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
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
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
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
“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
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
“…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
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
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
The Black Fast In the Year of Our Lord, 1537, the potato arrived in Europe, the Dissolution of the Monasteries (which commenced the year prior) was under way in England and the ten year old John Dee (derived from Welsh du, meaning ‘black) attended Chelmsford Chantry School. In the Summer of that same year, Mabel Brigge, a widow and serial faster, house servant to the Lokkar family in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was hired to perform the Black Fast.... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In