Book Launch at Tintagel – March 2024

The twelfth of March was an auspicious day when the second part of my life journey was released. It takes a huge amount of time and effort from an author as well as their publishing company to produce a book. When the day of completion eventually arrives it feels rather surreal!

I was delighted that Blake and Wycke Malliway from Crossed Crow Books were in the area from Chicago and arranged to join me for this event.

Their excitable energy and infectious smiles lift the spirits of those around them. It is a pleasure to be in their company.

Lorna who owns the Healing Star in Penzance has been a constant support, providing books and some of her stock at the events.

A delightful group arrived at the Wooton Inn on yet another wet and windy day.

One in particular, was the person who invited me to a new development circle twenty-eight years ago when I attended my first psychic workshop.

It was the first time I attended a spiritualist church. I mention her in my first book and was delighted when she moved to Cornwall. It was wonderful to have her there with me.

Others who attended have become good friends over the years and I appreciate their genuine support.

Speaking about my journey and the books I have published flows easily, as I do not see it as a formal talk, it feels more like an informal ‘chat’, encouraging the group to ask questions and make comments whenever they wish.

Cassandra sat nearby and said that I did splendidly and that she is proud of me. I am grateful for her constant support throughout the last fifteen years.

After a wonderful afternoon, Blake and Wycke wined and dined Cassandra and I at the Tintagel Brewery Bistro. An evening full of fun and intriguing conversation.

So there you have it, both books are now published. What an exciting journey it has been!

Both book are available from Crossed Crow Books, the Healing Star and Amazon.

March 18, 2024 0

Tenth Anniversary as an Old Craft Initiate.

The full moon of 28th March 2021, marked 10 years since my initiation into the Old Craft by Cassandra Latham Jones.

Image – John Isaac

For me, tuition in the Old Ways was more intensive than it is for members within a group as I have lived with my teacher and we were rarely apart, so I received constant tuition and discussion. The last ten years may have brought challenges and hard lessons, however they included a multitude of wonderful moments that made it all worthwhile.

To mark this special anniversary Cassandra decided it was time for me to receive my final initiation, an equivalent to a third degree within the Wiccan path.

On February’s full moon, I visited Men an Tol, where once again, I was overlooked by a bright full Moon. I performed a ritual of passing significant items through the holed stone a designated number of times to energise them while Cassandra observed nearby. I then paused and stood in the moon’s rays, feeling her energy while expressing my devotion.

From that moment on, Cassandra instructed me to record my dreams and sent me on four Quests to locations of my choice.

I collected an item from each location and on the final Quest, I realized each one related to the elements, water, air, earth and fire. Cassandra stated that the directions were also significant.

The requirement of a ‘fast’ for a period of time was undertaken abstaining from stimulants, plus an added habitual action that I would find challenging.

During the weekend of my initiation, Cassandra instructed me to create a magical item related to all the locations I visited. There is a specific ritual connected to the creation of it that I followed during a designated planetary hour. I combined a blend of corresponding oils and herbs, placing them in a muslin bath pouch for my ritual bath. I cleansed and blessed all items that would be utilised for the ceremony.

On the evening of the initiation, we left home at 8pm to visit Boscawen-un stone circle where the first part of my initiation rite would take place, just as it had ten years ago. The difference on this occasion was the invisibility of the Moon shrouded in dark clouds on a dry evening, accompanied by a stiff breeze. This did not surprise me as Cassandra informed me it would be a ‘darker’ ceremony, therefore the absence of moonlight had great significance. I attempted to wear a hat that evening but the breeze repeatedly removed it, therefore I accepted that it was not required.

Cassandra and I used our bull roarers to call the spirits of place, she then instructed me to repeat a statement at each stone until I completed the circle. Cassandra stood by the Elder tree to observe and I slowly made my way around the circle laying my hands upon each stone, repeating the words, then moving on in the darkness, making my way over the tussocks and uneven ground. When I completed the circle, I turned to walk towards the King stone at the centre and in the darkness it seemed to transform into a tall hooded figure. I approached it and as I did so it reverted back to its original form and I rested my forehead against it, connecting with the energies of the site. After a while, I laid against the incline of the King stone feeling the breeze that rushed over my body and pressed me against the granite.

On our return to the cottage, Cassandra prepared the hearth and surrounding area, while I had my ritual bath in candlelight. I reclined in the water and contemplated on the impressions I received at the stone circle and the step I was about to take.

I put on my robe and awaited Cassandra’s call.

The initiation ritual was a wonderful experience and the initiatory words had such potency. Although my familiar Clutterbuck had entered the spirit world only 5 weeks before this,

I felt his presence as he never failed to join us for celebrations in the physical world. I knew he would not miss this occasion.

When the initiation ritual was over, Cassandra hugged me and stated that her job was done. We celebrated with good old Cornish mead. Never before had she taught anyone as intensively over this period of time.

We have both worked well together over the years and will continue to do so.

I would like to express my gratitude to Cassandra for being such a caring, understanding and patient tutor. She has taught me invaluable skills and assisted me in developing a deep connection not only with Cornwall but also with the place and community of my birth.

Whatever the future holds and wherever life takes me, her teachings will remain and are a strong aspect of who I am.

Feedback from Cassandra Latham Jones: “Congratulations Laetitia! A worthy, hard working and fully fledged Wisewoman. You have remarkable psychic abilities – that definitely is your forte”.

March 29, 2021 12

Tenth Anniversary as Village Wisewoman

Spring Equinox 2020 marks the tenth anniversary since Cassandra Latham Jones handed over her business of Village Wisewoman to me.

I previously worked as a qualified holistic therapist and was accustomed to dealing with clients. When providing alternative therapies however, clients are dealt with in a different way.

Consultations providing guidance can be similar to counselling (in which I now have a Diploma) as clients contact us about life’s dilemmas. We discuss appropriate methods and provide guidance that could assist them with their problems.

Cassandra has a unique way of working and has built a good reputation, a tough act to follow for anyone who takes on her work. I was a resident of Cornwall for only ten months before I embarked on these pursuits. Although the community did not know me well, I had adequate experience to provide the services required. As time passed, I settled into the village community and frequented our local Inn, attended some church services and village events. I am also a musician and ‘Oss Teazer at local folk festivals.

In a short period of time I developed and organised a correspondence system for dealing with clients creating a selection of email folders for: inquiries, readings, distant readings, spells, charms, rites of passage, feedback, property cleansings, and wart charming as well as Wisewomen walks and workshops. Explaining to a client the list of items required for services we provide has become routine now and I converse with the confidence that comes with experience.

Cassandra taught me the best way to handle business accounts and it’s not a difficult task with a small business. I admire her for managing her own accounts throughout the years as she has ‘dyscalculia’. It was less of a problem for me as I am good with numbers and now modern technology lessens the burden of mathematics.

I understand why a ‘code of ethics’ is necessary as it is not good practice to cast spells for clients who desire to influence others against their will. These spells can have huge repercussions and I have witnessed the consequences some individuals have suffered after casting spells for selfish reasons or sending curses.

Learning the process of creating charms has been an enjoyable aspect of my work and is reminiscent of past interests with cross-stitch embroidery and crochet skills during my childhood and adolescence. I am also skilled in intricate needlework and the corresponding ingredients for each charm continues to fascinate me as each charm is unique for each client. For example, when I construct two fertility charms neither is identical in appearance or contents.

Another aspect where needlework skills come to the fore is the creation of clothes for hearth dolls. This inspired me to create more clothing for other dolls that have uncanny likenesses to the images they represent. Cassandra has said that my work with dolls is one of my outstanding talents.

I have witnessed many Tarot readings and know Cassandra’s Tarot cards well. I am able to provide readings with an identical deck if she were unable to do so. The psychic impressions and messages I receive during a consultation before the tarot spread is laid out, are then confirmed by her readings. Our distant readings for clients are extremely accurate and this has enabled us to provide guidance for clients globally.

The Handfastings we provide are wonderful occasions. We have been Celebrants at wondrous sacred sites and unusual venues. My past ceremonial training comes to the fore when setting up a sacred space although the words that I use have changed, providing a deeper connection to the ancient land around us.

We prefer that a couple to have had a relationship for at least a year before taking this important step. Some were legally married a considerable length of time and wished to renew their vows. Others have a spiritual ceremony with us and also visit a registry office before or after the ceremony if they require a legal contract.

I would love to experience more of these occasions on beaches or by the sea which in my opinion, adds to the romance.

Our property cleansings are quite an adventure, from modern houses to period properties, cottages, hotels and public houses. The history and varied lives people once led can leave residual energies that penetrate the foundations of buildings. These can affect properties in startling ways. The spirits of deceased owners can form an attachment with their former properties and find it difficult to leave them to others. Some spirits are harmless and the present occupiers are comfortable with their presence, however there are those that cause problems and clients need help in moving them on.

I have experienced on many occasions the remarkable difference of energy and atmosphere within a property after cleansing when re-visiting them.

Image – John Isaac

Spell casting is an exciting aspect of our work, particularly when a specific time is set for a client to work along with the practitioner. There have been occasions when the required result has occurred within 24 hours and for others, a period of time has passed before reaching a successful outcome. Throughout this past year I have worked with one particular client casting many spells for an ongoing legal case and each spell produced a successful outcome for each stage of the process.

Our workshops have been successful. Attendees are intrigued by the work we do and enjoy spending time with us to experience this.

We have met some wonderful individuals and had many fascinating discussions. It is heartening to hear feedback on how these experiences have changed their lives in a positive way.

I have learnt more information on our ‘Walks with Wisewomen’ as Cassandra repeats the folklore and stories of various sites on each occasion. She is delighted with the way our work has become ‘second nature’ to me. It is not an easy path and I have been severely tested throughout the years. Cassandra is also pleased with the way I advertise and network to reach more people who need assistance and the business has grown considerably compared to when she worked alone.

So there you have it…..ten years of organisation and work within the business of Village Wisewoman. It is so important to have an occupation one enjoys that does not lose its fascination!

I thank Cassandra for her patience and tuition over the last eleven years. Her methods are often unorthodox and there were times I did not understand them, or how it would benefit me, until I put this tuition into action. This scene from the movie Karate Kid is a good example of what I am referring to:

I look forward to the next ten years, becoming older and wiser as I continue our work of assisting the community!

Image – John Isaac

March 20, 2020 2

A Winter Handfasting 2018

We first met Karyl when she travelled here from the U.S. with a group of friends and arranged to join us for a Walk with Wisewomen two years ago.

On this occasion, she returned with her new partner Paul and requested a Handfasting. January has had frequent stormy weather, gale force winds and heavy hail showers accompanied by icy temperatures, so Karyl requested we conduct the ceremony within Cassandra’s cottage.

This is the 2nd occasion when a Handfasting has occurred within the cottage, the first happened many years ago when a couple from Denmark unexpectedly called upon Cassandra requesting an immediate ceremony, giving her about an hour to prepare.

Karyl had booked in advance, so our wonderful friend and photographer John Isaac captured fabulous images of the occasion. Karyl and Paul were accompanied by two good friends to witness the ceremony and offer support. It was a small and intimate ceremony before the larger legal wedding they had planned for May Day.

Images by John Isaac

January 22, 2018 2

Handfasting Celebrant Memories

Cassandra and I have been celebrants for many Handfastings since 2009.

We do our utmost to provide couples with the ceremony they desire and work closely with them leading up to the event.

A few years ago, we conducted a Handfasting ceremony for a young couple at St Loy woods. It was important to the bride that bluebells were in bloom for the occasion as they were also present when they first met.

Ceremonies can vary in size and location, some have many guests, while others prefer a more intimate occasion with a few close friends. When they are held in public locations, it understandably attracts ‘on-lookers’ whether it be creatures of the wild, ancient spirits of land and sea or the human variety. My ceremonial training within the Alexandrian tradition comes to the fore at these times for setting up a sacred space to perform these rites.

The image above is from one of our first Handfasting ceremonies at the Merry Maidens stone circle. Only the couple and a handful of family members and friends were present, as they requested the ceremony at short notice. Chinese tourists passed the site on an open top bus and eagerly captured images of the occasion.

Cassandra and I performed this Handfasting ceremony ( image above) in the grounds of a Mill house that was our place of residence in 2010. It was a wonderful warm October day with perfect ambiance amongst the trees and beside a small stream.

This ceremony (see image above) had a medieval theme and was held at King Arthur’s castle in Tintagel. There were a few rain showers, however this did not dampen the wonderful celebrations at this ancient site. We were invited to a hog roast buffet in the King Arthur’s Arms and had a wonderful time.

This ceremony (see images above) was held at Prussia Cove, the location where this lovely couple first met. We were blessed with warm sunshine that day and working so close to the sea was an extra special experience. A friendship developed between us and the couple after their ceremony and we visit them often. They now have two adorable children.

Boscawen-un stone circle is a popular site for Handfasting ceremonies. This particular one was memorable as our ‘Obby ‘Oss Penkevyll made an appearance and performed with her Teazers from Boekka.

Madron Baptistry was the venue for this Handfasting (see images above). A couple travelled from France accompanied by their family. They stayed at Godolphin House where we later joined them for a sumptuous medieval wedding feast with copious amounts of champagne and a hog roast in the fabulous dining room.

A couple from overseas had their ceremony at Sancreed Holy Well. They requested we purchase and decorate their broomstick in order to infuse it with fertile energy. Six weeks later, they revealed that they had conceived and they now have a beautiful daughter!

This ceremony ( see images above) was performed at the Sennen Coastguard look-out on a cold, wild and windy day! We attempted to place the altar accoutrements upon the table but they would not stay upright, so we kept them in a box and took them out when required. The bride’s veil attached to her hat was vertical most of the time and their guests were huddled behind the building to shelter from the force of the wind. We were determined to continue and the wedding party kept their sense of humour. We were appreciative of the warm open fire in the First and Last public house after the ceremony.

This Hand-fasting ceremony was held in the stunning Carn Glaze Caverns. It was for a couple who had invited a small family group. The acoustics in the Caverns were wonderful as Cassandra’s bull roarer resonated over the rock faces. The echoes of the marriage vows could be heard all around the space beside a fabulous blue lake.

We conducted another Hand-fasting at this venue for a jolly couple. Their laughter is so infectious to all who know them. They requested a performance by our ‘Obby ‘Oss Penkevyll and Boekka during their feast in the caves, along with a fire display team. (See video footage below)

We were delighted to receive a visit from them recently and were pleased to hear they are both well and happy together.

These are just a few of the Handfastings we have taken on the role of Celebrants for and each occasion is special and unique in its own way.

To enquire about our Handfasting ceremonies, please visit the Contact page.

September 7, 2016 0