Summer solstice, is a time for the celebration of light, the longest day of our Sun God. In a world, where people become disillusioned, it is a good time to reflect on the meaning of our lives. At this time of year, the Sun will be at his height, providing a feeling of joy, peace and positive outlook. As Pagans, we can see and feel potently, the turning of the Wheel, so we are the lucky ones!! Summer solstice is normally celebrated on June the 21st, the height of the Summer months. It is a time for relishing the warmth, the blue of the sky and the uplifted feeling that most people get! To prepare for Solstice, (in 6 weeks time), celebrate and think why the Sun makes us feel better. Give thanks to our Great Mother and her consort for our lives and the light of the sun. Blessing to you all Jo BB

Members of Ayr Pagans attended an open ritual to celebrate Beltane. Thankyou so much to all of you that attended, it was a beautiful blessing and the weather was fine!! BB Jo x

A huge thankyou to Louise, John and all members who provided a great day for Pagans in Scotland. The Conference was great, from beginning to end. All the speakers were fab. Weather held up!! Blessing to all BB Jo X

Hi to all Pagans!!!

Just to let those of you who do not yet know, the Scottish PF Conference will be held in Edinburgh, on the 25th April 2009, in the EUSA, Edinburgh. This is a fantastic day out for all people interested in Paganism in Scotland. Tickets are now on sale from the Scottish PF: http://www.scottishpf.org/conf.html It normally runs from 10am in the morning till 10pm at night, with fantastic talks, workshops, stalls and entertainment provided for all tastes. Come along and support the work of the PF in Scotland and catch up with both old and new friends!!! BB Jo xx

A huge thankyou to all who turned up at the recent meet of Ayr Pagans moot. We had a great time planning out our spells within different groups. Everyone who attended did a fantastic job and showed a great deal of knowledge and intuition in developing their spells. With simple, but effective items, each group successfully produced 3 different spells!!! Thankyou to you all. Carry on the good work folks!! BB Jo xx

The following talk was given by a member of our moot.

The Elements

According to magical thought, the whole universe and everything in it including ourselves, are made up of the 4 elements: EARTH, AIR, FIRE and WATER. According to the ancient occult philosiphers and the Druids, without these elemets there could be no life, as all life is made from these elements. In addition to these 4, there is a fifth one, which we call Spirit. This is the energy which all living things possess e.g our soul. Today, our knowledge of science (particulary DNA), does not disagree with this, rather their view is simply a more refined version of what the Ancients knew.

In magic, the 4 elements correspond to the 4 directions of our world and our Magical Circle, they are also given certain characteristics e.g. Earth and Water are considered to have energies which are female, whilst Fire and Air are masculine.

The Elements have many other attributes and should not be thought of as in purley physical terms. Earth is not only our home, but also refers to stability and foundation, Fire is more than purley a flame, Water is more than just liquid and Air is more than just a Wind.

The old Gaelic term for the 4 points of the compass was the 4 Airts (Air) and the general definitions of these elements were based on the prevailing winds in Britain. In Scotland the Gaelic words for the cardinal points were Aiet, Deas (East), Iar (West) and Tuath (North).

The Elements influence our personalities and Magic and they also possess form as well as force, both negative and positive.

In Wiccan ceremonial Magic each Element is represented by a colour:

Earth/North - Green
Air/East - Yellow
Water/West - Blue
Fire/South - Red

The Ancient Celts knew of these energies but the colours associated with them differ. North is Black, East is Red, West is Grey and South is White i.e Red symbolised the rising Sun, White the Noon, Grey the Twilight and Black the Night.

I have included a list of my own correspondances:

AIR

Direction - East Colour - Yellow Time of day - Dawn Season - Spring
Elemental Spirits - Slyphs or Sprites
Magical Tool - Athame or Sword
Nature symbols - Feathers or Wind

AIR : aid visualisation, its masculine in energy and governs the 4 winds. It also is the element of the mind, intellect, inspiration, imagination, ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes.

WATER

Direction - West Colour - Blue Time of Day - Twilight Season - Autumn
Elemental Spirits - Undines or Merfolk
Magical Tool - Chalice or Cauldron
Nature Symbols - Water or Shells

Water: The element of emotion and the subconscious, love, purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion, family, fertility, healing, pleasure and psychic abilities. it is a female energy and governs spells involving mirrors, friendship, marriage and happiness.

FIRE

Direction - South Colour - Red Time of Day - Mid-day Season - Summer
Elemental Spirits - Salamanders or Firedrakes
Magical Tool - Wand or Staff
Nature Symbols - Fire or Sun

Fire: is the element of authority and leadership, masculine in nature and governs all candle magic. It is the element of change, passion, sexuality, used in healing, purification, breaking bad habits or destroying illness or disease.

EARTH

Direction - North Colour - Green Time of Day - Midnight Season - Winter
Elemental Spirits - Gnomes
Magical Tool - Pentagram or Stones
Nature Symbols - Soil, Stones or Crystals

Earth: the element of stability and the body, it is wisdom, strength, growth and prosperity, it is also the Earth itself and the heart of all life. Earth is a feminine element and is used in spells involving business, prosperity, fertility and stability.

The fifth element is Spirit, your Spirit or Soul, it is you, who you are, who you have been and who you will be. You are the heart of all magical workings and you are Magic!!!!!

A huge Happy new year to everyone from the Ayr Pagan Moot. I hope 2009 brings everyone happiness, love and enjoyment!!!! May the Goddess and God  bring blessings into your life! BB Jo x

Hiya all, Scott Hindle (Scottish Pagan Federation Local Organiser, Paisley), will kindly be coming to the next moot (December 1st), to give us a talk on Visualisation and hopefully teach us the best ways to learn and become adept at this skill. As this is the very foundation for all of our magic and spellworkings, this workshop is one not to be missed. Scott has been on the Pagan scene for many years and knows his stuff!!!!  So, come along and learn how to increase the success of your magical life! BB Jo x

Ayr pagans will have a yule meal on the 19th of December 2008, at the Moonstar Chinese Restaurant (North Harbour Street, Ayr) at 7.30pm. If anyone is interested in joining us please contact Lennie on starworship@talktalk.net FFI. Please be aware that there is a £10 non-refundable deposit required. Blessings Jo XX

Hi to all,

On Saturday 4 members (including myself), went to Edinburgh to visit Rossyln Chapel, made famous by the book “Da Vinci Code”.  I had watched the movie a couple of times and read the book, so I wanted to see the place for myself. The Chapel is located 7 miles South of Edinburgh and pretty easy to get to from the city centre. On arrival to the village of Roslin, the chapel is a small walk off the main road. It looks alot smaller in real life, but nonetheless very impressive. It costs £7.50 to get in to see it. The chapel was built in the 14th Century by the St Clare family and continues to this day as a working church, with services taking place on a Sunday.

From a Pagan perspective, I was primarily interested in the Pagan and Masonic elements found in the Chapel. There are 100 Green Man Sculptures within the chapel walls and many Masonic references, Pentagrams and a Nature theme running through the chapel.  When i asked the tour guide about the Green Man figures, he told me he was not sure but one theory was to use the religion of the time to convert the locals to Christianity (sounds very familiar doesn’t it?).  We spent a couple of hours around the grounds of the Chapel and could have spent longer. The surrounding countryside (Rosslyn Glen) is absolutely stunning!!!

If anyone enjoys  sightseeing, religion and historical folklore then this chapel is a must to visit. FFI visit: www.rossylnchapel.org.uk  Blessings Jo xxxx