It is no secret that a lot of what makes our workings so successful is our intention. Intention is a powerful thing; it is through this we program the energy we put out into the world to bring us our desires. So crafting a strong intent is crucial to our ability to work our will.  1. Try and keep it short and sweet: As I have mentioned, the intention is what we program energy with. It can be difficult to focus on an overly-complex intention, so try to keep it short and to the point.
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The history of the world is vast; there have been many different cultures and civilisations, each with their own practices and beliefs. Many of these ancient cultures celebrated and worshipped Gods, Goddesses, and spirits, and even though much has been lost to history, we still have a wealth of stories and tales of these mythological beings. Even today, a lot of modern pagans still honour the deities and spirits that our ancestors did, for a variety of different reasons. There are plenty of examples throughout history where worshippers would act out tales of their Gods and Goddesses as part of a worship to them, or take aspects of those stories and include them in rituals. So how can we use these mythological stories to help create our own rituals? And why would we want to? First, we need to consider why these tales were created. There are many different theories that have been put forward by various academics and scholars. They served as ‘warnings’ to humanity, of what would happen if they defied the Gods or the status quo, or if they sought power and wealth which could be seen as a direct challenge to the status of the Gods. They provided comfort and hope, provided legitimacy to those deities or spirits, and provided a code of conduct by which to live (either through inspiring good behaviour or punishing bad behaviour). They could also provide ordinary citizens with a way to feel connected with these beings, or to strengthen their connection and honour them in hope that the deity or spirit in question would bless the devotee with what they needed. So consider what you personally would hope to get out of such an approach - is it to show your devotion to that deity, or is there something specific you would like to request from them such as a physical something (like a new job), or a particular trait (such as confidence), or anything else? It is worth noting that as many of these stories were seen to be cautionary tales, not all of them have a happy ending. However, this doesn’t mean that there is nothing that can’t be taken from them. Take for example, the Irish tale of the children of Lir. Bobd Derg was elected to be the King of the Tuatha de Danann, much to the chagrin of Lir who felt that he should have been King. Lir refused to acknowledge Derg as King, but when Lir’s wife died, Derg offered one of his daughter’s as a wife to help sway Lir in his favour. Lir agreed, and took Aoibh as his wife. Together they had four children, but after the birth of the last two (twins), Aoibh died. Derg offered another one of his daughters, to which Lir again agreed, and married Aoife, who became stepmother to the children. However, she grew jealous of the love that Lir had for his children, and sought to kill them. Unfortunately for Aoife, no-one would help her, so instead she turned them into swans. This wasn’t a permanent change, and they could return to their human form after 900 years. At the end of the story the swans return to land and turn back into their human form; however, they are 900 years old and so die almost immediately of old age. Whilst on the one hand this seems like a dark tale of death and revenge, it could also be seen as one of freedom; the children finally regain their human form and are free from their curse that had been placed upon them, at peace at last.  For the purposes of this blog post, let’s take the tale of the Irish God Nuada. He was a King and a warrior, and a great deity to call upon for those who need help with their leadership. In one tale, the Tuatha were at war with the Fir Bolg for control of Ireland. As the battle raged, the Fir Blog champion Sreng cut off Nuada’s arm at the shoulder. Despite his wound, Nuada survived, and the Tuatha won the war with the Fir Bolg all but vanquished. The Tuatha offered Sreng a quarter of Ireland for his remaining people, which he accepted, and the war was over.
Losing his arm meant that Nuada was no longer eligible for Kingship, as Tuatha tradition dictated that their King must be physically perfect. He was replaced by Bres, a half-Fomorian Prince who was known for his beauty and intellect. The Fomorians were ‘mythological’ enemies of Ireland, (in the same way that the Titans were to the Greek Gods), and his oppressive rule did not sit well with the Tuatha. During this time Nuada had his lost arm replaced by a silver one by the physician Dian Cecht and the wright Creidhne (and later with a new arm of flesh and blood by Dian Cecht's daughter Airmid and son Miach). Thus, Bres was removed from Kingship after seven years, and Nuada once again sat on the throne and continued to rule for another twenty years. Bres, accompanied by the Fomorian known as Balor of the Evil Eye attempted to claim back the throne and more war and oppression followed. When Lugh joined Nuada’s court, he realized that this youth could lead the Tuatha against the Fomorians and so stood down in favour of Lough. The second battle of Mag Tuired followed, during which Nuada was killed and beheaded by Balor. Lugh avenged him by killing Balor and leading the Tuatha to victory. Although Nuada died in the final battle, we see several instances of great leadership within this tale. First, after losing the battle and Kingship, he did not give up, and resolved the issues that prevented him from being King (having a new arm attached). He also recognised that Lugh would be a better leader for his people, so actively gave up the Kingship to him for the good of his people. He exhibits strength and bravery in situations where he could (and would) risk injury and death to protect his people. If strength, leadership, and resolve were qualities you were looking to obtain, this would be a great tale to use. So how exactly could you incorporate this into a ritual? There are several ways in which you could do so. First, you could find a copy of the tale, or you could write your own adaptation or poem of the events and recite as a part of your ritual. Or you could act it out! This may be difficult depending on the tale, but can work solo - even better if you have a group or coven that could act it out. Or you could use dolls or puppets to act out the tale you have chosen. If you are a creative sort, you could paint a picture, write a piece of music, or even create an embroidery depicting the events of the tale. Or you could think more symbolically; perhaps, using the example above, you could focus on the aspect of Nuada giving up something (Kingship) for the good of his people. Perhaps one way in which you could become a better leader is by giving up the need to always be correct, which affects your ability to take criticism. You could pledge to ‘sacrifice’ this, as Nuada sacrificed the throne, by writing it on a write a piece of music, or even create an embroidery depicting the events of the tale. Or you could think more symbolically; perhaps, using the example above, you could focus on the aspect of Nuada giving up something (Kingship) for the good of his people. Perhaps one way in which you could become a better leader is by giving up the need to always be correct, which affects your ability to take criticism. You could pledge to ‘sacrifice’ this, as Nuada sacrificed the throne, by writing it on a piece of paper and burning it. Or, as Nuada gained his new arm and was eligible for Kingship again, you could find a silver coin and ask Nuada to help you find what it is you seek to become a better leader, and then carry the coin with you. There are many ways that the stories of the past can help in giving us what we need to shape our futures. Next time you are thinking of performing a ritual, see if there is anything in these ancient myths you can use within your own workings to help you find what it is you seek, or even simply to honour the deity you have chosen to work with. A new year is here, and with the new moon falling around the same time, it feels like a very harmonious start to 2025! But what does the rest of the year have in store? Whilst no-one can say for certain, there are certain astrological correspondences occurring this year that give us an idea as to what could come, if astrology is your cup of tea. So below, we'll take a look at some of the more prominent events taking place in 2025. Mars Retrograde in Leo and Cancer (December 2024 - February 23rd 2025): Mars is currently in retrograde in Leo, and will move into Cancer on January the 6th. When this planet enters retrograde, we can feel as if we have lost all motivation; things feel stuck, and it can be difficult to see any progress in our endeavours. As this retrograde moves into Cancer, this may feel especially relevant in relation to family matters or matters of the home. Venus Retrograde in Pisces and Aries (March 1st - April 12th): It's a big year for Aries this year, kicking off with Venus in retrograde through this sign and Pisces. With Venus being the planet of love, luxury, and relationships, this retrograde period is a chance to review and reevaluate those. As it moves through Aries, we may focus on our need for passion and independence in our relationships, wanting to determine where we stand with those around us, and make sure that we are getting as much out of our relationships as we feel we are putting in to them. As it passes into Pisces, the more emotional aspects of love will come to the forefront, and we may find ourselves considering and our emotional needs and whether these are being met by the relationships we are in. As with all retrogrades, this is a period where unresolved issues may resurface, and tensions can run high. It may be best to wait until Venus comes out of retrograde before you make any big decisions relating to relationships or love! Total Lunar Eclipse In Virgo (13th - 14th March): Lunar eclipses are associated with endings, new beginnings, and big changes (whether welcome or not). Our first lunar eclipse of the year is in Virgo, the sign of organisation, routine, and also health. This is a time to prioritise self-care, and reflect on how much you expect from yourself. Perhaps it is time to stop aiming for perfection and instead aim for happiness? Or perhaps you are too lackadaisical and need more discipline in your life? This lunar eclipse is the ideal time to reflect on your day-to-day activities and habits and make any changes to improve your own well-being. Mercury Retrograde in Aries and Pisces (March 15th - April 7th): As if one retrograde wasn't enough, we have to contend with the first of our three Mercury retrogrades during this time too. Especially with the first part of this retrograde being in Aries, it could feel particularly intense. As usual, there could be issues around communication; try not to blow up about these as Mercury moves through Aries, or take any issues to heart as it passes into Pisces. We all know that as well as communication issues, Mercury retrograde can also bring delays and disruption, especially around travel and technology, so take a deep breath, and try to view any situation you find yourself in with a 'big picture' lens.  Neptune Enters Aries (March 30th): Another one for Aries, as we see the watery planet of dreams and illusion moving into this sign. Spirituality is associated with Neptune, and it has previously been sitting in the more sensitive Pisces. However, Aries is a fire sign, and all about action, meaning now is time for the doing. You may find yourself becoming more assertive about your spirituality, and more independent in your practice. If you have been struggling with your spiritual identity or finding the motivation to delve deep into your spiritual journey, then this may be the inspiration you need! Saturn Sextile Uranus (April 4th): This is an interesting one because Saturn and Uranus are somewhat opposites; whilst Saturn is associated with structure and discipline, Uranus is somewhat more rebellious in its nature! As these planets move into a sextile formation, we can harness this energy to ensure that any big changes we want to make are also grounded in sensibility. This is a great time to plan for long-term success with any such changes. Saturn Enters Aries (May 24th - September 1st): As mentioned above, Saturn is the planet of structure and discipline, and also of accountability and ownership. As it enters Aries, we will be forced to reflect on, and take ownership over our actions. This is a moment to step into your own power, to determine the person you want to be and make the changes necessary to become that person. This is a great time to kick bad habits, to step up and take charge of your life, and take responsibility for your own decisions. Jupiter Enters Cancer (June 9th): During this time we may find our focus being drawn to the home, family, and our overall emotional security and stability. We may develop a new found appreciation for those close relationships, and want to ensure we are surrounding ourselves with safe, loving, and supportive people and environments. Now is a great time to tackle any issues that may be holding us back from connection with other people and building this network. It is also an auspicious time to pour more energy into your physical space, such as your home, to build a sanctuary in which you feel safe and secure. Uranus Enters Gemini (July 7th): During this period, we may experience a mental shift, a desire for new ways of learning. With Uranus being the planet of rebellion and thinking outside the box, and Gemini being associated with knowledge, we may suddenly find ourselves compelled to throw ourselves into research, and connecting with others to share information and knowledge. And maybe not in the ways you expect or paths would usually follow! This is a great time for those who want to expand their research and knowledge and connect with like-minded people to do so, bringing us opportunities that are somewhat outside of the norm. Total Lunar Eclipse in Pisces (7th - 8th September):
The second, and final lunar eclipse of the year takes place in Pisces. As a planet associated with emotions, this is the ideal period to look at any boundaries you need to put in place, or any changes you need to make, to protect your own emotional well-being. This may involve cutting off certain people or removing yourself from certain situations, but sometimes it is important to put ourselves first and do what is necessary to ensure we are taking care of our own state of being. Those of you who follow me on Instagram will know that I recently decided to make the switch to self-publishing, rather than relying on a publishing house. I have nothing against publishing houses, and I definitely wouldn't have had a lot of the opportunities I have if it wasn't for them! However, the self-publishing process suits my specific needs better, and so that is where my focus will lie for the next couple of books at least. So, without further ado, let me introduce my first foray into the self-publishing world; Meditations To Soothe The Soul. First off, this isn't a 'witchcraft' book in the vein that my previous two have been. This book is focused on meditation, and whilst some of the meditations do draw on more witchy themes (such as connecting with the energy of The Well Maidens to heal your inner self), I have tried to make the meditations as accessible to everyone, regardless of their beliefs. It provides a brief introduction to meditation and how to meditate, before giving you over 40 meditations to try yourself. Ranging from basic meditations suitable for the complete novice, to more complex visualisations, I'm hoping that even experienced meditators will find something to appeal to them in this book. So to give you a taste of what to expect, I have included two of the meditations in this blog. If you like them, please check out the rest of the book! It will be available on Amazon kindle only (who knows, if it is a success maybe I'll look at getting some physical copies made - if it is something you would be interested in then do let me know and I will see what I can do), and will be released midway through the week of the 14th of October 2024. So get comfortable, and see if any of these resonate with you.  Example Meditation 1: Heal Your Inner Self I am fascinated by history, myths, and legends. One of my favourite mythical beings comes from a tale called ‘The Elucidation’. Believed to have been written in the early 13th Century by an unknown author, it is one of the many tales concerning King Arthur and his Knights. It recounts how once in the land of Logres there were otherworldly beings called ‘The Well Maidens’. A weary traveller would only have to stop at one of their wells and they would gladly offer the traveller all manner of food and drink. These women, more beautiful than any ever seen, could conjure any food or drink the journeyman desired, and would give it freely. However, one day the King at the time – King Amangon – violated their hospitality, robbing and kidnapping one of the maidens. From that moment onwards no maiden ever appeared again, and the land of Logres became a wasteland. Enter Arthur and his Knights, determined to find the Well Maidens and bring them home, so that they could restore the land of Logres. I won’t go into the detail of the tale, but we can glean from this story that the Well Maidens were the epitome of abundance and plenty, of kindness and nurturing. Without them, the land could not survive and so they are also very closely tied to nature. When the Well Maidens suffer, the land suffers, and only by calling on the Well Maidens can the land be restored. Our inner selves could be compared to a garden. When well-tended with sun, water, nutrients, and care, it can grow and flourish. However, if it is neglected, or blighted by sickness, it will wither and die. If we allow stress and negativity to fester, it damages our inner selves, and the longer we leave it the more difficult it can become to heal. So, in this meditation we will be calling on the energy of the Well Maidens to help heal our own hurts and restore us with their care and nurturing. Get ready for meditation in whatever way you see fit. When you feel ready, see yourself standing in a meadow. The meadow, once vibrant and full of life, now looks neglected and weary. The soil is dry and cracked, the plants are wilting, and the flowers are faded and drooping. This space reflects parts of your inner self that feels neglected, or in need of care. It is important to approach this space without judgement; you cannot blame the sun for drying out the soil, or the plants for withering. Similarly, you should not blame yourself if you feel you have not tended to your inner self as well as you should. Focus on compassion and the love within you, as it is this that is needed to bring our garden back to life. In the centre of the meadow, you spot a well. It has a grey stone base, and wooden pillars on each side supporting a slanted wooden roof. An old, rusted pole sits between the two pillars, and a wooden bucket attached to a metal chain sits just above the base of the well. Despite the neglected look of the meadow, this well by contrast is in perfect condition. It almost looks out of place, picturesque here in the middle of the meadow, as if from a fairytale. You walk towards the well, and run your hands over the stone, weathered and worn. You grasp the wooden handle of the rusted pole and begin to turn it. It creaks and groans before it gives way, and you watch the bucket lower into the well. Before long, you hear the sound of it hitting the water, and you turn the handle in the opposite direction. Eventually the bucket emerges, full of water. You untie the bucket, being careful not to spill any of the water. You can feel the energy of the water, radiating with care and compassion, healing and nurturing. You know that this is a sacred place, and this water is a gift from the Well Maidens. Slowly, pour the water onto the dry soil. See it soaking deep into the earth, full of pure nourishment. See the soil darken and soften, and feel life returning to the dirt. Next, move to the wilting plants. Notice how their leaves droop, their petals browning, as they sink towards the earth. Know that you have it within you to bring beauty back to these flowers. Raise your arms in front of you and imagine your hands glowing with pure, white, healing light. See this light building in your heart, full of love and compassion, before spreading throughout your chest, down your arms, and out through your hands and into the plants. Feel them drinking in this energy, and see them start to bloom again. The leaves start to lift, and the petals grow, vibrant in their colour as the plants reach up, growing strong and revitalised by the healing energy you have given them. Their scent begins to permeate the air around you, a soft and delicate sweetness. You reach into your pocket and are surprised to find a handful of seeds – another gift from the Well Maidens surely. Bury each seed in the soil, and focus on your intention - of restoring the land. Visualise these seeds growing into strong, healthy plants, and know that as you plant the seeds within this garden, you also plant these seeds within yourself. Just as you promise to tend to this physical place, you promise to tend to your inner self; to plant the seeds of self-care and to nurture your own needs with joy and forgiveness in your heart. As you continue to send love out into the garden, you see if becoming more alive. The air seems to grow warmer, rays of sun breaking through. The gentle hum of insects that have returned is like music as you watch the plants and wildflowers sway gently in the breeze. You can almost feel the presence of the Well Maidens watching over you, blessing your endeavours. Take a moment to stand back and admire your work. Allow yourself to feel gratitude for the healing that has taken place, both within the garden and within yourself. You know that this is just the first step. There is still plenty to do, but you promise yourself that you are willing to take the time necessary to make space for this self-care and growth. Stay here as long as you wish, enjoying this sensation of peace and harmony you have created within yourself and know that you carry it with you.  Example Meditation 2: A Temple To You
This meditation is designed to celebrate everything that is you! Each of us has those things that make us unique; these may be our successes, hobbies, or qualities within ourselves that we cherish. This meditation is designed to help you stop and reflect on everything that makes you ‘you’, to strengthen your sense of self. Get ready for meditation in whatever way you see fit. When you feel ready, see yourself standing outside of a temple. What does the temple look like? Maybe it is a large, stone building, supported by thick pillars like the temples of old? Maybe it is a pyramid like that of the Egyptians or Aztecs? Or maybe it is a simple, wooden hut? How would you like it to look? Remember, this is a temple dedicated to you, so feel free to shape it however you want in your mind. Walk to the door. You place your hand on the doorknob and push. The door creaks open and you walk through. The temple is filled with trinkets, artworks, and all manner of other items. You look to your left; there is a cabinet, and in that cabinet is a number of trophies, medals, and certificates. These represent all of your achievements. Look closely; what ones are represented there? They may have been things you never actually received an award for, but are proud of, such as learning to swim, closing a big project at work, having a book published, championing environmental causes, etc. Spend a bit of time here reflecting on your achievements. When you are ready, turn from the cabinet and walk further into the temple. There is a table in front of you, and on this table represents items related to your hobbies. Again, take a closer look and see what is on the table. If you are a keen knitter, there may be a pair of knitting needles. Or maybe you are into cycling – you might see a cycling helmet there? Again, spend a bit of time just reflecting on your hobbies and other interests, and feel the enjoyment and pride these evoke in you. Next, walk to the opposite wall of the temple. This wall is full of photographs of friends, families, holidays, days out, etc. Reflect on these memories and the good times you’ve had, the opportunities you’ve been given, and the people in your life for which you are grateful. When you are finished here, continue walking further into the temple. There is another table; this one is full of items related to your ambitions and dreams. Again, what do you see? Maybe one of your goals is to own a house – you might see a set of house keys there. Or maybe one of your goals is to release your own music – you might see musical instruments, or a gold disc. Continue walking around the temple. In your mind’s eye, fill it with those things that are important to you. For example, I love going to live music, so I tend to see all the tickets from the gigs and festivals I’ve been to, and remember these and the fun I’ve had. As you walk, feel the sense of pride, love, and fulfilment that fills this sacred space. This temple is a reflection of who you are, what you love, and all that you are proud of. Feel the energy and positivity radiating from each aspect of your life that you have honoured here. The items in this temple represent you, and encompass everything you are and everything you can be, and will always be here for you to draw power from whenever you need. I am very fortunate to be in a position where my home is genuinely my sanctuary. I live alone, so have free rein over all decorating decisions (which is a first!), it's small, but it's cosy, and provides me with all of the amenities I need. Plus it is right next to a river, which is perfect for the likes of me given my interest in the element of water. I love my little flat, and see it as my temple, a reflection of myself and my spirituality. Or, at least, that's what I aim for - I still have a lot of decorating to do! Which means I take particularly good care of it - again, a first for me. I've always been a bit messy, always had something better to do than clean, and had no problem letting boxes and general 'stuff' live in piles by doors, drawers, etc. However, finally having a space which is completely my own, and one which I want to reflect the spiritual way in which I try to live my life, has been a game changer. I dust, I clean, and clothes actually go in drawers rather than in a pile at the end of the bed(!). As well as the physical aspect of maintaining this space, I also enjoy cleansing it regularly and 'spiritually' cleaning it. This involves cleansing it, protecting it, and blessing it. There are many different ways you can do this; however, I prefer an approach which focuses on all three aspects (cleansing, protection, and blessing) separately, and tying all of these together. In a pinch, I will just perform a smoke cleanse, but where possible I aim for this three-pronged approach. It's quick, it's effective, and it is incredibly easy! You will need minimal tools for this little ritual. And whilst I have called it a 'ritual', I don't mean ritual in the formal sense; you don't need to cast a circle, call quarters, etc. Just grab the items below, and you're ready to get going! To perform this little ritual, you will need: - Incense - A bowl of salt water - A small bell or similar (I use a Tibetan Singing bowl) First, we will cleanse the space, and here we use the incense. Incense smoke is used in many different cultures and traditions to cleanse a space, or a person, of negative energies. Simply light your incense, and walk clockwise around your space wafting the incense smoke as you go and repeat the following chant: "I cleanse this space of all negativity, in this world and in the astral. I cleanse this space of all negativity, in this word and in the astral. May all negative energies be banished from this place, May only love and light be permitted to enter this space." Once you have completed a full loop of your space, we will move onto protection. For this, you will repeat as we did above, but with the bowl of salt water. Salt is a well known protector, so sprinkle the salt water upon the floor as you again walk in a clockwise direction around your space whilst repeating the following chant: "I protect this space from all negativity, in this world and in the astral. I protect this space from all negativity, in this world and in the astral. May all negative energies be barred from this place. May only love and light be permitted to enter this space." Once this in complete, we will move onto blessing, and this is where we will use our bell or sound bowl. Sound, especially from these sorts of tools, are often used to invite energies in. In this instance, we want to invite positive energies in. So, for the final time, walk clockwise around your space whilst ringing/dinging your chosen tool, whilst repeating the following chant: "May this space be blessed with positive energies. With love, and light, and goodness." Finally, once you have completed this step, say a little prayer or closing chant. I will usually say something to the effect of: "May this space be cleansed, protected, and blessed, in the name of the great Goddess, the mighty God, the Universal Energy, and the element of Water who guides and nourishes me. May it be a sanctuary, a place of spiritual retreat. So mote it be." And that's it! Again, it's quick (depending on how big your space is; I am often glad mine is a one bed rather than a seven bed mansion!), and extremely effective. So give it a go and see how it resonates with you!  I love looking into local history, and thought it was about time I gave London its due attention as I haven't really done much research since I moved back here! And so I came across Mother Redcap - one of London's most famous witches. She was said to live in a tavern called 'Mother Redcaps Tavern' which was located near what is now Camden Lock, in Camden. The pub still stands, and is now better known as 'The World's End' (a pub I have drunk in many times, before I moved to London, and never realised the history behind it!), a popular venue near Camden tube station. Her real name was Jenny/Jennie, or Jinny Bingham, and she lived in Camden during the 17th Century (it is estimated she was born during the reign of King James I, so between 1603 and 1625). Back then, Camden was a very different place than what it is today; today you can struggle to get from one end of the high street to the other thanks to the dense crowds of people enjoying the large number of shops, market stalls, and venues the place has to offer. However, back in the 17th century Camden was primarily a rural area, surrounded by fields, meadows, and orchards, populated by farmers and wealthy landowners. It was here that Jenny lived, and despite her reputation, somehow managed to avoid being arrested and tried as a witch which is very surprising considering the beliefs of the time.  Jenny wasn't exactly subtle about her beliefs and practices either. It is said that she wore a cloak which she sewed bats onto, had a black cat that would follow her around, constantly smoked, and would happily yell abuse at anyone who would question her ways. She was also reported to be incredibly ugly, with a “hideous head, wrinkled and sallow, shaggy of brow, sunken and bleared of eye, hug of nose, wide of mouth, and sullen of look” (Doubleyew 1879: 514)." She also began to wear a red cap, hence the name. Her reputation was well-known as she was never short of customers looking for tinctures and potions (and it was said that she was particularly knowledgeable in poisons), and divinations into the future, as well as curses and hexes. Whilst people at the time were suspecting, paranoid, and fearful of witches and the death and destruction their devilry could cause, a good many of them still sought out cunning folk for their own purposes.
Her love life is also a rollercoaster of death and intrigue. Her first husband, Gipsy George, was hung for steeling sheep. Her next boyfriend, a man called Darby who was known to be a violent alcoholic disappeared without a trace, and her boyfriend after that - a man named Pitcher - also disappeared. He was eventually found dead in Mother Redcap's oven. Yes, you read that correctly - in her oven. The defence was aided by a witness who testified that Pitcher used to hide from Mother Redcap in the oven, and one day he must have hid from her in there and fallen asleep as Mother Redcap started cooking and baking. Surprisingly, the jury was convinced and acquitted her. At around the time Darby disappeared, Jenny's own parents were hanged on charges of witchcraft after they were accused of using black magic to kill a girl. Whilst she may have been acquitted of the murder, this and her parents own hanging, did not do her reputation any good and her business declined. She eventually found another possible suitor, seemingly by chance; a man who was in need of shelter offered her money to stay at hers in an effort to lose his attackers. It worked, and he continued to live with her even after, but when he too died rumours circulated that she had poisoned him, which didn't help matters. Mother Redcap went from being one of the most sought after cunning folk to becoming a recluse and a pariah; whereas people seemed to turn a blind eye in the past, now whenever some sort of misfortune afflicted the small town the townsfolk would gather in front of her home and directly accuse her. However, she was still never arrested nor tried as a witch. Accounts of her death seem to differ; some believe that she died in her kitchen and was found by a neighbour, and that the devil himself came to Camden to collect her soul. Another source states that she and her then husband were accused of witchcraft after the death of a woman, and for the last time, for they were both hanged at Tyburn (perhaps there is some confusion here with the hanging of her parents?). History seems to be determined to paint Mother Redcap as the stereotypical, old hag, the evil crone who murders and poisons those around her. However, we are all aware of the treatment of cunning folk during this time, and I'm sure there is probably more to the story of Mother Redcap than history would allow us to know! In a world filled with energies both seen and unseen, it is essential to safeguard our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. One of the most common methods of doing this is known as shielding, where we manipulate energy to create a 'bubble' or barrier around us to keep negative energies out. These energies can come from a myriad of different sources; the environment, other people talking negatively to us or about us, those who may unconsciously direct negativity our way through jealousy or envious thoughts, and so on. Shielding can be extremely effective; however, in my experience, sometimes even that bubble isn't enough to protect us. So, what works better than one shield? Yep - two shields! A few months ago I had an experience in which I was at work, at my laptop focusing on my own work, with a group of people stood next to me discussing their own work. They clearly weren't having a good time, and the negativity they felt in that moment was palpable. One person can be bad enough, but five people radiating that sort of negativity was difficult to ignore. I took a few moments to focus on my shielding and strengthen my bubble, but it still wasn't enough. So I employed the double-layering technique and was surprised at how much of a difference it made! Double layering my shield is now my go-to technique when I am faced with extreme negativity, and with the single layer, it can be called upon relatively quickly with a bit of practice as and when you need that extra protection. To create your double layered shield, you basically create one layer, but twice. So first let's take a look at creating that single layer, and then how to duplicate that to add our second layer. To start, you need to draw the energy towards you which you will then shape into your shield. I've read plenty of guidance which states you should focus on your own energy and then push that outwards to create your shield. I very much advise against using your own energy for this, especially as a shield needs to be maintained; if you are using your own energy to create and maintain it, you will just deplete your own energy stores which can leave you feeling fatigued, low on energy, and perhaps even experience physical symptoms such as headaches. So I always recommend using external energy. To do this, begin with the classic 'roots and antlers' meditation. Visualise 'roots' stretching out from your feet or your root chakra, down into the earth, and anchoring you to it. Then visualise 'antlers' growing from your head, reaching up into the sky and anchoring you to the skies; as the saying goes, 'as above, so below'. Usually when performing this exercise the instruction is to connect yourself to the earth and the air; however, as a water witch, I prefer to connect with the waters that flow beneath the earths surface with my roots, and the moisture in the air and the clouds with my antlers. However, this is a personal preference, and you should go with whichever gives you the stronger connection.  Once you have done this, you will want to focus on your breathing; as you inhale, you want to visualise pulling energy up from your roots, and down through your antlers. As you exhale, you want to direct this energy to form a bubble around you. Again, this can take practice, but it is well worth sticking with it! Inhale the energy, and exhale it into your initial bubble. In fact, once you have mastered this, you can 'feel' the energy constantly flowing up/down and into your shield without your breath. This bubble can take any form you want; you may see it as a coloured light, you may see it flowing smoothly or 'crackling' like electricity. Again, as a water witch, I visualise my shield as waves which move around me. This movement is very important as it will help in maintaining its energy; no matter how you visualise your shield, see this energy constantly moving, spinning around you in a clockwise direction.
This is how we create our first layer. To create your second layer, we are going to do the same, but we want to reach out separate roots/antlers to do so. This can be tricky as now we are managing four streams of energy flow which is again why it may take some practice. However, again, it is well worth the practice! See this energy forming a second shield outside of your first shield, encasing both you and your original layer. Build it in exactly the same way; inhale the energy in, exhale it into your layer, and when you feel happy, focus on seeing the energy flowing through into your shield constantly, without the need for your breath. However, whereas our first layer flows around us in a clockwise direction, we want this shield to flow around us in an anti-clockwise direction. I have personally found that this approach, the layers moving in opposite directions, adds power to the shields and again aids in maintaining the energy even when you are not consciously focused on it. Sit with this for as long as you want, and when you feel ready (or like me, need to actually get back to work and start answering emails), 'cut off' the energy streams and see your shields moving around you, sustained by the kinetic energy of their own movement. And that's it! As I've said a couple of times, it does take practice as it is a bit more complex than creating the standard single layered shield, but I personally find it extremely effective when faced with a large amount of negative energy and one which I would highly recommend anyone who has an interest in energy protection learning. 19/11/2023 0 Comments Witchfest 2023This year I was extremely lucky to be invited to talk at Witchfest International 2023. Witchfest is run by the Children of Artemis and has been going for years - I remember going to my first Witchfest back when I was at University over fifteen years ago! So I was extremely excited to be able to attend as a speaker.
Witchfest was held in Croydon which is convenient for me as a Londoner, and my journey to the venue was nice and easy. However, I was not prepared for the protesters outside! A large group of people had gathered outside, singing, chanting, holding signs about how we need to accept Jesus and trying to hand out leaflets. I have to admit, this is the first witchcraft orientated event I've been to that's been protested against! We even had the police in attendance at some points, and boy these protesters were not letting up! If anything, they got even louder as the day went on and were still present well into the evening celebrations. Luckily they did not seem to sway anyone and didn't prevent us from having a great Witchfest! Walking into Witchfest kind of feels like coming home. The people and their dress is free and expressive - it very much made me feel underdressed in my jeans and hoodie! Unfortunately I haven't had any hot water for over a week and have been having to shower at the gym which has been massively inconvenient (my hair definitely looked as though I had been plugged into an electric outlet rather than its usual waves!). So next year I will definitely be making more of an effort on the dress front! And don't even get my started on the stalls; the minute I walked into the main stall hall my debit card practically fell out of my pocket and into the hand of the stall holders. It was incredible to see the care and attention which had gone into handcrafting a lot of the items, and with so much variety and choice it was difficult not to walk away with a bag full of goodies and a hole in the bank account. From wands, to jewellery, head dresses, books, crystals, crystal grids, pendulum boards, soaps, incense....a shopaholic witches dream! The range of talks meant there was something for everyone; from chaos magick to hedgecraft, heathenry, crystals, and more, it was impossible not to find a speaker that would appeal to your particular path. Huge props to the speakers who had to deal with the noise from the protesters spilling into a couple of the conference rooms; it couldn't have been easy but most managed to make a joke out of it and still hold the audiences attention. And it wasn't just talks, but performances and practical workshops thrown in too. It's difficult to pick a highlight; I have to say though, the Pentacle Drummers performance in the Ashcroft Playhouse was incredible to watch. To be honest, with so many fantastic talks on I was very nervous that no-one would turn up to mine! I actually couldn't believe the number of people who turned up. And I'll be honest - it wasn't the best conference talk I have ever done. When I chose the subject (using the cups tarot suit in your magickal practice) I was working heavily with the cups suit and thought if anything I would struggle to keep the talk short! Unfortunately it was actually quite difficult to speak at length on. I know I'm not the most confident or engaging speaker, so I always try and make sure my talks are more 'practical', giving people activities they can go away and try themselves to make up for it, and whilst working with the cups suit in your magickal practice can bring many benefits, it's difficult to talk at length about how you do it - the doing is most definitely more in-depth than the talking about it! Plus there was a lot of reading from my notes, as what with everything going on with the boiler and having to arrange trades people to come out, and this also being my last week in my current job and so having a lot to wrap up, I just didn't have the time to practice it as much as I usually would. So, to anyone who did attend my talk, I'm sorry!! I am usually a much better speaker than that!! But despite all of that I really enjoyed doing the talk, and again and so grateful to everyone who did turn up to listen. I do sometimes feel a bit burnt out what with promoting the books, the website, recording the short courses, etc., on top of my fulltime job and general life, but its events like Witchfest that remind me why I love doing what I do. After the talks came to an end, there was the music! I saw some great bands (over a couple of pints) including Green Diesel, and of course the legendary Damh the Bard, which I will definitely be keeping an eye on to see if they are ever playing around London; people were up and dancing, and everyone was in high spirits. It was a great end to what had been a great day, and really encapsulates the best bits about the community; the supportive nature of everyone there, the enthusiasm, the kind-heartedness, and the creativity. I am already looking forward to spending the day at Witchfest 2024, even if that is just as an attendee! I highly recommend Witchfest International to anyone who is even remotely interested in witchcraft, as in my eyes it truly encapsulates the best of our pagan community. It is no secret that a lot of what makes our workings so successful is our intention. Intention is a powerful thing; it is through this we program the energy we put out into the world to bring us our desires. So crafting a strong intent is crucial to our ability to work our will.
Crafting that intention is not as simple as it might seem. I’m sure we are all aware of the monkey paw effect; we ask for something but forget to put the necessary stipulations on it and end up with something we didn’t ask for. For example, you may wish to come into money, but that money comes to you in the form of an inheritance after the loss of a loved one. Or, maybe we are too vague in our intention and so we end up with only half of what we want. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, we are so rigid with our intention that there is no way that the universe can fulfil it! Below are some tips, based on my own experience, which could help you to craft your own meaningful intentions: 1. Try and keep it short and sweet: As I have mentioned, the intention is what we program energy with. It can be difficult to focus on an overly-complex intention, so try to keep it short and to the point. 2. Set a time frame: If you need that extra money by the end of the month, then make sure you include that when crafting your intent. 3. Ensure you state ‘with harm to none’ (unless you are cursing): As with our example above, if gaining a large amount of money means losing a loved one, many of us are unlikely to want it. Ensure that the universe knows that your gain shouldn’t be through someone else’s loss. 4. Focus on why you need this - in what way will it improve your life? What will happen if you don’t get it? You don’t need to include this in your statement of intent, but this emotional investment can help power the intent as you focus on it. 5. Are there any potential consequences you would like to avoid if you receive what you are asking for (again, think of the monkey paw effect)? Maybe you live in a flat and are wanting the monthly payments to be reduced. If your landlord does reduce the payment, could this also mean the service he offers you reduces? Or he finds some other way to make up for the reduction in some other sort of fee? Again, make sure you account for these when crafting your intention. 6. Frame it positively: Always try and frame your intention positively. For example, if you are looking to craft an intention to help you better focus, rather than saying ‘I won’t let distractions bother me’, say ‘I will stay present and focused on what truly matters’. This helps us keep a positive and proactive mindset, which means we are more likely to achieve our goals. 7. Use strong, empowering language: Rather than saying ‘I hope to achieve X’, say ‘I will achieve this’. 8. Visualise it in action: When stating your intent, make sure you visualise yourself having already achieved it - what it looks like, how it makes you feel now you have it, etc. A lot of this may seem simple, but it can be easy to forget the basics, so hopefully by trying some of these they can help you in crafting your own intentions! We are all aware of the dangers of the internet. However, there are some specific 'dangers' - or at least scams - that seem to be specific to the witchcraft community. One of the most repreatedly posted questions I see online goes something along the lines of 'I visited a psychic and they told me there is a generational curse and now she can remove it for me (usually costing money), is this real'? The short answer is, most likely not. And there are a lot of these scams going around. So today, I wanted to give some tips on staying safe online so you don't find yourself in danger or out of pocket. We will start with the obvious: never give out your personal details to people you don't know. Definitely not your address, and absolutely not your bank details! Now, phone number is always a bit of an iffy one; I have given out my phone number exactly three times to people in the community I hadn't actually 'met' yet. Two were ladies I was involved in running a small community with and had messaged extensively online first, and the other was a lady who I was arranging to meet at a conference I was speaking at because she was helping organise the conference. The great thing about phone numbers is you can block them if things get weird or even change your number (as much hassle as that is). On the whole, this is a lovely community, and you will make friends online that you may want to chat to outside of online spaces. Trust your gut if you are going to give your phone number out to people and don't be afraid to bail the minute it gets uncomfortable. Now that is out of the way, let's move on to more 'witchy' scams: 1. People messaging you asking if they can do a reading for you: There is a difference between marketing and people soliciting you for readings. Marketing is more general, more impersonal, and is usually just a 'call to action'; asking you to check out their shop, advertising they are doing readings and to let them know if you want one, etc. Those soliciting you for readings will be much more personal, often opening with something along the lines of 'hey! I saw your profile and I just felt such an energy coming from you, I just knew that I was meant to connect with you!', or 'my guides led me to your profile as they have a message for you'. I get a lot of these, and one evening after a few drinks (and having some spare money having done really well saving that month), I decided to play along and see how legit it was. So I responded to one of these messages, and they offered to do a reading for me (which cost £40!), to reveal my message. So I agreed. They messaged me back literally three minutes after I had transferred the money via PayPal saying they had pulled three cards and had my message. Now, I'm sorry, I don't care how good a Tarot reader you are, there is no way you can connect with your guides, shuffle your cards, pull three, interpret them, and write a message with that interpretation in three minutes. Absolutely impossible. Strike one. And - Gasp! - wouldn't you know it! Apparently I have a family member who was jealous of my potential success so put a curse on me when I was a child! This was strike two. I have a damn good life. I have good friends, partner, family, a well paying job I enjoy, I own my own flat in a city I love, I am getting to do what I love with my books, podcast talks, etc. If this is me being cursed, then all I can think is that this 'curse' has someone prevented me from being the billionaire play-girl married to the hottest Hollywood actor that I always knew I should have been if life hadn't of dealt me this cruel hand! But I went along with it, and then would you believe it - she had just the curse removal spell she was willing to cast for me! So generous, so kind....wait no, just kidding, of course that too would cost me. Strike three. By that point I had had my fun and proved my point, so just ignored them. But many well respected tarot readers and practitioners of any magickal art will tell you that they do not solicit their works. So if someone you have never heard of creeps into your DM's with a message from their spirit guides, chances are, it's a scam. 2. Paying for Spells: Another popular one. 'I can make your ex come back to you, I can curse his new lover', etc. You see them everywhere; on social media, on Etsy, one self-built websites. And you know what, some of them are legit. However, red flags to look out for include: - 100% guarantee the spell will be successful. No witch can guarantee success every time, that just isn't how magick works - Next day results. Again, no witch can guarantee exactly when the magick will manifest, so I would be wary of any promises such as this - Messages after you have already paid asking for more money; either they need more tools, the spell wasn't powerful enough and they want to try something else, or some other excuse. If they ask for more money, block and move on - They approached you. This definitely falls under the same 'solicitation' scam I spoke about above  3. People offering to pay you for Spells: Not quite as prevalent, but recently there have been reports on social media of people receiving messages from others asking them to perform spells for them, and that person will pay you. This is often a data mining scam, so even though it may be difficult on the surface to see where you could lose money or how you could reveal personal information, again just block and move on. 4. Joining Online Communities: I love online communities, and to be honest, I tend to be more involved with the online community than I am the 'IRL' community. I have joined countless 'schools' over the years 9I am old enough to remember life before the internet), done various courses, and love chatting to others via social media. However, again you need to exercise caution when interacting with online communities, and below are some of the reasons why: - Creeps: Unfortunately the spiritual community can attract a lot of creeps. If anyone starts to engage you in any sort of conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable or starts asking for pictures (even non-sexual ones), then steer clear - Asking for money: Some courses and schools will ask for a small fee to cover operational costs, and this is understandable. However, those that charge obscene amounts of money, or small but regular amounts for information you could get elsewhere for free or cheaper are often untrustworthy - Promising you 'secret knowledge': Ah yes; there is but one truth in this universe that will make you rich and successful beyond your wildest dreams. But the only way you can access it is if you pay X amount of money or join Y society. Unfortunately, it is never that easy. Hiding such 'revolutionary knowledge' behind a paywall is a common tactic that preys on the vulnerable, so avoid, avoid, avoid! - Pushing to meet IRL: As great as online communities are, sometimes meeting face to face and practising in person is more beneficial. However, any online community that INSISTS you have to meet them in real life is often one to be wary of. Especially if that meeting place is in the middle of the darkened woods which is just 'perfect' for this specific ritual they want you to be a part of.... These are just some of the most obvious scams, but sometimes even the most innocuous of interactions can be preludes to scammy behaviour. Some people are very good at hiding it, no matter how sure you might have been. Other behaviours to look out for that are most likely signs you should stop engaging with this person/this community include: - People operating from brand new profiles with very few posts - People spoofing well-known users accounts (stealing their content and giving themselves a very similar user name to fool people into thinking they are that credible user) - People asking for money through unsecure payment channels - People pressuring you into making decisions and payments NOW - People threatening you; this could be telling you that a curse that was placed on you that they can remove will get worse unless you pay them now, that they themselves will curse you if you don't give them money, or that they will contact a loved one (such as an ex) to tell them you are trying to cast spells on them Obviously it is difficult to know 100% if something is a scam or not, but when it doubt, drop it and search out more reputable practitioners. Look for independent reviews, speak to others who have been involved in those communities or who have head readings, etc., from those people, and make sure you never give away any personal information. Stay safe out there witches! |
The Weekly Witch:Once I week I talk about something 'witchcraft' related I have done with my week. How we incorporate witchcraft into our every day lives is always a topic that has interested me, so I wanted to start this blog to explore it further! Archives
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