Category Archives: Reflections

Faery Magic; Why Work with the Fae?

22 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in Faery, Magic, Philosophy, Reflections, Witchcraft 101

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We often live our lives disconnected from our bodies and from the land. The fae folk are deeply embedded in the land and the living landscape and developing a relationship with them involves coming into a good relationship with the land on which we live and with nature as a whole. Simultaneously we realise that we are part of the natural world and we come back into better relationship with our own bodies and untamed selves.

We also have records of people;

  • Looking for faeries
  • gaining healing powers from them
  • seeking treasure
  • honouring their places
  • attempting to summon Faery Queens for power, support or wish granting
  • warding against their ill-will
  • leaving offerings

Among other practices. All of this shows that the fae have power and can help us in very practical ways, or can hinder us if we do not have a good relationship with them. This is mirrored in materialistic terms when we look at how a disrespectful attitude towards nature in general has led to a great deal of pollution and ill-health, and the loss of resources… i.e. wealth! 

Basically, a good relationship with the Fair Folk is a good relationship with the spirits who share the land that looks after us, and they can support us in our magical work if we look after them in return, just as the land supports us in our general lives if we treat it with respect. This, in turn, helps to heal us, them and the world around us.

Not all of them want to work with us, even of those that are generally of friendly natures. There are numerous stories where one sibling is kind and generous and is given gifts from the faeries they meet, and another is rude to the same beings and comes away much the worse for it. And there are tales of some, like the kelpies, who steal young people away to drown them. In the New Age model fairies are generally beings of light and always willing to grant wishes in return for offerings. In the folkloric traditions some of the fae are powerful allies, but that same power means that some are worth avoiding!

Approaching these beings with respect is thus the foundation of building a mutually supportive relationship and respect gives them a good sense of who and where you are.

A good first step is to reflect on your motivations, and to ask yourself; what can I offer them?

This is an extract from my online Folkloric Faery course, including both theory and plenty of practice. and there are currently spaces on the beta testing cycle available! Come join us!

Originally posted on Patreon. Thank you to my Patrons for your support! If you like what I write then please do consider supporting me as a Patron here. Your support means I can write more for you! And you get the posts early… *tempts*

You can also tip me via ko-fi, it all helps!

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Over to you in the comments… why would you build a relationship with spirits such as the Fae?

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PS: You can also read more of my earlier thoughts on the magic of faery and how we can cultivate it in ourselves in my book Pagan Portals: Your Faery Magic published in 2015 by Moon Books.

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Elemental Magic; Air

18 Monday Jan 2021

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

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Extract from my upcoming course, Elements of Magic… Cycle 2 Starts in March! Find out more and enroll here!

I am a firm believer that your breath is your most powerful and fundamental magical tool. You can breathe yourself into a trance – as you found last week and as centuries of specialized breathing techniques in paths such as yoga attest – breathing fuels and energizes your body, calms your mind and brings you towards health and you can use your breath to direct energy within yourself and out into the world in working magic.


Every morning and evening I use a simple breathing technique to bring myself back into my center and into connection with the earth below and the sky above. In reconnecting with these directions and powers I tap into more energy and open myself to receiving guidance. In bringing myself to center I bring myself firmly into my own power and awareness of who I am and where I’m at. I highly recommend doing this every morning for the next month and see how you feel! This is often described as “Grounding” but the variation here also includes connecting to the power of the stars so can help in increasing your energy levels as well as finding personal stability.


Stand if you can or sit comfortably if you’d prefer. Feel your weight in your feet, the earth beneath you. Take a moment to feel your body resting on the earth.

Take a slow, deep breath – not so much it feels forced but enough to fill your lungs completely.
As you do, imagine all the parts of yourself that are scattered around you, all your attention, your wandering thoughts, the pieces of yourself still left in bed, the energy you’ve left scattered from the previous day and night. Imagine and intend that they all are coming back to you, collecting in your belly and merging back into the light that you are, becoming clean and bright again.
You don’t need to imagine each individual part, simply intend for them to be collected with each breath.


Repeat this for 3 breaths – or more if you feel you need to – and really feel your self coming back to you.

On your next breath imagine yourself reaching down, sending down a root of energy into the earth. I like to bend down and touch the earth at this point. For the next 3 breaths or so imagine that root reaching deeper and stronger.

Through your next few breaths imagine the earth’s energy flowing up your root and into your body, filling you up from feet to crown and then, once you are feeling full, flowing up like a column of light to the stars. You can reach up with the energy if you like, stretching towards the heavens.

Allow the energy of the stars to pour down into your body, breathing it in to your center and mingling with the earth energy. Again, around three breaths is good here but take as many as you need. Placing your hands over your heart or belly can feel good while you do this.


Feel your connection to the earth beneath you and the sky above you and feel yourself firmly in the centre of your world.

Breathe this energy in and out, up from the earth and down from the sky, filling you, charging you, bringing you into the here and now. Feel yourself resting in your body, filled with energy that is accessible to you at any moment, with only a thought. Allow it to settle at a level that feels comfortable to you.


Whenever you feel distracted or scattered throughout the day, repeat this exercise. As you get used to it you’ll find you can do it much quicker, using just one in-breath to bring yourself to center, the out-breath to send down a root, the next in-breath draws the energy into you, breathe out and send the connection to the stars before breathing in the star-energy in to your core. And breathe into your center for a moment. You can also use this practice to raise energy for spellworking, to calm yourself when anxious, and to shift yourself into trance for divination. All that with just a few breaths!

Originally posted on Patreon. Thank you to my Patrons for your support! If you like what I write then please do consider supporting me as a Patron here. Your support means I can write more for you! And you get the posts early… *tempts*

You can also tip me via ko-fi, it all helps!

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Over to you in the comments. How did that exercise feel?

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A Poem; The Changeling Child

08 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in Faery, Poetry, Reflections

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One eye brown and one eye green,
cheekiest child that you’ve ever seen,
oak’s ancient knowing held deep in those dreams,
strange for a small one, not quite as he seems.
Do not be wary, do not take fright,
if you care for him always he’ll keep safe the night,
but if you would rather a meek child returned,
then fair’s our exchange, so you’ll lose what you’ve learned.

From my faery poetry collection due out later this year…

Originally posted on Patreon. Thank you to my Patrons for your support! If you like what I write then please do consider supporting me as a Patron here. Your support means I can write more for you! And you get the posts early… *tempts*

You can also tip me via ko-fi, it all helps!

You can also Follow the blog, Share this post, and find me on Twitter to join in the conversation for free!

Over to you in the comments.

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2021: PLAYTIME

04 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by in Following Delight, Reflections, Stories

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For last year’s theme I chose “Finishing Foundations”. This year? PLAYTIME. Specifically? I intend on ADVENTURING.

One thing I love to do is to have adventures. But the big, round-the-world-in-80-days type always feel a little out of reach.

So I try for little adventures. A weekend teaching in Madrid. An exhibition in Bristol. A day trip to see ancient Yews. In 2020 even these were a challenge.

But I realised part of what I love about adventuring is having new experiences, learning new things, and gathering cool stories.

I enjoy adventures in knowledge too.

So for 2021 I’m making space to play, and following my curiousity. To give myself a framework, I’m building my skills “portfolio” as a steampunk adventuress, because, well, why not?

I’ve got a list of things I think would be fun to learn, from Astronavigation (in case I get lost at sea) to the Waltz (I might be called on to infiltrate a masked ball! You never know!). I mean, wouldn’t it be fun to write a memoire full of adventure?

How would you get past a guard flamingo?!

Follow me on twitter or Instagram at the hashtag #diaryofanadventuress for updates!

Tell me in the comments… What are you aiming for this year? Do you do new year themes or resolutions or…? And, importantly, how will you play in 2021?

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The Elements of Magic

14 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by in Reflections

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I am running a course on how to work with the elements of magic, find out more and enroll here! https://haloquin.net/workshops/elements-of-magic-class/

Many witches today work with the elements, which can be thought of as the magical building blocks of the universe. They filtered into modern pagan witchcraft via ceremonial magic, and we kept working with them because they work well on magical, symbolic, psychological and energetic levels. 


“The Elements” consist of five aspects; Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, which come together to form Spirit. Once you have a basic understanding of the nature of each you have a map through which to begin working sympathetic magic, among other things… and the ability to build your own correspondences for crafting spells, for example.


Earth is the physical, the solid. It is fertile soil, and the deep restful sleep. It is the element of physical manifestation in our realm, and the kinds of powers associated with that. So earthly magic, broadly, deals with bodily health, money, home, and all things practical.

Air is the mental, the quick thoughts, and the voice. It is the breath that fills our lungs with fuel, and the words that express our hearts and minds. Magic for clarity, speech, inspiration, and all forms of communication can be well powered by air.


Fire is the hot passions, it is movement and transformation. Fire is the spark of life between synapses, the heat of the dancing muscles, the burning drives that move us. Fire teaches us magic for change, and for powering our actions.

Water is the emotional energy. It is flowing and settling, deep and changeable. Water is the depths of both love and despair, the grief that can sweep us away and the tears of joy. For emotional work of any kind, and understanding the ebb and flow of life, we turn to water.


And Spirit contains all of these and none. It is both the absence and the sum of the other four. Spirit gives us paradoxes and mysteries, deities and connection and community. Work with gods, or with our highest selves, work for self development towards our highest purpose, that comes under the auspices of spirit.

Some magic combines multiple elements. One might work with water and air to find the right words to keep love flowing smoothly and heal hurts, or fire and earth to transform the home, and so on. And once you understand how the elements can be used as a system of categorisation, then you can start to see how ingredients for a spell might be chosen… that earth is good for money magic, for example, means that objects which remind you of earth – a green stone, soil, and potato seeds perhaps – might be put together as objects which tell the universe you’re looking for earthly things such as money. (Sympathetic magic can be very literal in some ways!) It is also useful to be aware of their presence in your work and life, if you notice that you’re doing great physically but constantly struggle to find inspiration for what to do, you might want to tune into air (for inspiration) and fire (for action) to build up the energy you are lacking in your life. For now, however, let’s get to know them a bit better!

Here are some suggestions for getting a sense of what the elements might be able to help you with:


Earth ~ Grounding in our bodies keeps us calm and helps us live in the world. Take some time to feel yourself settling into your bones. Really pay attention to being a solid creature, with those bones supporting you. If you can get your bare feet into some fresh grass or soft soil and take some time to physically feel yourself upon the earth then that can be really healing to do. If not, imagine it as clearly as you can, as though you can feel it.

Air ~ Breathing is, well, to say it is important would be an understatement. Get out in some fresh air if you can, or open a window if it is safe. Feel the wind on your skin. Breathe it in. Allow the air to fill your lungs… and release it. Let it clear your mind, even if only for a moment. 


Fire ~ Movement is central to fire, so get dancing, in however small a way you can. Put your favourite song on your headphones, or speakers, or tap out a simple count on your leg and let yourself move to the beat. Even just tapping your feet or nodding your head. Feel the way your body moves and how it warms up. Think about something you are passionate about and feel how it warms you. Feel the fire within you. And light a candle, or step out into the sunlight, if you can, and feel the warmth of fire on your skin.

Water ~ Notice how your emotions ebb and flow. Drink a glass of water and feel it flow down inside you. Watch a river or the waves on the ocean. Notice how similar all these things are. Feel the feelings and let them move through you; just like river water if you block the flow of emotions they can become destructive.


Spirit ~ Listening. Something as simple as paying attention can be an amazingly powerful magical act. One of my favourite ways to do this is to pull a tarot or oracle card, a rune, or an ogham stick, but you may enjoy just finding the stillness in you and allowing yourself to feel, hear, or see what understandings may arise. Take a moment to feel your earthly body, heavy with gravity. Breathe deeply and let your mind clear and come to the present moment. Feel the sparks in your nerves and the emotions in your heart settle. And just notice what Spirit has to tell you. 

I’ll talk more about the elements and how you can work magically with them over the coming months, but you can start here, and even when we’ve been doing these things for a long time, it’s good to get back to basics!

Originally posted on Patreon. Thank you to my Patrons for your support! If you like what I write then please do consider supporting me as a Patron here. Your support means I can write more for you! And you get the posts early… and bonuses… *tempts*

You can also tip me via ko-fi, it all helps!

You can also Follow the blog, Share this post, and find me on Twitter to join in the conversation for free!

I’d love to hear about your thoughts on the elements of magic in the comments; what do they mean to you?

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Happy Solstice!

20 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by in Enchanted, Following Delight, Magic, Reflections

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I’ve just finished giving a talk based on my book, Gods and Goddesses of Wales, at an online moot for a group in South Wales, the sun is shimmering on the waters of the bay outside my window, and I’m filled with joy. I shared the tale of the Birth of Taliesin, about my philosophy for connecting with deities through stories, and about how we are our own authority in our relationships with the gods (just, y’know, don’t claim it is an independent truth if it’s a personal one!)

I’ve been so busy doing that I’ve not been updating here as much as I used to, but I’ve got some major projects in the works which I will share with you all very soon, so watch this space.

For today, however, I wanted to share a little meditation for the Solstice. Light a candle if you can, read the following, and then reflect. You can listen to the audio and sign up to support my work on Patreon here.

Today is the Solstice, where the sun stands still in the sky. In the Northern hemisphere we are bathed in light, and we can feel the sun strengthening our spirits. In the Southern Hemisphere it is the longest night, where the stars are held in the deep dark sky. There is a saying that every flame is part of the same fire, from the flame in your candle to the fire of the sun and the stars, so we are all connected in community together through the flame and the light.

The light casts a shadow, it illuminates and it obscures. In the darkness is the potential of all that could be, it is the belly of Ceridwen’s cauldron and the darkness of the fertile soil. We stand, bathed in light, whilst the world turns to head back into the darkness of potential and dreams. Even at the greatest point of light, darkness is, just as at the points of most darkness, light resides.

Place your hand on your heart and feel the sunlight fill it with golden light. Let that light grow with each breath. Spend some time reflecting on who you are when you are your biggest, brightest self. When do you feel most fully who you are in all your glory? When do you feel strongest, most powerful, most alive? Breathe in that feeling. Hold that feeling for a moment as you let yourself relax into this space. Feel the light of the sun filling your heart holding the light of your brightest self. Know that at any point you feel like you are struggling and the world is darkening, you can place your hand over your heart and remember this light, remember your strongest self. This is always a part of you, no matter what, so you can let it guide you through any darkness you encounter ahead.

Happy Solstice, lovely folk.

To listen on Patreon, click here.

And Happy Pride Month. For those that are still in the closet-shadows, and those that stand in the light, may we all be safely seen and accepted for who we are.

In Delight,

~Halo

Feeling Falsely Fraudulent

26 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Creative Process, Following Delight, Reflections

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Creative Writing Pic

Creative Writing Classes… because apparently I’m a teacher?

 

I know, I know, we all get it. But damn imposter syndrome is REAL and hard.

I’ve just (after several weeks of not because… resistant brain?) made event pages for two writing classes I’m starting next month. I’ve been running one in Carmarthen for the last six months and it’s been wonderful. The students came with such a wide range of experience and backgrounds – from the jewellery maker who hasn’t written since school, to the professional non-fiction writer who wanted to stretch his story-crafting muscles – and have each inspired me with what they’ve achieved. Their feedback has shown me I can teach these classes, and yet…

I hit post on the event pages and immediately began doubting myself. What if people turn up and I discover I can’t do it? What if I let them down? What if I’m kidding myself and this is not remotely viable for me as a possible career thread… What if these classes were just a fluke? What if they discover I really haven’t got a clue?!

My sensible brain knows that I am, actually, good at this. I have some major challenges around making the classes happen and promoting them (ADHD non-linear butterfly brain, anyone?) but when I’m there, in the space, it’s wonderful.

But oh gods, I really just want to hide now!

This is a good opportunity to practice self-acceptance, however. I am not just my limitations, and not just the easy parts of me. I’m also someone who loves to teach, and who can and does get up in front of a roomful of people and takes a risk on being seen for who and what I am. Hopefully, I’ll continue to prove myself worthy! Either way, I am apparently a brave person because it takes courage to do the scary thing.

So… to honour that…

Classes start…

…in Aberystwyth, Wednesday 8th May, 11am – 12:30pm at the Dragonfly Bistro, 7 St James’ Street. £6/£5 a session, £20 for first four in advance. (Facebook Event Page)

… in Lampeter, Tuesday 14th May, 3:30 – 5pm at the Mulberry Bush, 2 Bridge Street, £6/£5 a session, £20 for first four in advance. (Facebook Event Page) 

Any questions, or to book, email me: Haloquin@gmail.com

 

Happy Thoughts and Pixie Dust,

~Halo x

 

A new chapter…

10 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in Reflections

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This last year was a roller-coaster of changes. I left my husband, spent 6 weeks officially homeless (actually staying in a friend’s spare room), moved to another county, ended up back in halls, and finally  last weekend, moved back north again. All of a sudden I’m living on the beach.

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I’m healthier,  happier, and more hopeful than I’d been in a long while. There are challenges ahead, but then there always are!

I’d love to share something profound or useful or beautiful or entertaining or whatever right now… But really… This is just about turning the page to the next chapter with gratitude.

Who knows what stories are waiting to be told now?

After the Tower, The Star Rises

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Enchanted, Magic, Poetry, Reflections

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Two violet booklets with a butterfly emerging from a crysalis depicted on the cover, on a wooden surface. Title: "Showing My Hand: a Poet's Tarot, by Halo Quin".

XVII: Star

Tell me,
my dreams,
which of you are true?
Which celestial spark points North
and leads me to my cave,
my court,
my stage?
And which is the lighthouse,
warning of the shallows
where sirens live?
Where do the rivers
of sleep lead?

 

 

In the spring of this year, I fell apart.

Some wonderful things happened. Some hard. I railed against the limitations I felt caged by. I explored ways of finding and making space.

The wheel turned, and everything changed. And nothing changed.

A birds-eye view of a lit, large cream candle, lighting a stainless steel pen and a journal page with a quote "the best way to predict the future is to create it." and a purple ribbon bookmark.The trick to magical manifestation, I have always found, is to be clear on what you truly desire. When everything you’re holding together begins to fall apart, struck by lightning perhaps, you can no longer ignore the cracks. When beautiful things appear in your life they highlight the parts you’ve allowed to become stagnant.

 

Under the light of the stars, I find my clarity. I have stories to share, of how I became an accidental published poet, and discovered I’ve always been a Bard. I joined an Order, which makes me chuckle, and I’ve learned that I really am wired differently to the majority of people. And finally, finally, I can see a path ahead for my studies. I’ve wandered for several years without direction, buried under the weight of my thesis despite my gratitude for the opportunity. And now, perhaps, I’ve chosen a destination…

 

An altar lit by a bright lantern-candle in the dark, outside, with apples and drinking cup barely visible.And I’ve found a way to dance again! I can no longer dance for hours every week in ATS Belly Dance, but I can strap my knees and back up (corsetry is surprisingly useful for this!), indulge in some spirits, and relax into freeform dancing as long as I listen to my body.

There is light in the darkness, always, and always more tales to tell.

 

 

The Trouble with Druids

14 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Reflections

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I was thinking, at Druid Camp, that my initial impression of druids was not favourable.

I grew up a half hour bus journey from Avebury. When I was 18 I spent each of the 8 neo-pagan Festivals camping in Avebury. During the summer months I saw a particular group of Druids performing open, public rituals there. So far so good. Except that the leader would start with “Let’s do this quick so we can get to the pub!” and end it with “To the Pub!” with a fair amount of alcohol already having been imbibed.

I was not impressed that the ritual seemed to be done as an obligation, rather than as a devotional act, or an offering, or a joyful service, or a celebration, or whatever. It felt like a public show of “Look at us! Aren’t we great! Honouring the Old Ways ™!” getting in the way of drinking, rather than something that was important to the druids officiating.

It didn’t help that at this point I was teetotal.

Now, I’m certain it was important to them. I’m certain this was a bit of a joke, and I’m all for irreverent reverence. But when you are performing public ritual in a very public place then, surely, you have to expect that you are giving some people their first impression of pagans in general and druids in particular? Surely you need to take this into account?

For me, this was my first encounter with druids, and I was not impressed.

At one festival there was a second ritual, run by Bobcat and others (I only remembered Bobcat’s name because, well, bobcats!)  which I really loved, but it was too late. I actually thought it was part of the same group. I’d dutifully attended all the rituals I came across whilst there in order to learn as much as I could. And because I’d assumed these were the same kind of practitioners – i.e. they’re all druids, right? So they’re all part of the same thing, right? – I didn’t really want to be involved in a group that had the opening and closing of a ritual revolving around getting wasted.

This is not to say I didn’t have good experiences with druids there. I had some lovely conversations. I also had some amusing ones where very high (as in stoned) druids attempted to educate me (conflating youth with inexperience – by then I’d been practising (neo)Witchcraft and magic for 7 years!).

Their case was also not helped, in my eyes, by the fact that I only saw them doing their public rituals in the summer. Now I suspect they performed their winter rituals somewhere sensible, or on a different day so I can’t really hold that against them!

The other issue were the moots. I got so frustrated at the few I attended with the lack of discussion about the things we shared in common – i.e. an interest in magic/paganism/druidry/stories/etc – and, when I asked someone if we were going to talk about anything, well, magical, their response was “Why would we talk about that? This is a moot!” And off they went to get drunk.

Anyway. The point of all this reminiscing is this: when we are out and about in a visible role as pagan, druid, witch, magic-worked or whatever, we are representatives, rightly or wrongly, of the group we present ourselves as belonging to. I was desperate for local pagans to connect with at that point in my life and could only find people who either patronised me or put me off! 

For years I understood druids to be drunken show-offs who only paid lip-service to magic and the gods. Eventually I met some who clearly weren’t like that and slowly came to understand that that kind of group was a minority, though a VERY public minority.

This has me thinking about responsibility of visibility. 

So should we make ourselves visible if we believe we are able to counteract some of the negative stereotypes and representations of our groups? Do we have a responsibility to provide an alternative to those who we feel are being unethical in their presentation? How? And, really, to what end?

I haven’t got answers, just ponderings. And a growing desire to offer workshops in ritual skills and ritual etiquette! But that might just be showing my Reclaiming Witchcraft roots…

Anyway. It isn’t really a problem with druids at all. It can be found in any group. The racist Heathens of the AFA are likely to drive good people away from Heathenry as a whole. Bitchy Witches can put people right off attending a moot or a gathering a second time. And I know of plenty of people who won’t come to Pagan Soc meetings because the society is made up of newbie pagans who haven’t found their feet yet, and they find it tiring/etc. So the questions are the same; What can we do about it? What should we do about it? Or is it just one of those things? And who am I to judge them for how they want to present themselves and their path?

Thankfully my impression of druids as a whole has changed… and I still love Avebury!