Place your message here. For maximumimpact, use two or three sentences.

H
e
a
d
in
g


Myddle Earth

Quarterly of the Pagan Federation
Mid-West & Wales

Yule 2013


Edi tori al

Here we are at Midwinter, and the short, wet, foggy days very much the norm.
We know it wont always be like this, however. Does this all put you in the Yule-
tide spirit? With the turn of the wheel comes colder weather, so we will soon be
seeing more like the pictures above in the next few weeks. In the meantime
gather in the evergreens, prepare the mulled wine, roll back the carpets and
make merry! Theres no time of the year that we need it more.

This is a bumper edition to while away the midwinter with more to read than ever
before. Explore the tarot, learn about one shamans approach to gardening,
dream of travel in mystical Brittany. Check out the moots listings and get together
with your fellow pagans for an evening of drinks & nattering.
Please continue sending your articles, poetry, photos, jokes, book & music re-
views or anything that you think would be of interest to Pagans. These can be
items of Regional or seasonal interest, but a range of topics broadly pagan-
related are most welcome.

Issues come out at the Solstices and Equinoxes. Deadlines are:
Spring Equinox -1
st
of March
Summer Solstice - 1st June
Autumn Equinox - 1st September
Yule (winter solstice)- 1st December.

Email to: MyddleEarth@yahoo.co.uk

Note: If you want to submit anything but dont have email access, typed work
sent to the PF address may be scanned. Itll take a few weeks to reach me, so al-
low extra time if youre sending anything seasonal. This mag isnt solely for the
IT-literate.


Wassai l and Good Yule to one and all!

Amber

District Managers Report Yule 2013

Hello and Yule Greetings to everyone. In the Autumn issue of Myddle Earth I
said there were changes coming and this time around I can tell you what they
are.

In the South and Mid-West Wales Region we now have a pair of Regional Co-
ordinators, Catherine Abbott and Llewellyn Morgan, who have been joined by a
small group of Local Co-ordinators; so welcome to the team I know you are
going to do a great job. But thats not all your Regional Co-ordinators for
Hereford and Worcester have stepped up to become Deputy District Manag-
ers, and we are welcoming a new RC: Anne-Marie Fairbairn is the new Re-
gional Co-ordinator for Hereford and Worcester. I know all three of these new
volunteers, and their helpers, are full of great plans for their Regions but I will
leave them to tell you what they are in their own Reports. Its just my happy
task to say welcome to them and hope they enjoy their work and all the new
people they are going to meet.

And lets not forget that while two Regions in the District are experiencing
changes, I am mightily thankful to say that the other two, with RCs Steve Lud-
ford in North Wales and Ian Robinson in the Mid-West, are providing some
needed stability to the District, and steadily increasing their numbers.

So for the Mid-West and Wales District, its a cheerful picture as we move
into the New Year (apologies to all you Celtic folks who began their year at
Samhain) my New Year begins on the first New Moon after Yule, which this
time happens to be 1
st
J anuary.

South Wales Yule 2013
Solstice Greetings to all our members in South and Mid-West Wales. Catherine and Llewellyn
didnt get their Report to us before the deadline, but Imsure they are deep in plans for the Re-
gion which they will share with you in the Spring issue, when they have had some time to set-
tle in to their new role. Before then, these are the contact emails you can use if you need any
help or advice:
Catherine Abbott and Llewellyn Morgan are your Regional Co-ordinators, on cath-
erine.abbot01@gmail.com; your Local Co-ordinators are: Sian Humphries, sianyh@aol.com,
covering the CF postcode area; Rufus Maychild on rufus.maychild@btconnect.com, covering
SA, and Derek Storey, storey300@gmail.comcovering CF. As you can see, we could do with
some more volunteers, for the LD and SY postcode areas and some in SA to help Rufus with
his very large area of responsibility. Any offers? Contact your Regional Co-ordinators or your
District Manager.


Wishing you all a peaceful, joyful Yule and a bright and
healthy New Year, full of happiness, hopefulness and new
beginnings.

Pat Pitts, District Manager for Mid-West and Wales
01782 863532, pat.pitts@ntlworld.com

Following the Deer-Trods Elen Sentier

Shamanism all around the world is about living with the Earth.
In Britain, where I grew up, we called it being awenydd;
awenydd means spirit keeper.
What is a spirit-keeper?
A spirit-keeper is a guardian, attendant, caretaker, helper one who helps and
works with the spirits. Taking care of them and their place in the world.
One thing a spirit-keeper is not is one who holds spirits in her or his own control!
Shaman is a Tungus word meaning one who knows
So, what is it to know ???
If I throw a bucket of water over you you know youre wet! You dont need a course, a weekend work-
shop, to read a book or pass an exam on it! You know youre wet and youre probably cross !!!
The awenydd, the spirit-keeper, KNOWS.
They know this world and otherworld this way, in their bones

As a spirit-keeper I feel wholly connected to the physical world in which we live as well as, and at the
same time as, being wholly connected with the spirit world.
We call this walking between worlds.
As I woke this autumn morning, the poplars outside my window were whispering their leaves in the light
breeze; the land sent up her scent of autumn through the open window, the birds chuckled and chirruped
their morning conversations. Knowing is about all this

Im lucky we have a big garden, a quarter of an acre, with a big pond, wildflower meadows, veg plot and
a small woodland bit where I can hang my hammock, build a ground-fire, cook and sleep out at night when
I wish. Its a magical place where the spirit of place for our land is happy to come talk with me and so
are all the little spirits of the plants and beasties, birds and insects.
To go out for the night is like going on holiday to a very special place only 2 minutes walk from my
door!
We built this sacred space with the help of the land spirits and by following the deer-trods
Building the Sacred Space
When we came here, back in 2000, we wanted to work with the spirits of place, the Land Spirits, to make a
sacred space for them as much as for us.
We were led to this place, unknowing at least consciously of its ancient history and deep spirit-
connections. Wed asked spirit for certain things no neighbours, quiet, out in the country, our own water
supply, a big garden to do as we wished with. They supplied it Archenland is just what we asked for.
When we came here the place was barren, a wasteland of mown grass. There were no birds except the rooks
and jackdaws that feed on the excess the farmer wastes when he feeds his shedded cattle. When we first dug
the soil there were no worms, it was dry, pale and hungry.
We began to turn it around
We set up bird-feeders immediately and within a couple of days they were being investigated by blue and
great tits. Robins and finches followed on quickly, sparrows came, both common sparrows and hedge spar-
rows, dunnocks. Within three months we had a wealth of birds here including woodpeckers, blackbirds,
thrushes, wrens and other songbirds to such an extent that a local sparrowhawk thinks were well worth
using as a hunting ground. That was a great thrill!
If your habitat is such that a bird of prey considers it worth hunting there you have really done well.

All the top predators expend an enormous amount of energy to get their food and they are only successful in
about one hunt in four. Theyre very intelligent and dont waste their energy on places where theyre
unlikely to be successful. This lady she was large, the female bird of prey is the larger, shes the one in
charge! has been hunting successfully in our garden now for nearly 14 years. She does not decimate the
songbirds shes not such a fool as to waste her larder for future years! Shes part of the whole ecosystem
here.
Sit-With
What did the garden want of us?
We sat with the garden, the spirit of place, and talked with her the Archenland spirit assumes a feminine
form for us here. We said what we would like a big pond, small wood, hedges full of flowers and fruit, lots
of flowers for the insects, some lawn-grass, and vegetables and fruit beds. She was content with this and
showed me pictures of how it would be as I journeyed with her. It was good to see Id got the plan in my head
pretty well right as far as what she needed, what the garden needed, and not just what I wanted.
We, my husband and me, set to work digging the soil, laying out the beds, planting the trees, many of
which had come with us from London in pots, Id been collecting them for years with this sacred space in
mind.
The planting was interesting and made us laugh.
The pots lived in the front yard, near to the water tap so we could look after them easily until the plants went
into the ground. So each, day as we worked, wed load a pot onto the wheelbarrow and set off across the gar-
den towards the place where wed dug the hole for the tree.
The second day of planting, almost as soon as Id got into the main garden from the yard, there was a
squawking from the tree No! it shouted, Not there! I want to be over there!
Can you imagine?
I suspect some of youve had that experience too.
I stopped the barrow and, hands on hips said, Well where do you want to be? Ive dug the damned
hole, what are you on about?
I got shown where the tree wanted to be and had to dig a new hole, then plant the tree.
It would have been no use trying to force the tree to be where I had wanted it to go, it wouldnt have thrived,
likely have died and I dont kill trees by my own stupidity and thoughtlessness!
Fortunately Im a quick learner!
From day 2, the process became
go out into the front yard
ask who wished to be planted today
make a list from the answers (always more than one!)
ask the trees to prioritise the list for me
ask #1 tree where s/he wanted to go
load the tree onto the barrow and wheel them to the place
check they were certain this was right
dig the hole
plant the tree
It was much more effective and actually quicker than me trying to project plan and know best for the
plants !!!
This is a very real case of following the deer trods.
As awenydd, you learn not to know best, not to make decisions for everything and everyone else.
Usually such assumptions suit you rather than them anyway!
You learn to ASK and LISTEN.
After 50 years youd have thought Id have learnt but theres ALWAYS something more for us to learn
as long as were still alive, still incarnate.

Anyway to go on with the story of building the garden, creating the sacred space
Part of the work was using the biodynamic preparations some of you may know of them, more at the end
if you want.

The Preparations are 8 animal/vegetable/mineral concoctions that are made in rather odd-sounding (to mod-
ern ears) ways.





The Field Preparations are
500: HORN MANURE This is fresh cow manure prepared in a cows horn over the winter. It improves the
soil and helps roots to come to their full potential. It is applied to the soil, but it doesnt matter if you splash
the plants while applying it.
and
501: HORN SILICA This is crushed quartz silica (crystal) prepared in a cows horn over the summer. It
helps fine tune cultivation, bringing leaves, flowers, fruits and roots to their full potential. It is applied to the
plants, rather than the soil, and it must be used very carefully, in time with the star calendar and only on the
relevant plants or you will get some effects you didnt want .

About Cows Horns
A cows horn is a very special thing, not the same as a bulls horn. The cows horn is heavy, thick-walled and
slender, spiralling right up to the tip. There are rings, rather like the rings formed as a tree ages, that show
how many calves she has had. Bulls horns, on the other hand, are thin-walled, have no rings and are gener-
ally conical, growing straight without the spiralling from base to tip.
People have tried making the filed preps in other containers, including bulls horns, glass test tubes, pottery
vessels, all sorts of things, to see if the process still works. It doesnt. You end up with green, slimy cow-pat
manure very like what originally went into the receptacle.

Theres something about the cows horn thats special even if we dont yet know what it is that enables
the manure to turn from smelly cow pat to a fine, sweet-smelling earth-like compound. The same goes for the
silica although the non-effects arent so obvious.

I dont know why this happens and at present I dont think anyone else really does either, but it does
work and the results on the garden are wonderful.
NB the horns only ever come from animals after they have been slaughtered either for food or at the end of
their lives. No cow is ever de-horned in biodynamics unless there is a desperate medical reason to do so.

The Preparatons are amazing things and very shamanic in both the way they are made and used, and in the
energy-way they work. Theyre certainly not ordinary fertiliser-stuff !!!


Less is more
You need only a very small amount of either prep. For the horn manure, a piece about the length of your first
thumb-joint stirred into an ordinary household-size plastic bucket half full of water will do the whole of the
average town garden. For horn silica, a quarter of a teaspoon in half a bucket of water will be quite enough
for most peoples veg and flowers. It really is a case of less-is-more.
The preparations are not fertilisers to be sprayed onto the ground and plants in great quantities. As youll see,
you actually flick droplets onto the soil with a large wallpaper brush or spray plants with a fine sprayer. Using
the brush may make you feel a bit silly at first, especially if your neighbours see you, but you really wont
care once youre munching those delicious raspberries or vegetables and enjoying the beautiful, healthy flow-
ers.
You dont just put the preps on the land but also in your compost heap.



The Compost Preparations are
502 YARROW Achillea millefolium Yarrow does the potassium and sulphur processes of the soil;
helps replenish soil grown tired through many years of cultivation. The country name is Venus Eyebrow
as the seed looks a bit like an eyebrow.
503 CHAMOMILE Chamomilla metrecaria recutita Chamomile helps the living calcium processes and
helps to stabilize plant nutrients; it also dampens down excessive fermentation and invigorates plant
growth.
504 NETTLE Urtica dioica Nettle helps iron and helps to stabilize nitrogen.
505 OAK BARK Quercus robur Oak bark is rich in calcium. It helps to ward off plant diseases and
fungal attacks.
506 DANDELION Taraxacum officianale Dandelion does the living silica processes; helps the natural
relationships like the mycorhyza become fully effective. The plants country name Lion Tooth from the
French, dent de lion meaning tooth of the lion. Our word dandelion is a corruption of this.
507 VALERIAN Valeriana officianalis Valerian does phosphorous, providing a warmth blanket to the
compost heap. Earthworms love it. Used with Prep 500 it draws worms into the garden and helps them re-
produce well.
The Preps are magic they work in energy-ways radiating
This is rather like the way homeopathic preparations work but they are neither homeopathy nor herbalism.
Theyre something else.
Using the Preps in the Garden
So We began using the horn manure first, stirring a tiny amount of it in a bucket, for an hour, and then
flicking droplets of it all over the land with a wallpaper brush!
Very odd-sounding shamanic tools a plastic bucket, a broom-handle sawn in half to get the right length,
a couple of gallons of water and an inch cube of cow-shit that had gone through the magic process.
Well think about it we use what we have now, our ancestors used what they had then. What looks like
amazing paraphernalia to us now were everyday objects to them. Theirs were generally rather more beauti-
ful than ours

So, there we were, in June 2000, in the garden
We stirred the small piece of cow-shit into the water, making a vortex deosil, then turning the vortex of
order into chaos, then remaking it widdershins, turn and turn about for an hour. Then we took a bucket each
and began to sprinkle it onto the garden.
There was a pretty immediate effect

...To be continued next issue.

See a review of Elens book Elen of the Ways: Shaman Pathways Moon Books)
in the current edition of Pagan Dawn (189) on page 29
Elens blog is: http://elensentier.wordpress.com/







Moon Gazing Hare by Glenys Walmsley

He sits in the moonlight
Slender body alert
His nose it is twitching
As he sniffs the air

His long ears are scanning
the area around
A owl flies by
As he makes up his mind

His strong long legs propel him
As he hops across the ground
To the centre of the dark field
With nothing around

He looks upwards towards it
The big orange ball
Shedding it's light
It's mesmerizing us all

Our ancestors are remembered
As upwards he stares
There's nothing quite like him
The moon gazing hare


Magi cal Moments

15 Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke on Trent ST6 3EL, 01782
822753
(next door to Burslem Art College)
Pagan goods, herbs, solid ritual candles and much more
Tarot or Palm readings, Holistic Therapies.
Regional Co-ordinators Report
Hereford & Worcester
The Spirits of Albion October conference in Hay-on-Wye on the England-Wales
border went very well indeed (see photo below). Those of you who missed it can
read in this Myddle Earth the full transcript of the talk given that day by local sha-
man Elen Sentier. This has been divided into 2 parts, the second of which will ap-
pear in the Spring Equinox 2014 issue. It is most generous of Elen to contribute
this talk on such a fascinating subject, I feel we are indeed privileged.
Other topics covered on the day included Post-modern Druidry practice by Pat
French (who looked sweet draped in a tablecloth), and Pete J ennings, all the way
from Suffolk, informed us on the topic of Anglo-Saxon & Norse magic. Laurence
Main of the Network of Ley Hunters paced up and down as he described his expe-
ditions Walking the Leys, and Steve Mitchell gave an account of his path to
Wicca. Lively and stimulating discussion followed each lecture, many people
made new friends and met established ones, and we even had two well-behaved
dogs present! It was a glorious calm autumnal day in Hay the town of books.
Abundant sunshine and mild temperatures brought many attendees outside for so-
cialising during breaks, so it seems a good time was had by all.

Pete J ennings http://www.gippeswic.demon.co.uk/
Laurence Main http://www.networkofleyhunters.com/


Important news: we are now leaving the job of Regional Co-ordinators for Here-
fordshire & Worcestershire, handing this over to Anne Marie. Organiser of the
Herefordshire Moot for over 4 years now, Anne Marie has been a staunch sup-
porter of Pagan rights in this part of the country and we are very pleased that she
has agreed to take on this role.
We are currently serving as Deputy District Managers supporting Pat Pitts and will
take over from Pat next May. So its all change around here!


Good Yul e & Good- bye from us,
Audrey & Ri chard

The Magic of Brittany
Ian Robinson, Regional Co-ordinator for the Midwest (Staffordshire and Shropshire)

Arbre DOr (The Golden Tree)
A storm was coming, but the winds were still,
And in the wild woods of Broceliande,
Before an oak, so hollow, huge and old
It looked a tower of ivied masonwork,
At Merlins feet the wily Vivien lay.
(From the Idylls of the King, Tennyson)

I fell in love with Broceliande after reading Robert Holdstocks Merlins Wood and his Mythago
Wood books; I never thought that I would one day walk through the ancient forest of Broceliande
where Merlin once walked.

Brittany is alive with magic, wild woods, standing stones and friendly and magical people. I was
there for a week which wasnt long enough. There were far too many places to go and see, but out
of them all I wanted to visit Broceliande and visit Merlins Tomb which I did.

The landscape is much more than picturesque, it is breathtaking, wild woods and ancient trees and
pathways that snake through the forest taking you to a land of dreams and adventure and Merlin
and Arthur. It was the 12
th
century poet, Chretien de Troyes who is largely (but not solely responsi-
ble) for popularising the Arthurian legends in France. Troyes also gave us Sir Lancelot and adding
to the legend. I must admit to being a tad vexed with the French pinching our national hero, but in
retrospect it has enhanced the legends. Besides Brittany after all is Little Britain. Who is to say
that Arthur didnt cross the channel; his adventures (and those of his knights) took them the length
and breadth of the British Isles. Arthur is to be found in Wales, Cornwall, as far north as Scotland
and Glastonbury.

In an article I wrote some time ago I said that Glastonbury was made for Arthur and Merlin; so too
is Brittany. The woodlands are unspoilt, natural unlike many of our own. The locals forage not only
for firewood but for food, truffles, mushrooms and hunt and eat what they shoot. You have to watch
where you wander; some of the trees are marked red for danger which indicates a hunting/shooting
ground. We came across many foragers during our wanderings, but thankfully avoided being shot.

One of my favourite artists is a gentleman by the name of Ed Org; the majority of his work has a
Celtic/Arthurian theme. One of his major works is entitled In the Valley of Morgan le Fay and there
is a valley in Broceliande which could have been his inspiration.* Within the heart of Broceliande is
The Valley of no Return where Morgan le Fay wanders and it is here that she imprisoned her lover,
Guyomart. There is also Le Miroir Aux Feef, the Fairies Mirror, a lake, which is close to the Golden
Tree. This, Arbre DOr, was painted gold to commemorate the forest fire of 1990 that decimated
Broceliande destroying many of the trees. The Golden Tree is a symbol of Cernunnos, the Stag
Lord. If you look at the above photograph the symbolism is there to see.

If you are ever fortunate to visit this ancient place, and I hope you are, take time to soak up the at-
mosphere, find somewhere still and quiet to sit; close your eyes and allow your spirit to soar. There
are faeries here and so much more. Listen for the horn of Cernunnos, and to the whispering in the
branches and the trees.

Broceliande is a place for poets and dreamers, certainly pagans and Merlin.

*In the Valley of Morgan le Fay by Ed Org was actually inspired by an area above Conwy Falls in
North Wales.

Paimpont
Paimpont (pronounced Pampon) is the Glastonbury of Brittany. Although there are not quite as
many shops there are certainly sufficient. There is, however, one failing with the shops in Brittany
and France and that is they have very long lunch hours. The French are far more laid back than
the English and are not driven by money as much as we are. Can you imagine Tesco or any other
British super-market closing and having a two hour lunch break? Not likely. This was one of the first
places we visited. We had been told about the town and really wanted to see the place and werent
disappointed. One delightful feature of most villages in Brittany is the Bars which also sell tobacco
products. You will not find cigarettes or tobacco in the supermarkets. Fortunately Paimpont had its
own pub where I drank Morgane, a delightful blond beer. My command of French is somewhat lim-
ited, but I struggled by, knowing the essentials like tabacc, bonjour, merci, oui, non and au revoir
and I smiled a lot. Paimpont is a delightful place. There is a huge hall, once an abbey, with a splen-
did lake with woodland around the shores. Not far from the grand hall is a Centre of Tourism that
sells a lot of goodies, books (if you can read French), hand crafted gifts, postcards and a lot of
other items. Every town has its own butcher and at Paimpont they grill sausages outside the shop.
On our first day, whilst we were enjoying a drink in the local pub, I picked up a leaflet adver-
tising le Village de Samhain. Naturally my eyes lit up and brought it to the attention of my brother-
in-Law suggesting we should investigate, which we did. It seems that every village has its own
community hall and on the 27
th
October they were having a Samhain celebration not just for pa-
gans but for everyone. Entrance was free and began at 11am and finished at 8pm. It was like a
mini-Witchfest it was ruddy marvellous, everything a pagan could want, but remember this was a
local event for everyone. There were re-enactors there and I even spied a couple of Goths. The
stalls sold leather goods, pouches, runes, jewellery, hand crafted books of shadows, and carvings
worked in stone, clothes... You name it and they had it.
When we arrived there was a guy in full costume by the car park playing bagpipes, not Scot-
tish, but Breton; naturally being me I got talking to him and thankfully he spoke English. He was a
bard and been to Stonehenge and Avebury. Later that evening he was on stage telling stories and
held the audience entranced, I just wish that I could have understood what he was saying but the
best was yet to come. Remember, this event was free for the general public. For the next one and
a half hours we were entertained by a folk band by the name of Church Fitter who were utterly
splendid. At some point I am going to check out Amazon as their albums are on there. The fiddle
player was amazing, he also played the saw, and the bass player had made all of his own instru-
ments. As for the lead singer I have never heard or seen anyone who was so versatile on so many
instruments and have such an amazing voice. It was a brilliant evening and a marvellous start to
our holiday. If you have to go to France go to Brittany.
I could write more about Carnac, and the beach where I picked up natural quartz from the
beach, I could talk about the tiny dolmen at the side of the road, or Brittanys equivalent of Stone-
henge or...
Au revoir for now, have a wonderful Yule.


Ian

Tarot Symbolism A series by Peter Lancett
Introduction
Great secrets are often hidden in plain sight. Those initiated into their mysteries may un-
derstand and utilise them. Many who notice them may scorn them while others find
themselves strangely attracted without understanding why. And thus it is with the tarot
the occult system of symbolic synthesis.
The tarot is now everywhere. The thirst for this collected symbolism among occult dab-
blers seems nigh on unquenchable. Tarot sets are created as merchandise used to exploit
the commercial possibilities of almost any currently fashionable aspect of popular cul-
ture. There is, for example, a Steampunk Tarot, and even a Gummy Bears Tarot. The
value of such packs to the committed seeker after truth is dubious to say the least. They
would appear to be an entertainment and as such harmless enough. But it is unlikely that
they call to the inner spirit of anyone yearning for the enlightenment that the true sym-
bolism found in tarot can stimulate.
A collection of tarot cards has value only insofar as the symbols contained within the
illustrations truly stimulate knowledge and understanding. The tarot cards of the Major
Arcana in particular, when worked with systematically, will call into consciousness the
hidden principles of occult wisdom lying dormant in the hearts of all mankind. Once
brought into consciousness, the seeker will recognize them and understand them.
This knowledge, this absolute and singular universal truth, has a very practical value to
anyone seeking enlightenment via the path of return. And while it lies innate in everyone,
it is not available for directed use by anyone until it is stimulated to appear before the
light of consciousness. And this is what tarot symbolism is designed to do.
As such, to be fit for purpose, a set of tarot cards should contain the symbols that the
cards were established to carry. Many symbols are unique to each card. Some are re-
peated but in unique conjunctions and contexts. Any meaningful tarot must contain the
appropriate symbolic elements specific to each card. This is a sine qua non (Latin liter-
ally without which, nothing.
No one set of cards can be said to be better or more powerful than another. Attraction
is subjective. It may be said that the cards call to the seeker, rather than the seeker
chooses the cards. Thats as may be just so long as the chosen pack contains the sym-
bols needed to stimulate the knowledge lying dormant within. And its equally important
that the illustrations make use of specific colouring schemes.
Colour is a critical stimulant. Colour or its absence is a vital attribute of any occult
symbol. This is important, even if the seeker suffers from a form of colour blindness.
Colour is simply reflected light vibrating at a particular wavelength. The colour red still
vibrates at a wavelength corresponding to red, even if a persons perception of it shows it
to be green. The truth of that unchanging wavelength is the important stimulant, not an
individuals subjective perception of it.
So then, a seeker after truth who is drawn to tarot symbolism as a means of finding a
guided path to enlightenment, must choose a pack of cards that speaks to his or her inner
soul. You may have a different name for this internal spiritual essence, but I shall refer to
it as inner soul or simply soul for the purposes of this series of articles. The pack
chosen must contain specific symbols of the right colour on the appropriate cards. The
actual style of the illustrations does not matter provided that the symbols and colours are
present.
Some very powerful occult tarot packs are now readily available for purchase but many
HART:
Aromatherapy Massage
Reiki and Crystal Healing
Tarot Readings
Maggie J ennings
The Tudor House, Shop 1
9 Foregate Street, Stafford ST16 2NQ
maggie.jennings@ntlworld.com
of these have been designed by advanced occultists to achieve very specific ends. For ex-
ample, the Thoth tarot deck created for Aleister Crowley at his very detailed direction.
Most seekers though, would be better off working with cards that speak more generally to
the human soul.
The most popular deck remains the Rider-Waite deck, created by Arther Edward Waite, a
writer and important occultist of the late 19
th
and early 20
th
centuries. The cards were illus-
trated by Pamela Coleman Smith under Waites direction and contain all the occult sym-
bols and appropriate colours without embellishment. A great positive in favour of the
Rider-Waite tarot is its simplicity. The illustrations consist of simple line drawings and the
colours are vivid. There is no unnecessary clutter to distract the mind of the seeker.
In this series, I shall be describing and explaining the symbols found on a deck very simi-
lar to the Rider-Waite deck, but one which has generally only been available to members of
a High-Magic Order. The reason Im using this pack is because I know it to contain all the
elements on each card with each symbol correctly drawn, correctly placed in conjunction
with other symbols, and correctly coloured. It is entirely free from error in its construction.

The purpose of this series on tarot symbolism is to provide an insight into the symbols on
the cards so that the seeker may come to understand them faster than would typically be
realised by meditation alone. And the reason for wanting to understand them is assumed to
be a desire in the seeker for the expansion of conscious understanding needed to travel
along the spiritual path of return. This series will not concern itself with the use of tarot as
a fortune-telling device. It is for others, perhaps, to explain the cards as an oracle of divina-
tion.
In the next issue of Myddle Earth, we shall begin our exploration of tarot symbolism with
a look at the first card of the Major Arcana Card 0, The Fool. Until then, be happy and
peaceful. And above all, count your blessings.








Pagan Federation Mid-West and Wales
District Moots and Meetings

This list is as up-to-date as we can make it but newcomers are strongly advised to phone or e-mail the
listed contact before setting out, to make sure there are no last-minute changes to time or venue.
This update 15 December 2013 And organisers any changes? Please, pretty please, tell us

Cardiff Moot, 1
st
Monday of the month, 7.30 pmat the Rummer Tavern, for more information
visit us on facebook Cardiff Pagan Federation Moot.

Cardiff, Coffee-n-Craft 3rd Saturday of the month 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. in Pipi's, 31-32
Caroline Street, Cardiff CF10 1FF. Coffee-n-Craft is a social gathering for solitaries of all paths
and those interested in or attending Midnight's Gems to network and make new friends. We
welcome pagans of all paths and pagan friendly non-pagans. FFI please email the organiser,
Midnight, at coffee-n-craft@midnightofcardiff.com.

Carmarthen Moot last Thursday 7.30pmonwards. Held at the Get Stuffed Pizza (at the back of
Marks & Spencer).. Moot dates are subject to change! Please contact for confirmation. Susan:
01267 281414 or Paul Rousselle, tel 07872 992162 or paulkwrousselle@yahoo.co.uk

Cheadle Moot 3rd Monday from7pmonwards at Bar 19, Bank St, Cheadle, Staffs, ST19 1NR
Contact rowangrove99@gmail.com, contact names Caroline Hill and J an Edwards

Chester, 1
st
Wednesday at 7.30pmat The Town Crier, City Road, CH1 3AE. Contact Amanda on
07722133056 or maywaterdragon@gmail.com.

Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, 1
st
Saturday of the month 11am-1pmstarting February in The
Little Shop of Calm, 1 Westgate, CF71 7AQ. FFI Siany at sianyh@aol.com

Etruria, Stoke on Trent, 1
st
Tuesday at The Holy Inadequate pub, Shelton New Road, ST1 5PE. A
Pagan-friendly pub, trad beer and a warmwelcome. Contact Sarah sarcope@googlemail.com or
telephone her on 01782 915170.

Hereford, first Wednesday from7.30pmat The Black Lion Public house, 31 Bridge Street Here-
ford We are in the private events roomupstairs, drinks are available to buy fromthe bar downstairs.
HR4 4DG. All welcome chats, discussions, speakers, moot library, stitch&witch, drumming
circle. FFI e-mail annemariefairbairn@gmail.com. Details also on Facebook, Herefordshire Pagan
Moot.

Kidsgrove/Stoke on Trent. Last Tuesday at the Blue Bell, Hardingswood ST7 1EG. 8pm. Talks,
quizzes, socials, raffles. Everyone welcome. 2 for speaker fund. Contact, Pat, 01782 863532,
pat.pitts@ntlworld.com.

Lampeter 1
st
Sunday at the Cwmanne Tavern, Cwmanne Terrace SA48 8DR fromaround
7.30pm, An informal meeting of Pagans, Druids, Asatruans, Wiccans, Witches, Shamans,
Heathens, Magicians, Muggles, Students, Klingons and anyone else who wants to come along.
Contact Carle at pagan@lamp.ac.uk

Llanelli PF Moot every 2nd Monday of the month at the Half Moon pub 71 Wern Road, SA15 1SP
from11 amonwards, children welcome. http://www.sabrain.com/half-moon. Please contact Bee on
pfsouthwales.co.uk or 07906098284.

Menai Bridge on the first Thursday of each month, in the Lounge of the Victoria Hotel Telford
Road, LL59 5DR, 7.30pm. Contact Gareth on 07872649995 email: barcyddu@o2.co.uk or visit
http://northwalespagans.com/community

Neath Moot last Monday of the month at The Highlander, Lewis Road, SA11 1EQ (first round-
about when you come into town) from7.30. Contact 07975634990. For details and maps visit
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/pfwales/files/Crown%20Inn/ 07975634990 or
pfsouthwales@gmail.comfor further info.

Oswestry first Tuesday 7.30pmat The Plough Pub, Beatrice Street, Oswestry SY11 1QE.
Regular talks plus seasonal celebrations and rituals. For further information e-mail con-
tact@oswestrymoot.co.uk or telephone Angie or Den 01691 680017 or Darryl 01691 829111

Oswestry third Thursday of the month, 7.30pmin the upstairs roomat the Bell Inn, 61 Church
Street SY11 2SZ in Town Centre. A social moot with talks and a warmwelcome for everyone.
For further details phone Steve on 01691 679066 after 6pm.

Pontardawe Y Garreg a'r Crochan moot, first Monday 7.30pmat The Pontardawe Inn (known
locally as Y Gwachel), Pontardawe, Swansea Valley SA8 4ED. Talks and workshops. Contact
J ude on ygarregarcrochan@gmail.com, phone 07966206536 or visit
www.ygarregarcrochan.moonfruit.comTheres also a facebook page: Y Garreg A'r Crochan
Pagan Moot.

Rhyl 2nd Thursday of the month at Caskeys, 19-23 Vale Rd, Rhyl, Clwyd, LL18 2BT, starting
roughly 7.30pm, A friendly, cosy and informative social moot to meet up with like minded souls
and share what we know and love. For more details contact Steve on 01691 679066.

Shrewsbury Afternoon moot at the Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, Castle Gates, SY1 2AE, 2.00pm-
5.00pmon either the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month. Newcomers please contact Stephen
Appleby on 07858 225200 or see Facebook page Shrewsburys Pagan Moot for information.

Stafford 3
rd
Tuesday 8.00pmat The Shrewsbury Arms, 75 Eastgate Street ST16 2NG. Meet like-
minded people for a drink and a chat. 3 when theres a speaker. Contact Ian, 01785 227471,
raggedrobin@live.co.uk

Stoke on Trent Mysteries Group. 2nd Tuesday at the Red Lion, Old Stoke Road, Hartshill ST4
6ES, 8.00pm. Researching the unexplained. Note: meetings run from September to May,
Contact mjwaltersuk@yahoo.co.uk http://mysteriesgroup.atspace.org/

Swansea Moot 3
rd
Tuesday, at Mozarts on Walter Road. SA1 4QA, 7.30 pmonwards. For
further information phone Cyt on 01792 578309.

Treharris first Wednesday in the back bar of the Colliers Cwtch, Treharris at 7.30. You're
welcome to join us for a drink and a chat. Contact Stormon pandoras-storm@hotmail.com

Usk 3rd Tuesday in the month 7.30pmat The New Court Inn, 62 Maryport Street, Usk, NP15
1AD. Ffi Tye at tazwelsh5@hotmail.com or telephone 07786-050 700

Valleys Moot We are in the process of sorting a new location. Contact Richard Blackburn on
07980977515 or e-mail krishak2099@hotmail.com

Wellington, near Telford. First Wednesday at the Red Lion Pub Holyhead Road, TF1 2EW from
8.00pm. Open and social moot, all welcome. Contact Pat French, 07967329909,
flutes@moonforge.com

Worcester Moot on the 2nd Wednesday of every month 7.30-1100pm upstairs at The Old Rectifying
House 9 North Parade, WR1 3NN. A Pagan Moot open to followers of any pagan path, newcomers wel-
come. For further details please contact Karen on 07920111371 after 6pm or see the Worcester Moot Face-
book page.

Wrexham Moot Will anyone interested in a moot in Wrexham, or nearby, please contact
Steve.01691 679066, offasring@lineone.net


Deck the Halls
(the best Yule song ever!)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure.
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Hail the new year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la !