Cities throughout the world have come to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with great fanfare huge parades, and lots of green beer. And, although the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Dublin, Kilkenny and Killarney are now major tourist attractions, there was a time when parades in NYC, Boston and Chicago were much larger. St. Patrick’s Day for the Irishman who had left his beloved Ireland for America or Australia or some other part of the world became a day celebrating his Irishness and mourning his loss of home.

Why We Have Green Leprechauns

Here I am kissing a (not wee) leprechaun in the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, a great place of fun for young and young at heart as well. I took my Celtic Spirit Tour group there a few years ago and it was a great uplift after a visit to the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship along the quay.

The Lady Of Leprechauns

At the beginning of each month, I draw and comment upon a tarot card or an oracle card, suggesting we all think about its message throughout the month. I looked for a good leprechaun deck for us to use in March. I found none, so chose The Heart Of Faery Oracle Card Deck, by Brian and Wendy Froud, after all leprechauns are cousins of the fairies. As I prepared to pull a random card, this one caught my eye and I couldn’t bring myself to choose another. So,after months of following serendipity, I have actually selected this card willfully. I trust you will understand why I was drawn to it.

The Seven Wonders of Wales

Pistyll Rhaeadr, a wondrous site nestled in the Berwyn Mountains of Wales, is known for the absolutely magical waterfall. I got to view it from early morning until twilight from a charming balcony self-catering apartment at its foot.

Celtic Spirit, Stone Circle, travelJeanne CraneFebruary 22, 2021celtic lore, wales, st. winifred's well, pistyll rhaeadr, Stone Circle, travel in IrelandComment

BRYN CELLI DDU, Anglesey, Wales

Bryn Celli Ddu is an imposing 5000 year old burial-mound, 85 feet in diameter, fully intact and covered with earth. This is one of the most famous megalithic sites in the UK and is held in reverence by druids, witches, and those who revere the Earth Mother.

Guest BlogJeanne CraneFebruary 15, 2021druid, energy, Stone Circle, burial mound, solstice, earth, Divine Feminine, tree of life, Awen Symbol

Another Lover and Chronicler of the Stones

It is so exciting to find someone who shares your passion. I recently received an email from someone who had discovered my book Amidst the Stones of Celtic Ireland with a similar passion to mine for these sites of mystery and wonder. He sent some awesome pictures and briefly shared some experiences.

Imbolc and St.Brigid

The thrill of seeing the first flower of the season pop up is at the heart of the Celtic Festival of Imbolc: that time midway between winter solstice and spring equinox. Thus, the snowdrop is its symbol and green and white are its colors. Here is the US, it is Groundhog Day. But to the Celtic people it was lambing time. Since the Goddess Brigid was responsible for birthing, she was celebrated on this day which later also became known as St. Brigid’s Day..

holiday, celtic blessingJeanne CraneFebruary 1, 2021Imbolc, Brigid, fire, festival, Divine Feminine

A Moon Oracle Card for February

Oracle Card pull for February is from a Moonology Oracle Deck, just in time for the upcoming Full Moon. The card for our consideration and contemplation this month is The Full Moon – Surrender to the Divine.

Celtic Wisdom, Tarot Card, TarotJeanne CraneJanuary 25, 2021moon, Lunar Calendar, universal source, Divine Feminine

Moonology

Following the waxing and waning of the moon and knowing how it influences our lives has been coined “moonology”. It is believed that setting an intention at the new moon and releasing all blocks and resistance at the full moon can help create one’s desires and that being in flow with the moon brings ease and joy to our lives. Of course, there is a lot more to moonology, but those are the basics.

book recommendations, Celtic Wisdom, solsticeJeanne CraneJanuary 18, 2021book, moon, Newgrange, Stone Circle, energy, Ancient Ones

Traditions of Meaning

When everything was turned upside down this Christmas, I found that the simple ritual of lighting a candle brought me joy and peace and, yes, even a sense of companionship. I didn’t bother with decorating a tree, there was no candlelight supper to host or candlelit service to attend. But that simple candle was a worthy substitute. In fact, in its profound simplicity I connected with the true spirit of the season.

holiday, Celtic WisdomJeanne CraneJanuary 11, 2021light, Celtic, holiday, traditions

Oracles Cards for the 2021

Santa gifted me a new oracle card deck that is not directly Celtic but is certainly in accordance with Celtic wisdom. There ideas will be familiar to many readers. Yet, few of us have embodied the concepts as much as we might like.

Tarot Card, Tarot, Celtic Wisdom, celtic blessingJeanne CraneDecember 28, 2020oracle, oneness, nature, spirituality, sovereignty, Celtic Blessing

Winter Solstice

Winter solstice is always magical but this year December 21 will be extraordinary. Jupiter and Saturn will come together in the night sky brightly and more closely than in 800 years. Thus, it is called “The Christmas Star”. Feels to me like we are having the opportunity to birth a new country as then and a New Earth as at the birth of Christ.

celtic blessing, Celtic Wisdom, Celtic Spirit, solsticeJeanne CraneDecember 21, 2020ritual, solstice, winter, winter solstice, seasons, light