Spring Equinox 2023

~ Ashley ~ 38 Comments

blackthorn 1

blackthorn 2

Delicate white blossoms
Cluster around dark needles -
Blackthorn in flower.

It’s the Spring Equinox, when day and night are of equal length.  A celebration of balance, of light and dark, inner and outer, of female and male.

I’ve written about the flowering stems of Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).  Hidden by the small, dainty white flowers are sharp needle-like thorns on dark branches: light and dark, beauty and armour.  This small native tree has far-reaching roots which produce many suckers creating impenetrable wide thickets, a natural guardian tree from which we learn to respect boundaries.

I give thanks to Mother Earth: in my hands, my heart, and my mind, are all the elements of the Universe.

Ashley

 

The first day of March

~ Ashley ~ 30 Comments

20230301_095917

A dark silhouette;
Beneath the tree's bark,
The sap is rising.

Walking around Moira Demesne on a bitterly cold morning, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of this tree.  Against the grey sky, it’s dark silhouette looked foreboding, like something out of a fairy tale.  Perhaps, one day, I might write a story about it.

Ashley

PS. Yes, I know!  I’m a day late in publishing!  🥴

 

Winter Solstice

~ Ashley ~ 29 Comments 
The dim light of afternoon
Quickly fades;
The shortest day.
just after sunset

It’s the Winter Solstice today, the shortest day, and the longest night of the year.  From this day onwards the daylight begins a slow and initially almost imperceptible lengthening.  Whatever religion or culture one follows, surely this day is worth celebrating?

Up from the earth,
Down from the sky,
The circle of life surrounds us.

With the light increasing, there will be within us an awakening: the dark turning into the light; a notion that the hibernation of winter will end; the old year is dying and a new year is being born.

Stand in the circle,
Dance in the light,
Embrace our place in the cosmos.




Ashley
			

	


			
				


	

			
Samhain
		

				

						 ~ Ashley			 ~ 36 Comments					

				

		
It’s the ending and the beginning of the Celtic year also known as the Autumn Cross-Quarter or Halloween.  A magical time when the veil between the seen and the unseen world becomes thin; when the line between matter and spirit is blurred.






It's almost dawn,
As the grey sky
Reaches down to the earth.

In the garden,
The rain washes every leaf
And dimples the dull puddles.

Sacred moments,
As Mother Earth reveals herself,
Communing with the world, and me.




I will be taking a break from posting here but plan to return for the Winter Solstice on the 21st of December.  However, I shall continue to read and comment on those regular blogs that I follow.  Until then, keep well and safe.


Ashley
			

	


			
				


			
				


	

			
A Fungus Foray
		

				

						 ~ Ashley			 ~ 20 Comments					

				

		
Last Saturday, I joined a group from a local wildlife society on their annual search for, and recording of fungus.  We visited Derrymore House near the town of Newry.


derrymore


I am not a recorder of fungus but I enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in good company, out in the park and took lots of photos.  Here is a small selection:


 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  


If you would like to know more about Derrymore House, in County Armagh here is a link to the National Trust website for the property:


History of Derrymore | National Trust


Some more of my photos:


 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  


derrymore house


If you would like to see some wonderful photos of fungus, follow the link below:


https://picpholio.wordpress.com/2022/09/30/holiday-mushrooms/


Ashley