Merrie Meet to one and all at this special time of year.
As is often my practice I have sought out input from varying sources for this Musing on the subject of Yule. What has resulted is something that I believe is a fairly comprehensive guide to the symbolism of this time of our year. I have drawn heavily from a web posting in 1997 by Akasha Ap Emrys on the topic and would like to publicly acknowledge this inspirational article.
Yule Lore (December 21st)
Yule, is the time of year when the dark half comes to an end and the light half begins. Every day, beginning with the next sunrise, the sun climbs a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, is a night of much celebration. The long awaited rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life who warms the frozen Earth and makes her bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires are lit in the fields, and crops and trees are "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.
In former times children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun, the boughs were symbolic of immortality, the wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour symbolised the accomplishment of triumph, light, and life.
Holly, mistletoe, and ivy not only decorates the outside, but also the inside of homes. It extends an invitation to Nature Sprites to join the celebration. A sprig of Holly can be kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to pay visit to the residents.
The ceremonial Yule log is the highlight of the festival. Traditionally, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once brought into the house and placed in the fireplace it can be decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze using a piece of last year's log, (kept for just this purpose). The log is allowed toburn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. Also known as an herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.
A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Taking great care (I still bear the scars from doing this – Merlin), drill three holes in the top side to hold candles of red, green, and white (season); green, gold, and black (the Sun God); or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.
Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.
The Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children.
Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.
Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.
Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.
Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).
Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.
Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.
Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.
Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule
Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.
And so my dear friends, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a fantastic Yule, thank you for reading these pages and to wish you all the best things that life can give you.
May the Goddess protect and care for you throughout this and every season.
Love and light to all
Blessed Be
Merlin
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Friday 27 November 2009
27th November Musing
Merrie Meet
Firstly I must apologise for the delayed posting but things in the world of Merlin have been pretty manic since the last time I added anything onto these pages but all is back under control again so off we jolly well go.
Obviously the next celebration in the Pagan year is Yule and so in a matter of days I will be updating this post again with some Yuletide notelets and some Yuletide cheer.
But, in the meantime please remember that whilst I may not be musing I am always thinking.
So until our next meeting, take good care of yourself and
Blessed Be.
Merlin xx
Firstly I must apologise for the delayed posting but things in the world of Merlin have been pretty manic since the last time I added anything onto these pages but all is back under control again so off we jolly well go.
Obviously the next celebration in the Pagan year is Yule and so in a matter of days I will be updating this post again with some Yuletide notelets and some Yuletide cheer.
But, in the meantime please remember that whilst I may not be musing I am always thinking.
So until our next meeting, take good care of yourself and
Blessed Be.
Merlin xx
Monday 19 October 2009
Monday October 19th Musing on "Making A Broom"
Merrie Meet dear friends,
Today as we approach Samhain I thought it would be good to repost a topic that I found fairly recently online regarding the making of a Besom or Broom. I found it as a follow up to one of my latest visits to Glastonbury. During this visit one of my objectives was to purchase a ready made Besom - however, there were none to be had. I was begining to give up hope when I called into the Cat and the Cauldron and during my conversations there, I was aware of a voice saying "why not make your own?" I was a little taken aback by this because it was not even a remote possibility that I could make such an item, but given that this suggestion had been made I decided to go with it.
I returned to Moonshadow (the new house name) and set about the necessary research into the project. I found the following article as a result of this research and so am following this method to make my very own Besom
(reposted from the Briar-Rose website www.briar-rose.org)
"Step by Step Instructions for Making a Besom
Start with two handfuls of birch twigs at least three feet long. Possibly from a place that supplies them for wreath-making. Traditionally, you would grip them in the jaws of the vice on your broom horse, but if you don't have one I suggest 'gripping' them with 14-inch cable ties from your local computer store.
Place the cable ties on (one at the end, and one either side of where I'm going to bind with the willow withies, these can obtained online from a basket-weaving supply store. Soak the withies in a bucket of water for at least 48 hours.
If possible get the help of an assistant to hold the end of the withie tight while you wrap it around the birch. Do at least three full wraps, and make sure you catch the end you started with under at least one of the wraps.
When your three wraps (or more) are complete, take your bond poker and shove it under the wraps to create a channel through which you pass the end of the withie. Do this two or three times. The bond poker is - in this case - a piece of copper pipe, remove half of the pipe for a few inches, so it has a concave 'blade'. Traditionally it was made from the thigh-bone of a goose.
When wrap one is completed start wrap two. Rural tradition has two withie or wire wraps, but because this is for Cunning folk, do three!
Once again, using the bond poker, poke the end of the withie under the wrapped part, in order to create a knot. Pass the end under the wraps twice, then pass it through the first one that "wraps around the wraps" in order to create a sort of knot. Then pass it under the wraps once more so you can cut it off where it pokes out from underneath.
After cutting the excess from the last wrap, it is time to remove the cable ties and see if your workmanship holds true...
Now the fun part - trimming the top of the brush. Traditionally, a machete-type blade is used, or in some areas, an axe but power tools work just as well if used with extreme care and caution.
Having completed the broom head, take a nice piece of ash, ground to a point with a belt sander or more traditionally whittled with a knife, the narrower end is the one that you turn the point on.
Carefully place the point in the center of the nicely cut birch, and once you have, gently pushed the head on enough to hold its position, bang it down on the stick so the point is driven well into the head. You are aiming to have the ash pass through all three willow bindings.
If you kept everything nice and tight, the added tightness of inserting the stick will ensure the head stays on. If you are not sure, then before you attach the head, drill a hole in the stick so you can insert a wooden dowel or a horseshoe nail into it through the birch to make sure it stays put".
So, having identified what I had to do, I then set about sourcing the necessary item. The birch was difficult, no, nigh on impossible to find growing wild in the coastal regions where I live, so I had to buy from the local florist who told me when I placed the order that she had no idea how much it would cost but that it would not be expensive - when it arrived it was in bundles and the bundles were £12 each, so when I explained why I wanted these she heavily discounted the price and threw in 3m of gold ribbon and 3m of red ribbon all for £5
The next item I needed was the Willow - again not an easy item to obtain here, the florist could not get any so a little bit of ingenuity might be required here.
Now for the handle, well I could steal it from the Ash tree across from our house, but since I am not that way inclined I will leave that option alone, but I have had an offer from a colleague, he has said that he will check and if there is a long straight branch that is suitable on his Ash tree he will bring it to work for me. (I could go to the DIY store or hardware store and buy a proper broom handle but unless everything else fails I do not even consider that an option)
So once I have the Ash handle the working will begin........
I hope that your preparations for Samhain go well and until the next time we meet I will wish you
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Today as we approach Samhain I thought it would be good to repost a topic that I found fairly recently online regarding the making of a Besom or Broom. I found it as a follow up to one of my latest visits to Glastonbury. During this visit one of my objectives was to purchase a ready made Besom - however, there were none to be had. I was begining to give up hope when I called into the Cat and the Cauldron and during my conversations there, I was aware of a voice saying "why not make your own?" I was a little taken aback by this because it was not even a remote possibility that I could make such an item, but given that this suggestion had been made I decided to go with it.
I returned to Moonshadow (the new house name) and set about the necessary research into the project. I found the following article as a result of this research and so am following this method to make my very own Besom
(reposted from the Briar-Rose website www.briar-rose.org)
"Step by Step Instructions for Making a Besom
Start with two handfuls of birch twigs at least three feet long. Possibly from a place that supplies them for wreath-making. Traditionally, you would grip them in the jaws of the vice on your broom horse, but if you don't have one I suggest 'gripping' them with 14-inch cable ties from your local computer store.
Place the cable ties on (one at the end, and one either side of where I'm going to bind with the willow withies, these can obtained online from a basket-weaving supply store. Soak the withies in a bucket of water for at least 48 hours.
If possible get the help of an assistant to hold the end of the withie tight while you wrap it around the birch. Do at least three full wraps, and make sure you catch the end you started with under at least one of the wraps.
When your three wraps (or more) are complete, take your bond poker and shove it under the wraps to create a channel through which you pass the end of the withie. Do this two or three times. The bond poker is - in this case - a piece of copper pipe, remove half of the pipe for a few inches, so it has a concave 'blade'. Traditionally it was made from the thigh-bone of a goose.
When wrap one is completed start wrap two. Rural tradition has two withie or wire wraps, but because this is for Cunning folk, do three!
Once again, using the bond poker, poke the end of the withie under the wrapped part, in order to create a knot. Pass the end under the wraps twice, then pass it through the first one that "wraps around the wraps" in order to create a sort of knot. Then pass it under the wraps once more so you can cut it off where it pokes out from underneath.
After cutting the excess from the last wrap, it is time to remove the cable ties and see if your workmanship holds true...
Now the fun part - trimming the top of the brush. Traditionally, a machete-type blade is used, or in some areas, an axe but power tools work just as well if used with extreme care and caution.
Having completed the broom head, take a nice piece of ash, ground to a point with a belt sander or more traditionally whittled with a knife, the narrower end is the one that you turn the point on.
Carefully place the point in the center of the nicely cut birch, and once you have, gently pushed the head on enough to hold its position, bang it down on the stick so the point is driven well into the head. You are aiming to have the ash pass through all three willow bindings.
If you kept everything nice and tight, the added tightness of inserting the stick will ensure the head stays on. If you are not sure, then before you attach the head, drill a hole in the stick so you can insert a wooden dowel or a horseshoe nail into it through the birch to make sure it stays put".
So, having identified what I had to do, I then set about sourcing the necessary item. The birch was difficult, no, nigh on impossible to find growing wild in the coastal regions where I live, so I had to buy from the local florist who told me when I placed the order that she had no idea how much it would cost but that it would not be expensive - when it arrived it was in bundles and the bundles were £12 each, so when I explained why I wanted these she heavily discounted the price and threw in 3m of gold ribbon and 3m of red ribbon all for £5
The next item I needed was the Willow - again not an easy item to obtain here, the florist could not get any so a little bit of ingenuity might be required here.
Now for the handle, well I could steal it from the Ash tree across from our house, but since I am not that way inclined I will leave that option alone, but I have had an offer from a colleague, he has said that he will check and if there is a long straight branch that is suitable on his Ash tree he will bring it to work for me. (I could go to the DIY store or hardware store and buy a proper broom handle but unless everything else fails I do not even consider that an option)
So once I have the Ash handle the working will begin........
I hope that your preparations for Samhain go well and until the next time we meet I will wish you
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Monday 12 October 2009
Musing 12th October 2009 concerning Samhain.
SAMHAIN
Samhain is one of the most powerful of the Pagan Sabbats. It is the Witches' New Year. The turning of the wheel is most celebrated at this time.
Summer, with its related growing season is truly gone by Samhain. The long nights of Winter are just around the corner. We realize that the Sun God is dying and that the days are getting shorter. During this time of the year, the Crone aspect of the Goddess is the dominating figure. We welcome and honour Her as being such.
Common practices include looking back upon the last year, and rituals to help to promote a happy and healthy New Year. We also recognize this as the Last Harvest of the last growing season. The harvest can be of prosperity, health, love, and other bounty.
We find that the veil is thinnest between the worlds at this time. We often set plates of food on the table for our friends and relatives that have passed on. This is done to honour them and to promote the belief that no one or no thing should be left out of the bounty from the past year. Many people believe that this is where 'trick or treating' originated from.
You will find that because the veil is thinnest, divination can be very powerful at this time. Deceased ancestors and other spirits are easiest to contact. Rituals to honour the dead are performed on Samhain night, and divination is at its high point. Scrying into a fire, a glass, or a dark bowl is a popular method of contacting the dead on this night, and guided meditation for the purpose of past-life regression is most successful on this night as well.
Spirits will help you in divination, and you may also wish to contact the recently departed to strengthen your karmic ties with them if you wish to help ensure that you will be together again.
It is an Irish custom to place black candles in the windows for protection against evil spirits and to leave plates of food out for the spirits who will come and visit you on this night.
The Crone is called upon during this night, the dying God is mourned, and we reaffirm our beliefs in the oneness of all and in the knowledge that physical death is not the end.
Other names for this Sabbat include Halloween, Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic). Samhain is the Celtic name for this Sabbat.
Many covens and circles celebrate this most sacred of pagan holidays as groups, often opening their circles to non-initiates and others who wish to participate. I find myself preferring a solitary ritual, perhaps with some socializing earlier or later in the evening. For me, much of the meaning of Samhain suggests such a practice, though traditionally it is a communal celebration.
Samhain is pronounced as sow-in (in Ireland), sow-een (in Wales), and sav-en (in Scotland). It marks the end of the harvest, the end of the year, and the death of the god. Self-reflection becomes not simply a custom, but a necessity. One cannot (or at least should not) allow the Wheel of the Year to turn without some kind of examination of what has occurred. How have I spent the last year? Did I grow or remain stagnant? Did I live according to the values I claim to embrace? These are questions which must be addressed in solitude and solemnity.
Just as Samhain ends the old year, it must begin the new, though many witches do not celebrate the New Year until Yule. Reflection should continue during this dark time, but reflection should be accompanied by a growing sense of the changes to be made and the light to be sought.
The Goddess tells us: "And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without." We must look inside ourselves for self-knowledge and for the spirit that will sustain us in life's trials. Silence is one of the keys to seeking truth, for we cannot hear the answers in the midst of this noisy world in which we walk everyday, nor in the noise of holiday celebrations however joyous.
Samhain is also said to be the time when the veil between the living and te dead is thinnest, allowing us some communication with those who have departed. How befitting this is for such a time of endings and beginnings. Reflections on death can be as instructive as the self-examinations just mentioned. When we think of those who have died, it reminds us of time passing by and of things we could have or should have done. These reminders, coupled with our lists of past and future actions, encourage us to take our New Year's resolutions far more seriously. We know our time is limited, and most of us have much to do in our allotted time. Most of us have to make a living somehow, but death reminds us that we had better spend some of that time in pursuit of our other dreams lest they be lost in the struggle merely to survive.
Colors:
Orange, Gold, Silver, Black
Herbs:
Rosemary, Acorns
Crystals:
Obsidian, Smokey Quartz, Jet, Amber, Pyrite, Garnet, Quartz, Sandstone, Hematite
Food:
Pork, Rosemary, Pumpkin, Apple, Turnip, Nuts
Blessed Be!
Samhain is one of the most powerful of the Pagan Sabbats. It is the Witches' New Year. The turning of the wheel is most celebrated at this time.
Summer, with its related growing season is truly gone by Samhain. The long nights of Winter are just around the corner. We realize that the Sun God is dying and that the days are getting shorter. During this time of the year, the Crone aspect of the Goddess is the dominating figure. We welcome and honour Her as being such.
Common practices include looking back upon the last year, and rituals to help to promote a happy and healthy New Year. We also recognize this as the Last Harvest of the last growing season. The harvest can be of prosperity, health, love, and other bounty.
We find that the veil is thinnest between the worlds at this time. We often set plates of food on the table for our friends and relatives that have passed on. This is done to honour them and to promote the belief that no one or no thing should be left out of the bounty from the past year. Many people believe that this is where 'trick or treating' originated from.
You will find that because the veil is thinnest, divination can be very powerful at this time. Deceased ancestors and other spirits are easiest to contact. Rituals to honour the dead are performed on Samhain night, and divination is at its high point. Scrying into a fire, a glass, or a dark bowl is a popular method of contacting the dead on this night, and guided meditation for the purpose of past-life regression is most successful on this night as well.
Spirits will help you in divination, and you may also wish to contact the recently departed to strengthen your karmic ties with them if you wish to help ensure that you will be together again.
It is an Irish custom to place black candles in the windows for protection against evil spirits and to leave plates of food out for the spirits who will come and visit you on this night.
The Crone is called upon during this night, the dying God is mourned, and we reaffirm our beliefs in the oneness of all and in the knowledge that physical death is not the end.
Other names for this Sabbat include Halloween, Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic). Samhain is the Celtic name for this Sabbat.
Many covens and circles celebrate this most sacred of pagan holidays as groups, often opening their circles to non-initiates and others who wish to participate. I find myself preferring a solitary ritual, perhaps with some socializing earlier or later in the evening. For me, much of the meaning of Samhain suggests such a practice, though traditionally it is a communal celebration.
Samhain is pronounced as sow-in (in Ireland), sow-een (in Wales), and sav-en (in Scotland). It marks the end of the harvest, the end of the year, and the death of the god. Self-reflection becomes not simply a custom, but a necessity. One cannot (or at least should not) allow the Wheel of the Year to turn without some kind of examination of what has occurred. How have I spent the last year? Did I grow or remain stagnant? Did I live according to the values I claim to embrace? These are questions which must be addressed in solitude and solemnity.
Just as Samhain ends the old year, it must begin the new, though many witches do not celebrate the New Year until Yule. Reflection should continue during this dark time, but reflection should be accompanied by a growing sense of the changes to be made and the light to be sought.
The Goddess tells us: "And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without." We must look inside ourselves for self-knowledge and for the spirit that will sustain us in life's trials. Silence is one of the keys to seeking truth, for we cannot hear the answers in the midst of this noisy world in which we walk everyday, nor in the noise of holiday celebrations however joyous.
Samhain is also said to be the time when the veil between the living and te dead is thinnest, allowing us some communication with those who have departed. How befitting this is for such a time of endings and beginnings. Reflections on death can be as instructive as the self-examinations just mentioned. When we think of those who have died, it reminds us of time passing by and of things we could have or should have done. These reminders, coupled with our lists of past and future actions, encourage us to take our New Year's resolutions far more seriously. We know our time is limited, and most of us have much to do in our allotted time. Most of us have to make a living somehow, but death reminds us that we had better spend some of that time in pursuit of our other dreams lest they be lost in the struggle merely to survive.
Colors:
Orange, Gold, Silver, Black
Herbs:
Rosemary, Acorns
Crystals:
Obsidian, Smokey Quartz, Jet, Amber, Pyrite, Garnet, Quartz, Sandstone, Hematite
Food:
Pork, Rosemary, Pumpkin, Apple, Turnip, Nuts
Blessed Be!
Friday 25 September 2009
Pause For Thought, 25th September 2009
Merrie Meet
Whilst trawling through the pages of the website I walked into this short posting by Summerfey and it struck a chord, because I have been asked this question many times "Are Wiccan and Witch not the same?" Summerfey answers that point very eloquently in her short description - which is quoted here
You can be both a Wiccan and a Witch, these two words are not the same.
One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangeably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.
Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I'm still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches. You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".
Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion; therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock
.
Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "Pagan" as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.
I hope that this proves useful
Until the next time
Love and Light to all and
Blessed Be
Merlin
Whilst trawling through the pages of the website I walked into this short posting by Summerfey and it struck a chord, because I have been asked this question many times "Are Wiccan and Witch not the same?" Summerfey answers that point very eloquently in her short description - which is quoted here
You can be both a Wiccan and a Witch, these two words are not the same.
One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangeably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.
Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I'm still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches. You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".
Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion; therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock
.
Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "Pagan" as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.
I hope that this proves useful
Until the next time
Love and Light to all and
Blessed Be
Merlin
Tuesday 22 September 2009
22nd September Musing
Merrie Meet, good friends
Today is the day I am choosing to celebrate Mabon (the Autumn Equinox), the time when day and night are split into equal parts. Lady Moon moves from her third quarter, in Gemini, into her fourth quarter in Cancer. It is a time of balance and equilibrium and the festival is all about abundance, a key part of which is sharing. The giving and accepting of abundance promotes even more abundance for both giver and receiver.
Warm coloured clothing is favourite, red, orange,maroon, deep gold, russet, brown and dark violet and these colours can also be echoed in table decorations along with seasonal items such as pine cones, apples, horns of plenty. It is also a nice touch to place a set of balance scales filled with wild acorns, grapes and autumnal leaves asa a centrepiece.
The time of year can also be reflected in your choice of menu - nuts, onions, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, berries, apples, garlic, cider, fruit wine, bread, roast beef, chicken and cheese are all symbolic of the season.
The festival is sacred to Ceridwen, a Goddess of Autumn and in Druidic terms honour is placed upon the Green Man. One can offer gifts of blessed water or wine to a favourite tree, and of course not forget the nature fairies and others by leaving them a thimble filled with wine and some berries or nuts.
Together with thoughts of balance, this time is great for starting a winter project and traditionally this would be considered the time to begin making quilts. It is an ideal time to give thanks for friends and family, the food on the table, the clothes that we wear, the work we perform and the goodness in our lives - but it is a good idea to be specific in naming these thoughts.
On an entirely different subject, over the past 2 days I have been reading JK Rowling's "Tales of Beedle the Bard" and the first two tales - "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" and the "Fountain of Fair Fortune" both carry terrific messages underneath what are very pleasant short stories. Unfortunately because of copyright issues I am unable to reproduce these tales on this page, but I would certainly recommend to anyone who reads my Musings to invest in a copy and retell these tales to their young and not so young, and furthermore take particular note themselves to see if they are applying the lessons in their own lives.
So I will now take my leave, wish you a fantastic Mabon, and ask that the Goddess hold you in her care until we meet again.
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Today is the day I am choosing to celebrate Mabon (the Autumn Equinox), the time when day and night are split into equal parts. Lady Moon moves from her third quarter, in Gemini, into her fourth quarter in Cancer. It is a time of balance and equilibrium and the festival is all about abundance, a key part of which is sharing. The giving and accepting of abundance promotes even more abundance for both giver and receiver.
Warm coloured clothing is favourite, red, orange,maroon, deep gold, russet, brown and dark violet and these colours can also be echoed in table decorations along with seasonal items such as pine cones, apples, horns of plenty. It is also a nice touch to place a set of balance scales filled with wild acorns, grapes and autumnal leaves asa a centrepiece.
The time of year can also be reflected in your choice of menu - nuts, onions, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, berries, apples, garlic, cider, fruit wine, bread, roast beef, chicken and cheese are all symbolic of the season.
The festival is sacred to Ceridwen, a Goddess of Autumn and in Druidic terms honour is placed upon the Green Man. One can offer gifts of blessed water or wine to a favourite tree, and of course not forget the nature fairies and others by leaving them a thimble filled with wine and some berries or nuts.
Together with thoughts of balance, this time is great for starting a winter project and traditionally this would be considered the time to begin making quilts. It is an ideal time to give thanks for friends and family, the food on the table, the clothes that we wear, the work we perform and the goodness in our lives - but it is a good idea to be specific in naming these thoughts.
On an entirely different subject, over the past 2 days I have been reading JK Rowling's "Tales of Beedle the Bard" and the first two tales - "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" and the "Fountain of Fair Fortune" both carry terrific messages underneath what are very pleasant short stories. Unfortunately because of copyright issues I am unable to reproduce these tales on this page, but I would certainly recommend to anyone who reads my Musings to invest in a copy and retell these tales to their young and not so young, and furthermore take particular note themselves to see if they are applying the lessons in their own lives.
So I will now take my leave, wish you a fantastic Mabon, and ask that the Goddess hold you in her care until we meet again.
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Tuesday 1 September 2009
Tuesday 1st September Musing
As the calendar now turns into September I am prompted to think about the changing seasons of the year. The weather here in the South West of England has definitely taken on an Autumnal feel, the light has changed, the trees are already shedding their leaves, daylight hours are becoming shorter and daily temperatures are falling. Because of these changes I decided that I would look a little further into the forthcoming festival - Mabon and discovered the following article amongst the archive of iamawitch.com, the article is credited to summer fey,I hope that you find it interesting.
Historical Mabon
Mabon, the second of the great harvest festivals, is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox (between September 21-September 25). The Wheel has turned and for this single day the hours of daylight and darkness are once again equal. The air is cooler and the harvest of fruits and vegetables means that we are busy canning, pickling, drying and bottling the bounties of orchard and garden.
In modern times, September often means that children are returning to school. Life seems to slow down. This is often a time of reflection and re-establishment of routines that may have slipped during the heat of the summer. We pull out the boxes of winter clothing and realize how much our children have grown when clothing that fit them just a few months ago is far too short and tight.
Mabon is the Welsh name for a Celtic god who was stolen from his mother three days after his birth and locked away till he was a man. His name was Mabon, son of Modron, which translated means "Son, son of the Mother". Mabon was also known as the Son of Light. He was the god of liberation, harmony, music and unity.
The story has very ancient origins and much of it has been lost. The version which has come down to us tells of, Kyllwch, one of King Arthur's knights, finding and freeing Mabon as a step toward fulfilling one of the conditions for his betrothal to the fair Olwen. Through the intervention of the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon -- the ancient Celtic symbols of wisdom-- Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity and Kyllwch wins Olwen.
Mabon marks the end of the corn harvest which started with Lughnasadh. It is the time of the apple harvest. For our ancestors, apples were the fruit that sustained them through the winter. Apples themselves and the cider which was pressed from them were an important part of the diet.
Here are some suggestions for celebrating Mabon with your family:
Look for colored leaves. Collect fallen leaves and make a centerpiece or bouquet for your home. Save the leaves to burn in your Yule fire.
Visit an apple orchard and, if possible, pick your own apples.
Do a taste test of different kinds of apples.
Hang apples on a tree near your home. Watch the birds and other small animals who will enjoy your gift.
Make applesauce or apple pie.
Make an apple Doll.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this and even as the seasons change you all remember that we all make new friends along our journey but sometimes we forget the older and longer lasting friendships, why not take this time to make contact with people who mean a lot to you and just say "hello" - it will mean so much and yet is such a simple thing to do.
Until next time, love and light to all and Blessed Be
Merlin
Historical Mabon
Mabon, the second of the great harvest festivals, is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox (between September 21-September 25). The Wheel has turned and for this single day the hours of daylight and darkness are once again equal. The air is cooler and the harvest of fruits and vegetables means that we are busy canning, pickling, drying and bottling the bounties of orchard and garden.
In modern times, September often means that children are returning to school. Life seems to slow down. This is often a time of reflection and re-establishment of routines that may have slipped during the heat of the summer. We pull out the boxes of winter clothing and realize how much our children have grown when clothing that fit them just a few months ago is far too short and tight.
Mabon is the Welsh name for a Celtic god who was stolen from his mother three days after his birth and locked away till he was a man. His name was Mabon, son of Modron, which translated means "Son, son of the Mother". Mabon was also known as the Son of Light. He was the god of liberation, harmony, music and unity.
The story has very ancient origins and much of it has been lost. The version which has come down to us tells of, Kyllwch, one of King Arthur's knights, finding and freeing Mabon as a step toward fulfilling one of the conditions for his betrothal to the fair Olwen. Through the intervention of the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon -- the ancient Celtic symbols of wisdom-- Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity and Kyllwch wins Olwen.
Mabon marks the end of the corn harvest which started with Lughnasadh. It is the time of the apple harvest. For our ancestors, apples were the fruit that sustained them through the winter. Apples themselves and the cider which was pressed from them were an important part of the diet.
Here are some suggestions for celebrating Mabon with your family:
Look for colored leaves. Collect fallen leaves and make a centerpiece or bouquet for your home. Save the leaves to burn in your Yule fire.
Visit an apple orchard and, if possible, pick your own apples.
Do a taste test of different kinds of apples.
Hang apples on a tree near your home. Watch the birds and other small animals who will enjoy your gift.
Make applesauce or apple pie.
Make an apple Doll.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this and even as the seasons change you all remember that we all make new friends along our journey but sometimes we forget the older and longer lasting friendships, why not take this time to make contact with people who mean a lot to you and just say "hello" - it will mean so much and yet is such a simple thing to do.
Until next time, love and light to all and Blessed Be
Merlin
Friday 21 August 2009
Friday August 21st Musing
Merrie Meet to one and all
This is a piece that I discovered several years ago, but I feel it still holds true today.
I for one am proud to say...........I Am A Witch.
I Am A Witch. by Sandi Thomas
When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a "Witch".
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a Witch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts, or do things my own way, they call me a Witch.
Being a witch entails raising my children to be strong people.
Who have a solid sense of personal and social responsibility.
Who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
Who love and respect themselves for the beautiful beings they are.
Being a witch means that I am free to be the wonderful creature I am,
With all my own intricacies, contradictions, quirks and beauty.
Being a witch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak up against it, I am defined as a witch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone else's maid or when I act a little selfish.
I am proud to be a witch!
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
By Goddess, I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So, try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed.
And if that makes me a witch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it. I love this, I can call myself a witch now and not feel bad about it!
SO MOTE IT BE!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this and that you will continue to follow my blog.
I will write again soon.
Love and Light to All
Blessed Be
Merlin
Altered Image Life Coaching Blog
This is a piece that I discovered several years ago, but I feel it still holds true today.
I for one am proud to say...........I Am A Witch.
I Am A Witch. by Sandi Thomas
When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a "Witch".
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a Witch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts, or do things my own way, they call me a Witch.
Being a witch entails raising my children to be strong people.
Who have a solid sense of personal and social responsibility.
Who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
Who love and respect themselves for the beautiful beings they are.
Being a witch means that I am free to be the wonderful creature I am,
With all my own intricacies, contradictions, quirks and beauty.
Being a witch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak up against it, I am defined as a witch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone else's maid or when I act a little selfish.
I am proud to be a witch!
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
By Goddess, I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So, try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed.
And if that makes me a witch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it. I love this, I can call myself a witch now and not feel bad about it!
SO MOTE IT BE!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this and that you will continue to follow my blog.
I will write again soon.
Love and Light to All
Blessed Be
Merlin
Altered Image Life Coaching Blog
Thursday 13 August 2009
Thursday August 13th Musing
Merrie Meet one and all,
I will start today's topic with an update on the events from the last 24 hours - they are certainly exciting me and whilst may be somewhat "normal occurences" for a lot of people, for someone who awoke to this new life a relatively short while ago (1989 to be exact) and had previously been a hardened sceptic they are quite mind blowing.
I have detailed below an extract from a conversation I was having with a very dear friend of mine yesterday, and we had been chatting for some time when .....(well I'll let the transcript take over from here!)
10.51.59 EJA: he he
10.52.12 Dave: hmmmm
10.52.26 Dave: keep on like this we won't need to type
10.53.08 EJA: yes indeed
10.54.04 Dave: have you got something green, that is very precious to you nearby, that you have just been thinking about or within the last 10 minutes or so?
10.54.33 EJA: xxxxx is wearing green sat next to me
10.54.39 EJA: that pretty precious
10.54.47 Dave: oh bloody hell
10.55.01 EJA: she is researching moon cycles
10.55.05 EJA: i was helping her
10.55.25 Dave: wow
There are almost 500 miles between myself and the person I was talking to and yet the information came through with total clarity.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pagan Headstones
The 23rd of April 2009 marked the two year anniversary of the first Pagan headstone issued by the US Government, through the Veterans Department. This was a big step for all U.S. Pagans and a relief to those veterans that will now have a privilege that their elders didn’t.
Although the pentacle has been accepted as a government-observed emblem, each path will now need to have their own fight. Currently, paths are working on this; one that comes to mind is the Druids. If you get a chance to vote or aid for any Pagan fight in this matter, please step up to the plate; they were there when the Wiccans were working on the pentacle.
The headstone is a mere step. When making dog tags, signing up for ID cards, or joining the VA hospital Pagans do not have their religion noticed. This means that they are still having to claim the religion title of ‘other’.
"Below I have reproduced the timeline of events that emerged to get this request acknowledged"
Rosemary Kooiman requested a pentacle for her husband Abe’s headstone for when he was to die.
Abe Kooiman passed away.
A response of “Once we get records updated it will take place” was sent to Rosemary (the same response she got for 10 years)
Rosemary Kooiman Died.
Roberta Stewart filed suit for the VA to add the pentacle symbol to their approved emblems for headstone.
Several Pagan and civil rights organizations joined in Roberta’s cause.
The 33rd symbol for VA headstones was approved.
Patrick Stewart was given a plaque and Abe Kooiman a headstone with a pentacle on it.
This article has been reproduced from the Pagan Moonbeams bi-monthly magazine website
I hope that you have found today's musing of interest and that you will soon sign up my regular updates on this page.
While you are at it, can I suggest that you also look at the sister blog to this one, Altered Image that can be found at
http://www.alteredimagelifecoaching.blogspot.com/
Until we meet again
Love and Light to all
Blessed Be
Merlin
I will start today's topic with an update on the events from the last 24 hours - they are certainly exciting me and whilst may be somewhat "normal occurences" for a lot of people, for someone who awoke to this new life a relatively short while ago (1989 to be exact) and had previously been a hardened sceptic they are quite mind blowing.
I have detailed below an extract from a conversation I was having with a very dear friend of mine yesterday, and we had been chatting for some time when .....(well I'll let the transcript take over from here!)
10.51.59 EJA: he he
10.52.12 Dave: hmmmm
10.52.26 Dave: keep on like this we won't need to type
10.53.08 EJA: yes indeed
10.54.04 Dave: have you got something green, that is very precious to you nearby, that you have just been thinking about or within the last 10 minutes or so?
10.54.33 EJA: xxxxx is wearing green sat next to me
10.54.39 EJA: that pretty precious
10.54.47 Dave: oh bloody hell
10.55.01 EJA: she is researching moon cycles
10.55.05 EJA: i was helping her
10.55.25 Dave: wow
There are almost 500 miles between myself and the person I was talking to and yet the information came through with total clarity.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pagan Headstones
The 23rd of April 2009 marked the two year anniversary of the first Pagan headstone issued by the US Government, through the Veterans Department. This was a big step for all U.S. Pagans and a relief to those veterans that will now have a privilege that their elders didn’t.
Although the pentacle has been accepted as a government-observed emblem, each path will now need to have their own fight. Currently, paths are working on this; one that comes to mind is the Druids. If you get a chance to vote or aid for any Pagan fight in this matter, please step up to the plate; they were there when the Wiccans were working on the pentacle.
The headstone is a mere step. When making dog tags, signing up for ID cards, or joining the VA hospital Pagans do not have their religion noticed. This means that they are still having to claim the religion title of ‘other’.
"Below I have reproduced the timeline of events that emerged to get this request acknowledged"
Rosemary Kooiman requested a pentacle for her husband Abe’s headstone for when he was to die.
Abe Kooiman passed away.
A response of “Once we get records updated it will take place” was sent to Rosemary (the same response she got for 10 years)
Rosemary Kooiman Died.
Roberta Stewart filed suit for the VA to add the pentacle symbol to their approved emblems for headstone.
Several Pagan and civil rights organizations joined in Roberta’s cause.
The 33rd symbol for VA headstones was approved.
Patrick Stewart was given a plaque and Abe Kooiman a headstone with a pentacle on it.
This article has been reproduced from the Pagan Moonbeams bi-monthly magazine website
I hope that you have found today's musing of interest and that you will soon sign up my regular updates on this page.
While you are at it, can I suggest that you also look at the sister blog to this one, Altered Image that can be found at
http://www.alteredimagelifecoaching.blogspot.com/
Until we meet again
Love and Light to all
Blessed Be
Merlin
Wednesday 5 August 2009
Thursday's addition to Wednesday's musing
Hi and Merrie Meet in the wee small hours of Thursday.
Before I go off to my bed I must share this experience with you all
Last night I decided to do a meditation and during the course of this I had a series of images and thoughts, most appeared completely random until an image of a friend of mine appeared and the words "look to the sun" accompanied this image, immediately afterwards an image of Black and Tan dog's head replaced this and that was replaced by an image of a white cat, followed by a modern house.
When I had finished I knew it was most important that I contacted my friend and told her of the meditation. I did so and almost immediately received a message back saying "thank you so much, I cannot see to text through the tears"
This reply intrigued me and later I received an explanation...........
This friend's aunt had passed away and whilst alive she had been a pianist, my friend had sung at her funeral on Wednesday ...... and my friend said this
"in my times of darkness she would make me sing and say the sun shines on the righteous. She had a white cat!"
"...but the tan and black would be our family dog ... died a year ago while i was in a coma"
That was brilliant and she followed that revelation with this......
"he says the new house is him, he asked me today to consider a new life with him"
then she said
"well about an hour before i got your message i was wondering if i had done the right thing"
to which my response was
"you had made your decision but had self doubts about it, but your decision was yes "but it has to be right and for life""
and finally she replied "yes. Thank you for passing this on .."
I thank the Goddess for bestowing this gift upon me and trust that I will always use it correctly.
Love and Light to all, and Blessed Be
Merlin
Before I go off to my bed I must share this experience with you all
Last night I decided to do a meditation and during the course of this I had a series of images and thoughts, most appeared completely random until an image of a friend of mine appeared and the words "look to the sun" accompanied this image, immediately afterwards an image of Black and Tan dog's head replaced this and that was replaced by an image of a white cat, followed by a modern house.
When I had finished I knew it was most important that I contacted my friend and told her of the meditation. I did so and almost immediately received a message back saying "thank you so much, I cannot see to text through the tears"
This reply intrigued me and later I received an explanation...........
This friend's aunt had passed away and whilst alive she had been a pianist, my friend had sung at her funeral on Wednesday ...... and my friend said this
"in my times of darkness she would make me sing and say the sun shines on the righteous. She had a white cat!"
"...but the tan and black would be our family dog ... died a year ago while i was in a coma"
That was brilliant and she followed that revelation with this......
"he says the new house is him, he asked me today to consider a new life with him"
then she said
"well about an hour before i got your message i was wondering if i had done the right thing"
to which my response was
"you had made your decision but had self doubts about it, but your decision was yes "but it has to be right and for life""
and finally she replied "yes. Thank you for passing this on .."
I thank the Goddess for bestowing this gift upon me and trust that I will always use it correctly.
Love and Light to all, and Blessed Be
Merlin
Wednesday 5th August Musing
Merrie Meet one and all
This week I have found a nice piece regarding moon working I for one will be working this tomorrow (Thursday) providing that the moon is totally visible, I will also be working a healing meditation, so anyone who would like me to send special healing please let me know as soon as possible.
Please enjoy the post
Full Moon Ray Bath
The full moon has been revered as containing power beyond belief. It has been worshiped and thought highly of, as long as can be traced. In modern days, people still think highly of the moon. There are lots of things that people do in the light of the moon, especially the full moon. People take an emotional bath, do certain types of rituals or magic, as well as confide in it.
This week, there will be a full moon, so take this time to do your own version of connecting with it.
One idea would be to take a full moon ray bath. Grab a crystal or prism (the bigger, the better) and practice with the sunlight on how to find the
rainbow that shows the colors it is made of. Once you have mastered how to use your tool, follow the steps below to perform your own simple full moon ray bath.
• In a rather large area, position your crystal in one hand, so as to show the rainbow of the moon on your other hand.
• Slowly move your hand away and position your body, face, or whatever part you want to cleanse with the moon’s rays in its place.
• While the rays or rainbow is shining on you, close your eyes and feel its energy and share some of your energy with it.
Please feel free to document your experience as comments on here as well as notes on how to make it better next full moon!
reproduced from Pagan Moonbeams 2009
Have a fantastic day
I wish everyone Love Light and Healing wherever you may be
Blessed Be
Merlin
This week I have found a nice piece regarding moon working I for one will be working this tomorrow (Thursday) providing that the moon is totally visible, I will also be working a healing meditation, so anyone who would like me to send special healing please let me know as soon as possible.
Please enjoy the post
Full Moon Ray Bath
The full moon has been revered as containing power beyond belief. It has been worshiped and thought highly of, as long as can be traced. In modern days, people still think highly of the moon. There are lots of things that people do in the light of the moon, especially the full moon. People take an emotional bath, do certain types of rituals or magic, as well as confide in it.
This week, there will be a full moon, so take this time to do your own version of connecting with it.
One idea would be to take a full moon ray bath. Grab a crystal or prism (the bigger, the better) and practice with the sunlight on how to find the
rainbow that shows the colors it is made of. Once you have mastered how to use your tool, follow the steps below to perform your own simple full moon ray bath.
• In a rather large area, position your crystal in one hand, so as to show the rainbow of the moon on your other hand.
• Slowly move your hand away and position your body, face, or whatever part you want to cleanse with the moon’s rays in its place.
• While the rays or rainbow is shining on you, close your eyes and feel its energy and share some of your energy with it.
Please feel free to document your experience as comments on here as well as notes on how to make it better next full moon!
reproduced from Pagan Moonbeams 2009
Have a fantastic day
I wish everyone Love Light and Healing wherever you may be
Blessed Be
Merlin
Thursday 30 July 2009
Lammas Musing 30th July 2009
Merrie Meet
This is a repost from the Pagan Magic website that I found while updating my BOS tonight. Hope everyone enjoys a wonderful festival this weekend.
Lammas or Lughnasadh
Colours: Gray, green, gold, yellow
Symbols: All grains, breads, threshing tools, athame
Date: Occurs 1/4 of a year after Beltaine. True astrological point is 15 degrees Leo, but tradition has set August 1st as the day it is typically celebrated. Since the Ancients Celts passed their days from sundown to sundown, the celebration would usually begin the night before on July 31st.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The turning of the wheel now brings us to Lughnasadh (LOO-nus-uh), also known by its medieval Christian name of Lammas, named in honor of the Celtic god Lugh, a name which means "light" or "shining." Although somewhat confusing, we are not celebrating the death of Lugh (the God of light does not mythically die until the autumn equinox), but rather the funeral games that Lugh hosted to commemorate the death of his foster mother, Taillte. In Ireland, Lugnasadh is often called the "Tailltean Games". A common feature of the games were the "Tailltean marriages", rather informal and lasting only a year and a day or until next Lammas, at which time the couple would decide to continue the arrangement or stand back to back and walk away, thereby dissolving the marriage. The parish priest was not bothered to perform these trial marriages, they were usually performed by a poet, bard, priest or priestess of the Old Religion, or shanachie, and were very common into the 1500's. It is from this custom that our present-day Handfastings must come.
According to one of his many legends, Lugh was the last great leader of the Tuatha de Dannan. In one of the Tuatha's victories, Lugh spared the life of Bres, a defeated enemy captain, in exchange for advice on ploughing, sowing, and reaping. He was seen as a multi-talented deity, being capable and quite good at all he undertook. The myths of Lugh include the prevalence of his many skills and the wedding of these skills to the potential or unrealized abundance of the land. According to the writing of Caesar, he was also regarded as the patron of all the arts, traveling, and influence in money and commerce. To the Romans, Lugh was seen as a counterpart to Mercury. Lugh is the son of Arianrhod, who is associated with sacred kingship and Three-fold Death. His wife's name is Blodeuwedd, also known as the Flower Maiden.
Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest Sabbats, Mabon and Samhain being the other two, which celebrates the ripening grains and corn. With the harvest so prevalent, Pagans see the theme of the sacrificed god motif emerge. His death is necessary for rebirth of the land to take place. Called by many names, "Green Man," "Wicker Man," "Corn Man" or just the "Spirit of Vegetation," his essence begins to merge with the harvested crops, a sacrifice that will be realized with the new growth in the spring.
In old times, it was the duty of the King to sacrifice himself for the land, an idea that has been seen in the many legends of cultures both new and old, throughout recorded history. The gathering of the first crops of the year is also used to symbolize the success and extent of the power raised from the Beltane rites when the Sacred Marriage of the Lord and Lady took place. The theme of sexuality and reproduction is carried over into Lughnasadh as well to ensure the remainder of a good harvest.
This sabbat is also known as the celebration of bread. As bread was one of the main staples of our ancestors, the ripening of the grain was the cause for great celebration. The reaping, threshing and preparation of these breads spawned great ritual and ceremony to ensure bounty for the following year.
This time of the year finds us with fields to harvest, the first of a bountiful crop that will hold us through the winter months. Even though the hottest days of summer are upon us, we have but to observe to see that fall is just around the corner. Shadows are growing longer as the days slowly become shorter. Squirrels are busily gathering food for the coming winter. It is a time to begin canning produce from the garden, a time to save and preserve.
Some ideas for celebration include:
Sacrifice bad habits and unwanted things from your life by throwing symbols of them into the sabbat fire.
Bake a loaf of bread in the shape of a man and sacrifice him in your ritual. Make him a part of your feast but save a piece to offer the gods.
Take time to actually harvest fruits from your garden with your family. If you don't have a garden, visit one of the pick-your-own farms in your area.
Include bilberries or blueberries in your feast; these were a traditional fruit, whose abundance was seen as an indicator of the harvest to come.
Gather the tools of your trade and bless them in order to bring a richer harvest next year.
Share your harvest with others who are less fortunate.
Decorate with sickles, scythes, fresh vegetables & fruits, grains, berries, corn dollies, bread. Colors are orange, gold, yellow, red and bronze.
And so the wheel turns.....
Found and Posted By Witch of the North.
Blessed be to you all...
reproduced from the Pagan_Magic Website
I hope you found this article enlightening.
Love and Light to All
Blessed Be.
This is a repost from the Pagan Magic website that I found while updating my BOS tonight. Hope everyone enjoys a wonderful festival this weekend.
Lammas or Lughnasadh
Colours: Gray, green, gold, yellow
Symbols: All grains, breads, threshing tools, athame
Date: Occurs 1/4 of a year after Beltaine. True astrological point is 15 degrees Leo, but tradition has set August 1st as the day it is typically celebrated. Since the Ancients Celts passed their days from sundown to sundown, the celebration would usually begin the night before on July 31st.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The turning of the wheel now brings us to Lughnasadh (LOO-nus-uh), also known by its medieval Christian name of Lammas, named in honor of the Celtic god Lugh, a name which means "light" or "shining." Although somewhat confusing, we are not celebrating the death of Lugh (the God of light does not mythically die until the autumn equinox), but rather the funeral games that Lugh hosted to commemorate the death of his foster mother, Taillte. In Ireland, Lugnasadh is often called the "Tailltean Games". A common feature of the games were the "Tailltean marriages", rather informal and lasting only a year and a day or until next Lammas, at which time the couple would decide to continue the arrangement or stand back to back and walk away, thereby dissolving the marriage. The parish priest was not bothered to perform these trial marriages, they were usually performed by a poet, bard, priest or priestess of the Old Religion, or shanachie, and were very common into the 1500's. It is from this custom that our present-day Handfastings must come.
According to one of his many legends, Lugh was the last great leader of the Tuatha de Dannan. In one of the Tuatha's victories, Lugh spared the life of Bres, a defeated enemy captain, in exchange for advice on ploughing, sowing, and reaping. He was seen as a multi-talented deity, being capable and quite good at all he undertook. The myths of Lugh include the prevalence of his many skills and the wedding of these skills to the potential or unrealized abundance of the land. According to the writing of Caesar, he was also regarded as the patron of all the arts, traveling, and influence in money and commerce. To the Romans, Lugh was seen as a counterpart to Mercury. Lugh is the son of Arianrhod, who is associated with sacred kingship and Three-fold Death. His wife's name is Blodeuwedd, also known as the Flower Maiden.
Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest Sabbats, Mabon and Samhain being the other two, which celebrates the ripening grains and corn. With the harvest so prevalent, Pagans see the theme of the sacrificed god motif emerge. His death is necessary for rebirth of the land to take place. Called by many names, "Green Man," "Wicker Man," "Corn Man" or just the "Spirit of Vegetation," his essence begins to merge with the harvested crops, a sacrifice that will be realized with the new growth in the spring.
In old times, it was the duty of the King to sacrifice himself for the land, an idea that has been seen in the many legends of cultures both new and old, throughout recorded history. The gathering of the first crops of the year is also used to symbolize the success and extent of the power raised from the Beltane rites when the Sacred Marriage of the Lord and Lady took place. The theme of sexuality and reproduction is carried over into Lughnasadh as well to ensure the remainder of a good harvest.
This sabbat is also known as the celebration of bread. As bread was one of the main staples of our ancestors, the ripening of the grain was the cause for great celebration. The reaping, threshing and preparation of these breads spawned great ritual and ceremony to ensure bounty for the following year.
This time of the year finds us with fields to harvest, the first of a bountiful crop that will hold us through the winter months. Even though the hottest days of summer are upon us, we have but to observe to see that fall is just around the corner. Shadows are growing longer as the days slowly become shorter. Squirrels are busily gathering food for the coming winter. It is a time to begin canning produce from the garden, a time to save and preserve.
Some ideas for celebration include:
Sacrifice bad habits and unwanted things from your life by throwing symbols of them into the sabbat fire.
Bake a loaf of bread in the shape of a man and sacrifice him in your ritual. Make him a part of your feast but save a piece to offer the gods.
Take time to actually harvest fruits from your garden with your family. If you don't have a garden, visit one of the pick-your-own farms in your area.
Include bilberries or blueberries in your feast; these were a traditional fruit, whose abundance was seen as an indicator of the harvest to come.
Gather the tools of your trade and bless them in order to bring a richer harvest next year.
Share your harvest with others who are less fortunate.
Decorate with sickles, scythes, fresh vegetables & fruits, grains, berries, corn dollies, bread. Colors are orange, gold, yellow, red and bronze.
And so the wheel turns.....
Found and Posted By Witch of the North.
Blessed be to you all...
reproduced from the Pagan_Magic Website
I hope you found this article enlightening.
Love and Light to All
Blessed Be.
Wednesday 29 July 2009
New website live
Have just launched the new website for Changing Times, the new business venture that Alison, Tina and I have begun.....
http://www.changingtimes2.co.uk
Blessed Be
http://www.changingtimes2.co.uk
Blessed Be
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Tuesday 28th July Musing - What Is Wicca?
Merrie Meet
While trawling about looking for a topic for this week's blog post I came across this post that seemed to provide a very detailed yet simple introduction to Wicca. Again I must stress that this article is a repost and is used to help illustrate and educate. The discussions and ideas put forward in this article do not necessarily reflect my own ideas and beliefs. Enjoy.
What is Wicca? A Basic introduction
By: Keitha (FireWind)
Posted: November 23rd, 2001
Wicca is a much misunderstood spirituality that can be explained and described in more ways than can be imagined. Ask a hundred people what Wicca is, and you will likely get a hundred very different answers. This is because Wicca is a personal spirituality, a journey that an individual undertakes in one of a thousand different ways. It is unique to each and every individual that walks the path. While this is one of Wicca's greatest strengths, it also makes it very hard to describe what Wicca is in any kind of specific detail. In this article, I've attempted to explain the more generally accepted beliefs and practices of modern Wicca. My hope is that those with little experience dealing with Wiccans might better understand what it is that we 'do'.
Wicca is a type of Neopagan Witchcraft. That is to say, we generally practice a reconstructed version of pre-Christian European Pagan spirituality. Beliefs and practices are generally centered around a culture of the practitioners choosing, usually with a belief in that culture's deities and folklore, etc. However, since Wicca is a personal spirituality, this does not hold true for everyone. Many practitioners choose beliefs on the basis of what 'feels right', and you will find those who practice a mix of Celtic, Greek, Native, Sumerian, Hindu, Buddhist, and other beliefs. Wiccans have a high regard for the beliefs and practices of others, and for the individuals right to find their own path. As such, almost any combination of beliefs and practices is possible.
Being a Pagan spirituality, Wicca reveres the natural world. The Earth, the seasons, the tides, the moon and stars: all things are sacred. All life, all plants, animals, and peoples are sacred. I am sacred, and so are you, regardless of our similar or differing personal beliefs. We build no physical "churches" except when it is necessary. Our sacred places are outside, in the forests, in the fields, in our hearts.
Wiccans generally believe in both male and female aspects of divinity. Usually, both goddesses and gods are respected as equals, with neither aspect seen as "more important" than the other. While Wiccans can worship many gods at any given time, sometimes a general "Divine Feminine" is referred to as "The Goddess", and a "Divine Masculine" as "The God". The Goddess is generally seen as the shaper, the mother or wise one. It is She who brings forth life and shapes the world. The God is generally seen as the giver, of energy and life. He is the Horned One, the God of the forests, the grain, and the hunt. It is he that sometimes gives the spark to the Goddess that she may create and form life. The idea of The Goddess or The God is not an exclusive title or belief however, and the individual is free to worship whatever gods and goddesses they please.
We have only one law that governs ethics and morality: "An it harm none, do as ye will". We believe that all things are interconnected, and our thoughts and actions echo through the world in ways we might never have imagined. As such, all things we do are returned to us threefold- if we do ill, we are returned ill three times. If we do well, we are returned this also three times. And so our destiny is in our own hands, we must shape it as best we can. We are free to do whatever we like, but be careful of causing harm even unintentionally.
Our services are called rituals, and we honour the gods and the Old ways. We sing, we dance, we call our gods and celebrate life. It is hard to describe what happens at an average ritual, because almost every single one will be different from every other ritual. Everyone has their own idea of what a ritual should be, and everyone does theirs a little differently. Generally, we burn candles and incense, we talk with our gods, we look within ourselves, we try to understand the world around us, and we try to become better people.
There are some things that we do not do, however, and it's a shame that I have to cover them in this article. Because we claim the name 'Witch', there are some strange misconceptions about us. Following are some of the common ones.
Our gods are sometimes horned. They can be very sensual and sexual. Some of them die and some of them rule the Underworld. But none of our gods are the Christian devil. Our horned gods are the ancient fertility gods; they can be both the hunter and the stag. They are the power and joy of life itself. They are forces beyond time. They are not vengeful or rebellious children engaged in family feuding, and they care nothing for such things. Our gods are recorded on the walls of ancient caves; they are complete within themselves. Those that label them devils are misguided or confused. We are not satanists; we are Wiccans.
We are also frequently accused of performing sacrifices which take life. This is also untrue. We do make offerings of food, wine and flowers from time to time, but nothing much more than these. The closest we get to sacrifices is the pig that roasts for dinner, for those of us who eat meat.
Finally, we are sometimes accused of trying to "recruit" people into Wicca. This accusation is so groundless that I don't understand why it is still floating around. We believe that everyone has the right to choose their own path. We believe that no-one can tell another individual what is 'right' for them. We believe in the fundamental right to believe in whatever we choose. And we believe in your right to choose differently. Trying to force others to become Wiccan goes against everything that we are. There are few things that you can say is true for 'all Wiccans', but this I think is one of them. It is the acceptance of differences that makes a true community.
Wicca is a 'mystery religion', as opposed to a 'revealed religion'. This means that we have no holy books, no prophets, no holy people. There is no-one that can tell us the answers that we seek. There is no book that will explain what we don't understand. We believe that the answers are hidden within ourselves; we must work to search ourselves for our answers. No-one else can do it for us.
We cast spells, and we do magick. But we don't harm or manipulate others lives. If we were to do so, the law of three would return whatever we had done. I am frequently asked for 'Love Spells' to make someone fall in love with the asker, and I adamantly refuse. This isn't love. This is extraordinary disrespect for the person you are trying to manipulate. A spell is like a prayer: it is communication, and sometimes a request, we make of our gods. Frequently we will work for healing, self improvements, inner strength, or help with skills like self honesty. We pray to our gods for the same reasons that members of other religions pray to their gods or God.
Is Wicca a "white light" spirituality? No, I would say not, although some may disagree with me. We generally believe in balance in all things. Simply taking the "happy" parts of life and assigning it a spiritual meaning is only half a spirituality. Walking the Wiccan way involves a great deal of introspection and self discovery. And you won't always like what you find. But there are lessons in the hardships in life; there are valuable things to be learned. While we may not actively seek out difficult life lessons, they do tend to find us regardless. This is a part of being a human being. If something bad happens, it is because it was meant to happen. There are things we need to learn, and even the painful things have meaning. In embracing the dark and painful parts of life as well, I believe that we, as well as many other major religions, are not "white light" spiritual paths.
All these things we are; and yet I would like to say one more thing. To members of other religions: we are not your enemy. I truly want to make this clear. We respect the individual's right to believe in what they will. We believe in other's rights to believe differently from ourselves. If sometimes we seem to be at odds with other spiritual paths, it is simply because we feel we are not being treated with the same respect. But we'd probably much rather sit down and chat over tea than be at odds with anyone.
Being such a varied and individual spiritual path, there is much more information I could go into. But I hope that this helps to explain some of the basics of "what Wicca is". As I mentioned before, not everything holds true for everyone, but this is the general basics of what it is we do and believe. If you have any questions, please feel free to visit my "Questions from the Community" section, and perhaps ask your own question.
Copyright Info: All articles by Keitha may be copied, posted, printed, distributed, reprinted, and linked to as long as the text is not changed, money is not earned, full credit is given to Keitha at www.glasstemple.com, and this notice is attached.
For all other uses, please contact me
© 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 2005 2006 Keitha.
All Other Rights Reserved.
Go forth in Peace and Love
Love, Light and Blessed Be
The Merlin
While trawling about looking for a topic for this week's blog post I came across this post that seemed to provide a very detailed yet simple introduction to Wicca. Again I must stress that this article is a repost and is used to help illustrate and educate. The discussions and ideas put forward in this article do not necessarily reflect my own ideas and beliefs. Enjoy.
What is Wicca? A Basic introduction
By: Keitha (FireWind)
Posted: November 23rd, 2001
Wicca is a much misunderstood spirituality that can be explained and described in more ways than can be imagined. Ask a hundred people what Wicca is, and you will likely get a hundred very different answers. This is because Wicca is a personal spirituality, a journey that an individual undertakes in one of a thousand different ways. It is unique to each and every individual that walks the path. While this is one of Wicca's greatest strengths, it also makes it very hard to describe what Wicca is in any kind of specific detail. In this article, I've attempted to explain the more generally accepted beliefs and practices of modern Wicca. My hope is that those with little experience dealing with Wiccans might better understand what it is that we 'do'.
Wicca is a type of Neopagan Witchcraft. That is to say, we generally practice a reconstructed version of pre-Christian European Pagan spirituality. Beliefs and practices are generally centered around a culture of the practitioners choosing, usually with a belief in that culture's deities and folklore, etc. However, since Wicca is a personal spirituality, this does not hold true for everyone. Many practitioners choose beliefs on the basis of what 'feels right', and you will find those who practice a mix of Celtic, Greek, Native, Sumerian, Hindu, Buddhist, and other beliefs. Wiccans have a high regard for the beliefs and practices of others, and for the individuals right to find their own path. As such, almost any combination of beliefs and practices is possible.
Being a Pagan spirituality, Wicca reveres the natural world. The Earth, the seasons, the tides, the moon and stars: all things are sacred. All life, all plants, animals, and peoples are sacred. I am sacred, and so are you, regardless of our similar or differing personal beliefs. We build no physical "churches" except when it is necessary. Our sacred places are outside, in the forests, in the fields, in our hearts.
Wiccans generally believe in both male and female aspects of divinity. Usually, both goddesses and gods are respected as equals, with neither aspect seen as "more important" than the other. While Wiccans can worship many gods at any given time, sometimes a general "Divine Feminine" is referred to as "The Goddess", and a "Divine Masculine" as "The God". The Goddess is generally seen as the shaper, the mother or wise one. It is She who brings forth life and shapes the world. The God is generally seen as the giver, of energy and life. He is the Horned One, the God of the forests, the grain, and the hunt. It is he that sometimes gives the spark to the Goddess that she may create and form life. The idea of The Goddess or The God is not an exclusive title or belief however, and the individual is free to worship whatever gods and goddesses they please.
We have only one law that governs ethics and morality: "An it harm none, do as ye will". We believe that all things are interconnected, and our thoughts and actions echo through the world in ways we might never have imagined. As such, all things we do are returned to us threefold- if we do ill, we are returned ill three times. If we do well, we are returned this also three times. And so our destiny is in our own hands, we must shape it as best we can. We are free to do whatever we like, but be careful of causing harm even unintentionally.
Our services are called rituals, and we honour the gods and the Old ways. We sing, we dance, we call our gods and celebrate life. It is hard to describe what happens at an average ritual, because almost every single one will be different from every other ritual. Everyone has their own idea of what a ritual should be, and everyone does theirs a little differently. Generally, we burn candles and incense, we talk with our gods, we look within ourselves, we try to understand the world around us, and we try to become better people.
There are some things that we do not do, however, and it's a shame that I have to cover them in this article. Because we claim the name 'Witch', there are some strange misconceptions about us. Following are some of the common ones.
Our gods are sometimes horned. They can be very sensual and sexual. Some of them die and some of them rule the Underworld. But none of our gods are the Christian devil. Our horned gods are the ancient fertility gods; they can be both the hunter and the stag. They are the power and joy of life itself. They are forces beyond time. They are not vengeful or rebellious children engaged in family feuding, and they care nothing for such things. Our gods are recorded on the walls of ancient caves; they are complete within themselves. Those that label them devils are misguided or confused. We are not satanists; we are Wiccans.
We are also frequently accused of performing sacrifices which take life. This is also untrue. We do make offerings of food, wine and flowers from time to time, but nothing much more than these. The closest we get to sacrifices is the pig that roasts for dinner, for those of us who eat meat.
Finally, we are sometimes accused of trying to "recruit" people into Wicca. This accusation is so groundless that I don't understand why it is still floating around. We believe that everyone has the right to choose their own path. We believe that no-one can tell another individual what is 'right' for them. We believe in the fundamental right to believe in whatever we choose. And we believe in your right to choose differently. Trying to force others to become Wiccan goes against everything that we are. There are few things that you can say is true for 'all Wiccans', but this I think is one of them. It is the acceptance of differences that makes a true community.
Wicca is a 'mystery religion', as opposed to a 'revealed religion'. This means that we have no holy books, no prophets, no holy people. There is no-one that can tell us the answers that we seek. There is no book that will explain what we don't understand. We believe that the answers are hidden within ourselves; we must work to search ourselves for our answers. No-one else can do it for us.
We cast spells, and we do magick. But we don't harm or manipulate others lives. If we were to do so, the law of three would return whatever we had done. I am frequently asked for 'Love Spells' to make someone fall in love with the asker, and I adamantly refuse. This isn't love. This is extraordinary disrespect for the person you are trying to manipulate. A spell is like a prayer: it is communication, and sometimes a request, we make of our gods. Frequently we will work for healing, self improvements, inner strength, or help with skills like self honesty. We pray to our gods for the same reasons that members of other religions pray to their gods or God.
Is Wicca a "white light" spirituality? No, I would say not, although some may disagree with me. We generally believe in balance in all things. Simply taking the "happy" parts of life and assigning it a spiritual meaning is only half a spirituality. Walking the Wiccan way involves a great deal of introspection and self discovery. And you won't always like what you find. But there are lessons in the hardships in life; there are valuable things to be learned. While we may not actively seek out difficult life lessons, they do tend to find us regardless. This is a part of being a human being. If something bad happens, it is because it was meant to happen. There are things we need to learn, and even the painful things have meaning. In embracing the dark and painful parts of life as well, I believe that we, as well as many other major religions, are not "white light" spiritual paths.
All these things we are; and yet I would like to say one more thing. To members of other religions: we are not your enemy. I truly want to make this clear. We respect the individual's right to believe in what they will. We believe in other's rights to believe differently from ourselves. If sometimes we seem to be at odds with other spiritual paths, it is simply because we feel we are not being treated with the same respect. But we'd probably much rather sit down and chat over tea than be at odds with anyone.
Being such a varied and individual spiritual path, there is much more information I could go into. But I hope that this helps to explain some of the basics of "what Wicca is". As I mentioned before, not everything holds true for everyone, but this is the general basics of what it is we do and believe. If you have any questions, please feel free to visit my "Questions from the Community" section, and perhaps ask your own question.
Copyright Info: All articles by Keitha may be copied, posted, printed, distributed, reprinted, and linked to as long as the text is not changed, money is not earned, full credit is given to Keitha at www.glasstemple.com, and this notice is attached.
For all other uses, please contact me
© 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 2005 2006 Keitha.
All Other Rights Reserved.
Go forth in Peace and Love
Love, Light and Blessed Be
The Merlin
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Wednesday 22nd July Musing - The Hedge Witch
Merrie Meet
As I sat here listening to Cream's Cocaine I suddenly felt the urge to update my blog and was drawn to the subject of The Hedge Witch and what that means, so I began to research and came across this description by Rae Beth published in 2005
"Hedge-witchcraft. This is a place of the solitary wise woman or cunning man, we who use natural magic to help and heal. (text omitted here)
Hedge Witchcraft is the natural magic of hedgerow and forest, hilltop and seashore. It can be and is often practised indoors but our contacts with the nature spirits and the Fae and our communion with and respect for the natural world are all important.
This is Green Spirituality of the environment as well as an ancient and effective way to resolve problems.
When it comes to enhancing the quality of our lives it works extremely well but it is not a quick fix necessarily. Rather, it turns our lives into a true magical quest. And you could study Hedge witchcraft for many lifetimes, (perhaps you already have). Yet you could never get to an end of it because it is aligned with life’s cycles of change and growth. However, you can experience its effects and get real results even as a beginner (if you are of the type whose heart lifts when entering realms of natural magic).
We may work in hedgerows or on other boundaries, treating them as symbolic borders between the human everyday world and the domains of elves, nature spirits and other otherworldly presences. In this way we achieve communion with those from more subtle dimensions and can join our magic with theirs, to the benefit of all, creating new harmony.
There is actually nothing new in these ideas. They are based on the work of the ancient Northern European Hagazissa, the 'Hedge-sitter', one who worked on the boundary between the human community and that of spirits to promote a good balance between wild spirit lands (such as a forest). Bad human areas such as the farmland, so that each could be sound and healthy. And it does not take a very bright person to work out the implications for us now at this point in history.
A Hedge Witch's territory is wherever any Hedge Witch happens to be."
A Hedge Witch is not governed by any specific geographical location and there are plenty of places that are inspiring, magical, tranquil which could hold special significance.
Further researching the subject I came across this piece from Suite101.com
"According to the book The Wiccan Path (The Crossing Press, 1990) by Rae Beth, a hedge witch is “…a lone priest or priestess of natural magic, open to requests for healing spells or for advice or divination from the people who live near them.” Other scholars argue that the path of a hedge witch is a nature based neo-pagan religion combining elements of divination, herbal healing and natural magic.
The hedge, or some type of fence or wall, once signified the boundary of ancient villages. As pertains to shamanism this boundary also represents the border which exists between the world of the living and the under-world of spiritual beings. Hence practitioners of this type of magic were often referred to as hedge witches and were thought to be able to talk with spirits in addition to being experts in the use of natural magic and herbal remedies".
Also from Suite101.com
"Hedge witches, also known as the village wise woman or cunning man, were the people habitually accused of practicing black magic and were labeled as being demonic witches and sorcerers. In reality they dispensed a wide variety of herbal remedies to their fellow village inhabitants for healing and magical purposes. Wealthy city and town dwellers had access to the services of formally trained physicians while the poor masses and country dwellers most often had to rely on these local herb men and women for a selection of herb based remedies.
The majority of these natural healers were men and women living solitary lives at a distance from the rest of the village inhabitants. They collected and harvested a variety of plant materials from their personal gardens and the surrounding forests which they used to make a multitude of lotions, ointments and poultices which were used for their healing and magical abilities.
Hedge witches are practitioners of earth-based spirituality and don’t follow any particular path of witchcraft. They employ a variety of herbs and other natural objects in their magical and healing endeavors. They perform magic on an as needed basis and aren’t strict followers of the traditional witches holy days otherwise known as the sabbats."
And so my friends that brings me to the end of this short discourse on Hedge Witches and their craft, I truly hope that it has proved enlightening and a worthwhile read.
Go forth in peace until we meet again
Love, Light and Blessed Be
The Merlin
As I sat here listening to Cream's Cocaine I suddenly felt the urge to update my blog and was drawn to the subject of The Hedge Witch and what that means, so I began to research and came across this description by Rae Beth published in 2005
"Hedge-witchcraft. This is a place of the solitary wise woman or cunning man, we who use natural magic to help and heal. (text omitted here)
Hedge Witchcraft is the natural magic of hedgerow and forest, hilltop and seashore. It can be and is often practised indoors but our contacts with the nature spirits and the Fae and our communion with and respect for the natural world are all important.
This is Green Spirituality of the environment as well as an ancient and effective way to resolve problems.
When it comes to enhancing the quality of our lives it works extremely well but it is not a quick fix necessarily. Rather, it turns our lives into a true magical quest. And you could study Hedge witchcraft for many lifetimes, (perhaps you already have). Yet you could never get to an end of it because it is aligned with life’s cycles of change and growth. However, you can experience its effects and get real results even as a beginner (if you are of the type whose heart lifts when entering realms of natural magic).
We may work in hedgerows or on other boundaries, treating them as symbolic borders between the human everyday world and the domains of elves, nature spirits and other otherworldly presences. In this way we achieve communion with those from more subtle dimensions and can join our magic with theirs, to the benefit of all, creating new harmony.
There is actually nothing new in these ideas. They are based on the work of the ancient Northern European Hagazissa, the 'Hedge-sitter', one who worked on the boundary between the human community and that of spirits to promote a good balance between wild spirit lands (such as a forest). Bad human areas such as the farmland, so that each could be sound and healthy. And it does not take a very bright person to work out the implications for us now at this point in history.
A Hedge Witch's territory is wherever any Hedge Witch happens to be."
A Hedge Witch is not governed by any specific geographical location and there are plenty of places that are inspiring, magical, tranquil which could hold special significance.
Further researching the subject I came across this piece from Suite101.com
"According to the book The Wiccan Path (The Crossing Press, 1990) by Rae Beth, a hedge witch is “…a lone priest or priestess of natural magic, open to requests for healing spells or for advice or divination from the people who live near them.” Other scholars argue that the path of a hedge witch is a nature based neo-pagan religion combining elements of divination, herbal healing and natural magic.
The hedge, or some type of fence or wall, once signified the boundary of ancient villages. As pertains to shamanism this boundary also represents the border which exists between the world of the living and the under-world of spiritual beings. Hence practitioners of this type of magic were often referred to as hedge witches and were thought to be able to talk with spirits in addition to being experts in the use of natural magic and herbal remedies".
Also from Suite101.com
"Hedge witches, also known as the village wise woman or cunning man, were the people habitually accused of practicing black magic and were labeled as being demonic witches and sorcerers. In reality they dispensed a wide variety of herbal remedies to their fellow village inhabitants for healing and magical purposes. Wealthy city and town dwellers had access to the services of formally trained physicians while the poor masses and country dwellers most often had to rely on these local herb men and women for a selection of herb based remedies.
The majority of these natural healers were men and women living solitary lives at a distance from the rest of the village inhabitants. They collected and harvested a variety of plant materials from their personal gardens and the surrounding forests which they used to make a multitude of lotions, ointments and poultices which were used for their healing and magical abilities.
Hedge witches are practitioners of earth-based spirituality and don’t follow any particular path of witchcraft. They employ a variety of herbs and other natural objects in their magical and healing endeavors. They perform magic on an as needed basis and aren’t strict followers of the traditional witches holy days otherwise known as the sabbats."
And so my friends that brings me to the end of this short discourse on Hedge Witches and their craft, I truly hope that it has proved enlightening and a worthwhile read.
Go forth in peace until we meet again
Love, Light and Blessed Be
The Merlin
Friday 10 July 2009
Friday 10th July Musing - Pagan Schoolchildren
Merrie Meet
This musing consists of a repost of a report that discusses Pagan Schoolchildren in the education system.
What is a Pagan student likely to practice and believe?
Because Pagans generally follow a non-creedal, non-dogmatic spirituality, there may be even more variants between Pagan religious beliefs than there are between denominations of Christianity. The most commonly practiced types of Paganism are Wicca, Asatru, Druidry, or simply Paganism, just as a Christian can be Catholic, Presbyterian, or simply Christian. All of these are somewhat different from each other. Because of this, the following statements may not be true for every Pagan you encounter. However, there are some practices that are generally common among Pagans; the student or his parents will tell you if their practices differ significantly from the following:
A Pagan student will celebrate a nature-based, polytheistic religion:
A Pagan student will honor Divinity as both God and Goddess, sometimes with a feminist emphasis on the Goddess. One effect of this is that the student is likely to treat gender equality as an assumption,
A Pagan student will celebrate religious ceremonies with small groups on Full Moons and at the beginning and midpoint of each season, rather than with large congregations or at a set weekly schedule. These celebrations are often called 'rituals' or 'circles', and the congregations called 'covens', 'groves', 'hearths', or 'circles'. Some of the items commonly found on the altar in a Pagan ceremony are statues of the Goddess or God; candles; crystals; wands; the athame, a blunt-edged dagger used as a symbol and not as a tool with which to cut; cups; cauldrons; incense; and a five-pointed star called the pentagram or pentacle.
A Pagan student may wear a symbol of his or her religion as an item of jewelry. The most common symbol is the pentacle, a five-pointed star in a circle. The misconception of the pentagram as a satanic symbol is based upon its inverted use by those groups, in the same manner in which devil-worshippers may use the Christian cross inverted. The meaning of the pentacle as worn by Pagans is rooted in the beliefs of the Greek Pythagoreans, for whom the pentagram embodied perfect balance and wisdom; inserting the star in the circle adds the symbol of eternity and unity. Other jewelry that may be worn includes Celtic knotwork; crosses; triskelions; Thor's hammer; the labrys, a double-headed axe used as a symbol by Greco-Roman worship of Cybele; Goddess figurines; crescent and/or full Moon symbols; the Yin-Yang symbol; or the eye of Horus or horns of Isis from Egyptian mythology.
A Pagan student will view Divinity as immanent in Nature and humanity, and view all things as interconnected. This often leads to a concern with ecology and the environment, and a fascination with the cycle of life.
A Pagan student will believe in magic, and may spell it 'magick' to differentiate it from stage illusions. This may include belief in personal energy fields like the Chinese concept of chi, and may also include the use of rituals and tools to dramatize and focus positive thinking and visualization techniques. It does not mean that the student is taught that he can wiggle his nose to clean his room, summon spirits or demons, or do anything else that breaks natural laws, though if young, like any child, a Pagan child may pretend these things. It also does not mean that the student is taught to hex or curse; in our ethical structure such actions are believed to rebound on the sender, and therefore are proscribed.
A Pagan student may believe in reincarnation. It is the most common eschatological belief held among Pagans, but is not universal. However, a Pagan student is unlikely to believe in either Heaven or Hell; she may believe in the Celtic Summerland, a place of rest between incarnations, or Valhalla, a realm of honor in Norse religions.
A Pagan student may call herself a Witch, a Wiccan, a Pagan or Neo-Pagan, a Goddess-worshipper, a Druid, an Asatruer, or a Heathen. He is unlikely to call himself a Warlock, as that is believed to come from the Scottish word for 'oathbreaker'. And while a Pagan student may or may not be offended by the stereotype, she is likely to quickly inform you that the green-skinned, warty-nosed caricature displayed at Halloween bears no relation to her religion.
Ethics and rules of behavior:
A Pagan student will be taught ethics emphasizing both personal freedom and personal responsibility. Pagan ethics allow personal freedom within a framework of personal responsibility. The primary basis for Pagan ethics is the understanding that everything is interconnected, that nothing exists without affecting others, and that every action has a consequence.
There is no concept of forgiveness for sin in the Pagan ethical system; the consequences of one's actions must be faced and reparations made as necessary against anyone whom you have harmed.
There are no arbitrary rules about moral issues; instead, every action must be weighed against the awareness of what harm it could cause. Thus, for example, consensual homosexuality would be a null issue morally because it harms no one, but cheating would be wrong because it harms one's self, one's intellect, one's integrity, and takes unfair advantage of the person from whom you are cheating.
The most common forms in which these ethics are stated are:
The Wiccan Rede, "An it harm none, do as thou wilt," and
The Threefold Law, "Whatsoever you do returns to you threefold."
Religious plurality:
A Pagan student will hold a paradigm that embraces plurality.
Because Pagan religious systems hold that theirs is a way among many, not the only road to truth, and because Pagans explore a variety of Deities among their pantheons, both male and female, a Pagan student will be brought up in an atmosphere that discourages discrimination based on differences such as race or gender, and encourages individuality, self-discovery and independent thought.
A Pagan student is also likely to be taught comparative religions. Most Pagans are adamant about not forcing their beliefs on the child but rather teaching them many spiritual systems and letting the child decide when he is of age. However, a Pagan student is unlikely to have an emotional concept of Heaven, Hell, or salvation as taught by Christian religions, though he may know about them intellectually. And a Pagan student will be taught to respect the sacred texts of other religions, but is unlikely to believe them literally where they conflict with scientific theory or purport to be the only truth.
Personal interests:
A Pagan student is likely to enjoy reading, science, and helping professions. Margot Adler, National Public Radio journalist, reported the results of a survey of Pagans in the 1989 edition of her book, Drawing Down the Moon. 1 The results showed that the one thing Pagans hold in common despite their differences is a voracious appetite for reading and learning. Pagans also seem to be represented strongly in the computer and health-care fields, so the Pagan child is likely to be computer-literate from an early age.
Conclusions:
Despite their sometimes misunderstood beliefs, earth-based religions have grown steadily throughout the past few decades, and provide a satisfying spirituality to their practitioners. With the current appreciation of diversity and tolerance, more people now understand that different cultural backgrounds bring perspectives that can be valued instead of feared. It is our hope that as a educator this will provide you with the information you need to be able to facilitate understanding.
References:
1. Margot Adler, "Drawing down the moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess worshipers and other Pagans in America today," Penguin USA, (1997) Rated by Amazon.com in the top 3,500 of all books sold
2. http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_essa.htm
Love and Light to all and Blessed Be
This musing consists of a repost of a report that discusses Pagan Schoolchildren in the education system.
What is a Pagan student likely to practice and believe?
Because Pagans generally follow a non-creedal, non-dogmatic spirituality, there may be even more variants between Pagan religious beliefs than there are between denominations of Christianity. The most commonly practiced types of Paganism are Wicca, Asatru, Druidry, or simply Paganism, just as a Christian can be Catholic, Presbyterian, or simply Christian. All of these are somewhat different from each other. Because of this, the following statements may not be true for every Pagan you encounter. However, there are some practices that are generally common among Pagans; the student or his parents will tell you if their practices differ significantly from the following:
A Pagan student will celebrate a nature-based, polytheistic religion:
A Pagan student will honor Divinity as both God and Goddess, sometimes with a feminist emphasis on the Goddess. One effect of this is that the student is likely to treat gender equality as an assumption,
A Pagan student will celebrate religious ceremonies with small groups on Full Moons and at the beginning and midpoint of each season, rather than with large congregations or at a set weekly schedule. These celebrations are often called 'rituals' or 'circles', and the congregations called 'covens', 'groves', 'hearths', or 'circles'. Some of the items commonly found on the altar in a Pagan ceremony are statues of the Goddess or God; candles; crystals; wands; the athame, a blunt-edged dagger used as a symbol and not as a tool with which to cut; cups; cauldrons; incense; and a five-pointed star called the pentagram or pentacle.
A Pagan student may wear a symbol of his or her religion as an item of jewelry. The most common symbol is the pentacle, a five-pointed star in a circle. The misconception of the pentagram as a satanic symbol is based upon its inverted use by those groups, in the same manner in which devil-worshippers may use the Christian cross inverted. The meaning of the pentacle as worn by Pagans is rooted in the beliefs of the Greek Pythagoreans, for whom the pentagram embodied perfect balance and wisdom; inserting the star in the circle adds the symbol of eternity and unity. Other jewelry that may be worn includes Celtic knotwork; crosses; triskelions; Thor's hammer; the labrys, a double-headed axe used as a symbol by Greco-Roman worship of Cybele; Goddess figurines; crescent and/or full Moon symbols; the Yin-Yang symbol; or the eye of Horus or horns of Isis from Egyptian mythology.
A Pagan student will view Divinity as immanent in Nature and humanity, and view all things as interconnected. This often leads to a concern with ecology and the environment, and a fascination with the cycle of life.
A Pagan student will believe in magic, and may spell it 'magick' to differentiate it from stage illusions. This may include belief in personal energy fields like the Chinese concept of chi, and may also include the use of rituals and tools to dramatize and focus positive thinking and visualization techniques. It does not mean that the student is taught that he can wiggle his nose to clean his room, summon spirits or demons, or do anything else that breaks natural laws, though if young, like any child, a Pagan child may pretend these things. It also does not mean that the student is taught to hex or curse; in our ethical structure such actions are believed to rebound on the sender, and therefore are proscribed.
A Pagan student may believe in reincarnation. It is the most common eschatological belief held among Pagans, but is not universal. However, a Pagan student is unlikely to believe in either Heaven or Hell; she may believe in the Celtic Summerland, a place of rest between incarnations, or Valhalla, a realm of honor in Norse religions.
A Pagan student may call herself a Witch, a Wiccan, a Pagan or Neo-Pagan, a Goddess-worshipper, a Druid, an Asatruer, or a Heathen. He is unlikely to call himself a Warlock, as that is believed to come from the Scottish word for 'oathbreaker'. And while a Pagan student may or may not be offended by the stereotype, she is likely to quickly inform you that the green-skinned, warty-nosed caricature displayed at Halloween bears no relation to her religion.
Ethics and rules of behavior:
A Pagan student will be taught ethics emphasizing both personal freedom and personal responsibility. Pagan ethics allow personal freedom within a framework of personal responsibility. The primary basis for Pagan ethics is the understanding that everything is interconnected, that nothing exists without affecting others, and that every action has a consequence.
There is no concept of forgiveness for sin in the Pagan ethical system; the consequences of one's actions must be faced and reparations made as necessary against anyone whom you have harmed.
There are no arbitrary rules about moral issues; instead, every action must be weighed against the awareness of what harm it could cause. Thus, for example, consensual homosexuality would be a null issue morally because it harms no one, but cheating would be wrong because it harms one's self, one's intellect, one's integrity, and takes unfair advantage of the person from whom you are cheating.
The most common forms in which these ethics are stated are:
The Wiccan Rede, "An it harm none, do as thou wilt," and
The Threefold Law, "Whatsoever you do returns to you threefold."
Religious plurality:
A Pagan student will hold a paradigm that embraces plurality.
Because Pagan religious systems hold that theirs is a way among many, not the only road to truth, and because Pagans explore a variety of Deities among their pantheons, both male and female, a Pagan student will be brought up in an atmosphere that discourages discrimination based on differences such as race or gender, and encourages individuality, self-discovery and independent thought.
A Pagan student is also likely to be taught comparative religions. Most Pagans are adamant about not forcing their beliefs on the child but rather teaching them many spiritual systems and letting the child decide when he is of age. However, a Pagan student is unlikely to have an emotional concept of Heaven, Hell, or salvation as taught by Christian religions, though he may know about them intellectually. And a Pagan student will be taught to respect the sacred texts of other religions, but is unlikely to believe them literally where they conflict with scientific theory or purport to be the only truth.
Personal interests:
A Pagan student is likely to enjoy reading, science, and helping professions. Margot Adler, National Public Radio journalist, reported the results of a survey of Pagans in the 1989 edition of her book, Drawing Down the Moon. 1 The results showed that the one thing Pagans hold in common despite their differences is a voracious appetite for reading and learning. Pagans also seem to be represented strongly in the computer and health-care fields, so the Pagan child is likely to be computer-literate from an early age.
Conclusions:
Despite their sometimes misunderstood beliefs, earth-based religions have grown steadily throughout the past few decades, and provide a satisfying spirituality to their practitioners. With the current appreciation of diversity and tolerance, more people now understand that different cultural backgrounds bring perspectives that can be valued instead of feared. It is our hope that as a educator this will provide you with the information you need to be able to facilitate understanding.
References:
1. Margot Adler, "Drawing down the moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess worshipers and other Pagans in America today," Penguin USA, (1997) Rated by Amazon.com in the top 3,500 of all books sold
2. http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_essa.htm
Love and Light to all and Blessed Be
Friday 3 July 2009
Not really a musing but something that may interest
Dave was born in 1953
In 1964 Dave became involved with Wigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society and over the nest few years gained such knowledge of G+S work that he soon joined the D´oyly Carte Society and during 1968 Dave assisted in his school´s productions of G+S works, both in full performance and concert versions.
At this time (aged 15) Dave was also studying music with the London College of Music, playing in his first band, "The Theorems" and had begun writing music and in collaboration with a friend penned a tuneful little ditty entitled "Shirley" that was accepted and published by Belsize Music.
Dave was responsible for recruiting the people that reformed the Lymm Grammar School Folk Club that had sadly fallen apart when Stu and Wendy Lever left the school. He negotiated with the head of school to allow rehearsals to take place in the cellars underneath the old wing and to encourage music as an active after school activity. He was instrumental in arranging a series of live "gigs" at the school during lunch hours and this series began with the appearance of Dave´s new band "The Future"
In the late 60s and early 70s Dave continued to write music / lyrics with Keith Dutton and was invited to travel to Germany with "The Future".
During the next few years Dave gave up formal music training having attained First Class passes up to Grade 6 LCM in both theory and practice, and began to concentrate more on his writing, in 1974 he moved to Bristol and got married to Alison.
Financially, things were very difficult and Dave picked up some work as a solo musician, but was forced into paid employment just to make ends meet.
Circumstances meant that in 1976 Dave and his wife and new baby ended up back in Cheshire, and as a result of "responsibility" he took a job, and then another and a 3rd but all the time hankering after getting back into Entertainment.
From 1989 Dave began to study all aspects of personal development and in 1990 had begun the early foundation work for what was to become his first album "Somerset Story" A relaxing musical journey into the land of legend.
1991 saw Dave being asked to join a new band called "Inspiration" as keyboard player and in 1992 Dave enjoyed his first ever visit into a recording studio. The result of this session was a 3-track demo of material he had co-written with fellow keyboard player Alan Brown. Rhian, How Can I Make Him Love Me? and Freedom.
When Inspiration split some 12 months later Dave and Alan continued to work together and eventually formed a new band "Highlife" more studio work followed and "Highlife" were engaged as function band for Bass Charrington Retail, performing at pubs and hotels throughout the North West of England. London Records expressed considerable interest in "Highlife" and were making noises about contracts, single releases, album deals etc. when Dave broke his shoulder in a rather horrendous accident.
As a result of this accident the proposed deal with London Records evaporated along with the band, so Dave decided that the die had been cast, he was now a musician first and a wage earner second.
Following several meetings he was engaged as the Musical Director of The Spotlight Theatre Company and was with them for productions of Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors and at least 2 concerts.
He met a studio owner called Steve Paine (keyboard player with Legend) and was recruited to work with them as a free lance producer, and in return Steve, Jon (engineer) and Dave went to work on the initial set of recordings for “Somerset Story”.
Dave also became involved in setting up the Halton Borough Council´s Musician´s Co-operative Initiative. This entailed securing Arts Council Funding to create a performance venue for the young musicians of Halton, drafting plans for the first Halton Show, a showcase for unsigned acts that culminated some 3 years later with what was then the biggest open-air gig the area had seen "The Stone Roses"
Dave also began his first attempts at broadcasting and joined the crew of the Halton FM local radio station, first as an interviewee and then as a presenter, .alongside LIPA’s Dave Pitchilingi.
Eventually Dave changed the location for the recordings of “Somerset Story” to Frog Recording in Warrington, and the whole album was then completed as a collaboration between Dave and 10cc´s travelling keyboard player Steve Millington. Steve has been responsible for the production of many high charting singles including Rick Astley, Peter Kay and many albums commissioned by Sony Music. It was during one of these sessions that Dave and Steve were invited to play keyboards on a track, being recorded in another of Steve´s studios, by OMD.
Once the album was complete Steve Paine offered to release it in the USA, through his label Pagan Media, the deal was done and Dave moved on to the next project.
He recorded an album with Kerry Stockdale (Kerry Stockdale Sings) that resulted in bookings for Kerry and Dave at the invitation of the Mayor of Vale Royal. He also worked with male vocalist Paul Cain on the production of a successful entry into "A Star Is Born" held at Winsford Civic Hall, and the pair were to gain an entry into the finals held at the Northwich Memorial Theatre.
At this time several other bands were seeking management / production guidance from Dave and he created a management stable that included working bands Stockdale, Fish King Lizard, during which time Steve Paine and Dave worked on the production of Legend´s second album "Second Sight"
When Dave and family moved to Devon in 1995 he decided to re-brand his business and take on a partner and this saw the Westworld Artist Management identity being created. Together with business partner Anne Longton, they signed Retrovibe, John Sharp, 3 Piece Beat and The Blue Kats. Westworld were also interested in signing Little America but that deal fell over.
Dave met a local musician / sound engineer called Derek Woodcock and this began Dave’s association with the Ariel Studio, Ilfracombe as a recording base. In 1996 Dave met Tom Armstrong and the two formed the basis of what was to become a long-standing friendship and professional association.
During a tour with Retrovibe, Dave met Chris Horrell, one of the founding partners of S+H Technical Support Ltd. S+H were good enough to loan Dave a lighting rig and backdrop for the tour and when Retrovibe were selected to tour with The Commitments, S+H again offered their support in the form of a starcloth and other items of equipment.
In 1998 Dave had, at the request of Chris Horrell, joined S+H as a member of the team and over the years that followed he and Chris worked on several joint projects including a performance of the Spice Girls at Grosvenor House, the Variety Club Awards (which saw Dave being interviewed on TV with David Essex), Michael Ball, Lesley Garrett (in an outdoor setting), Pentangle, Ralph McTell and a Grand Party at the Showman´s Show in Newbury featuring The Classic Years and Tom Armstrong.
During 1999 Dave joined Tarka Radio as the presenter of the late show "Merlin´s Magic" and had begun to spend more time working on projects that included both himself and Tom, The Allstars Academy of Performing Arts and The Tom Armstrong´s All Stars theatre shows to name but two.
He also worked on a charity show for the children of Kosovo as Executive Producer that saw him taking the stage with Rosemary Squires, Jimmy Cricket, The Korgis, Jenny Hanley (TV presenter) and Vicki Michelle (´allo ´allo) together with comperes Ian Brass (Radio Devon) and Seth Conway from Carlton Westcountry television.
Since 2000 Dave has composed and released further relaxation albums and for almost 3 years he was the songwriter / arranger for Skoolchix and Lost Angels, and has recorded albums with The Blue Kats, Anne Longton.
During 2001 Dave was able to secure an instrumental recording of Nessun Dorma by a highly respected Italian Orchestra and together with Lee Crossman produced “This Is My Moment” winner John Easton’s vocal recording of this epic piece of music.
From 2002 until April 2008 performed with North Devon band "Ad Lib" as percussionist, keyboard player and vocalist. Dave began work with Tom on a new album of acoustic material in 2007 and it is planned to complete that album in 2009.
2004 saw Dave appear on TV for the second time in his career, this time he was booked to appear as an extra in the Channel 4 docu-drama Hitler of The Andes.
During 2007 at the Total Production Awards Dave was able to meet and have a conversation with one of the fathers of the British music scene, the Beatles producer George Martin thus realising a major personal ambition.
2008 was the beginning of a new project with Tom Armstrong, the production of a stage musical telling the life story of the musical greats of modern music, and the foundation of the Altered Image Music Schooling for Bulgaria project
His latest solo album "Mystic Pathways" was first released during the summer of 2004 and the 2008 revised and remixed version has a fantastic cover designed by visionary artist Peter Pracownik
2009 and work has begun towards a return to broadcasting with establishing plans for the formation of an internet radio station Coaching Radio. Dave has recorded several voice-overs, the latest of which is a series of adverts for Bar Ice, Samui the world’s first tropical island ice bar.
THE FUTURE- apart from the launch of Coaching Radio – Dave has now trained as a Life Coach and is working with Tom Armstrong on revisiting the idea that we had with All Stars but focusing on performance and performance coaching.Dave would also like the opportunity to do more recording, more tv and radio work and to expand his growing voice-over business.
DISCOGRAPHY
Freedom EP (Inspiration)
Highlife EP (Highlife)
Somerset Story (A Musical Journey Into Legend)
Healing Steps
Mystic Pathways
Kerry Stockdale Sings (Kerry Stockdale)
Themselves (Skoolchix)
Funny Old Kind Of Life (The Blue Kats)
Anne Longton - The Studio Sessions (Anne Longton)
Guest appearances · Cyclomenic Fields (Retrovibe)
Love Light and Blessed Be
In 1964 Dave became involved with Wigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society and over the nest few years gained such knowledge of G+S work that he soon joined the D´oyly Carte Society and during 1968 Dave assisted in his school´s productions of G+S works, both in full performance and concert versions.
At this time (aged 15) Dave was also studying music with the London College of Music, playing in his first band, "The Theorems" and had begun writing music and in collaboration with a friend penned a tuneful little ditty entitled "Shirley" that was accepted and published by Belsize Music.
Dave was responsible for recruiting the people that reformed the Lymm Grammar School Folk Club that had sadly fallen apart when Stu and Wendy Lever left the school. He negotiated with the head of school to allow rehearsals to take place in the cellars underneath the old wing and to encourage music as an active after school activity. He was instrumental in arranging a series of live "gigs" at the school during lunch hours and this series began with the appearance of Dave´s new band "The Future"
In the late 60s and early 70s Dave continued to write music / lyrics with Keith Dutton and was invited to travel to Germany with "The Future".
During the next few years Dave gave up formal music training having attained First Class passes up to Grade 6 LCM in both theory and practice, and began to concentrate more on his writing, in 1974 he moved to Bristol and got married to Alison.
Financially, things were very difficult and Dave picked up some work as a solo musician, but was forced into paid employment just to make ends meet.
Circumstances meant that in 1976 Dave and his wife and new baby ended up back in Cheshire, and as a result of "responsibility" he took a job, and then another and a 3rd but all the time hankering after getting back into Entertainment.
From 1989 Dave began to study all aspects of personal development and in 1990 had begun the early foundation work for what was to become his first album "Somerset Story" A relaxing musical journey into the land of legend.
1991 saw Dave being asked to join a new band called "Inspiration" as keyboard player and in 1992 Dave enjoyed his first ever visit into a recording studio. The result of this session was a 3-track demo of material he had co-written with fellow keyboard player Alan Brown. Rhian, How Can I Make Him Love Me? and Freedom.
When Inspiration split some 12 months later Dave and Alan continued to work together and eventually formed a new band "Highlife" more studio work followed and "Highlife" were engaged as function band for Bass Charrington Retail, performing at pubs and hotels throughout the North West of England. London Records expressed considerable interest in "Highlife" and were making noises about contracts, single releases, album deals etc. when Dave broke his shoulder in a rather horrendous accident.
As a result of this accident the proposed deal with London Records evaporated along with the band, so Dave decided that the die had been cast, he was now a musician first and a wage earner second.
Following several meetings he was engaged as the Musical Director of The Spotlight Theatre Company and was with them for productions of Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors and at least 2 concerts.
He met a studio owner called Steve Paine (keyboard player with Legend) and was recruited to work with them as a free lance producer, and in return Steve, Jon (engineer) and Dave went to work on the initial set of recordings for “Somerset Story”.
Dave also became involved in setting up the Halton Borough Council´s Musician´s Co-operative Initiative. This entailed securing Arts Council Funding to create a performance venue for the young musicians of Halton, drafting plans for the first Halton Show, a showcase for unsigned acts that culminated some 3 years later with what was then the biggest open-air gig the area had seen "The Stone Roses"
Dave also began his first attempts at broadcasting and joined the crew of the Halton FM local radio station, first as an interviewee and then as a presenter, .alongside LIPA’s Dave Pitchilingi.
Eventually Dave changed the location for the recordings of “Somerset Story” to Frog Recording in Warrington, and the whole album was then completed as a collaboration between Dave and 10cc´s travelling keyboard player Steve Millington. Steve has been responsible for the production of many high charting singles including Rick Astley, Peter Kay and many albums commissioned by Sony Music. It was during one of these sessions that Dave and Steve were invited to play keyboards on a track, being recorded in another of Steve´s studios, by OMD.
Once the album was complete Steve Paine offered to release it in the USA, through his label Pagan Media, the deal was done and Dave moved on to the next project.
He recorded an album with Kerry Stockdale (Kerry Stockdale Sings) that resulted in bookings for Kerry and Dave at the invitation of the Mayor of Vale Royal. He also worked with male vocalist Paul Cain on the production of a successful entry into "A Star Is Born" held at Winsford Civic Hall, and the pair were to gain an entry into the finals held at the Northwich Memorial Theatre.
At this time several other bands were seeking management / production guidance from Dave and he created a management stable that included working bands Stockdale, Fish King Lizard, during which time Steve Paine and Dave worked on the production of Legend´s second album "Second Sight"
When Dave and family moved to Devon in 1995 he decided to re-brand his business and take on a partner and this saw the Westworld Artist Management identity being created. Together with business partner Anne Longton, they signed Retrovibe, John Sharp, 3 Piece Beat and The Blue Kats. Westworld were also interested in signing Little America but that deal fell over.
Dave met a local musician / sound engineer called Derek Woodcock and this began Dave’s association with the Ariel Studio, Ilfracombe as a recording base. In 1996 Dave met Tom Armstrong and the two formed the basis of what was to become a long-standing friendship and professional association.
During a tour with Retrovibe, Dave met Chris Horrell, one of the founding partners of S+H Technical Support Ltd. S+H were good enough to loan Dave a lighting rig and backdrop for the tour and when Retrovibe were selected to tour with The Commitments, S+H again offered their support in the form of a starcloth and other items of equipment.
In 1998 Dave had, at the request of Chris Horrell, joined S+H as a member of the team and over the years that followed he and Chris worked on several joint projects including a performance of the Spice Girls at Grosvenor House, the Variety Club Awards (which saw Dave being interviewed on TV with David Essex), Michael Ball, Lesley Garrett (in an outdoor setting), Pentangle, Ralph McTell and a Grand Party at the Showman´s Show in Newbury featuring The Classic Years and Tom Armstrong.
During 1999 Dave joined Tarka Radio as the presenter of the late show "Merlin´s Magic" and had begun to spend more time working on projects that included both himself and Tom, The Allstars Academy of Performing Arts and The Tom Armstrong´s All Stars theatre shows to name but two.
He also worked on a charity show for the children of Kosovo as Executive Producer that saw him taking the stage with Rosemary Squires, Jimmy Cricket, The Korgis, Jenny Hanley (TV presenter) and Vicki Michelle (´allo ´allo) together with comperes Ian Brass (Radio Devon) and Seth Conway from Carlton Westcountry television.
Since 2000 Dave has composed and released further relaxation albums and for almost 3 years he was the songwriter / arranger for Skoolchix and Lost Angels, and has recorded albums with The Blue Kats, Anne Longton.
During 2001 Dave was able to secure an instrumental recording of Nessun Dorma by a highly respected Italian Orchestra and together with Lee Crossman produced “This Is My Moment” winner John Easton’s vocal recording of this epic piece of music.
From 2002 until April 2008 performed with North Devon band "Ad Lib" as percussionist, keyboard player and vocalist. Dave began work with Tom on a new album of acoustic material in 2007 and it is planned to complete that album in 2009.
2004 saw Dave appear on TV for the second time in his career, this time he was booked to appear as an extra in the Channel 4 docu-drama Hitler of The Andes.
During 2007 at the Total Production Awards Dave was able to meet and have a conversation with one of the fathers of the British music scene, the Beatles producer George Martin thus realising a major personal ambition.
2008 was the beginning of a new project with Tom Armstrong, the production of a stage musical telling the life story of the musical greats of modern music, and the foundation of the Altered Image Music Schooling for Bulgaria project
His latest solo album "Mystic Pathways" was first released during the summer of 2004 and the 2008 revised and remixed version has a fantastic cover designed by visionary artist Peter Pracownik
2009 and work has begun towards a return to broadcasting with establishing plans for the formation of an internet radio station Coaching Radio. Dave has recorded several voice-overs, the latest of which is a series of adverts for Bar Ice, Samui the world’s first tropical island ice bar.
THE FUTURE- apart from the launch of Coaching Radio – Dave has now trained as a Life Coach and is working with Tom Armstrong on revisiting the idea that we had with All Stars but focusing on performance and performance coaching.Dave would also like the opportunity to do more recording, more tv and radio work and to expand his growing voice-over business.
DISCOGRAPHY
Freedom EP (Inspiration)
Highlife EP (Highlife)
Somerset Story (A Musical Journey Into Legend)
Healing Steps
Mystic Pathways
Kerry Stockdale Sings (Kerry Stockdale)
Themselves (Skoolchix)
Funny Old Kind Of Life (The Blue Kats)
Anne Longton - The Studio Sessions (Anne Longton)
Guest appearances · Cyclomenic Fields (Retrovibe)
Love Light and Blessed Be
Thursday 2 July 2009
Thursday 2nd July Musing
I could go into lots of stuff about the state of the economy, downturns in business blah blah blah, and continually bemoaning the state of the nation BUT since that is not in my nature, I will leave it to the people who are experts at it and talk to you about things that I find way more interesting.
I have been looking at a couple of pagan websites recently and during my ramble through these leafy lanes I was searching for a blessing that I can use for a wedding tomorrow. Whilst the happy couple are doing the formal stuff tomorrow, they have already said that they would like a handfasting for their first anniversary, hence why I need to find a blessing.
Ok it is now Friday and whilst searching for a blessing for today's wedding I fell over this un credited article that i found interesting and thought it worth sharing on here.
Acknowledgements to the author of this work - whoever he or she may be.
I am working towards spending a weekend in either Tintagel or Glastonbury in 2 weeks time. This will be a time of inner jouneys, spiritual communion and immersion in the act of just being and doing whatever happens.
I will speak more of this in next week's posting.
Until the next time all that now remains is for me to wish you all
Love, Light and Blessed Be
I have been looking at a couple of pagan websites recently and during my ramble through these leafy lanes I was searching for a blessing that I can use for a wedding tomorrow. Whilst the happy couple are doing the formal stuff tomorrow, they have already said that they would like a handfasting for their first anniversary, hence why I need to find a blessing.
Ok it is now Friday and whilst searching for a blessing for today's wedding I fell over this un credited article that i found interesting and thought it worth sharing on here.
| ||
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| What is the fastest, smartest and most reliable way between your wildest dreams and your tangible reality? …Your Intention… Never underestimate the power of your Intention. It represents the most powerful tool in your life manifestation box. Why…because that…my friend… is pure Energy! It is the divine creative Force behind all cosmic, universal and human designs. Let’s consider the two parameters its efficiency relies on… The first one is: establishing a purpose, which I call “the doing” and the second one is the intensity, which I call the “being” element. The doing is necessary for it gives the direction. It affects the trajectory of the creative Energy. The practical question is: what do you wish to achieve? The more precise your answer is going to be and the greater the path will unfold in front of you. Each stone that will be placed ahead will be part of a meaningful trail that will match your expectations. You will attract the perfect fitted piece to your journey. The second element, not the least, is the intensity. This is the focus you actually can drawn into your thoughts. The greater concentration, passion and amount of energy you will be able to surround to your intention and the greater and faster the result will appear. Coincidences won’t be coincidences but messages and divine signs that will automatically make sense. The practical question is: How much do you want this dream to come true? To be part of your reality? To be fully experienced?.… You need to engage your entire being into this process. The understanding of who you are is the key. Be aware of your thoughts, your choices, your decisions, your beliefs and more so your power… Remember that your reality always matches the way you perceive the world outside. And remember that the way you perceive the world outside always matches the way you perceive your…Self. |
Acknowledgements to the author of this work - whoever he or she may be.
I am working towards spending a weekend in either Tintagel or Glastonbury in 2 weeks time. This will be a time of inner jouneys, spiritual communion and immersion in the act of just being and doing whatever happens.
I will speak more of this in next week's posting.
Until the next time all that now remains is for me to wish you all
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Thursday 25 June 2009
Thursday 25th Musing
Brite Blessings to all of my friends from past, present and future.
I am enjoying a really relaxing afternoon at the office, I have managed to tick all the boxes, dot all the i's and cross all the t's and am now writing this while listening to the relaxing sounds of whales and dolphins at play.
So what can I tell you about the week so far?
Following on from the eventful weekend things quietened down into a dull roar - I went for a bike ride of some 5 miles on Monday, 6 miles on Tuesday and am hoping to add another mile tonight.
Yesterday Alison Tina and I had a "Cloudburst" session (apparently it is no longer PC to say a "brainstorm" for some odd reason) around the Changing Times project and have now formulated a pricing structure from this session. I also made some enquiries about advertising and was horrified to see the amount that the particular target magazine was quoting...... over £2000 for a quarter page add and over £65 a centimetre for simple lineage - er don't think so at the moment.
So it is back to the local press etc. for the moment.
Yesterday I also had a meeting with the business accountants 10 til 2.45 that was a long one!! Anyway it seems that the position is somewhat better than we thought, BUT there is a lot of confusion over some of the contracts that are running so muggins here has now got the wonderful job of sorting them out and putting them in order - oh well that's my summer sorted!!!
On a much pleasanter note (omg!!) I have heard this afternoon that my whole Voice Over CD is now being used by the Thai clients - yippeee!!!!! so that means that there is the potential for up to 100,000 people a week to be hearing yours truly as they go about their holiday or their daily business.
FAN BLOODY TASTIC!!!
anyway friends since it is almost time for me to go, there is only one thing that remains and that is to wish you all the best things that life can bring.
Love, Light and Blessed Be
I am enjoying a really relaxing afternoon at the office, I have managed to tick all the boxes, dot all the i's and cross all the t's and am now writing this while listening to the relaxing sounds of whales and dolphins at play.
So what can I tell you about the week so far?
Following on from the eventful weekend things quietened down into a dull roar - I went for a bike ride of some 5 miles on Monday, 6 miles on Tuesday and am hoping to add another mile tonight.
Yesterday Alison Tina and I had a "Cloudburst" session (apparently it is no longer PC to say a "brainstorm" for some odd reason) around the Changing Times project and have now formulated a pricing structure from this session. I also made some enquiries about advertising and was horrified to see the amount that the particular target magazine was quoting...... over £2000 for a quarter page add and over £65 a centimetre for simple lineage - er don't think so at the moment.
So it is back to the local press etc. for the moment.
Yesterday I also had a meeting with the business accountants 10 til 2.45 that was a long one!! Anyway it seems that the position is somewhat better than we thought, BUT there is a lot of confusion over some of the contracts that are running so muggins here has now got the wonderful job of sorting them out and putting them in order - oh well that's my summer sorted!!!
On a much pleasanter note (omg!!) I have heard this afternoon that my whole Voice Over CD is now being used by the Thai clients - yippeee!!!!! so that means that there is the potential for up to 100,000 people a week to be hearing yours truly as they go about their holiday or their daily business.
FAN BLOODY TASTIC!!!
anyway friends since it is almost time for me to go, there is only one thing that remains and that is to wish you all the best things that life can bring.
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Monday 22 June 2009
Monday Musing
Well good afternoon we are now into the realm of the Holly King, the 2nd half of the year and heading for the harvest. The days should remain warm for several weeks yet so a great time for the annual hols.
So what of the Merlin this weekend?
Well on Litha eve we attended a wedding on the top of a hill, overlooking the sea and held in a massive teepee, the sun warmed us during the early part of the evening and looking out to sea (so calm and still) the colours were amazing. The wedding guests included several people from the entertainment world and one very famous artist who lives in North Devon. To take them to the "wedding village" this person loaned one of his own collection of rare cars to the happy couple.
Having left the wedding we went home, Alison went off on a hen night (ready for the next wedding in 2 weeks time) and I set about the decoration of the house prior to the coming day. Yellow and gold ribbons, red and green ribbons, mulberry and cream candles. Then did some studying until the girls came home.
Later, I took a friend, Tina, home and having left her I became very much aware that I was not alone, I was being accompanied by magical beings dancing around me, darting here there and everywhere.
I finally got into bed about 4am, too excited to sleep, yet too tired to drive and climb hills to watch the sunrise. I must have fallen asleep because I wakened at around 8.30am, showered, dressed and greeted the day, lit one of the mulberry candles and settled down to drink my coffee.
As is often the case I sat cross legged on the floor, barefoot. I noticed a tiny purple glass bead lying next to me, I immediately recognised it as being one from the bracelet Tina had been wearing yesterday, so I picked it up and held it in my hand. .......
.....no sooner had I done this that I started to get pictures in my mind
1. Tina being in a melancholy mood and feeling very sad
2. Tina being hemmed in somewhere by high walls and bars
3. A brown draw string Dorothy Bag which changed into a brown back pack
4. A key or keys contained in the bag that were of great importance to Tina
5. A bride wearing a figure hugging, white wedding dress with an extremely long train
6. Tina wearing a large wide brimmed hat and being in a position of authority at a society wedding
7. Lots of little girls spreading flowers on the floor
and
8. a Top Hat
Now at first I thought that this was all relative to the fact that weddings are in the air at this time of year and as I have said earlier we were at one on Sat and are going to another in a couple of weeks.
But the key thing was a little odd so because I was in no doubt about this I sent a message to Tina asking her if she had or knew anything to do with a brown Dorothy Bag
about an hour later I received a message back from her saying What bag and why?
I explained exactly as I have above and at 8pm she sent me this message
shit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have a small black draw string bag and i found a small like pad lock key in it.. i found it b4 u sent me the message i was sorting out my hair dressing stuff from last night and my curling tongs and straightners were in the black draw string bag i emptied it out and a key fell on the floor BLOODY HELL.
So if this is the start of new things and talents coming to me then I am truly grateful to the Goddess that She has seen fit to bestow this gift upon me and I look forward to being able to use it wisely.
Finally, after being missing for at least 2 years my original Book of Shadows reappeared yesterday and it has now been updated to include my current one. This seemingly insignificant occurrence indicated to me that the positive energies are returning to our house after the spate of negativity that infected us in 2007/8. It has taken practically the whole 12 months to remove the remains of that person's negative impact and both Alison and I are glad it has now gone.
So dear friends have a great day and take care of yourselves.
May the Goddess protect and keep you
Love and light and Blessed Be.
So what of the Merlin this weekend?
Well on Litha eve we attended a wedding on the top of a hill, overlooking the sea and held in a massive teepee, the sun warmed us during the early part of the evening and looking out to sea (so calm and still) the colours were amazing. The wedding guests included several people from the entertainment world and one very famous artist who lives in North Devon. To take them to the "wedding village" this person loaned one of his own collection of rare cars to the happy couple.
Having left the wedding we went home, Alison went off on a hen night (ready for the next wedding in 2 weeks time) and I set about the decoration of the house prior to the coming day. Yellow and gold ribbons, red and green ribbons, mulberry and cream candles. Then did some studying until the girls came home.
Later, I took a friend, Tina, home and having left her I became very much aware that I was not alone, I was being accompanied by magical beings dancing around me, darting here there and everywhere.
I finally got into bed about 4am, too excited to sleep, yet too tired to drive and climb hills to watch the sunrise. I must have fallen asleep because I wakened at around 8.30am, showered, dressed and greeted the day, lit one of the mulberry candles and settled down to drink my coffee.
As is often the case I sat cross legged on the floor, barefoot. I noticed a tiny purple glass bead lying next to me, I immediately recognised it as being one from the bracelet Tina had been wearing yesterday, so I picked it up and held it in my hand. .......
.....no sooner had I done this that I started to get pictures in my mind
1. Tina being in a melancholy mood and feeling very sad
2. Tina being hemmed in somewhere by high walls and bars
3. A brown draw string Dorothy Bag which changed into a brown back pack
4. A key or keys contained in the bag that were of great importance to Tina
5. A bride wearing a figure hugging, white wedding dress with an extremely long train
6. Tina wearing a large wide brimmed hat and being in a position of authority at a society wedding
7. Lots of little girls spreading flowers on the floor
and
8. a Top Hat
Now at first I thought that this was all relative to the fact that weddings are in the air at this time of year and as I have said earlier we were at one on Sat and are going to another in a couple of weeks.
But the key thing was a little odd so because I was in no doubt about this I sent a message to Tina asking her if she had or knew anything to do with a brown Dorothy Bag
about an hour later I received a message back from her saying What bag and why?
I explained exactly as I have above and at 8pm she sent me this message
shit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So if this is the start of new things and talents coming to me then I am truly grateful to the Goddess that She has seen fit to bestow this gift upon me and I look forward to being able to use it wisely.
Finally, after being missing for at least 2 years my original Book of Shadows reappeared yesterday and it has now been updated to include my current one. This seemingly insignificant occurrence indicated to me that the positive energies are returning to our house after the spate of negativity that infected us in 2007/8. It has taken practically the whole 12 months to remove the remains of that person's negative impact and both Alison and I are glad it has now gone.
So dear friends have a great day and take care of yourselves.
May the Goddess protect and keep you
Love and light and Blessed Be.
Friday 19 June 2009
Friday's Musing
It is now Friday 19th June and we are rapidly approaching the Summer Solstice - the time of the year when the Oak King, who represents the waxing year, is triumphed over by the Holly King, who represents the waning year. The two are one: the Oak King is the growing youth while the Holly King is the mature man.
Midsummer or Litha is a time to celebrate both work and leisure, it is a time for children and childlike play. It is a time to celebrate the ending of the waxing year and the beginning of the waning year, in preparation for the harvest to come.
Midsummer is a time to absorb the Sun's warming rays and it is another fertility Sabbat, not only for humans, but also for crops and animals. Wiccans consider the Goddess to be heavy with pregnancy from the mating at Beltane - honor is given to Her. The Sun God is celebrated as the Sun is at its peak in the sky and we celebrate His approaching fatherhood - honor is also given to Him. The faeries abound at this time and it is customary to leave offerings - such as food or herbs - for them in the evening.
Decorations around the home might include Summertime flowers - especially sunflowers - love amulets, seashells, aromatic potpourri and Summer fruits, yellow and gold ribbons (these can also be used to decorate trees in the garden).
So what better time to be celebrating the wedding of two friends tomorrow (Midsummer's Eve)?
The Tarot is showing lots of positive change in my life at present -
"The Sun card signifies a time of clarity and power. The Sun will offer light and warmth after a dark time in your life. It is a sign of rejuvenation and growth, and shows that you are starting to flourish in your current situation. The Sun is associated with happiness, growth and good fortune. Your path has been illuminated and good fortune is on its way".
So dear friends thank you for reading and until the next time let me wish you all
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Midsummer or Litha is a time to celebrate both work and leisure, it is a time for children and childlike play. It is a time to celebrate the ending of the waxing year and the beginning of the waning year, in preparation for the harvest to come.
Midsummer is a time to absorb the Sun's warming rays and it is another fertility Sabbat, not only for humans, but also for crops and animals. Wiccans consider the Goddess to be heavy with pregnancy from the mating at Beltane - honor is given to Her. The Sun God is celebrated as the Sun is at its peak in the sky and we celebrate His approaching fatherhood - honor is also given to Him. The faeries abound at this time and it is customary to leave offerings - such as food or herbs - for them in the evening.
Decorations around the home might include Summertime flowers - especially sunflowers - love amulets, seashells, aromatic potpourri and Summer fruits, yellow and gold ribbons (these can also be used to decorate trees in the garden).
So what better time to be celebrating the wedding of two friends tomorrow (Midsummer's Eve)?
The Tarot is showing lots of positive change in my life at present -
"The Sun card signifies a time of clarity and power. The Sun will offer light and warmth after a dark time in your life. It is a sign of rejuvenation and growth, and shows that you are starting to flourish in your current situation. The Sun is associated with happiness, growth and good fortune. Your path has been illuminated and good fortune is on its way".
So dear friends thank you for reading and until the next time let me wish you all
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Thursday 18 June 2009
Thursday's Musing
Well first I have to say that as a complete stranger to this "bloogin" sorry "blogging" thing I don't really know what I am supposed to do or say, although everyone tells me that I should have a "blog"
So maybe in the first instance it will be best if I talk about the things that I find important in this life and take it from there.
So keep your eyes peeled, your ears skinned, your fingers chopped and your toes grated and let's see where this ride takes us over the coming months.
Until the next time, take care
Blessed be
The Merlin
So maybe in the first instance it will be best if I talk about the things that I find important in this life and take it from there.
So keep your eyes peeled, your ears skinned, your fingers chopped and your toes grated and let's see where this ride takes us over the coming months.
Until the next time, take care
Blessed be
The Merlin
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