Blood of the Isles

Blood of the Isles: Exploring the Genetic Roots of Our Tribal History by Bryan Sykes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood of the Isles


Tracking genes is the next frontier in tracking the history of a people. Through the genetic mutations you can tell how long ago a groups clan mother came into existence as well as the clan father. Were talking thousands of years ago, if not millions. By tracking the genes you can tell who invaded a land , whether they settled in peacefully and the journey from where they began to the final point of arrival. It is more accurate then archaeology .

Brian Sykes a , British genetist who studies bone disease has done extensive research on the origins of the populations now inhabiting the British Isles. He tacks the origins of the Irish, Scottish and British..  Using a variety of methods all the way from finding genetic material by drilling the teeth of specimens in tact and then comparing them to the populations the author makes some startling discoveries about the origins of the people of the Britsih isles and some of you might be surprised.

One making this study one must bear in mind that there are certain caveats that must be observed when studying a group. The first one is the Gengis Khan effect. Ghengis Khan when he took over an area would murder the entire population of males and then impregnate all the attractive females. This was done no only by GEghis Khan but world world wide. Most of us probably come from descend from some brutal warlord The next thing toi keep in mind is that a groups mythology no matter how fantastical or non sense it may seem does contain a kernel of truth.

Before lauching into discussion on the Genotyps tbhe author discsses some genetic information so you knbow how it is done . He discusses the history of studying blood types and measuring skull types  on the isle.  He gives a good lesson on how genetic information is read. In this work as his previous work he has female matriarch divided into 7 daughers of Eve and the men into 6 patriarch. In the end the ultimat stock is Celtic. The highest percentage of Celt being in Ireland.

Before discussing the Genetic finding for each area on the British Isle he writes a chapter on the History of the area. The next chapter then discusses his sampling methods and finding. I have blown the ending a bit but there is lot more detail that I have left out. Go read the book!


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Case of Three Israels

Three Israels by Sheila R Vitale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well I literally thought that I had heard it all but this book was nothing but garbled Christians polemic with absolutely no scholarly value what so ever. The author has done no research and there are no worthwhile scholarly resources for the interested reader to go and look up.Well that is if you count religious sources .

THe main thrust of this author's work is that spiritual Israel has inhabited or dwelt within three different nations. THe first  nation to embody the Nation of Israel was the African or black people. There leader was Nimrod and he brought the Israelite faith all the way to Egypt where in the Israelites dwelt. Now we have heard that the first Israelites were black and coming from the Middle East they  would have had to have been very dark. MANY Jews today have dark feature even the European ones. But in the authors view the Africans lost the right to Israelite nationhood based on the fact that they practices witchcraft and had hubris. A bit of raise is thrown in as he states that the Africans or lost in a permanent state of spiritual decay and cannot rise out of it due to their sin of witchcraft..

THe seed then passed on to the sons of Jacob. Jacob as you know married Aesanat daughter of Potipher, an Egyptian priest. It was thorugh Ephraimmand Menasseh that the line carries on. THe line of Moses did not continue through his two sons because of there lack of righteousness . Rather it went thnrough Jsohua as he was considered married in a spiritual non physical way to Moses. The author goes on to say that Jacob unrightfully stole the blessing from Essau because he was convinced by his feminine spiritual nature to do so. He did gods will but in the wrong way. 

There is somewhat of an intereting opinion on spirituality . The author claim that the feminine is stronger but less disciplined while the male half is not as strong but has more discipline. Later on the spiritual seed passed on through the church of christ which grafts many nations to its enormous tree turn. THe khazars are also considered legitimate  Jews despite the fact that they are not true Israelits but converted no less.

Do not waste your time with this book.I am giving it two stars. An extra star for some interesting thought on masculine and feminine spirituality .

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THe Dragon of the Rhine

The Dragons of the Rhine by Diana L. Paxson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THe wheels of treachery are set into motion as the treachery of Grimhalda the witch casts her spell for the good of the Burgund tribe. It has been close to a year since Sigfrid has been with Sigfrida. During that year she has given birth to a young daiughter,. Sigrfird has ventureed off and is now fighting foir the Burgunds who are called the Dragons of the Rhine.

Set in the 5th century the Europena  continent is broiling in turmoil, in this frightening world alliances are everything. For King Gundahar to marry Brunhilda  would ally the Burgunds with the powerful Huns who grow stronger with each passing day. TO marry Gudrun with Sigfrid would be worthy mathc as well and would securre a great warrior for their tribe. Oaths are made spell are cast the web of wyrd will not be denied.

Sigfrid forgets his vows to Brunhilda and little does he know that Gundahar is being set up to marry Brunhilda bybn the devious Grimhalda But the only person who can marry her is someone who can dfdfeat her in battle  Only Sigrid can do that. 

This is story of the old gods and old ways filled with treachery and suspense, The web of wyrd will have it's way. Being a wolf is not safe the od sacrifices will be honored.

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Volsung Saga

The Wolf and the Raven by Diana L. Paxson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here come another tale of Sigfrida and Sigfrid or Brunhild, better known as the Volsumg Saga. Sigfrid is the son of Sigmund, who was a shape strong war lord who could change into a wolf. Sigmund was slain and his son was raised by the Albings. But trouble does not stop following the son of the cursed leader. Heming a member from an enemy tribe recognized the boy and tried to kill him. Fortunate with only a broken arm the boy leaves the village and his mother behind. Learning the ways of the forest and the forge, he is raised by Ragen, one of the indigenous earth people who were there before the Germans and the Roman.

Brunhild is the niece of Attila the Hun. Dark skinned and green eyes she befriends Gudrun daughter of a king. Together they visit a forbidden well. It is from
This point that she is selected by Wodan and taught the eats of the Vallyrie. It is in fox dance mountain thAt she learn magic and fighting skills.

In the end Sugfrid must battle fFafnar for treasure and avenge his father. The fighting separates him From Regan and Brunhilds battle behavior seperTes her from the Valkyries. Along the road they meet up.

Diane Paxson knows her Norse literature, religion and magic. She pours that expertise into her retelling of the story. She is on the level of Marion Zimmerman Bradley in fact she took over where Marion left off,
Definitely got to read more of her stuff.

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grime's Fairy Tales in their Original Bloody Form

The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm by Jacob Grimm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

IF YOU LOVE FAIRY TALES OR IF YOU HAVE A SCHOLARLY INTEREST IN FAIRY TALES THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. JACK ZIPES WNET AHEAD AND TRANSLATED THE FIRST TWO VOLUMES OF THE FAIRY TALES THAT THE GRIMM BROTHERS COLLECTED, IN THIER ORIGINAL FORM UNEDITED AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE. THE GRIMM BROTHERS WENT ABOUT THE GERMAN COUNTRY SIDE COLLECTING ORAL FAIRY TALES AND AS THEIR WORK BECAME MORE POPU8LAR AND ACCEPTED THEY ALSO MODIFIED THE FAIRY TALES MAKING THEM MORE PALATABLE TO THE READING AUDIENCE OIF THE TIME. THE DETAILS THAT WERE LEFT OUT ARE OFTEN BLOODY WITH PEOPLE DYING PAINFUL DEATH, OF COURSE THIS DOES NOT COMPARE TO AN R RATED MOVIE BUT YOU GET THE GIST.

THE GRIMM BROTHERS, JACOB AND WILHELM, WERE THE TWO SONS OF A GERMAN MAGISTRATE. THEY STUDIED TO GO INTO LAW BUT A FAMILY DISASTER CUT THAT SHORT, ALTHOUGH ONE OF THEM DID GET INTO THE PROFESSION BY BECOMING AN APPRENTICE. THE BOOK IS FILLED WITH BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION AND SCHOLARLY NOTES FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN DELVING INTO THE BACKGROUND. THE MEAT OF THE BOOK IS THE STORIES THEMSELVES.

I CANNOT GIVE YOU A PLOTLINE SUMMARY BECAUSE THERE IS A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF FAIRY TALES. MANY THEMES ARE SIMILAR THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT TALES. A STEPMOTHER FAVORS HER CHILD OVER THE PROTAGANIST AND TRIES TO BRING HIM OR HER DOWN ONLY TO BE DEFEATED IN THE END. SOMETIMES BY HANGING, SOMETIMES IT IS VERY BLOODY. THREE BROTHERS GOING ON A QUEST WITH THE TWO OLDER BROTHERS PLOTTING AGAINST THE YOUNGER ONLY TO GERT THEIR S IN THE END. A PRINCE PROMISES A MAIDEN TO MARRY HER BUT FORGET AND SHE GOES ON A QUEST TO REMIND HIM. PRINCES AND HANSOME MEN ARE DISGUISED AS ANIMALS ONLY TO BE RELIEVED BY THE ONE THEY LOVED. IF YOUR INTO FAIRY TALES PICK THIS BOOK UP.

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Elven Moon of Youth

Elven Moon of Youth Casting the Circle As you walk the perimeter of your circle say: By the power of this sacred Athame I hereby draw Down the power of the great stars to cast this circle of power.  Calling the Quarters Walk to the edge of the circle in each direction and speak, hold up the proper sacred object.  Speak I call to Formen, the north, and its power and strength. I call to the Dwarves, Durin’s folk, masters of metalcraft. Join me in my circle. Aiya.  Hold up a stone I call to Rómen, the east, and its glory. I call to the Elves, the Eldar who bring learning and beauty to Middle-earth. Join me in my circle. Aiya.  Hold up Athame I call to Hyarmen, the south, and its untrodden wilds. I call to the Hobbits, people of the Shire with joyful spirits. Join me in my circle. Aiya.  Hold up wand I call to Númen, the west, and its mysteries. I call to the Vanyar, first and smallest of Tol Eressëa across the western sea. Join me in my circle. Aiya. Hold up chalice  Purpose of the Ritual: is to invoke triple goddess of fate and Tulkas. We ask the the Goddess of fate to free us from past negativity and for Tulkas to give us warrior strengths to take on the future challenges Invocations To Eru Iluvatar:  My Creator Eru, bestow Thy blessings and Thy mercies on all persons and on those souls who abide in the Halls of Mandos for whom I am in charity, gratitude, or friendship bound and have the desire to pray. Amen To Tulka:  Youngest of the Valar warrior of strengths and mirth, defeater of Morgoth. We honor you this evening by performing this ritual aand offering libations unto thee. Great warrior as you have with your great strengths defeated Morgoth all while laughing I pray that you give me and anyone else who calls upon thee to give them strength to over come and light hearted nature to enjoy the challenge and make it easier. To Vaire: Sacred weaver mistress of fate. Owner of the past, keeper of the present, creator of the future. sometimes one and sometimes three. Past present and future, no one escapers the weave of time and no one can overpower destiny be they man or valor. In the past thee have been called the norns, poire and moire. On to pull the three , the other to cut and one to measure. Let our souls sail across the western to see to Valinor help break the chains of the past so that we can be free for the future. This is the moon of youth dancing we shall do with the coming of spring. It is spring that brings us forth to the new year. Flowers bloom and blossom. Young shoots spring. The warrior is filled with Vigor, strengths overcomes the powers of death and sorrow. Tulkas came unto Morgoth's fort in Angaband. None else could oppose him all the other Valar were powerless. None knew what to do but you smashed down the obstacles and overpowered the wicked Morgoth. Smiling you were as you trounced upon him. Finally overcome you locked him deep  with in the halls of mandos. With the coming of this new year we call upon Viare to the cut away the webs of the past that hold us back. Break us free of bad habits, negative thoughts and addictions. Break them break them make them go away. Slowly they fade slowly they fade and now they are gone. We call upon Tulkas the great warrior to give us strengths in order to smash down the future obstacle that stand in the way of us and our will. strengths strengths strengths, smashing down the walls smashing down thew wall our will is achieved  Meditate  15 minutes breathing, 15  minute tree and chakra exercise, 10 minute Vaire mediations and 10  minute Tulkas mediation. Vaire Mediation:   visualize yourself facing west, crossing a great ocean. You see a lovely island, the Blessed Realm. On the shores, you see a wondrous hall of gray stone. Vairë greets you here and shows you the stories woven into the fabric of your life thus far and even points out the fabric of your future. She shows you how to change it if it is not to your liking—fabric can be unraveled and rewoven. After you reveal your future goals, she now creates a special piece in what appears to be shimmering black and white threads, and gently places it on your shoulders. It is light and heavy at the same time and you are overwhelmed with emotion. She tells you it is representative of your destiny, and she wishes you well. Come back to where you are, knowing Vairë’s strength and constitution. Allow the fabric of your life to unfold. Tulkas mediation: Tulkas overpowers Morgoth and you aren there . All the while he gives you tips  on bhow to over come your problems. Finish of the ritual. Illuvatar:  Great Eru Illuvatar Divine creator. I bid thanks for your divine mercies an beneficences. With love I bow and bid you farewell Holy Father. Laita Tulkas great warrior I bid you thanks for lending your strengths to the rituals anded assistance to over come obstacles. With admiration I bid thee farewell. Laita Vaire: Great weaver, triple goddess , harbinger of the new year I give thee thanks for helping to clear away the cobwebs of the past that leave us chained top memories of pain and allow us not to move on. With gratitude I bid thee farewell. Laita Númen, west, holy Vanyar, thank you for your presence this night. I bid you farewell as I return to my own realm. Laita.  Hyarmen, south, dear Hobbits, thank you for your presence this night. I bid you farewell as I return to my own realm. Laita.  Romen, east, blessed Elves, thank you for your presence this night. I bid you farewell as I return to my own realm. Laita.  Formen, north, stalwart Dwarves, thank you for your presence this night. I bid you farewell as I return to my own realm. Laita.  Facing the altar, say: My circle is open but unbroken, No longer sacred, this space I decree. Words of wonder have been spoken, In faith and unity blessed be. Laita.

A Witches Taperstry

A Tapestry of Witches A History of the Craft in America, Volume 1, To the Mid -1970's by Aidan Kelly


A Tapestry of Witches

I have read several books by Aidan Kelley and read the history contained within these pages in more than one place. Of all these sources many I have given good recommendation to , this one is the exception.

The history outlined or discussed is rather thread bare and missing many details that should have or could have been discussed. Instead you get a chronicle of events filled with dates and times thrown in your direction. The book is filled with member lists and coven lists and many of these might not even be functioning. something you will not remember after you close the pages of this book. The book is also very short as well. Half of the book is filled with list like appendices. I am glad I did not buy this book but rather lent it off the Kindle Library.

The history the book gives over could be readily found in Margot Adler's Drawing Down the Moon and a few other work. THE book functions as a historical chronicle of the Witchcraft movement in the US. Much of the action takes place in California and the East Coast. It could also be noted that the population of Pagans doubles in size very two years. But as the author will tell you and this is something that I agree with witchcraft and Paganism are not the same thing in all cases. A statement  I agree with. 

Wicca came to AMerica in the early to mid sixties under the guidance of Raymond Buckland, who studied directly under Gerald Gardner. One of the strongpoints of this book is that gives a good history of pre Gardnerian witches in the States and they did not consider themselves pagan. Groups like the Russian witches of Los Angeles, the Feri Traidtion, Ozark Withces and the Church of all Worlds. That is just naming a few.

Many of these groups have been highly influenced by Gardners system especially the use of casting the circle and calling quarters. Some of the groups did worship the lord and lady, some just the lady and others considered GOD to be female and male.

THe book tells how the Pagan movement gradually slid from coven based to more group based and over all being more open to solitaires and self initiations. There is in depth history on New Reformed Order of the Golden Dawn and the Church of all Worlds.

Good book to read from a lending library but not worth buying.

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