The ancient pagan festival of Beltane officially heralds the end of winter and the beginning of summer. It is generally celebrated at the end of April and on the 1st of May, known as ‘Mayday’ and unintentionally honoured as a bank holiday in the UK.
I know there are many people who would dispute that it is summer now because of our current weather systems, but for me it is warm and full of promise. This is the first year I have properly celebrated Beltane. I had a quiet celebration at home, since I was unable to find a suitably accessible local festival.
Beltane Blessings
The Season of Endings and Beginnings
Picture the scene: I was alone in the house. My husband was out, my baby in bed, my dog in bed! I lit all my candles, created a sacred space of peace and relaxation in my living room, and proceeded with a special ritual of welcome and thanks to the God and Goddess of fertility and rebirth. I meditated, I danced, I generally floated around in a happy state of mind. My ‘bonfire’ was substituted by my small, cute cauldron in which flickered a pretty little tea light candle.
And what a start to the new season we have experienced. So far, in little over one week, my friends and family have felt the dramatic energies that abound. Some have developed sudden illnesses that will ultimately cleanse their bodies. Some have undergone surgery to improve aspects of their health. Others have suffered the loss of loved ones from the earth realm. These are very sad instances, but also very necessary. Mother Earth must cleanse and reshape Herself at regular intervals. It is simply the cycle of life.
Do I sound crazy?
You might think I sound crazy. You might say I am insensitive and how dare I speak so blithely about death. I do understand the pain people feel. We are all human. We are ruled by our emotions. We move alongside the cycle of Mother Earth. Perhaps it is time we started to take notice of what is happening around us. Look beyond our individual lives, look beyond what the media institutions tell us, and really see for the first time the true beauty and potential of our home land.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I am currently writing the third book in my Redcliffe novels LGBT fantasy book series. Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) concludes the story of how our protagonist Jessica Stone met and fell in love with a vampire, and subsequently discovered the truth about her friends in the fictional Cornish seaside town of Redcliffe.
I originally only intended to write one book with this story, but it just sort of spiralled and took on a life of its own, so now here I am.
LGBT fantasy book series set in Cornwall. “Love Redeems (The Redcliffe Novels)” #3 by Catherine Green.
The Redcliffe Novels: Writing a Trilogy
My first Redcliffe book Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) introduces us to Jessica Stone and her best friend and business partner Elizabeth Gormond. They are happy running the local bookshop and socialising with friends at the Ship pub on the promenade. Jessica is independent and content with her life, and she doesn’t need a romantic relationship. Or so she thinks. One night she meets Detective Jack Mason and she falls in love, hard and fast. Jessica cannot admit her true feelings at first and neither can Jack.
The story continues as Jessica meets Jack’s identical twin brother Danny Mason. There is confusion and embarrassment, and then she must learn to differentiate the two men. Finally, she discovers the secrets they have been hiding from her, along with her close friends in Redcliffe. Jessica unwittingly becomes entangled in a messy police operation, and the brothers’ secret identities are revealed. One is a vampire, one is a werewolf. But that isn’t the whole story.
How one book became two books
This is why Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) led into a sequel and eventually a trilogy. Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel) is due for release in June 2012, and as I said previously, I am currently writing Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel). There has been more violence and bloodshed, which is not something I originally intended, and Jessica Stone has discovered truths about herself and her heritage that were never in my fledgling story all those years ago. I am surprised and intrigued every time I sit down to write, which makes this journey a very exciting one.
How three books becomes four books
Oh, and that’s not all. There will be a fourth Redcliffe novel. Jessica is very insistent that her story is not finished. She has a lot of trauma and adventure to experience along the way. So, I had better get back to work. See you later!
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I took a brave decision this morning and decided to hang my washing out to dry in our garden. Stepping through the back door, I could feel moisture in the air.
It didn’t look good for drying my clothes but suddenly that didn’t matter. I was transported back in time, to sweet memories of childhood holidays spent in Wales.
#MummyMonday Fun Family Holiday in North Wales#MummyMonday Fun Family Holiday in North Wales
Childhood Memories of a Holiday in Wales
Both my maternal and paternal grandparents had caravans when I was a child. Both of these caravans were situated on the same caravan park at Meledon in North Wales. I vaguely remember the place as being small, very green, and surrounded by lots of tall trees and mountains. We would visit the nearby seaside town of Ryhl and play on the beach and in the sea, enjoying picnics and games.
Anyway, standing in my back garden I breathed in the fresh scent of spring rain. The weather is warm today, but still cool enough to warrant long sleeves. As I write this, the clouds are finally turning white and breaking up, and I can even see the sun starting to poke through. There may even be a glimpse of blue sky if you look carefully…
Returned to my daydream
So I returned to my daydream about our holidays in North Wales. My younger brother and I would wake up in the morning, bound down the steps of our small caravan, and sometimes run across the campsite and visit our other grandparents if they were staying in their caravan. We thought this was wonderfully exciting. Fancy visiting your grandparents while on holiday, when you live in the same hometown anyway! Simple things amused us back then, and I remember our excitement with fondness.
Standing in the back garden of my home, remembering our holidays, I heard a wood pigeon cooing in the trees behind our neighbours’ houses. And once again I was hit with another memory. This time it was my dad, on holiday in Meledon, complaining about the noisy pigeons. He used to grumble that they woke him up early and he wanted a lie-in while he was on holiday. He would joke about getting a shotgun, to which I would react in horror and tell him he couldn’t possibly shoot the poor pigeons! I knew he never would, but I did not like the threat.
Pigeons make me remember
Still, every time I hear wood pigeons I remember those holidays, and have flashbacks to those happy times. The human mind is a funny thing! I also remember how my dad would get up after the pigeons woke him, and he would walk down to the campsite shop and fetch the daily newspaper. Then he would sit outside the caravan in his deckchair with a mug of tea and his paper, and he was happy for an hour or two. Meanwhile my mum would be preparing breakfast or packing up a picnic. Poor Mum, we never did appreciate all she did on those holidays. Sorry Mum!
So there ends my nostalgic flashback. I really did love those childhood holidays. They were filled with such simple pleasures. We would collect seashells, search the rock pools for crabs and starfish, build sandcastles, and fly kites on the beach. We went exploring in the mountains, and more often than not my brother would find a way to injure himself by attempting to jump a wide stream or climb a tree. I was too much of a wimp, and would just stand at the side watching. They were fun times.
Talacre Beach LighthouseTalacre Beach in North Wales
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
You might already know from my previous posts that I have recently taken a huge leap in self-discovery. I am travelling a pagan path at the moment, and am now officially ‘out’ as a witch of the old ways.
By this I mean I am not Wiccan, rather I follow our craft in the tradition of my ancestors, many of whom I have yet to meet and discover.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green
A Journey of Celtic Discovery
So, I am on a journey of Celtic discovery. I have always felt drawn to the legends of the British Isles. My auburn hair seems a stark message that I have an interesting ancestry. My maternal grandmother is Irish, and I strongly believe and feel that she is the line from which I am descended spiritually. It is difficult to trace my family history due to various circumstances, but I will do it one day.
Anyway, back to the present. As a child I used to imagine what it would be like to find a fairy at the bottom of my garden. In my childhood innocence I saw the fairies as tiny creatures, much like the popular Flower Fairies. My fairy would be hiding under a tall flower, and I would take care of her. I would make her a home in a box and keep her safe in my bedroom. Of course, now I realise that is simply impractical and immoral. Fairies are not pets. I understand that now.
I am only just beginning to learn about faeries. Yes, I have changed the spelling of this word. I now choose to identify my kin with their true spelling, not the one assigned by popular culture. My faery ancestors were very real. They were people, just like you and me. They lived and worked on the land, caring for Mother Earth, enjoying their freedom and their society. But, the world was changing. Man decided to plunder and invade. My faery kin were driven away, many were killed or enslaved, and the rest went into hiding. Gradually they became a myth, a legend, a story.
Accept my truth
It is only now, as I accept the truth about myself as a witch in this life that I can appreciate and understand more about my incarnations in previous lives. There are lots of memories for me to discover. For example, I know that at some point in history I was a mermaid. That memory still needs to be fully accessed, but I have received enough messages now to understand the basic truth. I had a past life regression last year where I discovered previous lives as the spoiled wife of a rich 18th century English land owner, and another where I was an American woman pioneering counselling therapy in the 1800s. More about those later…
This is a wonderfully exciting time in all our lives. 2012 was predicted to be the end of the world. In truth it is simply the end of a calendar created by the Mayans many hundreds of years ago. There is no apocalypse, at least not physically. 2012 signifies a change in human consciousness. Many of us are waking up to our truth and our heritage. We have long felt the pull from our ancestors to remember our true selves, and to reawaken those old cultures and lifestyles. Well, let us do it. If you feel a particular connection with a time period in history, or you have a fascination with faeries, mermaids, dragons or any other supposedly mythical creature or person, now is the time to discover exactly why that is. Live your truth. Be happy.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I recently attended a Mind, Body and Spirit event in the capacity of Tarot reader and spiritual advisor. It was a wonderful weekend in so many ways, and I am looking forward to our next event coming up in July. More about that later.
Aside from a busy series of readings for clients, I found time to chat with my friends and fellow exhibitors. One of these was Ted Royle from FisH. He operates a new kind of energy healing routine that is transformational, energetic and dynamic. Ted combines science with higher powers to unlock our secret selves and help us to heal from the mind through the body, and outward to our immediate environment.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green
Fish is Healing!
Ted offered me a quick healing session so I could see what he does. He felt that I was in need. At the time I was focused solely on my own work, but I accepted his very kind offer because I was intrigued. It turns out I had another healing epiphany; following on from my experiences with reiki drum therapy at Walton Hall in Warrington.
Ted asked if I had any problems to heal and I said no. There are what I would call ‘niggles’ in my life, but nothing serious, and it is all in progress for repair at the moment. So we started a general treatment. Somehow Ted knew exactly which issues to clear up, bearing in mind we had only spoken briefly that morning and had not met before this event. He talked me through an energy meditation and I felt the power pulsing through my body. Physically I shivered a couple of times, and I felt my chakras responding. Then Ted moved to focus on my head and things really took off.
Treasure at the bottom of the ocean
I saw a treasure chest at the bottom of the ocean. It was in a deep, dark place, and I had deposited it there many centuries ago. The chest was more of a box, cast iron. It was sealed shut by rust and covered in barnacles and layers of seaweed. I hauled it out of the water and pried the lid open. Apparently in this incarnation I was a mermaid, and it felt like I had returned to my ancestral home. Opening the box, I found the long forgotten treasure that is my memories and knowledge from past lifetimes. It is now time to embrace my past, bring it into the present, and discard the useless rubbish I have acquired.
As I was opening my treasure chest, Ted spoke quietly beside me. He said he would now clear out the rubbish from my head, and make room for the important stuff. I had not spoken, and he did not know what I was experiencing, but he felt it. I then picked up a battered, nondescript cardboard box. It was heavy. It contained all of the useless rubbish I have accumulated in this lifetime. This was negative emotions and oppressive memories that I just don’t need to hang on to. I hauled the box out of the window of my mind (with Ted’s help), and as it fell it burst into flames and disintegrated into ashes that blew away.
Worked on chakra healing
Ted then worked on my chakras. I could already feel a sharp sensation over my heart chakra. My mind interpreted it as pain but that wasn’t it. All my chakras ignited suddenly, blazing into action like Catherine wheels. I now feel confident, powerful, and capable to continue my amazing work. Thank you, Ted!
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I have been handed the challenge by WordzNerdzDebz, also known as the fabulous Debz Hobbs-Wyatt from Bridge House Publishing. She was one of the editors responsible for selecting my very first published short story The Teen Game in the Young Adult anthology Devils, Demons and Werewolves.
The Teen Game: A vampire short story. Devils, Demons and Werewolves book short story anthology.
Blog Lucky 7 Challenge
The challenge is to open your current manuscript or work in progress. Go to either page 7 or 77, whichever is juiciest. Copy the first seven lines on the page, and post them in your blog under this title. Then wait for your audience to react with excitement!
Here is my excerpt, taken from page 7 of my current manuscript Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel). It is the third book in my Redcliffe paranormal romance series, and this is from the very rough first draft in progress:
“No!” I said, “I mean, yes,” I stuttered, “I just, I thought we needed a little space after what happened the other night.” Danny’s expression sobered a little as he stared at me. He nodded.
“I suppose that was wise,” he agreed, “But I will not be bullied by a tiger familiar. Just learn to control her so she doesn’t force you to shift, and we will be safe.” The room spun around me and I swallowed nervously.
Now to pass on the challenge
Now I must choose 7 lucky and talented writers who have active blogs, and challenge them to the task. Here are my chosen few, from those who have not already done the challenge (I hope):
During the course of a recent Mind, Body and Spirit event in Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington, Cheshire, UK, I had the honour and great pleasure of meeting a man who is a musician and psychic artist.
Professional Tarot reader and LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green
Cosmic Ordering and Law of Attraction
Nick Ashron is probably best known for his television series on Sky TV, but since I don’t have Sky I hadn’t seen it. I was vaguely aware of who he was, however.
As it turned out, I was enchanted by his music. He plays beautiful acoustic guitar music, and I spent several hours over the weekend listening to it. I also came home with a CD, which is wonderful. Anyway, that isn’t all Nick does. He runs workshops about the use of cosmic ordering, or as I prefer to call it, Law of Attraction. Nick himself doesn’t give it a name. He acknowledges it as the great universal energy from which we all manifest.
I attended a talk given by Nick at the Mind, Body and Spirit event. Although I am very familiar with Law of Attraction and the concept of Cosmic Ordering, I was pleasantly surprised to learn several other lessons. Nick explained that the universe exists as varying levels of vibrational energy. Modern human thinking has ascribed it to science, whereas various religions call it the work of God or a specific deity. I see it as one huge essence, the core of all that is.
Low vibration on Earth
We are currently on a low vibration here on the Earth plane. Way back in the distant lands of our past, we were able to use magic freely and comfortably. Our sixth sense was a natural tool, a part of every human. But somewhere along the way, we pushed away our skill. We focused instead on physically creating things, and then we turned to our rational mind and developed science and technology. Gradually we forgot about our magical tendencies. We ignored our true selves, and developed a new form of humanity, moving away from nature and Source.
The higher vibrational frequencies still exist around us. They are populated by angels, elementals, and other spirits. These magical beings are now confined to the realms of human imagination. We have taught ourselves to ignore our kin, to pretend they are not real. So they faded into the background, but they are always there, watching and waiting. Now, some of us are awake and open to the mysteries of our past. We welcome the supernatural back into our lives.
Law of Attraction
Whatever we desire in life, we manifest. This is most clearly demonstrated by people who live under extreme conditions. We all know someone for whom life is a constant struggle. They are always suffering some affliction, their lot is one of bad luck and negative experiences. They constantly complain, and grumble, and refuse to be positive. Therefore that is all they receive from Source energy.
On the other hand, we also know people who are happy and comfortable, always rejoicing in life. They rarely suffer from ill health, or if they do we don’t hear about it. They are comfortable in their bodies, and they seem wealthy and successful in career, love and relationships. That is because they welcome the things that make them happy. And as a result, Source energy rewards them with more of the same.
Work with Law of Attraction
It is a very simple concept, but not an easy one to actually practice. I have been working with Law of Attraction for about three years now, and have only started to really see the results during the last eighteen months. It is easy to fall back into a negative pattern of thinking. In my case it is a fear of money, or rather lack thereof. I am working hard to banish my fears. I now welcome money into my life, and I spend it freely because I know it will always be there.
We just have to believe. We just need to accept. We just need to remember our true magical heritage. Believe in the higher vibration. Welcome it when you feel a chill run down your spine, or your fingers and toes start tingling for no apparent reason. Reconnect with nature. Walk amongst the trees; listen to a bubbling stream or the roaring of a river. Watch wild animals, as they exist in their natural habitats. See how easy it is simply to exist, without all of the conditions and expectations invented by man.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
This is a daily Tarot reading for people who are struggling in their career, or those trying to decide whether to take the plunge and quit the current job. If you are threatened with redundancy, or you are bored and restless, this reading is for you.
I was drawn to use my Vampire Tarot cards for this query. The cards are very dark and bleak at first glance, but they offer very powerful and strong messages. If you are reading this and the question about your career or job has been an issue recently, then this is definitely a message you cannot ignore.
Vampires Tarot of the Eternal Night
Daily Vampire Tarot Reading
The cards I drew from my Vampire Tarot deck were as follows:
Temperence; The Devil; The Tower; Death; Nine of Pentacles; Ten of Pentacles; The Star; The Hanged Man.
These were serious cards! This reading is actually very powerful, and I could have read a lot more into it for an individual person. Clearly there are many people in this situation in life, and my guides are desperate to help. Here is the Tarot reading:
You fear the unknown. A part of you wants to break free of this endless monotony, but you force yourself to continue because it is familiar. But it is no longer a safe option. The world is changing, your company is changing, and your job is changing.
To fear the unknown is to fear what you already experience. The outer world is actually more welcoming than you might think. It is time to be brave. Try out that new idea that has been haunting you. Train in a new profession, or even set up your own business. See the beauty in the dark place you currently inhabit.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Today I want to play a little book game. The invitation came from British horror writer Alex Laybourne. I read his blog earlier today and it is such a simple idea yet so effective!
Read my blog post to see the seventh line from the seventy-seventh page of my current work in progress, Love Kills (The Redcliffe Novels).
LGBT fantasy book series set in Cornwall. “Love Kills (The Redcliffe Novels) ” #2 by Catherine Green.
7 Lines from the 7th Page
1. Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript 2. Go to line 7 3. Copy down the next seven lines as they are; no cheating 4. Tag 7 other authors
The below comes from the 77th page of my current manuscript Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel), Book 2:
This world intrigued me. It was vibrant and alive, full of beasts. I was the only predator in my realm, and it was beginning to feel very lonely. Pausing momentarily, I glanced sharply around, taking in my surroundings. I was aware of smaller animals disappearing into burrows and nests, desperate to avoid capture and certain death. They were of no consequence to me at this time. I needed something bigger, something strong and worthy of my time and energy. Staring ahead, I saw the swish of a wolf’s tail as it disappeared into the undergrowth.
END
Now it’s your turn!
That was fun! Now I will tag 7 authors, although I’m not sure if they’ll see this post.
I have been working with angels for several years now. It was not something I shared easily with other people. I was worried that my peers might think I was being religious or that I was a little bit weird. So I kept quiet, and simply conversed with them in my own way.
I met Richard Keogh, the Angelman, about four years ago when my sister and I attended our first Mind, Body and Spirit event. At the time we were new to the practice of meditation, and Richard showed us that it is possible to connect with angels in a non-religious sense.
Crystal meditation with Catherine Green
My Spiritual Journey
We attended a workshop and participated in a very powerful group meditation. We then purchased some CDs and continued the work at home, individually. Alongside this we discovered Doreen Virtue, and her Angel Therapy Oracle cards. I then read several books by different authors, and searched the internet for more information to corroborate what I was experiencing as an individual. Finally, the angels began to speak to me. They knew I was ready to accept and acknowledge their presence.
I remember one particular incident with clarity. I was driving home from work one evening. The sky was just beginning to go dark as night set in, I was tired and fed up because I wasn’t enjoying my full-time office job. As I drove along the familiar dual carriageway, stuck in a line of traffic, I looked up to the sky. And I was amazed to see a huge angel hovering up there, just waiting to be seen. They had no discerning features. I couldn’t tell if it was male or female. But I felt a rush of pure love sweep over me, and I knew that my vision was true. The angel had come to reassure me, and guide me safely home.
Angel meditation session
Anyway, I recently met up with Richard again, much to my surprise and delight. He was running another meditation workshop and doing an angel demonstration at the Mind, Body and Spirit event I attended with my sister and spiritual brother. So I joined in with the angel meditation. It was beautiful! Having done many of these meditations at home alone, once my body relaxed, I couldn’t wait to get started. Following the tone of Richard’s voice as he guided us to our sacred place, I visualized a door that is now totally familiar to me.
I bounded eagerly through the door, and into my meadow. As I visualized lights flowing through my body, I saw shimmering yellow and green colours. I also tasted the sweetest, most refreshing lemonade I have ever experienced. This was a completely new sensation. I have never previously manifested taste in a meditation before, and this was delicious!
My angel meditation experience
In the meadow I was wearing a flowing pale-blue gown made of soft velvet, and I had flowers in my long hair. Small animals bounced along beside me, all chattering and laughing in their own way. We ran towards the river in my sacred place, and all the while I was laughing and playing with my friends.
I rode the river in a small, wooden boat. There were no oars. I simply trusted the water and its kin to transport us safely to a new destination. The water was like blue crystal, sparkling and clear. The warm sun shone brightly above us. I didn’t know where we were travelling to. I just knew that it was a happy and safe place.
Call upon our angel friends
As Richard continued to guide us through the meditation, he asked us to call upon our angel friends. In the past I have been supported by many different angels, but all faded away after a time. I am familiar with the archangels Michael and Raphael because they have often assisted me during recent years. This time however, I met a new angel. Or rather, an angel I was aware of, but not a recognized guide.
Angel Chazaqiel appeared. Manifesting as a woman, she stood behind me and rested her hands on my shoulders. I couldn’t really describe her appearance, only that she is incredibly tall and her wings are huge. She seemed to be dressed in a shimmering robe, so that her whole appearance was hazy, as though she is simply a light-filled being radiating her essence. Angel Chazaqiel filled me with a calm, reassuring certainty about my life path. She is my new travelling companion on this most exciting journey.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.