Category Archives: Reflections

A Spoken Word Show: Thereby Hangs a Tale

04 Saturday May 2024

Posted by in Following Delight, Reflections, Storytelling

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Find my upcoming Shows and Classes listed here
Text: Thereby Hangs a Tale - Folktale and Legend meets Shakespeare - With Milly Jackdaw & Halo Quin Book us to come to your town in 2025! Click here to enquire. Picture: Milly and Halo smiling and playing a uke and a horn in the woods.

Last Friday Milly Jackdaw and I brought our spoken word show, Thereby Hangs a Tale to Aberystwyth. We debuted this last year at the Willow Globe Theatre (during a storm!) and it is an epic piece including eight stories, extracts from Shakespeare, storytelling, acting, music, spoken word pieces, and a donkey hat.

Here’s the official description.

Thereby Hangs a Tale

Finding the Folktale Roots of Bardic Inspiration with Milly Jackdaw & Halo Quin.

Two femme, white, folk smiling, with flowered head-dresses. One playing the uke, the other blowing a horn, beneath the great arching roots of a tree.

Over the eons Shakespeare’s tales have retained their relevance, capitalising on our fascination with watching our own stories amplified that we may better understand ourselves. Could it be that Shakespeare found inspiration from some of the earliest explorations of key themes in already existing stories? Could myths and folktales have played their part? Storytellers Milly Jackdaw and Halo Quin have been uncovering tales, including some from Welsh myth, that hold tantalising hints that this may indeed be the case.

In the tradition of the great bards of old, we call Shakespeare into conversation with the folktales that shine through his work, baring the bones of stories that take us to the heart of inspiration. We unpick colourful threads from plays and tales, reweaving them in the place where traditional storytelling meets theatre.

If folktales be the food of the Bard, tell on.

There’s something really fascinating about folk stories and spirits, the way they crop up in literature, theatre, poetry, movies, and other media. As someone who loves the old tales, the spirits and divine beings in myths, legends, and wonder tales, I adore seeing how they evolve and grow with our human culture. The oral tradition continues living through the literary pages. Old Nordic Skalds’ tales live on in Marvel’s comics, King Arthur appears in folklore, French romances, and animated movies, the Faery King takes new form as Oberon in Shakespeare, and still continues his adventures to today.

Thereby Hangs a Tale is a show that explores some of these shifts, hinting at the magical traditions and oral history – and literary evolution – of some of the pieces that Shakespeare wove so deftly into his plays. I, of course, was most excited about A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest.

Spirits and magic, fairies and love. What could be better?

Next year we might include different plays and tales, so I’d love to hear in the comments – what is your favourite Shakespeare play and why? What story does it remind you of?

Praise for Thereby Hangs a Tale

An amazing blend bringing together humanity & cultures.

Truly Wonderful, Thank you!

Brilliant! Come back please!

Lovely evening – your description of the landscape, scenery, setting, & people are so evocative. Thank you x

It was utterly fantastic… Well done!

Very enjoyable – I was hanging on each word!

Book THaT here!

Upcoming Events… Check below for the next THaT & other show dates!

Halo smiling at the camera with three golden dots of clay on their forehead and tents in the background.

Magical Classes & Talks – with Halo

BABALON CIRCLE & BOOK CLUB

Monthly Live Babalon Circle – Our monthly magical working to connect with Babalon – Monday 2nd February, 8pm (UK) – online – replay included

January Book Club Topic: The Season of the Chalice

Join the Babalon Circles & Book Club here.

Elemental Allies Ritual at the Glastonbury Occult Conference – Glastonbury, 14th February

Monthly DIY TAROT CLUB – first session Monday 9th March – make your own tarot deck and learn to read the cards through play – no art skills required! – online – replay included

Join the Grove to access the DIY Tarot Club here.

Upcoming appearances include: Star Club Mini-Con (Bristol, 28th Feb), The Fool’s World at The Witches’ Cauldron con (Online, 13th March), Story Magic at the Phoenix Club (Isle of Wight, 2nd May)…

Enchantments – Live Classes Now on Patreon

On Identity, difference, and community

01 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in Events, Reflections

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Back in February at the ​Glastonbury Occult Conference​ I gave an introductory talk on the controversial topic of Kink, Magic, and Embodiment, drawing parallels between magical and kink techniques and busting some myths about BDSM, all from a magical perspective.

I’m not going to talk about it at length here, but there’s a chapter in my book Crimson Craft – Sexual magic for the solo witch which touches on the topic of kink and magic. It’s a sensitive one for a lot of people because there are so many misunderstandings, but there is such a huge connection between the two communities and modern magical practitioners have learned a lot from the kink community’s work around consent, care, and trance techniques, among other things, while the kink community has benefitted from the space magical folk have made for the sacred and spiritual healing.

There is much to learn from each other, and we have more in common than the stereotypes would have us believe!

It is easy to look for differences, to tie our identities to what we are not rather than what we share, and we do this all the time. Witch, druid, magician, occultist, cunning one, Wiccan, Priestess… the list of options goes on.

Each of us want to understand where we belong, to find a sense of home, and we often use difference to support this.

For a long time I associated druids with drunkards (​thanks to the activist, King Arthur, and his Warband​) and avoided Druid events.

Then one year I went to Druid Camp. Turned out that the druids there were more like me than they were different. We were all pagan, all believed in magic, all looking for connection in an earth-centered, spiritual space. ​It completely changed my perspective.​

A year later I joined OBOD – the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids! (And now I’m officially part of the Druid Grade… how things change 🙂 )

I still don’t consider myself a Druid per se, but I don’t tell people they’re wrong if they call me one. In fact, I’m more likely to describe myself publicly with that umbrella term “pagan”, to highlight the similarities instead.

Because ultimately, we’re a small bunch of lovely weirdos, and we’ve got more in common than we think. When we band together our differences inspire conversation and inspiration, and we are much better able to make change in the world for the better.

So whatever label you use, or don’t, I hope you feel welcome here. There’s space for all identities (but not bigots) and when we share, like the kinksters and occultists do, everyone gets to grow.

BTW: I’m planning an online course in self-tying for magic and trance (non-sexual!) And if there’s interest I’m happy to give a version of my talk online so that any of you who are curious can come and listen!

​If that sounds like your kind of thing, I’d love to hear from you… there’s a short form here you can tick boxes on!​

Upcoming Offerings at The Enchanted Academy:

Find all the details in my latest newsletter and subscribe here!

Find all the details in my latest newsletter and subscribe here!

What Do Pagans Believe?

07 Thursday Dec 2023

Posted by in Druidry, Magic, Reflections, Witchcraft 101

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(and how does that look in the world?)

Today I flicked through a copy of “Cults and New Religions; A History” by Douglas E. Cowan and David G. Bromley, and I naturally went straight to the chapter on “Wicca and Modern Witchcraft”, to see what they were saying about my religion – Pagan Witchcraft (and yes, I consider myself religious, but not dogmatic!).

The bits I saw I thought were quite accurate – Modern Witchcraft and Wicca are both paths under the “Pagan” umbrella, alongside Heathenry (generally speaking) and Druidry… with a fair amount of overlap! Not every Witch will consider themselves Pagan, and that’s ok, but most seem to be happy to sit under that umbrella.

What I did really like was how they characterised “Pagan” paths as, for the most part, sharing three common beliefs (paraphrased!):

  1. The Earth is Sacred.
  2. The Divine is immanent (in the world, including us).
  3. We have the ability to interact with the divine/spiritual/magical forces of the world. (i.e. Magic is possible!)

There will be a few pagans who disagree, or want to elaborate, but I think that’s a pretty good description.

So if you believe these three things and don’t subscribe to another faith, and the vibe of Paganism appeals to you, you might be one of us! You don’t even have to pick a tradition or a specific Path, you can just be Pagan. Or you can be Pagan and… like me.

Picture of autumnal trees by a frosty patch of grass in the sunshine – the beauty of the world is all around us.

I do have some thoughts, of course, like recognising that just because we can “interact with the spiritual forces of the world”, doesn’t mean we all do, or that what we do always works out as we intend, but many of us do absolutey do things that we call magic based on this understanding of the world.

And this makes me wonder about “belief” vs “experience” – I don’t just “believe” these things, I experience Nature as Sacred, the world as Divine, and magic as possible.

Our understanding of the world shapes how we treat it and how we experience it.

The stories we tell change the world we live in.

Our experiences.

And our actions.

In my Crimson Craft teachings I often speak about how “love” is a verb, it isn’t just something we feel, it is also something we do.

And if nature is Sacred, the world is Divine, and we can effect it, then how does that understanding, those beliefs, shape how we act in the world?

Many of my friends are protestors, street-activists, and campaigners for change in policy.

Most people I know are trying to live more lightly upon this beautiful, sacred, earth.

In Reclaiming Witchcraft, we’re having conversations about how we can treat each other better, be better allies to indigenous folk, queer folk, disabled folk, BIPOC and folk disproportinately effected by the systems of power that would rather keep us apart. We’re working to remember and act from the understanding that we are each divine.

We each take the steps we can, and one piece of this is remembering that we are part of the world.

Remembering that, if the divine is in the world… it is in us too.

If the Earth is Sacred, then you too are Sacred.

So how will you choose to treat yourself as such? To treat others as such?

All while holding those essential boundaries and practicalities of life, of course, which can seem paradoxical!

(Which is why I love working with the Red Goddesses who hold both radical Love and strong boundaries, they are lovers and fighters… but that’s a story for the future… join my mailing list to make sure you don’t miss it!)

What do you think? Is that a good way of describing the fundamental beliefs/ethos of Paganism? And if you are Pagan, what ways do you treat yourself, others, and the world as holding the divine?

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Why I share magic

05 Tuesday Dec 2023

Posted by in Magic, Reflections, Witchcraft 101

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(This was sent out to my mailing list on the August Blue Moon.)

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Sometimes I wonder why I do the things I do, why do I take the risk of talking openly about taboo topics, of teaching on things that many people not only dismiss, but look at with suspicion?

It’s healthy to check in with yourself, to wonder sometimes, and remembering the WHY helps with showing up in devotion, but the answer, for me, is simple.

I know this is important.

The very fact that the response I get from folk is mixed shows that this beautiful, wonderful, healing work of being whole, of being all of ourselves despite the pressure from the world to split and hide and repress our creative selves, divinely rising from pleasure, of truly enjoying this precious time embodied on earth – the fact that the response to that is suspicion just shows me that speaking openly is needed.

It is natural to seek pleasure, to give and receive love, to be present with each other.

It is natural to seek pleasure, to give and receive love, to be present with each other.

It is your birthright, simply by the fact that you are alive, to know yourself as whole and worthy of pleasure and play and love.

My magical practice is what has kept me healing, moving towards kindness and delight. Every day that I breathe in Love, dance with my gods, sing to the fair folk and spirits who walk with me, is a day that I open to the magic in the world which is wonder and possibility.

When I pull out my tarot cards, I listen and hear, and discover that I am not alone, there is guidance there.

When I light a candle to bridge the worlds, when I pour my offerings, I give and receive, and discover that I am supported, I am in community.

When I pull on the threads, untangle the knots of Wyrd in a spellworking, or nudge the flow of life further toward beauty, balance, and delight, I feel into what is true and what is possible, and I discover that I am a part of the web and the weaving.

Magic isn’t just about the tools to heal, to stay centred in the chaos, to grow, to create change. It is also about the connection, the remembering that we are part of the community of beings and the flow of energies. We are not separate from the world.

Magic isn’t just about the tools to heal, to stay centred in the chaos, to grow, to create change. It is also about the connection, the remembering that we are part of the community of beings and the flow of energies. We are not separate from the world.

This is why I offer the classes that I do, why I show up for weekly livestreams and share as the gods inspire me, why I offer up meditations on Divine Love and embodiment, and why I gently share the reminder that our bodies, including our sexual natures, are part of this whole gift that is life.

When you allow yourself to be present with all of your parts, with your embodied self, and allow yourself to feel that pleasure, that desire, that love moving in the body, then healing happens.

You begin to reclaim your capacity to find pleasure, to create, to be content. It isn’t always an easy path, and there are many reasons we might shy away from this work of integration within ourselves, and so we move softly, in the Crimson Coven, with Love.

Always, always, coming back to reclaiming our own bodies as our temples, as divine spaces, however they are, in all their pleasure and pain, freedoms and limitations, blessings and challenges.

Always, always, coming back to reclaiming our own bodies as our temples, as divine spaces, however they are, in all their pleasure and pain, freedoms and limitations, blessings and challenges.

If the Divine is immanent, if the God/dess is present in all things, including the earth, then our bodies are Sacred too.

And this is why I do what I do.

Why I share stories and write books and make music and write erotica and offer classes and show up as all my self.

Even when it raises eyebrows.

To remind all with hearts to hear that there is beauty and possibility in the world, that remembering your wholeness is possible, that you are divine, in all your parts, and that you too are part of that community which is magic, weaving and woven and wondrous.

Thank you for showing up with me.

I hope you enjoy my offerings, and that they help you remember what your truest heart already knows…

You are here for more pleasure, play, magic, and love than you can even imagine.

Lit candle in dark through rose leaves with text: Learn Real Magic - Foundations of Witchcraft with Halo Quin
Course: Foundations of Witchcraft is now open – find out more here!

What do witches do?

22 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in Crimson Craft, Magic, Reflections, Witchcraft 101

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When Danny Robins interviewed me for “The Witch House” (which I didn’t realise would be a horror until months later!) I taught him a healing chant and a rune for self-protection, and he asked me;

So, what do witches actually do?

Danny Robins (and so many other people I’ve spoken to!)

And I answered, something like:

In my tradition, we tune into the flow of magic, build relationships with the spirits, and work magic to change our selves, our lives, and the world for the better.

Me, paraphrased, from memory

And then… he asked me again. Twice more.

I was completely confused, until about two hours later when I realised that he wanted to know :

How do witches do what they do?

(At least, I guess that’s what he was asking?)

Now, ask 13 witches what they do and you’ll get at least 3 dozen different answers, but I can give you some idea of the most common things at least!

SIDENOTE: When I say “witch”, I mean those of us choosing it as a religious and spiritual term, and not the nasty meaning (wicked magic users) or the aesthetic (Halloween-tastic) or the political feminist (Woman In Total Control of Herself) – though I enjoy that it can mean so many things. I love that “Witch” is a shapeshifter term used, today, most often as an empowerment for those of us magical folk outside the mainstream. (Read my thoughts on why I use the term “witch” even though some people still see it as negative!)

Generally, though, Witches today often:

  • Make offerings of incense, food, drink, and song to build relationship with spirits, deities, ancestors, and the beings of the land
  • Honour the land with environmental action and/or energetic healing and mindfulness of our impact
  • Use household or found objects like candles, herbs, string, pebbles, shells to cast spells (sympathetically enacting the change we want to happen in the world – I’ve got a whole course on this!)
  • Work on knowing ourselves – through journaling, meditation, paying attention, exploring our stories, ritual, reflection, divination…
  • Work on being the best version of ourselves – better at magic, better people, better at being the most us we can be
  • Use ritual and magical tools to improve ourselves and our lives – and the lives of people around us, if they choose (or we’re responsible for them)
  • Pay attention to the land and the energy of the world to work with the flow of magic
  • Healing! Through ritual, spellwork, or healing modalities we’ve learned! (I trained as a holistic therapist in my teens to improve my healing skills!)
  • Divination – tarot, runes, ogham, tea leaves, pendulums, coffee grounds… so many different ways to Listen to the Divine in the world.
  • Celebrate the turning of the seasons and our communities – picture from our Samhain ritual, as we moved into the winter.
  • Explore different states of consciousness – such as through dream, trance, ecstatic ritual – to learn about ourselves and the world, to connect with magic, and to change things for the better.
Candlelit altar from above with black and white tarot cards, small crystal ball, fake skull, goblet and gremlin

And whatever else we want to do, because, honestly, we make our own rules!

I probably need to talk a bit more about a lot of those, so watch out for future blogposts…

And I’d love to hear from my witchy folk in the comments… if someone asked you “what do witches do?” what would you say???

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Foundations of Witchcraft Now Open for Students: Find Out More Here

Lit candle in dark through rose leaves with text: Learn Real Magic - Foundations of Witchcraft with Halo Quin
Want to be a Witch? Get the Foundations in place with theory and practice here!

About the Halo:

In case this is our first meeting, hi! This is me, Halo Quin.

I am a witch, storyteller, pagan author, singer-songwriter, poet, Dr of Philosophy, Tarot Reader, Faery-Lover, ADHDer, and general delighter-in life.

I teach magic.

And I’m delighted to meet you!

Join my Mailing list for Magical Musings & Blogpost Roundups!

New Ways to Learn Magic!

05 Thursday Oct 2023

Posted by in elemental magic, Magic, Meditation, Reflections, Witchcraft 101

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If you’re here, you want to live a magical life.

You know that there is magic in the world, wonder and beauty and possibility. There is something beyond the obvious, and you’ve felt that deep sense that you can connect with it, that it can support you… if you just knew how.

You might even have started down a magical path, but the world (particularly the internet!) is so full of conflicting information and “you must this” or “you should that” which just doesn’t work for you and you’re ready for something different.

You’re ready to bring your magic into your everyday life, to root it in embodiment, and turn it into a practice that works for you, regardless of what anyone else says it should look like.

So that’s what I’m here to support you in doing. I learned how to weave my own path and to make magic a natural, easy part of my life, with ease and delight, and you can too.

This is your invitation to bring enchantment deeper into your world, and to live your magical life, where the mysterious and wondrous are everyday and you have the tools to create the life you dream of.

Just like magic.

This is what The Enchanted Academy is all about… what the Crimson Coven Collective opens the door for.

So tell me, do you want more?

Study with Me

While you can book workshops individually, the best way to dive deep is by joining my Patreon. You can choose your tier based on how deep you’re ready to dive… Head over and discover your options here. Or read on…

If you’d like to just dip your toe in, at the £5 tier you’ll be able to explore the library of musings and meditations, and stories, that I’ve shared with my Patreons. Each month I’ll be adding replays of the Crimson Coven Collective livestreams with musings, meditations and practices, along with monthly Patreon-exclusive meditations.

Stepping a little deeper, for £10 a month join me for live Enchanted Circles on magical topics, which will include an oracle reading for the community, a mini-talk on a magical topic, a meditation or practice, and a Q&A. The replays will be available, and there will be options for submitting questions to be asked anonymously (or if you can’t attend live.) This tier also includes the meditations and musings!

The library is ever growing, where you can watch replays of previous classes, and each month I’ll be sharing a self-study class from one of my courses, for you to explore at your own pace. As the months go by the library will continue to expand, and you’ll get the chance to have input on future courses too! At £15 a month, along with the self study options, this tier also includes the live Enchanted Circles, plus meditations and musings.

Join the Coven Button - embodied magic, divine love, and sacred sexuality. Live classes for red witches and open hearts.

Or you can go all in and Join the Coven as an apprentice for £25 a month. Every month I offer a workshop diving into theory and practices to help you deepen your connection, embody your magic, weave it into your life, and craft your own magical path. These classes include tools, practices, and energetic and journeying work to shift blocks and open opportunities for you. You also get access to the self study classes, the live Enchanted Circles, the meditations and musings… and anything else I feel like sharing.

In these classes we explore topics such as – the magic of the moon and other heavenly bodies, Elemental magic, embodiment, Your Body as Your Temple, how to work with pleasure in magic, strengthening your discernment, Fires of Devotion, Language as self love spells, invocations, the energy of the festivals… and more.

If you feel the call to witchcraft, to the path of magic, here’s your sign.

love and support - to keep the doors open and the lights on

There is also the option to offer your support for my work with monthly donation of your choosing. This helps support the work I offer for free in the world, making it as accessible as I can. Like many creatives and magic workers, often when I’m teaching or performing at events I’m not getting paid (not always, big thank you to hosts that do support us!), so any donation given from the heart is received with love and gratitude as it truly does help. As a thank you I often share bonus pieces or give early access to public material, to my patrons on this tier.

Being Bardic at Druid Camp 2023

03 Thursday Aug 2023

Posted by in Druidry, Events, Following Delight, Magic, Reflections, Storytelling

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(Before I tell you where I’ve been let me just bounce excitedly about my debut single, Red Goddess, Come – out this week. Listen here! )

A green lady made of branches, cloaked in red, in a red and yellow big top with the sun shining in through the open doorway behind her.

It’s been a few years, as one would expect, since we’ve gathered at Druid Camp, and this year it returned to the world in a Welsh venue not too far from me. Pembrokeshire was very wet, but that’s rather the price we pay for such a gorgeous green land.

Hazel Bird - storyteller with a big beard - stood and lit by firelight.

Druid Camp has become a place where I find myself at home. Despite the rain, or maybe because of the utterly un-ignorable nature of nature, including the rain, it is a space set aside from the world where community happens. There is often storytelling and music around the fire, and this year local storyteller Hazel Bird shared epic tales including Gawain and the Green Knight, and how Albion got its name.


Oh, and the Epic of Gilgamesh.


Which Jos and I cheekily did a version of in 5 minutes for the Eisteddfod. And yes, there is a video… link coming soon! I also got to see Milly Jackdaw‘s show, Mochyn Merddyn, and bands including Mad Magdelen and Seize the Day!

I offered two workshops, rooted in the story of Ceridwen and Taliesin, journeying into connection with our own Awen, and then skills for trusting our own storytelling and ritual ability. As humans we are storytelling beings, and we are spirit manifest. When you anchor the story in your body, trust yourself, and breathe in deep… the magic flows.

It was a delight to come back to this space and remember what it’s like to be in community with other like-minded folk, to learn and the share with each other. Between the Seed SistaAs herbal preparations and “Poison prescriptions” classes I found myself feeling empowered to really engage with the plant spirits of this land, not just sharing space but actively working with them. I’ve dabbled before, but their witchy reminders that we are not dependent on anyone else to be our own herbal healers (with caveats that we need to be sure on our identification skills!) reminded me that this is one of the areas I still give my power away out of uncertainty. Well, no more of that.

A heart shaped window framing sunny blue sky and the tops of trees

In the Ritual Crafting workshop with Penny and Jos we explored memories of ritual and shared inspirations for deepening our seasonal celebrations and magic. There was tarot in the café, and music every night, and the big ritual ended up being that initiatory journey through the Welsh realms into Awen – the birth of Taliesin, the emergence of the Bard who serves and is seen in return.

In community we offer our gifts, receive and give and support and guide in return. You might not always know how you’ve helped, but that’s part of the brew. Pour it in and share it out and let the love flow.

I feel deeply nourished, and not just by the amazing work of the café and site crew looking after the practicalities, cleaning the loos, and making food I could eat with ease and delight. So much gratitude.

I’ve been to several Druid Camps before, but this time around I’m in a much better place in myself, and it showed in people’s responses to my presence and offerings. Over the past few years I’ve found a sense of trust in myself that I didn’t have before, and a chance conversation right at the start of Camp solidified this into a shining light in my heart. Suddenly I felt seen.

And here’s the thing about trusting yourself… about finding that sense of presence and rooting into your personal power… like Taliesin who shone so brightly he was named “shining brow”, your light shines out into the world and people feel it.

Part of this comes from a feeling of being at home in your body, as a child of the earth.

Part of this comes from feeling deep into your core and the fire of love and desire that guides you.

And part of this comes from finding your voice, speaking your truth.

Coming home, rooting deep, and letting the Awen flow.

Given that I used to freeze with stage fright when speaking to just two people at once, and now I’m making a crowd of druids laugh with a story learned that afternoon, I’d say I’ve learned to stand in my presence, step into my power, and shine with my own radiant light, wouldn’t you?

I’m not just a witch, rooted in my own power, I’m a bard, a storyteller, and a Priestess, sharing that light with others to re-enchant the world, and holding space to empower people to step into their own light too. And that, that right there, delights my heart. Does that make me a Druid, too?

Does this magic call to you too? Join me for the Lammas retreat this Sunday:

Radiance, Power, and Presence.

Sunday 6th August ’23 – 6-9pm BST (UK time)

Re-light your self love through courting Divine Love and the magic of the land.

This Lammas tune into the Sun’s power and conjure your own radiance.

Join us and learn how to:

~ strengthen your radiance,

~ deepen your power,

~ and boost your sensual confidence.

You were made for pleasure, for play, for love. All you need do is say yes.

Come join me on the eve of my birthday (yes, I’m a Leo) and find your inner sunshine.

Find your Radiance – details here
Button for Crimson Craft Retreat - Radiance, Power, and Presence - 6th August 6-9pm BST - red background with golden field pictured in a circle.

Summer Solstice – Online Ritual

14 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by in Magic, Reflections, Witchcraft 101

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Sunday 18th June ’23 – 7-8pm BST (UK time)

Circle with me at the Pagan Holy-days for intensives to carry you deeper into your magical practice as embodied witches.

Re-light your self love through courting Divine Love and the magic of the land.

This Summer Solstice tune into the Sun’s power and conjure pleasure.

Register for the Summer Solstice ritual here

As a special event this Summer Solstice I’m offering a Crimson Craft Ritual on a pay what you feel (including free) basis. Register for your space below to get your invitation to the ritual (and a link to the replay afterwards).

In this Solstice ritual you will

~ strengthen your intuition,

~ deepen your discernment,

~ and connect to Divine Love.

Experience embodied magic in this ritual, wherever you are in the world.

You were made for pleasure, for play, for love. Work with the magic of the Midsummer Sun to bring this into your life now.

Register for the Summer Solstice ritual here

Welsh Occult Conference 2023

17 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by in Events, Magic, Reflections

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Click for the Welsh Occult Conference Facebook Group (image taken from there)

It is often said that paganism is the religion with homework, and occultists (like reconstructionists) take this to the next level. We are the people of the library!

I love a good conference, and the Welsh occult conference is excellent. Organised and hosted by Sian Sibley and the DragonOak coven, there are always a wide range of speakers and topics, so there’s something for everyone. This May we gathered in Welshpool and topics ranged from Welsh folk magic to the issues of studying non-materialist societies in anthropology to how pagans can walk our talk better.

I loved all of it and took copious notes, but highlights for me have got to be the marvellous Mhara Starling outlining Welsh influences on modern pagan witchcraft – a topic dear to my heart! It was lovely to hear Gwyn Ap Nudd, Ceridwen, Arhianrhod and Rhiannon spoken about alongside the Egyptian, Greek, and Italian threads at the conference… and how present they’ve been (in name at least) in the history of Wicca, neo-paganism, and traditional witchcraft. The gods find a way.

Sara Mastros was inspirational, which is a good sign when someone is discussing the Orphic mysteries.

And special mention to Jack Hunter for bringing in phenomenology – which was the underlying approach in my PhD.

I have an entire notebook full of notes, as usual, because it all feeds into magical practice, even when something seems unrelated at first glance. Like questions of whether the spelling matters when, as Andrew points out, one version of the charm using the magical word “SATOR” spelled is “SAFOR” – I wonder, did the mis-spelled charm work? In which case, is it intention, Will, or vibration that makes a difference in spellcrafting? Janis Fry’s talk on Yew trees reminded me of many lovely trips to hang out in the branches of these ancient beings, hearing their time-bending music. Robert Plimer is always fun to listen to, his excitement about the parallels between ancient and modern techniques is palpable, and Sian called us to task on walking our talk as pagans who claim to honour the earth, both inspiring questions of how to improve my magical practice. Finally, Cristina’s piece on Italian folklore, of course, made me think of faeries and the similarities and differences across cultures in dealings with the spirit realm… though as Jack Hunter said: how do we know which experiences are real?

To which I have only one question: well, first we must define “real”.

And that’s a key takeaway from this event for me, we are always grappling with how to practice our magic in a world which denies magic. In a world that expects conformity, a life that steps beyond the lines is always going to be standing in the in-between. We are of the earth, but how do we walk of this earth but not in the world that denies the reality of our lives?

It’s as simple as taking a breath, slipping between, caring for the land and the spirits, and remembering that the magic is here, in the material, just a blink away.

Audience at the Welsh occult con

I’m writing something more in depth for the Star Club blog which can be found here – and which is going out to my mailing list now. Join that here if you so desire.

Welsh Occult Con – 8th Oct ’23

The next Welsh Occult Conference will be in Cardiff on the 8th October – get your tickets here.

And if you want to learn to speak with enchanted voice, you can join me this Sunday 21st May for my class Words of Love and Blessing, for details:

Words of Love and Blessing Workshop
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Crimson Chat – Aphrodite with Irisanya Moon

09 Tuesday May 2023

Posted by in Crimson Craft, Magic, Reflections

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On Monday 29th May ’23, at 10:30am Pacific / 6:30pm BST (UK time) Irisanya Moon (she/they) will be joining me in the Crimson Coven Collective Zoom Room for a deep dive into the waters of love… discussing Aphrodite, life as a love spell, and the goddess as both inspiration and powerful initiator. I’m really looking forward to this conversation as Irisanya is a fellow Moon Books author and Reclaiming teacher… but we’ve never actually had a proper conversation… and what better topic to start with than the goddess of love Herself?

You can watch the livestream directly in YouTube even if you’re not a member, or perhaps you might consider joining us… read on for more!

Find the Livestream here – subscribe to be notified when we go live

Life is a Love Spell: Aphrodite as Inspiration and Initiator

Aphrodite is a misunderstood deity, often limited to the role of a seductress or the most beautiful of beings. But Love has always been wider than the ocean, with more waves and movement than is comfortable: challenging and desperate, an initiation of surrender.  

Irisanya Moon (she/they) talks with Halo Quin (they/she) about her popular book, “Aphrodite: Encountering the Goddess of Love & Beauty & Initiation,” as well as about how initiations into the mysteries of love may not be wanted, but they are necessary. They are vital for reclaiming and restoring our lifeforce while nourishing the deepest parts of ourselves to fuel activism and the challenges of being a human in this world. 

About Irisanya Moon:

Irisanya (she/they) is an author, Witch, priestess, international teacher, and initiate in the Reclaiming tradition. She is a priestess of Aphrodite who is passionate about the idea that life is and we are a love spell, a dance of desire and connection, moving in and out of the heart, always returning to love. Irisanya seeks to cultivate spaces of self-care/devotion, divine relationship (whatever that means to you), and community service as part of her heart magick and activism.

Find Irisanya’s website here, follow her on substack, and find upcoming classes and recent posts on bio site here.

Irisanya is also on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Oh, and I’ve reviewed two of Irisanya’s other books here: “Reclaiming Witchcraft” and “Honoring the Wild”.

Find the Facebook Event here
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And in case you’re new here…

The Crimson Coven is our private group for exploring divine love, sacred sexuality, and embodied magic through a pagan lens. Each week there are prompts and a livestream on a related topic, usually including a meditation to support your connection to the divine within and without.

Each month or so I host a guest speaker for a Crimson Chat… and members of the Collective get to hang out in the Zoom room after the livestream and chat off the record with our guests.

Join us Here
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PS: I also run monthly workshops, and regular crimson craft retreats… join my mailing list to hear about upcoming offerings!

Join my mailing list for updates & a free gift
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