Druidry and the Ancestors

Druidry and the Ancestors

By Nimue Brown

The description of this book sounded intriguing:

Ancestors are part of our shared humanity, we all have them. Ancestry in the guise of race, has been used as a tool to divide. Even so, it might yet help us move in greater harmony.

Are we playing out the motifs of our family history, or making our own lives? Are we held back by the past, or empowered by it? And why does any of this matter?

Druidry and the Ancestors will take you on a journey into how you imagine yourself, and how you can take control of your identity and future.

Druid, author, bard and dreamer. Nimue Brown is OBOD trained, a founding member of Bards of The Lost Forest and Druid Network member.

And I have to say I wasn’t disappointed.  Nimue has a lovely style of writing which makes you believe you are sitting across the table from her having a chat.  She shares her thoughts and ideas on the ancestors in an extremely thought provoking way.

This book really made me stop and think about how we see the ancestors and how we define them, Nimue’s book has caused me to ponder on all the ideas I had and to reassess them. 

This book will make you look at not just the history of druidry but your own history too, it will make you re think about how you see and work with the ancestors, not just your immediate family but on a much, much wider scale.

It will make you think about ancestors in a completely different way.

Whether you are a druid, a witch, a pagan or not this book will challenge your ideas and make your brain do some overtime (in a good way!).

Highly recommended, it will definitely be on my book shelf at home.

Druidry & The Ancestors is published by Moon Books and will be released in November but is available for pre order from Amazon UK and Amazon USA

Nimue also has a blog Druidlife

Tansy

x

The Kitchen Witch Autumn Equinox Ritual

The weather was beautiful, clear blue sky and lots of sunshine.

The setting was gorgeous, a green field on the edge of a large forest...with a cafe and toilet facilities too ;-)

The Kitchen Witch team set up the altar and sat Arthur bear in pride of place, put on our priestess circlets and our cloaks...and waited..

Worst part of the day?  Waiting and hoping that people turned up...

And the people arrived, loads and loads of people - and we thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts, some were local some had travelled a good distance we ♥ you all.

Best part of the day?  All the lovely people that joined us.

Let the ritual commence...

Everything went to plan...well nearly everything:

Funniest part of the day?  Not realising that when handing out symbolic dried apple slices that people would eat them...

We cast a circle, called quarters, we invoked deity, we raised healing energy, we reflected on the abundance in our lives, we ate cake and drank apple juice and then we thanked deity and the quarters and sweep up the circle.

All in all a very lovely day spent with amazing people.

With many, many thanks to you all
The Kitchen Witch Team

Bear Witch Project ~ Handfastings, Cuddles and Cake

Yayyy blogworld - tis Arthur here - have you missed me??

I have so much to tell you and so much to show you - but first I have to share a wonderful day I spent yesterday with the Dorset Grove at their Mabon ritual in the fantastic setting of Knowlton Henge.

Da blurb .......





History of the Church Henge

The main earthwork at Knowlton is of a type known as a henge. There are nearly one hundred henges in Britain and Ireland, dating from about 3000 to 2000 BC. Although they are generally believed to have been ceremonial sites, it is likely that they fulfilled many functions, and may have changed their role through time.

Church Henge, as it is now known, has been protected from plough damage; the earthworks in the surrounding landscape have been less fortunate, but are still clearly visible in aerial photographs.

There are three other main earthworks nearby: the Northern Circle and ‘Old Churchyard’ (both to the right of Church Henge in the photograph); and the Southern Circle, which encloses Knowlton Farm (top left), and is surrounded by a ditch 240 metres (790 feet) in diameter. 

History of the church

The church was built in the 12th century and was in use until the 17th century, serving a now vanished hamlet by the riverside. Its Norman origins are evident from the plain round arch leading into the east end or chancel, and from the round-headed arches of the arcade dividing the nave from the north aisle. The south door also looks Norman.

The tower at the west end is 15th century, and is built of flint with bands of stone; the line of the church roof is clearly visible on its eastern face. At the east end of the north aisle there appears to have been a lady chapel. Whatever the reason for building a church within a Neolithic henge, the curious pairing has undoubtedly contributed to the survival of both, as an enduring symbol of the transition from pagan to Christian worship.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/knowlton-church-and-earthworks/history-and-research/

So, that's where I was yesterday, in the circle of the Dorset Grove Mabon ritual - which was led by our very own Tansy and Wildfox the ArchDruid of DG .... and two of the quarters were called by Sun and Raven (methinks this was to give them a bit of confidence ready for next week!!!)

The ritual was lovely but the day for me was all about the Handfasting of two wonderful people, who are very much in love.  I think .... if I remember correctly that Tansy did a blog recently about Handfasting  so I will leave the technical stuff to her - well, I am a bear of very small brain!

 Here I am with the happy couple - don't they just glow??!

Ohhhh kisses for me - awwww shucks ............. Raven tissue please my allergies are playing up *cough*!

 Did someone say cake??

 Guess I better save some for Tansy and the others .................. just a bit more ........nom, nom, nom!

 And here I am being cuddled by the lovely Tansy and sharing the day with Sun and Earthy ..... Raven tells me I am allowed to call her that honest!

More next time Witchbloggers - when I'll be sharing Circle time at the very first KW offline ritual at QE park - details here http://kitchenwitchuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/our-coven-and-open-rituals.html!

love and blessings to all

Arthur x x x

The Blackbird

I have a pair of blackbirds that nest in my garden, they are such busy birds, especially when they are feeding their young and they are full of bird song too.

Not all blackbirds are black. In olden times the name blackbird was associated with a number of different species of small birds. In the UK the male is generally black with a gold beak, and the female is dark brown.

The American blackbird is closely related to the robin because of its bright red patch on the shoulder, sometimes edged in white. Another variety has a yellow head and throat. Like the robin, the blackbird was considered by many cultures as sacred to the gods because of its sweet song.

The song of the blackbird can expand our consciousness, heal on a very deep level and take us on an enchanted journey through our dreams to uncover hidden secrets. The blackbird’s song encourages us to seek out and live our spiritual purpose in a meaningful and productive life.

The blackbird is revered in the Celtic tradition as the gatekeeper to the Otherworlds, including the faerie realm. The Gaelic name for the blackbird, Druid Dhubh means the black druid. In Irish and Welsh traditions, the blackbird is closely related to the blacksmith’s god (Goibhniu and Gofannon) mainly because of its colouring. The blacksmith was considered to be the master of the elements, harnessing the power of fire, air and water as he transforms ore from the earth. As such, the blackbird is considered to be the otherwordly smith, the master of elements who calls to earth with its healing song. It cracks open snail shells and invites you to work in the forge of our own heart and rekindle passion and purpose in our lives. Blackbird speaks the language of the heart and brings with it its song of poetry, music and inspiration.

Druid legends say that the birds of Rhiannan are three blackbirds which sit and sing in the World tree of the otherworld. Their singing puts the listener into a sleep or a trance which enables him or her to travel to the otherworld. There they would learn mystic secrets. Those with this medicine often have a hypnotic influence on others as well as an uncanny ability to move between the seen and unseen worlds with clarity.

If you possess blackbird power you sing a song that awakens people to their hidden potential and helps them to find their true purpose in life. You bring the touch of poetry, music and inspiration to all that you do.

Magickal attributes – learning of mystic secrets while in meditation, learning trance, doing deep, purposeful meditations.  Blackbird awakens the mind with awareness as changes of perceptions are unfolding. He stirs psychic abilities and brings to consciousness latent healing gifts and creativity. Blackbird shows how to move with determination, focus and tenacity and how to use your power to its fullest potential. Blackbird teaches the use of intuition that will aid in understanding the connection to all things. Blackbird asks are you listening carefully to all around you, seen or unseen? Are you grounded and balanced? Blackbird will teach much and bring new surprises when you least expect it.

Tansy

x

The top image of the black bird is from www.birds.deansfamily.com/

Pagan Portals - what are they?

Pagan Portals are a series of short books published by Moon Books 

The idea behind this series is to allow pagans to write about their specific interest or knowledge and address other pagans rather than the 101 market.

Books can be up to 25000 words and production costs are kept low to allow the books to retail at affordable prices (£4.99/$9.95 or £1.99/$2.99 for the e-book).

Four Pagan Portal books will be published this year - Hedge Witchcraft and Hedge Riding by Harmonia Saille were released last month, Spellbook & Candle by Melusine Draco and Pathworking & Poetry by Fiona Tinker will be released soon.

More Pagan Portal titles will be released in 2013 (including Kitchen Witchcraft by me).

Subjects for this series of books range from Hedge Riding to Christian-Druidry and Hekate to Zen Druidry.

Moon Books have a range of established authors contracted to write books in the series such as Brendan Myers, Mark Townsend, Sorita D'este and Harmonia Saille alongside first time authors.

Moon Books have also started a sister series under the same rubric called Shaman Pathways for shamanic writing and the first three in that series will be published in January/February of 2013.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these books they are/will be available from Amazon or from the Moon Books website www.moon-books.net

Also if you are interested in writing a book for the series please also check out the Moon Books website for more details on how to submit your idea.

Tansy

x

Mabon apple slices

Today I am making dried apple slices - not to eat (although they probably would be yummy) but for their symbolic reasons.  Oh and they make the house smell delicious too...

Slice the apple thinly across the centre, so that you get the pentacle shape in the centre.

Put the slices in a bowl, sprinkle with some lemon juice to stop them from going brown and some cinnamon and ground cloves, give them a gentle stir until they are all covered.

Then lay them on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven.  The oven needs to be on a really, really low heat and they will need to cook for a few hours - how long will depend on your oven and how thick the slices are, keep checking in on them but they will probably take a good couple of hours if not more.

They can then be used to decorate Mabon wreaths or your Mabon altar.

Tansy
x

SASSY is practical magick for go-for-it girls

SASSY

The Go-for-It Girl’s Guide to Becoming Mistress of Your Destiny

SASSY is the most awesome go-for-it guide to becoming mistress of your own destiny. Author Lisa Clark is straight-talking and spiritual.  In her brand new book, she shows you how you can rock and rule in your world; banish self-doubt and unlock your inner superhero girl!

SASSY is Spiritual, Authentic, Sensual, Sensational You!  You’ll learn how to do what makes you happy, how to live your very best life, how to stop self-sabotaging and how to REALLY achieve your dreams.  It’s real, it’s raw, it’s funny and it works.  The book brings together the very best of ancient wisdom and bang-up-to-date coaching insight.  The book features interviews with Daring Dames such as Queen of Burlesque, Immodesty Blaize and pleasure provocateur, Sam Roddick who share their sassiest secrets.  As Lisa says “It’s everything you need to be the mistress o’ your own destiny and start living your very own charmed life, right now”

For those who can’t wait to read the book, here’s some of Lisa’s quick-fix tips to getting SASSY…

Don’t diss on fellow members o’ lady-kind.
Take responsibility for your own happiness and joy quota.
Be a tigress, seek pleasure.
Embrace your contradictions, don’t apologise for them.
Go where there are no paths and make your own killer-heeled shaped footprints

SASSY – The Go-for-It Girl’s Guide to Becoming Mistress of your Destiny is available from September 2012 at £12.99. Pre-orders are available right now on Amazon.

Lisa Clark is the creatrix of SASSYology.com – the magick that occurs when women discover, align and combine their sassy super-powers – yee-hah.  She’s a tattoo-splashed, burlesque-lovin’, belly-dancin’, 1940s stylin’ rockabilly princess who writes make-life-better words. She’s crazy-passionate about cheerleading lady-kind to become badass, embrace their awesomeness and become mistress of their destiny, and their wardrobe too, obv.

She’s also –

Author of the Lola Love series of self-esteem books for teen girls
Author of over 15 write-to-brief books and annuals
Agony Aunt for Mizz magazine
A freelance journ-o girl for girls’ and women titles in the UK and US
A book-writing and badass-ery coach
A copywriter – for publishers and businesses in the UK and Europe
Editor – of both magazines and books specifically teen and self-development titles
A youth brand consultant for businesses and charities

Visit www.sassyology.com for more Goddess Goodness.

NEW Forest of Mystery

~♥~ LAUNCHING AT MABON 2012 ~♥~

SHORTCUT TO THE FOREST OF MYSTERY

If you would like to enrol in our:

Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchery

And you are a more experienced witch and don't want to start from the beginning, you might be interested in our 'shortcut to the Forest of Mystery':


Our Forest of Mystery includes 21 lessons covering:

Colour Magic
Chakras
Auras
Moon Magic
Talismans, Amulets & Charms
Spirit Guides & Angels
Dreams, lucid dreaming & astral travel
Oils
Kitchen Magic
Nature Spirits
Magical Gardening
Magic of Trees
Earth Mysteries
Empathy
Hoodoo
Banishing & Hexing
Symbols & Sigils
Journeying & Pathworking
Akashic Records
Planetary Magic
Dragon Magic

This is our 'second degree' equivalent.

Our school also includes branch lessons where you can study a particular subject such as tarot, runes or crystals and includes an extensive Grimoire that is being added to all the time.

All our lessons are original and have been written by the Leadership Team. All homework is reviewed by a member of the Leadership Team, all Branch lessons have been written and are led by a member of the Leadership Team.

Each lesson is taken at your own pace, you will have a dedicated member of our Leadership Team to help with any questions or queries you have as well as supporting you throughout your entire journey with us. We also provide on line journals for you to document each step of the way.

There is no registration fee, charges are £10 per month (approx $15.96) payable via paypal - this fee covers all your lessons, branch classes, journals, tutor support, personal homework reviews and on line rituals and topic chats.

What do you need to do to start the Shortcut to the Forest of Mystery?

Register on our forum, then click on the 'monthly school subscription' subscribe button on the top right hand of your screen and set up your paypal subscription with us. We will then send you a set of questions we have devised which we need you to answer, they cover the basics of the Craft just for our own peace of mind that we aren't dropping you in the deep end.  Once that is all done you will be ready to start your journey on the Forest of Mystery lessons. 

Forest of Beginnings

There is also of course our 'first degree' equivalent - The Forest of Beginnings, giving a broad outline of the basic building blocks of the Craft, it is good for beginners but also good for those that have some experience but want some structured learning and also good for those that have experience but would like a 'refresher 

Our Forest of Beginnings includes 21 lessons covering: Introduction & what is a witch, Energy, Meditation
Grounding and centering, Wheel of the Year, Esbats, Shielding, Deity, Elements, Spell Writing, Ritual, Magical Tools, Record Keeping, Candle magic, Affirmations, Animal magic, The Fae, Divination, Healing, Crystals, Herbs, flora & fauna and Elementals

www.kitchenwitchhearth.com
kitchenwitchhearth@yahoo.com