In honor of Maia and Flora, and all the other Green Growing Powers of Springtime, we are weaving magic with our allies in the garden. Yesterday, I wrote about the amazing experiences of Machaelle Small Wright when she began working directly with the devas and Nature spirits of her land in Virginia. The result has … Read more
And every stone and every star a tongue,And every gale of wind a curious song.The Heavens were an oracle, and spokeDivinity: the Earth did undertakeThe office of a priest; and I being dumb(Nothing besides was dumb) all things did comeWith voices and instructions…— Thomas Traherne (1637-1674) Gardening is one of the oldest activities of civilization, … Read more
There is a root of peace within this Earth.Plant it in my heart, my home, my land. That it may grow deeply.And then will it branch and give shade, Then will it blossom for the lovers,And yield fruit that none will lack.Then will the old sit under its shade and be honored. And the babies … Read more
“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”“It is the time I have wasted for my rose…” said the little prince so he would be sure to remember.“Men have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what … Read more
Tellus, Holy Mother, source of natureQueen and Goddess I invoke you:You are all-powerful and my needs are so small.Give me what I ask and in exchange,I will give you my thanks, sincere, and from my deepest heart.— from the Tellus Mater, ancient Roman prayer to the Earth If you are an avid gardener, you probably … Read more
Silently a flower blooms,In silence it falls away;Yet here now, at this moment, at this place,The world of the flower, the whole ofthe world is blooming.This is the talk of the flower, the truthof the blossom:The glory of eternal life is fully shining here. — Zenkei Shibayama In honor of Maia and Flora, and all … Read more
Today, as in the time of Pliny and Columella, the hyacinth flourishes in Wales, the periwinkle in Illyria, the daisy on the ruins of Numantia; while around them cities have changed their masters and their names, collided and smashed, disappeared into nothingness, their peaceful generations have crossed down the ages as fresh and smiling as … Read more
And every time your lips meet mine, darling,Down and down I go,Round and round I goIn a spin,Loving the spin I’m in,Under that old black magic called love.— Johnny Mercer During this lusty month of May, it is natural that many of us may be ever so slightly preoccupied, possibly even obsessed, with the lovers … Read more
Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight,Or he would call it a sin;But we have been out in the woods all night,A-conjuring Summer in!– – Rudyard Kipling Many of the visitors to my website will be celebrating Beltane this weekend with their circles, covens and communities (in addition to their solitary or family rites … Read more
The Fairy Tree ©WillowIn several traditions, today is a holiday called the Veneration of the Thorn. It honors the magical hawthorn tree, which is often the guardian of sacred wells and other holy places. The hawthorn (Crataegus mongyna, Crataegus oxyacantha or the botanical nightmare of nearly 300 other Crataegus species), is a member of the … Read more