TM THEmagical February - July 2016 Issue 20 - £4.25 - $8.00 US - $9.00 CAN TIMES Environment, Natural Health, Spirituality, Folklore & More!

CelebratingOur 20th Edition!

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Stalls & Info: 07845 438340 or Website: www.magicalfestivals.co.uk Editorial... Welcome to this extra special 20th edition of The Magical Times!

As we reach the deadline for each edition I always find myself saying ‘we need more pages!’.There never seems to be enough space for all the submissions that are received and filtering through the articles is always a tough process. Moving to A4 format seemed the obvious solution and at what better time as we reach our 20th edition?!

Since I was a child I had always wanted to publish my own magazine. It was only several years ago that a family member pulled out some copies of ‘Magic Magazine’ that I had created when I was about 10 years old. They had been stored up in the loft with with photographs and had been long forgotten about. And so, when the first issue was released just before my 18th birthday back in 2008 it was a dream come true. Inside the pages of issue 20 we have several photography features with artists from around the world. All of the contributors have created some very captivating pieces and each piece tells a story.

Our 2016 Faerie Festival (which celebrates the 10th anniversary of Magical Festivals!) is set to headline The Roving Crows and in this issue we present and exclusive interview with the band themselves! We have two articles from Moon Books’ writers Sheena Cundy and Lucya Starza who write about Magick and the earth’s energies. Laura Perry talks about the Minoan civilisation which features some ancient pieces of artwork and Tylluan Penry talks about The Winter Goddesses.

Australian authoress Lucy Cavendish talks about the wild green earth and in our Magical Locations column we take a glimpse at some mystical Welsh countryside. Linzi Martin unravels some handy hints for creating a happier home and Chris Alexander intro- duces the practise of ‘Askfirmations’ - the art of positive mantras. As we move towards the warmer months Ali English talks about herbs of the sun and Vivienne Moss uncovers the mysteries of the many faces of Hekate. Plus news, art features, event listings and more. All beautifully illustrated in this new larger format - enjoy!

Warm wishes, Matthew Callow EDITOR Like ‘The Magical Times’ Want to tell me your views? page on Facebook for news, Email me at [email protected] reviews & competitions!

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Editor: Matthew Callow Assistant Editor: Gareth Breeze Publisher: Magical Festivals Publishing Advertise: [email protected] ISSN: 1757-1677 Web: www.themagicaltimes.com Phone: +44 (0) 78454 38340 Email:[email protected]

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3 Photo by www.lunaesque.com 4 Contents

6. Photography with Smashed Poetry 8. Herbs of the Sun 10. Britain’s Magical Locations 12.The Roving Crows 14. Extraordinary Evergreens 16. Dancing with Nemetona 17. Photography by Shelby Robinson 18. Askfirmations 20. The Many Faces of Hecate 22. Faerie Festival 2016 24. Simplicity for a Happier Home 26. Why I Love the Wild Green Earth 28. Readers Art Gallery 29. The Crafters’ Corner 30. Grounding the Magic 32. Candle Magick 34. Minoan Winter 36. Annwyn Avalon 37. Love Street 38. A Fairytale Ending 40. The Winter Goddesses 42. Dark Angel Clothing

Stockists & Submissions Advertise For advert rates please contact us. We offer excellent dis- We welcome your ideas for articles and features. All ideas will be put into counts to new advertisers. the cauldron for consideration! Disclaimer/Copyright The opinions expressed by writers are not neces- Due to our growing popularity we are constantly searching for new loca- sarily those of the publishers. All content inside the magazine remains the tions to distribute The Magical Times. If you know of a place that would copyright of the contributor. No part of this magazine may be reproduced be interested in distributing the publication please contact us. without written consent by the publishers. 5 ‘My style consists of themes that strongly reflect my personal thoughts and feelings. I believe that great photos tell great stories, which is why I aim to find that great story in every photo that I take.’

6 Photography Smashed With Poetry

My name Grace. I am a self-taught photogra- pher who has been taking photos for around 3 years. I am also currently taking my Master’s degree in International Business Communica- tion. My photography style is best described as “emotional” and “atmospheric”. I love making dreamy images that appear to resem- ble paintings and spice it up with alternative fashion clothing and accessories.

My style consists of themes that strongly reflect my personal thoughts and feelings. I believe that great photos tell great stories, which is why I aim to find that great story in every photo that I take.

Facebook: ‘Photography Smashed with Poetry’ IG: Nini29dk

7 Herbs of the Sun

For thousands of years now, mankind has adored the sun, following its rising and setting and marking the passage of time as the days shorten and then lengthen again. The sun has had many different names in the multitude of religions and cultures that have walked this beautiful planet of ours since humans first began to walk on their hind legs, and has shifted gender from male to female to male again many hundreds of times.

As the sun and the moon both have such a profound pull on the earth and every being who lives upon it, whether sentient (by our standards) or not, there has over time grown quite a list of plants commonly associated with the sun and its movements through the skies, whether due to the basic ‘taste’ of the plant – hot, warming, spicy, pungent flavours seem to be commonly associated with the sun – or due to the association of the plant with a deity that has long been linked with the sun through myths and legends. Many of these herbs can be easily sourced in shops, or better yet, grown and gathered from your own garden or neighbourhood. Some herbs that can be used to bring a little sun energy into your life include:

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – long associated with memory, the beaute- ous rosemary is a strongly fragrant plant that, being a native of the Mediterrane- an, adores the sun and thrives in as much light as it can possibly get. The leath- ery, aromatic leaves can be used in incenses, to flavour food, to make purifying teas that can be sprinkled into the corners of rooms to dispel negative energy (very useful when you have a smoke alarm and therefore cannot smudge), and also to make a delicious tea or cottage tincture that works wonders to promote clear thinking. It cuts through ‘black dog on the shoulder’ type mood slumps very effectively, making it a wonderful herb to help you get through the worst of winter’s darkness, or to help you truly open up to the sun throughout the rest of the year. It is the equivalent of opening a window and letting the sunlight in.

St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) – this beautiful plant is commonly used these days as an anti depressant, which rather trivialises its many other uses. St John’s Wort is a herb of blessings, including the blessing of abundant good health. It does, however, act as a significant liver detoxifier, improving how effectively the hepatocytes, or liver cells, process and remove toxins from the body, which is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to be used along- side conventional drugs. If you are not currently taking anything from your GP, St John’s Wort is a wonderful nerve tonic, and can ease the symptoms of depres- sion, anxiety and insomnia. It is also a potent antiviral and can be used on the skin to relieve the pain of shingles and trapped nerves, as its anti inflammatory action relieves swelling and discomfort – especially useful when combined with the warming strength of rosemary essential oil! 8 Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) – One of our most brightly colour- ed and cheerful plants, Calendula, or Pot Marigold, is very easily grown in pots and the garden, the brilliant orange flowers continuing right the way up to Yuletide if the weather is mild enough. Calendula is an invaluable wound healer, used both internally and externally, and is the base of most good gardener’s hand salves. Use the flowers to make a bright orange infused oil, or steep them in strong vodka to make a cottage tincture. Used internally, Pot Marigold shifts the lymph system and encourages clear skin and improved liver function.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica) – This tall, showy biennial has a richly warming flavour, and the stems are still regularly candied and used to decorate cakes and puddings. Internally Angelica works on the circulatory system, boosting and supporting its healthy functioning. If you cut a stem of Angelica, you will see that the main stem in particular is usually hollow. According to the Doctrine of Signatures, this is a sign of its use for improving the health and function of blood vessels. The seeds can be chewed to relieve poor indigestion, wind and bloating, and are gently warming, with a flavour a little like that of fennel.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) – Commonly used to flavour cakes, puddings, savoury dishes and liqueurs, cinnamon is an easily found bark. With its warming flavour and rich brown colour, it is easy to see why the spice is associated with the sun quite regularly! It makes a wonderful addition to incense blends, and also a great ingredient in warming wines and libations for Solar festivals – Yule in particular. Bundles of it can be tied up to make deliciously aromatic decorations, or, if you can get hold of long quills, why not tie them up to make a pentacle and decorate it with orange slices, to make a beautiful Yuletide decoration? Cinnamon warms the digestive system and is well suited to those with poor appetite and digestion. It has also been used to encourage better blood sugar management, though this needs to be con- sidered with caution if you are already on medication from your doctor. Chamomile is one of the few herbs where there is a link to the moon as well – possibly unsurprising if you look at the sunny centre of the Clove (Syzygium officinale) – Many will have come across the humble flower, and the white rays that surround it. clove, which is often used as a relief for tooth pain when dabbed onto the gum, or onto a small piece of cotton wool tucked between gum and Many of the herbs listed above are very easily obtained, and some can cheek. This does work well, but needs to be used with caution as too be grown for yourself with the minimum of space and fuss needed. much can do the nerves damage! Cloves, with their pungent and dis- This growing season, why not plant yourself up a tub with some pot tinctive aroma, make a beautiful pomander when used to pierce oranges. marigolds in, and enjoy their sunny colour for months on end? Or work Simply push the cloves into the orange peel carefully, as close to each with fresh or dried rosemary, as a tea, sachet to keep in your pocket, other as possible. Over time the fruit will dessicate and dry through or as a sprinkle to refresh a room? Herbs of the sun are bright and to the centre, and you will be left with a pomander that is still strongly uplifting, with warming, spicy, pungent aromas. Many of them are aromatic. Once completely dry, why not dab some gold or bronze paint warming and drying, and can be a very useful tonics both internally and over the top to make a pomander sun? This can be tied up with gold externally. Unsurprisingly enough, the best methods to use with many wire, and, if hung in a warm window that gets regular warmth on bright of these sun herbs involve heat, for example infused oils made with St days, will continue to release its citrus and spice aroma for many years. John’s Wort or Calendula. Simply pick your herbs on a bright, sunny day, making sure that your flowers are dry, free from livestock and dew. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – Another common and easily obtained Pack the flowers into a dry kilner or jam jar and pour an organic seed herb, ginger can be found in great pieces in greengrocers, or dried and oil over the top. Sweet Almond works well for this, as does Rapeseed powdered in shops and supermarkets. Both versions are delicious, but oil. Put a piece of kitchen towel over the top of the jar, fixing it in place each has a different flavour and character to it. Fresh root ginger can be with an elastic band – this allows the water to evaporate out instead of added to lemon or orangeade or used to make spicy syrups that can be being trapped in the oil. Place the jar on a windowsill that gets as much added to cakes and desserts or mixed into both alcoholic or non alcohol- sun as possible, and allow the sunlight to work its magic upon the oil ic drinks. The root is spicy and invigorating, and can be used to uplift and flower blend. St John’s Wort flowers give a beautiful deep red oil, the mood and also support circulation. It is a traditional ingredient in and Calendula gives a rich orange oil – both are wonderful additions to many different delicious recipes, and makes a wonderful ingredient to both the herbal medicine chest and the ritual cabinet. Herbs of the sun cook with through colder parts of the year. Added to summer drinks, lend themselves to incenses and smudge sticks as well, with rosemary ginger root encourages a gentle sweat, which will in turn allow the body in particular making beautiful smudge sticks that can be used to cleanse to cool itself to a more suitable temperature. and purify space as well as focusing and clarifying the thoughts.

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - Chamomile is one of the Next issue, herbs associated with the moon will be discussed, along with most widely drunk herbal teas, unsurprising given its pleasant, refresh- some of their uses and folklore. ing flavour. Chamomile can be used to soothe the digestive system, especially in cases where stress and anxiety are causing stomach upsets Ali English is a practising herbalist based in Lincolnshire, UK. Her and complaints. It is a gentle sedative and anti inflammatory, and has website can be found at www.eldrumherbs.co.uk, and on Facebook been used to soothe tooth and gum ache in teething toddlers, made into by searching for Eldrum Herbs. a bath to encourage restful sleep in all ages, and as a skin wash to soothe and relieve itchy and sore skin complaints. Imbolc Photography by Lunaesque - www.lunaesque.com

9 Britain’s Magical Locations

Sensing Magic in Wales By Maria Unt Have you ever dreamed about dark sky and bright stars above you, cold wind cooling your face and just wind’s howl breaking the silence?...

After busy cities with their constant traffic, endless crowds of people, noisy streets and never ending artificial lighting, such a place would be ideal for a peaceful break that is full of mysteries, pagan heritage and legends. Wales’ green hills, wide fields and clean streams could help anyone to relax and feel our eternal connection to the land we are living on and all creatures around us.

Although Wales is counted as being part of Great Britain, while there I felt that I have had entered a completely different country. It was not only because of the Welsh language many locals spoke and roadsigns that I would not be able to understand without English translation. It was something in the air, something deep and ancient that made my short break in rural and peaceful Wales so unique.

There are many legends and myths in Wales. Some of them are told as fairy-tales to children, however, some of them are still living their own lives. It did not surprise me at all, as beautiful nature, medieval castles and tall trees covered with moss make you think about ghosts and fairies, witches and wizards, mermaids and secret passages to other worlds that are lost for forever.

I have always been fascinated by mystical legends, traditions and folk tales and when I heard about the highest peak in the south Wales - Pen I decided to take a walk to the lake just after May Day, still hoping y Fan and mysterious lake Llyn y Fan Fach I decided to visit those to sense some magical presence and, once I reached the lake, I was places straight away. absolutely fascinated by its stunning view. Cat’s eye shaped, still and silent, it appeared to me as one of the most peaceful places I have It was May and, according to the legend, on May Day, which is the ever visited in my life. I could smell fresh green grass in the air which first Monday of the month, a secret passage opens leading to a magical made me a little bit dizzy and very relaxed. and unseen by ordinary people island in the middle of the lake, where fairies dance, feast and do their sorcery. Hundreds of years ago, the se- I was the only visitor that morning and could peacefully sit on a bank cret way was opening every year and ordinary people could freely vis- and enjoy the view and silence, which can be as precious as gold. It it the island, try delicious fruits and nectars and dance with fairies and was early morning, the sun was still a bit dull, and all the hills were other wonderful creatures of the magical world. There was only one covered with fog that turned into clouds on top of them. condition: nothing from the island could be taken away, as everything I made some notes and drew a few sketches, which took me a good there belonged to fairies. However, as it often happens with human couple of hours. By this time, the sun was shining bright and eventu- beings, who refuse to follow rules and want to make everything their ally I could see the magnificent top of Pen y Fan hill. It looked much way, one man decided to take a beautiful flower from the island. higher than it actually was (886 metres or 2,907 ft) and reminded me Magic was broken, the man who stole the flower got punished and of a giant guardian who was protecting the lake and its secrets from became disturbed till the end of his life and the secret passage was curious tourists like me. I took some photos and decided to leave the closed for forever, so that no one would ever steal anything from the lake in peace, as I could not feel any presence of the fairy folk and try fairies’ island. to climb to the famous hill. 10 Photography by www.celticmystery.co.uk

From the distance, a walking path to Pen y Fan looked very easy and flat, but after half a mile, I understood that what we see is sometimes completely different from what it really is. Although the path was made from flat stones and was not running very high I was exhausted, sweaty and breathless. I could see that other lonely visitors, families and groups of tourists are struggling as well, but without moaning and complaining. Just looking at them gave me courage and strength and slowly I continued climbing, but deep inside myself wishing that I had never started it. When I had almost reached the top of the hill, my breath was taken The rain was strong and heavy all my way down and made me think away by the amazing view of the Llyn y Fan Fach lake. It looked again about all these myths, legends and times when people believed small and even more mysterious than when I was standing next to it. that all things and creatures on our planet were sacred. What if the hill It reminded me of a semiprecious stone, such as moonstone, for exam- heard my mutter? What if cold rain was a revenge for my ungrate- ple, lying on a green velvet cloth of hills. The lake was also reflecting fulness and rudeness? I was a traveller in these places, a foreigner dull sunshine and white clouds like a mirror on women’s toilet desk. and a stranger who should actually respect local nature and beliefs. Perhaps, my irritation because of the difficult climbing, tiredness and I was standing there at the steep cliff of the hill enjoying the view and disappointment with the view caused the heaviest rain in my life? This thinking about my own life, joys and troubles, future and past. But my place was always counted as mystical and sacred and as the old saying thoughts’ flow was interrupted by the chill wind that made me shiver says “there is no smoke without fire”. Maybe, the spirit of the hill or and I wrapped my jacked even tighter. I looked around and raised the lake (or even both of them!) got angry with me and decided to my head to the sky to see that grey and gloomy clouds had started to punish? I could almost believe in this explanation, as once I reached appear on the horizon and most likely would hide the sun and leftover my car and got into it the rain has stopped, as if someone turned off blue sky in a while. the water in the sky.

I took a deep breath and continued climbing, which was getting more Wet, cold and shivering, I suddenly felt happy and refreshed, as if and more difficult with every step I was making. I was looking at the all the stress in my life and all the troubles disturbing my mind were sheep pasturing nearby and counted them as lucky ones, who had gone. So, maybe it was not an actual punishment from the Gods, but a four legs and were not afraid or tired of jumping and climbing all day. reward? I got cleaned and purified by water from the sky and fresh air With my tiredness, my irritation grew and with the dark clouds came around me. As if cold flows of rain took away all my sorrows and bur- the fog, that had covered almost everything around. Soon I could not ied them deep in the ground of Pen y Fan hill. Maybe it was meant to even see a yard ahead, let alone the beautiful view from the hill. Once be like that for me? To feel the relaxation by the lake, tiredness during I reached the top of Pen y Fan my disappointment reached the limit: the climbing, irritation due to the absence of the view from the hill and tight fog had hidden all wonders of nature from me. I had a feeling revelation after the cold rain? that I was standing in the middle of the cloud and its cool and wet air made me feel not only sad, but also very cold. After all the effort Who knows … but what I felt for sure is that my trip to Wales was not and long and tiring walk I had done, the only reward I received was a just an ordinary weekend break, but something much more than that. foggy mist around me, that blinded me and made all sounds and noises Solitude, nature, legends and powers of elements made me understand around hollow and quiet. that all human beings are actually part of something greater than just our life and we all are parts of the world and universe around us. We Dissatisfied, I muttered something like “damn hill” and decided to are connected to nature and nature is connected to us. We are nothing make my way back to the car and then to the camping place I was without it, but it is everything even without us. We can concur other staying at. However, once I had mumbled these ungrateful words, the countries, invent different machines and technologies and even fly to sky opened and heavy rain fell on the hill. Its drops were as heavy as the moon, but the nature will always be stronger and smarter than us. little rocks and as cold as snow in winter. It was not even raining, but It is the most powerful thing and could either destroy everything or showering and, within couple of minutes, I was completely soaked build from the scratch. We shall respect it in every way we can and and could barely move in the clothes that had become too heavy. I live in peace with it, feeling grateful for all the presents and gifts it tried to walk fast, but my boots started to slide and I decided to calm gives us and for the most sacramental among all of them – for the life down a bit and take it easy. I was wet anyway, had nothing to lose, and itself. therefore stopped hurrying.

11 12 An Interview With The Roving Crows Roving Crows are an original must-see act, with roots in Folk and Celtic music. Renowned for their high-energy live performance, their shows pull together funked up traditional tunes and catchy original song. Think powerful Celtic undertones and intoxicating tribal rhythms. The Crows will be headlining Faerie Festival 2016 (see p22 for info). When did the group first come together? The Crows started as a duo, Paul and Caitlin touring the west midlands developing their original Celtic vibe. It was this early gigging in small venues that laid the foundation for what was to come. On many occasions the duo were joined by audience members with random and varied instruments, from congas to flutes, bag pipes to didgeridoo and much more. On one occasion a tea-chest bass arrived on stage which was then expertly played by an energetic guy that looked just like Cat-weasel. These, and many other unexpected sounds lead to an awareness of where the music could go, or rather, there was nowhere the music could not go. The sky was the limit and boundaries where blown away.

So the Crows really grew from the influence of random musicians and singers spontaneously joining Paul and Caitlin for impromptu sessions during performances. This lead to a booking at the Cheltenham races for the sound that just seemed to happen. Three of the most suitable musicians were asked to join Caitlin and Paul for a weeks run in the centre of Cheltenham and the name Roving Crows was chosen.

What inspired your to perform this music? Caitlin started playing fiddle at age four. Her father brought her to friends houses and local clubs and pubs to play and listen and on Come and see us live! Enjoy life, frequent trips to Ireland she was encouraged to join in sessions. Caitlin does not read music all she has learned is by ear. She has stored up enjoy the show, love the crows! many tunes over the years and has recently begun to compose her own. www.rovingcrows.com Paul started writing songs as a teenager and formed his first band while at school, first playing the drums then bass guitar before finally settling on the acoustic guitar and very recently he was given an What is the most important thing for you as a band? electric guitar which has now become a feature of the ever growing The Crows pride themselves on their live performance. We like to take Crow sound. Growing up in Ireland you are surrounded by all types of the audience on a journey. When you’re at a Crow show you leave music, and Celtic music can be very soulful but also energetic and full your troubles behind and get into the atmosphere. Also doing original of life; addictive qualities for any age. Pop was never a choice for any of the band members, Loz is a metal head while also performing with tracks is something we’ve always kept focused on, although we do the a vocal group in Worcester. His hobby is playing tunes on a bango on odd cover (in a very Crow-like fashion) it is creating and performing long road trips. our own work that keeps the magic for us and our fans. We are like a traveling family, and it is very important to us to keep that bond. To Can you tell us a little about your songs? survive in the modern music scene you must plan your overall year Paul’s song writing is based on life experience. He writes about his like a business, but then prepare for each show like a family, a unit that journey, so the stories are real and very accessible. The process of is there to entertain and create a lasting memory for the audience and writing is usually an idea at 6am which is then written down and if Crows alike. We don’t just make a living from being a musician we sleep is not returning then the kettle is put on and the guitar is brought believe that to get the most out of life we live as musicians, and take into the equation, the raw lyrics and melody can take anywhere from on the experiences that come with that journey. an hour to a day or even up to a week. Then if the song still has some- thing about it when rehearsal comes around it it jammed out and put through the mill for options. Where a song can go is really up to the What would be your ideal concert setting? song, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear, so if after a few The most difficult question is where would our ideal concert setting be, hours or days of jamming it’s not working then we move on to another because we have played in so many venues, fields, houses, barns, stu- idea. Every Crow has input in the final arrangement of the track, and dios, boats, you name it we’ve played in it, on it or under it. You can’t even if a song has made it to the gig list this does not mean it will be be to selective especially when you are starting out, you take what you recorded or even stay in the set, it is the audience reaction that tells us can get and so you end up playing the weird and wonderful, and to the if a song or tune set should be kept in the live set. weird and wonderful, and you learn your trade doing it. But as time went on we began to see we were not doing ourselves or the venue What projects are you currently working on? Can we expect any justice by taking every gig that comes along. If we think we’re not new releases in 2016? The Crows are continually writing new material and a lot of hours is the right band for an event then we would decline, also the technical spent arranging and recording new material just so we can hear what end must be right. We now ask for a good sound engineer and sound the final out come might sound like. We released a five track EP in system and not every venue or festival can provide that, so part of the March which sold out by Sept so another thousand copies were or- ideal concert must be what is provided by the event organiser and to be dered and they are selling fast. ‘Casanova is Burning’ was released as fair most festivals provide a good standard PA and techie. Oh, and an a single in August with a video which caught the eye of many festival appreciative audience, enjoying and engaging with our music makes programmers for 2016. It is very important to us to keep the content of us happy as performers. Whether this be small intimate venue or a our live show fresh as we have many loyal fans who come to our gigs large-scale festival. and festival appearances. We never do the same show twice. We dip into the store of material to suit the mood of the crowd on the night. As To find out more about the Crows visit: www.rovingcrows.com for a new album we will be entering the recording studio in April/May to record our 4th studio album which will be released in November. www.facebook.com/rovingcrows - www.twitter.com/rovingcrows 13 Extraordinary Ever greens If you go down to the woods to day you’re in for a big surprise...-

Photography by www.susanschroder.com 14 Did you know that trees also come bearing gifts of health benefits? Most trees have edible parts such as leaves, bark, blossom and fruit; but even in the depths of winter, it is still possible to gather in the forest from the Evergreen family. Essential oils can be extracted from evergreens such a pine and they regularly feature as an ingredient in cough syrups. Edible Evergreens - Most Evergreen trees are edible, but for safety Studies in both China and Russia have also found pine to be An- and simplicity, stick to the Pine, Fir and Spruce family. Many years ti-Fungal, Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Viral, AntiOxidant & Anti-Aging, ago, we found that these trees are extremely high in Vitamin C, as Helpful for Weight, Cholesterol & High blood pressure, Relieves well as vitamin A, quercetin, flavonoids, anthocyanins and volatile Sore, Aching Muscles, Stimulating to the Liver, Astringent for the oils that are beneficial for respiratory conditions, coughs, colds and Bladder, Relaxing to the Mind and Stress Relieving, AND Helpful in flu as well as being anti-inflammatory. Restoring Overall Balance to The Body! (Wow! Now wasn’t that a mouthful!) Pine Power - The pine has been revered and used all over the world. It was used as a traditional remedy by the Native American Indians, and Identification: A tree identification book and some rambles in your there is a mystical Taoist practice of surviving only on pine needles to area will reveal what varieties you have for your Pine Potion adven- gain supernatural powers that has its roots in the pine tree’s symbol- tures. Always be sensible about this and find out if the trees have been ism of integrity and honour. The Scandinavians used pine branches sprayed or are near a polluted road. These will not be so good for you. in saunas, and many cultures stuffed mattresses with pine needles to repel lice, fleas, and other insects. In fact, pine-needle mattresses are Caution: Always exercise caution when wild harvesting and also, be still used today in the Swiss Alps, as a remedy for rheumatism. careful what you take if you are pregnant or on other medication.

Pine Needle Tea Bewitched Botanicals (use trees grown away from pollution and not sprayed) ½ cup of pine needles (or other needles from fir or spruce trees) Pine Needle Sugar or Honey

Pine Needle Tea Place crushed pine needles into a jar of honey or sugar and leave for several weeks or months. Crush the needles slightly & add to a pot of boiling wa- ter (3-4 cups). Simmer for 15-20 mins, or simply steep Use in teas, desserts or other creative concoctions. For the needles in not yet boiling water. variety, add pieces of lemon or orange peel to flavour.

You can add a spoon of honey or other liquid sweetener (maple syrup, agave, etc), as well as herbs such as rose- mary or green tea, to this wonderfully aromatic brew. Pine Cones & Needles Potpourri Leftover tea can be added to a bath, or used as a rinse for the hair to combat dandruff! Bring the outdoors in with the refreshing fragrance of pine.

6 cups dried pine needles (not brown) Douglas Fir Syrup 2 cups small pine cones 2 cup dried orange peel Splash into vodka or gin cocktails, or simply dilute with tonic 1 cup dried rosehips water. 1 cup dried rose & marigold petals 1 cup broken cinnamon sticks Makes about 400ml 4 tablespoons of orris root (optional) 25g Douglas fir, Scots pine, or other edible pine needles, rinsed in a sieve and patted dry 15 to 20 drops of oil of pine (more or less as desired) 200ml boiling water 400g caster sugar In a bowl, place the oil on the orris root if using. Orris root is tra- ditionally used to fix scent. Otherwise, sprinkle the oil on the pine Method cones, and gently mix all the ingredients together.

Put the pine needles in a large sterilised jam jar (with a lid) and To use, place into open containers throughout the house. Add more pour in the boiling water. Cover and leave for 24 hours. essential oil as needed.

Strain the pine-needle-infused water into a jug. Keep out of reach from children and animals.

Put the sugar in a clean saucepan and add the strained water. Preserving your Needles Heat over a low heat to dissolve the sugar. Do not stir. To freeze, just snip the needles into smaller pieces and place in a Zip- Bring to a boil for 2–3 minutes until you have reached the lock bag in the freezer until ready to use. desired consistency. You can also dehydrate them, or dry out over a stove or in an airing Leave to cool and then pour into a sterilised bottle and refriger- cupboard. ate. Use within a month. When dry, you can store in a jar, or more interestingly you can process For a greener syrup, add a tablespoon of washed and dried them to a powder in your blender and use to add an aromatic flavour chickweed tops, after removing the boiled syrup from the heat. to various recipes.

Blend in a food processor and strain again before bottling. As with all cordials and syrups, use refined sugar. 15 Dancing With Nemetona Joanna van der Hoeven

Having danced deeply with the goddess Nemetona, the Lady of Sacred We can try to pour all our energy into the relationship only to see Space and Sanctuary over the years, the issue of boundaries returns to it come clashing again and again, destroying any sense of peace me again and again in relation to human interaction and in everyday life we might have found, and not allowing for any future peace to be with people that I share this journey with. obtained.

Nemetona is an elusive goddess; not much is written historically about Druidry is all about relationship. Deep, honourable relationship her. Place names exist that contain her name, altars with her inscription whether it is with the bird or bee, our neighbour or our lover. Hon- exist in various places, tribes are named after Her in what are considered ourable relationship is that which nourishes both parties, where soul Celtic lands. However, as a goddess she is an experiential deity – not touches soul and both are inspired and inspiring each other. To do one to be thought about so much as one to be experienced. It is through so, we must find our own boundaries so that we know how we are practical working with Her that we come to know Her. when we come up against someone else’s boundary. We will know how to act, how to adapt our boundaries so that both parties are safe Our own personal nemeton, the space around us that we do not allow and nourished. Where there is no possibility of nourishment, we strangers inside, or those we do not know well enough; that space are better able to understand why it didn’t work and walk away with expands and contracts with each person that we meet. Some people we respect and no ill will. might shy away from, others we might fling open our souls to in wild abandon. What I have learned is that boundaries must be kept, in order By becoming aware of our own boundaries, we can act honourably to keep the nemeton intact. with other humans we meet, and indeed with all of nature. Some- times it is wholly inappropriate to fling our souls open to the lake at This is difficult for me, as I enjoy ecstatic relationship –I crave it in my sunset: that is why in Druidry we ask permission to share our soul Druidry, in my life. Yet I have learned with whom it is appropriate and touch with others. Maybe this is what is lacking in much of human with who it is not. To utterly dissolve into the moment of the sunset, or interaction – that permission is not sought. It is either given when not opening my soul to the bluebell wood as I lie beneath the gently sway- asked for, or taken even when it is not sought. ing branches of oak and sycamore, or deep within the heart of ritual where transformation, celebration and integration take place – these are Others may not be aware of their boundaries. They might fling their the times when it is not only appropriate, but relatively safe to do so. I past hurts and project their greatest failings and fears onto us. All we know that after having established a good relationship with the bluebell can do is to call upon Nemetona, to see that our own sanctuary is safe wood, it will not harm me, nor will it abuse the relationship. Sadly, this and wish them peace with all our hearts. We cannot force a relation- is often not the case with many humans that we meet. As Pagans, we ship. We have to be gentle and kind in all manner of relationship, as often find more comfort in the natural world than in the human realms. we learn to walk lightly upon this earth.

Perhaps that is why it is so much easier for me, as a Druid, to find rela- Nemetona has helped me to define my space, and to allow me to ex- tionship with the beech tree at the bottom of the garden, or the badger plore the deepest depths of my soul while being held in a sanctuary. that comes looking for birdseed and peanuts, than the average human This is not necessarily a sanctuary of love, but more akin to the space being. Even when my soul is laid bare, I have not come to harm when that a good teacher holds for a student to learn in, expanding her communing with nature. The seaside has not taken advantage of that horizons and knowledge, combining it with experience to create wis- moment when we are soul naked, when we are seeking deep ecstatic re- dom. Nemetona is present at my altar, humming through the bones lationship. Perhaps this is because the sea does not want, does not need and leaves, stones and photos. She is shining in the candlelight, as we humans need. That is not to say that nature is kind, for I know that bathing my meditation space with a warm glow that allows me to rest I could drown in the sea, or die of hypothermia lost in the forest. But my body and soul for however long a time. She creates and nurtures the sea has no hidden agenda; the forest does not have an intention to do space in our lives to simple be, to exist without judgement. harm. We are not so sure of humans that we meet in our lives. Human relationship is so very different, for so much of it is heavily dependent In the midst of all the wondrous experiences of our lives, all we do on need, on desires. We seek a ‘give and take’ in our relationships, if is dance with Her as best we can, sometimes ecstatically, sometimes they are to be healthy. When there is not a balance, it is unhealthy, and deep within our boundaries and those She holds for us, ever awake often sometimes one ends up being taken advantage of in all kinds of and aware of our relationship to Her and to the rest of the world. ways. It is difficult to trust humans. I can feel in my relationship with “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by the beech tree that it is not jealous of me, or wishes me harm, or that it those who could not hear the music.” - Friedrich Nietzsche suffers from any of the usual human foibles. For those of us upon the Druid path, Saddened by and a little wiser through past experiences, I have had to Nemetona is an intriguing goddess. relearn again and again where my edges are and where they meet with Joanna s book welcomes us into others. I have had to learn to set my boundaries carefully, ensuring Nemetona s sanctuary that we might that a relationship is honourable for everyone involved. To not make know her more intimately. With a judgements on people based on others I have known from the past, but combination of helpful exercises and to allow my past experience to guide me with a little wisdom in future the gentle but compelling wisdom relationships: this is what Nemetona teaches me each and every day. born of Joanna s relationship with this goddess, we discover that the concept We have to be aware of where, when and why a relationship fails. It can of the Grove and the experience be for any reason at all. It might not even be anyone’s fault. It might en- of Sacred Space is more rich and tirely be the other party’s fault, or entirely your own. What is important complex than we imagined. --Philip is that when there has been hurt, when the trust has broken down and we Carr-Gomm, author of The Druid Way cannot see a way forward, we learn to let go and find that which does and Druid Mysteries: Ancient Wisdom nourish us in body, mind and soul. Staying stuck in an abusive situation for the 21st Century”. does not do anyone any good. We might have to deal with a colleague who undermines us, a friend who betrays us, a family member who Available online in digital for- doesn’t understand us. mat and in print worldwide. 16 Photography By Shelby Robinson

My name is Shelby Robinson and I am a 21 year old, self-taught photographer who has been photographing for about three years. I love exploring the artistic side of photography. In my images I strive to tell a story through pose or atmosphere so that a viewer may become engaged or feel apart of that image.

My imagery consists of a dreamy feel, and has even been described to look almost painting-like. The foun- dation of my style consists of a fantasy aura or theme that strongly reflects my personal thoughts, stories, or feelings. I love the use of color and and often apply it in order to create a soft, whimsical flow throughout an entire image. Currently I am furthering my education at the University of North Georgia by pursuing a Busi- ness Marketing degree as well as a minor in Graphic Design.

Find our more about Shelby Robinson visiting www.shelbyrobinsonphotos.com 17 It’s Magic! Just Ask AND Receive! Yes, Really

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic in their lives? As a trail blazing soul, you have heard of affirmations, mantras and most likely the Law of Attraction. All at- tract what they put out into the universe energetically. It’s the law.

In the school of manifesting, one may try affirmations; a beautiful positive statement. They are indeed beautiful; however, it’s the rare soul that can say affirmations consistently work for them. Often it becomes very route and the energy towards them lessens. How many times can one say the same exact thing over and over and over again with the same kind of depth of feeling? Daydreams typically ensue. ‘Shiny’ moments infiltrate. Before long the affirmation being said is a forgotten memory.

Have you ever affirmed something you really wanted, desired (and -de served by the way) only to hear an inner voice telling you that you didn’t deserve it? That perhaps you were getting too big for your britches? That life as you now know it, is IT? That your personal history has ‘proven’ you are not meant to be healthy, successful, happy let alone financially independent?

Meet the ego. The ego is a nasty little bugger. It’s full of self-deprecating thoughts and has the ability to reverse any positive statement you make. It’s the King of the internal Raspberry Blowing. The Queen of Self-dep- recating Thoughts. Ego feeds on any and all fear based thoughts and mag- nifies them. Lucky for the ego humanity offers it a buffet daily; even our weather reports have become fear based. The ego then uses its resources to spoon feed each person more fear and unworthiness until one hangs their head in shame and defeat. Why? Because those nasty little thoughts can hold greater energy than those affirmations. The ego can negate any affirmation put out there and it does it with great ease.

All humans have ego. Let’s make that clear from the get go. All have had these self deprecating ideas at some point. The more enlightened souls have simply learned how to deal and trick the ego into submission, into quietness. The quickest way to do battle with the ego is simple; place your hands over your heart. The heart is the birthplace of the soul. As such, lies cannot enter or thrive there. The moment you place your hands in this sa- cred location, you metaphorically are handing the ego a lollipop and asking it to go sit in the corner until you can play again at a later time. Remember, you shall have an ego until the day you die, you might as well learn a trick Photography by www.ingoundelse.de or two to squelch its thunder.

18 Have you ever noticed that more you desire something, the more it seems to allude you? The more ‘it’ matters, the more ego jumps in to do its sabotaging duty. Contrary, have you ever noticed that the less energy you put towards something, it manifests magically?

As an example, do you ever doubt that when shoes are purchased you receive two; a left and right one? Do you ever doubt that your restau- rant order is delivered exactly as requested? Do you ever doubt that your lights will turn on, or off, when the switch is flipped?

Of course not. The rest of what is desired works the same way. Remember, it’s all energy. You ARE a Manifesting Magnet, whether you chose to believe it or not. How often has someone called only for you to share ‘I WAS just thinking of you!’ How often has your ‘gut’ informed you of an upcoming event? How often have you thought of something and it manifested within a matter of days? You Manifesting Magnet you. This just goes to prove that thoughts HAVE power!

Take this philosophy a bit more personal. How often have you blurted out, ‘Why can’t I ever meet ‘him/her’? ‘Why does everything always take twice as long to complete?’ or the classic, ‘Why can’t I ever get ahead’? Only to have the results less than desired be delivered. Re- sults such as never meeting the perfect mate, everything taking three times as long, and the goal of getting ahead? It’s a thing that happens to lucky folks. This is the ego and the Law of Attraction at work. Thoughts and questions manifesting exactly as you asked.

One of the Laws of the Universe states it answers every question Photography by www.ingoundelse.de asked literally. It doesn’t interpret. Why is this particular Askfirmation so important? When one feels safe We humans are a funny breed. We THINK we know better. We to be themselves, self esteem and self worth escalate. One now feels THINK we know what’s best. We THINK … We think too much. With comfortable sharing who they are without fear of retribution, teasing all this thinking going on, is it any wonder that ego has come to play or eye rolling. One is more supported by not only the universe, but the permanently? We have forgotten how to BE. For when we are in the world at large. One feels comfortable to ask for what they want (vs. moment(s) of Being, magic happens. We can and do create our own what they think what they are suppose to have). The best part? Begin reality. However, until we can all live from the energy of Being, there receiving it! is another tool you can use to begin allowing all you desire to come to fruition. A tool that helps you to become more conscious and aware of Use this Askfirmation daily until the day you die. As you well know, the questions you are thinking and verbally asking. A tool that helps to you have changed over the years; a lot actually; hair, height, cloth- shut up the ego. ing, even your foot size. These are just some very normal ways you have changed. If those have changed, then of course how you present Askfirmations. An Askfirmation is defined as a positive present-tense yourself to the world has changed; what you accept as suitable, how question. The philosophy works exactly the same way. Ask a ques- you express yourself, how you energetically show up. Therefore, what tion and the universe responds literally, no interpretation. With a bit you desire has also changed. What excites you has changed. Each time of re-training, you can begin to ask more positive questions to allow you reach a new level of you, a new Growth Adventure is presented. yourself to receive what is truly desire. Make it a bit easier on yourself by using this Askfirmation and based on results thus far from my clients, the blossoming becomes easier and Unless you are living your absolute perfect life, there are aspects with- easier. It truly is a game changer. in you that have not seen the light of day for a long time. You don’t feel safe to share this part of you. Another way to think of life: All desire love. All desire to be com- As an Angel Intuitive, I completely understand. After all, chatting with fortable in their chosen home. All desire to be successful. Correct? angels is more on the unusual side by societal standards. Deep down Wouldn’t it be boring if all desired the same kind of mate, home and all are people pleasers. All wish to be accepted and loved and morph success? All mates would be similar. Homes? Identical. Success? into someone else in order to be accepted and loved. Unfortunately Since all would be doing the same thing, it would be boring and very many alter themselves so much that the friends and colleagues that imbalanced indeed! The advertising world has done a brilliant job of are in their life aren’t true friends. These ‘friends’ can roll their eyes, telling people how successful people are suppose to live, what kind of smirk, back stab and simply ignore anything that is held in high regard clothing, jewelry, cars, etc. you are suppose to have. It’s why celebri- by you. With friends like this, who needs enemies? ties are often the spokespeople for products; we want to be like them and if we have one of their products, we’ll live their kind of life. If you aren’t embracing all aspects of you, how can the world rec- ognize you and bestow upon you all that you desire and deserve? Balderdash. Live life as you desire it! Remember, Remember, the Law of Attraction motto; Like attracts Like. If one is putting out the energy of low self-esteem, and low self worth, that You deserve the perfect mate for YOU. is what is returned. People will continue to call on you, because you You deserve the perfect home for YOU always can be counted on to get stuff done, even at your own expense. You deserve the perfect career for YOU Even if you are the one needing the help. and so on

Starting today, begin asking: Why is it safe for me to be me? What are you waiting for? Begin to ask and receive exactly what you desire starting NOW! A shift begins…very subtlety. You start to blossom and shine the real you. This can and does alter your posture; which may sound insignif- Chris Alexandria is the founder of Angel Chatter and the author of icant, but when one stands taller, the world notices. Use of this Ask- Askfirmations. The second edition of Askfirmations is scheduled for firmation begins to open doors. Others take note and act accordingly release in early Spring, 2016 through Earthdancer Publishing – a Find- with greater respect and support. All the juggling? Begins to cease. horn Press imprint. To learn more about Chris and her work, please The various hats worn? Now are only changed based on your outfit. visit www.angelchatter.com 19 The Many Faces of Hekate By Vivienne Moss

20 Like Isis of Ten Thousand Names, Hekate has many epithets She is known by. Some of the most common are: Soteria-(Savior), Pro- Zootrophos—Nourisher of Life pylia-(The One Before the Gates), Dadophorus-(Torch Bearer), Trimor- Hekate is not all death and darkness, She is also light and life. Many see phos-(Three Formed), Trivia-(Of the Three Ways), Kleidoukhos-(Keep- Her as Hekate Soteria, the Savior. I often approach Hekate in a Heno- er of the Key)s, Chthonia-(of the Earth), and Brimo-(Angry One). In theistic way. Henotheism is the belief in and worship of one god without my book, Hekate: A Devotional, I explore these and other epithets that denying the existence of other gods. I feel it is much like the priests and Hekate has revealed to me. Through my devotion to The Lady of the priestesses of ancient temples; they would have embodied and wor- Crossroads, I have unveiled some of the faces She has hidden from us. shiped the god of their temple above all others. Hekate as Nourisher of While immersing myself in Her mysteries, I have come to know Hekate Life can be found in all of Nature. She is Life Everlasting, present from the beginning of time. Hekate is the breath of life and the silence of in a different light—one more contemporary and welcoming of new death; Her spirit dwells within All. thoughts and ideas. I embrace the new and enlivening faces that Hekate reveals to me, learning all that I can from Her so I may share Her mys- Hekate, my Eternal Queen, is the Song of Enchantment. She is All that teries with the world. Let’s explore a few new faces of our Fair Queen is and All that will be. It is to Her that I turn to in prayer and adoration. who is Hekate. Candles of remembrance are lit with whispers of enchantment as I call upon the Great Queen for protection and healing. She is ever present The Snow Queen in my home, always with me in times of joy and sadness. She brings As I write, the cold, northerly winds are pushing their way into Indiana. love and laughter through my doors, guarding us against those who may I wait in anticipation for the possibility of snowfall, the remembrance wish us harm. To me, Hekate is Queen of All, Mother of the World and of snow-draped trees enticing. This is my favorite time of year, when Keeper of the Mysteries of the Cosmos. She nourishes all life within the darkness envelopes the world around me and the crystalline art of frost realms Seen and Unseen and is the cord that connects us all, human and paints the air with ethereal beauty. Hekate, Queen of the Shadow-Lands, animal alike. calls to me in the frigid night air; Her sacred voice filled with the knowl- edge of the ancients and the love and compassion of our Ancestors. She Hekate of the New World moves between the worlds, Seen and Unseen, enchanting all that She This is what my book and my devotion to Hekate encompasses, the touches and all that Her glorious light shines upon. here and now—the future. Though my religious foundations are rooted in the past, I feel we must move and look forward to a more peaceful In my devotional, I touch upon Hekate as the Snow Queen. Though this and hallowed future. Hekate is just the goddess to move us in the right is not an aspect of Her that is known in antiquity, Hekate has come to direction. She is a goddess of the Crossroads, leading us down the path me in such a form. She is full of wintry beauty, Her hair sparkling with of blessedness. It is through Her holy nature that we learn to embrace jewel-like frost and Her attire adorned in the snow-white feathers of a the connectedness we have with the worlds, Seen and Unseen. regal swan. She dances gracefully with the artic winds, the Spirits of Winter joining Her. As the snow blankets our homes in soft whispers As Hekate weaves Her magick through the strands of destiny, we of magick, we come to realize the blessedness of our loved ones and become one with ourselves and learn to love the world we live in and to the warmth and comfort our homes grace us with. Hekate, Fair One see the holiness that is in All. We embrace our differences and celebrate of Earths Delight, enchants our dwellings with love and laughter, Her the fact that we are all born of the Stars-- we are star-dust and magick, Blessed light a shining beacon of hope in these cold, dark times. full of Life Everlasting. From the Shadows of Enchantment, Hekate calls to Her children, folding them into Her wings of protection and The Muse love. There are many times in which Hekate has been a source of inspira- tion for me. She is dark and light, savior and destroyer, mystery and Hekate, the Fair Queen of Elphame, welcomes the mystics and misfits, mayhem; and with these faces She inspires me to explore more of my those of us who feel more at home in the Realms of Mists and Shadows. inner-self, to embrace my uniqueness and live the beautiful life I was We embrace the darkness and dance under the moon-lit sky, clad only in meant to live. Hekate is the burst of poetic creativeness that grips me the stars of the heavens and scented in earthly delight. Drunk with ec- at the most uncanny of times. She is my Dark Muse-- my Diabolically stasy, we fall in splendid wonder, our senses reeling out of control. We Sweet Queen of Madness and Ecstasy. As I welcome Her darkness and become one with the night--one with the Spirits and our Queen Hekate. cherish Her light, I accept the touch of madness that comes with being a writer, a witch, and a vessel of the Goddess. My relationship with Hekate is one rooted in the in the wildness of life and the freedom to explore the mysteries of death, and magick. My de- All around me I witness the beautiful darkness of the Unseen Realms, votion to Her is one of great love and beauty; it encompasses my every- the Shadow-Lands where misfits and dark fae alike reside. It is from day life as a daughter, sister, mother, lover, and Witch. I feel Hekate is this darkness that I draw my inspiration. Without the Dark, there can with me at all times, much like Jesus with His faithful followers. She is be no Light. To embrace both is to embrace Life and the enchantment salvation and savior, many have prayed to Her from ancient times to the and blessings they bring into our lives. To dance with the Dark Muse is present and She will be honored for eons to come. like living on the edge of sanity—waiting for divine madness to devour you… Hekate, the Most Lovely One, is a goddess for the future. She is ev- er-changing and ever-present, showing us that with the Winds of Time Queen of the Shadow-Lands our hopes for peace and compassion are possible. Our future depends Unlike the Summerlands and Avalon, the Shadow-Lands embrace the on the love we show to the world and those around us. With the help beautiful darkness of Unseelie. It is a realm of Mists and Shadows, of Hekate and other goddesses we can strive to make this happen. Our where Autumn and Winter meet. It is for those of us who like the destinies—our lives, are in our hands... “darker” side of life, the misfits, outcasts, and lovers of the dark arts. It is within these lands that Hekate comes to me as the Fair Queen of The Goddess of Witches, Queen of Shades and Elphame, not unlike Nicnevin in Scottish lore. She rules eternal in the Shadows, and the ever-eternal Dark Muse Hekate, Shadow-Lands, Her court of Dark Fae haunting the Lands of the Living Fair Queen of the Shadow-Lands, haunts the pages with their otherworldly beauty. of this poetic devotional, enchanting those who love Her with the charm only this Dark Goddess can bring. Join in the journey as we meet Hekate, I love the colder and darker seasons, I feel more like myself—closer Queen of Sorcery, in the realms of Dream and to Hekate and the Spirits of the Unseen realms. This is where I wish to Enchantment, weaving magic through the Worlds go when my time amongst the living ends, with the ability to visit the Seen and Unseen. We take flight to the Lands ‘lighter” realms so I may soak up the warmth and life that is Avalon. Eternal in this part devotional, part grimoire As Queen of Shades and Shadows, Hekate lights the way to the Lands and learn how to venerate this Great Goddess of Faery and the Realms of the Dead—Hades, the Elysian Fields, and of antiquity and connect with the Spirits of the Tartarus. She holds the Keys to the Lands Eternal, opening the way to Shadow-Lands... the mysteries of Life and Death, Mysticism and Magick. Avaiable online in digital format and in print. 21 Ticket Hotline: 07845 438340 Website: www.magicalfestivals.co.uk

22 Faerie Festival 20th - 22nd May 2016 Pleasant Rise Farm, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5TN Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Magical Festivals! Large Music Tent, Beer & Ale Marquee, Workshop Marquee, Childrens Entertainment Tent, Faerie Market Village, Food Stalls Circus Skills Area, Camping with Hot Showers, Flush Toilets & Clean Water Access

Stage Line-up: ROVING CROWS - FLUTATIOUS - DAMH THE BARD - MATTHEW CALLOW Solana - PerKelt - Kate & Corwen - Cyoakha Grace - Lyz Le Fay - Willows Drum, Tim Wheater - Pixiephonic - Livia - Neil H - Poi Passion Fire Dancers Soluna Tribal Bellydance - The Sea Gypsies Belly Dance + more!

Festival artwork by www.shelbyrobinsonphotos.com

23 Simplicity for a Happier Home

We are at the start of a new calendar year, with February said to be the most miserable month of the year. So what a great time to ignite inspiration, motivation and more energy.

Clutter questions, ask yourself... A traditional Spring clean followed by a Do I enjoy this item, does it uplift me? de-clutter and energetic cleansing refreshes your Do I really need it, can I let it go? living space and you. It can be life changing. Do I hold onto items because ‘they might come in handy some- day’? That’s why you need the help of an unbiased friend Most of us do not have the glossy magazine minimal home. Perhaps more Can I borrow/hire this item when I need it? Eg ladder, books towards the other end of the spectrum! Do you say to people, “no, don’t Does it fit me NOW? Yes I do mean those clothes you’ve been come over, the place is a mess”, having boxes and piles of things, so keeping ‘when I...’! much so you’re feeling ashamed, guilty, simply overwhelmed, not being Is it past repair, or too out of date to be useful? able to do anything about it. People can fall into depression as they are Am I keeping it just because of non beneficial emotional attach- unable to keep on top of keeping their home clean or remaining organ- ment? ized. Unsure! Ask friend to help decide. ‘Your house is a reflection of you’, does this have a ring of truth in it? Perhaps you or your family experience physical or mental energy drain Yes to Clearing and indecisiveness. Clutter is stressful. It can create blocks to realising Take to the charity store, recycle, repurpose, gift away, sell. your ambitions, maintaining positivity and living a healthful life. I’m Financial savings from no storage charges. passionate about helping you create space in your space, in your mind and Re-organize stuff you are keeping, in clearly labelled and accessi- feeling energerised. This article introduces this complex subject, there’s ble storage more than meets the eye. No to Clearing – make sure items organized with labels and acces- Imbolc in early February “brings hope and gently nurtures the just stirring sible storage. Earth” (2). It’s a time to emerge from hibernation slumbers, ignore the weather, mark a date in your calendar to start! In a Waning Moon cycle, Finishing Reward - Something simple, chocolate, movie, relaxa- as reducing energy, is preferential. tion session. CLUTTER CLEAR OUT A process of simplifying your life by getting rid of the things that are stifling you.

Allocate blocks of time, from one to four+ hours (depending on your energy levels) Enlist help Have supply of garbage bags, boxes, marker pen, labels Play music you enjoy, motivating Start somewhere! Select a room, closet, drawer

24 PHYSICAL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE

After clearing the clutter, next a thorough clean. Many cultures have their own version of spring cleaning. The practice of thoroughly cleaning the house. Traditionally done during the first warm days of the year, to include organizing and getting your affairs in order.

From around the world: Persian New Year, Iranian Norouz, first day of spring, the practice of Khooney tekouni meaning shaking everything in the house and cleaning thoroughly. Basic procedure to clearing: Ancient Jewish cleansing of the house in preparation for spring feast Attune to your space, activating your senses Passover, lasting 7 days. Silently announce who you are and your intentions Sensing walk – start at the main entrance, room by room walk slowly around the Europe before the vacuum cleaner spring clean was in March. The edges/walls, using the palms of your hands and all your awareness to sense the weather was getting warmer with open windows and doors, the energies in the space, up high and low. winds would remove the dust outside, though not warm enough for Light candles, burn incense insects to come inside. Welcome and invoke prayers to your spiritual guides Prayers to the guardian spirits of the home and to the energies of the fire, water, I recommend using environmental friendly cleaning products as earth, air they: do a good job, often cheaper than global brands and have mul- Go around whole place sprinkling blessed water tiple uses. E.g. 20% (cleaning) vinegar, lemon, baking Soda. Go around whole place clapping your hands into corners and all areas of ‘darker’ energy (sensed earlier). Clapping dispels ‘shar’ or bad ‘chi’ ENERGETIC CLEAN Wash your hands in running water (important!) Purify everywhere using bells/cymbals Things leave impressions, an energetic imprint in a place, that lingers after Stand by the doorway in each room, using your intention and guides to form a they have gone. Everyday life events and people create atmosphere from protective envelope around the perimeter/space what they say and actions. Objects within our energetic fields (these fields Invoke the space filled with positive vibes, love, happiness, healthfulness range from just above our skin to many meters away from the body), for in- Close open doors/windows stance walls or Jewellery, absorb the energetic imprints. Like dust collecting over time, these imprints increase in thickness, stickiness and may even block the lighter, positive biased, uplifting energies from being acknowledged and accepted. So it makes sense to periodically cleanse a place of the accumulat- ed energetic debris.

I’m sure many Magical Times readers experience varying degrees of sensi- tivity when tuning into an object or a place. It’s ‘that gut feeling’, tingling sensation, heat/cold, vibrations, colours etc.

My thought is that we become more attuned to energetic imprints if eating a mostly vegetarian/raw diet, regularly spend time in the natural world, have a meditation and spiritual-faith practice and take time out from this electron- ic-24/7 mobile phone-’normal’ stress pumping-get high-f*** off-gloom ‘n doom news ... life. I studied with Karen Kingston, international renowned author and teacher of Space Clearing and Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui. Karen’s style of space clearing is very detailed and based on Balinese culture. Here is a simplified version. Karen’s site has many useful tips and training.

Ritual Assisting Items, collect together: It can also be beneficial to conduct this cleansing after periods of chronic illness, Candles = fire relationship problems, if experiencing financial difficulties, moving into and Incense (pure, natural) = air leaving a home. Blessed water, in a spray bottle= water Flowers/blossoms = earth Wishing you a home of good vibes and a year of healthful life. Quality bell, cymbals or singing bowl Linzi Martin Preparedness: Personal Assistant holistic lifestyle management. Energetic cleansing performed after clutter clearing, thorough clean and tidy. Make daily life easier. Clear your To Do Lists, so you spend time with the people Only attempt the energetic clearing when you are healthy in body and mind you love doing the things you enjoy. I help people who’s professional work/ Ensure no disturbances, e.g. switch off phone lifestyle leave them with reduced time. For those who aspire to an improved Foods and drinks put away into cupboards/sealed containers life-work balance. My unique approach uses holistic awareness and practical Wear no metal objects techniques. Take a bath or shower Relax and ‘tune-in’, meditate, go into quiet mind, becoming aware of all your Adult teacher and creative. Trained and qualified in numerous self support tech- senses niques including: Clutter & clearing Space, Feng Shui, Bach Flower Remedies, Consider what you want to have happen in your life, include those who share Meditation, Qi Gong, Shiatsu. the home Open a door or windows (this allows negative chi to flow out and away) www.2SimplifyLife.com [email protected] Decide upon a place to setup your Ritual Assisting items Professional profile Linkedin: Linzi Martin 2Simplify Life Sensitize hands by rub palms together 25 WHY I LOVE THE WILD GREEN WORLD... By Lucy Cavendish

I love the wild magicks, the gardens grown by Gaia, the faery spaces where the green world has created canopies of vines and flowers, rooms out of gaps in a darkened forest, and castles of curving branches and strong towers of trunks reaching to the light. I have gardened and will always grow green things, if we can truly call it that “growing.” I feel “I” grow nothing – She, the Goddess, the earth, and all the elements grow it all, but I can assist and support the process, speak with the plants, offer them loving en- ergies, and be honoured to have so slight a hand in the returning of the green world and her magicks. She speaks; I listen, and together we assist a plant being into life. It is an honour to do so. And in return for this honour, I am blessed with growth, and she teaches me how to tend the garden that grows within me.

26 But I am not a natural “gardener”. I don’t seem to have that purposeful air of “busyness” and “knowledge” so many have. What I feel have a true affinity for is speaking well and deeply the language with the trees – and listening and understanding them in return. Not all the trees are so easy for me to enter into this relationship with. Some stay silent, unknowable, strangers and mysteries for now. For there are so some that speak to me so openly, so strong, so clear, that it is as if I have encoun- tered a member of my soul family. They have taught me much, and protected me well. And when I look at my home, as I sit on my wooden floors – oak, ancient, writing, and as I look at my books or card decks, these too are all gifted to us from the tree world, from these great crea- tures, these sentient beings who have demonstrated such patience with we who see them as creatures to be utilised. For me, they are as of the Trees have guided my adventures into crop circles and sacred sites – at Gods and Goddesses. I see a magick tree, and I do not need to “look” for Wayland Smithy, beech trees shaded and protected us, their energy the faery queen or king – for their they are, robed in green, and breathing wise and gentle, protective and soothing. Just behind the Elven King’s out their gift of life and fresh vital air and wisdom to us. magickal smithy was a faery forest, into which we strolled and played, enchanted by its soft green power, and the first of a series of messages Tree magicks can take place in many forms... there are gardens grown from this forests many beings began to come through to me. In many with the tenderness of the love we have for them... those of Chalice of the photographs taken in this realm, we can clearly glimpse beings Well in Glastonbury, healing and restful for those troubled in spirit. travelling with us, elven, dryad and fae, side by side with us, speaking There are soulful gardeners who know that as they tend the plants, they in the language of the ancient ones. offer their own energy back into the green world, an exchange for all that we have taken, and will continue to take. The gardeners are always In each forest, each grove, each tree standing alone, calling to us me, rewarded: their jangled nerves are soothed, health improves, peace enters the magick of the green world, the growing world, and its landscape into lives once troubled. Visit an area with no trees on city streets, and can pour through our cells, souls, minds, senses, creating for each of feel the exposed, raw, vulnerability. Enter a street with broad limbed old us a unique time out of time, a place between the worlds, an imperma- growth trees, and feel the sense of security and comfort they bring to nent temple that would one day be longer there, but at that moment, us, so unselfishly. Areas with old growth trees have a strong energy, and was the perfect place to commune with energies of above and below. areas where trees are vastly long-lived have a true and an ability for us to The fragrance of leaf, the energy of the roots, the heartbeat of the access the past. earth, and the presence of the Divine were all found within these wild green places. As a Witch, i feel a calling to allow the magicks of the forests, rather than to “harness and direct them...” to me, at this time, this seems as And so the green world speaks: and so many do not listen. But many more human-based ego...we dominate and control, use and direct. I for witches and magickal ones do, and are bringing the word to more and now allow the trees to direct me. The roots of trees run deep into the more, sharing their wisdom in peaceful ways that invite others in to unseen world, the underworld, the great beneath that is packed with connect again with the Green Wise Ones. We fashion our wands from transmutations, transformations and change. The deep beneath where all their gifts, the fallen branches, we burn their woods in our cauldron’s our roots are, yet we can seem to walk free of them. Yet it is our ances- fires, and we breathe in the medicines of the herbs and the flowers. tors too who have transformed with the great beneath, and become part The growing green world is one which we are a part of – and that of the trees and the plants that we now are so loved by. which we breathe out, they breathe in. I love the wild Green wisdoms, and I no longer seek to harness her energies. Instead, I have a natural Each year, my relationship with these wise green magicks shift and connection, and I listen to her, and I will follow her guidance. I will changes. New trees call to me. In Australia, I am called to speak with the enter deeply into the forests both without, and within, and I will seek Moreton bay fig, its gothic entwining limbs and manifold faces gaze out the path of the green wisdoms, always. steadily in a world full of rushed beings, jittery and rapid. As we scatter our energies and disconnect further from nature, they continue to grow, SPEAKING WITH TREES downwards, into the earth, and upwards, to the sky and galaxies beyond this earth. Whenever I am in Avebury, Wiltshire, near the heart chakra of *Trees, while enjoying human contact, do need to be respected. Ask the world some say, I encountered a tree who told me his name was El- for their permission to approach. Let them feel your energy, and then dred, and with whom I have a strong and almost daily connection across gently approach them. It is said it is best to approach them from the the miles of land, sea and sky that seem to separate us. How does this sunwise side, so they know you are coming. take place? How does he know when to speak to me in his slow and old *When speaking with them, allow your energy to be open, so they can voice? Are his words communicated across the vast distances by other feel who you are. trees of his family? Are his energies communicated by vast root systems *Do not rush up and hug trees without checking in with the tree first! across the distances – carried on breezes? After all, a tree cannot run from you! *Breathing deeply whilst with trees can ease ailments, as can simply Or are we linked from the heart, as it feels we are? When travelling being with them. Oaks are wonderful for those of us who suffer injury, through the magickal country of Wiltshire and Cornwall, I felt strongly stiffness in bones, and have undergone a test or crisis. Willow helps the call of my good friend and protector, the oak, the faery thorn trees of those of us who fear water, and suffer headaches and are not well-hy- the moors of Bodmin, and the ancient ones – the yew. drated or flexible. Yew can assist us in connecting with the ancient ones, and our own ancestors. So strongly did the yew call that while conducting a circle followed by a *Faces and being often appear within trees, and will communicate healing releasement on Merlin’s Mound, we worked with the yew to hear with you if they feel safe enough to do so. Gentle yourself, and make us, to help us to let go, or to help us make peace with what we could not an offering. or would not allow to leave us. One yew, 1700 years old (carbon-dated) *Some trees are wish-bearers – choose your wish bearer wisely, and that grows near an Anglo-saxon church bearing great stones beneath its grow to know them well. wooden floors gifted me a piece of its precious, resonant wood. Although Lucy Cavendish is an author and Witch, traveller and teacher. Please wondering how I would be able to have the green man tree enter the visit her at www.lucycavendish.com.au country I call home, nervous that customs would take him, I felt his call, and carried him anyway. When I declared him at customs, and shared his He new deck, The Faery Forest: An Oracle of the Wild Green World, story, I was greeted with such understanding and kindness that he is with and her new book, Witches and Wizards, will become available in me now, as I write this. February 2016. Please visit her at www.lucycavendish.com.au 27 Readers Art Gallery

Denyse Shorrocks Viki Ogden Steph Roche www.stoneartdesigns.net www.naturelostandfound.weebly.com www.steph-roche-art.co.uk

Melissa Mary Duncan Bruchina Arts Glen Michael Herbert www. melissamaryduncan.com [email protected] www.4spellbound.com

Brontë Photography Gill Bonnamy Timber Wonderland www.brontography.format.com [email protected] facebook.com/timberwonderland 28 JESSICA 33 Leaf Pendant by El Costurero Real www.costureroreal.com

Yew Box by Sue Rawley www.suerawley.co.uk

Beautiful & Contemporary Symbolic Jewellery Hare Plaque by Katheen Minton www.spiritofthegreenman.co.uk

www.jessica33.com To have your items listed in Wholesale Orders Welcome this section please visit www.themagicaltimes.com 29 Grounding the Magic Sheena Cundy 2015 We are made up of energy that is both visible and invisible… the earthly and the unearthly. This is the basis of our magical nature and power source to the subtle realms of spirit and otherworldly di- mensions. Those who walk between these worlds - the Witches, the Shamans and the Healers – are the magicians. Connected to the earth and her wisdom, they work in harmony with their magical nature to transform and heal, holding sacred space and guiding the souls of those who need it. Our energies must be grounded if we are to honour and fulfil the role of the walker between the worlds. We perform our most important act of magic when we tap into the true power of our spiritual nature and work to blend and align this energy with our human nature… for then we are taking the first step to grounding ourselves from the inside out.

Photography by Brooke Shaden - www.brookeshaden.com 30 When we care for others we have a duty not only to them, but ourselves Magic is transformative energy and we can make changes easily by also. And when we are working in this capacity - as instruments of the using that power to alter our thinking, which in turn will affect our spirit and transmitters and receivers of energy - it is of great importance feelings and this emotional fuel will drive our actions. But if we are to protect and look after our own energy. In fact, it is a vital part of our spending too much time in the past or the future it will drain our role as wisdom keepers as well as plain old common sense… we are far energy and we cannot afford to do that. It will throw us off balance lesser beings without it! As well as in the work we do, being grounded and leave us fragile. gives us a solid foundation to grow from and build on in our daily lives. Get down & earthy: What is it? Groundedness is connection. It is awareness of being here, on the -Relax. Learn to let go of anything which holds you back… it may planet, fully in our bodies. It is the art of connecting to the energy of be tension in the body, a job or a relationship that is no longer the earth and maintaining that connection in everything we do. It is an healthy. attitude which keeps us stable in our outlook and gives a firm rootedness -Simplify. Our energy becomes scattered and weak when we spread in our lives. By living fully in the body we can realise our full potential ourselves too thin by doing too much! To prevent burn-out, prioritize as creative beings and grow and flourish… this in turn connects us to and prune off where you can. our true purpose. -Set healthy boundaries. Creating more time and space by saying ‘no’ more often will free your time and energy up. When we are focused on nourishing the body, we enjoy good health -Attune to the earth. Get out in the fresh air, walk the land and em- because our energy is working at optimum levels. With a physical disci- brace the natural world. pline of a healthy diet, enough sleep and regular exercise, our grounded -Work with the stones of the earth. Anything you find on the ground state becomes fundamental to our health and by honouring the body in and connect with will have just as much value, if not more, than any this way it truly becomes a temple of the spirit. expensive crystal. -In the winter, plan in the spring, embrace opportunity in the sum- Groundedness is relatedness. How we relate to others and the outer mer, enjoy your accomplishments at harvest time and release all you world is a reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves. Living have outgrown in the autumn. authentically and being true to ourselves strengthens and supports our -Move! Walk. Dance. Do a sport. The body was built to move and self-worth and provides us with solid foundations. needs to do it. -Be creative with your hands. Craft, cook, clean - get domestic! Groundedness is earthiness and maintaining a realistic perspective. It is -Retreat. Switch off in every way… go offline, off your phone, off paying attention to the practicalities of life, not taking ourselves too se- with the telly and off grid! Camp out. Time out or away recharges riously and seeing the funny side of difficult and challenging situations; depleted energy and grounds you. we all have them! Laughter is a grounding medicine and reminds us that -Spend time in ritual and in ceremony. Holding sacred space to humour is the salt of the earth… without it we are an unsavoury bunch. connect with land spirits and ancestors will ground and centre your When we are light-hearted and enjoying life, every day is a celebration. energy on all levels magical. Groundedness is protection. We are sending out, picking up and holding -Practise non-resistance. Struggling against the natural flow of life is energy all the time and our bodies are bombarded daily with sensory draining. overload. With grounding techniques we can drain off that excess ener- -Meditation and Yoga. Consciously working with the breath grounds gy back into the earth, keeping our minds clear, our emotions balanced and centres our attention in the body. and our bodies relaxed. -Spend time with animals, they have so much to teach us and are wonderful grounding companions. Why do we need to be Grounded? -Sit, lie or sleep on the ground as much as possible. Our emotional health is vital to our well-being. We are influenced by -Laugh… a lot. energy all the time, more by the interaction of others than we realise. As sensitives and healers we need to be mentally aware and observe the You probably do most of these things quite naturally anyway which effects of other people’s energy and not absorb it emotionally. If we are is just how connected to your sense of earthiness you really are. The sponges and soak up the pain and suffering of others unconsciously, they soul knows what grounds us better than anything, it is our magical will deplete our energy levels and we will be left carrying their burdens. nature at work… we just need to listen. They will drain us, literally. Focusing on balance in all our exchanges will keep us grounded in the heart centre – so we can show true compas- A grounded awareness will guide us back to the earth every time. sion and empathy – without compromising our own needs. It will direct us to ever more natural ways of being that help us to diffuse and transmute negative energy - which is destructive - into When we are grounded in our bodies, we give ourselves stability. When positive energy, which is creative and life enhancing. we are stable, we are centred in our energy which gives us clearer access to the power from spirit (above) and we can use it to create what we The more we learn to connect with the earth and her wisdom, the want into the physical (below). Before doing any kind of work between more she will reveal her mysteries and lead us to fulfil our true, cre- the worlds it is important to ground that high voltage energy just as an ative potential. And when we are doing what comes naturally, acting electrical circuit needs to be earthed for the power to be safe. Exposure in our power and sharing the gifts bestowed upon us… we are truly, to the higher vibrations of the subtle realms can literally overload our grounding the magic. nervous system if we don’t take the necessary precautions. Guarding our energy through awareness becomes our protection and a necessity. Earthy Blessings to all, Sheena )O( How to be Grounded Being present, in the moment helps us to ground and centre our energy. Sheena is author of The Magic of Nature Oracle, singer songwriter It is in the NOW that our power lies, and it is the choices we make in with Morrigans Path and her debut witch-lit novel The Madness and this moment that will influence the future. In my work as a spiritual the Magic released in November 2015 with Moon Books. She is a reader and teacher, this is one of the most repeated phrases I find myself Witch, Reiki master and teacher of the Tarot. Sheena is currently saying to people when they ask what is going to happen to them. We writing the sequel to her novel and a non-fiction book on psychic create the future in the present, by giving it our full attention and by development for the Witch as a work in progress on the Moon Books focusing on that which we want to make or, more importantly, allow to blog: happen. It becomes something that ‘happens to us’ when we stop doing www.moon-books.net/blogs/moonbooks/your-magical-nature/ that, when we give our power away to anything or anyone else. www.sheenacundy.com www.sheenacraftycrone.blogspot.com 31 Candle Magick By Lucya Starza Candle magic is fun and easy. I’ve been doing candle magic since I was a toddler – and even if you are not a witch I expect you have too. Every birthday I looked forward to making a wish over the candles on a big, exciting cake. As with all spells, there was a little ritual to be performed: one candle for every year; the wish could not be spoken out loud, because wishes shared might not come true; finally, all the candles had to be blown out in a single breath – increasingly hard to do as the years went by.

Did my wishes come true? To be honest, I can’t remember even one thing I wished for. But there was another type of candle magic that did work – that was the tiny flame on a little candle in my bedroom that kept bad dreams at bay. It was the first circle of protection I knew. It warded against ghoulies and ghosties and things that went bump in the night. With that candle lit, I knew no fairy-tale monster could get me and I slept like a baby...

Photography by Brooke Shaden - www.brookeshaden.com 32 While you are inscribing your word, concentrate on a mental picture of what your life will be like when your wish comes true. (This is called ‘visualisation’ and it draws on the powers of the imagination to help you see what you want and work to- wards getting it.) Hold the candle in your hands for a moment or two after you have finished carving your wish, but continue the visualisation.

Find something safe to put the tea-light in. If you have a pretty tea-light holder, that’s ideal, but you can put it in a glass or ceramic dish or a jam jar – or a cauldron if you’ve got one. Light the candle. Ideally, let it burn down all in one go, but that isn’t always practical and you shouldn’t leave a lit candle unattended. An alternative is to burn the candle over several evenings until it is finished.

One final bit of advice – don’t keep wondering whether your spell will work. When you aren’t actually doing the spell, try to keep it out of your thoughts. Carry on with your normal life and let the magic happen. If you keep worrying about whether your wish will come true there’s a chance you will disperse the magic through fretting about it.

Big Hugs Candle Spell Here’s a spell to give you a magical warm hug when you are feeling down, either physically or emotionally.

You need: Tea-light Jar or glass candle holder Paper Sticky tape

Nowadays, no one would consider it safe to leave a lit candle in any bedroom You could pick a pink candle to help you feel ‘in the pink’, but you can use a white while the inhabitants slept, let alone in a child’s room. But, back when I was tea-light if you prefer. Find a clear glass jar or candle holder giving plenty of room young, what we now call tea-lights were called night-lights and they were around the tea-light, then measure a wide strip of paper long enough to wrap around intended to help babies sleep without fear. You can still get lights that do that, the jar. Cut a chain of paper dolls from the strip. but they are electric. Times change and safety is vital. In magic, as in fairy tales, things often come in threes. Here is my third child- The way you do this is to fold the paper into pleats and then, with the paper folded, hood tale of a candle ritual. draw half a doll shape on the top fold, with half a head and body against one edge of the paper and the hands and feet touching against the other edge. Cut out the shapes My family attended a Catholic church on Sundays. My favourite spot was through all the layers of paper and unfold to reveal your row of dolls holding hands. where votive candles flickered on a large, wrought-iron stand in front of If you like, you can draw or paint features and clothes on the dolls or you can leave the statue of Mary with the baby Jesus. I loved to watch the rows of flames, them plain. Tape the dolls around the outside of the jar or candle holder. knowing that as they burned down the silent petitions of those who lit them were heard by Our Lady. Catholics do not call her a goddess, let alone the Take the tea-light out of its container for a moment and rub the candle between your Goddess, but to me she is an aspect of the divine feminine. In times of need, hands a few times, then put it back into the metal container before popping it into the I still light a candle to the Goddess, Our Mother, Who Art in Heaven – and jar. If you want to scent the candle, give it a little spray of your favourite perfume or anywhere else she wants to be – and feel her comfort in the warm glow. essential oil before lighting it. What is amazing about candles is that even for adults they exude enchant- Light the candle and visualise yourself feeling hugged and loved. ment. A meal for two becomes a romantic dinner by the light of a candle; a Have the candle burning somewhere near to you and let the candle burn down com- bathroom becomes a place for deep relaxation if you place candles around pletely if possible – but don’t leave it unattended. the edge of the tub; scented candles fill our living spaces with whatever mood You can reuse your chain of hugging dolls and jar as often as you like. Pop a new we want to create more effectively than spraying an atomiser. Ghost stories candle in when you feel you want a magical hug. should always be read by candlelight...

For the past 30 years I have been a Pagan and a witch. Most witchcraft rituals Message in a Bottle that take place after dark are lit by candles. The soft glow helps transport us This is a spell for when you want to get a message across but can’t do so for real. outside normal space and time to a liminal place where all things are possible There could be all sorts of reasons for that – perhaps you want to say things to a – and that is the best place for magic to work. Candles are also an essential lover who has left you or a dearly departed relative, perhaps you don’t know how ingredient for many spells, even ones not specifically labelled as candle well your message will be received or quite who to address it to. You are sending magic. the message out like the castaway of fiction putting a message into a bottle and In Pagan Portals Candle Magic I share my knowledge of candle spells and throwing it into the ocean, trusting someone will find it, read and respond.These rituals along with useful hints and tips and a few secrets too. This book is days chucking a bottle into the sea would be unacceptable littering, so this spell is a about how to harness the magic of candles in many different ways. I hope great alternative. you enjoy it, and that it helps your wishes all come true. Write your message by hand, ideally onto handmade writing paper, but any nice notepaper will do. Write A Simple Candle Spell as much as you like; you can really bare your soul Go and find yourself a tea-light candle; an ordinary white one will be fine. and say all you want. Roll the letter up, tie a ribbon Most people have one somewhere around the house, even if that’s just in case round it, and slide it inside a bottle. Put a dinner of a power cut. Obviously if you are reading this on the bus, in the library or candle into the bottle’s neck like a candleholder. You sneakily beside the shelf in a shop, you will have to wait until you get home might need to trim the bottom of the candle first to to find a candle, but do it as soon as you can. The best way to learn magic is make it fit. Light the candle and imagine your mes- by doing it – not just reading books. sage being cast into the ocean of the universe. You don’t have to burn this candle all in one go and you Once you have a candle, find something to scratch a word onto the wax – a can reuse your bottle candleholder as often as you small craft knife will do, or a pen knife. If you are an experienced witch you like. When you feel your letter has been received and might have a special knife for this kind of thing (called a boline). Or you answered, recycle the bottle and paper responsibly. could use a cocktail stick or toothpick. Any of these will do just fine. Now think of something you want to wish for. Keep it simple and try to sum Pagan Portals Candle Magic is published by it up in one word; health, wealth, happiness, love, success, security, justice Moon Books. The author, Lucya Starza, also are all good words to use. Take the tea-light out of its casing and scratch that writes A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk word onto the side or bottom. If you want a new job or a new home, just You can follow her Facebook page at scratch ‘job’ or ‘home’. www.facebook.com/paganportalscandlemagic 33 Minoan Midwinter By Laura Perry

One of the common sights around the winter holidays, from private homes to public spaces to greeting cards, is the Christian nativity scene: Mary, Joseph, and assorted kings, angels, and animals surrounding the newborn baby Jesus in a barn or grotto. Most of us are familiar with the story behind the scene, even if we don’t ascribe to the religion the tale comes from. But did you know that the Christian version isn’t the only account of a divine child born at midwinter in a cave, surrounded by animals? And it’s certainly not the oldest one. A similar tale comes to us from ancient Crete, where it highlighted the Winter Solstice for the Minoan people during the second and third millennia BCE. You’ve probably heard of Dionysus: that wild, drunken party god with his entourage of leopards, maenads, and satyrs. The god as we know him from classical Greece onward is actually a combination – a syncretization – of two deities, one from ancient Crete and the other from the Near East, where he may once again be a syncretization of multiple local gods. Dionysus is a complex, many-layered being! But if we work our way back, we can find the Minoan version, the dying-and-reborn vegetation god whose death was enacted each year during the grape harvest and who eventually came to symbolize the solar year to the people of ancient Crete. And as the embodiment of the solar year, he was reborn every Midwinter as the divine child. How do we know the Minoans celebrated the Winter Solstice? Believe it or not, much of what we know about their religious practices comes from their buildings. In addition to the big temple complexes in the towns such as Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia, the people of ancient Crete built beehive-shaped tombs on the plains, sanctuaries atop the mountain peaks of their island, and shrines at a number of sacred caves in the moun- tainsides. In some places, they also built small temples along the routes pilgrims took to reach those cave and mountaintop sanctuaries. In each case, these buildings were carefully con- structed with astronomical alignments to the Sun, the Moon, and certain stars. From these alignments, we know which times of year the Minoans held sacred so we can build up a pretty full religious calendar for them. We also know which dates were celebrated at each particular site, since some places were sacred to particular deities whose festivals were held there. And yes, one of those deities was Dionysus.

34 Note that you’ll sometimes find that the tales of Minoan Diony- sus from classical times refer to him as Zeus or Cretan Zeus. This is the way the Greeks interpreted the Minoan pantheon, and most other foreign pantheons they encountered – by matching the for- eign deities with Greek gods and goddesses of similar attributes. The Greeks equated Dionysus, who was the most prominent male deity in ancient Crete, with their Zeus. But really, they’re not the same at all. It also helps to remember that the classical Greeks, from whom we get all this great mythology, flourished several centuries after the decline of the Minoans, so the Greeks were picking up bits of old tales and interpreting them as best they could.)

Way back in Neolithic times, from about 7000 BCE onward, the earliest settlers on Crete celebrated the harvest times on their island. They brought in the crops from the fields in the spring, the way most of us are used to doing in the autumn. Tthe Medi- terranean growing season runs from autumn through the winter to spring, backwards from the growing season in the northern temperate regions. Then the people of Crete harvested the olives and grapes when they came ripe in August or September. It’s this autumnal harvest – the grapes and olives – that is associated with Dionysus. In fact, that point in the year is the time of his death as the Vine God, an ecstatic or shamanic deity of the early inhabit- ants of Crete.

The celebration of Dionysus’ death at the time of the grape harvest continued for centuries, all the way up to what we think of as the height of Minoan civilization in the second millennium BCE, the time when the towns grew up around the big temple complexes. But alongside these customs at farms and private homes, another set of religious practices developed within the towns, centering on the temple complexes and the priesthood there.

Those priestesses and priests were accomplished astronomers and they calculated (among other things) the timing of the solar year. And of course, being the priestly sort, they associated this information with mythology, so the vine god Dionysus gained a new aspect as the representation of the solar year. He was, in a sense, a year-king. This is similar to the concept of the Oak King Another aspect of Dionysus’ story involves not a cave, but a tree. and Holly King in Celtic tradition, but Dionysus embodies the Sacred birthing trees were an interesting aspect of Minoan and whole year rather than half of it. later Greek mythology. Particular types of trees were associated with individual goddess and, in some cases, with the birth of So, in addition to Dionysus’ death, the Minoans began to cel- their children. For many centuries, pregnant women left offer- ebrate his life as well. And of course, the story begins with his ings beneath their local birthing trees in hopes of a safe and easy birth. As with so many solar year-kings, Dionysus was (is!) born birth. at Winter Solstice, the divine son of the Minoan mother goddess Rhea. Now, Rhea is an Earth Mother goddess. In other words, In some versions of the tale, Rhea gives birth to Dionysus at she is the Earth itself, or more specifically, the island of Crete. Midwinter not in a cave but underneath a pine or fir tree – the And the bits of Minoan mythology that have trickled down to source of the pinecone in Dionysus’ thyrsus, the wand he carries us through the Greeks tell us that Dionysus was born in Rhea’s cave. during his revels. And of course, the way the gods let the whole world know the divine child is born is by setting a bright star There are several caves on Crete that are sacred to Rhea, but above the tree, a beacon of hope and new beginnings. the ‘big one’ is the Psychro Cave on Mount Dikti in east-central Crete. Psychro Cave has been sacred since ancient times, and So there you have it: The divine child who is the embodiment of people still make pilgrimages there (including archaeologists, of the solar year, born to the Mother Goddess in a cave at Winter course!). The cave walls and ceiling are lined with stalagmites Solstice, guarded by loving animals. Or perhaps you prefer the and stalactites. In the special places where a stalagmite and a version with the tree and the star. Regardless, the celebration of stalactite meet to form a floor-to-ceiling column, the goddess is renewal at Winter Solstice continues, as it has done for gener- considered to be present there. ation after generation since ancient times, with the birth of the year-king. It is in this cave at Midwinter that the goddess Rhea gives birth to her divine son Dionysus. As the solar year-king, he is born at Laura Perry is an artist, a writer, and a lover of all things an- the moment of solstice, when the Sun ‘turns around’ and begins cient and mysterious. The Minoans of Bronze Age Crete have its yearly cycle anew. But Rhea is the Earth Mother goddess and been her passion since a fateful art history class introduced has things she must attend to, even in the winter, so she leaves her to the frescoes of Knossos. When she is not busy drawing her newborn son in the care of her sister Amalthea, the Minoan and writing, she enjoys gardening and giving living history goat-goddess. And in her nanny-goat form, Amalthea suckles the demonstrations at local historic sites. You can find her online baby Dionysus and keeps him warm and safe until Rhea returns. at www.LauraPerryAuthor.com. 35 Annwyn Avalon I remember as a small child knowing I was different, knowing that I didn’t fit in. I knew that there were Gods and Spirits that were female, I understood and felt the power of nature, the moon called to me in my sleep and I drew pagan symbols over and over until my parents confiscated my drawings stating they were demonic. I knew about the power of the moon and the sun and the duality of life. I played in the swamps with toads and serpents and great birds of prey. I was a child of the swamp, child of the ocean, child of the moon and a child of nature, an itty bitty witch on the edge of the hedge.

I was not raised as a pagan or as a witch, but from my earliest memories I I taught classes at a local metaphysical shop on the beach and formed a small was flowing with nature. It wasn’t until I turned 18 and moved away that I group of students who performed at festivals and recitals called the Gypsy Sun received my first knowledge of the occult. I went through my first ceremoni- Dancers, named after the local shop we met at each week. When it closed down al based initiation not too many months after my 18th birthday, while it was I began to teach at a local yoga studio and started offering henna by appointment not into a magical lodge, it did have a similar impact on my life in the same from that location as well. However, my time was coming to an end in North Car- way a magical initiation would. I also received my first tarot reading and olina and my next adventure was about to take me away from my water and into a tarot deck around the same time. I was in art school at the time and despite dehydrating labyrinth. my teachers distain for my subject matter I continued to draw faeries even if they were counting negatively towards my grades, I screen printed the I relocated to Arizona and started another coven, this time with more experience Three Graces and painted all sorts of female subject matter. I sculpted wings and knowledge. It was here that I began to develop my own system of magic, from steal and bronze and formed female figures out of clay, and aluminum, pulling from all of my training and private studies. Triskele Rose has gone through some with branches, some based off goddesses and faery women. My very a few incarnations; starting as Coven of the White Rose and then splitting off into first sculpture for my senior show was the Egyptian bird goddess, while the Circle of the Rambling Rose and the Coven of the Triskele Rose as the needs she never made it into the show, the show featured a variety of goddesses, of my students expanded, our symbology grew more deep and more meaningful spirits, and female forms. and as I learned more about how to Priestess more effectively. Triskele Rose has become an Initiatory system of witchcraft consisting of Black Rose, White Rose I started belly dancing at the age of 19. I was barely out of my first year at and Red Rose Witches, as well as additional colors for specific paths of specialties. university when I met a belly dancer and became enchanted with the dance. Our system can be considered Avalonian Witchcraft; practicing polytheism I chose to study Oriental dance and spent a decade taking many workshops alongside magic, folklore and the Avalonian and water mysteries. It was in the and classes, training with local and national dancers. I danced for several building of this system that I truly began to hone my skills as a Priestess. I held years while living in Okinawa Japan. I danced at the Istanbul Kebab House rituals and classes; created a year and day program that included 12 lessons written during this time with monthly shows. I studied Ballet while there and had by myself. I then created a 9 month lesson based Water Course. I graded countless the pleasure of dancing with and training other talented dancers on the pages of homework and mentored many students and initiating several people into island, many of who were my students in recitals, festival and night club Triskele Rose Witchcraft. Through this labor of love, I now have 3 circles across performances. We danced almost every day, studying ballet, bellydance and the county; one in Phoenix, Arizona, one in Willmington, North Carolina and one fusion. I began to study the art of Mehndi; better known for the name of the in Portland, Oregon. medium called henna. I took several classes with a local teacher and turned my tinkering into a solid hobby. It was during the years on the island that I It was in Arizona that my practice as a water witch developed and solidified. I had began to explore paganism and witchcraft in-depth. been so used to having the ocean in my back yard most of my life, I immediately missed it. Being in the hot desert I went on a search for water. I found that water I found an American pagan group run out of the military air station and I was abundant, even in the desert. There were several rivers and plenty of lakes; began to circle with them. It was an eclectic group called Circle of the Ring they even had a sacred water sites such as Montezuma’s Well and the hot springs in Moon. It was an open circle that was run by an ever changing leadership, Tonopah. Even though water is often thought to be lacking in the desert, it is there but it worked. We had a sacred grove that we worked in and even a beach if you look for it. My bath became my sanctuary and my water magic practice that we were dedicated to cleaning. I participated in several beach clean strengthened. I enrolled at university again pursuing an Anthropology degree with ups as well as my own personal time in sacred rites on the same beach. The a focus in Ethnobotany. I worked in an internship for two semesters for the Ritual beach was said to be dedicated to the Sea Goddess and I worshiped her Use of Mayan Plants. Here I sorted through plant samples, and bits of charred there. There was a great concrete shrine that lay barren most of the time, religious offerings searching for traces of plant material used as offerings by the but we left offerings and were sure to keep it clean. It was here that I first Maya. I studied other subjects relevant to Anthropology, spirituality and plants began to work with the magic of the water and ocean; it reminded me of while there. I worked hard on my art while living in Arizona as well. home growing up in Daytona Beach, spending my weekends on the warm ocean beaches and my afternoons in the swamp. Here on the sacred beaches I taught many dance classes, and had a good sized student troupe called Raqin of Okinawa I found my spirituality and my path. I was soon to deepen my Roses. I sold my art and took being a henna artist to a new level. I kept very busy connection with the craft when I moved back to the states. with henna, offering henna at festivals such as Pagan Pride Day, the Fairy Festival and local SCA events and wars. I continued to paint with my focus continuing to When I moved to North Carolina I started my first circle, incidentally our focus primarily on the feminine. However, I would soon find myself moving once first rite was performed on the beach. Like many eclectic circles they don’t again… hold together well and so I began to study formally with a tradition that had been practicing together for many years. As of this writing they are 25 years Today I am living in beautiful green Oregon, close to river, forest and the beach. old and growing. I first fell in love with Eternal Harvest when I learned My art, dance, henna, and painting are in devotion to my craft and spiritualty and they did formal training. It was my dream and deepest desire to go through all these parts of me are integrated as one. As a dancer, I dance in devotion to my formal training into the craft, and while I was young and naïve, under the Goddesses and most often in devotion to Aphrodite. As an artist my primary focus gentle guidance of my Priestess and Fierce direction of my Priest I studied is on the female form, goddesses, water fae, sigils and sacred symbols through for a year and day and formally passed initiation. It was my second initiation henna art and watercolor. As a Witch the water and the earth are my primary focus. rite and it was incredibly powerful and life changing. Eternal Harvest is a In my practice I work with ancestors and water spirits and I serve my Gods through witchcraft tradition that pulls heavily on harvest traditions with influence devotion and service to community. I am currently devoted to Persephone and from traditional and ceremonial magic. I spent many wonderful years work- ing with this tradition and eventually priestessing my own coven under the Aphrodite as well as the deities of Triskele Rose which work with light and dark tradition as Coven of the Eternal Elements. I earned my Reiki certifications aspects of solar and water deity. under the direction of my Priestess, she made me work hard and practice and My crooked path has taken me to a variety of places. I am so blessed to have had I eventually received all of my levels as well as Reiki Master in the Lotus the experiences I have, both pleasant and unpleasant, as they have each contributed Blossom Lineage. When I had finished my studies with Eternal Harvest, I to making me the witch I am today. As a student of the esoteric, I will be forever enrolled in the Avalon Mystery School and began my studies on Avalon. learning, expanding and strengthen my connection with the Earth, the Water, the During this time I continued to dance in North Carolina, doing several stage Ancestors, the Spirits and Deity. performances in various cities around the state, many night club performanc- es and local festivals. www.AnnwynAvalon.com 36 LOVE STREET

Is Love Street really a Cornish band? Cat the violinist is an Irish-American even the five children got a starring role – you can hear them as the voice from Watford, John the lead guitar is an Essex boy, Andy the bass is from of the dragon on ‘Dragon Tale’! Both albums have been produced by Cheshire. Jules, on lead vocals and keyboard, was born in Sheffield, and George Shilling, who also worked with Oasis, The Corrs, Boy George, Chris the drummer is a Geordie. The thing that links them is the lovely James Brown and Mike Oldfield – a suitably eclectic producer for such Celtic land of Cornwall, a ‘thin’ place famed for the legends of the warri- an elusively indefinable sound as Love Street’s. In June 2015 the second or-king Arthur, lost Lyonesse, the piskies and the knockers and the giants. album began recording at The Old Sawmills in Golant, Cornwall – despite It’s the history of the Duchy of Cornwall, with its hard-labouring miners Cat having been thrown from one of her horses and breaking a collar- and sea-braving fishermen and the hidden fae, which features in songs like bone only two days before! The Old Sawmills has an amazing history, a ‘Sail Away’ and ‘Song of the Sidhe’. You could say the band – the Tribe of beautiful stone-built 17th century water-mill, where a recording studio was Love Street - have ‘flitted’ to their spiritual home. established in 1974. Sawmills is in a fantastic location, beside a beautiful tree-lined crystal clear tidal creek with a medieval dock at one end, no And ‘Love Street’? A little presumptuous of Jules to name the band after a doubt also a haunt of smugglers in the past. Love Street was especially Doors classic? The name actually comes from the street in Sheffield where excited to be able to record there, joining such luminaries as Oasis and Jules’ older brother Greg would rehearse with his own band, hoping for Supergrass, and to have John Cornfield as sound engineer. John, a very an audience for his music and everything he had to say to his generation. lovely man who looks like a Cornish Captain Birdseye, became part of the Greg passed before he could realise this dream, and Jules named the band Tribe for a week and over many a meal in the sun-drenched dining room after that Love Street, as a way of honouring his brother’s dedication and overlooking the water, regaled us with his stories of touring with Shirley fulfilling the promise of his music. Love Street was first formed onApril Bassey in Arabia, which we promised never to repeat… the Tribe, with all Fools Day 2013 when Jules made a ‘phone call from New York to Chris their mountains of gear, food for a week, dogs and a cage of pet rats, had to in deepest County Durham to say he’d decided at last to form an original be transported by a small river launch down the swift-flowing River Fowey band, rather than the various covers bands that he, Chris and John had been to reach the recording studio – fairly nerve-wracking! working on for almost 20 years. The new album, due out in 2016, has a rockier feel than the first and the What’s the music like? With violin, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, bass, elder band are really proud of it. On it you’ll find songs like ‘Morrighan’, a statesman of rock John’s many (some home-made!) guitars, keyboards, challenging and haunting piece that seeks to explain the real and harsh penny whistles and percussion, the music is always absorbing, powerful, side of the Morrighan through the eyes of a young soldier who adopts her exciting and thought-provoking. With influences like Queen, Hendrix, as his Goddess, only to meet her as he dies at her feet following a terrorist Counting Crows, Peter Gabriel, Horslips, Pink Floyd and Led Zep, Arcade attack - Love Street are not afraid to confront real issues with their music. Fire and the Chieftains and the Peatbog Faeries, the closest genre is Celtic This is Warrior Rock. Again, ‘Forest Lover’ is a real rock classic that pays Rock, though there’s reggae in ‘Drunken Sailor’ and ‘Juggling the Cat’ is a tribute to Herne and speaks of the need to reintegrate the old way with the pure folk jig. The Indie Week Band Review settled on ‘Fairport Conven- new, and the prejudice that some may have to face in following their path. tion meets the Levellers, but heavier’. The ‘mission’ of Love Street is to There’s ‘Mort the Hare’, written as a thank you to Dahm the Bard and his share music, the other consciousness-altering drug, that can capture and partner Cerri Norman. (Dahm was the Druid who taught Jules how to play communicate hopes and dreams, change lives, challenge and comfort. Mandolin.) This joyful ballad tells the tale of a man who one Beltane Eve All of the band have made sacrifices to follow this dream – even leaving sees a beautiful woman dancing and spends his life looking for her – we’ll perfectly good jobs or moving a family hundreds of miles – because they leave it up to you to say whether the ending is happy or tragic! are passionate about music, theirs in particular! The long-term goal of the band has always been to earn a living for them- The band reckons they’re the one of the hardest-working band in the coun- selves and their families through their music. The band loves the profound try with 60 gigs on the books so far this year. These range from tiny cafés connection music can make between performers and their audience and like La Terre in Glastonbury, return visits to festivals like the world-famous feels that modern music has become a throw-away, over-commercialised, cosplay festival Elfia in the Netherlands and the Sunflower Festival in fashion-driven ersatz commodity, instead of the vehicle for story-telling, Ireland, London nightclubs, celebrations like the Pentacle Drummers Sol- for passing on wisdom and for passion and inspiration that it’s been for stice meet and Pagan Federation conferences, plus pubs from Padstow to thousands of years. Love Street would love to see real musicians and their Northamptonshire, and private gigs in back gardens and front rooms. Last truth-telling music regain respect, and so, as in the lyrics of another new year their first album Both Sides of the Door was recorded at Peter Gabri- album song, ‘Wounds of Glory’: el’s beautiful Real World studios, where the band and assorted partners and children lived for a week. It was important to have the whole Tribe together as Love Street’s music is all about the trials and joys of real life and the To find out more about the band visit www.lovestreet.me human and Spirit relationships that thrill, comfort and wound us. In the end or find ‘Love Street’ on Facebook. 37 ‘A Fairytale Ending….’ By Fiona Dowson

Marrying your handsome prince, meeting your sleeping princess, meet the household spirits which have, at least a walk on part, the swineherd finding the crock of gold. There’s a magical aspect in many traditional stories. to all our familiar stories but where are the fairies? Known in many parts of England as brownies, in Yorkshire as Very often what we call ‘fairy-tales’ don’t have much in the hobs, they are creatures who belong to a place (usually a farm way of fairies in them. When the Grimm Brothers, Jakob and by sometimes a workshop). They work tirelessly and will take Wilhelm, were busy collecting traditional stories, during the great offence is offered clothing and simply leave. These are Napoleonic Wars, they found a wealth of tales about soldiers kindly chaps and their presence makes for a lovely story but returning from the war, people who lived under the ever present characters in other tales are often less fortunate. threat of hunger, a few talking animals and the never ending quest for gold. Cinderella isn’t helped by a fairy godmother but by the spirit of her own dead mother. Our heroine actively seeks help by The Brothers Grimm themselves called their work ‘folk and fairy going to the churchyard where her mother is buried. How tales.’ The first version was published in 1815, the year of Wa- scary is that? A young woman walks alone into a graveyard terloo and the rest, is history. The original stories are wonderful, in the dead of night, shakes the tree which she planted on her magical and very gruesome. Fairies do appear and sometimes mother’s grave and from the branches falls her ball gown and they have good intentions. In the Elves and the Shoemaker we slippers.

38 Other fairy characters have a hard edge to them and help comes at Chaucer’s pilgrims may have been travelling to visit a Chris- a price. In the first telling of Rapunzel it is a fairy who so loves the tian shrine but many of the Canterbury Tales have a distinctly child so much that she locks her away in a tower. When the handsome magical, pagan flavor and were already very old, even in the prince finds his way of getting into the tower they ‘enjoy each other’s fourteenth century. Shakespeare wrote a great deal about magic company’ and Rapunzel soon finds herself asking her fairy captor why in plays like Midsummer Nights Dream and The Tempest. Holly- her dress is so tight that it no longer fits her. wood has maintained (or possibly recycled) the power of magic in Star Wars and the film versions of Harry Potter. Rumpelstiltskin, who saves the life of the miller’s daughter by spinning the straw into gold (a metaphor for spinning flax into linen) Film is, of-course, a form of magic in itself. Does this mean that demands payment in the form of her first born child. Fairies are well we have no need for the oral storytelling tradition? Has the won- known for wishing to take human babies. Irish and Scottish stories are derful world of film and now the internet consigned the telling of especially rich in warnings about letting your baby be stolen. stories to an electronic grave? Ironically, no. Fairies in the old stories are often malignant beings who are continual- ly seeking to abduct children and young men. I’ve learned most of the stories which I tell from books and from Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin are both spirited away by the Queen You Tube. Some I’ve learned from listening to other tellers. A of Elfland who is rather partial to young, lusty human lovers. She’s a story which you think you know well because you’ve met it on long way removed from the fairy godmother of later version of Cin- the printed page of a book, comes to life when it’s spoken aloud. ders. The Queen of Elfland doesn’t offer magical help, rather she seeks to steal your betrothed. Watching incredible tellers like Jan Blake on You Tube is inspir- ing but only, really, worthwhile if that inspiration leads a watcher Help is more likely to be found from magical animals. In The Three to going to listen to a teller somewhere. Storytelling is enjoying a Snake Leaves it’s a snake who provides our hero with the solution to renaissance at the moment. his problems and in The Fisherman and his Wife the kindly flounder The Society For Storytelling has secured lottery funding, has a grants the fisherman his wishes. If traditional stories are about magic, funky website and promotes the local clubs which have mush- talking animals, intrepid heroes, lucky fools and plucky heroines roomed in recent years. should we even use the phrase ‘fairy-tales’? Some folk festivals like Cambridge and Folk East have story- Would we be better using the Grimm Brothers words of ‘folk-tales’ or tellers as, of-course, do events like our own Fairy Festivals. If perhaps simply, ‘magical-tales’. there’s a story club in your town it really is worth finding the If you’ve ever seen a really good storyteller at work then you’ll have time to go. Stories open the door to a world of magic. This kind seen the way that stories are, truly magical. of works through books and film but this form of magic really A good teller can make children follow the path of an invisible sun reaches it’s zenith in live performance. across the sky, can conjure elves, dragons, heroes and villains from thin air. Stories have been imprisoned in print for a very long time. The hour is right to set the magic free. Will you be part of that? Most importantly of all, storytelling breathes new life into a tradition as ancient as humanity. Stories provide our golden thread stretching Fiona Dowson helps organize the annual Suffolk Skalds story- back to our ancestors. It’s through stories that the old ways were kept telling and poetry competition at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village alive and remembered. (the skalds have a facebook group).

Photographer: Miina Anahita Website: miinaanahita.com Facebook: photographer miina anahita instagram: miinaphoto

39 The Winter Goddesses By Tylluan Penry When I was a girl, I was always fascinated by the idea of a winter goddess. I was not sure who she was, nor what she did, but I had a strong feeling that she dwelt out in the sparse woods on the edge of the city where I lived. I cannot claim to have met her, not in the sense we normally meet people anyway, but I cer- tainly felt I knew her, along with other figures such as the Holly Man, and Jack Frost. In my mind’s eye, she wore a long white cloak, edge with swansdown and her gown was long and white with fine silver stripes in the fabric. Many years would pass before I discovered more about the midwinter goddesses of northern Europe. When I did, they were far more complex and powerful than I could ever have imagined.

Nowadays we tend to think of Midwinter as being just the days either side of the winter solstice, but centuries ago the period was generally reckoned to be the nights between 25th December and Epiphany (Janu- ary 6th). In northern Europe, especially the areas where German is spo- ken, we find special dates were allocated to these goddesses, especially Percht and Holle (sometimes written as Holda or Hulda).

What is interesting about these festivals, e.g. Perchtennacht and Hollen- abend, is that these have night (nacht) and evening (abend) rather than day, attached to them. It is clear therefore that Perchta and Holle, with their interest in spinning, running the home and children, were primarily goddesses of the cold winter’s night, not the daytime. The fact they are often referred to as ‘Frau’ suggests the respect they were given.

If that were true, however, it is curious that we do not remember them better. Partly, of course, two thousand years of a monotheistic, male dominated Christianity erased much of our memory of such deities and yet they do remain here and there in the landscapes and in some folklore. The Perchtenlauf processions in alpine areas are not proof of an unbroken survival of paganism, but then again, they are extremely curious and we have to wonder why they should survive – or be reinstat- ed - at all.

Sometimes these folk survivals seem to be down to sheer luck. For ex- ample, the flax plant was sacred to the Norse and Anglo-Saxon goddess Freya and also to the Germanic goddess Holle, sometimes known as the Lady of the Flax. She was said to live amongst the household linen and may even have been viewed as a household spirit or goddess. 40 It also seems likely Holle had long flowing hair, since the Old English feax meant hair, while in Austria the flax plant was called haar. In modern English, blonde hair is sometimes referred to as ‘flaxen.’ In England, the blue flax flowers were associated with love and fertility, and brides were supposed to wear ‘something blue’ to attract these properties. The flax plant was also closely associated with fertility and at one time it was believed only a naked woman could sow it. In some areas it was also the custom for women to wander naked in the flax fields on St John’s Eve, around the Summer Solstice.

We might therefore have expected the flax to be demonised (as happened with the elder tree). This did not happen. This was because flax yielded high quality linen, which the Church wanted to use for its vestments, thereby continuing with a heathen tradition with barely a pause. Yet although the flax became ‘respectable,’ by the Middle Ages however her demonization of Frau Holle was well under way and she became nicknamed Queen of the Witches.

Also, we know that in some parts of Germany Frau Holle is said to cause snow to fall by shaking her feather pillows. A very similar tradition has been noted in England too and there is reference to it in Alison Uttley’s semi-autobiographical Country Child. (She was the children’s author, better known for her ‘Little Grey Rabbit’) stories. This belief was even included in the Corrector of Burchard of Worms. These winter goddesses are also associated with children, rewarding This was a text intended to provide priests with appropriate ques- the good and punishing the naughty, suggesting they fulfilled the same tions when hearing confessions, and gives a vivid picture of what the type of role as Father Christmas or St. Nicholas. People also left medieval Church believed was happening on a fairly regular basis. For offerings of food for the goddess, just as they do now for Santa and example, one question asks, ‘Do you believe . . . that, in the silence of his reindeer. This could well explain the popularity of Mrs Claus – a the night, when you are stretched out upon your bed with your hus- female Santa – re-emerging from the past, albeit as a consort and not band’s head upon your breast you have the power, flesh though you are, as the bringer of gifts in her own right. to go out of the closed door and traverse great stretches of space with other women?” These winter goddesses were also associated with the Wild Hunt, a ghostly hunting party, accompanied by dogs, which hunted down Unlike some other sources however, Burchard suggests the group were unwary travellers, or captured souls in order to take them away to lead by another Germanic goddess, Frau Holda. She was well known the Otherworld. There are versions of this legend all over northern and her cult was so well known that even Martin Luther mentioned Europe and it has been surprisingly persistent. Whenever there was a ‘fraw Hulda’ with her fiddle. Violins or fiddles were often associated storm, it was thought that the screaming wind and creaking trees were with the devil, or with a mortal who was punished for playing for people the sound of Wild Hunt. Usually of course, the Wild Hunt is associ- to dance on a Sunday (This also is a legend we find connected with ated with a male god, such as Woden or Odin or the Celtic Gwyn ap groups of standing stones and stone circles!) Nudd. But there was goddesses too, although people still sometimes find this hard to believe. The purpose and identity of these goddesses of the Wild Hunt was complex. They belong to the dark nights and wild storms of winter, thus There reason we know that both divine and mortal women took part inviting comparisons with the Celtic Cailleach, and perhaps even the in the Wild Hunt is because references to it turn up in some of the group of Mothers whom Bede mentions in the celebration of Modran- continental Church sources. The early medieval Canon Episcopi echt on Christmas Eve. They are clearly feared, and there must have for example record: “Some wicked women perverted by the devil, been some forceful reason why they felt a need to venture out into the seduced by illusions and phantasms of demons, believe and profess wild weather during the night when most people would surely prefer to themselves, in the hours of the night, to ride upon certain beasts be indoors. with Diana, the goddess of pagans, and an innumerable multitude of women, and in the silence of the dead of night to traverse great spaces For me, one of the most interesting aspects of the Wild Hunt is its pow- of earth.’ er. Women are not only meeting together, they are riding at a time when owning a horse was very much the preserve of the wealthy elite. Or The appearance of Diana as a goddess of the Wild Hunt is interesting. perhaps they were riding broomsticks, which is even more interesting She was certainly a goddess of hunting, and the Roman syncretised because it must involve magic. A female Wild Hunt shows unity and her with the Greek Artemis. The Roman poet Ovid, in his Metamor- also sense of being apart. Most people rest during the night, whereas phoses, told how she took revenge on Actaeon by turning him into the Wild Hunt becomes active. Most people fear a storm, but these a stag so that his own dogs tore him to bits. This could certainly be women clearly did not. regarded as fairly wild behaviour! Yet in that story Diana was still a goddess of the Greco-Roman world, and not yet leader of The Wild They are special because they set themselves apart. Perhaps there is a Hunt. lesson there for all of us – male and female. In order to travel with the gods, we must not be afraid to put ourselves out of our comfort zones, What we do know is that gradually, as the conversion to Christianity and venture into the storm. became more widespread, Diana status had changed, so that by the Middle Ages she had become a goddess of witches. Just as Diana and To find out omre about Tylluan and see her YouTube videos please Artemis became conflated as one and the same in the Roman Empire, visit www.thewolfenhowlepress.com so in Northern Europe, she became associated with the goddess, Per- chta, and there are several references to ‘Diana commonly known as The beautiful artwork in this article is by Wendy Andrew. For cards Fraw (sic) Percht, who was believed to wander through the darkness and prints visit www.paintingdreams.co.uk with a group of wild women.’

41 Dark Angel Clothing By Matthew Callow

My heart sank when I first heard news that our friends at Dark Angel Clothing had been been flooded. For the second time in three years the independent company has suffered severe damage to their studio and a loss of machinery, fabrics and other equipment. When they were last flooded their insurance covered them, but on this second occasion they refused to offer any pay-out, leaving them in a very tricky situation.

Dark Angel is a much loved Fair-Trade clothing company that offers unique Gothic, Fantasy and Pagan garments - crafted by a small team of workers in Yorkshire.

Following the incident Angela Harper (friend to Carri and fellow photographer) has started a GoFundMe page online where previous customers and those who wish to help can offer donations to help the company get back on their feet. Within the first few weeks several thousands of pounds have been raised, but more help is still needed.

For more info please go to: www.gofundme.com/5pe9ak

www.thedarkangel.co.uk

42 Matthew Callow New Album Coming So on!

www.matthewcallow.com

Oak & Ivy Events Present The Mid Wales Faery Festival Saturday July 3rd 10.30 - 4pm e n s c r o f t . m v a . l i n d a r y w

Stalls - Music - Entertainment

A r t w o k b The Elephant & Castle, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BQ £3 entry fee (children receive free entry) www.facebook.com/Oak-Ivy-Faery-Festival

43 magicalTHE Issue 21 TIMES Out in August! Subscribe Today! Photography by Lunaesque www.lunaesque.com

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