Witchcraft in the Elizabethan Age

I've noticed that some folks seem to be posting the same tired and limited information on the web about Witchcraft in the Elizabethan Age. It was a really good time for Witches to stay underground about their private practices and to profess links to Christianity for their health and well-being. Drawing upon my knowledge of the period, I turned up this very wonderful little piece about a handwritten book of shadows written in 1590.



I am writing an article on my website about this rather exciting time in the Age of Witchcraft. Remember, Queen Elizabeth would regularly consult with Dr. John Dee before she made many major decisions. Practicing Witchcraft in the Elizabethan Age was challenging at the very least, but the Queen always kept her "Astrologer" very close!

Worldwide Web 2.0-the easy way

Hey folks, this a very informative and easy to understand video about

the new Community Worldwide Web 2.0 ... enjoy! 

My friend friend, Mead Rose turned me on to this. His website is New Earth Arts website.

Blessed Beltane 2008

Shifts and Changes as the days grow brighter and warmer....
I had the pleasure of celebrating Beltane twice this weekend. On Saturday, the 3rd, with Community Seed group. I joined with many folk in "dancing and drumming and singing up our creativity", which was the theme of this event.

Then on Sunday, the 4th, FireDrake Grove folks celebrated our Beltane here at Dragondale. The Hunters 'hunted' the pole and brought into the Circle where the Gatherers stroked it with magickal oils and topped it with a ring of ribbons before they stood it erect. It was then the task of the Hunters to entertain the Gatherers with tall stories, songs and boasts, which was very well done. The Gatherers then picked from the Hunters their favorite to become the "Jack-of-the-Green" and to be wrapped to the pole with the ribbons as we wove them, weaving the energy of our joy and laughter into the Earth. Our "jack-of-the-Green" this year was one of our newest participants who was having a birthday that very day and told a marvelous story. After releasing our "jack" by unwinding the ribbons to just above her head, we indulged in a sweet treat of puddings and wine. The puddings were presented on a platter with it's very own little Maypole, from which the spoons dangled on ribbons. Goddess praise our magnificent Cake Maker! The Circle was filled with beautiful folk splendidly topped with head wreaths we created before the ritual began. And ... we danced *barefoot* on a circle of grass planted as sod only 4 weeks previous. Hooray for the Green!

On Monday, I joined many other Feri folk and kin to celebrate Cora Anderson's life at a memorial service in her honour in Hayward. The shifts of her passing will ripple for some long time. Blessings to you, Cora, your gifts and your kindness will live on thru your Kin.

Cora's Beltane

To Cora

 

Dearest Grandmother,

May your light and love carry you to the wild dance;

And the swift sparkle of the Fae encompass you

on every journey you take.

 

Now your voice is released

To shower upon all whose ears are wide;

Into the deep, lush silence of Beltane

 

We listen.

Cora Anderson passed thru the veil at 1 am on 1st May, 2008. She had been sung to and surrounded by many of her beloved Feri kyn and was in no pain.  

She is reunited with her beloved Victor.

What is remembered lives.

Great evening with the Feri Folk

What fun on Friday nite! 

A great bunch of Feri Students from all three of my classes and myself met up at Shogun ( my favorite sushi restaurant, on Pacific in Santa Cruz) for a marvelous meal and then we trooped up the street to the Perfumer's Apprentice to make our own magickal scents. Linda, the owner, served us tea and cookies and offered us guidance and instruction in her lovely shoppe, which we had all to ourselves by prior arrangement. 

http://www.perfumersapprentice.com/

Several of the celebrants were surprised at how much fun they had and said so! this may be one of the 'annual' events that happens for FireDrake Feri Folk.

If you find the idea appealing, please perpetrate this idea with your own group. I call it the Feri Sushi and Scent Social, but you can call it whatever it so pleases.

Great Book! Raven's of Avalon

Hey, I just finished reading  Raven's of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson. It's an expansion/back story to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series ... and wow! I could not put this down. I kept reading very late into the night/early in the am.

It's the life of Boudica, the Celtic Queen, from youth through motherhood and on as she transforms into the Red-Warrior Queen of the British tribes. 

This is a really fabulous piece of storytelling, weaving legend, magick and history.  Ms. Paxson's attention to the details of ornament, dress, dwelling and community behaviors is astounding and engages you in every aspect of the tale. There are several powerful, lyrical magickal rites and invocations that I intend to weave into my practice of Witchcraft, with attribute given to Diana Paxson of course!

Here's a little taste of one of the magickal rites, Boudica's wedding (verbatim quote - page 112 hardcover)

As her mother led Boudica forward, the boys began to sing-

"You are the moon among the stars,

You are the foam upon the wave,

You are the lily among the flowers,

You are the spark that starts the flame,

You are the beloved."

Prasutagos, dressed in a splendid fringed cloak checked in seven colors over a tunic and braes striped in blue and red, emerged from the crowd of men to stand beside her as the maidens who escorted 

Bodica replied -

"You are the sun above the clouds,

You are the wave that strikes the shore,

You are the oak within the wood,

You are the torch that lights the hall,

You are the beloved."

What a beautiful litany to begin a Handfasting!

Ms. Paxson is a practitioner of Asatru and a really marvelous writer, as well as a kind and generous person!

Her kindred website is http//www.hrafnar.org

Thank you, Diana Paxson!

some of my illustrations ...

most of which are available at wytchwood.com in the Shoppe

and more of which can be viewed at wytchwood.com in the Gallery

just click on the Wytchwood banner at the top of this blog