Time flies, with or without the broom.

Well here we are again, almost a year since my last blog, no real reason not to post except Life! Been busy with family, the garden, the flower shows, caring for my man. But it must say being in the heart of rural Ireland has been and still is a joy for a solitary witch.

Our little cottage is part 16th century and I can feel the happy spirits from time past. Whenever I get my witchy on, be it indoors or in the circle in the meadow, I feel I am being joined and cheered on by the nature spirits, the fae and the ancestors.

We have been here since April 2015, so a little over 2 years now. The inside of the cottage hasn’t needed any work. So my altar and paraphernalia has its own space on the large landing. Outside we have turned the patio, the compound and the small sloping triangular mossy bank into various types of garden spaces. The wild meadow holds my circle under a lovely weeping beech tree.

When the weather is kind I hold my Sabbats and Esbats in the meadow’s circle and the tree is now festooned with many coloured ribbons and adornments from these.

Although we are only tenants of this lovely place, I do feel so at home. We plan to be here until Noel reaches retirement, another 6 years away. Then who knows, though I would dearly love to retire to Devon or Cornwall.

I hope to blog on a little more frequently. But can’t promise, I’m now off for a lovely soak in the bath after being all day in the garden. XxX

I’m Back

Well it has only been 6 years- and what alot has happened since then. We have moved 4 times- and think we have finally settled in our little part 16th century stone cottage- but who knows. Both children have flown the nest- building lives for them selves in England.

We have been here at Druminshin since April 2015- The cottage itself inside is quaint- and has needed very little work to make it a home. Outside was a blank canvas- to the back-basically a nicely laid out patio with a surrounding wall- a large barn- which is Meggies Kennel- a large concrete compound and a sloping meadow/lawn/mossy area with a dry ditch on one side and a trickling stream on the other.

Out the front an enclosed paddock that the local farmer uses for his horses now and again and a wild meadow that wraps around the barn and heads back up the hill behind the cottage.

At each of our homes we have created an outdoor circle in some form or another- but the one we have created here is beneath a mature tree- in the middle of the meadow beside the cottage- so it changes with the seasons- making the connection with Gaia and the Sun & Moon more intense and wonderful.

Holding Sabbats, Esbats and Rituals here have all been wonderful and intense- my crystals have never felt so full of energy and magical workings have been very positive indeed. Having become a Feng Shui practitioner and a Reiki Healer over the last few years too- putting these into practice here has also been a positive bonus to our lives.

I’m glad to be back- and hope to blog on.

 

 

Where did 2010 go?

What an unbelievably busy- blink of an eye and don’t stop for a breath year. So many things acheived yet so many things on the list remain undone.

Daughter went off to University in the uk and we moved home. Those I guess were the big things. But all the little stuff has meant a very busy year indeed.

I am hoping to catch my breath- take a rest- recoup- regroup and maybe get to grips with 2011. Hope to get some blogging on the go too. So its goodbye 2010 and Happy New Year to all my fellow Bloggers.

The Books

These are the beautiful books that I am finally going to start to put all my witchy stuff into-

and so far- we have the title pages- now gotta knuckle down to the content.

Don’t hold your breath- its gonna be a long process.

OOps- what ever happened

Life has been- hectic to say the very least- since my last post in JUNE?Kids off to uk all Summer- Daughter left for good to head to uni- Son starting the “Big School”- going back to fulltime work- Family birthdays and gatherings and well just lifein general. Well it is time to decide what I’m doing with my blog? Use it or loose it!

The answer is- Use it. Two yules ago my children and partner bought me some beautiful blank books- which frankly are still blank- I am going to use them as My Dream book- Grimoire- Spell Book’s etc but I want to get the writing, wording, grammar right first time. I intend to write in the Calligraphy style of the Gothic Hand and I’m gonna use my blog page as the sounding board- the rough copy as it were.

So if you check in here- now and again- let me know how it looks and sounds- before I set it in stone ( well ink pen and paper).

Gonna go over some old stuff- as there are a few spells and rituals on here that will need to be written- so if I repeat myself- put it down to age- and the fact I have a brain that will  not retain.

Happy Reading XxX LaterXxX

Salutations and Felicitations.

Up at Dusk- just after 4:00- prepared my Litha Ritual for the Sunrise this Solstice Morn- Sunrise is 4:58 here in Leitrim. So in my outdoor circle I shall shortly be- the dawn chorus this morning is incredible. To all the folk at Tara- the Solstice celebrations from Noon yesterday till my departure at Sunset- thankyou for a fine afternoon and evening of celebrations and world healing. I’m sure you folk have been enjoying your ongoing gathering right on through the night. Welcome to the longest day- the wheel of the year keeps turning. Much love and light and Blessings Bright. Magical Litha everyone.XxX

Summer Solstice 2010

Wow- Pertussis knocked me for 6- still rattling and hacking – but finally it is dwindling. So with the approaching Solstice- it is time to redress the balance. I have been just so Robotic- plodding from one day to the next, with no real rhyme or reason and just existing- not really living.

So from the waxing moon to the soon coming full, I have been gently weaning myself back into my Pagan Path and practising a little more and sharing with others the joy’s of my journey. Rereading and putting into practice allsorts of my eclectic pagan/wiccan rituals and spells and pastimes.

I cleansed and cleared the whole house- using Pagan blessings and Feng Shui methods and then went round to stay with a friend and did the same there- as she was suffering with the doldrums and felt the home needed a lift.

I have been doing Reiki on myself- family and friends- even some of my Garden plants that suffered in the severe frosts of the past winter. Just today a little bluetit flew into the window at work and I placed him in my hand for a few minutes for rest and a little Reiki- poor little mite was stunned- after a short while he opened his eyes and uncurled his clenched claws to take a grip on my finger. I popped him down in a raised flower bed and after another rest he flew away.

This Solstice I am hoping to be at the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the high Kings of Ireland celebrating with other Pagans alike. This year seems to be passing so quickly and as the longest day arrives- so to my resolve to balance- work against family and actually living- for the good of Gaia- nature the world all around us.

Whatever you intend- Much Love and Light and Blessings Bright. XxX

Missing inaction

Been busy with w–k and family life and dashing here and there. Getting the house and garden back together after having the roof retiled and a new sewage system put in. Got so run down caught Pertussis ( Whooping cough) which is very very persistant despite having had all the jabs. So- have had little time to blog- have been spending time with Gaia and just listening and being- havent had the strength to do much else. Meditating, Dreaming and gathering strength. Once I’ve shaken this cough- its time to step it up a notch and get back on the right path- instead of dragging my feet and procrastinating. I have been allowing others to keep me down- hold me back- go with their flow- but I feel the tide is turning and pushing me gently- to clear warm calm waters. Looking forward to sharing the journey. Brightest Blessings and Magical Dreams. XxX

Beltaine Blessings one and all

Beltane eve on Friday- so once again I have fresh Rowan twigs ready to place at all doors & windows ( entrances) to the house for protection against negative/evil spirits- My son will once again be gathering and then strewing Primroses on the doorsteps to the house entrances to invite in only positive/good spirits. This year has been exceptionally good for Primrose flowers and I shall put some in my evening Ritual bath too.  Under the secret Hawthorn tree-where my little shrine for the fairy folk is located ,I shall leave flowers and honey and sweet  gifts and on Beltaine morning I will be out gathering the early morning dew to sprinkle on everyone for love & luck, apparently I should be bathing in this May morning dew- but how on earth do you collect a bathfull? Think this time I shall throw caution to the wind and go semi sky clad- just me and my robe and smother as much of my skin in the youth dew as possible ( thank goddess we are not overlooked- or I would sure get some very funny looks. Will have a small ritual fire too- to cleanse and purify. I wish everyone a wonderful Beltane time. Brightest Blessings for your magical workings.

Earth Hour

The third year that we have attended this wonderful gathering. Each year more and more countries and cities are joining in. 122 countries against 88 last year.

At home- we switch everything off including the freezer- light candles and talk (how novel).

This year we all choose to retell the storyline of our favourite films- with the odd twist and more humour. My son won hands down telling the scary story of “THE FOG” in the accent of an old Irish Sea Dog. It was hilarious and not in the least bit scarey.

It amazes me how easy and simple this little effort is- but also how far reaching. It also amazes me how many people- just didn’t bother. I seriously hope that more of these gatherings can be arranged- not yearly- but monthly- weekly- and that the countries who get involved really impress on the importance- via their governments and through media. We could all do with getting behind this. We have only one Earth- which we share with all manner of creatures and plants etc- we are the only ones having a major detrimental impact- so we are the ones that need to shake ourselves up abit and make an effort to start to put right the many wrongs. XxX – Brightest Blessings.

As an after thought- someone on another site Pooh Poohed the whole Earth Hour thing- saying it has no effect- that all the candle lighting causes more damage- but I think they are missing the point. From little acorns grow great oaks- this is just the beginning- a drop in the ocean and the ripples are far reaching. We have to start somewhere- fairy fluffers- hippy chicks- flower power type people- whatever names are called out- getting the attention and being a part of the start is what counts.

Equinox Dawn Chorus

I got up just before Sunrise- to light the equinox black & white candles- we kept them going all day and night- right through to the following dawn.

I stood in the outdoor circle that my partner created for me a few years back, barefoot in the dew and watched and listened. As the Sun was slowly rising and the birds merrily singing- I could here the newly arrived lambs bleeting in the nearby field and the water rushing over the weir at the Canal further in the distance.

Blackbirds, Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Crows, Magpies, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Green Finch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Linnets, Starlings, Sparrows and Gold Crests- could be seen and heard- what a wonderful Dawn Chorus they made.

A wonderful beginning to the Vernal Equinox- only marred by the fact I had to work- but returned home before Sunset to carry on with the celebrations. Hope you all enjoyed the Equinox. XxX Brightest Blessings.

Ostara- Equinox blessings.

Gonna get up at Sunrise- to greet the start of the day- then unfortunately gotta go to work. But will be home in time to cut the equinox cake (Thankyou Serrenog for the idea)and share with the family at Sundown. Ostara altar set up- black and white candles to the ready- gonna hold a quiet contemplative ritual- outdoors if the weather holds. Spending the time in the Garden as the cold and dark days of winter are over taken by the rebirth and vigour of new life of spring- you can almost feel the surge in the air and at your feet.  What ever you do enjoy the Equinox. XxX Brightest Blessings

Never mind St Patricks Day- Today is Sheila-Na-Gig’s day

A celtic Irish Goddess of fertility. She can be seen in wood and stone carvings all over Ireland and other countries. She is depicted as woman showing herself off to all and sundry. Found on Churches, Castles, caves- walls etc they are said to ward off death and evil. Happy Sheila Na Gig Day I say. XxX Brightest Blessings

Mothers Day and March new Moon

What a busy time it has been these past few days- on a witchy level and a mothers level and well life in general level. It seems I must have swallowed a spring is sprung pill too. Putting on a pace and dancing the quick step, rushing around getting upto allsorts.

The Garden is looking spruce with all the tidying and will be an absolute riot of growth and colour with all these seeds and bulbs we have planted. The birds are on a feeding frenzy and practically knock on the window when stocks are getting low. You can see them pairing up and getting all Coochy coo- soon be nesting and bringing up their own little ones.

The house has had a physical and spiritual cleanse and declutter and now the weather has turned milder, can have its daily 20 minutes or more fresh air- to re-energise the chi.

So to all my pagan ritual paraphernalia and my indoor and outdoor ritual/ meditation area- all feels renewed and envigorated- ready to take on the rest of 2010.

Mothers day was a real fun getogether. Lots of treats for me- and lots of time with my kids- and lots of good food to share. My daughter has had confirmation for her place at University this coming September- so next years Mothers Day will be quite differant- need to make the very best of the time she is still at home with me.

Today is a new moon- so I will flip my silver coin again and hold a quiet ritual of thanks to the Goddess. Whatever you do- Enjoy. XxX. Brightest Blessings.

Shushhhh- Spring is creeping in- Don’t tell The Cailleach.

It has now been 5 days of glorious sunshine and warm weather during the day- but with some scarey frosts over night. I have followed my urge to get out and Garden. Leaves and twigs removed from Lawns and Borders- Bulbs planted, some already straight into the ground, seeds in seed trays and sitting all warm and cosy in the Greenhouse.

Spending time outdoors in the fresh air in the Garden- is always soothing to the soul- and with all the buzz of the birds and bees ( wasps) too, the plants peeping up it is invigorating aswell. Time to cast of the sluggishness of winters hibernation and step up a pace to join in the start of growth and new life.

Certainly gonna get some more tittivating done today- besides the crows are cawing- it must be time to go feed them and the other feathery friends out there.

Whatever the Weather- Enjoy XxX