Changes

Well life brings us changes and mine is a return to London after spending last few years in Dorset, I am in the process of reestablishing my healing practice in London and also workshops both online and in person. Presently I have two workshops happening at the Festival for Pagans and Witches in May both of which are full and a online talk for the Doreen Valiente Centenary Ceebrations at midsummer which will be available to subscribers of the Centre for Pagan Studies. More workshops and talks will be made available as the year progresses, and if interested in my house blessing and encounters with the other world check out my Facebook group Ghosts and Spirits of the British Isles

Back on line

It’s been a while since i posted, the last year or so have been difficult due to events beyond my control. Being a therapist brings many joys, however there is one nightmare situation we are often warned of but I never thought would happen to me, the false allegation. Earlier this year i was the subject of this which led to lots of negative publicity because basically there are some newspapers which will publish anything without checking the facts. The allegation went to trial despite lack of evidence and i was quickly found not guilty unanimously. This quick decision was an obvious one, since the person making the statement, made several statements each contradicting the other including no idea about what year i had treated her. My friends, family, clients and ex wife supported me greatly through this period and their statements helped prove my innocence. The prosecution case was non-existent and quickly disproved, however they tried to win over the jurors by discrediting my beliefs about the spiritual world. The trial was nolonger about me but about my beliefs as a Shaman, a Witch. Cross examined about my Ethics since witches put curse upon people, have loose morals, dont believe in God, yes these were the words in a British trial in 2018. I defended my personal character and my faith in a witness box for an hour, while my belief in the Divine as a Goddess was challenged. The judge eventually put a stop to this farce and the jury after hearing the testament of witnesses found the allegations unfounded. However the press didn’t bother to publish my innocence only the allegations and still they sit on the internet, this as happened to me and other pagans who seem more vulnerable to false allegations due to bias that still exists even today. So if your a pagan who is a therapist be extra careful who you treat, what safety measure you have in your lone working practices

Fortune telling workshop

https://www.facebook.com/events/1780269462293702/

Dorset workshop on Shamanism

https://www.facebook.com/events/1095847167208546/

workshops in Dorset coming up

https://www.facebook.com/events/1854677591439932/

Astral travel and shapeshifting workshop next saturday

https://www.facebook.com/events/108339202967150/

Workshop next week

https://www.facebook.com/events/180881762356121/

Some thoughts on Anamorphic Gods and Goddesses and the reincarnation of the soul.

If we look back in history we are often presented with the images combining human and animal forms Sorcerer of Trois-Freres being an early example. To the anthropologist these are seen as humans expressing their religious understanding of the world in concepts they can relate to or the survival of shamanic practice of ancestors using animal forms. Animistic beliefs could be seen to have their most complexed representation in the anamorphic forms of ancient Egypt, among some Egyptologists the pantheon of Gods/Goddesses may relate to ancient ancestors shamanic practice much like other African cultures.
Many cultures Gods/Goddesses have the suggestion either in creation or foundation beliefs that they existed in a human or animal form Woden is sometime referred to in the context of being a Shaman. Zeus is a shapeshifting God who overcame earlier primordial entities to become the father of the Gods/Goddesses, the appearance of shapeshifting in religion and folklore is worldwide.
But while the simplistic idea of simply a tool towards hunting may be true in some cases, however returning to the image of the Sorcerer we have an amalgam of animals and the human form. This image is embodying the important animals of that time the human being one of them, in shamanic societies other species are spoken of as our brothers and sisters their spirits being equal too ours or wiser. The shaman seeks the wisdom of the Salmon or the Crow to advise on earthly matters, in the  modern western mind we are taught that animals just use instinct and lack thought or reason being beneath us.
However finally science is beginning to understand that many animals not just primates have remarkable levels of reasoning, The vast communication abilities of the Corvids with 1000 plus calls and two types of language and problem solving abilities using tools, other species such as octopuses have now being evidenced using tools, along with warblers, elephants to name but a few.
Dolphins and Whales are now recognized to have complexed communications and social grouping by most people, the example of Koko the signing gorilla and perhaps more interestingly Kanzi a bonobo show ability of animals to explore abstract thought and learning process beyond instinct. increasingly examples of interspecies cooperation, that was the stuff of folklore is being recorded for the first time empirically thanks to new technology. Non human animals are vastly more complexed then we generally realize, we try to judge them by our standards assuming we are superior because of our demonstrated technological advantages.
How then does this relate to reincarnation, it often being mooted by those that don't believe in reincarnation that there is far to many people alive to be accounted for by previously living people. The Hindu religion believes in the evolution of the soul and that people may previously have being animals, in my observation I believe this to be true we all may have had previous lives in animal form however we find it difficult enough to remember our past human life which would have being in a form that we can relate to, let alone the complexity of understanding significantly different forms of thinking.
I am lucky enough to have retained memories from a number of past lives, however faintly I believe that one of my memories was in animal form and don’t consider any less of a life then the others.
WE are animals, we share same building blocks physically and same desires to live eat make love and rest. So how is this relating to the anamorphic Gods/Goddesses, our ancestors were far more connected to the spiritual realms then us and saw the Gods/Goddesses for what they were Gods/Goddesses of all things and likewise they were part of all things human and non human when we saw them they had the appearance of a mixture of us and our animal brothers and sisters. However to excuse our growing abuse and lack of honoring of our brothers and sisters the Gods/Goddesses lost their anamorphic image. It is in the older religious belief of Shamanism that we see the true face of Gods/Goddesses and it wears a beak or whiskers and I am not talking a long white beard

Fairy Walk and Full Moon Celebration Saturday May 21st

A walk around these Ancient Woods meeting the various spirits that reside here. Followed by a Celebration of the Full Moon.
We have being doing these guided walks for many years in these woods, rarely have people gone away without some interaction with the fairy world. Previously true Fairies , dwarf, White Ladies, dryads and devas have been encountered on these events, this is first time we are presenting the walk as a public event. 
there is no charge for this event
from 7:30pm

Yoga for Healing with Hayley Rogers

This workshop is being run by my partner Hayley

In this workshop we will be working with asana, pranayama and mudra with the focus on self healing.
You will learn various techniques to bring you into balance, harmony and peace, helping you to deal with everyday challenges and stresses as well as bringing more joy and happiness into your life.
Cost £45
Wear loose layered clothing and bring a light lunch
suitable for all levelshttps://www.facebook.com/events/

Next workshop on the magical uses of herbs

Will look at the historical use of herbs in Britain, with special attention to magical uses. We will look at their use for healing and in charms and spells. Practical experiments in using herbs for charms, incense and tisanes will be a feature of the day. 
I personally have being using herbs magically and medicinally since my teens and have explored the use of British herbs in folk tradition extensively. 
Cost is £25 for the workshop
https://www.facebook.com/events

Folk Magic in theory and in Practice

Sunday 17 April

at 11:00–17:00

A chance to explore the history and practice of European folk magic. We will make use of this rich history to make some spells and talismans on the day.
Cost of workshop £25

Scrying Workshop

This workshop will look at the use of Dark Mirrors, Crystal Balls, dark waters and cauldron Scrying. We will look at the history of there use by the likes of Taliesian, Nostradamus, Dr Dee to name but a few.

We will make use of various exercises to meet our higher selves and divination using these ancient occult tools. We will also look at using these tools to access past lives.

The preparation and cleasing of your tools will also be a feature of the day, and how to make scrying classes.

All our workshops combine theory and practice. You are welcome to bring your own equipment to use with you although assorted equipment will be available

Cost is £25

Hosted by Trefor Wickens

please bring a light lunch with you. There is no parking at the venue but available in the local area but please be careful of the parking notices

link to my partners website

http://www.hayleyrogers.com/workshops

Astral Projection Workshop in South East London

Astral doorways into the other Realms


Sunday January 24th 10-4pm

Presented by Trefor and Hayley


• Experience different methods of astral projection

• Learn about the different dimensions – where you can go

• Shapeshifting using the animal forms

• Basic protection

Venue will be

The Yoga Shed

62b College Rd

behind Garden Care Centre

Cost £40


Spaces are limited so please book

There is no parking at event but its easy to find parking in the local roads usually

Hi Folks starting up workshops again

The first workshop will be 

Introduction to shamanism

November 28th 11-5pm £25

A practical and historical look at Shamanism in British and World Wide cultures.
This will be theoretical and experiential workshop using techniques from different cultures although primarily focusing on Northern European traditions.
Hopefully you will go away with a more comprehensive understanding on the rich heritage of traditional healing found in all cultures.

The venue will be

The Yoga Shed
62b College Rd
Bromley
Behind the Garden Care Centre

More to Follow (planning 1 a month)
Dowsing
Auras, seeing and experiencing
Cleansing Blessing and Protection the individual and Home
Scrying with magical and everyday objects
Creating the ritual space in home, in nature and internally
Folk Magic in theory and In practice

In the Spring
Making and working with Wands
Magical Herb Walks
Working with Nature Spirits and the Faery Realms
Mask Making and Working with Animal spirits

We will also be doing regular full Moon celebrations and Divine Feminine work.

Shapeshifting

Shapeshifting

In my tradition and many others the feature of transformation into animal form plays an important part of our magical practice. This is in reality the transformation or sending out of part of the witches spirit. Some would describe this as working on the astral plain, however this isn't what i was taught.
There are a number of reasons for this practice, I will give a few example based on personal experience. The animal forms I was taught are quite specific and are in order of experience. The minimum period of practice of a form was two years, however in my own teachings 6 months is enough.
Ideally the person needs to be able to observe the animal being assumed in  close proximity learning behaviour and method of moving. So that when you take the form your are not given away by erratic behaviour. However an important part of this practice is to connect  you with the animal world and integrate you both physically and spiritually with its energy.
The Mouse
this small creature be it house or field mouse is the starting point. Traditionally the mouse was sometimes seen to be the way energy was transmitted from one witch to another and the transformation of witches into mice long predates Rahul Dahl and is found in many cultures and folklore.
The mouse form require limited energy to maintain and most used to be familiar with its behaviour, also they were commonly seen and usually little notice was taken of them.
The form is good for investigation of new places. I also felt when i was taught the mouse form that it was a little humbling, humans are inclined to big egos and those entering magical work often feel superior to others. learning to be a small rodent perhaps brings you back to the perspective that really you are a small part of the world.
Other elements to the nature of this transformation are more practical in there reasoning, the modality of transformation enables the witch to investigate unseen others and reach places that would normally be outside their vision. Normal overlooking using scrying glass crystal ball etc is often detected even by inexperienced psychics or magicians, however the transformed self will usually go unidentified. If perceived often they will be thought to be a real animal or the spirit of one, sometimes with simpler animals it is possible to take control and use them accordingly.
Perhaps a less familiar use of this method is distant healing, sometimes this method will be used to attack the energy of an illness eating away at boils, tumours etc.

Ritual Circle, do you need them?

The Circle Cast upon the Ground and all around or rather the lack of it

It is one of the most important parts to ritual in Wicca and Ritual magic. to caste the circle round, however it brings to mind some thoughts chiefly because until I started reading about ritual magic and Wicca and then when I was asked to attend rituals in the early 80s, I thought such procedures were the realms of Dennis Wheatley and Hammer Films.
I understood that the realms were always with you and in ritual or spellwork you shared with them calling on whatever spirits good or bad to aid your endeavours. My understanding that when dealing with difficult spirits was you contained them if they became difficult. Likewise any energy you raised would be directed to your target or placed in suitable object.
The imagined boundaries of these circles create some form of psychological safety net, perhaps useful for the apprentice or beginner but really do they have a place in group or advanced workings.
The work perhaps of a solitary ritual magician invoking Magus like the denizens of the hidden realms may seek comfort in the circle and triangle, but for those of a more natural path we seek to escape the barriers of walls and fortresses too commune with our spirited neighbours.
Over the years I have led numerous rituals among our friends of the wood with never a circle formed since this was not my learning. The Quarter Winds and Lords and Ladies invited gentle to attend never summoned like some lowly serf or slave to the words of man, at times attended by their presence have we been honoured at overs they have being attending their own celebration. After all there is only so many parties one can get to in a night.
At these celebrations and rituals we succeeded often in our plans, be it the communion with ourselves and the turning of the seasons or the magic to be undertaken. Yes there were times that the odd difficult spirit attended but all who attend should have skills to counter unwelcome visitors or in my practice the duty of the leader of a group is that of protection as well has direction.
When you guide others in the spiritual realm be it magic, celebration and ritual then you have the duty like that of a parent to care for your charges those who seek their path have come to you.
So my call too those that read these words is remember we are on a path to work with the others and to do that in friendship not at the point of a sword or athame you don't throw salt into eyes of a friend.
You greet those whom you want to share with in embrace and kind words and sometimes you will not get on but that is a learning experience, its life.
i have seen energy and spirits wander in and out of well caste circles, these are only as good as the persons doing them and when their focus or energy wanders so does there power to contain or repel.
Likewise over the years there have been occasions when very dark energies have popped along when people have attended who weren't in the right place. These have been kicked out of open working with very little effort.

 The tradition of folk magic is based often on the principle of observation, much has the doctrine of signature is well know in western Herbal Medicine. The folk magician by keen observation and tradition applies the use of naturally occurring objects and signs to provide a way of accessing the unseen (to those without the sight) forces that control our worlds.

the hidden symbolism which transverses both time and place have a deep place in our physic self and perhaps in the realms of all nature. If we take the the subject of danger many plants and animals have colouring that indicates it is dangerous to consume.

like wise plants often tell us there usefulness by their shape and form, Is this the hand of god bearing in mind we have in relatively recently being able to perceive and these plants date back into the mists of time.

Therefore perhaps these hidden symbols speak of a language that exists outside human form a common language of nature which humans are slowly recognising and the animal world and others have know since our ancestors sheltered in the caves.

It is perhaps the ritual specialists that inhabit these in between worlds that developed a communication that began to understand this hidden vocabulary, creating the earliest ritual and healing methods.

Back to our subject what turns a plant into a talisman or a stick into a wand?
It is both an observation of its shape size colour texture smell and the unexplained feeling you have when you hold it. what associations do you get that jump into your mind. It maybe the conditions under which you found it was you thinking about a problem and this caught you eye.

Did a bird or a insect take you to a object, remember the inhabitants of  fairy realms often take animal or insect form when in the view of humans. Or did it fall into your hands or drop on your head.

Anything can and to some degree has magical properties in nature, it is just a matter of unravelling its meaning we can use books, google or more effectively our intuition without doubting our own abilities remembering keen observation is the key to understanding.

Hi this is a recent interview I gave on a visit to Scotland it is quite long but starts to get interesting about 30 mins in.
I was interview by Thomas Clough Daffern who is a lovely man and a great mind with a passion for learning and for peace he is a prolific writer on a wide range of subjects and i enjoyed my visit to his institute and home.


http://youtu.be/1PtT3-Ql218