We’ve all seen the scenes from Washington, a self-titled shaman prancing about in animal skin and buffalo horns in the name of Trumpism. I won’t repeat the commentary from people who know far more about the politics and situation than I do. Instead, I’ll say my thoughts are with you America and I’m as shocked and disturbed by the images as you are. And I’ll turn my attention to what I do know about, heathen religion and Nordic deities. I... Read more
I know all the words to say “I feel fat” in a kinder, more gentle way. I’m a little chunky, I’m slightly chubbier than I once was. I have mum-spread. Yet the “than I once was” just happens to have been in my early twenties and for the best part of two decades I’ve bounced between only two dress sizes. Today I’m “slim” This means I’m maybe 1.5 inches smaller all over than I was six weeks ago. As someone... Read more
As I write an undetermined number of lorries sit stationary at Manston Airfield, near the port of Dover. Currently the port remains closed with the hope of re-opening as soon as possible once it has been deemed safe to do so. Manston sits within the parish of Thanet, a small borough mostly known for its seaside towns of Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate. Once a fashionable holiday hotspot, particularly loved by those escaping the London smog, its tourist numbers aren’t enough... Read more
I’m teaching my hereditary witch (otherwise known as my teenage daughter) the basics of modern paganism but we’re starting with basic energy and associations. I described her first steps into ritual in this post Since then, I’ve put together a small program with various learning objectives to ensure she gets the right kind of training at the right time. When I teach adults, it seems natural to begin with the elements and their associations. But that’s quite an abstract concept... Read more
Walking on the beach in Kent my footsteps are littered with hag stones. These are rocks which have a natural hole formed all the way through so you can pick up the stone and look through it. Hag stones have a fascinating amount of folklore and myth associated with them. They’re also known as Adder Stones, Witch Stones, or Odin stones and are mostly formed by water. They’re often found on the beach or by waterfalls, both considered to be... Read more
“You can’t change the world, only your reaction to it” Yes, this is true. But what would happen if no one tried to change a single thing for other people? Humanity is (mostly) a pack creature. It doesn’t thrive in ones and twos, we thrive in interwoven groups, learning from each other and interacting. We need interaction. We need connection. People can’t do everything for themselves all of the time. Helping others and making a difference mostly makes individual humans... Read more
The best kind of spiritual bouncer, I reasoned, was one who’d already been given the job of keeping you safe. The disir, your ancestral female guardians. Read more
In Wicca we have a standard invocation style of one god plus one goddess in all rituals. This goes for British Traditional Wicca (or simply Initiatory Wicca as I prefer to call it) and generic. We spend a great deal of time working out which god fits with which goddess and what multiple deity options match the theme of our rite. But do we really have to do this? I know what you’re thinking… there she goes again breaking Wicca,... Read more
My empathy means I notice things maybe others don’t, but my hyper vigilance means I also seek them out. Just in case. Read more
Not only are we living through a time with high numbers of deaths; we’re also dealing with a process which reduces the ability to say goodbye. Read more
Manic Pagan Dream Grrl
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