tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38875401095153069232024-03-06T03:52:13.459+00:00The Moonlight ApothecaryHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-53874203301703111032011-10-29T18:34:00.000+01:002011-10-29T18:34:02.683+01:00And the wheel of time goes on...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgL5RLs57LBfoAhX1Wzihz4XvIN42PDvu6i806CxzyYOKCVVpKYTWLYGp84ChDdBv6cOjKZtVdLB9U8_jhKrCEG_9GTm2fFELed5VG7hGqfsSbxBAe8C0_tMhvn5LOuudLr0uZvSuaGit/s1600/winter_solstice_arrives_friday_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgL5RLs57LBfoAhX1Wzihz4XvIN42PDvu6i806CxzyYOKCVVpKYTWLYGp84ChDdBv6cOjKZtVdLB9U8_jhKrCEG_9GTm2fFELed5VG7hGqfsSbxBAe8C0_tMhvn5LOuudLr0uZvSuaGit/s320/winter_solstice_arrives_friday_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Upon Each Samhain<br />
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I miss you most upon each Samhain<br />
When the boundary turns to sheer<br />
I wait until the veil is parted<br />
At the ending of the year.<br />
Sweet spirit, as you walk among us<br />
At the tolling of this eve<br />
I see your face beyond the sunset<br />
And hear your voice upon the breeze.<br />
<br />
In the glowing of the candle,<br />
From the shadow on the wall<br />
I watch for you in every movement<br />
And hear your footsteps in the hall.<br />
Can you sit and spend the evening<br />
As the portal opens wide?<br />
Ancestral dead, I bid you welcome,<br />
Most recent dead, I pray, abide.<br />
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When you come I sense your presence<br />
I put my hand out in the air<br />
A moment, then, we stand united<br />
Palm to palm while waiting there.<br />
I miss you most upon each Samhain<br />
When the boundary turns to sheer<br />
We share these hours until the dawning<br />
Then bid farewell until next year.<br />
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David O. Norris "Upon Each Samhain"Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-62458489906122962132011-07-10T15:23:00.000+01:002011-07-10T15:23:14.892+01:00A place of peace....Quite a few evenings now have seen me meandering through the old gravestones and memorials in the old part of the local cemetery....<br />
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Thinking of the people who lay here and wondering who they were and what sort of lives they lived, were they happy and fulfilling lives that made the most of every moment....<br />
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I asked my daughter what she felt as we wandered and she said "peace and a sense of hope" which I think is an enchanting way of describing the atmosphere here...<br />
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There seems to be a particularly poignant and beautiful spirit of place that is palpable especially in the evenings when I can walk here alone... I was gifted with a stone last visit, which now sits on my altar to be pondered in a quiet moment...Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-23677233401302171862011-07-05T11:42:00.000+01:002011-07-05T11:42:44.095+01:00The Sons and Daughters of Robin Hood by Damh the Bard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8DoHLdYrdo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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<strong>The Sons and Daughters (of Robin Hood) – <em>Damh the Bard</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Verse 1:</em></strong><br />
We all watched you on our TV,<br />
Right Honourable Gentlemen, apparently,<br />
Different voices with only one aim,<br />
To win my vote, to win the game.<br />
People have died to pave the way,<br />
So we can vote come polling day,<br />
X marks the spot that gives us our voice,<br />
But how do you vote when there isn’t a choice?<br />
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<strong><em>Chorus</em></strong><br />
If you thought that we would do nothing you’ve misunderstood…<br />
For we are the Sons and Daughters of Robin Hood!<br />
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<em><strong>Verse 2:</strong></em><br />
See I remember exclusion zones,<br />
At Solstice time around the Stones,<br />
Poll Tax riots at Trafalgar Square,<br />
The rich they got richer, the poor were stripped bare.<br />
Building new roads with no thought for the land,<br />
And the blood of the Beanfield is still on your hands,<br />
Now drilling off Shetland will do just fine,<br />
And you’re selling off forests like you closed down mines.<br />
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<strong><em>Chorus</em></strong><br />
If you thought that we would do nothing you’ve misunderstood…<br />
For we are the Sons and Daughters of Robin Hood!<br />
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<em><strong>Bridge:</strong></em><br />
Nothing to see, there’s nothing to see, there’s nothing to see here…<br />
Nothing to see, just look away, there’s nothing to see here…<br />
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<em><strong>Verse 3:</strong></em><br />
England’s green and pleasant land,<br />
Is not there to put cash in your hands!<br />
I see your symbol is the English oak tree,<br />
Is that your idea of irony?<br />
Now thousands of eyes will fall upon you,<br />
Each watching closely what you will do,<br />
All are ready to spoil your game,<br />
For the blood of an outlaw flows in our veins!<br />
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<strong><em>Chorus</em></strong><br />
If you thought that we would do nothing you’ve misunderstood…<br />
For we are the Sons and Daughters of Robin Hood!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-15027470640274163322011-03-09T10:33:00.000+00:002011-03-09T16:24:09.377+00:00These are a few of my favourite things!Well first of all we have chocolate!<br />
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And then we have Faeries!<br />
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And maybe there are even chocolate Faeries...?<br />
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And of course we have the Harp! <br />
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And my messy desk!<br />
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Cannot forget about the best drink of the day! TEA!<br />
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And of course, lots of books!<br />
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And drawing. <br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-38440873728637841092011-03-08T21:59:00.000+00:002011-03-08T21:59:40.503+00:00Spring in LlandysulI went to the lovely town of Llandysul today in magical west Wales. I took my harp for a service and went for a walk around the area with hubby and doggy. <br />
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Spring was very much in the air. There was a very sharp bite to the wind even though it was a beautiful sunny day. We walked along by the river Teifi and found snowdrops everywhere. The river was fantastic, all rapids and frothing and foaming loudly as we walked along enjoying the views.<br />
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My harp was being serviced by Telynau Teifi ~ the Harp Centre of Wales. They are a wonderful company that makes beautiful handmade harps on the premises and you can watch parts of the process of making in the workshops there. All the people who work there love the harps and the company and you can feel that from when you walk in the front door. <br />
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My wonderful Gwennol harp. She is totally beautiful and I love her very much. I feel very fortunate to finally have a harp after wanting one for a very long time. Now I just need to get to lessons with my new teacher!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-45808575782657440262011-02-06T14:28:00.000+00:002011-02-06T23:33:24.037+00:00For the love of Trees"Trees purify the air, they also purify the mind. If you want to save your world you must save the trees."<br />
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It is definately safe to say I am a tree girl. From being a tiny baby who would often only settle when put under a tree, to now, where hours are spent in the company of trees; my tree friends are a very important part of my life. <br />
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To be able to go for long walks and enjoy the company of these wonderful beings is a real blessing when times get hard. Also to sit and relax in my back room and watch the wind dancing through the evergreens at the back of next doors' garden is an opportunity to unwind and tease the knots out of a tired and snaggled mind. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KhJYmGXHvf-pyCDLQvKDMvEO0GvRtKeh_E-s-4Q-8qGwbw4hc8GJIaejPWpbiLc3kbBNhYM8jMr-ANty_9AA-g0ho-zgnGLeLxOPzNxiQTx7cHG6FuI6g9gqF22S6F2vvOxijFu6Wg5W/s1600/Picture+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KhJYmGXHvf-pyCDLQvKDMvEO0GvRtKeh_E-s-4Q-8qGwbw4hc8GJIaejPWpbiLc3kbBNhYM8jMr-ANty_9AA-g0ho-zgnGLeLxOPzNxiQTx7cHG6FuI6g9gqF22S6F2vvOxijFu6Wg5W/s320/Picture+063.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br />
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Sometimes a special tree will mark the pathway to somewhere magical.... Are you ready to cross the threshold....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSqEWJ6qRn7ysu8CbZhacvgNRBJ49X_00qRpQ80ZTo1xQ2nILC5aPEOb9dOZqLwGTHO3Z4Kt_D8rCDcr9NfPwDyhyphenhyphennzAfwL8ZL98iHT45ZUd7ZCLYu-hCUbXE7GDd2-sY4P4knMsUV8jq/s1600/Picture+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSqEWJ6qRn7ysu8CbZhacvgNRBJ49X_00qRpQ80ZTo1xQ2nILC5aPEOb9dOZqLwGTHO3Z4Kt_D8rCDcr9NfPwDyhyphenhyphennzAfwL8ZL98iHT45ZUd7ZCLYu-hCUbXE7GDd2-sY4P4knMsUV8jq/s320/Picture+072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-17367801589608731172011-02-04T21:05:00.000+00:002011-02-06T15:58:56.813+00:00The Artist's Way ~ Week 1 ~ Recovering a sense of safetyI am currently working through this book for the second time and I am really enjoying it. I am doing my morning pages and I am going to go on an artist's date, although I am not sure where I am going to go yet or what I am going to do....<br />
<br />
One of my favourite places to visit is the Iron Age Hillfort in the next village over from me. It is always a place of inspiration, of filling the well. It is one of those places that broods silently and that feeling stays with you for sometime after you leave. I love to walk around the undulating ramparts and think of times long gone and of all the many things that must have taken place here over the years....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHYQWTSi1ngGLrE4kDWI7j8yZ9WbUxZLqhVHufhjAkhFiNSfSGBsVvvlGIAaq1UWu7uf3XmmcfVt8RmkA0Les7CG93hrSkDQU44QC4BOh9LbEwobPt0Inbeh3l2zGzDFHbKzsbbyXFOGr/s1600/hillfort+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHYQWTSi1ngGLrE4kDWI7j8yZ9WbUxZLqhVHufhjAkhFiNSfSGBsVvvlGIAaq1UWu7uf3XmmcfVt8RmkA0Les7CG93hrSkDQU44QC4BOh9LbEwobPt0Inbeh3l2zGzDFHbKzsbbyXFOGr/s320/hillfort+1.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I love to take photos here and then sit and remember later over a cup of tea and chocolate, which is pretty much my favourite thing in the whole world...<br />
<br />
I love it here because to me there are echos of the ancestors and they don't seem to mind me dwelling silently for a while in their company.... To me this is something of a healing ritual, albeit never an easy one.<br />
<br />
I love this time of year, the feeling of the new season about to burst into all its tightly held potential... It almost feels like a gently held in breath, a tension or maybe a suspension in time before we move to the equinox and the light takes over from the darkness of the winter months.<br />
<br />
Blessings of Imbolc...Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-31777326804149016712009-03-12T19:46:00.000+00:002011-02-06T15:58:20.029+00:00Drum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JpXN0xNZ-lu-MXrYX0Cr45b-G4vpKB9_aty7EogiLta9ssc1vIB05yGswhIilSsrAv7W7xar1vPaW5nVf0x__t7X5LBgPsz4IF-kvpTfDC2HUIH4DaWL6vQLj4fUiMHAbtpiT_6d5XI/s1600-h/DSC00747.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312392102976376850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JpXN0xNZ-lu-MXrYX0Cr45b-G4vpKB9_aty7EogiLta9ssc1vIB05yGswhIilSsrAv7W7xar1vPaW5nVf0x__t7X5LBgPsz4IF-kvpTfDC2HUIH4DaWL6vQLj4fUiMHAbtpiT_6d5XI/s200/DSC00747.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
Deep within a sacred space.<br />
A small flame burns inside.<br />
A drumbeat growing louder, louder.<br />
I feel the need to ride the sound.<br />
<br />
The sacred space grows stronger, outward.<br />
Revealing more of my true need.<br />
I follow the drumbeat steady, louder.<br />
It seems to come from beneath the ground.<br />
<br />
Down the snaking spiral, flying.<br />
Across the pathways in my mind.<br />
I make the sacred journey stronger.<br />
Riding rhythms that spin and glide.<br />
<br />
Faster and faster, wilder and wilder.<br />
Red hair flying, wind on my skin<br />
Singing, chanting, spinning, dancing.<br />
I am the wildness from within.<br />
<br />
The flame grows stronger,<br />
ever deeper.<br />
I journey on inside my mind.<br />
Weaving, wailing, burning, keening.<br />
I feel my roots now my spirit flies.<br />
<br />
Darker and darker, deeper and deeper.<br />
I find my centre and hold it, still.<br />
Bathed within the silent darkness.<br />
I feel a rich, dark death begin.<br />
<br />
Returning now, along the spiral.<br />
Back in my space, I pause and breathe.<br />
An eternal moment holds me closely.<br />
I feel my home upon this land.<br />
<br />
Helen Caladhiel '07Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-49042641756360508692009-03-12T19:29:00.000+00:002011-02-06T15:57:50.479+00:00RamblesSerenity<br />
<br />
She sits:<br />
Serene,<br />
Still,<br />
Knowing.<br />
I punch her face,<br />
scratch at her.<br />
In my mind.<br />
<br />
She sits:<br />
Serene,<br />
Still,<br />
Strong.<br />
I am filled with rage.<br />
Burning.<br />
<br />
She sits:<br />
Serene,<br />
Still,<br />
Knowing.<br />
I struggle with accepting.<br />
<br />
She sits:<br />
Serene,<br />
Still,<br />
Dispassionate.<br />
I lie uselessly on the floor.<br />
Dying.<br />
<br />
She sits:<br />
Serene,<br />
Still,<br />
For eternity.<br />
I am the ashes blowing<br />
Remaining......<br />
<br />
<br />
Helen Caladhiel 20/03/07Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-71475950025870837662009-03-12T19:22:00.000+00:002011-02-04T17:18:05.838+00:00New hobby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioscjHyj1sgqNwUlhn5XpwSzINrHG9x1gHOtftqSQIyaw4gAzc5yAF0aCLAT02e06FqBpbUJoaN8nRassdVJ_YOrqg37LR3_hhy3Iumtia85kRzO5PF1K5d6lKYdBbtdxhM_mFZORzDs/s1600-h/harp_image.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioscjHyj1sgqNwUlhn5XpwSzINrHG9x1gHOtftqSQIyaw4gAzc5yAF0aCLAT02e06FqBpbUJoaN8nRassdVJ_YOrqg37LR3_hhy3Iumtia85kRzO5PF1K5d6lKYdBbtdxhM_mFZORzDs/s320/harp_image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312384674726085138" /></a><br />Well I have a new hobby :-D<br /><br />After sitting for an afternoon just thinking recently, I realised I missed music and more importantly playing music. Not that I was ever any good at it previously. I did try to learn an instrument a few years ago but I had to stop due to some severe life circumstances at the time, and music lessons were not something my family could afford when I was a child, so it was only as an adult that I had my first try at learning. <br /><br />But anyway, I realised how much I missed my music lessons and practicing, (missed it like a physical ache), so I decided to try again. Ten years on from my first venture into learning I now have a 34 string folk harp and I am having lessons.<br /><br />To say I am loving them would be an understatement! I am aching from my neck down to my finger tips from over enthusiastic practicing hehehehe!<br /><br />I thought I might be too old to learn now at 37 years old, but I am having so much fun, its amazing!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-39615633018599321702008-10-28T10:28:00.000+00:002011-02-04T17:18:05.854+00:00The Stream by my Tent<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKKmev0f4WV9oM8Yakgx58aZkiLoZgoVpBX3Simpb8Q30GUcRbAttPTnpeePPNZWFv3F4yfnNyBo1fxR_KJOpKl2gL8f0hTwXmtnIU3ECPEuNdB_LbZv4eOVJ9xCoH-0ZuTkJw_AN1Ko/s1600-h/DSC01140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKKmev0f4WV9oM8Yakgx58aZkiLoZgoVpBX3Simpb8Q30GUcRbAttPTnpeePPNZWFv3F4yfnNyBo1fxR_KJOpKl2gL8f0hTwXmtnIU3ECPEuNdB_LbZv4eOVJ9xCoH-0ZuTkJw_AN1Ko/s400/DSC01140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262150673279366258" /></a>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-71877716220242402662008-10-27T19:11:00.000+00:002011-02-06T15:57:06.467+00:00Local Goddess<div align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rL9a0TCS3VA4SVXqZvitSQp5Fb1e8loVw8EeAo5ex3sAePMsajhV-BYAMF1uR16EYC3o1LpBFp78e3pYtiNEXqmsdWDXIgBrw-vbBXKqWRy3GA_FnUFrUtYHgC1xWUtrt6g9rPfGaW4/s1600-h/DSC00697.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261916149535123986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rL9a0TCS3VA4SVXqZvitSQp5Fb1e8loVw8EeAo5ex3sAePMsajhV-BYAMF1uR16EYC3o1LpBFp78e3pYtiNEXqmsdWDXIgBrw-vbBXKqWRy3GA_FnUFrUtYHgC1xWUtrt6g9rPfGaW4/s320/DSC00697.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Sitting on the riverbank and watching the sunset.<br />
I daydream as the sun sinks below the horizon.<br />
Watching the dancing rivulets of water, as the river flows<br />
shining golden and sparkling in the evening light.<br />
<br />
The river meanders on townwards.<br />
The hungry river that has swallowed many a life<br />
of people playing on this riverbank.<br />
I wonder about those lives lost.<br />
swallowed by this local deity.<br />
<br />
I sit and look into the deep, brown water.<br />
Thinking with sadness how those<br />
who were dragged into these murky depths<br />
must have felt.<br />
And the heartbreak of those left behind.<br />
<br />
Rising upwards with ferocious speed<br />
she floods our little town.<br />
We think we are the ones in control...<br />
The waters break the riverbanks<br />
and take, take whatever is in her path.<br />
<br />
It is not to play without respect<br />
with this local goddess who weaves her way<br />
through our town.<br />
For her power is awesome.<br />
And she is ever hungry for more.<br />
<br />
Helen Caladhiel.</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-74136092185586742012008-10-12T10:18:00.000+01:002011-02-04T17:18:05.882+00:00Flamekeeping<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aevbrHQaZKyD5O654RomKt9eln9YIhDc-RFavZCUVI0Nf2IqTUscAYaYn3ZsfXZMOuCFnvSVKegcKxWCoXTgMfOoJmshiFzIwHr5XP5XKasjloYNpCQ5x83Mtu8F9uIh_zhkEEEq2Y4/s1600-h/candle.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aevbrHQaZKyD5O654RomKt9eln9YIhDc-RFavZCUVI0Nf2IqTUscAYaYn3ZsfXZMOuCFnvSVKegcKxWCoXTgMfOoJmshiFzIwHr5XP5XKasjloYNpCQ5x83Mtu8F9uIh_zhkEEEq2Y4/s200/candle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387653367617954" /></a><br />I have been asked what flamekeeping is and what doing a shift means and so I hope this explains what its all about.<br /><br />I am a member of Ord Brighideach which is an order of flamekeepers. Each keeper tends a flame for 24 hours once every 20 days, although some people take more than one shift.<br /><br />There are several cills that make up the ord and each cill is made up of 20 shifts, 19 shifts held by flamekeepers and the 20th shift being held by Brighid herself. Each cill is named after a tree and so people can contemplate the qualities of the tree if they want to along with whatever else they contemplate while they tend their flame.<br /><br />At the basic level, a flamekeeper dedicates a candle to Brighid and keeps it lit in honour of her for 24 hours once every 20 days. However many people also pray, meditate and perform rituals in honour of Brighid during their shift time. I do a mixture of all of the above, some shifts I light my candle and it burns with the minimum of attention, at other times I pray and do ritual, or sit and contemplate the flame. <br /><br />At the moment, my flame is burning on my outdoor altar in a hurricane lantern and it will burn all night until sundown tomorrow. My flame is lit from the perpetual flame that burns in Kildare, and is passed on in the wick of a candle. I also burn my flame on my indoor altar. I have a beautiful wooden lantern on a table specially for this.<br /><br />I also hold more than one shift and I am contemplating having a flame lit all the time since flamekeeping has become a major part of my spiritual path, although I'm not sure how that would work out, or even be possible or desirable. <br /><br />A quote from the website "We hope that through everyone's effort we will be sending forth into the universe an eternally tended flame for Brighid in the spirit of the historic Kildare flame."<br /><br />http://www.ordbrighideach.org/home/modules.php?name=JoinHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-71704377770364340902008-10-10T11:13:00.000+01:002011-02-04T17:18:05.897+00:00Autumn Equinox<p>I am glad it is autumn. This year has been difficult and so it is nice to feel it drawing to a close. I decided to sort out the garden recently, as to say it had become overgrown is something of an understatement. </p><p>One week before the equinox I decided to tackle the vast overgrowth and so I spent a great day outside chopping back all the hedges, taking out the weeds from the herb beds and generally sorting out what had become a huge mess.</p><p>That done I bought a chimenea from the garden centre and set to burning all the old, dried out branches etc from previous years. I lit the fire with my Kildare flame and also put some dried herbs in the fire and did a Flamekeeping shift at the same time.</p><p>Once all the chopping was done I stopped and looked round. Lots of nice mud and a huge compost pile at the end of the garden, excellent. Next, sorting out the overgrown herbs and cutting them back. I brought in lots of wonderful smelling herbs and put them on my various altars, the house now smelt wonderful.</p><p>A week later and my parents came to visit. It was the equinox that weekend, so I decided to make my herb circle into a living altar of sorts. My dad helped me to make the circle circular, as it was a bit of an odd shape, geometry certainly not being one of my strong points.</p><p>One or two candles and a green man and goddess figure later and its done really, not that it needs the little figures, they are just nice for me to see. I burnt some nice incense too and acknowledged the time of year and sat and thought for a while. I dont tend to celebrate the festivals with a ritual generally, somehow it just doesn't seem to work for me. </p><p> This year it was lovely to be outside with family, building something special and celebrating of sorts, the closing of the year.</p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887540109515306923.post-2022607726535197462008-07-01T17:58:00.000+01:002011-02-06T22:39:46.668+00:00Equinox Sunrise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R2v8qU9l458FLZFZmxx27UWxipqXxq_ehR8oUX9vFUxHlR5afccMtoyGh3hGJ1zGvJWFfbJUzmkRXgE10cTDpMN0FYVvRyDUR8A6AsSq82xW-y9fC1PvSYF0BakJrM_htDAg06RGTYI/s1600-h/castlerigghi.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387258987803922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R2v8qU9l458FLZFZmxx27UWxipqXxq_ehR8oUX9vFUxHlR5afccMtoyGh3hGJ1zGvJWFfbJUzmkRXgE10cTDpMN0FYVvRyDUR8A6AsSq82xW-y9fC1PvSYF0BakJrM_htDAg06RGTYI/s200/castlerigghi.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 132px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
16 folks walked up a hill to stand in observance<br />
one of the old gods rising.<br />
Silence so strong you could touch it.<br />
Standing, waiting...... Will the sun ever rise again?<br />
We stand here for all eternity in this moment waiting.<br />
<br />
The crow flew overhead with his raucous caw caw<br />
breaking the early morning silence.<br />
The world is asleep except for us it seems.<br />
Us few folk and the forest.<br />
The spirits of place are watchful too,<br />
mindful of this sacred moment.<br />
<br />
The lark flew nearby, hovering.<br />
Wings beating and singing the sun up<br />
to rise from his slumbering depths.<br />
The moon is dark right now.<br />
She hides her face from us all<br />
veiled in this timeless moment.<br />
<br />
Memories of the fire last night rise up.<br />
Sharing a part of my soul with the flame.<br />
I search to find the inner warmth in memory.<br />
Find a way to escape from the bone chilling cold<br />
that has taken over my body.<br />
Bones rattle in that eternal wait.<br />
Snatches of words drift past my mind.<br />
Will the sun ever rise again...<br />
<br />
Clouds are gathered on the far horizon.<br />
Yet still the folks stand in silence, watching.<br />
Sharing this moment is a gift to treasure.<br />
The sky turns blue from grey in a moment<br />
and the god light branches out in rays.<br />
Suddenly we see his face.<br />
Joy rises like liquid gold reflected<br />
from the sky.<br />
<br />
A libation is poured and shared.<br />
Bread is broken in a sacred comunion<br />
and scattered on the earth.<br />
A kiss and a hug are exchanged<br />
as someone celebrates the day<br />
they too were born.<br />
Someone starts to sing.<br />
A timeless chant without words.<br />
<br />
16 folks on a hill in observance of<br />
one of the old gods rising.<br />
<br />
We share that space with each other forever<br />
in my mind and heart.<br />
<br />
20/03/07<br />
Helen CaladhielHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656165016715844103noreply@blogger.com0