Dear All,

Can you believe that it is nearly Lughnasad again! This day is named
for the Irish God Lugh (pron. `Loo') who is the son of Ethne (the
daughter of Balor) and Cian (son of Dian Cecht) and it is celebrated
on the 1st of August. Lugh means `shining one' and he was fostered
with the smith god Goibniu who taught him all crafts, and he gained
the name `Lugh Lamfada' (Lugh of the long arm). Lugh is the god of
all crafts and when challenged at the gate of Tara, he replied that he
was a builder, a smith, a champion, a harper, a warrior, a poet and
historian, a sorcerer, a physician, a cupbearer and a brazier. Ceasar
equated Lugh with the Roman god Mercury, and the reasons are easy to
see considering that Mercury is also considered to be a highly skilled
god.

The spear of Lugh, which is one of the four treasures of the Tuatha
de Danann, ensured that no battle was ever won against whoever held it
in their hand. Lugh was highly skilled in the magical arts, assuming
the corrguinecht posture whilst reciting a charm to encourage his
troops in the Cath Maige Tuired. He is also often identified as both a
solar and underworld god, and is later linked to the Gallic goddess
Rosmerta as her consort. Representations of Rosmerta found at Bath and
at other continental healing water sites suggests that she may have
been viewed as a healing goddess, though her key attribute is that of
the `Great Provider' (which is also the meaning of her name) and
she was associated with wealth and plenitude. Lugh is also of course
the father of the hero Cu Chulainn, whom he helps by healing him and
fighting in his place whilst he is badly wounded. Like all good gods,
Lugh was assimilated and canonized into the church as Saint Lughaidh.

It has been a while since I did the last Avalonia Newsletter, so much
has happened since then! Hekate Liminal Rites, a historical book on
the practices associated with the Goddess Hekate written and
researched by myself and David Rankine was published; as was Both
Sides of Heaven (anthology, various contributors) and Stellar Magic by
Payam Nabarz. Details of these can be found below, or on the Avalonia
Books website – http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk

::: STELLAR MAGICK by Payam Nabarz

This past Friday, 24th July 2009 we celebrated the launch of
`Stellar Magic', the new book by the author Payam Nabarz at the
Atlantis Bookshop in London. This book which was published by
Avalonia, is both a practical and scholarly work on the magic of the
Moon, Planets, Stars and Constellations. It draws from a wide spectrum
of material and ideas from different cultures, bringing it all
together in a valuable work which is already establishing itself as
the principal text on the subject. If you haven't yet, have a look
at http://www.stellarmagic.co.uk and
http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/stellar_magic2.htm for
further information on this book. Some photographs from the launch and
signing can be found at http://avaloniabooks.blogspot.com/

::: BOTH SIDES OF HEAVEN with various contributors

This collection of 18 essays by some of the foremost esoteric
writers, occultists and magicians from around the world is a great
introduction to the world of angel magic for those who have not
ventured into this area of study and practice yet. The essays explore
different subjects of study, as well as different traditions –
providing the reader with insights into subjects, some of which are
rarely discussed. Essays include works on the Archangels, Fallen
Angels, Legends of the Fall, Enochian Magic & Dr John Dee, Madeline
Montalban, Azazel & Shemyaza, Lucifer, The Sidhe, The Green butterfly,
The Goetia, Demons & Devils, Pacts, Grimoires from a Pagan
perspective, The Thwarting Angels, Lilith, Holy Guardian Angels,
Greco-Roman Winged messengers and Zoroastrian Ahuras and Daevas.
Contributors include authors such as Aaron Leitch, Dan Harms, David
Rankine, Emily Carding, Jake Stratton-Kent, Kim Huggens, Michael
Howard, Payam Nabarz and Stephen Skinner. See
http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/both_sides_of_heaven.htm
for further information.

::: THE GOETIA OF DR RUDD by Stephen Skinner & David Rankine

The ordinary hardback with dustwraper edition of this title is now
SOLD OUT for the UK, as it has been in the USA for a while. It has
been brought to our attention that copies of the ordinary edition is
in some instances exchanging hands for more than the deluxe (full
leather) edition of this book, of which we have still got a handful of
copies available for sale. Information can be found at
http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/sourceworks/goetia.htm – including
costs, shipping and if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, a
photograph of what the deluxe edition looks like. We also have copies
of the half-leather collectors edition of the Veritable Key of
Solomon, as well as Book I & II in the Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic
series available.

::: INVOKE HEKATE – New Project

We are in the process of creating a small website featuring
invocations and artwork related to the Goddess Hekate. If you would
like to contribute, please email sorita11@... for details. You
may also find "Servants of the Lightbearer" on facebook of
interest -
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=85463831214&ref=ts I
will be hosting a private celebration in honour of Hekate in September
this year, if you are interested in attending please get in touch. It
will be held in the Powys / Hereford area.

::: Esoteric Book Conference in Seattle, USA

This is a new annual event being organised by Ouroborus Press's
William Kiesel and brings together a number of speakers and publishers
from around the occult world. As such this event should appeal to all
Occult Bibliophiles out there! Check it out at
http://esotericbookconference.com/2009/

::: Pan's Picnic

For those of you in London, you may want to check out Pagan
Federation London's Pan's Picnic – details at
http://www.pflondon.org/html/major_socials.html It is in a couple of
weeks time and will be taking place in the Queens Wood.

"Crystal is ice through countless ages grown

(So teach the wise) to hard transparent stone,

And still the gem retains its native force,

And holds the cold and colour of its source.

Yet some deny, and tell of crystal found

Where never icy winter froze the ground"

By Marbodius, circa 12th cent.

:::

Blessings,

Sorita d'Este

http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk

http://www.sorita.co.uk