Blessings of Imbolc to everyone.

Imbolc blessings to all!!

As part of this years resolve I decided to follow in my father's footsteps and bake bread from scratch. I'd forgotten how much time it takes and couldn't get the first batch to prove. A bit of quick thinking and a plank of wood later I found the best place to put it to rise was over the woodburner. I'd like to show the resulting walnut loaf but sadly it didn't even get to cool down before Tree and I ate it all. The house smells of freshly baked bread as well! Mmmm...fresh bread.

Merry Imbolc

A merry Imbolc to one and all.

Tree and I have taken to the customary Spring clean and taken time to sort out all the excess that we have accumulated over the last year.

I cut the reeds we had growing in the garden and made a cross for the Goddess Brigid and gave it to Tree. Now adopted by the Christian church, the origins of this cross come from far more Pagan roots. The cross is made using green reeds, with each arm having seven reeds, symbolising the four weeks of February and the 28 days. The centre is a labyrinth and represents the womb, giving the connection between Imbolc and fertility. Placed by a doorway or window for protection, the reeds slowly dry and turn a straw colour. It was believed that this occurs when Spring has arrived and therefore makes the cross a calendar as well.

May your dreams and wishes germinate to fulfill your wants and desires. Plant the seeds of your future and watch them grow !!!

Tree weirdness!!

No, I am not talking about anything that Tree has done but rather about a very unusual Beech tree we found on a walk in Monkwood on Sunday. The tree has, at some time, been coppiced and where it should have several trunks shooting out of the base it has two that are in fact one. At first I couldn't believe that I was seeing what I thought I saw. According to all of my reference books this is not possible for a Beech to do. There is no evidence of two branches grafting together and the lower section is definitely two trunks and not just a large hole, that has expanded over time, in one trunk. I am sending photos off to the Woodland Trust's research centre to see if they have come across this before! I shall post the results here as and when I get them.

The walk was part of our upcoming Imbolc celebration and on that note we wish everyone a Happy Imbolc!!!!!

Feel me now as Maiden.

I am the initiator.

I am the twinkle of an idea.

I am the spark that activates and inspires.

I am the light that illuminates manifestation.

I bring the energy that encourages the sleeping Winter world to begin to stir.

Feel my presence.

I am the spark of life in all things.

A belated Imbolc greeting to you all!

In all the mayhem that is post Yule I completely forgot to pass my wishes and blessings to all for Imbolc. Tree and I went to Shrawley wood, on one of our rare days out, to get in touch with the spring. Whilst there, I came upon two amazing pieces for wands and they have already begun the transformation. I also have my eye on some deer antlers that I came across a couple of months ago. I am waiting for Mother nature to take her natural course and strip them ready for me to turn into ceremonial staves. They will hold great significance and power as they are only a few feet away from a spot that is very important to me.
Other good news is that my son Elliott got in touch with me and we met up the other day. He has shot up and is now taller than me!! Most people are anyway!! Dan and Sez came over to the shop and I think Dan may be putting some photos on his blog, so give it a click. Blissfields tickets are on sale now, so get em quick. Otherwise, there is not much to report, a blessing in a way as I am beginning to gear up for Tiddesley Wood Spring fair. At least I enjoy my work now!!!!