Reflection.... its more than just looking at yourself in the mirror.

Hello Everyone.

Merry Samhain festivities to all and as the winters nights draw in I hope all have had a wonderful and prosperous summer. As the Calleach rises for her reign we are reminded that with life must come death and with death there is rebirth . I suppose this is what this blog is about death rebirth and reflection. Such a poignant time of year with pagans returning from festivities all over the country. Myself included, after a small hiatus to the magical lands of Cornwall for the dark gathering at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle. I had seen videos on YouTube from last year and something called to me and my partner that we just had to go, and we did.
Well I can safely say that an afternoon of border Morris was what I needed. watching the wonderful Beltane Border Morris, Wytchwood Morris and Catseye Morris in the afternoon after a Cornish cream tea was amazing to say the least. The energies these dancers brought were immense and if you ever get the chance to see any of them then I would go you will enjoy it.
Wytchwood Morris from The Midlands

Beltane Border Morris From Devon

But the highlight of the day for me was seeing the Obby Osses especially the Mari Lwyd and Penkevyl the Lands End oss perform the Pwnco Ceremony.
Penkevyl with his teasers, the wonderful Cassandra Latham-Jones and her partner Tia Latham-Jones start to entice the Mari's to the museum with dance and drums. As the Mari's approach the essence of the performance is so beautiful.
After The Pwnco ceremy is performed and the Mari's are granted permission to enter to have soulcakes and ale you feel like a beautiful part of history has been awakened and I for one was grateful to be there with the spirits of the land and the ancestors with us also.


With this in mind and the title of this blog ever looming I want to touch on the topic of reflection. After a dark moon on the weekend of Samhain I have reflected heavily on my path as a witch so far.
I believe reflection is good for the soul as is keeping an open mind on everything you look at touch or work with. It seemed I had been at a crossroads with my path and after reflecting in Cornwall and reading the book of the village wise woman I felt a resonating connection with Cassandra's writings and reflected upon this also. It helps to reflect and look at where your path is taking you I'm talking more than a simple meditation to mull over things that have happened but more asking yourself and your ancestors why how what and when. Question everything  and keep an open mind. no matter what you do in life you will always have someone saying its wrong or you are not right in your practice, but let me tell you.... if it feels right, it usually is. The struggle with a lot of spirituality and pagan paths is that it takes one person to make you feel like you are wrong. I have felt this many times until I met my partner and I have come to realise things happen because they do, you work the way you do because it is right for you and that's what is important. 
Just this week I was questioned By a fellow Pagan. I honour my ancestors and spirits all year round in the morning when I wake up and before I sleep, I acknowledge the spirit I have in my house, how do I honour the ancestors when the Veil is thin? I said the same as I always do and I do not see as the veil is thinning per say, but that the ancestors are more significant at this time of transition of death as the trees lose their leaves and also the many festivals associated with death at this time of year. I was told immediately I was wrong and this knocked me back and I suppose a part of my belief in my workings died at that moment. I accepted the comments and whilst in Cornwall I reflected heavily. I spoke to many locals in Boscastle and this fuelled my reflection more. how a community was so accepting of the strange and mysterious no matter how you looked at it or practiced made me wonder. After Reading Cassandra Latham-Jones's book I realised that it isn't about being a traditional witch. Or needing to be perfect in your practice, it is about doing what feels right and usually the spirits and ancestors will guide you and tell you if you are wrong.

So reflect when people or you yourself make you falter. seek sound advice and ask the Spirits for guidance.

Sigrid Skadi  

Cassandra Latham-Jones Website: https://villagewisewoman.co.uk/
Cassandra Latham-Jones Blog: https://grumpyoldwitchcraft.com/

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