On The Trail Of More Hauntings And Drowned Villages Written By The Learned

Well, I have just received a book of folk tales which to be fair is interesting enough. It even has details of another ‘drowned’ Cumbrian village. 

There is however a gripe. We all like our books to entertain, engage and educate, but do we really need the author’s ego to come to the fore to justify this?

A guy with an MBE wrote the book, and included this little piece of ‘credibility’ to assure readers that he knows what he’s talking about.  It’s a bit like when a surgeon takes a legal case, or the barrister walks into the operating theatre in a wig and dismisses the surgeon.  As learned folk, we can cross boundaries at any time.

Master of one trade isn’t master of all – that is reserved for the Jack!  A thoroughly competent operator in most domains, but considered a master in none.  So why would the King choose to play the Jack?   Maybe as a King so to speak, he is also a more credible Jack amongst his subjects, despite lacking any true aptitude in his chosen alternative field.

We are all members of the Universe, players in the theatre of life and members of our respective countries and empires.  Our ‘status’ is confirmed by our nationality and the exploits of our forebears.  We don't need a dignitary or Head of State to give us permission to be a fully paid up member.

It seems somewhat sad that it is crucial for today’s authors to emphasize their academic status as a means to justify their foray into other realms.  A vulgar display of narcissism to obscure a naïve or honest viewpoint that actually resonates with a book’s true readership really isn’t necessary. 

The link to the book in question is below - enjoy :)

Cumbrian Folk Tales

Black Magickal Rites And Hauntings Amongst The Mountains

There is a book set in America which claims to be true and which is about a band who turned to the dark side in order to be successful and odd things happened to them. There are a lot of dark and light magick covens doing the rounds in the English Lake District, which is inundated with hikers, walkers and tourists. But in little dark dells after the tourists have gone home, many strange things  happen when the erstwhile visitors slumber in townie beds surrounded by earlier noughties Ikea flat pack and other trinkets from twee online stores and shops advertised in expectant magazines bristling on supermarket shelves.

Black, White Or Green Magick? UFO Sightings And Occultism At The Summer Solstice

As a person who is interested in and has indeed practised many different kinds and art forms of magick in very many ways - I really liked what came through at the Summer Solstice 2017.
We didn't need to be at a place like Stonehenge, though there are standing stones like that around here, though not as fancy. Ilkley Moor for example is well known for UFOs and black magick, as well as plenty of unusual stones, including a stone circle.

A previous partner of mine used to live in a large dwelling called Spring Grove House on Lower Road, up on the moors near the Scammonden Dam on the Halifax/Huddersfield border in the UK, at a place known as  Barkisland A village had been drowned to make the dam but the church still stood.  At drought times the village became visible again just like Mardale Green and rose above the water in the dam.

My former partner was coming home from his friend's house one evening when it was dark (he was about 11 or 12) and he saw a red flashing light in field. Suddenly a small green man stepped out and tried to block his bicycle. After this he fully believed in UFOs - whatever they are and wherever they come from - even if they cannot be explained by science.

Pippin Does Some Reading And Looks In To Terror Tales Of The Lake District

Pippin The Dog used to hang out up in the English Lake District before he took a journey to Cornwall. so he blog hopped for this post, sort of going back in time a bit, whilst remaining in the present. The man shown on the book is of course Tom Fool who is mentioned in another post on this blog.

This particular book - Terror Tales Of The Lake District, is actually one of the very best in the series. it is definitely in the top three best I think. Pippin thinks so too, of course.

See also:
Postulating Pippin

Very Old Genuine Photos Of Lake Winderemere And The Surrounding Lake District

Lake Windermere

Gummer's Howe, Lakeside

Long Crag, Coniston

Stock Ghyll Force, Ambleside

Dove Cottage, Grasmere

Furness Abbey

The Cloisters, Furness Abbey

I was lucky enough to obtain these genuine old photographs (not postcards) of Cumbria from a time when it was most likely known as Westmorland and Cumberland, two separate identities.

The previous owner had carefully listed the pictures in a photograph album from long ago, probably as a reminder of an enjoyed holiday or field trip. Whoever they belonged to certainly managed to get about a bit and do some serious photography.

Muncaster Castle And Tom Fool - Haunted Times

Tom Fool was very loyal to the Pennington family of Muncaster castle. He played the Fool literally, but he was also an assassin who worked for the head of the family doing despatch jobs as and when required. He is still supposed to be around the Pennington family and there is apparently a portrait of him in the castle. It is where the word 'tom foolery' comes from. Tom Fool also allegedly met William Shakespeare during his illustrious career too. The castle is of course, understood to be haunted as mentioned in a ghost book of mine, as shown above.

Feast Day Of Saint Brigid - Imbolc

This interesting corn effigy is a little bit of a take on the traditional 'Breed's Bed theme', as well as all ceremonies requiring a doll, was later put outside with a cake which was made and iced specially for Imbolc. They were placed under a Hawthorne Tree on the local green around 4.30am in the morning as an acknowledgement of Imbolc which is known as Candlemas to Christians.

Slow Shuitter Pictures Of Mardale Green In The Aether

These magickal energy pictures were created using the slow shutter method. I actually like using old things and a Sony DSLR camera from 2006 was used for this picture with a little slow shutter bulb that can be attached and pressed (non of that remote control stuff for me). I actually choose to see what results I can get from older items deliberately - I really like them. In any case, technology moves so quickly these days, that things are old when they are born. This looks like Mardale Green under water - abstract, of course.

See also:
The Hermetic Order of the Silver Luna Mist

Magickal Fire Creatures Of The Night

Fire Creatures

Fire creatures enter from cosmic flight
And dance till dawn
Throughout the night
Flickering shadows on the lawn of time
As the grass grows
And the astral wind flows deep
Whilst mortals sleep
The Fire Spirits dance and twirl
Order in their social whirl
Spinning faster, flashing past
Cold air touching the heat fuelled
blast - of flame
Reaching out - teasing - then returning
whence they came -
Party over - home again.

The video has audio - also see our sister blog Postulating Pippin

Pippin Felt Craft, Doggie Bauble, Crackers And Christmas Trees

I think this picture says it all really :) I get the impression there is some real character in Pippin the dog - it is just the feeling I get - it is like he is having a good think and there is some sort of connection to space and the universe and the All-There-Is with it all.

Battling to Save A Special Farm From Closure

This is a very special area, steeped in history and as is usually the case, someone wants to take away wheat is there and move it around until it is eventually destroyed. Hard working people suddenly find the rug can be pulled form under then at the whim of  a new idea or concept.

Local news article - http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/14945359.VIDEO__Saltaire_descendants_join_battle_to_save_farm_from_closure/

Connecting To Spirits Through The Element Of Fire

This little film was actually done just this week on a very cold and frosty night. The film connects fire and water as the fireworks were actually used as part of a ritual that embraces the World Of Spirit and in so doing connects to the ancestry of the earth. We regularly connect to spirits and we often do rituals outdoors, even in winter, as we like to be in touch with the natural elements. All were present here.

The little film comes with audio and has a good vibe to it.

Kendal - Making A Mountain Of Mint Cake

The above article is about both the town of Kendal in Cumbria in the 1960's and also mentions nearby Hallow Bank, Kentmere and the history of some of the houses round there.

454 Squadron RAAF 1st Anniversary Menu

I found this interesting little menu in a box of old photos the other day. It certainly looks like the 454 Squadron of the Royal Australian Airforce had their hands full will the kind of grub/tucker that seemed to be on offer on their rather frightening list of supposed foodie delights.

Definitely one to miss I think!

Vampires of Lakeland

When I was little,one of my Lake District cousins was a hippy and he used to drive a red decommissioned post office van with no doors on the back.

This same cousin also once chased a bull on his moped that had escaped from the local farmer's field. He had long hair and a moustache and looked very much like Jesus. This cousin also owned some very large swirly glass marbles, as big as eggs, which were a bit chipped, but nonetheless, were great fun to roll across the floor. I also used to be allowed to read his Rupert Bear books.

There is a vampire that is part of the English Lake District's folklore, just the same as there have been Loch Ness Monster type sightings in Lake Windermere too...

I'm A Vampire - by us - Vampire Basilisk - is not tongue in cheek but supports those who dare to have a difference...

Halloweened, Hallowenies, Hello-ween

This little film has audio. I actually made a 'dark box' as opposed to a 'light box' because any photography light box is so bright which is what it is supposed to be of course, that it obliterates any light spectrum that is not 'full beam'. 

However, I kind of figured it was missing a trick (or treat) and so on October 30th this year I made a special 'dark box' for my Halloween witchy photography and the little film is the result.

Reaction For Racehorses

Just looking at 'Racehorse Deathwatch' which can be located off the Animal Aid website, is quite frightening. No-one really realises how many racehorses are killed or have to be destroyed as a result of racing. The horses are trained to race and know no other life. If they are lucky they will be retired somewhere nice - like Craigie Boy who was retired to Bransby Home For Horses. Craigie boy is quite an old horse now.We have supported Bransby Horses and have taken part in their adoption scheme in the past.

If they are not lucky, the unwanted old racers end up on a boat to France ready to be made in to horse meat. Occasionally, after receiving a brand to say they can no longer race, the ex race horses are sold to members of the public but they are often very highly strung and need quite a lot of looking after.

Jockeys are not to be let off the hook either as statistics can be found on 'Racehorse Deathwatch' that show that some jockeys are consistent in riding horses who end up being injured and having to be euthanased.

Jockeys have to be licensed in order to ride and their professional silks are registered. I actually own some registered silks, still muddy from a race, as I wanted to get the actual essence of the race in order to fully understand it.

Going to the races is seen as an important social pastime for many who like that kind of thing- as is spending time in the local bookies for others. A long time ago I once worked in a betting shop, it was a very busy place but that is as far as many will get to an actual horse race. It is all about money - big bucks for all but the losers and that can even mean the horses' lives are at stake - the biggest stake of all. Without lots of disposable horses there would be no racing fun, if that is what you call it.

The pictures are from the 2012 Grand National which was run at Aintree in Liverpool. it is one of the most famous races of all time. There are photos of one of the favourites Irish horse 'Synchronised' who had to be destroyed, along with Yorkshire Horse 'According to Pete'. The piece also has audio and is a tribute to them and all other fallen racehorses.

Autumn Equniox And The Confusion Of The Changing Seasons

I really love these beautiful 'wheel of the year' type cards, especially as they are so natural and spiritual.
Chambers Book of Facts - the edition I am looking at was published in 2003, breaks the year up in to three monthly cycles.
The book states that in the northern hemisphere, spring covers March 21st to June 21st, summer covers June 21st to September 23rd, autumn covers September 23rd to December 21st and winter covers December 21st to March 21st.
This is kind of surprising, because so very often the weather does not fit in at all with these facts. It means that we often get snow in autumn and the what we call midsummer is really only the start of summer, not the middle of it! How very confusing...

Enchanted Bower Of The Water Fae Siren Spirits

Water stands for emotions, the fluidity of feelings. Water can always find a way through cracks in the surface and is very tenacious in every possible way. The cup cards in the tarot deck are represented by water - like the flowing tides which are pulled back by the gravity of the moon. Boats sail on water and water provides a method of travel as well as a home for all aquatic life.

These photos above, were taken at different times of the year and yet both show the dexterity and power of water.

In the top photo the water is contained an therefore frothing with aggression; whilst in the bottom photo, the water is free to cascade down the stones in aquatic merriment as liquid frills fall to the pool below.

Both areas are perfect haunts for water sprites and water spirits, though the darker kind would most likely live in the weir pool in the top picture, whilst the more fae-like Siren spirits would possibly enjoy the green leafy waterfall in the bottom picture.

Mardale Village Floating On The Astral Interacting At Lammas With The Physical World

Mardale village which is now no more - may well be floating around in the etheric atmosphere as a ghost village. When looking at old pictures and postcards of Mardale, in the Lake District -  a village which was removed in order to make a reservoir, the place still seems very - well - REAL

These are photos of our coven's Lammas celebrations and all sorts of energies were present.