Alternative Therapy / Spiritualism

Fairs and Feasts

Early autumn is a wonderful time of mellow days and golden leaves, where Mother Nature blesses us with her annual bounty of fruit and vegetables with which to make warming soups, rich stews and delicious crumbles. In honour of her bounty it is a time when we should celebrate the generosity of the season over dinner with friends and family, just as our ancestors did.
In times past, fairs of many kinds were held at this time of year, all of which were followed by a bountiful feast at the end of the day. These included horse fairs, sheep fairs honey fairs and cheese fairs although one of the most popular and enduring is the Tavistock goose fair in west Devon. In times past the geese were fattened by allowing them to feast on the stubble of the land following the harvest of the crops. Their feet were then dipped in tar to make hardened boots in which they walked to market where they graced the table at the goose fair supper.
Another type of autumn fair popular in times past was the ‘Mop’ fair, one of which was held every year in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The purpose of this fair was to enable the wealthy to hire servants for the year. Each prospective servant would stand in a row, holding a symbolic item to portray his or her trade, such as a crook for a shepherd, a mop for a cleaner, a pot for a cook and so on. The wealthy would then choose their employee and give them a penny, known as a ‘fastenpenny’, which was a form of contract fastening them to their new post, after which they were free to go around the fair and enjoy themselves before beginning their new job.
Several beer festivals also appear to be popular at this time of year in order to celebrate the humble hop. The making of beer however is only one use for the hop. They are said to cure insomnia if made into a tea, as George the 111 discovered, whilst a poultice of hops is thought to ease congestion associated with pneumonia. Finally hops hung around the fireplace are said to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the forthcoming season.
Enjoy nature’s bounty as the season of autumn enriches our lives.

Although not directly related, you may be interested to read the blog posting about the freemasons in Worcestershire.

The Autumn Equinox

Monday 22nd September at 16.46 marked the moment of the Autumn Equinox when the sun crossed the equator for the second time in the year. At this time the whole world experienced equal amounts of darkness and light, being true to the origins of the word ‘equinox’ which derives from the Latin, ‘aequus’ meaning equal and ‘nox’ meaning night. From now until the Winter Solstice, the sun continues to move ever southward and leads us towards darker times.
This may sound rather depressing, but the darker evenings can sometimes be a welcome respite from the activities of the summer (albeit they were few and far between this year!). It is a time when we can turn our attention inward and perhaps sit around the table and talk to our loved ones or sit around the fire and read a good book. For those who prefer to go out and meet people, a wide variety of evening classes spring up in September, which provide both enjoyment and an opportunity to learn as autumn begins.
To our ancestors this time of year marked the end of the harvest, when the final fruits and vegetables were gathered in and preserved in order that the tribe would hopefully be able to survive the harsh times which lay ahead. This was often followed by a feast where thanks were given to the Goddess or Mother Earth for her great bounty.
In keeping with this, many services of thanksgiving are made in churches across the land today, often followed by a harvest supper. Many people are of the opinion that like many festivals, this was a continuation of the old Pagan ways. The harvest festival, in the Christian church however was strongly resisted in the early days, as the church considered it ‘too Pagan’ because it had nothing to do with the life of Christ.
In 1843, however, all that changed when the Reverend Robert Hawker, the rather eccentric vicar of Morwenstowe church, situated high up on Cornwall’s wild north coast, first gave thanks in his church for an abundant harvest.
His community was poor and often violent, as smuggling and wrecking were common events in order for the poor to survive. It was also a community that was steeped in superstition especially those linked to the gathering of the crops. In the early 1840’s the community had suffered very poor harvests and if had not been for the generosity of the vicar many would have starved. In 1842 however, the harvest was once again abundant to the extent that the local authorities ordered the reciting of special prayers in the church. Considering this a good idea, the following year the Reverend Morwenstowe issued a summons to his parishioners to meet him in the chancel of the church on the first Sunday of October for another service of harvest thanksgiving.
So popular was the service that within 20 years it was in most churches in the land and hymns such as ‘We plough the fields and scatter’, and ‘Come ye thankful people come’ were written to celebrate what had once more become a popular tradition of giving thanks to the Deities, be they the old or new for their bounty.
The autumn is a time of richness and beauty so take time to explore the countryside on your doorstep and revel in the abundance of nature’s gifts.


Carole Carlton is a lecturer, writer and author on ancient spirituality and complementary therapies. Her latest book, ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’, outlines the eight major Pagan festivals as they fall chronologically throughout the year and introduces the reader to the delightful and yet rather eccentric Mrs Darley, who introduced the author to a new way of perceiving life, love and spirituality whilst living in the wilds of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Carole is running a workshop at the Ramada Hotel Bewdley on Sunday 26th October entitled ‘Whispers of a Pagan Winter’ and can be contacted via her website: www.paganwhispers.co.uk

Celestial Change?

August has been a rather unsettled month and I am not referring solely to the disappointing weather conditions, but more so to the unusual astrological occurrences.

The month began with not only a new Moon on the 1st but also a solar eclipse. The eclipse was visible in its totality over Russia and China, but even here in the UK, a partial eclipse of up to 11% could be seen in the south of England.

As the eclipse was in the sun sign of Leo, the message was to take a break and get in touch with your creative side. For those who felt they were not able to stop work for whatever reason, then strange viruses and ailments may have made their presence felt to ensure that a period of rest was enforced!

August always heralds the month of the shooting star and with the meteor shower of Perseids visible around mid month, there should have been plenty of wishes made! Even now on a clear night there are still a few to be seen.

The 16th of August brought us our second eclipse of the month, but this time it was a lunar eclipse which began at 8.30pm and reached totality by 10pm, as the Moon matured into its full phase. Sadly, it was an evening of cloud and rain, which for most of us rendered it invisible to the eye although the effects on the psyche are always felt.

A lunar eclipse was always something feared by the ancients as they often saw the changing of the silver Moon into a blood red orb as being a threat to the natural order of things and even today a lunar eclipse is seen as the bringer of change.

Finally on the 30th August a second full Moon fell in the same calendar month, a rare event which happens approximately every 2 ½ years. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘Black Moon’, although this phase can also be used to describe other lunar events.

During my time spent living next door to the mysterious Mrs Darley on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, rather strange rituals were associated with the Black Moon, which are told in my forthcoming book due out in the spring entitled ‘Mrs Darley’s Moon Mysteries’.

If August has been a restless month or one where the winds of change have blown across your world, perhaps the behaviour of the celestial bodies can go a little way to shedding some light on the reasons why.

May you journey into September with peace and clarity.


Carole Carlton is a local author and lecturer in ancient spirituality, folklore and complementary medicine.
Her book, ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’, explores the history, myth and legend behind many of our well loved festivals whilst also introducing the reader to the delightful yet rather eccentric Mrs Darley, whom she was fortunate to have as her next door neighbour whilst living on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall during the early 1990’s. ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’ is available on line or from any book shop, price £7.99 and is published by Mirage Publishing.
Carole also runs workshops and courses in a variety of associated subjects at the Ramada Hotel Bewdley and can be contacted at: www.paganwhispers.co.uk

Boosting Energy Levels as Autumn Beckons

As the bank holiday looms and August races rapidly towards its close, many of us begin to think about the forthcoming season of autumn and all that it brings, including shorter days and lower temperatures.

In addition to these inevitable seasonal changes, which some find rather lowering, the almost constant wet weather and impending recession does little to lift feelings of gloominess and depression.

Many of my clients have recently requested a complementary treatment that will make them feel uplifted and energized in order to help them cope with these events as well as other aspects of life which concern us all at some point, such as illness, relationship difficulties or work stress.

As a practitioner and lecturer in complementary therapies, I use various types of complementary medicine in order to nourish and help bring back into harmony the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspect of the individual seeking treatment. This can include aromatherapy, massage or, on occasions, the use of colour and crystals according to the needs to the client.

During the past month, however two of my clients have received treatment for very different types of cancers and both are being treated simultaneously with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For me this poses certain problems as many essential oils are contraindicated with cancer and chemotherapy, whilst massage is often ruled out whilst undergoing radiotherapy due to the skin becoming thinner.

It is at times such as these, when time out for relaxation and healing is needed more than ever, that Reiki comes into its own and, can be used quite safely in conjunction with orthodox medicine.

Reiki is often described as a ‘hands on healing technique’ and for many, this is quite true, whilst for others, Reiki is far more than this. It can become a journey of personal awareness and spiritual growth and puts us back in touch with the sometimes long forgotten yet all pervading life force energy that many of us feel far removed from.

A Reiki treatment is almost impossible to describe as everyone experiences it differently, but regardless of the experience, it always works for the highest and greatest good of the individual concerned regardless of race, sex, age or creed.

For many, once they have benefited from a Reiki treatment, they then feel that they would like to channel Reiki energy for themselves, either for their own personal use or in order to become a Reiki practitioner and help others discover the benefits of this wonderful gift. If this is the case, then embarking upon a Reiki First Degree course is the first recommended step for anyone wishing to integrate Reiki energy into their own lives.

However you choose to lift your spirits as you journey into late summer, may your bank holiday weekend be filled with joy and boundless energy.

Carole Carlton is an author, practitioner and lecturer in ancient spirituality and complementary therapies and lectures in many parts of the world.

She holds regular Reiki courses at the Ramada Hotel Bewdley and also runs a clinic on the outskirts of Bewdley where Reiki, Aromatherapy, Hypnotherapy are available. She can be contacted on info@paganwhispers.co.uk or for more details on Reiki courses please visit: www.paganwhispers.co.uk

Honouring the Corn

Last week I spoke about the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh and the fact that this was the time when the Celts celebrated the gathering of the corn harvest.

Understandably, as with most annual festivals, certain superstitions and beliefs have, over millennia, woven their way into man’s psyche and the gathering of the corn is no exception for, to our ancestors, this act was synonymous with the Corn God laying down his life and spilling his blood upon the fields in order that fertility would continue into the following year. In J G Frazer’s book, ‘The Golden Bough’, we are told that whoever cut the final sheaf of corn was seen as symbolically taking the life of the Corn God which was not a particularly auspicious thing to do!

It therefore became common practice for all the harvesters to gather round the final sheaf, often blindfolded and simultaneously hurl their sickles at it in order that no one would know who had taken the life of the Corn God.

Paradoxically, although the cutting of the final sheaf was a moment to be feared by the harvesters, once cut, it was seen as a symbol of fruitfulness and fertility during the year to come. As a result, the sheaf was roughly woven and dressed and took pride of place at the harvest supper where it was often referred to as a ‘kern baby’ , a figure we are now more likely to refer to as a ‘corn dolly’ and which today, are often extremely complex and quite beautiful.

Tradition tells us that the corn dolly should be dressed in a scarlet ribbon to represent the blood of the God and hung over the hearth until the Spring Equinox when the seeds should be scattered on the earth to ensure fertility and abundance in the season to follow.

In later times farmers made corn dollies for another specific purpose. They would choose four of the longest stalks of corn and weave them together beginning just above the ears. When the corn would not bend any further they would twist the woven stems around in order to make a loop, which were called ‘favours’ and were then often worn at the harvest supper dance, pinned to the farmer’s lapel. The larger the loop or favour, the more favourably the farmer hoped the ladies would look upon him!

Enjoy the season of the corn harvest and may following year be fruitful and abundant.


Come along to Carole’s full day workshop on Sunday 28th September at the Ramada Hotel Bewdley and discover a little bit more about our ancient autumn and winter festivals, including how to make your very own corn dolly. For more details go to: www.paganwhispers.co.uk

Carole Carlton is a local author and lecturer in ancient spirituality, folklore and complementary medicine. Her book, ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’, explores the history, myth and legend behind many of our well loved festivals whilst also introducing the reader to the delightful yet rather eccentric Mrs Darley, whom she was fortunate to have as her next door neighbour whilst living on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall during the early 1990’s. ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’ is available on line or from any book shop, price £7.99 and is published by Mirage Publishing.

Celebrating the Festival of Lughnasadh


This week marks the old Celtic festival of Lughnasadh or Lammas as it was referred to by the later Anglo Saxons.

The word Lughnasadh is thought to mean ‘the funeral feast of Lugh’. Lugh was a popular Irish Celtic Deity, who over time, became synonymous with the sacrificial Corn God, the Deity who laid down his life amongst the corn in order that his spilt blood would fertilise the fields in readiness for the forthcoming season.

The word Lammas, although now used by the Christian church, is in fact a derivation of the Saxon word ‘Hlaefmas’, meaning ‘loaf festival’ and referred to the making of a loaf from the first gathering of corn in order to honour the earth (or Goddess) for her bounty.

This is a beautiful time of year, when gardens delight us with an array of colour, trees hang heavy in the woods and swathes of golden corn adorn the fields.

To the Celts, Lughnasadh marked the beginning of a period of hard work when the first fruits were gathered, the corn harvested and honour shown to the God for his sacrifice and Goddess for her unending bounty in order that mankind may be fed.

Today, regardless of our religious or spiritual path, we too can give thanks for the gifts that grace our table as the fat fruits of late summer fall from the trees and the enticing smell of early morning toast makes our mouths water.

To mark the duel aspect of abundance and sacrifice at this festival perhaps we could engage in various activities from making fresh bread, summer puddings or corn dollies to making a small sacrifice of either our time by offering to help out a charity or, alternatively, consider giving up a destructive habit, both of which will ultimately enrich our lives.

Whatever you decide to do during Lughnasadh, please enjoy this golden season, celebrate the bounty of the earth, share good food and wine with friends and spare a thought for those more unfortunate than perhaps you are yourself.


Carole Carlton is a local author and lecturer in ancient spirituality, folklore and complementary medicine.
Her book, ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’, explores the history, myth and legend behind many of our well loved festivals whilst also introducing the reader to the delightful yet rather eccentric Mrs Darley, whom she was fortunate to have as her next door neighbour whilst living on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall during the early 1990’s. ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Whispers’ is available on line or from any book shop, price £7.99 and is published by Mirage Publishing.
Carole also runs workshops and courses in a variety of associated subjects at the Ramada Hotel Bewdley and can be contacted at: www.paganwhispers.co.uk

Susie of EFT Midlands will be on BBC Hereford and Worcester on Thursday 10th June at 7.20am. Listen to find out more about 'tapping' and the benefits of EFT.