"Researchers May Have Found An Ancient Sanctuary To Pagan God Pan" - story at Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/researchers-may-have-found-an-ancient-sanctuary-to-pagan-god-pan_us_5772d81fe4b0eb90355c9c72
"Dr. Susan Harper, Feminist Witch, Invokes Goddesses to Show Women the Power in Themselves" - story at Dallas Observer: http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dr-susan-harper-feminist-witch-invokes-goddesses-to-show-women-the-power-in-themselves-8434786
"30 Occult Rituals From Music Videos — Some Feminist, Some Mysterious, Some Stupid" - story at Flavorwire: http://flavorwire.com/581860/30-occult-rituals-from-music-videos-some-feminist-some-mysterious-some-stupid
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Bettany Hughes, Nietzsche, Buddhism and Suffering
Last night I caught up with Bettany Hughes' documentary on Nietzsche on iPlayer and I was struck with how the philosopher's view that life is suffering is sort of similar to the Buddhist view of life - but the Buddha and Nietzche appeared to come to diametrically opposite conclusions on what to do about it.
According to the programme, Nietzsche decided that the way out of misery is to strive for greatness, to aim for some grand goal and in doing so become a godlike superman. He felt that compassion for those in need would get in the way of this ambition and is a therefore a weakness. Suffering that happened along the way to that goal would only make you stronger.
Buddhists, on the other hand, believe that too much attachment to goals and material things is the main cause of the suffering in life and the best way forward is to become less attached, but instead to foster compassion and kindness to our fellow humans.
I have to say my own view is somewhere between the two. I really like having goals - they give me purpose in life and I like that - but I agree that getting too attached to anything is probably a bit foolish because nothing lasts forever. Compassion and kindness, on the other hand, are very much needed if humanity is to thrive - particularly at this time when there seems to me such a lot of unkindness and lack of compassion about. In my experience kindness has a way of helping achieve goals rather than getting in the way.
Do forgive me if I am very much oversimplifying both Buddhism and Nietzsche - I'm certainly no expert in either. Comments are welcome.
You can see the BBC documentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07h0hg9/genius-of-the-modern-world-2-nietzsche
According to the programme, Nietzsche decided that the way out of misery is to strive for greatness, to aim for some grand goal and in doing so become a godlike superman. He felt that compassion for those in need would get in the way of this ambition and is a therefore a weakness. Suffering that happened along the way to that goal would only make you stronger.
Buddhists, on the other hand, believe that too much attachment to goals and material things is the main cause of the suffering in life and the best way forward is to become less attached, but instead to foster compassion and kindness to our fellow humans.
I have to say my own view is somewhere between the two. I really like having goals - they give me purpose in life and I like that - but I agree that getting too attached to anything is probably a bit foolish because nothing lasts forever. Compassion and kindness, on the other hand, are very much needed if humanity is to thrive - particularly at this time when there seems to me such a lot of unkindness and lack of compassion about. In my experience kindness has a way of helping achieve goals rather than getting in the way.
Do forgive me if I am very much oversimplifying both Buddhism and Nietzsche - I'm certainly no expert in either. Comments are welcome.
You can see the BBC documentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07h0hg9/genius-of-the-modern-world-2-nietzsche
Pagan Eye: The Cuckoo Stone near Woodhenge
This is a photo of the Cuckoo Stone, a Neolithic or Bronze Age standing stone near Woodhenge in Wiltshire. It is a short walk from Amesbury, where I stayed between visiting Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice and going to Glastonbury Festival. The stone is a fallen sarsen. According to one tale it was dropped there by the Devil, who was credited with the creation of Stonehenge.
There are actually a few other Cuckoo Stones in other parts of the UK - particularly in Scotland where term gowk stane, which translates as cuckoo stone or fool's stone, is often given to solitary standing stones and glacial erratics (boulders left when glaciers melted). In folklore, the cuckoo is sometimes said to call the souls of those who have died with its song and be able to travel between the worlds of the living and the dead.
You might notice a pair of shoes in the bottom right corner of that photo - they belonged to someone who had presumably decided to have a sleep near the stone (at least I don't think they were dead). I'm not sure if their comatose state was due to them being too tired to go home after staying up all night to watch the Solstice sunrise or if they had consumed a few too many of the magic mushrooms I spotted sprouting in the fields in the morning dew. I hope the person had a nice time whatever they did that night :)
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.
The photo was taken by my hubby on his iPhone as my camera wasn't working at the time.
Links and previous related posts
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=15494
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gowk_stane
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/06/full-moon-at-stonehenge-at-summer.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/09/pagan-eye-watchstone-on-orkney-scotland.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/pagan-eye-standing-stone-on-islay.html
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London
Here are events in London and a few in other parts of the UK over the next 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 - 31 August; Akhenaten: Heretic, Visionary, Icon Exhibition at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT. Lunchtime tours: 1.15pm-1.45pm. For more details, email events.petrie@ucl.ac.uk or phone 020 7679 4138.
Now - 12 September; Austin Osman Spare - A Retrospective. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/
Now to 27 November, Sunken Cities - Egypt’s Lost Worlds. Major exhibition at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tickets £16.50. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
Wednesday 29 June; Speaking to the Dead in Dreams - Imagination, ESP or More? Talk by Cal Cooper and David Saunders. 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/
Wednesday 29 June; 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 30 June; Secrets of Heaven. Talk and book signing with Theresa Cheung at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.watkinsbooks.com/
Thursday 30 June; Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Evening Workshop with Marysia Kay . Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Ticket price £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/
Thursday 30 June; The Cock Lane Ghost: A London Ghost Story. Talk by Roger Clarke, author of A Natural History of Ghosts, organised by London Fortean Society. Venue: The Pipeline, 94 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EZ London. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets £4/£2. https://www.wegottickets.com/event/362476
Thursday 30 June; Spiritual and Psychic Circle. Workshop on tabletipping. Venue: Fairkytes Art Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, Essex. Time: 8pm. Cost £8 including refreshments. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/487657071425013/
Friday 1 July; Santa Muerte, Love Sorceress: 'Come to me .. or else!' Lecture by Andrew Chesnut. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Ticket price £8. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/
Friday 1 July; Friday Late Spectacular: In Pursuit of Pain - an evening of talks. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Free event but booking advisable for talks. https://wellcomecollection.org/pain
Friday 1 July; Group Healing Night with Crystal Bowl Sound Bath with the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Columbia Hotel (Windsor Suite), 95 - 99 Lancaster Gate W2 3NS,. Time: 7pm. Tickets £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality
Saturday 2 July; Meeting the Trees of Holland Park with Sensing Energy and Intuition Development Meetup Group. Meet at High Street Kensington Tube Station, Kensington, London W8 5SA. Starts at noon. Cost £5. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/Sensing-Energy-and-Intuition-Development/
Saturday 2 July; 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 3 July; 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 3 July; Sister Circles and Cycle Mapping for Women. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary Pea Lane Upminster Essex, UK, RM14 2XH. Time: 7pm. Cost £30. You must reserve a place in advance and pay a deposit. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1142591585783071/
Monday 4 July; Recovery 2.0 and The Infinite Pharmacy Within. Talk by Tommy Rosen, organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm. Talk starts: 7pm. Tickets £12/£8 online. For more details and to book tickets: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/
Monday 4 July; Wimbledon Wicca Moot (June 2016). Venue: The Wibbas Down Inn, 6-12 Gladstone Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QT. Time: 7pm to 10.30pm. Details and to reserve a place: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/
Tuesday 5 July; UK Satanic Abuse Scare, 25 Years On. Evening conference of talks organised by Inform and Treadwells. Venue: LSE New Academic Building, 54 Lincolns Inns Fields, London , WC2A 3LJ. Time 5.30pm - 9.30pm. Tickets £15. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/
Tuesday 5 July; Cobwebs and Cauldrons Moot. Venue: Romford White Horse Pub, 118 High Road, RM6 6NU. Entry £4. Moot takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. 7.30pm start.
Tuesday 5 July; Demonstration of Mediumship with Anthony Kesner. 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/
Wednesday 6 July; Free Lunchtime Meditation near Bond Street. Part of the free lunchtime events listed by Light in London. Venue is shown to members of the group. Time: 1pm. Free. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Light-in-London/
Thursday 7 July; Meetup with Chris Nelson and learn how to relax in the urban jungle at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.watkinsbooks.com/ or http://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/
Thursday 7 July; 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 7 July; Walking the Ginger Line. Psychogeography and the London Overground with Iain Sinclair. Lecture organised by A Curious Invitation. Venue: Thomas Carlyle's House, Cheyne Row, London SW3 5HL. Doors open at 6.30pm, talk starts at 7pm and ends at 8pm. Ticket, including a glass of prosecco, £15. http://www.acuriousinvitation.com/iainsinclair.html
Friday 8 July; Enchantment - An Evening of Chant and Mantra with Stewart Pearce. 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/
Friday 8 July; “UnRipped” with Vanessa Woolf of London Dreamtime and poet John Crow. Secret Location in London E1. Pay what you can. 8pm. Booking essential email vanessa@londondreamtime.com or visit http://londondreamtime.com/calendar/ or http://eastendwomensmuseum.org/
Saturday 9 July; A Time for Calm. Cast a spell for tolerance and kindness, wherever you are. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1077116499040365/
Sunday 10 July; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity
Note: I am not responsible for any of the events listed here. Do check with the organisers about tickets and timings before turning up to any event. I try to keep my listings accurate, but do not always know of late changes, cancellations or ticket availability.
I've Won a Bundle of Books from Watkins Publishing
I've won a competition! My prize was a big bundle of books from Watkins Publishing, which you can see in the photo above. How lovely to get a big box of books arrive on the doorstep! I think the one I am most interested in reading is Play the Forest School Way by Peter Houghton and Jane Worroll.
Although I don't have kids of my own, many of my friends do and one of them has just started running a group where both pagan adults and children can learn traditional crafts and skills as well as celebrate the changing seasons in a family-friendly way. This could be a very useful reference book. The description of Play the Forest School Way on Watkins' website says:Help your child connect with nature, be adventurous and most of all have fun, with these woodland games, crafts and skill-building activities from Forest School.
The ultimate guide to woodland fun with kids! Forest School is founded on a philosophy of nature-based play and learning that encourages children to develop confidence and self-esteem. This book will get your kids outside, making and building in the real world (instead of on a computer screen!). Whether your local woodland is a forest or a strip of trees along the edge of an urban park, these activities provide fantastic opportunities for family time and will encourage your children to fall in love with outdoor play. This is the first book to share Forest School games, crafts and skill-building activities with families and friends, its magical illustrations and simple instructions drawing children easily into a world of wonder.I'm looking forward to reading this and then maybe help my friend run a workshop or two! I think I'll enjoy doing fun stuff outdoors as much as the kids.
* Be a fox tracking its prey, a moth evading a bat, a rabbit fleeing a forest fire!
* Make a working bow and arrow, spectacular headdresses, beautiful woodland jewellery, magic wands – all with materials gathered from the forest floor.
* Learn wilderness survival skills: build a shelter, make fire, forage and cook wild food.
Links and previous related posts
http://www.watkinspublishing.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/04/review-magical-year-by-danu-forest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/review-sacred-sites-oracle-cards.html
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Review: Notes from the Universe on Abundance
Notes from the Universe on Abundance is a very pretty new set of cards with inspirational messages on one side and beautiful images of landscapes, trees and flowers on the other. They are so easy to use, the instructions just come on one card: "Choose one at random each morning or whenever you are in need of insight, direction or solace. Frame them, carry them with you, or send them out into the world hidden in lunchboxes, briefcases, and purses."Apparently the idea for the notes started in 1998 as an email sent out weekly to 38 people by Mike Dooley, although supposedly written by "The Universe" to remind us that we are loved and that all things are possible.
One of my favourite sayings from the deck is: "Every fortune, gold medal, and trophy... Every comeback, triumph, and celebration... And every kiss, hug, and hand held... Was first a thought, a whisper, or a dream."Publisher Hay House says about Notes from the Universe on Abundance:
"The 60 cards in this beautifully illustrated deck give Mike Dooley's fans a new way to experience his signature Notes from the Universe: quirky, funny messages that remind readers to love their lives and trust their dreams. Based on Mike's essential credo that 'thoughts become things' and we can choose the thoughts we want to realize, these cards are loving reminders that we're responsible for our own happiness - and that it's already within reach."I should point out that the pictures don't necessarily relate to the message on the reverse. I think the scenes are intended just to remind you how beautiful the world can be and to cheer you up if you are feeling a bit down - but sometimes we all need that.
The deck is officially published today, 28 June, but I was lucky enough to be sent a copy just before the Summer Solstice and I took it away with me on my summer road trip to Stonehenge and Glastonbury Festival. As I return home from my amazing holiday, back to face the problems of reality, seeing pictures of beautiful landscapes and reading an uplifting message or two is helping keep a smile on my face.
Mike Dooley's Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/mikedooley/
Links and previous related posts
Notes from the Universe on Abundance
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/mikedooley/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/08/review-soul-coaching-oracle-cards-by.html
Monday, 27 June 2016
Glastonbury Festival: More Mud Max than Mad Max
Glastonbury Festival this year kind of felt like a party in some post-apocalyptic pleasuredome as the world fell to ruin. You might be thinking that the pictures I've posted here don't exactly show civilised conditions, but I have to say that despite a 10-hour traffic jam to get through the 12-foot high steel fence that surrounds the site and sometimes ankle-deep mud once you got in, the festival felt like the last enclave of humankindness while outside people turned on each other with increasing viciousness.
I'm rather glad I had almost no phone signal as the news coming in made me feel very sad. I honestly don't mind how people voted - we live in a democracy and everyone should be able to express their wishes at the ballot box. It is the anger, hatred and even violence by some people against those who disagreed with them that makes me feel we are now living in dark times.
Yet I had a wonderful time at Glastonbury Festival. I sang at the stone circle with the Shakti Sings Choir, learnt about the science of music at a live recording of The Infinite Monkey Cage, was entertained by singer/comedians Beans on Toast and Mitch Benn, and listened to an amazing range of music from bands including Hobo Jone and the Junkyard Dogs, The Alarm, Squeeze, Madness, Muse, Mercury Rev and ELO.More than the music, I enjoyed spending real time with my friends - not just chatting to them over social media. And I always enjoy the Glastonbury Vibe - that little flame from the Summer of Love that is kept alive in Somerset and fills the festival with the spirit of peace and friendship. I hope that everyone who was there - and those who couldn't get tickets but watched on TV - can take just a little of that back into the world. Because maybe, just maybe, that light of peace, love and - most of all - understanding, can help us through the darkness to a future where we can all learn to live in harmony.
Friday, 24 June 2016
Question: Would We Be Better Off Without the Internet?
The idea is that by turning off their smartphones, tablets and computers for 24 hours people can experience a day of life unplugged - they way it used to be before the internet and mobile phones were invented. The day of unplugging recognises the value of technology in today's society while trying to encourage people - especially families and children who have grown up with ever-present technology - to be more mindful of their digital usage. This day is not intended to be a one-off, but rather a starting point to encourage people of all ages to embrace a healthy lifestyle by regularly setting aside time away from their digital devices.
According to information from National Unplugging Day organisers, some parenting experts have warned that digital devices are harming relationships, stopping the young from developing face-to-face communication skills and teaching children that disappearing into digital devices for hours is a healthy activity.
Parenting website MyFamilyClub carried out a study with more than 2,000 parents from across the UK, which found that the average parent spends up to 5 hours per day on a smartphone. Typically their children are spending similar times using screens with 80% of children spending 4-5 hours per day on digital devices and with 15% of children spending in excess of 6 hours of screen time across various devices.
Nearly all the parents surveyed (87%) said that technology is damaging to their children’s childhood and nearly all the parents surveyed (94%) wanted the tech industry to help educate them and offer guidelines for safe usage. The statistics also show that more than half of parents (51%) would like to go back to the days of no technology or smartphones and a life less complicated.
The survey also discovered that 41% of parents agreed that family times are ruined from digital distractions and 42% of parents said they use technology to calm their children down or to stop family arguments.
Parenting expert Gemma Johnson founder of MyFamilyClub.co.uk says “As a parent I experience the struggle trying to juggle work and family life and the additional demands of existing in a digital world. We all lead busy lives but it is so important to lead by example with our device usage, boundaries are set by the parents first We want to encourage the nation to put away their digital devices, unplug and pledge to spend time doing something different with their children such as going out for a bike ride, going the park, learning a new activity or taking a walk in the woods.” I think the idea of National Unplugging Day could appeal to many pagans with young children. As for me, I will be at Glastonbury Festival on 26 June and I won't be turning off my mobile phone as it is the best way to find out where my friends if we get separated in the massive festival site.
But what do you think? Will you be unplugging on Sunday? Do you think we were better off in the days before the internet and mobile phones?
Links and previous related post
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/02/material-things.html
http://myfamilyclub.co.uk/
www.nationalunpluggingday.co.uk
Thursday, 23 June 2016
Collecting Magical Herbs on St John's Eve & Feast Day
Today is St John's Eve and traditionally a time when wisewomen collected several types of plants and herbs for healing and for magic. These included fennel, rue, rosemary, lemon verbena, mallows, laburnum, foxgloves and elder flowers - although laburnum and foxglove are now considered poisonous.
Tomorrow, on the Feast of St John, it was customary to gather St John's Wort. This perennial herb with yellow flowers has long been seen as a means to keep evil away magically and as a medicine. It is still used to treat depression today. From at least medieval times the herb has been hung over doors and windows to keep away evil spirits and wicked witches (although I am sure more than a few witches used the herb as well). In some areas, the yellow flowers are dipped in a bowl of water and left outside exposed to the dew of night until the following morning, when people use the flower water to wash their faces.
The is a photo of St John's Wort growing in the Horniman Museum Gardens. The Knights Hospitallers would have used the herb for its healing properties, which were well known, but it probably got its name because it starts to bloom around 24 June, St John’s Day.
Note: This is not medical advice, always consult a qualified medical herbalist before taking any herbal remedy.
Links and previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/04/games-pepys-wild-flowers-and-learning.html
http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypericum_perforatum
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/pagan-eye-echinacea-flowers-in-bloom.html
http://www.horniman.ac.uk/
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London
Here are details of some of the events in and near London over the next week or so that could be of interest to pagans.
Now - 31 August; Akhenaten: Heretic, Visionary, Icon Exhibition at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT. Lunchtime tours: 1.15pm-1.45pm. For more details, email events.petrie@ucl.ac.uk or phone 020 7679 4138.
Now - 12 September; Austin Osman Spare - A Retrospective. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/
Now to 30 September; Folklore, Magic and Mysteries: Modern Witchcraft and Folk Culture in Britain - exhibition of artefacts, manuscripts and documents from the Doreen Valiente Foundation. Venue: Preston Manor, Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6SD. Time: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 2-5pm. Free entry to exhibition with Preston Manor admission (adult £5.85, child (5-15) £3.15). Details: http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/prestonmanor/
Now to 27 November, Sunken Cities - Egypt’s Lost Worlds. Major exhibition at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tickets £16.50. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
Wednesday 22 June; Free Lunchtime Meditation near Bond Street. Part of the free lunchtime events listed by Light in London. Venue is shown to members of the group. Time: 1pm. Free. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Light-in-London/
Thursday 23 June; The Gift of An Angel. Talk and book signing with Wendy Erlick at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.watkinsbooks.com/
Thursday 23 June; Connect with the Source: Crown Chakra Meditation with Sound Journey run by Himesh with the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Columbia Hotel (Regency Suite), 95 - 99 Lancaster Gate W2 3NS,. Time: 7pm. Tickets £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality
Thursday 23 June; Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki talking about The Hidden Symbolism in Fairy Tales. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Starts: 7pm. Tickets: £25 per person. Advannce booking essential. Tel: 020 7405 2120 or email atlantis@theatlantisbookshop.com.
Thursday 23 June; Constructing Magical Prague: Ghettos, The Golem and the Alchemical Emperor. Lecture by Dr John Callow hosted by London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Tickets: £4/£2. Time: 7.30pm. https://www.wegottickets.com/event/362370
Friday 24 June; Talk and book signings by Byron Katie at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6pm. Free event. For further information, phone 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.watkinsbooks.com/
Friday 24 June; Anthony Kesner Presents his Students. The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12. Advance booking advised. For further details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/
Saturday 25 June; John Michell Symposium 2016: the Earth Spirit. Venue: Workers Guild, Bloomsbury, London. Time: 10am-5pm. Tickets £50/£45 concessions; £25 students, from Stephen Overy (01233) 813 663, or email gen@temenos.myzen.co.uk. You can find out more on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/239767086374585/
Saturday 25 June; Complete Wicca - A one day woodland-based Course for Beginners with London Woodland Witches Wiccans Ritual Magicians and Pagans. One-day course teaching the basics of Wicca and aimed at newcomers to the Craft. Meet at The Windmill Cafe, Wimbledon Windmill Museum, Windmill Road, Wimbledon Common, SW19 5NR at 11.30am to walk to nearby woods for the outdoor workshop. Price: £27 per person, pay online. Details: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/
Saturday 25 June - Sunday 26 June; Traditional Village Craft. Weekend workshop teaching the traditional Craft of the Wise with Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki. Venue: Islington Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park, London N5 1PH. Time: 9.30am-5.30pm. Cost is £145 with a deposit of £75. Book early as this workshop is likely to fill up very quickly. For more information and to reserve a place contact Maria-Teresa Harmer via facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1101131786597828/ or telephone 07963428992
Sunday 26 June; 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 26 June; Summer Solstice Ceremony with South London Wicca Meetup. Venue: Private house in south London. Time: 2pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/South-London-Wicca-Meetup/
Sunday 26 June; Robert Cochrane memorial rite with the London Wicca Meet-up Group. Time: 4pm-9pm. We will meet in the Woodman pub in Highgate at 4 pm first, at 6pm they group will go to Queens Wood for the memorial. For details and to book a place visit: http://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wicca-Meetup-Group/
Monday 27 June; Tarot Archetype - The World Card. Evening Mini-Workshop with Marysia Kay . Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Ticket price £10. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/
Monday 27 June; You are the Placebo. Talk by Dr Joe Dispenza. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm. Talk: 7pm. Tickets £20/£15 online. For more details and to book tickets: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/
Monday 27 June; Croydon Children of Artemis Gathering has relocating to High Holborn and is now called the Witches Gathering. It now meets on the last Monday of each month. Venue: downstairs in the cellar of the Cittie of Yorke, 22 High Holborn, London WC1V 6BS. Starting for 7.30pm. onwards. For any questions email coacentral@witchcraft.org or visit http://www.witchfest.net/
Tuesday 28 June; Women's Tent - fortifying our Self Worth - shamanic journey circle for women run by Behind The Veil - Shamanism, Venue: Organic Down to Earth Cafe, 240-242 High Street Kensington, London W8 6ND. Starts at 7pm and entry is £20. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Behind-The-Veil-Shamanism/
Tuesday 28 June; Why Make a Special Place for Meditation? Lecture by Richard Coleman. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm – 9pm. Entry £3.50 (£1 concessions, students and under 25s). No bookings required - just turn up. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/
Tuesday 28 June; 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 29 June; Speaking to the Dead in Dreams - Imagination, ESP or More? Talk by Cal Cooper and David Saunders. 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/Wednesday 29 June; 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 30 June; Secrets of Heaven. Talk and book signing with Theresa Cheung at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.watkinsbooks.com/
Thursday 30 June; The Cock Lane Ghost: A London Ghost Story. Talk by Roger Clarke, author of A Natural History of Ghosts, organised by London Fortean Society. Venue: The Pipeline, 94 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EZ London. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets £4/£2. https://www.wegottickets.com/event/362476
Friday 1 July; Santa Muerte, Love Sorceress: 'Come to me .. or else!' Lecture by Andrew Chesnut. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Ticket price £8. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/
Saturday 2 July; Making Silver Amulets. Afternoon Workshop with Jutta Rethe. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am-5.30pm start. Ticket price £40. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/
Saturday 2 July; 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. One-day festival of tarot with a range of talks.
Sunday 3 July; 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 3 July; Sister Circles and Cycle Mapping for Women. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary Pea Lane Upminster Essex, UK, RM14 2XH. Time: 7pm. Cost £30. You must reserve a place in advance and pay a deposit. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1142591585783071/
Note: I do not run any of these events. Although I try to make sure the details are accurate it is best to check with the organisers before attending. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
More Photos of the Solstice Sunset at Stonehenge
As I was downloading them, the card from my camera corrupted. I took it to a print shop where a very kind man tried to rescue what was on it, but without success. I suppose I should be pleased that I at least managed to save these.
I promised that I would blog more about my Stonehenge adventure, so here goes.
My hubby and I decided to visit Stonehenge in the day on the 20th and then come back in the evening for a chance to get among the stones with the Open Access that English Heritage allows at the Solstice. Despite setting off from London with four hours before before they stopped letting tourists in - which they do at 1pm on the solstice - we managed to get there with just 5 minutes to spare. Still, it was enough to experience the usual tour of the stones and the new visitor centre - which is actually very good and worth seeing.
However, it isn't a patch on the experience of actually getting amongst the stone circle, which we did later that evening.
We walked from Amesbury - a village about 2 miles away - and arrived in time to watch the sunset and the moonrise. The stones are so much more impressive up close than they are from the usual path around them - and the energy inside the circle is incredible. It was absolutely amazing to be able to touch the stones, something I haven't done since I was a small child.
The rules this year meant that no alcohol was allowed at Stonehenge, but I didn't mind that. To be honest it was nice not to be surrounded by people who were too drunk. People were singing and drumming and the whole atmosphere was like a great party - happy and peaceful.
The sunrise on the morning of the 20th was apparently the best for years too. Well worth going to see.
Full Moon at Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice
Here's a photo I took of the full moon rising at Stonehenge last night at the Summer Solstice - the first time the two events happened at the same time since 1967. The name of the full moon was apparently the Strawberry Moon.
I will be posting more about my visit to Stonehenge later, but this was my favourite picture - and it really didn't do justice to the amazing sight of the full moon seen between the megaliths.
Oh and here is a link to a news story I found about the Strawberry Moon: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/21/strawberry-moon-lights-up-night-sky-on-summer-solstice/
Monday, 20 June 2016
I'm Going to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice
Today I am off to Stonehenge to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Although I have certainly been to England's most famous stone circle many times before, I've never before been there for a solstice celebration, as I blogged about a few years ago.
This year I made it one of my resolutions to finally experience either the sunset or sunrise on the longest day and shortest night of the year at Stonehenge. It might rain, it might be too cloudy to see the sun, it might be packed with tourists and it might cost a fortune to park in the car park, but I don't care. It is one of those things I feel I have to do at least once and I am sure it will be memorable, whatever happens..
I won't be taking an expensive camera with me, but I do hope to get one or two photos to share on the blog.
Happy Summer Solstice, wherever you are!
The photo at the top was taken by my friends Karen Padley and Stuart Knight at the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in 2014
Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/06/why-ive-never-been-to-stonehenge-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/01/nazi-sorcerers-at-stonehenge.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/a-few-views-of-stonehenge.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/06/pictures-from-stonehenge-summer.html
Saturday, 18 June 2016
Forget Hares - It's Rabbit Awareness Week
So many pagans are enamoured of hares, but hardly give a thought to the humble rabbit. Well, I thought I should redress that balance because today is the start of Rabbit Awareness Week. Oh, and I was also sent a press release with a picture of an adorable but grumpy looking rabbit that I couldn't resist sharing.
Of course we all know quite a bit already about what these incredibly common creatures get up to in the wild. They were introduced by the Romans as a popular thing to eat, they are sociable creatures that live in burrows and breed like, well, rabbits, to the point of being a bit of a pest. The ongoing battle between farmer and bunny is the stuff of many tales. And, of course, they are a major food source for many of our other wild creatures, including birds of prey.
According to Chris Luttichau in the book Animal Spirit Guides: "Rabbit is a great animal benefactor and all predators, including humans, hunt rabbits in order to eat and live. The medicine of rabbit is humility - knowing your ability and your role and accepting both happily."
But because rabbits breed so fast, they also represent fertility - including the fertility of the land. Chris Luttichau says: "This wealth of procreation gives her a role similar to that of Mother Earth."
But so much for wild rabbits - what about bunnies kept as pets? The press release I was sent with the photo at the top is about how half of the pet rabbits kept in the UK are apparently lonely and stressed.
UK veterinary charity, PDSA, has released statistics that show more than 55 per cent of rabbit owners are worried about behaviour in their pets, including biting the bars of their run or hutch repeatedly, fur pulling, biting, growling and hissing. The PDSA's latest animal wellbeing report showed that with more than 680,000 rabbits living alone, despite being highly sociable animals, and thousands more living in small hutches with no opportunity for exercise or mental stimulation, many are unhappy.
PDSA veterinary surgeon Rebecca Ashman said: “Our figures highlight that lack of mental stimulation can have a huge impact on pet behaviour. What’s most frustrating is the fact that many of these issues could easily be avoided if rabbits were given the right conditions, diet and companions to live alongside.”
As a charitable partner in this year’s RAW, which runs from 18 to 26 June 2016, PDSA is backing RAW’s #BuddiesForBunnies campaign to get solitary rabbits paired up with suitable companions from rescue centres. The charity says the findings should be a ‘call to action’ for the 57 per cent of rabbit owners who own single rabbits.
Ashman added: “Pets do so much to enrich and improve our lives, but by not meeting their needs, their physical and mental wellbeing can be severely compromised. Sadly, rabbits seem to be the forgotten pet. They can’t speak up and tell us if they’re unhappy, but with the right information and education, owners can make positive changes to their pets’ lives.”
For more details on RAW, visit: www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk
Links and previous related posts
Animal Spirit Guides
www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk
pdsa.org.uk
https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/rabbits/about_rabbits/history/
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