To my friends in the Southern Hemisphere wishing you a beautiful bright Imbolc!
Here is mine and Zoe's video about Lughnasadh...
...and for the Australian readers here is my video on Imbolc!
Sabbat Blessings X
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Lughnasadh Blessings!
Wishing you all a blessed Lughnasadh! May the fire of the sun warm you and may your first harvest of the year be one of deep joy...
To my friends in the Southern Hemisphere wishing you a beautiful bright Imbolc!
To my friends in the Southern Hemisphere wishing you a beautiful bright Imbolc!
The Sacred Scar...
The Sacred Scar...
For a moment, take a breath and step away from any preconceptions you may have about tattoos - and in particular tattoos on women.
For me tattoos are very natural, I'm not looking so much at the 'Victorian Freakshow', (whereas in reality tattoos were a real trend with the Victorian upper classes - Winston Churchill's mother was rumoured to have a snake coiling up her wrist. I guess Victorian clothing would cover up a whole manner of skin secrets... I digress!) I want to look more to our ancestors and to the older tribes.
In my heart and mind, the subversive nature of tattoos and body modification is relatively recent (i.e. within the last 200 years) if we go deeper into our past I believe that they would have been a sign of the warrior, of sovereignty and of status/rite of passage. If you look at the more remote tribes that exist today we can see that this probably would have been the case.
Body art can be many things to the individual, it can be, and most often is, something which marks a period of transition and transformation in our journey, like the butterfly emerging from the cocoon we often wish to visually show our transformation, with a symbol or image that means something to us.
And if your tattoo is there simply cos it's pretty - you know what that is fiiine also! Something pretty is very Venusian and helps is to feel more positive and uplifted about ourselves, if you look at something every day that makes you smile then I see no problem there!
I don't believe tattoos are for everyone and I don't at all expect everyone to like them, and that's absolutely fine. I've had some rude people making comments about my tattooed self: 'a lady shouldn't have tattoos, it's unbecoming' and that's not fine. A lady should have manners, and those ones obviously didn't...
But it's the sacred nature of a tattoo that I wanted to touch upon here, the ritual magick of transformation. Etching a symbol onto skin, onto self, which then becomes a part of the Self... personal and spiritual.
After being tattooed you will never be quite the same person you were before... you may not lose anything (except perhaps outdated beliefs), but you shift in a small way, sometimes in a huge way.
So it is important that you choose a tattoo that will mean something for you, or at least a design that you feel a fuzzy happy connection for. We don't need to intellectualise these things, if we deeply love a symbol, image, then that is enough, it connects with something very deep in us.
Even my first tattoo, which was to be honest, relatively quickly chosen from the wall of a tattoo shop in Newquay (as I just wanted to go for it after a few years of hovering), is not regretted. It's black and red, curvy and tough: I can still go for those things! And as importantly, it puts a pin on the map for where I was at that time. How I felt, what I wanted, and the seeds of who I hoped I could be (and am still hoping!)
On a brief side note- please don't call anyone's tattoos 'tramp stamps' even in jest... think what message that really brings, and the lack of respect those words echo, whatever your opinion of the art.
I had, as mentioned one tattoo in Newquay, which represents a time I was at Art College in Cornwall,
one in Leicester, my birth town, and several (ahem!) in London by an artist I was very fortunate to meet around seven years ago called Dominique Holmes, who works at the Family Business in London.
I have had extensive work with Dom, as not only did we hit it off, She is a wonderful and ever improving artist whom I feel has always completely 'got' what I wanted, and she has taken my ideas and sketches and created some beautiful magical artwork on my arms, feet and back, of nature, power animals, and goddesses.
In a further blog I will discuss, if it is of interest, the meanings of the tattoos, the myth and I'll include photos!
Last Saturday I took a further path in my journey of the sacred scar. I had my own magical design tattooed on my back in a beautiful ritual environment surrounded by people, most of whom I had only just met, who chanted, drummed and supported me through the experience. I felt I could truly dedicate this tattoo to a Goddess, and a powerful experience.
This tattoo was a further commitment and dedication from magickal experiences I have undergone this year, and over the past 10 years, that I'm sure I'll discuss in a video and/or on a further post.
The lovely Suzi Elen Edwards (and organised by the awesome Samantha Elen Marks) was the perfect tattooist for this experience, deep, connected, kind and funny!
In this sacred, ritual experience I feel the work was inked into my skin through beat and chant; devotion and intention. It carries very deep meanings for me, which I guess I'll be working with for a while.
Another pleasure and treasure of the day was designing a sacred scar for a lady, and seeing that design (her first tattoo) being permanently etched onto her skin. That was particularity mind blowing, and has encouraged me to create some more magickal tattoo designs.
Today tattoos are experiencing a real hey day. Men and women are increasingly expressing themselves and their journeys in ink and skin. We are rediscovering the ancestral power of transformation, of the deeper spiritual journey. Look at your current tattoos, or if you are planning one, mediate on the image/words. What beauty, power and change have they/will they bring?
If this topic interests people, I'll write and share more in the future, I have been asked on YouTube to share the meanings of my tattoos, and as mentioned I'll do that soon.
Take gentle courageous steps in the directions of your dreams and ideals.
Blessings,
Laura x
For a moment, take a breath and step away from any preconceptions you may have about tattoos - and in particular tattoos on women.
For me tattoos are very natural, I'm not looking so much at the 'Victorian Freakshow', (whereas in reality tattoos were a real trend with the Victorian upper classes - Winston Churchill's mother was rumoured to have a snake coiling up her wrist. I guess Victorian clothing would cover up a whole manner of skin secrets... I digress!) I want to look more to our ancestors and to the older tribes.
In my heart and mind, the subversive nature of tattoos and body modification is relatively recent (i.e. within the last 200 years) if we go deeper into our past I believe that they would have been a sign of the warrior, of sovereignty and of status/rite of passage. If you look at the more remote tribes that exist today we can see that this probably would have been the case.
Body art can be many things to the individual, it can be, and most often is, something which marks a period of transition and transformation in our journey, like the butterfly emerging from the cocoon we often wish to visually show our transformation, with a symbol or image that means something to us.
And if your tattoo is there simply cos it's pretty - you know what that is fiiine also! Something pretty is very Venusian and helps is to feel more positive and uplifted about ourselves, if you look at something every day that makes you smile then I see no problem there!
I don't believe tattoos are for everyone and I don't at all expect everyone to like them, and that's absolutely fine. I've had some rude people making comments about my tattooed self: 'a lady shouldn't have tattoos, it's unbecoming' and that's not fine. A lady should have manners, and those ones obviously didn't...
But it's the sacred nature of a tattoo that I wanted to touch upon here, the ritual magick of transformation. Etching a symbol onto skin, onto self, which then becomes a part of the Self... personal and spiritual.
After being tattooed you will never be quite the same person you were before... you may not lose anything (except perhaps outdated beliefs), but you shift in a small way, sometimes in a huge way.
So it is important that you choose a tattoo that will mean something for you, or at least a design that you feel a fuzzy happy connection for. We don't need to intellectualise these things, if we deeply love a symbol, image, then that is enough, it connects with something very deep in us.
Even my first tattoo, which was to be honest, relatively quickly chosen from the wall of a tattoo shop in Newquay (as I just wanted to go for it after a few years of hovering), is not regretted. It's black and red, curvy and tough: I can still go for those things! And as importantly, it puts a pin on the map for where I was at that time. How I felt, what I wanted, and the seeds of who I hoped I could be (and am still hoping!)
On a brief side note- please don't call anyone's tattoos 'tramp stamps' even in jest... think what message that really brings, and the lack of respect those words echo, whatever your opinion of the art.
I had, as mentioned one tattoo in Newquay, which represents a time I was at Art College in Cornwall,
one in Leicester, my birth town, and several (ahem!) in London by an artist I was very fortunate to meet around seven years ago called Dominique Holmes, who works at the Family Business in London.
I have had extensive work with Dom, as not only did we hit it off, She is a wonderful and ever improving artist whom I feel has always completely 'got' what I wanted, and she has taken my ideas and sketches and created some beautiful magical artwork on my arms, feet and back, of nature, power animals, and goddesses.
In a further blog I will discuss, if it is of interest, the meanings of the tattoos, the myth and I'll include photos!
Last Saturday I took a further path in my journey of the sacred scar. I had my own magical design tattooed on my back in a beautiful ritual environment surrounded by people, most of whom I had only just met, who chanted, drummed and supported me through the experience. I felt I could truly dedicate this tattoo to a Goddess, and a powerful experience.
This tattoo was a further commitment and dedication from magickal experiences I have undergone this year, and over the past 10 years, that I'm sure I'll discuss in a video and/or on a further post.
The lovely Suzi Elen Edwards (and organised by the awesome Samantha Elen Marks) was the perfect tattooist for this experience, deep, connected, kind and funny!
In this sacred, ritual experience I feel the work was inked into my skin through beat and chant; devotion and intention. It carries very deep meanings for me, which I guess I'll be working with for a while.
Another pleasure and treasure of the day was designing a sacred scar for a lady, and seeing that design (her first tattoo) being permanently etched onto her skin. That was particularity mind blowing, and has encouraged me to create some more magickal tattoo designs.
Today tattoos are experiencing a real hey day. Men and women are increasingly expressing themselves and their journeys in ink and skin. We are rediscovering the ancestral power of transformation, of the deeper spiritual journey. Look at your current tattoos, or if you are planning one, mediate on the image/words. What beauty, power and change have they/will they bring?
If this topic interests people, I'll write and share more in the future, I have been asked on YouTube to share the meanings of my tattoos, and as mentioned I'll do that soon.
Take gentle courageous steps in the directions of your dreams and ideals.
Blessings,
Laura x
Monday, 29 July 2013
The Witches Zodiac - MABON (autumn Equinox) ★ Witchcraft Diaries
The Witches Zodiac - MABON (autumn Equinox) ★ Witchcraft Diaries All video for this series was shot and edited by Gordon C Burns (www.gordoncburns.com) You can find out more about Zoe at http://www.astrozo.com Or follow her on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AstroZo/364263490338 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for watching! Please share this video with your friends as it really does help me out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more on Laura's Blog http://www.witchcraftdiaries.blogspot.co.uk Follow Laura on twitter http://www.twitter.com/lauraredwitch Laura also has an Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauraredwitch This video and all content is copyright © Laura Daligan 2013
Friday, 7 June 2013
Summer Tree Walk 15th June 2013
Summer Tree Walk 15th June 2013 Check out the event on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/128608014004333/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for watching! Please share this video with your friends as it really does help me out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more on Laura's Blog http://www.witchcraftdiaries.blogspot.co.uk Follow Laura on twitter http://www.twitter.com/lauraredwitch Laura also has an Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauraredwitch This video and all content is copyright © Laura Daligan 2013
Saturday, 1 June 2013
London Against the Badger Cull
Saturday June 1st 2013 - the day when the horrific and senseless Badger Cull 'trial' begins in the UK.
Rose, Me and Oephebia at the Protest
My Badger Poster
Save Us Sketch
A day when the 'powers that be' ignore the outcry of thousands of people, ignore scientists reports that the cull simply won't work, and ignore the pleas of the RSPCA, the Badger Trust and many other organisations to vaccinate not kill. (And yes, vaccination is more affordable and in the long run a quicker way to eliminate the risks of Bovine TB spreading through Badgers.)
But also a day when the largest group of animal lovers gathered to demonstrate their love of Badgers and marched against the cull.
Thousands of us lined the streets of London, each of us sharing our own love of Badgers, dressing in black and white, donning masks, chanting, dancing and waving banners for all to see.
My Wildlife hero Brian May gave an inspirational talk before handing the quarter of a million strong Petition in to 10 Downing Street.
Also the wonderful Virginia McKenna was there and gave us a lovely empowering talk before we started to march.
A young animal lover gets a hug from an IFAW Fox...
As I go to sleep tonight I feel horrified that this cruel, needless and wasteful cull is currently going ahead.
But I also feel empowered by the day and determined, more than ever, that together we can stop the cull and save our Badgers, who walked this land for thousands of years before us silly humans turned up.
I am heartened to hear that there will be a full parliamentary debate about the cull on Wednesday June 5th. Fingers and Paws crossed that this debate will go our way.
Please write to your MP and lobby them if you can, let them know your feelings about the cull.
Please do what you can, if you live near a cull zone find out how you can help.
Together we can make a difference and hope upon hope save our Badgers from an unforgivable fate.
Thank you. X
Friday, 24 May 2013
Spring Equinox Tree Walk - Witchcraft Diaries
Spring Equinox Tree Walk - Witchcraft Diaries The next tree walk is Saturday June 15th on Hampstead Heath. If you'd like to RSVP please visit the facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/128608014004333/) Please check out Zoe's YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/zoeastro ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for watching! Please share this video with your friends as it really does help me out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more on Laura's Blog http://www.witchcraftdiaries.blogspot.co.uk Follow Laura on twitter http://www.twitter.com/lauraredwitch Laura also has an Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauraredwitch This video and all content is copyright © Laura Daligan 2013
MAGICAL TREES: The Hawthorn (Huath) - WITCHCRAFT DIARIES
MAGICAL TREES: The Hawthorn (Huath) - WITCHCRAFT DIARIES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for watching! Please share this video with your friends as it really does help me out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more on Laura's Blog http://www.witchcraftdiaries.blogspot.co.uk Follow Laura on twitter http://www.twitter.com/lauraredwitch Laura also has an Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauraredwitch This video and all content is copyright © Laura Daligan 2013
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