31st January, 2015 - plant medicine, herbs, permaculture, harp music, Ireland Travel, Imbolc, Brighid,

Almanac ...

Rooster Call :

Its icy, windy and frequent blustery hail showers at Carrowcrory.

Today in 'Almost Daily Blog' ...

• Grow more herbs, cry Ayurvedics
• College of Natural Medicine's plan includes permaculture
• Brighid's Eve, Day and Imbolc 2015 updates
• 4 Ways to Discover Inner and Outer Well Being via Music
• Seen from the sky, The Wild Atlantic Way

Writing group today and I may be leading it, twisting and turning a Grimms fairy tale. Then time to sort out rushes for new Brighid crosses, maybe. Many are on water charge protest today. I have been metered for several year, local scheme, but I wish the marchers some warmth somewhere.

Weather :

Cold, hail stone and windy morning at Carrowcrory, and through Ireland. Reaching just 4C, 39F high this afternoon.

  

For Brighid's Day tomorrow, Sunday still looking ok, wind calmer, still cold, good 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 just as cold, windy again, and maybe a snow shower or two. 

Imbolc, which is the early morning of the 4th this year, looks like having a frosty morning then a colder day at a high of only 3C then with snow or hail showers. 

From next Thursday, there seems to be a slow warming trend lasting about a week, 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 87%  ....  at Carrowcrory, Ireland ... sets 05:44 am,  rises 14:25 pm 

sunrise 8:23 am, sunset 5:10 pm  

News ...

Plant Medicine :

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Grow more herbs, cry Ayurvedics

At a time when ayurveda is gaining in global popularity, its practitioners lament production of shrubs is shrinking. Ayervedic practitioners claim they are facing difficulty in procuring herbs to make herbal medicines as the availability of plants has been shrinking rapidly. 

This article is an India publication and points to the government and farmers to help out. It is claimed farmers would profit very well. With many of us, perhaps we should look at what we do or can do through out own gardens, our own permaculture intentions and actions, and especially what we can do through community gardens.

If ayurvedic or any herbal or plant medicine practitioners live near you, let them guide what to do.
      

... more info, and article 

Permaculture :
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College of Natural Medicine's plan includes permaculture

The National College of Natural Medicine, in Portland, Oregon, is seeking to create more urban green space around its campus, including a permaculture food forest, complete with beehives and aquaponic system. A good idea for all colleges, I think, and even schools.

       

... more info, and article 

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

This weekend!

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 

Harp Music :

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The Top 4 Ways to Discover Inner and Outer Well Being via Music ! 

Harpist, pianist, and music mentor, Patricia Daly is offering a lovely free e-book about her work. Surprisingly its not a sales pitch, as you may expect it to be, but an intimate introduction.

While obtaining this e-book you will go through a signing up process, which I assume is to be on Patricia's email list, but no confirmation of this yet, probably because I'm already on her list. 

The four ways of music healing are also an intimate easy read, worth having.

I like the idea of a a free e-book offer to introduce something you are doing. Its a lovely way to make a connection online. Some people offer free audio downloads with these, but I like the idea of integrating a video and/or audio download into the e-book itself. 

       

... more info, and e-book download link 

Ireland Travel :

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Seen from the sky: The Wild Atlantic Way

When land meets sea and nature and beauty collide, the result is a varied and majestic coastline, unique to the West of Ireland. Witness the Wild Atlantic Way’s sweeping sandy beaches, sheer cliffs, ancient forts and rocky outcrops from a bird’s eye view in this video, captured by Raymond Fogarty. Even the stunning Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo is included.

   

... link to the YouTube video 

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