Navigating the Witch Compass

February 10, 2022 By Ian Chambers

As cognitive beings, narrative coheres humankind, the mechanism of story bonding us in an associative way. Myth, that ‘other’ reality, is the language of the timeless world which surrounds and permeates us, and so imbues humanity, and the sorcerous individual particularly, with a common sense of the mystical and spiritual (as opposed to the material and physical, as well as rational). Through the mythic narrative, we find place, we find ourselves within the folds of the ineffable, and we find... Read more

Promise of New Light

December 20, 2021 By Ian Chambers

To the Great Goddess, mother and Maker of all things, we call for a light to lead us, that light of promise held in our hopes when we waited in the shadowed lands, on the plains of ashes and in the places of darkness. Bring us, we pray, once more that light in our darkness to comfort us against cold death, to warm us with new life, new strength, and so to set the brilliance of the new day and... Read more

The House is Still on Fire – Witchcraft Against Climate Crisis

July 29, 2021 By Ian Chambers

In previous posts, I have written with some concern about the climate crisis that’s threatening human, and other, life upon this beautiful planet. In a year that sidles it’s way poorly through a predictable and potentially manageable global pandemic (a New Zealand model as opposed to a U.K. or USA one), billionaires thrust their phallic selves to penetrate the highest strata of our atmosphere, the north-western area of the continent of America reaches alarming temperatures and fire, while parts... Read more

Antisemitism and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages

July 5, 2021 By Ian Chambers

Many of the oldest, most iconic depictions of the witch feature the pronounced characteristics that have become instantly recognisable; a caricature that resides in all good fairy tales. Even today, many of us were made aware of what the stereotypical witch looks like, and where to find her on the edge of the dark forest. It is surprising, therefore, to learn that the large, hooked nose, protruding chin, hairy mole or wart, and stooped appearance, are in fact a rather... Read more

Respect the Ancestors Now!

May 19, 2021 By Ian Chambers

Within the milieu of neopaganism, and nature-based religious movements that lie at the heart of modern Wicca and Druidry, as well as the magical arts in a broader context, the ancestors holds high office. When we talk of ancestors, most frequently we are thinking purposefully and immediately of deceased familial groups, past family members and direct lineal predecessors who now occupy the space of spirit. Indeed, there is a persistent regard for such ancestral notions in the Western world, through... Read more

Whistling the Winds of Beltane

April 19, 2021 By Ian Chambers

“South wind —heat and produce, North wind—cold and tempest, West wind—fish and milk, East wind—fruit on trees.” (Gregorson Campbell, 1902) [1] Celtic beliefs of the last century, as found in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, testify to a belief in the faery folk, weather lore and the winds, or airts, intimately connected in a magical worldview. The Scottish folklorist, John Gregorson Campbell (1836-1891), recalls a faery belief that persisted in the Scottish Highlands of the nineteenth century. Indeed, memoirs pieced together from John’s... Read more

Punk Witchcraft !

February 21, 2021 By Ian Chambers

In terms of witchery, I firmly believe that the origins and persistent ethos of the witch is one that embraces the Punk attitude. Read more

Discussing the Late Witch Ralph Harvey with Richard Gordon

January 30, 2021 By Ian Chambers

“…there was a whole lot of secrecy involved due to the fact that, at the time, you could still be imprisoned for what may be seen to be practicing witchcraft.” Richard Gordon is a freelance author, philosopher, occultist, artist and owner operator of Lilith Mandrake Books. Amongst the stable of authors at Lilith Mandrake Books is the late witch of the ‘old school’ Ralph Harvey, who unfortunately passed in 2020. Ralph was of a generation that saw the repeal... Read more

The Saining of Brigit – A Ritual For Candlemas (Imbolc)

January 18, 2021 By Ian Chambers

This ritual for Imbolc, Saining of Brigit, appeals to Brigit in the context of initiation and purification, in order to receive blessings upon this occasion. #Imbolc #Brigit Read more

Punk Witchcraft: A Manifesto?

December 20, 2020 By Ian Chambers

Witchcraft has been a subversive facet of culture since time immemorial. Incorporating inversion, reversion and subversion, witchcraft historically is experienced as the folkish expression of rebellion and liberty against established political and religious elitism. From the inquisitorial and secular witch trials, we learn of the diabolic nature of the witch pact, the inversion of religious Mass and Sacrament, the reversion to atavistic impulse and the subverting of a perceived societal order which maintains the monolithic institutes of the establishment. Witchcraft,... Read more