Abbots Bromley Horn Dance 2020

Today Monday the 7th of September 2020 I should be attending the wonderful Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in the English county of Staffordshire. Despite our hopes that with the easing of the Lockdown and noting that other events have now taken place, this year's dance is not going ahead for the very obvious safety reasons.

Although disappointing the decision not to dance publicly is the sensible one and means that the dance next year, will be something of a celebration. To mark the occasion and maintain some contrived continuity, I share below a series of blogs from previous visits and other related posts.

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance of Staffordshire

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-abbots-bromley-horn-dance-of.html

William Shakespeare "As You Like It" Act IV Scene 2

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2012/10/william-shakespeare-as-you-like-it-act.html

MYTHIC SYMBOLISM

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2014/05/mythic-symbolism.html

The Khaki Dance: Abbots Bromley Staffordshire England (Monday the 7th of September 2015)

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-khaki-dance-abbots-bromley.html

The Horn Dance of Abbots Bromley 2016: a Personal Reflection by Suzanne Read - Breaca Aranwen the Maid of the Hearth of Albion

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-horn-dance-of-abbots-bromley-2016.html

Abbots Bromley 2017

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2018/08/there-is-small-and-picturesquevillage.html

THE WILD HUNT BY SHANI OATES (EMPYREAN 2019)

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-wild-hunt-by-shani-oates-empyrean.html

SEEDS OF ARES PRE-PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great pride that I am able to confirm my inclusion in the next edition of PILLARS, to be published by ANATHEMA PUBLISHING LTD. The planned publication of this work is for the Autumn of 2020. Although with the current difficulties that we all face, I would not be surprised if there was to be a delay. The pandemic has already caused a delay for many other publishers.

PILLARS - VOL.2, ISSUE.2 - SEEDS OF ARES is an anthology in which twenty seven contributors explore the darker aspects of the socerous artes. My own modest contribution presents practical applications, a brief theoretical discussion and an analysis of the ethical dilemma that practitioners may face.

This is my second time of writing for ANATHEMA PUBLISHING LTD. I am honoured to be one of seven returning contributors to the stable and I look forward with anticipation to the release of this anthology. Having previously been a contributor to PILLARS IV – VOL.2, ISSUE.1 – CIRCLING THE COMPASS, I fully appreciate the importance of this publication and the prestige of inclusion.

PILLARS - VOL.2, ISSUE.2 

- SEEDS OF ARES

At Anathema, we consciously try to avoid an aesthetic that has been wrongfully associated with the kind of books we publish; über-dark, pseudo-satanic, and of all things Lovecraftian are not our prerogative. Rather, we strive for intellectually rigorous material, genuine practical analysis, and serious, detailed articles from people dealing with these topics and spirits in a way that elevates their approach and the matter at hand. We aim to curate while giving the utmost respect to topics that many have invested effort and time untold into.

And so, with that in mind…

Here is the call to dwell on the so-called ‘negative,’ or martial, aspects of occult practice, and to explore how these may help to create a fuller and richer experience for practitioners of the Arte.

For some, the tenuous relationship between positive and negative forces, and this perceived duality, is a complex and evolving one. To find balance is one thing, but to embrace and work extensively within adversarial currents is to move boldly into stranger (and more extreme) territory.

This issue of PILLARS  explores the ‘martian’ side of magickal practice, and analyze phenomena of psychic violence, what it means to engage in transgressive and subversive art, to dive deep into shadow-work, to embrace the unconventional and the radical, the vicious and immoral, perhaps even the damning, and the taboo. To understand one’s wrath and conditioning, and the fearlessness that inspires work with such currents.

What attracts some of us to these systems, and what benefits do they provide, if any?

The conversation is centred around how this work may lead to self-realization and actualization, and what kind of fulfilment one seeks. Or, if one plays the contrarian (which we also encouraged), are negative currents really all that 'negative,' or are we merely the product of modern life where so many people view the world in starkly black and white terms?

If anything, this particular issue of PILLARS is meant to be a thorough investigation of the human condition, what uneasiness or reassurance this thought may bring to the forefront of consciousness, and how one proceeds to harmonize these aspects of the Self through the usage of such polarizing angles.

Heed the Call!

O Filli et Filliae Sanguis!

We, the Seeds of Ares!

This edition of PILLARS represents the first time that our editor, Evan Davies, is tasked with overseeing the curation and completion of all texts – and we are very happy to open this door and welcome Evan to partake and share his thoughts and craftsmanship more directly here.

PS: Anathema, categorically, does not publish, condone, engage in, or encourage any form of political extremism, or violence against a specific group (self-harm, in a ritualistic setting, for example: bloodletting, is the practitioner's prerogative). We aim to explore purely on a spiritual plane.

-- EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED: MID-SEPTEMBER 2020--

ANATHEMA PUBLISHING LTD. (WEDSITE)

https://www.anathemapublishing.com/

ANATHEMA PUBLISHING LTD. (FACEBOOK)

https://www.facebook.com/ANATHEMAPUBLISHING

PILLARS IV – (VOL.2, ISSUE.1) – ‘CIRCLING THE COMPASS’

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2019/09/29/pillars-iv-vol-2-issue-1-circling-the-compass/

PILLARS IV – (VOL.2, ISSUE.1) – ‘CIRCLING THE COMPASS’

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2019/09/pillars-iv-vol2-issue1-circling-compass.html

I Am Mute (©July 2020)

I want to cry.

I don't have any tears;

And I don't know why

I want to cry.

    ***

I want to die.

I am afraid;

And I don't know why

I want to die.

     ***

I want something.

I have the words;

But I dare not speak them.

I am mute.

Peter Green - Man of the world (1969)

Shall I tell you about my life

They say I'm a man of the world

I've flown across every tide

And I've seen lots of pretty girls

I guess I've got everything I need

I wouldn't ask for more

And there's no one I'd rather be

But I just wish that I'd never been born

And I need a good woman

To make me feel like a good man should

I don't say I'm a good man

Oh, but I would be if I could

I could tell you about my life

And keep you amused I'm sure

About all the times I've cried

And how I don't want to be sad anymore

And how I wish I was in love

Fleetwood Mac - Man of the world 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJWOtL-PZiE

Peter Green - Man of the World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gXE3Z2USLU

Songwriter: Peter Green

I'm Sick Of (Anonymous 2020)

I’m sick of covid-19.

I’m sick of black vs. white.

I’m sick of Labour vs. Conservative

I’m sick of gay vs. straight.

I’m REALLY sick of the media.

I’m sick of the language being used and plastered all over the media. I’m sick of no-one being allowed to think what they want & feel what they do without offending someone. I am sick of the people who are out there jumping on the bandwagon, to protest, to cause mass confusion, more hatred and to riot, loot and destroy. I am sick of blaming the world for the sins of a few.

I like meat, again your choice not to eat meat, my choice to eat meat. End of. I’m sick of people who think that sixty year  old history is our fault, it’s history; get over it!

We’re one race, the human race and we all matter! You want to support Boris Johnson, do it! It’s your choice. You want to support Starmer? Fine, also your choice! You want to believe in God? Ok, believe in God. You want to believe in magical creatures that fly around & sprinkle fairy dust to make life better? Awesome, just you do it!

BUT how about being mature enough to be able to deal with the fact; that everyone doesn’t have the same exact mind-set as you. Having our own mind is what makes us individual and beautiful. If you can’t handle that fact. Then I’m sorry for you.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

The Whisper

Deep in the heart of England,

I search for a meaning.

I listen for the voice of the land

But I no longer hear.

The land does not want to speak to us

The land is tired of us now.

In a voice that is barely a whisper

I can sense the displeasure.

Look at what we have done to the World

Is it any wonder we can hear only the whisper?

©Daniel Bran Griffith the Chattering Magpie (09/07/2020).

Perceptions - Misconceptions & Change

As a continuation or as a supplement to my earlier written pieces 'Living in Two Worlds' and 'A response to - "Spare me this Pagan Revival." I wish to share with you my thoughts on the misconceptions and the many preconceived expectations, which people have towards those of us engaged is esoteric study.

It is a common human frailty to make an assumption and of course it has a benefit as a behavioural trait. It saves us expending unnecessary time and energy, exploring every nuance of our interactions with others. Psychologists recognise this as a necessity and it is very often, part of our normal day to day existence.

There are however, other times when such presumption is not beneficial. There are instances obviously, when such actions can be a source of misunderstanding. I as a Pagan and a folklorist face this almost daily, as people often think that because of how I self-identify and because of my publicly known interests, I may share many other interests automatically.

As an example I share a telephone call that took place on the 5th of November 2019. I was at home and the time was a little after 5pm. A young lady called me and asked, "Do you do spells?" I asked, "Whose calling?" She had not even given her name. She replied "Yasmin" and asked again, "Do you do love spells?" I told her, "I do not provide services." I then ended the call. If I may quote the musical 'The Producers;' "How do they find me? They all come here." I do seem to attract them. and they sit next to me on the bus.

Seriously, I note that she did not start the conversation in what I consider a normal manner, such as by introducing themselves but instead she blurted out her question. This has led me to suspect that someone has my business card and may have called me as a prank, I do rather give them out like confetti. The example still has validity even if it was a prank and of course, I cannot be sure it was anyway. It still serves to illustrate how people make assumptions.

People will quite simply, wrongly assume that because we share opinion or values regarding for example, subjects A, B & C. We all automatically share the same opinion or values regarding subjects X, Y & Z. This is intellectually and emotionally immature. The reality is that people often fall somewhere in the middle of our imaginary alphabet, sharing opinion and values on for example; P, Q, R, S & T. What however, does become apparent, is that often we do not know people as well as we perhaps thought. Often we have far less in common than we hoped for or expected.

As I have got older I have changed; as we all do. The result of this maturing is that I have become increasingly intolerant towards the New Age Garbage (NAG) and the Mindless Bullshit (MBS) that is prevalent today. Gradually over the past decade and most certainly within the last five years, I have become aware that I have less and less in common; with so many that call themselves Pagan. That is outside of sharing that identifier in itself and obviously this raises many questions. Since I no longer feel at home within the community of the tree-hugging, crystal kissing hippies that many appear to associate with contemporary Paganism; am I still a Pagan? What does it mean to be a Pagan?

I postulate that Paganism can be defined as a Polytheistic or Pantheistic nature focused religion or collective of spiritual paths. Under that broad description then I am indeed a Pagan. If however, the required qualification is that I submit to the 'Three Fold law' or 'Harm None' then the answer is no. Of course the maxims referred to above are predominantly Wiccan but not even all Wiccans subscribe to them. This may come as a surprise to some people and does therefore, illustrate a further misconception.

The misconceptions we have of contemporary Paganism is not unique to those outside of the collective. The assumptions and the misconceptions are common within it. Many Pagans and perhaps Occultists to a lesser extent, will assume that other Pagans all vote for the same political party. The real life that exists outside of the echo chamber that we call Social Media, is simply not like that. Not all British Pagans vote Labour, many vote Conservative. Not all American Pagans vote Democrat, many vote Republican. Not every Pagan is a vegetarian and we don't all smoke cannabis. We don't all like Star Trek and we don't all read Harry Potter. To state that someone is not a Pagan because they do not vote a particular way, eat a certain diet, share the same interests or even enjoy the same hobbies, is beyond being a simple error. It is foolish, it is absurd. We do not all share the same opinion, the same values or the same principles.

In looking back at my own journey over the past thirty odd years, I sometimes feel that I have delved into contemporary Paganism and then passed right out the other side. The lack of commonality I have with that community today is marked. I am still a Pagan, I can still declare that Paganism is my religious standpoint. I am however, not the kind of Pagan that many appear to think I am or even expect me to be. I am my own man.

LIVING IN TWO WORLDS

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2018/08/living-in-two-worlds.html

A RESPONSE TO - 'SPARE ME THIS PAGAN REVIVAL'

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2019/06/a-response-to-spare-me-this-pagan.html

IN DEFENCE OF INTERFAITH

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/in-defence-of-interfaith/