Frances Billinghurst's Blog, page 6

Dying and Death: Pagans Engaging End of Life Issues Virtual Symposium

The Virtual Symposium of Pagan Thought and Practice presents:
Dying and Death: Pagans Engaging End of Life Issues
to be held online on Saturday, 23 July, 2022 (9:00am to 5:30pm US Pacific Time - 1.30am to 10am ACST Sunday, 24 July, or British Standard Time 5pm on 23 July to 1.30am 24 July)
Death is an experience we hold in common. Whether it be the passing of a loved one or our own departure from life, the inevitability of death brings with it equally inevitable challenges. For Pagans of all paths and traditions these challenges may present differently, with no easy or compatible solutions offered by the currently dominant over culture. How do we, as magical folk, prepare for death? Where are the priests and priestesses to tend our passing? How shall our families, or friends, the people of the community celebrate our lives or dance upon our graves? How is the body disposed of? How are we remembered? How do we sit with Death?
This year we are proud to feature presentation on dying and death from end-of-life preparations, through grief and interment, and the processes through which those left behind remember the lives of their beloved dead. 
Presenters::: Selena Fox (Green Home for Pagan Dead: Circle Cemetery):: Gordon Cooper (Death and Dying in Communities with Magicians and Their Kindred: Theory, Praxis and Exhaustion)
:: Ben Luoma (Gladly Do We Go? - A Case Study of a Heathen Facing Agonal Death),
:: Frances Billinghurst (Sitting with the Goddess of Death)
:: Griffin Ced and Carrie Wolf, (A TradCraft Compass of Death: A Traditional Witchcraft Presentation)
:: Hauk (To Write a Heathen Requiem)
:: Rev. Kathleen Reeves (Creative Transformation)
:: Herleena Hunt, Bettie Bune ( Abortion and Miscarriage: The Hidden Death),
:: Rev. Michael Brazell (Heart Tending: Crafting Rituals for Joy and Sorrow)
:: Natasha Kirby (Death: My Friend, My Ally), and
:: Macha Nightmare (What is Remembered Lives: The Magic of Eulogies, Obituaries, and Memoirs).

The schedule will be posted on the Commons of Modern Pagans and Spiritual Seekers website at https://www.pagancommons.org/.

Tickets for this one day virtual event are $16, and can be purchased at Stripe https://buy.stripe.com/7sIcNLcqcfuPbhScMM or through Venmo at COMPASS @Compass1313

July Events and Other Happenings

It is hard to believe that we are over half way through this current year already.  
At the end of June, I spent a handful of days on the beautiful island of Bali, gaining ideas for a proposed spiritual retreat that I had been planning, but which was placed on hold over the last couple of years due to the pandemic.  While still very much in the planning stage, the proposed Transform the Soul spiritual retreat  has been earmarked to take place in May 2023.  More details will be announced when they have been arranged.

Last weekend, the 2 and 3 July, saw the second Moon Con 22 organised by my publisher, Moon Books.  This free event was held online and consisted of various talks and discussions from various Moon Book authors.  My talk took place on the Sunday and was about the Dark Goddess.  While all the presentations were recorded and are now available for viewing on Moon Books' YouTube channel, my talk can be found here:

As I ran out of time on the Sunday, I have ended up doing a "part 2" (that goes on for another 20 or so minutes) that can be found on my own YouTube channel.

Over the weekend of 14 and 17 July, I am delighted to be returning once again to  WitchFest USA – A Pagan Faire  as part of their online live streaming platforms.  I will be kicking off Friday’s event with my presentation on Goddesses of Chaos, Death and Change (10am New York time or 11.30pm here in Adelaide), and will be back again on my Sunday with Dancing with Kali Ma (again at 10am New York time or 11.30pm here in Adelaide time).

On Sunday, 17 July you will also be able to find me at the Adelaide Wellness Fair that will be held at the Kilkenny RSL Hall, Rosetta Street, Croydon Park from 10am until 3pm.  I will have an selection of my LunaNoire Creations products as well as being available for oracle and tarot card readings. 

There are a number of events that I will be hosting myself in July including a six week course on psychic and spiritual development entitled Sacred Journeying that will commence on Friday, 22 July.  Places are limited to ensure individual and personal instruction is received by all participants.

The next Gathering around the Cauldron will be taking place on Sunday, 24 July for those who are more magically inclined.  Again, places are limited as it is essential that you book your place.

Finally, at the end of July the 21 day sadhaana (spiritual journey), Journey into Freedom with Kali will commence.  Every day for 21 days you will receive an email containing information about this powerful Hindu goddess that will include meditations, mythology, suggestions of ways how to connect with her through mantra and puja, explorations into her sacred symbolism and much more.

Upcoming Events and Other Happenings

The recent long weekend saw me head down to the seaside community of Robe (about four hours south of Adelaide) to take part in the annual Health, Harmony & Happiness Winter Fair .  

I had taken down with me a selection of my LunaNoire Creations products and was also available for card readings.  While the weather leading up to the trip wasn't the best, it did not really seem to deter locals, nor visitors to the seaside community, from popping in.

I thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the fair, especially as I am providing a new home to a couple of Life by Crystals crystal towers (no, I don't need any more crystals, I said - haa, haa, silly me), and a gorgeous candle from Coonawarra Candles.  It was wonderful to see the fair being supported by so many people despite the weather.

Having returned home again, I will be heading to Smithfield Plains this coming Sunday (19 June 2022) to take part in the Adelaide Wellbeing Fair that will be held at the John McVeity Centre on Peachey Road.  Once again I will have a selection of my LunaNoire Creations products as well as copies of the books I have written and even some quality second hand books as I attempt to reduce my overflowing book collection.  I will also be available for readings if you are seeking some confirmation, guidance or clarity with respect to things happening in your life.

On Sunday, 3 July 2022, I will be back at available for readings at the Semaphore Community Market (200 Military Road) which is held regularly on the first Sunday of each month.  

Later Sunday evening, I will be taking part in MoonCon 2022, a free online event consisting of talks and discussions from various authors from my publisher, Moon Books.

As this two day event will be is hosted from England, and therefore the times are British Summer Time, the time difference means that I have plenty of time to participant in the Semaphore Community Market before getting ready for this conference.  As all the presentations will be recorded, they will later be uploaded onto Moon Books' YouTube channel.

A couple of weeks later I will be appearing online again, this time taking part in  WitchsFest USA , an annual four day event held in New York city that opened up an online element in more recent times due to the pandemic.  This has meant that despite being on the other side of the world, I am able to take part in this event along with some 90 other presenters from all around the world.

This will be my second year and this time around, I will be presenting on Goddesses of Chaos, Death and Change on Friday, 15 July (10am NY time) as well as offering a more interactive exploration with the Hindu "Terrible Mother", Kali, on Sunday, 17 July (10am NY time).  

The time of the latter talk is rather appropriate as at the end of July, I will be offering a 21-day online sadhana (spiritual journey) that focuses around establishing a deeper connection with Kali.

Later in July I will also be running my ever popular Sacred Journeying which is a six part course that offers a practical exploration into the realms of spiritual development, exploring the possibilities that lie beyond the material universe. This is done by the development of awareness of realities that exist beyond the confines of space and time that include psychic development. This course is a face to face course, and as such, there are limited places available. If you are interested in participating in this course, you will need to ensure you book prior to it commencing on 22 July 2022.

Wrapping up the month, on Sunday, 24 July the next  Gathering around the Cauldron  will be taking place, and then the following weekend, an Observing Imbolc event will be held.  Again, limited places are available so if you are interested in either or both of these events, you will need to make sure that you book.

Come and See me at Robe

I am delighted to be taking part in the Health, Happiness and Harmony Winter Fair that will be held over this long weekend, 11 and 12 June 2022 at the Robe Institute in the beautiful seaside town of Robe.

The Institute building is directly across the road from the main beach so there is plenty of parking.

Entry to the Winter Fair is free and the doors will be open from 9.30am until 4pm both days.

I will be showcasing a selection of my LunaNoire Creations products, in particular my handcrafted crystal beaded bracelets, handknotted crystal mala beads, the beautiful leather journals that I import from India, as well as having copies of most of my books available for purchase.  

I will also be available for card readings over the weekend.

As I will be in Robe from Friday afternoon, if you are in Robe and would like to book in for a past life regression, energetic healing or card reading outside of the Winter Fair, I will have a few times available.  Please email me to take advantage of this offer.

Journey into Freedom with Kali sadhana

If you are seeking a new start, then the Journey into Freedom with Kali may be what you are looking for. This 21 day sadhana (spiritual practice) invites you to enter into the sacred temple of the Hindu Dark Mother. Here you will explore the sacred myths and practices to aid your on your exploration with the goddess. The sacred devotional practices that will be offered will enable you to connect with this powerful goddess on a deep soul level in order to bring about ultimate change.

Are you ready to finally let go of what has been holding you back and limiting your spiritual growth? To throw these outdated patterns into the pyre once and for all?

Are you willing to offer your head (ego) to the Terrible Mother?

Although her appearance may appear frightening, Kali is referred affectionally as “Ma” (mother) to her devotees. Her love may be tough but it is true. If you allow her, she will show you a love so deep that it will never leave you.

Journey into Freedom with Kali is a self-paced 21 day sadhana practice. Every day you will receive an email that will contain information of this powerful goddess. Some may contain mythology and personal connections, others suggested prayers and ritualistic practices for you to undertake. You will also receive a guided meditation for you to undertake as frequently as you wish to further enhance your connection and relationship with Kali.

How deeply you wish to venture into Kali’s sacred creative cycle of birth, death and rebirth is entirely up to you and how much you wish to personally commit to your spiritual evolution.

Are you ready to awaken to the gift of true freedom that Kali offers? What you will need for this sadhana:

:: A journal/notebook to record your discoveries and journey with Kali.

You may also like to obtain a set of mala beads.

More about the use and where you can purchase these beads will be provided within the course, however I do make traditional length crystal malas as well as an assortment of devotional beads (including those dedicated to Kali), oils, incense and other products through my Etsy store, LunaNoire Creations.

Journey into Freedom with Kali sadhana will be commence on Sunday, 31 July and run until
Saturday, 20 August 2022.

Investment: $99.99 AUD

More information can be found here.

The Use of Moon Names within Contemporary Witchcraft

These days it is not uncommon for people to use folk names when referring to the full moon. Such names are believed to have some kind of historical or even indigenous connection. However, as quaint as this may appear to be, this historical connection is not necessary the case.  This is because if any names were used, they actually referred to the whole lunar cycle, i.e., from new moon to the following new moon, or full moon to the following full moon, as opposed to solely when the moon was full.

While I am not personally against the common usage of these moon names, I do believe it is important to have an understanding of where and how they originated. This, in itself, is also highlighted when looking at the names used themselves because they are often rather localised. This later point is important when it comes to the Southern Hemisphere, as not every alleged folk name can be transposed south of the equator.While I do have a book coming out later in the year (or maybe next year) that focuses on working with the moon, in the following video, I attempt to encourage beginners, especially those in the Southern Hemisphere, to once again turn to their local environment. What is it telling you?


When we learn to listen more to that land upon which we reside, it not only helps to ground our Craft, but, especially for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, it offers up a deeper connection that in turn helps us to understand the Northern Hemispheric based mythos and lore contained within contemporary witchcraft.
It is also important to actually think twice and check resources/facts especially if social media is your means of gathering information.

New Moon in Gemini (30 May 2022)

The upcoming new moon will appear around 9pm on 30 May 2022 here in Adelaide and will be in the astrological sign of Gemini. Being the first new moon after the first major lunation since eclipse season, it is a time to center ourselves in our truth and start making sense of life’s recent surprises. Mercury is also in retrograde so do not rush into any decisions.

Use this time to catch your breath before making the best decision for moving forward.

The Seven Hermetic Principles

The seven principles are the foundation of Hermeticism, a branch of spiritual philosophy dating back as early as the first century CE. They were outlined by famed author Hermes Trismegistus, who is believed to have written the Emerald Tablet and the Corpus Hermeticum (two highly influential, ancient teachings).
In the 20th century, these teachings were compiled into a book called The Kybalion that was written by "The Three Initiates". Today, these principles remain an occult source of wisdom that can be found within numerous spiritual, religious and even personal development instruction, and of course contemporary witchcraft.
The seven principles are::: The Principle of Mentalism - The All is mind; The Universe is Mental.:: The Principle of Correspondence - As above, so below; as below, so above. As within, so without; as without, so within.
:: The Principle of Vibration - Nothing rests; Everything moves; Everything vibrates.
:: The Principle of Polarity - Everything is dual; Everything has poles; Everything has its pair of opposites; Like and unlike are the same; Opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; Extremes meet; All truths, are but half-truths; All paradoxes may be reconciled.
:: The Principle of Rhythm - Everything flows, out and in; Everything has its tides; All things rise and fall; The pendulum swing manifests in everything; The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; Rhythm compensates.
:: The Principle of Cause and Effect - Every cause has its effect; Every effect has its cause; Everything happens according to law’ Chance is but a name for law not recognized’ There are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the law.
:: The Principle of Gender - Gender is in everything; Everything has its masculine and feminine principles; Gender manifests on all planes.
In this video, I talk more about these Hermetic principles.

Culling out the Weeds - Mind over Matter

The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes.
The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes. We find ourselves thinking a certain way, knowing that this thought may be creating trouble for us yet we find it difficult to stop. For example, many people have the experience of getting sick at the same time every year or every time they go on a plane. They may even be aware that their beliefs impact their experiences, so continue to think they will get sick and then they do.
Sometimes we need to get sick in order to process something or move something through our bodies. But often we get sick, or feel exhausted, because we don’t make the effort to galvanize the power of our minds in the service of our physical health, which is one of its most important functions. We really can use it to communicate to our bodies, yet we often regard the two as separate entities that have little to do with one another.
Knowing this, we have the power to create physical health and mental health, simply by paying attention to the tapes running in our minds. Once we hear ourselves, we have the option to let that tape keep running or to make a new recording. We harness the power of the mind in our defense when we choose supportive, healing words that foster good health and high spirits. All we need to do is remember to tend the field of our mind with the attentive and loving hand of a master gardener tending her flower beds, culling out the weeds so that the blossoms may come to fruition. The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes.
The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes. We find ourselves thinking a certain way, knowing that this thought may be creating trouble for us yet we find it difficult to stop. For example, many people have the experience of getting sick at the same time every year or every time they go on a plane. They may even be aware that their beliefs impact their experiences, so continue to think they will get sick and then they do.
Sometimes we need to get sick in order to process something or move something through our bodies. But often we get sick, or feel exhausted, because we don’t make the effort to galvanize the power of our minds in the service of our physical health, which is one of its most important functions. We really can use it to communicate to our bodies, yet we often regard the two as separate entities that have little to do with one another.
Knowing this, we have the power to create physical health and mental health, simply by paying attention to the tapes running in our minds. Once we hear ourselves, we have the option to let that tape keep running or to make a new recording. We harness the power of the mind in our defense when we choose supportive, healing words that foster good health and high spirits. All we need to do is remember to tend the field of our mind with the attentive and loving hand of a master gardener tending her flower beds, culling out the weeds so that the blossoms may come to fruition.

Working with the Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio

This upcoming lunar eclipse on the full moon will be taking place on 15 or 16 May depending on when you live (it will be on the 16 May here in Australia), and will be in the astrological sign of Scorpio.

Full moons offer us the opportunity to let go of things that we are holding on to that no longer serve us, so during this full moon focus on letting go of fears, obsession, control, early psychological trauma etc.
Under the Scorpio full moon, emotions can run deep and surprise with their intensity. It emits alchemical energies that can help us transform our buried fears into pure power. First however we may need to plunge into the shadows and excavate the source of our pain in order for us to release it.
We are spiritual beings and if we want to truly improve our lives and be more in alignment with our soul’s path, we need to stop our toxic spiritual practices – starting with suppressing our alleged “negative” feelings and emotions as this is not good for anyone. We are human and being human means that we will come across instances and people who simply irritate us (to say the least) for various reasons. And that is perfectly fine. The universe is made up of polarities after all. To believe that we need to be all “love and light” is delusional to say the very least.

With an eclipse added to the mix, details may come to light that we may not be consciously aware of, such as secrets, hidden agendas or even scandalous activity. Remember that Scorpio has the “phoenix rising from the ashes” ability when you are letting things go.


Be cautious of emotional resentments, as this is a time where past feelings can surface and block your very heightened creative energy, so fight the urges to be suspicious, secretive, and moody. This is a time of regeneration and cleaning out of emotional debris from the previous month. There is great energy to complete things and focus on certain areas that you have found yourself too scattered to deal with the previous cycle. Take the time now for sexual exploration, as well as relaxation.