Well, I am back from the Witchfest but still buzzing with the fun of it all. And it WAS fun - fun to meet new people and old friends, fun to see the wonderful stalls and listen to others' talks. My books all sold out on my publisher's stall, and one of Mr Penry's wands was aquired by a Museum of Witchcraft in Switzerland, so he's really pleased about that. And of course, I was fairly busy at the Witchfest myself.

I was very honoured to be asked to conduct the opening blessing ceremony. As you know, I love blessings and feel the world would probably be a much better place for them. But in spite of my enthusiasm, it's still quite nerve wracking to have to walk onto a darkened stage (the lights came up as I walked on) and make a start.

The atmosphere however was fantastic. My blessings are always practically based.... I feel the simpler they are, the more chance we have of making them heartfelt, and that's what propels the blessing along. Also, blessings are not just good for the person on the receiving end, they also benefit the giver.

I encouraged everyone to greet those around them, to make eye contact, because then the blessings we give are personal. And I reminded them to spare a thought for all those who couldn't make it to the Witchfest, to keep them close in their thoughts too.

The actual words I used were these:

Welcome to my left! Welcome and bless you for coming!
Welcome to my right! Welcome and bless you for coming!
Welcome to those who stand behind me! Welcome and bless you for coming!
Welcome to those who stand in front of me! Welcome and bless you for coming!
And to all here today! Welcome and bless you for coming!

And then afterwards :

Father Sky honoured be, (hands outstretched to sky)
Mother earth blessed be, (hands towards earth)
We arise and welcome thee.(hands in supplication)

Finally - and rather recklessly, considering that I'm not the most co-ordinated person on the planet) - we then invoked the compass points.

This involved turning in (roughly) the correct direct for each compass point:

Guardians of the North, bless this day,
Keep us grounded in all we do and think and say.

[TURN to the RIGHT]
Guardians of the East, bless this day,
Teach us to fly like the wind in all we do and think and say.

[TURN TO THE RIGHT]
Guardians of the South, bless this day,
Make us blaze with shining love in all we do and think and say.

[TURN TO THE RIGHT]
Guardians of the West, bless this day,
Teach us to go with the flow of life, in all we do and think and say.

Silver Goddess, mother of the stars, loving and serene,
Great Wise God of seasons, Lord of all the Green,
This is our very special day,
May joy and love fill our hearts,
In all we do and think and say.

Bless you all!
Bless us all!

A number of people said they enjoyed the blessing ceremony, which gave me a wonderful warm glow in my heart that stayed there all day. Blessings should be enjoyed, and I think the best blessings involve everyone together. I don't like the idea of someone standing on a podium and imparting blessings as though they are somehow set apart.

Even Cassandra Eason, the author, complimented me on my blessing ceremony! Praise indeed! :)