This is one short piece in a series entitled 'Beyond the Tomb' that I initially wrote for a now defunct magazine.

Queen Elizabeth I - The Virgin of the World

©clipart.com

Much has been written about the professed virginal state of Elizabeth I, who was arguably the most influential Queen in English history. Modernly many have stated that it is a preposterous idea that she was a virgin, implicating that she was a hypocrite and a liar; there are also rumours that she even had a secret child, notably Sir Francis Bacon. But conversely there are many others who insist she was indeed a virgin.

In a society obsessed by sex, it may seem an impossible notion that someone could have remained a virgin for their entire life. On one hand this is not so extreme; the 16^th century was a far more precarious time for women. The act of sexual intercourse was deemed to be not just immoral out of wedlock but was perceived as positively terrifying for some women. The other drawback was of course the perils of childbirth during which death was a shadowy presence whereby if it did not claim you during the birth, there was a high chance of contracting puerperal fever in the days or weeks after. For Elizabeth, both scenarios could have perhaps influenced her decision to remain virtuous – her own mother Ann Boleyn had been executed as a result of rumours that she was not only promiscuous but incestuous in her sexuality; adding to that her stepmother Catherine Howard had later been sent to the block for adultery. She had then experienced the loss of her Grandmother and two stepmothers, Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr, who all died after childbirth and so perhaps it was enough to make the young Elizabeth almost phobic of pregnancy and of course the very act that led to it. There are other scholars who have suggested that she was in fact incapable of intercourse; in historian Alison Weir’s novel ‘Elizabeth the Queen’ she refers to the playwright Ben Johnson as saying that Elizabeth had "a membrane on her which made her incapable of man."

But perhaps we are missing the point? Virgin or not in the technical sense, Elizabeth was for all intents and purposes only ever ‘married’ to God and her country. This placed her in a very specific category, that of ‘Virgin’ as defined by the terminology of “An unmarried woman who has taken religious vows of chastity.” Aside from Elizabeth’s obvious Protestant Christian faith, it has been rumoured that in private she was learned in other spiritual paths, namely Hermetics, Cabala and alchemy, which in the 16^th century was not altogether unheard of or indeed incompatible. Ceremonial or ritual magic has been associated with almost all of the orthodox religions at some point in their evolution and Elizabeth’s court held many devout Christians who also practiced magic, one of which was the polymath and astrologer Dr John Dee.

In classing herself as a ‘virgin’ Elizabeth is using the symbolism of alchemy and arcane spiritual wisdom to show that she has reached a state of supreme enlightenment. In alchemy the virgin is the embodiment of the primal state of purity and wisdom; she is a combination of opposites, the self-originator. Often this is depicted in alchemical art as the virgin queen of the heavens, surrounded by planetary, cabalistic and alchemical symbols, her ‘milk’ streams from her breasts to nourish the world with the combined elements.

Secret Figures of the Rosicrucian’s of the 16th and 17th Centuries Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer, Altona, 1785

Elizabeth used blatant symbolism in her jewellery and portraiture to emphasise this; her personal badges included the ‘pelican of piety’ and the phoenix. The former represents the self-sacrificing nature of the bird which was believed to provide her own blood to her young when no other food was available, or in another myth the pelican killed her offspring then resurrected them with her blood. The phoenix, of course represents the ability to die and be reborn – the phoenix builds a nest and ignites it, burning itself to ashes from which a young phoenix or egg arises; a perfect representation of the physical and spiritual process of alchemy. Symbolically Queen Elizabeth is saying that she is ultimately pure, divinely chosen and spiritual ‘mother’ to her subjects. As the most powerful and significant English Queen in history, her reign may have ended but her legacy is indeed immortal.

 © Philippa Faulks 2011

Today is 'Respect for the Aged Day' in Japan - why is this not a worldwide occasion? In fact shouldn't we be respecting our elders every day?

We live in a very busy world here in the West. Our days are probably taken up predominantly with our work, then our family life, our social life and then watching tv, Tweeting, adding to our Facebook or blogging! Aren't we busy, busy, busy! But during that busy-ness, did you manage to fit in phoning your parents, or making sure your elderly neighbour or a relative was ok? If you did, was it a bit of a chore; something you did out of 'duty'? Did they need anything and if so did you inwardly sigh and think "how am I going to fit that in?"

I have been reflecting a lot on how our society generally treats the older generation and having done some research it would seem as if we are not doing too well here in our so-called civilised society. On a material level we have everything we need in Europe and the US to make life pretty darn easy, so why are we amazingly awful at caring for our elders. The community spirit seems to have died a death in most towns and cities and the old or infirm are closeted away in residential or 'care' homes - put out to pasture until they make space for a new resident. I have known friends who have worked in some of these places and they comment on how soul-less and miserable they can be. The 'clients' as they are called, left to sit in a chair for up to 8 hours, shoved in front of the tv or some even just placed in a corridor. They have seen 'carers' ignore people's pleas to use the bathroom, for a cup of tea or even just some social interaction - if they do talk to them they speak as if the person is a child, in monosyllabic and patronising tones. Some of the residents may have been fighter pilots during the war, a nurse or even a neuroscientist - but they don't ask, because they can't be bothered because old people are boring right? Wrong!

Do we look to our elders for advice or support or do we view it as old fashioned and past its sell by date? But on the whole they are a wealth of information and have just as much useful advice as their younger counterparts, if not more considering some of the global events they have lived through. Scientific and medical evidence shows that older people still living within the bosom of their family or community are less likely to suffer from dementia or related conditions. Those who are still active or encouraged to be independent have a much greater chance of living longer, being happier, physically healthier and retaining more cognitive skills. If we can extend this ideal to reach out to more elderly people, then we will hopefully see a reduction in diseases such as Alzheimer's which is taking a huge toll on not only our healthcare organisations but also on our future societies.

Ok, so I have perhaps shown the more negative side of how we treat our elderly - there are many out there who have loving families and are still very active and independent. There are also some wonderful care and residential homes but we should spare a thought for those who are not in such pleasant surroundings.

Take a moment to think how you could make an elderly person's day better, not just today but any day. Even a genuine smile or a cheery 'Good Morning' when you walk down the street can make another dull day for a pensioner into a slightly brighter one. If you can do more that would be great - volunteer to spend a few hours in a nursing or care home to just chat with a resident; do someone's shopping or weed their garden. See if you can make a difference - it all adds up. Just remember, you'll be old one day too!

Thank you for reading!

The amazing singer/songwriter CORJAN does it again!

He has produced an amazing video to accompany the song he wrote, inspired by my book THE MASONIC MAGICIAN - the Life and Death of Count Cagliostro and His Egyptian Rite

To see more of Corjan's work visit - http://www.corjan.net/

Three Cups of Tea -

One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time

I have just finished absorbing one of the most inspiring stories of human accomplishment ever written. Three Cups of Tea - One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is a revelation as to how one person really can make a difference.

The backcover blurb explains it all -

"In 1993, after a terrifying and disastrous attempt to climb K2, a mountaineer called Greg Mortenson drifted, cold and dehydrated, into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram Mountains. Moved by the inhabitants' kindness, he promised to return and build a school. "Three Cups of Tea" is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome. Over the next decade Mortenson built not just one but fifty-five schools - especially for girls - in remote villages across the forbidding and breathtaking landscape of Pakistan and Afghanistan, just as the Taliban rose to power. His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the humanitarian spirit."

It is a story of hope, fear and continued hard graft which demonstrates that just talking does not solve problems; rather than just 'saying', we need to be 'doing'. If we complain about something - change it; if we feel we can do better than those in charge - prove it! I am in awe of Mortenson's bravado, his stamina and his compassion and the world would be a better place if each one of us took even one hundredth of the action he has.

I urge everyone who cares about humanity to read this book - buy it via the official website http://www.threecupsoftea.com/ and 7% of proceeds goes to the non-profit foundation Central Asia Institute (CAI) https://www.ikat.org/, set up to continue this extraordinary work; do some fundraising to help keep the money flowing or get your school/college/religious group involved with Pennies for Peace http://www.penniesforpeace.org - a way of raising not only cash but awareness:

Peace and Hope Begin With Education: One Child At A Time

Our Pennies for Peace Program (P4P) educates American children about the world beyond their experience and how they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. It teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and education opportunities to the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A penny in the United States is virtually worthless, but overseas a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.

The best hope for a peaceful and prosperous world lies in the education of all the world’s children. Through cross-cultural understanding and a solution-oriented approach, Pennies for Peace encourages American children, ultimately our future leaders, to be active participants in the creation of global peace.

The curriculum, reference list, and additional information on Pennies for Peace can be found on our website www.penniesforpeace.org. 

Images and text courtesy Central Asia Institute

HENNA MAGIC: CRAFTING CHARMS & RITUALS WITH SACRED BODY ART

Publication date November 2010 - available for pre-order now on Amazon!

I am really excited to be able to unveil the cover of my forthcoming book HENNA MAGIC: CRAFTING CHARMS & RITUALS WITH SACRED BODY ART which is due for publication by the excellent   Llewellyn Publications in November 2010

The book covers all aspects of the use of henna historically, magically and medicinally and includes recipes for mixing your own henna paste, designs to use, plus charms, spells and rituals to perform all using the sacred power of henna magic!

Paperback: 312 pages

I am really pleased to see that my new book HENNA MAGIC: CRAFTING CHARMS & RITUALS WITH SACRED BODY ART to be published by Llewellyn Publications in NOV 2010, is now available for PRE-ORDER via Amazon!!

We don't have the cover art yet, as it is under wraps for the time being but please have a look and I'll keep you updated with everything to do with the dedicated website and any related news!

Available to pre-order from:

UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Henna-Magic-Crafting-Charms-Rituals/dp/0738719153/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268734087&sr=1-3

USA

http://www.amazon.com/Henna-Magic-Crafting-Charms-Rituals/dp/0738719153/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268734516&sr=8-3

CANADA

http://www.amazon.ca/Henna-Magic-Crafting-Charms-Rituals/dp/0738719153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268734626&sr=8-1

On Friday 5th March I was honoured to be asked to do an after-dinner speech at the Ladies Dinner of Triune Chapter in Ipswich. The event was held at the prestigious Ipswich & Suffolk Club and I was warmly welcomed by members of the Chapter and their wives. The evening was convivial, wonderfully catered and I gave a brief talk about my 'journey' as Freemason's Wife to Freemasonry author.

I would very much like to thank Mac Speake, Provincial Almoner, not only for his kind invitation and welcome but also to congratulate him on his well deserved promotion to Grand Office, PAGDC!

 Philippa at a talk for Triune Lodge, Ipswich 

Bestselling author Philippa Faulks joins David Whiteley to talk about her personal hearing loss caused by loud music from punk concerts during her youth and hopes to inspire others to learn from her experience and protect their hearing from damage...... 

Inside Out East

Monday, 19:30 on BBC One

David Whiteley is the presenter of BBC Inside Out East.

BBC Inside Out discovers young people could be damaging their hearing by going to bars and nightclubs and even by listening to personal music players.

The Secrets of Meditation - Simple Techniques for Achieving Harmony

The practice of meditation is an integral part of almost all world religions and its beneficial effects on the mind and the spirit have long been understood and celebrated. This straightforward guide to meditation will tell you all you need to know about how this powerful practice works and teach you the key techniques to begin experiencing the benefits immediately. Featuring a range of different approaches including relaxation exercises, mudras, mantras and mandalas, and covering various styles of meditation, this book shows ways to find inner harmony for everyone.

Buy signed copies online here -

http://www.philippafaulks.co.uk/page6.htm

Now also available in French and German!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-uk&field-author=Philippa%20Faulks

This evening I am lucky enough to be invited to a private screening of the documentary film ERASING DAVID by award winning director, producer and writer DAVID BOND and GREEN LIONS FILMS . Soon to be screened on CHANNEL 4, the film looks to be an exciting yet chilling reminder of how our very existence can leave a definite imprint.

"David Bond tries to escape for a month and challenges private investigators, Cameron Gowlett and Duncan Mee of Cerberus to track him. The film charts the battle of wits between David and the investigators as they close in." http://www.cerberusip.com/erasing-david

Synopsis of the film -

DAVID BOND lives in one of the most intrusive surveillance states in the world. He decides to find out how much private companies and the government know about him by putting himself under surveillance and attempting to disappear – a decision that changes his life forever. Leaving his pregnant wife and young child behind, he is tracked across the database state on a chilling journey that forces him to contemplate the meaning of privacy – and the loss of it.

Once the bastion of freedom and civil liberties, the UK is now one of the most advanced surveillance societies in the world – ranked third after Russia and China. The average UK adult is now registered on over 700 databases and is caught daily on one of the 4 million CCTV cameras located on nearly every street corner in the country. Increasingly monitored, citizens are being turned into suspects. But if you’ve got nothing to hide, surely there’s nothing to fear?

When David receives a letter informing him that his daughter Ivy is among 25 million residents whose details have been lost by the government’s Child Benefit Office, he begins a journey that will see him hounded across Europe.

David soon discovers some alarming truths about what the government and private companies already know about ordinary citizens. He meets people who have been caught in the crossfire of the database state and have had their lives shattered.

As his concern grows, he makes a life-changing decision. He will leave his pregnant wife and child behind and put himself under surveillance for thirty days. The UK’s top Private Investigators are hired to discover everything they can about him and his family – and track David down as he attempts to vanish. Is it still possible to live a private, anonymous life in the UK?  Or do the state and private companies already know too much about ordinary people?

Forced to contemplate the meaning of privacy – and the loss of it, David’s disturbing journey leaves him with no doubt that although he has nothing to hide, he certainly has something to fear…

GREEN LIONS FILMS http://greenlions.com/

 TheMasonic Magician honoured in song by Corjan de Raaf 

Count Alessandro Cagliostro - alchemist, healer and Freemason - celebrated in music

Check out this song and others at:

http://www.corjan.net/

Today the EDP, East Anglia's biggest selling newspaper, featured an article about my latest book A Handbook for the Freemason's Wife and approached head-on some of the questions most people want to know about Freemasonry and what it involves. I often forget how little the average person knows about the Craft and find it strange that they find it all so strange! To me Freemasonry is a great and noble society and one of the world's largest charitable organisations - to others it is a secretive society with lots of myths and rumours surrounding it. I spent half an hour in the hairdressers recently talking about Freemasonry. My lovely colourist admitted she had only heard of the Masons because they were meant to be 'corrupt' - so I soon put her right (poor girl!). I mentioned that men can't become a Mason if they have a criminal record and that they would soon be removed if they were found to be doing anything illegal or against the rules of Freemasonry, which includes attempting to use Freemasonry for improper means. She was also suprised to hear about their extensive charitable work - how over the years local Air Ambulances have been kept flying due to regular donations from Norfolk Masonic Lodges or how sick children in the area have benefitted from donations to buy essential medical equipment or to provide respite care. The list is endless and it is not just the UK that benefits; as there are Lodges worldwide, millions of pounds/dollars/Yen etc are donated every year to good causes or for emergency relief if disasters strike. Not many people know that! A Handbook for the Freemason's Wife discusses these issues and much, much more.

Several people have mentioned the book's title -  for simplicity and artistic licence it focuses on the word 'wife' but it is not just for the wives of Masons, because realistically not all Mason's are married.  It is aimed at anyone who is involved with a Mason or has an interest in Freemasonry - so wives, partners, families, friends, potential Masons or just the inquisitive are equally 'allowed' to read the book!

Veteran EDP feature writer Rowan Mantell certainly listened gamely to us explaining the ins and outs of Masonic life and produced an excellent and easily understandable piece. Hopefully this article and the book will shed a bit more light on what really happens in Freemasonry. If you want to know more - check out my page 'The Freemason's Wife' where you can also buy a signed copy.