A Voice from the Thornwood publication date

Artwork copyright Jack Wolf 2018

Great news! A Voice from the Thornwood: The Parting Words of a Shar Master will be published by Mandrake of Oxford early next year. Jack and I are very excited to finally see this book in print and share our tribal sister Corva’s story with you. Will keep you updated on the progress!

Here's another excerpt...


Agnes leaned forward. ‘Have you been told anything about the traditions that people like me follow?’

‘No,’ I said. ‘I was simply told that you might have a thing or two to teach me.’ I grinned. ‘In fact, after seeing your house, I thought you might be some kind of witch.’

Agnes laughed. ‘I get that quite a bit but I am not what would be considered a witch. I do take such things as a compliment because I hold ‘true witches’ in great respect. So no, I am not a witch, though there are a few old christian ladies who give me a wide berth when they see me in town.’ She laughed. ‘I am something you probably have never heard of before.’

‘What’s that?’ I asked, imagining that she was going to say she was part of some herbalists’ or organic farmers’ collective.

Agnes’ face went slightly more serious. ‘I’m Thornish,’ she replied.

‘You are right,’ I said. ‘I have heard of Scottish and even Cornish, but never Thornish.’

When I look back, it was in that moment I recognized I had been brought to a kind of gateway that I hadn’t even known was there in the first place. It seems to me now that for a long time I had been guided, whether by my own destiny or by outside forces – likely a combination of both – to the point where I met Russell and later, the others.

‘Thornish people are pagan folks who walk in a very special way. We are what could be described as earth warriors or even forest mages, I guess. Some have suggested that tribal mystics might apply too. None of these descriptions really nails it though because we have never fit into the mold that the mainstream tries to force everyone into.’

I remember staring at Agnes and I must have had a blank look on my face as I tried to make heads or tails of what she had just said. That trademark soft grin she so habitually wore crept back onto her face even though I could tell she was trying to remain serious. After a few more seconds she gave in and the grin spread.

‘You should see your face right now,’ she said. ‘You really have no idea of what I’m talking about, do you?’

‘No one told me anything,’ I said.

’Well, there is only one reason I can think of that you came over here to see me, Carolyn, and that’s so I can help you on the next leg of your journey…even if right at this moment you look like you just swallowed a rock.’

‘Actually, I feel like someone just handed me a treasure map,’ I replied as coolly as I could.

Inside my belly I felt a creeping warmth that flowed from my core and joined the tingly feeling of déjà vu that had been climbing up my back and into my head. It wasn’t just the mead, it was something a lot deeper and a lot more instinctive. It was as if something clicked inside of me and just felt …right.

‘Alright then,’ Agnes said at last, filling our glasses up once again. ‘If it’s something you want to do, you can stay with me and if you want, I will teach you a few things.’

‘I would really like that,’ I replied.
 

Wolf-Age

"The great Heathen sage Tom Joy once said that we are entering the Wolf-Age; a time of conflict and despair which has been brought upon our world through generations of black deeds and crimes against the very essence of the Earth.

Yet in answer to this, in keeping with the sacred Balance, a Re-Awakening has begun: A Re-Awakening in which multitudes of people are jolting awake to the understanding of what is truly going on and are refuting the theological lies that have been poisoning our existence. They are returning home to the Elder Kin of their hearts and spirits: they are returning to the defense of our home against the minions of the criminally insane who are trying to kill Her."

~Jack Wolf

Harrownight Thoughts

Copyright 2016 Jack Wolf

The Rekindling has begun.

On October 31st 1958 six men, all members of the Black Talon Society, stood beside a fire in northern British Columbia, Canada. Here they laid the framework for what would become known as the Thornish pagan tradition. They celebrated the creation of the first Thornish lodge, called the Raven Lodge after the tribal name of one of its founders. The older lodges of the Black Talon Society were fading away, their members choosing to step back into the secrecy of the woods from whence they came.

Raven chose to take his lodge forward, selectively recruiting new members, sharing the knowledge of the Thornwood, forging human weapons to work for the sacred Balance. Many strong Masters were made during this golden age of the Thornwood, the ones whose names are passed down with their teachings, names still honored around Thornish fires.

But the members of the Raven Lodge knew that this golden age would not last. They had seen that the Thornish tradition would begin to fade from sight, carried by only a few remaining Thornsmen and Thornswomen. They also foresaw times ahead that would find many people returning to their pagan roots, world-changing times. They saw a world that would need those who are willing to work to return Balance to the world.

The Thornish Masters that remained sensed the changing of the winds and the approach of the coming storm. Meeting in Council, as they had not done in many years, they decided to create a new lodge and step forward as they had never done before and share some of their teachings.

Photo by Jack Wolf

On October 31st 2016, Harrownight, Thornish Masters marked the Rekindling of the Thornish tradition.

I made many offerings that night. Standing by the sea, in the glow of the fire, I spoke with my ancestors, both of blood and of the Thornwood. I called to those who will join us at the Harrownight fire in years to come.

We spent many hours talking of the future of the Thornish tradition and the storms that even now rock the foundations of the outer world as we know it.

Swords and spears are forged with heat and hammering. Shar--as Thornish initiates are called--are forged by trials and ordeals and tribal bonds. Challenging times, rough times--these tap into the deep vein of Bloodfire and bring forth those who are strong, who see through the Lies, who welcome the chance to restore Balance.

We are Shar. We were forged for times like these. And now we begin to build new tribal fires from the embers of the old.

Cover design by Jack Wolf & Mandrake of Oxford

If you would like to learn more about the Thornish pagan tradition, this blog and Jack's blog https://thornwoodpress.wordpress.com/ are a good place to start. Jack's new book The Thornish Path is available from Mandrake of Oxford  or amazon.com and many other booksellers.