The Emergence of Ability

Since beginning to walk as a witch, it has amazed me how much my creative and expressive side has come to the fore. Nor do I think I’m alone in this; many friends and fellow-followers have shown me exquisite examples of beautiful arts and crafts that they have produced, sometimes surprising even themselves with their level of invention. I think this is one of the blessings of the Goddess.

In a current project with friends - about which, more anon, Goddess willing! - the fountains of invention, the ideas, the capableness, the articulacy, the enthusiasm and the teamwork are already outstanding. The confluence of ideas is seeming to make us more than the sum of our parts, if you see what I mean. It feels to me as if the individual skills and the abilities we bring to the table are being amplified and sharpened simply by our interaction. Another huge blessing.

This is such a force for good. And these are skills for life; they can be transferred into our mundane existence and used to the good of all, as well as the good of us ourselves.

I love my new-found interest in making and creation; when I see something that I have made, and it looks beautiful, I want to give it away to someone I love who will treasure it. In a way, I’m distilling drops of the new spirit I feel into things that can be held and carried. Spreading the wealth!

Kilpeck

With PiedPiper this afternoon to Kilpeck Church, a most amazing and beautiful Romanesque church close by, dating from around 1140.

I had read previously about the doorway, shown here, but really that was only the most outward and obvious thing to look at! It is truly a revelation around every corner, so you’ll excuse me if I post plenty of pics!

The front door. The carving is astonishingly crisp after 900 years and at least three periods of intense restoration. Despite being carved sandstone, it has borne the years remarkably well.

This tombstone was just outside the door; demonstrating the Victorian liking for the passionflower as a symbol of piety and devotion.

Here we have the famous Kilpeck Sheela-na-gig.

After the tour of the Church, we headed up behind the churchyard to Kilpeck Castle. The weather was superb, one minute hot bright sun, and the next, as we reached the top of the castle mound, it began to snow in earnest. We were like snowmen within five minutes. It felt precisely as though the Goddess was welcoming us. There are three thorn trees planted in a triangle on the summit, and some very dilapidated stoneworks which look apt to fall off the hill at any second. Being bad, we ignored the ‘Keep Out’ notices and approached the stones. They were wreathed in ivy and sloe and damson blossom, and a bee came out to see us; befuddled by the snow he bumbled off and hid. Despite the bleakness of the weather, the white and golden blossom against the snow was beautiful and uplifting to see.

These two were there, fragile but shining, to welcome us!

PP found some lovely bleached blond sticks to take home, and we left a pomander I’d made, decorated with early blossom, to say thank you to the Goddess for such a perfect day.

Words can’t compete with pictures - so I’ve let them do the talking! Blessed be!

 

Crafty… in the right way

I was thinking about the folk I know on this path; all of them have developed or are exploring handcrafts or talents, small and large. Dear Fox has opened Shades of Midnight, her new online shop, and her beautiful wares sing out her care and her good thoughts for those that buy them. I look at beweaver’s amazing and intricate embroideries and applique work, and marvel at the intricacy and the attention required to produce it. Witchypoo’s hand dyed and spun wools are made into gorgeous and useful knitted items. Glen and Willow Goldentree and their wonderful work in wood. PiedPiper can turn her hand to most anything; crochet, embroidery, knitting and painting.

The making of these items serve multiple purposes for the maker; it’s art, and abstractly beneficial as creative expression, it’s a form of therapy and of positive use of creative ideas that might otherwise go to waste; it’s a form of worship for the Goddess, using Her gifts for her further glory, and finally it’s a means of making a little money. That item was purposefully last; I don’t think any of these people seek to make money only from these things; it’s a tangential benefit at most.

Cruising about the net I have come across many sites where people seek to make money directly from the Craft. For example, the sale of spells and so forth. Have a read of this person’s site and look at some of her wares for sale. Apparently, love, a better figure and so on are just a haunted ring away.

 I really dislike this. It seems to me to be completely at odds with our spiritual aims. It’s like selling Holy Water. In the Middle Ages priests would be charged with the crime of Simony - illegally selling Masses. What is this except for peddling the divine, brokering the link in order to make a quick buck? There’s no difference at all between this and selling your services as a witch.

I’m seeking actively to develop my skills in the creative sphere… I’m no great shakes but I can turn out a nice prayer string and take a good photo. Perhaps, if I hit on a real talent or unique product, I could think of selling them. But I’d never offer what few skills I have as a witch in return for money. It’s a dirty bargain, and even if I got paid, I have a feeling I’d come off worst in the deal.

I’d like to know how those that do sell spells and so on feel about what they do. How do they justify it? If you can buy spells and charms on Ebay, then you know that the market must be there! And what about those that buy? One site I found had hundreds of satisfied customers. Am I alone in finding this ever so slightly bizarre? Perhaps these people are the modern cunning men and women, providing magical help in return for considerations in cash or in kind. Whatever, I still don’t like it.

Helpful and unhelpful imagery

In response to a post on Cylch Riannon, which made a lot of sense to me, here’s an example of art regarding Herne which demonstrate the principle I believe was being propounded. Drawn by Xenia at elfwoodart.com.

Here we have a representation of Herne with his wolves and his horns; but how gentle he looks. Almost Fool-like. It’s a well-executed and artistically able picture but there’s a great deal lacking for my money. His rank wildness, his dangerous and unpredictable nature simply don’t show here at all.

In a way it makes you wonder what other people see when they read and experience the same things as you do. It actually makes a good point about experience - yours is never going to be the same as another’s, as the interpretive process is unique to each of us. And maybe this artist has seen something of Herne that I never could.