Halloween? It’s more than trick or treat

Halloween? It’s more than trick or treat
Read the article by Professor Ronald Hutton

From Ashley Mortimer - Very pleased to be able to say that CFPS / DVF took part in a symposium of Pagan organisations hosted by Mike Stygal, Pagan Federation President.
The theme was a discussion about some unity in the Pagan community and some more collaboration and, those who know their history will be aware it was an historic day to get representatives of the various groups together - and we expect to be able to make further announcements ourselves in due course. . . .

New interview with the U.K.'s Ashley Mortimer is now online at TWPT. Be sure to check it out as Ashley went above and beyond with his in depth answers and that is always a good thing in my book. Michael Foster - TWPT

http://twpt.com/ashleymortimer.htm

The Artemis Gathering is a 3-day event organised by the Children of Artemis in honour of their patron Goddess. All information can be found here http://www.witchfest.net/artemis_gathering.htm
and it is to be held Horley Campsite, Wroxton Lane, Horley, Oxfordshire, OX15 6AU see the map.

This event is usually booked up very quickly, so get your tickets now from Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artemis-gathering-2014-tickets-9979634355

And a grand day was had by all - Plaque Unveiling to Gerald Brosseau Gardner

Follow us on Twitter for many updates and news http://twitter.com/witchJuan

Gerald Gardner Heritage Blue Plaque Press Release

A Blue Plaque to Honour the life of Gerald Brosseau Gardner, known as the Father of Modern Witchcraft.
Gerald's life was the subject of a recent television documentary, A Very British Witchcraft.
Born on 13th June 1884 Gerald almost single-handedly re-introduced this ancient religious belief system.
His first book High Magic's Aid was published in 1949, 4 years before the repeal of the Witchcraft Act.
Nowadays his form of Paganism known as Gardnerian Witchcraft is practiced by covens all over the world. On Friday the 13th (when else)?, a memorial Heritage Blue Plaque will be placed on the house he lived in during the war years and it was from this house he walked to his initiation into the New Forest Coven in 1939.
The day of events that will be held in Highcliffe, Christchurch in Dorset, which includes the unveiling of the Blue Heritage Plaque, has been organised by The Centre For Pagan Studies and founder John Belham-Payne says, 'Gerald is recognised as the most significant Witch that was ever born'. 'Gerald would have been 130 years old on Friday the 13th A full moon to boot!
This is only the second time that a Witch has ever been honoured in this way' said Ashley Mortimer, Trustee of the Doreen Valiente Foundation, an organisation set up to protect the artefacts that were once owned by Doreen Valiente, one time High Priestess of Gerald. Amongst the artefacts that will soon be the subject of a new museum, is the Book of Shadows that Gerald Gardner wrote and is the most valuable document in the Pagan World.
Gerald, a former British Civil Servant working in the Far East, died on his way home from the Lebanon, where he had spent the winter in 1964.
At breakfast on the Merchant ship The Scottish Prince, he had a heart attack and was buried in Tunis which was the vessels the next port of call. The only attendee at his funeral was the ship's captain.

Now, a colourful gathering of possibly hundreds of people will be turning up at his former home to celebrate his life with the Heritage Blue Plaque and followers from all over the world are travelling to see this happen. Ashley Mortimer and Philip Heselton (Gerald Gardner’s biographer) will be available most time before the event. John Belham-Payne at present lives in Southern Spain, but will be available by Skype or telephone at most times between now and the unveiling.

For radio or Television interviews, John will be in the Dorset/Hampshire area on Thursday 12th TV will be available at any time.

If you would like more details about the unveiling or the organisations involved or for interviews with any of those involved the contacts are as follows:

John Belham-Payne – Founder and Director of the Centre For Pagan Studies john@centre-for-pagan-studies.com

Philip Heselton - Gerald Gardner’s biographer Email: philip@amskaya.karoo.co.uk

Merlyn - Head of Children of Artemis: Email: dave@witchcraft.org

If you need to download the flyer for this event please visit:
http://centre-for-pagan-studies.com/squarepicweb.png
For information about the Centre For Pagan Studies and the Doreen Valiente Foundation visit: http://centre-for-pagan-studies.com and http://doreenvaliente.org

Gerald Gardner Talk and Music with Philip Heselton and Damh the Bard

Update 10th June 2014: All Tickets Sold Out
After the unveiling of the blue plaque for Gerald Gardner we move to a new location for the evening.

We will have Damh the Bard playing some tunes for us and Philip Heselton who is an author and expert on Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, the history of Wicca, and modern Witchcraft. giving a talk about Gerald Gardner when he was living at Highcliffe.

With music to fill your heart and an amazing talk that will teach you more about Gerald Gardner it is a must go after the glorious afternoon that we have planned for you.
Have questions about Unveiling of Gerald Gardner Blue Plaque - Evening Talk and Entertainment? Contact Doreen Valiente Foundation and Centre for Pagan Studies.
£5:00 per ticket to cover room hire Tickets from Eventbrite http://www.eventbrite.com/e/unveiling-of-gerald-gardner-blue-plaque-evening-talk-and-entertainment-tickets-11619286599

The evening at the castle will start at 6  PM PROMPT so do not be late because tunes will be played by Damh the Bard. After the music a talk by Philip Heselton, author and expert on Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente and the history of Wicca, modern Witchcraft. THIS EVENING EVENT CLOSE AT 8 PM

Gerald Gardner Commemorative Plaque Unveiling

Historic Occasion:
Come and witness another great moment for the pagan community achieved by Doreen the Valiente Foundation and Centre for Pagan Studies and organised in collaboration with Children of Artemis. There will be the unveiling of a commemorative blue plaque for Gerald Gardner at his former home in Highcliffe. Updated on 23 May 2014 with details of timings etc.

• 2 PM MEET AND GREET We will meet at the Clifftop Car Park, locally known as the Crow’s Nest, off Wharncliffe Road, by the Cliff Hanger Cafe. This will be where our journey begins.

• 4 PM UNVEILING After we have gathered we will walk via the Mill House where he was initiated, you will have a clear view over the Mill as we pass it on the path. Then we will continue towards the house where Gerald Gardner lived for the unveiling of the blue plaque.

• 4:30 PM REFRESHMENTS After the unveiling of the plaque for Gerald Gardner you will have time to have a look around the area and buy some refreshments and sample the so special Gerald Gardner cupcakes that will be made specially for the day. Food vendors will be ready outside the house for the gathered crowd.

• 6:00 PM PROMPT MUSIC AND TALK We will move to Highcliffe Castle for the evening. The evening a the castle will start at 6PM so do not be late because tunes will be played by Damh the Bard. After the music a talk by Philip Heselton, author and expert on Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente and the history of Wicca, modern Witchcraft. EVENING EVENT CLOSE AT 8 PM

The event during the day is entirely free and is funded by donations to the  Doreen Valiente Foundation , and tickets for the evening cost £5 to cover the cost of the venue. This promises to be a great way to complete a perfect day.  With music to fill your heart and an amazing talk, that will teach you more about Gerald Gardner. The evening at the castle is a must after the glorious afternoon that we have planned for you.
To book your evening ticket just follow the link: www.geraldgardnerblueplaque.eventbrite.com
http://www.doreenvaliente.org/Doreen-Valiente-Blue_Plaques-7.php#sthash.Uod9KYZI.dpbs

A Day for Patricia Crowther 2014

Continuing our series of “A Day For . . ” events in 2014 we honoured the achievements and contribution to the Witchcraft and Pagan community of Patricia Crowther. Patricia is one of the few remaining contemporaries of Gerald Gardner and has to be considered one of the true Elders of the Craft and we persuaded her that the Craft and pagan communities deserved a chance to pay her their respects and celebrate her so we were delighted that she was our guest of honour on the day.

click here speakers biogs and talk info

 

A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who played a part in what proved to be a magnificent occasion!
You can contact us with any queries or suggestions on:  events@centre-for-pagan-studies.com

- See more at: A Day For Patricia Crowther

The Charge of the Goddess Expanded Edition

The Charge Of The Goddess (Expanded Edition) - Doreen Valiente (paperback book) £9.99 from our shop

Doreen Valiente, hailed as the "Mother of Modern Witchcraft", is one of the most influential figures in 20th century contemporary religion and spirituality. A prolific poet throught her life, her most famous and many previously unknown poems are published here in this special posthumous volume named after her best known work: The Charge Of The Goddess. This 2014 expanded edition features over 80 poems including all of the poems from the previous book of the same title plus many more previously unpublished poems.
Whilst the book will appeal to those interested in Doreen's spiritual and religious themes, the poetry embraces diverse and broader themes from seasonal insights to humorous re-tellings  which the custodians of her legacy are proud to present here along with  some of her better known pieces such as “The Witches Chant” and “The Charge Of The Goddess”.
 Please click the link to purchase.

http://www.shop.doreenvaliente.org/charge-of-the-goddess-expanded-edition