This week it was warm enough and dry enough for me to walk my favorite local labyrinth. It sits high on a hill overlooking Canandaigua Lake which brings joy as well as serenity to my visit. This labyrinth is made of well-groomed grass. I get the added pleasure of seeing clover blossoms with the occasional bee buzzing around as I walk it (in shoes and socks). The only place I like better is a labyrinth along a white sandy beach where I can walk barefoot.
Read MoreI have lovely memories of my dad and I walking through nearby woods to gather the first flowers of spring. Then my mom and I would make construction paper baskets so I could deliver May Day bouquets to neighbors and loved ones.
But we had nothing like a Beltane festival. Writing about Beltane is a bit like writing about Christmas; the holiday has so many different traditions and its celebrations have many layers of meaning. And, like Americans celebrating Memorial day, for some it has great meaning, for others, it is just a picnic in the park.
Not only have we been given this card at the beginning of spring, the season of new beginnings, but our world is in a new place in so many ways, a place with new possibilities but also new dangers. The Major Arcana lays out the guides and experiences of Life’s Journey. This one does so using Welsh mythology and ancient wisdom.
Read MoreCeltic tradition connects the bunny and eggs to both spring and Easter, Both the hare and eggs are signs of fertility, birth and the season of spring not only in Celtic tradition but others as well.
Read MoreDaffodils are associated with Saint David's Day in Wales and are my favorite spring flower. I always think of Wordsworth's poem when I see them.
Read MoreA friend reminded me of Saint David's Day on March 1st. St. David is the patron saint of Wales. It made me realize how often I shortchange Wales in this blog “of all things Celtic”. I am just not as familiar with this important part of Celtic lands even though I honor it as a stronghold of Celtic legend and tradition. Next year on March 1, I will buy daffodils, make potato leek soup and perhaps bake bara brith, the bread I have come to know through the Great British Bake-Off.
Read MoreSpring is here and the salmon are running. The Oracle cards speak again with great timing. Not only is it seasonal, but it comes at a time when wisdom is certainly needed to navigate the change and turmoil we all face. I think everyone is weary at this point. A refreshing sign of hope and endurance comes with the image of salmon jumping as they head upstream.
Read MoreIt is hard to capture what I have learned about Celtic Wisdom in an hour presentation. I plan to hit the highlights:
The mystery and wonder of ancient stone circles, the mysticism of abbey ruins, the liminal thin places of Celtic lands all contribute to a certain palpable Celtic wisdom. It seems to come with a connection to the land, to the elements, to the rhythms of nature. Sages, poets, and storytellers; Druid bards, Grail legends, tales of The Little People; lasting symbols, rituals, and celebrations all contribute to capturing its essence. Thankfully, the wit and wisdom were recaptured by the Celtic Revival movement and are now expressed by modern-day writers such as John O’Donahue and poet Seamus Heaney.
Read MoreYes, I say St. Patrick Week rather than day because when the 17th of March comes mid-week, it invites celebrations to start early and go through the following weekend. And, of course, it is not only about parades and green beer. Many places and events have Irish themes throughout the month. I know I am quite busy with Celtic presentations throughout March.
Read MoreThree Wee Gems is the title of the presentation I will be giving for Books Sandwiched In. This talk highlights three books about Ireland written by New York state authors that I especially enjoyed. All three have a deep and lovely sense of place, rich characters, and engaging stories. In very different ways, they each capture Ireland and the Celtic spirit that I so enjoy, enjoy writing and enjoy reading.
Read MoreOur tarot card for March is Equilibrium, certainly needed as we navigate this rapidly changing world and often challenging time. In the traditional tarot, this card is represented as Temperence, a Major Arcana card representing balance and moderation.
Read MoreI first visited Belfast in 1963. I was 15. The Troubles had begun and the divisions between Protestants and Catholics, particularly in city neighborhoods was intense. As we were shown around Northern Ireland, my cousins would skirt around the neighborhood featured in the movie to avoid danger. In fact, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I toured the Falls Road/Shankhill areas. The Peace Wall brought tears to my eyes. The fact that the gate between the neighbors is still closed at 10 pm for curfew left a pit in my stomach. The Peace Accord was such an amazing triumph; yet, the deep wounds of division remain for many.
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