Green London: Bloomsbury's Secret Gardens

Here's a view of Montague Street Gardens, which is normally a private secret garden hidden behind buildings in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum. I visited for London Open Gardens weekend, organised by London Parks and Gardens.  

It's a really lovely green space with trees, lawns, swirling gravel paths and some great statues. Planting includes evergreen hedging, camellia beds, a pocket meadow and a bee garden supporting pollinators.

I also visited Bedford Square Gardens, also in Bloomsbury, and photographed below.

As it says on the London Parks and Gardens website:

"Built between 1775 and 1786, Bedford Square is London's finest and most complete Georgian squares... Many of the elegant surrounding buildings were once fashionable townhouses, and are now offices. Pre-war iron railings enclose the large oval garden at the centre while shrubberies and mature London plane trees provide screening and shade. A restored summerhouse provides shelter."

London Open Gardens is an annual event, with over 100 green spaces to visit that are normally closed to the public. However, there are still many public parks that are open all year round.

About My Green London Posts

I've been blogging regularly about London's green spaces in an effort to dispel a prevalent myth in the pagan community that it's just all concrete. Even in the City, which is of course heavily built up, there are still places where nature thrives, while Greater London has huge areas of woods, commons, parks and beautiful gardens.

The pictures on this post were all taken by me. Please do not use them without my permission.

Some Previous Links
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/green-london-beltane-flowers-on-street.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/green-london-ruskin-park-tranquil-gem.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/04/green-london-rookery-streatham-common.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-plumstead-common-its.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-londons-first-botanical.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/09/green-london-st-alphege-gardens-city.html

Green London: Send a Local Nature Photo to Your MP

I sent a picture of my favourite park as a postcard to my MP. It wasn't just a random thing - the RSPB website has a crafty project at the moment that lets you turn a favourite nature photo into a postcard, then write a message and send it to your local Member of Parliament. As it says on the site:

"This is all about celebrating the nature that’s nearest to you. It could be your local park, a street tree, ‘your’ garden birds – or anything else. It’s the place nearest to you that brings you that daily joy that puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Show your MP the place that lifts your spirits, and inspire them to help protect it."

The image at the top is a screen shot of the RSPB page and shows how easy it is to do. As you can see, the park near to where I live that I most love is Crystal Palace, in South London. The photo is one I took a couple of years ago and shows a ribbon of wildflowers stretching into the distance. 

I'm keen to do all I can to preserve London's green spaces for wildlife and humans. Going for a walk in nature is good for the mind and body, while trees and plants help keep the air clean.

Cast Your Vote Too!

Today, 7 May 2026, I'll be going to vote in the local elections. All London borough councillor seats are up for appointment. I'll be making sure I vote for those individuals who are most likely to support the amenities in my area, including green spaces. If you are in a position to vote, please go out and do so too.

Green London

I've been blogging regularly about London's green spaces in an effort to dispel a prevalent myth in the pagan community that it's just all concrete. Even in the City, which is of course heavily built up, there are still places where nature thrives, while Greater London has huge areas of woods, commons, parks and beautiful gardens.

Previous Related Posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/04/rounding-year-helping-birds-in-nesting.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/04/green-london-rookery-streatham-common.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-londons-first-botanical.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-japanese-gardens-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/09/green-london-riverview-walk-river-pool.html

Craft: Magical Flower Art from the Greenoaks Gathering

Here's a close-up of some beautiful flower art a group of us made at the Greenoaks Gathering. The picture at the bottom shows they entire thing. We used foraged grasses, leaves and flowers to create a pattern inspired by the summer solstice sun. It was a lovely communal activity. Afterwards we spent some time contemplating what we'd created then talked about what it reminded us of or symbolised to us in any way. It's an activity you could easily include in a solstice celebration or ritual.

Here are suggestions for things to do when your art is complete:

• Meditate on what you have created 
• Photograph it before the greenery fades
• Press the flowers to preserve them
• Dry them to later use in spells or incense blends

If you repeat this several times over the course of the wheel of the year, you can observe patterns in the cycle of the seasons, as well as increase your awareness of what’s in bloom when. 

There are more ideas for seasonal activities in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year.

Ethical foraging

When picking wild flowers or plants of any kind, don't take more than you need. Only take things that are growing abundantly. Make sure you’re foraging somewhere you have permission. Don’t trample plants – keep to paths and grassy areas. Don’t uproot anything, just snip a bit off it. Don’t pick rare flowers or plants.  Leave plenty for wildlife and for other people to enjoy. Some wildflowers are protected by law - if in doubt, check or leave it alone.

Previous seasonal flower pictures

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/07/july-mandala-lavender-mint-meadowsweet.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/06/summer-mandala-sun-wheel-of-leaves.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/06/june-mandala-summer-solstice-sun-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/autumn-mandala-leaves-in-green-gold.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/04/spring-mandala-jill-in-green-from.html

Pagan Eye: Bee on Flowering Lavender

Just a photo of a bee on the lavender flowering in my garden. This year, my lavender has grown prolifically and is beautiful at the moment. It is also regularly being visited by dozens of little dumble dores, which is an old slang term for bumblebee as well as being a fictional wizard, traced back to at least the 18th century in English literature. According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, "dumble" was given as a prefix to many names for insects, and possibly means something similar to "humble". The word "dor" was used for bees back as far as 700 AD.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. I'm not quite sure what I'll be including - it could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture.

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

Previous posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/06/pagan-eye-pair-of-parakeets-on-fruit.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/05/pagan-eye-garden-of-weeds-and-wild-roses.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/05/pagan-eye-fox-cub-in-my-garden.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/05/pagan-eye-vase-of-bluebells-and-wild.html

Pagan Eye: A Fox Cub in my Garden

I am extremely lucky to have things to watch from my bedroom window. I regularly see foxes - as well as other wildlife - in my garden, but this month I have been seeing a family of foxes with five cubs playing on the grass. Here is a picture of one of them.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. I'm not quite sure what I'll be including - it could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture.

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

Previous posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/05/fox-family-playing-under-my-apple-tree.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/01/pagan-eye-two-foxes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/05/pagan-eye-intrepid-fox-cub-in-my-garden.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/06/cartwheeling-fox-cub.html

Pagan Eye: Fox and Badger in a South London Garden

This picture of a fox and badger was taken by Stephen in his south London garden. His garden has apparently also been visited by frogs and toads, grass snakes, sparrowhawks, parakeets, jackdaws as well as common garden birds and, of course, squirrels. He encourages wildlife by putting out food, which they especially need in the winter months.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - it could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

The photo is copyright Stephen

Previous posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/05/pagan-eye-common-toad-my-new-little.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/05/pagan-eye-fox-cubs-and-vixen.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/06/pagan-eye-at-horniman-butterfly-house.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/02/book-review-divining-with-animal-guides.html

Pagan Eye: The Hive at Kew Gardens

Yesterday I posted a photo of one of the oldest man-made structures at Kew Gardens - the Temple of Aeolus - and this morning I am sharing a picture of the most recent - the Hive. Both buildings were inspired by aspects of nature and both are open to the air. The temple was dedicated to the winds and built on an artificial mound so people could appreciate fresh breezes from all directions while enjoying the view of the gardens. The Hive was inspired by the abode of bees. It tries to give humans an experience of life through the senses of the bee.

According to the Kew Gardens website:

It is constructed from around 170,000 parts including thousands of pieces of aluminium which catch the changing sunlight. There are 1,000 LED lights dotted around its core which glow and fade, while a unique soundtrack hums in response to the activity of real bees in a beehive behind the scenes at Kew.

The Hive has to be experienced to be fully appreciated - a flat picture doesn't portray what it is like to be inside it, hear the gentle hum of life all around and watch the lights gently change. It is relaxing, but also makes you feel part of the great community of life. As well as being an art installation and educational project, the hive collects valuable scientific data and is surrounded by wildflower meadows to attract bees. Kew staff are available to answer questions and there are free talks about bees too.

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Links and previous related posts:
http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/thehive
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/06/taste-of-honey.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/pagan-eye-east-end-street-art-promotes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/09/occult-london-temple-of-aeolus-at-kew.html

My Local Wildlife: A Goldfinch and a Stag Beetle

I know these aren't the best wildlife photographs - the one at the top was taken with a camera phone and the one to the right was taken quickly from my kitchen window - but at least I managed to get snaps of some of the wildlife I've seen in my town.

A pair of goldfinches have been regular visitors to my garden since early this spring. In this photo one of them is nibbling at a flower head, but they usually seem to like my silver birch tree around breakfast time.

I saw the stag beetle lying on his back, wiggling his legs in the air and looking very much in trouble, so I righted him and sent him on his way. He gave me a little nip to the finger as I did so, but I expect he didn't realise I was trying to help him.

People sometimes ask me if I find it difficult to be a nature-worshipping pagan while living in London. My answer is that there is no shortage of nature in the city, you just have to be aware of it.

Pagan Eye: A Pair of Hedgehogs

I'm rather jealous of my friend Chris Boote, who has this pair of hedgehogs living in his west London garden. Although I used to frequently see hedgehogs in my garden in south London when I was a child, I haven't spotted one for years.

Considering hedgehogs do an excellent job of getting rid of slugs, I really wish one would come and visit me.

According to superstition, seeing a hedgehog walking towards you is supposed to be good luck, unless it comes into your home, in which case it is supposed to indicate bad fortune. Mind you, as hedgehogs are notoriously flea-ridden, I suspect it could be unpleasant to find a spiny little fellow curled up on the soft furnishings.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - it could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Photo copyright Chris Boote

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/08/invasion-of-giant-slugs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/05/pagan-eye-fox-cubs-and-vixen.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/05/pagan-eye-common-toad-my-new-little.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/07/pagan-eye-swan-with-attitude.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/04/pagan-eye-grey-heron-in-park.html
http://www.psychicworld.net/johns-guide-to-superstitions/

Pagan Eye: Sea Pinks and White Butterfly

This picture of a white butterfly on sea pinks is another from my Orkney holiday album.

These beautiful and hardy seaside flowers were growing in huge numbers on the Brough of Birsay and looking lovely in the sun. If you live by the coast this is the perfect plant for your garden as they are very drought and wind resistant and flower all through the summer.

Sea pinks, which are also known as lady's cushion or thrift, are great for bees and butterflies and in folklore are associated with fairy places. I don't know what type of butterfly I captured in my photograph, but if you know please leave a comment below.

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/19/plant-of-week-sea-pink
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/06/wildflowers-from-orkney-orchid-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/06/scotland-holiday-brough-of-birsay-tidal.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/pagan-eye-moonfire-dahlia.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/05/pagan-eye-pink-rose-from-my-garden.html

Magic School: London's Mysterious Plants and Wildlife

This summer City Lit has teamed up with the London Wildlife Trust to offer some exciting new outdoor nature courses looking at the mysterious creatures and amazing plants in the capital. Courses cover amphibians, reptiles, bats, plants and trees. Here are a few that might particularly interest city witches:

Studies in the Wild: Amphibians of London
Join London Wildlife Trust for an introduction to amphibians, including their history, evolution, diversity, behaviour, UK species and conservations issues. Meet at Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. Date and time: Friday, 18 July, 11am-4pm. Full fee: £30, concession: £10. Course code: HS080. To enrol call: 020 7831 7831.

Name that Plant
Discover key clues for identifying and naming plants, then take a gentle afternoon stroll in city gardens to try out your skills. A must for plant lovers. Date and time: Thursday, 7 August, 10.30am-4.30pm. Venue: Keeley Street. Full fee: £38, concessions: £13. Course code: HS038. To enrol call: 020 7831 7831.

Bat Night! Introduction to Bats and Bat Walk
On Saturday, 9 August from 6pm-8pm you can join London Wildlife Trust for an introduction to the biology of bats, their behaviour, common London species, bat detection and conservation. This includes a bat walk in St James' Park. Meet at Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Road, SW1P 2AF. Full fee: £42, concessions: £14. Course code: HS099. To enrol call: 020 7831 7831.

For more details about these and other courses as well as to enrol online, visit the City Lit website: http://www.citylit.ac.uk/

Pagan Eye: Hollow in a Tree

This photograph of a hollow in a tree was taken by author and photographer James C Wallace II, who has previously let me post loads of lovely pictures he has taken of the moon, planets and the natural world.

James said: "I was out and about today, looking for Morel mushrooms near a local cemetery and ran across this lovely hole-into-another-world! I wonder where it leads to?"

I agree that hollows in trees always look as though they should be an entrance to the Otherworld, although usually only large enough for the wee folk to use! In real life, of course, hollow trees are valuable homes to wildlife. Too often these days dead trees get chopped down in case they are a safety hazard, which means many birds and small mammals that might live in them are struggling to survive. The tree in the photo looks like it might be inhabited, so I do hope it gets left in peace.

James added that the tree is in, "the same cemetery where The Archway in the Woods, Tree-In-The-Road, the Big Church and the Little Church are located, all of which appear in Magician of Oz."

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 photograph is copyright James C Wallace II

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/pagan-eye-ring-around-moon.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/12/pagan-eye-frozen-pine-cones.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/05/pagan-eye-solar-eclipse.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/07/pagan-eye-beautiful-moon.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/02/fiction-in-magical-world-of-oz.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/pagan-eye-face-in-tree.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/06/pagan-eye-path-through-ancient.html

Pagan Eye: A Path Through Ancient Woodlands

Above you can see a pathway through Blean Woods, one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in England. Lying between Canterbury, in Kent, and the towns of Faversham, Whitstable and Herne Bay, Blean Woods cover more than 11 square miles.

The photo was taken by science blogger and wildlife expert Joe Bauwens, who kindly said I could use it after I mentioned to my friends that I was looking for more beautiful pictures to post on A Bad Witch's Blog.

Blean Woods have been in existence since prehistoric times, although there is plenty of evidence of humans having used them through the ages. Ancient pagans buried their dead in mounds, or tumuli, in Clowes Wood near the northern edge of the area. The burial mounds would have been prominent features of the landscape originally, with views towards the sea.

The woods are now considered to be a site that is nationally important for wildlife. A nature reserve there is home to rare butterflies as well as birds including woodpeckers, nuthatches and treecreepers.

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

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

Links and previous related posts
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.theblean.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Blean_Woods
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/06/pagan-eye-blue-butterfly-on-south-downs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/06/pagan-eye-lake-nemi-and-sacred-groves.html

Pagan Eye: Snails in the Rain

Snails are only creatures in my garden that seem to love the relentless summer rain we've been having. They have been devouring my hollyhocks.

I don't like to use pesticides, so every day I've been collecting dozens of snails up in a bucket and transporting them across the road to a patch of overgrown wasteland. My neighbour saw me doing this the other evening and burst out laughing.

"They'll only march straight back to your garden," he said.

Judging by the amount of snails there are every day, maybe he's right.

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

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

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/mystery-of-snail-goddess.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/08/invasion-of-giant-slugs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/06/pagan-eye-blue-butterfly-on-south-downs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/12/pagan-eye-where-witches-walked.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/bees-and-hollyhocks.html

Pagan Eye: Blue Butterfly on the South Downs

I photographed this pretty blue butterfly while walking on the South Downs, near Beachy Head, over the bank holiday weekend. I think the butterfly is an Adonis Blue, which is often found on chalky downlands in England in late May or early June. Apparently the Adonis Blue particularly likes horseshoe vetch, which is the yellow flower this butterfly is resting on.

Another blue butterfly that likes chalky downlands and is partial to horseshoe vetch is the Chalkhill Blue butterfly, but that has more black markings on its wings and is also more usually seen in July or August.

I'm not an expert on butterflies, so it is quite possible I've misidentified this one - if you recognise it, do let me know.

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

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

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/05/pagan-eye-solar-eclipse.html
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?vernacular_name=adonis%20blue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalkhill_Blue
http://twtpoll.com/63gbhf
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/12/pagan-eye-where-witches-walked.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/08/pagan-eye-longstone-mottistone.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/04/pagan-eye-easter-at-seven-sisters-sheep.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/05/beachy-head-lighthouse.html

Bees and History: A Taste of Honey...

I took this photo of bees on a honeycomb back in the summer of 2009 at an open day of the Kent Bee-Keepers' Association.

One of the bee-keepers had a frame of honeycomb in a glass case, in which you could see the bees busily working. He kindly took it into the sunshine for me to photograph. I promised I would write about his bees - and then I didn't - until now. Oops.

Actually, I did start to write about bees and honey. I began to research the history of bee-keeping and look into the folklore associated with it. I found it was such a huge subject that I felt overwhelmed with the task of trying to summarise it in a single blog post. I made a start, but didn't get very far and it remained as an unfinished draft.

The other day, while I was looking through my old files, I came across the picture I'd taken and the research I'd started and decided that I should publish it on my blog as a short introduction to the subject - a little taste of honey rather than the whole jar!

The history of honey goes back a very long way. Archaeologists have found evidence that humans were eating honey in paleolithic times, and were probably doing so much earlier. Ancient man discovered that it was healthy and could also be made into alcohol - in fact fermented honey was probably the very first alcoholic drink.

According to The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and Folklore by Hilda M Ransome, bees have been considered sacred ever since man discovered honey. The book says: "It is impossible to overestimate their value to man... He came to regard honey as a true 'giver of life'... He held the bee to be a creature of special sanctity connected with those things which seem to him most mysterious - birth, death, and reincarnation."

Folktales and customs relating to the importance of bees have arisen in cultures all over the world, including the belief that one should always tell the bees about important events, otherwise something could go wrong.

The bee was the symbol of Lower Egypt for thousands of years, and the Bible describes Egypt as a land "flowing with milk and honey". Honey production was an important industry in ancient Egypt. As well as being a popular food, physicians and magicians used honey for its healing properties.

Honey was important in funerary rites and sometimes the dead were preserved just in honey. One story tells of grave-robbers finding a large jar of honey in a tomb near the pyramids. They opened it and started eating, before noticing that the jar also contained the body of an infant.

Priests baked honeycakes to feed sacred animals in temples in Egypt and Greece. Sorcerers of the era also used beeswax to make images of creatures or people in order to perform magic on them.

The belief that a magician can heal or harm a living person by manipulating a wax image of them was common in Babylonia and India as well as Egypt. The practise passed from Egypt to ancient Greece and Rome and was used in many religious ceremonies. Witches today still sometimes use wax dolls, called "poppets", for sympathetic magic.

In Babylonia, offerings of wine, honey and oil were poured on temple foundations, honey was also a common offering in religious ceremonies and as part of rituals to exorcise demons.

Today, honey might be used less for religious purposes, but toast with butter and honey, and a cup of tea, is still the breakfast of the gods in my opinion. There are 44,000 bee-keepers in the UK, with about 240,000 hives. Although they produce 6,000 tones of honey per year, about 80% more than this is imported from abroad.

You can find out more about the Kent Bee-Keepers' Association, including details of events taking place this summer, at http://www.kentbee.com/

Links and previous related posts
The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and (Dover Books on Anthropology and Folklore)
http://www.kentbee.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/13/wildlife.endangeredspecies
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/03/first-bumblees-of-spring.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/bees-and-hollyhocks.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/09/buddleia-for-bees-butterflies-and.html
https://www.jenreviews.com/honey/

Garden foxes: vixen and cub

One of the things I love about springtime is watching foxes and their cubs in my back garden. They are so entertaining - bounding about with such playfulness and love of life. They might trample my plants, but I feel that is a price worth paying for such a wonderful spectacle that I can watch from from my own bedroom window.

The photo above shows a mummy vixen resting in a sunny spot in the late afternoon while her cub (pictured below) plays with a ball in next door's garden. The adult fox was clearly aware of me - but didn't seem at all afraid.

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/01/visit-from-foxes.htm
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/04/more-fox-tales.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/02/fox-tales.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/05/gardens-our-interface-with-nature.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/05/fox-family-playing-under-my-apple-tree.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/01/pagan-eye-two-foxes.html

Pagan Eye: Ladybird love

Nature is all about sex - at least it seems that way sometimes, especially around the time of May Day - or Beltane.

I caught these two ladybirds in the act when I was walking down my road to the post box the other day and I couldn't resist photographing them. Ladybirds are sacred to Freya, the Norse goddess of sex and fertility, which seems appropriate.

Only seven-spotted variety are considered true ladybirds, which I don't think this couple are. However, they still looked charming, locked in love on spring afternoon. They were a little shy though, because after I'd taken my picture they shuffled up the twig and hid behind a leaf, still coupled.

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Links
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/04/pagan-eye-apple-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/05/pagan-eye-jack-in-green.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/may-day-and-jack-in-green.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/04/beltane-frolics-and-wicker-man.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/05/ladybirds.html

Review: Nature as Mirror

If, like me, you find that a walk in the countryside or on the seashore can lift your mood when you are down; if a sunny day makes your spirit soar while a stormy night inspires your darkest imaginings, then a new book by psychologist Stephanie Sorrell could not only explain why that happens - but also help you make the most of nature as a spiritual guide.

Nature as Mirror: An Ecology of Body, Mind and Soul,addresses the natural cycles in our lives and the reflection of our own inner process in nature.

Stephanie uses the models of a tree in all its seasons as a symbol of the continuity of life and shows how we can understand the rhythms and cycles of the tree and integrate them into our vision in a conscious way.

In particular, Stephanie tackles the fear of death that many of us hold. In the cycles of the natural world, death is merely transformation. She says that once we understand this we can transform our lives by overcoming our fear of non-being and appreciate life in all its seasons.

The book includes exercises and visualisations to help us use nature as tool for healing and also inspire us to greater appreciation of nature and our place within it.

It has certainly inspired me to get out into nature more, especially now that spring is truly here, even if that simply means some walks in London's lovely parks and green spaces.

Nature as Mirror: An Ecology of Body, Mind and Soulby Stephanie Sorrell was published by O-Books at the end of last week and is available to buy through Amazon.

Links and previous related posts:
http://www.o-books.com/
Nature as Mirror: An Ecology of Body, Mind and Soul
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/03/storms-and-spring-tides.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/01/signs-of-spring-and-hope.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/03/spring-tides-and-beachcombing.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/03/wayside-shrine-to-gods-unknown.html

Birds Divine Messengers & Big Garden Birdwatch

Next weekend, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is running its annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

This is a huge survey of birds that anyone can take part in, designed to help with conservation efforts. All you have to do is register at the Big Garden Birdwatch website at http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/ then, over the weekend of 29-30 January watch the birds in your garden or local park for an hour and submit a form to tell the RSPB what you saw. The RSPB supplies all you need to identify common garden birds and the form to record them on.

A couple of years ago I took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch and used the opportunity to combine it with a bit of ornithomancy - that's fortune telling by divining the meaning of birds.

It was a form of prophecy very popular with Ancient Romans. It is mentioned in Homer's epic the Odyssey, where an eagle appears three times, each time flying to the right, gripping a dead dove in its talons. This augury was interpreted as meaning Odysseus was returning home and would deal with his wife's suitors.

These days, ornithomancy is hardly used at all - in fact, there are very few books easily available on the subject of divination by birds.

However, for Yule I was given one called Birds: Divine Messengers. This isn't about the ancient art of ornithomancy as practiced by the Romans. Instead, it is a lovely book about the folklore, mythology and meaning of birds, together with a personal system devised by author Andrea Wansbury to find the messages birds bring to help us transform our lives for the better.

Birds can appear to us in dreams or images that catch our eye as well as by flying past us or landing in our gardens. In the book, Andrea says that we should pay attention to birds that stand out for one reason or another - perhaps because they keep appearing, behave in a strange way, land very close to us or even tap on our window.

Publisher Findhorn press says: "Birds teach us precious and timeless universal principles, spiritual truths and divine wisdom: the tools and ideals we all need to know and grasp as we embark on our spiritual journeys... They teach us spiritual ideals not only through their unique characteristics, their eggs and their feathers, but also through mythological stories and folklores... Each bird brings its own specific message; this book explains how to recognise when birds are delivering a personal message and the importance of applying this guidance to our lives."

For me, one of the most useful parts of Birds: Divine Messengersis its long appendix listing about 100 birds from all over the world with their meanings. This could be handy for taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch if you want to discover any messages the birds you see might be bringing, as well as taking part in the conservation project survey. Here are a few examples:

Bluetit: resourcefulness
Crow: change
Duck: faith
Gull: searching
House sparrow: consolidation
Jay: opportunity
Pigeon: obedience
Starling: confidence
Thrush: nurturing
Wren: self-worth

I don't necessarily agree with every meaning Andrea ascribes to each bird. For example, she lists the cuckoo as giving the message of "trust" and says: "A cuckoo is saying you need to trust more".

Personally, I don't feel comfortable with that interpretation. To me, a cuckoo is primarily a sign of spring - and according to some legends, it warns of trickery. In other tales it is a symbol of female suffering. The medieval word "cuckold", for a man whose wife has been unfaithful, is derived from the name of the cuckoo. Considering that cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests and the first thing cuckoo chicks do is throw the rest of their foster parents' eggs out of the nest, I would never associate a cuckoo with trust.

Mind you, I can see a use for the book's interpretation:

"No, husband dearest, that cuckoo you can hear singing in the woods doesn't mean I've been shagging your mates. Look, this book says the cuckoo means trust. You can trust me, darling, in all things..."

As with all forms of divination, it is always important to consider what a sign or symbol means to you personally rather than just going by the meanings given in books.

Links and previous related posts:
Birds: Divine Messengers
http://www.findhornpress.com/
http://www.andreawansbury.com/divine.html
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/01/bird-watching-portents-and-ornithomancy.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/04/herons-bring-message-of-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/12/who-killed-cock-robin.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/11/pagan-eye-city-blackbird.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/01/my-white-pigeon.html
http://symbols.ehibou.com/cuckoo/