#val thomas

Restocks on Troy books!

One named deity, who appears to have been venerated towards the end of the Romano-British period, is Faunus, a Roman god of fields and woodland, of nature, fertility and oracles, who is not unlike the Greek god, Pan. The name Faunus is found on twelve of the thirty-three exquisite, inscribed silver spoons, which form part of the hoard known as the Thetford Treasure, discovered in 1979, at Gallows Hill, just North of Thetford (Johns and Potter, 1983). The site had been a ceremonial complex, dating back to the Bronze Age, but rebuilt at around the time Claudius invaded Britain. The area is near the old Iceni tribal boundary, and the route of the Icknield Way, where many travellers would have passed by (Nash Briggs, 2012).

The spoons, thought to have been made for ritual use of a close-knit group of worshippers of Faunus, include epithets describing him as "Noble" or "Lord", "God of Hoards", "Bringer of Spring Blossoms", "Giver of Plenty" and "Shelterer" or "Protector" (Jackson, 1983). These epithets could just as easily be applied to the Lord of Norfolk and have been used in this way in our rituals. Amongst the other objects in the hoard are a ring with a horned face depicted on the bezel, and another with two Woodpeckers, probably a reference to Picus, the Woodpecker God who was father to Faunus. It is possible that the rites of Faunus may have been celebrated in natural places, rather than elaborate temples, with feasting, drinking and ecstatic practices (Johns and Potter, 1983; Marsden, personal communication).

Some archaeologists have suggested that Faunus was the Latin name applied to a more local Earth deity. This might be the character depicted on some Iceni coins, with grain in his hair and beard, and sometimes Ash leaves around him. He is also associated with the Wolf and the Boar (Nash Briggs, 2012). There has even been a suggestion that the practitioners whose magical names are also tantalisingly inscribed on the spoons, may have been part of a witch cult (Johns and Potter, 1983).”

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Of Chalk & Flint:

A Way of Norfolk Magic

Chapter Three: ‘Spiritual Beings’

It's here! The paperback edition of Hallowtide: A Dark Devotional by Val Thomas from Troy Books and we have copies in the shop right now! Take a magical adventure through the dark season of Hallowtide between Halloween and Martinmas. Explore the energy and movement at this time with rituals and spells that touch on loss, reflection, folklore, and personal practice building. Follow the link to our website in our profile.

Big restock from Troy Books at the US based Spiral House Shop at Portland Button Works!

Check out all of the books we carry from Troy Books here.

New for May 2024 in the Spiral House Shop at Portland Button Works!

Hallowtide: A Dark Devotional by Val Thomas

Alive with Spirits: Deepen Your Witchcraft Through Animism by Althaea Sebastiani

Brainscan Zine #29

Fixer Eraser #7

Stapled Spine #23

Treasury of Folklore: Stars and Skies - Explore Myths and Mysteries of the Night Sky

Pagan Britain: A History by Ronald Hutton

I Wish to Say Lovely Things by Adam Gnade

Gardener's Folklore: Ancient Secrets for Gardening Magic by Margaret Baker

Hellebore #11: Unveiling the Dark Magic of Animals in Folk Horror

Scott Cunningham-The Path Taken: Honoring the Life and Legacy of a Wiccan Trailblazer by Christine Cunningham-Ashworth

It's bee awhile since I posted an update here, but we've been updating the website all the time! Here's whats new in the PBW Witch Shop catalog for July 1, 2021

The Charmers' Psalter by Gemma Gary

Of Chalk and Flint: A Way of Norfolk Magic by Val Thomas

Rituals & Declarations Vol.2 Iss. 2 Spring 2021

The Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keeps to Successful Socery by Jason Miller

Financial Sorcery: Magical Strategies to Create Real and Lasting Wealth by Jason Miller

The Folklore Cookbook: Fairy Tales and Recipes by Eric Johnson

Morbid Magic: Death Spirituality and Culture from Around the World by Tomás Prower

Rebel Witch: Carve the Craft That's Yours Alone by Kelly-Ann Maddox

Runa: The Wisdom of the Runes by A.D. Mercer

Grimoire Silvanus Zine Issue 3

Wassailing: The British Midwinter Blessing Custom by Simon Reed

ALSO!

July is International Zine Month!

All orders that contain zines will come with a free International Zine Month mini poster made by Alex Wrekk! It has an activity each day for the whole month!

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Of Chalk & Flint:

A Way of Norfolk Magic

Of Chalk & Flint:

A Way of Norfolk Magic