Witchy Con

I am happy and proud to announce that hubby and I will be going to Witchy Con this year. It is only in its second year (I think) but is becoming more popular. It is being held in Wantage and the price for entry is £10 - and this will get you free coffee and tea during the day, free entrance to all workshops and talks and that leaves you extra money to spend on the trading hall. You also get a goodie bag with magazines, book chapters and who knows what else she can rustle up!?

Witchy Con is the brainchild of Judith Lewis ... oh blah, let me just copy and paste the blurb from her website:

WitchyCon is the brainchild of Judith Lewis, a lightly seasoned conrunner (even better in a white wine sauce) and David Row, an overseasoned conrunner. Both have extensive experience creating and running a variety of conventions across different subject matters close to their heart. Having already worked on or with Fantasy, Science Fiction and Anima conventions, one interest was left unconventioned - Paganism, Witchcraft and Magick.

Having experienced a variety of conferences and constantly muttered about how they should have been done differently, the pair have put their money where their mouthes are (and feet and copious amounts of Malteesers) and organized WitchyCon. This convention brings to the pagan market all the things each liked from their respective conrunning experiences.

WitchyCon is meant to be an experience. You do not need to know a single thing about paganism or anything witchy as the whole purpose is to educate in a fun way. Each talk touches upon a different aspect from the world of paganism and presents a great opportunity to learn without needing to know anything before hand. New friends are made, old ones revisited and fun is the theme of the day.

Belated Imbolc Post

I must admit to being a lazy mare.

I was so wrapped up in my own things (planning my birthday) at the beginning of February that the Imbolc celebration flew by and I had not given it any thought.

So I thought that I would make up for it quickly before its time to actually post about the Spring Equinox in March!

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Imbolc (pronounced 'im'olk' also known as Oimelc) comes from an Irish word that was originally thought to mean 'in the belly' although many people translate it as 'ewe's milk' (oi-melc).

Imbolc was one of the cornerstones of the Celtic calendar. For them the success of the new farming season was of great importance. As winter stores of food were getting low Imbolc rituals were performed to harness divine energy that would ensure a steady supply of food until the harvest six months later.Like many Celtic festivals, the Imbolc celebrations centred around the lighting of fires.

Fire was perhaps more important for this festival than others as it was also the holy day of Brigid (also known as Bride, Brigit, Brid), the Goddess of fire, healing and fertility. The lighting of fires celebrated the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months. For the Christian calendar, this holiday was reformed and renamed 'Candlemas' when candles are lit to remember the purification of the Virgin Mary.

Imbolc is still a special time for Pagans. As people who are deeply aware of what is going on in the natural world they recognise that there is strength in cold as well as heat, death as well as life. The Horned God reigns over the Autumn and Winter and and although the light and warmth of the world my be weak he is still in his power. Many feel that human actions are best when they reflect the actions of nature, so as the world slowly springs back into action it is time for the small tasks that are neglected through the busy year. Rituals and activities might include the making of candles, planting spring flowers, reading poetry and telling stories.

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I must say that reading the last sentence : Rituals and activities might include the making of candles, planting spring flowers, reading poetry and telling stories : has really made me feel tonnes better. That is exactly what I have been doing, besides neglecting my poor witchy site so badly. Writing or rather, telling stories. I am rubbish at writing poetry but reading it is something that I love - hence the random pieces that I post now and again.

So, in theory, eventhough I didn't really do anything consciously for Imbolc I was there, doing my story telling. Now, all I have to do is pay attention to the upcoming celebrations for the rest of the year!

THE SPIRIT GUIDE

Thou Spirit of Wisdom who guides me,
From out of the Shining World to attend me,
The shepherding kind of the fold of faerie kin
To make round about me this night;

Drive from me every ill-will and danger,
Surround me on the sea of the unholy,
And in the narrows, crooks, and straits,
Keep thou my coracle, keep it always.

Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path beneath me,
Be thou a kindly wind behind me,
Today, tonight, and for ever.

And when I grow weary and I become
A stranger in this land,
Lead me to the Land of Promise;
For it is time for me to go home .