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Death & the Pagan

3/26/2021

In the ten years since Death & the Pagan was first published the ‘green’ funeral has become much more common and socially acceptable. Nevertheless, there are still no formal guidelines for those who wish to be buried according to their pagan beliefs, or for those given the task of conducting a sympathetic pagan funeral. To quote Pascal Boyer from Religions Explained: “This way of understanding religious ritual helps us understand, not just why gods are associated with rituals at all, but also what precise role they are supposed to play in these occasions.”

For most pagans, theirs is a benign, benevolent deity who will shortly welcome the deceased into the Summerlands. Their funerals are conducted by a member of the family, a close friend – or a pagan priest brought in to officiate, even though they are not from the deceased’s own Path or Tradition, and may not have been known to the person whose funeral they are conducting. For the Traditionalists, however, things are much more hazardous and most believe that only an Initiate from their own faith can petition deity to accept and guide the spirit of the deceased.
Death & the Pagan, written by traditional British Old Craft witches, Carrie West and Philip Wright, explores the different funerary practices of the various pagan beliefs in a way that will be useful, not only to the pagan community, but also for members of the caring professions and the funeral industry.
Because it is the only book of its kind, we felt that it should not be allowed to remain out of print when so many people could benefit from the advice contained in its pages – hence the Kindle edition is also available. It is just one of those ignotus press books that was a trail-blazer when it was first published and we hope that it will continue to find a useful place in pagan publishing in its original paperback formet
Melusine Draco
Principal of Coven of the Scales
www.covenofthescales.com

Death & the Pagan: Modern Pagan Funeral Practices – Philip Wright & Carrie West ISBN: 9781786970671 : Paperback : Pages 108 : £6.85 To order: https://www.feedaread.com/books/Death-and-the-Pagan-9781786970671.aspx.

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Brace Yourselves ...

3/15/2021

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In March, spring is official no matter what the weather report or calendar says, and it arrives in the form of the Vernal Equinox; the time that the sun crosses the Earth’s equator from south to north. Needless to say, it doesn’t fall on precisely the same day every year because the length of the calendar year doesn’t quite correspond with that of the solar year, so the first day of spring varies between 19th and 21st March.

Nearer to home, the English word Easter, which parallels the German word Ostern, is of uncertain origin but one view, expounded by the Venerable Bede in the 8th-century, was that it derived from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. According to Britannica, this view presumes - as does the view associating the origin of Christmas on 25th December with pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice - that Christians appropriated pagan names and holidays for their highest festivals. Because Easter, like Christmas, has accumulated a great many traditions that have little to do with any Christian celebration of the Resurrection but derive from European folk customs. There endeth the lesson … and perhaps it’s time to make a point of reclaiming our own calendar, holidays and celebrations as per our Principal’s Old Calendar, Old Year, Old Ways.

The Vernal Equinox is all about changes and transformations, rebirth and renewal, growth and initiative … and that means getting rid of any unwanted bits, bobs and baggage. And that can often mean people! We’ve all got them – family, friends or acquaintances whom it is impossible to get rid of, short of murder. They are toxic, malevolent creatures who impose themselves on us and never know when they’ve outstayed their welcome. When they do finally leave we can often feel so physically sick by the depleting effect they’ve had on us that we can barely rouse ourselves enough to carry out a cleansing of our home and psyche. This is another manifestation of our old friend – the psychic vampire – a malevolent presence that feeds on the misery and disharmonious atmosphere it causes whenever it comes near.

The first step to take when this person leaves is to complete a simple ritual of following its steps from the door, along the path to the gate, with a stiff yard broom saying over and over again ‘Name … get thee gone and never come back,’ while sprinkling sea-salt in your wake. It’s a trifle awkward to do both jobs at once but it usually works … especially if completed in tandem with a banishing/cleansing ritual inside the house where it’s been. For the cleansing we need an infusion spray of leaves (and flowers if in season) of sorcerer’s violet (periwinkle). It was believed that the plant could protect against evil spirits, and in some places, it was alleged that unwelcome guests could not enter a building where periwinkle hung above the entrance. The dried flowers may be added to any magical mixture to enhance the working and banish negative energy.

Or we could use woody nightshade, (bittersweet) - a pretty climbing plant from the hedgerows, which has purple flowers in the summer and deep ruby red berries in the autumn. Its magical uses are similar to those of deadly nightshade although any plant in the nightshade family can be used interchangeably for most workings. Woody nightshade adds power to any magic carried out at the Dark of the Moon and is great for spells involving protection. Hang a bunch upside down by the entrances of your home to protect it and yourself from harmful energies, negative magic, spirits and people. For its magic to work, however, no one must know where it has been placed. A useful plant to have growing about the place.

Water for an infusion spray is prepared in the same way as an infusion for drinking, but it is essential that the liquid be kept covered for 10-15 minutes before straining through a muslin sieve into a small spray bottle to ensure all the magical properties have been extracted. The ideal container is a small glass or pottery plant spray bottle that holds about a cup of water in order to cleanse or protect the home from negative energies left behind by our unwanted guest.

Infuse the woody nightshade (leaves, berries and flowers) and/or sorcerer’s violet in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. If only using the woody part of the plant for extra strength, pouring boiling water over it is not sufficient to extract the active ingredient. Allow it to simmer for at least 20 minutes in a small saucepan and strain through a sieve while hot – let it cool before pouring into the spray bottle and adding a fresh flower or two, or a leaf to the liquid. This cleansing or purifying mist permits treatment of everything in the room.

Discard any remaining liquid immediately and wash the bottle thoroughly by running clear water through the spray so that future magical workings aren’t compromised by any psychic residue. If we intend repeating the working over a period of, say, three days for a protective ritual, any remaining liquid can be kept in the fridge for the duration of the treatment but must be discarded on the third day or it could turn sour. Once the cleansing ritual has been completed, we suggest the added precaution of using lavender oil in an evaporator or burning lavender joss sticks for purification purposes.

And if the spectre of murder is still beckoning why not consider a nice bottling or binding. Many people confuse the two and, although similar in preparation, the long-term outcome is often employed for different purposes. Neither carry the finality or strength of a full-blown curse and, unlike the curse, both can be ‘undone’ should it become necessary to negate the spell for whatever reason. In truth, curses, in the long term, are often counter-productive and self-defeating, since few people who throw them bother to concern themselves with the far-reaching implications. Binding and bottling give a far greater ‘control’ over the outcome and if at the end of the day, you decide it’s really not worth the effort, then the bottling or binding can be undone … a curse cannot. [See By Spellbook & Candle for more information].

We always find that the Vernal Equinox is a turbulent time – and we are not alone in this belief. This means that both our Coven and solitary workings are going to reflect the disharmonious aspects of the season. Perhaps it’s got something to do with the old adage of March coming in like a lion … because it is definitely one of those turbulent months which are a vital part of each year, and it usually brings an enormous energy turning point. There are a lot of things which will happen during it, so the chances are that we will feel pulled and pushed in a lot of different directions. So, brace yourself …

The highest spring tides of the year occur after the equinoxes in March and September; during equinoxes the Sun exerts a stronger pull on the Earth than the rest of the year, because of the alignment between the sun and the equator. Consequently, the water surface is strongly attracted by the Sun, which accentuates tides, which are called ‘great tides’. If on top of that there is also an alignment of the Moon with the Earth and Sun, then tides will get even stronger as the water will be twice ‘pulled’ by these heavenly bodies. Therefore, the Coven working for the Vernal Equinox requires the joint powers of the Dame and Magister to harness this turbulent tide and draw down its energies to re-energise the group.

The Vernal Equinox is, as we’ve already said, a turbulent time and it is essential we get our timing right for this synchronized ritual – traditionally three hours after sunset – early evening. The brain is triggered by many things including the seasons but even the most dedicated of witches can sometimes feel a reluctance to get back into the Compass. Winter can bring on Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as seasonal depression or winter blues and, it is considered a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter months.

Then along comes the Spring - which triggers another set of symptoms in people and has been called ‘The Call of the Wild Syndrome’ or nature deficit disorder. This manifests in different ways, most of which involve detachment from things or situations that do not work or make the soul feel confined. It is an intense need for freedom, especially after the resting months of the autumn and winter. The soul needs to be outdoors - just like many an animal of the wild. There is an impulsive behaviour pattern, which seems to impact on the same people year after year as if instinctual.
Spring, in general, signals to the soul that new adventures and relationships will happen if changes are made - out with the old in with the new. This is when people leave relationships, families, jobs and responsibilities - needing to be free in the ‘jungle of life’ at least until the next resting season (autumn) when they will repeat the pattern once again! We call upon the Old Lass to enable us to make the right decisions and to knuckle down to our responsibilities before we make complete prats of ourselves. Even witches have commitments from which they cannot walk away as the fancy takes them, and we need the strength to stand firm until we are in the right frame of mind to act rationally and sensibly once again.

Consider carrying out an act of contemplation on the Great Bear constellation … or a Pathworking focussing on the bear … would be perfect for this time of year. Bears are powerful, smart, and yes, they can be downright dangerous - but we love them for many reasons. They are a part of our ecosystem as wilderness ambassadors, while on a mystical level they symbolize leadership, family, and lunar magic. At one time, bears were found everywhere and so it’s not surprising that they have a special place in the cultural histories of the planet. In the kingdom of spirit animals, the bear is emblematic of grounding forces and strength and has been worshiped throughout time as a powerful totem, inspiring those who need its courage to stand up against adversity. As a spirit animal in touch with the earth and the cycles of nature, the bear is a powerful guide to support physical and emotional healing. In heraldry, a bear is also a symbol of healing and personal health, strength and bravery. And how many of us still have the teddy bear from our childhood? So use your Pathworking skills and go out and meet one of these awesome creatures in the wild and see what it has to tell you …

Julie Dexter and James Rigel
Dame & Magister of Coven of the Scales

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A Horse of Another Colour

3/2/2021

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Lascaux Cave is a Palaeolithic cave situated in south-western France, near the village of Montignac in the Dordogne region, which houses some of the most famous examples of prehistoric cave paintings. Close to 600 paintings - mostly of animals - dot the interior walls of the cave in impressive compositions and horses are the most numerous, dominating the imagery, walking and grazing and congregating in herds. Now, a group of researchers has used distinctly modern techniques to help decipher the mystery, at least in the case of Pech-Merle cave’s famous spotted horses. By comparing the DNA of modern horses and those that lived during the Stone Age, scientists have determined that these drawings are a realistic depiction of an animal that coexisted with the artists.

An author of the study, Michael Hofreiter, an evolutionary biologist at the University of York in England, said: “Why they took the effort making these beautiful paintings will always remain a miracle to us. It’s an enigma, but it’s also nice to see that if we go back 25,000 years, people didn’t have much technology and life was probably hard, but nevertheless they already endeavored in producing art. It tells us a lot about ourselves as a species.”

He and his colleagues did not set out to study cave art. They were simply continuing their work on coat colour in prehistoric horses. Only after they found the spotted horse gene in their ancient samples did they realize they could say something about archaeology. “What we found is that there were really only these three colour patterns - spotted or dappled; blackish ones; and brown ones,” he said. “These are the three phenotypes we find in the wild populations. And then we realized these phenotypes are exactly the ones you see in cave paintings.”

Terry O’Connor, an archaeologist at the University of York who collaborated on the study, said spotted horses in particular had been used to argue that cave art was more symbolic than realistic, and that as a result the finding could cause a stir. “One of the things that most pleases me about this paper as a piece of ancient DNA science,” Dr. O’Connor said, “is it kind of begins with a question. These spotty horses, were they magical or real? But now it is clear that some horses had a gene for that coat colour. “People drew spotty horses,” he said, “because they saw spotty horses.”

Last summer, exploring a cave in the Dordogne region, Dr. O’Connor said he became transfixed by a series of line drawings. “They were absolutely superb, some using contours of the cave itself, capturing the size and shape and movement,” he said. “You look at that and say, ‘These guys know what the animals looked like, and they can draw.’ ”

What also becomes evident is that very few animals convey such majesty, power, pride, and nobility of spirit as the horse for both prehistoric and modern man. Horse symbolism also speaks about an unbridled desire for freedom because of its naturally wild and powerful spirit, and it always wants to break free. In fact, horse symbolism holds so much meaning that can stir our heart and set our imagination running wild! The horse is known for being one of the most hard-working animals on earth, with the ability to carry on even on the roughest roads and the toughest climbs – signifying the overcoming of obstacles, and how we should carry ourselves in the face of adversity.

When we accept the horse as our totem, this most commonly represents power and stamina, allowing us to see the true essence of freedom in our life, and if we have this powerful animal working for us, we will truly experience the energy of a genuinely free spirit. The horse is going to bring forth a number of different ideas and theories surrounding the symbolism that is associated with this animal. However, we do need to pay close attention to the animal and the way in which it is viewed in real life as this is something that is seen as being quite majestic and almost regal in its approach. The same symbolism is then going to be applied to the spirit animal and what it represents, according to spirit-animal.com The horse-spirit may encourage us to push our boundaries, even if we are not sure of the outcome. But because the horse can be head-strong and unpredictable we need ro consider the repercussions of our actions.

We also need to familiarize ourselves with the magical associations of the farrier because the folklore of iron and smithing has been common since prehistory, and one of the oldest folk-tales tells of a blacksmith forging a deal with the denizens of Otherworld. Blacksmiths have long been revered and feared thanks to their skills with metal and flame … they often held a high status because people thought they had magic powers.

The magical power of a horseshoe derives from the obvious elemental energies that go into its making: the heart of the forge (Fire); the sacred metal, iron (Earth), the cooling (Water) and the bellows (Air) – not forgetting the (Spirit) smith who makes and fits the shoe. Should a cast shoe be found in the road, this should be taken home and nailed above the entrance door – with the prongs pointing upwards – to attract and hold good fortune.

While 17th century antiquarian writer John Aubrey, commenting on contemporary social customs, wrote: ‘A horseshoe nailed on the threshold of the door is yet in fashion: and nowhere more than in London: it ought to be a Horseshoe that one finds by chance on the Road. The end of it is to prevent the power of Witches, that come into your house.’ A popular greeting of the same period expressed the wish, ‘That the Horseshoe may never be pul’d from your Threshold.’

Different types of horseshoe required different types and styles of nail for fixing and the social position of the ‘nail-man’ was in no way inferior to that of the farrier. To the uninitiated, it might appear that the nail is an insignificant part of the shoeing operation, but it would be the unwise witch who overlooked its importance as an integral element of ‘horse power’.

Another magical element of the blacksmith’s forge is acquisition of a bottle of thunder water taken from the trough or bucket that is used to cool to shoe when it comes from the fire. This water has all manner of magical/healing properties …

Shaman Pathways: Black Horse, White Horse: Power Animals Within Traditional Witchcraft by Melusine Draco is published by Moon Books – www.moon-books.net : ISBN 978 1 78099 747 6 : UK£4.99/US$9.95 : Pages 84 : Avaialable in paperback and e-book format.

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Death & the Pagan

Brace Yourselves ...

A Horse of Another Colour

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