Harvest, Month of the Bear and Autumn

We are almost at the full moon again!! This year seems to be flying by! At least we had a summer and hopefully a mild winter will follow.

We are fast approaching the end of the salmon month, the time of wisdom, and entering the month of the bear, the time of applying what we learn. Bear is also the month of harvest and of learning differentiation. This is a time of earth and water - which makes a lot sense at this time. We see more choppy seas, heavy rain coming in, ripe grains and, as mentioned, the harvest.

This is also a time of family and of protection, and of preserving whatever fruits/vegetables we can for the coming winter.

I love to make some kind of preserve, be it a jam or relish, a chutney or a jelly. Making your own is so much better than buying shop bought, and it tastes all the sweeter for being home made (plus you know exactly what's in it). Make this something for all the family and (if you have kids), get the kids involved!

So far, its been a funny year. Everything was late in coming and now its vanishing as fast as you can blink! Leaves are falling, rowan berries are red already!! Autumn is rushing in where Spring feared to tread.

This is my favourite time of year. The earth breathes out a sigh, everything smells amazing and the colours simply dazzle you with their beauty, burning into your memory so that you won't forget them over the long winter!

As we are still, for the moment, on the growing moon, it is time to think about how you can apply what you have learned so far this year, and about how to protect yourself and your home from physical as well as 'other' influences.

bb.


On another note, my second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Celtic Tree Hazel Moon

On Monday we moved from the Celtic Tree month of Holly into Hazel. On Tuesday, we saw the New Moon. This new moon, a hazel moon, is the 9th moon of the year so far. As you know, 9 is very special in paganism and for that reason we pay special hommage to this moon.

The Hazel is known as the Tree of Wisdom and as such, this month (and the magic performed at this time) relates to wisdom, knowledge, divination in the form of dowsing, protection, prosperity, dreams, reconciliation, marriage, inspiration, intellegence and spirit contact.

Ancient stories tell of the wisdom gained in eating hazelnuts, or salmon who have eaten hazelnuts! These nuts are also a symbol of fertility in the UK. This tree is also thought to be sacred to the faerie and could be used to call them, especially in the form of a wand. Traditionally, all wands were made of this tree. It is the best tree for dowsing as well and it is said that sleeping with hazel (under your pillow or sleeping under the tree) could bring dreams of foresight. Carrying a piece of this tree will offer protection from lightning and many other possible dangers.

For dowsing, these trees can find water, ley lines and even treasures!

Hazel is associated with salmon, with the colour brown (but also olive green for study) and the bird crane. It is of the stone red agate and is of the element air. Its planet is Mercury and it is strongly associated with Mercury, Thor, Diana and Artemis.

It is perhaps for the reason that this is a time of knowledge that schools return at this time of year, the new year of study begins soon, certainly in Scotland.

So this is another time of new beginnings, this time of the intellect. Of study, leanring, craftwork and divination. If you have never tried dowsing before, get a hold of some hazel rods. Cut with flint, rather than a knife if you can. Hazel trees can be found everywhere and are fairly easy to spot. I've included a pic here of a nutting tree - this is close to what they should be looking like now. You can find other images on the internet, or better yet, on a book :D

Enjoy this fascinating moon!

On another note, my second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3