While you are all still receiving The Magic of Connection, do tell us if any of the episodes go missing. We’ve had a couple of unexplained disappearances, and of course we’d like you to get the whole course! I do apologise for any teething problems. We’re very new at this and are working to streamline the process.
This 2nd Westacre missive is full of unexpected discoveries. Do let us know what you think of it, and share your ideas about what you would like us to include.
Enjoy!
Hilde
## In this issue
– Project News
– Interview with a Bad Witch
– How you can help
– Stay in touch
## Project News
The Westacre renovation project is an attempt to make our 1930s house as environmentally friendly as we can. This will involve insulating it thoroughly, and getting our heating from renewable sources. You can follow our adventure on our web site (see link at the end of this issue).
Last week, the Westacre renovation project moved into a new phase. We made decisions on the details of the new windows and front door we want. The plan is to restore much of the old part of the house to what it was like originally, including the position of the front door. So we needed to do some exploratory demolition work to find out how much space we have to play with.
In the process, we uncovered a few unexpected things.
Behind the plasterwork, we didn’t find a straight lintel but a brick arch where the front door used to be.
In the ceiling space near the arch, the wiring was, let’s say, a little unorthodox. Alex spent a day working out what was connected to what and bringing it up to scratch.
The ceiling of the current front door porch was made of white asbestos, and had a wasps’ nest hiding behind it. Because we need to work in that area, we unfortunately needed to take lethal measures to make it safe.
We were much happier to discover a nest of small bumble bees in the garden. It is in an area that we have designated to become a coppice woodland, so the bees couldn’t have chosen a better place to build their colony.
The adventures continue.
## Interview with a Bad Witch
One of our favourite pagan blogs is owned by an old friend of ours. She writes a short post every day, covering pagan topics of all kinds. Her posts are variously beautiful and useful, or weird and silly. It also lists pagan events in the London area.
We asked her a few questions.
How long have you been writing the Bad Witch Blog? What inspired you to start it?
My first post was on November 7, 2007. I started writing it for two main reasons.
The first reason was that although I I’d been a feature writer on a local newspaper for six years, I realised that writing for the web was overtaking dead tree publications. I hoped blogging would give me web-writing experience.
The second reason was really behind the subject matter I chose. I wanted to get back to being more involved in paganism. Ever since I’d stopped being an active member of a coven I felt I’d become a lapsed witch – or a bad witch. That was why I picked that title. I wanted to become a better witch.
Doesn’t it get a bit much to have to do a daily post?
Gosh yes, but I find that the discipline of having to write it is good. I sort of think of it as my daily magical practice. Writing as a bad witch stops me being a bad witch.
Are you still enjoying it?
Gosh yes too. I’d have given up ages ago if I didn’t enjoy it – although of course there are times I feel like giving up.
What would you say is your best blog post so far?
That’s tough as I have written quite a few over the years that I’ve enjoyed. My favourite is probably The Ghosts and Grails of Lewes: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/08/ghosts-and-grails-of-lewes.html
The most popular by far is one about double-yolked eggs: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/08/double-yolk-eggs-folklore-and.html
Do you have a regular spiritual practice that sustains your soul?
I think I’ve answered that – writing my blog. Although it isn’t just the writing, it is the research and learning I do that goes into the writing. Blogging is just the discipline that keeps me at it and gives me more of an incentive to keep going. I’d really recommend it to anyone on a pagan path who likes writing.
You are writing a Bad Witch’s blog, but have you ever met a good one?
I’ve met loads of good witches – absolutely loads. What makes a good witch is practice. I think many people are born with the natural ability to be a witch and it is possible to learn a great deal from books but you’ll only get any good a it by regular practice. It also helps to get training from someone who very experienced and a good teacher.
I trained initially with Shan at House of the Goddess and after that spent a year and a day training with a Wiccan coven before I was initiated as a witch, but it took many more years of practising the craft before I felt I was really any good at it. There are still some areas in which I would consider myself a rank amateur!
What does the phrase ‘The Magic of Connection’ mean to you?
We are all connected via the Web of Life. The magic of connection is experiencing it – realising that every human, every animal, every plant, every rock, every bit of our planet and all the planets and stars and galaxies are all connected, always have been and always will be.
With thanks to the Bad Witch for answering our questions. Please go and explore her blog by following some of the links in the interview. If you like it, bookmark it and share it with your friends.
## How you can help
– Tell your friends about the free Magic of Connection course.
– Share our blog posts on social media. Liking them is good, but actually sharing things that you find interesting really helps us find our audience.
– Comment on our blog posts, on the actual web site. Tell us about your own adventures in connected living. This will get conversations started that add value for all of us.
Get your hands dirty:
– Come and visit us at Westacre. Join in with what we are doing. It is an opportunity to learn new skills and to hang out with us in our beautiful garden.
Last weekend, our friend Liz came to stay. She enjoyed making a real difference to the look of our garden by getting stuck into the weeding.
## Stay in touch
Our contact details and our presence on social media can be found here:
http://www.westacre.org.uk/contact