Shopping: Cards for Yule and the Midwinter Solstice

Time to start the annual search for cards to send to friends and family that don't say the word "Christmas". Although I have no problem with Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus on 25 December, as a pagan I prefer to celebrate the Midwinter Solstice or Yule. So, I like to find cards that say "Merry Yule", "Season's Greetings" or are just blank for my own message.

Here are a few I've found this year, mainly with a bit of an animal theme:

This Yule card with a picture entitled Midwinter Rune Hare by Briaris sold by Moondragon Cards and can be ordered via Amazon. I think it would be lovely to send to pagan friends - and I am a fan of hares.

According to the description, the card has been produced on recycled paper using vegetable oil based ink. The front bears the message "Yuletide Blessings", while the interior is decorated with a similar design and the words "Yuletide wishes" in several languages. The envelope is printed both sides with a similar illustration.

If you don't mind being a bit creative, there are several Yule cards sold as craft projects rather than finished cards. I'm not sure exactly how much work you have to put in to finish them, but the descriptions say they are so easy that even children can do it.

Continuing the hare and rabbit theme, this Snow Shadow Asking The Moon For Yule Blessings Shaker Card by Elaine Sheldrakeis by Craftsuprint. The kit costs around 99p and comes with full instructions.

Another kit from Craftsuprint is this tall Yule DL card with robin backing by Heather Howes.It isn't so overtly pagan, so would be great to give to those friends and relatives who aren't pagan themselves. It isn't so animally, either, but does have nice seasonal poinsettias - which always remind me of my mum, because she loved them.

For those who prefer to buy from charities, the RSPCA is selling this beautiful card showing an owl in a snowy tree. It is called Silent Wonder and the message inside says "Season's Greetings". A pack of 10 costs £4.40 and you can order from the RSPCA website.

A charity that seems to have really embraced the idea of personalised messages is The World Land Trust. The charity, which is in aid of saving threatened habitats worldwide, says on its website: "Our wildlife cards come with the option of a Season's Greetings message, or blank for your own message and are therefore suitable for all occasions. You can also have them overprinted."

And The World Land Trust does have a good selection of seasonal cards to choose from - again mainly animal related, including the one pictured to the right of the fox in the snow.

The price is a reasonable £2.75 for a pack of five, plus postage and packing, and you can order online, by post or telephone 01986 874422.

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/12/choosing-pagan-yule-cards.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/shopping-yule-cards-and-winter-solstice.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/05/review-animal-wisdom-tarot-boxed-set.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/shop-goddess-loves-hugs-and-hares.html

This Week's Pagan Events in and Near London

Saturday 30 November; Introductory Day to Sensory Herbcraft with Sensory Solutions. Venue: Atlantis Spiritual Centre, Theobalds Park Road, Enfield, EN2 9DG. Time: 1pm-4pm, £30. Payment by paypal to sensorysolutions@hotmail.co.uk. To find out more about Sensory Solutions visit: http://www.sensorysolutions.co.uk/ or http://sensoryherbcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunday 1 December; Book Signing and Short Consultations. Astrology: Using Astrology to Create a Vocational Profileby Faye Cossar, Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 3pm to 5pm. Free event. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 2 December; Dalai Lama's Road to Peace film at Alternatives, St. James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Time: 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £10/£5 concs. Advance booking required. To book tickets and for more info visit the Alternatives website: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/Site/Talks.aspx

Monday 2 December; Treadwell's Open Circle. Wiccan-style ceremony for those with some experience led by Lisa Grace and Ellie Hughes. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £7, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 3 December; Cobwebs and Cauldrons Moot. Venue: White Horse Pub, Chadwell Heath, Essex. Moot takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. 7.30pm start. https://www.facebook.com/cobwebs.cauldrons

Wednesday 4 December, A Feast of Songs and Wassails. English Folk Dance and Song Society, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London. NW1 7AY. Time: 8pm - 10pm. Tickets: £6.  http://cecilsharphouse.org.uk/

Wednesday 4 December,  Magic and the Goddess. Talk by Remedios Varo. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £7, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Friday 6 December; Drop-In Healing Sessions and Aura Readings Open Night. Fundraising event arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Westminster Quaker Meeting House, 8 Hop Gardens, off St Martins Lane (look for ‘Gymbox’ sign) London WC2N 4EA. Time: 7pm. Cost £10. Reserve places through: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Saturday 7 December; Hendon Heathens Moot. The Greyhound, Church End, Hendon, London NW4 4JT. 6pm until 9pm (then over the road at a blues and rock club until the early hours). This moot meets on the first Saturday each month. https://www.facebook.com/groups/151618854867807/

The Picture and the Past of an American Witchy Wood

Today being the American celebration of Thanksgiving, here is a picture and a story from the USA.

Vin, who last week sent me his story of a strange experience while walking in a wood, has now taken this photograph of the wood near where he lives in America, which seems quite magical.

One reader commented: "What an intriguing story! I would love for Vin to let us see the tree in full." I said I'd like to see the whole tree too, and here it is.

When Vin sent me the photo, he said: "Here she is. Nothing remarkable." Well, I think the wood and the interesting forked tree look lovely, but I do agree that it is tough to capture the real atmosphere of a place with a camera.

Vin also said: "I’ve come to believe that land has a memory, and people from the past, present and future can ‘feel’ or even ‘access’ this memory."

He added: "That being said, here’s a connection these woods have to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. In typical religious hypocritical fashion, all of those accused or convicted of witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials were innocent. They were bullied into their confessions. But that’s not to say that some of them were not truly connected to something outside of our normal thinking.

"Abigail Faulkner was convicted of witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials. She was jailed and sentenced to be hanged but was not put to death because she was pregnant. By the time the baby was born, 19 people had been convicted of being witches and were killed. After 4 months in jail she was released as the witch craze died down.

"When this baby (which arguably saved her life) was an adult he purchased and lived on this land."

Vin also took a photo of his tombstone, which you can see to the right.

I reviewed an excellent book about the history of witchcraft in America after Salem here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/02/review-america-bewitched-witchcraft.html

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/story-strange-experience-while-walking.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/02/review-america-bewitched-witchcraft.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/06/anniversary-of-salem-witch-trial.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/12/review-wood-wisdom-guide-to-sacred.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/an-autumn-leaf-and-king-of-trees.html

Review: Channel Your Goddess Energy

Here's a pretty, hardback book that would make a great gift for anyone interested in bringing the blessings of the goddess into their life. It is called Channel Your Goddess Energyand has the subtitle Harness the Power of these Ancient Archetypes.

The book is divided into five sections: Earth and Creation, Sea and Sky, Sun and Moon, Fire and Ice, and Death and the Underworld. Each includes several goddesses with a double page devoted to their story, correspondences, a short ritual to perform and other ways to honour them. At the start is a little multi-choice questionnaire to help you find your own goddess archetype.

Author Kirsten Riddle is a columnist for Soul and Spirit Magazine and Chat: It’s Fate. The book is aimed at the Mind, Body, Spirit and "Pagan Lite" end of the market, but it isn't only about fluffy goddesses, European pantheons or just those that are well known. Along with famous names such as Gaia, Isis, Brigid and Kali, there are deities from all over the world including Africa and Asia, and lesser-known goddesses including Chione, the Greek goddess of the snow (pictured at the top).

Publisher Ryland and Peters says on its website: "Goddesses have been a source of fascination for thousands of years. Their ancient mythologies and legends are still relevant today, and by tapping into the power of the goddesses we can find strength and inspiration."

It has been a while since I have picked a Bad Witch's Goddess of the Week, so here goes with Chione as depicted in Channel Your Goddess Energy.

Kirsten says: "This beautiful Greek goddess of the snow has a sense of fun about her. Myths tell of her sitting in the heavens and sprinkling her snowflakes upon the Earth." Her message is to embrace spontaneity and joy and to find the light in every situation. Her name, apparently, translates as "Snow White".

Yet an associated Greek tale of a maiden called Chione shows a different aspect. It says Chione had many admirers, including the gods Hermes and Apollo, but she grew so vain that she incurred the wrath of Artemis the huntress and was killed with an arrow. Life, like winter, can be harsh, but we should still enjoy the fun things that happen and not brood on the bad things.

Chione's message is to embrace all aspects of our personality and take joy in nature, even in the chill of winter. The suggested ritual is to wear a sparkly, silver scarf and say: "Like the snowflakes that fall, I embrace the dance of life!"

With winter coming and the Yuletide party season too, that sounds like good advice.

Links and previous related posts
Channel Your Goddess Energy: Discover the Power of Positive Thinking and Positive Energy Inspired by these Ancient Archetypes to Reignite your inner Goddess
http://www.rylandpeters.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/review-green-wiccan-book-of-shadows.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/11/review-green-wiccan-herbal.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/10/joanna-lumley-visits-pagan-greece.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/london-necropolis-st-brides-church-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/04/tv-divine-women-when-god-was-girl.html

Event: Priestess Goddess Warrior Muse

Here are the details of an interesting looking event this Thursday:
Priestess Goddess Warrior Muse; dance event celebrating female archetypes represented in old matriarchal cultures with Firewater Collective.
Venue: The Rosemary Branch Theatre, 2 Shepperton Road, London, N1 3DT.
Doors open at 7.30pm, arrive early to be seated. Tickets: £11 in advance £13 on the door. This is a small theatre, so advance booking recommended.
To book tickets and for more information, visit http://firewatercollective.wordpress.com/firewater-show/

Pagan Eye: The Bad Witch's Cat and Bookcase

My cat seems to have decided the corner of a bookcase is where he wants to sleep. I can't really believe he is comfortable like that, but every time I remove him he climbs back up there again.

Or, maybe he is trying to to show me a book I should be reading? If so, wonder which one?

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures.

If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/pagan-eye-cat-in-witchs-halloween-hat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2007/12/work-of-witchs-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/02/review-grimalkyn-witchs-cat-power.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/04/bargain-hunting-cat-wisdom-oracle-cards.html

Shop: Goddess Loves, Hugs and Hares Calendar 2014

If you haven't yet got a calendar for 2014 - or you are looking for a nice Yule present for a pagan friend, have a look at this lovely one by Wendy Andrew. Wendy is the author and artist behind Luna Moon Hare: A Magical Journey with the Goddess,which I wrote about some time ago. I saw her new calendar on her stall when I was at Witchfest a couple of weeks ago and I've been meaning to mention it on my blog ever since.

The calender is called Goddess Love, Hugs and Hares Calendar 2014 and the artwork is, as you might expect, beautiful - with seasonal images of the Goddess and hares.

On her website, Painting Dreams, Wendy says: "We are going though some challenging times of change which can make us feel unsettled and vulnerable. During these times I find myself being guided to paint images of love...nurturing...and caring. Mother Goddess holding and protecting...offering a joyous bright way ahead! And of course dear Luna Moon Hare makes her appearance often as we turn the pages of the year!"

You can order the calendar from Painting Dreams or via Amazon

Links and previous related posts
http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/image.php?name=2014-calendar
Goddess Love, Hugs and Hares Calendar 2014
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/08/review-my-angel-diary-2014-by-jenny.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/shopping-yule-advent-calender-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/witchfest-not-as-naughty-as-photo-ban.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/11/witchfest-international-2008.html
Luna Moon Hare: A Magical Journey with the Goddess

Doctor Who: Vision of a Weeping Angel?

Looking forward to the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special and at the same time stepping back in time to early summer (in my mind, I mean, seeing as I am not capable of real time travel), here is a photo of something that I thought looked a bit like one of the Doctor's scariest enemies - a Weeping Angel.

Although I've watched Doctor Who since the first episode, I think the Weeping Angels are far more scary than the Daleks, Cybermen or anything that got me hiding behind the sofa when I was young.

I saw the statue in West Norwood Cemetery - I imagine it is still there, or at least I hope it hasn't moved since I saw it last. I very much hope so...

Links and previous related posts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/A-New-Dimension-for-Doctor-Whos-Fiftieth-Anniversary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeping_Angel
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/10/brompton-cemetery-time-machine.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/london-necropolis-west-norwood-cemetery.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/07/pagan-eye-doorway-to-another-world.html

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Friday 22  November; Spare - A One-Man Play by John Constable. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Friday 22 November; The Power Of Universal Energy. Talk by Douglas Ballard. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html

Friday, 22 November; Group Healing Night arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Westminster Quaker Meeting House, 8 Hop Gardens, off St Martins Lane (look for ‘Gymbox’ sign) London WC2N 4EA. Time: 7pm. Cost £10. Reserve places through: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Saturday 23 November; Crossbones Vigil to honour The Goose and the outcast dead of Cross Bones Graveyard. This 'Goose Night' Vigil celebrates the 17th anniversary of 23rd November 1996, the night The Goose revealed her Mysteries to John Crow at Crossbones. This vigil is his last as organiser, as he is stepping down from the role. He will explain more at the event. Bring a flower, a ribbon, a totem or memento to tie to the shrine. Gather from 6.45pm in Redcross Way outside the Memorial Gates, SE1, opposite the Boot and Flogger pub, just north of the junction with Union Street. Nearest tubes Borough or London Bridge. The event is free, but donations are welcome. For more details, visit http://www.crossbones.org.uk/#/events-and-vigil/4527977528 The main website: http://www.crossbones.org.uk/

Sunday 24 November; Psychic and Spiritual Awareness Workshop, run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. Cost £60. For more details and to book places call Alison on 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/.

Monday 25 November; Slenderman: Fight Fiction with Fiction. Talk by Ian "Cat" Vincent. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £7, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 25 November; Stop Drifting, Start Rowing. Talk by Roz Savage at Alternatives, St. James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Time: 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £10/£5 concs. Advance booking required. To book tickets and for more info visit the Alternatives website: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/Site/Talks.aspx

Tuesday 26 November; Chertsey Moot. A social moot held on the last Tuesday of the month at the Golden Grove pub, Ruxbury Road, St Annes Hill, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9EN. All welcome. From 8pm to 11pm. For more details, email: sian_ap_pysgotwr@yahoo.co.uk

Tuesday 26 November; Energy Workshop with Cobwebs N Cauldrons. Venue: Bon Life, North Street, Romford, Essex. Time: 7pm. Cost: £15, £5 deposit. Advance reservation necessary: https://www.facebook.com/events/562941327128205/

Wednesday 27 November; Remembering Olivia. Memorial for Olivia of the Fellowship of Isis at The Moot With No Name. Venue: Devereux pub, Devereux Court (opposite the Royal Courts of Justice), London. 7.30pm for 8pm start. Cost £3/£2. This moot meets every other Wednesday. http://mwnn.webeden.co.uk/talks/4572623277

Thursday 28 November; Urban Legends of the London Underground. Talk at The London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Cost: £3/£2 concessions. Time: 8pm - 10pm. Just turn up, no need to book in advance. The society meets on the last Thursday of each month. For more details, visit http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday, 29 November; The Annual John Michell Memorial Lecture: About The Pyramids of BritainLecture by Alan J. Watts at Research into Lost Knowledge Organisation (Rilko). Venue: Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, W1U 8EA. Doors open 6.45pm. Admission £8 non-members, £6 members. http://www.rilko.net/EZ/rilko/rilko/home.php

Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November; Spare - A One-Man Play by John Constable. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 30 November; Introductory Day to Sensory Herbcraft with Sensory Solutions. Venue: Atlantis Spiritual Centre, Theobalds Park Road, Enfield, EN2 9DG. Time: 1pm-4pm, £30. Payment by paypal to sensorysolutions@hotmail.co.uk. To find out more about Sensory Solutions visit: http://www.sensorysolutions.co.uk/ or http://sensoryherbcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Story: Strange Experience While Walking in a Wood

This story and the photo above were sent to me by Vin, who said he came across my blog while searching the term "witch":

There's a 200 acre tract of woods west of Boston, MA, USA which I've hiked for nearly 20 years. I hike it 2 or 3 times a week and have always gotten a strange feeling along one particular section of trail. The feeling has been so strong that I've mentioned it to a few people.

One time while hiking through this small stretch of trail I saw a person standing by a tree. I thought it was a Goth kid (dressed in all black, wearing a hood which hid his face), and I was going to acknowledge him and keep going. He was there for maybe 15 seconds, but when I got up to the tree where he had been, he was gone. He had completely vanished. In the following weeks other odd things happened at this tree including being 'tapped' on the hand once and on the back another time. After those experiences I avoided this section of trail for a long time ‘cause I was spooked, even though I’m old enough to be very skeptical.

Then months later I stopped at this tree to examine it more closely. I walked behind it and found someone had placed a clay amulet on the back of the tree. This was a shock. This is just a random tree on a random section of trail amidst many miles of trails. There is nothing obviously unique about it, but someone else must be feeling the same vibes from this tree or this section of woods. The white stuff over its head is snow.

That was over 3 years ago.

Since that time I've learned very much about paganism, witchcraft, stone circles, and how I believe this world works.

Thanks very much for emailing me that story, Vin. If you have a story or photo you would like to send me, email badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/do-you-believe-in-fairies.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/08/figures-in-forest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/09/more-on-figures-in-forest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/an-autumn-leaf-and-king-of-trees.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/06/pagan-eye-path-through-ancient.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/pagan-eye-woodpecker-on-apple-tree.html

Review: Sussex Folk Tales

Sussex, with its beautiful countryside, the rolling hills of the South Downs, mysterious ancient sites, historic towns and villages, hill forts and castles, cliffs and beaches, is one of my favourite counties in England. It is also rich with folklore, which is why I picked up a copy of Sussex Folk Tales.
Now, books of folklore can sometimes be a bit dry and academic, but not this one. That's probably because author Michael O'Leary is a skilled storyteller. The way he writes makes you feel as though you are gathered around a hearthfire on a winter's evening listening to a raconteur weaving magic with his words to enthrall young and old alike.

Describing the book, publisher The History Press says on its website: "With screaming demons in Wealdon copses and dragons lurking in bottomless ponds, the folk tales of Sussex truly represent the diversity of the area. Meet knuckers and willocks, mawkins and marsh monsters, the Piltdown Man, Lord Moon of Amberley Swamp and the princess of the Mixon Hole… From ghosts and madmen to witches and wise women, Michael O’Leary reveals many of the hidden horrors of Sussex – horrors that can be found in the most beautiful places, or that lurk beneath the seemingly mundane. Amid these dark tales are stories of humour and silliness, of love, lust and passion."

Yet the stories in Sussex Folk Tales also made me realise that however well I thought I knew the area before, there is so much more that I haven't yet seen. Winter might be a time for reading stories of ghosts and fairies and ancient mysteries, but come the spring I know this book will inspire me to get my walking boots on and go to explore the places the tales came from.

You can order Sussex Folk Talesvia Amazon.

The photo at the top shows the South Downs in Sussex, with the Long Man of Wilmington chalk figure in the distance.

Links and previous related posts
www.thehistorypress.co.uk
Sussex Folk Tales (Folk Tales: United Kingdom)
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/haunted-tunbridge-wells-gothic-ghosts.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/review-haunted-bromley-kents-mines-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/07/mystery-of-long-man-of-wilmington.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/08/ghosts-and-grails-of-lewes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/pagan-eye-haunted-lane-in-historic-rye.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/05/spooks-and-spectres-at-michelham-priory.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/09/of-castles-ghosts-and-lady-in-red.html