Update: Stone Circle Clothing Drop

TWO MORE SLEEPS TO GO!!

I'm super excited about Stone Circle’s latest clothing drop coming this Saturday 29/01 at 1000hrs! There’s a fabulous coat, Bell Bottoms, dresses and tops.

I am a HUGE personal fan of their clothing ~ see me wearing one of their dresses in the last picture ~ their clothes are truly made by Goddesses for Goddesses.

They also have a wonderful FB group “Stone Circle - The Sisterhood” which started off as a place to talk about alternative and boho clothing, but has morphed into a true sisterhood, one of the loveliest and safest communities online.

To learn more about this fabulous clothing company, or to get your hands on one of these gorgeous pieces, go to: https://mystonecircle.com

Fabulous Folklore: King Doniert’s Stone

Trigger warning: drowning

This is King Doniert’s Stone located in St. Cleer, Cornwall, and dates to the late 9th Century. It’s actually the granite base of what would have been a Celtic cross. The Stone is believed to have been a memorial to Doniert, the last (known) recorded king of Cornwall.

On the side is a Latin inscription “Doniert rogavit pro anima” which means “Doniert has begged prayers for his soul.”

It is believed that King Doniert is actually King Dungarth, the King of Dumnonia. Dumnonia was the kingdom named after the Dumnonii, a British Celtic tribe living in the south west at the time of the Roman invasion.

King Doniert is believed to have drowned around AD 875 in the River Fowey, at nearby Golitha Falls. Some suggest that this wasn’t an accident, and that this was punishment for King Doniert collaborating with the Vikings against the Saxons.

There is another stone next to Doniert’s Stone known as The Other Half Stone, which I will share later.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Merlin's Cave

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor

Fabulous Folklore: Phallus Worship

This sculpture of a toadstool shaped in the form of genitalia is an exhibit at the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic; which used to be displayed in the window in Cecil Williamson’s day.

I can’t remember what the purpose of this exact artefact was, but phallic worship has been present around the world since the beginning of time. Phallic symbols have been found by archaeological expeditions all over the world.

One of the oldest phallic representations is the Hohle phallus, a 28,000 year old siltstone piece which was discovered in the Hohle Fels cave in Germany. As well as being used as a representation for genitalia, this artefact is also believed to have been used for knapping flints - a very practical dual purpose!

The phallus represents fertility, procreation and potential. Worship of the reproductive powers of nature is common in many cultures, and is often symbolised by this organ. In some cultures it was a protective symbol, and helped to avert the evil eye. In Bhutan, for example, wooden phalluses, with white ribbons emerging from the tip, deter evil spirits when hung from the doorways of houses.

Phalluses play a big part (excusing the pun!) in classical antiquity. They appear a lot in ancient Greek, Roman and Indian mythology; usually in relation to fertility.

Do you use a phallic symbol in your practice? Have you seen any good examples of phallic worship on your travels? 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Storm Callers

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Sheela-na-Gig

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Wicker Man

Fabulous Folklore: Cornish Piskies

This picture is a photograph of part of a painting at the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic in Boscastle, Cornwall. It was probably painted in the 1960s, and features a group of Cornish piskies.

It gives us a visual glimpse into the nature of Piskies. They are small, merry, unexpected, mischievous, playful, ageless, mythical creatures - often associated with death. They are found on moorland areas of Devon and Cornwall, and around ancient sites such stone circles, barrows and dolmen. They are considered “in between” - neither cursed nor blessed.

Their name changes depending on region. In Cornwall they’re known as piskay, pigsy, piskey, or piskie. In Devon they are known as pixies, pixy, or piscy.

The nature of these creatures also varies from county to county. In some places they are mischievous, in some places they are friendly and benign, and in others they are more devious and cunning. They are known to lead travellers astray on the moors, getting them lost, which is known as being pixy-led.

Pixie mythology is localised to Britain, in particular to Devon and Cornwall. They have been likened to the elves of Germany and Scandinavia, including the Tomte, which I wrote about earlier, but they are distinguished from them. They are different to fairies/elves, and in some British folklore pixies have battled the fairy folk. 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Cornish Piskies

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Elves

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Fairy Rings 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Merlin's Cave

Fabulous Folklore: Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

This literary device shows up in the opening scene of Macbeth, and it reminds the viewer that sometimes not all is what it seems. What can seem trustworthy, might not be; and what seems bad, might actually be good. The three witches are symbolic of “foul” but give “fair” advice - they foretell the treachery of Macbeth, who will commit treason by killing the King. Macbeth slides from being a good man to evil; fair becomes foul. 

The phrase serves to remind us that we should always look much deeper than what we can see on the surface. It applies to people, situations, events. How often have we got caught up in the emotion of a situation, our own biases, the things we want to believe or the things that people have told us, completely failing to take a measured, reasoned and objective approach, and consequently failing to attain a deeper understanding of a situation? 

Appearances are often deceptive, and as witches we have to practise discernment. When is it right to employ magick? How will we replace the energy used for a spell or working? When is a sign a sign? At what stage should we step into a situation to help? Is a person trustworthy? Are we seeing a situation for what it really is? 

Remember, especially in your practice,  that “fair is foul, and foul is fair” and always look for deeper understanding - not all may be as it seems.

Image photographed at the Museum of Witchcraft & Magick, Boscastle, Cornwall.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Yorkshire Witchcraft

Review: Goddess Provisions Box (January 2022)

“Your cycles are sacred”

I think this has to be my favourite Goddess Provisions box so far. I received this earlier on in the month. Called the “Sacred Cycles” box, this beauty was only on sale until 17th January, so Goddess Provisions will be taking orders for their new box now, but I wanted to share the gorgeousness so you can see what to expect from their boxes. 

This box was decked out in delicate shades of red, orange and pink. It was filled with everything you need to observe, honour and celebrate your sacred cycles. 

Inside this gorgeous box:

• Sacred Cycles Candle Set 
• Sacred Cycles Crystal Set - obsidian, clear quartz, carnelian, rose quartz 
• Sacred Cycles Oracle Deck @sacredcyclesoracle
• New Moon Tea - Root Support Tea by @newmoonteaco
• Wild Rose Herbs New Moon Balm @wildroseherbs
• Reverse Karma Dragon’s Blood Incense @reverseyourkarma 
• Leaflet (the front is a framable postcard) with discount codes, information, ritual resources, Moon Wisdom Club, and more.

Go to @goddessprovisions for more information on their subscription boxes and gift boutique. Find them also at: www.goddessprovisions.com. Each box is always packed FULL of goodies - they’re really good value for money.

NEXT - Review: Goddess Provisions Box (December 2021) 

Word Magick: Invocation to Pan

Invocation to Pan ~ by Helen Bantock

Pan, god of the unfettered wild!

Come from thy secret dwelling,

Where mighty mountains sleep, and, undefiled,

The waters sweet are welling,

O, fearless, swift! O fierce and free!

God of the forests! God of liberty!

Pan, sing we a paean! Pan, we call on thee!

Pan, god of the unfettered mind,

Of faith and will unshaken,

Come, piping loud and wild upon the wind

Till sluggard worlds awaken.

Healer divine! Heart of the free!

Spirit of music! Soul of ecstasy!

Priest of delight! Thou laughter gay- all hail!

Twy-horned, goat-footed, lord of revelry!

The sweet singer, the light dancer, the wild piper - clear and shrill!

The keen hunter, the swift pursuer, the lord of fear - and deathless will!

Pan, to thee we raise our voices, Pan, great Pan, all hail!

Image taken at The Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, Boscastle, Cornwall.

NEXT - Word Magick: The Season of The Witch 

Media Appearance: Wheel of the Year article - Breathe Magazine (Issue 44)

Gorgeous article on the Wheel of the Year in the latest copy of Breathe Magazine (issue 44).

Beautifully written by Jade Beecroft (@journojadeb), it was an honour to be asked about the Wheel of the Year, and to be directly quoted.

This gentle publication is well worth checking out - it focuses on wellbeing, mindfulness and creativity. Basically, a life well-lived.

Have you read Breathe magazine? What are you currently reading?