Mabh Savage
Words and the world passing by; how it sings to me; how I clamour back.
Afterglow
And he says ‘Radiant’
And I wonder
Like a golden beach?
Eggshell sand broken
Under happy toes
Hair whitening in Helios’
Breath of beatific
Beneficity
And I gasp
Cool moonlight
Broken on water
Lake still and cool
Until bodies and voices
Dive and delight
In the caress of night
Bathed in Luna
And he says basking
And I close my eyes
Drifting lazily
Sleep drugged
Morphius’ thrall
Happy to fall
Ancient and adored
And he says afterglow
And I blush
And turn away.
(c) Mabh Savage 2013
Moon Magic, Rachel Patterson
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic by Rachel Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pagan Portals is, as the name suggests, a series of books (by various authors) with the aim of introducing various aspects of Paganism. Moon Magic seems a staple in this diet, as there are few branches of Paganism that don’t require at least some familiarity with the cycles of the moon. My initial concern is that this book may have little to offer the experienced practitioner. Just looking at the contents page dispels these fears instantly. Not only does Rachel (also known as Tansy Firedragon) cover what I would think of as ‘The Basic’ such as the phases of the moon, Esbats and some of the more well-known moon rituals, she also brings a fascinating amount of detail including working with cords, charms and supernatural creatures.
So rubbing my hands together gleefully at the prospect of learning something new about my favourite satellite, I dive right in. Rachel writes in a very accessible style that is very inclusive to readers of all aptitudes. Facts are listed in well written, easy to consume bites, and each section that stems after is broken down in such a way it could almost be used as a reference book. Each moon phase has its own correspondences and magic, so it’s easy enough to flick through to find what you need at a specific time. I would find the information on oils and crystals particularly useful.
The meditations included are beautiful; someone really needs to make a podcast of these though so they can be downloaded and played at whim!
We move from the phases of the moon into the seasonal moon and examine different ways of using a moon calendar including relating it to the controversial Celtic Tree calendar. I’m glad she includes this though; it shows that moon magic and timings are not just for Wicca, but for any path.
I am particularly pleased with the Planting with the Moon chapter; this is such a simple aspect of bio-dynamic agriculture but so many people forget the impact the Moon has on plants and the soil. I’ve often used lunar agrarian principles for my own garden and others’, but this chapter teaches me things I never knew and will definitely implement myself.
This book is very short and as such you really have no excuse to not read it. If you have even the slightest interest in Paganism, Magic, natural living or astrology, this book will be relevant to you. The moon affects all of us, after all! Rachel brings a wealth of information together in such a way that you can go back to this book time and again, without it ever feeling old. The style is simple and full of common sense, yet magical and wondrous at the same time. Quite an achievement.
Another Winter Wonder
As the car was coated in ice both inside and out this morning (yes, thank you whoever left the back window ajar, hmmph), I decided it was time for another Winter Wonder.
Do keep your submissions coming; remember my favourite will win a signed copy of my book, A Modern Celt. Click Here for details.
Today’s offering is another beautiful tale of wintry magic from Leigh:
Now that Christmas is nearly upon us I would like to share, with you all, one of my most treasure memories. I could start out by saying “Twas the night before Christmas…” but I have no idea of the date. I could only have been about three years old…
It was a cold dark winters night, something or someone had woken me up, it was as dark as pitch but for once I wasn’t scared if the dark… Although I was not supposed to get up and go downstairs once I was in bed… Something told me that I had to go and find out what it was.
I crept downstairs, I could hear laughter – my parents… and someone else…
Lifting the hem of my nightdress I tiptoed towards the room where a beam of light was leaving a rectangle in the dark hallway. I couched down in the doorway hoping no one would see me. First of all I could just see my parents, they were laughing and looking towards the fireplace where a huge fire roared, flames flickering and dancing but this was not what caught my attention… It was the man standing in front of it, almost dancing as he shifted he weight from one leg to the other. He was standing so close to the fire that the backs of his trouser legs were steaming. He wore dark overalls that were covered in grease and the smell that was coming from them was vaguely familiar. He pushed his hips forward, probably to stop his trousers from touching the back of his legs which made his stomach stick out… Then I hear it… that huge rumbling belly laugh…
He had a mass of dark, unruly wavy, hair which surrounded his head like a halo… but it was the great laugh that made me realise who he was. My mum had read me stories of a man who laughed like this. The most wonderful man in the whole universe… and he was standing there in my house… minus his red suit!!!
I crept back upstairs in the knowledge that I had just discovered a secret. The most wonderful secret that and child could ever have but I would tell no one what I had learned – not even my parents.
I now knew who Santa Claus really was and where he lived when he wasn’t in the North Pole making toys for children all over the world.
He was my uncle Jim… Jim Lee – the greatest and most magical man that ever existed.
(c) Leigh Laycock 2014
A poem for Macmillan
Another winter wonder from Mr Vosper…
Interview with Julie Spirit Heart Dollman
The new issue of Pagan Pages is up where you can read my interview with Julie, author of living Shamanism.
Winter Wonders continues
With temperatures at record lows across the Atlantic and flood warning across the U.K., it seems only right that we continue the Winter Wonders series. Send me (via the form on the original post earlier on this blog) your thoughts on what winter means to you, your poetry, your stories; my favourite wins a signed copy of my book, A Modern Celt.
Stay warm everyone.
Kitchen Witchcraft, so what’s that then?
Pagan Portals – Kitchen Witchcraft: Crafts of a Kitchen Witch by Rachel Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The phrase ‘Kitchen Witchcraft’ conjures up brewing potions and hanging herbs, and while this of course can be the case, the experienced witch knows the kitchen can be the beating heart of their home, where the material and the mystical meld to create magic.
Rachel approaches this topic with just such a theory in mind, and makes no assumptions about the level of skill or experience of the reader. It’s important to bear in mind that as part of the Pagan Portals series, this book is intended as a brief introduction to Kitchen Witchcraft. Having said that, for such a slim volume, Rachel manages to pack in a great deal of info.
She starts by introducing the idea behind kitchen witchcraft, and giving an overview of things that may be needed; tools, ingredients and attitude. Even for the experienced, this is a good reminder and also interesting to gain an insight into what another experienced witch has in their own cupboards, physical and otherwise.
The eight big seasonal pagan festivals are discussed with particular focus on what kitchen crafts can be used to celebrate them. In here are correspondences, incenses and many more hands on ways to get your worship on. She also talks about how the differing phases of the moon can affect one’s workings, and while this section is a little simplistic for those experienced in moon magic, again, it is a great point of reference and a good reminder of the roots of many more complex types of moon magic. She looks at working with energy, and how to utilise candle magic, from the very simple to the more convoluted spells that can be worked.
One of my favourite sections of the book is the meditations in the final chapter. Each one is a different journey for a different purpose, and while each is written as a detailed journey, there is plenty of scope to make the journey your own. Unlike the narrative style which is direct and almost chatty, these written meditations have a wonderful dream like quality which is just perfect for getting you in the right frame of mind for approaching this type of working.
Rachel’s style is very accessible and conversational. Despite being almost a reference book at times, this short volume is a complete page turner as it is a real pleasure to read. It is as if she is in the room with you, talking you through the ideas that she is obviously passionate about. This is a very modern way of writing about a subject as old as the hills, and will make the subject easy to absorb even for the complete novice. Yet she manages this while making it a perfect refresher for the experienced witch, by including lists, correspondences and ideas from many paths.
This could be my favourite point of the book, that Rachel does not assume that you are Wiccan, or indeed of any particular religion at all. Most of the practical tasks in the book could be completed by someone of no religious beliefs at all, as the main focus is on a connection to nature, the world, and one’s self.
There is no limit to who would enjoy this volume. The only downside is that it is so short, however as an introductory piece, as it is intended, it is absolutely ideal. I will definitely be getting a hold of her larger volume, Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch, to see if the style and themes are expanded upon. Highly enjoyable, and it has inspired me to get back in the kitchen- not something I say every day!
Some more seasonal poetry…
Thanks Martin for letting me add these to the Winter Wonder series. Gorgeous! Enjoy folks…
Mabh Savage 