Irish Pagan Culture: Witchcraft, Wicca, Druidry - Presentation at UCC

Not My New Year

"Autumn, The Hermitage, Scotland"  by Picture Girl

As usual, I have read various articles and blogs relating to paganism and witchcraft as Samhain approaches. Having read the same statement several times over, I feel the need to use this blog to make a statement of my own: I do not consider Samhain the pagan new year. As it happens, not all pagans follow the same path and/or festivals and many do not believe Samhain to be the Celtic new year, myself included.

For me it is the final mark of the end of Summer, the beginning of winter as part of a never-ending cycle; a time to remember those of my family/clan who have passed; and a time for divination, as the veil becomes thinner.

The Mirror Crack’d

I was ill over Samhain, so was not able to do my usual ritual. Instead, I read some unique folklore and thought I would give it a try. In order to do this, I needed to use a mirror and I thought I would use my obsidian mirror, which I keep in a wooden chest along with other particular items.


All well and good, except when I unravelled the silk in which it is wrapped, I found the wooden frame was cracked. The damage wasn't too bad, so I used the mirror anyway and proved the merit of this particular piece of folklore.


My only dilemma now is how to get the mirror repaired. I don't want to use superglue as this might affect the integrity of the original work, which is beautiful. I might have to contact its maker and send it away for repairs, but I am loathe to part with it, in case further, irreparable damage occurs. Still, I can't leave it as it is.


What to do?