The Carlford Coven

    I think its time we all gave recognition and a well deserved pat on the back to John & Jo for all the hard work they do in making the Sabbats so enjoyable for us all, especially the ones held at the 'Creek'.

    They spend two or three days (if not more) prior to the event collecting and organising such mundane things such as plates, knives & forks etc, as well as the requirements for the altar, oil for the flares at the quarters as well as the flares that illuminate the feast tables; and on top of all this they have spent many hours writing the ritual which again is no easy matter coming up with something fresh for each Sabbat.

    Then on the day, they are up early so that they can ferry the various bits and pieces needed to make the Sabbat go as smoothly as possible. They then have to set out everything before we arrive or before the onset of darkness: i.e. marking out the circle, positioning the flares at the quarters, carrying down the trestle tables, setting up the altar plus a myriad of other little things that make it go so well, and I know this is not and easy task as on a couple of occasions I have helped in the afternoon. Then there is the fire we all appreciate so much! On atleast two occasions I have spent the afternoon seaching for and carrying dry wood for the central fire, and I know John & Jo have done this several times without help since the start of the outside rituals began. Then there is the weather to contend with; especially at this time of the year, John and Jo have been making sure there is a good supply of 'dry' wood by going up the 'Creek' collecting and stock piling wood under cover so that we, when we turn up, have a cheery warm and welcoming fire, by which we can celebrate.

    The help we give by way of donations of food and drink, plus those who bring flowers to decorate the altar are, and will always be gratefully received  and without this generosity the 'Grounding' feast would not happen, nor would the socialising afterwards, but even there John & Jo don't stint themselves as they also provide food & drink as well as making sure there is ample and suitable food and drink for the 'Cakes & Ale' during the ritual.

    And then at the end of the ritual and the socialising and we all start difting off, who stays and clears all the 'props' (for want of a better word) away; your've guest it, John and Jo, sometimes with the help of others. Is it any wonder that John and Jo have a few drinks and sleep an board thier boat and finish clearing up the following day?

    So from me and the others who have commented on this, and on behalf of you all; I give a great big heartfelt THANKYOU to John and Jo; your effort are very much appreciated by us all.

Rainbird )O(

          As a Witch who follows the pagan path 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, following the laws of nature & the wheel of the seasons, understanding rain as a gift from the Goddess, death as a road to new incarnations and constantly trying to get to grips with the dozens of messages coming to me through orbs, shapes, shadows and sounds, I am somewhat baffled by the confusing signals within my own craft.

          I’m not saying that my chosen path is the way or that I know more than anyone else but since our long established Coven has turned somewhat eclectic encompassing elements of ritual from Celtic and Northern traditions I have been aware that our magic is getting stronger all the time. Many of our Coven members take the work very seriously and our rituals are the result of deep study.

          Our Sabbats are based on Wicca lines and celebrate ‘The Wheel of the Year’ using myths to illustrate the seasonal changes in the Earth and Solar system as well as in the Goddess and God. This is the reason that four Rituals a year are ‘Open’ to anyone who wishes to experience our way of working. We don’t ask for any commitment other than they respect of our beliefs.

          For deeper magical workings we hold our Esbats on Full Moon evenings. These are attended by members of the Inner Circle of Elders otherwise known as ‘The Scarlet Dusk Hedgewitch Triangle’ and are strictly by invitation only. Within this group we do practise elements of High Magic. As I have mentioned we all take this very seriously and it has taken many years for a dedicated group to coalesce.

          So take for example, a Celebrant calling out for the removal of watches and personal jewellery, for the sake of High Magic? Do they then ignore such things as battery torches, pace-makers, replacement joints, plates and pins, tooth-fillings, glasses, contraceptive coils, hearing aids and body piercing in unmentionable places - a right hodgepodge of metals and chemicals that would have been unknown to our ancestors?

          Do they honestly believe that an entity such as a Goddess, God or Elementals and the like concern themselves with the puny decorations of humans? I notice for example the same blinkered views being aimed at Skyclad worship.  Although you are supposed to remove your trinkets, whatever you do don’t remove any clothing.

          Down at the Creek when we open our doors to anyone who wishes to join in with our celebrations, the flashing of digital cameras & the wearing of watches and personal jewellery would appear to some to be a transgression but has no effect on the spirits that visit and the magical feel that pervades these events.

          We have had experiences of cameras not working for no apparent reason and watches stopping at the beginning of a ritual only to start again with the correct time at the end. So instead of these instruments being a hindrance to magic the Spirits used them to show us their power.

          Disappointingly at other group rituals, we have witnessed Boons being taken from a Ritual Circle to be burned later elsewhere. ‘Light the Balefire!’ is often declared as someone leans forward to light a t-light inside a plastic cauldron. If I were a Spirit this would offend me far more than a watch or piece of jewellery. The correct Ritual items and props are tremendously important to achieve a level of ambience that will help to transport the Circle participants to other levels of consciousness.

          It is also crucial to protect all within the group at the outset with banishing’s. We all know someone who has had a frightening experience with an Ouija board and this is a direct result of just such negligence.

          I am always aware that magical moments may happen at any time and not just within a magic circle. Just after the Modron ritual when we called upon two aspects of Blodeuedd, the younger Flower Bride and the older Owl Woman, I went for my usual swim at Felixstowe pool. When I swam to the furthest point a beautiful, blonde woman, mid-forties, was resting on the side of the pool. On her upper arm was a prominent tattoo of a band of flowers. Unable to ignore this symbol, I spoke to the lady and told her how beautiful her tattoo looked to me. She thanked me for the compliment and I swam away. As I turned to swim back I noticed that she had inexplicably disappeared. A few moments later a darker, older female was in the same spot. She had a large Scorpion tattooed on her right arm and a large Crab on the other.

          I was still somewhat confused as I went to shower. Alone in the shower room, I was aware of someone behind me, although no-one had come in, but the shower on that side of the room suddenly came on. As they operate on a pressure switch, I couldn’t see how this could happen and am still trying to understand how or what this ‘apparition’ means in my life.

          My advice for anyone wishing to start a Coven is be patient, it will take many years to get things right. It would help if you have a very thick skin because you will upset many on the way. I have even upset the local Vicar, in this day and age.

          It is difficult not to alienate your group from other traditions and paths but all I ask of any ritual working is that it be done with respect of the intent and purpose.

          We unashamedly do not follow Gardnerian or Alexandrian methods as we find these too restrictive. We feel Wicca should progress beyond the boundaries set by these revivalists. It is only by change and experimentation that we find our own path. Within Carlford Coven we have a variety of mindsets giving never-ending ideas to our rituals. Mirth and reverence pervades our Circle.

Bright Blessings,

Garfield SDHT