Holy Wells

The Bronze and Iron Age people saw water as having supernatural powers, whilst its mysterious, dark depths were seen as the entrance to the underworld. People felt compelled to make offerings to the Deities, which they believed inhabited these sacred places, a fact that has been evidenced by many archaeological finds. Items such as jewellery, plaques, coins and animal and human remains have all been discovered in these watery places where springs mysteriously burst forth from the land and were no doubt the wishing wells of early man.

Springs and wells were also seen as places of healing, of communing with the Gods, of worship, of purification and divination. There was however, a darker side to some requests thrown into the waters as findings from the Celtic/Roman shrine of Sulis Minerva in Bath show, for here lay plaques that not only had for healing but many were inscribed with curses and hexes.

Perhaps little changes within the human psyche over millennia after all?

Why we need to drink water

We are all aware that we should drink water. Health magazines, newspapers and complementary therapists all advise us to increase our intake to around 6 glasses per day, but what is the reason behind this advice?

The human body comprises of millions of cells, each of which is filled and surrounded by a watery fluid. In a healthy, hydrated body, the water outside the cells is less concentrated than that inside, therefore allowing toxins to be drawn out of the cell through the process of osmosis. When the body becomes dehydrated however, the process is reversed and the water outside the cell becomes more concentrated than inside. This then interferes with the delicate process of osmosis, which ultimately leads to a build up of toxins, all of which can contribute to many serious diseases.

Happy drinking!

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements' by Carole Carlton

The Ondine

Autumn is the season of water and symbollically is associated with maturity and a quietening of the spirit. It is protected by the Ondine, a fairy like creature who makes its abode in pools and waterfalls.

These enchanting creatures are born with the gift of eternal life but do not possess a soul and can only acquire one by marrying a human and bearing his child. In exchange for a soul the ondine loses the gift of eternal life.

Read about 'Ondine's Curse' in the next blog.

The Yew

Beneath the yew, beside the stream

Lies the land of long lost dreams,

Where through the mists of yesterday,

The lore of magic still holds sway.

Where naiads sing and ondines dance,

The human soul becomes entranced.

Beneath the yew, Beside the stream,

Lies the land Of long lost dreams

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements' by Carole Carlton

The Element of Water

'Water is in us and around us. We physically comprise of up to 70% water, whilst two thirds of the earth's surface is covered in this miraculous substance. W cannot live more than a few days without it and yet most of us do not avail ourselves of this magical liquid. Water heals and purifies, cleanses and soothes. Cared for by the elemental ondines, our oceans and rivers house a myriad of fish and mooluscs, plants and mammals, from the microscopic to the largest in the world. Beautiful clouds form from the oceanic waters and the falling rains quench our thirst. In our inner world water symbolises our emotions, whether calm and peaceful or turbulent and chaotic. This element enables us to feel on many levels, from empathising with others to experiencing the wonder of love and the bitter depths of despair.'

From Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements by Carole Carlton

Exploring the Elements

Over the next few weeks my blogs will explore the four elements of air, fire, water and earth without which, life here on earth would not survive in its presernt form.
Each element has, throughout the ages become associated with Gods , Goddesses, elementals, legendary creatures, life, death, astrology, magic, alchemy and the psyche all of which offer a rich tapestry to unravel and explore.

Tread Softly

Sail lightly on the wind my love
Sail lightly on the wind
For here the Goddess breathes my love
Sail lightly on the wind
Dance wildly in the fire my love
Dance wildly in the fire
For here the Goddess lives my love
Dance wildly in the fire
Drink deeply of the lake my love
Drink deeply of the lake
For here the Goddess bathes my love
Drink deeply of the lake
Tread softly on the earth my love
Tread softly on the earth
For here the Goddess sleeps my love
Tread softly on the earth

From Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements by Carole Carlton available from Amazon or any good book shop

Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements

My new book is out this week entitled 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements'. It explores the four elements of air, fire, water and earth and takes what can only be described as a glimpse of what the fifth element or spirit can mean, for each of us have our own opinion of what spirit means to us.

Each chapter explores one of the elements which are vital to life upon this earth and offers what I hope are interesting facts about the world we are priviledged to live in. The atmosphere, the oceans, volcanoes and earth quakes are all investigated and their connection to the Gods of old, the mythical creatures that have become associated with them over millennia and their use, both physical and symbolic in alchemy and magic.

Mrs Darley of course is present in greater quantity than in previous books and, as usual, stops to make us think differently about aspects of the world in which we live whilst offering me plenty of insight as the book progresses. The following is a quote to hopefully whet your appetite:

'Here,' she said, 'lies a place where the Goddess dwells, where earth meets with water and yields to its power where religions fuse yet the old ways prevail. Here is a place where reason meets with magic yet magic defies all reason....'

I hope you enjoy it and that it fills your world with enchantments.

Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements

My third book in the Mrs Darley series is out on the 6th July, entitled 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements', a description of which is given below:

'If you have ever entered into a raging sea, warmed your hands by a mid-winter fire, planted fragile seedlings in the rich, dark, earth or balanced precariously on the edge of the wind, then you will understand the magical power of the elements that bless our natural world. To have an understanding of the four classic elements of air, fire, water and earth is to have an appreciation of what is necessary in order to survive on our beautiful planet. To have an understanding of the mysterious fifth elements of ether or Divine Spirit is to have an understanding of the sanctity of life. This book is a celebration through poetry and prose of these sacred elements and the way in which they shape our lives. Throughout the book the wise Mrs Darley and a selection of her intriguing friends share their knowledge and often unworldly experiences with the author as she continues to journey along her own spiritual path'.

The book can be pre ordered from Amazon details are as follows:

Title: Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements

Author: Carole Carlton

Publisher: Mirage Publishing

ISBN: 1902578651

Price: £8.99

Hope you enjoy it!

Clearing the Air

Although it is still strictly speaking winter time, there's something about entering the month of March that makes us turn our thoughts towards spring. As a result many of us think about the inevitable spring clean, but is it enough just to clean our homes of dust and grime or should we be looking to actually cleanse the space we live in on an energy level too?

Just as we like to feel healthy and energetic, our homes too benefit from free flowing energy and fortunately clearing the air can be both a simple and rewarding task that most of us can manage to fit into our busy lifestyles. Below are just a few ideas.

• Fill a small dish with water and add to it a teaspoon of salt. If you would like to add a pleasant aroma then essential oil of Cypress or Frankinense is recommended for their cleansing properties. Walk clockwise around each room sprinkling the salted water into all the dark corners whilst saying the following: 'Cleanse this place, my sacred space'.


• Ring a bell, play a singing bowl, clap your hands, drum, or sing in each room as the vibration on sound will raise the energy.


• Light a smudge stick (a bunch of tied sage) or an incense stick and walk clockwise around the room, chanting the words above.


• If you are a reiki practitioner you can use reiki energy to cleanse your room or if not you can simply use the power of visualise a bright white light illuminating your home and clearing all negativity.


• You may wish to place crystals in the corners of your room, each of which carry their own vibrations although clear quartz is reknowned for space clearing.

Happy Spring Clearing!