Fabulous Folklore: The Wicker Man

Usually around this time of year we’re gearing up for our annual trip down to Hampshire (my birthplace) for the Beltane celebration at Buster Ancient Farm, where a Wicker Man is burned to celebrate the first stirrings of summer. Each year they have a different Wicker Man; the one shown here was to reflect the one in the 1973 film The Wicker Man, and I had a great time climbing up the ladder and getting in it!

Wicker Men are giant effigies supposedly used by the Druids to perform a human sacrifice, to pay homage to the gods in some way.

In Book VI of his Commentary on the Gallic War, Gaius Julius Caesar writes of the sacrificial rituals of the Gauls. The main evidence for this practice is just one sentence:

"The nation of all the Gauls is extremely devoted to superstitious rites; and on that account they who are troubled with unusually severe diseases and they who are engaged in battles and dangers, either sacrifice men as victims, or vow that they will sacrifice them, and employ the Druids as the performers of those sacrifices; because they think that unless the life of a man be offered for the life of a man, the mind of the immortal gods cannot be rendered propitious, and they have sacrifices of that kind ordained for national purposes. Others have figures of vast size, the limbs of which formed of osiers they fill with living men, which being set on fire, the men perish enveloped in the flames.”

Modern archaeological research has yielded evidence that human sacrifice was practised among the Iron Age tribes of Europe, but scholars are not sure whether to believe Caesar’s claims, as these deaths predate the Roman era.

Historians are not sure if Caesar was reporting an established tradition, what he’d heard from others (for example Posidonius of Rhodes), or if he was simply telling a story he had embellished, for self-promotion or as propaganda.

They also can’t be certain if these practices, if they did exist, were used for human sacrifice in Iron Age Britain, as there’s no evidence for it, despite the popular myth.

Have you ever been to a pagan celebration or an event with a Wicker Man?

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Pumpkins
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Hag Stones

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Phallus Worship

Witchcraft Books - Herbal Sunday Witchstack

My Witchstack Sunday for @witch.with.books #witchwithbooks - just some of my favourite herbal books:

Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham 

Culpeper’s Complete Herbal 

The Hedgerow Handbook by Adele Nozedar

The Green Witch by Arun Murphy-Hiscock

Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham 

Herbal Remedies by Anne McIntyre 

Cunningham’s Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs 

The Likely Herbarium by Kate @likelytale.witch

What are your favourite herbal books? Do you have any of the ones in this stack?

NEXT - Witchcraft Books: Mixed Witchstack Sunday
NEXT - Review: The Magic of Marie Laveau by Denise Alvarado

Review: Aromafume Incense Brick Burner

I’m really grateful to the guys at Aromafume for sending me this incense brick burner and Nag Champa incense - thank you.

I’ve never tried an incense brick burner before as I usually burn hand-blended incense I’ve made myself, or joss sticks. I have to say I was really delighted with it, and so was my husband, and we’ll continue using it.

The incense brick goes on top, and a tealight goes inside the burner. The burner itself is only small, but to be honest, it doesn’t really need to be any bigger. This makes it really convenient for putting it just about anywhere. This one has a gorgeous Tree of Life punched out of the metal, which lights up when the candle is lit, and the whole thing sits on a lovely wooden base.

The idea of this burner is smokeless incense, which is really ingenious! This would be absolutely perfect for meditation, yoga, therapy sessions or classes, when you’d like to scent the room with incense, but don’t want to breathe in smoke, or don’t want to worry about smoke bothering others. I wish I’d had this burner when I had my holistic therapy clinic.

The instructions say that each incense brick lasts for 1 hour, but they actually burn for much longer, more like two to three hours if you turn them over. There is no ash to clean up or dispose of, the brick goes neatly in the bin, which is fantastic, and the aroma lingers for ages, which I’m really impressed with.

I went on to Aromafume’s website and they’re a Fair Trade-focused company which does not test on animals, does not involve animal testing in any of their processes, and they’re committed to not harming the environment with their products or manufacturing processes.

We have used one box of bricks already and will need to purchase some more soon.

We really loved this, thank you Aromafume!

NEXT - Review: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

Fabulous Folklore: Door Knockers

This fabulous door knocker is found on the door of The Covenstead Witchcraft B&B in Glastonbury, where we stayed last September. Isn’t he delightful?

Apparently door knockers are found in England more than any other place. The door knocker at Durham Cathedral, dating from the 11th century, is very special. As far back as 740, the Bishop of Lindisfarne offered sanctuary to any criminal who could reach the White Church (later Durham Cathedral) and strike the knocker.

Heavy door knockers have been a way for people to announce their presence from around the 16th century, but they have also had another use; they are seen as guardians to the home. The lion’s head design has been very popular, it is a symbol of Great Britain, and it symbolises strength, pride, nobility, valour and protection. It is also said that lions are a symbol of the Sun. Lion’s head knockers were popular in America until Eagles overtook them.

Gargoyles and other scary faces have also been used, such as the one shown, to scare away those who would bring trouble to a door. Palm-shaped knockers are also popular, it is thought that they originate from the Hand of Fatima, a palm-shaped amulet used to protected the bearer from the evil eye.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Knockers of Cornwall

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Lincoln Imp

Witchy Quotes: Arin Murphy-Hiscock - The Green Witch

“The modern green witch in the urban setting can sometimes feel lost. Visit your city parks or public gardens to find a place that feels comfortable and calm to you, a place where you can achieve reconnection and rebalancing.”

Taken from The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock 

NEXT - Witchy Quotes: Scott Cunningham - Earth, Air, Fire, Water
NEXT - Review: Wild Once by Vivianne Crowley
NEXT - Simple Magick: 25 Ideas for Creating a Forest Altar

Review: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

I’m sharing another Scott Cunningham book which I think is crucial for any witchy bookshelf: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs.

This is a classic, and for good reason! Cunningham provides detailed magickal information for many plants and herbs, including ritual use and magickal use, alongside an illustration of each plant.

There is lots of helpful information on spells and procedures surrounding herbs, for example enchanting herbs; and at the back of the book there are correspondence lists for plant gender, elemental rulers, folk names, planetary rulers, and the magickal properties of oils.

This is such a helpful and comprehensive book.

NEXT - Review: Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham 

Simple Magick: How To Use a Crystal Ball

A modern crystal ball is known as an orbuculum, and is made from glass or crystal. Early crystal gazers - or specularii - used a polished sphere of beryl, well known varieties including Emerald and Aquamarine.

Crystal gazing was commonly practised by the people of Yucatan, the Persians, the Egyptians, the Chinese, and the Incas, to name but a few.

The mythical Merlin supposedly carried a beryl sphere to provide King Arthur with readings whenever he needed them.

Crystal gazing, crystal seeing, crystallism, crystallomancy, gastromancy, and spheromancy are all terms to describe the method of ‘seeing’ by gazing at a crystal, which is a form of Scrying.

How To Use a Crystal Ball:

Place about 10 inches away. A dimly lit, candle lit room works well.

Before attempting to scry, take some time to centre yourself and to connect in with the task ahead. You can ask for protection from your ancestors or spirit guides. Now is also a good time to set the intention that you will only be shown the truth by the ball.

When you feel ready, gaze into the ball. You can touch it as you fix your gaze; whatever works or “feels” best to you.

Make sure to record what you experienced. This could be pictures or images seen in the ball, or it could be mental visions, thoughts and feelings.

Do you have a crystal ball? Are you good at it? I have to admit to being totally rubbish! What is your preferred method of scrying (or other form of divination)?

NEXT - Simple Magick: 25 Ideas For Creating a Forest Altar
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Crystal Balls
NEXT - Rose Quartz Magick: 8 Ways To Use The Stone of Unconditional Love 

Review: Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham

I’m sharing Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham, which has a foreword by Robert Tisserand.

This is a fantastic book which merges Aromatherapy with magickal practice. It has lots of useful lists at the back, for example affinities of essential oils with crystals, aromas of the elements, and many more magickal correspondences.

As a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist and Witch I was overjoyed to find this. Robert Tisserand is the founder of the Tisserand Institute, the leading organisation of research and education in the art and practice of Aromatherapy. To find a book by one of my favourite magickal authors and endorsed by one of the world’s leading experts is very special indeed.

I wholeheartedly support the use of essential oils for their many wonderful benefits, but essential oils can also be dangerous if not used properly, especially when used therapeutically.

Using Essential Oils Safely:

If anointing candles please dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before use. Dilution should always be 2% or less.

Never use oils neat on the skin. Lavender and Tea Tree oil are exceptions, but can still cause skin irritation.

Never ingest essential oils unless being directed to do so by a qualified aromatherapist, herbalist or naturopath. Oils that are safe used topically can be toxic, or even deadly, when ingested.

With the exception of Lavender oil, avoid essential oil use in pregnancy (unless being directed by a Clinical Aromatherapist).

Never use essential oils with children or babies (unless being directed by a Clinical Aromatherapist).

If diffusing essential oils do so away from pets. Whilst many oils are safe, many are toxic or deadly to domestic animals.

Never give out essential oil advice unless you are a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist, and always seek professional advice if looking to use essential oils therapeutically. Essential oils have the ability to lower/higher blood pressure, trigger epilepsy, asthma, and depressive episodes; and they can be fetotoxic or phototoxic.

NEXT - Review: Do I Have To Wear Black? by Mortellus 

Simple Magick: 25 Ideas for Creating a Forest Altar

Yesterday’s prompt for the @witch.with.me hashtag challenge was “Forests & Trees” and it got me thinking about the witchy things you can forage from the forest floor for use in spells and on altars:

Acorns 

Oak Galls 

Pinecones

Conkers 

Feathers

Ferns 

Rowan berries 

Leaves 

Twigs

Nuts 

Antlers

Bones 

Fur

Moss 

Stones

Remember to always follow the Countryside Code - respect others, protect the natural environment, and enjoy the outdoors.

To create a Forest Altar add to your foraged items:

Potted plants 

Shades of green and brown 

Deity statues, for example Herne the Hunter, Elen of the Ways 

Altar cloth with forest/trees/leaves/mushroom print 

Forest sounds - birds singing, wind blowing, rainforest, thunderstorms and rain

Green, brown and cream candles 

Table top fountain

Wooden candle holders and incense holders 

Green and brown crystals for example tiger’s eye and moss agate 

Musky incense such as sandalwood or patchouli

Have I forgotten anything? If so let me know in the comments! And if you found this post helpful don’t forget to Save it in the folder for later.

NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Black, Pink & White Salt in Witchcraft
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Evergreens of Yule 

March Affirmation: I Am Grounded

March.

I really feel like I’m waking up now, along with the Earth. Today I chose an affirmation which I’m going to use each day for the month ahead, and which I’m sharing for today’s Green Witchcraft prompt “Earth Element” over on @witch.with.me

“I AM GROUNDED. My spirit is grounded deep in the earth. I am calm, strong, centred, and peaceful. I am able to let go of fear and trust that I am eternally safe. I am worthy of all things beautiful.”

~ Carly Marie

What do you do to feel grounded? What have you got planned for the month of March?

Rosemary Magick: 17 Uses & Correspondences

Today’s prompt for the @witch.with.me hashtag challenge is “Essential Herbs” and first to mind is Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis).

Rosemary is a herb of cognition and mental power. Inhaling rosemary oil helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for cognition, concentration, and memory. In counteracting forgetfulness, boosting the memory, and helping concentration, it aids mental clarity.

Used as a funerary herb placed at the gravesite it reminds that the departed will never be forgotten, and used in bouquets or headdresses for weddings it reminds betrothed lovers that there is a timeless bond between them. We were given the gift of rosemary at our handfasting, bound with red ribbon.

Medicinally, rosemary stimulates the circulation, reduces stress, calms the nervous system and lifts the spirit, especially at a time of grief. Historically it has been used to cleanse the air in sick rooms, and in healing rituals.

Magickal Correspondences for Rosemary: 

Love 

Loyalty 

Protection 

Healing 

Purification

Youth 

Memory and mental powers 

Exorcism 

Sleep

Gender: Masculine

Planet: The Sun

Element: Fire

Sacred to: Venus, Aphrodite, Hebe, The Virgin Mary

Using Rosemary: 

Grow it by the front door for protection 

Place under pillow to help remember dreams 

Stuff into healing poppets 

Wear it when studying to improve memory 

Add it to incense blends for home cleansing 

Use in ritual baths

Make herbal water for cleansing scared spaces 

Use in spells related to memory or retaining youth

Note: Rosemary should not be used medicinally by pregnant women. Consult a qualified Herbalist/Clinical Aromatherapist when using herbs/essential oils medicinally, and never use essential oils neat on the skin.

What’s your favourite herb? Which herbs do you consider essential? Which herbs do you grow at home?