I climb the stairs
tip toe down the passage
into the silence of my father's music room.
The black upright Bechstein
stands rigid and dumb
as my eyes scan the titles,
so many,
but one reaches out
and catches my eye.
How strange, alien,
not of this world,
written by a god, no less.
Kon-Tiki.
Artwork & poem by Ashley March 2024
Steady, soft rain has persisted for most of the day, and whilst the sky is overcast and grey, the increased light of this month enters my eyes to bathe and lift my spirits.
A dull day;
Rain doused, first flowers,
Open.
Ashley
Halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the Pagan calendar, is Imbolc. In the Christian calendar this time is known as Candlemas or if you live in Ireland St. Brigid’s Day. Whichever way we think of this period, we are surely celebrating the return of the light and as the light increases, so the earth begins to warm and plants begin to grow.
The snowdrops that appeared around the time of the winter solstice are still here in my garden. I have to turn their delicate drooping heads to see the beauty inside.
I’ve added another two letters to my Ogham Tree alphabet: L and S.
Rowan: Sorbus aucuparia. It is the second tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham: LUIS. L and is associated with connections between the inner and outer worlds.
Willow: Salix alba. The willow is the fourth tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham: SAILLE. S and is associated with healing imbalances.
Let’s celebrate what the ancients believed was the opening of the door to Spring.
Ashley
To all who read this page, Season’s Greetings.
Ashley 🎄
Photograph and hokku by Ashley
In the old Celtic world, the Cosmic wheel, the Wheel of Time, briefly stopped turning on this day. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year is a time to look backwards in inner reflection and to look forwards to a new season of increasing daylight, growth and activity. Whilst we might still have winter weather and winter difficulties to overcome, it is important to see this time as a rebirth within the continuous cycle of life.
Two trees associated with this time of year are birch and pine and I can now add these to my set of Tree Ogham sticks.
The first tree in the Ogham is Silver Birch, BEITH. B (Betula pendula) a tree that quickly colonises new ground. It drops so many leaves and twigs that they enrich the soil for other trees to follow. A tree of life giving properties.
The sixteenth tree in the Ogham is a fir, the Scots Pine, AILM. A (Pinus sylvestris). It has been honoured since ancient times in helping us to develop the perceptions and wisdom to see beyond the present.
Again, I give thanks to Glennie Kindred for allowing me to freely quote from her book Sacred Earth Celebrations which can be found on her website:
https://www.glenniekindred.co.uk/
Ashley
Flood plain, flooded,
Light levels low;
Days, shorter and shorter.
We are all hoping the river doesn’t overflow its banks again, as it did last month. 🙏
Pictures and hokku by Ashley: 9th December 2023
Rowallane Garden, near Saintfield in County Down, is where the National Trust in Northern Ireland has its Regional Office. Beautiful grounds (dog friendly), a café, a walled garden, a rock garden and lovely walks through woodland or up onto a hill with wonderful views over farmland.
Here on these islands we have just turned the clocks back by one hour, leaving summer time behind and moving into the months of shorter days and longer nights.
Who reading this, hasn’t heard of Halloween? It is also Samhain, the end and the beginning of the Celtic New Year. In Japanese culture, it is the season of Frost Falls (October 23-November 6). An important time, no matter where humans are in the northern hemisphere. A magical time!
Darkness grows - An ending, a beginning, And renewal.
I have added another piece to my set of Ogham sticks: elder, Sambucus nigra. It is the 15th tree in the Celtic Tree Ogham and is known as a tree of regeneration and wisdom. It is also known as a tree of endings and beginnings. I’ve almost completed my set of Ogham sticks and am looking into different ways to continue my tree journey.
November to March is an ideal time to plant trees. I collected and planted some beech seeds last November and already they are several inches high. This year I’ve planted some conkers from a horse chestnut tree. These trees will be too big when fully grown to plant into my own garden but I’m sure others would be glad to have them, once they are a few years old. A few years ago I grew some oaks from acorns: two of them I planted with permission on a small island in Lough Neagh so I must return there and see how they are doing. If you would like to plant trees from seed, here is a link you might like to follow (Plantober):
https://www.internationaltreefoundation.org/
Again, I need to thank Glennie Kindred for her book Sacred Earth Celebrations. It now has a permanent place on my desk. Here is a link to her website:
https://www.glenniekindred.co.uk/
Ashley
