Elizabeth Andrews's Blog, page 13

The Cunning Man: second in The Psychic Sisters series.

Following on from the 'The Lavender Witch'During an innocent day trip with the WI to Bindon, a small fishing village on the Dorset coast Queenie and Sybil, the psychic sisters are troubled by the underlying atmosphere of fear and secrecy.Their curiosity is further piqued when Queenie notices fresh witch marks carved into every door lintel in the village and when they encounter the ghost of a child in the churchyard they realise they have to investigate further.




Available from Amazon, on Kindle or as a paperback.www.amazon.co.uk or from my websitewww.magic-myth-legend.co.uk

Plant your own Faerie Garden in Kindred Spirit Magazine

This current issue features my article on creating a faerie garden and gives detailed instructions for making an ideal habitat for the fae. Packed with interesting articles and information.Available through selected stockists and from http://kindredspirit.co.uk/magazine/

North Devon's own Faery Fayre and Ball takes place o...

North Devon's own Faery Fayre and Ball takes place on Sat 18th July 2015 at Clovelly Village Hall in North Devon

Entrance to the Fayre is free!12-6Fayre Ball 7-1am


This is a one day fundraiser for The Small School in Hartland Devon.Stalls, workshops, entertainment. Five bands plus Bollywood dancers will perform on stage at the Faery Ball.

Spring solstice, the eclipse and the supermoon

Friday is the Spring Equinox; traditionally the first day of spring, there will also be an eclipse and a supermoon! There are two equinoxes every year, one in March  which will fall on the 19th, 20th or 21st, and one in September, when the sun shines directly onto the equator and the length of the night and day is nearly equal. Equinox and solstices are opposite  on either side of the equator, in the northern hemisphere the March equinox is known as the spring equinox while  in the south it is known as the autumn equinox.The word equinox derives from the Latin meaning "equal night", but the equinoxes don't have exactly 12 hours of daylight.
This is always a time of new beginnings and rebirth, and many celebrations are held around this time like Easter and Passover. Witches and Pagans celebrate the spring equinox as it signifies the coming of spring. This is a lesser Sabbat, a solar festival, which fall on the solstices and equinoxes. The spring equinox is known as Ostara.


 The other lesser ones are the winter solstice, summer and autumn. The greater sabbats are of course Imbolc , Beltane, Lammas and Samhain.The changes that happen at this time of year are attributed to the increasing power of the Gods and Goddesses which are personified as The Green Man and Mother Earth. The Green Man was born from Mother Earth in the winter and lives until Samhain.

The solar eclipse refers to a phenomenon where the sun and moon line up, so that the latter obscures the former. On Friday 20th the longest duration of  this eclipse will be 2 minutes and 46 seconds if viewed off the coast of the Faroe Islands. The next total solar eclipse will be on August 12th 2026. 
There are many superstitions and folklore surrounding  an eclipse , it is believed that  it brings  death, destruction and disasters.
A popular misconception is that solar eclipses can be a danger to pregnant women and their unborn child. In many cultures, young children and pregnant women are asked to stay indoors during a solar eclipse.
In many parts of India, people observe fasts during one due to the belief that any food cooked while an eclipse happens will be poisonous and impure.
Not all superstitions surrounding solar eclipses are about doom. In Italy, for example, it is believed that flowers planted during a solar eclipse are brighter and more colourful than flowers planted any other time of the year.
A Supermoon, or perigee moon, happens when the full or new moon does its closest fly-by of the Earth, making it look bigger than it normally does. 
There are many myths  surrounding the moon, it has always been regarded as a source of power especially for women with whom it is most associated. It is regarded as a source of fertility and has been since earliest times, it was even thought that women could be made pregnant by moonbeams and women who desired to have a child would sleep under the light of a moon.In previous centuries it was believed that a child born at the full moon would never be healthy and would be liable to moonstruck madness otherwise known as insanity.

In modern witchcraft the moon is the source of the witches power, drawing this down from the sky and the lunar phases  governs all manner of magical tools, the summoning of spirits, the preparations of charms and remedies and of course the casting of spells.The Goddess worshiped by modern day witches is associated with the moon, her mate is the Horned God of the woodlands, he represent the beasts of nature and the horned moon, he is also the lord of life, death and the underworld. Born at the winter solstice,  marries the Goddess at Beltane and then dies at the summer solstice as a sacrifice to life.

Knot Magic

Knot magic has been used for centuries from the Romans to the Egyptians and throughout Europe and Africa. Belief in knot magic even predates this! 

It was believed that Isis the Egyptian goddess could control the weather by braiding or unbraiding her hair, she could also influence mortals lives by using knot magic. The Greek goddess Circe was also associated with knot magic, by braiding knots into her hair she could control the forces of nature, this is probably why she isknown as the goddess of agriculture. 

The most common reason for the use of knot magic is to control the weather, sailors were most adept at this form of use, if they came becalmed while at sea they would just untie a knot to release the wind. They would purchase these knotted cords from the local witch before embarking on their journeys The following was recorded 1350  by Ranulph Higden: ‘In the Isle of Man witchcraft is exercised much, for women there be wont to sell wind to the shipmen coming to that country, as included under three knots of thread, so that they will unloose the knots like as they will have the wind to blow.’The release of one knot brought a gentle, southwesterly wind; two knots, a strong north wind; and three knots, a tempest. 

In Scotland witches used to raise the wind by dipping a rag in water and beating it thrice on a stone, saying: 
“I knok this rag upone this staneTo raise the wind in the divellis name,It sall not lye till I please againe.”

Knots can be found in Celtic art, for example the ‘shield knot’ which appears on shields. The shield shape with knots has continued to be used as a powerful symbol of protection. It is believed to ward off illness and bad omens. A design with thick strands with tight intertwining patterns, often with some squared-off edges, emanates a strong, impenetrable barrier. The thick strands evoke the image of a strong, unbreakable chain.Sometimes found on the architecture of ecclesiastical buildings to stop evil spirits from entering. One of the most well known use for knot magic is the witches ladder.A witch's ladder or sometimes known as witches garland is made of rope and feathers. Charms are knotted or braided with specific magical intention into the cords. The number of knots and nature of charms varies with the intended spell.

A witches ladder was found by chance in 1878 when workmen broke into a secret room in an old house in Wellington, Somerset, that was being demolished. Inside they found a witch’s ladder, an armchair and six well used brooms. The ladder, which is now in the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, is a length of knotted cord with feathers woven into it and would have been used to cast spells, usually a death spell.  Strangely enough the room, situated in the roof space, was inaccessible from the main house. According to many, witches were able to fly by anointing themselves with ointment made of the fat of young babies, hemlock, aconite, poplar leaves and soot. (obviously the reason for the well used broom-sticks!)A similar thing called a witches garland is used in Italy, the ladder was made of cord, and contained black hen feathers. The curse or spell was uttered as each knot was tied in and the item was placed under the victim's bed, to cause the ill fortune or death.There are regional variations as well, in Cornwall for example the ladder is made from black wool, with white and brown thread, and at every two inches it was tied around cock's feathers. The witch would  weave into it the aches and pains and other nasties intended for the victim, as part of the incantation the finished ladder would be taken to Dozmary Pool on Bodmin moor and cast into the water. As the bubbles rose to the top of the pond the curse would be released.The only way to break this spell was to find the cord and untie each knot.
The modern day witches ladder is usually made from cord with 40 knots in it or a string of 40 beads, other items can be knotted in depending on the type of spell.They can be used for a variety of reasons such as pain relief, love enchantment, ensuring safe travel when starting on a journey or just bringing a calm and peaceful atmosphere to a troubled environment. Certain incantations are spoken as each knot is tied and the witches energy is stored in the knots. This will enable her to concentrate on the chanting and focusing her will on the desired effect without having to keep count.The cord is as a type of "storage cell" for the power. The first knot is tied at one end, with the words "By knot of one, the spell's begun." At this point, chanting or meditation is appropriate until you feel it is time to tie another knot.

By this knot of one the spell has begun.By this knot of two it comes true.By this knot of three it must be.By this knot of four it’s empowered more.By this knot of five the power thrives.By this knot of six this spell I fix.By this knot of seven ’tis manna from heaven.By this knot of eight it is my fate.By this knot of nine my desire is mine
Once you have finished tying, you can either untie one knot a day for next nine days, cut each knot, throw the whole cord into moving water, burn or bury it.  Tie the second knot at the opposite end of the cord.
All the energy that you have put into the knots via chanting, meditations and spells etc will be stored in the knots.The knots must be released in the order they were tied.Coloured threads can also be included in the knot magic, different colours have different meanings so can be used depending on the type of spell you wish to make or the required result.

White: Purity, truth, spirituality, peace.Black: Stealth, banishing, protection from negativity.Red: Strength, passion, courage.Blue: Intuition, tranquility, emotion, healing, patience.Green: Money, prosperity, fertility.Orange: Stimulation, vitality, energy, adaptability.Yellow: Mental acuity, intelligence, study, confidence.Brown: The earth, home, stability.Gray: Neutrality, cancellation, walking between two worlds.Sources
Knot magic to rid yourself of negative energy.(You can do this as necessary)All you need is a cord of any length. When you are having negative emotions or feel threatened, visualize it in front of you and hold the cord out straight in front of you and chant:
I bind all negativity with this cordI command you to haltWith this cord I hold you and bind youYou can no longer harm or bring me ill.
Then tie the cord into a simple slipknot as you speak, imagining it around the negativity and holding it tightly. Then let the stress and bad feelings flow out of your body into the cord.When you are feeling calmer later that day or even the next, you can untie the knot and let the energy dissipate.

Faerie Mugs

New range for 2015Faerie Mugs
The Four SeasonsSpringSummerAutumnWinter
Image on one side with text on the other, of a bright coloured mug.
The Rose Butterfly Faerie image wraps around the mug
All mugs are £8.00 each plus £2.00 p&p
available on my facebook page or email info@magic-myth-legend.co.uk

A bit of trivia for the 24th of Feb

This is St Mathias's Day, the thirteenth apostle, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after the death of Christ.He was beheaded with an axe and so is the patron saint of carpenters and wood cutters.According to traditional weather proverbs frost on this day will last for anything from a month to two weeks.
Also on this day in 1582 Pope Gregory XIII announced that the Roman Catholic world would convert to using the new Gregorian Calender.

In 1920 Nancy Astor became the first woman MP to sit in the house of commons and it was on this day that she made her maiden speech; the first woman ever to do so.

Moon Magic

Casting spells at certain phases of the moon is held to be an important part of spell casting, ie full, waxing or waning. However it is not impossible to cast spells at any time of the lunar calendar; it is just some phases are more powerful than others and will give your spells more oomph!

Full Moon: when it is visible lit up in its entirety. These moons have been given various names by different cultures and the full moon of this month is known as the Quickening Moon, Storm Moon and Ice Moon.This phase is ideal for focusing on knowledge,love, money, protection, and improving your psychic powers.

A Spell for the full moon.
Go outside when the moon is at its fullest, have no light except for that which comes from moon. Look up to the heavens and declare your wish-es, meditate on it and examine the reason behind your wish, if it pure and unselfish. Visualise the wish coming true.When complete give an offering to the moon, wine perhaps or cider or even some flowers.“Lunar Goddess, look and seeWhat I give to theeI offer this to theeWith a free  and open heartWith a wish that I hope you seeComes from my heartFilled with light and love”
Place the offering in the moon light.
It has always been believed that the full moon made people crazy, being associated with sleepwalking, suicide, fits of violence and for transforming into werewolves!In the 18th century people arrested for violent behaviour could use in their defence that they were influenced by the full moon thus gaining a lighter sentence. The patients of Bethlehem, a notorious psychiatric hospital, were shackled and flogged as a preventative measure during the full moon. In fact the word lunatic comes from the roman goddess of the moon Luna.


Waxing Moon: when it is increasing.Produces a creative and nurturing energy
Healing Poppet(Positive magic is done under a waxing moon)First make a lifelike figure in white cloth or felt, and if possible, try to add some material from a garment of the recipient. Stuff the doll with calendula, lavender,rosemary, lemon balm, feverfew, ivy and pine, add some of their hair, nail clippings, saliva etc, a photo can be added if you have one. Then place either a rose quartz, clear crystal, bloodstone or turquoise inside the poppet as near to the heart as possible. Then seal the doll. If the intended is recovering from surgery make an incision in the appropriate place.Life must be breathed into the doll using a straw to blow into the poppet’s mouth saying:
‘Though separate you were,Now you are one,The link of unison has begun.
The poppet must then be named:
‘Image of health, thy purpose is healing (or love)I give you the name of.............Their body is your bodyTheir health is your healthI proclaim you one.’
.Light a candle and visualize the person healthy and full of life, remember it is your strength of will and intent that is the most important part of the spell. Chant three times: 
‘Herbs of healing The body is free of painThe soul is freeThe mind is free whole and healedWith harm to noneMy will is doneSo mote it be!’
There are different views of what to do next with the pop-pet; bury the doll prior to sunset on the same day, pull the poppet apart and destroy it completely or give it to the intended recipient. I think you have to be guided by your own instincts on this.
In some parts of Britain it is believed that if Christmas falls on a waxing moon the following years harvest will be good.


Waning Moon: when it is decreasing.This period is associated with banishing and destructive energy.
A spell to banish problems and negative energy.You will need a candle, paper,pen and matches.Write  all of your negative feelings, problems, names of trouble-some people onto the paper by the light of the candle. Seal the pa-per with candle wax and visualise to yourself all the problems you hold in your hand. Set a match to the paper and as the flames burn the paper and the problems imagine all of the issues just disappearing into ash and smoke.
In the south west of England it is said that if a boy is born on a waning moon that the next baby will be a girl.

Blue Moon:There are thirteen moons in one calender year, owing to the fact that a complete lunar cycle takes 28 ½  days, so you will usually see one full moon every month. However, every few year in one month you will see two full moons, one at the beginning of the month and the other at the end. The second is referred to as the Blue Moon; remember the saying “ once in a blue moon”This phase is considered to be a very powerful  time for magic and casting spells. The next blue moon is the 31st July 2015.
Blue moon spellYou will need a blue candle, myrrh oil and a black marker.Annnoint you candle with the oil, bless and concecrate the candle. Write your name and your wish on the candle. Hold the candle in your hand and visualise yourself surrounded by blue light which engulfs the candle. Light the candle and meditate about your wish until the candle burns out.

Black Moon: One month in a year will also have two  moons, the second is referred to as the black moon. These occur less frequently than the blue moon and again it is a very powerful time for spell casting and excellent for meditation and  protection spells.
Black Moon Spell to bring balance.You will need 3 black candlesSmall round mirrorCauldron or fireproof bowlPaperPenClove, mugwort, bloodroot, wormwood.Sit in a darkened room and place the mirror in front of you, place one candle at the top of the mirror and the two other candles either side of it.Place the cauldron on top of the mirror and sprinkle the herbs in and around it. Light the candles. Take a few deep breaths and start to examine the darker side of your nature and ask your guides for help in confronting these.Then write on the paper the results of your meditation, it doesn’t matter if it makes no sense as long as you know what you mean. Light the paper and drop it into the cauldron, as it burns and the smoke drifts up and away say to yourself “ with the darkness of the moon I see the darkness within. With this light I banish the dark, now my life is full of light and balance.”Let the candles burn down completely as you visualise all the darkness vanishing from the room: instead of the dark you are now filled with light.
There is an old saying that a baby conceived on the night of the black moon will be a girl.

The Enchanted Market7th and 8th FebFree Market Sat 1...

The Enchanted Market7th and 8th FebFree Market Sat 10-6Sun 10-5Free music during the dayTickets required for the live music on Saturday eveningFeaturing The Dolmen and Spriggan Mist


Speakers includingDavid Wells,
 Peter Grey and Rachel Patterson
Venue: Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell. Berks. RG42 2AD

Spotlight on new designers

For 2015 I thought I would spotlight a few up and coming designers and artists in the UK, all with a faerie twist of course!Starting with...
The Ivory Dolls
All creations are handcrafted and sprinkled with faerie dust.Clothing, accessories and tea ware for mori girls, shabby chic dolls and faerie lovers.













The Ivory Dolls wonderful creations are all lovingly created by sourcing and 
combining delicate old and new fabrics, antique laces and vintage buttons. Providing perfect attire for wandering through mythical forests and having tea with the faeries.



For more information on 'The Ivory Dolls' range of clothing and accessories please find contact details below or visit the etsy shop 'The Ivory Dolls'



♥ Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheIvoryDolls♥ Tumblr - www.theivorydolls.tumblr.com♥ Instagram - @theivorydolls♥ Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/TheIvoryDolls