Fabulous Folklore: Place Names

What’s in a name?

Generally old place names were formed from Old English words that were descriptive of the landscape that a settlement sat in, or designed so that people would know what they could find there - for example Blacksmith’s Lane, Bakery Road.

They can reflect old myths and superstitions; for example Nicker Hill, in Keyworth, “nicker” being an old name for a mythical river monster.

Some road names carry a darker reference to the past. For example Gallows Hill in Lancaster. This name refers to the place where the so-called Pendle Witches were executed, a group of people who were tried in 1612 for the murders of 10 people supposedly by witchcraft.

Locally, seven women were burnt on Woman’s Lane in nearby Leicester for supposedly bewitching a thirteen year old boy; but a quick search has revealed that this name has since been changed.

There are some interesting road names in the U.K: Ghost House Lane (Nottinghamshire), Blood Hill (Suffolk), Black Cat Drive (Northamptonshire), Witches Walk (Somerset), Bats Lane (Dorset), Broomstick Lane (Buckinghamshire), Ducking Stool Court (Essex).

I was always curious about a road named in the next village, Panter’s Lane. After doing some research I found out that Panter is an old Scottish and English (mainly Northamptonshire) word for a servant in charge of the supply of bread and other provisions in a monastery or large household. This makes sense as this village dates back to the Middle Ages, and there were two main families of note, presumably with large dwellings, that would have employed the service of others in the village.

Do you live on an interestingly named road? What’s the best road name you’ve ever seen?

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Door Knockers

Fabulous Folklore: Hag Stones

Hag, holey, witch, fairy, dobbie or adder stones are protective charms used in folk magic. Hung in windows or doorways, in barns and on boats, they were believed to protect against the evil eye, witches, evil spirits, and negative energy, whose magic would be rendered useless when the hole was peered through. It was believed they could wars off curses, sickness and theft. In my part of the world ‘witch stones’ were hung in dairies. Witches could stop cows from producing milk, or prevent cream from turning into butter.

It was believed that other worlds and invisible spirits could be seen through the hole, and they were hung in bedrooms to prevent nightmares. Worn around the neck they protect the wearer from harm.

The holes are formed from the boring of a mollusk called a “piddock”, by water, or by smaller stones grinding against the surface.

I found this stone in the cemetery, so I’m really chuffed with it! Do you have any witch stones? If so, where did you find them?

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: White Horses

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: King Arthur £23 Notes

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Wolfsbane

Fabulous Folklore: Toads in Witchcraft

I love this tiny toad with a broomstick. It is found carved in wood on the building of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, Cornwall.

Toads have been associated with Witchcraft for many hundreds of years.

During the Renaissance it was widely believed that Satan sent witches familiar spirits to help them with their work. Toads were not liked in Medieval Europe, they were seen as ugly, disgusting creatures that were associated with poison. They were believed to be able to kill people even without being a familiar, which was a common concern. The witch could use the poison of toads to others, so the poor toad became entangled in this idea of harm. Stories of toads joining the Witches Sabbath or being compared to the Devil did not help, and terrified everyday folk, adding to their belief that toads were awful creatures connected to death and filth.

The familiar of the Second Witch in Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a toad known as Paddock. He has the witches throw another toad into their cauldron. It is possible that Shakespeare may have read Discovery of Witchcraft (1584) by Reginald Scot, where the word familiar is first seen in print.

It was thought that toads had a “toadstool” in their heads, a sort of magickal gemstone that acted as an antidote for poison. Amulets containing dried frogs were abundant; and cunningfolk may have used toads in their medicine and remedies, keeping them for this reason, and subsequently bolstering the idea of a witch’s familiar.

Bufagin, a toxin produced from the glands on the top of a toad’s head, may have been linked to flying rituals and ointments, but it is a steroid not an alkaloid, and as such produces an anaesthetic effect rather than a psychoactive one. However butofenin, a toad toxin and alkaloid may be a good ingredient for a flying potion.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Hag Stones 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Witches' Flight

Simple Magick: Offerings - What Are They?

Another post about offerings - this time what they actually are. An offering is something we give ~ or sacrifice ~ in Witchcraft for a given reason.

We can leave offerings:

To celebrate 

To give thanks 

To honour 

In memory of 

In appreciation of

We give them to:

Deities 

Ancestors 

Spirits: eg. of the land, a place, a dwelling, a person

Entities and beings eg. The Fae

Offerings vary hugely. They can be anything from an item or object to an act of service. It doesn’t have to be over the top. It can be simple, but should always be heartfelt.

Examples of offerings

Food and drink 

Incense 

Candle

Special words: eg. poetry/verse/song

Bowl of herbs/flowers 

Acts of service: eg. tidying/gardening/cleaning/getting rid of rubbish

Stones, crystals 

Personal affects eg. leaving a hair 

Special items eg. jewellery

If this post has been helpful don’t forget to Save it so that you can refer back to it.

NEXT - Simple Magick: Disposing Spell Remains
NEXT - Simple Magick: Spell-Working Ethics
NEXT - Simple Magick: 8 Tips For Honing Your Intuition
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Neptune - God of The Sea & Freshwater

Fabulous Folklore: The Edith Weston Poltergeist

Several miles from here is a village called Edith Weston. It has a population of about 1100 people, and is named after Edith of Wessex, Queen of Edward the Confessor.

In December 1896, huge flocks of people gathered from afar to witness the haunting of a house; then inhabited by a Mr and Mrs Gray. Extremely loud and repetitive knocking was heard at the doors and windows, and this continued for a full week before Christmas. Hundreds of people witnessed these knocks, including Mr Braithwaite of Edith Weston Hall, who owned the property.

At it’s loudest, the entire village could hear the knocking. Police, clergy and a whole host of other official people came to solve the mysterious problem, but upon investigation, the noise would shift from room to room.

Rumours and theories were spread by the worried villagers. A fifteen year old serving girl was blamed for the mysterious thumping; but when that continued in her absence, it was then blamed on the Devil, who had been invited into the house by her.

Mrs Gray became sick with the stress and worry; and Mr Braithwaite considered demolishing the property. Thankfully the noises stopped at Christmas, but no logical explanation was ever found. An investigator from London blamed the girl. Allegedly, she called “Here I am, come on you” when entering the kitchen; the noises continuing in there long after she left.

A lot of time has passed and it’s now not clear which building housed the Edith Weston Poltergeist, but stories are still told about it to this day.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Black Annis

Simple Magick: Disposing Spell Remains

One of the questions I am asked the most is how to dispose of spell remains and spent offerings. My advice for this one is don’t overthink it!

If your remains are entirely natural, for example ashes and/or herbs then it is perfectly ok to dispose of them outside or in the ground. Likewise, compostable materials can go in a compost bin. All plastics and unnatural materials should be disposed of in the rubbish/trash.

A lot of people say that it’s ok to bury wax in the ground and that’s where it should go in relation to having a successful spell, but personally I don’t feel ok with this.

Glass jars and vessels can simply be emptied, washed and cleansed ready to use again.

Consideration should also be given to the spell and what you are trying to achieve, which can be factored into your spell planning. For example I disposed of some spell remains at an old prison (now a business park) which was symbolic to what I was trying to achieve.

I think the only rule of thumb is to consider the effect on the Earth.

NEXT - Simple Magick: Spirits of The Home
NEXT - Simple Magick: The Spell Process
NEXT - Spell: Cloutie Spell For Justice
NEXT - Ritual: Ostara Spring Ritual 

Fabulous Folklore: Witches’ Flight

And ‘tis an art well known to Wizards old 

And wily Hags, who oft for fear and shame 

Of the coarse halter, do themselves with old

From bodily assisting their night game. 

Wherefore their carcasses do home retain,

But with their souls at these bad feasts they are,

And see their friends and call them by their name,

And dance about the Goat, and sing har, har,

And kiss the Devil’s breech, and taste his deadly cheer.

~ Henry More (1614-1687)

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair

The Woodland Trust’s 2022 Tree of the Year

On Friday I learned from @thewitchesstone that this tree - the yew from Waverley Abbey in Farnham, Surrey - has won The Woodland Trust’s #treeoftheyear 2022. @woodlandtrust

I’m particularly happy about this because it’s a tree that has featured heavily in my lifetime. I’m originally from this part of Surrey, and this tree, thought to be more than 750 years old, has watched over many happy picnics and family days out. I have even featured on the Goths Up Trees website in February 2012 cradled in the branches of this beauty - as seen in the photo below. @gothsuptrees

This tree won with an impressive 16% of the vote, and I’m not surprised; this tree seems to be known by many people near and far. The Waverley Abbey tree will now go on to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2023 contest.

Have you ever visited this tree?

Many people don’t realise that one of the scenes from zombie film 28 Days Later, where the fugitives enjoy a brief countryside idyll down in the southwest before heading up the M1 to Manchester, was filmed here. 

Photo submitted to Goths Up Trees by Neil Geddes Ward.

Fabulous Folklore: Yorkshire Witchcraft

York was a Viking capital in the 10th century, known as Jórvík. The first castle to be built in York was built in 1068 following the Norman conquest. It was destroyed by rebels and a Viking army in 1069 and was rebuilt - a fortified complex of castles, prisons, churches, law courts and other buildings. The medieval keep (pictured) is known as Clifford’s Tower. York Castle fell into disrepair in the 15th and 16th centuries, but much of the infrastructure still remains and you can walk around the city’s walls today.

Belief in Witchcraft was widespread in medieval Yorkshire, and feelings were mixed. Some were happy to seek help and healing from cunning folk, but others saw these types of people as evil wrongdoers. Later on in the 19th century, Witch Crosses were a popular type of protective magick used in the countryside. They were hung on the outside of barns and buildings to protect the people and animals inside.

Many local women were accused of being witches. Jennet Preston, one of the Pendle (Lancashire) Witches of 1612, was tried at York. It is thought that the outbreaks of “Witchcraft” in the Pendle area suggests that quite a few people were making a living as traditional healers, and that the two families involved ~ that went on to make accusations against each other ~ might have been in competition.

Mary Bateman was a spiritualist, petty thief and later murderer who was named The Yorkshire Witch. She gained this moniker through her claims she had supernatural powers. Born in North Yorkshire she became a con artist after being sacked from her employment for stealing. She told people they had become cursed or placed under harmful spells, prescribing them with charms and feeding one couple puddings in exchange for money. Unfortunately the puddings were laced with poison, but as only the wife ate the pudding and died, the husband reported her to the police. She was tried and executed in York.

In the 17th century, a man named Edward Fairfax believed that six women had bewitched his daughters. They were also tried at York Assizes but were thankfully cleared.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Witches of Warboys

Honouring Nature: Hedgehog Health & Pumpkins

Message from the Woodland Trust:

“Thousands of tonnes of pumpkin get thrown away in the UK after #Halloween each year - and some of those pumpkins sadly get dumped in our woods.

Pumpkins can make wildlife such as hedgehogs ill if they eat them. Removing dumped, rotting pumpkin waste costs us precious time and money which we could instead be spending on vital conservation work.

Plan ahead if you're carving a pumpkin this year - put it in your food waste or compost bin when you're finished, or bury it in your garden for worms and other invertebrates to enjoy.”  

NEXT - Honouring Nature: The Forager's Code
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Pumpkins
NEXT - Rowan Magick: The Witch's Tree

Ancestral Marriage Support

I met (and married) my husband in October, and as we move into the darker, colder months I like to call upon my ancestors for their love, support and guidance to watch over and protect the union that is my marriage.

Dorothy Kate

Beatrice Winifred

Ethel May

Clarence Alfred

Derek Lyle

Kenneth Stanley

They always feel very close to me around this time, and a little bit of anniversary love and support goes a long way.

In this picture you can see my handfasting cords (we handfasted a few years before we married) and a picture of my maternal grandparents.

On Samhain night I usually connect with my grandmother, Dorothy Kate. She was a woman to be reckoned with, and I can always rely on her to give me the best advice - and she’ll always give it to me straight. I also feel like my husband’s parents are around at this time of year - it’s nice to know that we are being watched over and cared for. 

NEXT - Samhain: 4 Types of Ancestor 

NEXT - Samhain: A Celebration Supper 

NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Yule - Midwinter

Happy Birthday, Tabitha!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, spooky Samhain spider, Tabitha - 15 today!

When Tabitha was little I could be thinking of something completely random ~ for example, Christmas in June ~ and she’d start talking about it as if she’d read my mind.

When we broke down on the A1 two years ago I discovered after that she, like me, had known it was going to happen before it did.

When she had a fortune cookie at my parents house recently I guessed the message inside when she held it in her hand, before she opened it.

When she was three she spoke of the “other” place she lived in before she came to Earth and chose me as her mum.

We’ve always had this special psychic bond.

Tabitha you are beautiful and magical. I’m so proud to be your mum and I’m wishing you the loveliest day. xxx

Tell me some interesting and spooky stories about your children! Did they talk about the place they existed in before birth? Did they have special gifts?

Fabulous Folklore: Ashwell Sacred Spring

I’ve been searching for holy wells and sacred springs in my area, of which there are quite a few. I have been unable to find the one at nearby Ladywell, but my husband accidentally found the Ashwell spring on his travels. We went to see it and it is one of those sites that is tantalisingly close to the road, but easily missed! 

Ash trees are often associated with wells, and at the top left hand side of the picture you can see the trunk and leaves of the ash tree situated next to the site of the spring. It’s possible that the village is named literally after this spot, “Ash-well,” although it started off as “Exwell” in the 11th century. 

Ash trees have long been associated with Yggdrasil, the immense sacred tree in Norse mythology that is central to the cosmos, with all else existing around it. At the base of Yggdrasil was a spring where the Norns (Fate, Being, Necessity) lived. The ash was considered sacred in Britain as well as Scandinavia. 

The spring arises in a stone well house, not dissimilar to the one at nearby Greetham, and bearing an inscription that is nearly the same:

“All ye who hither come to drink. Rest not your thoughts below. Look at the sacred sign and think. Whence living waters flow.”

It was really dry when we had a look, but I’m hoping that as we edge toward the winter and have a bit more rain we’ll be able to see the small pool the spring is said to create, and perhaps I can take some sacred water.

Do you have any sacred springs or holy wells near you?

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Sheela-na-Gig

NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Imbolc

Customs & Traditions: Samhain

I wondered about the traditions you have at this time of year.

At home, we celebrate both Halloween and Samhain. Usually we celebrate Halloween with a walk in the woods, pumpkin carving and a movie. There are usually a lot of sweets and treats. 

In the evening, we celebrate Samhain with a seasonal feast and our annual ritual at sundown. Sometimes that’s four or five of us, or sometimes it’s just me and my husband; depending on where the children are.

We don’t have a full dumb supper, but we do lay an extra place setting at the table and invite any of our ancestors who may be passing through to join us. When everyone has gone to bed I have my own private ritual.

There are many parts to our day that are traditional to us. We go to a river or body of water special to us and using apples to represent our deceased loved ones, we make an offering in their memory to the Earth. I like to be in my home by sundown and I light a candle that I keep burning all night, which I keep close to me. If I’m not too tired, I like to keep a vigil all night. I do some spell work, connect with my grandmother (who is in spirit) and do some journeying.

What do your festivities look like? Do you celebrate Samhain? Do you celebrate Halloween? Do you celebrate both? What do those celebrations look like? Have they melded together?

 

NEXT - Pagan Holidays: The Celtic Roots of the Modern Halloween Custom 

NEXT - Pagan Holidays: 65 Samhain Magickal Correspondences 

NEXT - Samhain: Samhain Night Blessings 

NEXT - Imbolc Magick: 40 Correspondences 

Fabulous Folklore: Stonehenge

There are many myths and legends surrounding Stonehenge, with many of these stories attempting to explain its origin. Most of these stories involve the devil, gods, giants or wizards. One such tale tells of giants holding hands, dancing in a circle on Salisbury Plain, before being turned to stone.

Another yarn describes the Devil disguising himself as a man to broker a deal with an old Irish lady who owned the stones. In return for them, he agreed to give her as a any gold coins as she could count before he finished moving them. She thought she was on to a winner with the time it would take to do this, but the Devil cheated the old woman out of a princely sum by using his powers to instantly move the stones to England, the site of Stonehenge.

After the Devil created Stonehenge he claimed that no-one could successfully count the number of stones. The antiquarian William Stukeley was quite fascinated by this story; he managed to count to 140 before stating:

"Behold the solution of the mighty problem, the magical spell is broke, which has so long perplexed the vulgar. They think 'tis an ominous thing to count the true number of the stones and whoever does so, shall certainly die after it."

Other folklore states that Merlin brought the stones over from Ireland to mark the graves of British nobles slaughtered by the Saxons and erected them on Salisbury Plain using magick.

What stories have you heard?

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Silbury Hill

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury

NEXT - Personal Magick: My Beltane Handfasting

Fabulous Folklore: Kissing Gates

This is a Kissing Gate. They usually have a square, semi-circular or v-shaped enclosure, with a hinged gate that swings between two posts. The hinged part “kisses” both sides of the enclosure, allowing one person to pass through.

They’re commonly found at the entrance to graveyards. Much easier to negotiate than climbing over a stile and falling into the mud in your Sunday best! There doesn’t seem to be much folklore regarding them but there is a lot of debate over their name.

Some say that the name comes from when more than one person passes through the gate. In order for a person to do so successfully, they have to kiss the next person after they have negotiated the hinge, before the next person enters. It is considered good form for everyone passing through to exchange a kiss ~ meaning you need to go walking with people you’re friendly with!

Some say that they were placed at the entrances of churchyards by the Victorians so that couples could not pass through together. Passing through gates hand-in-hand was seen as symbolic of a sexual relationship. Others maintain that the term “kissing gate” comes from “kisting gate” - a place where a coffin was put so the bearers could rest before carrying it into the church.

Another theory is that would-be lovers gathered near them. Men would pass a coin or token to a woman. If she was interested, a kiss would be exchanged and she would place the token in her purse for eternity. If she was not interested, she would throw it away. It has been suggested that the following rhyme is related to kissing gates:

“There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile, he found a crooked sixpence against a crooked style. He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, and they all lived together in a little crooked house.” That said, the Crooked House in Lavenham (see my earlier post) is also said to be the inspiration behind this poem.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Wishing Trees

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Haunted Houses

Review: Sunflower Journal (Autumn 2022)

There’s no better way to celebrate autumn than by grabbing a blanket, a cuppa and the latest edition of Sunflower Journal (@sunflowerjournalmag)

The only way I can describe this publication is utterly enchanting. It gently takes you through the seasons, providing articles for celebration and reflection, with a sprinkle of seasonal crafts.

The Autumn 2022 issue has several delicious recipes ~ Apple and Caramel Cupcakes did NOT escape my eye ~ plus all sorts of Autumn Equinox and Samhain joy.

Thank you, Carmen Rose, for sending this - I think it’s your best issue yet!

What are you waiting for? Grab a copy of Sunflower Journal for some seasonal cheer and let it keep you company as the days get colder and darker.

NEXT - Review: The Bewitching by Jill Dawson 

Fabulous Folklore: A Personal Spooky Story

So, Halloween and Samhain are nearly upon us. Let’s have some spooky stories!

Do you guys have any? I intend to share these stories and others from this post on my YouTube channel.

I have quite a few but today this one springs to mind…

Twenty one years ago I was walking down a dark, unlit country lane in Hampshire with my beloved friend, Sarah. It was the night before I was due to move to Northern Ireland and we were up late grabbing some precious time together. Down the other end of the lane was a man with a dog. I remember being in a fantastic mood; I was enjoying my evening with Sarah and was full of joy and excitement for the coming days. Add the prospect of petting a dog into the mix and I was positively bursting with happiness! My ‘phone rang and it was Tom, my then partner. He was on the overnight ferry from Belfast making his way over to England to collect me. I was chatting to Tom, hearing his news about how the first phase of our relocation had gone, and telling him what I was up to. We’d been on the call for a few minutes when I was said I going to say goodnight to allow him to attempt some sleep and because someone was approaching with a dog I wanted to pet. Sarah quietly shushed me, and I broke my sentence off. Weird. I repeated the bit about the dog to Tom and she shushed me again, looking a bit sheepish. I got off the ‘phone and asked her what was wrong and she said she didn’t want to talk about it. It seemed weird and out of character for Sarah, but I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. We carried on walking down the dark unlit passage, chatting and enjoying our time together. We got to the end of the road and I mentioned how strange it was that the man or the dog never materialised; she told me she’d answer this when we were back on lit paths. We made our way back onto the estate and she told me that the lane was called Black Dog Lane, and was supposedly haunted by a man with a big dark dog, who would wait for the dog at the end of the lane, before disappearing together.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Haunted Houses

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Friday 13th 

Witch Charms by Quirky Cinnamon

Meet Juniper! This amazing besom charm was made by my friend Cassia of @quirkycinnamon.

An incredible artist from São Paulo, Brazil, and living in my sleepy little town in England; Cassia creates amazing witchy items from the heart. She sculpted Juniper’s face from scratch and says that these creations take on a life of their own when she’s creating them.

She is absolutely beautiful, Cassia. I will treasure her forever and she will take pride of place in our home - thank you so much!

I highly recommend checking out Cassia’s page and creations.

Autumn Equinox Blessings!

A blessed Autumn Equinox everyone!

I didn’t observe it at the official time of 02:03 this morning, I was happily tucked up in bed.

Some people refer to this festival as Mabon, a name which was adopted in 1974 from Welsh mythology, but it has little to do with the Autumn Equinox. Mabon is taken from Mabon ap Modron, which means “Son, son of Mother.”

Using the name “Mabon” came into usage when Aidan Kelly tried to find a myth associated with autumn, in the same way that some associate Kore (Persephone) with spring. Some Welsh people dislike this appropriation of their mythology, and it takes away from the figure of Mabon ap Modron, so I tend to avoid the term where possible.

The Equinoxes appear twice a year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Spring (or “Vernal”) Equinox happens around the 20th March, and the Autumn Equinox falls around the 22nd September.

The Equinoxes appear between the Solstices, and mark the point at which the Sun crosses the equator’s path, and becomes positioned exactly above the equator. They are a tipping point. Although the days started getting shorter at the Summer Solstice, we are now surpassing the point of balance and the nights will become longer than the days. The process starts all over again at the Winter Solstice, and at the Spring Equinox the days will start to be longer than the nights.

During the Equinox the day and night are roughly the same length - they are nearly equal. A few days after the Autumn Equinox we have the Equilux - when the day and night are exactly equal. The Equilux in March happens a few days before the Spring Equinox.

Equi = equal 

Nox = night 

Lux = light

I love the solstices and equinoxes for their astronomical roles in our calendar. The extremes - the longest and shortest days (the solstices), with the balanced and liminal days in between (the equinoxes).

Today we had Sunrise at 0650hrs, and Sunset will be at 1900hrs, so the descent towards darkness is quite marked now.

Wishing you many autumnal blessings from my home to yours. 

NEXT - Magickal Places: The Goddess Temple - Glastonbury
NEXT - Review: Witchology Magazine - Mabon 2020 Issue
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Blackberry
NEXT - Recipe: Wren's Faery Berry Jam

Recipe: Wren's Faery Berry Jam

As there are so many connections between faeries, elderberries and blackberries, I named this jam Wren's Faery Berry Jam.

WREN'S FAERY BERRY JAM

Ingredients:
800g Blackberries

200g Elderberries

1kg Jam Sugar (has added pectin)

2 Lemons, juiced

Butter, small nob (optional)

Method:

1. Put a saucer in the freezer.

2. Combine the sugar, lemon juice, and berries.

3. Heat on a low heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved.

4. Turn the heat up and cook on a rolling boil for ten minutes, being sure to stir, so that no fruit burns or sticks to the pan. Skim off any scum.

5. Put a small blob of the mixture on the saucer, and leave aside for a minute. 

6. Push the mixture with your finger - if it wrinkles the mixture is ready.

7. If it doesn’t wrinkle, cook for another 5 minutes and then try again. Keep trying until it’s ready.

8. When the mixture is ready, stir in the butter to dissolve any scum. (I personally don’t bother).

9. Pour into sterilised jars, top with a waxed disc, and add the lid. Do this when hot.

10. Store in a cool, dark place. 

NEXT - Recipe: Elderberry Vinegar
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Blackberry
NEXT - Review: Witchology Magazine - Mabon 2020 Issue
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Foxgloves 

Fabulous Folklore: Silbury Hill

Silbury Hill, located a stone’s throw from West Kennet Long Barrow, is the largest artificial, prehistoric mound in Europe. It is believed to have been built sometime between 2470 and 2350 BC; making it around 4,400 years old. Its purpose to the Neolithic people who built it unknown and no burial has ever been found inside. It is comparative in volume and size to the Egyptian pyramids.

The Romans built a settlement around the base of the mound, with a road running past it, and a structure may have been built on the top during the medieval period.

Unfortunately, due to three excavations that were not properly handled between 1776 and 1970, a 14 metre crater opened on the summit in May 2000. It was made off-limits to the public, and only a few people were allowed to access the mound due to safety concerns, including my late friend Terry, the Arch Druid of Avebury, who would go up there to work the energies. It was filled with polystyrene before further research was carried out around 2007. Eventually it was filled with chalk. The summit is still officially off-limits, but you can walk around the base of the hill.

Folklore says that it is the resting place of King Sil, who lies beneath the mound, with the hill encasing a life-sized gold statue of him astride his horse.

It was also said that the Devil created the mound. He was on his way to Marlborough to bury it under a heap of earth when he met a cobbler carrying a bag of worn out shoes. The Devil, who never seems to quite know what he’s doing when it comes to these schemes, asked the cobbler how far it was to Marlborough. The clever cobbler replied that it was so far away he’d worn out all the shoes trying to reach it. Dismayed, the Devil just dropped the earth where he stood, creating Silbury Hill.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Nine Ladies Stone Circle

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Major Oak

Fabulous Folklore: Hecate on the Hell Staircase

This blurry image is Hecate and is part of a huge mural at Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire. The mural covers the ceiling of what is known as the Hell Staircase, and was the last commission of Antonio Verrio (1636-1707), a Baroque mural painter who served the Crown over a thirty year period.

The impressive staircase portrays Hell as a fiery, gaping mouth of a huge cat. Spilling from its mouth are tormented souls, and there is an appearance from the Grim Reaper, who grapples his scythe. There is an equally beautiful Heaven Room, where gods and goddesses from ancient mythology mingle and socialise. It is here that we learn of Venus and Mars’ adultery.

I love that Hecate was included in the Hell ceiling mural.  She was a Titan goddess of great honour in Ancient Greek religion; presiding over sorcery and spells. She was associated with crossroads, light, necromancy, the Moon, ghosts and Witchcraft; amongst other things. She witnessed the abduction of Persephone to the Underworld and searched for her. It is hard to know what she is doing in the mural, but she seems to be pointing the way.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Bees
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Knockers of Cornwall
NEXT - Moon Magick: New Moon in Aquarius

Fabulous Folklore: The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor

The Hurlers, situated on Bodmin Moor, are three stone circles that date back to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Their arrangement in a row is unique in England; and whilst the exact function of The Hurlers is unknown, it is believed to be a ceremonial monument and a meeting place for community gatherings.

It is possible that these stone circles mark a processional route between the Stowe’s Hill Neolithic hilltop settlement in the north, to the Caradon Hill barrow cemetery in the south.

Local legend says the stones were men who were turned to stone for playing hurling on a Sunday, with The Pipers, two nearby standing stones, being two men who were also turned to stone for playing music on a Sunday. This makes a lovely change from them being women, who were popular targets for being turned to stone in myths and legends about other stone circles across the U.K., for example the Nine Ladies on Stanton Moor in Derbyshire.

This is a fantastic site to visit but the weather can be extremely changeable ~ or even just extreme! ~ but the horses and cows seem to like it.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Duloe Stone Circle

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Cornish Piskies 

NEXT - Nine Ladies Stone Circle 

Review: The Bewitching by Jill Dawson

The Bewitching ~ A book by Jill Dawson

A huge thanks to Louise at Hodder Books (@hodderbooks) who sent me this a couple of months ago. The Bewitching is a story drawing on the 16th century case of the Witches of Warboys and is written by Jill Dawson (@jilldawsonauthor).

At first glance I thought my mum had sent me this book because she lives in Warboys, so you can imagine my delight at receiving this! Warboys is a village in the Cambridgeshire fens, and the story of the Witches of Warboys is very much kept alive there. Images of witches can be found all around the village on cars, homes and businesses.

I was especially excited to read this as reviews describe it as “fascinating” “atmospheric” and “gripping,” and it has been a long time since I’ve read fiction or historical fiction.

The book doesn’t disappoint, and “atmospheric” and “gripping” sum it up perfectly. Only a few pages in you’re transported to 16th century England, and you don’t want to leave. I learned so many things reading this book; as you travel the journey of the story you gain insight into the social history of the time. You’re rooting for all the characters in the book, and you’re reading it from the 21st century, so you understand why things play out the way they do. This book triggers the imagination, and I guess I particularly loved this book because I spend time in Warboys, so I felt even closer to the story. I didn’t want to put it down, and I was so sad when I had finished it!

I loved it so much I’m going to check out Jill Dawson’s other books, and make more time to lose myself in fictional books, rather than always reading reference books on Witchcraft.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Did you enjoy it?

NEXT - Review: The Sacred Cycles Journal by Jill Pyle
NEXT - Personal Magick: Home Is Where The Heart Is? 

Fabulous Folklore: The Tulip Piskies

Somewhere along the River Tavy on Dartmoor, a sweet and kindly old lady lived in a beautiful little cottage, surrounded by flowers. She had lavender and hollyhocks, rosemary and mullein. Forget-me-nots and lilies, sunflowers and tulips. She worked hard to create a beautiful garden that bloomed all year round; it was her pride and joy. She was proud of the tulips, especially the red ones.

This sanctuary extended beyond her garden. She lived next to a green meadow which was covered by piskie rings. The locals held the rings as caused by piskie-led ponies being driven round in circles in the dead of night. But the old lady knew differently.

One night the lady was woken by a sweet tune drifting in through her window. She lay there for a few minutes before realising the tune was a lullaby. She sat up in her bed and cast her gaze out of her window - her prized tulips were shimmering and waving in the moonlight to the gentle tune. As she woke properly from her slumber and her ear sharpened, she realised the tulips were gently singing along to the tune.

This continued for a number of nights, and the old lady, tuned in to the ways of the world, realised what was happening. The piskies were bringing their babies to the tulips, laying each precious baby within a tulip flower. The tulip nannies gently rocked and sang the piskie babies to sleep, while the adult piskies danced their merry dance until the break of dawn. No ponies were needed to make the rings; the piskies made them all by themselves.

The piskies loved the land surrounding the cottage, and they loved the old lady. They never forgot her kindness. Her tulips lived longer than those of the other villagers. They smelt a little bit sweeter, and shone a little bit brighter.

Sadly, in time, the old lady died. The old man that moved into the cottage did not care for flowers or tulips or pretty things; he wished only to grow vegetables for himself. He built a fence to keep animals and birds out the garden. The piskies saw to it that nothing would flourish and grow ever again; and the whole garden soon became barren and empty, much like the old man’s heart.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Toads in Witchcraft

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Oak Apple Day

Fabulous Folklore: Witch Balls

This is a recreation of a room in the home of a Moorland woman, circa 1850. It can be found in the York Castle Museum, along with an excerpt from her diary.

The passage from her diary reads:

“Life on the moors is hard work. Me, John and three little ones are all in one room with the rest of our cottage needed for the livestock. I suppose I can’t complain, we’ve got everything we need which is more than some can say. Our bed is good and solid. It’s been in my family for years, and we were lucky that it was passed down to me, skiing with some other bits of furniture. I’ve brought a few ornaments and some pictures. They’re nothing fancy but I think they brighten up the place.

It can be lonely here, but having the witch ball at the window to ward off any evil makes me feel better. I must remember to check how much peat we have left. If we don’t keep the fire lit we won’t have any hot food or water which doesn’t bear thinking about. My John says that half the country’s population now live in cities and our way of life probably won’t exist for much longer. I wonder if he’s right.”

Notice the witch ball in the window?

Traditionally, but not always, they were blue or green in colour and made from glass, but some were made from other materials. They were hung in cottage windows in England during the 17th and 18th century to ward off witches, spells and evil spirits.

There were several theories behind them. Some thought that the witch balls diverted the evil eye, others believed that the bright colours would entice evil energies which were then trapped inside. Others thought that the balls prevented witches from entering the room because witches did not have a reflection or could not bear seeing their own.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Witches' Homes

Introductions: The Cemetery Witch

Welcome to my followers, old and new. It’s been a while since I introduced myself, so here goes!

• I live on a cemetery with my husband. This amazing picture of us was taken by my photographer friend Craig, of @craigaddisonphotography. We have three girls under the age of 15. We are huge animal people but currently don’t have a pet. A cat would make our family complete.

• We enjoy fantasy films, books and games. We love playing Magic the Gathering and D&D. My current D&D character is a Halfling Druid called Myrtle Boggy-Hillocks.

• I love true crime, paranormal and psychology podcasts and programmes. My favourites are the Mile Higher Podcast (@milehigherpod), Lights Out Podcast (@lightsoutcast), and The Behaviour Panel YouTube channel. I have started my own YouTube channel, search “The Cemetery Witch” to find me.

• I’ve been a Witch longer than I haven’t, which I realised earlier this year, and makes me feel quite old! That said, I’m loving the journey towards Crone. I’m very comfortable and happy in my skin, I love being a 40-something.

• I’m a keen forager and lover of plants and trees. My favourite foraging recipes are the simple ones: wild garlic pesto, elderflower cordial and nettle soup.

Your turn! Do we share anything in common? How long have you been a Witch? What are your interests? Perhaps say hello to someone in the comments. 

NEXT - Introductions: Hail & Welcome!
NEXT - Ritual: Ostara Spring Ritual
NEXT - Pagan Holidays: The Winter Solstice

Recipe: Elderberry Vinegar

The elderberries are out! At least they are in my part of the Midlands.

‼️ Please be aware that elderberries should NEVER be eaten raw or undercooked, so please avoid the common advice to put them in muffins or apple pies. They must be cooked thoroughly at heat to handle the cyanide-inducing glycosides. Failure to do so can result in nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Here is a gorgeous recipe using elderberries that we love at home - I like to put this stuff on my chips!

ELDERBERRY VINEGAR

Ingredients:
200g Elderberries

500ml Red Wine Vinegar

50g Sugar (optional)

Method:

1. Wash the berries.

2. Remove from the stalks into a pan using a fork. Mash slightly. Add the Red Wine Vinegar.

3. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down a little, simmering on a high heat for 10 minutes.

4. Decant into a sterilised jar and leave to cool before closing the lid.

5. Store in a cool dark place for 1 month.

ONE MONTH LATER...

1. Strain. Use the berries in stews, soups, salads, or discard.

2. Decant the vinegar into a sterilised bottle

- or -

add back to the pan with the sugar, heat until the sugar has dissolved, and bottle.

Don’t forget to Save this post for later. You can actually create folders of Saved items to find them easier later. This one is good for “Autumn Recipes”.

The elder is associated with the Faerie lands and is sacred to many goddess traditions, especially to the goddesses Venus and Holle. 

NEXT - Recipe: Wild Garlic Pesto
NEXT - Review: Traditional Jams & Preserves by Eve Parker
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Cleavers

Journaling: Harvest Reflections for Lughnasadh

The beautiful fields of golden grain that carpet my local landscape have all been brought in now. We celebrated Lughnasadh earlier on in August, but the harvest energy is still current.

I think Lughnasadh, and the weeks that follow up to the Autumn Equinox, are the best time in the year for reflection and goal setting, so I spent some time thinking about Grimoire journaling prompts for this time. It’s important to think about our own personal harvests and the direction we want to move in over the coming months.

Journal prompts:

• What are you harvesting in your life right now?
• What has been the highlight of the last twelve months?
• What achievement are you particularly proud of?
• Where is there room for improvement?
• What would you like to achieve in the next twelve month?
• Why is this important to you?

What have you achieved over the last twelve months? Is there something you have achieved that you are particularly proud of? 

NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Lughnasadh 

NEXT - Autumn Equinox Blessings