Once upon a time, in a mystical forest filled with wonders and enchantment, there lived a little kitten named Witch. Witch was no ordinary kitten. She possessed a magical ability to see into the future and cast spells. The other animals in the forest admired her powers and sought her guidance whenever they were in need. Witch had long, silky black fur, which shimmered in the moonlight. Her piercing yellow eyes seemed to hold secrets of a mysterious realm.
Ley lines are straight tracks or lines, essentially energy grids, that stretch across the earth in every direction. The ancients were said to have marked these lines with stone monuments and pagan temples. This definition makes sense but doesn’t provide the whole picture of what ley lines truly are. Our ancient ancestors could feel the magic and power emanating from these energy lines, and so they marked them. They set up natural sanctuaries and called the intersections of ley lines their sacred sites. But are these ley lines still in existence? How do these ancient ley lines affect us in modern times? How can we find local ley lines and harness this energy?
Windmill Hill is presumed to be a place of festival, feasting and ritual, excavated in depth throughout the early 20th century, the findings of which are on dispay in the nearby Alexander Keillor museum. Myths aside, The National Trust lists 38 stones, some up to 10m in height, the site being one of the first ever to be purchased by the Trust in 1913.
Her piercing yellow eyes seemed to hold secrets of a mysterious realm. She wore a tiny black hat adorned with stars and moons, symbolizing her magical prowess. A small silver pendant hung from her neck, with an intricate design etched onto it.
Pagan Britain: The UK's Ancient Sacred Sites
The term Pagan comes from the Latin paganus—literally ‘rustic’ or ‘yokel’—used by invading Romans to denigrate pre-Christian faiths considered backwards and inferior to their own.
Little is known of these prehistoric Pagan religions, other than what can be interpreted from their mysterious monuments and relics found in all corners of the British Isles. Archeologists know there must have been a strong astronomical interest with layouts aligned with the solstices and equinoxes, ancestor worship seems to have featured prominently, as well as ominous sacrificial rituals.
Much of the rest of our understanding comes from guesswork, a vacuum which has been readily filled by millenia of romantic myth and folk legends from King Arthur onwards.
But for a country so obsessed with its origin myths, it’s surprising how little is known about Britain’s thousands of sacred Pagan sites. There are stone circles, henges, burial mounds, even an entire preserved village. Everyone knows the most famous henge, but what about the others? Read on for some of the UK’s most fascinating Pagan sacred sites.
Pagan Britain
On this page:
- Avebury
- Castlerigg
- Long Meg
- Seahenge
- Pentre Ifan
- Neolithic Orkney
- Calanais Standing Stones
- Beltane Fire Festival
- Stonehenge
Avebury World Heritage Site, home to the world's largest prehistoric stone circle
Avebury World Heritage Site
Avebury World Heritage Site is renowned for Prehistoric and Neolithic sites that rival Stonehenge in size, range and atmosphere, if not notoriety.
The site is understood to have been of spiritual and ceremonial importance for Neolithic pilgrims. Avebury Henge, built around 2500 BC, is the world’s largest with more than 100 megalithic stones arranged in a vast circle. The Sanctuary is a particularly mysterious site, possibly connected with human sacrifice. West Kennet Long Barrow is an impressive burial chamber, being one of the largest and most detailed examples still in existence, built around 3650 BC. Windmill Hill is presumed to be a place of festival, feasting and ritual, excavated in depth throughout the early 20th century, the findings of which are on dispay in the nearby Alexander Keillor museum.
It’s recommended to start exploring Avebury at the Alexander Keillor museum, then walk between the sites, all of which are a manageable distance apart. The hike up Windmill Hill is a 1.5 mile moderate incline. Access is not permitted to Silbury Hill but the pyramid sized mound can be viewed from afar.
Avebury World Heritage Site
Free entry for all sites during daylight hours. Parking is free for English Heritage or National Trust members, who co-manage and care for the sites.
More info: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury
Featured Guide
Walking holidays in the UK
You may think you know the UK but there are plenty of surprises yet to be found, and a walking holiday is the best way to do it.
Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Lake District
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The Castlerigg Stone Circle, commanding an impressive location in northern England’s Lake District, are thought to be Britain’s oldest stone circle, dating back to 4000 - 5000 BC. The stones come with their own myth; that you can’t count the same number of stones twice, as they’ll vary in quantity on every circumnavigation. Myths aside, The National Trust lists 38 stones, some up to 10m in height, the site being one of the first ever to be purchased by the Trust in 1913.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Free Entry, 2 hour walking loop from / to Keswick town centre.
The mound is beautiful – luscious greenery and centuries-old trees dot this man-made hillside that overlooks the Bay. Walking to the top of the mound, I received flashes of the Tocobaga tribe that once inhabited the site. I saw a woman wearing a necklace of shells and tree fronds on her clothing. The hustle and bustle of an entire civilization of people traveling up and down the mound. I chose a park bench on the front side of the Tocobaga Mound, as far away from the other park visitors as possible. It was quiet and I made it known to the spirits I was there in peace and just wanted to connect to better understand. I stated aloud clockwise motion meant yes and counterclockwise motion meant no. I asked the spirits if they were nature spirits, they confirmed. Then I asked if there were native spirits there, they confirmed. When asked if the spirits there were angry, they confirmed.
This pendant was said to amplify her magical abilities. Every day, Witch would go on adventures in the forest, observing and learning from the creatures that called it home. She loved to observe the squirrels scampering from tree to tree, the birds singing melodious tunes, and the flowers swaying in the gentle breeze. She would sit quietly, hidden in the tall grass, watching nature's breathtaking displays. But one day, Witch noticed something peculiar. She saw a group of mischievous mice scurrying about with an evil glint in their eyes. They were plotting something wicked, and Witch knew she had to intervene. She followed the mice with caution, using her magical powers to stay hidden from their sight. As she trailed behind them, Witch realized that the mice were heading towards the neighboring village, where the humans lived. She knew that these innocent humans were unaware of the impending danger, and she had to act quickly to protect them. Witch decided to transform herself into a little girl so that she could blend in with the village residents and expose the mischievous mice. Wearing a flowy blue dress and a pair of shiny red shoes, Witch joined the villagers in their daily activities. She visited the local bakery, where the aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air, and helped feed the farm animals at the village farm. Witch made sure to keep a close eye on the mice, ensuring that they didn't carry out their wicked plan. Months passed, and Witch's dedication paid off. She uncovered the mice's evil plot to steal the villagers' food supply and set traps to catch them in the act. The villagers were amazed at the bravery and resourcefulness of the little girl who seemed to appear out of nowhere. Word spread throughout the village about her heroic acts, and she became known as the "Kitten Witch Who Watched." With the mice exposed and peace restored, Witch decided it was time to return to her true form. She bid farewell to the villagers, assuring them that she would always be there to protect and guide them whenever they needed her. The people were grateful for her selfless acts and promised to cherish the memory of the Kitten Witch Who Watched. And so, Witch returned to her magical forest, her black fur shining under the moon's ethereal glow. The animals greeted her with joy and admiration, knowing that their protector had once again triumphed over evil. Witch resumed her daily adventures, watching over her forest kingdom and using her magical powers to bring harmony and happiness to all..
Reviews for "Kitten Witch Art: Celebrating the Captivating Beauty of Feline Sorcery"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Kitten witch wore to watch" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline was predictable and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style seemed overly simplistic and didn't capture my attention. I was hoping for a more engaging and imaginative read, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely disliked "Kitten witch wore to watch". The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult for me to follow along. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the characters seemed unrealistic and unrelatable. The book lacked a clear direction and left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking an enjoyable and well-crafted story.
3. Mark - 2 stars - "Kitten witch wore to watch" was a disappointment for me. The writing style was choppy and didn't flow smoothly, making it hard to stay engaged. The pacing was off, with certain parts dragging on while others were rushed and lacked development. The plot twists felt contrived and forced, leaving me with a sense of incredulity. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Kitten witch wore to watch", but unfortunately, it failed to impress me. The characters lacked depth and development, and I couldn't find myself invested in their journey. The dialogue felt unrealistic and stilted, making it difficult to connect with the story. The plot lacked originality and felt predictable, leaving me unenthused. Overall, this book fell short of my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others in search of a captivating read.
5. Michael - 1 star - "Kitten witch wore to watch" was a tedious read. The writing style felt amateurish, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The plot was disjointed and lacked coherence, making it a struggle to follow along. The characters were unlikable and lacked any depth or relatability. I found myself losing interest quickly and had to force myself to finish the book. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging story.