To all who read this page, Season’s Greetings.
Ashley 🎄
Winter Solstice
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
Early December
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
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.
Sunday morning walk: November 2023
Samhain 2023
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
Silent Sunday: a walk in Lurgan Park
The Last Flowers
This morning I did some dead-heading in our little garden. I took photos, as they are probably the last flowers of this year.
The Michaelmas Daisies are vibrant on this overcast morning. There is something about the combination of the rain filled clouds and the light that actually magnifies some colours.
Due later today is Storm Agnes and so we also moved most of our pots into safer positions. The storm is supposed to be at its worst tonight. Let’s hope it doesn’t do too much damage and that those who need to be outside, will be safe.
No verse this time but an extra photograph showing the Ogham stick I whittled for the Autumn Equinox. It is of apple wood. Apple is the tenth tree in the Celtic Tree Ogham. The tree is regarded nearly everywhere as a symbol of Earth’s abundance.
Ashley
Autumn Equinox 2023
Whilst the ivy is still flowering and attracting bees, also the occasional butterfly, the Nerine bulbs have come into bloom, just in time for the autumn equinox.
Still there are flowers, As the daylight fades -- Spider lilies.
I have a made a note in my diary to find more of these amazing blooms to plant in my little garden for next year. Also I need to add more Asters like this compact variety.
I’ve just read that the autumn equinox is considered to be the doorway to winter, a time to let go of the past and move forward. So, for today and the next few weeks, let us all enjoy the beauty and colours of the remaining flowers in our gardens.
Happy Autumn Equinox.
Ashley
Mid Autumn
Today it is overcast, grey, and now the rain has arrived; a sign of the weather to come: dull and drab! However, yesterday, around midday, the sun shone and it was warm. The ivy flowers, which have been closed since they appeared a few weeks ago, suddenly were open. Open for business!
Warm sunshine, Bright at the top of the hedge -- Movement there!
Butterflies and bees feeding there, On the blooming ivy flowers -- A true sign of autumn.
Ivy! Such a maligned plant in a garden, and yet it is so important for our pollinators!
I can’t resist adding this last photo of 3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies (Aglais urticae) on one of our dwarf Buddleia (Buzz Velvet Red).
Not long now until the Autumn Equinox!
A Different View 