet?or becoming public in your beliefs to your family, friends and/ or others is a very personal issue. Whilst many may feel comfortable and be self-accepting of themselves, they may be worried about the reaction of ?coming out?to a larger audience. Sadly, it seems that the decision to declare yourself publicly as pagan is an issue that a large number of us face. This may be because it is not something you feel you can do due to work or how you think people will react, and it can potentially open you up to many accompanying problems. In a recent study of just over 400 people, 49% said that they had only come out to some and only 23% were ?completely out?. Though the figure was high for those who had come out to close family and friends, this figure significantly dropped and then reversed when asked about telling co-workers, schools and town officials respectively. Before coming out, most feared a loss of family support, physical harassment or threats, and loss of job or discrimination at work. Some also feared that their children could be bullied because of it. (www.witchvox.com) Unfortunately, these seem to be common themes when trying to answer the question of whether to ?come out? or not. I am very lucky to be able to have never had an issue with declaring myself as pagan. Perhaps because I?ve always played in the trees and had runes as playthings when I was in my early teens that the natural progression didn?t shock my family and friends as it might for others. And I?ve never hidden my beliefs in any of my jobs. Sure, there?s friendly banter with workmates but they also ask questions, which I answer to the best of my ability. (Although, a friend recently pointed out that
would my work colleagues jest if I was a different religion or would they be in trouble if they did?) I know of others who are only publicly pagan at pagan events and are very careful not to be photographed (this is somewhat harder nowadays with social media and everyone with the ability to take photographs on various devises). There is still so much pagan secrecy and misconceptions held, especially as many events prohibit or limit photographs in case there are those who do not want to be identified. This can often make it harder to know how many of ?us?there are or for solitary practitioners wanting to find others, as so many of us are private in our beliefs. Take, for example, the moot I have just created in my local area. Discussions on the Pagan Federation site would suggest that there were maybe one or two pagans in the area wanting to join forces and meet up. The Facebook group for it now is currently at 35 members, with most of us saying ?I didn?t realise there was so many of us in the area!? Talking to one lady who is open in pagan forums but has only ?come out?to a small number of family members, she said: ?Where I grew up witchcraft was all a fantasy and it was never a practicing faith that I was told about. I have come out to immediate family but only to be chastised and ridiculed, and become more of an outsider because of my beliefs. I am worried that if I blurt it out in front of certain company that they will either bring in the Christian card or the attitude of ?you?re not totally there?.? Depending on how conservative or religious the people are in your life, it will probably affect your decision about whether to tell them. I don?t profess to know the answers and, as said previously, this is an extremely personal subject that will be a completely individual experience to each person. There are those out there who can guide, support and advise, but ultimately it is down to you whether you feel ready and comfortable enough to come out, and you are the best judge of the people around you. I hope to give you a few tips if it is the direction you have decided to take. Obviously, the best place to start is with the people who love and care about you ? be that select family members or one/ two close friends. Plan ahead and let them know that you want to discuss something important. Springing it on them out of the blue could feel a bit confrontational, and remember that it could be a shock for them.
Be ready with what you want to say. Plan answers to questions that you think they may ask. And they will ask. A lot of their potential fear is because of the unknown or media preconceptions, so be ready to educate and explain. Be honest in your beliefs and be prepared. They will take you more seriously if you show them that you know your own mind. Fundamentally, your family and friends just want to know that you?re ?you?and you?re happy. There are a lot of online pagan groups. So even if you don?t have a local pagan community or you feel you have to hide away, you should never feel alone. You are never alone. There is always someone to talk to, to discuss things with. You just need to explore and ask. As we stand on a hilltop or in a back garden, or sit on a doorstep or at a desk and celebrate a sabbat, we do it as a collective across the sea, land and sky. And our intentions join together as one energy. If you?re ?coming out?, good luck. If you don?t feel ready yet, don?t worry ? we?re still all here waiting for you. Vix Furminger
L iterature and Paganism Paganism is a very literary set of religions. W hen we look to the beliefs of our ancestors, what we tend to turn to is myth,
Literary Corner By Nimue Brown
story, epic poetry and drama. We don?t have so much about rituals and daily practices, as we have stories about the Gods, fantastical histories and fairy tales. Our ancestors were a literate lot, with storytelling in various forms holding an important place in historical Pagan cultures. For me, the difficulties created by literary religion were brought into focus by Morpheus, god of dreams. He gets a mention in Ovid?s Metamophosis, and that?s it. No festivals, no temple sites, no images. Just one mention in one book. Of course we?ve lost more than remains to us, there could have been temples and priests aplenty but it?s also possible there weren?t, and that Morpheus was created by Ovid. I wonder how readers of the future, exposed to Superman, Harry Potter, or T he Hobbit might view the religious beliefs of an otherwise lost twentieth century. Being a Druid obsessed with inspiration, the finding of inspiration is more important to me than how ?authentic?the source is. T he experience of being inspired is real, the sources are sometimes hard to assess. T herefore if a story inspires you, it has a spiritual value and if it doesn?t, it doesn?t. T ime can seem to validate, but is there really that much difference between being inspired by the epic journey and strange adventures of the Odyssey, and the epic journey and strange adventures of Star T rek? Being a literary sort of faith group, we write books about our literary origins and inspiration. Ronald Hutton?s Blood and Mistletoe does a lot of looking at literary representation alongside other, more lived forms of history. For anyone interested in exploring the literary side of Paganism, I would recommend Robin Herne?s Bard Song ? which gives great insight into poetic forms and how to use poetry as part of your Paganism. K evan Manwaring?s T he Way of Awen looks at how to work with story for inspiration. Most recently from Moon Books, Rebecca Beattie?s ?Nature Mystics?explores fiction writers on the cusp between the 19th and 20th centuries whose creative work contributed to the context from which modern Paganism emerged. We are story telling creatures. T he stories we tell reflect and shape our beliefs and our cultures as a whole. T he power of stories to change minds and lives is a form of magic to be reckoned with. I n choosing which stories to share, we become part of an ancient, ancestral culture that has the power to shape the future.
Dream interpretation By Nimue Brown L ast night I dreamed about my grandmother?s house. Jungian dream interpretation would give me the grandmother as an archetype. W hat does the grandmother mean? Elder, wisewoman, crone, matriarch, nurturing perhaps? Houses are often taken to be representative of the self. So to dream about my grandmother?s house is to access my inner wisewoman, my crone aspect. T his is the problem I have with dream interpretation ? it generalises, and reduces, and assumes we are all basically the same and likely to use symbols in the same way. I regularly dream about my grandmother?s house. I t is not my house, it has never been a representation of me. I t was a space that was both a refuge, and a source of great pain at different times in my life. T here are a lot of things in my relationship with my grandmother that are unresolved, and will remain so because she?s been dead for some years. To dream that my dead grandmother is alive is not to dream simply of an archetype, but to be wrangling with those unresolved issues again. To explain why I think I was dreaming about my grandmother, I would have to tell you about her relationship with my mother, and where my brother fits into all of this. I would have to talk about my great grandmother?s attitude to gender, and a lot of other things as well. To dream of my grandmother is to be back in the tangled web of my family?s history and dynamics. I ?ve been poking around in dream interpretation books since childhood, and I have deep misgivings about them. I t?s very easy to impose meaning on someone else?s dreams, and very difficult to prove or disprove the value of any given interpretation. I ?m wary about the idea of interpretation, even. Yes, I can extract from dreaming about my grandmother?s house a whole heap of things that experience relates to ? but what does that do? A dream decoded confers the kind of pleasure that breaking a code or solving a puzzle bestows, but in spiritual terms I ?m really not sure what that?s worth. Surely there?s more to dreaming than resolving it into tidy
T his summer, my Pagan Dreaming book comes out at Moon
meanings?
Books. I t may not be a coincidence that in the run up to the
W hat if finding the meaning of going back to my grandmother?s house isn?t the point at all? W hat if this is a dialogue with myself about the past, and what I need to do is keep having that conversation until I work something through? I nterpretation cannot help me. W hat if, in some way, there is an exchange between myself and my deceased grandmother here? W hat if taking this as a symbol takes me away from something real?
release, my dreams have become more intense and involved than usual. I t may not be a coincidence that having spent so much time last year consciously poking my dreams and the idea of dreams, my own experiences have changed. Dreaming is responsive to life, and to the attention we pay it, and so of course there can be no tidy distinctions between what I write about and what I go on to experience. I t?s all related. T he
T he other problem I have with dream interpretation is that it does not
cover (yes, that is my back) happened about a year ago, and
recognise the relationship between dreams and waking life. Dreams often
was a strange, comfort zone testing activity. I can?t imagine
reflect life, or emotional life. Sleep is tied up with the learning process,
what my grandmother would have made of that. She spoke of
and dreams may be implicated in how we handle memory. Am I dreaming
ghosts and premonitions, but not, that I can recall, of her own
about my grandmother again because on some wholly unconscious level I
dreams. T here?s another thing it?s too late for me to know am rearranging the files for how and when and why I remember her? Am I about. And so that, alongside all the other unanswerable doing the same with her house? I can picture her living room in perfect questions, will take me back to my grandmother?s house, to detail, but it?s not her living room as it ever was, but a strange amalgam of rooms that no longer exist as they did, and to conversations I different moments in the room?s history. An emotional memory to capture cannot have. Perhaps, one of these days, there will be answers. the essence of the space, not the facts of it. Different kinds of truth are available in dreams.
Lam m as by Raquel Reichert
Lammas, also referred to as Lughnasadh; meaning ?Bright and Shining One?, is celebrated on August 1, and marks the ending of summer and the welcome of Autumn. This Celtic cross over festival is one of four harvest celebrations. Although the focus is on harvesting of fruits, grains, and vegetables, it is also about renewal, sacrifices made, and giving thanks. The legend surrounding the Lammas holiday shares the story of Lugh paying homage to his deceased mother, Tailtiu, through games and ceremonies. These ceremonies were seen in Ireland, Britian and other countries throughout Europe. Baking bread and pies, the harvesting of crops, making corn dollies and harvest knots are a few of the customs, rituals or activities engaged in during Lammas. The corn dollies woven at Lammas are often returned to the land during Imbolc, as a symbol of the returning of the corns spirit to the earth and a hope of bountiful crops for the next season. Harvest knots were a way to acknowledge and announce your love interest in another person. A knot is given to your ?sweetheart? and if accepted, the girls would pin the harvest knot on their clothing, the boys to their hats.
Your Tar ot Readi ng For The Mont h By Aunty Cosmos
Greetings, Friends. For this month's column I asked my guides which deck and which spread to use. T his reading feels very personal to me but I trust that it will also apply to some of you in some way. T he question I held in my my mind as I shuffled and dealt the cards was what would be the general energies we would have to deal with during the month of August. T he deck I was lead to use is called T he Wild Unknown T arot and was designed by K im K rans. I unexpectedly found it in a clothing and jewelry shop and fell in love with it. I t is the first deck I have ever seen that has no human figures in it. I f you are curious about it enough to track it down the I SBN is 978- 0- 9893611- 0- 1. You may be seeing more of it in future columns. T he spread I used is called T he Cat's Paw and it is know for being bluntly truthful. I find it interesting that this one is mostly cups, dealing with the emotions and matters of the heart. I n the part of the world where I live August is very hot and dry, gardens are drying up and finishing their last gasp so to speak before time for fall planting, the first harvest is beginning. T he days are growing shorter but are still blazing hot and the nights are gradually getting cooler. Baby birds are out of the nests for the most part and feeding is frenetic as everyone is preparing to migrate. Change is in the air. Card #1 is the 9 of cups. T he position indicates what the querent is holding on to. Peace and happiness, material gains, good health, happiness, harmony. I n other decks this card can also indicate a feeling of smugness and self- righteousness. Card #2 is the 4 of swords. T he position answers the question: ?W hat can I do to let it go?? T he answer is to rest, look inward, recuperate, meditate, gather resources against coming pain or injury, but do not fear. Card #3 is the 7 of cups. T he position tells you how to take control again. Don't make hasty decisions, step back until you can see clearly, beware of illusion, deception, and temptation. Card #4 is the 6 of cups. I t answers the question. ?W hat do I need to do to move forward?? Return to your roots. Review childhood memories. Heal and reconcile unfinished business from your childhood, contact old friends and family, tie up loose ends, reunions will be joyful and healing. Examine the values you were taught as a child. Card #5 is the 8 of cups. I t tells you how to use the information to help yourself. L et go. Pack up and move on. Start over. I t could indicate the ending of a period of illness and physical stagnation. T here is nothing left for you in the situation you are in. Just as a new ~ season is about to start, it is time to start a new period in your life. But remember the admonition in Card #3, don't be hasty and beware of illusion, deception, and temptation. Make sure you are clear before you take action. T he letting go, packing up and moving on may only be a change in attitude, not a literal one. A mental move, not a physical one. Remember, nothing overrides free will and nothing is fixed in stone. Only you know what is in your heart and only you walk your path. Blessings.
The Mindfullness of Colouring In By Yvonne Reeves
One aspect of what I do is create art and over the last year I have fallen more and more in love with colour pencil work. It all began when, having finished a diploma in watercolour, looking for something else to challenge me I stumbled across a colour pencil course. I already had a large set of watercolour pencils and thought it would be a way to make use of these. How wrong I was. I ended up purchasing two full sets of artists coloured pencils to use instead. At first I found working with coloured pencils frustratingly slow and tedious, the need to build up colour through laying down several layers, the mixing of colours through the use of many different colour pencils and the time it took to complete anything were all so different to anything I had done before. Slowly but surely though I realised that while working with the coloured pencils I was practicing mindfulness. The only way I could be was totally in the moment and by being that way the whole process of creating art became one of calmness and relaxation, a mental time our as it were. So now instead of the frustration I felt at first I find myself taking every possible opportunity to sit down with my colours and experience the deep relaxation and focus that comes with them. Last week I was in a book shop looking at the Adult Colouring Books and this being Ireland soon found myself in conversation with someone about how she found these relaxing. She told me that when she sat down with her colouring book and pencils everything else fell away and there was only the colouring. ?Besides?she told me ?I can?t draw at all but here I end up with something beautiful?. There are many of such colouring books on sale now and even a monthly magazine but I have also discovered free printable sheets available online. As I work with many clients who are stressed or anxious as well as those who are trying to practice mindfulness I am now wondering about suggesting colouring in and adult colouring books as an aid. There is also an awful lot to be said for all of us having something that we can just pick it up and immediate find ourselves completely in the moment. So here?s to the mindfulness of colouring in :) Image and blog can be found at https:/ / solitarypath.wordpress.com/
CORN HUSK DOLLS
4. Separate husks into equal portions (2 and 2, or 3 and 3), and fold halves down, covering twine.
MATERIALS -
Square-cut dried corn husks
-
Wool felt, in assorted colors
-
Yarn or raffia
-
Paper towel
-
Buttons
-
Scissors
-
Glue
5. head.
Using thin twine, tie husks about 1 inch down, creating
6.
Roll a single husk and tie at ends to make arms.
STEPS 1. Start by soaking the husks in water for 10 minutes, and then blot excess water with a paper towel.
2.
Lay 4 or 6 husks (always an even number) in a stack.
3. top.
Using thin twine, tie husks together, about 1 inch from
7. Position arms below knot at neck, between equal portions of husks.
8.
Tie waist. For female doll, trim husks to an even length.
9.
For male doll, separate legs into equal portions. Tie at knees and ankles. Trim evenly.
10. To make hair, glue yarn or raffia to the heads. Fashion clothes from pieces of felt: Cut rectangles, and snip slits or X's in the center; then slide over doll's head, and secure around the waist with a strip of felt or yarn. (Glue on buttons, and use scissors to make fringe as desired.) Create hats and bonnets by cutting felt to fit, and then gluing in place.
Music Review By Becci Freeman
H
a l es t o r m ? Into the wild life
Since their debut in 2009, Halestorm have not been one to disappoint and their new album, Into The Wild Life, is no exception. Compared to their previous album, Into The Wild Life takes on a more serious and aggressive vibe. The over all theme of the record looks at a scorned woman coming to terms with the tribulations of love and heartbreak, while forever maintaining the hard-line attitude that is evident in songs like The reckoning. The album still has an element of fun, however. I Like It Heavy pays homage to rock Legends Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Motorhead's Lemmy while screaming their love for loud music and rock and roll. Lzzy Hale has never failed to wow us with her ever unfaltering confidence, and this time is no different. With lines like ?Throw me against the wall, bite me on my neck/ Like end of the world break up sex? (From the title track Apocalyptic) she embraces her sex appeal with an 'Unapologetic' ferocity. Even in the softer tracks, such as Dear Daughter or What Sober Couldn't Say she unleashes a raw and unbridled passion upon her listeners. Once again Miss Hale and her fellow band mates have outdone themselves, raising the bar ever higher for anyone who dares to rival them.
H er b W or l d By Adele Sutcliffe
Having been asked to do this article for you, i was a bit nervous, this is my first ever piece, so folks; here goes, i do hope you all enjoy, There are so many herbs, resins, oils and incenses about that it can be confusing as to which are best to use together, how much to use, some may find it confusing too perhaps more so with the oils,, here i have tried to show how easy it can be and give a guide to how much to use, how maybe best to burn them too, and i will give a small list A to Z of them too, and hopefully show how to blend them together for all occasions, weather its a sabbat or healing or protection So, lets start at the top, A, allspice; this is not just a spice that we can use in cooking, this wonderful spice is used among other things to attract money, luck and health, burn or scatter to attract money and luck, its also an aid to healing, Allspice is the dried, unripened fruit of the pimenta dioica a midcanopy tree, native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and central America, its now cultivated in many part of the world, the name Allspice was coined as early as 1612, by the English who thought that the spice had a combined flavour of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Aniseed, or Anis is not to be confused with the spice Star Anise, the aniseed is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to more eastern Mediterranean countries ,its flavour is similar to other spices such as Liquorice, Fennel and Star Anise, this spice was first cultivated in Egypt and the middle East, before being brought to Europe for medicinal values, Aniseed can also be used for protection, purification and meditation blends. Basil; This is a beautiful delicate fresh herb, you may also know it by Thai Basil or Sweet Basil, it is widely used in the culinary world, its a member of the mint family, and is possibly native to India, it has been cultivated there for over 5000 years, It is a half hardy herb that is predominantly used in Italian cuisine, that said it plays a major role in Thai, Indonesian, Vietnam and Cambodian cuisine to name a few, Uses for this herb also include, love, wealth and protection, can bring wealth if carried in your purse, place sprigs around your home for protection. Benzoin Resin; this is a basalmic resin that is obtained from bark of several trees, it has its uses in perfumes, incenses and believe it or not, some cough remedies that you may take, its commonly known as Benzoin resin so its not confused with Benzoin a chemical compound
when this resin is burnt it have a vanilla type smell, a lot of churches in Russia use this in their incense as do other orthodox Christian societies too, In India and Arab states some burn this on charcoal disks, Its uses are also for purification and prosperity. We have had the summer solstice and the days are swiftly moving forward now, Lammas will soon be upon us, this is the first festival of the Harvest, its is also know as lughasadh (pronounced..loo-na-sah) It is also a Celtic festival dedicated to the God Lugh, the long handed who is associated with light and fire, as this is the first festival of the grain it is also linked to the god of the corn, This is also the season the Goddess becomes mother of the harvest, she is strong, and carries a basket with fruits, vegetables and ears of corn, along side that she carries a scythe, she knows we must cut the grain, because if we dont, we wouldnt get grain next year! I generally make my incense for Lammas just after summer solstice, and leave it on my altar till the day before Lammas then i burn it for 3 days, There are a wide range of herbs, resins and oils that can be used, some simple and some complex, for me i prefer to use simple ones, as usually these are easy to get hold of, here is a list of what i have used Frankincense Copal, Benzoin resin, Basil, cinnamon, Chamomile, Coriander, Heather, Pine, , Patchouli, Rosemary, Rose Petals, Oregano, sandalwood, Yarrow, you dont have to use all these, as there may be some you dont like, have an allergy to, or just cant get hold of them,, how many and how much you use it entirely up to you,
To start i get out all the herbs resins and oils i and going to use, and on a square of tissue paper i start to make up the blend, when using them we refer to them as parts, so to get an idea 1 part of basil would look like a flat teaspoon, 1/ 2 part is about half a teaspoon, this is not set in stone, as you may have a lot more and wish to make a larger blend, its just a guide, Lammas incense....... 2 parts Frankincense, (crush between two spoons if its a large piece) 1 part Copal/ Benzoin resin,(same as frankincense) 2 parts Sandalwood, 1 part Heather, 1/ 2 part Patchouli***( if you cannot get this you can use patchouli oil) 1part Rose petals, 1part Yarrow, (IF USING OIL WAIT TILL YOU HAVE MIXED THE OTHERS TOGETHER FIRST,) Mix these together lightly using your fingers when it looks well mixed, add oils if using, rule of thumb i go by is 1 drop at first, of course you may like more and thats fine, but patchouli can be very strong and can give you a thumping headache if too much is used at once! once this is made, i tend to burn a small amount on a charcoal disk, then its wrapped in the tissue and left till Lammas when i open it, it will have matured and the scent it gives off with be more intense, this is just a guide, you may of course wish to make a bigger batch and store it in a jar to use next year as well, and if you cannot get the dry herbs you can use oils,
Abergavenny Moot
Moots & Events
second Tuesday of every month, Hen and Chickens pub, flannel street, Abergavenny Starts 7pm Contact Laura or Craig, You can also e-mail the.shadows.light@hotmail.com Al bion Moot First Thursday of the Month 7:30pm Start The Old Queens Head Pub, 40 Pond Hill, Sheffield https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ 72533580743/ CoA Bat h Gat hering Local Gat hering in Bat h. We will meet on the first Tuesday of every month at the Saracens Head, 42 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LP at around 7.30PM Everyone is welcome to come along, look for the table with a Witchcraft&Wicca Magazine on it. For more details please email coacentral@witchcraft.org or follow our official facebook page on: https:/ / www.facebook.com/ coabathgathering Bel f ast Pagan Moot First Tuesday of the month 7pm start Croabh Rua Community Temple, Conway Mill, Belfast https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ BelfastPaganMoot/ Bishops St ort f ord Gat hering Third Monday of the month 8:00pm Start The Castle public house, Castle Street, Bishops Stortford Bradf ord Social Moot Last Wednesday of the month 8:00pm Start The Castle Pub, 20 Grattan Rd, Bradford Cannock Moot Third Sunday of the month 7:30pm Start Bridgetown Social Club, Bridgetown , Cannock
Cardif f Pagan Moot Second Monday of the month Upstairs in the Rummer Tavern, Cardiff. Open from 7pm, starts properly at 730pm. Contact Catherine Abbott or Derek Storey or visit the page at https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ 167919513251601/ Cardif f Cof f ee Moot Third Saturday of the month At Pipi's on Caroline Street, Cardiff Starts 10am Contact (to be added) Caerphil l y Moot Every Thursday location varies, currently at the Grazing Ground on the high street (Nov 2014) Starts around 11am onwards A really informal group of mostly pagan people who like to meet up an have a natter :) Shout out on the South Wales Pagans group for up to date info. Camart hen Pagans Last Thursday of the month Get Stuffed Pizza, John Street, Carmarthen 7:30pm onwards Contact the Camarthen Pagans group - https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ CarmarthenPagans/ Cent ral London Gat hering Last Tuesday of the month 6:00pm Start Bishopsgate, venue is subjected to change so please check our facebook for further details: https:/ / www.facebook.com/ pages/ CoA-Central-London-Gathering/ 505714086232636 Chest erf iel d Moot Second Tuesday of the month 7:30pm Start The Telemere Lodge, Hasland, Chesterfield Cl act on on Sea Moot Third Monday of the month 7:00pm Start The Plough, 1 North Road, Clacton on Sea
Covent ry Eart h Spirit Moot Third Wednesday of the month 8:00pm Start The Broomfield Tavern, Spoon End, coventry Cowbridge Moot First Saturday of the month Upstairs at the Little Shop of Calm, Cowbridge starts 11am-1pmKids welcome, tea, coffee and cake provided Contact Siany or vist their page https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ 231922846985828/ Gl oucest er Moot Last Thursday of the month 8:00pm Start The Fountain Inn, Westgate Street, Gloucester Hert f ord Gat hering Last Wednesday of the month 8:00pm Start The White Horse pub, 33 Castle street, Hertford Lampet er Pagan Societ y Fol kmoot First Sunday of the month Cwmanne Tavern 7.00 - 7.30pm onwards Contact the Lampeter Pagan Society group ffi - https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ 24065160648/ Lancast er CoA Gat hering Meet ing last Wednesday of the month. Table 11, Pendle Witch Public House, Penny Street Lancaster. For more information just email: friendsofthelancashirepagans@outlook.com or the official Facebook Page: https:/ / www.facebook.com/ pages/ Lancaster-CoA-Gathering/ 457553581070731?
Long Eat on Moot Last Tuesday of the month 7:30pm Start The Harrington Arms, Derby Road, Long Eaton Long Eat on Cof f ee Morning Second Tuesday of the month 10:30am Start The Harrington Arms, Derby Road, Long Eaton Lyndon Moot Every Tuesday The Lyndon Pub, Olton, Solihull 8:00pm Start
Manchest er CoA Gat hering Social meeting held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm at the upstairs of Churchill?s Public House, 37 Chorlton Street. For more details please email coacentral@witchcraft.org or like the page at: https:/ / www.facebook.com/ manchestercoagathering Mansf iel d Moot First Tuesday of the month 7:00pm Start William IV pub, Stockwell Gate, Mansfield Market Moot first Saturday of every other month Bettws near Newport. Starts at about 1 pm. Have a look on their page for details of the next Market Moot https:/ / www.facebook.com/ groups/ 270507793048162/ Neat h Pagan Moot last Thursday of the month, Upstairs in the Highlander Pub, (2-4 Lewis Road Neath, West Glamorgan SA11 1EQ) Starts 7:30pm until close Contact (to be added) Threef ol d Pagans Okehampt on Gat hering Third Tuesday of the month 7:30pm Start The Highwaymans Inn, Sourton, Devon Tef i Pagan Moot Last Thursday of the month (unless it clashes with something else) Camarthen (contact for venue details) 7pm - 9pm Contact Tamra at tamra66@hotmail.com True Spirit Moot Last Thursday of the month 7:30pm Start The Taste of England, Newbury & Thatcham in Berkshire Val l eys Moot First Wednesday of every month At the GRIFFIN INN, Hendreforgan, Gilfach Goch Times 7:30pm til 10:30pm Contact Richard Blackburn for details Wyldwood MootFourth Monday of the MonthThe Royal Oak, Stafford7:30pm Start
If you know of any other Moots and Events you wish to be added, please email thependlecraft@hotmail.com
The Pend le Craft