I was lucky enough to catch up with an incredibly creative and talented witch this month, Sheena Cundy. Sheena is a well-known healer and the creator of The Magic of Nature Oracle, a vibrant divination deck based on the flora and fauna of Britain. She is also the songstress of the band Morrigan’s Path. In between all this she teaches tarot and horse riding. Sheena took a break from all this to answer some of my questions for you lovely readers here at Pagan Pages. Mabh Savage: So, first of all, what is a crafty crone? Sheena Cundy: She is a Witch of menopausal age, shrewd and creative with…

Notes from the Apothecary: Coriander   November is an odd month for herbs if you live in a temperate climate. There are a few still hanging on in the garden; maybe a tough sage or some rosemary that’s well rooted in, but many of the deciduous plants have already dropped their leaves, so we home herbalist have to rely on either dried product, or those herbs that we can grow from seed on a bright windowsill. Coriander is one such herb. It grows quite easily as long as it is kept moist and warm, and with a bit of tender care can bring a vibrant verdancy to the cold season.…

Kenn Day: Body and Soul Author of Post Tribal Shamanism and Dance of Stones, Kenn has been a working Shaman and healer for many years, with his own practice since 1989. He now also offers workshops for those wanting to understand and experience his practice. Kenn was kind enough to chat to me about his work.   Mabh Savage: What does the term Post-Tribal Shaman mean?   Kenn Day: I coined the therm “post-tribal shamanism” many years ago, specifically to differentiate from the many rich and varied tribal traditions. I did this because, on the one hand, I knew that the modern, Western, post-industrial and post-TRIBAL world that I live…

Notes from the Apothecary: Cinnamon The smell of cinnamon conjures up memories of warm, spicy food such as fresh apple pie, or mulled wine; anything to keep you cosy as the cold nights draw in. As Fall (autumn) approaches, I thought it would be nice to examine one of the spices that is truly part of the magic of the cold season. The Kitchen Garden Much of the cinnamon you will find in your kitchen is actually Cassia bark; a very similar substance that makes up the majority of cinnamon sticks we buy. The best cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka and is generally somewhat paler in colour and slightly thinner…

Notes from the Apothecary: Garlic       Not strictly a herb, but in my apothecary, I make good use of whatever is to hand, and currently the garlic from the allotment is drying out nicely in my mother’s pantry. Strongly associated with Hekate, garlic has held magical associations for thousands of years. From warding off the supernatural, to disinfecting rooms, the protective power of garlic has been recognised and revered throughout history. The Kitchen Garden Most of us know garlic for its smell and taste. It is the bulb of the plant that we most commonly use, although the green shoots that we see above the surface of the…

Nimue Brown: Druidry and Dreams     Nimue is the author of Pagan Dreaming, When a Pagan prays, Spirituality without Structure, Druidry and the Ancestors and Druidry and Meditation. Somehow, despite all the writing she does, she finds time to be an active member of the Pagan and Druid community, run a very popular WordPress blog, work with other Pagan authors and the publisher Moon Books as well as being a musician! I was, therefore, very grateful to grab a few minutes with Nimue, to ask her a few questions about her inspirations, her motivations and her life as a pagan. Mabh Savage: You’re an incredibly prolific writer, with 5…

Cristina McAllister: Beautiful Connections There is something mesmerizing about the art of Cristina McAllister. Her amazing blend of symbolism and incredible detail combines with a flair for design and symmetry rarely found these days. It turns out that Cristina is just as interesting as her art! She was kind enough to have a chat with me about her many projects, her inspiration and her aspirations. Mabh Savage: When did you first know you wanted to be an artist? Cristina McAllister: I knew I was going to be an artist since I could hold a crayon. I’ve been compelled to create for as long as I can remember, and have always had a…

Notes from the Apothecary: Thyme   Thyme is a Mediterranean shrub with rich history that belies its small stature. From being used to in Ancient Egyptian embalming to being the main ingredient in your mouth rinse at the dentist, thyme is a powerful, beautiful herb with surprising and magical qualities. The Kitchen Garden Thyme is absolutely delicious. Despite its Mediterranean origins, the herb is widely used in many different cuisines today, adding its pungent flavour and aroma to roast meats, stews, pasta, pizza and even curry. Culpeper believed the herb was a remedy for flatulence which would certainly be one reason why it has been used as a food additive…

Notes from the Apothecary: Lavender   I have several types of lavender growing in my garden. Some I bought as tiny plants, but the most virile is the one I grew from seed. It took three attempts to get a viable plant from seed, but, as they say, third time’s the charm! This one is gradually taking over a small space in the garden, and at this time of year, as we head towards midsummer, the blooms are producing that unmistakeable aroma. Many associate the smell of lavender with their nana, or old women on general, but I think this is because it is one of the few perfumes that…

Halo Quin: A Fae Existence   Halo Quin is the author of upcoming Pagan Portal, Your Faery Magic. I caught up with her to find out a bit more about the Faery world, and about Halo herself. Mabh Savage: What was the main inspiration for your upcoming book, Your Faery Magic? Halo Quin: The main inspiration for Your Faery Magic was my experiences as an enchantress. I’ve spent my whole life following a fae path, looking for faeries, working with them, visiting the realm that is their world, and I found very little Faery specific information that properly prepares the seeker for such work. I had to work out the…