Mrs Darley's Pagan Paths to Magick

The new 'Mrs Darley' book is due out on 12 September, entitled 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Paths to Magick' and continues to follow my magickal journey which leads me to not only discover the truth behind the witch hunts, but also to understand what makes magick really work.
Mrs Darley intimated that anyone can light a candle, burn some incense and chant a spell, but it is through having an understanding of the Hermetic Principles, which the book explores in detail, that we can begin to understand the principles that underpin real magick.
In this book we see amidst the wisdom, a certain vulnerability in Mrs Darley which brought home to me the realisation that to master even a fraction of what these principles mean and to attempt to incorporate them into our daily and magickal lives is a task which even the most experienced occultist sometimes struggles with.

The Harvest Moon

Today welcomes the new 'Harvest Moon' , the moon under which the remainder of the corn and the beginning of the vegetable harvests took and indeed still take place.
This is the time when our Mother Earth allows us to take from her belly the very food that will fill our own and so it is a moon beneath which we should give thanks.
For the Celts this moon signified a time of magic, healing and wisdom and many late summer evenings would be spent around the fire chanting healing charms and listening to old tales of magic and mystery.
Enjoy these golden days of summer as the bountiful Goddess shares her gifts with Her children.
Read more - 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Having strength of Character

This year has not been without its challenges and it certainly appears that way for many with whom I've come into contact. Perhaps it is due to the fact that there is a rise in consciousness and that we are being pushed to increase our spiritual awareness.
After a particularly stressful day earlier this week, I sat quietly around midnight and contemplated my plight whilst running my hand through the Rune stones. After a while I drew 'Perth' reversed which told me that worrying about what once was and feeling anxious about what might be, meant that I was actually depriving myself of the true present - the only time in which I could make changes. I also began to appreciate that  each challenge is a test of character and that without such happenings we would never grow and therefore be unable to experience our true selves - shadow side and all.

The Lavender Man

This is a time of reaping and sacrifice, a time for understanding that death is a natural part of life and that in order for something new to spring forth, the old has to be laid aside.
This is a time when the golden fields yield their summer bounty into the arms of man and when the lavender fields offer their delicate perfume to the Gods.

Beware beware the Lavender man,
The lavender man,
The lavender man
Beware, beware the lavender man
He'll lure you to his bed

Lavender sheets and lavender wine,
Lavender grapes from lavender vines
Beware beware the lavender man
His charms will weave and bind.........'

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers' (The Lavender Man)

August skies

Lammas or Lughnasadh is past, although no doubt the corn God will continue to be sacrificed throughout the month, according to the weather and individual farming practices.
August however promises an interesting month in the skies, for although Thursday saw the full moon grace the heavens, we have another full moon this month, on the 31st. This is a rare and exciting event which only occurs approximately every 2 1/2 years and, according to Mrs Darley, has some fascinating yet rather disturbing folklore assocaited with it - but more of that nearer the time, although you can read about it in 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'.
On the 12-13th we are treated to one of the best meteor showers of the year - that of the Perseids, which produces up to 60 meteors an hour and is best viewed in the northeast after midnight.
All of this and a promise that the summer is due to return later this week - what more can we ask? Enjoy!

The Festival of Lughnasadh

The festival of Lughnasadh is upon us. A time for sacrificing the old in order that our lives may be richer and more fruitful. Clear out the garage, take clothes to the charity shop, de-tox the body,or give up an outmoded habit.
This is where we bid the God goodbye, albeit for a short while, as he resides in the underworldd as a shadowy figure, whilst the Goddess mourns, provides and is radient in her pregnancy.
This is time to reflect on the year so far and to give thanks for our own personal harvest of achievement, be it as a parent, a provider, or an olympic champion, we each have our unique talents to share with others upon the web of life. Read more 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

Wishing you all Lughnasadh blessings.