Chinese New Year of the Horse

The 31st of January marks the Chinese New Year - Happy New Year to all who follow this calendar :D

The Year of the Horse is a year of potential conflict, especially for those born in a horse year. It is a Wood horse as well, meaning finances could potentially dip in the first half of the year but will rise again after the beginning of the second half, when the fire horse has more influence. For those not born in the year of the horse it is likely to be a prosperous year, as long as they are able to keep the peace between any potentially conflicting colleagues/friends :D

This is an active and energetic year but also a year where people are more likely to stick to their convictions, stand up for their rights and so the possibility of conflict is increased.

It is a Wood Horse year, so if you work with wood in any form, you are likely to do well - so carpenters, people who work in timber or lumber industries, agriculture and also the media, will excel. Those who work in fishing or in anything to do with metals (such as mining) will not have a good year, certainly not the first half.

The 31st marks the beginning of the Spring Festival, and will run until the 15th of the month, to the lantern festival, which will mark its end. Red is the colour to bring into your life just now and having a good spring clean is thought to rid your life of any ill luck that may have collected over the last year. This also sets your life in order to accept good fortune for the coming year.

This is apt as we are also about to embark on Imbolc (in the northern Hemisphere), a time of clearing out negative energy through cleaning the home, and of welcoming in the new year, in the form of the Goddess Bride/Brigid/Brede.

Happy New Year and Imbolc Blessings to you all :D


On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scotland about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback: The Island of the Mist is book 2 The Stone in the Sword is book 1
The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats: The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Lughnasadh/Lammas and Imbolc

I call this festival Lughnasadh but many call it Lammas. Either way, it is almost upon us. Today is Lughnasadh Eve,, tomorrow (1st Aug), is Lughnasadh or Lammas. In the Southern Hemisphere it is Imbolc, one of my favourite festivals. I do hope they get snowdrops south of the equator because to me that is the ultimate symbol of Imbolc!!

Lughnasadh is a wonderful time of year. It is fecund, bountiful and celebratory. It is the mid-point between Mid Summer and the Autumn Equinox. It is the start of the harvest time and so was when people would have more to eat than any other time of the year. This is a corn festival, a time of grain and gold/sunshine yellow and bronze, bread making and games, of weaving corn dollies. It is also a time of the waning moon.

Deities at this time include Lugh, Demeter, Ceres, Tailtiu. It is a time of the mother deity, of the fullness of life, and knowing when to celebrate. To stop and take in the joys life has to offer. It is the time of reaping the rewards of a year of hard work.

We are still in the last stages of the Holly moon, so we are still working with our passions and self confidence. The next Celtic Tree is the Hazel, which will begin on Monday, 5th August. This is where communication and knowledge come in, as the power of the sun starts to dwindle a little.

At this time of year I like to burn a fire - clear out the rubbish from my body and renew good health. If you don't have access to somewhere that you can start a small, controlled fire, pass a candle all around yourself, or get someone to do it for you - over your whole body. As you jump over the fire/have the candle pass over you, think about bringing in the positive energy that can heal and letting out all toxins and negative energies.

Getting out is essential at Lughnasadh - even if its just a five minute walk/stroll. Any kind of physical activity is good, especially outside. Feel the sun on your skin (or if its cloudy, imagine it). Enjoy this last couple of months of light before we a plunged into the short, cold days of winter.

I like to bake for this festival - cornbread is best but to be honest, this is a grain festival, so any grain will do, including wholemeal, which is much easier to make.

BB and have a wonderful Lughnasadh!

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

Imbolc and Spring

Imbolc is on Saturday - that is the 'official day' however if you see snowdrops pushing up through the soil or even flowering already, you can have your ritual at any time now. Imbolc is not as fixed as Halloween date-wise, as it is usually celebrated with the appearance of the first snowdrops - and they will appear at different times in varying countries. SO do what feels right for you.

To me, Imbolc is a Celtic festival and as a Scot, I welcome Bride (rather than the Irish counterpart, Brigid or Brede). I use white candles and a pale green altar cloth (you could use a white altar cloth here if you wish). I light the candles and go to my front door at night, opening it and welcoming Bride in. I see a tall, dark haired young woman in white as she enters my home, and I lead her through the house, with the candle to light our way. No part of the house is neglected (and this is why I clean beforehand (this is the forerunner to spring cleaning!)). This is also a type of house blessing.

Some people will make corn bread at this time but as I celebrate this time as a Celtic festival (and corn did not grow in the UK/Ireland prior to a couple of hundred years ago), I bake soda bread - recipe on my last post. It's very easy and native. however, if you live in America or anywhere else in the world where corn was native, go for the corn bread. Again, this is entirely up to you.

Making a brigid knot or a corn dolly is something else many people do at this time, tying it off with red ribbon. There are hundreds of site on how to do this, including youtube video's. Here is one example : How to make a Brigid Cross

Remember that while they will state using straw, you can use lavender stalks and other similar material.

If the weather is not too horrific, try to go out and have a look at some greenery, spot a few snowdrops, which are the symbol of Imbolc. This is the first Goddess festival of the year and the energy is expectant, soft, that breath before the burst that is Spring.

BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Preparing for Imbolc

I know Imbolc is a couple of weeks away but many of us have already begun our preparation for this time of year. Cleaning is one of the main things we do - as we want to welcome Bride/Brigit/Brede/Bridig into a clean home on the 2nd of February.

Many people don't really think of Bride as the Goddess of the home and hearth, but she is, among other things, and among other deities. She brings that step of inspiration that hint of spring, clearing the cobwebs of winter away, igniting our creative spark.

This weekend I and my husband have cleaned out our bedroom, the fridge, one kitchen cupboard, cooker and done some dusting. The bathroom was cleaned last weekend and we will do the rest of the cupboards before the end of the week.

Taking time and breaking the job down makes it seem like much less of a hassle and mammoth task. We are lucky in this instance that we live in a small house, one bedroom, bathroom and a kitchen/living room. We have a small job really but even those with much larger homes can lift a duster, hoover, clean their cupboards and fridge out, squirt the loo with bleach etc. A couple of tasks a day has it all clean in no time.

In this we are also mentally preparing for the return of the spring, for the divine to return to our homes.

In your living room (or kitchen if this is your main room), light a white or pale green candle, preferrably beeswax, in preparation for Bride's return.

Baking is another great way of welcoming Bride. Bread or cakes are the best way to welcome her home. They are also the best way to make a house a home.

Soda Bread is a great and very, very easy bread to start with.

500g plain flour
1 tso salt
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
400ml live full fat yoghurt

Preheat over to 200C/400F/GM 6

Flour a bakig tray and a work top.

Sieve dry ingredients together, make a well in centre and add yoghurt. Mix to gooey/sticky consistency (add a hint of milk if you need).

Put out onto work top and form into a round - don't work with it too much.

Place on tray and score a deep cross on the top of the bread.

Bake for 40-45 mins. When taking out, tap base - if it sounds hollow, it's ready. Pop on a cooling tray and you can have a slice as little as 15 minutes later :D

I think this bread is better the day after it is baked.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

July into August

This is a doing time of year. We want to be outside, moving aout, feeling the sun on our skin and smelling the breeze from the ocean. On the 21st of July we crossed from the Month of the Woodpecker to that of the Salmon. Salmon start their trip from the sea back to the rivers for spawning around this time. It is all about action. What do you need to do? What actions are needing to be carried out in your life at the moment?

We have also entered into the Holly tree from the oak tree. This occurred at the start of July,. the 8th. I always think of the Holly tree asa winter tree, so this surprises me every year!

Today (26th) is also the first quarter of the moon. So this is very much a doing time. If you want to do something, now is a very good chance.

As we approach August and the temperatures rise (or fall in the Southern hem), we come closer to the harvest that is Lughnasadh, or Lammas to many. In the Southern hem this is the time of Imbolc, of new beginnings, of brining Bride back into the home. For us in the north, it is a time of preparing for the winter ahead. We approach, slow and steady, like a galleon on open seas, the darker, colder days and try to make as ready as we can everything we will need to face that.

Lughnasah is about the feast. It is a time of games, of doing, competing and sharing. We need to gather for the coming time of less.

I've already seen chanterelle muchrooms in the woods! Quite early, as are the masses of rwan berries on the trees, a sign that winter will arrive earlier than usual. Many of the berries were already red and abundant, which is, I was always told as a child, a sign of a harsh winter ahead. it's a sign that the trees are trying to send out as many berries as possible to ensure some take and grow.

Bit of a babble this blog! Making things for Lughnasah, from pies and cakes, to stews and breads, cooking is part of the festival of light that is Lughnasadh. If you have children, play games and get them involved, if not, find games you can play yourself!

Enjoy the harvest!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

The Year of the Dragon 2012

This year see in the Year of the Dragon in Chinese Astrology. A Water Dragon year at that. It is rather early this year, commencing on the 23rd of January, when it normally occurs around Imbolc time, or at the very end of January.

The Dragon in Chinese mythology is a divine creature, a good luck and good fortune symbol. People born in this year are respected. If you were born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or, of course, this year, you are a dragon (unless born early January of the year).

Dragon people are free spirits and don’t believe in following the rules. They tend to be extroverts, colourful, flamboyant and creative. They are very proud people and given their need for freedom, often don’t have many very close friends. They value their independence highly.

Water calms the ferocious dragon and increases perceptions of others. Good decisions tend to be made under a water dragon year.

Because Dragons tend to be so fortunate, many people wish to have babies born in the year of the dragon, and so there is always a baby boom in China on these years.

For more information, have a look at this wonderful website: http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Dragon.htm

My book has just come onto Amazon - a children's story. Here is the link in case you are interested:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327056598&sr=1-6

The year ahead - dates for your calendar in paganism

Many pagans seem to be under the incorrect idea that all pagan festivals are fixed to one specific date of the year. This is not the case. The solar festivals (both equinoxes and solstices) move every year. Some days they are on the 20th, the 21st or the 22nd of the corresponding month. This is because there are very slight changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The majority of pagans simply celebrate on the 21st of the month but this is not always the actual date of the solstice or equinox.

For instance, this year, the dates are as follows:
Spring Equinox - 20th March
Summer Solstice - 20th June
Autumn Equinox - 22nd September
Winter Solstice - 21st December

The agricultural festivals are not as fixed as many imagine either - these are dates for actual agricultural events as well. The only exception is Hallowe'en, or Samhain. This is a fixed date as it is the date the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. But the others can alter slightly. For instance, Imbolc, usually celebrated on the 1st or 2nd February can be earlier or later, depending when the first snowdrops appear and the first signs of life begin to show. Equally, this is the same of Lammas, the wheat harvest, can be earlier or, more commonly, later.

Personally, I tend to feel that Beltain is more like Hallowe'en. It feels more stationary, less mutable. This would make sense, given that these dates are the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere.

So when Imbolc comes around and you haven't spotted any snowdrops pushing up through the ground, hold off celebrating a few days until they appear. Likewise, if the first harvest hasn't happened in the countryside near you, wait a few days. If you can't tell re Lammas, then go ahead and celebrate around the 1s August but it is always better to feel more attuned to the seasons, and to the energies of the sun.

Imbolc

Imbolc is the pagan festival of the return of Spring, the return of life to the land. It is most often on the 2nd of February (as it is this year) but it is always best to look outside and see whether the snowdrops are pushing through. This is the true sign of Imbolc.

At this time pagans, especially witches, wiccans and druids, celebrate by cleaning house and welcoming the spirit of spring into their homes and lives. It is a time of welcome, revival after winters harshness and a time of celebration.

Imbolc is a fire festival and the time of year most associated with the Goddess Brigid/Bride/Brede. Lighting candles is one of the easiest ways of welcoming her into our homes.

For more information on this wonderful festival from the wheel of the year, why not look at this article: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/226301_the-festival-of-imbolc-2nd-february

Enjoy and may light and warmth fill your home this spring :D

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin