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AI in WordPress

So, WordPress now have an “AI Assistant” to help you write better blogs. Or, write entire blogs for you. You all probably know of my deep dislike for AI in the world of books, having had entire books stolen and rewritten by AI programmes under various pseudonyms, including Mari Silva. The sheer volume of books now available on the market that have not been written by a human, or even a team of humans, is astonishing and seriously undercutting real authors just trying to make a living from what they love and what they are skilled in, having put years of effort into their craft.

I thought I would use a blog post, this blog post, as an opporutnity to share with you what it is that the AI assistant on WordPress can do. Which is, in fact, everything for you. And it’s getting harder to tell the difference between what is written by a human being, and what is being written by an AI program. The paragraph below was “written” using the AI assistant. I asked it to write about how AI is working to write essays, blogs and books. Here is the result. I have italicised the AI writing to make it clearer throughout this blog post what was written by me, and what was written by the machine.

The use of AI in writing blogs, essays, and books has revolutionized the way content is generated and has significantly impacted the writing process. AI-powered tools can assist writers in various ways, from suggesting ideas and generating outlines to providing grammar and style suggestions. These tools can also help with research by quickly analyzing vast amounts of data to provide relevant information. Additionally, AI can be used to automatically generate content based on specific parameters, saving time and effort for writers. While some may have concerns about the impact of AI on authenticity and creativity, when used thoughtfully, AI can be a powerful ally for writers, enabling them to streamline their workflow and enhance the quality of their work.

I then asked the WordPress AI Assistant to write about the downsides of AI in blogs, essays and books. Here is what it came up with:

AI in writing for blogs, essays, and books has certain downsides that are important to consider. One significant concern is the potential lack of originality and authenticity in content created with the assistance of AI. There is a risk that the writing may lack the human touch and personal voice that is valued in literary and scholarly works. Additionally, over-reliance on AI tools could lead to a reduction in critical thinking and creativity among writers. Furthermore, there are ethical implications related to the potential misuse of AI-generated content, such as plagiarism and intellectual property infringement. It’s essential to carefully balance the benefits of AI in writing with these potential drawbacks to maintain the integrity and originality of written works.

I decided to choose a more specialist subject for the next experiment. Here, I chose the subject of Druidry. This is what the programme wrote for me:

Druidry has a long and rich history in the British Isles, with roots dating back to ancient times. The term “Druid” is derived from the Celtic word for oak, and Druids were members of the learned class in ancient Celtic societies, serving as priests, teachers, judges, and advisors. They were deeply connected to the natural world and held the oak tree, among other elements of nature, in great reverence. Today, modern Druidry encompasses a variety of spiritual practices, including a strong focus on nature, environmentalism, and the celebration of the changing seasons. Many modern Druids seek to honor the traditions of the past while also adapting them to contemporary life, creating a vibrant and evolving spiritual path. The British Isles, with their ancient landscapes and rich folklore, continue to be an inspiring and significant setting for the practice of Druidry.

Next, I chose an even more specialist subject: that of the awen in Druidry. The AI Assistant wrote:

In Druidry, the concept of “Awen” holds immense importance as it represents divine inspiration and creative energy. The term originates from Welsh and Cornish languages, embodying the idea of flowing spirit and the connection to the divine. Awen inspires Druids to tap into their creativity, wisdom, and spiritual insight, fostering a deep connection to nature and the universe. It is often symbolized as three rays of light, signifying the balance between the triple aspects of nature and the harmony within oneself. This divine inspiration is believed to guide individuals in their spiritual journey, enriching their connection to the natural world and guiding their actions as stewards of the earth.

As you can see, it’s pretty hard to tell the difference between what was written by WordPress’ AI Assistant, and something that I might possibly write. In fact, my books could very well have been some of those “mined” without permission in order to feed the programme to provide the above two examples. Where did the WordPress AI get the information to feed it’s programme to produce the content? It doesn’t just come out of thin air. Has my blog, as well as many others been mined for content so that a machine can write about Druidry? With regards to writing books, this AI process saves someone the hassle of actually reading a book and then writing about it, and undergoing the arduous process of actually learning something. It also saves them from any effort in the process of their theft.

It is extremely alarming how easy it is now for someone to set up a website, blog, or even to write a book these days without have done a lick of work, research, or having the barest knowledge of a subject. In both fiction and non-fiction. And then sell that work at a price that undercuts all who have actually gone before, using their work without permission. Just because we authors have blogs and put stuff out there for free, doesn’t mean that it isn’t copyrighted. However, there is a huge problem in that material is being used without our permission in order to generate content. To catch, prosecute and convict someone of this crime is nigh on impossible, especially for us small-time authors who don’t make it to the New York Times bestselling lists.

So, thank you, WordPress, for killing one of the last bastions of creative writing that makes content available to the wonderful world wide web. From now on, if you want to ensure that material is written by an actual human being, you will have to do your own research. Find out if they have a website. Look at the publication dates of their posts, or the publishing dates of their books. If too much content is being written in too short a space, that’s a big red flag. If the content is too diverse, say for example they write a book about book about Hinduism, followed by a book on divination, followed by a book on Witchcraft, follwed by a book on angels, all books being around 200 – 300 pages long and released within a month of each other, it’s either a team of ghost writers or more likely now an AI programme. It takes time and effort now to find out who the bots are, and who the real writers are. And that shouldn’t be a burden on the readers, but rather should be weeded out by the companies such as WordPress and Amazon, who have allowed such content onto their platforms.

As you can probably tell, I worry about the state of writing, both in fiction and non-fiction. I can only hope that governments and legislators will wake up to the problem before all creative, human-made writing ceases to be. The only way I can see that happening is if we stop feeding the machine, stop putting our work out there for them to steal and therefore creating a repetitive loop of material that all sounds the same because of the lack of new input. But we also have to express ourselves, and do what we do best (as well as pay the bills).

In today’s rapidly evolving world, navigating the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) can indeed be challenging when distinguishing between AI-generated content and human-created work. As individuals strive to make a living in this environment, it’s crucial to stay informed about AI advancements and their potential impact on various industries. By familiarizing oneself with the characteristics of AI-generated content and employing critical thinking skills, individuals can better discern between AI-generated and human-created material. Furthermore, seeking out reputable sources and staying attuned to technological advancements can help individuals adapt to this changing landscape and make informed decisions about their professional endeavors.

If anyone can be bothered.

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She Sings to Vultures

It’s another hot but dry day, without humidity for the first time in weeks. I am so grateful for the respite from the oppressive, thick air that makes it hard to breathe. And so I am outside, having wandered the hills and down the forest ridge to the middle of the valley below. The wildflowers are blooming all around me, the bees buzzing and the brilliant blue sky stretching out all around me.

I notice a bird, circling over the edge of the valley. I study its flight, and see that it is a turkey vulture. These birds have been moving northwards into Canada for the last 50 years, as the climate changes and the mass use of pesticides has been banned. Their silent, lazy, teetering circles on the thermals and the breeze are now a common sight in the area. But for many they are still an enigma, a threat, or even mistaken for eagles.

I have always welcomed these birds, though they are feared and mistrusted by others. I spent a long time in that valley, watching the flight of the bird, thinking about how it teaches us of the things that we would rather ignore in our lives. As carrion feeders, they teach us first and foremost about death.

In Canada, there aren’t any First Nations stories about these birds, as they are a recent addition to our landscape. There are a few from further south in the US, both positive and negative. But anyone with a little time can do some research to find out how they fit into the landscape, and how they can teach us their knowledge and wisdom of being.

They aren’t pretty birds, though in flight they are certainly imposing, and even majestic, with their long wingspans. They eat the flesh of animals that have died, and so are like nature’s clean-up crew, saving the spread of bacteria and disease by disposing of rotting corpses. The acid in their stomachs is strong enough to kill harmful bacteria, and so they are very much an important part of the ecosystem by taking care of things that would be harmful to other living creatures, ourselves included.

Their bald, red heads can look menacing, but are well-adapted to eating rotting corpses. Feathers would get in the way and be difficult to clean of harmful bacteria, and so their featherless heads make it much easier to get in and eat the flesh and then be cleaned afterwards, in rivers, lakes or streams as they drink, or in the rain. They defecate on their legs, which for many people is quite disgusting, however they are not the only birds who do so. The reason that vultures specifically defecate on their legs (bird poo and pee comes out together from one orifice, by the way, which saves water loss) is so that they can kill bacteria on their legs with ammonia after feeding on corpses and walking over them.

Their sense of smell is what alerts them to food. They have the largest olfactory system of any bird. They can smell carrion from over a mile away! Very handy to mother nature’s clean-up crew. They can also spot carcasses from up to a mile away, though they have trouble seeing in the dark and so are daytime flyers. Incredible birds.

And yet they are feared, or mistrusted, or reviled. I stand in the middle of the valley, watching the vulture’s flight. A chant bubbles up in my mind, one that I had created early this year. The tune seemed to reflect the soaring freedom of the bird’s flight, and my happiness at its existence. I sang, watching the circles it made in the sky, willing the bird to hear my voice and my songs of praise.

And it came nearer. Immediately responding, it heard me and came, following the notes of my song. I felt that it could feel the love that I had for it, the wonder and joy of its existence and the freedom of its flight. I poured my emotion into my song, letting it know of my joy in its flight. Closer and closer it came, lower and lower, listening to me and drinking in my love. Over my head it came low, and circled beneath the sun, in a dance of light and darkness that reflected its very being. I raised a hand to my eyes, sheltering them from the light of the sun to watch the bird glide in the white brightness of the sky right overhead. The long, dark wingspan stretched over me, and my heart touched that bird with joy and love and peace, and that emotion was returned to me from this incredible bird.

It made one final low circle around me as I stopped my song. It then bid me farewell, and thanked me for the song as it moved over to the other side of the valley, find new thermals and a new vista. The experience of the vulture is something that I will cherish and carry me throughout my lifetime.

As the bird flew off, I spoke these words from my heart:

Your flight is my inspiration

And the knowledge that upon my death,

You will take care of my body

Is my sanctuary

For in death there is life,

In life there is death

So has it always been

So shall it always be

I will always sing to the vultures.

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July Musings

The hot summer sun beats down, and the humid air lies heavy all around. To go into the forest during the day would be to invite all the biting insects to a feast, and to sit indoor feels almost like sacrilege on these summer days. But it is so hot. The kind of heat where just moving makes you break out in a sweat. Sitting still seems to be the best thing to do. The cat knows and understands this, and so I take my cue from her wisdom of being.


Even the birds have stilled their song in the midday heat. Earlier, the cardinal sang his heart out to his love, who is always nearby. The crows still caw occasionally, but apart from that, all is still except for the long, drawn out trill of the cicadas cooling off. The mosquitoes are all hiding in the woods from the heat, and the black flies have mostly died off. It’s the heat of an August day, in the middle of July, and we have been in this heat wave for two weeks now. Everyone is tired.


Still, my love for nature calls to me. I seek out the shade, and listen and watch the life that exists all around me. It’s in my nature, and was a big part of my Druid training. Be still. Watch. Listen. Learn.


When we still the voices in our minds, those stories of the humans that are part of our lives, we are then open to receive the stories of the other than human world. Whether we are in a city or on a remote hillside overlooking a vast plain of grasses shimmering in the breeze, there are stories all around us. In the flora and fauna, we learn of the countless ecosystems, micro and macro, and how we fit into them as living beings. And hopefully how to do so with love and respect.


The cycle of the seasons is shifting, from the height of midsummer and the ectastic, dancing energy of the tide of highest light, to the slower, more thoughtful tread of the harvest. The wheat is ripening in the fields, the seeds hanging in the trees and the late summer flowers are blooming. The greening is no longer vibrant, but heavy with the responsibility of continuing the legacy of growth, death and rebirth.


What lessons can I take from this oppressive heat, this heavy time, this long outbreath after the days of midsummer? Lammas or Lughnasadh is fast approaching: the first harvest. But we are still in an in-between state; the calm before the storm. It feels like a time to rest, recoup and prepare for the heavy labour that lies ahead when we collect in our dreams of the winter and spring, and which we have brought out into the world and into the light of summer. It’s that morning cup of coffee before the kids awake, or that few minutes in the bathroom of the office where you just need to be alone and regroup. It’s a stroll along a lakefront, the heavy stormclouds gathering overhead.


And so I rest, here with my family, as best I can in the 30+ degree celsius heat. I have just under two weeks remaining to gather up my strength again and reap the harvest that I had planned and worked for all this year. The books are coming along nicely, and the fiction has been especially rewarding. Finalsing that text in August and September will be a joy, and in readiness possibly for a Samhain release.


The breeze blows softly through the leaves of the oak tree my grandfather planted in the backyard. Now huge, its overhang shades the house from the relentless southerly sunshine, as well as standing as a proud reminder of our heritage and our life here in this part of Canada. Many other trees that I grew up with have long since gone, having lived out their life span or destroyed by storms or harsh winters. But the tall oak tree still stands, its large green leaves and developing acorns towering over this end of the village, and looking out towards the great expanse of the valley that is hidden from us humans by a large cedar hedge. This oak tree is part of both worlds: that of the human family that has lived under its boughs for over 50 years, and also that of the surrounding landscape, with the forest and valley, the hills and clouds, the rain and sunshine, sleet and snow that has blessed this landscape since it was formed.


Settling into my roots, deep like the oak tree, I can find the sustenance I need to carry me through.

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Misogyny and Taylor Swift

I am so tired of male musicians trying to bring Taylor Swift down. Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys saying she doesn’t have a lasting pop hit. Damon Albarn from Blur/Gorillaz saying (incorrectly) that she doesn’t write her own songs. Who can forget Kanye West’s constant harrassment of her? And now Dave Grohl who wrongly states that she doesn’t play live. Hello, misognyy my old friend.

There is a huge double standard surrounding the entirety of Taylor Swift’s success. Male superstars are not attacked in the same way by their peers. Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars – they’ve all written similar songs. But Taylor is fair game, it seems. People constantly try to undermine her success, which is, in fact, due to her work ethic. They undermine her song writing ability, which is incredibly nuanced. Both of these skills she has honed now have university programmes around the world solely dedicated to the study of them throughout her career.

Misogyny is rife in the industry. Male artists have muses. Taylor has exes. Men are romantic, Taylor is emotional. When she was younger, she was called a “prude” for not revealing too much skin for photoshoots. Now she is being “slut-shamed” for some of her Era’s Tour outfits. She was criticised for staying silent during the first Trump campaign. Now she’s told, like the Dixie Chicks were, to “shut up and sing”.

She’s stood toe to toe with the music industry over her master recordings. When she was sexually assaulted by a DJ she took him down in a long, four-year legal battle (seven people saw it and there was even a photo of him doing it). She is shown too much on tv when she is supporting her boyfriend’s football games (for the Super Bowl she was on screen for a total of 54 seconds). She has had horrendous sexual comments about her thrown around on the Pardon My Take sports podcast. And these are only a few examples of the constant struggle that she is up against, and which she is winning.

She has stood up for herself against a host of misognyny, and she’s still coming out at the top her game. As Swift herself has said: ““There’s a different vocabulary for men and women in the music industry… A man does something, it’s strategic. A woman does the same thing, it’s calculated. A man is allowed to react. A woman can only overreact.”

Whether or not you like her music is irrelevant. What we see here is a woman who is under constant attack, and who stands up for herself in an inspiring show of strength. I celebrate not only Taylor’s defiant spirit, but also her music. And all the others in the music industry who can’t handle her success?

Well, tough.

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New Video: Self Belief

Between downpours I finally managed to get some filming done for a new video! Here you go 🙂 To see behind-the-scenes footage of all my videos, please consider joining my Patreon page 🙂

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New book now available for pre-order!

Well, that was quick, wasn’t it? My next book is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Here are the links:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Ways-Witchs-Living-Magical/dp/0738775517/ 

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Old-Ways-Witchs-Living-Magical/dp/0738775517/ (may take a few more days to get the pre-order link on there)

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Ways-Witchs-Living-Magical/dp/0738775517/

Pre-orders really help an author, as it shows the publisher that there is interest in a new book and helps them to have more faith in it. So, if you can, please place your pre-order whenever you are able to, as these help just as much as reviews. The more pre-orders there are, the more the book will be bumped up in sales rank, and the more it will then appear in people’s feeds, etc.

It is coming out 10 March 2025 in the US, and 31 March in the UK (kindle versions may arrive sooner). So, here’s looking forward to March, 2025!

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New book coming out March 2025!

We have a cover for my new book coming out in March 2025! This is an advanced guide to Hedge Witchcraft, and follows on nicely from my previous book, The Path of the Hedge Witch: Simple, Natural Magic and the Art of Hedge Riding (currently on sale today!). This will be my third book with Llewellyn Worldwide, and it’s been a pleasure working with them again. I will let you know when it is available for pre-order! #hedgewitch #hedgewitchcraft #pagan #witch #witchy #witchcraft #witchcrafting #wicca #druid #druidry

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Book Review: Hallowtide by Val Thomas

As some of you may know from a previous review, I simply love Val Thomas’ Of Chalk and Flint and have been recommending it to pretty much everyone I meet. This year we have a new offering from Val, which is all about the Hallowtide, that liminal period from Samhain and into November. The book is called Hallowtide: A Dark Devotional and is available from Troy Books.

It felt a little strange to be reading about it in the thick of the Beltane season, but it also provided a nice contrast and, as usual, Val gives us plenty to think about in her prosaic words. We follow Val and her thoughts through Samhain to Martinmas, on the 11th of November. Past reminisces, thoughts of the future and what is happening around her in the present moment all contribute to a wonderfully ethereal, in-between space where words seems to come out of the shadows of the season and then fall silently back, captured in the cobwebs of the mind to be used later. It is full of lore, and Val is a veritable font of information as she has walked this path and doesn’t just talk the talk. This writing comes from a deep well of experience, decades of it, and you can see from her words that witchcraft is her very soul.

Some of her stories will have you smiling, recalling similar events in your life. Others may bring tears to your eyes, as this is a time of farewells for so many as we honour our dead. There is folklore, herbcraft, ritual inspiration, poetry and philosophy all wrapped into a beautiful, meaningful work. At the end of the book are nine dark devotionals that you can perform during this tide: insightful and deep work excellent for this time of year.

Once again, I highly recommend Val’s work, so don’t wait until Samhain and the Hallowtide: get your copy now!!!