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Antony

Community

By Gay, Happiness & Joy, Love & Relationships, Paganism, The Web, ThinkingNo Comments

Human beings are social animals and since even before the beginning of language, we developed and engaged in communities.

I, like you all are part of many communities. Including (but by no means limited to): my immediate family, my locality, nursing, gay, authors/writers and pagan/spirituality.

I love being part of every community that I am part of, but like any community I don’t always agree with or like all members.

On exceptionally rare occasions, I get into conflict with a community member. Sometimes it’s like we can’t see what brings us together as community members. Like we are too focused by difference, rather than the similarities.

It is always sad when this happens and even sadder when we can’t agree to disagree. What is difficult for me to accept, is that sometimes there is no resolution to these disagreements.

I have apologised for any offense caused. I have empathised, trying to understand another’s point of view.

I have explained my perspective and thinking. I have explained my feelings. I have sought resolution.

But unfortunately there was no resolution wanted on the other side. Perhaps with time, there may be resolution. Perhaps there may not be. But at least I’ve tried.

Best wishes & Write soon,

Antony

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Sunday 25 February 2024

An NHS Consultation Appointment & Sick Pay

By Health, Life, Money / Finances, PaganismNo Comments

70 Weeks. That what the current waiting time is for the Ear, Nose & Throat Department is in the NHS near me. I’m managed to secure a much earlier appointment than this, which is in April 2024. But unfortunately this does mean that I’ll be off work for at least another couple of months and will go down to sick pay.

Everyone lives to their means. With no savings to fall back on (and even if I did, they would be unlikely to cover the amount of lost income), I’ve had to contact my creditors and explain the situation. I’ve also had to get creative about bringing in income.

So I’ve decided, mostly out of desperation, to sell my Witchy Services online on Etsy. Now, if you want to learn how to cast Spells for yourself and see some superb examples of Spells checkout SpellCast: Folk Magic for the 21st Century that Luna Hare and I co-authored. But if you’d like a Gay Tarot reading, General Tarot reading or a Spell cast by my good self (an Eclectic Witch with over two decades of experience) see the items below currently available to buy on my Etsy shop:

LGB/Gay Tarot Reading
4 Cards, £3.60

12 Month Tarot Reading
12 Cards, £12.00

Custom Spell Cast
Spell Cast, £16.80

Road Opener Spell Cast
Spell Cast, £30.00

Any and all enquires relating to my Witchy Services are welcome. You can contact me here.

Best Wishes,

Antony

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Sunday 18 February 2024

Book Review: Survivor – Recovering from Alcoholism, Heartbreak and Trauma by Kieran Youens-Byrne

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments

Survivor: Recovering from Alcoholism, Heartbreak and Trauma is an exceptional and heart touching memoir by Kieran Youens-Bryne.

In Survivor, Kieran shares his journey through addiction to alcohol, his heartbreak at ending his marriage to a narcissist and his emotional traumas from his earlier years.

It is a wonderfully inspiring read and includes literature in its various forms including poems, essays, quotes and even a playlist. The title of his book sums him up completely: Kieran is a survivor.

Kieran covers every aspect of where his addiction to alcohol took him, from his very first taste of an alcoholic drink, through the dark depths of active addiction and withdrawal and out the other end and into active recovery. Along the way he shared what worked for him, what didn’t and all the things he learned along the way.

Survivor is an brilliantly honest account of where addiction/dependency, a narcissistic partner and past traumas can lead to a person. But it is uplifting at the same time.

The book is written in an easy to read and engaging style. It demonstrates Kieran’s unique writers voice and is a piece of creative work that he should be very proud of.

I am pleased to report that Kieran’ story also has a satisfying happy ending. Kieran gets sober, at the time of writing this review he has been sober for more than a year. In the year sober, Kieran has completely transformed his life.

Kieran has rebuilt his confidence and self-esteem destroyed by his narcissistic ex-partner. Kieran has rediscovered his formally oppressed identity and learned to love himself once again. Kieran has faced past traumas and began working on healing and letting go of these traumas.

Kieran has gone on to write, edit and publish a further book titled Recovered, that I can’t wait to read. He is healthy and happy. I can’t wait to see what this amazing man does next.

Review soon,

Antony

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Sunday 18 February 2024

Book Review: James Acaster’s Classic Scrapes by James Acaster

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments

James Acaster’s Classic Scrapes is a book by the eccentric, undeniably funny and weirdly attractive James Acaster.

In James Acaster’s Classic Scrapes, James shares stories from his life. Some of them he’s shared on Josh Widdicombe’s radio show.

These stories are ‘scrapes’ because of the situations James finds himself in and how he scrapes by. These stories are hilarious, particularly because he doesn’t appear to learn from past experiences.

What’s wonderful about James, is that he seems to aimlessly wonder through life, has a rather unique perspective on the world and the people around him.

The book made me laugh (out loud at times) and one thing I learned from it was: Never get in a car if James Acaster is driving. Honestly, I don’t know how this wonderful man is still alive.

If you want a light entertaining read, then this book is for you. By the end of it, you feel like you know James and his way of thinking. You can’t help but find this man strangely endearing and wanting him to do well in the future.

Review soon,

Antony

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Saturday 17 February 2024
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