30th January 2015 - celtic mythology, forest foraging, plant medicine, labyrinths

Almanac ...

Rooster Call :

Better morning at Carrowcrory, still, sunny, snow melted, though a shwery afternoon likely.

Today in 'Almost Daily Blog' ...

• Brighid's Eve, Day and Imbolc 2015 updates
• About Snowdrops
• Ethical harvesting and Foraging as a spiritual practice
• Magh Slecht, human sacrifice or essential survival?
• Artist builds beautiful Labyrinths in the Sand on the Oregon Coast

My writing hermitage continues
What are you doing through the Brighid's Day weekend? I know many are on the water charge protest tomorrow.

Weather :

Sunny morning at Carrowcrory, and through Ireland, wind has dropped and most snow has melted, for now. Still cold, reaching just 5C, 41F this afternoon when it is likely to be showery, but with rain this time and not snow.

  

For Brighid's Day on Sunday still looking ok, cold, sunny periods, probably staying dry, no snow, but icy evening, high around 4C high and -1C low. Then Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd looking like being colder again, windy and maybe a snow shower or two. Imbolc, which is the early morning of the 4th this year, looks like having a frosty morning but a dry day. 

From Imbolc there seems to be a slow warming trend, but there are still indications of maybe a short slump into wintery weather again by the third week of February. 

March is still currently looking good, warmer with good sun.    

Moon :

Moon waxing, at 79%  ....  at Carrowcrory, Ireland ... sets 02:51 am,  rises 13:34 pm 

sunrise 8:24 am, sunset 5:08 pm  

News ...


Celtic Celebrations, Imbolc :
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Brighid's Eve, Day and Imbolc 2015 - updates

Again, my link to my Special Brighid and Imbolc Page that links to

• Events around Ireland between now and next Wednesday, 
• Articles to support your own gatherings, kitchen, hearth and alter celebrations, 
• plus weather forecast, moon positions and sun positions. ....     

... click here for my Brighid's Eve, Day and Imbolc 2015 Updates Page 

Plant Medicine :
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Snowdrops

Fair Maid of February. Snowdrop, usually spoken of as the first flower of our year. Here's a lovely article to introduce you to the snowdrop ...

       

... more info, and article 

Forest Foraging :
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Ethical Harvesting and Foraging as Spiritual Practice

Soon it will be Spring and we will be foraging young harvests again. This post talks about places to gather, how to avoid contaminants in the landscape, the ethics and spiritual side to foraging and wildcrafting.

       

... more info, and article 

Celtic Mythology :
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Magh Slecht, human sacrifice or essential survival?

Magh Slecht, on the edge of Co. Cavan, almost in Leitrim, is a fascinating area with some hidden sites to visit and remarkable stories to ponder over. Ali Isaac shares her thoughts here.

My own thoughts is that the gold idol in the middle was a chieftain wearing a gold mask, as they apparently did, and the bronze statues around being the chieftain's warriors with their bronze swords. This would be a Tuatha De Dannan tale, but somehow stories and traditions passed on through many centuries and for about six centuries were merged with the growing Christian faith. The Patrick inclusion in the stories seems to be very symbolic and maybe placed there during the last 400 years.

Se what you think as you read this ...
       

... more info, and article 

Labyrinths :
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Artist builds beautiful Labyrinths in the Sand on the Oregon Coast

Artist Denny Dyke builds enormous beautiful and elaborate labyrinths in the sand on the Oregon coast for the public to use. Each labyrinth is unique and walking the course serves as a meditative experience. When the tide rises in the evening, each labyrinth is washed away into the ocean.

       

... more info, and article 

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