Title: Books and Bewitchment Author: Isla Jewell Publisher: Titan Books Publication Date: 3 February 2026 Genre: Cosy Fantasy / Romantasy / Witchy Fiction / Small Town Fantasy / Chick Lit
Because some bookshops have a little bit of extra magick.
Witchcraft and bookshops are two of my favoutite things so a stroyline surrounding both of these things meant I couldn’t leave this book on the shelf.
Rhea Wolfe is living a fairly ordinary life in Alabama with her pet parrot when her estranged grandmother dies, leaving her an inheritance in the magical mountain town of Arcadia Falls. Along with discovering she’s descended from witches, she inherits a run-down old video store from her Grandmother that she decides to turn into the bookshop she’s always dreamed of owning.
Of course, things are never quite that simple. The shop needs a lot of work, and luckily Hunter Blakely, the handsome local handyman, is there to help bring Rhea’s dream to life. The only problem? He’s the grandson of her grandmother’s sworn enemy, because apparently even witches can’t escape a bit of family drama. Not to mention the fact that Rhea’s pet parrot now holds the spirit of Grannie dearest.
I really enjoyed Rhea as a character. Her ability to find a book quote or pun for almost every situation added so much humour and felt very true to her personality. I loved watching her slowly find her place in Arcadia Falls, build new friendships and realise that family isn’t always just about who you’re born to, but the people who choose to stand beside you.
Being from the UK and never having visited the Deep South, I do now have one very important question… what exactly are boiled peanuts? They were mentioned so many times that I now feel like I need to try them just to understand what I’ve been missing!
My only slight issue was Rhea’s relationship with her sisters. I couldn’t really understand why she felt responsible for two grown women who who should have been taking accountabiliy for their own lives. In fact, I didn’t really see why they needed to be in the story at all, unless there’s going be a sequel or a whole Arcadia Falls series in which the sisters come in to it more and have theit own story arks and this was just a way of introducing their characters…
In essence, this was a cosy comfort read filled with charm, magic and the promise of new beginnings. I won’t lie, it left me wanting to visit Arcadia Falls… and secretly hoping a long lost relative might leave me a magical inheritance too.
Title: The First Witches Club Author: Maisey Yates Publisher: Montlake Publication Date: 1 March 2026 Genre: Cosy Fantasy / Women’s Fiction / Romance / Witchcraft / Chick Lit
Because every woman deserves to find her coven.
I’ll be honest, it’s very rare that you’ll find me watching a feel good comedy, I’m much more of a horror girl but every now and again, I’ll be in the mood for something light and I absolutely loved The First Wives Club when I watched it, maybe due to the fast it has such an iconic cast, so when I stumbled across this book, the title alone had me interested, and thankfully this clever play on words didn’t disappoint.
The story follows three former high school frenemies – Nora, Daisy and Soraya, who find their way back to each other in their 30’s after their marriages fall apart. Somehow they all end up working at the mysterious, Lady’s Mantle Apothecary that seems to have popped uo in town out of nowhere, and from there the magic really begins.
This is a story about women lifting each other up and finding the support system they didn’t know they needed. Their little coven becomes a place of healing, friendship and second chances and I loved watching those relationships grow.
There are plenty of spells, a few disastrous consequences, lots of working through personal baggage, and, of course, the comforting feeling that everything will work out for the best in the end.
I really enjoyed the tarot aspect, woven throughout the story. It especially resonated with me because I’m on my own tarot learning journey at the moment and I’ve started spotting tarot personalities in people I meet. If that sounds a bit odd, keep reading, it’ll make perfect sense by the final chapters!
Was it a little predictable? Yes. But then, what cosy comfort read isn’t? Sometimes that’s exactly what you want. I closed the book wishing I could pop into that apothecary for a cup of tea… and maybe leave with a spell or two.
A charming, magical read full of friendship, healing and just enough witchy fun to leave you smiling.
Don’t get me wrong, wandering around in the countryside is lovely, but if there’s a bit of history, mythology or a forgotten goddess waiting to be found, I’m all the more invested.
So, after a recent task to research the goddess Coventina, and finding out she has a well in Northumberland, a few of the ‘Coven’ members who are also in a seperate Witchy Walks WhatsApp group, decided there was only one thing for it – we had to go in search of it ourselves.
We parked in the Brocolitia car park, which was £6 for the day and is right next to the Temple of Mithras. Before we’d gone, I’d found a route on OS Maps that someone had created. It was a nice loop that promised not only Coventina’s Well but also two stone circles. It sounded perfect.
Well… almost.
We wandered past the Temple of Mithras, following the little arrow on the map, expecting we’d come across the stone marking the well fairly quickly.
We didn’t. Not even slightly.
We slowed down, looked around, wondered if we’d somehow missed it, but the map kept telling us to carry on, so we did.
We carried on following the route, which soon took us away from the main path and into fields full of sheep. There were definitely more sheep than people out there! Then we spotted the tiniest little froglet ever. Honestly, it was so tiny, and of course we all had to stop and admire it. It’s funny how something so small can become one of the highlights of the day, but it really was adorable.
Eventually we reached the first stone circle.
Now… maybe I’m just spoiled as having visited Stonehenge and Avebury last month, perhaps my expectations were a little unrealistic, but this stone circle was… tiny. Very tiny. Blink-and-you’d-miss-it tiny.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still fascinating to think how old it is, but if you’re expecting something dramatic, you might be a little disappointed.
We carried on to the second stone circle and stopped for lunch before looping back towards where we’d started.
And finally…
We found Coventina’s well.
Or rather, we found the stone that marks where her well once was.
Actually, that’s also not entirely true. We found the sheep’s skull that somebody had balanced on top of the stone. Without that, I’m not convinced we’d have spotted it at all.
Who Was Coventina?
Coventina wasn’t one of the big Roman gods that everyone has heard of. She was a local Celtic goddess of springs and sacred waters, worshipped here in the North East long before the Romans arrived. When they built Hadrian’s Wall and the nearby fort at Brocolitia, they didn’t replace her with one of their own deities, they adopted her instead.
Her sacred well became an important place of worship, and over the years people left thousands of offerings in the water. Archaeologists have uncovered coins, jewellery, pottery, sculptures and beautifully carved altars dedicated to her. Some people would have come hoping for healing, others for protection, and some simply to ask for a little luck from the goddess of the spring.
I love that she was so tied to this particular place. She wasn’t worshipped across the whole Roman Empire, she was native to here in the North East of England.
Knowing all of that made it a little sadder, standing there looking at… well… a stone.
No plaque. No information board. Nothing with her name on it.
If we hadn’t spent time researching the location of the well before our walk, watching various YouTube videos trying to work out exactly where the well was, being forewarned in them that it’s hard to find, we’d have probably given up.
I couldn’t help wondering if things would be different if she’d been a god instead of a goddess. Male rather than female. Perhaps there’d be a sign explaining who she was. Maybe there’d be something celebrating the fact that this is one of the most important Romano-British religious sites ever discovered. I’m pretty sure there would be a plaque marking the spot at the very least…
Instead, unless you already know her story, she’s almost invisible.
The hiker in me that loves to be out where there are no other people around, loves that Coventina’s Well, is tucked away amongst the fields, an ancient secret lost in time.
But another part of me wishes her story was a little less of a well kept secret.
For those of us who love folklore, mythology and the old gods, places like this feel special. There’s something magical about standing where people have come for nearly 2,000 years to honour a goddess, even if all that’s left to mark the spot is a weathered stone… and a sheep’s skull.
The route was supposed to be around 11 miles but somehow, by the time we’d finished, we’d clocked up over 14 due to having gone a little off-piste a few times because we were too busy chatting to pay attention to the map (I’ll take the blame for that one being as I had the map!) and partly because we’d zigzagged trying to find Coventina’s Well. The funniest part? It actually turned out to be right next to the car park where we’d started!
I did have one moment where I quietly wondered what one of the group who hadn’t been out on one of our Witchy Walks before must have been thinking. Was she starting to wonder if we actually knew where we were going, or if she’d ever see the car park again? Hopefully the extra mileage didn’t put her off, and she’ll trust us enough to join another walk soon…
Visiting Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.
When one of my best friends and I booked a girls’ trip to Glastonbury, I realised the dates were just after the solstice. It honestly felt like the universe was giving us a little nudge to add Stonehenge onto the beginning of our adventure. How could we not?
So on the morning of the solstice, I travelled all the way from the North East of England down to Hampshire where she lives. The journey was surprisingly painless until I hit the M25… That’s one thing I definitely don’t miss about living in London – trying to get anywhere on that motorway! Thankfully once I’d escaped that particular circle of hell the rest of the journey was easy.
After dropping my bags at my friend’s house we headed over to Salisbury to catch one of the shuttle buses to Stonehenge.
There were long queues for the buses but they moved surprisingly quickly. The shuttle costs £10 each way so in hindsight it would actually have been cheaper to pre book parking at Stonehenge through English Heritage for £25. We’d avoided driving because we assumed the roads would be absolute chaos around the solstice but they were actually fine. Lesson learned for next time!
Armed with backpacks full of snacks, blankets, extra layers and of course my drum we finally arrived at the site.
The longest queue of the evening was for the security bag check where they were making sure nobody was bringing in alcohol, illegal substances, glass or weapons.
As for me? There was no chance of me trying to sneak alcohol in. I didn’t drink a thing all day, alcoholic or otherwise, not because I was trying to be sensible but because I absolutely hate portaloos. My strategy was simple. Don’t drink, don’t need the toilet. Unfortunately once I break the wee seal ,I pee for England!
I did end up using the loos twice and honestly they weren’t nearly as horrific as I’d imagined. They’re still one of the main reasons I avoid festivals though. Well, that and the crowds.
Speaking of crowds…
Yes there were thousands of people there and although I usually like to place myself out in the wilderness, surrounded by nature and minimal people, I was more than willing to brave the crowds this once for the chance to get up close to the stones.
Summer and Winter Solstice are the only times of year you’re allowed to walk right up to Stonehenge. The rest of the year the stones are roped off unless you pay for one of the exclusive Stone Circle Experiences through English Heritage and that applies even if you’re an English Heritage member.
We arrived just as the sun was beginning to set and found ourselves a little spot to lay our blankets. It was close enough to enjoy the atmosphere but far enough away that we thought nobody would trip over us.
We were wrong, there was a point during the night where a woman stumbled straight across our blankets and stood directly on my drum.
Thankfully the drum survived.
As darkness fell we wandered into the stone circle itself. Finally being able to reach out and touch the stones was incredibly special. There was drumming, chanting, people meditating and people celebrating. It felt unlike anywhere I’d ever been before.
By around midnight exhaustion or old age caught up with us, it’s been a long time since I last partied all night… So wrapped in our blankets beneath a sky full of stars we somehow managed to get a few hours’ sleep.
I’m actually a huge fan of camping, usually with a tent, but there was something pretty magical about sleeping out in the open with Stonehenge only a few metres away. Every time I opened my eyes during the night the stones somehow seemed closer than before.
My imagination? Maybe.
Magic? 100%.
Nature certainly made its presence known too.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m not exactly the biggest fan of creepy crawlies. Thankfully it was too dark to spot any spiders. What we did have however were hundreds of cockchafers buzzing around. Weirdly though, I actually think they’re quite cute. Those fluffy little antennae make them look like tiny fairy bugs… Well until one flies directly into your hair.
Ah yes. Being at one with nature.
At around 4am we both woke up naturally as the sky began to brighten and the crowd’s energy grew more electric.
People slowly started gathering around the Heel Stone waiting for sunrise.
Then it happened.
Watching the sun rise perfectly between the ancient stones is one of those moments that’s impossible to fully capture in words or photographs. There’s a reason people have gathered here for thousands of years. Whether you’re there for the history, the spirituality, the atmosphere or simply curiosity it’s an incredibly moving experience.
It was everything I’d hoped it would be.
Nobody knows for certain why Stonehenge was built and I think that’s part of what makes it so fascinating. Was it a place of worship? A giant calendar marking the changing seasons? A site for ceremonies or healing? All of the above or something we haven’t even thought of yet? There are plenty of theories but no definitive answers.
Standing there among the stones though, none of that really seemed to matter. There was something incredibly humbling about knowing I was walking the same ground as the people who built this incredible monument thousands of years ago.
Running my hands across the stones they had carefully placed all those centuries ago made me feel connected, if only for a moment, to the ancient wisdom and mystery of those who came before us.
Stonehenge at Summer Solstice had been on my bucket list for years and I’m so grateful I finally got to experience it, especially alongside one of my best friends.
Would I Go Again?
Absolutely.
Despite the crowds. Despite the portaloos. Despite nearly losing my drum to a drunken stranger.
That being said, I probably wouldn’t stay overnight a second time.
If I were to do it again I’d pre book parking through English Heritage, arrive around 3 or 4am, watch the sunrise, soak up the atmosphere for a few more hours and leave when the site closes at around 10am.
But for a first visit?
Sleeping beneath the stars beside one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments was something I’ll never forget.
Imagine this, hiking on a warm summer’s day, sunlight dappling through the trees, the gentle sound of a stream trickling alongside your path, birdsong overhead, leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Sounds like something from a guided meditation doesn’t it?
Well backtrack to 1612 and the atmosphere in this very same spot would have been very different.
This is Pendle, a landscape forever marked by the Pendle Witch Trials, a tragic chapter in history that saw twelve people accused of witchcraft, marched over 50 miles to Lancaster and ultimately tried for their lives. Their supposed crimes? Often nothing more than poverty, herbal knowledge or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Today, their path has become a trail of remembrance and reflection known as the Pendle Witches Walk. Stretching from Barrowford to Lancaster, the route guides you through rolling moorland, sleepy villages and ancient woodland, inviting you to walk not just through nature but through time itself.
The Pendle Witch Trials remain one of the most infamous witch trials in English history. Taking place in a time of deep superstition, religious tension and fear of the unknown. The trials led to the execution of ten people who were accused of practicing witchcraft, consorting with the Devil and causing harm through curses and spells.
The accused came from two impoverished families both led by wily, old matriarchs – the Demdikes and the Chattoxes, both of whom had long standing reputations as local “cunning folk” that people believed to possess magical or healing abilities. These were often herbalists or folk healers, mostly women, who lived on the fringes of society and were equally as sought out as they were feared by their neighbours.
The accusations spiralled when in March 1612, Alison Device, a young woman from the Demdike family allegedly cursed a peddler who then suffered a stroke. This triggered a wave of suspicion and blame that ultimately led to the investigation.
Alison was hauled in front of the local magistrate and in confusion, ends up not only confessing but also incriminating her Grandmother, Demdike and her local rival Chattox. In April 1612, The two are interrogated at Ashlar House and maybe to enhance their reputations, try to outdo each other with their stories including one of meeting the devil in a quarry ending up with them being committed for trial for witchcraft and incarcerated at Lancaster Castle.
Then on Good Friday, other members of the Demdike and Device families meet at Malkin Tower – which you can see in the distance during the walk, and feast on stolen mutton, a local constable is called and the group at the alleged ‘witches sabbath’ meeting are accused of plotting to free the imprisoned women and blow up the castle, they are also then rounded up and imprisoned.
In August 1612, the trial begins and the prosecution’s star witness is Jennet Device who in court, identifies those who attended the Good Friday meeting, including her mother Elizabeth and Alice Nutter who was a woman who stood apart from the others due to her relative wealth and social standing. Alice came from a respected Catholic family, a detail that many believe played a key role in her arrest. At a time when anti-Catholic sentiment was rife under Protestant rule, and with King James I fuelling nationwide fear through his obsession with witch hunting, her faith may have made her an easy target. The evidence presented against her and against many of the accused was dubious at best, often based on rumour, the testimonies of children or confessions extracted under duress but the evidence, the confessions already given and the pressure of the prosecutors, keen to ingratiate themselves to James I, meant the trial was over in just three days.
All of the ‘guilty’ were hanged apart from Demdike who died as a prisoner before the trial.
Their fate was sealed not by proof, but by paranoia and prejudice. Only one of the accused, Alice Grey was found not guilty, and another, Jennet Preston, had already been tried and executed in York.
Today, their story is a powerful reminder of how fear, social divides and unchecked authority can lead to devastating injustice.
Walking through the fields and hill that these women once walked, you can still feel their presence in the air, their stories echoing through time.
The section of the walk I did was an 8.5 mile circular route which is one of ITV’s Britain’s Favourite 100 Walks list and you can find the route on the OS maps app which I thoroughly recommend if you’re planning to hike anywhere, you just find your route, follow the arrow, it’s impossible to get lost.
Parking is available at the visitor centre in Barley which sits right at the heart of the figure of eight style hiking route making it an ideal starting point for your walk. Directly opposite is The Pendle Inn which also offers parking for patrons and serves as the perfect base if you’re visiting from out of town. Nestled beneath the dramatic rise of Pendle Hill, the inn offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere, hearty food (I recommend the tomato soup, it was delicious), local ales and comfortable chalet accommodation which is ideal for resting and recharging after a day on the trail.
As you walk through the village of Roughlee, you’ll pass a bronze statue of Alice Nutter, one of the twelve accused in the infamous Pendle Witch Trials. She stands tall and dignified and invites you to remember the real people behind the legends.
As you continue, you’ll notice many pointers with depictions of witched on them placed thoughtfully along the route.
As you pass through Newchurch Village, make sure you stop at Witches Galore, a shop filled with spooky merchandise to pick up some souvenirs, I personally couldn’t resist a little cast iron cauldron, a tea towel depicting Pendle’s witchy history and a copy of my favourite childhood story, Gobbolino the Witches Cat by Ursula Moray Williams.
The path winds through winding country lanes, open fields, and timeless stone villages, so whether you’re drawn by curiosity, history, or healing, this stretch of the walk offers more than just scenery, it offers a connection to voices long past and a gentle reminder that their story still lives on.
Although the Pendle Hill peak isn’t part of the hike, it’s not too far off piste so if you’re feeling energetic you can make your way to the top.
Climbing Pendle Hill is a spiritual experience all of it’s own. The ascent is steep but rewarding. At the summit you can experience breathtaking views that are more than a reward for your physical effort. There’s something about standing up there that moves something in the soul.
If you’re looking for a much spookier atmosphere, I’ve also hiked the same trail on a cold and frosty January and it was an entirely different experience. Gone were the soft greens and golden light of summer, instead, the landscape felt much more raw and untamed. Pendle Hill loomed darker and foreboding, bare branches reached out like skeletal fingers and the fields were patched with frost that crunched underfoot. Even the sheep with their wooly winter coats looked cold. What felt gentle and inviting in the warmth of summer took on a bleaker, more haunting quality.
The paths themselves were harder going, spectacularly muddy in parts to the point where my hiking boots were well and truly submerged and the villages, quiet at the best of times, seemed almost deserted. Even Witches Galore, normally a lively and bustling place, felt quieter as I walked around minus my muddy hiking boots which I left at the door.
Whatever season you choose to walk the Pendle Witches Trail, there’s a sense that the land holds these women’s memory. You feel as though the earth remembers them, that the energy of those silenced centuries ago still lingers like an imprint, carried on the wind and underfoot with every step you take.
Even in the brightest summer light, you can feel the shadow of those who walked here before you, a quiet echo in the rustle of leaves or the sigh of the wind across the moor. You imagine their footsteps along the stiles and across the fields, and it’s impossible not to think of how differently their lives might have turned out in another time.
Whether you go to Pendle seeking connection with history, with nature or with yourself, the Pendle Witches Walk offers more than just a hike. It’s a pilgrimage, a tribute to the strength of the women or ‘witches’ who walked this landscape all those years ago and a walk where each footstep honours those who were silenced.
The Pendle Heritage Centre is also worth a visit, as well as exhibits on the trials, it also has a lovely walled garden, a fairy trail and a café and if you have time, Lancaster Castle isn’t far and should also be on your to do list whilst you’re in the area if you want to see where the women were held.
If you want to follow the route we took, download OS Maps and click on the link below.
Beltane, traditionally celebrated on May 1st, sits at the midpoint between spring and summer in the old Celtic seasonal cycle. It marks a time when the land is thought to be fully awakening, growth is vigorous, blossom is abundant and the boundary between the everyday world and the “otherworld” is said, in folklore, to become thinner.
In many folk traditions across Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Britain, this is the season when faeries, nature spirits, and elemental beings are most active. Whether understood literally, symbolically or as part of a poetic way of relating to nature, Beltane carries a strong sense of life-force, fertility and enchantment returning to the land.
Beltane and the “thin places”
In older Celtic belief, certain times of year (Beltane and Samhain especially) were considered liminal – threshold moments when ordinary boundaries loosen. At Beltane, this “thinness” is associated with blossoming hedgerows, rising sap and the first full warmth of the sun.
Folklore describes faeries not as cartoon-like figures, but as ambiguous nature intelligences, sometimes helpful, sometimes mischievous, often deeply tied to place: a hill, a spring, a tree, a stone or a garden left undisturbed long enough to feel wild again.
Nature spirits, elementals, and gardens
In later occult and esoteric traditions, these beings are often grouped as “nature spirits” or “elementals” connected with earth, air, fire and water. In that framework:
Earth spirits are linked with soil, roots, stones and slow-growing plants
Water spirits with ponds, rain, dew and moist shade
Air spirits with wind, scent, seeds and birds
Fire spirits with sunlight, warmth, flowering and transformation
A garden becomes, symbolically, a meeting place of all four.
Whether you take this literally or as a meditative way of engaging with ecology, the underlying idea is the same: a garden becomes more “alive” when it is diverse, layered and gently tended rather than overly controlled.
Plants and flowers associated with faerie lore
Traditional folklore and later herbal magic often associate certain plants with faeries or liminal energy. Common examples include:
Hawthorn – strongly tied to faerie folklore in Britain and Ireland; often considered a boundary tree between worlds
Rowan – protective in folk tradition, often planted near homes
Foxglove – associated with faerie gloves or “fairy thimbles” in some stories
Lavender – calming, aromatic, often linked to purification and gentle attraction
Chamomile – used in old herb lore for peaceful, sunny garden energy
Primrose – early spring bloom associated with thresholds and hidden paths
Bluebells – said in folklore to ring or call faeries (especially in woodland traditions)
Thyme – historically linked with fair folk and dreamlike states
A key theme in folklore is not just the plant itself, but the feeling of the plant – fragrance, wildness and slightly untamed growth.
How people traditionally “invite” faerie presence into gardens
In folk belief systems, attraction is less about control and more about invitation. Practices often described include:
Letting parts of the garden grow a little wild (especially corners, hedges, or under trees)
Planting a mix of flowering herbs and native wildflowers
Keeping a small water source like a bowl, birdbath or pond
Avoiding harsh chemical treatments that “sterilise” the land in symbolic terms
Creating small sheltered spaces: stone circles, log piles or leafy archways
At Beltane especially, gardens are often decorated with flowers, ribbons or fresh greenery – echoing older customs of bringing spring indoors and honouring the vitality of the season.
Hag stones and “seeing through”
A hag stone is a naturally occurring stone with a hole formed by water erosion. In British and Celtic folklore, these stones are often carried or hung for protection and, in some traditions, for “second sight” – the ability to glimpse hidden things.
In faerie folklore specifically, looking through a hag stone is said to allow a person to see beyond ordinary appearance – whether that means faeries, spirits of place or simply a heightened awareness of detail in nature. A more grounded interpretation is that it functions as a ritual object that focuses attention: you quite literally frame the world differently when you look through it.
Hag stones are often placed:
Hanging in garden trees or gates
Near doorways or windows
By water features or quiet corners of a garden
A Beltane way of thinking about it
At its core, Beltane folklore is about relationship: between people and land, cultivated and wild, seen and unseen. Whether one believes in faeries as literal beings or as symbolic expressions of nature’s intelligence, the practices associated with them all point toward the same shift in attention—toward noticing life in hedges, soil, insects, wind, and bloom.
A garden shaped in that spirit isn’t “for” attracting anything in a transactional sense. It becomes more like a shared space: layered, slightly untamed and open to interpretation, especially in the bright, proliferating energy of late spring.
As spring deepens and the earth leans fully into her own becoming, we arrive at Beltane — a festival of fire, fertility, and fullness. Traditionally celebrated on May 1st, Beltane sits halfway between spring and summer, when everything feels alive with possibility. The hedgerows bloom, the air softens, and the world feels just a little more enchanted.
But beyond its roots in old seasonal traditions, Beltane can also be a gentle reminder: this is your season of aliveness, too.
The Energy of Beltane
Beltane is about ignition — not in a frantic or overwhelming way, but in the quiet, steady burn of becoming.
It’s the moment where things that were once just ideas begin to take shape. Where rest turns into movement. Where intention meets embodiment.
If winter asked you to slow down and spring asked you to awaken, Beltane asks you to participate.
Not perform. Not prove. Just participate in your own life again.
A Season of Sensory Self Care
Self care at Beltane doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, it works best when it’s rooted in the senses – in pleasure, presence, and simplicity.
Try thinking of self care as reconnection:
Let your skin feel the sun without rushing back indoors
Eat something fresh, colourful and healthy
Open your windows and actually listen to the world outside
Move your body in a way that feels like celebration, not punishment
Wear something that makes you feel a little more like yourself again
This is not about “fixing” anything. It’s about remembering you are already part of something living.
Fire as a Symbol, Not a Task
Beltane is traditionally associated with fire – bonfires, flames, warmth, transformation. You don’t need a literal fire to work with this energy. Instead, you can ask:
What is being illuminated in me right now?
What feels ready to be warmed, softened, or seen?
You might light a candle in the evening and sit with yourself for a few minutes. No agenda. No productivity. Just presence. Let the flame hold what you’ve been carrying.
Pleasure as a Practice
There is a quiet rebellion in allowing yourself to experience pleasure without guilt.
At Beltane, pleasure is not excess, it is alignment.
It can be as simple as:
drinking tea slowly instead of rushing it
resting in the sun and not apologising for it
Pleasure is not indulgence. It is remembering you are alive in a body that was made to feel.
A Small Beltane Ritual for You
If you want to honour this season gently, try this:
Find a quiet moment. Light a candle or sit near a window. Place your hand over your heart and ask:
What in me wants to come alive right now?
Don’t force an answer. Just listen.
Then whisper, softly:
I am allowed to grow. I am allowed to want more. I am allowed to be here.
There’s something quietly magical about watching the moon rise, seeing its soft glow spill across the world. For centuries people have turned to moon water as a way to capture that energy, to hold it in a tangible form and to bring intention into their daily lives.
What is Moon Water?
Moon water is essentially water that’s been left out in moonlight to absorb the moon’s energy but it’s more than that, it’s a reflection of intention, a moment of mindfulness, a way to mark the rhythm of the lunar cycle.
Personally I prefer glass jars because they feel clear and pure. Mason jars are fine, they don’t have to be anything fancy. Sometimes I add herbs or crystals that feel aligned with what I want to invite into my life. Lavender for calm, rose quartz for love, rosemary for clarity. If adding crystals, make sure they are non-toxic.
The Magic of the New Moon
The new moon has always felt like a breath held in silence, a beginning. When I charge water under the new moon, I focus on planting seeds. This is the time to set intentions for growth, creativity and transformation. I usually write down what I hope to nurture in the coming weeks and keep the jar nearby as a reminder. Drinking this water feels like drinking a promise to myself, a small ritual of commitment to the path I wish to follow.
The Energy of the Full Moon
Full moons are the opposite: a peak, a culmination, a bright illumination of what has grown and what needs attention. I use full moon water to release and reflect. I’ll sip it while journaling about patterns I want to let go of or spritz it around my room to cleanse the energy. There’s a clarity in full moon water that feels different from the new moon, it’s expansive, luminous and honest. Sometimes I step outside and pour a little into the earth as an offering, a way to honour the cycle of giving and receiving that feels deeply grounding.
Eclipse Water: Transformation in Motion
Eclipses bring a different rhythm altogether. There’s intensity in their energy, a feeling of acceleration and upheaval. Charging water during a solar or lunar eclipse feels like capturing a rare storm, a moment when hidden truths can surface. I often use eclipse water to meditate on transformation or to face shadows I might usually avoid. It’s potent but there is clarity in its intensity.
Storm Water: Wild and Unpredictable
Stepping away form the moon – Storm water is a newer practice I’ve embraced. infusing water during a storm feels different from moon water, it’s raw, untamed and alive with movement and energy. When I use storm water, I use it to infuse my intentions with courage and power. You could also collect rain water during a storm – but you probably don’t want to drink that…
How I Use Moon and Storm Water
Each type of charged water has its role in my practice:
Drinking it feels like absorbing intention, aligning body and mind.
Spritzing my space creates an atmosphere of focus, calm, or renewal.
Baths with moon water feel like a ritual of cleansing, a reminder to wash away what I no longer need.
Plant care becomes intentional, a small act of collaboration with nature.
Charging crystals or ritual tools amplifies the energy I am already working with.
For me, moon water and storm water are not about superstition but mindfulness. They are acts of reflection and devotion, ways to slow down, notice cycles and honour my connection to the natural world.
Creating moon and storm water has taught me patience, presence, and reverence. It is a small act that carries depth, a way to honour cycles in a world that rarely slows down. Whether it is the promise of the new moon, the clarity of the full moon, the intensity of an eclipse, or the wildness of a storm, each form of water teaches something different.
At the end of the day, the magic is not only in the water. it is in the pause, the intention and the awareness that accompanies its creation. Moon water is a reminder that energy flows, cycles repeat and we are part of a rhythm far larger than ourselves.
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the natural aroma and beneficial properties of flowers, leaves, seeds, bark, or roots. They have been used for centuries in holistic practices, aromatherapy, and self-care rituals. Essential oils are not only valued for their pleasant scents but also for their potential effects on emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.
Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can enhance relaxation, support mood, and promote balance in your mind and body. Understanding what each oil does allows you to choose the right one for your needs.
How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils interact with the body primarily through the sense of smell and skin absorption. When inhaled, their molecules stimulate the olfactory system and influence the limbic system in the brain, which is involved in emotions, memory, and stress regulation. When applied topically (usually diluted with a carrier oil), essential oils can be absorbed through the skin and may support circulation, skin health, or localized relaxation.
It is important to use essential oils safely: always dilute them when applying to skin, avoid ingestion unless under professional guidance, and be aware of any allergies or sensitivities.
Common Essential Oils and Their Wellbeing Benefits
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and is widely used for relaxation and stress relief. It can help reduce anxiety, promote calm sleep, and support emotional balance. Many people diffuse lavender in their bedroom before sleep or add a few drops to a warm bath for soothing effects.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil has a refreshing and invigorating scent. It is often used to boost focus, improve mental clarity, and reduce feelings of fatigue. Topically, diluted peppermint oil may support relief from muscle tension or headaches.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is known for its respiratory support. Its cooling and refreshing properties can help clear nasal passages, ease breathing, and support overall respiratory wellbeing. It is commonly used in diffusers or in steam inhalation.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil has uplifting and energizing properties. It is believed to enhance mood, promote mental clarity, and support digestion when used aromatically or in diluted topical blends. Its fresh citrus scent makes it a popular choice for daytime use.
Frankincense
Frankincense is often associated with meditation and spiritual practices. It may help reduce stress, support emotional balance, and encourage a sense of grounding. It can be applied topically in diluted blends or inhaled for calm focus during meditation.
Chamomile
Chamomile essential oil is valued for its calming and soothing effects. It may help reduce irritability, support restful sleep and ease tension. Chamomile blends are often used in bedtime routines or gentle massage oils.
Rosemary
Rosemary is an invigorating oil that may boost memory, mental clarity and concentration. It is often used during work or study sessions and can also support healthy circulation when applied topically in diluted forms.
Ways to Use Essential Oils
Diffusion: Add a few drops to a diffuser to disperse the aroma throughout a room.
Topical application: Mix with a carrier oil such as jojoba, almond or coconut oil and apply to skin, pulse points or areas of tension.
Baths: Add diluted essential oils to a warm bath to create a relaxing and aromatic experience.
Inhalation: Place a few drops on a tissue or cotton ball and inhale directly for quick relief or focus.
Household use: Some essential oils, like lemon or tea tree, can be added to cleaning solutions for a natural scent and antimicrobial support.
Essential oils are versatile tools for enhancing wellbeing. Their natural aromas can support relaxation, focus, energy and emotional balance. While they are not a replacement for medical care, they can complement self-care routines, meditation and stress management practices.
Exploring essential oils allows you to personalize your wellness routine. By understanding the benefits of different oils and using them safely, you can create a calming, energizing or balancing environment that supports both mind and body.
Essential Oil Blends for Wellbeing
Essential oils can be combined into blends to target specific needs such as stress relief, better sleep, increased energy, or improved focus. Blending oils allows their aromas and properties to work together for enhanced benefits. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying to skin. A general guideline is 3–5 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
Here are a few of my favourite blends.
Stress Relief Blend
Ingredients:
3 drops lavender
2 drops chamomile
1 drop frankincense
How to use:
Diffuse in your bedroom or living space during the day or before sleep
Add to a carrier oil and massage into the shoulders, neck or temples
Place a few drops on a tissue and inhale deeply when feeling overwhelmed
This blend promotes calm, reduces anxiety and supports emotional balance.
Sleep Support Blend
Ingredients:
3 drops lavender
2 drops chamomile
1 drop cedarwood (optional for grounding)
How to use:
Diffuse in the bedroom 30 minutes before bedtime
Add to a warm bath for a soothing pre-sleep ritual
Apply diluted to the bottoms of feet or wrists
This blend helps relax the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Energy and Uplift Blend
Ingredients:
3 drops lemon
2 drops peppermint
1 drop rosemary
How to use:
Diffuse in your workspace or morning routine to boost mood and alertness
Add to a carrier oil and apply to pulse points for a quick pick-me-up
Inhale directly from a tissue or cotton ball for an instant energy boost
This blend promotes motivation, positivity, and mental clarity.
Focus and Concentration Blend
Ingredients:
2 drops rosemary
2 drops peppermint
1 drop lemon
How to use:
Diffuse while studying or working to enhance mental clarity and concentration
Apply a diluted blend to temples, wrists or the back of the neck
Inhale deeply during brainstorming or planning sessions
This blend supports focus, memory retention, and clear thinking.
Grounding and Balance Blend
Ingredients:
2 drops frankincense
2 drops cedarwood
1 drop lavender
How to use:
Diffuse during meditation or yoga practice to create a calming and grounding atmosphere
Apply diluted to pulse points or the back of the neck during stressful moments
Add to a carrier oil and massage into feet or hands to restore balance
This blend encourages emotional stability, mindfulness, and a sense of centeredness.
Final Tips
Store blends in dark glass bottles to preserve potency
Label your blends with the date and ingredients
Experiment with ratios to find the aroma and effect that works best for you
Always perform a patch test before applying a new blend to skin
Using essential oil blends for wellbeing allows you to personalize your self-care routine and support your mind, body and emotional health naturally. Over time you can create a collection of blends for different purposes such as relaxation, energy, focus, or meditation.
By incorporating these blends into daily rituals, you can cultivate balance, clarity and positivity throughout your day.
Crystals absorb energy from the people and spaces around them. Because of this crystals should be cleansed and charged regularly. Cleansing removes old or heavy energy while charging helps restore and strengthen the crystal’s natural energy.
Whether you keep crystals for spiritual practice meditation or simply because you enjoy them learning how to cleanse and charge them can help you care for them properly.
When to cleanse and charge crystals
After buying or receiving a new crystal After using them during meditation or healing work After stressful emotional situations When the crystal feels dull heavy or less effective As part of a regular routine
Ways to cleanse crystals
There are several gentle ways to cleanse crystals. The method you choose may depend on the type of crystal you have.
Running water
One of the simplest ways to cleanse a crystal is by holding it under running water.
Steps
Hold the crystal under cool running water for about one minute Imagine any unwanted energy washing away Dry the crystal gently with a soft cloth
Some crystals should not be placed in water so it is important to check before using this method.
Moonlight
Moonlight is one of the safest and most popular ways to cleanse crystals.
Steps
Place the crystals on a windowsill or outside where the moonlight can reach them Leave them overnight Collect them the next morning
I’d recommend doing this during a full moon but any moonlight can work.
Sunlight
Sunlight can also cleanse crystals because it is a strong natural energy source.
Steps
Place crystals in sunlight for a short period of time Leave them for about thirty minutes to a few hours
Some crystals may fade in strong sunlight so this method should be used with care.
Smoke cleansing
Smoke from incense herbs or resin can also be used in spiritual practices to clear energy.
Steps
Light incense or cleansing herbs Pass the crystal slowly through the smoke Focus on the intention of clearing away unwanted energy
Sound cleansing
Sound vibrations can also cleanse crystals.
Steps
Place your crystals nearby Ring a bell, play a singing bowl or use another sound tool Allow the sound waves to move around the crystals for a few minutes
How to charge crystals
Charging crystals is the process of restoring their energy after they have been cleansed. This helps the crystal work more strongly with their intentions.
Moonlight charging
Moonlight is a gentle and popular way to charge crystals.
Place the crystals outside or on a windowsill overnight Allow the moonlight to shine on them while they rest Collect them the next morning
Sunlight charging
Sunlight can give crystals a strong energetic boost.
Place crystals in sunlight for a short time Thirty minutes to a few hours is usually enough
Always check whether your crystal is safe in sunlight before using this method.
Charging with other crystals
Some crystals naturally charge other stones.
Place smaller crystals on or beside a larger cleansing crystal such as clear quartz or selenite or place inside a crystal tower. Leave them together for several hours or overnight
Charging with intention
You can also charge a crystal using your own intention.
Hold the crystal in your hand Close your eyes and take a few slow breaths Focus on what you want the crystal to support such as calm focus protection or confidence Visualise that intention filling the crystal with light
Final thoughts
Cleansing and charging crystals is a simple practice that many people include in their self care or spiritual routines. There is no single correct method. The most important part is choosing a method that feels comfortable and meaningful for you and is safe for your particular crystals.
By cleansing and charging your crystals regularly you can keep them feeling fresh balanced and ready to support your intentions.
Stardust Holistics 