THE GRIMOIRE
OSTARA ISSUE: BEGINNINGS
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
The days are getting lighter and the weather is (hopefully) getting better. There’s something particularly magical about this time of year, when the cold months of winter give way to spring and the renewal of the Earth.
As a pagan, I try to by in tune with the energies of the world around me; the subtle shifts in the air for example and the warmth that comes with the strengthening sunlight. At this particular point of the calendar year, in between Imbolc and leading to Ostara, it’s the perfect time to reflect, give thanks for what has been in the previous seasons, and look ahead to what is to come. It’s also a time to lay down the seeds of growth, so to speak.
It seems fitting, therefore, that this new issue of The Grimoire is centered around the theme of ‘beginnings’ as this year will see lots of ‘firsts’ for me personally. I will be getting married around Samhain, which I cannot wait for, and I also have a sense that this year will also be a significant one in developing my personal Craft, but in an exciting way.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the contributors to this issue, who have all given their take on the theme. The different interpretations and ways in which they have been expressed are, as I’m sure you’ll agree, special and inspiring. When I first had the idea for this magazine, it was a goal of mine to provide a place for all Crafts, practices, and creative expressions - this issue certainly achieves that!
I hope you enjoy reading and that you, too, are inspired for whatever new beginnings are set to come your way this year. Blessed be.
Pantherion
The Beginning: A Pagan’s View
By TudorBeth
As I sit on a very rickety train to the medieval city of Lincoln, I begin my journey. Beginnings are a mixture of excitement, delight, and anxious worry of what have I forgot! Yet beginnings are also the effect of endings.
Time is viewed as having an end: the 24-hour day ends and a new one begins, the seven day week ends and flows into a month. After twelve months end, we say goodbye to an old year and hello to a new one full of expectation and resolutions, in which we are determined not to repeat the negatives of the past.
Time for many religions also has an end; Christianity has a definitive end with Judgement Day and the Apocalypse. Yet western societies count their years from the beginning of Anno Domini, the birth of Jesus Christ in whom Christians follow. Early Christians believed firmly in a thousand years before Christ’s return. In that time, society would disintegrate and all manner of evils would walk the earth, heralded by the four horsemen of the Apocalypse: Death, War, Famine, and Pestilence. Some would argue we are living in the end days now but history is littered with end times, all great civilizations and empires come to an end.
There has never been a golden age of equality, respect, fairness, honesty and other out of reach but not impossible virtues.
Though I do not believe in end times; as a Pagan my Cosmology is cyclical. There is no beginning or end, just a constant cycle of one season into another. My presence on that cycle in the here and now is for a limited time and when I have ventured into the Summerlands, time will continue and the spring bulbs, summer plants, autumn fruits, and holly trees of winter I have planted will continue to grow and bloom. The garden is the beginning without any ends.
There are no four horsemen of the Apocalypse as a Pagan. There is no Judgement Day to transgress my sins as the notion of sins does not exist within the Pagan world. As a practitioner of the Craft, a hedgewitch, time does not begin or end, it flows through a cyclical stream of nature and beauty with all its harsh winters and drought ridden summers. Yet they are all embraced by reverence and ritual.
I write this now not only at the beginning of a train journey but also at the beginning of spring. We have festivals that recognise the changes of the year but the passing seasons do not mean the end, they mean transition and our beginnings are ‘welcomings’. We welcome the spring, the summer, the autumn and the winter and all the changes they bring.
Our endings are gratitudes for the gifts each season has brought us. Our new year, Samhain or Halloween, is full of mischief and fun but also gratitude and a chance to meet and respect our loved ones in spirit once more. Samhain may mean the passing of the farming year but it is not an end and neither is death for that matter.
But here we are now in spring with all its changes imbued with the icy winds of March and warm days of May. April with its sunshine and showers delivers rainbows aplenty as gardens begin to yield their first harvests of nettles, herbs, asparagus, spring onions, and edible blossoms of hawthorn and elderflowers.
I embrace all the beginnings this season brings and all the possibilities that find their way to me.
Each new moon within the spring is an opportunity given to me by the universe to make a change or begin something new. But there is no need to wait for a new moon or a new season, as each new day brings possibility and if we wanted to, each dying minute gives birth to a new moment of possibility.
And so the cycle continues with no end and no beginning, we have such power and possibility in every moment we breathe that beginnings become our starting point to make a difference.
Therefore:
Embrace the spring and all the magic it can bring.
Embrace the love that is found within and share to all your kin.
Welcome the day, there is no mountain in your way.
Begin the journey and find your path,
For you will be, home at last.
Blessed be.
Tudorbeth
Tudorbeth is a hereditary witch and is the author of the Hedgewitch’s Little Books series. The latest one is The Hedgewitch’s Little Book of Crystal Spells and is out this spring.
Her website is www.houseofbeith.com: House of Beith, Writer and Author of fiction & novels | Sarah Coyne books and novels
The beauty of beginnings
BY MOZINAH THE SEERAs a working tarot reader and aspiring druidess, I see beginnings happen almost all the time. Whether it be for a client or within the cycles of the earth itself, beginnings (with its sister death) are two polarities and natural happenings we cannot escape from.
A new beginning for us as humans can come in many forms and guises, and does not follow a set pattern or theme. It’s a very individualised thing, sort of setting us apart from the cycles of the natural world and to some extent the animal kingdom. We have learnt to build our world to a much more modern standard (of which the topic is debatable most of the time as to whether this is a help or a hindrance) and have somehow lost touch with our primal instincts.
This is why I want to explore the theme of beginnings under the umbrella topic of survival modes, and how we can recognise them in ourselves and also in a divinatory manner.
As helpful as the modern age can be with some things, it has allowed us to become a little bit of a prisoner to a way of life that doesn’t suit our basic survival needs and paces. Yes, we have absolutely developed to manage more, that’s without a doubt, but as someone who quietly observes the world around her and the burnout effect this has on us as people, its worth remembering that we still have control to create a new beginning that fits with our inner needs and aligns us to the world and its rhythms more.
As exciting and glamourous a city life can be, more and more people are finding themselves drawn to a quieter pace of life and a purposeful existence stripped back to the roots of our ancestors. So I pose the question, how do we exit survival mode for a life of authentic surviving? How do we implement such a 'drastic' new beginning in a world that’s becoming more and more dependent on modernity?
These steps are in no particular order and should be applied in a way that works for you.
One of my favourite things to welcome a new beginning is to first make space for one. If you feel the need for something new, there is a subconscious (or conscious if you are good at analysing yourself) need to let go or remove something from your life that is taking up space. A physical start to this new canvas can be helpful for visualising your new path. Holding on to 'dead stock' or old memories takes up space in the home that is no longer needed.
With us owning more possessions and 'just stuff' now, a good clearout of the place you seek safety and warmth can prove very beneficial for the mind. If you see yourself carrying out this action of 'I am' then you will it to be. Stripping things back to the bare essentials can also prove to be a way to properly start your new journey, allowing yourself only the things you need rather than what feeds your ego.
Although, by no means go crazy, take it in baby steps if you need to!
Making space for something new allows the energy to enter your life freely, easily and with ease.
1. Make physical space for a new beginning
2. Recognise your mode and invest in your health.
If you feel as though you're in this modern survival mode of having to constantly do, and never rest, then being able to assess this within yourself can be a big help to you. Your mind, body and soul are your greatest assets. Listening to when you need to rest, or make a GP/Holisitic appointment, is a step that should not be overlooked.
Looking after ourselves is very important, and again, in this modern world something I see many people push to the side in the race to the top, then when they get there, their body and mind cannot physically keep up with the pace of it. This is not me saying don’t be ambitious; it’s me saying work within your limits and only push the boundaries when you have something to give and it feels good.
You will from time to time find yourself in a situation where it cant be avoided, however, learning to apply this restful method to ensure your mind and body can function at its best, is a key step. For me, this looks like only eating certain foods when I truly crave them, trying to get active (within my limits, but occasionally try something new) and trying to maintain a sleeping pattern. Life is so precious and our natural world is designed to work with us, try to find time and place to re-root yourself.
3. Write down a plan.
When we make physical space for something, and clear out our physical body for new things, we must then take note of the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of inviting these things in to our lives. One brilliant way to do this, is to write it down.
The act of writing something is a mental process of refinement and taking time to figure out what it is you truly want to enter your life. By seeing a written document, and allowing yourself to emotionally let the words on the page sink in, you recognise whether this aligns with your core values and needs for this new beginning to take place. The act of refinement and allowing yourself to truly bring into your life what you want, opens up your horizons.
There may be new ways of achieving this new beginning you hadn’t previously considered, or ideas may flow better when you can see this plan taking shape in front of you.
4. Observe
In druidry, observation of the cycles and patterns of death and rebirth shed light and shadows on the things we may let slip under the radar. The hibernation of summer flowers allow snowdrops in winter, the lack of light allows for time by the fire with family. These cycles and patterns are something we can use to learn to apply, or will into our lives, the very things we are wanting to release and then welcome.
Whilst I could do a whole seperate article on the Sabbats and seasons, moon phases and astrology patterns associated to this, I will say, keep it simple: a new moon means the perfect time to plant the seed of your plan, Samhain is the best sabbat for death and renewal, Aries is one of the best signs for newness as its the child of the zodiac and hosts an optimisim the other 11 signs lack due to its naivety but belief in the world.
Understand how this rhytmic patterns can be used in your own life and take the opportunity to use it to your advantage.
What does newness look like in a divinatory manner?
For me, a new beginning is often symbolised by some quite scary looking cards. Yes, I am talking about the Death, Tower and 10 of Swords, to name but a few. These cards signify the end of things no longer in our control, that our very own spiritual and physical wellbeing no longer has room for.
Whilst these cards can look frightening to the untrained eye, I see them as some of the most powerful and greatly misunderstood cards in the deck. There is no beginning without death, no calm without chaos, and its within that mess, we find ourselves and our light again.
Should these cards be followed by an Ace, The Sun, or even The Lovers (think happy cards) then this backs up the notion to 100% trust the process you are going through, as the end result will be exactly what you are hoping for.
Celtic wishes
Mozinah
Website: www.mozinahtheseer.co.uk
IG: mozinahtheseer
FB: facebook.com/MozinahtheSeer
In the semi-sleep of 6am a new day begins.
A double-decker bus, stops, its screeching brakes, interrupt the silence.
A passenger sits at the window. She watches the wakening light of the rising sun, stretching through the shadows.
A blackbird welcomes the light with the celebration of song, the first of the morning.
The flowers open, their petals reach for the sunlight as though for the first time.
But the brightness of the morning doesn’t carry only light.
The new day exposes the shy, the introvert.
Those who’d prefer to stay hidden.
Those who’d prefer to remain in twilight, in the darkness of night.
New Day Conundrum
By Kevin Brooke
Breathe, Balance, Believe
BY INNER KNOWINGS - CREATIVE, INTUITIVE READER AND DREAMER OF BIG, BUT HUMBLE DREAMS.Circa 2019: Ideas person seeks self confidence and belief in manifesting said ideas. Likes oracle cards, photography and spiritual development. Dislikes imposter syndrome and negative thoughts.
Fast forward a few years - life is different. More self belief, a ‘why not’ attitude and having learnt how to just play with ideas without pressure - my card deck began its life as we know it.
Having been a ‘snapper’, (I’m not serious enough to be a photographer) for many many years, I’d accumulated a huge library of photos which I felt contained a decent amount of cool and quirky shots. The idea of a photography-based oracle deck had been mulling around for some time and my usual ‘one day’ manifesting approach had been implemented for said deck a few years previously, and was now finding energy to grow.
What would they look like? What would they say? Do I need to know all of that to start? Surely not, especially if I asked for spiritual guidance along the way. So that’s exactly what I did!
I already had a number of my favourite images to work with. I set about a barrage of research into the practicalities of producing my own deck - card size, deck size, card thickness and finish, printers in the UK, printers abroad. Do I need a box? Do I need a guide book - do I even want those things? Where do my boundaries and my budget fit? Could I make them as accessible and affordable as I wanted them to be? Was it a bit of a rabbit hole? - oh yes!! But slowly by sticking to my values and keep putting it out to the universe I started getting somewhere, just not quite where I wanted to be - yet!
I decided to focus on the design whilst the universe did its magic helping me get to the some of the technical decisions.
I had the idea of matching words, messages, photos and little icons, but still wasn’t sure how to make it different. Once again I asked for inspiration in the form of spiritual intervention and channeled through the notion of breaking the deck down by chakras, then later came the concept of the three master cards and my key message - the name and notion of the deck was born:
Breathe, Balance, Believe. My new mantra!
It just worked, and I loved it! The creative energy was flowing with abundance! Thank you universe!
ABOUT THE DECK
This unique collection of cards is the first deck to be created in the Inner Knowings collection.
Born out of personal experience and featuring, at least, a decade of my photography collection - this deck is easy to use for general readings, offering simple but insightful guidance at your fingertips. This deck is also locally produced and hand finished for extra beautiful energy.
Each card in the 52 set deck collaborates beautiful and contemporary imagery with feel good icons and channeled messages from spirit, all open for interpretation by your own intuition.
These are suitable for all abilities from beginners to pro ' s and can clearly present the key messages and guidance intended for the recipient. Perfect for everyday use or simply just checking in with what you need to know.
The energy of these cards are positive, enlightening and are created with pure love to bring joy to others.
Breathe, Balance and Believe is not only the mantra for this beautiful deck, it’s also an essential message for each of us in our everyday lives. Whenever you need it, simply remember to breathe, find balance and believe in yourself!
This deck is available to buy at:
https://innerknowings.square.site/product/ breathebalancebelieveoracle/1?cs true
Let’s talk about re-beginnings
BY PANTHERIONWe always associate a ‘beginning’ as the start of something, a blank page so to speak. After all, that is the dictionary definition! But is that always the case? What if a ‘beginning’ takes place after the main beginning has already… begun…?
Life isn’t linear. It is full of ups and downs; peaks and valleys as I like to think of them. Some of those peaks are higher than others and the valleys varying in depth. And it can sometimes be impossible to predict when the slope starts. What is certain though is that both types have the potential to halt our progress. Sometimes, we need to pause (I hesitate to use the word ‘stop’ as you’ll see later on) in order for our energy to build back up again so that we can dedicate a suitable amount of it to whatever goals or responsibilities we need to. This in itself is a beginning, one where we turn inward and look to discover why we might be stagnating or losing our way, and that can be hugely daunting.
That’s natural. After all, it’s a breakaway from the path that might have seemed it was heading in the direction you wanted. But let’s look a bit closer.
As a poet and writer, I get a huge surge of excitement when starting a new poem, more so when I perform that poem for the first time. Similarly, as a pagan, there is something about the time around a new moon or the Sabbats that gives the energies I work with a boost. And don’t get me started on the excitement from holding a new tarot deck for the first time! All of these instances, plus many others that I could mention, have rekindled a passion within me at one point or another. And quite often, I’ve learnt something new as a result.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the journey I was on before is over. Remember, it was only on pause!
Pantherion is a practicing eclectic male witch living in Worcester, UK. He draws on candle magic as a major part of his craft, combined with the use of herbs and crystals, always striving to trust his intuition where possible. He practices tarot and oracle card reading, mainly in a personal setting but has also read for his loved ones. Pantherion is the host and creator of The Old Path Podcast, which details the experience of being a practicing witch in the modern era. The podcast is available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vTyLnvHwtXciJvwJT2haq?si=6c2a7caa07b742c2
Let’s use some tarot cards to carry on this thought. On first viewing, cards like The Tower and Death in the major arcana and the three, nine, and ten of swords in the minor arcana can be unsettling. Yet if we combine them with the aces, the Lovers or Empress, or one of my personal favourites, the ten of cups, and we soon realise that while pausing and travelling down another road, even if it’s a temporary one, can be unnerving, it is calling us for a reason, possibly that there is something that we might have missed and which needs to be rediscovered, or re-begin.
And at this time of year in between Imbolc and Ostara – where the energies in the air and the earth are just starting to blossom after the hibernation of the colder winter months – it’s an ideal time to take a look at what may have been brewing in the back of our minds and consider if the time is right to dedicate more time to bringing them to life. There are certainly examples I can give from my own Craft!
Again, to look at the tarot cards, during the Snow Moon in February, I laid out all my decks (14 in total) on may altar and allowed them to recharge under the Moon’s energy, with the intention to reconnect with them once they were imbued with that new energy. I had a sense that the cards all wanted to begin our various relationships again. So I listened. And it had to be that the first deck that called out to me to begin that reconnection was one that a close friend gave to me before he passed away just before the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK.
Getting back onto what you feel is the ‘right’ path again is not always straightforward. But once you do, and you begin to walk it again, it is an experience that is fulfilling and exciting in equal measure
Whatever that path looks like for you, I wish you all the best as you begin, or re-begin, your journey.
Blessed Be Pantherion.
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The Old Path
Thank you for reading this issue of The Grimiore Magazine! I hope you have enjoyed reading the articles and they have given you something to take on your own journey.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all the contributors to this issue. Your words have been a joy to read and I am incredibly grateful for your time and energy in putting them together. Do please check out the contributors on their various channels and learn more about what they do.
If you want to contribute to a future issue, please feel free to email me at pantherion78@gmail.com or connect with me on social media.
Lastly, I wish you a blessed Ostara, however you mark the Sabbat and I hope the beginnings that come your way are beautiful ones.
Blessed Be Pantherion
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