This Samhain I went to visit a place that I hadn't seen in quite a long time, even if I come in the area at least once a month. I come from the Dutch town of Helmond, and one of its most beloved spots is the Warande, an old forest and park. At the center … Continue reading Personal places of power – the Grave Island of Helmond
personal reflections
Inspirational fire: pagan voices, inspiration, and action
This blog is a rather quiet place. The world outside is not, hell, it seems to be on fire lately. I therefore feel that my little corner of the internet needs an update, to get by with the times. This website has mostly been about the history of paganism in what we now call the … Continue reading Inspirational fire: pagan voices, inspiration, and action
Witch hunts are not of the distant past
I just finished the Dutch translation of Monica Black’s A Demon-haunted land: witches, wonder doctors, and the ghosts of the past in post-WWII Germany. Up until then I thought that Western belief in witches in the twentieth century and later was either based on wicca or based on individual cases of wise women or cunning … Continue reading Witch hunts are not of the distant past
Holda’s visit
Finally, winter has shown its pale face here in the Netherlands. Last week, temperatures dropped below zero (seems almost a miracle these days). The earth , plants and trees were covered in a glittering blue layer of frost, which became all the more enchanting when the rising sun shone its pink-golden light over the world. … Continue reading Holda’s visit
The magic of landscapes
When starting this website, I wanted to focus as much as possible on Dutch heathenism, witchcraft and folklore. I soon stumbled upon a problem: 'the Netherlands' as we now know them are only 200 years old. The borders we have now were unheard of in ancient times. What's more, many people who lived in this … Continue reading The magic of landscapes
thimsternisse 