#neilmach

The mysterious magic of the corn doll

Corn dolls or sometimes “corn mothers” are miraculous forms of straw fashioned from the last sheaf of cereals after a summer harvest. Therefore, these straw dolls are a noteworthy & supernatural part of the harvest customs of pastoral Europe. Some pagan cultures called these mothers “vetulas” (the Latin for “Old Woman” is vetula) though, in the 7th century, Saint Eligius (born 588) instructed…

BERNIE MARSDEN @Bernie_Marsden #Kings #AlbumReview #Bluesmen

‘KINGS’ is the first solo album from venerable English rock ‘n’ blues guitarist  BERNIE MARSDEN  in seven years. It features ten classic blues songs, originally recorded by the legendary “Three Kings” i.e. Albert King, B.B. King & Freddie King; with two further Marsden-penned masterpieces — each inspired by the Kings — which are offered as bonus tracks.  melancholic & perfectly…

Where do you start a story? #StoryExposition explained #WritingCommunity #amwriting

In a movie, there’s an exciting launch incident that pushes the viewer straight into things… But when you tell an anecdote to friends, you don’t start your storytelling in the same way, do you? You don’t say: “Pans and lids flying… sounds of crashes, police cars howling in the night. People screaming with foreign accents. Pandemonium. Hot and sticky, I need to get away. I can’t think straight.…

Ten folkloric monsters that you (probably) haven’t encountered before

Are you looking for unusual monsters and less frequently referenced mythological beasts? Check out this list of weirder, rarer, and singularly uncommon creatures for your next fantasy inspiration. 1: Almaz The Almaz (above) are evil creatures of the forest with magical powers. The Almaz female is very beautiful with large breasts and golden hair, and she dances naked in the moonlight. A certain…

JOE BONAMASSA @JBONAMASSA #NowServing #RoyalTea #LiveFromTheRyman @theryman @MLG_Rocks

The consistently impeccable blues-rock overachiever & flawless international guitar-hero JOE BONAMASSA recently gave a paradigm-shifting performance from Nashville’s most iconic live concert venue, the venerable and distinguished Ryman Auditorium (aka the Grand Ole Opry House). You now have the opportunity of owning a re-mixed and mastered physical recording of this very special show. The Ryman…

WHEN RIVERS MEET @WhenRiversMee #BestBluesAlbum #EmergingBluesArtist #BluesBandOfTheYear #UKBLUESAWARDS @UKBluesFed

The indefatigable and enterprising British blues-rock husband & wife duo WHEN RIVERS MEET (Aaron and Grace Bond) are the first British Blues band to win four awards in the same year! They achieved the accolade at the UK Blues Awards, held in London last night. Hosted by the legendary Blues musician Paul Jones, the band won “Best Blues Album Of The Year”, “Blues Band Of The Year”, “Emerging…

Maypoles, May Queens, May Day, and May the Month of Flowers and Magic

When I was a young kid, growing up in poor, post-war South London on the edges of the County of Surrey, each April we rehearsed MAY POLE DANCING. (If you wish, you can read all about my 1950s exploits in South London in the novel “The Sisterationship: A Charlatan’s Story” — a suburban folk-tale about a plain-clothes Nun… and I feature in it!) Maypole dancing was a mandatory activity (which I…

Agathodemoning – asking good spirits to do our magical bidding Alchemy – changing the fundamental substance of elements (or matter) Angelspeak  – communicating with lesser deities and messengers (angels) Apotropaism & countercharms – defense against demons, ghosts, and evil sorcerers using magic Apportation or bilocation (psychic ability to be in two places or more at once) Astral projection…