Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mhara Starling

@mharastarling.bsky.social

2.4K followers 220 following 160 posts

Welsh Witch | Swynwraig Llen Gwerin, hudoliaeth, a mwy! | Folklore, Magic, and more! Author, Cauldron and Troll doll hoarder. Whimsy and chaos embodied ✨

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Nov 20

I thought I’d introduce myself! As I’m new to Bluesky!

My name is Mhara, I’m a Welsh Witch. I write books! Currently have two books out - Welsh Witchcraft and Welsh Fairies! (More to come! 😁). I’m originally from Ynys Môn, currently living in Chester. And I love sharing about Welsh magic and lore!

A woman dressed in white robes and a black cloak, with red hair holding a large smoking cauldron. She stands before two great standing stones which act as the entryway for an ancient passage tomb.

A hand holding two books in a bookshop - the first book on the left is ‘Welsh Witchcraft’ by Mhara Starling. It has a black cover with ornate green and yellow designs and a large red dragon at the centre. The second book is ‘Welsh Fairies’ also by Mhara Starling, this book has a blue cover with ornate white and yellow designs.

A red haired woman in a white robes is smiling as she looks to her right. Beside her is a tall, mysterious white cloaked figure with a horse’s skull as a head. From the horse skull ribbons and bells fall like hair. The figure’s eyes glow eerily. Behind them is a crowd and a smoking cauldron. It is winter solstice on the Isle of Anglesey. The cloaked horse skull figure is the Mari Lwyd.

28 15 240

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 6h

Felt cute, might lurk in the graveyard later and feed stolen communion wafers to an ancient toad 🐸

Reposted by Mhara Starling

Jhenah Telyndru @ynysafallon.bsky.social · 13h

Thrilled to be presenting "Celtic Wisdom for Times of Change" online through the College of Psychic Studies on Sunday, October 19. Registration is open, details at the link below! I hope you can join us! #celticmythology #witchsky #druidsky
www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/my...

The College of Psychic Studies : Workshops : Myth magic : Celtic wisdom for times of change

Jhenah Telyndru takes us to the threshold of this world and the next to explore Celtic lore that can support us in these times of transition. Book now.

www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

1 2

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 1d

Though in reality, I think they’re happy about how far we’ve come. I always think of this:

1 11

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 1d

How I imagine my impoverished ancestors who lived through famines and plagues look at me when I’m complaining about how hard and stressful it is sticking to a calorie deficit, and not eating junk food daily:

a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a shelf of bow ties .

ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a shelf of bow ties .

media.tenor.com

1 1 22

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 1d

My brain still cannot fathom that not only have I had enough determination to write three books, but that they’ve all been published too! 😂😅 as someone who struggles to motivate myself to breathe correctly most of the time, I am rather proud!

2 62

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 2d

🌸 A sprig of Mugwort carried in your coat pocket will prevent fatigue.

🌸 The vervain root, when powdered and placed in a silk pouch, carried around the neck, will supposedly cure all diseases.

🌸 Seaweed when hung up in the kitchen will banish all evil spirits.

(2/2)

2 15

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 2d

Some Herbal/Plant Based Charms and Folk Beliefs from Wales…

🌸 White Bryony, known in Welsh as “Meipen Fair” or “Maip Bendigaid”, planted in the front garden will ward away evil.

🌸 Elderberry leaves plucked at night rubbed on warts then burnt cures them.

(1/2)

1 1 15

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · 8d

Join me for my online talk with the Folger Shakespeare Library this Wednesday!

The talk will be recorded so you can catch up whenever!

More details here: www.folger.edu/whats-on/bar...

1 13

Reposted by Mhara Starling

Solitary Witch Books @witchbooks.bsky.social · Aug 14

Book Review | Y MABINOGI
Exploring the Magic & Wisdom of Welsh Mythology.
By our own MHARA STARLING.

#YMabinogi #Welshfolklore #Paganportals #booksforwitches #witchsky #pagansky #booksky #welshsky @mharastarling.bsky.social @moonbooksci.bsky.social

1 1 11

Reposted by Mhara Starling

Mhara’s Trolls! @mharas-trolls.bsky.social · Aug 13

A lot of folks associate Troll dolls with a particular decade. Usually the 80’s or the 90’s.

But Trolls have had surges in popularity almost every decade since the 60’s. They’re not a short burst fad…they’re magical little things that seem to return once every few years to warm hearts and terrify.

1 2 10

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Aug 13

Had a rather fabulous time at the Eisteddfod in Wrexham last week.

For those who might not know: The National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in all of Europe. It is one that celebrated Welsh culture. Our language takes centre stage, with a focus on art, and specifically poetry.

2 3 41

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 22

Photo above: Cerridwen, Welsh Witch Goddess, consulting her magical books by Welsh artist Margaret Jones.

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 22

What are some of your favourite hands-on guides to operative magic?

Let me know some of your favourite books that discuss the *doing* as much as the theory and historical/folkloric context behind it all. And if possible, let me know why you love it too!

1 1 25

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 21

It’s always a thrill to find one’s own books out “in the wild”! 😁

Came across two of my books (including my most recent title that only released last month!) in a little bookshop in Liverpool yesterday - News from Nowhere. And I was also excited to spot Welsh Witchcraft in Waterstones too!

1 1 41

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 19

Watching one of my favourite superheroes since childhood (Hawkgirl) go absolutely feral, screaming and all, and then smirking before dropping an absolute arsehole to his death…healed something in me 😌

#superman

a cartoon of a woman holding a towel over her shoulder

ALT: a cartoon of a woman holding a towel over her shoulder

media.tenor.com

2 33

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 19

Ooh I thought of a couple of fun spooky comedy series after I wrote this:

• Ghosts
• Santa Clarita Diet

Loved these and can’t believe I forgot them initially!

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 19

I’ve been watching episodes of the old Munsters and Addams Family TV shows lately. And it’s got me thinking how I’m not sure if such sitcoms even exist these days!

Can you think of any more modern sitcoms that take a gothic/spooky vibe? Other than “What we do in the shadows” I’m drawing a blank.

a black and white photo of a woman with long black hair wearing a necklace .

ALT: a black and white photo of a woman with long black hair wearing a necklace .

media.tenor.com

2 9

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 18

It’s such a sad feeling when you start realising that slowly, over time…you’ve had to start masking around those you thought you could trust to take the mask off around.

But when people show you who they are, you believe them. Even if sadly that means admitting you’ve been fooled yet again.

2 41

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jul 11

Just a touch of darkness to help me cope with the summertime sadness…🥀

6 2 58

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jun 30

I’m suddenly all inspired to discuss Halloween and Calan Gaeaf. The motivation and drive to do so is there, despite it being bloody JUNE. About to become JULY.

So, dear brain, please keep this energy for when September and October roll around. Please?!

2 29

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jun 29

And I think that’s why I loved her so much as a kid too. The younger version of me related to this girl who clearly had this deep special interest (vampires and the supernatural) and her whole life revolved around that interest. She made me feel seen at a time I often just felt broken 🖤

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jun 29

“Mona the Vampire” was one book in a series. There was also “Mona the hairdresser”, “Mona the champion” etc.

In the books, Mona finds herself obsessed with a new interest that takes over her entire life!

As someone who goes through phases of special interests, I adore that.

2 13

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jun 29

I started watching Mona the Vampire recently in a need for some nostalgic calm. And I forgot how much I adored this show as a kid 🥹

Had to dig out my childhood Mona plush too!!

Did you know, in the original books…Mona isn’t always a vampire!

3 19

Reposted by Mhara Starling

Thea Prothero @heathenpilgrim.bsky.social · Jun 28

This weeks blog is a couple of reviews of the latest releases from my publisher, Moon Books
Y Mabinogi & Feminist Witchcraft
Enjoy!

heathenpilgrim.substack.com/p/feminist-w...

Feminist Witchcraft and Y Mabinogi

Two new releases from Moon Books

heathenpilgrim.substack.com

1 1 6

Mhara Starling @mharastarling.bsky.social · Jun 29

Me: Ugh I cannot stand this heat. I long for gloomy, grey days where the cold breeze brings me comfort. I am ill suited for the summer sunshine.

My friends: Have you ever considered perhaps *not* wearing so many layers of thick clothing? Maybe then you’d enjoy summer more?

Me: Never.

4 1 51