The Pendle Craft, Ostara Edition, Issue 8, March 2016

The Pendle Craft Spring Equinox / Ostara 2016

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Table Of Contents . Letter From The Editor Musings Of An Urban Druid Transitions Brigit Of Kildare By Mabh Savage History Legends & Tales Imbolc & Ostara By Ley Orenda The Labyrinth By Martin Pallot Villages Of Pendle By Penny Robinson

01 02 04 06 09 10

God & Goddesses By Vikki Sara Sanderson

Children of Artimis: A History By Cathbodva Clarity

Death and Rebirth By John Awen

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s In A Name: Ostara By: David Knight

Mysteries of Finnskogen By Skelecia

Litha / Summer Solstice Submissions Due In No Later Than 2nd June. Write In To thependlecraft2@hotmail.com

Places In Time - Old Sheldon Church USA By Melissa Conley

Herb World & Herb World Extra By Adele Sutcliffe

Rage Girl By Lesa Dalton Wilson

What’s Your Animal Totem By Monique Reichert

Our Place - Special Guest Elen Sentier

My Views Of Scotland By John Robinson

Hunting The Hunter By Robin Herne

Crystal Power By Amy Lynn White

Spotlight On Astrology

My Career As An Artist By Judith Farnworth Giant Bubble Recipe By Rachel Silvermoon

Thoughts Of A Nemeton - Quantum Connections By Vicky MacLean

Spring Equinox: Olwen & The Holly & Oak Kings By Elen Sentier

66 69

Padrix’s Cookbook

Fiction Corner: The Boarding House By Lorraine Ellison

Fast Food At The Centre Of The World By Nimue Brown

Book Reviews &

Literary Corner

Front Cover Image By John Robinson

Model: Tanya

Back Cover Image By Andrew Sutcliffe

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Firstly

I would like to apologize for this coming out late. Unfortunately I have not been very well, and on this note I would like to thank all of you for your well-wishes. I am now awaiting further Neurology input to find out just how damaged my brain has become, I would most of all, like to thank Tasha Clark, my beautiful partner for writing this and helping with the magazine. Without her, this would not be possible. Well, here we are, the Spring Equinox, another turn of the wheel has happened and we enter a new phase, I hope you all had a great Sabbat, and those who went to Stone Henge, I hope seeing in the dawn of the Equinox was equally as beautiful as all those that have come before. In this Sabbats edition we have some beautifully written articles that I hope will help inspire you all on your spiritual journey. May the deities watch over you all. The Editor.

This was taken by our photographer, John Robinson of Frameousfotos, It was taken not far from Gisburn Forest in the beautiful Pendle countryside. Yes, it was freezing, and I mean freezing...temperatures of -1 degree with a windchill of -10. I could not stop shaking...If you have a disability, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be told by people what your limits are, set your own. Also, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to write to us at thependlecraft2@hotmail.com

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As Imbolc is a time of the planet beginning to wake up and start to come alive again, the plants and trees starting to stretch, the animals coming out of hibernation, I thought I would write this time about my transition and “waking up” onto my Druid path. This is going to be an honest and frank piece about who and what I was, and who and what I became, the danger of these type of posts means that I’m putting my head up over the wall and becoming a target lol. Something as an “out” public pagan I have got used to, so here goes (please read to the end before sharpening your pitchforks lol) .......... I have always from a young child asked

questions, why is this? What is that? why are we doing it like this? As you can imagine at school it got me into trouble, as in those days you were not encouraged to ask questions (especially about religion in general and Christianity in particular). Sitting in assembly every morning listening to the prayers and the hymns and thinking” this can’t be right”, “who says so, where is the proof, is the only proof written in that book”? Our school hymn was Onward Christian soldiers, a song I was told was about taking Christianity to the Mus-

lims, I since have learnt it is about taking the word of god against Satan and showing him that he church will prevail, A song I thought was not very Christian?, How can you love all men but make war with someone just because they don’t believe in “your” god?. Sadly in today’s world we all know how true that has become. So you can imagine asking questions like that, got me labelled a trouble maker and someone who liked to distract the class. I could just never get 2

the stories and tales of the bible, some I thought had strong moral messages, The good Samaritan and such, but being expected to believe that two penguins walked from Antarctica to Israel to jump on a big boat whilst the earth flooded, then when the waters receded they got off the boat and walked all the way back to Antarctica? Sorry but no, and that on a wooden boat he must of put termites and woodworm on it as they still survive and yet the Ark did not suffer from woodworm and sink(that question got me detention ). After I left school I had no intention, nor was clever enough, to go to college.

I was educated by life and worked in factories. This is where I learnt about life and its good and bad points. As a teenager I supported the BNP and all it stood for, I listened to others and was racist and ridiculed anything different. I was against homosexuality and often used all the abusive words that came with that train of thought. This carried on into adult life and when I was working as a porter, I used to look at the alcoholics and drug users and call them timewasters and “scatters” and think they were a drain on society. This carried on into my job working for a housing association. But over time those thoughts went away and I found myself becoming more spiritual. This coincided with my wife getting more and more into Wicca. I used to go along to the rituals (run by our local Pagan shop) and watch, but I could never get to grips with the talking of a Lord and Lady, of gods and goddesses, it just did not seem to work for

me at all; I could not relate to it and I thought it was all new age hippy crap. Then one day we were at our friends and a lady was there called Cat Treadwell, who was a Druid and author and had done my friends Hand fasting (and later ours). She also had copies of her 1st book “A Druids Tale”, my wife bought a copy and when we got back home I was bored so I thought I would have a glance through the book, so I opened it and started reading. Two hours later I had finished it, and then I decided to read it again a little slower this time. Just like that it all clicked into place, the importance of our ancestors, and the respect of those who had gone before us, who had made us who we are today. From that moment my outlook on life changed (people used to say something changed their lives and I thought”rubbish”, but this book really did). I realised that a Druid path was what I had been looking for and had needed. My entire outlook on life and the world changed. The people I used to think were wastes of space I realised were not born that way, but something had happened in their life that had caused them to turn to drink and drug abuse. But, I also take on board, the Druid belief that we are all responsible for our own actions and cannot blame anybody else for them. So even though I realised something had caused them to be like this, I also knew others had been through traumatic situations and had not turned to substance abuse. So even though I understood why, I also realised that the only people who could change their lives around, was them; they had to decide to change. I also realised what was important in life. A few years ago, we were sat in a field with our friends around a camp fire and we are sharing food and drink, just talking and laughing, sharing sto-

ries and tales. I looked around and realised “this is what is important in life”. I no longer just feel the wind, I listen to it, I smell the air and taste it, I look at my granddaughter and realise how lucky I really am. I used to think money and possessions were important and even though it can make life a little easier and cause less worry, it is no longer the most important thing. I knew someone who was a millionaire and had all the things that came with it, but he got terminal cancer and all the money that he had could not save him. When things like that happen, it drives home the point of what is really important in our lives. So that’s the point I am up to today, I no longer say and think racist things and if I have a thought like that, I feel guilty for having it. I see that love is important no matter what your sexuality is. I now know what is important in my life. My point is this, our past makes us who we are, but it does not stop us from being who we want to be; only we can stop that. So just as this time of the year is all about transition and change, this is what happened to my life and how much it has changed (for the better). Peace, Love and Blessings /I\ PS..... SHIELD WALL!!!!

B RIG IT OF K I L D A RE By Mabh Savage

It’s easy to dismiss St Brigit of Kildare lady must surely in part come from as a Christianisation of Brigid, Celtic the melding of the two cultures as they Goddess of music, poetry, mother- passed each other through history. hood, smithing and the hearth. In short, Brigit the Christian Saint may Pamela Berger believes that Christians not be an entirely separate entity to “grafted” Brigid’s qualities and corre- Brigid the Celtic goddess, but she is just spondences onto the celebrated Saint, as important. and I think that’s probably true. I also She is important because she gives think that this is rather a good thing. Christianity, a generally patriarchal reThroughout the ages we have seen ligion, a strong, magical female who gods, goddesses, spirits, deities and my- is not only associated with the generthology changed and absorbed by the ally ‘female’ bits of life: childbirth and inexorable journey of humans around babies, midwifery, nuns; but also with the globe. The Celts passed from east some quite dark and difficult aspects of to west, and most likely back again, and life including supporting the victims of their spirituality changed and adapted domestic abuse, especially children. to that of the people they both fought St Brigit is also the patron saint of fugiwith and lived with. tives, something very relevant currently. It’s no surprise, for example, that the We are in the midst of what is globally Morrigan is a dark goddess of death referred to as a ‘refugee crisis’; thouwith a triple aspect, when the Celts that sands of people fleeing their homes, or ended up in Ireland had most likely what is no longer a home but rubble, travelled and settled near the Greeks, violated and destroyed by a war they with their titan Hekate, triple guardian don’t understand. It’s not a refugee criof the crossroads; who guides souls to sis; it’s a human tragedy, and Brigid’s the underworld. I’m not saying that the keening can surely be heard over the Morrigan and Hekate are the same be- tiny bodies floating in the oceans. ing, but the similarities in the mythos and stories that surround each great

“St Brigit is also the patron saint of fugitives, something very relevant currently...” Fugitive: anyone fleeing an untenable situation. Being a fugitive doesn’t necessarily mean you are on the run from the law, or have escaped custody. Those fleeing the Middle East are certainly fugitives of a desperate and bloody civil war; and the sad thing is, when they arrive on our shores they are so often made to feel like the criminals the word ‘fugitive’ conjures. Britain is supposedly a Christian nation. If only this island of Christians would remember their hallowed saint, Brigit, who stands firm for those who flee injustice and abuse. She lends a hand and a shoulder for those with no homes to return to. She can be the compassion needed by children who are suddenly orphans. She is the voice that shouts down those who say ‘No more room’. Brigid is my guardian of the east; she is my sunrise and my kindness; she is the mourning voice of loss and the joyful harmony of hope. St Brigit may only 4

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to dismiss St Brigit of Kildare as a Christianisation of Brigid, Celtic Goddess of music, poetry, motherhood, smithing and the hearth....â&#x20AC;?

be a Christian echo of Brigid, but if she gives Christians the compassion, the kindness and the power to change the lives of those around them, then she is divine indeed. Whether you call her a saint or a goddess, whether you are Pagan, Christian, Muslim or any other path or religion, there can be no argument that this female force of love and compassion is very much needed in our times.

them to safer shores. Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of refugess at sites such as www.refugee-action.org.uk and www. redcross.org.uk/Donate

Brigit was both patron of sailors and of sacred fires; close to both water and fire. Her nuns guarded the fires and kept them burning through long nights, while sailors prayed for safe return from the storm. She embodies contradiction, yet also balance. She also makes me think of the long, dangerous journeys across the oceans that many survivors of war have no choice but to take. May we be the fire that guides 5

H IS T OR Y LEGENDS & TA LE S

I M BOL C & OSTARA BY LEY ORENDA 6

-------A time for the hopes of Imbolc to become action-- the whispered promise of Imbolc… The Earth is alive with energy--- It is the start of spring; March 20th the Spring Equinox; Ostara. The time of the year when the days and nights are equal in length. Ostara gets its name from the Germanic goddess, Eostre/Ostara, who was traditionally honored during the month of April with festivals to celebrate fertility, renewal and re-birth. It was from Eostre that the Christian celebration of Easter evolved. The Goddess manifests with her basket of eggs, accompanied by the Rabbit; a manifestation of the God. Children and families can be found celebrating with the fun of decorating eggs and participating in egg hunts. There are endless traditions surrounding eggs at Ostara, a few of those include: painting boiled eggs and writing wishes on them, or planting seeds in the garden; this is a time to celebrate new growth. You can also bury a raw egg, closest to the entrance of your home; ensuring abundance for the coming year and fertility in your garden.

the egg, unfolds here, in a traditional story, from the West Country. “Once upon a time the Animal Kingdom gathered together for a meeting in a flurry of great excitement. There was to be a Very Special Party and a Very Special Guest was coming to visit them. The Very Special Guest was none other than the Goddess herself, and every creature wanted to give her a Very Special Gift. Now some of the animals were very rich and some were very poor, but off they went to prepare their gifts, for only the very, very, best would do for the Goddess. Hare was very excited, he dearly loved the Goddess and although he was very poor he had a big generous heart - he was going to give her the very finest gift he could find! Hare rushed home to see what he could find to give to the Goddess - he looked everywhere, in the cupboards and under the bed but there was nothing, even the larder was empty, he had absolutely nothing to give Her. Except for one thing. On the shelf in the larder was a single egg. And that was it. It was the only thing he had left. Hare gently took the egg out of the larder and lovingly decorated it and took it to the party. Hare was very worried, all the other animals gave their gifts of gold and silver and precious jewels and all Hare had was the egg. Eventually all the gifts had been given and Hare was the very last. Hare very shyly presented the Goddess with the egg. She took it and looked at him and saw the true spirit of Hare. And there and then the Goddess appointed Hare as her Very Special Animal - because Hare had given away everything he had.......”

One of the stories I found about the history of Ostara, goes a bit like this…..Ostara, the Germanic Goddess of Dawn, whose responsibility it was for bringing spring each year, was feeling guilty about arriving so late one year. Making matters even worse, the first thing she saw when she arrived was a pitiful little bird that lay dying; his wings frozen by the snow. Ostara picked up the shivering creature, cradling him and saved his life. Legend indicates that she would make him her pet (old versions indicate she made him her lover). The bird, with wings damaged by the lingering snow and no longer able to fly, a loving and compassionate goddess Ostara turned him into a rabbit; a snow hare she would name Lepus. She gave Lepus an incredible gift; the gift of speed, aiding him in quickly evading all hunters. To honor his earlier incarnation as the bird, she would give him the ability to lay eggs of all colors of the rainbow. However, this special gift was only al- Symbols and Alter ideas for Imbolc and Ostara lowed on a single day, each year. The second story I found about the association between the hare/rabbit and

Symbols of Ostara: The Rabbit/Hare Celtic tradition states that the hare is sacred to the Goddess and is the totem animal of several lunar goddesses including: Hecate, Freyja and Holda - the hare is also the symbol for the moon. The moon phase determines the Christian date for Easter. The nocturnal hare, closely associated with the moon, that dies every morning and is resurrected every evening, additionally, represents the rebirth of nature in Spring. The moon and the hare were both believed to die daily in order to be reborn - making the Hare a symbol of immortality. The Hare is also seen as a major symbol for fertility and abundance, because of its ability to conceive while pregnant. Over time, the symbol of the Hare/Rabbit at Ostara would become the Easter Bunny, bringing eggs to children on Easter morning; the Christian day representing rebirth and resurrection. The Egg The egg is the containment of ‘all potential’, full of promise and new life. Symbolizing the rebirth of nature, fertility of the Earth and all creation. In many traditions, the egg is a symbol for the entire universe. The egg contains a complete balance; that between male and female, and light and dark, represented by the egg yolk and the egg 7

3. When the egg is ready, prepare it for hanging by threading a thin thread (embroidery thread, thin wool, yarn, jute, twine) through the two holes and secure it with a large knot, a bead, at the bottom to hold it steady.

Brigid’s Cross: a traditional fire wheel symbol - found at the hearths of homes throughout Ireland and beyond as a symbol of protection

4. Now, Clear your mind and focus on your wish…..

white. The gold orb of the yolk representing the Sun God, embraced by the White Goddess, the perfect balance. It is particularly appropriate to the Spring Equinox, as all is in balance for just a moment; although the underlying energy is that of growth. Things to do during Ostara…….. Wishes………..The rule of thumb is, brown eggs are for wishes involving animals and white are for wishes involving people and plants.

Brigid Doll: an old tradition involved the making of a Brigid “Little charm made of shell as I hang doll which can be included in ceremoyou here may all be well. May all ny and/or placed in ‘Bride’s Bed’ to things grow. May all things flow. Bless- bring fertility and good fortune to the ings for the turning of the Wheel.” home. Imbolc history overview…. In the Celtic seasonal calendar, Imbolc marked the start of lambing season and the beginning of Spring and new life. Known as Feile Brighde, or the “quickening of the year”. A time of letting go of the past and looking to the future; new beginnings. A great time for wish making. The traditional festival of Imbolc is the festival to honor Brigid. Bridgid’s influence can be found in Christianity as St. Bridget. The Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. She is also known as the Goddess of fire, the sun and the hearth. Bringing fertility to the land and the people closely connected to new born babies. The triple Goddess, but during Imbolc, she is in her Maiden aspect.

1. Blow the egg. Using a needle, pierce a hole in both ends of the egg, making one hole larger than the other. Next, take the needle and pierce the egg yolk, gently swirling it around to break up the yolk. Using a small drinking straw Symbols of Imbolc/ Some of the symat one end, gently blow through the bols attributed to Brigid: other hole to help gravity do its work. Colours: White, silver, green 2. Paint Your Egg Talisman. When your egg is completely dried out, place it on Trees of Imbolc: Rowan, Willow top of a little tack or something similar, to hold it in place while you work on it. Ideas for Your Altar: snowdrops, swan Choose a symbol that represents your feathers, a Brighid Cross, a Bridey Doll, wish; a heart for love, coin for prosper- white and green candles ity, whatever is meaningful for you. Or The Snowdrop: The first gift of Spring you can simply paint the whole egg in a corresponding colour; red for love, The Swan: swans mate for life and repgreen for prosperity and so on. You resents loyalty, fidelity and faithfulness. could also attach rose petals or feath- There feathers are a powerful amulet. ers; for love and fertility. The important The Flame: Imbolc is a Fire Festival thing here is that is done in whatever and fire of all kinds is associated with manner that is meaningful to you and Brigid - the fire of creativity, protective your wishes. hearth fire, and her fire wheel

T H E L A B Y R I N T H By Martin Pallot

Once upon a summer, very far ago, a woman walked a labyrinth onto a hillside. It was one of Albionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chalk hills; that most organic of stones that measures out the passing time by laying down the layers of itself; and as she walked the path the chalk came up from under the soil, white and gleaming like the bones of earth. When she had walked the labyrinth into existence, the lady stepped away upon another path.

and tears fell from her right eye and where these gentle offerings blessed the ground within the labyrinths still, small centre, flowers grew that seemed like tears of snow; and so the spring went out into the waiting world. ÂŠ martin pallot 2016.

For many years, the Deer that were her beloved dwelt around the hill and kept the grass at bay; then humans came who worshipped the hill but hunted the Deer (as is the way of humans) so the Deer fled to the trees and became one of the mysteries of the shadow ways and glades of the deep and dappled woods and the people too journeyed on, taking their tales of stone, bone and antler with them; so for a time the hill lay beneath the silence of the Owls wing, the grass grew and the chalk retreated beneath the earth again, until no sign or line of the labyrinth remained. But the hill remembered; for the land has a long memory. There came at last a time when the light of the year drew down closer to the edge of the earth and the leaves grew golden in honour of the waning Sun; and at that time, the Hare appeared at the foot of the hill. Although the labyrinth was long buried, the Hare followed its path easily, for the Hare was the spirit of the woman and the woman was the spirit of the path; as she walked the snow began to fall and the Hare and the land turned white together. When she reached the centre, the Hare did something no Hare had done before or would again; for all the lives that had passed, for all the lives that would pass in the hard darkness of winter, the Hare wept. Tears fell from her left eye

VILLAGES OF PENDLE BY PENNY ROBINSON

The north of England is still today regarded as the poor relation of the south. I would strongly dispute that as I regard our part of England full of riches.....the beautiful country side, the historical old buildings and churches, and, of course, our quirky little villages. Over the next few issues, I hope to change some of the conceptions about my own part of the world. I will be sharing the history, and superstitions and photographs of some of those villages, starting with Newchurch in Pendle. As the name suggests, Newchurch can be found at the foot of pendle hill. The most famous, or rather infamous inhabitants were the pendle witches who lived there in the 17th century. The other famous resident of this tiny hamlet was Jonas Moore, who was the co-founder of the Greenwich observatory, also from the 17 century. According to the records,

“the other famous resident of this tiny hamlet was Jonas Moore, who was the co-founder of the Greenwich observatory, also from the 17 century...” Newchurch has changed very little over time, most of the buildings looking very much as from years gone by. In the middle of this village is the church of St Mary’s which is thought to have been built in, again, the 17th century, finally being completed in 1740, and is supposed to be the final resting place of one of the notorious witches, Alice Nutter. This has been refuted by historians as executed witches were not normally buried in consecrated ground. Overlooking the graves in the west side of

brought to Newchurch in 1949 where a procession is held round the village and a new rushbearing queen is crowned, followed by a thanksgiving service in the local church. Tradition says that no matter how big or small a village, you will always be able to find 3 things....a church, a pub (usually next door to one another) and a local shop. Newchurch isn’t any different, except the pub has now been turned into a bed and breakfast, and the corner shop is certainly a shop with a difference! The name may give the first clue - it is called Witches Galore, which has been owned by the same person for the last 33 years. I must point out, if it’s a loaf of bread, or packet of tea you are after, then this is not the shop!! If, however it’s powdered bat wing, or eye of newt, then go no further!! There is also a strange message to be found when entering which reads.... “Dro Pin Foras Pell” which translates as everyone welcome! I can recommend a visit to this tiny village which is steeped in history. It can be found about 5 or 6 miles from the town of Burnley. It couldn’t be simpler, just follow the roads towards Pendle Hill, and you will come to Newchurch.....if you do get lost, then stop and ask, because we northerners are a friendly lot!! As you pass through Newchurch, just round the corner is the most spectacular view of Pendle Hill which is quite often shrouded in mist, giving the title to one of the most famous books to be written about this area, Mist Over Pendle, it is well worth a read to gain an insight into the history of the Pendle Witches which will be featured in a later issue.

the church tower is “the eye of God.” Local folklore says that if the eye ever closes, then the witches will rise again. The church is also central to the annual rushbearing festival which is held every August. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when rushes were used as a form of renewable floor covering in the churches. This festival was 11

GODS AND GODDESSES 13

HERA By VIKKI SARA SANDERSON

Merry meet, In this issue I will be introducing you to Goddess Hera and the God Apollo; from Greek Pantheon. Hera is the Goddess of Marriage and Birth. She was the Queen of Olympus. She was the daughter of the Titans, Cronas and Rhea, but was raised by Oceanus and Tethy. Hera went on to marry her brother Zeus, who was the king of the gods and Olympus. Hera was often described as “cow-faced” because of her large eyes; well known for her beauty. Most of the stories about Hera revolve around her jealousy and plans of revenge for Zeus’ infidelities. She is well known for her vengefulness towards the many lovers and offspring of Zeus. Hera was worshiped in all parts of Greece, but temples were erected in her honour at Argos and Salmas. Juno is the Roman equivalent to the Goddess Hera. To set up an altar for the Goddess Hera, below are a few suggestions of what could put on an altar for Hera: Animals: Peacock, cow, lioness, swan, cuckoo Colours: Purple, dark blue, green Stones: Amber, diamond, peacock ore Fragrances: Coconut, rose, myrrh Others: pomegranate, any white flower, wedding rings, baby scan photo, beauty products There are many more items; let your imagination go and get creative.

APOLLO

Apollo was the son of Zeus and the nymph Leto. Hera was outraged about Zeus’ affair, so she convinced the Earth to refuse Leto to give birth anywhere on its surface. But the island Delos allowed Leto to give birth, because it was a new island and not yet classed as a place on Earth. Apollo had a twin sister; the Goddess Artemis – the Goddess of the hunt. Sadly, there is no temple of Apollo remaining today in Delos. Apollo was the God of many things, including: music, poetry, art, oracle, archery, plague, medicine, the sun, light and knowledge. One of Apollo’s most important daily tasks, were to harness his four-horsed golden chariot, and move the sun across the sky. The dolphin, swan and raven are sacred animals to Apollo. Apollo’s tree is the Laurel. The leaves from this tree are often placed upon altars to Apollo. To set up an altar for the God Apollo, here are a few ideas of what you could put on an altar for Apollo: Animals: Raven, dolphin, swan, horses Colours: Yellow, orange, red, gold Stones: Sunstone Fragrances: Orange, frankincense Others: the sun, oranges, bay leaves, bow and arrow, chariot, music e.g. CDs, music notes, a poem, oracle cards, torch, medicine box, lamp, light bulb, candles, a drawing, painting Additional items that are great for altars include: statues, photos, candles, incense, oils. Anything that you feel represents what you want on your altar is fantastic. I hope you have enjoyed reading about this months Goddess and God. I will pick a Goddess and God from a different Pantheon for the next issue.

CHILDREN OF ARTEMIS: A HISTORY By Cathbodva Clarity â&#x20AC;&#x153;Children of Artemis started back in 1992 as small ritual group, organising small open rituals and talks in London. The attendance grew steadily, by 1995 Children of Artemis opened its doors to its first members with their website going online in 1997....â&#x20AC;? We get a lot of people asking where did Children of Artemis come from, why was the organisation founded, what drives us and what is our purpose. Although Children of Artemis is now a national non-profit organisation itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beginnings were very humble indeed. Children of Artemis started back in 1992 as small ritual group, organising small open rituals and talks in London. The attendance grew steadily, by 1995 Children of Artemis opened its doors to its first members with their website going online in 1997. The founders of CoA decided to take the organisation public as they felt that the need for a specific national organisation specifically for Wiccans and Witches was needed, as there was no organisation filling this essential niche. As membership rapidly grew demand for information increased, so the first issue of Witchcraft & Wicca Magazine was published in early 2000. At this time with people starting to use the internet to connect with likeminded people, the CoA website got an upgrade with the first forums opening in 2001 and they are still running today with over 30,000 registered members. The aims of Children of Artemis were simple, to offer services to the community with talks and open rituals, providing information about Wicca and Witchcraft to those who seek it, helping to portray a positive image of Witches and Wiccans to the wider society by working with the media and documentary crews, helping Witches and Wiccans find safe places for discussions and personal development and always trying its best to stay true to the Wiccan Rede. As the small talks organised were getting oversubscribed so quickly the demand for something more, something big-

ger was rising. So in 2002 the first Witchfest at Fairfield Halls took place with a sold out event with 1500 people attending. So the demand for an even bigger event was clear and 2003 was the largest event ever with 5000 people attending, which proved to a bit too much, even though all the authorities had assured us that it would be just fine. Since then we have limited our numbers to 3500 and the event still remain as one of the biggest events of its kind in the world.

Throughout the years CoA has organised events all over the country and even abroad and the loyal membership has been with us through all the economical downturns and difficulties as we tried to keep up with their wishes. Something a bit more relaxed was requested so Artemis Gathering was born in 2006, a

nice long camping weekend initially in Surrey, and now housed in Oxfordshire. A family friendly weekend with a similar format to Witchfest with talks and workshops during the day and entertainment in the evening including the burning of a Wicker Man and in recent years even a fire walk. The Wicca Introduced course is still very popular today and has been running since 1999 taught by experienced Wiccans. The course is suitable for both who are starting or someone that wants a bit of a refresh of knowledge and both solitaries or those looking for a coven are more than welcome to join in. We kept up with trends and had a few themed balls and even band contests. Our approach to events was always revolutionary with a good mix of education, entertainment and social aspects, and this is what makes them so popular. Even today the atmosphere of our events is friendly and welcoming, making both newcomers and the usual suspects feeling like they are part of something special, of something bigger, of a lovely community that we are so proud of serving. We always try our best to get the best speakers in as many varied fields as we can, so that there always something for everyone that joins us, just so that you can see 16

the scale of it last year we had at least 5 different talks/workshops running each hour during the day. With the entertainment we try to give you as much choice as we can as well with 2 stages of music running and even a late night rock club. All of that is offered with a single priced ticket, once you get inside one of our venues everything is open to you, you can go to as many talk/workshops as you wish, see any bands on offer without having to pay any extra. As the magazine and the events started to grow in popularity the CoA Witches Shops opened its online doors in 2004. When it first opened it was very rudimentary indeed with only the magazine and branded Witchfest t-shirts available, it has gone through many phases, grown and shrunk, but, always keeping the Witchcraft & Wicca magazine as the main featured product and selling worldwide. Now you can find there a wide range of products. From informative books, to some witchy fashion, handy objects for your practices including handmade items. The future is looking very bright, with a lot of different national organisations working together to better our community. The Pagan Symposium is a focusing on what we all pagans and heathens have in common and created a platform where we can all collaborate and help each other to serve the Pagan and Heathen community to the best of our abilities. Children of Artemis is very proud to be part of this group and the future of Paganism looks very promising. More information about CoA - www. witchcraft.org More information about CoA Events - www.witchfest.net More information about CoA Witches Shop - www.witchshop. org Pagan/ Heathen Symposium - http://pagansymposium.org/

D EATH

AND

As we move from Yule to Imbolc and Imbolc to Ostara, we find the nights starting to grow shorter and the days longer.

Here,

Awen

John

takes us through the wheel of the year, explaining his thoughts on each season, death and rebirth

REBIRTH O

stara is a celebration of fertility, culminating the coming together of the masculine and feminine divine. A time of enlightenment when we are now leaving behind us the darker times and are fully gearing up and heading into the lighter days along with shorter nights, basically a time of rebirth, growth and strength.

New life is either already visible now, from daffodils, crocusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, tulips and spring lambs are now taking their first steps in the fields. The Ash trees are budding now and the hedgerows are starting to shoot and a hue of greenery can be seen everywhere. This is a very sacred time and Pagans celebrate this magical time the world over. The first stirrings are now visible after the cold wintry months. The soil is bursting forward and showing the splendour that she has been nurturing from within during the time of retreat and slumber, which was winter.

Life, along with everything contained within this beautiful universe, is made up of a very precious and sacred balance. Without this harmonious balance, life simply could not be. We have to experience and have dark to know and appreciate the light. We have to feel pain, to know what love and happiness are. We have to know and witness death, to fully stimulate us and respect just what life and living are.

eath, or passing over as I prefer to call it, is also a very sacred event and time. Unfortunately, a lot of societies across the world tend to almost scorn and frown upon this very word, which is such a shame, as without death, how can we fully appreciate and live life to the full, well we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t and this is where I find it hard to believe that it is still seen as a taboo subject, which not many people actually want to talk about, let alone acknowledge? Let us take a trip and go full circle within the wheel of the year now. I think it 19

thoughts at this time, but all too often, we shy away from physical death when we are actually faced with it?

templation is a great way of looking within and setting plans into motion, physically, mentally and spiritually.

As a conscious collective, we all need to change our thought patterns and not encourage death, but to embrace our own mortality and live in the moment that we are gifted with, therefore we are fulfilling the wondrous blessing that we have of actually living this life and savouring each and every moment that we are and have been blessed with.

We have gone full circle now and we arrive back at our starting point of Ostara, or Alban Eiler as this time is known to Druids.

seems very fitting to do this, just as we are celebrating birth and new life at this Death is not an ending, but a wonderful time. Rebirth, new growth and life as a whole is being encouraged and celebrated at this time of year, a very precious time

of year is upon us and we are feeling invigorated within as new breath is coming to life and being inhaled across the lands. The budding of trees, flowers and shrubs is bursting forth and is a pleasure on all our senses, invigorating us physically, mentally and spiritually. This is a time of abundance and plenty. As we journey onwards into full summer, we see all this new life coming into fruition and full splendour. If we track in our minds, the passing seasons and celebrations, we can actually see the beauty of life coming into being. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so easy to become complacent, almost ignorant to the changing seasons, but if we view within ourselves, much like a time lapse photography video, we can truly see and envisage just how hard the earth pushes and aids its wondrous bounty that is laid there for us all to savour and enjoy. We just have to look and appreciate it all and in doing so, we are giving thanks and honouring all of creation, which we are all an intrisical part of. Look forward from Summer now, to the autumnal period, which within this time, we celebrate Samhain, which is ultimately a time of rest and death, where we see the retreat of all of natures abundance, as trees shed their leaves and the hedgerows are now starting to slim back after their leaves and berries are almost gone now. This is the period where we celebrate and remember fondly, all the life which has now passed, and a time to remember those we loved and who are no longer with us. Our family, friends, loved ones and ancestors, all of whom, without we would not be here. This is regarded and is, the period where we openly share and celebrate death and passing over, physically, mentally and spiritually. I often wonder why, we all share our

beginning and simply another part of our journey. A time of retreat, rest and rejuvenation. However, we view this topic, it is not final, but just another part of life. To fully appreciate life, we have to truly honour and respect everything that comes along with this; otherwise we are simply failing to see and appreciate the bigger picture that ultimately makes us who we are and puts together the bigger picture of the universe and nature as a whole. Leaving autumn and Samhain behind on this time lapse journey in words, we now arrive at the period of Yule. This is a huge celebration when we find ourselves in the coldest part of the wintry months and the shorter days and longer nights are embracing the land, engulfing us into a time of retreat and slumber. Within the Yule period, a time of hibernation is upon us, similar to a bear that retreats into his cave at this time, we withdraw into our homes and spend more time within a family environment, where we can rest and prepare ourselves for the forthcoming year ahead.

Now that we have arrived back at this sacred time of new life and birth, we can truly see and respect the journey, which not only outwardly within nature that this happens, but we, as humans experience each year. A celebration is once again upon us now and we need to honour all that is on show and before us all to enjoy and be stimulated by with all our senses. Whatever season, or time of year we find ourselves in, we must never take any of it for granted, but totally embrace and enjoy the moment that we have now. Blessed Ostara/Alban Eiler to each and every one of you. Enjoy this sacred time of the year. A time of new growth and new life, as the wheel of the year turns once more.

I always see this time of retreat as the ide-

al time to reflect upon what has happened and gone before us over the past year. At this time, we can absorb all we have experienced and acknowledge it fully. A time to draw upon the lessons we have learnt from our experiences on our journey. This is also the perfect time, not only to physically plan ahead for the forthcoming year, but to mentally plan and come up and seed within us, any ideas we have and would like to see birthed from within for the year ahead also. A period of reflection and inner con-

C oming S o on From Green Magic Press SUMMERLANDS PAGAN DEATH & REBIRTH

JOHN AWEN

Out Mid March 2016 for £9.99

If you liked John’s Article in this edition, then you can read the full extract in his upcoming book, Summerlands: Pagan Death & Rebirth, coming mid March from Green Magic Press or contact John directly via thependlecraft@hotmail.com for a signed copy.

W HAT ’S I N T H E NAME

to the tale saying the bird was a wren and the creature was a rabbit. I’ll stick with hare because we didn’t have rabbits in Britain until Roman times when they were brought across for meat and fur. Seasonally themed packaging and advertisements use the modern images of the chick and the Easter Bunny. Of all the eight seasonal celebrations, Ostara causes the most controversy for purists and re-enactors because, really, it The festival of what we have come to call Ostara marks the didn’t exist. Allow me to explain: regeneration of life in the Land and honours the Goddess in ‘Ostara’ is the reconstructed Germanic form of ‘Eostre’, it her transformation from crone back into maiden. The return means either ‘shine’ or ‘dawn’. If the translation of ‘dawn’ of Spring is already visible by this point and generally, the is correct then that is perhaps the reason the name of this youngest ladies of the coven are revered and sometimes giv- goddess was given to what is now called Easter. en gifts of flowers. It is considered a time of balance as day and night are perceived to be equal and the whole festival is The first and only historic account of Eostre comes from represented by the hare and the egg as they are the symbols the Venerable Bede in his 8th-century book ‘De Temporum Ratione’ (The Reckoning of Time) where he deof Eostre, Goddess of the East and the Spring. scribes the month of Eosturmonath (Month of Eostre): There is even a story that attributes Eostre changing a lapwing into a hare because it was injured, allowing it time to ‘Eostur monath has a name which is now translated recover. As a gift of gratitude, the hare lays an egg and gives “Paschal Month”, and which was once called after a godit to the Goddess as a token of thanks. There are variations dess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were 22

A R A T S O

By David Knight

When Bede wrote his book, the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity was all but complete and he was either writing down the practices of his people after they had already declined or he may have mistranslated one Saxon dialect with another. According to Professor Philip Shaw3, from the University of Leicester, Bede (an Angle of Northumbria) was quoting the ‘Eostur monath’ from the Kentish celebrated in that month, now they designate that Pas- ( Jutes) tongue, not his own, so the idea of a mistranslation chal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite may be likely; especially as Eostur monath appears to have by the time-honoured name of the old observance1.’ been practised by the Jutes. It was Jacob Grimm who attempted to reconstruct the name Here it is, the passage that has caused so much trouble that from Bede’s passage in order to find a Germanic Goddess some scholars believe that Bede made up the Goddess. This who Eostre could have been based on. Because in Germany, is because there is no mention of her in the Prose Eddas ( Vi- April is called ‘Oster monat’, he wanted to prove the exisking poems telling of the Gods and their doings), the Eddas tence of an ancient deity of the pre-Christian religion. He were written around the 10th century recording the stories concluded that ‘Austra’ (from the Old Norse and latin for of the old Gods and myths of the Norse, Danes, Swedish and ‘Rising Sun’ or ‘east’) must have been the name ‘Eostre’ and Germanic peoples. If Eostre was in there, then her celebration ‘Ostara’ came from, although all he did was take the name would have been mentioned. She isn’t and nothing is said back to its meaning, he did not find his elusive ‘Goddess of of her ‘feast day.’ Professor Ronald Hutton is of the opinion the Dawn’. He did find mention of a being called ‘Austri’ that Eostre was in fact the name for the spring period and that mentioned in the Prose Edda ‘Gylfaginning’… a male dwarf Bede may have mistranslated this name into one of a goddess2. of the east! What Grimm does provide us with, however is an account of a Germanic custom of lighting a bonfire at Easter. Apparently this practice was developed on the belief it was to honour The quote above is basically describing the Christian cele- the rising sun on Easter day; from Grimm’s perspective this bration of Easter being re-assigned to ‘Eastur monath’ (By was a surviving custom of his ‘Goddess of the Dawn4.’ Bede’s reckoning it is the month of April. March was, acAccording to Sir James Frazer in the ‘Golden Bough’ cording to Bede, the month of Hretha or ‘Hreda’; a goddess whose name meant ‘Victorious’) by the Church after having Grimm’s documented custom would have either taken place it named ‘Paschal month’ and it was renamed back to its orig- on Easter eve or the first Monday after the Equinox5. The fire’s significance was similar to the ones of Bealtaine and inal name. Samhain, which leads me to thinking that either: 23 Faith Wallis, Bede: The Reckoning of Time, Liverpool University Press, 1999, p.54. 1

The ‘Easter Bonfires’ were a Christianised version of bringing in the Equinox. Frazer would class this as a celebratory fire giving energy back to the strengthening Sun. If true, then the ‘Goddess of Dawn’ figure could have some basis; especially in that the Germanic and Scandinavian mythos hold that the Sun is female. This is also true in the Celtic cosmology.

for clothing. Eggs have been seen as symbols of fertility and life in many cultures, with the return of the birds, comes egg-laying season. Not to mention another food source if the stocks for Winter have dwindled. How this evolved (or devolved?) into a chocolate egg delivering ‘bunny’ comes from the USA, where German settlers who brought a ‘Easter Hare’ character from their folklore (again echoing an observance of the wildlife most active at this time) later became associated with chocolate treats as time went on and an active fictional character today recognised across Western society. Now, is it me or is there something strange about a rabbit handing out chocolate ‘eggs’?

Ronald Hutton, The Stations of the Sun, Oxford University Press, 2001, p.180. 3 Notes taken from the open lecture of ‘Paganism in Early Medieval Britain’ from the Institute for 4Medieval Research, University of Nottingham 5th December 2012 4 Notes taken from the open lecture of ‘Paganism in Early Jacob Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie, ( James Steven Medieval Britain’ from the Institute for Medieval Research, Stallybrass Trans.) (1883). Teutonic Mythology: Trans- University of Nottingham 5th December 2012 lated from the Fourth Edition with Notes and Appendix Vol. II. London: George Bell and Sons, p.780-81 5 Sir James Frazer, The Golden Bough ( Wordsworth Editions Ltd), Hertfordshire, 1993, p.161. 2

The bonfires are a remnant of the Germanic Celtic tribes, especially the reverence and meaning attached to them which is akin to the two great fire festivals of the Celts, could they perhaps be related? So are we to conclude that Ostara, as a festival is made up and that Modern Pagans are wrong? I would say both yes and no. There aren’t any records of bonfires being burned during the time of the Vernal Equinox. It appears that Jacob Grimm fell into a trap of accepting historic facts through a ‘Goddess’ filter in that he wanted so much for a ‘Goddess of the Dawn’ that he more or less invented one. The same trap for many who were interested in antiquarianism and folklore is to see the patterns you want to see. This ‘Ostara’ has since then been adopted by Modern Pagans and has spawned its own lore and rites. In a way, the Pagans have invented their own Easter celebration, by that I mean their own spring-welcoming festival. And that is nothing to be disappointed with. It means that we have created ways of celebrating the season of Spring as well as a natural solar event. On the flip-side of the coin, Bede was writing about a Jute (The Anglo-Saxons can be split into Angles, Frisians, Jutes, Saxons, depending on where they came from) feast which may have been related to the bonfire customs listed above, if that’s true then he may very well have been documenting a Jute Equinox celebration of the dawning of the east. Whether or not he took the name to mean a Goddess instead of a word for ‘Dawn’, is another matter. The problem there is that Eostur monath, as I’ve already mentioned was the name for April, so wouldn’t the equinox fall under Hreda’s rule of March? It would make more sense to do so, especially given the meaning of Hreda’s name which could possibly see the increasing daylight around the Vernal Equinox as ‘Victorious’. I find it quite fitting that the modern Ostara is symbolised by the hare and the egg, especially given that March is the hare-mating season. Female hares can conceive even whilst already pregnant, so to cull the increasing population, hunting was encouraged which provided not only meat, but fur

HAUNTED LOCATIONS 25

MYSTER I ES OF FINNSKOGEN BY SKELECI A

F i nnsko g e n i s a bi g f ore st stre tc hi n g ac ro s s the b o rder o f N o r way and Sweden and the h om e of s ev e r a l h a u n t i n g stori e s. T hi s p l ac e g e ts it nam e fro m the finnis h im m igrants who s ettled t h ere in t h e 1 5 0 0 a n d 1 6 00 c e n tu r y.

Th e c r oss on R öjde n In No r wa y, t h e r e i s a p l ac e i n H e dmark right acro s s the Swedis h b order, near Svullr ya in Fin n sk ogen, th e r e i s a c r oss on the g rou n d w he re the gras s will only gro w aro und the o uts ide of t h e cross, b ut no t i n si d e . I t amaz e s v i si tors e ve n to this day. The cro s s appeared mo re than 150 ye a rs a go; pr io r t o 1 8 5 0 . Si t u ate d arou n d the cross is a fence and note s tating it was fenced in 1962. I t ’s sa id t h at p e o p l e h a v e tri e d to f i l l the mark of the cro s s , b ut apparently it was n’t pos s ib le. Scien t ist s h av e ta ke n e a r t h samp l e s, w i thou t f i n di ng an ans wer.Vis ito rs have als o tried to s ow there, b u t pl ant s r e f u se to g row. It i s sai d to be f u l l of negative energies , and there are different th eories t o e x pl a i n wh y th i s mi g ht have hap p e n e d.D es pite the num erious clair vo yant vis itors to the l oca t ion , no ne o f th e m a r e abl e to i de n ti f y w hat ha s happened to this place. T h e f i r st th e or y, i s that f i n n i sh witches placed a curs e upon the l oca t ion . The se c o n d the or y, is that it has b een a s acrificial offering p l a ce. S o me a l so sa y that an ce stors s ummo ned ob s cure energies into the grou n d. Ano t h e r m y th te l l s abou t the corp se draggers . They would leave the dead on this place t o a v oid c ar r y i n g a h e a v y c of f i n to the chu rc hy ard. Once they arrived at the graveyard, the co ffin wou l d b e fi ll e d wi t h sto n e s so n o on e w ou l d n oti ce. The cros s would then m ean it’s a res ting plac e for t h e o nes wh o n e v e r re ce i v e d a p rop e r f u n e ra l.

V äl g u n aho Wh o d o e sn’ t l i ke stori e s abou t hau n te d places ? The chills yo u get down yo ur b ack? This is ex a ct l y t h at s o r t o f t h i n g . T h is sto r y a l so i nc l u de s the f i n n i sh, the man who owned the ho us e was a s trong and u n a fra id fi nni sh g e n tl e m a n , f u l l of su p e rsti ti on s. He lived with a b lind lady and a wo m an who t en ded t h e h o u se . E v e r y G ood Fri day, the bl i n d lady would make the other lady walk aro und t h e b a rn t h r ee ti m e s c l o c k w i se an d p ray “Ou r Father.” W henever they had vis ito rs , the man would a l w a y s put h i s f i n g e r i n the c of f e e ; othe r w i se things would take a b ad turn. Des pite all this , th in gs st il l w ent h o r r i bl y wr on g . T he on l y thi n g l eft, of what was once a hous e, is the foundation rock s. It w as so h a u n t e d that the w hol e p l ace had to b e torn do wn. Things flew and cras hed in t o t h e w all s . Th e p o o r p ri e st w ho tri e d to bl e s s the ho us e, got a coffee po t thrown at his h ea d a n d 26

t h e Bi bl e wa s p u ll e d strai g ht ou t of hi s hands . Even the chimney s tacks flew over the b a rn roof. T h is o c c u r e d i n 1901 on the f arm V äl g u naho . It s tarted with things like po rcelain b eing t h row n ac r o s s th e h o u se. Vi si tors had the cof f e po t thrown after them s everal times . The co ffee p ot w as n’ t t h e o n l y t hi n g be i n g throw n arou nd, even a b ig, b ed came r us hing and s to od s tra igh t u p . T h e s c h o l a r s ba c k i n those ti me s, came by to tr y different ways of ending the mis er y fo r th e p eop l e liv i ng th e r e . Th e y tri e d p ray e rs, ri tu al s, sho t s o lutio ns and incantations ; b ut the haunting didn’t c e as e . I t d i d n’ t en d u n ti l the w hol e p l ace was torn down and m oved. Even the cattle d idn’t get t h ei r p e a c e , t h e y w e re l e d ou t of the stal l “ as if invis ib le hands mo ved them.” The exact s a m e t h in g w it h t h e c a ttl e s hap p e n e d on n e arby f arms ; o nly 20 years later. N o matter how they tried t o k eep t h e d o o r s sh u t to the stal l s, the y w ou l d a lways reo pen. Pe o pl e wh o v i si t t hi s hau n te d l oc ati on are warned not to dis turb the “ little grey o nes ,” and n ot t o t o uc h th e st o n e s or bri n g the m w i th back with them. It’s s aid, that thos e who b ring s to n es from t h er e wi l l g e t ba d l u ck . On e e xamp l e of this , is o f a man who kicked a s to ne during hi s v isit t o t h is l o c a ti o n , a n d hi s hou se bu rn t dow n ; at the exact s ame time as his foot had kicked the st on e. Ano t h e r i n sta n c e i s of a bu s that abr u p tl y s to pped r unning. It was dis covered that one of t h e p a ss enge r s h a d t a ke n a ston e w i th hi m. On c e he left the s to ne o uts ide the b us , the b us s tarted a ga in . To t h i s d a y, th e r e re mai n s n o e xp l an ati ons to what is happening.

HERB WORLD By Adele Sutcliffe Hello everyone...I hope you all had a good Yule and happy new year; are you all ready to get on with making more incense? Well clear a space and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get on with it.

day the world production of the spice is 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes.

We have some new herbs this month, some you can even find in your kitchen cupboard... Go on, go and have a look, see what you have in there, I can wait.... Find anything good? Sage, Oregano, Chili, Nutmeg? All of which can be used.

OREGANO

NUTMEG

Oregano is related to the herb Marjoram; some also know it as wild marjoram. This fragrant herb has tiny purple flowers and olive green leaves that are spade shaped. It is a perennial, but is cooler climates its grown annually. The dried variety we get

This is a good one to use for prosperity and luck, can also be used to attract money. If you have it in the whole nut form, then grate this in to your incense, if not a good pinch will do,

This one is good to carry for strength and positive energy. Carry fresh sprigs in your bag or wallet, use dried for spells and incense.

Did you know that the nutmeg is one of two spices, the other being mace, which grows around the nutmeg? Nutmeg is a small seed of the tree, and is roughly egg shaped and sizes vary from 20mm to 30mm.The first harvest of Nutmeg trees take around 7 to 9 years after planting. It is cultivated in Indonesia and Malaysia. In Elizabethan times it was thought to ward of the plague. Demand increased and so did the price. To28

in jars can be more flavourful than the fresh herb. PENNYROYAL... This is for protection and peace, carry this on you to ward off the evil eye and bring you courage; scatter for protection. This herb was used commonly by the Greek and Romans. the Greeks often used this to flavour their wine. A large number of recipes in the roman cook book of Apicius called for pennyroyal, and often along with Lovage, oregano and coriander. Although commonly used in the middle ages, it gradually fell out of favour. Its seldom used in culinary today,

DO NOT USE!!!!!!. If you can get the fresh or dried leaves it is an excellent Insect repellent, but I would only use this outdoors. Now on to making some incense and maybe some oils to burn if you feel like it. Imbolc is also known as Candlemas and it conventionally celebrated on February 1st. It’s about halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It’s the season to celebrate Brigid, and the coming of spring.

Some people make teas with pennyroyal, and although it’s Here’s a simple recipe for you. Still working in the same 1 not proven to be dangerous to healthy adults, even in small part = 1 tsp etc., doses it’s NOT recommended. 3 parts frankincense **** PENNYROYAL OIL IS EXTREMELY POI- 2 parts dragons blood SONOUS *** 2 parts sandalwood It is fatal to infants and if you are pregnant or may be, 1 part cinnamon This can be oils or herbs and resins. May I suggest if using oils double it, so you can use it all over the home. This is another one you can use and make ahead of time if wished. 1 part Basil 1 part Bay 1 part Frankincense 1 part Myrrh 2 parts Rosemary 3 parts Cinnamon Other herbs and resins that you can add to this are, a few drops of Red wine, Vanilla, Jasmine, Balsam, Grape seed Oil Angelica, Crushed Rowan berries, Periwinkle flowers, Benzoin, and Lily of the valley, Mix as we have down before in previous editions. Remember it’s not set in stone so feel free to take out what you don’t like and add more of what you do.

If this is your first visit welcome, I tend to use tissue paper to sure to find some there, it’s a short live herbaceous plant, put all the herbs on, and mix gently together, I get them all and is a member of the bean family. Native to Europe and Western Asia, it can grow from 20 to 80cm, it is widely grown out first-hand of what I wish to use. as a fodder crop, and is valued for its nitrogen fixation which Those that have been here a while, how’s your herb collec- can increase soil fertility. This herb is also commonly used to tion coming along? It can get quite addictive can’t it? make sweet tasting teas. Have fun making these, and please take care when using oils. QUASSIA...

OSTARA.... Soon it will be Ostara or the Spring Equinox, have you noticed the bud on the trees getting fatter? Mother Nature is stirring once again, the sun is trying to poke through to awaken the earth, some may notice the first flowers poking out of the still earth, very fragile yet very strong, rebirth of life is here. It’s been a long winter hasn’t it? Slightly off topic, but here is one of my own pick me up oil recipes, maybe you can burn this while we make the incense for the coming Sabbat. In your oil burner drop these in and top off with water: 5 drops Jasmine, 5 drops ginger, 5 drops Tibetan musk, 4 drops patchouli, 1 tiny drop ylang ylang, 1 drop geranium and 3 drops lavender. If you have a small clean jar, you can make this up and keep for next time its needed. Have you noticed while we are making these incense and oil blends, how many we tend to use the same of? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s nice to keep things simple, or is it...? Well it’s up to you, I’m going to give you a list of herbs, oils, and resins that we can use, some are even fresh flowers.

RED CLOVER... This one is good for attracting money, lust and exorcism. Add to bath water to aid in finances, or make an infusion to banish negative influences. It can be found just outside on your lawn, or if you don’t have grass and clover mixed, go for a stroll in the park your

Now this is one that you may not have come across yet, it’s a bark and is or can be used in spells for love. It’s a deciduous tree and can grow in excess of 100 feet. It has an even gray bark and lots of leaves from the branches, bares yellow flowers and the fruits are black and pea shaped. Like the Ash tree its indigenous to Jamaica and the West Indies. The Quassin that’s extracted for the tree is reportedly to be 50 times more bitter that quinine (which is found in tonic water) it has also been used in various medications similar to quinine with the same intention. You can buy this in the form of bark chippings or rasping’s which look like fine breadcrumbs... this is one of the very few that does not have any smell to it at all. St JOHNS WORT... Use this again for protection, love, health and happiness. it can be worn to ward of fever and colds, attract love. If its hung near the window it can ward of ghosts, necromancers. You may have heard of this herb and almost all of you will have seen it in the health food aisles of the supermarkets, or in health food shops The herbs common name comes from its traditional flowering and harvest on St John’s day which is 24th June., and studies have shown that it’s good for treating depression, if diagnosed early. St John’s wort is an herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 1 mt high. It has leaves that are yellow-green in colour and translucent dots along them that gives the appearance of perforated leaves much like a teabag. The flowers are bright yellow and appear between late spring and early to mid-summer. If like me, you have a working altar it will be ready for Ostara/ Spring equinox. I don’t have room on mine for all the flowers that I like, so I tend to get a small bunch of daffodils and cut them down to fit in to a small glass. Then I light the candles and get on with making the incense and oils mixes. I mentioned previously about using fresh flowers, well here’s an incense for you using fresh rose petals and violet flowers, and even fresh fruit. 2 parts Frankincense 1 part benzoin 1 part dragons blood 1/2 part nutmeg 30

1/2 part orange peel 1 part rose petals 1 part violet flowers.

This one is great if you can get all of them fresh and has a wonderful aroma, but with it being fresh it doesn’t last long, so if you can, gather as much as you can, and store it in jars when dried. 1 part pine resin

As before, we are working in teaspoons as 1 part. This one 3 part pine or spruce bark has fresh flowers so no worries if you use more than a tsp. 1/4 blossom flowers The orange peel can be fresh if you have one in, simply take a sharp knife and take a slice of the zest as thin as you can... 1/4 narcissus flowers and cut up small. 1/2 part pine or spruce needles (children may need to be supervised if using sharp knives) 1/4 part heather flowers. Now, mix these together as we have done before. If this is your first visit welcome, I tend to use tissue paper to put all Now if you haven’t already got a pestle and mortar, I would advise you go get one. You can get them very cheap or if the herbs on, and mix gently, you’re lucky you may find one from the charity shop. The next one is an oil and can be whipped up very easily. It’s quite large so you may want to store some in a clean jar Get some tissue paper and spread it out. Now when you have for later. If you’re like me, you like your oils and herbs etc. all the ingredients for this, slowly place them one at a time then you will most likely have these in, if not they are easily into the bowl and grind away, gently, you’re looking for a obtained, from local shops or online. Try to have a window medium ground, rather like large porridge oats. Once you open when mixing these together as patchoulis and ylang have ground one, tip it out onto the tissue paper and move on to the next. The flowers can just be pulled apart with your ylang are very heady. hands. When you have done them all, mix together and burn 10 drops patchouli when you can. Although, I can say you will want to burn this straight away. 10 drops lavender Others herbs you can use or substitute are: Rose petals, 10 drops elder Geranium, chamomile flowers, vervain, bay leaves jasmine, strawberry leaves, copal, daffodil flowers, 10 drops violet As always please take care using oils and hers and resins, 3 drops myrrh 2 drops cederwood 1 drop bay

have fun and I’ll see you next time, for our Beltane herb world.

Drop these into your oil burner and top off with water or if you like, you can add it to a carrier oil such as almond oil. Take care with the oils, add more of what you like and take out what you don’t; some love ylang ylang others don’t. The next one is unusual and you may not have all that’s needed, but that’s ok, as they can be sourced this time for use next time. 1/2 part buttercup flowers 1/2 part Orris root powder 3 parts Frankinsence 1 part Benzoin 1/4 part Dragons blood 1/4 part Nutmeg 1/2 part Orange peel As before, mix well but gently on tissue paper, at this time if you like you can also add a few drops of frankincense oil, take care though, you already have the resin in there. 31

HERB WORLD EXTRA

So we have the pots, now which herbs do we get? Well that would depend on the time of year. Winter is not a good time to get fresh herbs, but is an excellent time to source your dried ones. There are several places I go, but once a year I manage to get to Glastonbury, and when one is there, there’s only one place to go; Starchild. I have to say I love that shop. If your ever down that way I do recommend you go in, it’s like being in a sweet shop. Everything is in large jars on shelves, behind a long dark wood counter, and you can buy as little or as much as you like.

Welcome all, this is an extra portion of herb world. In this part we will concentrate on fresh herbs, how to grow them, source them, and dry them. I will try my best to guide you through this and along the way, and give you tips and suggestions of where to get your dried herbs. Some you will find from the most surprising of places, so get your selves a cuppa, sit back and read.......

Another place I go regularly is the Moon goddess garden. You will find them online, a wonderful shop, full of all sorts of wonderful things as well as herbs. Then there’s the usual places like Amazon too, but if like me, you have an Asian supermarket, pop in there; you will be surprised at what you can get. Then we have our usual supermarkets too, all of which stock dried herbs, so that’s, that sorted. Of course you can have a big shallow pot and put several herbs in such as Basil, thyme, coriander and sage, and make it a feature.

It’s always hard as to where we should start with new things like this. Some of you may be very lucky and have large gardens, while others maybe a small balcony or even just a windowsill. Either way, you all can grow herbs, however small the space. Many of you will no doubt have some potted plants in your homes. If you have room for that, you have room for a few herbs too. Where’s the best place to start, I hear you ask? Well, let’s look at what space you all have to start with; we will look at indoors. Take a look around your home, a good look; have you got a windowsill that maybe could fit a small plant pot? Then you can get a small potted herb plant. It’s all about planning here. Before you rush out, it’s always best to make room. Once you have that, we can start to go places, and this doesn’t have to cost a lot either, you can get some herbs, pots and soil for as little as £10.00,

Once we have March out of the way, April is mainly the time to prepare for fresh herbs, getting your pots ready, painted etc, then off we go to get them, but what? Well, look at the space you have, that will give you a rough idea of size too. The soil you get can be just a small bag for as little as £2.00, although there are more expensive ones, and ones that expand when open, the choice it entirely yours. Lavender is a good one to get, but it can grow very big and wide. which is good as the more flowers it produces the better for us. With lavender, I’ve noticed it’s a bit of trial and error. I have found it likes a big pot, fairly loose soil and watered about once a week, plus it does like lots of sun, so if you have a sunny place in your room it could go there. Rosemary is another good one to get, although Rosemary does like to be outdoors. Even if you have a small outdoor space you could get a Rosemary plant, and plant it in a pot with maybe lavender at the side; even just a doorstep will do. Have a good look around, there are some delicate herbs that would suit a windowsill better, such as basil and coriander. These come in small black plastic pots, and they tend not to last long, but are ok to use and what you don’t use, you can dry; we will get on to drying the herbs later...

So now where to go to get these plants. Well, most would say a garden centre, but these can cost a bit more. There are places like your local street markets, and if you look carefully you may find some in the supermarket. Perhaps even some good car boot sales, or maybe if you have a birthday coming up and relative asks what you would like, you could suggest some herbs, if you so wished. Have a good look around, the pots don’t need to be anything fancy at all, don’t forget to look in charity shops, or pop up market stalls, even car boot sales. Most plants come in a plastic pot and can be just put on an old saucer, then to jazz it up, tie some ribbon around the pot, or maybe get a paint pen and draw on the pot. If you buy the terracotta pots, you can paint them in bright colours, and get small tester pots of paint from shops for as little as 3 for £1.00.

So, we are looking around for fresh herbs to use in incense and spells, and as the seasons progress more become available, so we can add to these; have you got green fingers? Well if so, or if not, how about trying to grow some from seeds, yes I have every confidence in you, all we need is a tray, a small one from the pounds’ shop will do, or if you can’t find one, how about an old baking try and cover it in tinfoil. Then get two or three small pots with holes in the bottom, a few stones or pebbles from a beach, or glass pebbles from the garden centre or even the pound shop. You don’t have to pay much if you can’t get hold of stones. Place them in the bottom of the pot, fill to the top loosely with soil. Using your index finger, make 3 to 4 holes in the soil and place a pinch of seeds in each hole, and cover again. It’s basically trial and error here, as some will grow, others 33

will not. The key thing is not to over water as this can kill the seeds. Place them in an airing cupboard if you have one, and the space; if not on the windowsill. But, to keep them out of a draft, try using a clear plastic bag or even cling film to make a small draft free tent. Keep sprinkling with water every 3 to 4 days but not too much, and wait, eventually you will see tiny green shoots. Now the excitement begins; you have grown these tiny green shoots, the will continue to grow, keep watering and feeding them. You can purchase a small bottle of baby bio from the garden centre, it will last you a good couple of years, as you will only need a few drops every other week during the growing season.

den, maybe enough room for a greenhouse or potting shed, then you can plan well ahead. You could make a special area in your garden just for these herbs. Now what you may not know, is some herbs are Annuals, and others perennial. So your perennials are plants such as, Rosemary, thyme sage, oregano; hyssop are slow growing and require a more permanent home. Your annuals are plants such as coriander, dill, chamomile and grow a bit faster and can be cut back slightly to allow more to grow. It’s not set in stone, so go get what you like or feel confident it growing. Start small, if you’re not very confident, soon your confidence will grow. Many, many times I have grown herbs; some of which I have had great success with, others not so. The most success I had one year was with mint. But, I made the huge mistake of planting it in the garden. If you’re not too bothered then that’s fine, but it does go wild and take over. The best place for mint is in a tub! There’s no feeling like growing your own herbs and using them.

To try and grow herbs for use in incense for the Sabbats, you need to plan way ahead. So as April gives way to May, we need to look at what we need for Lammas, Mabon and Samhain, and beyond. Look at what you may use in a Lammas incense and see if there are any herbs that you could grow fresh. One which you can use and could grow is rosemary. You can get that from about May onwards and if you have a good enough garden space you could get a bigger plant and it will yield more. Best bet I feel is buy to the size Next time we will look at how to store and dry some and space you have. The others are oregano, coriander, and of your herbs, for now enjoy potting and sowing you new if you can get hold of it Bay. If you are lucky and have a gar- herbs.

CALLING ALL WRITERS! UPCOMING, NEW, O R H O B B Y IS T S

Contact The PendleCraft At: thependlecraft2@hotmail.com SU B M I S SION S I N B Y 2 nd J U N E 2 0 1 6

ANIMAL TOTEMS

W HAT â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YO U R

A N I MA L TOT E M ? Throughout our lives we are guided by forces unseen but felt - drawn to a certain car to buy, a favourite colour, a flower, and so forth. Here, Raquel Monique Reichert introduce two Native American Totem animals that coincide with Imbolc and Ostara.

Otter (January 20th - February 18th) •Moon: Cleansing moon. •Season Aspect: The cleansing time. • Element Relation: Air. •Personality: Sociable, talkative and independent. •Spiritual energy: Masculine •Emotions: Creative, unconventional. •Positive traits: Inventive, soothing and very perceptive. •Negative traits: Nosy, unpredictable, often times too blunt.

observe an animal that is capable of exploring deep into the ocean waters to recover oysters compressed in shells. The otter then, rises to the surface of the water, to float on his back, and crack open the oyster retrieve the scrumptious offering that awaits inside. Otter individuals have a deep-seated inquisitiveness that leaves them searching for information that exists in a universal sea of knowledge. The challenge for them, is to not become so distracted by the assortment of knowledge that is available, that they constantly drop one idea for another, more enticing one. When the individual born under the birth totem otter learns that real knowledge comes from relating experience to the idea, only then, will the fully understand and revel in the wisdom found within and thereby fulfilling their souls higher purpose.

•Compatibilities: Crows, falcons and deer. •Conscious Desire: To gain knowledge. •Strengths: Tolerance, courage, original thinker. •Weakness: Considered to be rebellious, and often times eccentric.

he otter is an individual who has incarnated into this lifetime to engross him/herself in the fountain of knowledge. They will always be in constant search of ideas, knowledge, and concepts. However, as the fountain of knowledge is a never ending source, in their passion to soak up as much knowledge as fast as possible, there may be a tendency for these individuals to only skim the surface, instead of diving into the deeper waters to obtain a proper understanding. With the general curios nature of the sea otter, we

Wolf (February 19th - March 20th). •Personality: Compassionate, benevolent, generous, artistic and gentle. •Spiritual alchemy: Yin predominates. •Feelings: Deep. •Intention: Understanding. •Nature: Trusting. •Positive traits: Sympathetic, adaptable, impressionable and sensitive. •Negative traits: Impractical, vague, timid, indecisive. •Compatibilities: Woodpeckers, bears and snake. •Conscious aim: Freedom. •Subconscious desire: Identity. •Life-path: Love.

great blessing and challenge for this birth totem. While existing in the physical life, it is essential to be in the physical world, to confront those things that you find uncomfortable and painful, as this is part of the learning process of the soul that walks in flesh. The is of great challenge for those born under the birth totem of the wolf. Wolf individuals are sensitive, kindhearted and gentle beings that detest the mere thought of others existing in pain or suffering. It is neither beneficial or necessary to engage in the thoughts and actions that bring about pain or suffering to the self, or others. The wolf is a teach soul, and it is part of the life lesson of the wolf individual to teach others compassion. It is also imperative to except that part of the higher vibration that is compassion, is the knowing when to step back and allow each to walk their own path. Much like the mother wolf teaches her cubs survival skills to be a contributing member of the pack, or the strength to forge off and establish a new pack on their own. By facing one’s shadow self with mindful awareness, rejecting and integrating the behaviors that bring about pain or hinder the progress of one’s soul, the wolf then functions from a clearer octave of compassion, and fulfils the souls higher purpose.

•Must cultivate: Intuition, Creativity and Understanding.

he wolf totem individuals arrive on this plane, to learn the gift of the seer. These are highly intuitive souls; with an ability to achieve great spiritual heights. “They seek out union with the ancestors that walk the Blue Road of Spirit.” There is a part of the wolf soul that may appear to be somewhere else; prevailing in a different state of consciousness and not fully in tune with their surroundings. They operate at a slightly different wavelength; one ear is tuned in and listening for the voice of the great mystery. This is both a

“My family always followed Elen of the Ways...”

Elen Sentier lets us into her inner sanctum and introduces us to her spiritual path...

ello, I’m Elen Sentier, an awenydd (ah-when-ith, that’s one of the words we call shamans in Britain) from a long family lineage of old ones. I’m also a teacher and writer.

Description of my temple & altar – my sanctuary, my temple, is my home, I work here, teaching and writing. I was led to it by otherworld, as I was to all the places I’ve lived, the spirits of place call me when they can help me and when I can help them in return. I’ve made them a biodynamic garden here full of our native magical herbs. My altar is wherever I am. It holds earth, air, fire and water, the sunlight and crystals from the heart of the Earth and these are always all around us so I never need to carry them with me. The path I follow – My family always followed Elen of the Ways, the ancient reindeer goddess, since time out of mind. We call it following the deer trods and also walking between worlds. That phrase – walking between the worlds – was coined by the Scottish seannachie (shen-ack-y, another British word for shaman) Thomas of Erceldoune, also known as Thomas the Rhymer and True Thomas of the songs. Elen’s ways are ancient, probably as old as humankind since we’ve been following the reindeer who gave us our food, clothes and shelter as well as their wisdom. As there are no reindeer in Devon now we followed the red, roe and fallow deer who live there. Her ways show us how to live-with nature, the world, the universe and everything. “How-to tips” from my path – the first, last and fundamental thing for us is to ask. We ask everything and everyone, plant, rock,

animal, planet and spirit. Humans are the youngest species on the Earth so everything is our elder brethren from whom we can learn, for all of life is our older than us. Other tips from my dad are, “the person who’s never made a mistake never made anything” and “learn to make mistakes successfully”. Another lovely teacher told me, “be full of expectancy but with no expectations”. And learn to listen … listening, without any interpretation or translation is the most valuable skill.

How I got started – I was born into a family of old ones. My mother’s mother was a witch from the Isle of Man and my dad was an awenydd from our old ways. Awenydd is how we call ourselves, it means spirit-keeper and is the same as the better known Tungus word shaman. Dad’s people were also connected various famous folk: his aunt, Ursula Bright, bought the Benares Centre for the Theosophical Society and also got the Married women’s Property Act through with the help of her husband, so helping women get the vote. Ursula’s daughter, Esther, was Annie Bessant’s close companion and Rudolf Steiner used to come to dinner with the family until he finally fell out with Bessant! My Uncle Jack was a woodsman who taught me animal-speak and tree-lore, he could call a wild hawk or falcon down to his wrist without saying a word. My Uncle Perce was a gardener who talked to plants and bees, he’d often carry a swarm home in his bare hands and taught me the beginnings of biodynamics. In the village where I grew up, my aunt owned the sacred well while our nextdoor neighbour was the village midwife and healer who also did the laying out of the dead, I learned herb lore, healing and lyke-lore (the ways of the dead) from her. So I grew up in an environment full of everyday magic and walked the old ways path all my life. As well, I’ve explored many other magical paths through friends like

C Maxwell Cade, Rose Gladden, Colin Bloy, Paul Devereux, Michael Poynder, Tom Graves, Hamish Miller, Vicky Wall, Theo Gimbel, Lilla Bek, Caitlin and John Matthews. I also studied Alice Bailey’s work for seven years and found it very valuable and I’m a transpersonal psychotherapist, training with Ian Gordon-Brown and Barbara Somers.

Plans for the future – write … write … write. And teach … teach … teach, pass on what I have to others, for the Lady, the deer lady, Elen of the Ways, needs us very desperately. What makes your temple unique? – I don’t know that it is unique, except that it’s mine, mine to guard for the moment, but it belongs to the Lady and to the spirit of place who animates it. I am its guardian for the time being.

Rituals or spell work you perform – I don’t do spells but I do shaman work with people and teach what I know. I also do the rituals for the seasons as my people taught me, and I add to them too from my own dream and journey work as directed by the Lady. The eight seasonal rituals for the British Celtic year have their own variations wherever you live and wherever you were taught them. I’ll be talking about them in my column here in Pendle Crafts magazine over the coming year.

And here’s links if you need them … www.elensentier.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/elensentier.writer. page

WORD SEARCH Q L L P F E R T I L I T Y W J B I H Z H D F B X X L A U T I R Z R T U H E R B S S O Y G R U U G S S K J Y O F A M I L Y V K F B F P Q S B I W D H A R E P Q D V W R Q R X C E G N E H E N O T S E I G E Y S F U M R L G P E S I Z N I T V G Q F H L F W E I A G A G Y S T Y B F Z R E B I R T H G E B A A I I M S W O C L T P V R Q A E B Z B N E B I A R T S O E U Y C N X A H V E S C D I Y M J I F W W Z S U T X S R C E G G S N G H N Z H T A E D D S A E J F O I T I B B A R N Y Q I T U A U X S R O T S E C N A I D U J L N U F W R T V J N G A J Y R R P P I N C E N S E U H H H O K R D T A n ce s ters F amily Rabbit D e a th F e rtilit y Rebirt h D e ities F u n Rit ual D ru id s H a re Sabbat E as ter H e rb s Spring Equinox E g g s In ce nse St one Henge E o s tara P a g ans Wicca

PLACES IN TIME OLD SHELDON CHURCH 45

PLACES IN TIME

Cemeteries have always fascinated me. As a small child I felt drawn to even the humblest and modest tombstones. I would trace the intricate writing, hand chiseled flowers and angels, wondering about the person, whose name was written in stone and those they left behind. Walking on these hallowed grounds, fills me with a peace much like going to church; a homecoming and rightness of sorts. Some folks consider this rather odd, but I ask, “where else can you find such beautiful art, poetry and the story of humanity, if not in a quiet graveyard?” Now, I am a sentimental romantic but by no means am I a sensationalist. I believe I have a strong intuition yet, level headed and practical; that’s me. So, you can only imagine my surprise, when I had a rather sensational experience in a beautiful southern graveyard, that forever changed my perception and awareness of the afterlife. Down a quiet country road near the sleepy little town of Yemassee, South Carolina there lies the beautiful ruins of Old Sheldon Church and cemetery. Nestled among ancient live oak trees, this sacred site has stood sentinel to pivotal events in American history. The church itself was built between 1745 and 1753 in the fashion of a Greek temple, with seven large pillars at the front of the structure. Originally named Prince William Parish Church, it eventually became known as Sheldon Church. in honor of the Bull family’s nearby plantation and family home in Warwickshire, England bearing the same name. The Bull family are at rest here, along with numerous other historical families. In fact, Colonel William Bull is bur-

ied within the ruins of the sanctuary. Colonel Bull was an important political figure, and is credited with creating the layout of beautiful Savannah, Georgia; including its many squares and parks. In the churchyard, the graves range from simple stones to military markers, and fantastic marble pedestal tombs, complete with clawed feet. During Colonial times, the Bull family used the site to stash guns and ammunition. Continental troops drilled here as well. The once magnificent church was burned by British troops under the command of General Augustine Prevost in May of 1779, leaving only the walls and pillars intact. In 1826, the church was restored from the ruins and once again it served as a hub for social and spiritual fellowship in the region. That period of peace and serenity was destined to be a short one. January 25, 1865 the church fell victim to Federal troops and General Sherman’s “March to the Sea” that burned a blazing trail of destruction and devastation across the southland. It was the often taught history, that Old Sheldon was once again torched under order of General John Logan. However, with the recent discovery of The Leverett Letters, this story has been called into question. Milton Leverett claimed to be a witness to neighbors harvesting the interior of the church to repair their badly damaged or destroyed 46

MELISSA CONLEY homes. Whatever the case may be, the pillars and walls defied the odds and remained relatively unscathed, standing tall and proud in defiant beauty even today. Though it no longer has rows of pews, filled with a devout congregation, the site is still treasured by the faithful community. Every year since 1925, a memorial service and picnic are held on the grounds and the church comes to life once again. While on a road trip this past January, my husband and I took a little detour so that I could visit Old Sheldon Church. Some girls go shopping, but THIS girl goes graveyard hopping! I was so very excited. The photos I had seen online were just beautiful and I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to walk the grounds and snap a few shots with my camera. The ruins stand quietly beside the road, with only modest, historical plaques marking the steps leading into the property. I will never forget how my heart skipped a beat and the breath hung in my throat, as I was absorbed by its haunting beauty. The rain poured down, tapping the rhythm to some sad tune on the top of my purple umbrella and splashing down my back. The colors of the scenery were made more vibrant by the rain. The red bricks of the ruin were more crimson, the leaves and moss a deeper shade of green, while the grave stones stood out in stark contrast. I stepped into the yard and was almost instantly overwhelmed with a deep and terrible sadness. This intense emotion strengthened, as I meandered about the grounds snapping pictures. At times, I found myself dabbing tears from my cheeks. I felt a bit ridiculous and attributed it to my overly sentimental romantic side. But as I continued to wander among the fantastic tombstones and the posterior aspect of the church, I experienced an awareness. Though my husband had wandered far across the grounds, I felt I was not alone.

feel threatened or even truly frightened, just startled. Though perhaps I scared her. For, in a flash of seeing what I believe to be full skirts, she was gone as quickly as I had seen her. Now, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a practical soul. Nobody could ever accuse me of being given to flights of fancy. I was so astounded at what had just happened, that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share it with my husband, until we were rolling down the road towards our next stop. We went back the next day, but sadly I did not have the same response. Before this trip, I had been unaware of the stories of the encounters at Old Sheldon. After my experience, I began researching and found accounts very similar to mine. I was a tad shaken, but so very humbled to have had this experience. I am forever changed.

Talking aloud in a soothing voice, I continued my exploration. It was instinctive, although, I do not know if that was to calm myself or my visitor. Mild dizziness, and the beginnings of a peculiar headache had set in. The hair on my arms stood on end. Just to my left, in a small cluster of trees, stood a milky white figure. The shape was ill-defined and resembled the height and shape of a person. I stopped cold in my tracks. I did not 47

T hou g ht s From The

Nemeton

Q UA N T U M C O N N E C T I O N S

am sure everyone has heard of at least one of the following, The Butterfly effect, as above so below, wave particle duality, Einstein’s theory that space and time are entwined, race memory, Cause and effect, The Microcosm and Macrocosm reflecting each other, pretty much every individual or group has a theory on how the Universe “works”. Energy is everywhere, in a myriad of forms most of us understand that one, but what does that mean for us as entities?

other side to one degree or another.

I want to walk through these theories where science is finally beginning to understand what metaphysical practitioners and sensitives have been saying for a number of years, and I also want to look at how we channel these energies as healers, psychics, crystal therapists, Qigong, Tai Chi, practitioners and also believe it or not Martial Artists. None of us are separate we are all “connected”. So having established that fact, what does it mean?

When we send out anger or angst people around us feel it either emotionally or physically sometimes both. How many of you have been at the receiving end of real anger or hate, have you felt “winded” ,had a deep ache in your chest or even felt sick? That vibrational wave is hitting your vibrational receptors the chakras, and it manifests as an emotional/physical sensation and it can be pretty nasty.

The Butterfly effect postulates that if in Africa a butterfly flaps its wings, then the East Coast of America suffers a hurricane. That in other words, what happens on one side of the globe causes a response across the

When we as individuals or groups send out thoughts, words or action/ deeds, we create a ripple that has an effect, a vibrational wave enters the energetic field and has an effect at some level. Change the vibration and you change the Universe in some small way. How is that possible? Because everything is a vibration, there is nothing in creation that is not governed by this basic law.

What about laughter, why do we laugh simply because we witness someone else laughing, because it is a vibrational wave and we receive the signal and respond, we vibrate on the same level. Amazing isn’t it. Have you ever been in the company of someone you have just met and felt yourself “shrivel” and close down, you

just do not like them and you want to get away from them? Vibrations, their vibrational level is not harmonious to your energy field, Harmonics are another part of this whole subject. I could have written paragraph after paragraph of scientific explanations full of long words and graphs, however people in our particular field are sensitive to all these things, we are aware, and we do not need a chart to tell us what we know at the core of our being. When we empathise with those less fortunate for whatever reason, health, oppression, famine, war, abuse we “feel” the waves or vibrations that come from those sources, if you want to read the science which is finally confirming what we already knew but were laughed at for expressing there are people eminently better qualitied, Einstein, David Bohm, Hawking, or coming at it from the esoteric direction there are many books. We do indeed affect the Universe, just our mass on the planet affects so much, our electromagnetic field affects the Universe, so when we think and act we affect the Universe maybe in a small way, but 10,000 people directing negative energy like, hatred, discrimination, aggression, intolerance , out to one source it spreads like a canker through the ether, people feel it and are undermined, or ill because 48

of it, you have doubtless heard of the “Evil Eye”, putting on a hex, it is the power of our energy creating reality, we are creators of the Universe we live in. People organise mass meditations to clear negative energy, and it works, it’s just that at this time there is so much in the way of negative actions and thoughts that there is a lot a dark stuff holding us back as a species, we are destroyers of wildlife, fauna, human rights, equality, compassion and love. It’s a fine balance that could tip the human race either way, which is why it is vital that those of us who are “aware” to any degree of these energies keep their fields light, positive thoughts and words, compassionate deeds. It’s not always that easy we are human and someone, somewhere will always vex us, it’s how we deal with that feeling that’s important. Put it aside, walk away, remove the source of the vexation from your life, and send out love and healing to that situation or person. I am not proposing we all become happy little Buddhas, but think before you act. You cannot channel healing or any kind of positive energy be it in ritual, psychic disciplines or healing if you subscribe to dark energy, Yoda was right on that subject. With positive energies working for the highest good we can do so much, the access to this power is limitless, I like to close my eyes, centre myself and depending what discipline I am working with I connect to the source, if its Reiki,Crystals,T Touch, Metamorphic technique etc., I open my Crown chakra and see the energy as a white light streaming into my head I allow it to travel down the Hara through all the chakras and back through, a micro cosmic orbit of energy, then I channel

it outward to the receiver, the power is awesome and I always come away feeling amazing. When I work with the Nemeton I reverse the process coming up through the Earth Chakra upwards another micro cosmic orbit of energy. This energy is green and full of the light of the spring season containing the energy of the trees I have chosen to work with. They are distinct energies but so vibrant. OK I mentioned Martial Arts, what the heck has this to do with the subject I feel sure that’s what you thought. Well I understood this upon meeting my late husband an 8th Dan in Aikido, and a senior Dan grade in Judo, Karate, Iaido (sword) and Kendo. His energy field was tremendous, he was so sensitive he knew when someone was within 5ft of him even if they were not in his field of vision. When he projected a strike his students said they felt the energy strike them a few seconds before the actual physical contact. I have seen him put out a candle flame by “throwing” Ki energy at it, no physical touch at all. When he taught he always told students use no power, he would hold out an open hand and say “no power here”, what he was trying to tell them was it is nothing to do with physical strength it is the projection of positive energy only. If you use physical force towards an opponent you give your power to them and they can use it against you. These Dan grades learn that it is not about aggression or brute force but the manipulation of Universal energy, Morehei Ueshiba the founder of modern Aikido wrote much in the Art of Peace, this little book is available from most dealers, I would urge you to read it as it contains great wisdom.

the atrocities that we witness across the globe, as energy workers we have a sacred task to rebalance the energies of the planet and the people of Earth, we need to clean house, put aside petty differences, greed for land and possessions and see where the real treasures lie, within ourselves and the planet we are custodians of.

©Vicky MacLean January 2016

I hope I have expressed these thoughts clearly, I would encourage you to read either the internet articles or books on the subject, they investigate and explain why we can be so affected by someone’s mood or emotions, buy 49

ELEN S PRI NG EQU I N OX : Olw e n & Image by Kath Byrd go his power to the Oak King for the summer months. The old ways that I ’ve always known her as Olwen was brought up with twine and wind of the White Tracks, lady of the through the complementary energies spring divination and it’s also of the feminine and the masculine – the time when the Holly King lets the Lady and the Lord, goddess and god. All our old stories show us how the Lady, Sovereignty, and the Lord, her guardian, work together.

So although spring equinox is a women’s divination of course the men come too, they’re our fire-keepers and guardians. They also hold the energy of the Holly and Oak kings and re-enact the battle for us. The Holly King reigns from the autumn with his power rising to its highest at the Midwinter standstill (solstice), then from midwinter to spring his power gradually wanes. At the battle ceremony he cedes his power to the Oak King who carThe Mirror By Danielle Barlow

ries us all through the summer to the next battle ceremony for them both at the autumn equinox. His power goes down into the earth to hold the roots of the plants for the summer growing, while the Oak King draws down the sun’s goodness to the plants for a good harvest. In the dark before dawn we women would take the silver bowl and the water from the sacred well (which my aunt kept and was guardian of ) to the top of the hill where the men had lit a fire. When we were all assembled the woman chosen by lot to be Olwen’s representative for this season would open the space and call for the Holly and Oak kings to come forth. They would come, bow her and offer her a gift, then the ritual battle would begin. The story-play we re-enact is a ritual death and at the end we sing honour to the Holly King while he lies in state by the fire. 50

SENTIER

Different men were chosen by lot each year and the new pair would always want to do their own stuff based around the basic concept. They would have been choreographing over the weeks before equinox and were often funny, in the manner of Morris dancers, but always very impressive. We women would provide all the regular calls and shouts of encouragement as well as the “Oooos” and “Ahhhs” and gasps of shock at the right moments, it’s a proper Taleweaving of the story-play. The battle ends with the ritual mourning cry as the Holly King sinks down to the ground to the sleepdeath for the summer, and

then settles into the humming and mouth-singing, honouring him with songs without words, as we sit round the blaze waiting for sunrise. As the first light shows the Oak King asks the seer – the Lady’s representative – to see for us for the coming summer. We choose the seer by lot from women who have the blood-knowing. The seer fills the silver bowl with water then asks Olwen to show her what we need to know. As the dawn light strikes the water, the threshold opens and she sees. As she sees she sings out her seeing while we listen. As the song finishes we give the water to the fire, dousing

it, and sing our way home with the summer oracle in our hearts.

Painting By Carol Coney

MY VIEWS OF

SCOTLAND

By John Robinson

Join me, John Robinson, as I take you on a pictoral journey of Scotland, visiting various locations, such as Oban, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, and much more. Come with me on this journey over the next few editions. ly the weather was pretty hit and miss, and because I had a large car at the time, I decided that would be my tent! I manI’ve been taking photos now for a cou- aged to get all my equipment in under a ple of years, and mainly concentrate on bench I erected, leaving enough space landscapes, so over the years I have al- to guarantee a snug sleeping room. most exhausted the area where I live. Monday morning, just after the crack of Because of this, I thought about looking dawn I set off on my 300-mile journey a bit further afield, and decided to re- to Oban where I would set sail to Mull. visit an island I’ve been to many times, the Isle of Mull. I asked a few friends if I decided to break my trek with a visit they were interested in joining me, and to a castle I’ve passed before, Kilchurn although some were interested, they castle which is to be found at the side of weren’t able to commit, so with that, I loch Awe. This castle was built around decided to go on my own. The more I 1450, originally on an island, then in thought about it, the more it appealed the 1800s, to me as it meant I could go when and the water level in the loch was lowered, where I wanted. The first thing was making it accessible by foot. The caswhere to stay, and as it was to be an tle was built by the Campbell clan and inexpensive trip, camping was the ob- remained a family seat for 150 years. vious choice. Next, when to go. Again The old tower house was converted August is a pretty safe bet weather wise, into a garrison for the Jacobite rebelso that was then arranged. Unfortunate- lions, and is considered to be the oldDAY ONE

est surviving barracks to be found on the British mainland. All in all, I would recommend stopping off to see this piece of Scottish history. After my stop, I finished the remainder of my drive to Oban. Unfortunately, I arrived just as the ferry set sail, leaving me a couple of hours’ free time, so with my camera to hand, I wandered round finding one or two places to visit. There is a wonderful distillery which makes traditional malt ...a must for all whiskey lovers, and for those with a sweeter tooth, a delicious ice cream from a shop right next to the harbour. Because of its position, Oban was used as a base for both the RAF and navy during World War 2 with headquarters at Dungallan House. For anyone interested in finding out more, there is the Oban War and Peace museum which is on the esplanade.

“This castle was built around 1450, originally on an island.....”

All too soon it was time to board the ferry on the final leg of my journey, the Isle of Mull. The sailing takes about 45, landing at Craignure, and from here I decided to go right, taking me through Fishnish on to Salen where I wanted to take the first of my photos of Mull. There are some abandoned fishing boats which made for some interesting pictures. As time was now getting on, I then decided to make my way to my stop for the night, a place called Gribun Rocks where seals come in to feed. Unfortunately by the time I got there, all the best spots were taken so I was not able to see the seals too clearly to photograph, so concentrated on my supper....a nice steak and a couple of glasses of red. Life doesn’t get much better!!! Next issue, day two.

KI LC HU RN CASTL E

SALE M SALEN WA N T TO R EA D M O R E, SEE M OR E, LOOK OUT FOR OUR BE LTA N E I SS U E OUT M AY 1st

HUNTING THE Medieval Welsh stories, the earliest being the Black Book of Carmarthen, detailed an intriguing character called Gwynn ap Nudd, king of the Tylwyth Teg (the fairy folk) and the leader of the Wild Hunt. The hagiography of St Collen (whose name means ‘Little Hazel’) records an encounter between the cantankerous holy man and Gwynn on Glastonbury Tor, in which the old fanatic slung holy water at the feared pagan. One curious feature of this tale is that the saint sees the fairy courtiers in Gwynn’s palace dressed in clothes half-blue and half-red. A Christian interpretation is placed upon the colour symbolism, and it may indeed have been a literary detail invented by the monk recording the tale. Alternatively, the colour association might have been an old one, handed down by storytellers and finally recorded by a scribe. Assorted possible meanings might be read into the blue and red – maybe a balance between winter and summer, ice and fire, death and life.

in mind this pre-dates the time when white was considered a skin tone for people who are actually pink, so this was not some sort of proto-BNP sentiment!) It is directly parallel to the Irish name Fionn, possessed most famously by the Leinster hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. Whilst the Welshman lead the fairy bands, the Gael lead the Fianna warrior bands somewhat along the lines of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. Gwynn/Fionn traces back to the Proto-British cognate Vindos, or its variant form of Vindonnus, itself the name of a Romano-Celtic God to whom some altars survive. Gwynn’s surname, Nudd, is the medieval version of the ancient deity name Nodens or Noudons, who was associated with hunting, rainmaking and sea imagery. The medieval Irish version of the name Nodens was Nuada, who appears not as the father of Fionn (that honour being reserved for the warrior Cumhaill), but as his grandfather. There is a strong suggestion of a paternal association between Vindos and Nodens, whether originally conceived of as direct or one generation removed. The Fianna are an example of the diberga roving warrior bands ~ effectively mercenaries with a strange legal status in medieval Ireland. One medieval legal triad refers to the diberga as on a par with druids, by then marginalised and rather dangerous figures. Like the druids, they seem to have sported a peculiar hairstyle called a culan (wolf-locks). The imagery dug up from temples to Nodens includes canine imagery (though they could equally be lupine). Sacred dogs or wolves may link this divine family. In Celtic lore, both dogs and wolves are associated with both death and healing. Fionn has two nephews transformed into magical hunting hounds, Bran and Sceolan. Meanwhile Gwynn runs with packs of the Cwn Annwn, the red-and-white Otherworldly hounds. A later poem gives him a particular ruddy-nosed hound,

One medieval text gives an invocation, supposedly recited by diviners wanting to see the future. Translated from Latin it reads, “To the King of the Eumenides and his queen: Gwyn ap Nudd, you who are yonder in the forests, allow us to come home”. The Eumenides are the Furies of Greek myth, suggesting he was seen as the leader of a band of avenging spirits (which, in many accounts, is a chief role of the Wild Hunt). The Queen-consort is not named in this text, but other stories associate him with the beautiful Creiddylad, for whose hand he competes with Gwythyr every May Day – though in one rendition he is considered her brother rather than lover. Many modern writers have interpreted this as a conflict between the lords of summer and winter, echoing the rather modern notion of the Oak and Holly Kings. In Irish lore Fionn has a number of romantic liaisons, the chief being with the deer-woman Sadb. Little character is given to my dog, Creiddylad, so no direct parallel can be drawn to Gaelic tra- “Handsome and round-bodied, dition. And truly the best of dogs; The name Gwynn means both ‘white’ and ‘blessed’ (bearing Dormarth was he, which be-

HUNTER

longed to Maelgwyn.” Maelgwyn may well be the 6th century king of Gwynedd, who was a renowned military leader. The diberga could be thought of as a wild and unruly band, not unlike a still-living version of the ghostly Wild Hunt. It may be that the earliest version of the British and Irish stories featured this deity leading not a band of mortal warriors, but Otherworldly ones ~ the honoured dead perhaps, or the Sidhe. As well as dogs, Gwynn has a horse described in one poem as, “Round-hoofed is my horse, the torment of battle”. In one Irish story Fionn brought the first horses to Ireland (with the aid of Manannan mac Lir), winning them as compensation from a dishonourable visiting British nobleman. Possible his British equivalent may once have had a story involving the introduction of horses to Britain.

clouds and stars, so it would not be out of character for a figure such as Fionn to engage in stargazing. The Romans fused local gods with their own pantheon, such as Apollo Vindonnus who had a temple and healing spring in Burgundy. Oak- and stone-carved objects were left in offering, including carved hands and eyes. It has been speculated that Vindonnus may have specialised in curing ocular disease. Apollo was also associated with hunting and archery ~ both activities requiring good vision. Vindonnus was quite probably the patron of the community at Vindobona, which became modern day Vienna. So Vindos, the Blessed One, the White One, may have originally been avenging huntsman, healer, god of the night sky, patron of predators, and guardian of the outcaste. Truly a god worthy of honouring through ritual!

The Welsh Triads describe the hunter as one of, “The three renowned astronomers of the Isle of Britain: Idris the Giant; Gwydion son of Dôn; And Gwyn son of Nudd. Such was their knowledge of the stars, their natures and qualities, that they could prognosticate whatever was wished to be known until the day of doom.” The context of this Triad is now lost, so we can only speculate as to the whys and wherefores of Gwynn’s skills as an astronomer-cum-astrologer. No specific stories survive giving Fionn any parallel talent, though he may have had some stellar powers at some stage. He certainly has prophetic, magical powers granted him by eating the Salmon of Wisdom. The Irish druids were often described as diving via the study of

BY ROBIN HERNE 57

CRYSTAL POWER

SEPTARIAN CRYSTAL

eptarian gets its name from the Latin word “saeptum”, which means a small wall or enclosure. It is a very unique stone found in only a few places on Earth. In the USA Septarian is found near Zion National Park in Southern Utah. They’re also found in Mahajanga, Madagascar, Morocco, Australia, Canada, Spain, England and New Zealand. They were formed in ancient sea floors during the Cretaceous Period (50-70 million years ago). The mineral-filled cracks that divide the walls of the Septarian concretion give this stone a distinctive appearance. Septarian is a “concretion” stone. Concretions are protective stones, providing both grounding and shielding of the physical, mental, and emotional bodies. It’s a stone for regulation of spiritual, mental, and physical prowess. It facilitates both calming and understanding on the emotional level. Septarian both enhances ones feelings and their condition of well-being while providing an opening for the merging and amplification of their energies while determining the path on which to evolve. Septarian adores being held. When held, it radiates a loving, kind, and sincere energy pattern.

Septarian combines all the metaphysical properties of Yellow Calcite, Brown Aragonite, Grey Limestone and WhiteClear Barite, so it has properties of each of its component minerals, making it exceedingly powerful. These minerals merge to bring forth a remarkable and unique crystal with no two pieces being alike. It’s a symbol of diverse energies working together as a whole. It brings a ‘down to Earth’ vibe to any room it is placed in. Septarian has a nice balance of Calcite (creativity) and Limestone (grounding) energies. Septarian has strong Earth energies and symbolizes the coming together of different elements; it’s a perfect stone for creating group harmony by encouraging patience and perception. Septarian resonates with the Lower Chakras, particularly the Solar Plexus and Earth Chakras, it instills the determination and strength needed to make your desires and ambitions a reality. Septarian helps with general health and healing. It aids communication with our Mother Earth. It can help with general healing and health. Septarian is beneficial for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), self-healing, skin disorders, cellular memory and metabolism; reduces swelling 58

and growths. It supports the intestines, kidneys, blood and heart. It helps banish nightmares, negative energy and assists to block psychic attacks. It’s also good for anemia, bruises, joints, the muscular/skeletal system, night-terrors, weakness, centering, crisis, patience, public-speaking, self-confidence, self-esteem, tolerance; it absorbs energy, assists in Earth-healing and grounding. Septarian radiates calming energies that have a nurturing feel, and can bring forth an outlook of joy and spiritual inspiration. It’s frequently utilized to improve and cultivate communication with groups and with others in general. These qualities make this crystal an excellent tool, making it far simpler to speak clearly and thoughtfully in group settings and to aid one in being properly heard and understood. Additionally, Septarian brings out the unconscious awareness one needs to help them to frequently be primed for whatever comes their way. Septarian is related to the Lower Chakras, Root, Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras. Septarian harmonizes one’s emotions and intellect with their higher mind to bring about enlightenment. This joyous crystal provides support while one incubates ideas and assists in manifesting them while bringing acceptance, open-mindedness and fortitude. For those who have ideas, but never seem to put them into action, it enhances their creativity and motivation.

Septarian detects and rebalances various blockages in one’s body, it’s often found in an egg-shaped nodule that confines and shapes such energies physically. Septarian eggs make for perfect “hand comforters’ to use in times of stress. Septarian harmonizes one’s emotions and intellect with their higher mind to bring about enlightenment. Sometimes, when researching this crystal, one will find it said that Septarian is the same crystal as Dragon Stone. This is erroneous, they’re two separate crystals. It’s most likely due to Dragons and Serpents having long been associated with one another. Please note that healing crystals, meanings and properties are spiritual supports to healing and aren’t substitutes for professional medical or herbalist advice. They shouldn’t be used in place of your prescription medications. They do; however, augment these treatments nicely. https://www.crystalsandstones.co.uk 59

h t t p : / / e v e r y t h i n g u n d e rthemoon.net http://www.peacefulmind. com https://crystal-cure.com http://www.spiritrockshop. com http://www.healingcrystals. com http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com http://www.songofstones.com The Crystal Bible 2, Judy Hall. Walking Stick Press, Cincinnati, Ohio. 2009.

CRYSTAL OF THE MONTH LAPIS LAZULI Associated Energy: Receptive Associated Planet: Venus Associated Element: Water Associated Deities: Isis, Venus, Nuit Associated Metal: Gold Powers: Healing, Joy, Love, Fidelity, Psychism, Protection, Courage (Taken From Cunninghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Encylcopedia Of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magac Second Edition - Pages 127-126)

POTLIGHT ON ASTROLOGY

odiac Candle Colours By Dorothy Workman

Candle Colours for Seasonal Festivals IMBOLC- February 1st or 2nd. Candle colors are- Lavender, and White. These colors represent the divine ( White) rebirth and preparations for one’s spirituality (the Lavender). OSTARA- ( Vernal Equinox) Around March 20th..Candle colors are-Light Green, Yellow, and Pale Pink. This is the colors of the beginning of maturing plants and flowers. Zodiac Candles When working with zodiac candles we need to know the proper colors to use for our self or someone else when using candle magic. Below I will be listing the zodiac colors and the birth month it represents. If you can’t find the primary color of the candle, then one of the other colors listed will work. If you ever go shopping for candles you will see that Black, Brown, and Gold are very hard to find unless you know where to look. Most times they are found in an occult shop or maybe a craft store. Aquarius: Jan 20 thru Feb 18 the colors are (primary color) blue, or if you haven’t got blue you can use any color... Pisces: Feb 19 thru Mar 20 the colors are (primary color) white or you may use green or mauve... http://www.vishnuaura.com/astrology.html, n.d.) (http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Jorge_Mendes, n.d.) (http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Larry_Fitzgerald, n.d.) 62

MBOLC STARSIGN By Raquel Reichert

Aquarius â&#x20AC;&#x153;We loveâ&#x20AC;?

Stones: Aquamarines

January 20 - February 18

Metals: Aluminum

Element: Air

Salts: Sodium chloride and magnesium phosphate

Fixed Sign

About Aquarius:

House: 11th

Sensitive to the value of friendship; you see yourself as a link within a chain, different and original. You goal is to participate in projects and ideals of the whole human community. This sign is idealistic, independent, original, altruistic, gifted, innovative, quiet, intuitive, charitable, generous, paradoxical. You detest any type of restriction. Although some Aquarians can be eccentric and cold, other characteristic of your sign include: idealistic, altruistic, detached, independent, original, surprising, gifted, contradictory, innovative, humanistic,

Masculine Color: blue, indigo Stone: Sapphire Day: Saturday Animals: the albatross Food: citrus fruits, apples, limes, dried fruits Herbs: peppers, hot red peppers, star-fruits Flowers and plants: orchids, dancing ladies, polygonatum Trees: fruit trees

STARA STARSIGN By Raquel Reichert

Pisces “We serve”

Flowers and plants: water lilies, willows, aquatic plants

February 19 - March 20

Trees: fig-trees, willows, aquatic trees

Water sign

Stones: heliotropes, moonstones

Mutable sign

Metals: platinum, tin

Feminine

Salts: iron phosphate and potassium sulphate.

Colour: Green, purple or turquoise blue

About Pisces:

Stone: Amethyst

You’re naturally adaptive and receptive. Pisces wipe out and absorb any and all forms of differentiation; there can be no opposition with a Pisces. There can be no conflict. No separation, only fusion. Pisces individuals are hugely emotional, compassionate, imaginative, and sensitive. They tend to be impossible to categorized, can be irrational, placid and secretive. Generally introverted and lean toward the artistic and creative side. A Pisces can be moody and indecisive as well as unpredictable and vulnerable.

Day: Thursday Ruling Planet: Jupiter House: 12th Animals: fishes, aquatic mammals and all animals living in the water Food: melons, cucumbers, lettuces, vegemite sugar, pumpkins Herbs: lemons, chicory, limes, mosses

(http://www.vishnuaura.com/astrology.html, n.d.) (http:// www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Jorge_Mendes, n.d.) (http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Larry_Fitzgerald, n.d.) 64

ERBAL SACHETS By Tasha Clark

Some lovely sachets to create for yourself or give as gifts. These sachets correspond with those born under the zodiac signs occurring during Imbolc and Ostara. 1-part = 1 tsp Aquarius Sachet ~ If you are an Aquarius carry this with you. •

3 parts Lavender

•

2 parts Patchouli

•

1-part Benzoin

•

1-part Mace

•

1-part Mint Mix,

Tie up in gray or some other dark-colored cloth that appeals to you. Wear or carry to strengthen the positive aspects of your sign. Pisces Sachet ~ If you are a Pisces, carry this with you. •

3 parts Sandalwood

•

2 parts Sage

•

1-part Eucalyptus

•

1-part Anise

•

1-part Lemon

Tie up in a purple cloth and wear or carry to enhance the positive aspects of your sign. (witchesofthecraft.com/2011/08/26/pisces-amulet-2/, n.d.) (wiccalight.co.za/WiccaForum/tabid/162/Topic/2137/Sachet-Recipes.aspx, n.d.) (celticbookofshadows.wikidot.com/sachets, n.d.)

MY CAREER AS AN ARTIST By Judith Farnworth

“Anyone can lear n to paint, they are skills not talents, all you need is a bit of the right help and a big dollop of enthusiasm and desire!!”

am a Zoology Graduate with a short career in retail management. Once I had my children I moved into banking where I worked part time for about 20 years. I have an interesting theory about scientists turning artists but that would be for another article!!

One day during that time a friend of mine said she was going to a painting and drawing class, I invited myself and so my art journey began. Though I had always been able to draw reasonably well, I didn’t study art at school (I did the regular painting at primary school but nothing at secondary school) and never really painted so it was a revelation to me when I picked up a paint brush that I absolutely loved it. The fact that I was utterly hopeless never seemed to matter, I loved having the brush in my hand and playing with the watercolour which was my medium of choice. I floundered for years and years, hardly improved but something drove me on and I had this unerring feeling that one day I would be able to “do it”

pets of improvement I was happy. In the meantime I started doing charcoal portraits to commission......I was doing a charcoal portrait of her son as a gift to my friend and someone asked me what I was up to and when I told them they asked to see it. From there I got quite a few commissions which I still do to this day though now I also do watercolour as well. Several things then happened around 2006. First I went on a watercolour painting holiday to Italy where I actually saw an artist paint, second I discovered the Internet and all its resources and third I started a new class where the tutor also demonstrated. Prior to this I had never seen anyone paint even though I had been to numerous tutors and attended goodness knows how many Local Education Authority classes and gained many NVQ qualifications at various levels. I learned something from all the teachers but no-one ever really taught me how to paint with watercolor and what I have learned since is that anyone can learn to paint given a bit of the right help and a big dollop of enthusiasm and desire!!

attended said she liked how I painted and asked would I run a workshop for them the following Autumn.... I immediately said yes, then went home and panicked!! However, I got a lesson planned, did lots of practice at home so that I could deliver it well and the whole class loved it as did I. They invited me back the following Spring and I then retired from the bank in May to devote more time to my Art. I had been in touch with an art group in Westhoughton and they invited to me to run a session at their group in June and another couple of groups also got in touch. I had also agreed to take over my own group from the Autumn and to start teaching there too. I now travel to art groups all over the North West, into Yorkshire, Cumbria, North Wales, Shropshire, and plan to visit Oxfordshire in the Spring. I run all day sessions too and do quite a bit of work at Sunshine House, a community centre in Wigan. During my first year I ran 13 sessions, the 2nd year about 30 and the last 2 years I have run about 60 sessions each year so my business has steadily grown as groups are always looking for tutors who deliver good sessions and who can show people how to paint.

Interestingly there are at least 12 art groups within a 5 mile radius of where So I continued with the new classes I live. The North of England is a real and actually started to visibly improve hub for art and artists and we are blessand I found I was soon itching to help ed with some excellent art groups and the other students which would have been very unprofessional given we already had a tutor but I wanted to share all the things I had never been taught and had to learn the hard way. I was beginning to realise there were short cuts to learning this skill, ones which I hadn’t been privy to.

and never seemed to get despondent or demotivated. For me it was all about Coincidentally, during the Spring of the journey and as long as I saw snip- 2011 the leader of the local group I

says how talented I am I reply by saying “Thanks, do you know it’s amazing how much more talented I become the more I practice!!” Because that is the key to being able to paint or draw well... practice, practice and more practice and eventually you will be able to do it!! I meet a lot of people who say they can’t draw or don’t have any artistic “talent” and I can genuinely tell them none of that is needed they just need to want to learn.

black and white references so I am not influenced by the colours in front of me. I then choose my own colour scheme which makes my work far more individual and unique. By applying the paint and allowing it to mix on the paper I then create an even more individual piece of work so difficult to copy that even I can’t copy my own work!! If I am commissioned to do a piece I insist the reference photo is good as my efforts stand and fall by what I produce and if I don’t know the subject (I am often asked to paint deceased pets etc) I only have the reference to go by. People usually request commissions having seen my work and would generally know what to expect so if I feel the dog’s fur could be brown and purple, Then I hear a lot of peo- brown and purple it will be!! ple saying tracing is cheating!! As painting and Any groups looking for workshops drawing are skills. they or demos, or anyone wishing to can both be learned but I buy or commission a painting, you don’t advise people trying can contact Judith Farnworth at: to draw when they want teachers. to paint... two things hap- www.artbyjudithfarnworth.com pen then, they worry about ruining I started to write a blog as I retired their lovely drawing once they hit it h t t p : / / j u d i t h f a r n w o r where I showcase my work sometimes thart.blogspot.co.uk/ write step by steps, share tips and hints with a brush and then they stop want- or email: and generally plot my “arty progress.” ing to paint because it takes so long to get the drawing on the paper......hence judesfarnworth@hotmail.com why not trace? From experience I know it can take students a long time to get a drawing on the paper and if I am there to teach them how to paint that time is wasted. So, I get them to trace. I also teach drawing skills but separately and advise people to learn to draw. It doesn’t matter how good a painter you are if the initial drawing isn’t good the whole painting won’t succeed.

I also spout forth on a few of my bug bears with art some of which I will share here. First of all as I hinted at earlier, anyone can learn to draw and paint... they are skills not talents and if anyone ever

My own style has developed over the years to the degree that people now often recognise my work, I like to think I paint in a loose, impressionistic way preferring to interpret rather than copy what I see. I work mostly from photos though I will certainly do more plein air work in the future. I am not a slave to the photo either and may leave things out, move them around or add things in to improve the composition or create a mood and atmosphere I am seeking. I also often work from 68

R E CIPE 69

Giant Super Bubbles for BUBBLE WISH MAGICK This bubble solution makes very large, very hard to pop bubbles... and hours of fun! You need: 3 cups of water 1 cup of liquid dish soap ½ light corn syrup Container with lid Wand from an old store bought bubble container, or you can make one yourself with pliable wire. Directions: Mix all 3 ingredients together in a container with a lid. You can add food coloring to have bubbles of different color, or even glow in the dark bubbles…. Now, grab the kiddos and make some “magick”……

PAD R I X ’ S COOKBOOK

Once again it is that time of year, when our ancestors would have breathed the collective sigh of relief that they had all made it through the harsh lean winter months. Their attention would have been undoubtedly turned to the remaining stores of food available

to them, what was leftover and what could they use without the fear of starvation looming over them. With this in mind I thought that it would be a nice idea to make two dishes that used only the items that I had available to me in my store cupboard and freezer

(don’t worry if you don’t have them, they are all readily available) this is followed by a dish that uses the freshest, youngest ingredients, that celebrates the seasonal abundance that is to follow.

FULl-FLAVOURED CHICKEN AND NEW SEASONAL VEGETABLES STEW

I ngredi ents: 1 k g ( 2 l b ) C h i c k en t highs 2 5 0 g ( 8 oz ) S e as ona l b a b y po t a t o es 2 5 0 g ( 8 oz ) S e as ona l b a b y c a r r o t s 1 0 0 g ( 3 oz ) G re e n o nio ns 2 5 0 g ( 8 oz ) S e aso na l b a b y t ur nips o r o t he r r oo t v e g e t a b les 1 0 0 g ( 3 oz ) C h opped c ele r y 1 l it re ( 2 p ts ) Go o d q ua lit y C hic ken o r v e ge t ab l e s toc k D r ie d h e r b s ( Par s ley, t hy me , ma r jo r a m, b as i l )

Preparation ti m e:

30 – 45 minutes. Cooking time: 2 – 4 hours depending on the method used . Remove the skin from the chicken thig hs, season the flour with the sal t and pepper lig htly coat the chicken pieces. Heat the oil in larg e saucepan ; add the chicken cook until it takes on a little colour. Deg laze the pan wit h a little of the stock, add half of th e root veg etables, celer y, onions an d potatoes. S tir to cover these with th e residue from the chicken , add the re maining stock and veg etables, add th e herbs. Cover and cook on a low hea t until the veg etables are sof t and th e chicken falls off the bone. S eason to taste with salt and pepper. S erve hot with cr usty bread. If you use a slo w cooker follow the same method bu t cook on low setting for between 4 – 6 hours.

Sa l t an d Pe p p e r Al l p u r p o s e ( P l ain) flo ur A li t t l e oi l f or b r o wning t he c hic ken

C H O COLAT E

AND A L MOND T RUF F LES

Preparation time:

Ingredients:

25 – 30 minutes plus around 2 hours chilling . M akes approx 16

200g (7oz) Chocolate (Milk or dark)

Toast the nuts in a heavy dr y pan on a low to medium heat, when they are g olden brown remove from the heat and place into a bowl to cool, once cooled chop or break up into smaller pieces. Melt the chocolate in a larg e bowl over simmering water, take off the heat and add the nuts and the cake cr umbs* mix well and add the Amaretto, for m into balls and chill for around 2 hours. Dust with the cocoa.

175g (6oz) Chocolate cake crumbs* 50g (1.5oz) Toasted almonds or whichever nuts you have available 40ml Amaretto (optional) or a few drops of almond extract Cocoa powder to dust

*If you choose to leave out the Amaretto and use the almond ex tract instead you will need to add less of the cake cr umbs. Whichever method you follow the consistency of the mix should resemble ‘wet sand’ similar to what you would use in making sandcastles on the beach, if you aim for this you will not g o wrong ! The tr uffles can be made with any added ing redients, for instance if you don’t eat nuts use puffed rice cereal, fudg e chunks, cr umbled cookies etc the variations are endless, just use what is available to you. And be prepared to take one as soon as they hit the table I found from ex perience these thing s g o quick!

MOUTH WATERING APPLE TURNOVER

In gredients :

P re p a r a t i on t i m e :

Filling :

40 minutes – 1 hour. Cooking time: 40 – 45 minutes

5 0 0 g ( 1 l b) a p p l e s: p e e l e d, c ore d an d s l i c e d ( c o o ki n g o r e ati n g ) J uic e a n d z e st o f a l e mon 3 t b s p su g a r ( I u se d 2 D e me rara an d 1 c as t er ) ½ t s p g r o u n d m i x e d sp i c e ½ t s p g r o u n d c i n n amon 1 2 5 g ( 4 o z ) su l t a nas or rai si n s 6 0 g ( 2o z ) a l m o n ds rou g hl y c hop p e d

Combine all of the filling ingredients in a bowl. Give one of the filo sheets a light brushing with the melted butter layer the remaining sheets on top and repeat the process. Spread the breadcrumbs down the centre of the pastry and place the filling on top of this, fold in the edges of the pastry and roll to encase the filling with the buttered filo. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with baking parchment, bend into a horseshoe shape, brush with the remaining butter and sprinkle with the flaked almonds. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 190°C (375°F, Gas 5) for 40-45 minutes until golden brown, dust with the icing sugar. Delicious eaten hot or cold.

Pastr y : 4 o r 5 s h e e ts of filo pa s t r y 6 0 g ( 2 o z ) m e l te d b ut t er 3 0 g ( 1 o z ) f re s h whit e b rea dcr umb s 1 5 g ( ½ o z f l ak e d a lmo nds ) I c ing s u g ar

THE B OARDI NG

it’s about twenty miles away as the crow flies, and no more trains run this late now, only the mail train at five o’clock.” As the last train pulled into the station, four young girls got Claire gave out a gasp and sat down hands covering her face, off. Each one looking lost and afraid, suitcases were placed she started to sob. She felt the vibration of her phone, she on the stations platform. As the night grew darker and chill- looked at the screen through tear filled eyes. She had missed ier, the girls sat and waited for the leader of the new order ten phone calls, she flicked the answer button, “hello?” she to arrive. Fog was coming on quick, the girls shivered, the answered. “Where are you?” replied a gruff voice. Sobbing eldest of the group took out her mobile, opening up the con- into the phone Claire explained what had happened. The tacts page, she looked for the number. My “damn no signal” gruff voice told her to catch the mail train at five “but where she said to the others, with phone in hand she wondered am I to sleep?” asked hysterical Claire “I don’t know and I the platform nearly stumbling over the edge. A hand sudden- don’t even care,” with that the call ended. ly reached out and grabbed the girl “phew that was close,” a voice was heard, swinging around, the girl came face to The conductor looked shocked, but offered Claire someface with the most handsome man she had seen. Gavin in- where until then. It wasn’t ideal, but he placed two cushions troduced himself to the girls, each girl in turn shook his on the train stations only bench, and he gave her a very old hand and looked in awe at this handsome man. Gavin asked scratchy blanket. He made her a hot cup of tea, and gave her “where is the fifth girl?” the eldest replied “don’t know, I just some biscuits and half of a corn beef sandwich he had saved got on the train and found the coach room that had the no- from lunch. “You will be ok here miss, the light from the tice stuck to the window;” the other three replied the same. post never goes out, nobody comes here and it’s only a few Gavin picked up the suitcases, two under his arms and two hours before the mail train, make yourself comfy” and with that, the old conductor made his way out. Claire checked in his hands, the girls followed quickly. her phone “bloody great, just bloody great, no signal!” She Waking up, Claire looked around “oh my oh my where threw down the cushions and sobbed once more, clearly a am i?” she shouted aloud. The train conductor who was headache was starting. retiring for the night, told her she was at Bethan Common Station. Claire looking horrified and with tears in her The drive was long and tiring, the girls watched out the wineyes, replied “but I need to be at Dunworthing Station.” dow as the moon seemed to follow them; an owl could be “Well miss, the conductor said “you will not get there tonight, heard hooting but not seen. A deer suddenly shot out of 76 Chapter 1

H OUS E

reached the top of a towering, black studded, wooden front door, -- at least the height of all four put together. Gargoyles guarded the entrance; each sat on their own perch, overlooking the front door. Just looking and waiting, Molly looked for a knocker or doorbell so she could let someone know they were there. Gavin had already driven away, Jules pointed to the lion’s head or green man with a huge, brass ring sticking out. Molly knocked twice, but it seemed the huge door muffled the sound, again she knocked, harder this time. Eventually the door finally opened with a creaking sound. The girls were ushered in by an old man wearing what looked like a monks Habit, a large silver cord was wrapped around his middle and a large circle held a lot of dangling keys “welcome” he said and the girls entered. The girls took in the surroundings; the ceiling was so high it brought on Angie’s vertigo. Read The Full Story In The Next Issue

the bushes. Gavin applied the brakes, the girls screamed all at the same time!! “for goodness sake it’s a deer” he yelled back. Gavin carried on. The girls were getting fidgety in the back, they took out the mobiles hoping they could text or even go on Facebook, all three let out a frustrating gasp. No surprise there – no signal. The eldest was asleep. Claire had finished the tea and eaten half of the sandwich and biscuits. She had placed the cushions back and covered herself with the old scratchy blanket. She mumbled to herself and laid back; setting her watch for 4:30am. Just then, a huge rat ran across the platform, its beady eyes looking straight at Claire.

Chapter 2 The drive to the big house led through a big gate. The sign on the gate read in big brass lettering, “Dunworthy”, Gavin etched the car in slowly, the girls all gasped at the same time the house was huge. Molly, the eldest had given up counting the windows there was so many. The glass reflected the grounds and the enormous, “Gosh” cried Angie, “there must be at least twenty-five steps;” Mandy and Jules just nodded. Gavin and the girls climbed out of the car, each one grabbing a suitcase and climbing the steep, stone stairs. As they

Previously in Fast Food At The Centre Of The World..... Hazel meets Dunsany in a parking lot in the abandoned part of town and finds that by saying “yes” twice she is bound into his service, hopefully to save the world, well the city at least by building a fast food restaurant.. Having spent the night in a makeshift tent, she is awoken to the sense of danger just as the tent colllapses; cutting her way out, Hazel finds herself confronted by four strange looking creatures shuffling around the tent and looking for food. She fights for Dunsany, to keep him safe and after killing one of the creatures manages to push

them out of the Parking Lot; Dunsany awakens and clambers out of the wrecked tent, unaware of what has happened and having slept through the whole attack. Seeing the dead creature, he asks what it is and when Hazel explains the speculation of cannibalism, Dunsany announces that a fast food restaurant is much needed. Hazel is shocked to discover that her new friend plans not only to build a restaurant but also to sustain it by food they have grown themselves in the very parking lot. Read more below.....

“Right.” Hazel looked around at the shredded tent and otherwise empty lot. “Clearly we’ve got the perfect location here. And you’re sourcing the food how?” “We’ll grow most of it.”

“Now why didn’t I think of that? No, wait, don’t tell me. Could it be that you have a secret stash of… I don’t know, whatever you grow food out of… right there in your pocket?” “No.” “So the plan is?”

Dunsany The soil was a long way down, and completely asleep. Dunsany had to listen his way past layers of tarmac and rubble to find any trace of it. Nothing had lived down here for a century, and the true ground had very little voice. He’d sensed it on the previous evening, along with images of what else lay below the unremarkable surface. The sheer depth of what waited down there, intimidated him. He had known it would be both powerful and compromised, but still, the degrees of both shocked him.

“I’m going to listen to the soil. It’s down there somewhere. You can guard me. Sometimes he despaired Then we’ll take the tarmac for humanity. The overwhelming, blind stupidity up and get started.” of a species that would He sounded so certain, take a place such as this, despite the total insanity cap it with concrete and of his words. Hazel tried make a car park. And then to keep thinking straight. run out of fuel so that “So, am I getting paid for most people could never afford to use the soulless this?” place they had made. From the look on Dunsany’s face, she suspected There were days when he the idea of money hadn’t thought it might be betcrossed his deluded mind. ter if humanity was left to wipe itself out. Suicide “For now, I can feed and was one thing, arguably, water you. Other forms of but it wasn’t like humaniremuneration we can work ty only harmed itself. The on as plans proceed.” mass genocide of everything else bothered him a “That sounds like a ‘no’ to great deal. And most peome.” ple weren’t consciously on “Really Hazel, we have the destruction path, they made an unpleasant pop- more important things to just didn’t believe there HAZEL - PART 2 ping sound. “Eating peo- consider right now.” He were any alternatives. “You have no idea how ple. Well, that largely con- sat cross legged on the tarThe song resident in his much it pleases me to firms my suspicions. What mac, and closed his eyes. head refused to let him learn that none of your this city needs is a very give up. Even in his darkfriends are actually decay- fine and affordable food est moments, it tinkled ing.” Dunsany stretched, emporium.” along, jolly and optimistic, and several of his joints 79

and frequently a pigging nuisance. There were days when he longed to bury his head in the sand and be as oblivious as everyone else. Had he known what it would do to him, he might not have learned the music in the first place. It caused chaos, and now it had dropped this street kid on him such that he had little hope of being rid of her. Dunsany suspected there would be more such people in the future. If the grand plan worked, it would draw all manner of wakeful souls, and they would all expect him to know what to do. He supposed he should start getting used to it. Dunsany tried to empty the random explosions of thought from his mind. Listen to the earth. Remember the soil beneath the artifice. Remember it so well that it is called upon to remember itself. Know it such that it must share in that knowledge. He whispered old words of encouragement, calling to the slumbering spirits present in all things. Even these enchantments did little to stir what lay beneath him.

intentions, many of which he could not fathom. He He let the fragment of knew it was searching for music fill his head, the other song fragments, but words familiar, in a lan- not what would happen if guage no one remembered they found one. had been lost. These were not sounds that could ra- The earth said, “No, I am tionally be understood. sleeping.” Each time they filled his awareness, the meanings The rock said, “The time remember.

changed in subtle ways. He felt it, like a current that flowed in his blood and spirit at the same time. Today the song had a bright feel, full of wakeful possibility. A stream of manageable proportions. Not the tidal wave that sometimes threatened to engulf him, or the trickle He called to it with his that he could not hope to entire being. Soil made of ride upon. things that once lived, now rotted down and mingled It sang through him, uswith fragments of stone. ing his presence to reach Rock that had once been down. Dunsany had the other things before peo- very clear knowledge that ple crushed it down and he was the tool of the dumped it here. Rock that music, and not the other had been quarried, cut way round. It used him. out from the place of its His choices were either to forming. Slow, slumbering co-operate and make the rock that had forgotten, best of it, or get swept but could be inspired to away. The song had its own

Dunsany held them all within his being. Rock and soil voices, resentful earth spirits, and the eternal haunting song. He heard them all, at once and tried to ensure that the process did not result in his brain melting and trickling out through his ear. The earth said, “Maybe.” The song had a knack for persuading. Earth might be slow to move, but it was listening. As the song continued, surrounding buildings became wakeful things. They found ears with which to hear, and drew closer to the music. That would help. He needed them for raw material, and their willingness made that prospect easier.

has passed. I do not care. Go away.” The song said, “Listen,” and sang itself anew. It sang of softer light and warmer places, of realms awash with dream and all those things that never were and never will be. You didn’t need to understand the language to feel its impact. Each time the song sang itself through Dunsany’s being he felt afresh that deep, driving need to fix things. To make gentle fields where currently the tarmac held sway. To bring back forest and dark, skittish, deer. To open eyes and minds together until beauty and not greed dominated all the world.

Once Dunsany grew too tired to think his own thoughts, the song released him. He lay down on the tarmac, which felt remarkably pleasant. “Well I don’t know about you, but I found that so interesting. A whole three hours. Your eyebrow twitched once, and I heard some people shouting a long way off. Riveting stuff.” Dunsany looked up at her from the tarmac. “Young lady, you will have to learn how to look properly. But first, we need my bag, which should be inside the tent still.” He watched the sky for a while, as the sense of rock and earth gradually drained from his awareness. It always took him a while to regain the sense 80

of his own skin and shape. The heaviness of being a stone would probably cling to him for hours yet. The first time he’d undertaken such working, he had spent the best part of a week believing himself to be a tree. But that had been a long time ago.

true of people. Trees are great. Buildings vary. Car parks are hopeless. It’s the tarmac, as much as anything else. No matter what you say, it never achieves any sense of self. Plastic’s hardly any better, although that depends a lot on what you do with it.”

“One bag.”

“You really believe all this, don’t you?” Hazel said, and for the first time he could not detect a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Dunsany wondered if the apple had spoken to her. They were a knowing sort of fruit, after all. He thought about using the song on her, exposing the girl to its full flow and strength, blowing her perceptions wide open. Based on experience she’d probably just go mad, but he couldn’t help wanting someone else to understand what it all meant.

He made the supreme effort and sat up. “Not much, but enough.” After rummaging in the bag, he found an apple and handed it to the girl. “What is it?” She looked suspicious. “Food. You eat it.” She sniffed at it, and her expression brightened. Crooked teeth sank into the firm skin. She chewed. The process fascinated him, his mind still barely his own.

“What are you, really?” “It’s apple flavoured! Ex- she asked. cellent. Only... it’s not so “A sorcerer.” He knew she sweet.” wouldn’t understand the “It is an apple,” he ex- full implications of that plained. “They grow on and wondered how much trees.” Not that he’d seen to explain. “A trained any trees since he came magic user, if you will.” here. “Don’t worry too much. Eat, and learn. This “What, like stage magis the ultimate fast food. ic? Cards from behind Pick it, eat it.” He dug out people’s ears and all that some dried figs and bis- crud?” cuits. Eating helped him “No, think actual magic. feel as close as he would Changes the world in real ever get to normal. It and lasting ways.” pushed back the stone and soil, gave his body some- She frowned. Dunsany thing to coalesce around. waited, giving her time to think about it. Most peo“Some things are easier ple had no awareness of to talk to than others. It sorcerers, which was uncomes down to whether doubtedly for the best. they have a soul. I supKnowing offered no propose much the same is

tection at all.

do, mister?”

“What kind of magic do you do?”

“I thought world domination, as an opening gambit.”

“All sorts. My primary art is persuasion. Tell me who She looked shocked. you are.” “I jest, Hazel. Mostly. I’d “That wasn’t very persua- settle for ending poverty and bringing about world sive.” peace, or ushering a new Dunsany found himself era of civilization.” rather liking the creature. There was a mind in there “Ha ha, very funny.” somewhere, and it had a lot of sharp edges to it. He let her think that was Liking was about the lim- a joke as well. “People are it for him. He didn’t do asleep to the wonder of much in the way of emo- their own lives, to their tion any more. “I wasn’t own potential. You build using magic,” he pointed ever more restrictive sysout. “But you can tell me tems and wallow in misery, I want to change that. anyway.” To re-inspire the world, to “Not much to tell. Grew re-enchant, to breathe the up round here, got a sister simplest, most ordinary somewhere although I ha- of magics back into peoven’t seen her in an age. I ple’s lives.” run drugs for a guy called Wallace, I do most of the “You really do believe in street selling, the rough magic then? You weren’t end. But I’m fast, I’ve got joking about that bit.” the smarts and I’m not “This is not a matter of dead yet.” She laughed as belief for me,” he exthough this was some kind plained. “More the truth of a joke. as I perceive it.” “And what are you go“Wild!” ing to do with your life?” Dunsany enquired. Dunsany yawned. “And exhausting. I need to sleep She shrugged. “Mostly for a few hours.” I’ve been working on the whole staying alive thing. “Let me guess. I get to Round here, that means keep watch? I’m not sure I you don’t get to plan can stand the excitement.” much. If I live to be thirty, “When I wake, we will make that would be a win.” a start. It will be exciting.” “I see.” He wondered how many more people like her To Be Continued.... there were on the streets. Knowing the theory was Look Out For Eric in one thing, meeting the ac- Part 3 of FAST FOOD AT THE CENTRE OF tuality quite another. THE WORLD in Belt“What are you planning to ane’s Issue. 81

B O O K BOOK

R E V I E W S

LI T E RARY COR N E R

B LAC K S M I T H GODS AUTHOR: Pete Jennings REVIEWED BY: Karen Cater PUBLISHED: July 24th 2014 , by

Moon Books

“Along the way we encounter Classical Greek Hephaestus and Roman Vulcan, Anglo Saxon Wayland Smith, Irish Brighid and Culain and any number of similar deities from Africa, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe...” In ‘Blacksmith Gods; Myths, Magicians & Folklore’, Pete Jennings explores aspects of the magical craft of the Blacksmith which sets him apart from other mortals; the alchemy of metalcraft, his mastery of elemental powers, and the physical strength and horse whispering essential to his calling. The central theme of the book reveals a fascinating journey around cultures and continents reviewing Blacksmith Gods from ancient times to modern popular culture. Along the way we encounter Classical Greek Hephaestus and Roman Vulcan, Anglo Saxon Wayland Smith, Irish Brighid and Culain and any number of similar deities from Africa, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe. We are introduced to Christian Saints whose origins derive from many of these Pagan deities, and hear folk tales and songs associated with this powerful and magical archetype. The journey finishes with a catalogue of modern interpretations from as far afield as Japanese graphics, children’s literature and operatic performance. There is also a section of suggestions for personal exploration on mineralogy, places to visit, path working, ritual and practical projects. The Endnotes reveal the amazing scope of research that has gone into producing this book, which is clear, concise, informative, accessible and a wonderful resource for storytellers, folklorists, Pagan ritual writers and anyone with an interest in comparative religion. So much information crammed into a slim volume! Highly recommended Available from; www.gippeswic.demon.co.uk and anywhere that sells books! 83

Literary Corner BOO K REV IEWs

tant part of modern pagan witchcraft rituals. They are used to mark the quarters of the circle, placed on the altar and can represent the changing seasons of the year. This book is aimed at all who want to use candle magic, from beginners to those experienced in the craft; with everything from simple castings to elaborate and beautiful ceremonies. It offers a background to candle magic as well as spells, rituals, divination techniques, meditations, a guide to making your own candles and more. Pagan Portals - Candle Magic A witch’s guide to spells and rituals Using candles in simple spells, seasonal rituals and essential craft techniques. Paperback £4.99 || $9.95Feb 26, 2016 978-1-78535-043-6 BUY ONLINE e-book £2.99 || $3.99Feb 26, 2016 978-1-78535-044-3 Candle magic is something almost everyone has tried, even as a child - who hasn’t made a wish over a birthday cake? Candle spells are among the easiest yet also the most effective to perform. They are perfect for anyone who wants to have a go at casting a spell for the first time and for the solitary witch with a busy life. Yet candles are also an impor-

Out March Whispers from the Earth Teaching stories from the ancestors, beautifully woven for today’s spiritual seekers Ancient teaching stories from the earth, together with meditations and step-by-step guides to sourcing your own tales from the spirits of the ancestors. e-book £3.99 || $5.99Mar 25, 2016 978-1-78279-381-6

BUY ONLINE Paperback £6.99 || $10.95Mar 25, 2016 978-1-78279-382-3 Ancient teaching stories from the earth, together with meditations and step-by-step guides to sourcing your own tales from the spirits of the ancestors. Throughout time, indigenous cultures have used storytelling as a way of spreading important teachings to the tribe. Much of our own rich, ancient heritage has been lost over the years, eroded with the coming of mainstream religions and new ideas, yet those teachings and stories are still there, waiting to be rediscovered and told. Through years of working with the spirits of the land, shamanic healer, crafter and teacher Taz Thornton has gathered together a bounty of beautifully crafted stories from our own forgotten past. These teaching stories have been shared directly by the spirits of our ancestors, who have long been waiting for new story weavers to carry these threads from the past into the future.

Pagan Portals - Brigid Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well The Irish Goddess Brigid is as powerful and popular today as ever; in this short introduction find out why. Paperback £4.99 || $9.95Mar 25, 2016 978-1-78535-320-8 BUY ONLINE e-book £2.99 || $3.99Mar 25, 2016 978-1-78535-321-5 Pagan Portals - Brigid is a basic introduction to the Goddess Brigid focusing on her history and myth as well as her modern devotion and worship. Primarily looking at the Irish Goddess but including a discussion of her Pan-Celtic appearances, particularly in Scotland. Her different appearances in mythology are discussed along with the 84

conflation of the pagan Goddess with Catholic saint. Modern methods for neopagans to connect to and honor this popular Goddess include offerings and meditation, and personal anecdotes from the author’s experiences are included as well. Who was Brigid to the pre-Christian pagans? Who is she today to neopagans? How do we re-weave the threads of the old pagan Goddess and the new? Learn about Brigid’s myths among the pagan Irish, the stories of Bride in Scotland, and the way that people today are finding and honoring this powerful and important deity to find the answer.

Paperback £14.99 || $25.95Apr 29, 2016 978-1-78535-135-8

Paperback £4.99 || $9.95Apr 29, 2016 978-1-78535-314-7

BUY ONLINE e-book £6.99 || $9.99Apr 29, 2016 978-1-78535-136-5 A book of conversations with prominent Druids from across Britain, the USA and other countries whose voices describe the basic beliefs, practices and struggles of the emerging Druid faith. Conducted in person and online in the late 20th century, these collected conversations provide a historic window into the movers and shakers of the modern Druid world.

BUY ONLINE e-book £2.99 || $3.99Apr 29, 2016 978-1-78535-315-4 Learn how Celtic legend and mythology can bring magic into your daily life. Walk with the Tuatha Dé Danann and hear their wisdom on the wind. See colour as a doorway to a magical world. Speak to animals and become one with the turn of the seasons. Including practical exercises that can be performed by witches of all abilities, this book will teach you how your Celtic forebears are still alive, in the sorcery and skill of the magical practitioner

Legacy of Druids, A Conversations with Druid leaders of Britain, the USA and Canada, past and present

Pagan Portals - Celtic Witchcraft Modern Witchcraft meets Celtic Ways

Enter the hearts and minds of the Druid leaders who are shaping the new Celtic spirituality.

Wield winds of wyrd, dive into pools of wisdom; walk side by side with the Tuatha Dé Danann.

THE PENDLECRAFT