creating the woodland area

Last year i had a huge success with foxglove seeds and as we hadn't cleared the soon to be woodland area from the worst of the brambles , i nurtured them through the summer til planting out in in autumn. Now we are keeping on top of the brambles, hopefully the swath of beautiful foxgloves will be even better next year when i have planted out this years generation and the multitude of seedlings from last naturalise.

These beauties were joined by lots of cowslips ..... so we are on our way , next year blue bells and wood Anemones !

The Hawk

In Native American cultures the hawk represents a messenger.

It often appears in our life when we need to pay attention to the subtle messages found in our surroundings and from those we come in contact with.

As with all messages received it is important to recognize its underlying truth. Because their are so many varieties of hawk its messages vary and can affect all levels of our psyche.

One thing that all hawks have in common is the skill to move between the seen and unseen realms gracefully connecting both worlds together. Their acute vision compliments this ability and their discriminating nature keeps them out of harms way. The broader vision of the hawk allows them to see what the future holds. In man this symbolizes prophetic insight. If this medicine is underdeveloped a tendency towards over analyzing everything is common. In so doing, clear vision is lost. Those who hold this totem should remember to keep their analytical mind under control and not allow it to run wild.

The hawk has many foraging techniques. The most typical in their pursuit of prey is swiftly following the animal's efforts to escape. Once the hawk has secured the prey with its powerful talons, the bird dismembers it with its sharply pointed, strong beak. In man, this suggests that we can run but we cannot hid from our destiny. Sooner of later it will catch up with us. The destiny of all humankind is to awaken from their spiritual amnesia and realign with the original intention of their soul. When the hawk flies into our life we will be asked to evaluate who we have become and rip out the threads of our self created illusions. This enables our inner truth to surface. Hawk signifies union with Great Spirit. A bird of the heavens the hawk orchestrates the changes necessary for our spiritual growth.

Having this totem can be bitter sweet. If we accept its presence in our life we will be asked to surrender anything that doesn't honor the integrity of all life. Be it an idea, a feeling or an action.

Although hard work is involved the rewards the hawk offers us are great. Hawk Wisdom:Clear-sightedness , Being observant , Far-memory ,Messages from spirit , Guardianship ,Recalling past lives , Courage ,Wisdom ,Illumination ,Seeing the larger picture ,Creativity, Truth, Experience , Wise use of opportunities , Overcoming problems

Beltane Blessings- Herne the hunter and the sacred goddess

Beltane is upon us once again....... I love this time of year, everything in the natural world is in growth and this is the time to celebrate union, fertility, love and sexuality. Time to celebrate the sacred union between Horned God and the fertile Goddess.

In days gone by, it was re-enacted by men and women to ensure the fertility of the land.

People made love in the woods and forest, slept outdoors and watched the sunrise.

They walked the labyrinths and mazes and dressed in green to honour the Earth at this time.

The Horned God is usually known as Herne the Hunter, the wild man of the forests.

Herne is transformed into a white stag, and legend has it that he chased the Goddess who turned into a white deer. The Horned God has also been depicted as Pan, the Goat God, Zeus the Bull and Amen the Ram.
Over time, these depictions of the Horned Lord were turned into the Christian version of the Devil, whose lustful nature gave birth to the slang word “horny”, although the old German word for “lust” actually meant “religious joy”.
The God and Goddess become spiritually transformed through their union and the combination of their energies brings fertility to the land.

Celebrations included dancing the Maypole, a symbolic dance showing the entwining of male and female energies. Garlands of May blossom were used to decorate houses.

A Beltane fire was lit at this time, all other fires in village having been extinguished.

The participants jumped the Beltane fire to symbolise cleansing and purification.

A couple jumping the fire together were pledging themselves to each other.

Cattle would be driven through the smoke for protection and fertility.

At the end of the evening, villages each took a burning stick from the fire to re-ignite their fires at home.

Another common celebration at this time of year was (and still is!) Handfasting.

Handfasting is a form of sacred marriage which originally lasted for a year and a day, and would be renewed at the end of this time if the couple both wished it. These days, a Handfasting can be for the traditional year and a day, or for as long as the couple wish, and it is popular to leave the time open, so that the union can continue for as long as it works.

At Beltane the trees are in flower. Apple blossoms, cherry blossoms and hawthorn blossoms lift the heart with the delicate beauty of their soft petals, symbolically promising life’s light, renewal and joy.

And so with the blossom laden trees so heavy, may with the goddess's blessing there be a plentiful bounty of fruit to come.New projects - new goals - new endeavors, new ideas!...New Home??!!

Missed the jack in the green festival at Hastings this year , but hope to see you all next year:)