Valentine's Offer ...

Valentine's Offer

The perfect treat for someone special ...

30% off all pendants and beads (including wristbands)

10% off dream amulets

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Offer valid until 28th February 2011
Excludes postage and packing costs
Please click here for full details of the offer

25% off *all* pendants!

*NEW OFFER* 

25% off *all* pendants and beads until the end of December - perfect for Christmas gifts!

Don't forget there is also currently 25% off all wands and athames too.

If you're not in the UK please order before Wednesday 8th December for Christmas delivery (or by Monday 6th December if you need a wristband to be woven), thanks :~)

You can find the main jewellery page by clicking here and full details of the current offers here.

It's not marked on the main website yet, I thought I'd give you advance warning so you can get in quick if you have your eye on something in particular ... I'll be updating the main website this evening.

The photo above is of my two best furry friends playing together in the deep snowfall which has enveloped almost the whole of Britain. It was little Scampy's first time in snow and she wasn't too sure what to make of it when it went over her legs and up to her middle! Before long though she was bombing around couldn't get enough of it! 

New pendants and beads

At long last, there are a vast amount of new pendants and beads added to the main site this afternoon. There are some very special pieces, just a few of which are shown above ... for full details of all the new items listed please click here.

Don't forget, there are only a few days left to enter the draw to win a set of corresponding ogham staves! Please see here for full details.

Finally, enjoy the Solstice however you choose to celebrate it!
...

Thor's Hammers, staffs and runes in boxes!

New offer

10% off all pendants and wands

Offer excludes postage and packing costs

Offer ends 31st March 2010

Above and below: Hazel Nine Worlds staff
This staff has been crafted from Hazel wood. It is deeply carved with the Norse Rune of the Nine Worlds and also has each of the Elder Futhark runes inscribed. The bark is left intact and polished to a deep shine to bring out the beautiful warm brown colour of the wood. It's naturally a perfect, comfortable shape and weight for walking with and would make a good, magickal travelling companion. To order, please visit the main staffs page at Spirit of Old.

Length: Maximum posting length 1.4m (may need to be shortened slightly)

Item no: S048

Price: £50

Postage and packing: Within UK - £12.50

Above: Hazel Nine Worlds staff

Below: Twisted Birch Safe Travel Staff
Below: Twisted Birch Safe Travel Staff

This staff has been crafted from naturally twisted Birch wood. It is deeply carved with three bindrunes: two different ones for protection and one for safe travel. The bark is left intact and polished to a deep shine to bring out the beautiful red colour so characteristic of Birch wood. To order, please visit the main staffs page at Spirit of Old.

Length: Maximum posting length 1.4m (may need to be shortened slightly)

Item no: S047

Price: £60

Postage and packing: Within UK - £12.50

Above: Mistletoe Rune Set with Birch bark box

This beautiful rune set contains the full 24 Elder Futhark runes and is crafted from warm-coloured, naturally windfallen Mistletoe wood which grew upon an oak - a partnership considered sacred by Druids.

The runes are stored within a traditional Birch bark box. Birch bark has been used by many cultures throughout time to make containers. This box has been crafted with all-natural ingredients including handmade nettle cordage and pine resin glue, both created using methods dating from pre-history. The base and lid are crafted from Apple wood. To order or view more photographs please go to the main runes page at Spirit of Old.

A perfect gift idea for someone special in your life - or even just to treat yourself ;)

Rune Size: 0.75 inch/ 1 cm (approx. - varies slightly)

Box size: 4.5 inches/ 11.5 cm high

2 inches/ 5.25 cm diameter (approx.)

Item no: D083

Price: £100

Below: Bog Oak Rune Set with Birch bark box

This unusual rune set contains the full 24 Elder Futhark runes and is crafted from deepest black bog oak dating from around 200BC.

The runes are stored within a traditional Birch bark box. Birch bark has been used by many cultures throughout time to make containers. This box has been crafted with all-natural ingredients including handmade nettle cordage and pine resin glue, both created using methods dating from pre-history. The base and lid are crafted from Apple wood. To order or view more photographs please go to the main runes page at Spirit of Old.

A perfect gift idea for someone special in your life - or even just to treat yourself ;)

Rune Size: 0.75 inch x 1 inch/ 2 x 2.75 cm (approx. - varies slightly)

Box size: 4.25 inches/ 11 cm high

3 inches/ 8 cm wide (approx.)

1.5 inches/ 4 cm wide (approx.)

Item no: D082

Price: £80

Above: Avalonian bog oak Goddess bead

This beautiful bead is crafted from Avalonian bog oak and is carved with a Goddess. It can be purchased on a piece of thonging as a necklace or, for an additional £5, woven into a wristband from black cord thonging for a chunky wristband or deep brown flax for a thinner one (while stocks of flax last). To order, or for more photographs, please go to the main Avalonian Wares page at Spirit of Old.

Bead size: 4 cm/1.5 inches long (approx.)

Item no: PE733

Price: £40 as a necklace or

£45 as a wristband

Above and all below: The new range of Thor's Hammer Mjölnir Pendants

Thor's hammer, also known by its Norse name of Mjölnir or Mjöllnir, features in Norse mythology as one of the most fearsome weapons, capable of levelling mountains.

The Prose Edda (an Icelandic saga full of Norse mythology and written at the end of the Viking age) gives a summary of Mjölnir's special qualities in that, with Mjölnir, Thor:

... would be able to strike as firmly as he wanted, whatever his aim, and the hammer would never fail, and if he threw it at something, it would never miss and never fly so far from his hand that it would not find its way back, and when he wanted, it would be so small that it could be carried inside his tunic.

Today, Thor's hammer is often used as a symbol of protection.

Prices for these particular pendants range from £40 - £70. For more information or to order please go to the main Thor's Hammer page at Spirit of Old.

Busy, busy ... and a special offer!

This week has been an incredibly busy one here at Spirit of Old with plenty of carving and crafting. Four new pendants were uploaded late last night with a 3-day special offer on them - £10 off until the end of Saturday. There's also free postage offered until the end of January so that's a saving of up to £16 if you get in quick!

Above and below are some photos of the birth of a beautiful Crow pendant carved from Rowan wood. First the basic shape is created, then the design is marked out and shaped until, finally, the detail can be added and a good coating of beeswax-based polish is applied.

Below: The finished Rowan Crow. A bird of the Shaman, the Crow has worldwide associations with birth, death, healing and resurrection.
Below: The detail on the Crow's back
Below: Overlapping feather detail. As you can see, this is a very special piece with alot of attention to detail and is beautifully finished. You can find full details on the main website. The price of this pendant is £65 but, as part of the 3-day offer it is offered at £55 until the end of Saturday 30th January.
Below: Celtic Raven Moon pendant crafted from deep black bog oak dating from around the Celtic period. You can find full details on the main website. The price of this pendant is £65 but, as part of the 3-day offer it is offered at £55 until the end of Saturday 30th January.
Below: This wonderful stylised Norse Raven bead crafted from warm brown Avalonian bog oak. The wood dates from around 6,000 years ago and is from Somerset, considered by many to be the site of the fabled Isle of Avalon. This rare and beautiful wood is a deep, warm chestnut in colour and feels full of positive energies. You can find full details on the main website. The price of this bead is £50 but, as part of the 3-day offer it is offered at £40 until the end of Saturday 30th January. If you'd like it to be woven into a wristband please add an additional £5 to the price.
Below: Hare bone stylised Celtic Hare bead. You can find full details on the main website. The price of this bead is £50 but, as part of the 3-day offer it is offered at £40 until the end of Saturday 30th January. If you'd like it to be woven into a wristband please add an additional £5 to the price.

The Hare was revered and held sacred by the Celts who associated them with moon deities and deities of the hunt. Killing or eating one was forbidden throughout the year, except at Beltaine when he ban was lifted and a ritual hunt and consumption was carried out.

The Anglo-Saxons also venerated the Hare and a ritual Hare hunt was a feature of the Spring festival of the goddess of Eostre, or Hretha. Folk survivals of these rituals still exist today.

Until the end of the 18th century on Easter Monday (originally Beltaine), a Hare hunt took place in the Dane Hills, near Leicester, England led by the mayor together with hunters and hounds. This hare was associated with Black Annis, a fearful hag said to live in a cave in the hills known as Black Annis's Bower, which she gouged out of the hillside with her own claws. Black Annis may actually be the Goddess Anu.

The Hare is strongly associated with the Moon in many different traditions and cultures including Buddhists, the Norse, Chinese, Europeans, Mexicans, Indians and Egyptians. It also has a strong association with the rising Sun, new life and fertility.

The above should give you a brief insight into the Hare and was taken from a highly recommended book called "Familiars - Animal Powers of Britain" and written by Anna Franklin.

Trades offered!

We welcome trades!

Would you like to buy some Spirit of Old items but don't have the cash this year? As the credit crunch is in full swing, we're happy to offer trades this Christmas.

If you make or sell quality items which you'd like to trade, please email with details and photos and we'll be in touch! We'd be especially tempted by suitable things for presents for children ranging from 4 - 15 but will consider whatever you'd like to offer.

Autumn offer

Autumn Offer

£5 off orders over £50
£10 off orders over £100

Any combination of items
Excludes postage costs

Ends 30th November

Ice Age antler and Celtic Tree Calendar bracelet...

Above: Celtic Tree Calendar Bracelet 
The Celtic Tree Calendar begins and ends at the Celtic new year of Samhain (Hallowe'en) at the end of October. Each moon throughout the year corresponds to a different tree, it's energies and teachings. 
*
This unique bracelet contains one bead each of all thirteen woods of the Celtic Tree Calendar and it can be used as an aid to meditation or attunement with both the wheel of the year and with the trees themselves. It would make a beautiful and unusual gift for a special person, or simply for yourself!
*
The bracelet is designed to wrap around the wrist twice and has a tie closure.
*
Bracelet size: 
Total length (not including ties) 39 cm/ 15 inches (approx.)
Each bead measures 1 cm/ 3/8 - 4/8 inch long (approx. - varies slightly)
*
Item no: RN009
*
Special introductory price: £50

All of the above: Ice Age antler spiral pendants  
These wonderful pendants are crafted from Red Deer antler dating from the last ice age, around 11,000 years ago. They are carved with spirals, an ancient symbol of life and are supplied with a leather or cord thong. 
*
Item no: PE697, PE690, PE691,  PE692
*
Special price: £30 each

More pendants finished and should hopefully be added in the next couple of days ... phew!

Celtic Tree Calendar and a blog mention!

Above and below: Celtic Tree Calendar staves
The Celtic Tree Calendar begins and ends at the Celtic new year of Samhain (Hallowe'en) at the end of October. Each moon throughout the year corresponds to a different tree, it's energies and teachings. 
*
This unique set contains the thirteen staves of the Celtic Tree Calendar, each one handcrafted from the traditional corresponding wood. As each new moon arrives, the corresponding stave can be used as an aid to meditation or attunement with both the new month and the tree itself. The staves can also be used for divination in the same way as the ogham or runes. 
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Each set of Celtic Tree Calendar staves has a brief introductory sheet included with information about the tree calendar and the uses of the staves.
*
We work and play in the ancient Celtic heartlands of Britain where the Durotriges and Atrebates tribes ruled in prehistory. These tree calendar staves are handcrafted ritual tools with real Celtic soul, something with real spirit and as each set is individually made, no two are ever the same.
Supplied with a simple muslin bag or a handsewn leather bag can be purchased separately.
*
Size: 4 inches/ 10 cm long (approx.)
*
Item no: TC001
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Special introductory price: £35

Above: Celtic Tree Calendar Necklace 
This unique necklace contains all thirteen woods of the Celtic Tree Calendar and it can be used as an aid to meditation or attunement with both the wheel of the year and with the trees themselves.
*
Necklace size: Each piece measures 3.5 cm/1.5 inches long (approx.)
*
Item no: RN008
*
Special introductory price: £50

Above: Alder Unicorn pendant  
This wonderful pendant is crafted from warm-coloured Alder wood and is carved into a Unicorn twist. It is supplied with a leather or cord thong.
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Pendant size: 8 cm/3 inches long (approx.)
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Item no: PE686
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Special price: £25
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Below: Mistletoe Unicorn pendant  
Pendant size: 8 cm/3 inches long (approx.)
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Item no: PE685
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Special price: £25

On a slightly different note, last autumn I traded a beautiful patchwork skirt made by a wonderful lady called Brenna who has a lovely Etsy shop called Sutara. I sent a set of the Native Corresponding runes and a leather bag in exchange for the skirt. Brenna emailed today, out of the blue, to say that she mentioned the runes in her blog so I took a look and was bowled over! What a wonderful review! I'm truely touched that she's enjoying them so much ... you can read the blog post here and find the rest of Brenna's blog at Way Know How. 

There are still more items to be added tomorrow at some very special prices for the summer ... next on the list is a rather gorgeous Celtic Tree Calendar wristband :)

Special offers for Summer!

Special offers for Summer!

Above: Twisted Blackthorn wand
This beautiful wand has been crafted from naturally twisted Blackthorn wood, a rare find, and is tipped with a quartz crystal point.
*
Length: 16 inches/ 41 cm (approx. - can be shortened if preferred)
*
Item no: W483
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Special price of £30

Above: Oak Rune Staff  
This wonderful staff is crafted from windfall Oak. The character this staff has is simply amazing! The natural hollow in the wood is decorated with a zig-zag pattern and it is also inscribed with the Elder Futhark runes. A beautiful one-off piece.
*
Length: 
1.2 metres
Please note that due to postage restrictions this staff can only be posted within the UK
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Item no: S046
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Special price: £50

Above: Petite Avalonian Athame  
The handle of this beautiful, petite athame has been handcrafted from ancient Avalonian bog oak. The blade is crafted from slate and the whole piece has a wonderfully tactile feel to it making it a very special tool.
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Overall length: 20.5 cm/ 8 inches
*
Item no: A045
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Summer special: £30

Above: Celtic bog oak and slate Athame  
The handle of this beautifully shaped athame has been handcrafted from ancient Celtic bog oak. The blade is crafted from slate and the whole piece has a wonderfully tactile feel to it making it a very special tool.
*
Overall length: 33.5 cm/ 13 inches
*
Item no: A044
*
Summer special: £30

And more ...

Over the next few days there will be plenty more offers coming ... including some very special Celtic Tree Calendar items ... keep watching :)