Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, pretty much every stately home and castle in England puts on some sort of historically themed fair or festival. It seems that late summer sunshine and nostalgia go together like fish and chips or strawberries and cream.Maybe that's the reason I've been to quite a few medieval fairs over the years - to enjoy the end of the season's warm weather, sipping some real ale or cider while enjoying such spectacles as bold knights tilting their lances and buxom wenches demonstrating traditional country skills.
This bank holiday, rather on the spur of the moment, I decided to go to the event at Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex - England's Medieval Festival as it is called. Before going in, I wondered if that name was a bit overly pompous - rather implying it was the best the country had to offer. But, once inside, I quickly decided it might just be worthy of the title. The first thing I saw as I entered was a huge tournament arena where displays of jousting were taking place. This was surrounded by a sea of stalls offering all sorts of intriguing wares, vendors selling olde worlde food and drink such as hog roasts and mead, and camps of re-enactors showing how life was lived in days of yore - all in the grounds of the rather magnificent Herstmonceux castle with its moat, turrets and battlements.
The entertainment to watch included a siege of the castle, contests of medieval martial prowess, displays of falconry, music and dancing. There was also plenty to interest pagans.
One of the first stalls that caught my eye was one selling gorgeous jewellery by Gallardo & Blaine Designs, along with information on the magical properties of the stones. I was very tempted by a magnificent moonstone pendant, but unfortunately didn't have quite enough money on me on the day. Perhaps the best thing about living in the modern age rather than in medieval times is the fact that we have websites and online shopping, so I took down the details and may well pay a visit to http://www.gallardoblainedesigns.co.uk/ when I next feel flush with dosh.
I next spent a little time chatting to a nice man who runs Pagan Archive, which has published a beautifully bound and illustrated book called The Magic Songs of the Finns. This has the reputation of being the biggest collection of Finnish folk magic and is one I will definitely put it on my wishlist. You can find out more about it, and other Pagan Archive publications, on the website: http://www.paganarchive.com/PublishedService
Sheltering from a brief rain shower in the apothecary tent, I had a long chat with herbalist Jayne Milner, who trades quite appropriately as The Wise Woman. I bought some mugwort, to help with divination, and learnt some useful tips to help stop my eyesight from deteriorating. Jayne Milner has a website at http://www.jaynemilner.com/
After sampling some ethical sweets and some Magic Mead, I then bumped into an old acquaintance, visionary artist Cilla Conway, who was doing tarot readings using her own lovely decks - The Devas of Creation and Intuitive Tarot.
If you want to see Cilla's art, she has two websites at http://www.devasofcreation.com/ and http://www.theintuitivetarot.com. Cilla will also be at Witchfest, in Croydon, this autumn.I had a really enjoyable time at Herstmonceux's medieval festival. It might have been the first time I went there, but it certainly won't be the last. You can find out more about the event at http://englandsmedievalfestival.com/
Photos (from top): The grand parade; children playing knights and damsels; living history display; the tourney; the apothecary stall; the mead stall; the Eastbourne Giants dance to the sound of the Pentacle Drummers outside Herstmonceux Castle.
I was astounded at the accuracy and insight of the reading, but I was also enchanted by the imagery of cards themselves. 
, it has new and original artwork, by druid Will Worthington, but uses the same inspiration as the earlier deck - the natural world of forests and woodlands, the animals and birds that dwell there, the changing seasons and a pagan sense of connection to the ancestors and the spirits of the land.
and has written a graphic novel, 
John Matthews is an internationally acclaimed expert on the Celtic tradition. In 2003 he was the historical advisor to the film King Arthur and shared a BAFTA award for his work on the accompanying educational DVD. Will Worthington's previous artwork has appeared in 
and 
by Richard Webster: "Double-yolked eggs are believed to be a sign of good luck. (However, in some parts of Britain a double-yolked egg is a warning of death.)"
by Rosalind Franklin says that according to Romany Gypsy folklore: "Finding a double yolk in an egg means someone in the immediate family is pregnant. If the woman already knows she is pregnant, it means she will have twins."
written by Thomas Hill and first published in 1590, the author refers to a method first recommended by Archibius, a Roman writer who lived around the first century AD. He writes:
and the description given by publisher 
- a series of short folktales and fairy stories interspersed with discussions about what they mean as allegories, parables and fables that teach psychological truths through symbol and metaphor.
about a female pagan astronomer in ancient Alexandria, and a talk about Greek and Roman science. Location: Greenwich Picture House, 180 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8NN. Time: 6.30pm. For more details and to book tickets, visit 
at pagan moot The Moot with No Name. Venue: Devereux public house, 20 Devereux Court, off Essex Street, London WC2R 3JJ. Meet from 7.30pm, event starts at 8pm. Admission £5/£3. Visit 
