The Mandua Briga Seed Group of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids invite those of all pagan paths – Druid, Wiccan, Heathen, Hedge Witch and others – to a friendly, inclusive and informal moot at the Clocktower Café in The Goods Shed at Hopetown Darlington to find out if there is interest in re-starting…
People of Spirit – A Tribute to Meggie Kynsa (Paul Needham)
Just before Winter Solstice 2024 we lost one of the elders and most distinctive characters from the north east of England’s pagan community. I first met Meggie around 10 years ago at the Northumbrian Gorsedd gatherings at Dilston Physic Garden, organised by fellow OBOD Druids Victor Ball and Marc Johnstone when Meggie was still known as Paul. We shared…
The Mystery of the Stang Amulet
Our story starts in the spring of 1981. A man called Ted Seaton from Barnard Castle, who was a keen local metal detectorist, had taken a drive out to Arkengarthdale to search for artefacts. Ted ran an antique shop called The Mudlark in Galgate in Barnard Castle. Just over four years later, Ted was to…
Book Launch!
Posted on Author Mandua BrigaPosted in Academia, Religious Education, Religious StudiesLeave a Reply
Fantastic day at Leeds Trinity University for the launch of Pagan Religions in Five Minutes. Presentations from myself, Angela Puca, Suzanne Owen and Rhiannon Grant, followed by a brilliant discussion. A very enjoyable day!
Pagan Religions in Five Minutes
Posted on Author Mandua BrigaPosted in Academia, Religious Education, Religious StudiesLeave a Reply
Delighted to have received my author’s copy of this wonderful volume, Pagan Religions in Five Minutes. The book contains short chapters from leading scholars in the field of Pagan Studies and is designed to be a quick introduction to Pagan religions, with 70 chapters, each designed to be read in 5 minutes. Ronald Hutton has…
Samhain History, Folklore & Traditions with Dr Jennifer Uzzell
Spent a very enjoyable hour or so yesterday talking to my good friend and colleague, Dr Angela Luca about the history of the Pagan festival of Samhain and the traditions associated with it. You can watch the video here, should you be so inclined. Blessings of the Season!
Mabon at Thornborough Henges
Posted on Author Mandua BrigaPosted in Academia, Autumn Equinox, Mari Lwyd, Religious Studies, Thornborough HengesLeave a Reply
The first outing of our new Mari – Mari Bryn! Mari Bryn was created from the Trac Cymru: Folk Development for Wales flat-pack Mari designed by David Pitt. Keith bought this for Jenny several years ago but they didn’t find the opportunity to put it together, so when David came up to Darlington to create…
The Festival of Archaeology at Thornborough
The Festival of Archaeology at Thornborough took place on Saturday at West Tanfield Memorial Hall, which was the new Thornborough Archaeology Group (TAG) inaugural event in partnership with English Heritage. TAG’s aim is to foster and support community interest and activities in the historic Thornborough Henges landscape such as community centered fieldwork. Dr Jan Harding…
Welcome Mari Briga!
For over two years now our horse skull who we wanted to become our Mari Lwyd / Hobby ‘Oss / Mast Beast Mari Briga AKA Mandua Briga (see our page here for more information) has been sitting on top of Jenny’s bookcase in her front room, reflecting the lack of activity in the Seed Group…
Homecoming
We are absolutely over the moon that Jenny has had her piece on The Cailleach published in the wonderful animist Homecoming journal published by Aurochs Underground Press. This is the first piece of non-academic writing she has had published, and she is delighted! It’s a wonderful achievement and it is a lovely piece of writing. The Homecoming…