Keep a Crooked Sixpence

Last updated on: November 6, 2019 at 7:32 am By Ian Chambers

Like many cultures and countries, Britain and America share a rich history of fairy and otherworld encounters, healing, love tokens and divination lore. Among the history of these, the sixpence features frequently, being an identifiable, valuable and readily available charm. The silver sixpence has been identified in many cases as amulet, touch piece, symbol of love, magical token, witness and seal of a vow, and more. The sixpence, a ‘tanner’, is a British coin denomination with the value of... Read more

Rita Morgan: Witch Mother, Force of Nature, Passing Beyond the Veil

Last updated on: October 8, 2019 at 9:13 pm By Ian Chambers

On the morning of September 23rd, the Pagan community lost one if its most stalwart bastions, particularly in the Los Angeles and Salt Lake City areas. It has taken a little while to write this and several attempts. It is with a heavy heart that I write that Rita Morgan, owner operator of Crone’s Hollow, Salt Lake City, has passed across the veil into spirit. Rita is a strong spirit, a force of nature, and all who meet her are... Read more

What We Knew In The Night: Book Review

Last updated on: October 3, 2019 at 9:50 pm By Ian Chambers

Earlier this year, Raven Grimassi passed across the veil. I have followed Grimassi’s writings with interest, and supported him in the past with various projects. The only caveat is to say that I have sometimes felt an unease with regard some aspects of his Italian Witchcraft output, it not being an area I am especially versed in myself. Indeed, many credit Grimassi with popularising the idea of Stregheria, Italian witchcraft, and propagated a tradition that curiously appeared to blend Wicca,... Read more

Wyrd Goes Ever As She Shall

Last updated on: September 15, 2019 at 9:04 pm By Ian Chambers

At any given moment in our lives, we might give pause to contemplate the course of events which coalesce in that precise moment. Through the strands of the universal warp and weft which makes up the rich tapestry of life, certain patterns and strands have all happened, seemingly, to bring together the circumstances for each and every moment. When you had a wonderful celebration, carefully planned and carried off, or a misfortune happened as a seemingly random event, all factors... Read more

Castles in the Sky

Last updated on: November 2, 2019 at 6:46 pm By Ian Chambers

1. Within Caer Sidhi doth our tale commence, That spectral Castle, spiralling abode Where Pale-Faced, the white Goddess shines from whence, 4. Leading Her wild raid from a western road Gathering up her children home again. She summons the winds, from the west comes Node, 7. Tettens and his twin Luci make the twain, While in the South comes Carenos, carefree lord of woodlands, wild hunter ‘neath the wain. 10. When the King, Arthur, held council courtly, And the knave,... Read more

Witchcraft Against Climate Change

Last updated on: July 26, 2019 at 9:55 pm By Ian Chambers

I propose a witchcraft to openly and purposefully work to arrest the rapid decline of the climate, overturn the human systems which harvest resources for personal gain, and to promote positive action toward healthy restoration of a life sustaining environment. In order to do this, we must come together to work witchcraft to promote positive protest against climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and the risk of social and ecological collapse. Provided here is a sigil, magically crafted by experienced worked Lesley Jackson, for... Read more

Witchcraft Is Political And It’s Time To Use It!

Last updated on: August 2, 2019 at 4:19 pm By Ian Chambers

Following a previous blog entry, among the comments I received was one accusing me of politicising witchcraft. Herewith is my response: Witchcraft is, has been and will always be political! It is a natural and societal response to oppressive systems that sustain the gulf between those with money and power and those without. It arises in the gap generated when the few languish in the grotesque affluence of position, while many suffer intolerable and crushing effects of austerity, poverty, discrimination... Read more

Sweet Heretical, Apocalyptic, Rebellious Witchcraft!

Last updated on: July 6, 2019 at 10:13 pm By Ian Chambers

Witchcraft is the heretical proclivity toward rebellion, the natural response to the restrictions which bind the human spirit, the rejection and outpouring of opposition to the establishment. It has always been thus! Read more

Spinning Without Motion Between Three Elements…

Last updated on: June 23, 2019 at 8:20 pm By Ian Chambers

One looks with both eyes at the tip of the nose, sits upright in a comfortable position, and holds the heart to the centre in the midst of conditions. In Taoism, it is called the yellow castle, in Buddhism the centre of the midst of conditions. The two are the same. It does not necessarily mean the middle of the head. It is only a matter of fixing one’s thinking on the point between the two eyes. Then all is... Read more

Exploring The Existential Witch With Peter Hamilton-Giles

Last updated on: May 4, 2019 at 7:09 am By Ian Chambers

An Interview with Peter Hamilton-Giles of Atramentous Press I do believe it is important for practitioners to question their own narrative, their own beliefs, if nothing else to ensure they are not slavishly following the doctrine of another. Peter, together with his partner and talented artist Carolyn, is the founder of Atramentous Press, an imprint producing beautiful works of serious exploration into the relationship with the Witch. He is a scholar of Anthropology and Religious Studies, with a background in... Read more