I've been to meetings with this group a number of times before. They are held on or near to the eight main festivals or sabbats that mark the Wheel of the Year (see here). Last night we were celebrating Ostara.
The group consists of people - mostly women - who engage in a a mix of disciplines and interests. There are followers of the Old Craft, Wiccans and Fae Witches, Druids and Coveners, Hedge Witches, Shamans and other Neo-Pagans as well as astrologers, dowsers, herbalists and Mediums. But they all share the same deep reverence for Nature, and a desire for peace, contentment and equality. It's a lovely welcoming group and they've made me feel very much a part of their meetings, despite the fact that I am less a spiritual person than they are. Right upfront at my first meet I told them that I'm a folklorist, forager and writer and that I am sceptical about some of their beliefs. They welcomed me in anyway.
Imagine if the world was run like that - where everyone's views are respected and where discussion is open, honest and doesn't descend into opinionated argument.
Last night's Ostara altar
Each session is very educational. The leader of the group usually starts with a short prayer and the closing of a circle of protection around us. Then we get a talk on the history of the particular festival we're celebrating. This is followed by a short astrological forecast by one of the Shamanic members. Then we learn about a handful of different plants and trees and animal behaviours that are associated with this time of year. Last night we discussed Yarrow and Willow, hares and bird nesting and more.
We usually also discuss a particular area of magick - spelled with a 'K' to distinguish it from the David Copperfield and Penn and Teller type magic - and last night we talked about mirrors. People have used them for thousands of years for divination (scrying), spell casting and glamouring, and in the belief that mirrors can focus the will and intensify enerrgy. And there is a surprising amount of mirror lore evident in everyday modern life. People still say that breaking a mirror will give you seven years of bad luck. Some people still cover mirrors after a person's death based on an ancient idea that the deceased's soul will be trapped inside. And one of the more famous superstitions is that your reflection is an image of your soul - which is why vampires are said to be reflection-free. The history is all quite fascinating.
They are a refreshingly pragmatic group - they are not prey to the 'fashionable' side of witchcraft with its Etsy and Amazon product ranges. Nor are they interested in cosplay or having Youtube or Tiktok channels. And, when it comes to spells, they're remarkably realistic. Very few of them cast spells - they're more concerned with harmony, balance and inner peace. And, as the group's leader said last night, 'Spells are always a last resort. But, even then, you have to be realistic - no matter how many spells you cast you ain't gonna be a brain surgeon if you failed GCSE Biology.'
Following a silent meditation for a few minutes during which we were guided by a narrator to imagine walking in a forest and finding a clear space to sit and be calm, we had tea and home-made cakes - including an amazing Simnel Cake - and then a practical session. In the past this has included things like candle-making and traditional corn dolly craft. Last night we had Willow withies with which to make wreaths featuring Summer crosses, Pentagrams and other hanging decorations. The circle is then opened and we head off home.
As I say, I'm not a believer in spells and ghosts and astrology. But I am deeply interested in folklore, folk tradition and understanding how to live more closely alongside Nature and the seasons.
And these wonderfully kind and knowledgeable people talk a lot more sense to me than any politician or business guru.
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