Mother Shipton Missing

Either a very brave or a very stupid person has stolen a Mother Shipton statue from her perch in the Images section of the museum. We're not sure how long she's been gone but most things stolen from us return sooner or later due to strange happenings to the thief. So beware if you see one on ebay - it may or may not be ours. I attach a photograph of the missing statue and the spot where she once stood.

Occult Art Website Down

Those of you wanting to purchase online museum goods over the wekkend may have to check back in a day or two as the website is undergoing some work - while the host is being changed over the site will be downm but we hope to get it back up asap. This is all gearing up for a new look website in the very near future.

A Walk Through The Occult Reliquary

Graham is so happy with how The Occult Reliquary has turned out he's made a video outlining the contents.

West Country Witches

We are keenly awaiting the new book by Mike Howard, 'West Country Witches', which is due out next month. It is being published by Three Hands Press who have just launched 'The Occult Reliquary' for The Museum of Witchcraft. In this book Mike examines the witchcraft and sorcery practised by historical witches, charmers, cunning folk and pellars of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and also the faery lore of these counties. Should be a good read!

Stolen Guide Books

Very busy in the museum at the moment as you can imagine so it was really irritating to discover that someone had stolen our large print guide books yesterday. We provide the guides for those who have difficulty with reading small print as part of our programme to be as accessible as possible for those with a disability. Graham had to spend most of the day redoing the guides as they had disappeared from the computer. I wonder how long it will take for them to be returned - most things that are stolen from the museum are returned quite soon - I have no idea why!!:)))

The Occult Reliquary

The long awaited Occult Reliquary featuring images and artifacts from the Richel Eldermans Collection has arrived and is available from the museum or from The Occult Art Company. The Special and Deluxe versions have sold out (although we may have another small allocation in 2 weeks time) but we have a number of standard editions available at £84.00 each. They are selling very fast so, if you are interested, get your order in quickly to avoid disappointment.

Occult Reliquary Released

Hoorah!! The Occult Reliquary (book featuring the Richel Eldermans images) has arrived in store at the Museum. Th collection comes from the Netherlands and the images mainly relate to ritual/sex magic along with mandrakes, pendulums and secret societies. The Special Edition sold out before its release but ther are some deluxe & standard editions avaialble from the Museum & shortly online at The Occult Art Company. I'll pop some photos on shortly.

The Occult Reliquary

Just had news that the much anticipated book 'The Occult reliquary' has just been shipped from the US & hopefully will be with us in a couple of weeks.

This book by Three Hands Press is based around the Richel Eldermans collection of images. The Special Edition has already sold out. Those who have preordered their copies will receive notification as soon as they arrive.

Wicked Enchantments Review

Graham found a review of Joyce's book on Tara Hanks' website & thought you might like to take a look.

here 'tis

http://tarahanks.com/2010/07/24/wicked-enchantments/

US students

We had a great time with the students from New Jersey who recently came over to assist with our database. They were extremely friendly, helpful & professional - a credit to their Professor, the lovely Shelley. We had a couple of excursions out & about - walked the coast path to Tintagel & went out to Stannen Stone Circle & the Logan stone nearby. I think we'll see a few of them back next year. Here are a few pics of the dewds out & about. Graham couldn't control his urge to have a bit of a rockarama on the Logan stone himself.

Knit for a spell

We're thinking of doing a few videos to put on the site so this is our first try to see if it works. It's a piece about the glass knitting needles in the museum, a bit about how you use them, how to get them. We'll be doing more if people find them interesting.  

                                         

Trigg Morris Men come to Boscastle

On the 8th JULY 2010 Trigg Morris will be in BOSCASTLE at THE NAPOLEON INN at 8pm then on the BRIDGE at 9pm. The MUSIC & SINGING SESSION will follow at THE COBWEB.

They look forward to seeing both old and new friends and supporters.

New Book Donations

Two authors have recently donated their latest books to the museum library. Emma Wilby’s book ‘The Visions of Isobel Gowdie’ includes a full transcript of the Scottish witch Isobel Gowdie’s famous, but often misunderstood, confession. It also contains a wealth of other material such as examples of fairy lore in trial records. Like Emma’s previous book, ‘Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits’, it is a fascinating and insightful study, and explores the connections between early modern magic and shamanic traditions.

After reading about Joyce’s book, Mary Sharratt, who lives near Pendle, has sent us her novel ‘Daughters of the Witching Hill’, which tells the story of the Pendle case from the point of view of two of the suspects, Elizabeth Southerns and her granddaughter Alizon Device. It is a moving account, which conveys the toughness and resourcefulness of cunning folk, and contains some wonderfully evocative and convincing descriptions of magic. Mary has also posted an atmospheric documentary filmed at Pendle on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBQMzRkeTiI&feature=related

Thank you, Emma and Mary!

T shirts Summer Sale Online

Fans of the Museum of Witchcraft T shirt can now get a reduced rate online for V necks - normally £12.00 down to £10.00 & there is free postage on all T shirts for the summer too.

Order through The Occult Art Company

Busy Painting

Graham took advantage of a fine weekend to do a bit of retouching to the outer door. Here he is, brush in hand, preparing the surface for his upcoming artistic skills.

Wicked Enchantments Launch bash

Here are a few photos of Joyce's book launch last Saturday. We had around 45 people attending - a glass of wine on arrival followed by a 30 minute talk by Joyce & her glamorous assistant Kerriann in the upstairs gallery, then onto The Wellington Hotel for a bevvie & a meal. Quite a number of her books were sold to the adoring public so we can't wait to hear what they think. Thanks to Harbour Lights cafe across the car park for lending us their chairs. Deborah, the membership secretary for Friends, came down to help out in the booth on the day. We'll soonn be selling some of her fabulous amber & jet necklaces in the shop along with her herbal bath products. We aslo have some interesting publishing ideas of our own - we'll keep you posted when things are happening.

Thanks to Beltane Bash Attendees

Just want to say a big thank you to Dee Pearce (who was responsible for coordinating the fundraiser for Friends of the Museum) & all those who attended last weekend's Beltane Bash in London. Fifty pounds was raised thanks to the generosity of the attendees. This will go towards the upkeep of the archives in the museum. Hoorah!!!:))

Countdown to Wicked Enchantments Cornwall Launch

Joyce is getting very excited about her Museum book launch on Saturday night - remember she'll be signing books throughout the day & giving a talk at the museum at 630pm followed by an informal gathering & witchy menu Saturday night at The Welly Hotel in the upper gallery.

Generous donor gives books to Library

Attached is a photo of the books donated to us by 'a generous donor from the west coast of the U.S.' Thank you for your generous donation!

Meet Pendle’s black magic woman - Lifestyle - lep.co.uk

Meet Pendle’s black magic woman - Lifestyle - lep.co.uk