Our 2017 spring and summer Old Ways Workshops began with one for twelve Swiss Pagans. We were unable to invite them all in Cassandra’s tiny cottage, so we hired the St Buryan village hall.

Wicca, a lovely woman who runs the: Swiss Museum of Witchcraft, arranged for her group to meet with us and translated the relevant information. Cassandra gave a talk on her life and work as a Wisewoman and I spoke about sea spirits, mermaid legends, elemental work and uses for seaweed, sand and other materials found on beaches.  I also explained magical properties of various sea shells, sea beans and mermaids purses.

Cassandra was asked to construct a few protection charms for the group to purchase at their workshop.

After allowing time for questions after the talks, we provided materials for them to construct personal charms. The unique designs they created and type of material they chose told us something about their individual personalities.

After blessing the charms we visited Boscawen-un Stone Circle to activate them with meditation and raising energy by dancing to the beat of a drum.

We visited Sennen Beach and watched the deep red sun in the sky as it descended over the sea. The group members live inland and rarely get an opportunity to experience wonderful energies from the sea in Switzerland.

Cassandra built a fire and we sat around it while discussing local folklore.

We sang chants by the shore to invoke the sea spirits and raise energy for casting spells with sea shells. We then returned to the fire for Cornish blackberry mead and saffron cake.

It was a wonderful workshop with a group of fabulous people. Despite the difference in language, our love of the Old Craft deeply connected us all.