Medicines from the Spice Rack
Too few people today take an active role in their healthcare. Many minor ailments often go ignored, or are suppressed by painkillers. However, there are plenty of medicines in the home which do more than mask the symptoms - remedies that promote good health, and a robust immune system.
Basil Moss is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. In this talk, he will introduce you to the most useful remedies to be found on the spice rack, and answer any questions. Followed by informal discussion over a cup of tea.
Tea Party: Conjunctio
Conjunction - A new book of occult art by Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule
We are delighted to welcome back to the shop Orryelle (website here), prolific visual and sonic artist, creator of the Book of Kaos tarot deck, and editor of SilKMilK MagiZain, who will give a preview and presentation of hir new book (to be launched in London in late September).
Followed, of course, by open discussion over a cup of tea!
Poets' Tea Party
The (almost) regular Poets' Tea Party returns on Wednesday 25th June 2008 starting at 7:30pm in the shop. Your hosts are Brad and Mel.
Sunday Tea Parties 2008
The Triple Goddess
Prudence Jones will take a galloping historical overview of triple goddesses in the European tradition, indicate some triple gods including the Christian one, demonstrate that Robert Graves did not "invent" his Triple Moon goddess, and throw the discussion open to consider the role that triple goddesses play and have played in the spiritual lives of people past and present.
Keeping Up the Day
Keeping Up the Day - how we can celebrate significant dates in the calendar. There are a few annual celebrations that are well-known nationally & internationally, but there are always reasons to celebrate dates that are of only local significance.
At this tea party, renowned folklorist Nigel Pennick will share his ideas on how to Keep Up the Day, whether it be the traditional founding date of the town you live in, or simply an annual gathering of friends.
Grimoires & Folk Magic
Ben Fernee has published facsimile editions of several old grimoires (a grimoire is a book of spells). At this Tea Party, he will be presenting his ideas on the interplay between these written documents and the oral traditions of folk magic.
Ben gave a fascinating talk to a full house on his explorations into the strange world of magical grimoires.
Archaeologies of Consciousness - Gyrus
Sunday 27th January 2008, starting at 4pm
The famous Libra Aries Sunday Tea Party returns! With a short talk, book signing, and informal discussion with Gyrus about his new book Archaeologies of Consciousness: Essays in Experimental Prehistory.
Over the past decade, "cognitive archaeology" has become more and more popular in academic circles, with various attempts at modelling the mindsets of prehistoric peoples from the available evidence. At the same time, the growing magic and pagan scenes have continued to create their own visions of animistic early human cultures.
During this time, Gyrus has been positioned right at the heart of the overlap between these realms. Independently researching the landscapes of Avebury and Ilkley Moor, drawing on personal magical work at their sacred sites, he also kept in close contact with the academic cutting edge of rock art research. Thomas Dowson, who ushered the controversial "shamanic trance" theory of rock art into the academic world (with David Lewis-Williams), brought his MA students to Ilkley Moor in the late '90s, and Gyrus guided them around the moor's numerous carved rocks.
In his first collection of essays, Archaeologies of Consciousness, he pulls together his most significant essays on prehistory, shamanism, rock art and sacred sites. Arguing that we can neither disregard hard archaeological data nor ignore the human need to "fill in the gaps", he outlines an attitude to the mysteries of our past that embraces multiple models, and has fun doing it. With a foreword by the inimitable Julian Cope and a new in-depth introduction, this lavishly produced tome is a mine of inspiration for independent-minded exploration of our species' early days.
Scholars keen to learn more about how personal experience can inform research, magicians concerned to infuse their imagination with academic rigour, anyone interested in open-minded approaches to prehistory... all are welcome!
Gyrus has been writing and publishing on altered states, alternative culture, sacred sites and the occult for 13 years. Editor of the acclaimed underground journals Towards 2012 and Dreamflesh, his essays have appeared in Head Magazine, The Ley Hunter and Chaos International.
Gyrus wrote up this event on his excellent blog, Dreamflesh.
Poets' Tea Party
The ever popular Poets' Tea Party returns for 2008.
The Myth of the Mousetrap - Anne Miller
Tuesday 15th January 2008, starting at 7pm
Short talk, book signing, and informal discussion with Anne Miller about her new book The Myth of the Mousetrap.
Have you ever thought of an idea that could, in a small way, make the world a better place, but then found that no one would listen?
There is an old saying that states "invent a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door"; but more often new ideas are not listened to, not given serious attention, or never implemented. Of the millions of ideas suggested every day, the vast majority never become reality.
The Myth of the Mousetrap is an enlightening new book that explains why it is so difficult to get a new idea adopted, and offers practical advice on how to get your ideas taken seriously and put into action: whether they are inventions, business opportunities, or simple ways to make the world a slightly better, fairer place.
Written by the successful inventor and creativity expert Anne Miller, the book explains how to prepare your ideas and your outlook to give you the best chance of success, and then reveals the secrets of overcoming the four critical stages of resistance from others.
This book is for all creative people. It will also be inspirational for many people who deem themselves non-creative, because they falsely believe that truly creative people have fully formed ideas which are always acclaimed as such. As the book clearly shows, this is untrue: initial ideas are never perfect and important ideas always get resisted, so if this happens to you, don't be downhearted. Read the book and learn from the experts how you can sharpen up your act.
The book includes a wide range of inspirational case studies ranging from Copernicus to climate change, turbines to text messaging, discussing both major successes and disastrous failures to help the reader to understand the different techniques that will help them achieve their dream.
The Myth of the Mousetrap offers an inspiring vision of how individuals can make the world a better place.
Anne Miller is one of the world's most successful female inventors. She has 39 patents for inventions ranging from the manufacturing system for the first female condom, to power tools and medical products. In 2000 she founded the Creativity Partnership which helps a wide range of organisations and individuals manage and realise value from creativity. She is also a Board Member of Stop Climate Chaos which consists of over 60 of the UK's leading non-governmental organizations demanding action on climate change.