A sketch by Louis Wain done during the time he became mentally ill with schizophrenia. Typically people are usually diagnosed with schizophrenia between their teen years and into their 20’s. Louis wasn’t diagnosed until he was 54 years old. Louis was originally transferred to Bethlem Royal Hospital until that hospital closed. He was then transferred to Napsbury Hospital, north of London.

At Napsbury, the hospital was much more pleasant with beautiful gardens and even a cat colony. It is said that Louis was the only patient allowed to keep cats in the hospital. Louis contiuned to paint even while hospitalized, and his last gallery shows were actually in the hospital. Louis remained a patient of Napsbury hospital until his death in 1939.

Herbs of the Sabbaths

To be used as decorations on the altar, around the circle, in the home.

SAMHAIN – Chrysanthemum, wormwood, apples, pears, hazel, thistle, pomegranates, all grains, harvested fruits and nuts, the pumpkin, corn.

YULE – Holly mistletoe, ivy, cedar, bay, juniper, rosemary, pine. Place offerings of apples, ranges, nutmegs, lemons and whole cinnamon sticks on the Yule tree.

IMBOLC – Snowdrop, rowan, the first flowers of the year.

OSTARA – Daffodil, woodruff, violet, gorse, olive, peonny, iris, narcissus, all spring flowers.

BELTANE – Hawthorn, honeysuckle, St. John’s wort, woodruff, all flowers.

MIDSUMMER – Mugwors, vervain, camomile, rose, lily, oak, lavender, ivy, yarrow, fern, elder, wild thyme, daisy, carnation.

LUGHNASADH – All grains, grapes, heather, blackberries, sloe, crab apples, pears.

MABON – Hazel, corn, aspen, acorns, oak sprigs, autumn leaves, wheat stalks, cypress cones, pine cones, harvest gleanings.

Herbs of the Sabbaths