The Gaelic Roundtable

There is a new online community-building project called The Gaelic Roundtable for Gaelic Polytheists to participate in. The mission statement says:

"This project is meant to benefit the Gaelic polytheist community threefold:

To encourage the growth and development of a community which is able to support a myriad of viewpoints without mortal conflict;

To encourage discussion between community members, as well as the critical evaluation of materials available to that community;

To create a cohesive resource for those searching for information and practical applications of Gaelic Polytheism in the modern era."

One of the ways to participate is to post on monthly topics, this month being Journeys. I like the overall idea behind this project, so I will be taking part as well. If you are a Gaelic Polytheist, you should check out The Gaelic Roundtable and see if it interests you as well!

Sláinte!

Laurel

In the Belly of Garden Planning Madness

Japanese Ghost Fern & Wild Ginger

In my neck of the woods Spring has been teasing us with peaks of her face, and her inevitable emergence is just around the corner. With this, I have been really missing my old garden. I miss every single plant, and just about every single critter that would visit my garden. To distract myself I have been planning a garden for our new home. 

I did not bring any of our outdoor plants with us, however I did bring quite a few containers along, some of my favourite pieces of garden kitsch as well as the stones that were used in our previous outdoor shrine, and of course my seed collection. Otherwise I am starting from scratch. 

One of the things I am going to have to figure out is what other types of containers to get. There are all sorts of options out there, and while I tend to gravitate towards the pretties, they are generally more expensive and not always the most practical option. I am thinking of getting a few storage totes, as I have used them to grow things in before and they hold up. I could always gussy them up with some paint, and this would still make them a more affordable option. Plus, I have seen plans online on how to make them insulated for overwintering perennials, which I am keen to try out. More about that to come in a future post, I am sure.

Our balcony faces North-North East, and while it is sheltered and quite large, I don't think it makes sense to grow vegetables on it. I may grow some greens and will definitely grow some herbs, but what I want to focus on are some of my favourite shrubs and trees, woodland plants and plants that pollinators love.

Meadowsweet, loved by the bees and me.

My old hardiness zone was a 4 a or a 3 b and my new one is a 5 b or a 6 a, so it is quite a bit warmer here. That said, when growing perennials in containers, I really should be focusing on plants that will survive about two zones lower than the one I am in. Thankfully the plants that I am really drawn to fit the bill. 

There is already a small gaggle of seedlings starting on the window sill of our office/craft room including a few different types of columbine, Japanese primrose, Fuji Blue balloon flower, cardinal flower, and foxgloves. But there are many more that I hope to put in our new garden.

Below is a list of all the pretties that I am hoping to cram into our new garden:

Trees & Shrubs

• Heather
• Juniper
• Rowan/Mountain Ash

Annuals

• Basil
• Borage
• Calendula
• Cilantro
• Cosmos
• Dill
• Lobelia
• Nasturtium
• Poppies
• Scarlet Runner
• Mini Sunflowers

Perennials & Biennials

• Allheal
• Ballon Flower
• Bleeding Heart
• Cardinal Flower
• Catnip
• Columbine
• Cowslip
• Creeping Jenny
• False Solomon's Seal
• Foxgloves
• Ferns {various}
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit
• Jacob's Ladder
• Japanese Primrose
• Japanese Ghost Fern
• Lady's Mantle
• Lemon Balm
• Liatris
• Lily-of-the-Valley
• Lungwort
• Mayapple
• Meadowsweet
• Mints {Peppermint & Spearmint for sure}
• Mosses {various}
• Mugwort
• Perriwinkle
• Pincushion Flower
• Sage {Garden}
• Sea Holly
• Sedums {Autumn Joy, Hen & Chicks for sure}
• Sweet Woodruff
• Thymes {Woolly, Mountain, & Lemon for sure}
• Turtlehead
• Wild Ginger
• Woodland Poppy
• Wormwood

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If you have any container gardening hints that you would like to share, please feel free!

Sláinte!

Laurel

Beannachtaí Na Féile Bríde Oraibh!

There is no denying that there has been a lot of tension, pain and anger for many around the last few months, to the point of being palpable. Unfortunately I don't think that this is going away quite yet. 

For those of us who are exhausted, ragged, and raw, Imbolc is a great time to do some purification and remedial work. Brigid can help heal our wounded hearts and grant us strength, and her day is one of hope and renewal.

Here are a few previous posts that might be of interest to give you some more information and ideas:

As Imbolc Approaches

Crafts for Imbolc

A Brigid Doll & Her Bed

Home Blessing Candles

Lustral Bath Melts

Fertility Charm for the Garden {or Women}

Consecrating Seed

Poetic Weather Forecasting

Woolly Gaelic Songs & Prayers

Charm of Grace

Should you wish to participate in something that is more ongoing, there is a lovely project that recently started called Tending the Flame of Hope, which will be ongoing over the next four years. It is promoting the act of daily flame keeping and devotionals:

"Every day, until (at least) January 20, 2021, we'll be lighting up a candle to keep the flame of hope alive, physically and in our hearts. We kindle it with the intention to bring hope to all, and we encourage you to share the pictures we take of the candles. There may be additional intentions: Liberty, Joy, Unity... but always, "Hope" is where the kindling begins."

~Tending the Flame of Hope 

If you are a devotee to Brigid {or wish to be} and are not already a flamekeeper, there are many groups dedicated to tending to her flame. Two such groups Nigheanan Brìghde {a sisterhood that I belong to} and Ord Brighideach International {cells that are mixed, brotherhoods and sisterhoods}.

I have found support and a sense of community in the group that I belong to and I am glad that I joined. 

Finally, I leave you with a lovely video about some of the Irish lore and traditions of Imbolc.

No matter how you may {or may not} observe this time, may Brigid's fire bring you comfort and may her waters be a balm to you. Beannachtaí na Féile Bríde agus Imbolc oraibh/ Brigid's Day & Imbolc blessings to you all!

Laurel

Lustral Bath Melts

This was my first time making bath melts, and the recipe I used is pretty simple. If you have ever made candles before, you should find making bath melts quite easy. The recipe I used can be found over at DIY Natural, for which I doubled the measurements to get four large bath melts {one could probably be broken up for three baths each}.

I made these bath melts with purification in mind, and just in time for Imbolc. The plants I used are often associated with purification and I added a few extra for overall blessings: birch bark, dandelion leaf, heather flowers, juniper berries, lavender flowers, lemon verbena, rose petals, thyme, vervain and yarrow. I also added peppermint essential oil, for both purification and is great for relaxation.

Really though, there are all sorts of combinations of herbs and essential oils that you could use, whether for magical or mundane purposes. Experimenting is half the fun! 

I ended up using metal candy molds, and I had a bit of trouble getting them out. Next time I think I will use silicone molds. After removing them I stored them in a mason jar in the fridge, just to be sure that they don't get all melty.

Sláinte!

Laurel

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!

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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