Happy Samhain!

When the year is turning to harvest,

and the wind invites you to ride,

light fires on every hilltop,

and greet those beloved who died.

Happy Samhain!

Etsy and Folksy Ravens

We've very recently started listing a few of the website items on Etsy and Folksy just to try something different and test the waters a little. Two newly-crafted Raven dream pendants were ready for listing today so we've added the one above to Folksy and the one below to Etsy. For now, they're available through those sites rather than the main Spirit of Old site but if you'd like to purchase either and you're not a member of the sites please email me at enquiries@spiritof old.co.uk.


Above: Rowan Raven dream pendant and birch bark box listed here on Folksy.com, priced at £60. This dream pendant is crafted from pale-coloured rowan wood and is carved into a beautifully detailed raven. Rowan has long associations with witchcraft and protection.

Below: Alder Raven dream pendant and birch bark box listed here on Etsy.com, priced at US$115. Ravens and alder are both traditionally associated with the Celtic god, Bran. Amongst the Celts, the raven was a very sacred bird and they have long been seen as protectors and birds of prophecy.


Both pendants are handcrafted from wood gathered within the Wessex area of Britain. They are threaded onto cord thonging and filled with mugwort which was respectfully gathered from next to the prehistoric site of Stonehenge in southern Britain. They also rest upon a bed of mugwort within a birch bark storage box when not in use.

Mugwort has been used for millennia to aid clairvoyance, lucid dreaming and astral projection. Our ancestors drank tea made from the leaves and it has also been used in incenses or smoked to induce visions. The pendants are infused with the energies of this potent ancient herb from both inside and out and are charged with the spirit of the ancient people of Stonehenge.

They are perfectly suited for those seeking night-visions and dream journeys but are also suitable for everyday wear, a special talisman or a beautiful gift. As an alternative to wearing the pendants, they are also ideal for hanging near the bed for a dream charm.

My walk to photograph the ravens today took me past trees which were full of the colours of the English autumn and I kicked my way through their fallen leaves ... I adore this time of year ... the golden sun was simply breathtaking and you can see it casting its light in a few of the above photos. It's a time for teapots filled with steaming tea, picnics of hot soup and fresh bread and cobwebs covered with morning dew. Keep a look-out for plenty more photos as the weeks go on ... :~)

Shapeshifting fire flames ...

Can you see the bird of prey in the shapeshifting flames above? He has his wings outstretched, ready to swoop.

New divination sets with ash bark boxes

Three new divination sets have just been added to the Spirit of Old site which come complete with their own sturdy ash bark boxes, priced at £80 each. They're all so lovely that it's too hard to pick a favourite but I just adore the colours within the Avalonian runes below. It's almost as if they hold autumn within them ...


Above: Rune staves crafted from hazel which was gathered from a copse overlooking the ancient sacred site of Stonehenge in southern Britain.
Below: Nestled in their ash bark box.

Above: Celtic bog oak ogham staves with their ash bark box.
Below: A selection of the ash bark boxes. They're such wonderful little boxes, each with its own character and having an air of the Fae around them. Bark has been used by mankind for millennia for making containers and these are created with natural materials including cedar root which is used to sew the join.

Autumn rambles

Here's the autumn pictures promised to you yesterday :~)

Stonehenge Hazel Rune set

A new hazel rune set has just been added to Spirit of Old. It was crafted from wood carefully gathered from the sacred, ancient site of Stonehenge in southern Britain.

I did have some new photos of fungi and autumn leaves which were taken on recent ambles through the woods but Blogger is kindly playing up and won't let you see them for now ... well, I'll leave you with the promise of them next time :~)

*~* New offer! *~*

*~* New Offer *~*

25% off marked prices of all wands

25% off marked prices of all athames

Until 31st December 2010. Offer does not apply to postage and packing charges.

Perfect for Yule gifts ... :~)

Introducing Wildwood Knives

Wildwood Knives is a brand new range of British-made craft knives designed and created by Spirit of Old's very own craftsman, Andy Eyles, who has 30 years' experience in woodcarving. Born out of a need for a high quality, British-made carving knife which stands up to every day use, we are pleased to offer the Wildwood Carver, the Bushcarver Pro and also a range of character carved knives.

Each knife is individually made from carefully selected wood and high carbon steel blades. They are finished to a high standard, with great attention to detail. Whether they are used for whittling or detail carving, Wildwood knives will do the job.

I'll be making a few (minor!) changes to this blog to combine updates for both Spirit of Old and Wildwood Knives so if you'd like to be kept updated you can subscribe to this blog if you haven't already or, alternatively, there is a new Wildwood Knives page on Facebook.

www.wildwoodknives.com