A Bad Witch's Blog gets new pages!

You might have noticed that my blog has a new feature - pages.

At the top of each page (well, more precisely underneath the heading and some other links) there are now some tabs that say "home", "events", "books", "links" and "spellbook".

These, as you might suspect, take you to appropriate pages on my blog.

Home takes you to the front page of A Bad Witch's Blog; events is a list of pagan events over the next few months, the books page is an alphabetical list of links to books I have reviewed or otherwise written about on my blog since I began writing it; the links page has links to other websites of pagan interest; and the spellbook page has links to spells, seasonal rituals, guided visualisations and other magical work.

I'm going to add more pages some time in the future - including some more details about myself and my blog.

Another handy new feature on my blog is another button at the bottom of the page saying "older posts", so you can easily page back to see what I have written in the past without having to use the archive (although you can still browse the archive if you want to).

I must say I am very pleased with these added functions, but if you find anything doesn't work properly or have any other comments, do let me know.

Buddleia for bees, butterflies and breaking free

Buddleia - a tall plant with bright blooms that often grow on waste ground - has a special significance to me.

Many years ago, when I was quite new to paganism and had recently joined the Pagan Federation, I decided to go along to an open ritual. I hadn't been to many open rituals before and I was a bit unsure what to do, but the description said to bring along some flowers as an offering so I spent some time deciding what flowers to take.

Shop-bought flowers just didn't seem appropriate. Local wildflowers seemed a better choice, but I knew one should only pick flowers that aren't in any way endangered.

Growing in the car park behind the office I worked in was a huge plant with many tall stems and big purple flowers. I had no idea what it was, but seeing as there was so much of it - it was bursting through a crack in the concrete in vast quantities - I was pretty sure it couldn't be that rare. So I picked some.

Actually, that wasn't the first time I had noticed the plant. I noticed it often.

Although I didn't park a car in the car park - I couldn't afford to run a car - I used to chain my bicycle up there. On sunny days I also used to go and sit on a low wall in the car park during my coffee break. That huge purple plant was the one bright, wild and joyful thing in the entire dismal place.

It wasn't just the car park that was dismal; the place I worked was pretty dismal too - and my job. The work was dull and I was underpaid, undervalued and under appreciated. I was desperate to get out, but it was a time of recession and good jobs were few and far between. I needed the pittance I was earning to pay my bills, so I couldn't just tell my boss to get stuffed, even though I dreamed of doing so daily.

That plant inspired me and gave me hope. It didn't really look that strong, but it was driving a huge crack through the ground of the car park. It was breaking free, just like I would - one day.

So, I picked a bit and took it to the open ritual.

As I was putting it on the altar, someone who seemed to be a very knowledgeable witch said delightedly: "Oh, you have brought some buddleia! That's very appropriate - it is called the bombsite plant because it was the first plant to grow where bombs fell in London during the Blitz. It grows through cracks in concrete and brickwork and is great at breaking up old rubble. It attracts bees and butterflies too."

So, I learnt my plant was called buddleia - and how useful it was.

To many gardeners, buddleia is a weed - something that grows where it wants to, destroying property and hard to get rid of once it has taken root. But to me, buddleia is part of mother nature's secret army, breaking down barriers and giving hope of freedom.

Even though I have a much better job now, I still love to see buddleia growing in the city - particularly in unsightly car parks!

The photos show some buddleia growing on an industrial estate in south London (not anywhere I have ever worked, I should add).

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/michael.magee/awwls/01/125thedecayofacity.html
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/wildlife-gardening/23690-taking-cuttings-from-buddleia.html
http://butterflywebsite.com/articles/bgq/buddleia.htm
http://flowers-site.info/flowers-symbolism-associated-with-purple-tropical-flowers-2/
http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/bombsite.html
http://www.moonshadows-realm.co.uk/sab-esbat-correspondences.htm
http://pg.webring.com/cgi-bin/members/blog.cgi?userid=9970268710002&monthyear=Oct_2007

The nature of faeries

Do you believe in faeries? Or do you think they are just a figment of the imagination, dwelling only between the pages of books and on the silver screen?

And, if you do believe in faeries, what do you think they are? Do you believe they are intangible, elusive spirits or do you believe they are creatures of flesh and blood?

I've just finished reading two books on faeries that are both very similar in their content and scope. They are both thick books, full of information about faerie lore, mythology and magic. They both provide some lovely ideas on how to get more in contact with the fae. Both books are well written and enjoyable to read. They are both works of love created by people with a deep and profound belief in faeries.

But there is one big difference between the books - what the authors perceive faeries to be.

To Jacky Newcomb and Alice Geddes-Ward, authors of A Faerie Treasury, faeries are spirits of nature or magical hidden people who may once have been the ancient gods of the land. They dwell in a realm that touches ours, but are not quite of our world. They might have souls, but do not have physical bodies.

However, to Lucy Cavendish and Serene Conneeley, authors of The Book of Faery Magic,faeries can sometimes also be creatures of flesh and blood and can live in this world among humans. We could be sitting next to one on the bus. They could potentially be our ancestors and, if so, their blood runs in our veins and we have inherited their DNA.

These are both very different views on the nature of faeries, and reading both books back to back really got me thinking.

Now, before I go any further, I feel I ought to state my own opinion on the matter.

I believe that some - like Tinkerbell for example - are fictional characters, but can still be powerful symbols and archetypes to work with magically. Some, I believe, are spirits of nature or the elements, and I think I may have encountered these at least once myself.

I am willing to accept, also, that faeries may be aspects of the old gods of this land, or beings of another dimension that touches on ours. However, I do not believe that faeries are, or ever were, living creatures of flesh and blood.

Put it another way - I think it is possible to have a faerie godmother, but not a faerie grandmother.

Of course, if in a year or two archaeologists unearth a faerie skeleton or scientists find a way of testing humans positively for faerie genes, I will eat my words and my pixie hat. But, until then, call me a skeptic.

Having got that out of the way, I do hope I haven't offended anyone. I realise that many people do believe that they have faerie ancestors. They point to all the folk tales of people taking faerie brides or husbands. They point to stories about changelings - faeries raised by human parents as their own children. Those are perfectly valid matters of discussion.

I am also sure that those who think faeries are entirely fictional would say I am just as wrong in my own belief in nature spirits.

So, I'm really not trying to poo-poo anyone's theories here, but I am curious about what others think.

Do you believe in faeries?

If so, what do you think they are?

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/do-you-believe-in-fairies.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/how-to-find-fairies.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/faerie-book-by-samantha-gray.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/enchanted-faerie-fantasy-art-of-linda.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/01/review-faeries-oracle.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/01/review-walking-faery-pathway.html

Pagan events in and near London

For details of future events visit my events page at http://paganevents.blogspot.com/, but here are this week's events of interest to pagans in London and other parts of the UK:

Wednesday, 8 September; Talk at The Moot with No Name, upstairs at the Devereux Public House, 20 Devereux Court, off Essex Street, The Strand, London WC2R 3JJ. Price £3/£5. Time 7.30pm. http://www.theatlantisbookshopevents.com/page2.htm

Wednesday, 8 September; Women’s Moon Lodge. A new initiative following the Native American tradition, for women to gather at the new moon to relax in a safe comfortable environment, share knowledge, experiences, stories and honour the divine feminine in each of us. The meeting will be in held in Chingford, from 7-10pm. It is for women aged over 18 only. For more details send an email to Tressy at quathia@hotmail.com and Elle at avalonblessings@googlemail.com

Thursday 9 September - Tuesday 14 September; Heritage Open Days with English Heritage. Chance to visit places with rich cultural heritage for free - some of the places open are likely to be of interest to pagans as it includes thousands of sites all over England, except London. For more details, visit http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/

Thursday, 9 September; The Knights Templars in London. Talk by Rob Stephenson at South East London Folklore Society (Selfs), The Old King's Head, King's Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NA. Talks are on the second Thursday of each month at 8pm. The cost is £2.50/£1.50 concessions.

Thursday, 9 September; The Launch of Greenmantle Magazine. This new pagan magazine will be launched at an event from 7.30pm-11pm at The Farm Tavern, Farm Road, Off Western Road, Brighton, Sussex.

Friday, 10 September; Some Secret Place: Pagan Ritual Evening. Peter James Mahoney and friends' monthly pagan ritual evenings for solitary witches and solitary pagans looking to explore group ritual. Group size is small - maximum 17 people. You can come once, regularly, or intermittently. This is not suitable for people who are unfamiliar with the ideas of paganism. Absolute beginners can contact Treadwell's for suggested resources. Price: £7. Time: 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Email Peter at somesecretpeter@googlemail.com with any questions or for more information. To book a place, call Treadwells on 020 7240 8906 or visit the website http://www.treadwells-london.com/index.html

Saturday, 11 September, Wicca Introduced. Introductory course on Wicca and witchcraft run by Children of Artemis in Croydon, Surrey, just south of London. Wicca Introduced runs from 11am to 6.30pm. Ticket Prices are £20 for CoA members and £25 for non members. For more details and to book tickets, visit http://www.witchfest.net/wiccaintro.htm

Saturday, 11 September; Occult London Walk by Esoteric Source. The walk begins at Chancery Lane tube station at 2pm and visits sites in London associated with Aleister Crowley, Gerald Gardner and other occult personalities. There will be a visit to Atlantis bookshop and to a couple of London Pubs. All are welcome. The walk lasts about 2.5 hours. The cost is £5.

Saturday 11 September; Power Animals Workshop at a London location. Time: 10.30am - 2pm. Cost £35. For more details and to book, visit http://www.lauradaligan-psychic.com/

Sunday 12 September, Day for Gerald Gardner. Venue: Conway Hall, Holborn, London. The doors will open at 10am for an 11 start. Tickets are £20. For further details, email enquiries@centre-for-pagan-studies.com

If you know of any pagan events and want them listed on A Bad Witch's Blog, email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

News: witch's spell blamed for fire

A fire at a Merseyside pub might have been caused by a witch's spell, according to a story on Wirral News.

Landlords Linda and Les Baxendale said that a model of a witch that had been hanging in the Magazine Hotel, in Wallasey, had been stolen two nights before a fire gutted the 250-year-old pub.

Linda said: “Part of the history of the pub is the two witches and a little devil, all made from brown felt, which were hanging by the bar. No-one knows exactly how long they were there and we don't know who gave them to the pub, but we think they were there for at least 100 years. They were covered in cobwebs and dust because we were told that if anyone touched them bad things would happen to them.”

You can read the full story at http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2010/09/03/witch-curse-blamed-for-wirral-magazine-pub-fire-100252-27193227/

Back to Magic School: Magic, spirituality and history

The Mary Ward Adult Education Centre, in London, is offering a variety of courses and evening classes this autumn that could be of interest to witches and other pagans.

One in particular is called The Magical Consciousness and is being taught by Ken Rees. The evening class is about esoteric spirituality – the philosophy of magic and neo-Platonism; Renaissance hermeticism, the kabbalah, alchemy, the Rosicrucians, magic and science.

This six-week course starts on Tuesday 21 September and runs from 8pm-10pm. The fees for this course are £51, or £15 for concessions.

Other courses on offer that could interest pagans include herbalism, yoga and history of the Celts and Saxons - including details of their mythology and religion.

All the courses take place at The Mary Ward Centre, 42 Queen Square, London WC1.

To enrol or find out more details, call 020 7269 6000 or visit the website www.marywardcentre.ac.uk

The Photographic Print of CABBALA TREE OF LIFE from Mary Evanspictured above is available from Amazon

Previous Back to Magic School posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/back-to-magic-school-crystals.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/back-to-magic-school-wicca-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/back-to-magic-school-druidry-shamanism.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/back-to-magic-school-mythology.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/back-to-magic-school-talismans.html

Miss Marple and the TV witches

Last night I watched the recent ITV production of Agatha Christie's whodunit The Pale Horsevia Virgin's TV On Demand service, which lets you catch up on programmes shown earlier in the week.

Now, I don't want to post any spoilers for those of you who haven't read the book of The Pale Horse, or seen any of the movies or TV versions of it, but I don't think I'm giving too much away by saying that the plot involves a group of witches - and doesn't portray them as being nice people.

To be honest, I can live with that. The book was first published back in 1961, when most people weren't very sympathetic to witches. Also, it is a crime thriller with occult overtones, so I wouldn't expect the murder suspects to be very nice or that any magical rituals portrayed would be fluffy healing spells.

Scary stories need evil characters and dark rites.

What I do have an issue with is Virgin's description of the recent ITV version of The Pale Horse as showing "Moderate scenes of paganism". That is simply inaccurate. The witches as portrayed in the book of The Pale Horse and the new ITV version are not pagans in any way. They are scoundrels performing black magic. You don't have to be pagan to do black magic and, in fact, modern pagan witches would never do such a thing.

So please, Virgin, get your facts straight and stop making out that pagans do black magic! They don't.

On the other hand, ITV should get applause for pointing out in its programme that hanging, rather than burning, was the main historic method for executing witches in England.

If you want to read the book or see any of the earlier versions for yourself, here are some links:
The Pale Horse (Agatha Christie Collection)
http://www.itv.com/presscentre/agathachristiesmarple/week35palehorse/default.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pale_Horse_%28novel%29
THE PALE HORSE [1997]
http://www.virginmedia.com/