Welcome to UK Pagan

I noticed this week just how quickly the year had flown by. One moment it seemed I was welcoming the Spring after the Beast from the East had left our shores. Smiling at the blooming Spring flowers, enjoying the Blackthorn, the Pussy Willow, the Mayflower, and what seemed like the next day watching the leaves turn red and yellow, hearing the Autumn storm winds outside, and the nights have drawn in once more.

Boom.

Gone.

In past years I would now begin to retreat. I really enjoy the time between Samhain and New Year. I’m not a Bah Humbug when it comes to Christmas, but after new year, January to early April, I seem to wish the time away. I’ve had enough of dark evenings and cold by then. And this year, above all others, I’ve realised what a mistake that is. I literally wish away a quarter of the year. Sometimes if the S.A.D. hits early that wishing away can start as early as November.

Not good.

So this year I am making a pledge, a promise. I will find those things of beauty you Winter lovers enjoy. I will seek out the magic and wonder, and enjoy the rest of the Autumn and the approaching Winter, and embrace it all with open arms. If I find myself wishing for the Spring and the warmth of the Sun I’ll remind myself that every day is precious. Who knows if tomorrow will ever come? I will remind myself that the Now is here, and to live in the moment. Maybe that will help to slow down time a little, who knows, but there is no wisdom in wishing away an entire season.

So, Autumn and Winter, I welcome you, season of mists, and of cold. Of the womb of darkness, and the embrace of the night, the crisp sunny day, and the wet, cold mud beneath my walking boots. I look to you with love, affection, and cast away my years of distaste, of turning away, of not seeing or feeling the power that resides within your cold and icy days and nights. Be gentle, be harsh, be what you truly are, and allow me to experience the wonders you bring.

So mote it be.

Are you a Winter person? What is it about the season that brings you so much joy?

Help me out.

Let me into your world.

View the full article

I haven't read my cards for some time but I used to do free readings while conducting my Sunday car boot stall and I just read as I saw them although I did once, years ago, learn the 'meanings'.  My mum was a country girl and tarot reader and she got my interest going back some 25 years ago or more.

I find the whole thing about ghosts really interesting, even though I don't believe in the supernatural (well, I keep an open mind given that no matter how much we discover with science, you can always conceive of there being something beyond it, out of reach of what can be measured - but I don't believe anything specific of what that might be, if anything).

I can think of rational/scientific explanations for most of the accounts of hauntings I've come across.

The accounts of hauntings on planes as a result of aircraft parts being salvaged from a particular plane crash and put in other planes is particularly interesting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90P6sWZPpCc  (though what I find scary is the fact that they thought it was a good idea to use these parts in other aircraft to begin with - never mind supernatural, just from the fact that you can't tell there's been no damage at the microscopic level due to the impact and stresses on the parts that might make them unsafe.)  But apparently they stopped doing this due to reports of hauntings, not safety concerns.  Some interesting stuff in the comments of the video as well.  What's hardest to explain from a scientific point of view is if any of the people who reported the hauntings weren't aware that the parts had been reused.  If you know about it it might prime your brain to interpret ambiguous stimuli as something related to the crash, but if you don't know then your brain isn't primed that way... 

Rainbow from the Long Man – Billie Wilson

We had our Samhain open ritual at the Long Man of Wilmington this past Sunday. According to the calendar date we were a little early, but as I spoke about in this recent blog post I don’t see the four Fire Festival dates as fixed to the human calendar. To me they arrive when certain natural forces occur. So Imbolc will be when the snowdrops deck the forests and hedgerows, or when I see the first Spring lambs born. Beltane when the hedgerows are dripping with May flowers (one Hawthorn in blossom does not Beltane make). Lughnasadh when I see the harvesters out in the field and John Barleycorn is making that annual sacrifice, and Samhain with the first proper frosts. Sure enough the icy-chill breath of the Cailleach arrived dead on time on Sunday.

About 60 of us made the trek up to the flat circular hill below the Long Man and there I cast the circle as the rim of the Cauldron of Annwn, calling forth the mists of the Otherworld to fill the centre of our circle, the veil to part, and for those who had passed away to hear our voices through the veil, to hear their names being spoken, to know that they are not forgotten, and that they live on in our hearts. It’s an important ritual for many people and we do it the same way each year. That familiarity creates a safe haven for open emotion and connection. We blessed the circle with fire and water, invited the Spirits of the Four Directions to be with us, and spoke the Gorsedd Prayer upon the hill, under the gaze of the Long Man, and the ancestors above.

Someone then stepped forward and spoke for the Fey, who are always with us, but who are closer still at the time of Samhain, as the Wild Hunt rides out. The next spoke for the Cailleach – the every-present Spirit of Death who walks beside us, and who’s hand takes ours when we are led across the veil. And then spoke the Ancestors, of blood, of spirit, of tradition. From those who were buried within the round barrows above the Long Man’s head, to those who have taught us, and those who gave us life, been a part of our lives as friends or relations, and have moved on.

We then invited anyone who wished to step into the circle, into the mists of the Otherworld, and speak out the names of loved ones who had passed away. To speak their names, not just “my Nan” for as long as that name is spoken out loud, into the air of this world, so they will never be forgotten, and with the veil of Samhain, thin and delicate, they hear their name being spoken from that Other place. There were tears. There are always tears. And that is good. As any magician will tell you the open expression of emotion in any act of magic can only add to the potency of the spell, or the moment, and it was truly apparent there within the Samhain circle.

After the names had been spoken, and we confirmed that people were complete, I then took the ashes of a beautiful friend to the edge of the circle, introducing who she is, why she wished to add her Spirit to the Spirits of Place and the ancestors of the hill, then scattered her ashes at the bottom of a small blackthorn tree. There she joins Alex Sanders, Doreen Valiente, and many of our other ancestors of our traditions who have chosen to be scattered upon this Sacred Hill.

As Eisteddfod was proclaimed we shared a symbolic feast with those whose names we had called, and poets, storytellers and singers gave their offerings. All around us small rainstorms were swirling, and within those storms many rainbows appeared, but the hill remained mostly dry, blessed occasionally by a gentle shower of rain.

Then the Rite was complete. We swore the Druid Oath of Peace together, filled the air with the Song of Awen, then thanked the Spirits of the Four Directions and I closed the circle, withdrawing the Otherworldly mist, and the Cauldron’s rim, from that place.

Hugs, smiles.

Then down to the Giants Rest for a pint.

I know how busy peoples’ lives are right now, and sometimes there just isn’t time for a ritual as complex as this, but I always think it a shame if people want to celebrate a festival, and be within its energies, yet for whatever reason let it pass by. Do that often, and a feeling of disconnect grows, and that isn’t a nice feeling. So if any part of the ritual above inspires you to include any of it in your evening tonight, tomorrow, or whenever you celebrate, please use what you wish! Even if it is as simple an act as leaving a vacant seat at your dinner table for the ancestors to join you, maybe with a candle upon the place mat, then make that your ritual. A photograph of a loved one placed on your altar, a candle lit in your window, bringing to mind someone who has passed away, none of these are massive time-consuming activities, but just help to keep us stay connected with our paths, and honour the time of year.

Of course it might be that Samhain has nothing whatsoever with the Thinning Veil for you, in which case do whatever feels right for you. I’m certainly not trying to tell anyone what to do, just to maybe drop a little seed-thought of an idea for those who are searching.

Whatever you do, or are doing to celebrate Samhain here in the Northern Hemisphere, may you be inspired, and may the Wild Hunt pass you by!

Peace, and blessed be.

View the full article

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, from enhancing religious rituals to promoting wellness. And, they're easier than ever to procure. But, actually using them can be a daunting task. Here, Essential Oils for Emotional Wellbeing author Vannoy Gentles Fite provides five easy, everyday ways we can use essential oils to heal our emotional and spiritual needs.

View the full article

Fox and Magpie are two that instantly come to mind. Fox has been important to me after a series of very intense dreams, and subsequently in several meditations.

Hi there, I feel like I should disclose that I am not really religious or spiritual, but just signed up here to learn more about my Celtic ancestry. 

When I saw this topic I did want to comment though. I feel I have a strong connection with animals. Since I could first speak I’ve been insistent on always keeping them. I’ve had a whole dynasty of various rodents haha as well as a Dog. I get very emotionally attached to animals. Most recently I broke up with my s.o. of approx. 2 years. I was more upset about leaving because of the cats! 🤭😳 Especially Fluffy. Strongest bond I’ve ever had with any animal. In one argument (prior to breaking up with my ex) He was yelling at me from the top of the stairs and I was at the bottom of the stairs by the front door, and Fluffy walked out from behind him and came and sat right next to me and just looked at him. I didn’t read to much into it until afterwards when my ex commented on it. It was like she was taking my side. I still miss her. As a child I was also very much interested in all things equine. I rode horses and was forever reading books on them. 

However, I can’t say that there is a single animal I prefer above all others. I am quite keen on keeping a reptile though, as I’ve never had one before.

Also, I’m vegan which is largely because of how I feel regarding animals being farmed industrially and slaughtered in conveyer belt style fashion. 

black elk speaks, is a good read, and a brilliant one for comparative thought, though it is a native american reference book.

a general reading list for any specific religion or pantheon should include all the myths, stories and works, preferbaly the source material rather than an opinion piece,  preferably with a thought to author bias at times, for the north the list would include, prose edda, poetic edda, saxo gramaticus gesta danorum and sagas of the icelanders, paired with a look at other resources, thats a good starter of books, with various authors and publication dates. more up to date material, me up to date? i will put in a different section as it isnt really book based.

some editions have been written by dr jackson crawford, who although still having a habit of labeling things good and evil and continuing with that theme, does have good credibility and skill in translation and does think about the material.

if its terry pratchett it is a good read, that is an excellent start for thinking.