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Home , Cecil Williamson, Gavin Bone, Invocation

FRIENDS N EWSLETTER August 2010 Summer is upon us and, after a rather slow start to the year, we’re now enjoying a promising season here in Boscastle. There is a list of exciting things happening during the year and coming up for 2011. Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the Museum moving to Boscastle and one of our celebratory projects is well underway with the help of many of our Friends - more of that later. Membership numbers are up, some fantastic American students have been here working on the archives, Joyce’s book ‘Wicked Enchantments’ is selling really well, The Reliquary is virtually sold out, and this year the funds from Friends are being directed towards online archives and the website. Read on McDuff…... Kerriann Godwin - Editor

RESEARCHERS R EJOICE AT NEW RESOURCE !! GRAHAM K ING

This year Friends is letter no: 395 in the archive providing around £2,000 Williamson says: “ I have for for the Museum’s new many years been used to the old online correspondence ways, secret – silent as the trees database. Here Graham in the forest …..the craft works talks about this fabulous silently, unseen, unsung…..” new project…… One could argue that Cecil Over the past few months was damaging this tradition much of my time has been of secrecy by opening his dedicated to preparing for the Museum of some launch of our online archive 60 years ago, displaying database. The intention is craft artefacts and methods, but on reflection I am sure that our wonderful collection New Jersey Students at that his Museum has done ‘Graham King writes to The of documents, including all Rocky Valley much more good than harm. Friends of The Museum the , Alex congratulating them on a Sanders, and I remember when Steeleye well done’ , dated 1998. In WHAT ’S INSIDE letters, be Span and Fairport this case a facsimile would • New Online Database a boon for made available to researchers Convention started using not be shown on a public researchers - Graham King online. electric instruments with search because it revealed a • Joyce Froo me illuminates the witch I believe that one of the main English Traditional Folk trustee’s address. mirror songs there was an outcry, • reasons museums exist is to As a general rule we do not New Jersey students get database up but looking back I can see and running - Shelly make information accessible, show documents dated that those bands did much to • but so many do the opposite. after 1970 unless the Membership Report -Deborah W They guard their precious ensure the living survival of contents have been • 50th Anniversary Book documents to the extent that those lovely songs. checked or we have gained • AGM Invitation - Judith Noble it is nearly impossible for So I have had to make some the authors’ permission. • researchers to gain access. difficult decisions: which We will show all of the Occult Reliquary But there are considerations documents do researchers Williamson and Gardner that have to be weighed up see and which are to be documents along with before our documents can be restricted?. Some most of a vast collection of put on line – witches and documents are very original Sanders’ material. occultists have secrets they personal, divorce papers do not wish to share with the being an example. These we In July ten students from public. I suspect that only restrict completely and a New Jersey helped us get researchers with very specific search on the public the system up and running or specialised interests will database will not reveal their and they did a fantastic job. find their way to the existence. Other more Around 1500 of approx Museum’s online archive but recent documents are not 5000 documents have been it is very important that some shown but a synopsis of scanned and entered so we details remain ‘sub rosa’. In their content is, e.g., still have a long way to go. (cont back page) Sub Rosa The Friends of the Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft is a registered charity Registration Number 1120014 PAGE 2 FOR PDF NEWSLETTER OR WITH ARTICLES E MAIL : WITCHNEWS @GMAIL .COM

AGM P LANS 2010 JUDITH N OBLE - C HAIR Friends agm December 4th 2010 history and origins of the On behalf of the Trustees, film, funded by Friends Wellington I extend a very warm tarred skull, Harriet and there will be an Hotel (formerly known as opportunity to purchase invitation to all Friends to Boscastle our AGM and Gathering, Harry!). There will be a gifts at our stalls. special opportunity to Speakers: which takes place at the Bring instruments and hear John Smart speak Wellington Hotel in voices for an impromptu John Smart about the Royal Windsor Boscastle on Sat 4th session in the and The Regency, The Royal Windsor Coven December 2010. This is evening. and the Regency: an Oral your opportunity find out and Joyce Froome will History. The event is free to all what Friends have done speak about in Joyce Froome over the last 12 months Christianity ; the subject members of Friends and Magic in Christianity and have your say on of a new display. I will people may join on the day. Special Friends future activities. We have talk about my research Judith noble prices are available at assembled a feast of talks into film maker Kenneth ‘: the Wellington Hotel and Luciferian London & the for your edification and Anger & his influence on Pencarmol, & Boscastle Counterculture’ including delight. Professor Martin the occult scene in 1960s a screening of the film has plenty of B&B ‘ of my Smith will talk about his London. We will screen accommodation. We Brother the new Museum promo investigation into the hope to see you there! Prof Martin Smith THE M AGIC OF A RCHIVAL RESEARCH SHELLY Harriett - Saint or Mummy?? This July, students from The Topics” course at her Cave, where they Saturday evening College of New Jersey American college, calling it sometimes met for class. Museum Film & music (TCNJ) journeyed to “The Magic of Archival Each morning, they session in Welly Bar Cornwall to embark on an Research,” which focuses gathered for two hours to exciting research endeavour: primarily on reading the discuss class readings, Tarot Readings reading and cataloguing (via Museum’s manuscripts, troubleshoot any research by Eileen Blacklock the database) the Museum’s cataloguing each entry, and problems, and give throughout the weekend Correspondence enhancing the contents of presentations on assigned Manuscripts. The library the database for the World topics such as “The European houses many volumes of Wide Web. Witchcraze,” “Early English original letters, journal Witches,” and The Mists of Before their transatlantic entries, newspaper clippings, Avalon” . In the afternoons, journey, the nine students of and other interesting they’d go to the Museum this course read and analyzed memorabilia, most of which library and delve further into two important textbooks; The preferred online retailer for the public has never seen. the manuscripts. Thus far, first, a compilation of essays The Museum of Witchcraft Shortly, with the students’ their work has focused Books by archivist scholars, titled perseverance and Graham’s mainly on the lives, writings, The Occult Reliquary Working in the Archives , which dedicated work alongside and magic practices of Cecil Wicked Enchantments prepared them for work them, all of these texts will Williamson, Gerald The Secret Landscape with manuscript collections; be accessible on the internet Gardner, and . T shirts second, an anthology of CDs through the Museum’s As they turn the pages in the stories, historical Cards digital archive database. collection’s binders, they interpretation, and scholarly Weather vanes never quite know what they This research project began examinations about witches etc will find next! The archives years ago when Professor from the 16 th and 17 th house a treasure trove, and Michele Tarter (“Shelly”) & centuries, entitled Witches of more is still to come. Graham began exploring the Transatlantic World: A possibilities for bringing Reader . These books On weekends, the students TCNJ students to the provided a solid foundation had free time to travel, and library. Shelly was hoping to for this research trip to seek places near and far: get her students involved Cornwall. Avebury, Land’s End, the with archival research, and EDEN Project, London, The group was staying in these manuscripts were Bath and Glastonbury. This Tintagel and their B&B is a notably the place to begin. was surely a time of magic short walk from Merlin’s Farewell to our lovely friend She designed a “Special and new discovery for all! Henny who has passed to spirit. PAGE 3 FOR PDF NEWSLETTER OR WITH ARTICLES E MAIL : WITCHNEWS @GMAIL .COM

NEW WISHING MIRROR

The museum receives of considerable age and is steeped good moon reveal to me, this night donations of objects from all in spirit force, but has never who my husband (wife) must be” over Britain but it is still a worked well since its last witch One of our early 20 th century special pleasure to add local owner, Mrs Goodman, of Halloween cards depicts a artefacts to the collection. Plymouth, passed on. Moon similar love , using a Graham recently saw an item mirrors are used and worked with mirror. A young woman looks for sale described as “antique the moon’s light. The is into a mirror and sees the mirror part, came from a lengthy and needs some reflection of a handsome young Cornish white witch”. The understanding.” man behind her. A shadow of a sellers kindly waived payment witch is in the background, and when they discovered the a verse explains : “On Hallowe’en museum was interested as look in the glass, Your future they were keen for the mirror husband’s face will pass.” to “go to a loving home… and Halloween Card not put back in a box.” In many traditions mirror divination involved invoking The white witch was Kate of Memories of a Magic the help of a spirit. The Trebartha, on the edge of Museum confession of a 14 th century Bodmin Moor, well known magician, Jehan de Bar, In the last issue I wrote a piece among local farmers for her on a project we are planning to Cecil’s Moon Face includes the admission, “On power to charm ringworm in celebrate the 50 th anniversary Wishing Mirror several occasions I set out to cattle. They were given the of The Museum of consecrate steel mirrors to certain mirror in return for looking Moon magic is an important Witchcraft‘s move to Boscastle devils, and I believed that they after her garden, and aspect of modern witchcraft, which happens next year. We would have to enter the mirrors, are now well on the way to explained how it should be and also has a long pedigree in and reveal secrets, and reply compiling an amazing book. used: “She said you look into folk magic. In the 17 th truthfully and without deceit to The Occult Art Company it on a full moon with the century, John Aubrey, whatever was asked them.” (TOAC) will be publishing this moon reflecting in it and make describes love magic: celebratory collection of essays a wish.” In view of this, it’s interesting from those who have “... charm the moon thus: at that Williamson describes the influenced, or have been One of the interesting things the first appearance of the “man in the moon” mirror as influenced by, the Museum. about this information is how new moon after New Year’s “steeped in spirit force.” It We envision that this will similar it is to Williamson’s Day, go out in the evening, seems likely that the “lengthy” become a collector’s item and caption for another mirror in and stand over the spars of a ritual he mentions involved will be published in limited the museum: a west country gate or stile, looking on the numbers. The book will capturing the moon’s reflection witches’ beloved “man in the moon and say, “ All hail to thee feature Museum histories and in the mirror as a way of moon” wishing mirror. “It is moon, all hail to thee, I prithee biographies to accompany the drawing spiritual power from essays along with full colour the moon into it. And that is images from the Museum to not so very different from the bring the written work to life. OCCULT R ELIQUARY idea of enticing an actual lunar The book will be sold to raise spirit or into the mirror. funds for "The Friends of the This beautiful book published by Three Hands Press Boscastle Museum of features a collection of images and artefacts from The Frustrating though it is that Witchcraft". Williamson didn’t keep proper Richel Eldermans Collection which was donated We’ve had forty promises of records, and we often only to the Museum in the year 2000 by Bob Richel. The essays from Friends and several Special Edition has already sold out and only a few have his tantalising captions to are already in - some of you Deluxe & Standard Editions are left. go on, yet again evidence has are very organised! come our way to support – and Contributors include Pat For those lucky enough to have got in cast light on – his claims about Crowther, Daniel Schulke, early I think it’s not only a fabulous an object. Joyce Froome Marion Green, & keepsake it’s also a great investment as , Philip Heselton, (Jehan de Bar’s confession is published they are already being seen on online Dave Evans, Dee Pearce, (in French) in “Magic and Divination bookstores for 5 times their original Mogg Morgan, Mike Howard, at the Courts of Burgundy and France” value. Ralph Harvey, & Pete by Jan Veenstra (Brill, 1998).) Jennings. Available at www.theoccultartcompany.co.uk. MEMBERSHIP REPORT

I am delighted to report that our “Friend of a Friend” campaign is in full flow Museum of Witchcraft and working well. As of August we have 150 members - a whopping 61 more than all of 2009. Our international membership has increased with members The Harbour, Boscastle from the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden and the Channel PL35 0HD Isles. It’s great to see that some of our long established members are spreading Phone: 01840250111 the word – much appreciated! Please carry on the good work and let us know if you would like any leaflets posted to you for friends/colleagues, local Moots, Email: museumwitchcraft@aol. gatherings, events, groups etc. The Association of the Friends of the This is good news for finances as the majority of funds come from your Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft 5 Cutliff Close membership fees and donations. Last year we received £2056 from Sherford memberships and this went towards replacing the lighting throughout the Taunton Museum. This year so far we have received £3704 – an increase of £1648 on Somerset last year. These funds are vital for us to continue to support the archival work TA1 4XA carried on behind the scenes. This includes purchases of professional items such Email:[email protected] Phone: 01823 283742 as mylar sleeves and file boxes, along with a brand new online document Registered Charity Number 1120014 database. This will allow researchers worldwide to access unique and irreplaceable letters and documents written by Gardner, Valiente, Sanders, WEBSITE ADDRESS Crowley and many more. WWW .F RIENDSBMW . ORG . UK Many thanks to every member for your vital contribution to our ongoing work. Please carry on encouraging your friends to become a “Friend of a Friend”. STOP PRESS Unfortunately it looks as if the government will abolish Gift Aid Receiving your newsletter by email by April 2011. Gift Aid is an enormous boon to small charities such as ours. For in PDF format instead of a paper copy will save us costs and increase every UK tax paying member who ticks the box on the joining form we can our donations to the Museum. reclaim 28p per £1, which increases your donation to us without any cost to you. Our funds will be much lower next year as a result. For more info please email [email protected] Our membership runs April to April. At the start of 2011, I’ll send out renewals a couple of months before 5 th April deadline to ensure we can process your Gift Aided payments before this date. I respectfully request that you renew promptly to ensure we can claim this back before it is no longer

RESEARCHER ’S REJOICE (CONT ) possible. Many thanks. Deborah Westmancoat - Membership Secretary

(from front page) Whilst reading few days entering data onto the one of the letters from system. It will take a day to Doreen Valiente I noticed learn the ins & outs of the she talked about Williamson database & is intense work, but putting this Museum up for you will read some fascinating sale. She says “…I hope the documents. You would need collection can be saved and kept reasonable computer skills & together. If I win the lottery I’ll be able to work unsupervised. buy the damn thing myself!” I We are around to train think it is rather fitting that volunteers but you need to this, & many more of her remember that museum staff letters, should end up in our are at work & cannot spend archive. time discussing all the letters! The new database is up & The Museum is grateful to running but not publicly ‘Friends’ for paying for this viewable as yet. We need to software development. make sure all the personal or Without you this project private filters are set correctly would not have got off the & ensure it is fully tested ground. This database will be before it is launched on line. an incredibly valuable resource Excerpt from Doreen Valiente letter for researchers. We are however looking for volunteers who can spend a