Blog

Monday Merry Meet: Alys West

Posted on by Alys West

It is an absolute pleasure to meet the witches of the Enchanted Emporium. I hope you enjoy reading our chat about Samhain, ghosts and superpowers.
Alys xx

The Enchanted Emporium Bookshelf

Today we’re excited to chat to Alys West, author of the witchy series the Spellworker Chronicles. We hope you enjoy hearing about Samhain, her books and spells.

Monday Merry Meet: Alys West

Willow:Hi Alys, come in it’s blustery out there. It’s as if you brought your Storm witch with you. We’ve heard the waves hit the harbour walls all day. Usually we’re too far away.

Amber:On the plus side the courtyard has gathered so many autumnal leaves, I can make a wreath. Can I get you a drink? We have our own blends of tea, Yorkshire tea, as no one can beat that for a proper cuppa, coffee or something different?

Alys: I’ll have a cup of green tea with jasmine if you’ve got it. Thanks for inviting me to visit your wonderful shop. I love Whitby. It’s one of my favourite places. I always feel history really…

View original post 2,192 more words

Wisdom of Trees

Posted on by Alys West

I’ve recently returned from a holiday in Madeira.  One of the most unexpected discoveries of the trip was the Laurisilva Forest, an ancient forest of laurel trees.  I’d read about this area in the guidebook but the dry sentences about ‘primary forest’ and ‘ecological niches’ did little to prepare me for the reality. Laurisilva Forest … Continue reading Wisdom of Trees

Happy Halloween!

Posted on by Alys West

As York is in Tier 2 my Halloween celebrations are going to be pretty low key this year. I'm going to miss trick and treating with my godson who thinks Halloween is the best holiday, even better than Christmas, due to the sheer quantity of chocolate on offer! I have however made a little video … Continue reading Happy Halloween!

Mabon – Celebrating Harvest

Posted on by Alys West

Mabon or the Autumn Equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on Tuesday 22nd September.  Day and night will be of equal length for the second time in the Wheel of the Year (the first time was at Ostara, the Spring Equinox).  The Equinox also marks the official start of autumn, although with some of the … Continue reading Mabon – Celebrating Harvest

Lammas – Celebrating Abundance

Posted on by Alys West

At this time of year, grain is ripening in the fields, there’s crops of fruits ready and gardens are lush with colour.  This first harvest is celebrated as Lammas (also known as Lughasadh) and takes place on 1st August in the Northern hemisphere this year.  The word ‘Lammas’ comes from ‘loaf mass’ as traditionally bread would … Continue reading Lammas – Celebrating Abundance

Magic and Myth of Glastonbury Tor

Posted on by Alys West

For me stories grow out of places and I’m always delighted when that love of place comes through to readers. One of the nicest comments I receive is when someone tells me one of my books has made them want to visit Glastonbury, Orkney or Whitby. From Under the Duvet Book Blog reviewed Beltane this … Continue reading Magic and Myth of Glastonbury Tor

Stone Circles in Fiction

Posted on by Alys West

I’ve been obsessed with stone circles since a family holiday to Brittany when I was 15. I remember vividly my fascination with the stone alignments at Carnac which kicked off a lifelong passion. I’m what my best friend’s husband, who’s an archaeologist, calls “a stone botherer” which doesn’t bother me at all as my stone … Continue reading Stone Circles in Fiction

Beltane – Celebrating Spring

Posted on by Alys West

Somehow despite writing a book set at Beltane, I’ve not written a blog post about it yet. So I’ve decided to put that right this year. I’ve always wanted to be in Glastonbury at Beltane as they have the most spectacular celebrations with people dressed up as Green Men and goddesses to welcome the spring.  … Continue reading Beltane – Celebrating Spring