Issue 5: Spring Equinox 2026

The Awen Gazette
Spring Equinox Edition
My Dear Folk of Awen....
Hello & Welcome
to Alban Eiler, the Spring Equinox edition of
‘The Magical Awen Gazette’...

Hello my Darklings, Wilhelmina Catnip here, Editor in Chief of the one and only Awen Gazette. Here we are again..And still it never fails to amaze me how time flies..This month I think will see us enter into a very exciting, possibly turbulent, but most definitely a transformative period and all kicked off by the exciting return of the Fire Horse and of course now that we are about to move through March, the much needed, if I might be so bold as to say, balancing energies of the Spring Equinox.! As always, have no fear, I will continue to be your host on this exquisite rollercoaster of magical insight and of this little literary extravaganza of ours.

And there we have it, before you knew it, you look around and there it was gone! February came in & blew out in what has felt like a heartbeat. A wet heartbeat, for the love of the Gods how much more rain must we endure! But on the bright side there has definitely been an uptick on the lighter evenings, thus my old broom has once more made it out of the cupboard and up into our less than blue skies and not a splinter in sight, for which my dear old, if somewhat plentiful bottom is eternally grateful for.... I know too much info.. ha,ha,.. Tough is all I have to say to that one my Darklings

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it, but you never know..ha,ha,... but I am a Fire Horse.. how absolutely excellent is that I hear you all cry. Well Darklings, IT IS....As we pass Imbolc and on the 17th Feb we will fall quite neatly into the year of the Horse, courtesy of our Oriental friends and last seen in the year Jan 1966- Feb 1967. Of course the Fire element adds a certain twist and flavour to the proceedings, according to the Chinese those born under this auspicious sign, will be the Seers, the Artists and artisans, the rebels and challengers of the status quo and they herald a time of change of creativity, revelations and of truth. Surely not I hear you all cry.. Well I think it might be so.. We are the children of the revolution and this is officially the Age of Aquarius.. ha,ha,ha.. Sorry could not resist... So hold onto your broom sticks Lovelies we are in for one hell of a rollercoaster ride with much change and over turning of old habits, patterns and regimes. Blessings on Epona is what I say...

But to bring us down to earth for a moment, we are entering this month with Mercury retrograde..I know, It’s an absolute cluster.. So watch the communications, be patient, pace yourselves and watch for the changes as it goes straight on 20th March, which amazingly and totally cosmically is Spring Equinox this year!

I think we will all definitely need the balancing energies this year, so make sure you allow time for yourself. Embrace the point of stillness, allow yourselves to reboot and then move forward on the 21st with purpose and drive. After all we are all epic in some way or another, so recharge with the Equinox energies and get out there & do your thing.

May we welcome in Ostara, Cernunnos, and not forgetting the Great Horse Goddesses Regatona, Epona, Macha and Debona on the 20th in readiness for the coming season. Blessings of the Light of The Earth to One & All...Always think big.. Be brave..& Lets Go.....

Magically Yours

Wilhelmina Catnip
Precious Pixie Corner

Do you have a problem that you need help with? Magical, Esoteric or personal.. Our very own Vagina Buttercup is here to answer all.....So don’t be shy, you can email, Whatsapp or private message on Facebook Messenger..So over to the wonderful Witch herself...

Due to the uncertain times we live in, the Ministry of Magic has asked that we relay the following. “Vagina Buttercup, is famously known and identifies as a Witch & Druid of this and many other realms. She is a long time resident of a little known & much hidden place called Magpie Bottom and has spent lifetimes working with troubled Witches, Wizards, Druids and all manner of magical folk. The disclaimer here at the Gazette requires that we are open & transparent in ensuring that the reader is aware that they at all times are responsible for their own problems and dilemmas that should/might/will occur as a consequence of existing! Personal responsibility is the name of the game and at all times remains with the Witch, wizard, Druid or other magical folk of concern. Vagina Buttercup is here to support & provide the most excellent guidance and advice. T & C’s apply please remember to always ask permission from your responsible magical adult as we do not condone the use of rose tinted specs when reading or submitting anything for our attention!

Thank you for your understanding.”

“Hello and welcome back to this edition of ‘Precious Pixie Corner. As previously shared with you all, I am Vagina Buttercup and I am thrilled and delighted to have been invited to be the Gazettes Magical Agony Aunt...Such an honour... Lets get straight to it... As I always say a Problem shared is a problem halved...Or occasionally exacerbated....No Need to thank me... You are Welcome!

This month’s question has been submitted by the rather impressive but little known Pudenda Unicorn Fairy-Hammock the 3rd, whose balance and relationship to glitter must be a lesson to us all! Or as I like to put it, ‘Help.. ...So once again I invite you all to’ Grab your kirtles, hoist your Chemise and gird your loins this might or most definitely will get messy ....

“Dear Vagina Buttercup,

I really do hope you can help me, you see my Wiccan training includes engaging with nature. But I am worried because I fell out of a tree last year and I am scared that they hate me. Is there a Glitter Bath Bomb Spell I can use? Awaiting your reply with hope and sparkly anticipation

Yours in Wicca

Pudenda Unicorn Fairy-Hammock the 3rd xx

Ohhhhh Dear..... Firstly I think I knew your Grandmother many moons ago my dear....She, as in Gigantia Hawthorn Fairy-Hammock the 9th, also had a habit of falling over, out & up things as well as I remember..We always thought it was because she was a little to partial to the Cowslip Wine you see! Strange woman, an awful sight to behold, especially perched/wedged upon her broom stick. To be honest we were always amazed she managed to take off but seldom surprised when she fell! So having said all of that, it would seen that the branch hasn’t fallen far from the tree.. Excuse the pun...But in truth I don’t know whether to sympathise or give you a stern talking to... As you might imagine I have chosen to go with the latter.

Wiccan training is, as you might be aware my dear, open to all sorts of interpretations, rituals, indoctrinations, weirdness and complete, in my humble opinion, useless twaddle. Sorry I mean very interesting factual, ancient magical wisdoms that are not made up in the slightest by a individuals with shall we say, very questionable tastes and aspirations, not to mention who thought they might really be cosmic shamanic purple shining armadillos...

Why do I say this? Well because since the beginning of all things Craft, is just that, Craft.. A Witch is a Witch, or perhaps even a Druid or a Heathen ... etc..etc... Depending on how old you are, what age you were born into, your language and location etc not to mention the names of your chosen Gods. But to bring the poor old Dryads into it is shockingly poor on your part and then to compound it by asking for the holy grail of a Glitter Bath bomb spell... Well my dear, this old Witch is weeping the very glitter from her own soul at the very thought.. It’s shocking to say the least.

I would ask you to think, how would you like it if somebody decide to climb all over you in the name of better understanding and being close to you. Did you ask the trees/Dryads for a start? Not all Dryads are friendly.. Why were you up a tree to better know nature???? There are so many questions but so little time to ask them, or interest in the answers if I’m honest. But did your wiccan training not instruct you in the very sacred and ancient art of using a ladder or even investing in a specially sprung mattress to break your fall so as to not crush the grass beneath? Nooo.. I think not! I always understood that to be part of 1st degree basics.. Am I wrong?

As for the Glitter Bath Bomb Spell.... well NO is the answer to that..The GBBD, as we in the know like to call it, is not for every Witch, Druid or Heathen you know. Magical folk must understand that there is a long lineage of training, of growing and then passing down the sacred glitter and ancient words that must be learnt and spoken, not to mention the Sacred recipe/brew itself. All of which, I must stress once again, is not the intellectual property of one Ceridwen of Bala, regardless of the size of her blessed cauldron...And let’s be fair we all know where that’s been over the millennia don’t we!

So sadly my dear Pudenda I can only advise you that perhaps climbing tress is not your magic and that access to the GBBD is some way out of your reach for the foreseeable future. But don’t be to down cast, can I suggest surround yourself with everlasting moss for a soft landing, should still insist on trying your luck off the ground. Always ask your local Dryad interpreter for the most accommodating tree. But most importantly re-wild yourself and plant plenty of sweet smelling flowers in every orifice for convenience and connecting with nature again. If all of that fails as it did your dear Grandmother.. Cowslip wine is wonderfully potent and has amazing health benefits.

And there you have it, thank you all for joining me as together we have traversed poor Pudenda’s problem shared moment. As always please do feel free to email me at spiritofawen@btinternet.com with all or any of your questions, queries, and magical problems. I will look forward to hearing from you. Make sure you mark your email FAO V.Buttercup, Precious Pixie corner...

Until next Month

Seasonal Blessings

V.Buttercup.
Threat of The Month!
(Invocation or Evocation....You Decide)

As you will see Normal service has resumed, This Month’s Threat of the Month has come via the dulcet and potty mouth tones of one half of Awens very own terribly Magical & Cosmic ‘The Dangerous Sisters’, but can you tell which one! We would like to take this opportunity to send our most sincere thanks to the one & only ‘Ms VB & Ms CRWF’. (If we thank one, we must thank both... Apparently!)

Spring Equinox will soon be upon us....But do not be fooled!...The light might be slowly returning.. But the dying throws of Winter Wild does not mean it is safe...A tantrum here, a tantrum there.. Dont get carried away by the odd snowdrop and a later sunset.. JUST YET...Look for Hoofprints between the daffodils and lock your doors before dark....Its still out there you know.. Stay vigilant.. Stay Safe...

De-Management is watching...

Tittle Tattle Nook
Well welcome to Tittle Tattle Nook... A little place of potential naughtiness...A little gossip corner as a bit of light relief and medicine for the soul.

“We promise to never divulge our sources, nor will we ever say what is fact, truth and what is absolutely made up..Ha,ha... Obviously most will be made up... Or will it???.... Oh come on...really..what did you think we were going to do here?...But just maybe there is a grain of truth & sometimes a lot of truth in everything and anything written... The Choice dear reader is up to you to decide what you want to believe and what you do not... We feel like we need to have one of these disclaimers that somebody reads out ridiculously fast at the end of an advert.. You know the Terms and Conditions etc, etc.. Readers own discretion etc, no magical workers were harmed in the creation of this article etc., you get the picture..So read on dear reader at your own discretion and enjoy!” ,

Welcome once again to this little Nook of loveliness... pull up a comfy chair, or snuggle on the sofa and lets share a few care free moments together as we traverse the nonsensical terrain of Tittle-Tattle.

Hello Folk of Awen.. How have you all been? I can’t believe that we have just entered March and already we are in Mercury Retrograde until the 20th..But on the plus side, just as one door close another opens and simultaneously the Light of the Earth is upon us. Alban Eiler or Spring Equinox if you like is the welcome respite, the quite in the eye of the storm that provides the balance and point of stillness enabling reflection, recharging and hopefully rising energy to move into the next phase of the year.

Here at the Nook things have been unusually quiet recently, I think that everyone has been restocking whilst possibly still recovering from the Magi Awards dinner that anyone who was anyone and possible a few who thought they were anyone, were in attendance. The same old faces seemed to win all of the awards, which then raises the question who are the faces behind the wizard screen calling all of the shots...

The speeches were..well.. I may have dozed off a few times, I mean to say there is only so much of listening to the ‘I’m the only Witch, Wizard, Druid, Heathen in the Village’ speech, isn’t there?

But going back to and regarding the voting panel, as you all might already know, we lesser spotted-magical folk are not allowed to know their names! But here at the Nook we never like to leave mystery unchallenged and after extensive asking around, lifting of dusty cauldron lids and herb chests.. But on this occasion I can sadly report we could get no closer to answering that question than when we first started.. We will let you know if we ever make a breakthrough with this one, but don’t hold your breath in the mean time.

But as for the rest of the evening, the magical bubbles were flowing all night, there was plenty of dancing...of many styles..ha,ha! And the magic Broom Sticks played a belter of a gig. So in all honesty this humble Witch from the Nook flew home a happy soul.

There is, however, one piece of news that has been pasted across the desk here at the Nook, which was more than a little interesting and that I can share with you all. A little phoenix whispered in my ear that there have been heated exchanges between a certain two designers from rival Couture houses of Ritual & Magical Attire being those of The House of Draping Fairy Mist and the House of Apate. I have been reliable informed by my little phoenix that one of the designers, who is very well known and respected for her innovative designs, caplets, and ritual head dresses, has basically had her designs and intellectual property stolen. It is claimed that not only has the House of Apate basically stolen The House of Draping Fairy Mist’s ideas, designs and signature pieces, they are now reproducing them using cheaper and significantly more inferior materials and claiming that theirs are the original article. It is hard to see how House of Apate can claim this when the designs in question are legend. I mean to say, without giving to much away, we here at the Nook LOVE wearing the original Caplets designed and made by the House of Draping fairy Mist. We are sure there will be more to come from this story, we will keep you posted as it reveals itself.

So there you have it for this edition, but please do get in touch with your tit bits, your tittle tattle.. I will never divulge a source.. honest...You are completely safe with me...

Email spiritofawen@btinternet.com also ensure to address it to Awen gazette Tittle- Tattle Nook. We will look forward to hearing from you all..

So there you have it for this edition, but please do get in touch with your tit bits, your tittle tattle.. I will never divulge a source.. honest...You are completely safe with me...

Until next time

Blessings from The Nook...
Women’s New Moon online Meet Up
Save the Dates... 8pm on 27th March 2026

Welcome to this month’s New Moon update. A big Thank You to those of you who made the online moot this last month it was lovely to see your faces. Once again massive apologies for the difficulties I’ve been having re signal & connection...

A huge thank you to Kiera who gave a fab talk on Dance Medicine..What a fascinating subject and one that actually is such a natural part of who we are as humans. The connection between dance, shamanic practice, hunting, healing, connection and tribe is, I think, undeniable.. All indigenous cultures have song and dance lines and we here in the UK have ours as well.

As you might expect I did have a look at the origins and root of the word Dance. We were of the opinion that we wouldn’t be surprised if it had to spiritual originally ritual and/or spiritual mean.

So basically the word dance itself is French/Germanic in origin and was not adopted in the UK until the Middle Ages around 1250 -1300s and means to hop,tumble, skip or jump. Up until that point we used the word Sailtain which basically was considered to mean the same but was derived from the meaning of Trousers, which represented free movement. But here’s where it gets really interesting, Sailtain is also the oldest name for the herb Golden Seal, which was considered to have magical powers to move you and transport you. Golden seal is a brilliant herb for treating inflammation particularly limbs to aid mobility, infections of the chest/breathing magically used as a powerful herb of protection and of energies needed for transformation.... That’s all I’ve found out for now, but I thought it was a great staring point. I will look into the proto-Celtic and Indo- European when I have time.

Just to repeat what I said last time just in case people missed it, but several suggestions have been put forward, ie, having a designated topic, or person giving a short talk/ sharing their magic, know-how and experience etc. I would like to second these ideas; I think it absolutely fab and also a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about each other and celebrating the extraordinary women that make up our number. If you have any other suggestions please do let me know.

We will have also just past Spring Equinox so I love for us to think about the changes and affect that has had..if any! And perhaps we can look at and share our insights regarding the spiritual/magical implications

I think it is important to reiterate that it is my hope that the New Moon group will grow in numbers and confidence whereby we can create a sacred space where we will be able to talk craft, ritual, seasonal and of course all thing moon. I hope it will become a place of sharing, laughter and being.

Please don’t worry if you missed us last month, we hope to see you on the 27th March. Feel free to be sitting in your PJs, curlers in, wig on in my case..ha,ha, you think I jest!...Anyway bring your lovely selves, wear whatever you want and drink what every you like, we will be just happy to see your smiling faces.

The sessions will be last approximately 45mins -1hr and all who are interested will need to WhatsApp me so that you can be added to the group. I really hope you will be able to join me for what I hope will become something quite special. If you would like to volunteer to give a short talk please do let me know.

So don’t forget to press the link if you are interested and I look forward to adding you to the group and seeing you all on the 27th at 8pm.. I promise I won’t forget, I’ve set an alarm... ha,ha !

Michelle xx

Spirit of Awen Camp
News & Updates
Save the Dates... 31st July – 9th August 2026
Where we will all be working with the Wisdom, Magic and Spirit of Heron.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW... Don’t miss out!

It is that time of year when the world is just beginning to awaken from slumber and hopefully enough rest. As usual there is much that is going on behind the scenes but little that can be reported at this time. However, I can confirm that we now can confirm headline speakers as, Prof Ronald Hutton, Graham Phillips and the tor-de-force that is King Arthur Pendragon.... I know..EPIC .. Band/ musicians confirmed thus far are Damh the Bard, Bullo Pill, Morrigan’s Path and of course the TTT’s, Herding Cats. I will let you all know one the Saturday night band has confirmed which I’m hoping will be asap.

Big news regarding the website. I am sure that many of you have noticed that we haven’t really been updating it and there is a very good reason for that. I can now announce that the Spirit of Awen Website is having a bit of a makeover and is moving to a new host. Sooooo the rather wonderful Maddie has being working with me to make this transition not only happen (She is a bloody Genius), but that it goes smoothly.

We originally thought it would be easier to update the site once we had everything in place on the New site, however, as always the best laid plans and all that, so I will be updating dating the old site for the time being. However, we obviously will still launch the new site as and when it is ready, letting everyone know in the process and of course the old site will then be taken down. Please be assured the web address is the same nothing should change from your side of things and for the time being the old website will work as normal and hopeful once we are ready it will be a seamless switch over.

Importantly please do continue to share, and promote our magical camp and of course the Secret Garden. Also don’t forget there are three ways to pay for your Awen tickets, either in full, via the website, or contact us if you would like to pay Direct Bank Transfer, or if you would like to pay in instalments. We are happy with all and any of these modes of payment. If you know of anyone who might like a site crew ticket to help with set up etc, please do pass our details on or let me know..Thanks xx

Awen site planning meetings are still hopefully due to go ahead, with the first one hopefully towards the end of March ,we will keep you posted on those. But in the meantime there will be, I promise, a continuation of exciting cunning plans being hatched and plotted in the usual and expected fashion. However, if you have any thoughts & ideas that you would like to see at Awen next year do let us know, we always value input, fresh ideas & prospectus. We can’t promise they will all be included, but you never know some just might!

Finely, the Full Moon this month is the Primrose/Hare Moon on 3rd of March again representing Renewal, new life, rising sap and the beginning of the Greening time. Just believe in yourself! Once again the Moon guides us and energetically fits very well along side this month’s Divination reading..

So there you have it Magical Folk of Awen, a little shorter this month but I am sure there will soon be plenty to share with you all. I will leave it here for this edition. I promise to continue the updates and keep you all in the magical info loop, if and when we have news to share. Equinox Blessings to one and all.. May the Light of the Earth bring you luck and may all your seeds sprout healthy shoots in the coming months.

Blessings of the Primrose Moon to you all

Michelle x
Alban Eiler: Spring Equinox
A Time of Balance, Reflection & Contemplation
As we welcome the Light of The Earth
Samhain Ancestors

March is an interesting month as we are still ushering in the spring at the beginning of the month and the Equinox towards the end. The evenings are becoming longer and the warmth in the Sun (When it shows up) is noticeable. The Greening begins in earnest whilst the variety of bird song is louder and more varied.

*The Spring cleaning of hearths and homes continues, with more opportunities to open the windows & doors.

*Allow time for yourself to embrace the energies of balance and acknowledge the point of stillness

*Light your candles and set aside time to relax, to recharge & balance your own energies.

*Decorate your altar and home with the colours and associated plants and flowers of the Goddess awakening..Blues, Greens Whites & Yellows

*Time to get out into the garden to clear up after the winter months making new space to plant & sow your chosen seeds for the coming year.

Divination Alley
Rune, Tarot & Ogham for the month
This is a general reading of universal energy for the coming month.
Tarot, Rune and Ogham cards
Tarot: The Green Knight/The 10 of Spears

Sooo.. Lets get to it..At first glance the 10 of Spears appears to be a difficult card and truth be told in certain circumstances it can certainly try your patience! However, its overriding message though is one of perseverance, conviction, strength and courage to follow things through regardless how challenging, scary and or lacking in confidence you think you might be...Feel the fear & do it anyway!. Yes there may be obstacles in our lives both personally or otherwise and things can sometime feel over whelming and yes as soon as we’ve over come one problem another can often present itself. But here’s the thing, this card tells us regardless how annoying, tiring, frustrating or hopeless we might think things are, DO NOT GIVE UP....Keep going, you will get to the end, you will be able to sort things out, you are far more capable than you give yourself credit for. You are more than capable of dealing with any situation, issue, potential crisis and/or stupidity that might arise. So keep the faith, keep going and remember what the old saying say “And this too shall pass”.

Rune: The Elk/Algiz

How apt to have pulled another fire rune in line with the return of the Fire Horse and of course as we visible see the Sun retuning more light to us each day. But this is very much a fire rune of action, of actively protecting yourself and anything of importance. DO not be shy at telling others to back off, to ensure that what is yours, what you might have created or be creating remains yours. Do not neglect yourself, Algiz is a fabulous shield of protection, use it! So when we read this rune in line with the 10 of Spears it becomes very clear that whatever challenges are presenting themselves this coming month, you absolutely should be pro-active NOT reactive in your stance. You know what needs to be done so don’t put it off longer than is necessary. You have the protection, you are the guardian over seeing these things and therefore you have the impetus to keep going knowing that your shield is in fine fettle and nothing, if you have it positioned correctly, should hit you!

Ogham: Negtal/Fern or Broom or Reeds/Alder

Honest to Gods, the Ogham don’t half make me laugh... It’s never bloody simple with them, there is always trick in the tail.. Anyways let me see if I can explain this lot so that it makes sense. As you will have noticed the Ogham Negtal has various associations, let me explain. So traditionally it is thought to have represented the Alder but possible the plants Fern and broom (Plantagenet Broom the true Witches broom of fame not the besom of later association. The sigils, magical and attributes seem to blend and merge together, which leaves me to conclude that the use of this Ogham and which tree/plant you associated with it was completely dependent upon what was growing in your neighbourhood back in the day. If there were no Alders in your woods but there was Fern or Broom then you transferred to those.. Simple really.. As for the association of Reeds to Negtal.. This was added by Robert Graves in 1948 in his book The White Goddess and his interpretation is linked to the underworld, death and the sea.

But for this reading I will stay true to the original meanings and associations of Alder, Fern & Broom. Sooo.. basically what the Ogham is say this month is rather good especially when read with the Rune and Tarot Card. Listen to yourself do not ignore that inner voice, this Ogham assures you that you can service and even thrive regardless of the obstacles. It is especially relevant at this coming period of Equinox as Negtal signals the need for balance in our lives of understanding that this is a period to overcome and transform/resurrect, We always walk between the different worlds that we inhabit, be that relationships, work, personal friendships home life etc.. All come with their own set of compromises, understandings and of course challenges. But now is the time to move forward, deal with any traumas, obstacles, perceived or actual problem. This is a time of believing in yourself, allowing yourself that point of stillness to reflect, plan and regain your balance and ultimately to listen to your own magic and wisdoms. Harness the courage and perseverance to overcome from the 10 of Spears and use the shield and protection of Algiz for not just yourself but for all that holds value and are important to you be that individuals and or projects/work. NEVER FORGET... You Are The Magic!