Moondust And Angels New Age Gift Shop Blog

Winter Solstice

2009-12-20T04:15:00.000-08:00

The Winter Solstice is upon us and Moondust and Angels would like to wish all our customers a very Merry, Happy, time! The frost is sparkling like the lights on the trees, a perfect and beautiful time to commune with nature, going for a walk in a favourite beauty spot. I have put extra food out for the birds today, they need water too as the frost has frozen the bird bath over. We have a little robin visiting our garden and a blackbird who is eating ALL the berries for breakfast, dinner and tea. The Pyracantha shrub in our garden is more like a tree and is dripping with bright orange berries.......a sign of a cold winter.......this is my 'Faerie Tree' it has a spirit which is hard to describe, the ivy grows lushly around and about it and the birds are there all year round protected by it's thick thorny branches. It's decorated with natural stones threaded on string and some pretty fairy lights, the whole effect when lit is magical at night.

whatever your plans, have a magical winter celebration and stay safe on the roads from all of us at Moondust and Angels New Age Gift Shop

Salt Dough Decorations For Christmas Yule!

2009-11-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

Salt Dough Crafts are an inexpensive way to make lots of fun gifts and decorations for Christmas and Yule and especially fun for all the family including the kids

a basic Salt Dough Recipe:

3 cups of salt

1 cup plain flour

Once shaped you can place on a baking tray, line with parchment and bake on a low oven until completely dry.

Once baked the salt dough can be painted and then varnished for extra protection. use paper clips pushed into soft dough to make hooks, these will harden when baked and keep the hooks in place. You can also use looped wire.

For the kids some simple shapes may include biscuit cutters in the shape of stars, moons, they can mould snowmen, christmas trees, cut out angels to hang on the tree, imagination is all you need.

The Festival of Light Winter Solstice or Yule

2009-11-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

We are nearing that time of the year once again, that time most of us refer to as Christmas a time of celebration, merry making and gift giving. The culture of Winter festivals is a worldwide phenomenen and they are in fact festivals of light.

Some of the most important decorations within these Winter festivals are candles, fairy lights, christmas tree lights, bonfires, yule logs because thy symbolise the return of the Oak King, the light and warmth of the Sun.

The Pagan festival of Yule takes place on or around December 21st.

On this day or thereabouts an incredible happening takes place in the heavens. The earth tilts on it's axis away from the Sun in the Northern hemisphere and the Sun reaches it's greatest distance the equatorial plane.

The Winter Solstice has been celebrated in the Northern hemisphere for eonss, the Nordic people saw it as a time of celebration and feasting.

Decorating a Tree, lighting the Yule log and wassailing can all be traced back to thse ancient Norse tribes.

The British Celts also celebrated the winter solstice, Druid priests would gather mistletoe, one of the Druids most sacred plants.

In some traditions of paganism the Celtic mythology relates to the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, the Oak king symbolising the re-emerging light and the Holly king who represents the darkness disappearing.

Plants for Yule

Holly - the old year, protection, waning sun, good luck

place over doorways, hang over mirrors, paintings etc place in wreaths for hanging at entrances

Mistletoe - peace, healing, rest, protection,

place as amulets over doorways, overhead, kiss underneath!

Ivy - fidelity honour, protection, good luck , healing

place in crowns, wreaths and garlands

Frankincense -the sun, purification, protection, concecration, spirituality

incense, oil and resin

Myrrh -healing, inner peace, purification, life after death

resins, incense, oils

Great Yule decorations for your home that won't cost a fortune;

A Wreath for the front door -buy a willow circle or florist circle and decorate with sprigs of holly, pine cones, pieces of pine branch red ribbons. These can be evergreens or dried flowers, or even silk.

Gather pine cones and spray silver and gold, scent with cinnamon oil and place in a large bowl with some gold baubles and pieces of greenery.

Or/ Hang the pine cones with ribbon or cord ties to your christmas tree, spray gold or silver and dust with sparkle!

Make a Tradional Yule Log

cut or gather a good sized log, make an indent/hole to fit a candle or candles at one end or in the centre, fix with a little melted wax, decorate with holly and berries, pine cones and vine, some red ribbons (take care this is away from any flame)

a song for Yule

May the Log Burn,

May the Wheel Turn

May Evil Spurn

May the Sun Return

Candle colours are traditionally Green, Red, Silver or White and Gold

Keep the ashes from the Yule log along with any spent candle wax, pieces of greenery etc, tied up in a cloth for the whole year as a good luck charm

Some may choose to burn the yule log in a fireplace or even in a special place outside to honour the old year and welcome in the new year, some may prefer to use the candles placed on the yule log and honour the sabbat this way.

Of course most people in the West now have a chocolate Yule log to eat on Christmas Day!

Have a wonderful Yuletide/Christmas whatever your path in this life...... from Moondust and Angels

Tree Free T Shirts Arriving Soon at Moondust and Angels New Age Gift Shop

2009-07-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

About to arrive here: http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk/ are the fantastic new Tree Free T Shirts from America featuring magical and mystical creatures including Wolves, Dragon and Fairies, we also have a selection of beautiful angel T Shirts coming.

Brand new products In Stock Gemstone and Crystal Wands

2009-07-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, we are pleased to announce that we are now offering new gemstone and crystal wands. Also new in this week are Rosewood Spiral wands and Copper Rod Wands with added quartz crystals at either end. Don't forget our wonderful handcrafted willow wands are still a very popular product with our customers. Created according to the 'old ways' and in keeping with the moon phases. Pictured are Copper Rod, Rosewood Spiral and Double Terminated Quartz Wands find them here: http:www.moondustandangels.co.ukhttp://www.moondustandangels.co.uk/

Magical Decorating!

2009-05-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

Is there any reason why you shouldn't use a little magical creativity when decorating your home?

Colour for example has a profound effect on our emotions and well being, blue is calming, but if not used carefuly can make a room feel cold, try turquoise......

Red is stimulating which is wonderful for dining rooms, but red can be too stimulating for bedrooms.

Make some 'Magic Paint! Bless the paint you use on your walls, buy eco-friendly paints that are not damaging to the environment or to your home.

http://www.realmilkpaint.com/

http://www.earthbornpaints.co.uk/index2.html

http://www.naturaldeco.co.uk/

http://www.ieko.co.uk/

http://organicpaints.co.uk/eco-friendly-paints.html

http://www.farrow-ball.com/

http://www.paint-paper.co.uk/paints-stains/fired-earth/cat_17.html

'Charge' your paint with your intention if you wish, de-clutter the room and all storage areas and add a drop of magical oil to the paint mixture, only a tiny amount need to be added, too much may spoil the paint! Use herbs in your room by placing behind picture frames, or add it to some pot pourri. Draw meaningful symbols and place inside photo frames or behind artwork.

Do not include anything in your rooms which have any negative association, if you have antique or vintage items in your home ensure that they are cleared of negative vibes by smudging with incense sticks or sage bundles, just waft the smoke up and around them with intention.

NB: Take great care with smouldering incense and smudge sticks etc and never leave unattended and always ensure they are completely extinguished before disposing of them.

Colours to use in bedrooms.

Pink (from the palest to the darkest shades) (love and passion)

Turquoise (spiritual) team with white, silver, gold, black, cherry red.

Pale green (tranquil) team with pink, blue, silver, gold, black, white

Pale sky blue (celestial) team with gold or silver, pink, soft reds

Warm creams, taupes, shades of white as the base colour.

Neutral but warm is the key and then add colour with the use of carefuly chosen accesories , artwork on the walls (ensure the artwork you choose induces calm and peaceful thoughts and feelings) You can paint a feature wall or wallpaper one wall for a little drama.

For Love decorate bedrooms using neutrals and adding pink accessories with soft greens to add contrast and to bring the feeling of nature into your room, group everything in pairs, include pictures and images of happy couples, a painting for example may include a couple arm in arm walking on a beach, a statue may be an embracing couple . You may have a love of collecting frogs, so place a pair of happy frogs on your bedside table!

Crystals and flowers to include in your bedroom are Rose Quartz and Amethyst, Roses in pinks and reds, so try adding two pieces of rose quartz in a small dish on each bedside table with a vase containing two roses on each bedside table. A dish of pot pourri containing rose petals and rose oil, add some tiny rose quartz crystals to make your own 'love' pot pourri.

If you are single make sure there is a bedside table each side of the bed and you spend as much time on the 'partners' table as you own, so add a lamp, decorations etc, pillow and room in a wardrobe for extra clothes, if you have space add a second wardrobe, make ROOM for anyone new to come into your life.

Remember to do this with INTENTION, this is so important, it is like a meditation, so when you de-clutter your room and clean it and buy these beautiful items treat this time as a meditation and think about why you are doing this or buying that. Do not have anything in your bedroom that either makes you feel uncomfortable, sad or you just don't like, if someone has given you a gift and you don't like it don't keep it out of a feeling of guilt. Acknowledge the fact it was given with love and pack it away in the attic!

Make your bedroom a sanctuary, a place that lifts your spirits and induces a feeling of calm the instant you walk in it. Make your bed comfortable and beautiful. If you can't afford expensive covers buy cheap white covers, dye them, which is very easy ,and can be done in a washing machine now for about £10.00 then add luxurious ribbons or beaded bindings.

next time bedrooms for guys.............

New Bhudda Figures Designs in Wood look and Red and Gold

2009-05-21T03:40:00.000-07:00

Some wonderful new designs have come in from our Bhudda collections, we sell Thai and Chinese (Laughing Bhudda or also known as Pu Tai) bhudda figures, at affordable prices. the latest additions are shown below and you can find us here http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk/

moondust and angels is an award winning new-age online shop, we have on offer unique and alternative gifts and jewellery for the New Age community.

The very essence of 'new-age'

Alchemy Gothic Pendants are here!

2009-05-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk

We have Alchemy Gothic pendants and gifts in the shop now, special offer for May to all customers, spend £100.00 on Alchemy jewellery and recieve a bouquet of Alchemy Gothic black roses!

Uk customers spend £50.00 and recieve a sngel Alchemy Gothic black rose and free shipping with in Uk mainland

offer ends 31st May

please note there is a 7-14 day delivery for alchemy Gothic however we aim to send much sooner than this.

http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk

Inspirational Angel Star Stones, Figurines, Worry Dishes Have Arrived at Moondust and Angels!

2009-05-21T01:39:00.000-07:00

We are so pleased to be able to offer these beautiful and inspirational angel Star products to our shop. We have a range of lovely products from Angel Star including Charm Angel Figurines, Angel Star Worry and Wishing Stones each with a detailed polystone angel embedded inside, wishing and worry dishes, Angel Star boxes to hold memories, worry stones or anything that is important or precious to you, Angel Star stickers (coming soon) Angel Star confetti, Angel Star gift sets. http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk/

Moldavite and Silver Jewellery Now In Stock!

2009-02-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

Moldavite, for those who are not aware, are very rare gemstones (rarer than diamonds), which can now only be found in the Czech republic. The gemstone (tektite) was formed from the vapour created during the impact from a giant meteor which struck the earth millions of years ago, the vapour that formed from this impact was catapulted out into space, cooled and fell back to earth forming this 'star born' stone which has a glassy translucent appearance and a beautiful green colour. According to history, Moldavite was used as amulets and tools as far back as 25,000 years ago. They are said to be immensely powerful gemstones of transformation and spiritual development by those who have used them and who are expert in the energy of crystals. Faceted Moldavite stones are said to have increased power. They are used by individuals and healers to bring about rapid change, often acting as a catalyst in situations that are 'stuck', Moldavites are said to 'super charge' any gemstone that they are used with. The powerful energy of Moldavite, the experts say, can be grounded by using Hematite and other grounding crystals.

Moondust and Angels now have beautiful Moldavite jewellery pieces set in silver in stock now if you wish to own your own piece of the Stars!

http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk/

Quick Cheap and Fun Christmas And Yuletide Decorations

2008-11-14T14:02:00.000-08:00

Decorating the Christmas tree has to be my favourite thing to do at Christmas and although it is said that the tree was first introduced by Queen Victoria even so bringing greenery into the home is a Pagan tradition and one we still follow today Pagan or otherwise! Traditionally Mistletoe and Holly were used to deck the halls and still are today -A fun, cheap and entirely natural way to decorate your home or tree at this time of year is to use Salt Dough moulds and cut outs. Great for the kids too. Colour the salt dough with food colouring or paint with acrylics once baked in the oven and cool enough, finish with a few coats of varnish and your decorations will keep for years if looked after properly and kept in the warm and dry conditions it needs. If your salt dough does soften just pop into the airing cupboard or on top of a radiator for an hour or two. Don't place in the oven if varnished because of fumes!

Ideas: Cut out your salt dough with festive cutters such as Xmas trees, holly leaves, bells, berries and leaves, poinsetias, fairy's, angel wings, you could even make a wreath. Use your imagination and take inspiration from nature and bought decorations. An easy way to make a perfect hole to thread string or ribbon through for your decs is to use a straw, just push through and voila!

Collect pine cones and brush with gold paint or silver paint and glitter -pile high in a gold or silver bowl, decorate with red berries and holly. Collect acorns and brush with gold. Make pot pourri festive by adding your golden pine cones to it, you can use seeds and gourds if you have them.

Salt Dough Recipe

4 cups flour
1 cup salt1
-1/2 cups hot water (from tap)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (optional)

There are variations to this recipe and it is trial and error sometimes. Bake you salt dough in a low oven, it does take a long time so best to start out low and increase the heat gradually, when it's ready you will not be able to pierce the dough easily, it should be hard all the way through.

Add water until a thick dough is made. Knead until smooth and all air bubbles are removed. make sure you knead well or the air bubbles can expand in the oven and spoil the look of your masterpiece!

Mould, shape, cut out, bake paint and varnish -have fun!

News And Updates For Moondust And Angels

2008-09-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well hello again! Sorry it's been so long since I last posted on the blog, it's been very busy and updates have taken place at Moondust and Angels -some categories have disappeared and some have been added. I have added a Christmas/Yule category as I believe that things are tough right now for all of us and many people will start shopping for the winter celebrations early to help spread the cost.

I have tried to include a good range of exciting and interesting products with a price range that will suit most people. Remember if there is something specific that you cannot find then do contact me and I will do my best to source it for you - I cannot add everything as it becomes too much for people to search.

Another new category is for one of the major Wiccan/Pagan Sabbats of Samhain -there are lots of great ideas for gifts and items you may want to purchase to help get the most from this ancient pagan event.

It is a time to honour our dead, those people who have been precious in our lives and the animals who have been important in our lives. It is a time to light a candle and lay a place at our tables to remember them and give thanks that we knew them.

This is a time celebrated by many cultures, the famous Mexican Day Of The Dead (el día de los muertos) where street festivals are joyous and moving celebrations. There are in fact two seperate day of the dead festivals in Mexico, one for the adults and one for the children who have passed on. This childrens is known as Día de los Angelitos and celebrated on November 1st.

Music, dancing, scented candle light are all part of these events and gifts are given, some quite spooky including coffin shaped chocolate and skeletons, lanterns etc.

In Japan food and water is left in front of photographs of those loved ones departed, lanterns are lit and launched floating on the water of rivers and lakes etc to light the way for souls to find their way back home to their family's. This is called The Obon Festival.

In Italy the tables are laid out for those departed with food while the families spend the day in Church praying for them and hoping that they will find and consume the food -a traditional Italian food for this celebration is Fave dei morti (Italian for Bones of the Dead).
It is made with almonds, pine nuts, sugar, eggs, and flour and shaped into large beans.

In Russia Blue Cats are said to bring good luck on this day.

In Ireland it is said that the tradition of carving our pumpkins began.

The legend of Stingy Jack is said to be kept away by the burning of candles in the pumpkin 'Jack O'Lanterns' the lanterns are said to scare away the ghost of Stingy Jack -this is also a tradition followed in Scotland where they also bake oak flour caks known as Soul Cakes or Dirge Cakes which are made to keep the souls of the dead safe.

In India they celebrate Mahalaya a religious festival followers believe helps chase away evil spirits.

For our own Celtic history and culture visit this site which has a good deal of information http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Halloween.htm.

Back gto new categories, we have added a childrens section which has some lovely gifts for any time of the year but particularly now Yule and Christmas is approaching.

New Altar boards have been added -a coloured Greenman altar board is due and a brand new design for Triple Goddess which is lovely. The altar boards are quite literally small portable altars which allow a perfect space to place your special items -circular and made of wood they are hand crafted according to the old ways and hand painted and pyrographed. We also include spirit boards which are perfect for those who wish to contact the spirit world during Samhain and several methods of divination including tarot, Runes and pendulum, crystal balls and wishing stones.

Recipes For Samhain

2008-09-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recipes for Samhain -traditional foods will be of the season, Autumnal fruits such as Pumpkin, Turnip, Cooking Apples, Spices like Cinnamon and Clove.

A wonderful traditional recipe for stuffed cooking apples seldom seen now but still delicious -core a large cooking apple, fill the hole with chopped dried fruits or mincemeat -add cinnamon or allspice and nutmeg and brown sugar -wrap in foil and roast in the oven -make sure you add plenty of sugar as cooking apples are very sour. When soft serve hot with custard.

Apple cake- make a simple cake mix and add chopped apples (cookers again but you can use sweet apple -peel the apples first and bake. Dust with cinnamon sugar.

Pumpkin soup is delcious and not eaten enough in the UK - cut the pumpkin scrape out the seeds and put the large chunks into a roasting pan -sprinkle with salt and papper and oil, either olive or sunflower oil, you can add appropriate herbs if you wish and roast for a good 30 -40 minutes until soft. Scrape the pumpkin into softened onions and garlic if you like, add vegetable stock or chicken stock in non veggie and heat through. Don't add too much stock as you want to have a good thick hearty soup. Blitz with a blender until smooth and serve with sage or rosemary bread.

Enjoy!

Angel And Elemental Spirit Artists Coming Soon to Moondust and Angels New Age Gift Shop!

2008-07-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

Keep us bookmarked so that you don't miss out on our exciting new category addition, artist Wendy Silverwood presents her fantastic 'Attitude Angels' wall plaques, handcrafted and channeled using Reiki energy and also we are pleased to announce Wiltshire based Artist Wendy Lane will showcase her wonderful artistic skills using pastels, clay and various media. It has been a while since I posted, busy busy busy, adding lots of lovely new things to the shop, just finished adding the mystical oil blends and creams including god and goddess. I still have many gothic gifts to add and hope you wil bear with me as this takes time...watch this space...meanwhile here are samples of the two Artists work which I are sure you will agree are outstanding, these will be available for purchase over the next few days..
Artist - Wendy Lane - Pastel On Ingres Painting -'Gaia'

Artist - Wendy Silverwood - Attitude Angel Plaque

An Interview With Tyluann Penry Author Of 'Seeking The Green' and 'Magic On the Breath'

2008-07-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

An interesting and informative interview with author Tyluann Penry follows. Tyluann has had her book Seeking The Green published by Capall Bann, 'Seeking The Green' here she talks about her book and background. 'Seeking The Green' is available from Capall Bann:

The Interview:

Me: Ty, thankyou for agreeing to being interviewed. You have just completed your first book, 'Seeking The Green', which is due for publication soon can you tell me what it 's about and why you wrote it?

Tylluan: 'My first book with Capall Bann is called ‘Seeking the Green’ and should be out in April or May 2008. I decided to write it because as I get older I realize there will be a time when this information will be lost. My original thinking was that I didn’t want my own children to lose this knowledge, because although they have some interest in the Craft this is something that my increase as they get older, perhaps when I’m no longer around to ask. Then I felt that if others could access it too it would mean that they could also get further along in their path than I have. So I sat down with my old magical journal and Books of Shadows, and started putting it all together.'

Me: What is your opinion of paganism today?

Tyluann: I think paganism is a huge umbrella term that covers a wide range of beliefs. One of the most interesting aspects in my opinion is the rise in solitary witchcraft; you don’t have to belong to a group to be a witch. It allows you to explore different paths and ideas, and also to be quite private about what you’re doing. I think privacy is important – you should be able to be private if that’s what you want, so long as it isn’t a cloak to hide something illegal or harmful. But most pagans I’ve met are happy to talk about their beliefs once they know they’re in sympathetic company.

Me: There appears to be a growing interest in Paganism now, particularly from the young, why do you think this is?

Tyluann: I think Paganism is coming back out into the open and it’s a very attractive belief system. Partly that’s because it’s wide ranging and tolerant; but partly it’s the connection with the natural world. Since the Industrial Revolution, people have had to struggle to maintain a link with nature… even fifty years ago there was more of a link than there is nowadays. I read in the papers how children can recognize Daleks but not songbirds and I think that’s very sad.
One of the ways I introduced my own children and grandchildren to my path was by taking them on Nature Walks. We’d go first thing in the morning, or late at night (to hear the owls and see bats and stars); when we had snow I’d keep them home from school and take them on walks so they could see bird and animal footprints and realize how different the world can be under a blanket of snow. When you find this affinity with nature, paganism comes very easily. I think this is partly because we’re seeing things we cannot create, and this gives us a sense of our own limitations.

Me: What one thing would you like people to learn from your writing?

Tyluann: I hope my writing will show people just one of the many paths that are available to them. I also hope it will open their eyes to some of the wonderful things that are all around. Seeking the Green is geared towards the solitary pagan living in a town or city and it tries to show that even if you are living amongst people who are intolerant of your own beliefs, you can still lead a full, spiritual life. It also gives people the skills they need to really get started on the mystical and magical aspects of the craft.
Because so many people are solitaries, I felt it was really important to write a book that made people feel they had someone with them who would answer their questions. So I set out by thinking of all the questions I’ve asked and been asked over the years and then dealt with these. The blurb on the back of Seeking the Green says, ‘it reads like having a calm experienced guide right beside you’ which was exactly what I was aiming for (and no, I didn’t write that myself!)
The book also deals with psychic self defence which I think is very important even for complete beginners. I did a talk on it at Witchfest Wales this year and was amazed at the response from it. Learning psychic self defence can really help you clear out the emotional baggage that weighs most of us down at some point in our lives.

Me: Did you feel or act differently as a child?

Tyluann: I’m still a child within. I think most people are – or at least would like to be! The thing about children is – or at least, used to be – that they could see clearly, without the overlay of ‘sophistication’ that most adults feel they have to have. For me the saddest thing is that childhood is too short. Girls start wearing make up and talking about boyfriends when they’re about eight. It’s a pity because actually childhood is the time when a lot of magical stuff happens to us, and unless we have chance to experience this our adulthood will be so much poorer.

Me: Do you regard yourself as a 'Witch'

Tyluann: I do regard myself as a Witch as opposed to a Wiccan, but this is probably because I am a solitary. When you work in a group there has to be some sort of consensus of belief otherwise you get arguments and ultimately, complete chaos. I’ve never wanted to work in a group although I know there are some wonderful groups around and some people get a great deal out of them. It’s a question of finding a group that’s right for you. I’ve always worked alone because as a solitary I feel I’m a Pagan above all else, and I can choose where I go on my path. This also means I’m free to make my own mistakes and can’t blame anyone else for them! But you know, making mistakes isn’t always such a terrible thing. I think you can learn a lot from them. I always told my children ‘the man who never made a mistake never made anything.’

Me: What do you think makes someone a 'Witch' as opposed to Pagan?

Tyluann: Pagan is a large umbrella term that covers many beliefs, such as druidry, heathenism, wicca, witchcraft etc. It’s often easier to define it as what it’s not rather than what it is…. So, for example, Paganism is not Christianity etc. Many people who feel ‘there must be something more’ but don’t feel drawn to any of the major religions will often describe themselves as Pagan.
The strength of Paganism as a descriptive term is that it is virtually all embracing. Its weakness is that it can come to mean anything or nothing. But this is true of many other things too and it’s not a drawback per se. In my book I say that minds are like umbrellas and work best when they’re open, but the trick is not to have such an open mind that the sea can get in and allow your brains to float out!

Me: Is Paganism a religion in your opinion or is it a way of life?

Tyluann: My own opinion (and I’ve no doubt that others will disagree!) is that Paganism is a way of life. It’s not just something you believe, it’s something you have to live, however imperfectly. You have to try. Our spiritual beliefs must touch every area of our life, you can’t compartmentalise and say, ‘this is my religion’ ‘these are my politics’ etc. They all influence and affect each other. Otherwise you have a situation where basically you’re saying that you pray in Church (or wherever) on Sunday and prey on everyone else the rest of the week!

Me: Who in your life has had the biggest influence and why?

Tyluann: The biggest influence in my life has to be my family – both now and when I was a child. A good family can be wonderful, a bad one can be hellish. But ultimately families tend to make us what we are, for better or worse. I’m very family orientated, but that said, I don’t expect my children to follow my path. I think they all have a certain ‘witchiness’ about them, but this sort of thing develops over a lifetime. And of course we each have to follow our own path, nobody else can walk it for us.
Mr Penry has been a huge influence, not only because he is an excellent psychic medium, but because he has such a huge store of good sense!

Me: Do you think you would have become a witch if you had come from a conventional family?

Tyluann: I don't think background matters much. I have some Celtic background, but I have an awful lot of other things too. Our cultural or racial background may be something we’re born with, but I think we can choose our spiritual background for ourselves. If you feel drawn to say, the Celtic gods, or the Egyptian ones, then go with it. I suspect the gods call each of us in their own way and at their own good time. Your spiritual path is a lifelong quest.

Me: Do you cast spells?

Tyluann:I do and always have. In my opinion a spell is the art of influencing chance and the natural world. They do work if done properly. The problem nowadays is that an awful lot of spell work has degenerated into simply chanting spells and lighting candles – in other words people are just going through the motions. Real spell work comes from deep inside us, and it’s motivated by the sort of people we are. Magic can be used for a wide variety of purposes, which is why I have written another book called ‘Magic on the Breath’ for Capall Bann.

Me: Who in your opinion is The Geen Man?

Tyluann: The Green Man and the Green Maiden are, in my opinion, the spirits of nature that make things grow, the force that through the green fuse drives the flower, as Dylan Thomas so eloquently put it. Working with them helps open the gateways into the natural world where we can recover a great deal of lost magical knowledge that helps us on our path. In a world that has become increasingly industrialised and impersonal, the Green Man and Maiden are valuable guides who are only too willing to help us re-learn the things that really matter in our lives.

Me: Why do you think some people are frightened of Paganism and why is it often associated with the negative?

Tyluann: Paganism – especially Witchcraft - has had a bad press. Over the centuries, Christianity has tried to either Christianise and absorb certain aspects of Paganism, or it has demonised them. The result was that some deities of the old religion such as the Irish Goddess Brigit became saints, or else they became the devils and demons of the new. It’s important to remember that witch hunts occurred at the same time as the established church of the area (whether it was Catholic or Protestant) was also hunting down ‘heretics.’ The emphasis was always on making people conform, telling them what to believe and how to behave. Even now people speak of ‘witch hunts’!

Me: What one thing about you do you think would surprise people?

Tyluann: I think what probably surprises most people about me is that I’m pretty down to earth. I don’t actively try to look or act like a witch. Yet most people who get to know me realise at some point, without my telling them, that I am a witch. Must be something in the air!

Tyluanns book 'Seeking The Green'is Published by Capall Bann

Latest Products At Moondust and Angels New Age Gift Shop

2008-06-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Summer Solstice and Hard Work!

2008-06-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Summer Solstice yesterday and sadly I missed my visit to the Cardiff WitchFest where one of my friends, a 70 year old wise hereditary witch was one of the speakers. I couldn't make it down there so am feeling rather disappointed as I would have liked to offer my support. On a more positive note my friend has just had a book published by Capal Bann and has agreed to an interview which I will be posting here soon and I am honoured that she has. So watch this space!

Well my goodness it has been about a week or maybe more since I updated this blog. It has been a busy week with a few changes taking place at Moondust and Angels. A few of our categories have been discontinued. These include Reiki Pendants, Jute bags and Tiaras. (We are addings several new Bijoux MBee tiaras which are high end and exclusive. Made from the finest materials including Karen Hilltribe Silver, Swarovski Crystals and genuine pearls.) We are considering introducing a Home and Garden range however we do have an ebay shop which may be better suited for the products we want to add. A pet range we felt would be a great idea and hammocks, Amazonas (only the best for Moondusts and our customers!) The jute bags are being added to our inventory on ebay so are still available for sale and are eco-friendly and affordable and very sturdy. They are not selling well from our on-line web store so we feel they may have better luck on ebay. The Reiki pendants and the tiaras have had a supply problem and we took the decision not to offer them any longer. We are currently sourcing new head-dresses and hope to introduce some beautiful new designs shortly.

New Buddha Figurines Just In! Moondust And Angels New Age Gift Shop

2008-06-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Some wonderful new Buddha figurines have arrived in the shop http://www.moondustandangels.co.uk

I have added a post on Buddhism for those of you who would like to learn more about the teachings of the Buddha.

Buddhism

2008-06-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

Buddhism is one of the fastest growing faiths in the West and has been adopted by many within the New-Age movement. There are many diverse beliefs and faiths of course adopted by new-age followers but I thought a brief over-view of Buddhism might be helpful. I am not an expert I hasten to add.

It seems that the image of The Buddha, sitting serenely can be seen in houses and gardens all over the UK. There is something incredibly tranquil and peaceful about the face of the Buddha.

So what is Buddhism to those who are familiar with the image but not the religion?

Firstly Buddhism doesn't involve the worship of a single god or deities. Is it a religion or a philosphy? That is debatable. For me Buddhism is really a search by an individual for spiritual development, growth and knowledge, the ultimate goal being Enlightenment or Nirvana.

Siddhartha Gautama is 'The Buddha' he was born in Nepal approximately 580 BCE. His life was priveleged and he was of royal descent which gave him ample protection and security from the harshness and reality of life as he was growing up. One day after venturing outside into the 'real' world he encountered the cruelty of existence and came to understand that no matter how priveleged a life we may appear to have no-one can escape the fact that we all suffer the same fate as human beings, that of sickness, ageing and eventual death. Siddhartha eventually gave up his life as a royal and went to live as a homeless holy man. He found Enlightenment sitting one day under a tree after following his spiritual seekers path for many years and he found it through meditation.

In a nutshell (not comprehensive)

The Buddhist Teachings:

Karma -all actions have consequences we must live with.

Re-birth or Re-incarnation -The spirit lives on after physical death to find a purpose in another life.

Freedom from Karma - following the path of The Buddha a person can escape the cycle of suffering and craving.

Enlightenment -the highest achievement of a Buddhist follower, going beyond suffering.

Dharma -the teachings, philosophy, the way to Nirvana.

The Four Noble Truths -Dukkha -all existence is unsatisfactory and suffering

Trsna -The root of all suffering is a clinging onto the wrong things, searching for stability in a non stable world

Nirvana -it is possible to find a way past suffering

The Noble Eight Fold Path - is the solution to suffering

There are many interesting books on the subject of Buddhism if you wish to find out more about this philosphy/religion.

New Egyptian Figurines Added To Shop

2008-06-07T05:20:00.001-07:00

The New Egyptian Figurines From Moondust and Angels New Age Shop
Walk like an Egyptian with Moondust and Angels New-Age Shop this weekend! We are busily adding the new Egyptian figures this weekend, also new thai buddha and Kwan Yin figures are in so we will also be adding these over the next few days -please bookmark us!

Introducing our new designs in Egyptian figures, beautifully made from durable resin. Painted in golds, reds, blues etc, the colours associated with Ancient Egypt. I love the fact that at last the figures have been given the correct skin colour. These are very beautiful figures and would make perfect gifts for those with a love of this incredible ancient culture and those who follow Hermeticism.

The Emerald Tablet And Hermeticism

2008-06-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

The Emerald Tablet -Hermeticism
Hermeticism is a philosophical (some regard it as a religion) belief derived from the teachings and writings of the wise sage and Egyptian priest Hermes Trismegistus. He is said to be the God of learning, wisdom and literature and The Emerald Tablet is attributed to him, this is the cornerstone of the Hermetic movement.

The writings atributed to Hermes are titled The 'Hermetica' The well known 'as above so below' used frequently in western traditions of Wicca and Neo-paganism are written in The Emerald Tablet thus:

'Without lie, certain and most true:
What is below is is like what is above, and what is above is like what is below, to accomplish the miracle of the One thing.'

Here is a link to an excellent article on this subject:

http://altreligion.about.com/library/weekly/aa121302a.htm

Hermes is also associated with the Greek God Thoth.

A poem written by

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Still through Egypt's desert places
Flows the lordly Nile,
From its banks the great stone faces
Gaze with patient smile.
Still the pyramids imperious
Pierce the cloudless skies,
And the Sphinx stares with mysterious,
Solemn, stony eyes.
But where are the old Egyptian
Demi-gods and kings?
Nothing left but an inscription
Graven on stones and rings.
Where are Helios and Hephaestus,
Gods of eldest eld?
Where is Hermes Trismegistus,
Who their secrets held?
Where are now the many hundred
Thousand books he wrote?
By the Thaumaturgists plundered,
Lost in lands remote;
In oblivion sunk forever,
As when o'er the land
Blows a storm-wind, in the river
Sinks the scattered sand.
Something unsubstantial, ghostly,
Seems this Theurgist,
In deep meditation mostly
Wrapped, as in a mist.
Vague, phantasmal, and unreal
To our thought he seems,
Walking in a world ideal,
In a land of dreams.
Was he one, or many, merging
Name and fame in one,
Like a stream, to which, converging
Many streamlets run?
Till, with gathered power proceeding,
Ampler sweep it takes,
Downward the sweet waters leading
From unnumbered lakes.
By the Nile I see him wandering,
Pausing now and then,
On the mystic union pondering
Between gods and men;
Half believing, wholly feeling,
With supreme delight,
How the gods, themselves concealing,
Lift men to their height.
Or in Thebes, the hundred-gated,
In the thoroughfare
Breathing, as if consecrated,
A diviner air;
And amid discordant noises,
In the jostling throng,
Hearing far, celestial voices
Of Olympian song.
Who shall call his dreams fallacious?
Who has searched or sought
All the unexplored and spacious
Universe of thought?
Who, in his own skill confiding,
Shall with rule and line
Mark the border-land dividing
Human and divine?
Trismegistus! three times greatest!
How thy name sublime
Has descended to this latest
Progeny of time!
Happy they whose written pages
Perish with their lives,
If amid the crumbling ages
Still their name survives!
Thine, O priest of Egypt, lately
Found I in the vast,
Weed-encumbered sombre, stately,
Grave-yard of the Past;
And a presence moved before me
On that gloomy shore,
As a waft of wind, that o'er me
Breathed, and was no more.

And another thing, Sir Isaac Newton the mathematician and scientist was a follower, find a fascinating link to this fact below!

Sir Isaac Newton Hermesticism and The Emerald Tablet:
http://www.alchemylab.com/isaac_newton.htm#Newton%20the%20Alchemist

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Pilot Green Fuel Saver -Environmentaly Friendly And Saves Money

2008-06-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to offer this week the Pilot Green Fule Saver device which not only saves you money on petrol consumption, it will give you more power and cut down on emissions. The supplier of this product is the only supplier licensed in the UK so we are obviously delighted! there is a simple way to attach it to your car (you can use it on more than just cars of course) and it's all on the website: http:www.moondustandangels.co.uk

Hello And Welcome

2008-06-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the Moondust and Angels new-age shop blog. I will be posting regularly in this blog about subjects and articles related to the New-Age movement, including product reviews, new products and occasional guides.
I have been asked on several occasions why I decided to open a new-age gift shop as opposed to any other type of gift shop. The simple answer is that I have always had an interest in spirituality, the type of spirituality which involves freedom of thought and choice. A fascination with Angels also led me to want to open a shop selling Angel Gifts from statues to oracle cards. I believe that the presence of angels has been felt in many peoples lives particularly from the year 2000 to today, including my own.
So, what exactly is New-Age? That is not an easy question to answer as some people will differ in what they believe the new-age movement to be and when it actually began. The term New-Age is actually from Astrology, the age of Pisces changes to the age of Aquarius. The moon is in the seventh house.
"When the moon is in the Seventh HouseAnd Jupiter aligns with MarsThen peace will guide the planetsAnd love will steer the stars"
The above quote is from the song 'Aquarius' and illustrates what many new-age followers believe. There is a difference of opinion on when the Age of Aquarius actually began, some believe it was after the time of the second world war, others believe it began with the 'The Millenium' or the year 2000. The New-Age movement is not a religion, it is a new way of thinking, of being, a new kind of spirituality and conciousness that is collective.