Walking the Labyrinth at Julian's Bower

This is Julian's Bower, a historic turf path in Alkborough, near Scunthorpe. I was in that area yesterday for a family occasion and took the opportunity to visit and walk it. Although it's historically called a 'maze', nowadays people tend to call this type of pattern with a single winding path a labyrinth. However, the signs nearby all call it a maze. A chart one on side of Julian's Bower reads:  

"This turf maze is one of the few remaining in Britain but its age and origins remain a mystery. The first written record was in 1697 when it was thought to be Roman. However due to its likeness to maze patterns in Medieval French churches it is thought that Julian's Bower may be medieval. In later centuries the maze was used for 'maze running' games by local children. A Victorian replica can be seen in the porch floor at Alkborough Church."

A plaque on a stone plinth on the other side, placed there by Alkborough Maze Committee, offers this information:

"Mazes are associated with Theseus threading the Cretan labyrinth to slay the Minotaur-a common theme in ancient life. Turf mazes often bore the name of 'Julian's Bower' or 'Walls of Troy'. It is thought that these names record the belief that Julius, son of Aeneas, legendary founder of Rome, brought maze games to Italy from Troy after its sacking by the Greeks. Maze games were adopted by the early Church as a symbol of the Christian path to salvation and may have been used for penitential purposes."

Labyrinths seems to be cropping up in my life a lot at the moment, and I pay attention when magical symbols keep presenting themselves to me, just like this. I've walked many labyrinths in the past, including ones cut in turf, but this is the first I've walked that's genuinely old.  As I traversed the twists and turns I felt shifted out of normal space and time, similar to the way I feel when I'm scrying. The message I got was that when you are pursuing a goal, sometimes you feel very close to it, but don't quite get there, while at other times you feel you are getting further and further away and even feel lost. The important thing is to just keep going, if you do, you will get there in the end. 

Throughout November, I've been taking part in the challenge of National Novel Writing Month write 50,000 words of a novel in 30 days. That sense of not sometimes knowing where my plot was going was very much like walking a labyrinth. I haven't quite finished the first draft of that novel yet, although I have already completed 50,000 words of it. I will get there though. Just a little bit further.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/pagan-eye-julians-bower-maze.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/09/review-ariadnes-thread-ancient-minoan.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/book-review-labyrinth-walking-radiant.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/11/im-writing-gothic-horror-novel-set-in.html

Magical Folklore Podcast & Sacred Wonders TV Series

Here are details of a podcast and a new TV series that explore the magical and the sacred:

Folklore Podcast on Magical House Protection
The latest episode of the Folklore Podcast is all about magical house protection. Podcast presenter Mark Norman talks to Brian Hoggard about his new book and research into things like witch-bottles, charms, protective marks, and concealed objects including shoes, dead cats and horse skulls. These have been used widely in history to keep members of households safe from curses and negative energy. You can listen to the episode for free via the Folklore Podcast website: https://thefolklorepodcast.weebly.com/

Sacred Wonders on BBC1
A new documentary series called Sacred Wonders is starting on BBC1 this Wednesday, 7 August, at 9pm. It looks at spectacular landmarks around the world that are connected to religions or have spiritual significance. You can find out more about it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007fhl

You can view Brian Hoggard's book Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft on Amazon .

Place of the Ancient Dead: Wayland's Smithy

Before visiting Avebury at the weekend, I went to Wayland's Smithy, which is about 12 miles from the ancient stone circle. I'd been meaning to go to Wayland's Smithy for years - and in fact nearly visited back in 2015, but the weather was so bad I gave up after climbing Dragon Hill and going up to the Uffington White Horse in thick fog.

This time, the weather was dry and sunny. I was lucky though - earlier it had been tipping with rain and it rained again later. But while I was there it was a perfect autumn day, as you can see in the photo above.

Wayland's Smithy is a Neolithic long barrow and chamber tomb close to the Ridgeway on the Berkshire Downs. Fourteen people were originally interred there and archaeologists have found that ceremonies were held in ancient times to honour the dead.

However, in more recent centuries the burial site became associated with the Anglo-Saxon god Wayland the Smith. Wayland's story is told in the 13th century Icelandic poem Völundarkvida and he is also mentioned in the tale of Beowulf. According to folklore, if you leave a horse at Wayland's Smithy along with coins, then go away for a while, the horse will be reshoed by the time you return.

I didn't see any horses or coins left at Wayland's Smithy when I was there, but I did see an offering of a bunch of foraged leaves and berries inside the tomb. Even though berries are biodegradable and are food for wildlife, I think it would have been better for the environment to leave them outside on the grass rather than inside the barrow. Nevertheless, they did look appropriate for a Samhain offering to the ancient dead of this sacred site. Our ancestors of place are remembered still.

Wayland's Smithy is managed by English Heritage. It is near Ashbury, SN6 8NX, and is a mile walk from the White Horse car park.

Links and previous related posts
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/waylands-smithy/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wayland-the-Smith
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/pagan-eye-uffington-white-horse-in-rain.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/01/nazi-sorcerers-at-stonehenge.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/10/village-of-dead-hetty-peglers-tump.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/days-out-coldrum-long-barrow-on-north.html

Bride’s Mound – Glastonbury’s Long-Lost Sacred Site

This is a picture of Bride’s Mound, a small hill to the west of Glastonbury, which according to legend once had a healing well nearby.

While Chalice Well and the White Spring are today famous sacred sites, Bride’s Well might once have been just as well known.

According to The Friends of Bride’s Mound, archaeological evidence suggests the site was used in ancient times. A dig discovered skeletons that were dated to the 5th century. Anglo-Saxons later constructed a chapel there, which remained in use until the dissolution of the monasteries.

Nowadays, however, the site is one of Glastonbury’s hidden secrets. There isn’t much to see except a field with a mound containing some well-worn sign boards and a few offerings left on the top of the mound. However, it is a peaceful spot, perfect for quiet contemplation away from the hustle and bustle of most of Glastonbury on a sunny day.

The Friends of Bride’s Mound wants to conserve the site and needs donations to help with the work. The website is www.friendsofbridesmound.com

I took the photo above so that you can see the plaque and offerings on the bottom left and the Tor in the distance at the top to the right.

Clouties, Ribbons and My Twig Tree Craft Project

What do you think of my twig tree, which I decorated for Beltane?

It was a craft project that started with me picking up a fallen branch on a woodland walk. I put it in an old glass jar filled with pebbles and tied on green leaves cut from an upcycled plastic bottle.

Then, for Beltane, I decided I wanted to decorate it. You can just see it sitting on my altar for my Beltane ritual in my earlier blog post.

My idea was partly inspired by Maypole ribbons, but also by the clouties traditionally tied at some sacred wells and springs. Clouties were once tiny bits of natural cloth used in healing magic. The idea was that if you were unwell you visited a special spring or well where you tore off a tiny strip from your clothing, dipped it in the water and then tied it to a nearby tree. As the natural fabric rotted away, your illness would be healed.

This concept so caught the imaginations of pagans and others that a lot of sacred sites are now overly cluttered with ribbons and other adornments left by visitors. Often the things left are made of plastic or other artificial fibres and so will not decompose. There are so many of them that they can cause a hazard to wildlife and even damage trees.

Volunteers spend a lot of time removing them and really it is better if people don't leave them in the first place unless it is at a site that specifically allows them, such as Crossbones graveyard in London (pictured right). At most sacred sites they are not encouraged these days.

However, I have to admit I rather like the visual effect of trees dressed with coloured ribbons and streamers. So, I thought I could create my own artwork in my own home to enjoy for as long as I wanted, without littering public areas. I simply tied leftover lengths of coloured wool to an old bangle and hung it from the top of my twig tree to create the effect in the picture at the top.

You could use that idea to make tree decorations to use at sacred sites outdoors, then take away with you afterwards. Instead of a bangle, you could make a loop of ivy or honeysuckle and hang wool or ribbons to that. Use them while you are there - then it is easy to remove the hoop dressed with ribbons from the tree before you leave. You can hang them up again in your own home and enjoy them for as long as you like.

But please, at sacred sites, don't leave behind anything you brought with you unless you are specifically given permission to do so. Take your belongings home with you and leave the place tidy.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/my-altar-set-up-and-ready-for-my.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/craft-twig-tree-with-upcycled-plastic.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/folklore-early-december-and-tree.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/event-numinous-clouties-transformed-in.html

Glastonbury: Experiencing the Red & White Springs

After blogging the other day about something that upset me in Glastonbury, today I wanted to blog about an amazing experience I had in the town at the end of my holiday last weekend.

One of my reasons for stopping off at Glastonbury on my way home from Cornwall was to visit the sacred wells - the white spring and the red spring.

I always love to go to both of them when I am in the area - in fact that is often my main reason for going. Chalice Well, the site of the red spring, is in a beautiful garden setting and is the perfect place for meditation or just quiet contemplation  on a sunny, warm spring day. The picture to the right shows the well head, but further down the path is a fountain that you can drink from and a small pool of ankle-deep water that you can dip or paddle in if you want to.

The white spring, just across the road, is in a building set into the side of Glastonbury Tor. Inside, it is almost dark - only lit by candles. There are shrines at various places and water running in channels that weave across the tiled floor. In the centre is a huge, round pool with steps leading up to the edge, that you can bathe in if you want to.

I had never done so before, but that day I felt I wanted to wash away the lingering disquiet I felt after my earlier unpleasant experience, so I took off my clothes and immersed myself  in the dark water. It was very cold, but wonderful.

I was lucky - the only people in the building at the time were me, my husband - who held my clothes - and the keeper tending the spring that day. And, when I climbed in, the keeper began playing music on a flute. It was the kindest thing I could imagine. The entire experience was amazing - and proof that Glastonbury is home to the loveliest people imaginable.

Note: Photography is not allowed inside the white spring building, mobile phones must be switched off at both springs.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/
http://www.whitespring.org.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/05/a-thank-you-to-staff-at-wildwood.html

Hare Women and Minotaur Men at Salisbury Cathedral

Green Men were not the only things at Salisbury Cathedral that seemed a bit pagan when I visited a few weeks ago. Both the grounds and the building are dotted with these amazing hare or rabbit women statues by Sophie Ryder.

The one at the top is called Dancing Ladies and the name plaque said: "Three tall and slender feminine forms with soft luxuriant rabbit ears, invite the viewer to join them in their dance. The lady hare friends exude a joie de vivre." They reminded me of the Three of Cups in Tarot, which also shows three dancing ladies and indicates it is time for joyful celebration.

The series of statues to the right were in the cloister garden and showed several hare-eared figures among a circle of poles that reminded me of nearby Woodhenge. The photo at the bottom shows huge head-and-shoulder sculptures of a female hare and a male minotaur.

The statues were all part of a temporary art display called Relationships. According to the Salisbury Cathedral website, the exhibition explored artist Sophie Ryder's own family interactions and relationships, at the same time challenging us to consider how we interact with each other and our own loved ones. It said: "She uses the hare-headed female figures and minotaur males both to portray those relationships and to disguise them, to render the emotions explored universal."

The website also implied that the exhibition ended shortly after I visited, which is a bit of a shame because it was really impressive, moving and thought-provoking.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/07/hunting-green-men-of-salisbury-cathedral.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/06/forget-hares-its-rabbit-awareness-week.html

Green London: Tibetan Peace Garden in SE1

Today is the International Day of Peace, better known as World Peace Day. It is observed every year on 21 September – and I say observed rather than celebrated as there is so much conflict in the world at the moment.

The day is dedicated to world peace – specifically the absence of war and violence, even temporary ceasefires in a battle zones for humanitarian aid. The day was inaugurated in 1982 and is now honoured by nations, political groups, military groups and people all over the world.

The pictures on this post show the Tibetan Peace Garden, in Southwark, South East London. The garden was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1999. The website for the garden says: "The Tibetan Peace Garden honours one of the principal teachings of His Holiness – the need to create understanding between different cultures and to establish places of peace and harmony in the world."

The garden reflects Buddhist beliefs about peace – which feel to me quite in keeping with many pagans’ views on peace too.

As well as being full of scented herbs and beautiful climbing flowers, at the centre of the garden is a huge mandala, known as the Kalachakra Mandala, which is a symbol of transformation intended to help bring peace to those who gaze upon it. At the quarters – or directional points of north, south, east and west – are sculptures representing the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. There are benches on which to sit and meditate and a pillar with a message from the 14th Dalai Lama, which reads:

We human beings are passing through a crucial period in our development.
Conflicts and mistrust have plagued the past century, which has brought immeasurable human suffering and environmental destruction. It is in the interests of all of us on this planet that we make a joint effort to turn the next century into an era of peace and harmony.
May this peace garden become a monument to the courage of the Tibetan people and their commitment to peace.
May it remain as a symbol to remind us that human survival depends on living in harmony and always choosing the path of non-violence in resolving our differences.

For me, the location of the garden carries a stronger message than all the flowers, mandalas, sculptures and messages. It is right next to the Imperial War Museum.

When you walk through the garden and emerge from its protective circles of paths and hedges, you are immediately faced with two huge guns outside the museum. The effect is jolting, even shocking. Yet the guns are silent – and, although I have never been inside the museum, I am told it is more about honouring the lives – and deaths – of those who fought in wars that are now ceased than it is a celebration of all things martial.

May the guns fall silent in the world today.

The Tibetan Peace Garden is at Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, St George's Road, London SE1 6ER. You can find out more here: http://www.tibet-foundation.org/page/peace_garden

Here are details of two pagan events taking place in London for World Peace Day on Monday, 21 September, 2015:

World Peace Day Picnic and Ceremony in Hyde Park with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet at the Italian Gardens, Hyde Park, London. Once gathered, the group will go to a slightly quieter place for the ritual. Time: 1pm-4pm. For more details and to sign up to this event: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Meditate in Trafalgar Square on World Peace Day. Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Time: 6.30pm to 7pm. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/events/225088025/

Links
http://www.peaceoneday.org/welcome
http://www.tibet-foundation.org/page/peace_garden
http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans
http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/events/225088025/

Glastonbury: Learning to Live in Festival Time

If I have one regret from Glastonbury Festival it is that I missed the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday speech - but even that's not much of a regret. One thing I learnt over the five days was to slow down and move at festival pace, even if that sometimes meant I didn't get where I was intending to go.

Rushing around with just a goal in mind can mean missing out on fun along the way. It is okay to be where you are, even if that isn't where you wanted to be.

Glasto is massive. It can easily take 40 minutes to walk from one side to the other - longer if there are crowds of people all trying to get from one stage to the other at the same time between bands. Added to that, the ground gets really muddy after even a little rain and if you need to stop to use a loo or fill up a water bottle you will probably have to queue for five or ten minutes as well. If you let yourself get stressed out by that, you won't get the most out of the festival. You have to live in the moment, which is a good lesson to learn. One of my best Glastonbury experiences was one of those kinds of moments.

I was in a very long queue at some rather smelly toilets (if you have even been to an outdoor music festival you can probably picture that). People were filling up the ground in front of the stage. I was worrying that I'd not only miss the start of the band I wanted to see, but that I'd be quite unable to find my mates in the crowd. Then I got talking with four other women in the queue. We were different ages and I suspect from very different backgrounds outside the festival, but that didn't matter.

We shared tips for keeping clothes away from the mud (and other muck) in loos. The youngest, maybe 16 years old, offered to share her pack of wet wipes with us. A DJ started playing an Oasis song nearby and we all started dancing and singing along to it. By the time we reached the end of the queue and it was our turn to face the terrible toilets, we had bonded so much that we hugged each other and said our farewells as though leaving old friends. That's another Glasto lesson - that wherever you are you will find music and mates if you look for them.

The Dalai Lama gave a birthday message to the crowd during Patti Smith's set at the Pyramid Stage. I had also wanted to be there for that, but I was right at the other side of the festival. Earlier in the day I had gone in search of a cup of chai, which is a lovely spiced tea and the perfect pick-me-up festival drink in my opinion. I'd wandered up to the healing fields and found the Mandala tent where chai was on offer, folk music was being sung and there were some nice benches to sit on and rest weary legs.

When the folk music ended, Nik Turner (formerly of Hawkwind) came onto the stage for a jamming session with various other Glasto old-timers, including someone called Captain Whizz who I had never heard of before. But the set was so good I got up to dance despite aching feet. Then I realised I was missing Patti Smith and the Dalai Lama, but I didn't mind. I was where I was and that was a good place to be.

And, of course, Patti and the Dalai Lama are still available to watch on the BBC website, while the Mandala Stage was certainly not being recorded. After I got home and had internet access, I listened to what the Dalai Lama said. After the crowds sang Happy Birthday to him, he thanked them for their warm feelings:

“I dedicate my body, speech and mind to the wellbeing of others. That is my main daily practice. When people are showing warm feeling that gives me more enthusiasm...We all the same human beings. We all want happy life. Each day is a new day. New birthday. Every morning when you get up, think this new day, birthday, I must carry this birthday, happy birthday. In order to be happy day, keep here more compassionate feeling...that is the ultimate source of happy mind, happy feeling. That brings self confidence. That creates honest, truthful, so your new day becomes more meaningful...that day carry transference, that brings trust. Trust is the basis of friendship. We are social animals. Friendship very important. Friendship cannot be bought by money or force. I practice that, so I want to share.”

It is, undoubtedly, a good message. I hope I'm not being too irreverent when I say what it reminded me of - the message from the time travel movie Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure: "Be excellent to each other...and...PARTY ON DUDES!"

I think if I could time travel, I would go back and experience all the Glastonbury Festivals of the past. There are so many wonderful lessons to be learnt in festival time - and so many wonderful friends to make there.

Photos from top: the Pyramid Stage, a hugging troll, Nik Turner and Captain Whizz

Links and previous related posts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02vtjqw
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Pagan Places: Pictures of a Secret Underground Temple

Imagine using this amazing secret underground temple for magical rites. One very lucky coven does just that. Pat, who emailing me a lovely picture of Bryn Celli Ddu earlier this week, followed that up by sending me these pictures of this ancient sacred site.

The location is very secret, as the coven does not want it spoiled by people littering the place or damaging it. I really don't blame them for keeping it secret one little bit - I would do exactly the same.

It also serves as a reminder to all pagans to take their litter home after outdoor rituals, and not to do anything that causes and harm.

The photos are copyright Pat. Please do not download them or copy them without permission.

Lullingstone Roman Villa, Sacred Well and Cult Room

Does the term "Cult Room" to describe a mysterious ancient place of worship found at an archaeological dig sound like somewhere used by fanatical Cthulhu worshippers to you?

That's certainly what came to my mind when I visited Lullingstone Roman Villa, which has the remains of a subterranean room with a deep well in the middle and is described it as a Cult Room in the guide book.Mind you, I suspect that's just my over-active imagination as the word "cult" can just mean a particular system of religious worship.

The information panel beside the room says: "For much - if not all - of its life this room was used as a cult room. In the niche on [the] left you can see the remains of a painted scene of three water nymphs, suggesting that a water cult was worshipped."

The panel goes on to say: "In the 4th century, a Christian house-church occupied the room directly above. This may have served members of the family or the wider community - it appears that some of the rooms to [the] right were converted to act as a vestibule and ante-chamber for the church. It is possible that pagan worship continued in the cult room after the church was established."

It seemed to me that in some way that little well, sacred to a pagan water god, is still venerated at least in token even today. There were a scattering of modern coins in the water and around the edge of the pit, and another sign put up by English Heritage which owns the site, read: "Thank you for your kind offering of coins to our deep room. Please can any coins and other donations now be given directly to our staff in the shop..."

I do understand that throwing things into a place of archaeological importance like this can cause damage and so should be discouraged, but I also can't help but smile at the way us humans are instinctively drawn to continue to make offerings at ancient pagan sites and sacred wells.

Lullingstone Roman Villa is a great place to visit as part of a day out in the Darent Valley, in Kent. It is under cover, so it doesn't matter what the weather is doing, and has plenty to see apart from the pagan cult room. There are some lovely mosaics (pictured at the top), and exhibits about what life was like in Roman times.

Links and previous related posts
Lullingstone Roman Villa (English Heritage Guidebooks)
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/lullingstone-roman-villa/
Terror of the Cthulhu Mythos
Steve Ash on the Great Old Ones
Assaulting the Castle
A Few Views of Stonehenge

Plans for Sacred Space with Stone Circle near Reading

Here is a posting from George Knowles (Man in Black) about his plans to create a wonderful new sacred space in the countryside.

Notice to all Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, Druids, Shamans and others who value our intrinsic connection with nature. I have some great news, but for those who do not know me personally, a little history. For several years now I have been living on a privately owned nine hole golf course called the Wessex Downs Golf Course. Situated on the side of a hill in the beautiful countryside near Beenham, Reading, in Berkshire, this parkland area is surrounded with forested trees of all descriptions and offers fantastic views overlooking the Kennet and Avon valley.

You can see a photo [above] of part of the site as it is currently. You can also see pictures on my website at: http://www.controverscial.com/My%20Place%20in%20England.htm although these pics do not do justice to the quiet beauty, peace and serenity that one feels here which needs to be experienced physically to be appreciated. However, there is one place here in particular that I consider to be "Sacred Space". It is a naturally formed semi-enclosed grove (just off the main golf course, so it won't interfere with others) where the energy of the elements can be felt and visualised and where the wind speaks as it rustles through the nearby trees.

I am happy to report that the family landowners (my landlord, close friends and neighbours for the past decade) have now agreed and given permission for me to develop it as a "Pagan Place/Sacred Space". We have some genuine old York Stone slabs and will be using these to create a outer-stone circle within the grove, with a smaller inner circle to contain a sacred fire.

Naturally it will be nothing on the scale of Avebury or Stonehenge, but I hope it will become Reading's main place of Pagan retreat and pilgrimage. I also have hopes it will become used as a place for people's personal connection with nature and the elements, and as we develop, a place for regular coven practise and ritual. 

Later perhaps it may also become a venue for an annual Reading Pagan Fest. Facilities on site at the moment are pretty non-existent (again under development), but we have ample room for overnight campers and touring vans etc, if anyone cares to visit.

I have a couple of days off from my mundane work next week during which the Circle of Stones will be planted. We are open to golfers for just five pounds-a-round, and similar costs will apply to overnight campers. There will be no charge to just visit the Stones

What say you guys? Will you visit and support us (the address post code is: RG7 5QH) ask for me, George, or enquire about our "Sacred Space" to be admitted :-)

Merry we part.

George Knowles (Man in Black).

E-mail - George@controverscial.com
Website - http://www.controverscial.com
Group owner - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Email_Witches
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/george.knowles.750
Twitter - https://twitter.com/GeoManinBlack

In Search of London's Camelot and the Grail

As promised, here are more photos of London’s Camelot – a moated island in Trent Country Park in North London that is currently called Camlet Moat, but once genuinely bore the name of Camelot on historic maps. Obviously, no one can say for sure if this Camelot was ever the site of King Arthur’s famous castle, but plenty of people like to think that it might have been

If you’ve been following my blog, you will know that I decided to visit Camlet Moat after reading a book called London’s Camelot and the Secrets of the Grail by Chris Street. I went there one Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago and posted a photo of it, promising to write more later. Here goes.

Although it is possible to get to Trent Park by train and underground, it turned out the trains weren’t running the day I wanted to go, so my husband kindly offered to drive me there. It was a bright morning, but very cold and we had to scrape ice from the windscreen before setting off.

The ground was still frozen when we arrived at Trent Park over an hour later. It was one of those clear, crisp winter days when the fallen leaves on the ground are frosted with ice crystals that glitter in the sunshine. It is the kind of sparkle than can make anywhere seem a bit magical.

Camlet Moat is not well signposted within Trent Park. It is hidden in dense woodland and surrounded by a wooden fence with just a couple of small gateways. Unless you know it is there and worth visiting, you would probably walk straight past it.

Luckily, I knew where I was going and had noted the directions on the English Heritage website, which are pretty good. After ten minutes or so of navigating windy woodland paths, my hubby and I came to the entrance to Camlet Moat. You can see the fence and little gate in the picture above (together with a silhouette of me taking the photo if you look carefully).

Once inside through the gate, you come to the moat. It is a wide stretch of water nearly completely enclosing a square-shaped island that can only be reached by a narrow path. At one time, according to archaeologists, an impressive wooden bridge crossed the waters and a signpost near one of the gates gives a description of what that was like.

The water in the moat is bright green. The colour is caused by thick algae, which you would think might be a bit grim, but I thought added to the sense of strangeness and otherworldliness of the area.

The words of the poem La Belle Dame Sans Merci came to my mind “The sedge has withered from the lake, And no birds sing.” Certainly the area was very quiet, and the trees and shrubs had withered with the season. Unlike the lady of the poem, however, I had no intention of leading my lovely hubby to the lake and abandoning him there “Alone and palely loitering.”

The island in the middle of the moat is anything but dismal and forlorn. It is clearly a place that many hold in reverence. It has inspired people to leave beautiful offerings such as the tree decorations in the picture to the right and the delightful owl in the picture above left.

I was very taken with the owl. I know owls seem to be in fashion this season – jumpers with owl prints are in all the shops and, in fact. I have one myself. But I've also been seeing owls quite a bit in meditations and dreams recently, and have been reminded that one of my favourite books as a child was The Owl Serviceby Alan Garner. I really don’t know why owls are cropping up in my life quite so often but somehow seeing the owls at Camlet Moat made this seem particularly significant.

My husband and I walked all around the island, which doesn’t take too long. There was no one else in sight all the time we were there. It was peaceful, beautiful and magical – even though it was very, very cold.

Again I was reminded of Keats's poem and in my mind's eye "I saw pale kings and princes too". It was easy to imagine that we had somehow stepped out of the everyday world and crossed into the land of Avalon where knights in armour still quested for the Grail, King Arthur lay sleeping and a merciless fairy enchantresses could entice lonely travellers with her beauty to keep them in her thrall.

The only thing that marred the site was the inevitable discarded litter. Now I guess it is possible that the squashed cardboard cup I photographed was in fact the Holy Grail heavily in disguise – and indeed my idea of what the Grail might serve could well be a hot cinnamon latte – but frankly I doubt it.

My only regret was not bringing a bin sack to clear up other people’s rubbish as my gift to the sacred and magical site before I left.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/londons-camelot-and-secrets-of-grail.html
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/our-planning-role/greater-london-archaeology-advisory-service/sitevisits/sitesvisit/475856/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/12/pagan-eye-view-over-camelot.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Belle_Dame_sans_Merci
The Owl Service

Review: Sacred Stones and Crystals

I confess I’ve never been a big collector of crystals – although, like most witches, I have a few.

I have a clear quartz that I found during a childhood holiday in Cornwall. It isn't worth much, but has great sentimental value. I have a few small crystals I’ve been given as gifts over the years and which sit in a little pot on my mantelpiece. I also have the lovely jet and amber necklace I won in the Pagan Federation raffle this summer – although jet and amber are both technically organic, rather than mineral, so I’m not quite sure if they count as crystals.

Don’t get me wrong, I think crystals are beautiful. I could lose myself staring at them for hours. I’ve been to some fascinating workshops on crystals and I’ve read quite a few books on the subject - including Philip's Crystal Chakra Healing.

The problem is I just can’t afford to buy all the lovely crystals I want. When I go into a crystal shop, I’m not drawn to tiny little chips – I want big sparkly rocks. I’d love to have a huge geode,like a fairy cavern, to decorate my room. And I certainly don’t just desire cheap non-precious gems – I'd like diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds too!

I guess I have expensive tastes. But, being skint, I tell myself that the crystals I want can wait.

However, I do have a big collection of stones that I have picked up when beachcombing. I have stones with holes in them, stones that look like faces and pebbles worn smooth and shiny by the sea. They decorate my altar and sometimes get used in my spellcasting.

This is one of the reasons I love the new book by Philip Permutt and Lyn Palmer, Sacred Stones and Crystals.It shows that ordinary stones and pebbles can be just as good for magical and spiritual work as expensive gems.

The book is a wonderful introduction to the entire subject of sacred stones. As well as teaching techniques to connect with common stones and rocks that you might find, it looks at ancient megalithic sites such as Avebury. It explains how to dowse for lines of energy as well as offering simple meditation exercises. Myths and legends are also explored – including the tale of King Arthur drawing Excalibur from a stone.

Later chapters introduce ways of working with crystals, but explain that you don’t need to spend lots of money buying large numbers of them to begin using crystals for spiritual and magical purposes. It is fine just to use one or two that you find you are drawn to. Philip explains that these are very likely to be just the right ones for you at the time.

Publisher Cico Books says on its website: "Since the dawn of mankind, stones and rocks have been revered throughout the world. From Stonehenge in England to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia, and from Easter Island to the Côte des Megalithes in Brittany, France, and Petroglyphs in Arizona, stones are regarded as sacred. You may have collected pebbles and stones that have caught your eye, picked them up, examined them, befriended them and taken them home to make treasures of them. You may have been drawn to a crystal and amazed by an ancient sacred site. Sacred Stones is a guide to discovering your personal connection to the world of stones, pebbles and crystals, all of which have an innate energy."

If you are looking for a good introduction to the world of sacred stones, then I would thoroughly recommend this new book by Philip Permutt and Lyn Palmer. It has certainly made me want to wash the dust of my little collection of crystals and use them for some magic.

Sacred Stones and Crystals is published by Cico Books and you can order it via Amazon.

Please note: I earn commission from some links.

Links and previous related posts
Sacred Stones and Crystals
http://www.cicobooks.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/03/review-crystal-chakra-heaing.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/10/review-crystal-tarot.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/01/sea-change.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/10/winning-day-at-pf-40th-anniversary.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/08/pagan-eye-ballycrovane-ogham-stone.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/03/spring-tides-and-beachcombing.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/06/review-avebury-cosmos.html
Amethyst Crystal Chapel Geode on Wooden Base; Weight 2.212 kilos; Height 21cms by 15cms across, 6cm depth - Sold by Spiritual Gifts. Usually dispatched within 2 working days.

Review: Joey Yap's Pure Feng Shui

Feng Shui wasn't something I knew much about. I vaguely thought it had something to do with decluttering, which I'm not very good at, so to learn more about the Chinese art of organising one's living space I picked up a copy of Joey Yap's Pure Feng Shui.

The book promises to "bring abundance to your home, happiness to your relationships and success to your career". What more could I ask for?

At first glance I thought the book looked a little daunting as it is full of tables, diagrams and symbols. Once I had started reading it, however, I realised that, although the subject is reasonably complicated, Joey Yap has managed to explain it in easy-to-understand terms and offers a step-by-step approach that is simple to follow.

The book starts by introducing the basic principles of Feng Shui as being about energy flow, compass directions and elemental factors within a property.

It then explains that the first step in Feng Shui is to create a personalised chart of your home based on where it faces and the year you moved into it. This requires a compass, an accurate floor plan and the information in the book to allocate the right "stars" (or numbers) to the different "palaces" (or areas) on the plan. After that, the book goes into detail about the best way to allocate the uses different rooms are put to and the best arrangement of elemental objects, such as fires and lights, water features, plants, statues or metal items to get what you want out of life. This varies for each property, so you do need to create the chart first.

It might sound as though you need all the skills of a surveyor, astrologer and interior designer to be any good at Feng Shui, but you don't. Joey Yap's Pure Feng Shui gives you all the information you need to know to get started.

After covering the basics, the book has specific chapters on how to use Feng Shui to boost your prosperity, help you in your career, bring more love into your life and encourage good health.

The chapter on wealth seems particularly relevant at a time when everyone seems to be suffering as a result of the worldwide credit crunch and resulting financial crisis. While Feng Shui is unlikely to put the world's stock markets to rights, you can use it to deal with personal money issues. Joey Yap lists a number of specific money problems - ranging from "I just need a bit more cash for a big purchase", to "I have serious debts and they just keep piling up". All you have to do is pick the particular problem that is most relevant for yourself and then follow the guide to the solution.

Having read the book I am now keen to Feng Shui my own home. I realise it could be a bit time consuming, particularly as I will probably end up having to move a lot of furniture - and tackle my clutter. Perhaps it is a job to put off until after Yule and the follow the western traditions of New Year resolutions and spring cleaning as well as the traditional eastern technique of Feng Shui.

Joey Yap's Pure Feng Shui is published by Cico Books and costs £14.99 in paperback. http://www.cicobooks.co.uk/

Joey Yap is doing a book signing tonight, November 5, at Border’s bookshop, Charing Cross Road, London. The event starts at 6.30pm and is free.

Links:
Joey Yap's Pure Feng Shui
http://www.cicobooks.co.uk/
http://www.joeyyap.com/
http://www.fengshuilogy.com/

Circle casting

Someone asked me whether it is necessary to cast a circle before doing magic and, if not, why witches bother.

It is an interesting question that got me thinking - and browsing the internet - to try to find an answer.

The answer to the first part of the question is, no, a circle is not essential. Plenty of people cast spells, perform rituals and do very effective magic without being in any kind of circular area.

You only have to look at temples in ancient Egypt and Greece - which are mostly oblong - to realise that. Some are circular, but not the majority, and if circles had been vital for magic then cultures that were heavily influenced by magical belief would certainly have created round ritual spaces.

Of course, Stonehenge and similar ancient stone structures are arranged in rings. The reason for that may have been magical. Or it may just have been that stones in that formation make ideal sundials. Greek theatres were round too, but that is because amphitheatres are a good shape for a performance, allowing the audience to gather at the edges to get a decent view.

Nevertheless, the fact that plenty of ancient structures were designed for religious, magical and ritual purposes seems to suggest that people have always found it helpful to define some sort of space for work that was beyond the mundane.

Modern pagans, however, seem to like to get out of doors whenever possible. As soon as sun peeps from behind the clouds and the weather turns vaguely warm and dry, we are outside cavorting in whatever wild spaces we can still find within our concrete jungles. Perhaps that is because, for us, big buildings are the norm, not the novelty they might have been for our ancient ancestors.

Yet, out in Epping Forest, Oxleas Wood or Hampstead Heath, witches will cast a circle to in which to work magic. It isn't a physical structure, but it is a perceived barrier to outside interference and a container for the energy raised for the work to be done. They usually do this by mentally visualising it, dancing or walking around it, or indicating it with the pointy end of a sword or athame or just some stick they've found lying around.

So why a circle? Well, it is simpler and easier to imagine than a square, oblong, triangle or whatever. Symbolically, it has no beginning and no end. It has strength and unity. It looks neat.

Most if not all cultures have given circles some symbolic significance. For example, the top of the Celtic cross is a circle divided into quarters and Buddhist mandalas, designed as aids to meditation, are circular.

However, if a circle doesn't seem appropriate to you, you don't have to use one. Some people imagine a barrier around their body before sitting down to meditate or to work magic, so their sacred space would be person-shaped. You could imagine a barrier around the edges of your room or around the woodland clearing or garden you are using for your ritual. Or you could just clear your mind and cast your spell without being in any specially-prepared or defined area.

In my experience, though, the location you are in can affect the spell you cast, so it is worthwhile considering creating a sacred space before doing magic if possible.

In a future entry of A Bad Witch's Blog I hope to talk about different ways of casting a circle. In the meantime, here are some very good examples that other people have written:

Simple circle castings:
www.psychicwise.biz/casting_a_circle.htm
www.scottishpf.org/circlecasting.html
http://silverbroom.co.uk/blog/2008/02/17/casting-a-circle-guide/

Wiccan style circles:
www.ladyoftheflame.co.uk/Rituals/circlecasting.htm
www.witches.org.uk/Rituals.html

For further information:
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A9106995
www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/pagan/articles_celticcircles.htm
www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/garden_landscape_design_articles/sacred_gardens/buddhist_gardens_vihara http://altreligion.about.com/library/weekly/aa062003a.htm

If you have any questions for The Bad Witch, leave a comment on my blog and I will try to answer them.