I suggest we speak charms like the following – asserting what our hearts really want for the future’s children. And doing it in the hope that we will see at least some of it come into being while we ourselves are still alive.

The Autumn Equinox is a big switchover point in the year. It is a day on which the light and the darkness are equally balanced, day and night being of equal length. If we take the light to symbolize the state of rational consciousness and the darkness to be the realm of dreams and psychic perceptions we can spin many a spell around the theme of bringing a balance between the outer and inner dimensions. And we can go even further and aim to help heal the balance between this World and the Otherworld of spirits. Such work is the primary concern of a hedge witch, anyway. But now the time is very propitious. And we can help it along with a charm like this. The book is simple and easy to read, Van Der Hoeven don't come with big pretensions to be the authority in the topic, she brings a practical easy-to-use Grimoire for each one of those witches working alone and looking to find magic in every corner and in every day and night. I was delighted to hear from Lucy Wright about her inspirational work as a ‘hedge witch morris dancer’. This is self-initiated solitary morris and is for everyone, particularly those who normally feel excluded from morris ‘on the grounds of gender, race, class or disability.’ She goes on to say, ‘I’m busily trying to invite as many interested people as possible (they can dance wherever in the world they happen to be) and sharing the resources they might need to give it a go.’ I’ve heard it said that there’s not a great deal of practical difference between a solitary Druid and a Hedgewitch. This little book certainly gives that impression too! Irish pagan Harmonia Saille writes in a warm, friendly and engaging way, giving an overview of the path of the Hedgewitch.The illustrations add a very nice touch (though technically not necessary), and a surprising amount of atmosphere. The cover is quite fetching too; I like the simplicity, the muted white, the style of "Hedgewitch". It is very appealing. The book is presented in a series of letters sent to two apprentices who wish to follow the path and are seeking guidance and advice. As the book says "Her lyrical letters, accompanied by delicate pen-and-ink sketches, bring the reader towards a deeper understanding of the solitary witch's lifestyle and beliefs". The Spells and Rituals are also very practical and at the same time informative, teaching you to use simple elements and at the same time guiding you in the process to understand why you are doing (the way of the ritual) and 'why' of each step. I grew up in the Wye Valley area of Wales and moved to London in my twenties. I worked as a journalist for various publications and at a creative agency, before finally doing what I'd always wanted to do. I quit my job and wrote a book about magic. The magic of the Summer Solstice is linked with joy and fulfilment. In these difficult times, perhaps we need such spells and rites more than ever? (Some light relief. Oh yes, please.) Visit the trees mentioned above and bless them, giving an offering of fresh spring water or apple juice. If you can’t leave home for health reasons, do your best with bought flowers or leaves or dried rose petals etc.

But there is a much earlier definition contained in an old German word ‘hagazissa’ meaning ‘hedge sitter’. And another term found in Northern European traditions – ‘haegtessa’ meaning ‘hedge rider’. Each of these refers to a symbolic hedgerow, one which could be seen to divide the everyday world of the human community from what was perceived as being beyond it – the Otherworld of wild nature spirits and ancestral spirits and elves or faeriekind. This and similar symbolism seems to have come to Britain mainly with Saxon and other Germanic tribes. However, it has parallels within the Celtic tradition, such as the Green and Burning Tree which stands at the outer edge of Faerie. And there are now hedge witches all over the World, along with hedge priestesses, hedge priests and hedge Druids. Have any of your guests told you that they feel amazing in your home? That there is something special about that place? That they love to pop in for a tea and return every week? Today’s hedge magicians wisely begin by learning to ground themselves within the seasonal celebrations of the land’s yearly cycle and by coming into step with the Moon’s cycle as well. In this way, awareness of those on the far side of the hedge can open gradually and also be fully aligned with the natural world on our side of the hedge. A meeting with nature spirits or familiars then has a context, a setting which extends beyond our personal circumstances and facilitates an awareness of the bigger picture, allowing us to develop a sense of interconnectedness with all creatures - all beings of any kind.Say, ‘As I fill my pot fairly, so may I/we receive sufficient prosperity. May it come from those who can afford it to me/us. May it come as such things as gifts, grants, awards, patronage or fairly paid work opportunities. I need it for such things as……(here list all your expenses, such as ‘paying my bills, food, rent/mortgage, heating, house maintenance, clothes, transport, health, gifts for others, leisure and learning.’) As my cause is just, let me receive all the wealth that I need, without harm to anyone. By root and stem, leaf, fruit and flower, in the names of Mother Earth and the Lord of the World Wood, So May This Be.’ And light a third candle to welcome the kindly dead, saying ‘May this flame be seen in the Otherworld as it is in this World.’ Hedge Riding – the practice of Shamanic and Astral voyage – is covered in-depth in her follow-up book: Pagan Portals Hedge Riding. Upon her arrival, things are rather suspicious as magical events are causing unrest and panic in the secret community of those wise to such practices and when it becomes clear that even the cowans- non magical folk - are taking notice, Rowan is determined to find out what is going on and put a stop to it no mater what.