Flower Swords and Studio Moves

And a slow shimmy into The Broom Cupboard

Hello,

An elusive newsletter finally gets sent! It’s no coincidence that it happens after the first airing of a BBC historical drama, as this means Autumn is on its way and I’ve made it through the majority of Summer.

There are three main bits of news and then some brief thoughts…

1. I’m moving studios (hopefully) on the 1st September! I will be right smack in the middle of Nottingham city centre. I will have NATURAL LIGHT and WINDOWS and a small yard! As soon as I am in we will have a small opening party for those who are local - but this means that I might finally be able to settle somewhere with a modicum of security. There are also plans for a Winter Showroom to be held over the 11-13th December so, again, if you are local keep that date free for a weekend of amassing gifts from some amazing artists, antiques dealers, and makers whose work we can’t get hold of in Nottingham. As soon as I have the keys I’ll announce the location etc. I’ll be having a sale on the 31st August in-person and on Instagram stories to help make space.

2. This year I am offering a more targeted magical weekend workshop at Chapel on the Green in Wales, called Samhain Shadows and the Veiled Mirror. Over Samhain (October 31st - 2nd November) I will lead the group through creative techniques in mirror magic, intuitive collage and circle casting. We will conduct magic as a group as well as individually. For those who have been on the Summer Solstice retreats this is a more in-depth practical weekend, where you will leave with a better understanding on how to conduct a personal magical practice, alongside gaining some historical context to theses practices. Yes, there will be a lecture! And some good old Halloween fun. I’m really excited to share this one as we will get into more detail and have lots of time for discussion. As ever the practices are complimented by movement, voice and meditation work with Gray (River Flow Yoga).

3. Long time in the musing but: Haptic Magic is going to shift into

   THE BROOM CUPBOARD

   More on this soon. Not much will change, but expect more consistent notes from me on the Venn diagram of clay/magic/interiors/pop-culture. I will also have magical reading lists, ritual suggestions, online courses, and the opportunity to sign up to something postal and non-digital. Yes it is a nod to THE Broom Cupboard :)

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An aside…

One thing that has cheered me up no end over the last few months has been the £2.50 bunches of gladioli from Sainsburys. Their velvetine colour shifts have left me agog on a few occasions and I have been very taken by the yellow ones. I’m thinking I might have to make a vase especially for them.

So here are a few gladioli facts and memories….

• The name “gladiolus” comes from the Latin word gladius, which translates to “sword.” Originally from Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East it was soon cultivated and adopted in many a Victorian garden as both ornamental and symbolic of moral integrity and sincerity.

• Greek myth tells that Gladioli is a symbol of divine retribution and protection. Demeter killed a thief of wood from her sacred grove - gladioli grew from where his blood ran.

• A firm favourite of (pre-problematic) Morrissey. A bunch can be seen here, flung around as a budget homage to Oscar Wilde. Lilies were the symbol of choice for Oscar, but they were too pricey for The Smiths. “In the days when you were hopelessly poor, I just liked you more…”

• I haven’t watched it in at least 30 years but there is that quote from Drop Dead Fred… “Oh no, gladioli!!”

• On an equally high brow note, Vase with Gladioli and Chinese Asters, Van Gogh, 1886

Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend.
Take care of each other.

Best Witches

Blue