Mabon (Autumn Equinox) 2013

Dark Mirror no. 74
Dark Mirror
Mabon (Autumn Equinox) 2013
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Dark Mirror no. 74
Contents
Behind the Mirror .................................................................................................................................... 3
Disclaimer ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
District managers report ....................................................................................................................... 4
Messages of the season ........................................................................................................................... 5
News and events ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Cornwall ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Devon .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Project Yggdrasil ......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Museum of Witchcraft (MOW) ............................................................................................................................. 11
Lammas Picnic 2013 .............................................................................................................................. 11
Forthcoming events ............................................................................................................................... 13
Articles ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Prehistory at the National Museum of Denmark (Michele) ................................................................... 14
Recipes ....................................................................................................................................................... 17
The Cornish Pasty ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Moots .......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Cornwall (Kernow) .................................................................................................................................................... 18
Devon (Dumnonia) .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Members advertisements .................................................................................................................... 20
Who is who locally.................................................................................................................................. 21
Your District Officers ................................................................................................................................................ 21
PF Products ................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Webmaster .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
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Dark Mirror no. 74
Behind the Mirror
Dear readers,
Welcome to the Dark Mirror -this edition covers the end of the harvest season as we enter
darker half of the year. The cover shows our dark mirror surrounded by fruits and seeds of
autumn, gathered from local woods, and illuminated by clouded sun of autumn. This issue
carries news and poems from Lammas games and events, a recipe, and Michele's articles
about prehistory in Denmark and lots of news from an active moot community. Enjoy!
The editor always welcomes news from local moots about their events and activities, directly
or via their RC. Thanks to all contributors to this issue, and those on hold to the next.
Blessed Be,
Harvey – DM Editor
Dark Mirror submissions
Dark Mirror (DM) is read by Pagan Federation District Members and most likely any other
Pagans. The aim of the Dark Mirror continues to be to reflect the work of the local PF (PFDCI)
and its members, illuminate news and events in our area, and to provide a platform for local
pagans to share their thoughts, poems, prose, stories, recipes, craft items, views, and articles
of general pagan interest. Articles can be ca 3-4 pages of A4 (inc. images).
Send your submissions in any digital format to the DM editor via email
DarkMirrorMagazine@gmail.com or by mail to:
Dark Mirror, PF Devon, Cornwall & Isles, PO Box 314, Exeter EX4 6YR.
Copy deadlines
Please get your articles in by the deadline and the editor will do their best to get them into the
newsletter that aims to be with members by the relevant festival.
ISSUE
Spring Equinox (Ostara)
Summer Solstice (Litha)
Autumn Equinox (Mabon)
Winter Solstice (Yule)
DEADLINE
21st February
21st May
21st August
21st November
PF Members only advertising
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Disclaimer
Dark Mirror is the District Newsletter of the Pagan Federation - Devon, Cornwall and the
Isles (PFDCJ) and is only available to members of the Pagan Federation. The views and/or
opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, printers,
PFDCI or the Pagan Federation. Mention within this publication should not be seen as an
endorsement of any events, meetings, moots or products, and no responsibility can be
accepted by us for such items.
Copyright - items remain copyright of authors and artists, and are reproduced here with
their kind permission. All other items are copyright PFDCI.
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District managers report
Dear All,
It is with great pleasure that I wish all our members the brightest of blessings for the season.
As we approach Mabon and Samhain n our way to Yule we Pagans know that we are ready for
the time of well earned rest, renewal and regeneration for all that we revere and that includes,
of course, ourselves. I have been gifted fruits today from neighbours and the hedgerow in
abundance. It is a fine autumn harvest this year in our blessed District.
You will really enjoy this edition of Dark Mirror filled with news and information. The articles
are a credit to the members who have contributed, showing their communication skills and
depth of study - true common Pagan goals. If you have an idea for this newsletter, please do
not hesitate to contact the editor. Remember that member's small ads are free.
Our next fabulous PF DCI Conference 2014 details are announced on page 13, and I would
encourage you to book your chalet in advance as well as a ticket, to ensure you have a real
pagan party weekend. I heard that accommodation was booked out last year.
Blessed Be to all in our Federation of Pagans, varied path-working as we are, we are also as
One. I have heard of so much individual success during the last quarter that my pride in you
(and you know who you are!) is now a bubble of megalithic proportions. Jobs Well Done.
Maia
District Manager
Pagan Federation Devon, Cornwall & Isles
Vacancy
MEMBER VOLUNTEER NEEDED IN CORNWALL
Please contact either Maia (District Manager) or Fiona (Regional Coordinator for Cornwall)
(see page 21) if you have spare time, want to help your fellow Pagans, are pretty nifty on
computers, and if you like meeting really interesting people. WE NEED YOU!
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Messages of the season
This issues poem comes courtesy of Myghal Map Serpren (Michael, son of Carpenter) and was
the winning poem at this year Lammas games.
Devos
Ritual
Lor Trevas a-ugh Kernow haneth yn nos
A Harvest Moon o’er Kernow tonight
Del savaf war an Carn
As upon the Carn I stand
Gwel yn mes troha’n mor pell
A view out toward the distant sea
Adrus an hendyr-na
Across this ancient land
Tan ow lesky lusow ysel
A fire burning embers low
Dyslyw meles war enep dyscryjyk
Ochre stain upon Pagan face
Ha geryow a Gernewek ow curgana
And words of Cornish chanting out
War ben an tyller carnak-ma
Atop this rocky place
An menhyr-growyn a lever drollys
The granite menhir tales to tell
A dhenethyans, a vewnans, a vernans
Of birth and life and death
Myl pyl callester war an vre-ma
A thousand flint arrowheads upon this hill
Spyryjyon anbarhus gelwys war wragh-wheth
Ephemeral spirits called on Wiccan breath
Gwythyas a Yst ha North ha Soth ha West
Guardians of East, North, South and West
Athame synsys a’ban awartha kelegel lenter
Athame held aloft above chalice bright
Lufyow dalghennys yn sawder a’n kelgh
Hands grasped in circle secured sound
Del lughes an laun dur yn golow Goslor
As steel blade flashes in Blood Moon’s light
Ha devosow a bys war knogh dygoweth
And rituals continue on solitary mound
Kepar ha termyn us passyes pell tremenys
Just like past times far gone on by
A’n par na fordhow ha geryow drewydhek
dygelmys
As Druidic ways and words unbound
War woles ebren Gelt taranek
Beneath thundery Celtic sky
© Myghal, Map Serpren
© Myghal Map Serpren
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News and events
Cornwall
RC Report (from Fiona)
As a committed fan of Old Dotty, I always turn first to her page in 'Pagan Dawn'. This issue
rang bells with me because of her trenchant comments about a sense of community. To be a
successful community requires sharing and commonality she writes - and the willingness to
bond with each other through shared action and belief. When I read this I had recently been
to 'Know Thyself' in Falmouth, where Caroline has been running a series of interesting events
throughout the year, including regular Wheel of the Year presentations by the wonderful
Steve Patterson, known to many of us as a great storyteller, occultist and folklore expert, as
well as a great craftsman in wood.
His Lammas talk was attended by precisely two people, so just as well I made the effort to go
then. The shamanic drumming session beforehand drew no attendance at all. So why do we
all bother to take the trouble to put on events if no-one bothers to take part? There is
certainly no lack of pagans in West Cornwall but these days they do seem to be conspicuous
by their absence.
One other interesting piece in 'Pagan Dawn' was "A Clarion Call To Action" by Jean Williams, a
stalwart activist for the PF over many decades. The PF survives because of people like Jean,
who not only take the trouble to join, but also volunteer their skills and talents. I know
everyone loves and supports our annual conference in Penstowe, but a year's worth of
organising goes into that - and into all the moots, rituals, meetings, etc that are put on
throughout the year.
You all know what I'm going to say next: Cornwall, we need a new Coordinator from
March! And please support local activities, otherwise people will become disheartened and
stop organising them - which would be a great pity. We learn so much from each other - and
have so much fun too - and no amount of cyber activity can replace that!
Meantime back at the coalface, apart from my Lammas trip to Falmouth, and
previously for Summer Solstice (another good talk from Steve and again a lovely ritual after), I
have also been to Bude. Their June Moot had a really interesting presentation by Ike Green on
natural remedies, creams, lotions and potions - and excellent elderflower champagne and
nettle soup too! By the way, a travel note - if you are in south Brittany and feel overwhelmed
at Carnac, go a little bit further south to Locmariaquer: magic - much less crowded and much
more accessible. Lots of good pics if you 'Google'.
Penwith Pagan Moot (Fiona)
I found myself organizing the July Moot, in the absence of Sarah & Dave (in beautiful Brittany)
and brave Eve away camping, though in the event the weather was glorious. So I invited my
friend Pam Masterson from The Healing Star in Penzance to talk to us on the Triple Goddess,
and persuaded Katie Bainbridge to do a brief report:
"Thank you Pam for a very interesting and enlightening July '13 moot at the Benbow. The
triple aspect of the Goddess: Maiden, Mother and Crone are each to be celebrated for the
unique gifts that they bring. It is easy to see the benefits of the youthful Maiden or the lifegiving Mother, but Pam brought to life the true nature and invaluable role of the Crone. "I
remember a young man once challenging a friend of mine who said that she was happy to
move into Crone. 'What's to celebrate?' he said. She replied: 'Wisdom and the freedom to be
myself without the need to conform to the wishes of others.' Oddly enough, this was
something that was echoed at the moot too. The altar, decorated with shells and three
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candles: white for the Maiden, red for the Mother and black for the Crone. I have to admit that
the handouts regarding the Goddesses would have really disturbed me in my Church going
years. I would have found Shelagh-na-Gig to be enough to scare a brazen strumpet into
joining a convent and taking a vow of chastity! More enlightened as I am now, I can see the
symbolism and appreciate its meaning. It is only by moving through the phases of the triple
aspects that we can understand them. We were reminded also that, male or female, we all
have an inner goddess/feminine aspect. "In the second half, Pam took us on a journey to meet
our inner Goddess. My mind tends to wander down various other routes during meditation,
but I held to this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. "To those who chose to stay at home and
soak up the sun in the back garden: you missed a good one!"
Notes on the Triple Goddess [with thanks to Pam]
Maiden: pure and chaste, sexually active and personally creative, warrior
Mother: fertile mother/nurturing worker, Queen of Heaven
Crone: the three aspects of the Wise Woman are: Seer and Guardian of the crossroads
between birth and death (Hecate); protectress and bringer of retribution (Sekhmet), Queen of
the Underworld, High Priestess of Magic and Mystery, Enchantress (Persephone).
The Divine Feminine has been suppressed within Western society for centuries, particularly
by the Church, although it started long before then. (It is interesting to note that the name
'Jehovah' can be translated as 'Father, Mother, Son, Daughter'.)

The denial of the feminine principle is not part of the Christian teachings - only what
has happened to Christianity in its exoteric form and this had more to do with
temporal power than spiritual.

Inner male/female - in order to be creative, we must work with our polarity: force
(masculine) and form (feminine) - they are both within us.

We need to re-empower ourselves by reconnecting to the Divine Feminine - not to
bring back a matriarchal system, but to restore balance, so that God and Goddess,
Priest and Priestess, Man and Woman may stand side by side - different but equal.

Within the Western psyche there is a fear of the old, dark, devouring Earth Mother,
who at one time had to be appeased by blood sacrifices. Because She has been
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suppressed within our consciousness She has never been allowed to evolve into the
higher aspect of the Goddess: the Queen of Heaven.
She has survived as the Virgin Mary
(herself only elevated to Queen of
Heaven in 1954!), but She is an
incomplete image of the Goddess,
one that is denied any sexuality for a
start.
Part of our process, then, involves
contacting the aspect of the Goddess
within ourselves - feeling her anger
and rage. But we must move on to
feeling Her sorrow, sacred sexuality,
strength, power and wisdom; and
most of all Her love and compassion.
She must be allowed to evolve
within us. Remember all women are
Isis, as all men are Osiris. Women
are the vehicles of the Goddess - she
will return to her equal status through them and regain recognition and respect.
Symbols associated with the Goddess
Moon, earth, water, the sea, shells, owls, ravens, crows, feathers, bees, honey, mirror,
grail/chalice, birth, growth, death, nature, spirals, circles, cycles, caves, crossroads, stones,
salt, crystals, spiders, webs, labyrinth, maze, cats, pigs, hares, horses, cows, eggs, rose, and the
number nine.
Nine is the number associated with the moon (the 3 aspects of the Goddess each have their
own 3 aspects - hence 3 x 3 = 9). Human pregnancy lasts 9 months (divided into 3
trimesters). The diameter of the moon is 2,160 miles, which in Numerology adds up to 9
(equally for 3474 km). Yesod, the sphere of the moon, is the 9th Sephira on the Kabbalistic
tree of life.
From Moon Magic: Dion Fortune
"I am she who 'ere the earth was formed
Was Rhea, Binah, Ge.
I am that soundless, boundless, bitter sea
Out of whose deeps life wells eternally.
Astarte, Aphrodite, Astoreth Giver of life and bringer-in of death;
Hera in heaven, on earth Persephone;
Diana of the ways and Hecate All these am I and they are seen in me,
The hour of the high full moon draws near;
I hear the invoking words, hear and appear Shaddai el Chai and Rhea, Binah, Ge
I come unto the priest who calleth me "
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Bude Moot (Debbie)
Bude Moot is enjoying good attendance with members from many different paths. In recent
months we have had a Beltane ceremony complete with May Pole and Lughnasadh ceremony,
both out in the public eye in the Peace Garden by Summerleaze beach in Bude. We had
another delightful evening with the lovely Ike Green and Hedgerow Cookery, her elder flower
Fizz was a great hit! Fiona wisely chose this night to visit us!
Coming up in September we have Moot member Essie Nichols talking about her smallholding,
in October Moot member Wendy Trevennor is talking about 'Voodoo - a much maligned
tradition', November and December Moots will be Samhain and Winter Solstice ceremonies,
accompanied by the obligatory feast of course! Visitors are always welcome!
For more information please visit our Facebook page 'Bude Pagan Moot' or call me, Debbie, on
01409 254144.
Blessings Debbie - www.specialdaysinspecialways.co.uk
Devon
RC Report (Michele)
A wonderful day at The Hurlers! We had a little light drizzle to start the event but it soon
passed into a warm cloudy afternoon. Around 40 people attended from several moots across
the region, some of who were new faces to my fellow RC and myself. Fiona dragged me away
from my organising to meet and welcome these new folk. We started by 'Crying the Neck' of
wheat and oats planted especially (by the garden birds) every year. Luckily, we had a Cornish
speaker, namely Mike, who led us novices enthusiastically in both Cornish and English. We
were especially good at the 'Hurrah' bit at the end; apparently, we could be clearly heard by
people over the far side of the Cheese Ring!
Nearly everyone took part in the games, in fact people had started competing before I even
realised, so eager were folk to be the Goddess's Champion! Our contenders for champion were
Chris who won the Welly Boot Hurl, Robin won the Discus Challenge, Mike won the Creative
Crafts with his poem (in this issue), Jim won the Skilful Quoits and became overall Champion
with a third place in the Welly Boot Hurl. Sophie came top in the Ladies Welly Boot Hurl and
spoke for the Goddess in the closing ritual.
Thanks to everyone who came and supported this Pagan community event, took part in the
games and in the closing ritual. Thanks to everyone who took part in the Craft section, for
your artistic breads, eloquent poetry and songs, and for making us laugh with your jokes. And
thanks to those people whom I volunteered to do things without warning.
Special thanks to my fellow RC Fiona for her support, Phill for helping run the games, Jules for
taking the photos of the day, and Harvey for keeping the events on schedule and keeping me
sane on the day! I had such a brilliant time, for the next few days I was so very tired and had
lost my voice!
Future Date for your Diary!
PF Lammas Picnic & Lughnasadh Games 2014. Sunday 17th August, 2pm at The Hurlers.
"Bright Blessings of the Goddess of the Corn, of the Sun God Lugh
and of the Harvest Spirit upon you all throughout the dark half of the year!"
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Exeter Pagan Circle (Matt)
Since Beltane, the circle has been meeting weekly and settled in at the Mill on the Exe every
Wednesday at 8pm. Some members have attended open rituals hosted by the Druid Order of
Tamaris. These are held at Duloe Stone Circle near Liskeard and we have felt warmly
welcomed. Members have also attended moots in Bradninch.
We have also held open rituals ourselves; after a call for help, we held an open ritual to send
our support to badgers facing their unethical and impractical cull. After a developer felled
some magnificent trees in the town, members looked into Exeter's conservation
arrangements and preservation system and found the system to be ad hoc and patchy - but
quite easy to apply for a preservation order for a tree. Members now monitor the felling
applications made to Exeter council. The circle also held an open ritual to send energy to
combat Ash die back, as part of "Project Yggdrasil". For further information of Exeter Pagan
Circle, and future events, check our facebook page (details in the contact section)
West Moor Moot, Tavistock (Michele & Harvey)
Our moot has been constant and busy with lots of interest and attendance from people of
various paths. Often we start the gathering with a grounding meditation to bring the focus to
the evening's topic. The June moot discussed Otherworld Cosmology; in general most are
based on the three worlds of Upper, Middle and Lower realms. In particular, we talked about
the 'nutshell' universe from the Celtic Shaman by John Matthews and the Nordic Yggdrasil
World Tree. Then we constructed a collective moot cosmology, one person used an elevator,
ingenious!
July we discussed Animal Allies and the differing descriptions of totems, familiars, power
animals and a little about the practice of shapeshifting. My favourite book on this subject is
Familiars by Anna Franklin as it concerns British animals who if we are lucky can meet out in
the countryside. Did you know there is definite evidence in the archaeological record that
dogs domesticated humans by 30,000 years ago? We had great fun reading out our Celtic
animal birth signs to the moot. An inspiring and talented shamanic artist to look at is Imelda
Alqvist who paints otherworldly images for the Sacred Trust.
August we talked about symbols used in Paganism such as the Solar Cross, the Swastika,
Labyrinth, Spiral and Pentacle to name a few. To finish the evening we spoke about then
performed the Dragon Tree Bindrune from the Dragon Environmental Network. Despite the
crush in our front room, everyone joined in...
Project Yggdrasil
Last November, when we first learnt about the dreadful threat to our Ash trees from ash
dieback fungus, a group of us felt we had to try to counter this threat on a magical as well as a
physical level, and Project Yggdrasil was born. The project is a concerted magical effort from
anyone who wishes to join in, at the same time every week, to help stem the threat to our Ash
trees.
If you would like to join with Project Yggdrasil, it is very simple. Everyone makes their own
magic in whatever form they choose at 9.00 p.m. every Wednesday evening to protect our Ash
trees and drive the dieback fungus away.
Wednesday was chosen because it is the day of Woden/Odin, the God who hung on Yggdrasil
for nine days and nights to bring us the wisdom of the runes. The time 9.00 pm was chosen
because usually people with family responsibilities have some free time around then. What
form of magic you make is entirely up to you. You might light candles or chant or hold a ritual
with friends, or work directly with trees. I am sure you will think of your own unique and
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wonderful ways to do this. The more of us that work together on this and combine our
magical wills, the better our chance of helping the situation. It does not matter two hoots
what path or magical system you follow, all are welcome.
Project Yggdrasil started small and local in Devon and Cornwall, but quickly went viral via the
web and it was wonderful to hear that people in lots of parts of the world were prepared to
join in. That was last November but we are still going and we will keep on. Please could I
appeal to anyone who feels able to help to join Project Yggdrasil. I am not naive enough to
expect that we can do this with magic alone; practical help can also be offered via the
Woodland Trust, local nature conservation trusts and other charities and organisations and
we should do this too. We do, however, know that our has always worked magically when the
things we hold dear are threatened, and we also know that those efforts have been fruitful in
the past.
I invite you to join with us at 9.00 p.m. On Wednesdays, wherever you are, and whatever path
you follow. May the Old Ones bless and protect our Ash tree.
(Levannah)
Museum of Witchcraft (MOW)
Good news from the Museum, it was recently awarded Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence
2013, marking it out as a major attraction in the region. The recent 2013 statue of 'Pan (by
Devon artist Woody Fox) will remain on display for the rest of 2013, and is well worth a visit
itself.
In addition, in kind recognition of The Pagan Federation’s support of the Museum, PF
members will receive a £1.00 discount on the Museum entrance fee on production of their
current membership card. The offer is ongoing until further notice.
Lammas Picnic 2013
Exeter tourist office displayed a poster advertising the Devon & Cornwall Pagan Federation
Lammas picnic at the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor. This was held on the 11th August at 2pm and
organised by Harvey and Michele of the Tavistock moot. Over forty people converged on the
bronze age stone circle on the moor in surprisingly fine and warm weather, from all parts of
Devon and Cornwall. After the picnic, Redruth based Mike started the games with a "Crying
the Neck" in Cornish and English languages. This is a ceremony for the cutting of the grain
once practised throughout Devon and Cornwall and still regularly practised in Cornwall.
Welly throwing was enthusiastic, while the frisbee throwing was more skilled, with the best
display from the young people catching the returning frisbees! Then the quoits gave an
opportunity for people to hit Phill squarely in the sporran. Finally, the cultural event had
people singing, reciting poetry in Cornish and English, telling jokes and displaying their
Lammas loaves.
In the final round up, Jim came top of the men and so became the Lammas champion and
Sophie came top of the women and so represented the goddess. We then participated in an
open ritual to bless the harvest, and the Lammas loaf.
The event was well organised, and all participants enjoyed ourselves and would like to thank
Michele and Harvey for organising it!
(Matt)
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Lammas Picnic and
Games 2013
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Forthcoming events
Please make at note of the following events for your diary:
PF DCI Conference 2014 - Saturday 8th March at Penstowe Manor
The full conference programme is now confirmed. The speakers will be:




Rae Beth (no introduction needed),
Philip Shallcrass (aka Greywolf) Head of the British Druid Order,
Christina Oakley Harrington, runs Treadwells Bookshop in London and will be talking
about something related to the Golden Dawn, and finally
Al Cummins will talk about the magic of William Burroughs and Brion Gysin, the Fates,
cut ups and much more.
Damh is doing the evening music and there will be the fiendish quiz on the Friday night unless
we hear attendees would rather have an evening of singing and storytelling.
Full titles and biographies for the speakers will be released shortly.
PF DCI Lammas/Lughnasadh Picnic 2014 - Sunday 17th August at the Hurlers
Join us for the Annual Lughnasadh Games!
Games include the Welly Boot Hurl, Discus Challenge, Skilful Quoits, & Creative Crafts.
Join us as we Honour the Champion of the Goddess& Celebrate the Lammas Harvest.
Families and well-behaved dogs welcome! Bring food to share and leave no trace.
FFI westmoormoot@gmail.com
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Articles
Prehistory at the National Museum of Denmark (Michele)
Plentiful are the treasures exhibited in the prehistoric collection of the National Museum in
Copenhagen. As you enter the Mesolithic era, you come face to face with the large skeleton of
the Elk from Tåderup dated to 8,700 BP (Before Present). Anyone who had studied
prehistoric archaeology will recognise an old legend. Hunted as large game this wily elk was
wounded but evaded the hunters and then exhausted sank in a bog. The 1922 excavation
found with this creature a broken bone point and a large toothed bone harpoon, which clearly
demonstrated the skilful planning, and hunting strategies of our ancestors.
Spread among the prehistoric finds are quite literally pounds and pounds of amber; heavy
necklaces, loose axe shaped beads, huge pendants both plain and decorated and carved amber
animal figurines. Also, there are copious amounts of intricately decorated bone and antler
artefacts.
Several exhibits feature human remains from partial up to full burials. The ochre double
burial of a Woman and Child from Gøngehusvej (7,000 BP) is painfully exposed to visitors.
While the Bronze Age Oak Coffin Burials (3,000 BP) are kept in their own room in a respectful,
dim light. Combine this with the shiny glass cases and the result is the production of useless
images from flash photography and video cameras. This is still not a 'House of the Dead' and
very different from their original entombment in barrow mounds, but it is a semi peaceful
place of twilight where we can see and meet our ancestors. Excavations of ancient burials
produce evidence that the living were able to access the dead for extended periods before
tombs were finally sealed. Honouring the Ancient Dead (HAD) organisation has done much to
highlight the plight of human remains exhibited and archived in British museums. Reburial is
not an easy undertaking and there are many concerns about excavating human remains at all.
In humans there is a social need to see and remember the departed, especially now in our
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culturally detached state from death processes. HAD's statement that mausolea 'where the
dead can find peace, but remain accessible for scientific, educational and spiritual reasons'
should be developed, has my full support.
The richly decorated Dejbjerg Wagon was used as a
ceremonial vehicle for important processional
activities. Copenhagen Museum suggests it is one of
two carriages of a magnate, though the sight of it
brought to mind stories of traditional perambulations
of fertility god statues such as Nerthus or Frey in cult
wagons around the countryside. This magnificent, far
travelled and skilfully repaired wagon is Celtic in
origin and was ultimately dismantled and placed in a
Jutland bog in 2,050 BP.
The Sun Chariot of Trundholm has a surprising early date of 3,800-3,600 BP possibly due to
poor dating techniques at the time of excavation. One side of the sun disc is gilded with gold, it
depicts the daylight and the passage of the sun through the heavens; when the horse faces left
(or widdershins) the dark face of the bronze disc describes the passage of the moon though
the night sky.
In the same exhibit is a collection of decorated Danish bronze razors (3,100-2,500 BP) found
in cremated burial deposits. Archaeologist Flemming Kaul has studied the iconography of
boats, animals and the sun and using the Sun Chariot as a directional guide has arranged the
images to propose a mythological cycle of the sun. Kaul in his meticulous revision of these
artefacts has not used any comparison to the Old Norse religion. The images will remain very
much open to interpretation, as we can never understand them the way their makers did.
However, I have recreated this suggested cosmology for this article. I find the arrangement of
the collective images insightful and strongly evocative reflection of our ancestors.
Copenhagen Museum is also home to the fabulous Gundestrup Cauldron. It is a huge silver
vessel lavishly tooled with depictions of the ancient Gods and scenes of the Otherworld. I hope
to write about the cauldron next issue (Michele).
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Recipes
The Cornish Pasty
The Cornish Pasty has been the staple dish of Kernow since the beginning of time.
The usual filling is steak, usually skirt, potato, turnip and onion. Herbs from the hedgerow
were often used in times gone by and parsley is sometimes used today.
There is an old saying that the Devil never crossed the Tamar due to the common habit of
Cornish women putting most things into a pasty and he was not brave enough to risk such a
fate!
Recipe:
Any good pastry can be used but it should not be too flaky nor too rich.
1lb flour
Half lb lard and suet
Half tsp salt
Mix with water
When the pastry is made, roll out about a quarter inch thick and cut into rounds.
Lay the rounds on a pastry board with half the round over the rolling pin and put in the
fillings, damp the edges lightly and fold over into a semi-circle. Shape the pastry nicely and
crimp the extreme edges where it is joined between finger and thumb. Cut a slit in the centre
of the pasty and bake in a quick oven so that it keeps its shape.
Fillings are made up by cutting the potatoes and turnips into small pieces and put a layer on
the round then small pieces of fresh steak on top flavoured with onion and parsley, salt and
pepper.
Remember whose is whose by placing the initial of the recipient on the top as generations of
Cornish people have done.
Cook at ca 325 F / 170 C / Gas mark 3 for around 45 mins turning up for last few minutes to
brown. Make sure everything is thoroughly cooked through before consumption.
And if after eating one underground, do not forget to leave a corner for the ‘Knockers’, the
spirits of the mines who must be appeased whenever possible!
Myghal Map Serpren
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Moots
Cornwall (Kernow)
Betwixt Moot (Redruth, Camborne,Truro, Falmouth)
Meets on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month.
FFI contact Ann: 01872 863970
Bude Moot
Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month in the Conference Room at the Parkhouse Centre, Ergue
Gaberic Way, Bude, EX23 8LD. Tea or coffee provided or vending machine. We ask for a £2 per
person donation to cover room hire. Meet from 7pm to start talks/ceremonies at 7.30pm.
FFI Contact Debbie@specialdaysinspecialways.co.uk or call 01409 254144
The Dolmen Grove Ivy Moon Moot
Meets on the 1st Wed of every month, 7.30 pm, St Austell area. We hold talks, workshops,
have outings and celebrate the Sabbats. Options to attend Camps, Larger Rituals, Stonehenge
access & Samhain/Yule Ball. Friendly like-minded people, all spiritual paths welcome.
FFI contact: Lucy & Karen tel: 07754165193m Fb page: http:/www.facebook.com/pages/IvyMoon-Group
Liskeard Moot
Meets 2nd Thursday each month, 7 for 7.30pm, The Long Room, The Public Hall, West Street,
Liskeard PL14 6BW.
FFI Contact Jane 01579 340796 email: liskeardmoot@yahoo.co.uk
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/271716272934061
Pagan Paths
Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm, Bodmin area. Warm and friendly group.
Sabbat celebrations, sacred sites outings, workshops and talks.
FFI contact Wendy on 01208 832977 or email: paganpaths05@aol.com
Penwith Pagan Moot
Meets on the 2nd Tuesday each month, 7.15pm at The Admiral Benbow, Chapel Street,
Penzance. NB the moot is in hibernation until Imbolc.
Moots are for news, information and a different topic each month. We also hold open rituals
for the eight seasonal festivals and assist the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network with
clear-ups at Ancient Sites in Penwith.
FFI contact – Eve email: meadowsweeteve@googlemail.com
Website www.penwithpaganmoot.co.uk
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Devon (Dumnonia)
Devon Pagans
Meets the last Monday of the month from 8pm at Ye Olde White Lion, Bradninch. Our egroup
can be found at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Devonpagans
FFI Sophie 07970566161 or email devon.pagans@yahoo.co.uk
Exeter Pagan Circle
As well as regular social moots, the circle is a learning circle that holds regular discussions,
and attends open rituals at the cardinal points of the year. Check our Facebook page for
details and updates: http://www.facebook.com/groups/EUPAGANCIRCLE/ or
FFI Matt on 07988 543938
Pan Pagan Moot
Meets on 3rd Tuesday every month. Pan Pagan Moot is open to people of all pagan paths, a
time to get together and chat as well as meet new people. The moot will hold celebrations for
each festival, as well as holding regular walks on Dartmoor.
FFI Chris 07955502254 email stevens56113@hotmail.com20
South West Devon Moot
Meets in the Stoke area of Plymouth, held on 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. We are
a friendly moot run in a private house in the Stoke area of Plymouth.
FFI contact Patrick on 01752 562769 email pdq.mears@virgin.net
Tavistock West Moor Moot
Meets on 2nd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. A place to share news and topical Pagan
discussion. Simple ritual, Wheel of the Sacred Year, meditations and interaction with the
Spirits of the Land. Occasional visits to sacred sites and ancient spaces of Dartmoor and
beyond.
FFI Michele 01822 617903, or email westmoormoot@gmail.com20
Teignbridge Pagans
Meets on the 1st Monday of the month at the Old Rydon Inn, Kingsteignton, 7.30pm.
FFI Tania 07812724213 email taniakennedy67@hotmail.com
Three Moors Pagan Moot
Meets 3rd Thursday of the month, at The Highwaymans Inn, Sourton, nr Okehampton, all are
welcome. FFI please call Shadowlea on 01837 659656
Torbay/South Devon Pagan Moot
Meets on the first Thursday of the month at Epicenter Cafe, Torbay Road, Paignton 7.309.30pm.
FFI Tania 07812724213 email taniakennedy67@hotmail.com
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Dark Mirror no. 74
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Handfastings, Funerals or Celebration? A celebrant is available for your special ceremony,
designed for you, with you, every step of the way.
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then please contact Levannah Morgan by writing to: Devon Handfasting Network PO Box 314,
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Special Days in Special Ways: Debbie and Steve are experienced celebrants for whichever type
of ceremony you require. We have an eclectic style, and all ceremonies are tailor made for
you. Please visit www.specialdaysinspecialways.co.uk or call 01409 254144 for more
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West Moor Celebrants: Contact us for bespoke Handfastings, celebrations of life and rites of
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Counselling
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pagan perspective. Based in Bude/Holsworthy. Contact Steve Merritt on 07855 998890, email
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Retail
Come along to Wise Old Crow, Bude, Cornwall for all things wicca, pagan and esoteric
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www.wiseoldcrow.com
Museum of Witchcraft
Opens again for visitors on 29th March 2013 until 3rd Nov.2013 Details of opening times,
online shop + other interesting info can be found on the Museum website.
www.museumofwitchcraft.com
The Harbour, Boscastle, Cornwall PL35 OHD Tel: 01840 250111
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Who is who locally
Pagan Federation Devon, Cornwall & Isles
District Website:
www.paganfederationdevonandcornwall.co.uk
District Email:
paganfeddandc@hotmail.co.uk
District Address:
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