Wheel of the Year // Spring

These little guys are our new neighbours. 

They've been prancing about in the field across the road from our house, in the bright sunshine, all week.

Spring is well and truly sprung!

I hope the fine weather continues for you all, wherever you are. School breaks up for Easter today, so I'm hoping it carries on a bit longer here, into my holiday. 

Brightest blessings. 

Three Word Thursday

Miss this one...

Three Word Thursday

This is me.

Wheel of the Year // Ostara

Spring has sprung!

Tonight the vernal (Spring) equinox occurs - the moment when there is equal light and dark in our day. 

Everywhere around us we can see the Earth coming back to life, spurred on by this increasing light. There are lambs in the fields, birds in the hedgerow and daffodils everywhere!

Hundreds of years ago, the Germanic pagans who resided in Western Europe, including the British Isles, celebrated this time by honouring their fertility goddess Eostre. The festival became known as Ostara and we retain aspects of its symbolism in modern celebrations for the Christian festival of Easter. 

Spring Equinox is a time to begin planting and sowing seeds, ready for the summer harvests - those of you who garden, like me, will surely be sorting through your packets of seeds and planning when you will plant them. 

I try to treat my hopes, dreams and personal goals in much the same way - by planting the metaphorical seeds. Right now, this is most clearly demonstrated by my photography; I'm working hard to get in place the skills and tools I need to allow it to come into fruition. 

I hope that whatever your plans and dreams may be, that the warmth and light of Eostre shines upon them, to allow them to grow. 

Brightest blessings. 

Three Word Thursday

A chance find.

Garden Magick // Hellebore

Nowadays hellebores grace the gardens of many people, providing a welcome sight in the depths of winter as they flower in spite of the cold. For this quality they are often called the 'Christmas Rose'.

However, hellebore wasn't always thought of so fondly. If you look back through history, hellebore has been used as both a medicine and a poison. It was traditionally used as a cure for paralysis and gout, yet it caused more problems than it solved - its list of side-effects stretch from tinnitus and vertigo to heart attack, stupors and death. Not one to go brewing in your tea!

Due to its sinister capabilities, folklore has cloaked this plant in darkness and mystery - it is often associated with witchcraft. It is also famed for being the agent of the death of Alexander the Great. A fascinating little plant - and one which will always seem more positive than otherwise to me. I just love it's star-shaped blooms. 

Three Word Thursday

Full of cold :(