Summer Solstice 2014

Apologies for not blogging for a while, had a beautiful baby boy in March (on the Equinox actually), so its been all go here. Finally settling in and can attend to a few things now :)

Tomorrow (Sat 21st) is the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice in the southern hemisphere. For us in the north, it is a time of power, of heat and warmth, of love and justice. This Solstice is about the peak of masculine energy, the healing energy of the sun. It is the most 'active' festival, as this is very much a time for doing. We are also in the Year of the Horse, which is very much about actions, especially activism. This is what I would like to talk about today.

Around the world male energies are being seen in a very negative light, and those abusing the power of masculine energy are really going for it this year. Take the Uttar Pradesh region of India, with the raping and killing of not women, but actually children. 12 and 14 year olds are not women! It is so shocking and enrages me so much, as police officials stood by and did nothing! Within a few more days more girls were raped, some murdered. In fact, within a 36 hour period, 3 more rapes occurred, one of which included a police officer as a perpetrator! This is an abuse of the masculine life force! It is very bad that many people will now associate this region specifically but India as a whole with the rape of young girls and women. I am sure that Indian men do not hate women but Indian men must take a stand and rise up against those who commit such hideous acts. They need to reclaim their masculinity by showing the world but those women close to them in particular that real men do not harm women. Real men love, nurture and protect those in their lives. It will only be when the men of India rise up and take a stand, proclaiming that this is a terrible injustice that those committing the crimes will actually take notice. I have seen a few Indian men marching on this subject but they need to come out in greater numbers and actually, I would say that about men across the globe. Show the world what men really are, fathers, husbands, lovers, compassionate, decent honorable people who do not accept that it is fine to hurt girls and women.

There seems to be a craze in the music industry to glorify rape (Robin Thicke) and degrade women (Pitbull). I am utterly disgusted that more people have not called these guys (I refuse to call them men) out. They are utter cocks and do not deserve to be in the public eye. I would also say shame on any woman who buys their music because they are saying this is acceptable and it really is not.

Another thing that I am noticing in the press and social media just now is the shocking portrayal of animal cruelty. WTF are people thinking of? Anyone who abuses and animal is either a sociopath or a psychopath and should be institutionalised to keep the public safe!

So I would like to focus tomorrow on the promotion of creative, abundant, compassionate, vibrant and nurturing masculine energy. Bang your drums, beat your chests, do what you do to celebrate this wonderful time and think of obliterating all the injustices of the world, and of men reclaiming their energies for the positive and calling out on the negative.

I hope you have an honourable and just solstice,
BB xx


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

Celtic Tree month of Elder

The seasons have turned and we come to the end of the year, and with it the last Celtic Tree moon of the year - the Elder. The 24th of November sees the last day of the Reed month and the 25th brings in the month of Elder. This is the thirteenth moon of the year and is one of the most magical. This is a time of thanking the spirits for all we have been given in the past year, a time of celebration and of wholeness.

The Elder tree encompasses the festival of Yule and is the tree of the Goddess Venus. It represents the element air and is most commonly associated with the birth, death, rebirth cycle, with creativity and also renewal. This tree also has associations with the crone aspect of the Goddess.

This is a time to work magic for healing, spirituality, visions, Faerie magic, cleansing, protective, love and prosperity magic. It is also a time to make offerings and, as mentioned before, of thanks.

Associations for this time of year include malachite, the colour red (also gold) and black birds such as a rook.



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

Autumn Equinox and beyond

Today is the Autumn Equinox (Spring if in Southern Hemisphere). It is, as we already know, a time of balance and reflection, a time of looking back over the past years to see what worked and what did not.

It is a time to discard that which did not help or improve our lives, and bring in new things that may help or improve our path/livestyle/general life.

While this is very much a time of spiritual reflection, it is also sitting on Libra, an air sign. Libra is also a cardinal sign, and so this is a time before a change. It is the lull, so use it wisely. As air, much is focussed on mental issues, such as study, creativity and meditation.

I like to light some incense (frankincense and sandalwood are great at this time of year), watch the moon sail through the night sky and reflect. Sometimes in meditation, sometimes on paper.

As this falls within the Vine moon, it is also a time of celebration, so be sure to have a good time, eat well and be merry.

This is a time of endings, just as the Spring equinox is one of new beginnings. We feel the summer passing away as the god has passed into the underworld. If you have any habits that you wish to rid yourself of (smoking, eating too much or eating the wrong things, or anything else for that matter), now is the time to do it. The full moon has just passed and it is a waning moon. As the week goes on, into the next, write down your issue you wish to be free of on a piece of paper, then burn it, sending it out into the universe. Always make tsure that you specifically state that you wish no harm to come to anyone as you do this.

On a practical side, this is the time of powercuts and storms, so making sure you are well prepared is essential. Having a few staples in supply is a must, as are candles, a gas cooker and/or gas heater if no fire, blankets and a few provisions in your car in the event you are caught out when on a trip.

For me, this festival is pensive, as well as uplifting. It is a solumn, thoughtful time, when we really take a long, hard look at ourselves with eyes open, honest. It can be liberating as well, to let go of any preconceptions you try to portray about yourself and other to the world around you. It is also a wonderful time to let go of any hurts you have been holding onto. Guilt, anger, regret, grief, anything negative that has a hold on you. Use a black stone and empty all these emotions into it. Then cast it into the sea, or place it into a bowl of salt water (swirl water around) before throwing it away.

Equinox blessings everyone x


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

Celtic Month of Vine in Tree Calendar

This is the month of the vine, and a time of celebration. We have the happiness of the harvest and the remnants of the warm, later nights, before the long winter begins.

The vine is considered to be the celebration of joy and its wood was used as one of the nine woods for the balefire at Beltain. The vine is sacred to many deities, including the more obvious Bacchus/Dionysus, Venus and Minerva, and the less obvious Osiris, Demeter, Hathor, Rhea and Aphrodite.

Associations for this tree include the snake, tit-mouse and white swan, variegated colours although silver and burgandy are very strong at this time of year and the stone is an amethyst.

Types of magic used at this time of year are related to the harvest, joy, poetry, imagination and inspiration. Other types of magic include garden magic, faerie magic, spells of wrath, joy, exhiliration, prosperity fertility, mental powers, happiness and especially binding.

If you lack self esteem or suffer an inferiority complex, this is the time to work magic to improve this, with the leaves and fruit of the vine. Vine can also help with those looking for strength and to succeed in their ambitions.

Fertility is both in the harvest itself but also in preparing the garden for the year to come, as well as making the foods you are about to harvest are as good as they could be. In ancient Greece and Rome, this time would also have been spent in festivals of thanksgiving and revelry, and as a result, many babies would be conceived at this time :)

Because wine is the 'afterlife' of a grape, this tree is also a symbol of rebirth (hence the connection to Osiris). Of course, grapes are not the only vine fruit but they are one of the most common.

As this is the month of the Autumn Equinox, we are looking at ourselves in detail, watching how the year has affected us, what worked and what did not. We need to strengthen our bodies and minds for the coming winter and looking into courses on any crafty or cooking classes we might want to attend is a good step.

We are entering a very fecund time of year where nature has given us all the ingredients packed with nutrients that will keep us healthy over the coming winter. it is a good time to eat seasonally, stock up on potatoes (general as well as sweet), squashes/pumpkin, mushrooms, berries, pears, beetroot, plums, apples, cabbage, damson and mussels are all in season just now.

Getting into your kitchen is as important as getting out into nature, as food is nature. It is the first, deepest connection we have with the earth and the wheel of the year. Steer clear of processed foods, which have very little nutritional value and opt instead to pop some of these glorious foods into a soup, stew or a lovely crumble :D

BB and have a wonderful, colourful September!

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

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