Hello, Morris Dog!

Look at this little chap in his Morris coat! We met him on Saturday at the Ketton Wassail, though he hardly stayed still long enough for me to get a photo of him. I did get a lovely cuddle, though!

We had such a lovely time - I recorded most of it, so I have the following Instagram Reels coming:

• Morris Dancing
• The History of Morris in Rutland & Leicestershire
• Wassailing
• The Ketton Wassail

If you don’t know already I have a YouTube account and will cover these topics in greater depth there. Tomorrow I have a video called The Stoke Dry Witch coming out at 1000hrs.

I hope you’re all keeping warm, it is currently very cold where I am.

Witchology Magazine: Winter 2022/2023

It’s so cold in our house; winter has been a challenge. Thankfully I have a copy of the latest Witchology Magazine to keep me company under all the blankets! @witchologymag 

The Winter Issue, The Reflection Issue, is packed full of winter wonders. I especially like the recipes ~ Hearthside Hot Toddy, Snowy Rocky Road, Hearth Fire Pears For Kinship & Prosperity ~ which give a little kitchen inspiration to get up and get warm. There are a plethora of interesting seasonal articles to keep away the gloom; Dark Goddesses to Assist With Winter Magick immediately springs to mind.

There are spells and rituals, herbal healing ointments and suggestions for celebration. The article on Wassailing has me geared up for coming events, and the article on Saturnalia has me looking forward to December next year, which I usually dread, to be honest.

Head over to @witchologymag to be kept abreast of all the latest happenings and get a free issue when you sign up for their newsletter.

Fabulous Folklore: Friday 13th

Happy Friday 13th!

Occurring at least once a year, up to a maximum of three times, Friday the 13th is considered a harbinger of bad luck by many people in the west. The irrational fear of the number 13 has its own name: triskaidekaphobia.

The unlucky nature of the number 13 is due - in part - to a Norse myth. Some gods were having a lovely dinner party in Valhalla and then Loki showed up, uninvited, making 13. He then had Balder shot, who died, and the world became dark, making 13 an unlucky number.

Middle Ages superstition combined with stories the of Last Supper may not have helped. There were 13 disciples at the table when Judas (who betrayed Jesus) was added, which was on the 13th of Nisan, Maundy Thursday, the night before his death on Good Friday.

But 13 is also the number of moon cycles and menstrual cycles in a year, connecting the number 13 to the sacred feminine.

Let’s replace fear with feminine celebration. This is a sacred day - for Friday is Freyja’s Day - and it should be treated as such.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Hecate On The Hell Staircase
NEXT - Moon Magick: The Wolf Moon
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Yorkshire Witchcraft