The Lady of Shalott

I have long had a fascination with the various depictions, poems, and stories about the Lady of Shallot. A couple of months ago, at the Divine Feminine Discussion and Meditation group that I facilitate, we made collage shrines; mine featured a piece of a calendar page from some years ago that showed a modern illustration of her. Unfortunately, I do not have the artist's name, nor the title of the painting. In fact, I cannot even recall which calendar or year it is from, so if anyone recognizes it, I would appreciate having the information.

Why does the Lady of Shalott make such an impression upon me? Why am I so drawn to her and all the art she has inspired? I don't know. I see her as a sorceress of the loom and her threads, weaving magic. I think there is more to her than we have been told and, perhaps, she had a more important role in the Arthurian legends than we will ever know.

I share here some of my favorite Lady of Shalott things: music, art, poetry, and my own collage shrine, a tribute to her. Does she inspire you? What do you think about her and her story? Was she a sorceress, a shamaness of threads, moving from nearby Camelot to some other world? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Deborah Rose's version of The Lady of Shalott:

William Holmes-Hunt's paintings of The Lady of Shalott, my favorite.

Loreena McKennitt 's version The Lady of Shalott

One of John William Waterhouse's paintings:

Emilie Autumn - Shalott, an interesting version.

And one more Waterhouse painting of The Lady:

Tennyson's poem:

I do not know the artist, but this is lovely.

The film, The Lady of Shalott, recently released.

There are many fine art depictions of the lady. I like to browse through them all while listening to Loreena's version of the song. I look forward to the release of Deborah Rose's CD so I can add that to my collection of mystical needlework music. Threads, yarn, weaving, embroidery, all are part of my sorceress artes as well as the art I create. I suppose that is the reason I am so drawn to this lady.

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colors gay...

Lady of Shalott Shrine, E A Kaufman

Blessings nine!

The Witches' Creed

The Witches' Creed

Hear now the words of the witches,
the secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway,
that now we bring forth into light.

Mysterious water and fire,
the earth and the wide-ranging air,
By hidden quintessence we know them,
and will and keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all nature,
the passing of winter and spring,
We share with the life universal,
Rejoice in the magical ring.

Four times in the year the Great Sabbat,
Returns, and the witches are seen
At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Eve and old Hallowe'en.
When daytime and night time are equal,
when sun is at greatest and least,
The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned,
And Witches gather in feast.

Thirteen silver moons in a year are,
thirteen is the coven's array.
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry,
for each golden year and a day.
The power that was passed down the age,
each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other,
ere time and the ages began.

When drawn is the magical circle,
by sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies,
in land of the shades for that hour.
This world has no right then to know it,
and world of beyond will tell naught.
The oldest of Gods are invoked there;
The Great Work of magic is wrought.

For the two are mystical pillars,
that stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of nature,
the forms and the forces divine.
The dark and the light in succession,
the opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as a God and a Goddess:
Of this our ancestors teach.

The master and mistress of magic,
that dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever renewing,
with power to free or to bind.
So drink the good wine to the Old Gods,
And Dance and make love in their praise,
Till Elphame's fair land shall
receive us in peace at the end of our days.

And Do What You Will be the challenge,
so be it Love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment.
By Magic of old, be it done!

- Doreen Valiente -

Blessings nine!

Herkimer Diamonds

Triple Herkimer Diamond cluster

collection of E A Kaufman

There are suggestions that this stone, the Herkimer Diamond, NOT be worn for any long length of time. I, and a few others I know, will dispute this. Personally, I have three small Herkimer diamonds wrapped together as well as a single Herkimer - I wear one or the other EVERY day without any adverse effect. Many of the other stones I wear have a Herkimer included in the wrap, a trademark of the artist who does the wrapping. I wear a number of different stones daily, but one in particular, besides the Herkimers, is a rainbow quartz with a magicians cut and black tourmaline - I always wear these three stones so I'm not sure if these other stones balance the energies of the Herkimers, but I don't really think so. I received my first Herkimer from a neighbor, a herpetologist, who went to Herkimer, NY on a snake hunt. He knew that I collected stones so he brought me one as a gift. Perhaps all these years of being connected to Herkimers enhances my ability to work with them - not sure. Of course, I am an experienced practitioner of the artes magickal, shamanic, and healing, with a strong connection to crystals and stones, I'm sure that helps too.

Single Herkimer Diamon with baby penetrator

Three Herkimers wrapped in gold

collection of E A Kaufman

This is a stone of attunement, allowing us to tune in or link to higher spiritual beings and their realms, as well as other folks while we work magick or healing. While it will clear chakras and allow energy to flow in the body, this does not happen without intent and work. I personally feel energy move and shift easily,  I attribute some of this to the assistance of my Herkimers. I have read that these beautiful stones enhance creativity, telepathy and allow one to access past life information so one can release blockages related to those lives. This release is gentle and activates the light body.

Labradorite with Herkimer dangle, various Tourmalines with Herkimer,

Lemurian Seed with Herkimer, Sugilite, Herkimer, and Amethyst.

collection of E A Kaufman 

For healing, Herkimers make excellent elixirs - used to spray rooms or people, it purifies and detoxifies. Melody, in her book, Love Is In The Earth, suggests that Herkimers can be used for dispersal of toxins in the body, correcting imbalances in RNA/DNA as well as the metabolic rate. Most of you are aware that detox can sometimes be unpleasant and uncomfortable depending upon the issues. Although Herkimers allow for a more gentle detox, it still can be uncomfortable. Calming and stress relieving to all bodies, physical to etheric, Herkimers release tensions in muscles and other body tissues.

Magickally, circles, compasses, and sacred space can be gridded with Herkimers, although personally I find the Herkimer Diamond to be more  effective when used in the center of a gridded circle, the circle itself being gridded with selenite points at each of the four directions and, for me, the cross directions (NW, SW, SE and NE. A very powerful energy realm can be manifested in this way. Be warned that some may react to this intense energy, being effected very strongly, resulting in sleepiness, slower reaction time and thought processes, a sense of out of body-ness as well as encounters one may consider to be hallucinations - they likely are not hallucinations. This compass is truly in another place. The feeling of the energy can be likened to walking through water. This being said, the resulting magick/manifestation/healing when gridding with Herkimers alone can be powerful indeed. The psychic centers of participants are opened, and connection and communication with other realms can be intense - for witches, this is a whole other ball of wax. All of this can only manifest if the correct procedures and intent are used - otherwise, chaos along with the shit hitting the fan can be the result - no kidding!!! It has taken me some time to properly control a Herkimer gridded circle and I don't do so lightly - my butt has been kicked more than once - but no pain no gain, I always say, LOL! Seriously, it isn't a joke, use cautiously and wisely. Gridding your bed or room is fine, gridding a magickal circle or compass is another thing altogether.

Herkimers are really the witch's or magician's stone, enhancing the power of spells and other magickal workings. It is definitely an excellent aid to have at hand. 

I have encountered folks who get nothing from Herkimers or, for that matter, any other stone. They consider it "new agey" - not correct considering how old the use of stones in healing and ritual is. I feel this is because they just do not connect to the mineral realm, let alone this particular powerful stone. That's ok, not everyone does, others just need to work a bit to make the connection. I feel very lucky indeed to have such a strong connection to realms of Nature. As always, when asking for assistance, call the spirits of all stones, crystals, and minerals, with respect, love and integrity.

Blessings nine!



copyright 2010, E A Kaufman

The Easter Witch

Whatever you celebrate,

I hope your day was lovely!

Blessings nine!

Spring Equinox Blessings!

Persephone's Ascent

Come now Queen Persephone,

Come now, I call.

With torches to light the way

I will return You to She who is Your Mother,

Great Hekate spoke.

Come now Queen Persephone,

Draw away from Your lover's arms,

Draw away from the songs of the Dead.

I will lead You to She who is Your Mother,

Great Hekate beckoned.

Come now Persephone, friend and sister,

With Your return to the Land of Day,

Your Mother will bring to birth

The fields, green and new, ripening,

Blooms and fruit, laughter and warmth.

Great Hekate led the Way,

Queen Persephone brought the Spring,

Holy Demeter gave birth.

copyright 2008 E. A. Kaufman

Blessings nine in Persephone's name!

   

The Witches' Compendium, Ostara Issue

This is a free publication, with some very nice ideas, including correspondences, recipes, decorating ideas, etc. for those celebrating Ostara or even Spring Renewal festivals, by The Witch of Howling Creek. Enjoy!

http://issuu.com/witchofhowlingcreek/docs/compendium_ostara?mode=window




Blessings nine at the Birthing of Spring!

Happy International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day!

Blessings to us all.

We are

powerful, beautiful, intelligent, strong

women! Every one of us!

Blessings nine!

Day of Hygeiea

Today is the Day of Hygeiea, the goddess of good physical health and protectress of mental health. She encourages cleanliness, in diet, of the body, and one's environment, as a way to good health. She shares Her healing wisdom with us so that we may heal ourselves and maintain our wellness.

Ancient people went to the temples of Hygeiea and Asklepios, (They were generally worshipped in the same temples) to sleep and receive healing dreams and oracles. These dreams would address their illnesses and assist them in the pursuit of wellness. Sometimes actual healing was received through the dreams.

The daughter or step-daughter of Asklepios, Hygeiea was sister to Panakeia, all cure, and Iaso, remedy. Hygeiea is most often depicted wearing a long, white, flowing robe, holding a serpent and a patera, a medicinal bowl which holds healing herbs and medicines. The serpent, who partakes of the patera's contents, represents secret wisdom and healing.

For honoring Hygeiea and asking Her assistance, gather the following items: a candle that has been dedicated for healing or cleanse and then dress one with your preferred healing oil. Incense - I have found that an incense of amber or lavender is acceptable to Her as an offering, but you may find something else appropriate. Herbs that have especial healing properties, such as oregano, echinacea, chamomile, mints, and burdock etc. are also appropriate offerings as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. Make a tea of chamomile, mint, and a pinch of oregano for drinking during your rite and as a libation.

Clean your home, take a ritual bath or shower, and dress for your rite. Prepare your sacred space. Begin by calling upon Hygeiea, telling Her this rite is performed in Her honor. Light the candle and incense. Bless your offerings then sip some of the tea and recite prayers, poems, speak with Hygeiea in meditation or trance. Let the candle continue to burn and make your offerings and libation at some sacred place when you feel your rite has ended.

A Hymn For Hygeiea

Hygeiea, lovely, wise one,

The Breath of healing,

Keeper of the knowledge of all that heals, 

She who bestows sacred dreams and oracles

to guide us on our path to wellness,

Come, Lady, I ask that you be here with me.

Come to me, Compassionate One, Kind One,

Come in to my dreams and teach me Your secrets,

Give me strength and knowledge to heal myself,

Touch me, that there arises within me Your healing energies,

Bringing good health on all levels of my being.

May I, with Your assistance, live in balance and harmony

with myself, Mother Earth, and all beings.

With this harmony and balance, I am healthy and whole.

All honor and blessings to You, Hygeiea,
 Wise One, Compassionate and Kind One,

Bestower of the wealth that is healing.

(A Hymn For Hygeiea copyright 2013 E A Kaufman)

May Hygeiea's blessings be upon you and yours.

Blessings nine!

  

Time of the Old Women

A beautiful lady in lace.

Today is the celebration, Time of the Old Women. I believe it is Moroccan in origin. I have celebrated it for many years to honor my own ancestors and relatives of blood, but also all women of a certain age. These women are forgotten, disparaged, and disrespected by most of the world today. However, in the past, the elderly were revered for their wisdom and honored all the time. Even in the Pagan community, where I would expect better, I read and hear such disrespect and nastiness toward older Pagans. This day is very important to help dissipate that negative energy.

Tonight I will sit at my hearth, my ancestor altar decorated with photos of my grandmothers, as well as photos of Doreen Valiente, Sybil Leek, and other long gone women. Also on my altar will be photos of my mother, aunts, and other older women, especially those involved in the craft, that I wish to honor. I will light candles and thank them for their wisdom, bless a plate of goodies as an offering, and bless wine and tea for libations. Prayers and poetry will be recited, but then I will just sit and be with them. I will send out a blessing and healing energy to all elderly women for protection, peace, good health, and happiness. This is a celebration honoring the living and the dead, so honor both.

Mom!

I will call my mother today and a few elderly friends just to say hello and let them know I am thinking of them, that I love them and am happy to have them in my life. I will also go to the cemetery and visit my mother-in-law's grave. While there, I will walk around and visit the graves of those women I don't know, but would like to say a blessing for. And... I will be sure to smile and say hello to any woman I encounter throughout my day, sending a little blessing to them too. Nor will I forget myself, no spring chicken, but not elderly either! ; )

A busy day and time to get back to it, as well as planning to honor Hygeiea tomorrow - it is Her day on the 26th!

Blessings nine!

My friend, Helen, with her button necklace. She is an avid button collector and 

has taught me so many things, as well as adding to my own button collection!