Dreaming of Lughnasadh - Lammas - Harvest Home under the Mead Moon

Almost Lughnasadh - Lammas - Harvest Home 
and under the Mead Moon I sat, 

dreamily thinking of this time of year, the turn of the season, the harvest coming, planning ahead and remembering.

That night I dreamt of the shining one's blessings and triskelle, the spiraling circle of life and then 

of the beautiful reflective Moon lighting our nights, our hearts.

Mead Moon Dreaming 2011

Celtic Clans

Celebrate the season

The shining one, the corn mother

The fruitful abundance and energy

Honour those who share their wisdom and experience

Appreciate all in gratitude, with joy

Harvest, store, sing, celebrate successes

Build on these

Be your dreams

and on that topic, sometimes magic happens...I swapped a painting for this

 Emma Hedley's lyric bangle with my chosen words

"seed flower fruit rest

sun moon earth sky

rainbow paints joy peace

love and light

be your dreams"

Loving it - thanks Emma!

Lindsey

x

solstice celebrations

Once again I am lucky enough to be here in Portugal for the solstice. I am staying at OBRAS a centre for artists and scientists. Last night we all gathered at a small hill with a stone that directly aligns to the setting solstice sun.


It was a magical shared moment.


and here are some rainbow pictures from a few days ago...remembered after reading Lindsey's beautiful poem.

you may just be able to make out that it was three rainbows...I've never seen that before.


Hope you had a happy solstice

Sally x

Solstice: Helen Cowans

I'm very excited to introduce a guest blog from Helen, a wonderful textile artist from Northumbria. I love her work and this piece makes my heart sing, having this view at the bottom of her garden must be so inspirational!

This piece of work “Solstice” was created around a photograph I took 2 years ago just at the back of my garden. I used the picture for Solstice greeting cards that year.

I love being able to incorporate my photographs into my textiles (using treated fabrics and archival inks) and I love using silks and velvets as I’ve used in this piece. I love the textures and the rich, deep colours.

I’ve always loved nature (I studied Biology at University) and I love to follow the seasons. I’ve long had an interest in monuments such as Stonehenge and Avebury and have spent many hours hunting for stone circles in obscure places and walking to hillforts.

More recently I’ve been incorporating Mother Goddess and Rock Art images (http://www.helencowans.co.uk/#/goddesses/4543497676) into my work – and there are more of these to come; Goddesses as the seasons, both in 3D and as wall pieces and more abstract art based on ancient monuments. So far I have the sketches and need to get them created. They’ll be exhibited at the Loch Lomond Quilt Show in 2012 (http://www.lochlomondquiltshow.com/).

For me the solstice times are very special. Though I feel more empathy with the Winter Solstice – as this is the time when the light and sun returns. The Summer solstice is not such a happy time for me as it means we are heading back into darker days and the wheel of the year is turning, ultimately, toward Winter.

I’ve been working in textiles for 10 years now; I went to college one day a week to learn C&G embroidery when my son was a year old and its taken over! I now teach and lecture and have my first solo exhibition this month at Paxton House near Berwick upon Tweed. http://www.helencowans.co.uk/#/exhibition/4552050344

Helen

If, like me, you can't wait to see more of Helen's work her web site is www.helencowans.co.uk and her blog is www.textilegoddess.blogspot.com

Thanks Helen

Summer Solstice or The Dance between the Earth and Sun

                     in their dance 
                        Earth and Sun breed
                          innocent play in light
                              wild magics by night

                       
                                     spiral light waves
                                           through Honey Moon
                                               whispering be your dreams
                                                   now in Light of the Shore
                                                       sky painted rainbows appear

love and light

Lindsey

Summer Solstice Suddenly Suprises - 9 days to go!

Tree of Life

Hot from the kiln! I made this as the leaves came into full bloom and thinking of the long summer days yet to come. Then there were Bank Holidays, celebrations and exhibitions to prepare for so just collected this from the Pottery Group kiln last Thursday night. My heart leaped as I saw it, just as I had pictured it would be. Fresh and full with the bark glowing and the light dancing. The frame is an unused wooden cheeseboard, I love re-using such things, please don't throw yours away, save them for me!

As I stood thinking about this piece, late last night, I realised the Solstice is only 10 days away, the season of lengthening days is passing, harvest time soon approaching.

I wonder how you all will celebrate the Solstice, The Wheel of Life and Nature's bountiful beauty?

This is my meditation before I paint or play with clay, puts my head and heart into the right place.

Follow me!

Share your Solstice creativity in words, pictures, music... by e-mail here.

love and light

Lindsey

Beltane Blessings from Celestial Elf

Much more beautiful info here

Thanks for sharing Celestial Elf

Lindsey

Beltane 2011. Tansley Wood Bluebells

Bluebells: Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Bluebells can be found in damp shady fields, hedgerows and woods throughout Britain.

A woodland carpet of bluebells is most spectacular and the grand finale that Spring offers. Bluebell flowers are sweetly scented but the plant, particularly the seed and the fresh bulb, is poisonous. If eaten the result can be vomiting, abdominal pains and a weak slow pulse from which recovery can be slow. The sap can cause dermatitis. The plant is also poisonous for some animals.

In flower language it is a symbol of constancy, regret, and solitude.

Whilst, in Celtic legend, the bluebell is known as the faerie flower and has a dangerous sinister side.

If a child wanders in a wood alone and picks a bluebell she/he will never be seen again.

If an adult wanders alone in a bluebell wood and picks a flower he/she will be led around by a pixie for ever unless somebody rescues him/her.

Apparently Merlin and King Arthur are still sleeping in a cave in Britain after being tricked into drinking a potion containing bluebell seeds and they will only to be wakened when Britain needs them, so beware!

 

Marie

 

Very interesting, thanks Marie - I always thought bluebells look better from a distance!



Having safely crossed the bridge (any trolls or pixies about) and you want to see more photos click  here

Lindsey

Beltane Approaches

Woodscape



A lovely multi-media image from Sheila reminding us that summer is a comin' in and to get your Beltane fires ready. She says:

I think of bonfires when I look at it. This seems to fit in with the 'bright fire' derivation of the common Celtic *belo-te(p)niâ. The colours are also very fire-like.


It is a piece of natural calico with painted Bondaweb© 'tree' trunks, there is also a bit of foiling in there, although it's not very clear on the photo. Small strips of green fabric give highlights to the trees and the button is a piece of driftwood that a friend's husband makes into these beautiful button creations. The melon seeds are coffee dyed - a result of my latest dying experiment.

Sheila

I love this beautiful collaboration and mixing of media - definitely making me think of bonfires too, thanks!

Can't wait to see what other works are inspired by this festival "Fires of Bel/Beltane" on the cusp of seasons' change. Share through celticyeartwo@btinternet.com

Joy, inspiration, love and light to you all

Lindsey

Spring: Mary Oliver

Here's a beautiful poem,  a rather poignant post from Lizzie, thanks m'dear

Spring

I lift my face to the pale flowers

of the rain. They’re soft as linen,

clean as holy water. Meanwhile

my dog runs off, noses down packed leaves

into damp, mysterious tunnels.

He says the smells are rising now

stiff and lively; he says the beasts

are waking up now full of oil.

sleep, sweat, tag-ends of dreams. The rain

rubs its shining hands all over me.

My dog returns and barks fiercely, he says

each secret body is the richest advisor,

deep in the black earth such fuming

nuggets of joy!

 

By Mary Oliver



Vernal/Spring Equinox 2011

Today is the Spring Equinox a time of balance and increasing light, the soil is warming, seeds have been sown and buds are growing. The birds are nesting and filling the air with their joyful and territorial song. I've had a wonderfully sunny weekend in the garden and feel so connected with the real world!

Here are some Moon Gazing Hares I made - does anyone know...do they gaze at the moon?

Springtime Greetings

Lindsey

X



Spring Equinox: Winter Twig and Spring Thoughts

Here's a lovely contribution from Sheila for the equinox, she says: 

I've restarted my art journaling. It all started with my visit to York and then there was Valentines Day and now Spring is on its way. Yesterday I even added some cards from my visit to Prague last November. It's quite a small journal but I hope I can keep it up with just a few extra entries on different pages each day.

My Winter Twig Poem

Winter 
  twig
 Shadows
Sun and light
 Waving
  in
   the
 wind
moving

My Spring Thoughts

Spring
 comes
 a bit at a time.
Imperceptibly
   the days lengthen
Buds bloom
    and lambs are born.
Spirits
  lift
with thoughts of what's
   to come
Sun
  shines.

Snowdrop by Alice Oswald

A beautiful poem by Alice Oswald sent by Lizzie who says......

Sorry - this poem was meant to get to you for Imbolc! It's worth a read - I saw some snowdrops today - next to some bright yellow daffs!!!

Beautiful beautiful sunny Spring day here today!


Lizzie xxx


Snowdrop

A pale and pining girl, head bowed, heart gnawed,
whose figure nods and shivers in a shawl
of fine white wool, has suddenly appeared
in the damp woods, as mild and mute as snowfall.
She may not last, She has no strength at all,
but stoops and shakes as if she’d stood all night
on one bare foot, confiding with the moonlight.


One morning among several hundred clear-eyed ghosts
who get up in the cold and blink and turn
into those trembling emblems of night frosts,
she brings her burnt heart with her in an urn
of ashes, which she opens to re-mourn,
having no other outlet to express
her wild-flower sense of wounded gentleness.

Yes, she’s no more now than a drop of snow
on a green stem – her name is now her calling.Her mind is just a frozen melting of glow
of water swollen to the point of falling
which maybe has no meaning. There’s no telling.
But what’s a beauty, what a mighty power
of patience kept intact is now in flower.


By Alice Oswald

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