The Scargle Scroll 07.10.22
- colleendalzell2
- Oct 6, 2022
- 22 min read
Bubble, bubble toil and trouble!
Welcome to all, to our absolute favourite time of the year at Scargle, the 'Season of the Witch' i.e October!
Nothing compares to the long nights, pumpkin patches and spending hours in the Halloween section of the shops.
Arguably the most exciting time of the year for any magical practitioner, we hope that this October edition of the scroll gives you plenty of tips and tricks to make the month ahead magical! (and not to mention spooky!)
The Origins of Halloween: Samhain
This is the festival that marks the end of the summer, the end of the growing season and the bringing in of the final harvest. It is the beginning of the dark time of the year, with the days growing ever shorter towards the winter solstice and the earth going into its deep slumber. It is a time to honour the land that has given us the abundance of food and has sustained us. It is also a time to honour the hands that worked the land and to remember that the earth can be plentiful, but that it is also fragile and it is changing and we too must adapt and change. For our ancestors this was both a time of celebration and deep reflection.
Has enough grain been saved to feed the people and the animals through the dark winter months?
Will the elders and the children survive the cold, lean times?
What does the future hold and will the sun start to grow again after the winter solstice?
The animals that cannot be fed through the winter must be slaughtered and a feast prepared!
Many of the freedoms we enjoy today were hard won by our predecessors and it easy to forget that those who fought to win such freedoms rarely lived to enjoy them, but rather paid the ultimate price. Those who took up arms and fought and died on battlefields and those who fought in silence and secret, with no greater weapon than their minds, their wills and their innate strength upon battlefields of their own minds and bodies. We remember those who have gone before and honour them not only with our words and thoughts at this time but by our actions in the coming weeks and months and may their courage and resolve give us all strength we need at times of sorrow and difficulty.
In Ireland this festival was celebrated as a three day event and its modern equivalent Hallowe’en is massive in a lot of countries. The celebration and feast has been Christianised as All Soul’s Eve (October 31st) which was known as All Hallow’s Eve and All Saint’s Day (November 1st) but even so the themes of death, sacrifice, fire and light remain.
The theme of honouring the dead and the ancestors is and was always a theme of this time of the year and throughout Ireland especially this is an aspect of Samhain that is still very much observed. Many of you may be aware or even observe the tradition of the “dumb supper”, the laying out of a meal for lost loved ones on Samhain night.
In towns and cities all over Ireland there is nearly always a Hallowe’en bonfire though most people will have long forgotten the significance of this. In the past, all the household fires would have been extinguished on Samhain Eve and relit from the sacred Samhain fire. At Tlachtga (Hill of Ward) near Athboy in County Meath, the sacred bonfire was relit and once seen by others, fires were lit around the country from sacred site to sacred site like beacons in the darkness giving hope to all that the flame could be rekindled and the sun would return.
A group of us were fortunate enough to be invited to take part in the annual Puca Festival in Athboy on the 31st October 2019, where a number of people from each of the provinces of Ireland (Ulster, Munster, Leinster, Connaught and Meath) took part in a huge Samhain celebration honouring the sacred fires that would have been lit there by our ancient ancestors. (See video below)
Video credit: Harker Ryan 2019 I went to a Celtic Pagan Ceremony in Ireland (Gaelic Samhain Festival)
At Samhain we truly begin to notice the dark of the year and our inevitable journey into it and it is worthwhile remembering that this too is an important stage in our journey as it is a time of conception, gestation and inception which is vital to honour for our own personal growth. The dark of the year is an important time of thought, reflection, recovery, preparation and planning, therefore ideal for journaling, journeying and meditation.
Samhain or Hallowe’en itself is thought to be a liminal space where the “veil” between the worlds is thought to be at its thinnest making this an especially good time for divination, communing with the spirit world or ancestors and magical activity.
To celebrate this festival in a modern context, you should try to include the following elements.
Respect for the Dead. Include a “dumb supper” in your plans, or if you are holding a ritual you may want to have an ancestor’s table where participants can bring along photographs or keepsakes from lost loved ones to be included in the ritual. You could also prepare a “Scroll of the Dead” beforehand and have the names read out during your ritual.
Sacrifice. Traditionally Samhain was a time of sacrifice when the cattle herds would have been culled and animals that were old, past their prime or surplus males would have been slaughtered as there would not have been enough to feed them through the winter. The meat would have been cured and would be an essential source of nourishment throughout the winter months for our ancestors. This meant it was not only a time of sacrifice and death but of taking stock, cutting out and cleansing. In our modern context you can make a sacrifice to the land using a piece of your hair, nail clippings or bodily fluids. Any old magical material and workings should also be burnt on the Samhain fire at this time.
Cleansing. As above, one of the most obvious ways to cleanse is to burn anything that needs to be cut away, or no longer serves its purpose on the Samhain fire. Other things could be written down on paper and burnt on the fire to help get rid of things that are of no further use to clear the way for new hopes, plans and projects.
Celebration. As the herds came down from the mountains and agricultural work came to an end, the men, women and children would have reunited together again for the winter and this along with the threat that some may not make it through the cold, lean winter months gave cause for a big celebration and feasting, especially while there was still plenty of fresh produce, meat and milk available. On such an occasion I’m sure the ale, mead and wine wouldn’t have been forgotten either – so celebrate as you see fit! It would have been a time of fun, games and tricks, with restrictions being a lot more relaxed so time to enjoy yourself and let your hair down!
Divination. Samhain and Hallowe’en are times traditionally associated with divination and you even see this being incorporated into old party games. Our ancestors often did this through pyromancy (staring into the flames of the fire) or scrying into water or other liquid. You could pull some tarot cards, throw some runes or ogham letters too!
At Scargle we will be celebrating Hallowe’en at the Fancy Dress Ball on Friday 28th October at the Ballymac Hotel, Rock Road, Lisburn. Tickets £25 per person. It is going to be great fun!
And we will hold our more solemn Samhain Ritual on Sunday 30th October at 6pm. This will include an ancestor’s table and scroll of the dead. Location to be confirmed as we are trying to secure a private outdoor space.
Tales of Terror: Irish Ghost Stories
Storytelling is absolutely integral to the psyche of the Irish people, and there is no better time for telling stories than Oíche Shamhna (Halloween). My own mother is a natural born storyteller, and on many a Halloween having come home from school, would scare me and my brother witless with her tales of 'headless Mary', 'no fingers' and 'the black nun'.
Even though they gave me sleepless nights, I cherish these memories, and have committed the stories to memory, and now get my own kicks of scaring my nieces and nephews every Halloween.
In the 'spirit' of the season, here is a quintessential Irish ghost story that can be told around campfires or kitchen tables as a frighteningly fun Halloween/Samhain activity.
The Death Coach
(for Debbie)
On one beautiful summer's evening, just as the sun was setting beneath the hills near Ballyduff, Michael Noonan was travelling to collect his mended work shoes from the shoemaker in town.
With the breeze blowing heavenly, he decided to take the path that took him near the river, to make the most of the splendid weather.
As he walked past the Hanlon's Mill on the river's side, he was shocked to hear the sound of hounds and huntsmen in full cry, yet there was nothing to be seen anywhere. He knew that the Duhallow hounds were out in quite another quarter of the countryside that day.
His surprise quickly turned to fear, when he began to hear the terribly groan of the mill's wheel, as an unseen force, pushed it's mechanisms into action, and through rust of its bolts and wood rot in its paddles it began to turn.
Needless to say, poor Michael Noonan ran the rest of the way to Ballyduff.
When he got to the shoemaker's shop, he had the great fortune to meet his friend Darby Haynes, a carrier by trade. Having loaded his horse and cart with all of his messages, he offered his friend a lift back to his home. Michael happily accepted, though his fear had somewhat subsided, he was relived to not walk the journey home, especially with darkness quickly approaching.
They drove slowly, and the moon began to rise in the sky, past a quarter towards full.
Now relaxed and chatting happily with his friend, Michael lay back in the cart, idly watching the moon's reflection in the river. Suddenly, the moon's image was masked in darkness by a long shadow. Wondering where the shadow had come from, he looked round, and his eyes befell a sight that made his blood freeze in his veins.
Drawing close alongside him in utter silence, was a great black coach, drawn by six, black, menacing horses. The coachman, high on his box, was draped completely in black.
But the terrible thing was that neither he, nor his horses, had heads.
The coach came close to the cart, barely inches between them, and through the black stained windows, all Michael could see was a large pair of menacing red eyes.
The coach passed fiercely as Michael watched on in terror, unable to move or scream.
The coachman laid his terrible whip across the horses' backs, and the wheels sped on. In a moment, the black coach had disappeared in the darkness of the trees.
Michael Noonan, trembling, continued home and put himself to bed.
The next morning, he was standing by the roadside, still deeply unsettled by the events of the previous day, when he saw Daniel Madden, huntsman to Mr Wrixon of Ballygibblin, come riding down the road at a mad pace. Stepping out, he waited for Dan to come up to him.
"For the love of God, do not try to stop me!" the rider gasped.
"Tell me what's the matter", said Michael.
Madden gasped out the news that his master had taken a horrendous fit during the night and now lay close to death, he was riding to fetch the doctor.
But maybe Michael could run across the fields to tell Kate Finnigan, the midwife, for she had great knowledge of medicine that might help until the doctor got there.
Michael went as fast as he could, but he already knew, and so it proved to be, that it was too late.
The death coach had already claimed its latest passenger.
Irish Halloween Traditions
The Bonfire
Samhain was seen as the end of summer but also the beginning of another year. It was also the one day of the year when spirits could walk the earth. The community would gather together and light huge fires to ward off bad fortune for the coming year and any evil spirits.
Some believe that people extinguished their fires in the hearth at home before they left and would reignite them using an ember from the bonfire, for good luck. The day after the bonfire the ashes were spread across the fields to further ward off bad luck for the farmers for the coming year.
It was also traditionally believed that the bonfire encouraged dreams, especially of your future husband or wife. It was said that if you drop a cutting of your hair into the embers of the fire the identity of your first husband would be revealed.
Jack-o-lanterns
There are two schools of thought on why the Irish carried Jack-o-lantern. One is that the tradition is an ancient Celtic tradition. In order to carry home an ember from the communal bonfire, the people would hollow out a turnip so they could walk home with the fire still burning.
The other version is a little more spooky. The other story is that Jack-o-lanterns date back to the 18th century. It is named after an Irish blacksmith, called Jack, who colluded with the Devil and was denied entry into Heaven. Jack was condemned to walk the earth for eternity but asked the Devil for some light. He was given a burning coal that burnt into a turnip that he had hollowed out. Some Irish believe that hanging a lantern in their front window would keep Jack’s wandering soul away.
When the Scot-Irish emigrated to America, they adapted the tradition and used pumpkins instead as it is more difficult to find turnips.
Costumes
The community would gather around the bonfire and many would be dressed up in elaborate animal skins and heads.
The idea was that the evil spirits would be scared off by the fires. Then if the spirits happened to be wandering the earth and bumped into one of the Celts they might they were spirits themselves, because of their disguises, and let them go free. This is where our tradition of dressing up comes from.
Trick or Treating
Trick or treat originated centuries ago. In Ireland, the poor would go from door to door to rich people's homes and ask for food, kindling, or money. They would then use what they collected for their celebrations on Halloween.
Colcannon
This is the traditional dinner to have on Halloween night before you head out for an evening of fun and mischief. It is a simple dish made with boiled potatoes, curly kale (a type of cabbage), and raw onions.
Traditionally coins were wrapped in pieces of clean paper and slipped into children’s colcannon for them to find and keep. Sometimes people also hide a ring in the colcannon. Whoever finds the ring will be married within the year.
Halloween Colcannon Recipe (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
3-4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
3 tbsp. milk or unsweetened soy milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
260g of chopped cabbage
2 tbsp. butter
30g of chopped onions
Method:
Cook potatoes in a pot of boiling water until tender. Drain, reserving water.
Place the hot potatoes in a large bowl.
Add chopped cabbage to the reserved potato water. Cook 6-8 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, fry the onions in the butter.
When they are cool enough to handle, mash the potatoes.
Add the fried onions and cabbage.
Add milk, salt, and pepper and beat until fluffy.
Barmbrack
From the Irish name "Bairín Breac," this is a traditional Irish Halloween cake which essentially a sweet bread with fruit through it as well as some other treats. Shop-bought barmbracks still contain and ring but if you make it at home and add your own treats it’s even more fun.
Each member of the family gets a slice and each prize has a different meaning:
The rag – your financial future is doubtful
The coin – you will have a prosperous year
The ring – impending romance or continued happiness
The thimble – you’ll never marry
Halloween Barmbrack Recipe
Ingredients:
300g cups chopped dried mixed fruit
1 1/2 cups hot tea
300g cups flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
200g sugar
30g lemon marmalade
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Method:
Soak the dried fruit in the hot tea for 2 hours, then drain and gently squeeze out excess tea.
Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Grease a 9 inch tin. Stir together the flour cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda; set aside.
Beat the egg, sugar, marmalade, orange zest, and tea-soaked fruit until well combined. Gently fold in the flour until just combined, then pour into the prepared tin.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Allow to cool in the pan for 2 hours before removing. Continue to cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Press the objects of choice into the cake through the bottom before serving.
Snap apple
There are many games that are played on Halloween night and snap apple or bobbing for apples is one of them.
An apple is suspended from a string and the children are blindfolded and their arms tied behind their backs. The first child to get a decent bite of the apple gets a prize. Bobbing for apples is when some apples are dropped into a basin of water and the children have to go in headfirst and try to get a bite.
The apples are associated with love and fertility. It is said that whoever gets the first bite will be first to marry. It was also thought that if the girls put the apple they bit, while bobbing, under their pillow that night, they would dream of their future lover.
Shaving the friar
This old game was particularly popular in County Meath. A pile of ash was put down in the shape of a cone with a piece of wood sticking out of the top. Then each player takes turns trying to digger the largest amount of ash without the pile collapsing.
All the while competitors chant:
“Shave the poor Friar to make him a liar;
Cut off his beard to make him afeard;
If the Friar will fall, my poor back pays for all!"
Anti-Fairy Measures
The Sídhe were believed to collect souls as they trawl the earth on Halloween night. The story goes that if you threw dust from under your feet at the fairy they would release any souls they kept captive. However, over the years this legend was changed.
Farm animals would be anointed with holy water to keep them safe through the night. If animals showed ill health on Halloween they would be spat at to try to ward off the evil spirits.
Kitchen Witchery: Soul Cakes
For Samhain, no kitchen witch idea seems more appropriate than soul cakes. Originally from Christian roots in Ireland, soul cakes were traditionally made for All Soul’s Day to celebrate the dead.
They are considered by some to be the origins of trick-or-treating. Irish peasants would go door-to door on All Hallows Eve begging homeowners for food to celebrate the occasion. Soul cakes were given to them. This ensured the homeowner would be free from a curse; instead, the receivers would offer prayers for them that would help them get into heaven.
For the modern magic practitioner, soul cakes make an excellent offering on your ancestral altar at Samhain, and as a traditional treat on your table. They are quick and easy to make.
Ingredients:
400g flour
1 packet of active dry yeast
100ml milk
2 Tbs butter
1/2 tsp each cinnamon & salt
80g sugar
50g lemon zest
150g golden raisins (traditional but optional, can substitute with whatever you like or remain plain, personally I favour dark chocolate chips).
Method:
Cream yeast with 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp milk, let it get frothy.
Blend flour, spices, and salt together, then cut in butter.
Add the rest of the sugar to the flour mix and blend. Add milk and whisked egg onto the yeast mixture; combine with flour mixture. Whisk until stiff.
Fold in raisins and zest, cover with a damp cloth and let rise. Divide in two, place each half in greased 7" round pan.
Cover, let rise again for 30 minutes. Bake 1 hour at 200c.
Tarot Card of the Month: The High Priestess
The High Priestess is often thought to be the most mysterious card in the deck, representing secret knowledge and symbolising feminine spiritual power and the goddess from whom all life comes and to whom all returns.
She is usually depicted as a serene faced female figure, seated with a book in her lap. In the Smith Waite deck this book bears the word Torah but in other decks it is merely an open book or scroll that represents the Akashic Records, the divine repository of our lives, past, present and future.
She sits between the two pillars of Mercy and Severity, which represent the dual nature of our world – good and evil, light and dark, positive and negative and reminds of the importance of balance and equilibrium (relevant at this time of the recent equinox). In the Smith Waite deck, she sits at the doorway to the temple, as if welcoming students to enter and learn her secrets. However the crescent moon at her feet warns of the danger of releasing higher knowledge to those unprepared to handle it.
Key words and concepts of the High Priestess – intuition, mystery, secrecy, hidden feelings, healing ability, developing talents, trusting intuition, seeing beyond the obvious, remembering something of significance. Trusting your gut, intuitive knowledge, niggling doubts or a strong feeling that something isn’t right. The querent already has the knowledge, resources and past experience to solve a problem. Black and white thinking (mundane, material) is not encouraged. When the High Priestess appears in a reading she indicates something hidden is preparing to come forward and that you need to pay more attention to your inner world of dreams, imagination and intuition. Meditation, journeying and other inner work are favoured. Psychologically the underworld refers to the unconscious mind. Revealing our true selves, potential yet to be discovered, shadow work.
Blockage associated with the High Priestess
Living in fantasy, not putting plans into action, over thinking, not seeing through illusion, not trusting your gut feelings and intuition. Neglecting your inner needs and being afraid to show your true self. Fear of finding out how you really feel about someone or a situation. Spending too much time in the material, mundane world.
Astrological Conjunctions for October 2022
October is set up to be a very busy month astrologically, there will be several major planetary transits during spooky season. With so much going on in our sky our world will experience the same. The pace picks-up, events begin to unfold and life changes. This month we are coming into an atmosphere that vastly differs from the past few months, with nearly all the mid to outer planets in retrograde.
There is an even greater emphasis on the transits of October because they involve Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn. By next year all 3 we will be moving on to completely different signs, and Mercury also comes out of retrograde on the 2nd.
Saturn Square Uranus (15th of September to the 23rd of October)
The Saturn-Uranus energy may show us where our values don’t align with the people around us. While this is a tough position to be in, we are all working through ways to find a compromise.
The square, a 90-degree angle, is typically a challenging aspect. It presents obstacles and doesn’t make things easy. Think of it as a time of breaking barriers instead of a period of hardship. The pressure tends to mount when planets like strict Saturn and rebellious Uranus are at odds. Relaxing leisure activities can help in leaps and bounds, as long as we are tending to the issues and the work we need to do. After all, it is Libra season, and balance always comes into play around this time of year.
Pluto Goes Direct on the 8th of October
Pluto has been in sensible Capricorn since 2008. The planet of death and rebirth has gone retrograde in this goal-oriented earth sign plenty of time before—but this was the last retrograde to fully occur in this sign. After spending the last 15 years in Capricorn, the planet makes a momentous move into Aquarius next year. As Pluto begins to move forward again, this intense planet will also activate America’s Pluto return— meaning this transit will play out on a national and global scale. This will likely have to do with the economy and turn the financial world on its head.
On a more personal level, we are all emerging from a metaphorical cocoon. Pluto stationed retrograde in late April of this year, sending us into a nearly six-month plunge into the depths of our soul. We’ve been unearthing different parts of ourselves, cutting out what doesn’t serve and getting in touch with our inner drive. When Pluto stations direct on October 8, we are ready for an ultimate transformation, one we’ve been working on (whether we are aware of it or not) since 2008. This shift has to do with achieving our ultimate dreams. The sign of Capricorn has close ties to aspiration and strives for achievement. Throughout the last decade and a half, we’ve been gaining the skills and the know-how to embrace a new level of our lives and existence.
Saturn Goes Direct on the 23rd of October
On the 23rd of October we’ll start to experience the forward movement of Saturn— the planet of responsibility and self-discipline- out of retrograde . As this structured planet trekked backward through conscientious Aquarius, we’ve all just gained a lesson in accountability. This is Saturn’s traditional home sign, so we are all being called to step up and take our place in society while remaining true to the individual that we are.
Saturn went retrograde in early June of this year, and since then we’ve been breaking the barriers and the chains that hold us back. There was a focus on using innovation to come up with different strategies to achieve ultimate success. When Saturn goes direct on the 23rd of October, the real work begins. It is now time to implement our plans.
It’s also important to note that as Saturn is stationing direct, Venus and the Sun are in a conjunction as they move into insightful Scorpio. This meet-up is like a blending of our desires and identity. We can use this cosmic boost to put our nose to the grind as Saturn begins to make up for lost ground. The planet moved from 25° to 18° of this progressive air sign and the shadow phase is just beginning. For the rest of the year we’ll work hard towards whatever our intended goal is.
New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio & Mars Retrograde on the 25th of October
Eclipses bring about fated moments; they course correct and set us on the path to our destiny. As the Sun and the Moon meet up in Scorpio, we will be discovering an inner truth. There is a need to release before we embark on a fresh start. While new moons always bring new beginnings, this is a south node eclipse, so there is almost always an element of letting go. We are resolving our karma and paying off some spiritual debt in a way.
Surrender seems to be the theme towards the end of the month, as Mars stations retrograde in Gemini on the same day. Mars also has a part to play in the eclipse, as the traditional ruler of Scorpio, the planet is considered the “dispositor” or an influencer of the eclipse. We must accept that we cannot do it all; we need a community to thrive within.
Mars will be in retrograde until the 12th of January 2023. As the planet of action and ambition, our efforts may feel sluggish or thwarted in a way. Mars in Gemini is easily frustrated and hot-headed, and we may experience this around us or within. Just because momentum feels slow does not mean we should give up altogether, but to get comfortable with moving at a slower pace in a particular area of our lives. There is greater importance on the here and now, so it’s best to remain grounded and mindful at this time. Some will be learning how to control impulses, while others will be fine-tuning their inner drive and motivation. What will ring true for all is that we can’t go it alone. Gemini is a people person, and we need to be around those we can lean on and vice versa through this time.
Retrograde Jupiter Transits Pisces – 28th of October
Last but certainly not least is expansive Jupiter’s move into Pisces. Jupiter is still in retrograde which will come to an end on the 23rd of November. On the 28th of October, Jupiter moves over the Aires-Pisces cusp, hitting the critical 0° and 29° points. The planet first crossed this threshold on the 10th of May this year, and the end of this month may bring up an opportunity, issue or situation that occurred around this time. Jupiter went retrograde on the 28th of July, so we’ve had a solid three months reviewing our identity and how we show up in the world, as Jupiter moved backward through the first 8° of Aries, a bold and expressive fire sign.
Jupiter will only make it to 28° of Pisces, meaning it’s going to hang around the last and critical degrees of this intuitive and passive water sign. When planets hit these points, we are being tested, and our circumstances depend on if we pass or fail. This is also significant because Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, and this fortuitous planet will be at home with its new age co-ruler Neptune, for the last time in this lifetime. The Jupiter-Neptune conjunction that occurred in April was a rare and defining alignment of this year. A chapter that started around that time in our lives is turning the page. Jupiter will not be here for long, as the planet will make its final entrance into Aries on December 20, 2022.
With such hyper-focus on the Aries-Pisces cusp there is a fine-tuned focus on a personal death and rebirth, the end of one way and the beginning to another. This transit has spiritual upgrade written all over it. On a collective level, we are releasing a lot, particularly when it comes to our higher mind. Beliefs, dispositions, knowledge, our connection to greater power and our soul all fall under Jupiter’s wheelhouse. Yes, the planet goes much deeper than just good luck and material wealth. So as Jupiter moves through Pisces, we are cleansing our mind body and spirit and shedding the final parts of the old-self. When Jupiter moves from Pisces to Aries in late December. The new version of ourselves arrives before the new year does, but now is the time to decide who that person is going to be.
Book of the Month: Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
‘They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.’
Everybody knows there’s no such thing as a female wizard. So when the wizard Drum Billet accidentally passes on his staff of power to an eighth daughter of an eighth son, a girl called Eskarina (Esk, for short), the misogynistic world of wizardry want nothing to do with her.
Thankfully Granny Weatherwax, the Discworld’s most famous witch, has plenty of experience ignoring the status quo. With Granny’s help, Esk sneaks her way into the magical Unseen University and befriends apprentice wizard Simon.
But power is unpredictable, and these bright young students soon find themselves in a whole new dimension of trouble. Let the battle of the sexes begin . . .
‘If you’ve never read a Discworld novel, what’s the matter with you?’ Guardian
‘Pratchett uses his other world to hold up a distorting mirror to our own’ The Times
Equal Rites is the first book in the Witches series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.
Dates for your Calendar: October 2022
The team at Scargle Nargle are very excited to facilitate Brian Breathnach for his online class on Introduction to Planetary Magic.
Beyond the work of the ele
ments is the work with the seven traditional planets, each with its own rulership and day of the week. Learn about these seven planets, their rulership and how to make petitions to the planets.
Brian is an initiate and practitioner of multiple traditions of magic, blending centuries of tradition with practical, result oriented goals. Class taking place via zoom on Thursday 7pm to 9pm. Scargle also invites you to come and join us or you can join from the comfort of your own home. Cost is £10
Hunter's Moon Full Moon Ritual on Monday the 10th of October at 7pm. Taking
place at Scargle Nargle is our monthly full moon ritual, with the full moon being the Hunter's Moon in Aries. The full moon in Aries is ruled by fire and brings us the opportunity to burn away anything blocking our path forward. This is a time to align with your inner power and build your courage commitment, and fearlessness to overcome any obstacle. It is also a time to align with your passions and Aries can help guide us on the mission to find our souls' purpose with motivation and confidence. This uplifting circle is the perfect opportunity to manifest intentions in a gathering of like-minded people. Cost is £7.50
Besom workshop on Saturday the 15th of October from 12pm to 4pm. Learn about the history of the witch's most iconic tool, from its usage over the centuries as a practical object of protection and healing to its demonisation in the witch hunts of Europe. Make, decorate and dedicate your own besom for your home and magical use.
All materials provided. Cost is £30 with places limited.
PM the page or call/text 07881474797 to book your place.
Class on Samhain on Wednesday the 19th of October from 7pm to 9pm. High Priestess Ann Bleakley will give a talk on the origins of Samahin on ancient Ireland. Seasonal refreshments provided. Cost is £10
The Witches' Ball on Friday the 28th of October at 7pm at the Ballymac Hotel 7a Rock Road, Lisburn BT28 3SU. After the success of last year's Ball, join us again this year for a night of fun and laughter. Music provided by the wonderful DJ Ali P, buffet supper, prizes and charity raffle plus a few surprises.
Tickets are £25 per person.
The venue is in close proximity to Lisburn and also Belfast.
To stay over, a single room is £79 and a double room is £100 which includes breakfast. (If you are staying over you need to contact the hotel directly.)
Please PM the Facebook page or call/text 07881474797 to book!
Samhain Ritual on Sunday the 30th of October at 6pm. Join us after the fun of the Halloween ball on this more solemn event and ritual to honour our ancestors. We will have an Ancestors table if you would like to bring any photographs or keepsakes of loved ones who have passed. Seasonal refreshments provided. Cost is £7.50
We hope you have enjoyed this third edition of The Scargle Scroll, and hope that your October is filled with mischief, magic and Halloween fun!
Bright Blessings!
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