Ashleigh McSidhe, known for many years publicly as Moondancer, is an Elder High Priestess in the New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches, as taught and passed on by Lady Gwynne Thompson. She is also an initiate of other traditions of the Craft as well, dating back to her original initiation at Beltane 1973, in the Georgian Tradition of Wicca, and has a wide range of metaphysical interests. She and Raven have been together for over 4 decades. Follow her on Academia.edu, where she never uploads anything!
Today, we look at the rich Scottish tradition of Michaelmas, also known as Harvest Home. This festive occasion marks the end of the harvest season and is steeped in history and folklore, dating back to ancient pagan origins.
Continue reading →There I was, over on Facebook, minding my own business when someone asked for help. In a Witchcraft group.
Continue reading →Genii loci (singular: genius loci) are spirits or deities believed to inhabit and protect specific places in the natural world. These spirits are often associated with natural features such as rivers, trees, mountains, and groves. In various traditions, they are regarded as guardians of the land and are honored and revered by those who live in or interact with their domain.
Continue reading →This essay explores the representations of the Shining Ones and the Genius Loci within Celtic, Norse, and Fertile Crescent mythologies, examining their roles, characteristics, and cultural significance while also considering their interrelations.
Continue reading →Establishing a meaningful connection with the genius loci—the spirit or guardian of a particular place—requires time, respect, and a deep engagement with the environment. This guide offers practical steps and insights into how you can honor the genius loci and build a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.
Continue reading →Raven nic Rhóisín and Kathryn Price NicDhàna have a piece over at http://paganachd.com/articles/killyouandeatyou.html, that resonates with a lot of what we are trying to express when we talk about getting to know your local land spirits (this probably isn’t as much of a coincidence as one might think, many of the early proponents of the Celtic Reconstructionist movement in the US were among our Circle of Friends “back in the day”.
Continue reading →Noted at Patheos, Yvonne Arburrow’s post on “Spirits of the Land”, a topic near and dear to us.
Continue reading →Bioregionalism calls us to become knowledgeable residents and guardians of the places where we live. We inhabit naturally unique physical, ecological, historical, and cultural areas whose boundaries are often defined by ridgetops rather than county lines or state borders. To connect with our bioregion and its genius loci, the spirits of place, we must learn about the local land and water, observe the local weather and sky, identify local plants and animals, and engage with local neighbors and communities.
Continue reading →We are attempting to set up an Amazon affiliate store, with the above name. It’s taking a lot more wore than initially anticipated, but after 11 hours of work today, I have finally managed to import the first set of books that we want to link to.
Continue reading →by Scott Cunningham – 3.0 out of 5 stars A good product – FOR ITS TIME – nearly 40 years ago The Truth About Witchcraft, First published January 1, 1987 Scott Cunningham wrote a very useful book for its time … Continue reading →
(Collected from numerous sources) A broom dropping in front of the door means company before the day is over. Always pick up, for luck, a broom that is lying on the floor or ground. Always sweep dirt out the back … Continue reading →
In our Coven, various spirits and entities fulfill distinct roles and possess unique characteristics. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between genii loci, ancestral spirits, the “Mighty Dead,” and the “Old Ones”
Continue reading →I see a lot of people decrying how obstructionist the Evil Gatekeepers are.
My real question is “if the Gatekeepers are so bad, how did anyone get past them?”
I realize that a lot has changed over the 50 years that I’ve been practicing, but way before TikTok, Facebook, Myspace or Livejournal, folks were finding their way to the Craft.
Continue reading →Beltane 2024 marked my 51st year as an Initiate of the Craft, and the Beltane Festival always has a special place in my heart.
Raven and I recently spent a week in Rhode Island, visiting Trad family and friends. Our trip was panned so that we would be there for the Beltane celebrations.
Continue reading →“The Song of Wandering Aengus” is a poem by Irish poet W. B. Yeats. It was first printed in 1897 in British magazine The Sketch under the title “A Mad Song.” It was then published under its standard name in Yeats’ 1899 anthology The Wind Among the Reeds.
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