Mrs Darley on Kindle

The first 3 Mrs Darley books are now available on Amazon Kindle - Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers, Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries & Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements.
These three books explore my initial journey into the realms of Paganism and magick when I lived on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, guided as ever by the delightful & charismatic Mrs Darley.

Spring Equinox

The spring Equinox has passed, the gateway to the summer swings open and we are once again called to adventure. The equinox is the tipping point which ushers in the light and we can now look forward (in the northern hemisphere) to 6 months of more daylight than darkness. The Gods are smiling and we are blessed.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers' on Kindle

The new premises of Mrs Darley's Herbal shop in Bewdley Museum Worcestershire is now open for business. A range of herbal tisanes, exquisite teas from around the world, tea ware, natural facial & body care, remedies, mood enhancers, incense & Pagan gifts are all available. Or visit the on-line shop at www.arcanus.co.uk/shop.php
Three of the Mrs Darley series of books are now available on Kindle - Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers/Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries/ Mrs Darley's Healing Wisdom.
Spring Blessings to all.

The Sap Moon

The new Sap Moon is born - a moon of hope, a moon of reassurance, a moon of promise, for this was the moon that whispered to the ancients that it was time to prepare for a new cycle of planting and ploughing with the birth of the seed moon next month.
On a personal note, it is very much the moon of hope, for the 6th 'Mrs Darley' book has just been sent to my ever supportive publisher and the new 'Mrs Darley's Herbal' shop in Bewdley Museum opens for business this coming Saturday.
May the March winds breathe new life into all your ventures.

The Blessings of the Maiden

The Maiden returns, Imbolc is upon us and life begins to spring forth.

Failte leat a Bhrid (Welcome Bridget)

Welcome Bride, Lady of Wisdom.
Welcome Bride, Lady of Healing.
Welcome Bride, Lady of Prophecy.
Welcome Bride, Lady of Light.
Welcome Bride, Lady of plenty.
Welcome Bride, Lady of Poets.
Failte leat a Bhrid!

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

The Storm Moon

The Dark Wolf Moon has almost vanished from our skies and, lying in wait is the moon that perhaps the Celts most feared - that of the Storm, Hunger, Snow or Chaste Moon. This was the moon of unpredictable times, when food supplies ran low and uncertainty prevailed. As such the Celts would rattle, drum, dance and chant in order to control the storms which would almost certainly follow.
This Storm Moon is not only new on Friday, but is also a super moon (in perigee - at its closest point to earth) and a blue moon (2nd new moon in the same calendar month). Rare and exciting times - make the most of them.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Planning and Purification

January is a time of reflection on what has passed and of contemplation about what is to come, hence its name, which comes from the Roman God Janus, he who looks back to the old year and forward to the new.
With the end of the month now in sight and plans made for the year ahead, it is time to sweep the decks clean. The forthcoming month of February, from the Latin 'februa' meaning purification, offers us just that opportunity.

Read more 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

Today marks the festival of Twelfth Night, the time when all decorations of the festive season should be taken down and the period of Wassailing begins. Twelfth Night is often confused with Epiphany on the 6th January, but they are very different things. Epiphany was originally the feast of St John the Baptist, but later became the date upon which the arrival of the three wise men visited the new born Christ child. Wassailing, is the time when, in the apple growing areas of the country, the apple trees are danced around and cider poured on their roots in the hope that they will provide a good harvest later in the year. If you've never been to a Wassail celebration they are well worth seeing. Visit Jubilee Gardens in Bewdley Worcestershire this Saturday 11th January from 2pm to see what a great Wassail should be!
Read more: 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

The New Year has just ushered in the new Wolf Moon, the moon which was to the Celts a symbol of lean times before the beginning of spring. This blog has also suffered from lean times due to a myriad of reasons, but like the wolf, who is in reality a sociable and interactive creature, posts are now returning.
The 6th 'Mrs Darley' book is almost complete - 'Mrs Darley's Herbal', my little shop in Bewdley museum Worcestershire is due to re-open at the end of February, although the on-line version can always be  visited at www.arcanus.co.uk/shop.php and there are lots of workshops and talks available from February which are due to go onto the website next week.
May I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a blessed 2014.

June Skies

Tonight (14) sees the beginning of the Lyrid Meteor shower, which should last until Sunday. It's not the best show of the year as it only produces around 10 per hour, but worth a look never the less high in the south.
If you want to see Saturn and His rings then the 19 is best as the moon passes just below and therefore acts as a good indicator.
The Summer Solstice is on the 21st at 6.03GMT in the sign of Scorpio and the full perigee moon is on Mid-Summer's Eve (23rd) - that should certainly be a sight worth seeing.
Here's to clear night skies and long warm days.

The Honey Moon

Today at 16.56 the Honey Moon, Blessing Moon or Mead Moon enters our skies. The three names come from the fact that the month of June was seen as a blessing from the Gods as it was a time of warmer weather and longer days. It was a time when many people chose to marry once May, the sacred month of the Goddess had passed and it was a time when honeyed mead was made. This was thought to be the heavenly drink of the Teutonic Gods and thus considered to have many medicinal and healing properties.
May this June Moon bring you many blessings.

The Hare Moon

Today is rather magickal, for not only does it herald the new Hare Moon, but also a solar eclipse, albeit, it could not be seen from the UK.
The hare was a sacred animal to the Celts and was symbolic of fertility. They thought that as the earth was warming up during this lovely month, then so were human passions. Both sun and moon are in the sign of Taurus so what better time for celebrating earthy and sensual pleasures!
The photograph of Pan (who better to illustrate earthy pleasures?) was taken outside the Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle in Cornwall and is currently on loan to them. Well worth a visit if you're in that part of the world.
Meanwhile enjoy all that the Merry Month of May has to offer!
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

There will be Beltane celebrations a plenty this week throughout the world and according to where you are and what greenery is available the old custom of garlnd making is always a lovely thing to do, to hang on your or someone else's door on the 1st May.
You should however take care as to what greenery you choose for some plants carry a specific message.
Always use plum for those who are glum
Always choose pear for those who are fair
Always use gorse for those who are coarse
Always choose vine for those who are fine
And so it goes on....
Enjoy your garland making and the deeper meanings behind them.
Blessed Beltane
Read more 'Mrs darley's Pagan Whispers'

The earth is just about to move through the Lyrids meteor shower over the next couple of days and we should be in for a treat providing the skies are clear.
This shower produces dust trails which last several seconds and viewing is best in the NE after midnight.
On Thursday this week we also have the full Seed Moon partially eclipsed as it rises around 8pm, but be quick as the shadow will only last about 12 minutes.
This is a time of exciting change, of rare opportunities, make the most of it!
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Seed Moon

In a few minutes the dark moon will be behind us and the new Seed Moon will be born. This was the moon the Celts waited for as it marked a time of movement, of increase and of the sewing of the crops.
Many people seem to have had their own personal battles to face through this long hard winter, be they to do with health, jobs, or finance and most people are now looking forward to bringing a little warmth into their lives both literally and symbolically.
I hope that the new seed moon brings a certain lightness to both your lives and your spirit.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Spring skies

Everyone is waiting for the spring to arrive and with the dawning of April comes renewed hope that temperatures will slowly begin to rise. We do however need clear skies, (which often means lower night time temperatures) before we can see the spectacular heavenly sights which are on offer.
The new Seed Moon arrives in our skies on 11th at 10.35BST. Look out for the moon and Jupiter being close together on the 14th whilst on the 19th just before sunrise low on the horizon Uranus & Mercury are visible. On the 22nd we pass through the Lyrids meteor show, producing luminous trails of dust which can be seen for several seconds. Visible in the NE after midnight.
On the 25th the full moon rises at 20.11BST and will be partially eclipsed, but be quick as it will only remain eclipsed for about 12 minutes. At this point Saturn will be sitting just above the moon, but the best day to see Saturn fully illuminated is on the 28th.
What celestial gifts to look forward to! Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Ostara's Gift

Yesterday marked the festival of the ancient Saxon Fertility Goddess, Ostara or Eostre, after whom it is thought the word Easter & oestrogen derive.
Ostara was walking through the woods one day when she saw a bird who was injured, so understanding that it was unable to fly away from predators She turned it into a hare. Her magic however, was not wholly successful & the hare retained the ability to lay eggs, but so grateful was the hare to Ostara for saving her life, that every year on Ostara's festival, the hare would lay eggs & decorate them in the Goddess' honour as a way of thanking Her for saving the hare's life.
The festival of Ostara became the Christian festival of Easter, the hare became the cute Easter Bunny & the decorated eggs became chocolate ones - hence we have Ostara to thank for some of well loved Easter traditions.
May this spring bring blessings & new beginnings.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers' or visit www.arcanus.co.uk

A Time of Balance

The first quarter of the Sap Moon is present in our skies this evening & with the arrival of the Spring Equinox tomorrow at 11.01, this is a time when we are reminded of the importance of balance in our lives. This isn't merely work v play, or indulgence v diet, but is one of shadow v light. We all possess a darker side to our true selves and yet the shadow is something which the majority of us like to keep hidden for fear of others not liking us and yet, it is one that we should all acknowledge even if only to ourselves, for, in the words of Mrs Darley:
'Everything upon this earth has an opposite, a shadow side. Everything of beauty has a thread of ugliness, everything that enchants has the power to possess and everything that shines also knows the dark.' (Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries)
Wishing you all Equinox Blessings

The Arrival of the Sap Moon

At last the Sap Moon is due to enter our skies t 19.51 tomorrow (11th March). This is the Moon that the Celts would have been waiting for it heralded better times to come. It foretold that the winter was almost at an end and the way almost clear for the spring. With the threat of snow today however, we might have to wait a while before a little sesonal warmth is felt!
This Moon was so called because the sap was in deed rising and that with the 'Seed Moon' in April the planting time could begin.
Read more - 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

May the Sap Moon bring warmth and sunshine into your lives.

March Skies

This month heralds the coming of spring and although it is still cold, the days are lengthening, the birds are singing & the daffodils and crocus are lifting their heads to face the strengthening sun.
In the heavens we are able to see the stunning Saturn early in the morning in the South West and lovely Jupiter which is the brightest object in the sky after the moon and visible in the evening.
The new moon is on the 11th at 19.51 and the full moon is on the 27th at 9.27. Meanwhile we have the Spring Equinox & therefore the first day of spring to celebrate on the 20th at 11.01, the festival of the Saxon Goddess Eostre or Ostara on the 27th and the Christian festival of Easter on 31st.
What better excuses for chocolate do we need? May the March winds blow many blessings your way.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'