Summer Solstice;
Full of light and life,
The long, long day!
Happy Summer Solstice, everyone!
Ashley
Summer Solstice 2025
light
February 2025
February; Springtime brings the light, And hope.
Green tongues, Sense the growing light; New shoots.
Mid way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox is Imbolc, a pagan festival of renewal; I read that in Old Irish the term means “the belly of the Mother” (Earth). In Christianity this time is known as Candlemas, also a time of renewal and the returning light. The earth is stirring from the cold of winter, plants are beginning to grow and since the Winter Solstice in December, the days are perceptibly longer.
All my photos were taken at Rowallane, near Saintfield, County Down. It was a day for hat and gloves but every now and then the sun shone brightly. As we entered the walled garden we could see the work already done by the many volunteers who joyfully tend these borders. Whilst there were few flowers there was one exception, Daphne bholua “Alba” (see my first photo). This shrub was covered in wonderful little flowers and in this walled garden the scent was heavenly. If there had been a seat close by we might still be sitting there!
Have a wonderful Spring.
Ashley
#Note: WordPress have once again made changes, resulting in me not adding as many photos as usual and I found it very frustrating producing this blog. I know of one or two others who’ve had similar difficulties.
#Note: my email notifications were filled by someone “liking” many of my posts and as usual WP asks if I’d like to check out this other persons blog which I did and I was taken to a website that shows my blogs but on someone else’s page! Beware of SPAM!
Winter Solstice 2024
Season’s greeting to all who visit here. I look forward to meeting you again in the New Year.
Ashley
1st February
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
A new year’s day
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
Winter Solstice
The dim light of afternoon Quickly fades; The shortest day.
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
A Different View 