Da Day Dawn

"Da Day Dawn" performed by John Fleagle. A traditional Shetland song that would be played first thing on Christmas morning. To find out more about the song, listen to this little clip by Tom Anderson explaining. 

I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season. Warm hearts and hearths!

Brewing Wormwood Bitters {Absinthe Inspired} for Ritual Use

{***Please be sure to do your own research, find out if it is safe for you to use plants such as wormwood, and that you use proper dosages. There are several health conditions and situations where wormwood and related plants are not safe for folks to use. And please, for the love of all that is sacred, dilute before using and use responsibly.***}

This morning I started a brew of absinthe-inspired wormwood bitters, which I am looking forward to using to aid in travelling and divination during the upcoming dark half of the year. This is my first time making absinthe, so it is a bit of an experiment. In my own brew I added the following herbs, after giving them a good going over with a stone mortar and pestle:

wormwood

fennel

anise

hyssop

peppermint

lemon balm

coriander seed

dandelion root

I then added in some 80 proof vodka, enough to cover the herbs and then some. Most of the ingredients are traditionally found in absinthe recipes, and many have the delightful associations of what I plan to use it for. I added dandelion root as a extra, for it's association with seeing, ancestor work and the Otherworlds. 

I will brew it for at least a week, shaking it every day, saying a little charm as I do so. While it sits, I will have it covered in black, with a pendant that I wear during some rituals, to inform the brew of its intended use. 

It will then be strained and bottled, and use diluted. Below is the video I got inspiration from to make this, which I encourage people to check out.

Rebirth Under a Full Buck Moon

The skull of a white-tailed buck skull waits patiently to be revealed under the full moon tonight, a suitable time, as July's moon is often referred to as a full buck moon. And this one is going to be a doozy, being the longest blood moon eclipse this century. Also auspicious, as this skull had been reddened before being wrapped to be symbolically reborn and consecrated to his new station. 

At some point I intend to do an in depth post on the whole process of reddening, rebirthing, consecration and binding a sacred object to oneself. 

{Deer skull was found by another in the forest, after dying a natural death}

Waning & Twilight

The waning moon being her pretty self in the early twilight hours.

The Beauty of May

"Sweet May hath come to love us,

 Flowers, trees, their blossoms don."

~ Heinrich Heine, Book of Songs

I am really beginning to appreciate the beauty that this area has to offer, and in some ways it is no more apparent than around Bealtaine time. From the ephemeral flowers of the woods, the blossoms on the trees, to the lush green of new growth, sadly none of that beauty lasts long. So with that in mind, I tried to get out as much as I could to my favourite spots to enjoy it all while it is here. Below are pictures that I took while out and about during May.

Brigid's Flame for the Women of Ireland

Today is my flame vigil for a Brighidine order of flamekeepers that I belong to. My vigil has been dedicated to the women of Ireland. My hope is that tomorrow people will vote yes, so women there can have the same reproductive rights and freedoms as we have here in Canada.

Plan B Garden

Basil seedlings in desperate need of being potted up

Last year I had planted a bunch of perennials on my balcony garden, which was my first growing season in this apartment, after quite a few years of being lucky enough to have land to garden on. I was careful to choose plants that were at least two hardiness zones lower than the one I am in, used large storage totes to plant them in, and did my best to shield them from the elements. Even with all of that, it doesn't look like any survived the extra harsh winter we just came out of.

So instead of spending more money or babying along perennial seedlings, just to probably have them croak on me again, I am going to go the free route and grow annuals of seeds I already have. My balcony doesn't get full sun, but I am still going to chance some sun-lovers. Even if it is a fail, it won't cost me anything. And me with no garden is like a boat with no water. 'Taint happening. The following are what are going to be a part of this year's experiment:

Basil {a mix}
Black Futsu pumpkin
Borage
Broom corn
Calendula
Cilantro
Cornflower
Cosmos {Rubenza and Sensation mix}
Datura
Dill
Greens {kale, arugula, chard, and lettuces, where ever I can find room for them}
Jasmine scented nicotiana
Nasturtiums
Poppies {Angel Wings and Opium}
Scarlet Runner beans
Sweet peas {Cupani and Black Knight}
Teddy Bear sunflowers
Tomatoes {Black Krim and Indigo Rose}
Wild tobacco
Zucchini {Black Beauty & Yellow Pattypan}

I am also growing seedlings for an heirloom and pollinator garden at my work, which is in retirement/nursing for the elderly. It will be interesting to see if they remember any of the varieties that we will be growing there. I am happy to see gardens there for them to enjoy.

Hope you all are getting your hands dirty too!

Wild Leek/Ramp Pesto

Recently at a local farmers' market I picked up some wild leeks/ramps from the lovely folks at Wood Nettle Farm. Before I could even ask about views on wildcrafting practices, Tibrata mentioned the importance of harvesting them in a sustainable way, only taking some from any particular patch and only taking the leaves instead of harvesting up by the roots. That was all I needed to hear. And if you happen to be the area, they have what looks to be some amazing workshops and other events, including potlucks. I will definitely be checking those out and visiting them again at the market.

I am freezing some of my ramps, and decided to make a small batch of pesto. I have tried a few different recipes, some call to sautée the leeks, but I prefer to just use them raw. Below is how I made this particular batch, which yielded about 1/2 a cup of pesto.

2 1/4 cups roughly chopped raw ramp leaves

1/3 cup shelled pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

I just put everyone together in the food processor and that's it. Even easier than basil pesto. 

Merry Bealtaine!

Even though this song Ilmr by Danheim is named for a Norse Goddess, it for some reason reminds me of Bealtaine. I picture a bunch a merry folks frolicking in the woods or perhaps dancing around a bonfire when I hear it.

I hope for everyone that this Bealtaine is filled with plenty of beauty, blessings and mirth. Beannachtaí na Bealtaine oraibh go léir/Bealtaine blessings to you all!

Laurel

Waking from the Dreams of the Long Dark

Winter has seemed so long this year, and while I have been yearning for nature's green, this one has been potent for me. This dark half as with all others has been reflective, but unlike the usual serene and moonlit pond, more often than not it was the dank black of marsh or stormy waters under cracked ice that I was peering into.

A kind of spiritual ambivalence had been hanging over me for the last couple of years, and just after Samhain that cloud had finally lifted. The part of myself that dreams, walks between worlds, and gazes through the eyes of a seer had reawakened. These last few months have been unnerving and tumultuous at times, but it was exactly what I needed.  

Thankfully I have had support and assistance along the way, from some old friends and new. I am very grateful to them, and I am sure they know who they are. 

During this time I have been exploring how I do ritual and folk magic as a Gaelic polytheist, re-visiting some practices that I used to do prior to adopting this spiritual pathway. I have been incorporating and building upon them, some of which I might share here at some point. 

I hope that you all have had the opportunity to reap the gifts of the long dark. Time to shake of the fog of sleep, as summer is a-comin'. 

Beannachtaí,

Laurel

Hello, Pretty Lady

There's just something about seeing a big moon in the sky before the sun goes down that gets me every time. Last night was no exception.

The first full moon happening this month is sometimes called the "Worm Moon", which for me is apt, since I have been dreaming of worms lately. I wonder what tonight's dreams will bring. And with spring looking like it is just around the corner, it won't be long until we see our wriggling little friends once again.

If you get the chance, go out tonight and enjoy the light that this beauty will cast in the dark.

Hail Brigid!

"A Brigit 'sa tír ad-chíu, is cách a úair immud—rá, ro gab do chlú for a chlú ind ríg, is tú forda-tá."
***
"Oh Brigit whose land I behold, on which each one in turn has moved about, thy fame has outshone the fame of the king--thou art over them all."

{Hail Brigit}

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

Laurel

Thieving Bigots

A couple of days ago I got wind that there were some neo-Nazis/goosesteppers using this photo I took a couple of years back on their social media to promote hate. To me Brigid represents the fires of the hearth, community and hospitality. So the exact opposite to hate, xenophobia and all other forms of bigotry. 

Should you happen to see any photos that I have taken to promote these things, please know that I do not condone them. As for the bigots, use your own photos as you are not welcome to mine.

Finding Lost Treasure

While doing some deep cleaning in preparation for Imbolc, I have come across some forgotten treasures. It is probably safe to say that I have a thing for hagstones, which are already scattered all over my home, so what are a dozen more? I found these pretties that I had stashed away for some reason or another, which can again enjoy the light of day on shelf that seemed to be made just for them. 

Perhaps my most happy find, a crow's foot that I scored in a swap a few years that I had fitted with a clear quartz point, a gift from someone dear. The intention was to make a devotional piece with it along with some raw amber beads that were also found again. Embarrassingly, that was over three years back. Hopefully I can get that done before I forget about it again.

If I were to be rewarded like this every time I did a deep cleaning, I would definitely do it more often.