WyseWitchUK

Like its lighter and beloved sister, the Hawthorn, who is said to rule over the light half of the year, Blackthorn has long been associated with Faeries, Witches and Magic. Blackthorn is often considered a darker, more sinister tree than its sister and it rules over the darker winter months for this is when it is in its element. At the start of winter the Blackthorn produces its wonderful deep blue/purple/black sloes and as winter ends the trees explode in ghostly white blossom. With its rich nectar and pollen, it is a lifesaver for many foraging insects, like bees, for whom there is little else at that time of year. With its shrubby and dense nature, along with the H awthorn, Blackthorn is a vital component of hedgerows which provide refuge and food for many birds, insects and small animals as well as the Fae. The contrast between the dark thorny stems and the beautiful white flowers is stark, rather like the contrast between the light of the moon and stars and the darkness

  On my recent walk along the seashore, along the long line of detritus washed up by the stormy waves of winter, I could not help but notice the sheer number of Mermaid's Purses that have washed up. They were everywhere I looked, at least one per each square metre on average. Some were spread out while others were huddled together in clusters. I love the name Mermaid's Purse for it conjures up images and stories of the maids of the sea, who are clearly lacking pockets in their scaled, fish-like bottom half. Mermaids love their beauty; they are well known for combing their long hair for hours on end as they gaze at themselves in silvery, moonlike mirrors. When not in use clearly the maids of the sea need somewhere safe to put their mirrors, combs, salves and other bits and bobs hence the nickname of Mermaid's Purse. The scientific name for these is Chondrichthyes which just isn't as enigmatic. Mermaid's Purses may well be used by Mermaids to carry their val

Wishing those of you in the Northern Hemisphere a very magical Spring Equinox / Ostara / Eostre / Alban Eilir and for those in the Southern Hemisphere I wish you a magical Autumn Equinox / Mabon.    

(Originally written for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust ) The bee features as much in folklore from around the world as it does in our gardens in summer time. Yet, in this article, I can only scratch the surface of this vast body of information. Bees show up in human art forms almost as soon as mankind learned to create them; they are depicted in ancient rock art from around the world, for example from the Palaeolithic in Spain and from the Mesolithic in India and are mentioned in some of the earliest forms of writing in the world. Bees crop up everywhere from poetry to prose and even in our everyday sayings: we can be as 'busy as a bee', we 'make a bee-line' for things, we can get 'a bee in the bonnet' and the term 'bee's knees' now famously refers to something fabulous, although originally it referred to something small and insignificant. Bees are linked with magic, love, industriousness and creativity. The mere presence of bees on a

The Spring Equinox is a time of balance and enlightenment, literally and figuratively. The dark nights have been receding and the light days have been growing in length which has led in turn to the growth and greening of the plants and trees. Many crystals and stones, like the plants around us, thrive on the increased light and fertile energies that surround us in Spring. 1. Citrine   With its golden yellow hue Citrine epitomises the warm glow of the ever increasing Spring sunshine to which the plants and flowers lovingly respond. Citrine has the optimistic energy of Spring and all the potential it promises. It has the bright energy of golden daffodils which cannot fail to cheer us up even when the Spring showers are pouring down. If you are looking to bring light, brightness and joy into your life Citrine is a charming choice that will inspire and illuminate.   Just as nature bursts forth so dynamically at this time of year, Citrine can really help us get back the spri