Spring Equinox Approaches. Clouds and Trees

Hi all

Just a short time now until the equinox is here, the days grow long and the sun is high, a time to celebrate Mother Earth and The Green Man.

Consider the balance of your life, work, play and relationships and watch out for hares (coming here soon!)

Here are some amazing photos of blue spring skies from Liz, thanks lovely lady:-

Clouds and Trees

OK not blue sky - great effect though!



Off to juggle stuff and try for more balance!

Lindsey

Imbolc 2011 and "The Quickening - for Bridie"

 

Imbolc greetings all and a very warm welcome to Chrissy, many thanks, m'lovely lady, for sharing this beautiful poem and your energy.

This completely lifts my heart 

The Quickening - for Bridie 

Moving from stillness to the fire

Gently unfolding from the quiet

Shush, listen – Bridie calls

Pushing up through entombed dreams

Past slumbering memories of all that is

Stretching, yawning, lingering still …

Eternal seeds sharing Mother's joy

Her children stirring in Her earthy womb

Waking to the returning-time

Feel the thudding of Bridie's rod

Senses turning toward familiar sounds

Getting louder – Bridie calls

Rising through layers of quickening life

Warmly enticed to be new again

Journeying, spiralling, from the dark

Up, up into the dawn

Where snowdrops dare to be reborn

And gestating thoughts ignite

Unfurl towards the welcoming light

Shake the webs in the cool, fresh air

Myriad souls will greet you there

Louder still now – Bridie calls

Be new again

This world is yours

Hail and Welcome

From the maiden queen

Who weaves the willows of creation

Alchemical soul of inspiration

Of sacred wells and healing flame

Of poetry and reincarnation

She who called me to Avalon

The first to teach me we are one

Loud and clearly - Bridie called.

Chrissy Heaven

January 2011

Imbolc is nearly here!

 Here its so cold, the land still frozen, but afternoons of tepid sun, sometimes breaking through the snow flurries, remind us of the coming spring. First shoots are showing amongst the winter's litter, and there is a greening all around.

At Imbolc (the name refers to the lactation of ewes and heralds the return of the life giving forces of the spring) The Old Woman of winter, the Cailleach, is reborn as Bride/Brigit, Young Maiden of Spring

For Celts the dragon was symbolic of the Cailleach who holds the power of winter over Brigit's lamb, symbolic of spring. Dragons represent the whole of creation, are gatekeepers and particularly send us:

 

 inspiration / imagination / wealth / power / vitality

 

Here's one of my baby ceramic dragons, I hope he sends you all that and more!

 

 

Sow your seeds

Lindsey

A Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse Yule

A very special solstice lunar eclipse Yule blessing to you all!

My post this Yule is dedicated to Gemma

she inspired both the painting and poem

thanks lovely lady!

She walked wrapped against North Wind’s bite

Watching ice flow by snow softened river bank

She froze transported by transcendent light

A Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse Yule

Her thoughts flew

WHEN?

When is this place?

At first of dawn or last daylight in the darkest of long night

Through seasons turn with old river’s churn and marching trees

In all her greens through bracken copper to silvery whites

Bathed in Sun Moon Wind Rain now Snow Ice

Here the veil is thin

Ancient voices pour

Blessings

In this ever changing timeless never changing place

Here in the faithful turning of The Wheel

Is

Peace

The Solstice Eclipse 2010

photographed by Foggy who braved -14, in his dressing gown!





Have a fabulous Yule and otherwisely alternative festive season - off to re-light last years Yule log!

Love and Light

Lindsey

Music from Rob - Don't Remember

Here's another great song from Rob

I've added Damien Hirst's image "Under the Table"

Just seemed like the thing to do!

Thanks Rob - got these toes tapping again

Have a great Yule over there in the Orient!

How lovely to introduce a beautiful illustrator and fellow blogger

 Alexi Francis 

 I asked her to share some recent work with us.

She's made me revise my thoughts about ballet

This is beautiful!

Thanks Alexi!

With early Winter upon us, I feel that there's a magic in the air that

makes me want to dance! I would love to share my recent illustrations

inspired by a "ballet" video I found on Youtube."

Polina Semionova and newspaper dancers

I didn’t realise I liked ballet so much until I stumbled upon a youtube video of Polina Semionova dancing when I was looking randomly for dance videos. It entranced me so much I had to keep playing it over and over again. I’ve been a fan of Sylvie Guillem and seen Carlos Acosta, but I’m not normally a fan of traditional ballet – it seems so unnatural to be up on pointe. I’ve changed my mind now, I’m a fan, so I’m posting this youtube video and have used it to make some sketches that I did on old newspaper. I like the texture created by the newsprint and the way that it looks transitory and transparent. But I know I haven’t done Polina justice!

Alexi
X

 

 

Walking the Mist

More snow...and freezing fog as well

Makes me want to stay in by the fire and read

this is one of my favourite celtic books at the moment

Walking the Mist
Celtic Spirituality for the 21st Century
by Donald McKinney

anybody got any other recommendations?

please add yours to the comments looks like i will be staying in for a while!

x

Winter Solstice, Yule and SNOW!

A reminder that Yule is a few short days away and, for a presently shivery, incapacitated, snow bound UK, the days will then start to lengthen and soon we will have beautiful snowdrops to lighten our hearts. 

Let us know how you spend this festive season by sending your photos, paintings, words, music or any other arts and crafts or activities.

Look what the snow made me do!!!

Wolsingham Walk

Snowy Pink Dawn

Warming love and light to you all

Lindsey

A Month 'til Yule

Oh yes, just a month to go and we will be deep in the festive season and our first set of visitors arrives next weekend - the party starts! 

Here in the UK snow is predicted for the end of the week, I don't know about you but we're stocking up the cupboard, have hauled out the snow shovel, got in the salt and are just excitedly (OK and somewhat shiveringly) waiting for the countryside to change into her silver and whites.

I thought I'd share with you some images of Sally's fantastic workshop last week in the beautiful and mystical Forest of Dean.

Sally showing us how, Ian (brilliant digital artist btw!) recording the event and me recording the recording of...

Already, exquisite detail emerges

I learnt so much, painted, was inspired, uplifted and motivated by the workshop, by the new techniques we learnt and from the sensitive, clear feedback dealt out with lots of beautiful nurturing support. Thanks Sally!

I want to show you something that I've painted since coming home. 

I hope this warms you all up!

AfricanSunSink

Love and light

Lindsey

Samhain

Samhain 100x120cms

this my samhain painting...the turning wheel...the glorious autumn colour...and thanks to Ian for his inspiring photo below
the stitching influence in this piece is clearer if you click on the painting to enlarge it
and i've written a little more about that on my own blog summerland

Germanic Rune

An image of Samhain from Ian -thanks m'dear I love the spiral, colours and texture, it is a multi- layered and symbolic image of the turn of the Wheel!

This image seeks to combine Germanic Rune "for completion of the cycle", year, harvest (take your pick, grins!) and Autumn/Samhain ... and about a thousand other things! The concept of permanence is explored in this image, the rock as background, foundation and the plants continually rebuilding, growing and reproducing offer a different style of endurance.


Ian

Samhain Weekend

A photo diary of an amazing couple of days.......

in Dove Valley Centre's depths

in this beautifully restored eco barn



(A bit dark but you get the idea)
The (fabulous, diverse and comprehensive) creative writing workshop lead by

Elizabeth Wilson of Infinity Development

this is what I wrote....

Dove Valley Peace

Old wood creaks pen scratch laptop tap coffee smell senses feed

Soft Samhain sun falls in waves entices calls

Sound spirals thoughts curl words shape

Then to paper fall drip ooze or leak.

Barn sits square in stone oak lime and time

Soft greens thread the stony holy peaks

Long ploughmarks write the land with ancient song

Stone walls old castle earthworks cattle sheep farms

Life remains

Dove Valley

Cradles

Inspires

Sows seeds and peace

Spiral treasures from Rwanda

More information here
about Elizabeth's recent visit there

Apple Pickle

The best use for a cauldron, or was that the Bombay Potatoes?

and that night, in the stillness and calm

I honoured those who passed before,

placed this beautiful mica clad, ages old, air bubble

here, on my shrine, on top of the loo.

 I like to keep a sense of perspective!

Happy New Celtic Year

Love and Light

Lindsey

Severn Journey

Here's a lovely poem from Roger - a thoughtful journey.....


Thursdays are early mornings for me
I get a train at 7-58 that hurtles me into Gloucester
leaving behind the nature of the Forest of Dean
but feeding me with the pleasures
of the ever-always-changing River Severn.....


Where my eyes fail
My dreams arrive

Sparse trees making their slow way
across fields chopped flat

birds clip a xylophone of leaves

some things to remember
some things to do

Mist-cloud-fury of fading dawn
and water curling in its own danger

They threaten windmills
nothing could steal this show

Each word measures my journey
prolongs my memory

Pays back the cost of my ticket
and beckons the day closer


best to all
will send some pics


Roger



......

Samhain Approaches

If you're having trouble viewing this, please double click on the title (Samhain Approaches) then it may work! Sorry folks - some Blogger anomaly I think - it works Ok through the dashboard!

Squint your eyes and choose to see

I hope that fired you up! 

Samhain is a fortnight away and is the start of the Celtic year. 

The Wheel has turned full circle, the harvest is home and larders are well stocked, the trees are rapidly shedding leaves and drawing sap into their hearts ready for the winter's rest.

This festival is honoured in many different ways, with fire and feasts, with stories of long ago, with rituals and in "All Hallows Eve" pursuits.

It is a time for remembering departed spirits, their deeds and ways, one of the gateway between the worlds, when the veil is thin. 

A time to bring your sheep and cattle (figurative or real) down from the high summer pastures to safety for the spring or to slaughter to sustain us through the dark winter months.

Dunk your apples, feast with friends

Reflect on the year just passing and plan for the next

Light your fires and in them cast your offerings or prayers 

Share how you celebrate Samhain by sending your contributions to celticyeartwo@btinternet.com

      

Love and firelight

Lindsey

banner

Hi all

Just wanted to say big thanks to Ian for the changes he has made to our banner.

His original art work and Liz's words compliment each other so beautifully.

The words were originally as a spiral around the art and can be seen here

 

Lindsey

Nobody But Me

Here a musical contribution from Rob that's sure to get your toes tapping and your empathy engaged!

My apologies for the video but Blogger can't cope with music formats - unless any of you know differently....please..do let me know!

Yay! Thanks Rob and welcome to the Celtic Year

Lindsey

P.S. Rob lives in Japan.....

Norton Woods

Taken on his way to get the biggest and shiniest conkers he had ever seen

 in Norton Woods on the way to Clumber park from Bolsover, Derbyshire.

I love this atmospheric, beautifully lit, elegantly framed picture so much

 I'm walking through it.

Andrew, thank you  for letting me post it and welcome to the Celtic Year!

Lindsey

Abnoba and Autumn Equinox views of Lumsdale

   

Abnoba

A slip of a breeze over her dark cloak

She emerges in cool grey ripples

Green foliage skids on the pond

Mouldy squashed berries

Migrating geese rise

 Bracken spores float 

Abnoba

Arrives

Sighs

Feasting from the fruit of her forest

She dances to a harvest moon

Fly-ing over spiders’ webs

Through hedge, where rose hip twines

Lying by the brook

Under the stones

All alone

Now she

Rests

On the bank, a greedy little dog

Eyeballing the daft, dabbling ducks

The crunch of human foot steps

Concealed by the trees

Abnoba she hears

Poises to fight

But instead

                             

Turns and

Leaves

                                                                                                                  

Abnoba was the Celtic Goddess of the Black Forest itself, a mountain in the Black Forest, childbirth, and a number of rivers; the river Avon is thought to be a variation of her name

Marie

There are more glances of Lumsdale (at Imbolc) here



Derwent Dams

Here are some wonderful photos and prose from Helen, her first contribution to the blog. Welcome Helen!

The shower broke, a plumber was called – ‘3 November is the soonest I can come’…….’did I give you a date? Sorry can’t make the 3rd, next week looks better, ok the 9th’

The 9th dawned; thick fog, dismal, gloomy. The prospect of heading for the hills was unappealing but the plumber needed a dog free environment.

The higher I drove, the clearer it became until I emerged into the most perfect autumn day!

The air was pure

I wanted to fill my lungs

I greedily inhaled and felt the cleansing effect course through my veins

I wallowed in selfish solitude but wanted to share the experience

The beauty I could see

The freshness of the pine resin I could smell and taste

The all consuming silence I could hear; and

The springy earth I could feel

The calmness of the day gently warmed by the distant sun was reflected in the mirror surface of the untroubled water of the dams and I began to reflect on the blood, sweat and tears lost in the creation of this incredible feat of engineering, the loss and sacrifice of the former residents whose village was laid to rest in the hidden depths of the flooded valley, the provision of water that is taken for granted by those supplied by the dams and the almost guilty pleasure that this day had given me

Derwent Dams

Derbyshire Peak District

When I returned home, the water of the dams was again flowing through my repaired shower!

Helen

Long Meg and her Daughters

Saturday was a beautiful autumnal day crossing the Pennines across high moors via the cobbled streets of Alston and the impressive Hartside Pass to visit Long Meg and her Daughters (this link has Wordsworth's thoughts about the circle)

The Lake District from the top of Hartside Pass. I love the fading colours.

Long Meg watching over the circle, oh yes and the cows. These pilgrims paid their respects and left. leaving a stillness, a peace, no human sound, a panoramic sky, the evidence of our ancestors and a buzz in the centre that would not be denied.

Long Meg, silvery lichen highlighting the stern planes and etching the wrinkles of her timeless face.

One of the spiral markings on her side.

More photos to be seen here , ironically we used sat-nav to get to this amazing ancient place, the co-ordinates are NY571372 !

Hugs

Lindsey

Mood: Connected!