Clee Hill Stone Moot - reviewed


March Hares

12 people attended, unprecedented in a small rural moot on its first night as far as I am aware, wow!

Backgrounds encompassed interested parties, wiccans[1], a shaman[2] or two, reiki practitioners and others who, like many of us, don't find putting things into words all that easy!

Topics discussed included:

Is paganism that is practiced solely for media attention valid?

The effects of deep running water courses on central heating systems (we will be updated on this!)

How we variously feel about a tradition taken from one culture and geographical location to another, wholesale or otherwise.

Does money count as an exchange of energy? Should healing be free?

The role of the Pagan Federation in the wider UK pagan community

How can stray thoughts change a 'working'[3] and what could be the possible consequences

Is hedgerow foraging stealing?

Does noticing body language from the client affect a tarot or other divinatory reading?
 
Notes:
[1] wiccans attending included Gardenarian, Alexandrian and non-denominational
[2] the word shaman is used here in the common usage meaning medicine person of any culture rather than the anthropological description of a medicine person of the Tungus people of Siberia (the first ones to be studied).
[3] not all of us term what we do as spells or prayers or journeys or visions... well you get the idea! 

April Fools

Mel has written a wonderful review for this month, and it would be available on the site except for one sad fact - my computer ate it :-( I will try to reinstate it as soon as I can...

I understand that there was a good attendance, though quieter than the previous month and discussion topics ranged across the board - a regular eclectic mix of 'normality' and 'esoteric'!

May Blossomed

So far this moot has had 'nice, magical' number of attendance - strange that, but we aren't complaining.  We were seven in May, catching up on what we had all done for Beltane, discussing differences between shamanism and wicca and contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of working in a hierarchy.

Main topic for the evening was labels - what we consider ourselves to be and how we describe ourselves to others and in what circumstances.  We had just started on what constitues safe space and public space when the beer ran out... :)

You know its been a good moot when people are prepared to travel an hour just to get there and don't want to leave at the end....

June Flowered

This month we were lucky enough to have a talk from local author Gary Nottingham. He spoke of the Cunning Folk in this area and how they were percieved in the community and the services they provided. His research reached back into the 15th century and forward to Victorian times, and he suggested that the best places for learning more about our cunning cannons and facilitating families in the Marches is our own local and folk museums!
Eight captivated people were present, a whole mixture of Pagans, or potion if you will! - Mel

Gary is also one of the main organisers for the Esoteric Conference in Ludlow on the 18th September, further details on the events pages.

July Joviality

Much merriment was had this month, or was that just the numerous pints I drank?
Eight people were present, amongst whom were a mixture of witches,a Wiccan and for the first time at the moot, there was a Druid presence.
Amongst the subjects covered, were Druid Handfastings, astrology, how our children relate to our Pagan beliefs, herbs and their uses in modern day medication, making herbalremedies and where to find them, the making of incense and Psychic attack and protection. - Mel


Adventures in August

An even circle of 7 attendees lead to animated and cheery discussion of varied topics:

Does a near death experience affect your horoscope?
How much of your personality is down to your astrological signs and chart?
Should relics of closed groups and initiatory traditions ever be in the public view? Is secrecy still important to pagans?
How important is a museum of witchcraft to pagans compared to the general non-pagan public?
Do druids 'call the quarters'? What role do books play in an oral tradition?
How big can a pub moot become and still remain sustainable? Are groups stronger if their attendance is a prime number?
Is a 'cult' just a minority religion or a group of people sharing an obsession with a charismatic leader? We are following this up with more research...
The movement from structured rituals to open circles - is this something that happens as a natural progression? What is the difference between peer lead groups and hierarchical groups?
Can we interpret animal sightings in terms of signs or symbols to help in and confirm life choices? How individual is this interpretation?

Yet again, dragging myself away to drive the hour home was a trial, but I’m looking forward to meeting again at the Esoteric Conference in Ludlow on 18th September…


Celebrating September

Eight people attended what was a very good evening. The group often split into two circles of conversation, but everyone was friendly, interested in the points of view of others, all contributing as it felt appropriate.

Some of the ideas and discussion points were:
Moon ceremonies and celebrations - whether they should reflect which astrological full moon is being celebrated. Whether the celebration should directly involve the Moon or use the energies.

Whether new moon or quarters should be marked as well as full moon.

What various festivals are celebrated e.g. fire festivals and what they mean to individuals.
Differences made in celebrating festivals in the country or city.

Roles of male and female, and roles of male and female energies in the individual.

Bigotry in belief systems - "mine is the only way" or not.

Preferences in music is this related to Pagan path or not.

When meditating several people may come to similar imagery. Is this similarity of thought or one person "broadcasting" and others picking up on it?

- Ri


WebAdmin's note: I haven't had any feedback from anyone from the September conference or on research on 'cult status' and what it actually means and I am looking forward to discussing these in October.  Also apologies for the delay in putting up these reviews apparently typing while having nasty 'flu is bad for one :)


October Obits


Nine of us lamented the passing of John Peel who has been such an influence on the lives of so many disparate types of people.  The group was very dynamic this time, moving and changing discussions fluidly and rapidly.  Topics ranged from plans and possibilities for Samhain and what it means to each of us, to why druids wear white.

We also tackled the difficulties of reaching a market of practicing pagans who want more handmade tools and ritual components and not compromising the taste/profit margin balance, while keeping a business afloat and 'popular' in the more general public eye.

Mention was made of the current climate in Bishops Castle where some local pagans and christians appear to be at logger-heads over pagan festivals and practices and the related concern for children's safety while trick or treating after dark and the alternatives that some communities are providing, such as childrens parties.

The history of the Trick or Treat tradition was also investigated comparing the US commercial tradition and the medieval custom of children visiting homes in a community to gather ingredients for Soul Cakes, part of a post-harvest community feast.  One of the similarities, that of only visiting homes where you are known, or those with a lighted candle or other symbol appears to be missing from the modern british version.  Perhaps this and the larger more unknown 'communities' in british towns and cities leads to a greater danger for children wanting to engage in this entertaining and community based activity.

Some of us also broached the feelings we had while developing intuitive skills, facing moral dilemas of how to act in a situation when we can perceive how another is feeling or projecting on one level where this differs from how they act or express themselves on the surface.  This also brought up experiences of dealing with feeling scattered or so empathic that there is a difficulty perceiving 'which one is the real me'.  Is this feeling over stretched or scattered something that leads us to feel unhappy, unsettled or depressed? The jury is still out on this one.

The jury is also still out on whether 'headology' is necessary in witchcraft, does Terry Prachett describe things in ways we relate to with his character Granny Weatherwax?  Do recipients of magic or healing have to be psychologically lead to increase belief? Does it work without their belief? Is this ethical? Is the 'showman' necessary for the 'shaman' to work?

As always, dragging myself away was very difficult and I am very much looking forward next time to hearing about bonfires, moon circles, gorsedds and other activities happening for attendees in the intervening month...

Farewell to the old year and welcome in to the new...

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