All the Best of the Season to You!

As the Old Woman of winter shakes her cloak and blasts us with snow and winds, may you all have merriment to keep your spirits bright and be blessed with all the comforts the body needs on these long cold winter nights! 

I leave you with a lovely poem and reading that I thought was suitable for this time of year by Adam Christianson: 

"When harpers once in wooden hall

A shining chord would strike

Their songs like arrows pierced the soul

Of great and low alike

Aglow by hearth and candle flame

From burning branch ot ember

The mist of all their music sang

As if to ask in wonder

Is there a moment quite as keen

Or memory as bright

As light and fire and music (sweet)

To warm the winter's night?"

~A Leaf From The Tree of Songs by Adam Christianson

{You can see the reading here.}

Warm Hearts & Hearths!

Laurel

Homemade for the Holidays Part 2

I have recently been getting my Pinterest-inspired Yuletide craftiness on, so I thought that I would share some ideas for thrifty gifts and decorations. Enjoy and happy crafting!

Bottle Brush Tree in a Teacup

This little pretty cost almost nothing to make. The teacup and saucer were about 50 cents and the bottle brush tree is from the dollar store. The little decorations are faux pearls found in a thrift store craft bag and the hearts are from a card making kit from the dollar store. 

Here is a tutorial on how to gussy up bottle brush trees.

Framed Wrapping Paper

This is an idea I got from some friends which I used a couple of years back for some pretty vintage wrapping paper I had found. This is something that you could also do with gift bags or greeting cards that you like. You may have a framed already on hand that you can use or find one at your local thrift shop. 

Saucer Dioramas

I have seen some people use old ornament boxes, spools or ribbon and other items as their launching point for their diorama. I found a batch various Christmas saucers so I decided to use some of those. The figurines are both thrifted finds and I used items that I had around such as pine cones, holiday greeting cards, and old bits of kitschy greenery and garland. 

Yuletide Recipe Book 

For a while now I have been on a mission to find the right box or photo album to hoard my holiday recipes in. I found this one in a bargain bin for $3.00 at a local gift store. It has sleeves that will fit recipe cards and dividers and pockets as well. So far I have only decorated the outside but I intend on doing the inside as well and making snazzy recipe cards. 

Check out this page for some other recipe book ideas!

Festive Plant Markers

These are actually "paper wands" that I thought would look cute in house plants. I used paper straws, cupcake liners, doilies, stickers and bits from a card making kit all from the dollar store. In the bottom I stuffed a piper cleaner up the straw to stick in the plants. I think that these would be a nice touch to add to a plant that you are giving as a gift!

Bottle Brush Trees in Retro Santa Mugs 

This is pretty much the same idea as the bottle brush tree in a teacup, but this time I used vintage Santa mugs. The bottle brush trees are again from the dollar store, and some of the bits I used are from card making kits {again from the dollar store}, faux pearls and little ornaments. I think that turned out pretty nifty. 

Wrapping Paper Candles

The idea for this easy project came from this blog, which also has match books that you can dress up as well. I used some wrapping paper that I had around and sparkles and slapped them in some candles with some Modge Podge. Next time I will definitely give the match books a try as well!

*********

Sláinte!

Laurel

Homemade for the Holidays

As the holidays are fast approaching, I thought that I would share some previous posts of crafts that others could make for the polytheists, witches and pagans for the upcoming Yuletide season.

Apple Spice Whiskey

Botanical Dyed Textiles

Brigid Doll and Bed

Candles for the Three Realms

Cross Quarter Waters

Hearth Candle

Herbal Pillow for Good Rest and Sweet Dreams

Herbal Vinegar Hair Rinse

Mullein Candles

Nature Friendly Offering Stones

Northern Winter Tea

Perfumes and Colognes

Rowan Berry Necklace or Garland

Rowan and Red Thread Charm for Safe Travels

Safe Travels Vessel

Winter Incense

Witchballs

Witch Bottle for Household Protection

Yuletide Candle

Happy crafting!

Laurel

I Am Going Home With Thee...

"I am going home with thee.

To thine eternal bed, 

To thy perpetual sleep."

~Carmina Gadelica Vol 3

May your Samhain be filled with joy and memories surrounded by loved ones here and past! 

Warm Hearts & Hearths,

Laurel

A New Haunt

Yesterday the better half and I went exploring a lovely woodland and wetland area that is delightfully close to our new home.

Upon arrival we were immediately greeted by oak, linden, ash, maple and other deciduous pretties, along with various songs of birds. I was surprised that this place is tucked right in the city.

After walking for a half a km or so, we came out to an expanse of wetland, that we could cross using a bridge. While crossing I found myself being reminded of the ancient trackways found in Irish bogs. It's definitely not like any route I take on a regular basis.

On the other side of the wetland we were met by path that was flanked by a hedgerow on one side and a wood on the other. Eventually the wood turned into a mix with more coniferous trees, along with some ferny and mossy fixins'.  

The trail led us right down to Lake Ontario, but we decided to turn around and head back the way we came.

I have a feeling that I will be frequenting this stretch for both ritual and wildcrafting. I am looking forward to getting to know the local flora and fauna, as well as the local spirits.

This city is starting to feel like home.

Sláinte!

Laurel

The 2016 Garden

Previously I had mentioned that my partner and I were moving to new city, which meant I would be leaving my happy little garden behind. I miss it already.

We had decided this past Spring that we would be making the move; this was just after I had gotten our veggie patches prepared, but thankfully it was before I planted anything into the ground. With that big move coming, I ended up just sprinkling grass and various flower seeds onto the veggie patches and helping the perennials along when I had the time.

To be honest, both our front and back yards ended up looking like wee jungles the whole season, as I had very little time for weeding, cutting back and the like. That's ok though, because my gardening aesthetic is wild and woolly anyway. ;)

When I had a moment I would putter around the garden to enjoy it, harvest some and snap photos. What I did do regularly however was still make offerings and utilize our outdoor shrine for festival observances.

Before leaving North Bay, many of the plants from the garden had been adopted out to other folks, some strangers, but mostly friends and family. There are still plenty left behind and I hope whoever lives there after will take good care of them and enjoys them.

For those who are into gardening, I think that we can all understand the attachment that we come to have with both the land and plants we tend to, along with the wildlife that makes their home there. It can be heartbreaking to leave that all behind.

But it is not all gloom, our new home has a pretty large balcony, so it looks like I will be doing some container gardening and plenty of wildcrafting. I will also be keeping a lookout for possible community garden opportunities, which altogether should be enough to keep me happy until we have our own patch of earth again. 

Sláinte!

Laurel

Apple Spice Whiskey!

Today I finally got try a recipe that I have been daydreaming about for a wee bit....Apple Spice Whiskey! I can't wait to see how it turns out! The recipe inspiration came from Able & Cole, although theirs is for crab apples. Their recipe can be found here. 

Sláinte!

Laurel

Metamorphosis

It certainly has been a while since I last posted, and there have been many changes happening my little world. This summer has been spent working a helluvalot and preparing for a move to a new city. 

Things will be quite here for a wee bit longer, but once things are more settled, I will be posting here again and making some changes to the blog to reflect my new environment.

Wish me luck! ;)

Laurel

Beannachtaí Na Bealtaine Oraibh Go Léir!

photo by Croven

"Càit' as tràith' an tig samhradh caomh

Càit' as tràith' an tig blàth air craoibh

Càit' as bòidhche an seinn an smeòrach

Air bhàrr nan ògan? 'S an Innis Àigh!"

*********

"Where does gentle summer arrive earlier

Where does blossom appear on trees earlier 

Where does the thrush sing more beautifully 

On the young branches? In the Happy Island!"

~ An Innis Àigh/The Happy Island

I am jumping the gun and posting this a wee bit early {perhaps in the hope that the snow will stay away until December!}.When I first heard the song An Innis Àigh/The Happy Island, I thought that it was the perfect Bealtaine tune. Below is a version done by the Rankin Family: 

For full lyrics in both Gàidhlig {Scots Gaelic} and English head on over to the Lyric Translate site.

I hope that everyone is having a lovely Spring so far and may it be filled with much beauty, merriment and reasons to celebrate! Beannachtaí na Bealtaine oraibh go léir/Bealtaine blessings to you all! 

Laurel

New Seeds Available in the Etsy Shop

I have added a few new seed varieties to the Unfettered Wood Etsy shop! 

Red Kuri Winter Squash

 Angel Wings Poppy

 Tiger's Eye Bush Bean

Fernleaf Dill

Jasmine Scented Nicotiana

Jarrahdale Pumpkin

I will be posting some new charms and vintage items in the shop in the next little while.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Standing stone image by JG O'Donoghue

"Ailiu iath nErenn, 

Hermach muir mothach, 

Mothach sliab srethach, 

Srethach caill cithach, 

Cithach aub essach, 

Essach loch lindmar, 

Lindmar tor tipra, 

Tipra tuath oenach, 

Oenach rig Temrach;

Temair tor tuathach, 

Tuatha Mac Miled,  

Miled long libern ; 

Libern ard Eriu, 

Eriu ard diglass, 

Dichetal rogaeth, 

Rogaes ban Breise,

Breise, ban Buaigne, 

Be adbul Eriu, 

Eremon artus, 

Ir, Eber ailsius — 

Ailiu iath Erenn."

*********

"I seek the land of Ireland, 

Coursed be the fruitful sea, 

Fruitful the ranked highland, 

Ranked the showery wood, 

Showery the river of cataracts, 

Of cataracts the lake of pools, 

Of pools the hill of a well, 

Of a well of a people of assemblies, 

Of assemblies of the king of Temair ; 

Temair, hill of peoples, 

Peoples of the Sons of Mil, 

Of Mil of ships, of barks ; 

The high ship Eriu, 

Eriu lofty, very green, 

An incantation very cunning. 

The great cunning of the wives of Bres, 

Of Bres, of the wives of Buaigne, 

The mighty lady Eriu, 

Erimon harried her, 

Ir, Eber sought for her — 

I seek the land of Ireland."

~ from Lebor gabála Érenn:The book of the taking of Ireland

Below is a A beautiful song that I originally heard on the movie Brooklyn{which is a pretty good movie if you haven't seen it yet!}. It is Casadh an Tsúgáin sung by Iarla Ó Lionáird, this version is by The Gloaming, which Iarla is a member of.

 Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh/Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone!

Laurel

E-Books & Apps for Gaelic Polytheists {Google Play Edition}

This past holiday season I moved into the 21st century by being gifted a tablet. Since getting it I have uploaded several apps and e-books that might be of interest to other Gaelic Polytheists {and perhaps some for other types of Celtic Polytheists}. 

For this particular list will feature apps and e-books that I found on Google Play, and will hopefully at some point expand the list for resources from other places. Listed is what I current have on my tablet or on my wishlist. This is by no means all that is available, so I encourage folks to go on a wee treasure hunt to see what they can find. However, be forewarned that there is garbage available as well {i.e. "Celtic chakras" and related new age poop}.

Applications

• Celtic Irish Music Radio Some pretty good trad and folk and it's free!
• English/Scottish Dictionary by vdru While there are other apps available for free that are similar, this is probably more extensive than the free ones. It costs $4.99.
• History of Scotland by Drawchill App Actually a book, but you need web access to read it. Pretty nifty for free.
• Irish Translator by GK Apps A great free little resource.
• Learn Manx/Ynsee Gaelg Surprisingly there are quite a few apps and books for those interested in Manx culture and the Isle of Mann. This happens to be one of my favourites and it is free!
• Nemo Irish Gaelic There is a free version of this app and the full one is available for about $10.00. A great resource for beginners who wish to learn conversational Irish.
• RTÉ Player A free app to watch programs from Ireland's national broadcaster. Also available is RTÉ Radio and RTÉ News.
• The Gaelic Hour Irish Radio Show If you happen to be near Ottawa Ontario, you will probably appreciate this app. Shows like this in Ontario Canada are far and few in between!

E-Books

• A Tour Through the Island of Mann by John Feltham {free}
• A Waxing Moon: The Modern Gaelic Revival by Roger Hutchinson {currently listed at $18.11}
• Animals in Celtic Life and Myth by Miranda Green {currently listed at $42.71}
• Beside the Fire: A Collection of Irish Gaelic Stories by Douglas Hyde {currently listed at $3.82}
• Carlow Folk Tales by Aideen McBride and Jack Sheehan {currently listed at $4.99} There are a bunch of other books in this series available including Wicklow Folk Tales, Scottish Border Folk Tales, and Meath Folk Tales. There are probably close to twenty or so titles available!
• Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs {free}
• Celtic Gods and Heros by Marie-Louise Sjoestedt {currently listed at $7.45}
• Colloquial Scottish Gaelic: The Complete Course for Beginners {currently list at $30.85}
• Celtic Myths and Legends by Charles Squire {currently listed at $12.98}
• Celtic Mythology by John Arnott MacCulloch {currently listed at $9.99}
• Celtic Prayers and Incantations by Alexander Carmichael {currently listed at $8.12}
• Folk Tales and Fairy Lore in Gaelic and English by James MacDougall {currently listed at $6.80}
• Folk-Lore and Legends Ireland {free}
• Folk-Lore and Legends Scotland {free}
• Folklore of the Scottish Highlands by Anne Ross {currently listed at $9.99}
• Gaelic Names of Plants {free}
• Gaelic Poems by Alexander Cook {free}
• Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory {currently listed at $3.82}
• Irish Superstitions:Irish Spells, Old Wives' Tales and Folk Beliefs by Dáithí Ó hÓgáin {currently listed at $9.99}
• Irish Witchcraft and Demonology by John D Seymour {currently listed at $6.82}
• Legendary Ireland: Myths and Legends of Ireland by Eithne Massey {currently listed at $9.99}
• Manx Fairy Tales by Sophia Morrison {currently listed at $3.82}
• The Essential Celtic Folklore Collection by Lady Gregory {currently listed at $2.44}
• The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W.Y. Evan-Wentz {currently listed at $1.99}
• The Little Manx Nation by Sir Hall Caine {free}
• The Makers of Scotland by Tim Clarkson {currently list at $7.50}
• The Manx Notebook by A.W. Moore {free}
• The Táin translated by Thomas Kinsella {currently listed at $11.11}

If you know of any other apps, e-books or even movies and music that should be on this list, please feel free to share!

Sláinte!

Laurel

Brigit Búadach/Victorious Brigit

"Brigit búadach,
 búaid na fine,
siur Ríg nime,
nár in duine,
eslind luige,
         lethan bréo.

 Ro-s íacht nóibnem,
mumme Góidel,
riar na n-óiged,
óibel ecnai,
ingen Dubthaig,
duine úallach,
Brigit búadach,
         bethad béo."

***

"Triumphant Brigid,
glory of her kindred,
sister of Heaven's King,
a noble woman,
a danger to perjurers,
a broad-spreading flame.

She has reached holy Heaven,
the foster-mother of the Gael,
the desire of visitors,
a spark of wisdom,
daughter of Dubthach,
a proud woman,
triumphant Brigid,
living one of life."

~ Brigit Búadach/Victorious Brigid {Old Irish, translated by Kuno Meyer. Found in Miscellanea hibernica.}

 Beannachtaí na Féile Bríde agus Imbolc oraibh/ Brigid's Day & Imbolc blessings to you all!