Mrs Darley's Pagan Paths to Magick

Many people are aware of the horrific period of history which saw the relentless persecution of witches, but few realise the reasons that underpin the witch hunts and the fact that they differed from country to country. Even the methods of torture and execution varied greatly, as it was left up to individual regions, especially in Europe, to determine the fate of those accused.
'Mrs Darley's Pagan Paths to Magick' which is due for release in August, explores in detail this terrifying period of history and illustrates how fear and greed can distort the thoughts of those with once rational minds.
Now avaiable to pre order on Amazon

July's Heavenly Nights

Here we are entering the second half of the year and yet so far our view of the sky at night has been quite limited due to the vast cloud cover, but perhaps the skies will clear enough to allow a glimpse of the two meteor showers that come into our orbit later this month.
On the 28-29 the Delta Aquarids shower displays around 20 meteors per hour, travelling relatively slowly and will be best viewed in the east after midnight, although the full moon will affect viewing to a degree.
On 29-30 the Capricornid show will appear. These again are slow meteors, but are differentiated by their yellowy brightness and can often produce wonderful fireballs. Again view after midnight in the east.
Also on view this month are several planets, namely Mercury which can be seen now in the west after sunset. Venus is visible early in the morning (2.30 ish) and is at its greatest brightness on the 9th, low in the north east, whilst on the 15th the moon will pass in front of Jupiter in what is known as a 'grazing occulation' between 2.45 and 3.15am.
Here's to clear skies. Enjoy.

Water - A call for us to become emotionally aware?

Although in Britain we are now supposedly in the season of fire, the Gods are insisting that we experience more than our usual share of rain.
According to Carl Jung the element of water represents our feelings and emotions, be they love and compassion, or hatred and despair. He believed that those with a dominant water personality have an innate understanding of their fellow man and are able to empathise with his worries and concerns, his joys and successes.
Perhaps the continual rains come to remind us that our compassionate side is lacking, that we need to be more understanding of our neighbour.

She
She is the Goddess of the still waters
Lie upon Her
And She will lull your mind to slumber

She is the Goddess of the flowing waters
Ride upon Her
And She will speed your journey

She is the Goddess of the seething seas
Sail upon Her
And She will call your soul to adventure

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements'

the magic of Mid-summer's Eve

This is one of the most magical nights of the year and one of three during the year when the veil grows thin. It is a time of elementals, mystery, magic & enchantment, but as Mrs Darley once told me:
'Enchantment, my dear, always has a price.'
So take care this eveing if you are out amongst the hills, woods & moors & take heed of where you roam.

'Take care before you're tempted by the moonlight,
And seek the mystery of Mid-summer's Eve.
Think twice before your heart becomes enchanted
As through your soul the magic starts to weave.'

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers.'

Summer Solstice

Here we are almost at the midpoint of the year and tomorrow marks the time of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. This is a time for directing our energy into ongoing projects in order that they may be brought to completion during the 6 months that follow. It is time to give thanks for the union of the earth beneath our feet - the gracious mother and the sun above our heads - the mighty God. We should however never forget the imput of water and air which all makes for an abundant harvest.
The word 'solstice' means 'the standing still of the sun' and perhaps we should all stand still for a moment and be still - a piece of advice once given to me by Mrs Darley and now, some 20 years later, I understand the wisdom of her words.

'Perhaps you should do this more often,' she said.
I looked at her somewhat puzzled.
'Smell the roses,' she smiled. 'We always think the good times will last for ever, that we will always be young, that we will have time to do the things we dream of next week or next year, but summer my dear is fleeting, one drop of rain and it is washed away, one cool breath and it is gone. Remember these words when the leaves of autumn swirl around your feet,' she said and quietly closed the door.
From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'.

The Troubadour

I have always been captivated by good story tellers and none more so than by the troubadour who visited Bodmin Moor one September night in the early 1990's.
'So,' he said in a voice no more than a whisper, 'you came.'
There was something in the way he said these words and pointed his black gloved hand at what seemed like each and everyone of us that made me shiver as I looked into his partially masked face.
'I knew you would,' he said, 'for although you may not know it, I called to each and everyone of you in your dreams. Tonight, my friends I will tell you the tale of Cob, guardian of the eastern well - the dream maker, but take heed my friends, take heed and remember - whatever you put out into the world will come back, albeit in strange ways.'
From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Healing Wisdom'

Midsummer Skies

June brings us an exciting time across the heavens with particular emphasis on the 4th. On this day there is a full moon in Sagittarius at 12.04 BST and also a partial eclipse, which unfortunately will not be visible from the UK although if you happen to be in Asia, Australia, the Pacific or the Americas then you will be able to see it.
On the 6th, an extremely rare event occurs, which is the transit of Venus across the face of the sun. At sunrise a partial transit can be seen from all parts of Europe, eastern Africa & western Asia, whilst at sunset it can be seen in North & central America & western south America. DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT SUITABLE EYE PROTECTION.
On the 14-16 June the Lyrids meteor shower visits the skies and will produce approx 10 meteors per hour in the east after midnight.

The 21st is the summer solstice at 00.09 BST in the northern hemisphere and is the longest day of the year.
Lots to look forward to both in the heavens and on the earthly plane as the sun reaches its height and the long summer days are upon us. Enjoy