Dedication of Altar and Athame

Durwydd MacTara (1990)

Altar

This Altar in the circle’s centre,
A focal point that only good may enter.

Erected to God and Goddess in strength,
Circular, it has neither breadth nor length.

Focal point in A Circle of Power,
A mighty lens for every Tower!

Sacred to Lord, Maiden, Lady and Crone,
The foundation of many a powerful Cone!

Resting Place of Magick and its implements,
Let veneration and Love be our only sentiments!

A tool of will, powerful and free,
As it is willed, So Mote it Be!

Athame

Mighty Deities, Gracious Lady and Mighty Lord,
As I perform this ritual, Pray hearken to my word.

This tool, conceived in Mind of Air, (point east)
Forged and formed in Fire of the South, (point south)
Power tool for those who dare,
I CLAIM thee with my mouth! (kiss blade)

Tempered with Water for Strength, (point west)
Also dedicated to the Earth, in Power. (point north)
Blessed be, entire in length, (kiss pommel)
As it partakes of every Tower!

By the Power of Cosmos, As above, (point up)
The Expression of Cosmos, is below. (point down)
Upon this instrument of Will and Love,
My Sacred Tie I bestow! (1 drop of blood on each side and hilt)

This tool is dedicated to my service of Lady and Lord,
Please find this work beneficial and good.
Bound to thee by homage, decimation, effort and word,
Bound to me by words, will and blood.

By the powers of earth, sky, star and sea;
Such is my will, So mote it be!

Suggestions for Exercises – Lesson 17 Tarot

Exercise 17.2 – Interpreting Reversed Cards

1. Three of Wands– reversed
   I’m in a rut. I rarely break out of my normal routine to seek new experiences.
2. Chariot– reversed
   My desire to get my own way is being thwarted, but my win at work will mean little if my family is unhappy.
3. Ace of Swords– reversed
   I don’t feel like getting too involved in this cause.
4. Tower– reversed
   There is a small chance my run of good fortune could end suddenly.
5. Knight of Swords– reversed
   My cousin is a great talker, but he’s not that knowledgeable about the technical aspects of this field.
6. Four of Cups– reversed
   I’m beginning to lose interest in this relationship. I feel a small, but growing urge to withdraw.
7. Six of Pentacles– reversed
   I’m not sure I have enough physical and emotional resources to support my daughter through this crisis in my home.
8. Page of Cups– reversed
   My feelings of love and tenderness for my baby are begin drowned out by my need for sleep!
9. Temperance– reversed
   I’m pretty low on patience right now. I’m tempted to take drastic action.
10. Death– reversed
    Animportant inner change is struggling to happen, but my fears are blocking

Goddess or Queen?

The enigmatic carving at Braunston in Rutland

Bob Trubshaw

Although church carvings are a generally neglected aspect of our heritage, one of Rutland’s grotesques is comparatively well known. This is the enigmatic, although most certainly female, figure which for many years was used face-down as a doorstep to All Saints’ church, Braunston in Rutland (near Oakham – 141:833066), before being rediscovered about 1920. Since then she has stood in various places outside the church, and is currently at the west end by the base of the tower.

Partridge in a Pear Tree

by Alan G. Hefner

 
In Middle English pertriche “partridge,” was derived from Perdix, one of Athene’s sacred kings, thrown in the seas from a tower, and carried to heaven in the form of a bird by his goddess. He was the partridge, she the pear tree.