Review: The Joy of Friendship - Celebration of Life

The Joy of Friendshipis unashamedly the kind of book you give as a friend as a birthday present, but I decided I wanted it as a gift to myself.

My friends are very important to me. I think that is especially so since my mother and father are now dead, I don't have any brothers, sisters or children, and my remaining relatives (apart from my hubby) live quite a long way away.

I seem to spend half my day on social network sites chatting with my friends, yet I also know I'm probably not the easiest friend to have. For a start, I know I can be a bit opinionated and not afraid of speaking my mind. According to The Joy of Friendshipthat's probably because I'm a "decisive" character type.

The book gives plenty of tips and advice for people who feel they struggle to make friends for a variety of reasons such as shyness or because they have moved to a job, college or area where they don't know anyone. Written by self-help author Lois Blyth, The Joy of Friendshipis partly a guide to helping overcome difficult aspects of friendship such as making up after a row, or what to do if you feel a friend is perhaps taking advantage of you. But more than that it is an honouring of friendship - the subtitle is "A celebration of life, laughter and lasting memories".

Publisher Cico Books says about The Joy of Friendship on its website: "They are the walls of comfort that protect us from loneliness; they are the scaffolding that holds us up when we are reaching for greater heights; they are the mirrors that remind us who we truly are. They are there for us when life doesn't turn out quite as planned; and we are more than happy to be there for them too... But what does it take to be a true friend? What are the qualities of enduring friendship? How can you be a better friend to others, while also being true to yourself? The Joy of Friendship is a tribute to those who enrich our lives with their support, strength and laughter."

The book encourages us  to look back at those we played with or hung out with in childhood and teenage years as well as to make the most of the relationships with work colleagues, the people we socialise with and the people who are always there to offer us advice or a hug on Facebook when we need it. It is gentle and heartwarming, but also thought-provoking.

I'll be handing my copy on to my best friend now I have read it. It is a book that needs sharing.

Links and previous related posts
The Joy of Friendship
http://www.rylandpeters.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/faerie-book-by-samantha-gray.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/11/review-green-wiccan-herbal.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/05/review-animal-wisdom-tarot-boxed-set.html

Pagan Eye: Playing Midnight Party for Earth Hour

This is what I was doing for Earth Hour last night, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on March 29 when people all over the world turned off the lights to save energy and help save the planet.

While many pagans choose to do a ritual to help the environment during Earth Hour - which is a highly valid thing to do - I decided to be lazy and spend Saturday evening at home with my hubby. We played Midnight Party, which is one of my favourite boardgames. We picked that because it is a game that can easily be played by candlelight - unlike more complicated games when you need to read small text on cards or the board.

The practicalities of Earth Hour made me realise how difficult the nights must have been for those living in the centuries before electricity, when candles and oil lamps were the only form of artificial light. Apart from storytelling and singing around the fire, simple games would have been among the few entertainments available when it was too dark to read and before TV, radio, music players and the like had been invented.

BTW, if you want to play Midnight Party, the original game is out of print but a new version called Tag and Hugocame out last year I learnt by checking on Amazon. Hugo is the name of the ghost in the game.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. 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 and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Previous related posts
http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/about-wwfs-earth-hour
Tag and Hugo
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/01/review-terry-pratchett-witches-boardgame.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/12/vultures-and-crows-pentagram-game.html

What Are You Doing For Earth Hour?

Tonight is Earth Hour, where people all over the world turn off the lights for an hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm to save energy and help save the planet.

Are you taking part? If so, what will you be doing in the dark?

Links:

http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

http://www.paganfrontiers.com/

News: Metro Story on Pagans and witches in the Army

Today's Metro is running a news story called "Pagans and witches serving in the British military". It is about statistics released under the Freedom of Information Act showing that 120 members of the British services personnel are openly pagan. You can read the full story here: http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/28/pagans-and-witches-serving-in-the-british-military-4681211/

Recipe: Egg, Mushroom and Thyme Turnover

Ever since my mum died, I've tried to avoid things relating to Mother's Day because they remind me of my loss, but something that happened earlier this week made me think that perhaps her spirit is still watching over me.

As I reached up to get a cookery book from the shelf, instead of just getting the one book I wanted a whole avalanche of recipes showered down on my head - cuttings from magazines, little cards picked up at the supermarket and many scraps of paper on which recipes had been jotted down. 

As I tidied them up to put them back, one of my mum's favourite vegetarian recipes fluttered out, scribbled in her handwriting on a piece of paper that had gone brown with age. It was a dish she cooked for me quite often if I came round for Sunday lunch. The recipe easily serves three people, I seem to recall. I thought I would share it here:

Egg, Mushroom and Thyme Turnover

You need:

Puff pastry

3 hard boiled eggs

6 oz mushrooms (sliced)

Thyme

Milk

Cornflour

Black pepper

Salt

Chop the onion and lightly fry until soft but not brown. Add sliced mushrooms and continue to fry until soft. Add milk, cornflour, pepper, salt and thyme. Cook until right [thick] consistency (stirring all the time). Remove from stove and added chopped hard boiled eggs. Put aside until cold.

Roll out the puff pastry into a big square. Put the mixture into the middle. Roll pastry over it and seal the edges with a little water. Make three or four cuts in the top with a blunt knife. Cook on a baking tray at regular 7 [Gas Mark 7]  until very... 

There was something crossed out after "very", but I couldn't quite read it, so I guess it will be a bit of trial and error to see how long it takes to cook. I wouldn't think it would take too long. At least modern ovens have a glass front so you can peer in and see if the pastry has puffed up and turned a nice golden colour.

I might try cooking this on Mother's Day in her memory, but I think it would also be a great vegetarian recipe to eat at Easter. 

And thanks, mum.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/03/mothers-day.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/03/sharing-stories-of-our-family-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/02/review-you-can-heal-your-heart.html

Ten Days of Pagan Events in London and Elsewhere

Here is a list of  some of the Pagan events taking place over this weekend and next week. They are mostly in London or nearby, but the Day for Patricia Crowther, in Nottingham, is worth taking the train north for.

Thursday 27 March. Electronic Ghost Voices. Talk by Psychologist Cal Cooper, author of Telephone Calls from the Dead. 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, 28 March; The Cerne Giant. Lecture by Peter Knight, author of The Cerne Giant: Landscape, Gods and the Stargate.Talk at Research into Lost Knowledge Organisation (Rilko), 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 28 March; Is There Anybody Out There? A Shamanic Mediumship Demonstration with Barbara Meiklejohn-Free, author ofThe Shaman Within.Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html

Friday 28 March; Training at the British Museum with the London Wicca Meetup Group. This is the second part of training session in Wicca and will take the form of a tour of the British Museum looking at artefacts with Wiccan connections. Priority given to those who went to part one. Time: 7pm. For full details, visit http://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wicca-Meetup-Group/events/166778952/

Saturday, 29 March, Earth Hour Ceremony and Social Gathering with Mani Navasothy, organised through Gaian Times Eco-Spiritual Magazine. This is intended to be a peaceful ritual to celebrate Earth Hour and then socialise. Meet outside the Tate Modern Gallery, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. at 7.30pm . The Eco-Ceremony is from 8.30pm to 9pm and the event ends at 10pm. Free event, all welcome. Wear sensible outdoor clothes and bring food and drink to share at the social. Full details of the ritual here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1406566629570891/ for more about Earth Hour visit: http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

Sunday 30 March; Witches Flying Ointments and Native Herbs - Afternoon Class in Herbalism and Magic. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: Arrive 12.45pm for 1pm start, finishes 5.30pm. Tickets £30, advance booking essential. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 30 March; London Kith Of Yggdrasil Moot for those interested in Heathenry. There will be a talk by Jean Beck. Venue: upstairs room, The Horseshoe Inn, Melior St, London SE1. Time: 2pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/606722832753905/

Sunday 30 March; The Ageless Wisdom, Quantum Mechanics and Hypnosis. Talk by Michael Hill. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA. Time: 6pm. Fee £7, TS members: £5. Website: www.theosoc.org.uk

Monday 31 March; Grail Alchemy: Initiation in the Celtic Mystery Tradition.Mara Freeman discussing her new book. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, Eng WC1A 1LY. Time: 7pm. Phone Bali on 020 7405 2120 for more details.

Monday 31 March; Psychic Circle run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. The circle is held on Mondays fortnightly starting at 7.30pm. Cost £5. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/.

Monday 31 March; Mind Calming. Talk by Sandy Newbigging at Alternatives, St. James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Time: 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £12/£8 concs. Advance booking required. To book tickets and for more info visit the Alternatives website: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/Site/Talks.aspx

Monday 31 March; The Golden Teachings, Awaken your Heart, with Aang, arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH. Start: 7pm. Cost: £15. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Tuesday 1 April; Make your Spells Work - Chaos Magick and Hypnosis. First part in a four-part evening class in with Mark Vincent. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 6.45pm for 7pm start, to 9pm. Price: £130 for the course (£70 deposit, balance due on first night). For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 1 April; The Djinn: The Hidden Face Of Entity Contact. Lecture with Rosemary Ellen Guiley, author of The Vengeful Djinn.Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html

Tuesday 1 April; The Story of Parzival. Talk by Matthew Dexter. Venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Rd, London NW1. Time: 7.30pm – 9pm
Cost: £3.50 (£1 concessions, students and under 25s. No booking required. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/

Tuesday 1 April; Cobwebs and Cauldrons Moot. Venue: White Horse, 118 High Rd, Chadwell Heath, London RM6 6NU. Doors open 7.30pm, talk starts 8pm. Cost: £4 donation.

Wednesday 2 April; Divine Light Attunement with Savitri arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Location: Evolve Wellness Centre, 10 Kendrick Mews, South Kensington, London SW7 3HG Time: 6.45pm. Cost: £33, advance booking essential. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Thursday, April 3; Cinema Arcane Presents: Casting The Runes and Robin of Sherwood: Lord of the Trees and special guest Q and A. Venue: University of East London, Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD. Time: 7pm. Free event, drinks available. https://pinvents.com/event/222199981306311/cinema-arcane-presents-casting-the-runes-robin

Thursday 3 April; Poetry: The Kiss of Life.Talk and book signing with Gila Lapidot at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Friday, 4 April; Midnight in Sutton House. Storytelling with London Dreamtime in association with the National Trust. Venue: Sutton House, 2-4 Homerton High St, E9 6JQ. Time: 10.30pm to past midnight. Tickets £5 from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midnight-in-sutton-house-tickets-10693692121

Friday, 4 April; Temple of Levanah Monthly Meditative Circle with Vivianne Crowley and Chris Crowley. Venue: Treadwell's Books 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.20pm - 9pm. Cost: £8 per session. Space is limited so it is essential to book your place in advance by emailing: BMDeosil@aol.com

Saturday 5 April; Ley Hunters Moot. Day of talks with the Network of Leyhunters. Venue: Conference Hall, Seekers Trust, Addington Park, Kent ME19 5BL. Time: 10.30am - 7.30pm. Tickets £30 each. For full details visit http://www.networkofleyhunters.com/ or call: Tel: 01650 531354

Saturday 5 April; Hendon Heathens Moot - free meeting open to all paths on the first Saturday of every month. Venue: The Greyhound, Church End, Hendon, London NW4 4JT. Time: 6pm-9pm at the pub, then over the road to Jammy Dodgers Variety Club for live blues and rock jam, dancing and more pints until 2am.

Sunday 6 April; Day for Patricia Crowther organised by the Centre for Pagan Studies and the Doreen Valiente Foundation. Day of talks and ritual honouring the achievements and contribution to the Witchcraft and Pagan community of Patricia Crowther. Also a pagan market. Venue: The Belgrave Rooms (Masonic Hall), Nottingham, NG1 5LB. Time: 10am-6pm. Tickets £15. http://www.doreenvaliente.org/conference

Sunday 6 April; Ghouls' Night Out - Oneiromancy. An evening of comedy, film, live music and talks on the subject of nightmares, phobias, and dark dreams. Venue: The Lexington, 96-98 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JB. Time: 6pm-10.30pm. Tickets £7 from More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/272121692947458/ Tel: 020 7837 5371.

Pagan Eye: Shabaka Stone at the British Museum

After going around the Viking exhibition at the British Museum last weekend, I spent some time in the BM's wonderful Egyptian room. This is a photo of the Shabaka stone displayed there.

The black basalt block, sometimes called the Shabako stone, dates to about 710 BC and was found in Memphis. The description beside it says: "This text... was inscribed by order of King Shabaka to preserve its contents for eternity. It contains an account of the creation of the world in which Ptah, chief god of Memphis, plays a decisive role."

The hole in the middle and the grooves running from that are not part of the original design, but are there because it was later used as a millstone. The fact that the stone has had two important uses in its history - recording religious texts for posterity and also allowing people to grind flour to make the bread they needed to survive - raises a question. What is most important, the spiritual or the material?

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. 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 and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/02/pagan-eye-sphinx.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/10/egyptian-journey-through-afterlife.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/03/viking-exhibition-swords-ships-silver.html
https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/t/the_shabako_stone.aspx

Past Life Regression at MBS Experience Manchester

Many pagans believe in reincarnation - the idea that we have lived not just once, but several times before. Some theorise that each time we are reincarnated, we have the opportunity to learn and experience something new.

But things that happened to us in our past lives can carry on affecting us. Some claim to have very clear memories of past lives and know what they have learned from their experiences, but more often than not we are left with just a vague feeling of something from the past impacting on this life, such as a phobia or an attraction to someone or something.

A workshop being held at the Manchester Mind Body Soul Experience by medium Sarah Pickles offers to help people find out about their past lives and put these feelings in perspective. Sarah does not claim to have all the answers but says she can help and guide participants on their own unique research path through past life regression. This interactive workshop will give everyone attending the opportunity to ask questions and discuss various ways to move forward.

Sarah has established a reputation as a leading past life regression therapist and says she has seen the positive effects it can have first-hand. You can join Sarah at the Mind Body Soul Experience, Manchester Central on Sunday 11th May 2014.

Workshop Details:
Past Life Regression Sarah Pickles
Room: Workshop Charter Room 4
Time: Sunday 11th May 2014; 2pm - 3pm
Cost: FREE

The MBS Experience takes place at Manchester Central from 10 – 11 May 2014. Online admission costs are £7.50 for adults and £6 for concessions. They can be booked via: www.mbsevents.co.uk On the door, tickets are £9/£7.50.

What's more, the organisers of the Mind Body Soul Experience are kindly offering two pairs of two-day passes to A Bad Witch's Blog readers for this year’s Manchester show. Details below:

Competition to win tickets to MBS Manchester

There are lots of free workshops, talks and things to see and do at the show already, but here is how blog readers can have the chance to win free entry tickets as well.

To be in with a chance to win two pairs of tickets just answer the following question.

At which top Manchester venue is this year’s Mind Body Soul Experience being held at:

a. Manchester Central
b. EventCity
c. Bowlers Exhibition Centre

Email your answer to me, the Bad Witch, at badwitch1234@gmail.com by the closing date of midday on Friday 25th April 2014, to be in with a chance of winning. The two winners will be picked at random from the correct entries.

Links and previous related posts
www.mbsevents.co.uk
www.facebook.com/mbsexperience
www.twitter.com/mbsexp
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/a-great-day-at-mind-body-soul-event-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/09/impressions-of-mind-body-soul-experience.html

Review: The Inner Light - Esoteric Teachings

There's a new book out this month that I would recommend for anyone wanting a thorough overview of current esoteric practises. It is called The Inner Light: Self-Realization via the Western Esoteric Tradition.

Publisher Axis Mundi Books says that The Inner Light is aimed at spiritual seekers who have tried Eastern approaches and may be interested in discovering the Western inner work, and the Western esoteric community who may be seeking a system that uses Western esoteric teachings, but also adds a strong understanding of modern psychology into the mix.

It is a very big book - around 600 pages - but then it needs to be because it covers a huge range of topics. These include spiritual alchemy, the Kabbalah, Tantra, psychology, philosophy, Transcendentalism and the New Age. It is divided into three sections: history and theory, practice and lore - offering an introduction to each subject followed by ways of using the techniques and a look at source material.

Author P.T. Mistlberger is a transpersonal therapist and so is influenced by Jungian psychology and spirituality, but is also extremely knowledgeable about the entire range of esoteric practices he has written about in  The Inner Light. His writing style is easy to understand he manages to get across complex subjects in a clear and readable fashion.

Axis Mundi Books says on its website: "The Inner Light: Self-Realization via the Western Esoteric Tradition, provides a comprehensive manual in both theory and practice to enable either the newcomer to spiritual work, or the more seasoned traveler of the path, to advance in their inner development and outer success in life."

I would say that the strongest parts of the book are those covering spiritual psychology and meditation, areas in which it comes across that he has considerable personal experience. His covering of witchcraft, on the other hand, seems to derive more from academic study but is still very interesting. This is a book that I have most certainly learned a lot from reading and will probably dip into again many times.

Links
The Inner Light: Self-Realization via the Western Esoteric Tradition
axismundi-books.com
http://www.axismundi-books.com/books/inner-light

Viking Exhibition: Swords, Ships, Silver and Sorcery

Forget the hoards of bling, the masterfully crafted weapons and the biggest longship ever discovered - what I found most exciting at the British Museum's Vikings exhibition were the belongings of a Scandinavian sorceress.

The description by the two iron staffs (pictured above) explained that the defining characteristic of a volva or Viking sorceress was her staff. The basket shape at the top is similar to a distaff, or spindle on which wool is spun, and it is thought that the volva may have used her staff to help her in shamanic journeys to other worlds.

Many people who have experienced astral travel have felt or seen a thin silver thread connecting them to their physical body that allowed them to safely return from their out-of-body journey to the world of the living.

Another display (above right) showed the grave goods belonging to a woman who was probably a volva. These included amulets, hallucinogenic henbane seeds, white facepaint and her staff. The exhibition also explained that women had considerably more equality with men in Viking society than in other cultures of the era. They were particularly valued for their skills in magic.

The photo to the left shows an amulet depicting the Norse god Odin and his two ravens -  Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) The ring at the top is formed by the two ravens beak to beak. It was one of a small display of religious items, including figurines of unidentified gods that were honoured by the pagan Vikings.

Of course, if you are more into swords, ships and silver than magical and spiritual finds, there is plenty to feast your eyes on. You can see a selection of swords in the photo to the right. The remains of the longship takes up the length of the final room at the exhibition - but I have to say I was slightly disappointed. Most of it is represented by a wire frame because all but the bottom of the wooden boat had rotted away in the ground over the centuries. I guess that isn't too surprising, but I'd been expecting a bit more.

The other thing that disappointed me was the fact that the exhibition was so packed with huge crowds that you had to queue for ages before each display case, often just to get a brief glimpse of what was inside over the shoulders of other people.

At the end, I asked the attendant at the door when was the best time to view it without too many people there. She said that apart from becoming a member of the British Museum and getting an invite to a private show, it was best to come on a Friday evening, when it is open late until 8.30pm.

So if you haven't got anything planned for this evening and are in London, see if you can get a ticket for Vikings: Life and Legend and hopefully enjoy it without the crush.

The exhibition Vikings: Life and Legend is on until 22 June at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. It is normally open daily from 10am to 5.30pm, with the last entry at 4.10pm, but is open late on on Fridays until 8.30pm with the last entry at 7.10pm.

Full details about the event can be found at http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/vikings.aspx
There is also a book out that you can order in hardback or paperback called Vikings: Life and Legend.

News: Today's Stories about the Spring Equinox

Here's a roundup of news stories about the Spring Equinox:

"Stonehenge druids celebrate spring equinox" from The Telegraph

"Spring Equinox: When does spring start?" from The Independent's science page.

"Spring Equinox Around the World: Photos" on Discovery News.

"Spring Equinox: Google celebrates arrival of spring with fun Doodle animation" from The Mirror.

TV: Witch in the Woods - Humorous History

The Radio Times description of tonight's documentary Brushing Up on British Woodland says presenter Danny Baker will be "venturing into British woodland, where the strange people of the past ...are a little stranger still." Apparently an archive clip shows "an ineffectual Lancashire witch." I guess the witches that were effectual had the foresight to get out of the camera shots...

Brushing Up on British Woodland is part of a documentary series that offers an irreverent view of bygone Britain from old TV and film footage. It is on BBC4 tonight (Thursday 20 March) at 8.30pm. For more details visit the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yg3yl

Pagan Eye: Magnolia Blossom for the Spring Equinox

Magnolia blossoms are such a beautiful sign of spring that I thought I would post this photo of a tree in bloom just down the road from my home. I wish it was in my garden.

I love the huge, pinky-white flowers and it seems a shame that these days the name magnolia is often associated with the bland paint of choice for redecorating a house before trying to sell it.

Magnolia - the tree, not the paint - is a very ancient plant genus and was around before bees. The large flowers with sturdy petals are thought to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles. Nowadays there are many different types of magnolia that thrive in various conditions.

According to an old book I often refer to for flower meanings, called The Language of Flowers,laurel-leaved magnolia means dignity while swamp magnolia means perseverance. I have also heard that it can be a symbol for beauty.

According to Cunningham's Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs,magnolia is associated with the planet Venus and the element of Earth. Its powers are linked to fidelity and, according to folk magic, placing some magnolia blossoms next to the bed or underneath it can help maintain a faithful relationship.

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia
http://asparkofmoonlight.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/the-symbolism-of-magnolia-flowers/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/02/pagan-eye-pink-primroses-in-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/03/pagan-eye-spring-cherry-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/02/pagan-eye-signs-of-spring.html
Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs (Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series)
The Language of Flowers,

Pagan Events for Spring Equinox and the Week Ahead

The Spring Equinox on March 20 is when the day and the night are of equal length as we move through spring towards summer. Pagans celebrate this time as the festival of Ostara. Here is a list of open rituals and other pagan events in London and some in other part of Southern England taking taking place over the Spring Equinox and next week:

Now to Saturday 22 March; Ethel Le Rossignol: Exhibition of a Series of Psychic Drawings Given Through Her Hand as an Assurance of Survival After Death. Venue: The Horse Hospital, Colonnade, London WC1N 1JD. Time: Mon–Sat, 12pm–6pm. http://www.thehorsehospital.com/now/a-goodly-company-ethel-le-rossignol/

Wednesday 19 March; How Hermetic was Renaissance Hermetism? Lecture by Professor Wouter Hanegraaff, Professor of the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam and author of Esotericism and the Academy: Rejected Knowledge in Western Culture.Venue: The Warburg Institute Lecture Room, University of London, School of Advanced Study; Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Time: 4.30pm. Admission free without ticket. http://warburg.sas.ac.uk/home/

Wednesday 19 March; Secrets from the Soul: The Cutting Tradition. Storytelling with London Dreamtime at the Grant Museum of Zoology; Rockefeller Building, University College London, London WC1E 6DE. Time: 6.30pm start. Free event, book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secrets-from-the-soul-stories-discussion-about-fgm-tickets-10150577651

Wednesday 19 March; Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics.Book Launch Party with Marco Pasi. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm to 9.30pm, speeches 7.46pm. Free event but advance booking essential. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Wednesday 19 March - Sunday 23 March; Magical Art/e. Free art exhibitions, talks and live music in a 13th century tower in East London. Venue: St Augustine's Tower Hackney, Behind 354 Mare Street, St John's Churchyard, Hackney, London E8 1HR. For full details, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/819937231355341

Thursday 20 March; Spring Equinox Festival at Chalice Well World Peace Garden, in Glastonbury. Gathering at the Well Head at 12pm for celebration and meditation until 12.30pm, then gather around the fire on the lower lawn for quiet conversation. Free admission from 10am until noon, then normal price admission. For more details about Chalice Well, visit the website http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/

Thursday 20 March; London's Myths and Legends. Talk by Robert Stephenson. Venue: Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury Street, London EC2V 7HH. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visiting-the-city/archives-and-city-history/guildhall-library/Pages/default.aspx  GHLevents@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Thursday 20 March; Astrology Decoded.Talk and book signing by Sue Farebrother at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 20 March; Croydon CoA Witches Gathering with talks and social activities at 1 Matthews Yard, Off Surrey Street, Croydon. 8pm start. Entry: £1/£2. For more details visit: http://www.witchfest.net/

Thursday 20 March; PFL Spring Equinox Open Ritual facilitated by Vivianne and Chris Crowley and the Temple of Levannah. Venue: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn London. Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. Ritual ends around 9pm followed by feasting until 10pm. Entrance: £6/£5 PF members. Please bring seasonal food and drinks to share at feast after ritual. For more details, visit http://london.paganfed.org/

Thursday 20 March; The Oldest Sex Magic Text? An Early Mesopotamian Tablet. Lecture at Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 20 March; Shamanic Spirit Circle run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. The circle is held monthly on Thursdays starting at 7.30pm. Cost £5. For details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/.

Friday 21 March; Unlimited Mediumship with Q and A with Daniel Pitt. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html

Friday 21 March; Earthstars, the Goddess, the Grids and the Grail. Talk by Chris Street, author of Earthstars: London, City of Revelation
and Earthstars: Geometric Groundplan Underlying London's Ancient Sacred Sites.Venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Rd, London NW1. Time: 7.30pm start (doors open at 7pm. http://www.earthstars.co.uk/ http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/

Saturday 22 March; Spring Equinox Mantra Dance. Strict Dress Code: White/Theme of gods and goddesses. Venue shown only to members of the meet-up group. Cost: £18 for meetup members, on the door is £25. http://www.meetup.com/london-ecstatic-dance

Saturday 22 March; Woodland Spring Equinox ritual with Hern's Tribe at an outdoors venue in Croydon. Time: 1pm start. Meet at Coombe Lane tram stop in Croydon at 1pm. All welcome, free event but bring food and drink to share and wear suitable walking shoes and outdoor clothing. For full details, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/638690759510275/

Saturday 22 March; Druidic ceremony to celebrate the The Equinox and the balance of light and dark at Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire. Meet at the Red Lion pub from Noon for ceremony around 1.30pm. The ritual should end at 3.30pm, then back to the pub. Offerings of bread, mead and song or poetry welcome, wear robes if you have them. Overnight camping is allowed in the overflow car park on 23 March.

Sunday 23 March; Spring Equinox pub Meetup and Wiccan Training with the London Wicca Meetup Group. Meeting at a pub in the Clapham area for training and to celebrate the Spring Equinox. Time: 12.30pm. For full details, visit: http://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wicca-Meetup-Group/events/166780722/

Sunday 23 March; Anderida Gorsedd Spring Equinox open ritual at the Long Man of Wilmington, Sussex. Meet near the car park between 1.30pm and 2pm for a walk up to the chalk hill figure at 2pm. Afterwards back to the Giants Rest pub in Wilmington for a social drink together.

Sunday 23 March; Celebration of the Equinox. Wheel of the Year ritual drawing from Celtic earth/pagan traditions at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 7pm. Tel: 020 7433 3267. http://www.rosslynhillchapel.com/

Sunday 23 March; Crossbones Vigil to honour The Goose and the outcast dead of Cross Bones Graveyard. Bring a flower, a ribbon, a totem or memento to tie to the shrine. Gather from 6.45pm for a 7pm start in Redcross Way outside the Memorial Gates, SE1 1TA, 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/

Sunday 23 March; Mountains of the Mind. Talk by Colum Hayward, author of Meditation Lifestyle.Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA. Time: 6pm. Fee £7, TS members: £5. Website: www.theosoc.org.uk

Monday 24 March; Alchemy’s Mutus Liber. Lecture by Paul Cowlan. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Price: £7. For further details, email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 24 March; The Golden Teachings, Awaken your Heart, with Aang, arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH. Start: 7pm. Cost: £15. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Monday 24 March; How Philosophy Saved My Life. Talk by Jules Evans, author of Philosophy for Life: And other dangerous situations.Venue: Alternatives, St. James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Time: 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £12/£8 concs. Advance booking required. To book tickets and for more info visit the Alternatives website: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/Site/Talks.aspx

Tuesday 25 March; The Salon of the Third Eye - Occulture Vol I Book Launch with Steve Ash. Venue: The Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, London Sw8 2JU. Time: 7.315pm. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431755273735447/

Tuesday 25 March; 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 25 March; Belief Systems and Self Healing. Talk by Vernon Frost. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html

Wednesday 26 March, The Circle of Ankerwycke monthly moot is at the Bells pub, 124 Church Street, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 4ZB. This long running and very friendly moot always has a warm welcome for new members. Time: 8pm. Further details from 07733554321, 07735528320 or email brockwitch@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday 26 March; Magic in 17th Century England. Lecture by Alexander Cummins, author of The Starry Rubric: Seventeenth-Century English Astrology and Magic.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/

Thursday 27 March. 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, 28 March; The Cerne Giant. Lecture by Peter Knight 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 28 March; Is There Anybody Out There? A Shamanic Mediumship Demonstration with Barbara Meiklejohn-Free, author of The Shaman Within.Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html