I Treated Myself to this Lovely Pentacle Candle Lantern

When my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic was officially launched last Friday I decided to celebrate by treating myself to a little gift. Well, I also celebrated with few drinks in the pub with some lovely friends and had a jolly fine evening - but I *also* ordered myself a gift.

It arrived this morning and you can see it in the photo above - a candle lantern with a pentacle in the centre of the glass.

Now, you might think I already have a lantern just like that - you can see it in the photo I took for the front cover of my book. Actually, it wasn't mine. I borrowed that lovely lamp from a sister in the Craft. The large pillar candle and the antique candle holder belonged to me, but not the lantern.

I did try taking a few initial photos with one I already owned, including the one on the left, but I thought it quite witchy enough for my cover image.

I was very sad when I had to hand the lovely pentacle lantern back to my friend, but am delighted to have one myself now.  I ordered it via Amazon, although the description on the shopping site called it pentagram lantern candle holderrather than a pentacle lamp or lantern.

Although the words pentagram and pentacle are often considered to mean the same thing - a five-pointed star - in Wicca and many other forms of modern paganism, a pentagram is the star on its own while a pentacle is a pentagram enclosed in a circle. That's why I would call this a pentacle lantern rather than just a pentagram lantern. The pentacle is a symbol of protection.

The lamp arrived in the post this morning and as you can see I tried it out as soon as I had unpacked it from the box.

You can order Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A witch's guide to spells and ritualsthrough Amazon or Treadwell's Bookshop. You can order the pentagram/pentacle lantern via Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
Lantern Candle Holder Pentagram
Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A witch's guide to spells and rituals
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/candle-magic-help-me-pick-my-book-cover.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagram
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentacle

Leap Year Day Work, Sheep, Folklore and Superstition

If you are someone who hates having to go to work on a Monday morning, the fact that this Monday morning is Leap Year Day must surely make it worse. For those on a regular monthly salary, working a 29-day February brings in just the same paycheck as a normal 28-day one.

Not fair, is it? In fact, some people have called for Leap Year Days to be made bank holidays - which I am all in favour of.

If you are wondering why there is a photo of sheep at the top of this post, it is because in Scotland shepherds consider leap years to be unlucky. A Scottish saying is: "Leap year was ne’er a good sheep year."

In Italy, leap years are considered back luck in general. Italians say: "anno bisesto, anno funesto", which translates as "leap year, doom year." I've never noticed leap years to be particularly unlucky myself, but maybe that's because I'm not Scottish, Italian or a shepherdess.

Of course the most famous folklore about Leap Year Day is that women are allowed to propose marriage then. Maybe that tradition still helps very shy women pluck up courage to pop the question, but to be honest it doesn't seem that important now. I guess it was more of a big deal in Victorian times - although Steve Roud is of the opinion it is more of a myth than a genuine old custom of the English year.

If you are going to give it a go apparently you should wear a red petticoat or trousers when you ask, and if a man says no they are supposed to take you shopping for clothes to make up for it. Fine gloves and silk frocks were the favourite consolation prizes in times of yore, according to folklore.

Links and previous related posts
Wear Red for Leap Year Day
The English Year
http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leap-day-february-29.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12177017/Leap-Year-2016-Why-does-February-have-29-days-every-four-years.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/04/pagan-eye-easter-at-seven-sisters-sheep.html

The Strange Dolls and Magical Worlds of Claudia Six

I've always been fascinated by dolls, particularly dolls that seem strange or magical, so I was delighted to get an email from designer Claudia Six who creates creatures inspired by folklore using textiles and other materials.

Claudia said: "I stumbled upon your blog because you featured Anthropmorphica's stunning work. I spent some time reading the articles on your blog and I found your article about spirit attachment and Jayne Harris - the funny thing is that I booked her online course about spirit attachment. She is such a nice and interesting person. I thought I would get in touch with you because your blog feels likeminded. I also love Brian Froud. I mean, who doesn't? But he was actually THE ONE reason why I started making dolls and creatures."

Visiting Claudia's website, I was absolutely enchanted by what I saw - you can see pictures of some of her work on this page.

On the website, she says:

I was raised in a very small Austrian town that is surrounded by mountains and forests. Being the only child in the neighbourhood, I soon discovered my deep connection with strange things. Be it the spooky old cat-lady next door, baby frogs in the forest, invisible pigs in the cellar, and much more, I found myself bonding with entities and fantasies.

During art school, where I studied silkscreen printing and textile design, I discovered that many strange creatures live in my imagination. And since then, my first aim has been to get these creatures out of my head and into real life. I do this through sculptures, performances, installations and drawings.

TheVolk is the name of my Creature Creations. Inspired by old names and stories about the Huldufólk, the hidden ones, the others and all mythical creatures living their lives right next to us. If you look closely you will recognize that they are not so different from us after all.

Claudia's website starts with a short movie about transformation, forests and masks. Underneath that is a button that brings you to details about her work and projects. You can find it here: http://www.iamsixyouaresix.com/

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/01/review-faeries-oracle.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/review-what-dwells-within-haunted-dolls.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/12/shop-bewitching-anthropomorphica-dolls.html

Sheena Cundy Interviewed on The Eternal Spirit Show

Sheena Cundy, author of the brilliant Witch-Lit novel The Madness and the Magic, interviewed on The Eternal Spirit Show. Enjoy!

Links:
http://witch-lit.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/eternal-spirit-youtube-interview.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/11/review-madness-and-magic.html

What the Press is Saying about The Witch Movie

The controversial new movie The Witch isn't releases in the UK until March 11, but here's a round-up of what newspapers and online review sites are saying about it - and they've been saying quite a lot:

"In The Witch, the devil is terrifying, but people are worse" - at The Verge: http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/17/11028378/the-witch-movie-review-satanism

"Why satanists have given new horror movie The Witch their endorsement" - at Vox Culture: http://www.vox.com/2016/2/18/11049790/the-witch-satan-satanism

"Satanist-Approved ‘The Witch’ and Faith-Based ‘Risen’ Hit Theaters Together" - at The Wall Street Journal: Satanist-Approved ‘The Witch’ and Faith-Based ‘Risen’ Hit Theaters Together

"An Atheist, a Catholic, and a Satanist Walk Into a Screening of 'The Witch'" - at Film: http://www.slashfilm.com/the-witch-review/

"The Witch is Sinister, Smart, and Wildly Feminist" - at Wired: http://www.wired.com/2016/02/the-witch-demonization-women/

"Watching 'The Witch' in Salem With Actual Witches" - at Complex UK: http://uk.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/02/the-witch-movie-salem-tour

"Female Freedom and Fury in The Witch" - at The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/02/robert-eggers-the-witch-female-empowerment/470844/

"The Real-Life Inspiration For The Witch, This Year's Most Disturbing Horror Film So Far" - at Popsugar: http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Horror-Movie-Witch-Based-True-Story-40230615#photo-40230615

"The Witch's director explains why our ancestors found witches so scary" - at Vox Culture: http://www.vox.com/2016/2/23/11100330/the-witch-review-interview

"‘The Witch’ Is 2016’s Best Horror Movie Because It Doesn’t Care What Scares Millennials, Boomers Or X-ers" - at iDigitalTimes: http://www.idigitaltimes.com/witch-2016s-best-horror-movie-because-it-doesnt-care-what-scares-millennials-boomers-512817

"‘The Witch’: How Robert Eggers Went from a Costume-Obessed Kid to Award-Winning Director" - at Collider: http://collider.com/the-witch-robert-eggers-anya-taylor-joy-interview/

"Why Are Goats Associated With the Devil, Like Black Phillip in The Witch?" - at Slate: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/26/goats_and_the_devil_origins_black_phillip_in_the_witch_isn_t_alone.html

"We Attended the Satanic Temple's Naked Ritual Endorsing 'The Witch'" - at Broadly: https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/we-attended-the-satanic-temples-naked-ritual-endorsing-the-witch

Thanks to Everyone Who Helped Me Write My Book

Today is the big day. The day my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic is officially launched. I’m excited – but a bit nervous. Of course I want the words I wrote to be favourably received, but I also realise that very few books on esoteric subjects become best-sellers.

All I can really say is that I know I put a lot of hard work into researching and writing it. Also, I would not have been able to write it without the help of so many others.

First I want to thank the team at Moon Books – publisher Trevor Greenfield for accepting my proposal, editor Dominic James for making sure it went through production smoothly, designer Nick Welch for turning my photo into a lovely front cover, Nimue Brown for tirelessly helping with PR before the launch, and all the other Moon Books authors and team members who offered advice and support.

Next I want to thank my coven and other witchy friends who helped me test out candle spells and rituals and also gave me encouragement, constructive criticism and pep talks where necessary.

I have to mention Bromley Writers’ Meetup Group. Sadly, this group no longer exists, but I know I would not have got my book finished if I hadn’t had the deadlines of monthly writing and feedback sessions at Costa Coffee in Bromley Market Square.

My friends who proofread chapters of my book – and in some cases the entire thing – are also absolute heroes, putting so much unpaid time and effort into searching out and destroying spelling mistakes and other errors.

A huge thanks goes to Treadwell's Bookshop for letting put on an early launch party and offering me the chance to run candle magic workshops. Treadwell's is also the best place to go if you want to buy the paperback edition of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Here is the link: http://www.treadwells-london.com/shop/candle-magic-lucya-starza/

And finally, last but most certainly not least, I want to thank my husband John for encouraging me to write and giving me so much support while I was doing it.

I hope I can treat some of those who helped me write my book to a drink at the pub tonight to celebrate. If I don't see you there, hopefully another time.

You can find out more about the book on the Moon Books website: http://www.moon-books.net/books/pagan-portals-candle-magic and you can also download the Kindle version at Amazon.

Help Mark My Book Launch with a Thunderclap!

Tomorrow is the official launch date of my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic and I want to mark it with a Thunderclap!

I would love those who read my blog to be part of this. All you need to do is click on this link: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/37263-pagan-portals-candle-magic then click to support my Thunderclap using Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr (just one of those will do, but you can sign up with more than one if you want to). It only takes a couple of seconds.

Thunderclap is a crowdspeaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together. It allows a single message to be mass-shared, flash mob-style, and that's what I'm aiming for on launch day.

On February 26th at noon, all those people who have signed up to help will then post a one-time message supporting my book automatically. There's no need to do anything else - although I'd be delighted if anyone wanted to also share this blog post to get others to help me too!

If you want to get hold of a copy of my book you can already buy advance copies of my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic at Treadwell's store in London, order it online via Treadwell's website or order it via Amazon,

Any questions, leave a comment or email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com. And thanks in advance to those who join the Thunderclap flashmob!

The photo shows me at Treadwell's holding a copy of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic.

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here are events in London over the coming week or so that could be of interest to pagans. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - 29 July 2016; Scholar, courtier, magician: the lost library of John Dee. London exhibition. Venue: Royal College of Physicians, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4LE. Entry free. Opening times vary but normally only Monday-Friday until 5pm, visit the website for details: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/events

Now - 12 September; Austin Osman Spare - A Major Retrospective. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History, 11 Mare Street, London E84RP. Opens 1pm Saturday 6 Feb. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Thursday 25 February; Thursday Psychic and Spiritual Circle. Venue: Fairkytes Art Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1AX. Time: 7pm. £8. https://www.facebook.com/events/1753835108172765/

Thursday 25 February;  Kobbo Kift - Pagan Boy Scouts. Talk by Annabella Pollen. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm to 9.15pm. Ticket price £8 in advance. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 25 February; The Curse of the Voynich Manuscript. Talk at London Fortean Society, The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Tickets: £4/2. Time: 7.45pm. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Thursday 25 February (note - one week later than usual this month); Croydon CoA Gathering: Social evening open to all Pagan Paths at 1 Matthews Yard off Surrey Street, Croydon. Event normally held on the third Thursday of the month at 8pm. For any questions email coacentral@witchcraft.org or visit http://www.witchfest.net/

Friday 26 February, Ley Lines, Templars and Destiny Amid Our England Landscape. Lecture by Mark Herbert at Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge). Public lecture. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 6.45pm, lecture starts 7.15pm. Entrance: £7/£5. For details, visit: http://www.rilko.net/EZ/rilko/rilko/home.php

Friday 26 February; Divination in Ancient Egypt. Talk by Judy Hall. 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 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 27 February; Gallery Talk - Even More Gods and Goddesses. Venue: Room 4, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm. Free event. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Sunday 28 February; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. For details, visit: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Sunday 28 February; Wiccan Path in the Woods - A One-day Course for Beginners. Starts at 10.30am and runs to 4.30pm. Meet at a cafe in Wimbledon, south London, and then travel by bus to a woodland location nearby for the workshop. Full details only given to members of the group. Details: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 28 February; Understanding Soul Groups, with New Thought Minister Heather Andrews-Dobbs. Venue: South Woodford Spiritualist Church, Grove Crescent, London E18 2JR. Time: 11am-4pm. Cost: £20 for one person, or £15 each for two people if you book in advance. Bring a packed lunch. Email Heather.Andrews.Dobbs@gmail.com or call Heather Andrews-Dobbs 020 8529 8097 mob: 07773 127178

Sunday 28 February; February Moot - The Kith Of Yggdrasil. Venue: Shakespeare's Head, 64-68 Kingsway, London WC2B 6BG. Time: 2pm-4pm. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/386666481457402/

Sunday 28 February; A Nice Social Afternoon with the South London Wicca Meetup Group. Venue: Private House in Tooting Bec. Time: 2.30pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/South-London-Wicca-Meetup/

Sunday 28 February; Dawn of the Oak. Monthly Pagan moot. Venue: Upstairs at The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross Road, Farringdon, London EC1M 6DB (near Farringdon tube). Time: 3pm-6pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1678963142357159/

Monday 29 February; Introductory meeting of the Temple of Maskim Hul (Babylonian Magickal Order). Venue: Souk Media, 1a Short's Gardens, London, WC2H 9AT. Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start. For more details and to reserve a place visit: http://www.meetup.com/LondonMagicians/ or http://www.meetup.com/Temple-of-Maskim-Hul-Babylonian-Magickal-Order/

Monday 29 February; The Universe According to Reiki. Talk by Torsten Lange. Venue: Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm. Talk: 7pm - 8.30pm. Tickets £15/£10 online. For more details and to book tickets: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 29 February; Group Healing Share Leap Year Special with London Healing Share. Venue: Friends Meeting House, 52 St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4EA. Time: 7.15pm. Price: £8. http://www.meetup.com/londonhealingshare/

Monday 29 February; Bore Hole: “How I came to drill a hole in my head to get permanently high”. Talk by Joe Mellen organised by London Fortean Society, Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Tickets: £5. Time: 7.30pm. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Monday 29 February; Spirit and Channelling Circle run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. Time: 7.30pm. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/

Monday 29 February; Tarot Archetypes - The Star  Card. Talk by Marysia Kay. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm to 9.15pm. Ticket price £8 in advance. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 1 March; Sound Meditation. Venue: Goose Green Clinic, 57 East Dulwich Road, London SE22 9AP. Time: 10.45am. Cost:£12/£10. More information and booking: http://www.meetup.com/Holistic-SoundBath-Meditation-Summoning-The-Sacred-Dulwich/

Tuesday 1 March; Healing Ancestral Programming. Talk by Art Giser. 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 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 1 March; Cobwebs and Cauldrons Moot. Venue: Romford White Horse Pub, 118 High Road, RM6 6NU. Moot takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. 7.30pm start.

Tuesday 1 March; The Witches' Inn Gathering. Venue: The Feathers Hotel in Merstham, Surrey RH1 3EA. Starts at 8pm. Moots are the first Tuesday of each month. For more details and to reserve a place visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Witches-Inn/1568424150049437

Wednesday 2 March; Astrology - Your Year Ahead hosted by Cobwebs and Cauldrons. Venue Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX. Time 7pm. Cost £30. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/813270885468504/

Thursday 3 March; Kundalini Rising. Talk by Judy Hall at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 3 March; Fortnightly Druid Order Open Introductory Evening. A chance to learn more about at The Druid Order (A.D.U.B.) at an evening with talks and a meditation. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Price: £5 on the door. For more details, visit http://thedruidorder.org/druidorder/Meetings.html

Thursday 3 March; Opening the Masculine and Feminine Within. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH Time: 7pm. Tickets £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality

Thursday 3 March; Egyptian Alchemy. Lecture by Joanna Bristow-Watkins. hosted by Earthstars Sacred Space. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm. Entrance is £12, pay at the door  https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Friday 4 March; Irish Fairy Lore. Lecture by Dr Jenny Butler. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Ticket price £8 in advance. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Friday 4 March; The Triple Goddess in Contemporary Society. Talk by Michelle Hawcroft and Avril Price. 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 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 5 March - Saturday 19 March; Tarot of the Sidhe art exhibition and private sale of original artwork. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am-6pm each day. There is also a private viewing on the evening of Friday 4 March by invitation, contact the shop for information about getting on the invite/guest list. Call the shop on 020 7405 2120.

Saturday 5 March; Divination Tools and Techniques Workshop run by Swati Prakash. Part of a series of workshops forming a course in divination. Venue: London venue TBA. Cost £60 for the course. Starts 11am. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Global-Wicca-Earth-Healing-Temple-London/

Saturday 5 March; Hendon Heathens Moot, Venue: Greyhound Pub, Church End, Hendon, London, NW4 4JT. Time: 6pm. Hendon Heathens meets at this pub the first Saturday of every month.

Sunday 6 March; Isidias Navigatum- Goddess Isis Blessing of the Fleet Ritual 2016 by the Thames with Mani Navasothy. Meet at Richmond Train Station by 1pm for a 20 min walk to the ritual spot by the riverside. For details and to reserve a place: or http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Note: I do not organise any of these events so please check with the organisers about tickets and timings before turning up to anything listed on my blog. I try to keep my listings accurate, but do not always know of late changes, cancellations or ticket availability.

Trees: Learning to Recognise Ash in a Winter Wood

Last weekend a pagan friend who is a tree expert took me on a woodland walk to learn to recognise trees without their leaves on. He also told me a bit about their medicinal uses.

Here are some photos I took of bare ash trees. I must admit, just looking up into the stark canopy overhead I would not have been able to tell an ash from an oak without my friend's help. Apparently, ash tree shoots, or twigs, are always a bit upturned and that is one way of identifying them. Also, the buds at the end of the shoots are distinctively black.

Ash trees are very tall when fully grown and have light grey bark. This is smooth in young trees but scaly in older ones. Ash tree seeds grow in bunches called keys. They hang from the twigs in clusters and go brown in the winter time. They only drop to the ground in spring.

As most pagans know, in Norse mythology the world tree Yggdrasil was probably an ash. In Celtic mythology ash is also thought of as the tree of life, which touches the three worlds.

Medicinally, the bark was used as a tonic and astringent. It was considered good for rheumatism.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/11/damh-bard-on-ogham-at-witchfest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/london-necropolis-hardy-tree.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/04/squirrel-mythology.html

Event: Practical Candle Magic Workshop at Treadwell's

Because my workshop on practical candle magic at Treadwell's Bookshop on February 2 filled up fast, I'm going to be running it a second time, on the afternoon of Saturday, April 9.

The class runs from 1pm to 3.15pm, all materials are supplied, it is only £20 per person and you get to take an enchanted candle or two home with you.

The candle magic workshop covers material from my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic, which is officially launched on Friday this week, but will also include a few extras. Here is the description of the class from Treadwell's website:

If you always wanted to know how to a spell, or if you are keen to be able to work simple magic in accordance with old traditions, this workshop is for you. Candle magic is a basic and central skill in the repertoire of pagans, and Lucya Starza leads you in a hands-on afternoon. We provide all the supplies, and at the end of the day you will know how to do it on your own in future – and you will take home a prepared candle in addition to your newly-gained expertise.

Lucya Starza is a practising Wiccan, owner of Bad Witch’s Blog (famed for its events list) and the author of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic..

To book a place on the workshop call 020 7419 8507, email info@treadwells-london.com or visit treadwells-london.com. You can buy copies of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic at Treadwell's store and online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/shop/candle-magic-lucya-starza/

Treadwell's is at 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS.

Links and previous related posts
https://www.treadwells-london.com/event/practical-candle-magic-2/
https://www.treadwells-london.com/shop/candle-magic-lucya-starza/
http://www.moon-books.net/books/pagan-portals-candle-magic

Review: Pagan Portals - Candle Magic, A Witch's Guide

No, I haven't reviewed my own book - Willow Merrymoon read an advance copy of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic and wrote a review, giving me permission to post it on A Bad Witch's Blog:

Lucy Starza's book on candle magic is in Moon Books' popular Pagan Portals series. It is a slim volume, attractively presented with a lovely illustration offering a promise of things to come.

The author states that her purpose in writing this book is about "how to harness the magic of candles in many different ways" (p.xiii), and it is aimed at anyone who is interested in candle magic, from the newcomer to the well-seasoned.

The book is divided into four distinct sections - candle spells; ceremonies and rituals; meditation, divination and psychic sight; and history, chandlery and safety. Section One offers many spells, with plenty of information on how to add to the power of the candle spell, e.g. use of scents and essentials oils, when to cast your spell, and types of candles. Section Two gives great information about rituals and the use of candles within them. The third section goes into detail about the uses of candles within meditation and divination, whilst Section Four addresses the history of candles and candle-making along with some very good points relating to safety issues.

Starza has a style of writing which is simple and to the point. She doesn't go all round the houses to say what she want to say, and all this makes for easy, enjoyable reading. She is very pragmatic, having her feet very firmly on the ground. In other words, she takes a very practical approach to candle magic, and none of the spells, rituals or psychic work requires hard-to-find ingredients. A good example concerning candles is as follows - "...miniature candles are so great for candle spells...they burn down fast " (p.9). Her reasoning is that if the spell requires that a candle be burnt right down without blowing it out, it could be dangerous to leave it burning all night. Another example - again, very practically-minded, the author addresses issues of outdoor ritual work, urging people to be mindful of safety and viability.

At the end of Section One there is a chapter named 'Grimoire'. To quote the author - "A grimoire is a collection of spells" (p.49). Alongside some of the more obvious spells, such as getting a job or recovering lost items, Starza has included a couple of more unusual spells, i.e. Big Hugs Candle Magic and Magic Fondue Spell. This latter involves a lot of stirring and chanting...double, double!

An important point to note is that the author is not 'preachy' or dogmatic - "go with what feels right to you" (p.45).

The book contains some beautiful and beautifully simple rituals,starting with Casting the Circle. There is a strong emphasis on the use of candles in this ritual act, bringing light and life to
this act of magic.

Right at the end of the book the author provides numerous tips on the subject of safety, which are very simple yet so easily overlooked.

The only weakness in this book is with regard to the ethics of candle magic. She writes two pages on this subject and given its importance, a little more attention to it would have been good. However, the rest of the book more than makes up for it. The author has the gift of inspiring her readers, making them sit up and want to grab the nearest candles in order to get going.

On a personal note, I couldn't put this book down and have no doubt I will be referring to it many times. I imagine that working candle magic with Starza would be terribly exciting, for that is how she comes across. Failing that... I hear candles calling!

Pagan Portals - Candle Magic is officially launched this Friday, February 26, 2016.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.moon-books.net/books/pagan-portals-candle-magic
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/treadwells-is-now-selling-pp-candle.html

Event: Towards Ostara - Gong Bath with Diana Vernon

Diana Vernon sent me the details of a relaxing sound bath she is running at the College of Psychic Studies and I must admit I'm very tempted to go along. Here's all the information about it:

Towards Ostara - A Gong Bath with Diana Vernon MCSH at The College of Psychic Studies
On the evening of a waxing crescent moon, and in the Celtic tree month of Ash, prepare to greet the sabbat of Ostara, the Spring Equinox, in the following weeks, to enter a time of rebirth and abundance as nature springs again into budding life and fertility.

In the college's beautiful candle-lit period hall, experience a calming and rejuvenating soundbath and let the resonance of gongs, chimes, singing bowls and sansula clear the heavy energy of the winter time and refresh your mind body and spirit to greet the spring renewal.

Venue: 16 QueensburyPlace, South Kensington, London SW7 2 EB
Date and time: Friday 11th March 2016 from7pm to 8.30pm
Cost: Members £18/non-members £20
Advance booking recommended, tel: 020 7589 3292
www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Witchcraft: Casting a Circle by the Light of a Candle

Tonight there is a full moon - the best time for spellcraft. Most witches cast a circle as a safe and sacred space within which to work magic - to contain any magical energy raised and to keep out unwanted influences.

Many books on witchcraft will give details on how to cast a circle, but the directions given can often seem longwinded and a bit complicated, involving going around the circle several times, calling in the different elements - earth, air, fire and water - and addressing the points of the compass. Sometimes - especially on a week night - you might not have time to go through all that palaver. If you want to cast a basic circle to perform a simple spell, here is a way you can do it using just a candle.

All you need to have is a candle in a holder that you can safely carry about - a lantern is ideal. And all you need to do is walk clockwise around the edge of your circle once with the lit candle and say:

By earth and water, fire and air
I do cast this circle fair
With candle flame and candle light
Encompassing my magic rite

While you do that, visualise the light of the candle flame creating an invisible circle all around you as well as above and below you. You can then put the candle down on the floor in the centre of your circle (or on your altar if you use an altar) and cast whatever spell you have planned.

At the end of the rite, walk anticlockwise around the circle with the candle and say: "The circle is open, the elements may depart, the rite is done." Then snuff out the candle.

The reason why this method of circle casting works so well despite being simple is that a candle represents all the elements. Obviously the flame represents fire. The solid wax body of the candle represents earth and the liquid, melted wax represents water. The smoke and shimmering air around the flame represent air. The light is also a wonderful representation of the fifth element - spirit.

The word "encompass" obviously means to surround and hold within, but it also has an archaic meaning of "to cause to take place". In the circle casting rhyme it means that we want the candle light to help form our protective circle, but also to empower the magic to be performed within it.

You can find out more ways of using candles for spells and witchcraft rites in my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic.

Links and previous related posts
https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-candle-magic
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/12/spells-magic-short-ritual-to-honour-moon.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/02/spells-full-moon-magic-for-your-hearts.html

Review: Doreen Valiente - Witch by Philip Heselton

Today is the official publication date of Doreen Valiente – Witch, a new biography of the mother of modern witchcraft by historian Philip Heselton, who previously wrote the biography of Gerald Gardner.

I would say Doreen Valiente - Witch is probably the most important book about modern witchcraft to be released this year. Yes, I know it is only February and a lot of great books are likely to come out in the following months, but I  doubt any of them will be as significant as this.

I was sent a review copy a few months ago and I’ve been itching to blog about what it contains, but there was an embargo about publishing reviews until the release date. Now the book is out and I can at last post my review and reveal a few of its secrets.

And the biggest secret about Doreen Valiente in my opinion actually has little to do with witchcraft. It is the fact that during the Second World War she worked at the code-breaking centre Bletchley Park. She officially worked there as a translator. However, as this book shows, Doreen was a superb investigator and researcher and there are quite a few clues that she was also secretly employed by the government in this capacity during the war and after it.

Going off at a complete tangent from reviewing a factual history book about an amazing woman, immediately after finishing reading Doreen Valiente – Witch, rather by chance, I read a fictional horror novel called The Atrocity Archives.It is all about British secret agents investigating the supernatural – a sort of English X-Files. I couldn’t help wondering if, in fact, sometimes truth is closer to fiction than we might think. I suspect we will never know exactly what Doreen did for Queen and Country, magical or otherwise.

But away from spies and back to witchcraft. What I really learnt from reading this book was just how much Doreen was involved with pretty much every strand of modern witchcraft that exists today. She studied and practised magic and witchcraft since she was very young, long before she met Gerald Gardner, the father of modern Wicca.

As well as being Gerald’s high priestess and writing – or at least rewriting - a large amount of the Wiccan Book of Shadows, Doreen was later involved with other influential witchcraft traditions. One of the most notable non-Wiccan traditions is that associated with Robert Cochrane. Doreen met Robert in 1964 at a midsummer gathering on Glastonbury Tor. He was a member of a coven known as The Clan of Tubal-Cain and claimed to follow a traditional witchcraft path that pre-dated Gardnerian Wicca.

The Cochranians love to work outdoors and hold rituals that are more shamanic than Gardnerian rites tend to be. These were things that Doreen also appreciated as a way of getting in touch with the magic in the land. Although Doreen is most famous as a Gardnerian elder, it appears that she felt a greater connection with the Cochranian way of working.

Philip’s book shows that throughout her life Doreen was driven to seek the truth about witchcraft. She would do this through avidly reading books, through research and through practical working of magic. She was good at seeing through imposters – of which there have sadly been a few in the history of modern witchcraft – yet she usually refused to get involved in the petty squabbles that can happen between different groups of witches.

I really wish I had met her in person – but at least I feel I have got to know her better through reading Philip Heselton’s wonderful biography of her life and work.

You can buy copies of Doreen Valiente – Witch through Treadwell’s and through the Doreen Valiente Foundation. It is published by the Doreen Valiente Foundation in association with the Centre for Pagan Studies.

The pictures show the front cover of Doreen Valiente - Witch, Gerald Gardner's Book of Shadows and the blue plaque for Doreen Valiente.

Links and previous related posts:
Doreen Valiente Foundation
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/06/photos-from-doreen-valiente-blue-plaque.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/09/charge-of-goddess-conference-2010.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/12/new-book-doreen-valiente-witch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/news-john-belham-payne-of-cfps-has-died.html

Trusting That All Things Will Turn Out for the Best

This weekend I know I'm missing several things that many of my friends are going to - and I am using the word "missing" both to mean I won't be present at the events and that I feel I'm missing out.

Firstly, a lot of my friends are at a weekend-long murder mystery game at a hotel. There are many reasons I decided not to go to that one - money being one of them. But of course I have regrets. I am sure my friends are having a wonderful time and it would be lovely to be there with them.

Secondly, I am missing two full moon rites to honour the moon with two different groups of lovely witchy friends. Again there were some practical reasons for my decision, but again I have some regrets. I have decided to do a solitary ritual at home myself instead, but it is different from working in a group or coven.

Thirdly, I am missing out on the launch party at Treadwell's for the book Doreen Valiente: Witch. That is probably the event I have most regrets about missing. The  main reason I'm not going to be there this afternoon is mainly because I didn't book a ticket early enough. At the time I thought I would be at a ritual that clashed - one of the rituals mentioned above. As it happens, I also need to spend a several hours today writing blog posts - including my review of Philip Heselton's wonderful new biography of  the mother of modern witchcraft.

I was very kindly sent a review copy of the book a couple of months ago by John Belham-Payne, whose tragic and sudden death last week shocked the pagan community. However., John wrote to tell me that there was an embargo on posting reviews of the book until the official publication date of 22 February 2016 - the day after the launch party. Although I started reading the book as soon as I got it, I'm sorry to say that I've left actually writing the review until the last minute. If I had been a bit less tardy I might have had time to at least drop in briefly to the launch party!

But it is pointless having regrets about things. While I'm not someone who subscribes to the idea that absolutely everything happens for a reason, I do try to trust that eventually everything will turn out for the best.

Having finished writing this blog post for today, I am going to now make myself a nice big cup of tea and settle down to a day of more blogging and an evening of privately honouring the moon. And I am going to try to put those regrets and thoughts that I am missing out behind me.

Blessed be.

Note: February's full moon is at 6.20pm UTC on February 22 but many pagans celebrate the full moon during the nearest weekend.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/01/launch-event-doreen-valiente-witch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/12/new-book-doreen-valiente-witch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/news-john-belham-payne-of-cfps-has-died.html
http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Pagan Eye: Daffodil and Snowdrops in my Garden

It has been a while since I've done a Pagan Eye post on a Bad Witch's Blog. Pagan Eye posts show a photo of something that catches my eye or that has been sent in to me - it can be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture.

This shows snowdrops in my garden overlooked by a daffodil. These flowers have been blooming in my garden for a few weeks. The snowdrops are normally out in early February, but it is rather early for the daffs.

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.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/03/pagan-eye-magnolia-blossom-for-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/candle-magic-brigids-flame-snowdrops.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/snowdrops-in-fable-and-folklore.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/03/host-of-golden-daffodils.html

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here are events in London over the coming week or so that could be of interest to pagans. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - 29 July 2016; Scholar, courtier, magician: the lost library of John Dee. London exhibition. Venue: Royal College of Physicians, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4LE. Entry free. Opening times vary but normally only Monday-Friday until 5pm, visit the website for details: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/events

Now - 12 September; Austin Osman Spare - A Major Retrospective. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History, 11 Mare Street, London E84RP. Opens 1pm Saturday 6 Feb. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Now to Friday 19 February; Half-term activity for families: Teeth, scales and tales: animal gods. Venue: Great Court, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Starts 11am and goes on all day. Free event. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Thursday 18 February; Gallery talk: Chinese jades: natural and supernatural. Venue: Room 33, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm. Free event. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Thursday 18 February; Fortnightly Druid Order Open Introductory Evening. A chance to learn more about at The Druid Order (A.D.U.B.) at an evening with talks and a meditation. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Price: £5 on the door. For more details, visit http://thedruidorder.org/druidorder/Meetings.html

Thursday 18 February; House of Heron Drum Circle. Venue: Caer Corhrain, 1 Southleas farm cottages, Lower Road, Minster, Sheppey ME12 3SW. Time: 7.30pm. For more information visit http://www.touchtheearthuk.com/

Thursday 18 February; Meditation, Energy and Sound Bath with Carly Grace. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH Time: 7pm. Tickets £20. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality

Thursday 18 February;  The Circle of Ankerwycke moot on the third Thursday in each month. Venue: Function room at the back of the Two Rivers Pub, 43 Church Street, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4EN. Time: 8pm.

Friday 19 February: One-day workshop on the Science of Magic at the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London. Free event, but registration closes on 5 February. Time: 9am,-6.30pm. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-of-magic-workshop-eps-tickets-17424769956

Friday 19 February: An Introduction to Metaphysics. Lecture by Petra Knickenberg. 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 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 21 February; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Sunday 21 February; Doreen Valiente Talks and Film followed by launch party for Philip Heselton's book Doreen Valiente: Witch. Venue: Treadwell’s Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Starts at noon, party ends at 6pm. Tickets: £20 for the talks and party, free if you just want to go to the party. Ring 0207 419 8507 or book online https://www.treadwells-london.com/event/doreen-valiente-talks/

Sunday 21 February; Dawn of the Oak. Pagan moot on the third Sunday of each month. Venue: Upstairs at The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross Road, Farringdon, London EC1M 6DB (near Farringdon tube). Time: 3pm-6pm.

Monday 22 February For the Love of Poetry. Venue: Poets Corner, Richmond Park, Richmond. Starts 11.45am. Free event, bring vegan food and drink to share. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Monday 22 February; Woodland Wicca Monthly Full Moon Ritual run by Mani Navasothy. Meet at Wimbledon Common, Bus Stop S, Parkside Avenue, London SW19, at 7pm. For details and to reserve a place:  http://www.meetup.com/Global-Wicca-Earth-Healing-Temple-London/ or http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Monday 22 February; Protection in the Hoodoo Tradition. Talk by Lisa Mead. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm to 9.15pm. Ticket price £8 in advance. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 23 February; Sound Meditation. Venue: Goose Green Clinic, 57 East Dulwich Road, London SE22 9AP. Time: 10.45am. Cost:£12/£10. More information and booking: http://www.meetup.com/Holistic-SoundBath-Meditation-Summoning-The-Sacred-Dulwich/

Tuesday 23 February; February London Heathen Munch. Social chat about Heathenry and kink at Coffee, Cake and Kisses, 54 Warren Street, London W1T 5NN. Time 6pm-9pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/585199081633180/

Tuesday 23 February; Talk on the History of Black Magic. Venue: Souk Medina Tea Room, 1a Short's Gardens, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9AT. Time: 6pm-9pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Temple-of-Maskim-Hul-Babylonian-Magickal-Order/

Tuesday 23 February; Crossbones Vigil to honour The Goose and the outcast dead of Cross Bones Graveyard. 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/

Tuesday 23 February; Embracing the Shadow. Talk by Charlie Morley. 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 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 23 February; Mindfulness Meditation Training - first part of an 8-week evening class course with Vivianne and Chris Crowley. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm to 9.15pm. Pice £200 for the course. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 23 February; Drumming Circle run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. The circle is held fortnightly starting at 7.30pm. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/

Tuesday 23 February; 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

Wednesday 24 February; The Book of Samurai.Talk and book signing by Antony Cumins at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Wednesday 24 February; Hertford Pagan Moot. Venue: White Horse Pub, 33 Castle Street, Hertford, Herts SG14 1HH (45 mins from central London). The pub does not have disabled access. This moot meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 8pm. contact via Facebook page Hertford Pagan Moot

Thursday 25 February (note - one week later than usual this month); Croydon CoA Gathering: Social evening open to all Pagan Paths at 1 Matthews Yard off Surrey Street, Croydon. Event normally held on the third Thursday of the month at 8pm. For any questions email coacentral@witchcraft.org or visit http://www.witchfest.net/

Thursday 25 February;  Kobbo Kift - Pagan Boy Scouts. Talk by Annabella Pollen. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm to 9.15pm. Ticket price £8 in advance. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 25 February; The Curse of the Voynich Manuscript. Talk at London Fortean Society, The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Tickets: £4/2. Time: 7.45pm. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday 26 February, Ley Lines, Templars and Destiny Amid Our England Landscape. Lecture by Mark Herbert at Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge). Public lecture. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 6.45pm, lecture starts 7.15pm. Entrance: £7/£5. http://www.rilko.net/EZ/rilko/rilko/home.php

Friday 26 February; Divination in Ancient Egypt. Talk by Judy Hall. 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 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 28 February; Wiccan Path in the Woods - A One-day Course for Beginners. Starts at 10.30am at a London location, full details only given to members of the group. Details: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 28 February; Understanding Soul Groups, with New Thought Minister Heather Andrews-Dobbs. Venue: South Woodford Spiritualist Church, Grove Crescent, London E18 2JR. Time: 11am-4pm. Cost: £20 for one person, or £15 each for two people if you book in advance. Bring a packed lunch. Email Heather.Andrews.Dobbs@gmail.com or call Heather Andrews-Dobbs 020 8529 8097 mob: 07773 127178

Sunday 28 February; A Nice Social Afternoon with the South London Wicca Meetup Group. Venue: Private House in Tooting Bec. Time: 2.30pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/South-London-Wicca-Meetup/

Note: I do not organise any of these events so please check with the organisers about tickets and timings before turning up to anything listed on my blog. I try to keep my listings accurate, but do not always know of late changes, cancellations or ticket availability. If you know of an event you want listed, or notice a correction that needs to be made, email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com