Dear all,

Just one more day and its All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween as it is more
often called these days. The night of the 31st of October, the eve
before Samhain. It is a night filled with superstition, folklore and
myth - and with lots of magick to boot - especially if you wish to
divine for that most important of things - True Love. (but more about
that and cabbages later)

It is a time of great power for the little people and many legends
recall the fate of those who, in one way or another, got themselves
trapped by the faery people on this night. The night likewise also
provides a window of opportunity for those trapped in the wrong world
to escape and return to their rightful place. One of the best known
examples is probably that of Tam Lin -For those unfamiliar with the
saga, go and inform yourself at
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch039.htm

Of course for those foolish enough to want to enter the Otherworld on
this night, you can try running around a tumulus nine times, providing
that the tumulus is associated with faeries, there is a good chance
you may end up in their world, as the barriers (veils) between the
world are very thin on this night, allowing the movement of beings of
spirit into our world of the living more easily and visa versa. Just
make sure that the world of faery is something you really actually want...

Fires have long played an important part of the folklore and customs
of All Hallows' Eve. Examples of fires being central in the
celebrations of this night can be found throughout the British Isles.
In the "Book of Halloween" by Ruth Kelley (1919) we find the
following account of fires in relation to Wales, on the night of 31st
of October:

"In North Wales the November Eve fire, which each family built in the
most prominent place near the house, was called Coel Coeth. Into the
dying fire each member of the family threw a white stone marked so
that he could recognize it again. Circling about the fire hand-in-hand
they said their prayers and went to bed. In the morning each searched
for his stone, and if he could not find it, he believed that he would
die within the next twelve months. This is still credited. There is
now the custom also of watching the fires till the last spark dies,
and instantly rushing down the hill, "the devil (or the cutty black
sow) take the hindmost." A Cardiganshire proverb says:

"A cutty [short-tailed] black sow
On every stile,
Spinning and carding
Every Allhallows' Eve."

November Eve was called 'Nos-Galan-Gaeof,' the night of the winter
Calends, that is, the night before the first day of winter. To the
Welsh it was New Year's Eve"

We find references to Samhain in many other parts of the UK - for a
few interesting examples see:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/boh/boh05.htm


There is also of course the "Halloween Bleeze" that is the "fire of
the Scots" which had strong associations with divination. Likewise
the celebrations in Ireland also often included forms of divination,
even within a nominally Christian context at times. Griddle-cakes and
candles were made by "good women" and sent from house to house where
they were lit the next day (Samhain, ie. November 1st) and households
would pray for the departed souls. Apples and nuts were eaten in
abundance and the nutshells were burnt, so that divinations could be
performed from the ashes. Cabbages, hemp-seed, balls of yarn and all
kinds of other objects were also employed in divining future events -
often in parish church graveyards or at least out in the darkness of
the local woods . Today Divination is still a popular custom at
Samhain with modern pagans, who are usually much tamer than their
immediate ancestors when it comes to choosing their methods, opting
more often for mediums such as skrying and the tarot instead, indoors
with central heating!

Before I continue, I better explain the cabbages, just in case one of
you would like to embark on such an adventure in your local
allotment... It was believed that if you picked one at random (and if
there was no cabbage, kale would suffice) the cabbage would tell you a
great deal about your future lover. If there was lots of mud at the
roots, it means that your lover will have lots of money. To find out
more about their temperament, you will need to taste the cabbage - if
its sweet, so will be your lover, if its bitter - well, that speaks
for itself! The stalk should be left over a door, and the first
person to disturb it, will have the same name as your future lover. If
you want to take things further, you should sleep with the cabbage
stalk under your pillow to ensure a dream of him or her, even if it
will probably make you smell rather unpleasant!

There are of course many simpler, and less smelly methods to divine
for a future lover on All Hallows' Eve. Personally, I would opt for
the use of nuts into the fire. You will need hazelnuts in an idea
world, but other nuts (providing they are in their shells) will also
work. This custom is recounted in the following rhyme:

"Two hazel nuts I threw into the flame,
And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name:
This with the loudest bounce me sore amaz'd,
That in a flame of brightest colour blaz'd;
As blaz'd the nut, so may thy passion grow,
For 'twas thy Nut that did so brightly glow!"

Many variations of exists, some using apple pips and some naming the
nuts after those single persons present in the room in a matchmaking
game.

Whatever you get up to - I hope you have fun! Have yourselves a crack
of a nut night, remember to lay an extra place at the table and please
don't sleep with cabbages!

Blessings
Sorita d'Este

--------------------------
http://www.avalonia.co.uk
http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk
--------------------------


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Included in this Newsletter:

1. WIZARDRY for the Unitiated by Thea Faye
2. HALLOWEEN (Poem) by Robert Burns
3. WITCHFEST International (Croydon/London Festival)



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1. WIZARDRY for the Unitiated by Thea Faye

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This is the first book by Thea Faye, whom some of you will know as
"Zern" or "ZerntheWizard" on the Avalonia community forums. In it she
explores the themes found in Wizardry, dispelling some of the common
myths associated with this arcane tradition along the way, whilst
giving many meaningful and interesting insights into the world of a
practising Wizard in the 21st century.

"...Wizardry, supposedly the stuff of fantasy and children's novels,
but if you dare look a little deeper than Harry Potter, you will find
traces of an ancient tradition of magick which still exists to this
day, practised in secret by those who dedicate themselves to this
arcane occult science. This book by Thea Faye, a modern day Wizard,
explores the beliefs and practices of Wizardry, giving clues along the
way for those wishing to explore the tradition in more depth. Discover
the concealed history of Wizardry, practiced through the ages by men
like Moses, Merlin, Nicolas Flamel, Agrippa and Faust through to the
modern day illusionist Derren Brown.

The contemporary work of a Wizard in the 21st century is explored,
together with the tools used by Wizards, and the basic skills every
Wizard needs to master, such as training Familiars, Astral Projection
and Commanding Spirits. The author further compares and differentiates
between the modern Pagan traditions of Witchcraft and that of the
Wizard, showing clear differences in the beliefs and magickal
practices. Suited to "would-be-wizards" of all levels of experience,
as well as the purely inquiring mind who wants to glimpse the world of
this still obscure tradition of the occult, this little book contains
many unique and excellent insights into the fascinating world of
wizardry..."

If you order a copy directly from Avalonia on or before the 7th of
November, you will receive 33% discount off the RRP, with free P&P
(worldwide). To order your copy now for just £6.00 go to:
http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/wizardry_offer.htm

We think its an excellent book for anyone starting out with the
practice of magick - regardless of which tradition they are interested
in exploring!


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2. HALLOWEEN (Poem) by Robert Burns

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HALLOWEEN

by Robert Burns

Upon that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downans dance,
Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze,
On sprightly coursers prance;
Or for Colean the route is ta'en,
Beneath the moon's pale beams;
There, up the cove, to stray and rove,
Among the rocks and streams
To sport that night.

Among the bonny winding banks,
Where Doon rins, wimplin' clear,
Where Bruce ance ruled the martial ranks,
And shook his Carrick spear,
Some merry, friendly, country-folks,
Together did convene,
To burn their nits, and pou their stocks,
And haud their Halloween
Fu' blithe that night.

The lasses feat, and cleanly neat,
Mair braw than when they're fine;
Their faces blithe, fu' sweetly kythe,
Hearts leal, and warm, and kin';
The lads sae trig, wi' wooer-babs,
Weel knotted on their garten,
Some unco blate, and some wi' gabs,
Gar lasses' hearts gang startin'
Whiles fast at night.

Then, first and foremost, through the kail,
Their stocks maun a' be sought ance;
They steek their een, and graip and wale,
For muckle anes and straught anes.
Poor hav'rel Will fell aff the drift,
And wander'd through the bow-kail,
And pou't, for want o' better shift,
A runt was like a sow-tail,
Sae bow't that night.

Then, staught or crooked, yird or nane,
They roar and cry a' throu'ther;
The very wee things, todlin', rin,
Wi' stocks out owre their shouther;
And gif the custoc's sweet or sour.
Wi' joctelegs they taste them;
Syne cozily, aboon the door,
Wi cannie care, they've placed them
To lie that night.

The lasses staw frae 'mang them a'
To pou their stalks of corn:
But Rab slips out, and jinks about,
Behint the muckle thorn:
He grippet Nelly hard and fast;
Loud skirl'd a' the lasses;
But her tap-pickle maist was lost,
When kitlin' in the fause-house
Wi' him that night.

The auld guidwife's well-hoordit nits,
Are round and round divided,
And monie lads' and lasses' fates
Are there that night decided:
Some kindle coothie, side by side,
And burn thegither trimly;
Some start awa, wi' saucy pride,
And jump out-owre the chimlie
Fu' high that night.

Jean slips in twa wi' tentie ee;
Wha 'twas she wadna tell;
But this is Jock, and this is me,
She says in to hersel:
He bleezed owre her, and she owre him,
As they wad never mair part;
Till, fuff! he started up the lum,
And Jean had e'en a sair heart
To see't that night.

Poor Willie, wi' his bow-kail runt,
Was brunt wi' primsie Mallie;
And Mallie, nae doubt, took the drunt,
To be compared to Willie;
Mall's nit lap out wi' pridefu' fling,
And her ain fit it brunt it;
While Willie lap, and swore by jing,
'Twas just the way he wanted
To be that night.

Nell had the fause-house in her min',
She pits hersel and Rob in;
In loving bleeze they sweetly join,
Till white in ase they're sobbin';
Nell's heart was dancin' at the view,
She whisper'd Rob to leuk for't:
Rob, stowlins, prie'd her bonny mou',
Fu' cozie in the neuk for't,
Unseen that night.

But Merran sat behint their backs,
Her thoughts on Andrew Bell;
She lea'es them gashin' at their cracks,
And slips out by hersel:
She through the yard the nearest taks,
And to the kiln goes then,
And darklins graipit for the bauks,
And in the blue-clue throws then,
Right fear't that night.

And aye she win't, and aye she swat,
I wat she made nae jaukin',
Till something held within the pat,
Guid Lord! but she was quakin'!
But whether 'was the deil himsel,
Or whether 'twas a bauk-en',
Or whether it was Andrew Bell,
She didna wait on talkin'
To spier that night.

Wee Jennie to her grannie says,
"Will ye go wi' me, grannie?
I'll eat the apple at the glass
I gat frae Uncle Johnnie:"
She fuff't her pipe wi' sic a lunt,
In wrath she was sae vap'rin',
She notice't na, an aizle brunt
Her braw new worset apron
Out through that night.

"Ye little skelpie-limmer's face!
I daur you try sic sportin',
As seek the foul thief ony place,
For him to spae your fortune.
Nae doubt but ye may get a sight!
Great cause ye hae to fear it;
For mony a ane has gotten a fright,
And lived and died deleeret
On sic a night.

"Ae hairst afore the Sherramoor, --
I mind't as weel's yestreen,
I was a gilpey then, I'm sure
I wasna past fifteen;
The simmer had been cauld and wat,
And stuff was unco green;
And aye a rantin' kirn we gat,
And just on Halloween
It fell that night.

"Our stibble-rig was Rab M'Graen,
A clever sturdy fallow:
His son gat Eppie Sim wi' wean,
That lived in Achmacalla:
He gat hemp-seed, I mind it weel,
And he made unco light o't;
But mony a day was by himsel,
He was sae sairly frighted
That very night."

Then up gat fechtin' Jamie Fleck,
And he swore by his conscience,
That he could saw hemp-seed a peck;
For it was a' but nonsense.
The auld guidman raught down the pock,
And out a hanfu' gied him;
Syne bade him slip frae 'mang the folk,
Some time when nae ane see'd him,
And try't that night.

He marches through amang the stacks,
Though he was something sturtin;
The graip he for a harrow taks.
And haurls it at his curpin;
And every now and then he says,
"Hemp-seed, I saw thee,
And her that is to be my lass,
Come after me, and draw thee
As fast this night."

He whistled up Lord Lennox' march
To keep his courage cheery;
Although his hair began to arch,
He was say fley'd and eerie:
Till presently he hears a squeak,
And then a grane and gruntle;
He by his shouther gae a keek,
And tumbled wi' a wintle
Out-owre that night.

He roar'd a horrid murder-shout,
In dreadfu' desperation!
And young and auld came runnin' out
To hear the sad narration;
He swore 'twas hilchin Jean M'Craw,
Or crouchie Merran Humphie,
Till, stop! she trotted through them
And wha was it but grumphie
Asteer that night!

Meg fain wad to the barn hae gaen,
To win three wechts o' naething;
But for to meet the deil her lane,
She pat but little faith in:
She gies the herd a pickle nits,
And two red-cheekit apples,
To watch, while for the barn she sets,
In hopes to see Tam Kipples
That very nicht.

She turns the key wi cannie thraw,
And owre the threshold ventures;
But first on Sawnie gies a ca'
Syne bauldly in she enters:
A ratton rattled up the wa',
And she cried, Lord, preserve her!
And ran through midden-hole and a',
And pray'd wi' zeal and fervour,
Fu' fast that night;

They hoy't out Will wi' sair advice;
They hecht him some fine braw ane;
It chanced the stack he faddom'd thrice
Was timmer-propt for thrawin';
He taks a swirlie, auld moss-oak,
For some black grousome carlin;
And loot a winze, and drew a stroke,
Till skin in blypes cam haurlin'
Aff's nieves that night.

A wanton widow Leezie was,
As canty as a kittlin;
But, och! that night amang the shaws,
She got a fearfu' settlin'!
She through the whins, and by the cairn,
And owre the hill gaed scrievin,
Whare three lairds' lands met at a burn
To dip her left sark-sleeve in,
Was bent that night.

Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays,
As through the glen it wimpl't;
Whyles round a rocky scaur it strays;
Whyles in a wiel it dimpl't;
Whyles glitter'd to the nightly rays,
Wi' bickering, dancing dazzle;
Whyles cookit underneath the braes,
Below the spreading hazel,
Unseen that night.

Among the brackens, on the brae,
Between her and the moon,
The deil, or else an outler quey,
Gat up and gae a croon:
Poor Leezie's heart maist lap the hool!
Near lav'rock-height she jumpit;
but mist a fit, and in the pool
Out-owre the lugs she plumpit,
Wi' a plunge that night.

In order, on the clean hearth-stane,
The luggies three are ranged,
And every time great care is ta'en',
To see them duly changed:
Auld Uncle John, wha wedlock joys
Sin' Mar's year did desire,
Because he gat the toom dish thrice,
He heaved them on the fire
In wrath that night.

Wi' merry sangs, and friendly cracks,
I wat they didna weary;
And unco tales, and funny jokes,
Their sports were cheap and cheery;
Till butter'd so'ns, wi' fragrant lunt,
Set a' their gabs a-steerin';
Syne, wi' a social glass o' strunt,
They parted aff careerin'
Fu' blythe that night.



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3. WITCHFEST INTERNATIONAL (Croydon/London Festival)

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Witchfest International, the largest festival of its kind in the UK,
will be taking place at Fairfield Halls, Croydon this coming Saturday.
Speakers include Prof. Ronald Hutton, Kate West, Fred Lamond and
Cassandra Eason - as well as many others! More information on
tickets, how to get there and what to expect can be found at
http://www.witchfest.net

Please note that David Rankine and Sorita d'Este will not be speaking
at this year's event. This is due to the imminent arrival of their
first child and the impracticalities of travelling long distances at
this time.


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http://www.avalonia.co.uk
http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk

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