A fabulous Samhain weekend is over and the Celtic new year begins. The year of 2016 marks twenty years since I began a personal spiritual journey in complete contrast to the religion I was raised within. The excitement of my first awakening will remain a prominent memory as I put aside past indoctrination and summoned the courage to explore an alternative path.

I once received a warning from a renowned Pagan Priest who used to reside in London to beware of “space cadets” and take time to find the right path. As it was an exciting time, I was eager to acquire as much knowledge as possible and experience everything! (Since writing this, he has sadly passed away, I am so grateful for his advice).

During the early days I worked alone and the first rituals I performed felt familiar to me. After a year of personal study and research I took the step of self initiation. This was and still is, the most important step of my development, a private dedication between no one but myself and the ‘powers that be’.

After experiencing the intense energy one person could raise within a sacred space, I contemplated working within a group. I replied to an advertisement in the Pagan Dawn magazine for new members to join an Egyptian group. It was a different way of working and the energies raised were extremely potent, resulting in some astounding experiences. I met two members in this group who became genuine and constant friends.

Whilst gaining experience in working within various groups I also taught a group of friends how to conduct their own rituals. I first met them when they attended my Reiki courses and discovered they also had an interest in magical work.

A while later, entering the Morris dancing world introduced me to Wiccan Priestesses and I worked with a Gardnarian group for a while. Their rituals were happy, joyful occasions and we met regularly at my home. I set up a larger altar for this purpose and prepared a space to accommodate five group members.

I was later initiated into an Alexandrian group that honoured Egyptian deities. The training and rituals were well structured, and it was then, I discovered that the Wiccan religion originated from the 1950s. This was rather disappointing as I desired to learn about the ancient ways rather than a modern belief system.

I eventually left the Alexandrian group and a few years later replied to an advertisement asking for members to join a “Cornish” Old Craft group. I communicated with the person who placed the advertisement, suggesting we could correspond and meet one another during the following six years before my move to Cornwall. They could then assess whether I would be the right type of member for their group.

I was in my thirteenth year of spiritual development when i moved to Cornwall in 2008. I did not join the Cornish Witchcraft group after all as the ‘powers that be’ provided the opportunity to meet Cassandra Latham in 2009. I then found the Old Craft and ancient ways I had searched for. It was easier for me to connect with the energies of land and sea in Cornwall than in the busy area of London. There are however some beautiful sites in Kent such as the Coldrum Stones that were a few miles away from my past place of residence.

Moving into a new community is not as easy as one thinks. Genuine people are few, but when you do find them, they are invaluable. Others can be rather territorial and if they choose to dislike you, nothing you do or say will change their minds. I have learnt that some think a person’s talent or capability is not important unless they associate with the right ‘clique’ or are born in the ‘right place’.  This is probably why some allude to a ‘birth connection’ within Cornwall to feel more accepted. I am however proud to be a Kentish Maid and this does not detract from my connection with Cornwall.

When one is talented at their craft, they will meet some genuine like-minded and supportive people. Alternatively, talent and success can also expose jealous detractors. Their aim is to project their own negative traits onto a target or ‘scapegoat’ to make life so unpleasant that they eventually drive them away. If one finds themselves in this situation, it is vital to remember that only a person with outstanding talent and something worth coveting will be targeted.

Cornwall has a variety of people. Some are genuine good- hearted souls who want to live a peaceful life and do all they can to help others without an ulterior motive. Some create a “fairy-tale image” and place more importance on ‘glamour’ but lack any real substance or power. Some work under the guise of friendship for their own personal gain and cast others aside when they are no longer useful. Some seek fame and fortune and try to discredit others whom they consider a threat.

I now believe the ‘demonic forces’ religions speak of are actually within the personalities of some who use and abuse belief systems to feed their egos in order to gain power over others. It is sad these organizations scapegoat a spirit being rather than take responsibility for their own thoughts and actions.

However, when one focuses upon the positive aspects of life, the Cornish landscape and the ocean are wonderful. They are good for the soul and to see them daily is truly a blessing.

I am now accustomed to the seasons and energetic changes.  As I walked to the village church one evening I was greeted by a beautiful crescent waxing moon and the star of Venus adjacent to it, was bright and beautiful.

Nothing tastes of the sea more than a raw oyster and fresh seaweed from the shore. To awake in the morning and see a murder of crows feeding from the field behind the cottage is wonderful and to sit on beaches and cliffs listening to the music of the sea is divine.

Here in Cornwall, the beaches, coves, woodland, stone circles, holy wells, quoits and ancient buildings are nearby. Focusing on these aspects of life reminds me of how blessed I am.

My twenty-year spiritual path led me here and I have worked extremely hard. No matter where my journey in life takes me, I have fulfilled my childhood dream of living in Cornwall and learnt some important life skills and lessons from the Old Craft that will remain with me.