WAY OF THE WISE WOMAN

Scotland is a land with its own ancient magical traditions that evolved over time from the melting pot of Gaelic, Norse, Pictish, Angles, Norman, and Saxon influences. Using a variety of sources including archaeology, anthropology, mythology, folklore, and historical texts, through the process of reconstruction we can create a folk practice that is informed by these ancient beliefs and practices.

Reconstruction is a method that is often applied to ancient pagan faiths. However, the source material can be heavily influenced by the Christian period and by foreign and colonising influences. It requires a critical mind and lot of discernment of textual evidence to separate the wheat from the chaff. In addition it requires an understanding and deep connection to the native culture, to begin to move it from the arena of study to practice in a modern context. Although reconstructionism has a solid foundation, in my opinion, the magic itself is often lost in a world of academia and arguments.

I am not a reconstructionist, although, I have deep love of history, folklore, and myths. I am an animist, and my spiritual practice is also informed by personal experience and direct revelation. It can take years of study to understand what a pagan/folk magic practice might look like if there had been no broken line, so I decided to put together a series of workshops that aim to at least touch on most of the key elements. In doing so, my aim is to help others create a living breathing magical practice with roots in the heart of the past.

THE MYTH AND MAGIC OF SCOTLAND

Magical customs and culture 

The mythic landscape

Folklore, and folktales

Beasties and Shapeshifters

LIVING AN ENCHANTED LIFE

Cosmology of land, sea and sky

Seasonal rituals for the turning year

Developing a devotional practice 

Celebrating the holy days

Scotland's sacred sites

WISE WOMAN AND SOUL MIDWIFE

Being of service to the community

Exploring Scottish death customs

Crossing over souls 

KEENERS AND WOMEN OF LAMENT

CHARMERS AND HEALERS

Using charms and prayers 

Medicinal and magical use of native plants

Healing waters, and magical objects

WITCHCRAFT AND COUNTER-MAGIC

Witch craft and persecution 

Hearth, healing, purification, protection, and counter witch-craft magic

SEERS AND SPIRITS

The Celtic otherworld

Ancestral veneration

Building relationships with deity, land, familiar

SCOTLAND'S FAIRY FAITH

Learning about our fairy faith

Courts and covenants 

Being in right relationship with the fair folk

COURSE STRUCTRE

The threads of these individual workshops bind together to weave a colourful plaid of Scottish folk magic. They form the structure of a path of study called - Way of The Wise Woman. This will be offered initially as a series of in person gatherings for those who wish to live a more authentic magical life. More details to follow soon.

BOOKINGS

Use the contact form to note your interest.