Tag Archives: magic

Jun21

Words from the Cauldron released today! Happy Summer Solstice!

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Today is the publication day for the Witch Lit anthology, Words from the Cauldron, a fabulous book of short stories, essays and poems by twenty three Witches Who Write.

Witch Lit is a new, exciting genre, showcasing creative writing of all kinds, by witches. Magic is part of who we are, and emerges in song and story, poem and essay, as Witch Lit.

This anthology is a great way to explore a writer’s style, and for just 99p or $1.24, and with all proceeds going to Books for Africa, you’ve nothing to lose by downloading this magical book.

Summer solstice blessings and enjoy a magical weekend.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witch-Lit-Witches-Who-Write-ebook/dp/B07SCVXR88

https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Lit-Witches-Who-Write-ebook/dp/B07SCVXR88

 

Jun3

Destiny of Angels is on promotion! Last day!

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Download Destiny of Angels today for just 99p/99c!

You can read Destiny of Angels anywhere…. or even…

Here’s a brief synopsis of Destiny of Angels and some of the characters you will meet in the book…

Traumatic events in her childhood, send Angel Parsons upon a different life path.

Fifteen years later, with the help of her new ‘family,’  Angel confronts the perpetrators of her misery. Rather than seeking revenge and to free herself from her past, Angel uses the skills she has acquired to offer her persecutors the chance of redemption.

Laugh at  Angel’s partner Aidan, slim, blond, chiselled, a landscape gardener and former stripper, as he attempts to form a friendship without sex with the orange tanned, surgically enhanced Tiffany.

Cry as Eli, a big, triathlon competing hunk, tries to dissuade Clare, who is consumed by jealousy and hate, away from her life of prostitution.

Enjoy the struggles of Sophia, a slim, smart, sassy young woman who runs her own company, carrying on the philanthropic work of her granddad, as she shows Justin, a confident, cocky, player, an honest, less egotistic way of life and Maddy, a petite, doll-like young woman who runs her own events company, who attempts to steer Vincent, cool, hard and unfeeling, away from money as his driving force.

Smile as Zac, a broad, dark, quiet man who runs his own fitness centre befriends the sad, overweight Danielle and turns her world upside down and Jed, a rugby playing Adonis, who runs a security firm and helps Aidan expand his business into vertical gardens, gives Rob, a sad, lonely, overweight single dad, a second chance to be a success and he flies with it.

Open your mind to the possibilities of magic, levels of consciousness, angels, demons and parallel universes as Angel is guided by Lilith, the dark goddess, in her quest for closure on the past.

Will Angel fulfil her destiny and put her past behind her or will the demons she unleashes consume herself and her ‘family’ and leave her empty and alone once more?

Today is your final chance to download Destiny of Angels, First book in the Lilith Trilogy at the amazing price of 99p/99c!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Destiny-Angels-Lilith-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B007OX5J8O

and for my friends across the pond https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Angels-Lilith-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B007OX5J8O

And there is a sequel! Wrath of Angels is available too, while book three is in production.

I do hope you enjoy your magical read, and if you still haven’t had enough of a magical fix, why not tune into my YouTube channel, Phoenix and the Dragon, for short stories told to you on my Welsh riverbank https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3ee9CuNdek9ZC1Im8I_iA?view_as=subscriber

Jun1

Destiny of Angels is on promotion! Enjoy an extract for FREE!

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Download Destiny of Angels today for just 99p/99c!

Here’s a FREE extract to give you a taste of this magical story…

Angel stood in the sphere of power, her golden amber shift to her toes and a simple circlet of pink flowers upon her head. With Lilith beside her she watched the Tree of Life, the witches Qabalah, hanging in the air before her.

            Shapes began to form within the Tree, triangles, diamonds and squares, each tipped by a Sephirah and linked by a numbered pathway. Angel saw the spheres of Netzach, Hod and Tiphareth gleaming from the Tree and she knew this to be the Magical Triangle and Chesod, Geburah and Tiphareth and she knew this to be the Ethical triangle. Out of these shapes, one began to glow and resonate the brightest of all, in the centre of the Tree, linking the pathways together, golden and majestic beamed Tiphareth and Angel knew this to be her destination.

            Thoth, the Dweller on the Threshold appeared as the Tree began to fade and she opened her mind for his scrutiny. Convinced of her intent, the lunar disk and crescent upon his head began to glow and he welcomed her onto the Path as the Doorkeeper, reassuring her of his duty to protect her.

            Angel stepped alone onto the silver thread before her, her sandals tracing pathways that she recognized. First, a pathway overhung with oak, beech and ash, a blue black world where she felt the sorrowing Isis and understood the pain of death but also the bliss and hope of resurrection. She walked on and shed the weighty blue of sorrow and replaced it with a world of violet and crystal where Levannah ruled. She opened her Treasurehouse of Visions for Angel to behold and Angel understood the link between the earth and the moon, the inspiration and the manifestation, the chaos and the calm. On she walked through a landscape of rushes and reeds, the air around her pulsing dark vivid blue and centaurs galloping beside her, laughing as the arrows they shot exploded into green and yellow sparks above her head. Angel understood the centaurs firing their Arrows of  Swiftness Willed Force and within the colours she could see the conscious and subconscious, the Force of life and the original spark that began it.

            The Angel Raphael, cloaked in green, welcomed her as she climbed the golden steps to the Temple and she entered through the portico to a majestic building lined with further pillars, where the breeze sang in harmonies within. Angel walked amongst the columns, studying the pictures and symbols engraved upon them while the fragrance of frankincense, cinnamon and Egyptian Kyphi filled her head. She saw plants and herbs; gorse, laurel, rosemary and twisting vines and a lion and a phoenix. On another pillar she saw the rosy cross while on another, cubes and hexagrams, grouped together in sixes.

            At the end of the Temple was a square table covered with a golden cloth upon which were six vibrant sunflowers in a vase and an incense burner. The wondrous smells expelled filled her senses and opened her mind. Behind the table, backed by a vast stained glass window was a high backed wooden chair. The light shone through the glass, bouncing warm honey around the Temple.

            A single flash of intense white light illuminated Angel and she saw the journey she had travelled so far. Ra, the Sun God, sat upon the throne, a man with the solar disk upon his head surrounded by the sacred asp. He, Ra, The Creator, Great Father, god of magic, prosperity, destiny and truth looked down upon his child and smiled upon her and with his golden smile, the Temple shone like a beacon, the central point of existence, the point of transmutation between the planes of Force and Form. The light from Ra, the intense pure yellow light, entered Angel’s head, not to see with by her physical eye but to illuminate the body of images she had stored from her mystical experiences and she learned from them. She saw in the face of Ra, the qualities of earned success, material success, victory and joy and she understood that sacrifice brought forth new life. As her mind opened up to the possibilities on this plane, she fell to her knees with the enormity of the knowledge and, in a blinding white flash, the Temple vanished and she was on her knees within her circle of protection, in the basement of her home once more.

Download Destiny of Angels today for just 99p/99c!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Destiny-Angels-Lilith-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B007OX5J8O

and for my friends across the pond https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Angels-Lilith-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B007OX5J8O

 

 

May21

New story on Phoenix and the Dragon and links to more magic!

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It’s been a while. I’m sorry. But I’m back telling stories on my Welsh riverbank, just for you.

Tune into the first part of The Waterfall now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQE3M3O18k&t=45s

Tune in next week for the concluding part of the story.

Are you a magical reader or writer, or both? Have you heard of the Witch Lit podcast on YouTube? Subscribe to the channel for magical writing updates, ‘In the Broom Cupboard’, interviews, ‘Witchanory’ and more! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHtAJO5uh6c9TSai1lhwF7g

Looking for a magical read? Check out my author page for a selection of magical stories https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06

and for my friends across the pond https://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06

Enjoy ‘The Lilith Trilogy’, for high magic and pagan ritual.

Read ‘The Standing Stone Book Series’ where the countryside is the focus of three women’s magic, embracing the gods, goddesses, tree spirits, elves and fairies.

Immerse yourself in ‘The Lizzie Martin Series’, about a woman who embraces magic in her life, to aid her with the stresses of modern living.

Happy reading!

 

May3

Coming Soon! The Witch Lit Anthology!

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I’ve ‘met’ such a fabulous bunch of magical writers on the Witch Lit Facebook group, and four of us have worked together to produce an anthology of magical writing to be published at Beltane.

The wonderfully talented and creative Laura Perry edited this first edition. I interviewed her on the Witch Lit Podcast two weeks ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwGxF6lQWA

Here’s the link to Laura’s original post, as she gives you a taste of what’s to come, and why we’re doing it. Enjoy!

http://www.lauraperryauthor.com/post/coming-soon-the-witch-lit-anthology

 

If you are a magical writer, or enjoy reading magical fiction, non-fiction, poetry and prose, join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1055104057875422/

 

 

 

 

Mar8

The magic of writing, dancing and healing – International Women’s Day 8th March 2019

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I am author, wise woman and goddess. I write, I dance, I teach, I heal, I inspire.

In March last year I published my first Witchlit novel, The Naked Witch, contemporary fiction, magical realism, where the magical and the mundane co-exist. Since then, I’ve published two more, The Orphan Witch and The Flowerpot Witch, gritty and believable stories with magic sprinkled through them, offering the reader a new perspective on reality. There are layers to my novels, making them enjoyable to all readers, hopefully teaching and inspiring too, dispelling the myths about modern day witches.

I discovered belly dance at the age of forty, having been told I was a fairy elephant and too fat to dance as a child. Fifteen years on, I’ve been teaching for eleven years, encouraging women to shake off their inhibitions and dance for themselves. I learned Egyptian belly dance first and taught that, before being bitten by the tribal bug, and completing my training in American Tribal Style® Belly dance. I began Tribal Unity Wales in March 2014. We take our dance into the community, not to perform but to share, offering other women the opportunity and the freedom to dance irrespective of age, size, shape or ability.

I’m reiki and aromatherapy massage trained, so mixed with my latest facilitator training in Kate Holland’s Awakened Bellydance ™, and my magical practice, I heal in my classes and workshops and through my writing.

I’m a riverbank witch, a hedge witch, living my life with the Wheel of the Year, honouring the Sabbats and loving and respecting all that lives on our amazing planet.

Embracing my crone phase, I am wise woman, not necessarily right, but reflective and contemplative where once I jumped in feet first. Looking back, I learn from my mistakes, let go of old stories and embrace new beginnings and exciting ideas.

 

The goddess is in me and in every woman. She is the tiny voice that tells you how beautiful and perfect you are. Trust in her helps us remember, because we all know, but it is just that this reality encourages us to forget who we are and where we came from. Hers is the voice that has inspired women to stand up for equality, for equal pay and equal rights, throughout history. The more we trust in her, and ourselves, the possibilities are infinite. Listen. She is here.

 

 

 

 

 

Mar5

How much did my Cat really need Saving?

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For regular viewers of my blog, you’ll remember my post singing the praises of the author help book ‘Save the Cat’. You can view the post here https://wendysteele.com/2018/11/19/are-you-ready-to-save-the-cat/

It’s a great little book of ‘beats’ to help you create a great score to hang your story words on, but how much did I really need this book? How much did I already know? How big a part should a book like this play when creating a novel?

Having already written the first draft of The Eloquent Witch, I applied the beats to it, and though some of the points weren’t in the exact order, I was there or there abouts, so the manuscript needed a good edit and tighten up…but I would have done this before publishing any way.

I’ve started the fifth book in the Lizzie Martin series, The Able Witch, twice now, using the Save the Cat beat sheet, and though the story is moving on, finally, and I can feel the magic happening in some of the scenes, I’ve not been feeling the joy. I put the book aside for a few weeks, and returned to it last week, as I had a break from teaching.

On the first day, I gave myself free rein to pick up the story and run…and I loved it! The next day I read through what I’d written, and started to get concerned I’d veered away from the sheet. I spent the day attempting to write my way back…it wasn’t a good writing day.

Day three, I spent a good few hours distracting myself with outdoor jobs (it was sunny!), digging and barrowing wood, even washing up, rather than picking up my WIP. When I did, the writing was forced.

Day four, I deleted what I’d written the day before and allowed myself to be caught up in domesticity.

Day five, Friday, I realised the problem…my characters and the story wanted to be written one way, while the beat sheet wanted me to write a different way. I was writing to fitting in what I needed to meet the requirements of the beat sheet, rather than how the characters wanted to run with the story. The struggle became a battle because I didn’t trust my own ability enough. I spent the weekend arguing with myself about it.

On Monday, I picked up my WIP, read the last chapter I’d written, made a few changes and wrote on with my hand written notes beside me. I’m not giving up on Save the Cat, but sticking to a pre-planned beat sheet of the whole book isn’t suiting me at all.

Sadly, my schedule this week isn’t going to leave much room for writing as I’m launching a new evening dance class in Aberystwyth on Thursday, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday lessons, and it’s Women’s International Day on Friday, but once I’ve established a new routine, I’ll let you know how the writing is going.

There’s no doubt Save the Cat has taught me a lot, but I’m beginning to see that my story writing/story telling, is as important as the structure.

 

 

Feb18

DJ Conway – A book to change your life

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On hearing of the sad passing of author DJ Conway, I wanted to share how one of her books changed my life….

It wasn’t the book I really wanted. I had my heart set on two books, each a comprehensive tome about gods and goddesses of every pantheon from around the world. Until I saw the price.

And then I spotted it, its glossy black spine shining at me. It was a large volume. It was second hand, but still in perfect condition. I handled it with care, pulling back the cover to reveal the price pencilled in the top right hand corner. My heart beat hard, my cheeks glowing with excitement. I turned pages, read paragraphs and thanked the goddess. I paid cash at the counter. Magick of the Gods and Goddesses was in my hands! I almost skipped out the door, not suspecting my life would never be quite the same again.

Magick of the Gods and Goddesses was the first book where I found details of the Kabbalah, and more appropriately for my needs, the witches Qabalah, inspiring me to seek further and look for other work. I began to read. I started to research. I discovered the writing of Dion Fortune. I travelled the magical paths of the Qabalah. I wrote Destiny of Angels, my first novel, starting my journey as an author, and this book was with me from the beginning.

From this book I learned of Angels and Archangels, Elementals, Elements and Planets, as well as the beliefs and history of the world of the occult, from Egypt to Africa, Greece to India and more. There’s Ritual and Magick, Shamanism, Witchcraft and Paganism, and at the back, a cross reference section I’ve found incredibly useful. Because there’s so much, there may not be all the detail, but there are links to other reading throughout the book.

Her legacy will live on in more than twenty non fiction works, and every time I open my copy of Magick of the Gods and Goddesses, I shall think of her smiling down on me, happy that her love of the occult fields she studied for more than thirty five years, is still much appreciated by her readers.

Here are the links to her Amazon author pages https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B004582BDC?_encoding=UTF8&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true&ref

and for my friends across the pond https://www.amazon.com/D.J.-Conway/e/B004582BDC/ref

 

 

Jan14

Now!

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For the first time, since I was eighteen, my Christmas dinner was cooked for me this festive season. We were away at our eldest son’s house, joined by our other children and partners. I shall remember it as one of my favourite Christmas times ever.

We walked and talked, catching up on life and sharing our thoughts and ideas for the future. After four glorious days, I made some decisions….

Now! Is the time to spend days and weekends with family and friends, the ones that make my heart sing.

Now! Is the time to embrace the fitness challenge with both hands, and see what I can achieve in 2019.

Now! Is the time to commit to plant based eating and to spreading the word by sharing recipes and ideas.

Now! Is the time to get the groundwork in place for our potting shed/greenhouse and new raised beds, so we can grow lots of veg.

Now! Is the time to finish my Lizzie Martin Witchlit series, inspiring women to embrace magic in their lives.

Now! Is the time to work magic every day, be it a lighted candle of thanks to the goddess or a chosen tarot guide to seek guidance or assurance.

Now! Is the time to push all our plans on our house and land forward, creating the warm, cosy home we seek.

 

Life’s too short not to do it now! ‘It’ doesn’t have to be big, but whatever ‘it’ is, don’t put it off until tomorrow.

Bright blessings, peace, health and happiness for the coming year xx

 

Nov27

Name that tingle

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There’s all kinds of happy….happy with family

 

Happy with pets Happy with my books Happy with the work we’ve achieved in Wales  

and happy with my fabulous man

But what’s that tingle called, the one that begins a bout of bliss? I noticed it the other day while cleaning. The wooden shelf was clean and shining with lavender polish and I placed three items on it….and there was the tingle. My shelf looked right and felt right. Calm fell on my shoulders like a familiar cardigan.

I’ve experienced the tingle at the beginning of a dance set, half way through the puja. We dance improvised, so every dance is different but sometimes, the tingle begins. My ears ring, my heartbeat quickens, even if it’s a slow dance. Warmth, calm and contentment envelop me. I don’t remember the rest of the dance; my mind and body take over.

What about the tingle when you’ve been battling with a tricky scene in the novel you’re writing and a picture or word jog your mind in a certain direction, and the perfect scene emerges from your rapidly tapping fingers?

You probably have your own word for the tingle. I call it magic.