Living in the round

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2010-08-20T03:39:00.001-07:00

Elderberry fest (Sambucus nigra)

2010-08-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

Elderberry is a member of the honeysuckle family and has been used both as food and medicine for thousands of years. The dark berries make delicious wines, jams, and pies, but their primary value isn’t culinary. When taken throughout the cold and flu season, or even at the first sign of a viral infection, elderberries have the ability to prevent and even treat a virus.
They contain high amounts of potassium and vitamin C. These berries also have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Back in early England, cordials were considered medicinal for their beneficial effects on the heart. In modern times, elderberry cordials and syrups are still popular as a ward against colds, or added to mixed drinks and liqueurs.

IMPORTANT:Raw elderberries containTOXINS and MUST be cooked before eating!!

History and folk remedies

Since the time of Hippocrates, elderberries have been relied on as a remedy for colds, flu, and upper-respiratory infections. In ancient Europe, elderberry trees were planted near cottages to protect the occupants from evil influences.
Today, herbalists recommend elderberry syrups and extracts for preventing and treating upper-respiratory viral infections, including coughs and bronchitis. The berries are a good source of phytonutrients and have cell-protective antioxidant properties.

How it works

Since the 1980s, Israeli virologist Madeleine Mumcuoglu, PhD, of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem has studied the antiviral properties of elderberry. In laboratory research, she discovered compounds in elderberry that bind to spikes on the surface of virus cells, preventing them from puncturing cell membranes. The high concentrations of flavonoids in elderberry inhibit the action of neuraminidase, the enzyme that helps the flu virus attach to and penetrate new cells. Mumcuoglu tested Sambucol, the proprietary elderberry extract she helped develop, against various strains of influenza A and B in the laboratory and found the herb effective against all types of flu.

In 1993, a flu epidemic at an Israeli kibbutz provided the opportunity to test elderberry on patients. In people with full-blown flu symptoms, half of the subjects were given 4 tablespoons of standardized elderberry extract daily and the other half were given a placebo. Within 24 hours, 20 percent of the patients receiving elderberry showed a dramatic reduction in flu symptoms such as fever, cough, and muscle pain. Within 48 hours, 75 percent were greatly improved, and within 72 hours, 90 percent had completely recovered from the flu. In contrast, only 8 percent of those taking the placebo began to improve after 24 hours; the remaining 92 percent took six days to improve (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1995, vol. 1, no. 4).

In a more recent study, 60 patients age 18 to 54 suffering from the flu were given 15 ml of elderberry syrup or a placebo four times a day for five days. Those taking elderberry recovered an average of four days earlier than those given the placebo. The researchers concluded that elderberry extract offered “an efficient, safe, and cost-effective treatment for influenza” (Journal of International Medical Research, 2004, vol. 32, no. 2).

How to take it

Many elderberry products are available at natural products stores and pharmacies. Although research studies have focused on the proprietary extract mentioned above, it’s likely that other extracts of elderberry are also effective. To prevent colds and flu, take 1/2 teaspoon of liquid extract or 1 to 2 teaspoons of elderberry syrup twice daily throughout cold and flu season. If you come down with the symptoms of a cold or flu, increase your dosage to 1 teaspoon of extract or 2 teaspoons of syrup four times a day.

Side effects

No side effects are associated with the use of commercial elderberry extracts. Fresh elderberries can cause nausea in some people (drying or cooking the berries alleviates this problem). Never eat the unripe berries, roots, leaves, or stems of elderberry; they contain cyanide, which can cause elderberry toxicity.

This year i pledge to take it throughout the cold and flu season, and test the claim that elderberries have a unique ability to prevent and even stop a virus.
virus and MS...dont mix, so got to be a good one for the armory against MS.

Elderberry syrup is delicious on pancakes, and drizzled over ice cream ,and amazing with sparkling water or prosecco!!!

ELDERBERRY SYRUP

Make sure the cookware you’re using is non-reactive and your clothes are stain-friendly.
If you use an aluminum pot, it’ll get stained and the next batch of mashed potatoes you make may come out pink. Ditto for spatulas and anything else to plan to use to stir the syrup while it’s cooking.

2-pounds (1kg) elderberries woody stems removed and rinsed
4 cups (1l) water
2½ (500g) cups sugar
one nice-sized squirt of freshly-squeezed lemon juice

1. Put the elderberries in a large, non-reactive pot with the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, until tender and soft.

2. Pass through a sieve then discard the skins.

3. Pour the juice back into the pot ( you could use a finer-mesh strainer again at this point, but i dont usually bother), add sugar, and cook at a low boil over moderate heat for 15 minutes, until the syrup has thickened. Add a spritz of lemon juice. Cool completely.

4. Pour into a bottle or jar and store in the refrigerator.

Note: Some varieties of elderberries are not meant for consumption and none should be eaten raw, especially the leaves. I remove all of the hard, woody stems as well before cooking.
Storage: In the refrigerator, I’ve kept this syrup up to one year. If it shows any signs of mold, scrape it away, and bring the syrup back to a full boil again.

Elderflower and Lemon cordial

2010-06-09T00:52:00.001-07:00

Elderflower and Lemon Cordial

Its that time again, the Elderflowers are just out and fresh. Time to get the step ladder out and pick them before they brown even slightly. I’ve just finished bottling a batch to take on holiday and to share with our friends.As usual i probably havent made quiet enough to see us throught the summer months, but i always have a tussle between harvesting the flowers and leaving enough to divide between us for berries for syrup and other recipies later in the year and the birds.
A zingy grown up cordial that balances tangy lemon with the fragrant buzz of elderflowers.Delicious with iced water and even better with a tot of vodka and a large splash of chilled fizzy water.

Ingredients:

•300g of elderflower heads (all but the tiniest stems removed). This was 50 medium and small heads from our tree.
•750g of chunky lemons (I bought five)
•2 kilos of white granulated sugar
•3 litres of boiling water
•110g of citric acid

Method:

1.In a large heatproof bowl (or deep saucepan) pour the boiling water onto the sugar and stir. Leave to cool, stirring every now and then to dissolve the sugar.
2.When cool add the citric acid, the lemons (zested and sliced – not squeezed) and the elderflower heads.
3.Leave to steep for 48 hours in a fridge or a really cool place.
4.Strain twice through sterilised muslin
5.Using a jug and funnel carefully pour into hot sterilised bottles

June at the bottom of the garden..New herb garden/ Potager

2009-06-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

We have cleared another patch near our new raised vegetable beds for our Herb bed/potager.

Raspberries have been temporarily planted whilst we clear a little more under the trees as we hope to site them permanently following some forest gardening principles . The ear-marked spot gets dappled shade throughout most of the day and direct sun for a couple of hours . There are several mainly dappled spots with sun for a couple of hours that we are condsidering, and as raspberries are part of the "undergrowth" they should do well when fnally sited.

As for the Yurt, we are still awaiting a replacement canvas, but have it up again in its moldy state to enjoy until the new one arrives. It will probably mean sanding and re-oiling the poles and trellis again but we just dont want to be without this space. Now-a-days its become essential for me to collapse and rest in between gardening spurts and anyway its just too lovelier space to be without!

creating the woodland area

2009-05-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

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:)

TREE DRESSING DAY-Honour your local trees!

2008-12-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

TREE DRESSING DAY-The first weekend in December .

Tree Dressing Day aims to encourage the celebration of trees in city and country, in the street, village green - anywhere in the public domain.
It highlights our responsibility for looking after trees and reminds us of their enormous cultural and environmental importance.
Tree dressing is based on many old customs from all over the world and at different times of the year.
Tree Dressing Day was initiated by Common Ground in 1990. We decorated a group of London Plane trees on the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and High Holborn in Covent Garden with 150 large number, showing that EVERY TREE COUNTS! Since then, groups and individuals have dressed their trees all over the country.
Always the first full weekend in December
Help to create your own social celebration of the trees in your place. This cross-cultural community expression for everyday nature could include storytelling, dance, music, hanging ribbons, shapes, shining lights, anything which draws attention to the trees we take for granted, an enjoyable first step towards taking more care of them.
Our beautiful and idea provoking full-colour A1 Tree Dressing Day poster is available from Common Ground their PUBLICATIONS PAGES. Also available are the Tree Dressing Times and Manual - two publications containing a code of practice, examples, history and the Manifesto for Trees.
Read more about TREE DRESSING DAY and see some examples on the TREES PATHWAY of www.england-in-particular.info.

Honour your Local Trees!

Seed Gathering Season 23 September - 23 October

2008-09-26T01:04:00.000-07:00

The annual Seed Gathering Season organised by the Tree Council runs from 23 September - 23 October 2008, and aims to inspire us all to gather seeds, fruits and nuts to grow the trees of the future.

Through this autumn festival The Tree Council aims to inspire everyone, particularly school children and families, to gather seeds, fruits and nuts and grow the trees of the future. The festival starts on the 23 September (the autumn equinox, considered to be the first day of autumn) and continues until the 23 October, giving everyone plenty of days on which to hold events.
Growing trees from local seed can have great benefits in restocking areas with trees of local provenance. The concept of local provenance - trees that are adapted to the local circumstances and so are likely to flourish and help restore, conserve and beautify local urban and rural spaces. Collecting seed and growing trees is also a great way to get children involved and start growing the next generation of tree enthusiasts.

For useful information about seed gathering and growing trees from seed see The Tree Council publication The Good Seed Guide and their new book How to Grow Them. For information about organising events see Tree Council leaflet Organising Tree Events and Projects.

Where is the sleepy Dormouse?

2008-07-31T02:26:00.000-07:00

Having always had an affinity with the Dormouse, I am thrilled that I am soon to be involve with a Dormouse Conservation project run by the Kent Mammal Group.
I have been invited to attend a training course at Wildwood trust in Kent
on Dormouse Conservation covering history of dormouse research,survey techniques and monitoring schemes,habitat management and then I will be able to to apply for a dormouse handling licence and once qualified will be responsible for survey for signs of dormice in my local area.
It is expected that you to monitor a dormouse nest box scheme at a site in your area for a minimum of a year.Which would involve checking boxes one day per month between April and November. A commitment that im sure my health will allow.
How exciting!
Really looking forward to learning more about these beautiful creatures and helping with their conservation.
More information on the Dormouse comming soon!
The Dormouse sings itself to sleep “twinkle twinkle
twinkle twinkle …” Alice in Wonderland

yurt slide shows

2008-05-07T03:28:00.000-07:00

Thought i would gather all the yurt slideshows from way back all together in one place.
Not much happening on the yurt living front, still got unresolved issues with mildew the canvas and poles. And sadly not the health to deal with them.

Putting up our Yurt

Inside our Yurt,
Welcome, come on in and make yourself at home!

Another Yurt slide show!

2008-05-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Beltane Blessings to you !

( just popping in to wish a happy may day to you.. not so good today so gonna pop back and write tomorrow)

whats on your windowsill?

2008-04-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

GROW YOUR OWN SALAD ON THE WINDOWSILL

windowsill salad leaves vs supermarket salad bags!

The so-called "time-poor, cash-rich" equation has thrown up some interesting food innovations.Ready-sliced carrots. Broccoli florets. Diced onion. Celery sticks. Ready-mixed stir-fry ingredients.

And, of course, the bagged salad. This is the big one as far as supermarkets are concerned: a veritable green goldmine. In the UK, the market analyst TNS estimated that the market for bagged salads stands at over £256m (some estimates put it much higher), and that 69 per cent of British households buy them, on average, once a month. What is more, bagged-salad sales are growing at seven per cent a year. The two biggest sellers are Tesco and Sainsbury's, with the other supermarkets coming up behind. It's a similar success story in the US, where the bagged-salad market is estimated to be worth $1.2bn per year.

Unless you stick to the basic lettuce, salad can be expensive .
If you think you can pay anything between 99p and £2 for a bag of nice salad leaves that’s a lot of cash.
We are going through at least 3 a month. So that’s £6 month on salad!

Consider that It costs about £1.20 for a packet of mixed leaves, and that should last us the whole summer, maybe longer if grown under cover.
No garden ? Then a window box can supply you with salad throughout the Summer.

It is so simple to grow your own salad leaves, it will save you pounds on buying herbs and salad from the supermarket, and if you get the kids involved they will learn the basics of plant biology too! And best of all, if you grow organically, you can eat safely without paying over the odds.

Apart from the obvious finacial saving to be made , buying supermarket salad bags raise concerns regarding other costs; the use of pestiicides , explotation of poorly paid migrant workers , surface residues of chlorinated compounds from washing, ,high scores on food miles, packaging and reduced vital nutrients in the leaves salad!!

To grow your own salad on a windowsill :

all you need is a plastic tray, potting compost and a packet of seeds. A great way to cut down my weekly shop , count toward your healthy five-a-day and have a pretty windowsill!

Salad leaves don't need very much depth of compost.
I grew them on seed trays, but you could use anything so long as it has drainage holes (and a tray for drips underneath).
A good starter is to buy a packet of mixed salad seeds that, once grown can be cut and they grow again so you get salad all summer from a few plants. Sow at two weekly intervals from March to July for a continuous supply, sprinkle thinly and then no thinning will be needed, just harvest as required.

Varieties to try:

Bijou: Usually grown as a cut and come again lettuce and has lovely dark reddish-purple leaves. Lambs Lettuce: small tender green leaves that can be picked as a whole rosette or individually as a cut and come again crop.
Salad bowl: grows with curled leaves which add an interesting look to your salad, pick regularly and the plant will be productive for weeks.
Rocket: A trendy leaf with a spicy, tangy flavour, is a tasty addition to a mixed salad.

Super market salad bags : From plot to plate

Seeds are planted in UK farms or, out of the normal growing season, in intensive farms in Spain, Portugal and, to a lesser extent, Africa, clocking up hundreds of food miles by the time they reach your table.

The leaves take a couple of weeks to grow. During the colder months, they are grown in polytunnels, which blight the landscape and contribute to global warming.

The intensive-farming environment, and the supermarket consumer's expectations of "perfect" leaves mean that multiple pesticides need to be liberally used.

The salad is (usually) washed in chlorinated water to take away traces of earth and any bacteria or contaminants.
The leaves are cut, sorted and packed, often by cheap, casual (largely migrant) labour, and often in harsh conditions.

The salad is bagged in modified-atmosphere packaging, using altered levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen. This can keep it looking fresh for up to 10 days

It is then freighted to British supermarkets and sold

Use of pesticides.
‘Lettuces have a two-and-a-half- to three-month growing period in Spain. They are sprayed every week with a mixture of fungicide and insecticide, except for the last two weeks. There is a lot of pesticide resistance, so the products we used last year were completely different to the ones we were using five or six years ago. Some of them are very toxic.
For example, we treat the lettuces with dithiocarbamates as a preventive They are very hazardous. Its most up-to-date figures (from 1999) referred to outdoor salad crops receiving an average of four insecticide sprays, two fungicide applications and two herbicide doses; lettuces grown indoors were treated with even more fungicides. 2001/2002 shows that the problem is continuing. Nearly one in five lettuces exceeded maximum residue levels, and 6 per cent contained pesticides not approved for use. An organophosphate banned in the UK was found in several samples, and at 10 times the EU-permitted level in one of them. pesticides on unborn children. Propamocarb, an insecticide that works on the nervous system in a similar way to organophosphates; and one contained residues of the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin, a substance not permitted for use in lettuces in the UK. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with hormones, and are sometimes popularly called ‘gender-benders’.

Explotation of migrant workers “Sweatshop Salads”
The preparation and packing of fresh foods such as salad are now dependent on cheap, casual labour. That cheap labour is largely provided by migrant workers. The labour-intensive business of sorting, washing, cutting and packing leaves by hand could not be done without them. Many of them, however, are living in this country in appalling squalor. The scale of migrant labour in the food industry is much larger than anyone is prepared to acknowledge, and a very substantial proportion of that labour is being employed illegally.

Chlorine washes
leave surface residues of chlorinated compounds on lettuce, and because of this the process is banned in organic production. Some chlorinated compounds are known to be cancer-causing, but there appears to be little research on those left on foods treated with high doses of chlorine; the process having evolved in an ad hoc way.
But it is controlling bugs rather than preserving taste or nutrients that supermarkets are most concerned about. Fielder [adds]: ‘In a litigious society, and with the prospect of damage from bad publicity, no supermarket dares risk having listeria, E. coli food-poisoning bugs on the salad they sell.’
There appears to be good reason for supermarkets selling pre-washed salads to worry about bugs. Between 1992 and 2000, the period in which bagged salads took off, nearly 6 per cent of food-poisoning outbreaks in this country were associated with ready-to-eat salads and prepared fruit and vegetables. In 2000 two serious outbreaks of salmonella poisoning in the UK were traced back to lettuce. One person died as a result

Air Miles
Flown-in bagged salad also scores on food miles, and runs against the increasingly prevalent notion that we should eat according to season. Another aspect lies in the supermarkets and their tendency not to sell "loose" food. "Multiples have environmental- health considerations that mean that food is sold in packs," says Fogarty. "We have become slaves to convenience and have lost a respect for food."

Fresh , nutritious salad leaves?
Modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) can extend the shelf life of prepared salad by more than 50 per cent, making it possible for supermarkets to sell washed and bagged salad from around the world.
Dried and sorted before being packaged in pillows of plastic in which the normal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide have been altered. Typically in MAP, the oxygen is reduced from 21 per cent to 3 per cent and the CO2 levels correspondingly raised. This slows any visible deterioration or discolouring. The salad is then trucked to a supermarket’s distribution centre, where it will be dispatched for delivery to individual stores. MAP keeps it looking fresh for up to 10 days. Some lettuces imported from the US can be kept fresh for up to a month!
research published in 2003 in the British Journal of Nutrition suggested that MAP might actually destroy many of the vital nutrients in salad.The researchers noted that several antioxidant nutrients (which protect against ageing, degenerative disease and cancer) such as vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols and other micro-nutrients, seemed to be lost in the MAP process.

for more information read this article

Deep Peace - a Gaelic Blessing

2008-04-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Deep peace,
pure white of the moon to You

Deep peace,
of the whispering trees to You

Deep peace,
of quiet rain to You

Deep peace,
of the flowing air to You

Deep peace,
of the crackling fire to You

Deep peace,
of the running wave to You

Deep peace,
of the quiet earth to You

Deep peace,
of the shining stars to You

Deep Peace,
of the gentle night to You

A Gaelic Blessing .Adapted from Under a dark star - Fiona Macleod-1895

April Birthday by Ted Hughes

2008-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

By Dana . Loogootee Elementary West Primary. Grade (ages 5-9)

April Birthday

by Ted Hughes

When your birthday brings the world under your window
And the song-thrush sings wet-throated in the dew
And aconite and primrose are unsticking the wrappers
Of the package that has come today for you

Lambs bounce out and stand astonished
Puss willow pushes among the bare branches
Sooty hawthorns shiver into emerald

And a new air

Nuzzles the sugary
Buds of the chestnut. A groundswell and stir
Billows the silvered
Violet silks
Of the south- a tenderness
Lifting through all the
Gently-breasted

Counties of England

2008-04-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Look to this day!

For it is life, the very life of life.

In its brief course lie all the verities andrealities of your existence:

the bliss of growth,

the glory of action,

the splendour of beauty,

for yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision,

but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness

and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day!

Such is the salutation of the dawn.

Ancient Sanskrit poem by Kalidasa.

Spring Equinox -ALBAN EILER

2008-03-21T04:10:00.001-07:00

Spring Equinox Blessings to you!

Vernal equinox - Alban Eiler "Light of the Earth")

A Spring Kiss by Moonrabbit

www.moonrabbituk.deviantart.com

Aftr the Winter Solstice the days have lengthened and the nights shortened and here in the northern hemisphere the Spring equinox marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. Light and dark are in balance now, but light is gaining.

The earth awakens... new life emerges, sap rises, buds shoot and spring flowers are celebrated as gifts from nature. Spring returns and rejuvenates our own life force.

Spring is a time of the Earth's renewal, a rousing of nature after the cold sleep of winter, a time to celebrate the renewal and rebirth of Nature herself, and the coming lushness of Summer.

To the Druidic faith, this is a sacred day occurring in the month of Fearn, part of our practices are to clean and rededicate outdoor shrines, believing that in doing we honor the spring maiden.

At this time we think of renewing ourselves.
We renew our thoughts, our dreams, and our aspirations.
We think of renewing our relationships. This is an excellent time of year to begin anything new or to completely revitalize something. This is also an excellent month for prosperity rituals or rituals that have anything to do with growth.
It is an ideal time to clean your home to welcome the new season. Spring cleaning is more than physical work. Some cultures see it as a concentrated effort on their part to rid themselves of problems and negativity of the past months and prepare themselves for new things.

This equinox is also known as Ostara or Eostre - and is celebrated as a festival of new growth, renewal, a re-balancing of energies and the return of longer days. It is also known as the day of equilibrium. Now is a good time to consider the balance of our lives - work, play and relationships.
It is now time to lay the seeds of new projects and new directions that you have meditated on throughout the cold months. Now is the time to start taking action.
Decorate your home with spring flowers and sprouting greens.
Wear green clothing as an affirmation of new growth within yourself and Nature.
Bless any seeds you plan to plant in your garden. Begin a new project.
Key actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include openings and new beginnings. is a good time to start putting those plans and preparations you made at Imbolc into action.
Start working towards physically manifesting your plans now.

NETTLE SOUP

2008-02-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Its spring , there are stirrings underground and the Nettles are through .

Not being able to clear the little buggers, i decided to eat them!

They're only just beginning to show now, which is perfect, because you need young shoots if you're going to eat them

They are full of iron, and vitamin C.

A five minute backyard forage resulted in a carrier bag of fresh young nettle leaves.

And so to the kitchen....

It only takes a little bit of heat to disarm the stings. There's no danger at all that your lunch will sting your mouth, as long as it is well-cooked.

1oz butter
1 medium onion , finely
chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
14 oz potatoes, peeled and finely
chopped
1lb freshly picked nettle
tops
1 3/4 pints veg stock
dash of double cream
salt and freshly ground black
pepper.

Melt the butter and cook the onion and
garlic gently for 10 mins in covered saucepan, without colouring.
Add potatoes and nettles and cook for 2
mins.
Add stock, cover and bring to boil and
simmer for 15mins.
Cool a little , then puree in
liquidiser.
Return to clean saucepan, stir in cream and
season with salt and pepper to taste.
Reheat genlty and serve.

It tasted lovely - not strong, a delicate flavour a bit like asparagus thought!

I'll definitely make it again.

MEET " KELLY" - our storm kettle!

2008-02-09T03:47:00.000-08:00

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to a dear new friend "Kelly" Kettle©!!

A wonderful Yuletide gift - Thanks Mum and Dad !

Kelly has been a godsend ,as we havent had the use of the Yurts stove since we had to take it down for the winter.

Kelly will boil water very rapidly depending on the fuel you're using. She is made from aluminium it is essentially a double-walled chinmney with the water contained in the chimney wall. And is very light to carry.

Once the kettle is filled with water, and a very small fire is started in the base, on which kelly is set. Drop additional fuel (twigs, leaves, grass, paper, etc.) down the chimney and the large internal surface area of the chimney heats the water very quickly.

When the water boils, you just hold the handle at an angle of 90° to the Kettle - then lift the Kettle clear of the base.

To pour, lift it by the handle and tilt it using the cork chain

In about 5 minutes you will have a couple of pints of boiling water for brews all round, or to refill my hot water bottle which is invariably stuffed down my trousers now-a-days, to keep my back muscles relaxed!

The tradition of using the kettle as a method of boiling water at lunchtime goes back over a hundred years and the design has changed little since it was first introduced. The shores of the lake provided ample fuel for use in the kettle, where washed up twigs, sticks and dried grass were easily available. Visiting anglers are as amazed today as they were some hundred years ago with the speed at which the water could be boiled and through word of mouth, these anglers have spread word about the kettles worldwide.

IMBOLC BLESSINGS!

2008-02-01T03:51:00.000-08:00

It is time to celebrate the first stirrings of spring from the depths of winter!

Horrah!

when the first buds can be seen appearing on trees, when the days are quite visibly longer than they were around Yule, and when there are the first days of semi-bearable temperatures.

The word Imbolc literally means "In Milk." This is because it is the time when the cows and goats generally begin lactating in Western Europe.
The festival is sacred to the Goddess Brigid (pronounced "Breed, " often spelled "Brid"-the Celtic triple Goddess of Inspiration, Healing, poetry and smithcraft.

This is a time of new beginnings and growth. At this time, think of your goals and dreams for this year that you will plant.

As the days begin to get longer, it is tradition for every candle or lamp in the house to be lit for a little while welcoming the return of the Sun.

Esotrically it is the willing sacrifice of the outer self for the inner self.

The period between Imbolc and the Spring Equinox is when self-discipline is practiced.

"I hereby do create sacred space,

In time that is not time; a place not a place,

Today is a day that is not a day,

All malice and worry, now away,

So all within here is right and just,

This is a place of magic, love and trust."

One of the things I find tangeable in the celebration of Imbolc is purification itself.

The concept of Spring Cleaning came from this Sabbat.

Traditionally the greens of Yule that are left in place for our protection during the deepest Winter months are now removed and burned in a sacred fire.

The home is physically cleaned from top to bottom.

I use this period between Yule and Imbolc to do the Soul searching and meditation called for in this season during The Winter Rites held on Yule.

Its a time put my financial life in order, my physical home in order and my relationships in order.

Free now of these burdens, we gather in our homes with brooms in hand and begin to turn whiddershins from room to room carrying with us incense, fire, water & salt, purifying each room of all negative energy. Chanting:

Thus we banish Winter... Thus we welcome Spring!

WINTER SOLSTICE-Alban Arthuan

2007-12-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

Solstice Blessings to You!
We stand here at the turning point of the year as winter closes around us and the earth beneath our feet rests, for the harvest is in and the new seeds not yet sown.
The winter solstice, the shortest sunlit day of the year, the day when the sun is farthest away from us and his light is most remote, has been celebrated in ceremony the world over for as long as human memory exists. The celebration was most enthusiastic in areas of the earth where the winter is very dark and very long, and the yearning for sun and light was so passionate. Although we now have electricity, and can "see" with the a light flick of a switch, we still honor the power and mystery of darkness, both literally and symbolically. The nights are long and we may all feel the darkness entering into areas of our life. Let this darlness of the longest night be felt, for only out of darkness does light arise and we become aware that the inner sun rises again in our hearts as at one with the outer sun, bringing warmth to both our hearts and the earth.

The seed stirs in the earth
Once again, the Winter Solstice of the year is upon us.
The season when we learn, from nature, how to honor the darkness of Life's Mysteries without losing faith...how to recognize the seeds of growth and nurture them in our own inner warmth until the Light returns...how to dignify the elder who lives always within us, and to face our own old age with serenity and faith and power.
Once again we learn, that even in the darkest moments, health, serenity, and healing energy are available when we focus on them with positive intent.
As the golden Oak King triumphs in battle over ,darksome twin the Holly King
....now we can see the first flicker of light,
the first ray of hope, the first seeds of solution, to any darkness that has invaded our life light.

FIRE

2007-11-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

The element of Fire is both creative and destructive, its qualities are Brightness, Thinness and Motion and its mode is Active. It is fire that we and our ancestors used to warm our homes, we use it to cook our food, we sit around it to ward of the darkness of night, and it fuels our passions. Fire, unlike the other elements, does not exist in a natural state.
Its physical form can only take place by consuming some other element. Fire is the transformer, converting the energy of other objects into other forms: heat, light, ash, and smoke.To feel the manifestations of this power, go out on on sunny day and feel the warmth and light of the Sun, hear the crackling of logs and smell of smoke from a burning fire. As you gaze into the transformational flame of a candle, immerse yourself in the energy of Fire.
Fire is the natural element of animals and mankind, and they "have, in their natures, a most fiery force, and also spring from celestial sources."
In order to gain benefit from the energy of this element, we need to control Fire's destructive aspect. When we light a candle, we are not only calling upon the energy of Fire, we are also limiting its power.
This destructive aspect should not be seen as negative, forest fires, actually help, clearing away underbrush and encouraging seeds lying dormant within the Earth to burst forth into new life.Fire is a masculine element, its aspects being change, passion, creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual. Fire is used in spells, rituals and candle magick for healing, purification, sex, breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. Fire is the element of authority and leadership.The properties of Fire, Heat, Making things fruitful, Celestial light, Giving Life to all things. Its opposite the Infernal Fire are a parching heat, consuming all things and darkness, making all things barren.

RATHER DEPRESSING

2007-10-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

We are now very concerned about the Yurt canvas and the mildew that has developed.
The extent of the problem is very distressing.
we finally has a response from the Yurt maker, who gave a logical explanation as to why the mildew may have developed where there are two layers of canvas and it may not dry out as easily and said that they would send us some mildew cleaner which we havent as yet recieved. However ,the mildew is also on the single canvas wall which doesnt make sense and also a good number of poles are black! at least six , ( we havent been able to inspect them all) The wheel spokes are also black in places. Icannot believe that we have this degree of problem after only 31/2 months of use!

Have taken some pictures to send to Yurtworks so they can see the extent of the problem.
not sure if i want to post them on hear as they are too depressing for words.

Really feel that we need to take immediate action to try and prevent it spreading any further, but waiting for yurt maker to advise.
We had planned to take it down for the winter as advised,but we were not expecting to work on any form of restoration at this point in time. so we must now take it down ASAP to assess the extent that the woodwork, trellis and poles are affected. But we cant really store it until this problem has been properly resolved. We are gutted to say the least. spent all my savings on this venture and have really enjoyed it over the last couple of months, but what was a total delight is now a real worry:(

STOVE INSTALLATION

2007-10-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months there has been much deliberation about where to site our stove.
Consultation with various Yurt makers and fellow Yurt dwellers, revealed conflicting information about the best place for stove installation.
Commonly people place it in the centre of the yurt with the flue pipe going out of the wheel.This wasnt something we wanted to do because we felt it would interfere with the beautiful wheel and it would also take up precious space in the centre of the yurt.
Another option was to take the flue through one of the wall trellis diamonds , but this meant a large amount of flue to run up the outside of the yurt for clearance that would then need to be stabilised in some way.
Finally we decided to install the stove in the west , allowing the two hotplates to be easily accessed from the kitchen area and keeping the floor space in the centre clear,and to have the flue pipe go up through the roof canvas between two poles.
Having moved the stove to its final location prior to installing we lived with it for a while to see how it felt( and to give us time to pluck up the courage to cut a hole in the canvas roof !) which was actually the easiest but most heart stopping stage of the installation.
We bought a lovely piece of limestone for the hearth ,and the flashing attached to the canvas prevents it and the wood from heating up. I think i will source some aluminium sheeting and make a decorative a back plate behind the stove to really protect the canvas and wood at a later date , but we have the stove the correct distance from the Yurt wall so it would really be belt and braces!
Thankyou to Matt and Chris from Yurtshop for the helpful advice on installing and for processing our flue order so promptly.

It really changes the ambience having a woodburning stove. It gives gorgeous glow to the inside of the yurt, keeps us toasty- the crackling sounds and stepping outside to see and smell the woodsmoke puff- puffing out the chimney are a delight! It changes the use of the space too, no longer will we be forced under the covers when the evening chill creeps in. Lots of evenings of crafty work to look forward to .

The stove makes it a real home!

Willow all snuggled!

craft worker !

.. some insulation next to keep the heat in !

AUTUMN EQUINOX -Alban Elfed

2007-09-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Once again we have reached the point of balance, night and day are equal in length.( 23rd sept)The leaves are beginning to fall and the Equinox tides and winds may bring storms and floods.
The last harvests of fruit and vegetables are now in and it is time to accept what we do and don't have and what we have achieved.
Equinoxes can bring many unexpected things and many may find their lives reaching an unexpected turning points in spring, so it is necessary for a good autumn clean out.
We spring clean in order to make way for new growth but in autumn it is to make way for reflection and study.

Why in Autumn do we want to match the animals in
nature and hibernate?
The energy on the planet changes.
This energy is called life-force energy, Christ-force energy, Universal energy, Supreme Being's energy.
In the Autumn this energy is drawn down into the Earth. Outwardly, the leaves are drawn off the trees. Inwardly, we experience feeling drained.
But the good news is that the energy that is draining is most likely not our own anyway. We took on someone's energy (thoughts, emotions) and obligingly, or in most cases, ignorantly carried it around, until the fall season draws our attention back to ourselves where we experience a change in energy within and around us. That is one of the purposes of the seasons, to be different from all the others so that we notice changes we might not have if everything stayed the same.
Each season prompts us to reflect (go inward).
It makes us pause to review our lives.
With Autumn equating to the harvest time of year, what have we harvested in our lives? Well, it depends what type of seeds we have planted.
We are farmers with our thoughts, ideas and emotions as much as a farmer who uses soil as his medium. That is why it is so important to put our attention on what we truly want to experience, and then create the correct atmosphere (attitude or medium) for that to manifest. Autumn is the season between Summer (the season with lots of activity) and Winter (hibernating, slowing down time),a balancing time, equal time.
In Winter we plant our seeds (do our mock-ups or New Years resolutions). In Spring they sprout, in Summer they mature, and in Autumn, they are harvested. So like seeds in the ground, our ideas are also nurtured and grow, through the combination of cosmic and earth energies.

Not only is it harvest time, but it is also time to prepare for the next season of crops (mock-ups).
The Autumn Equinox symbolizes harvest time outwardly and inwardly.
Because the Autumn Equinox happens during the time of year when people generally slow down, it is a great time to get rid of all the excess baggage before New Years so we can start anew with a clean slate.

We may notice that many of the creatures around us are making preparation for winter, birds are migrating and squirrels and hedgehogs are gathering food and preparing nests for hibernation.
The darkness is increasing and energy levels begin to drop so we may have to accept that we may not feel like making any great achievements and instead prefer to curl up in our warm and cosy home for some inward reflection.
So celebrate making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over!

ALBAN ELFED

Autumn Equinox, Fall, Second Harvest, Mabon, pronounced MAY-bon , after the welsh god Mabon ap Modron, which literally means 'son of mother', Michaelmas, the feast of the Archangel Michael all names for a wonderful season!
All the leaves are turning colors and the air is getting a bit crisper.
After today we start heading into the dark half of the year.
This time of the year, we, as Pagans, give thanks for what we have sown.
Not just what we sow in the garden, but what we have sown in everyday life.
Our work, children, relationships. All these things that we have put time and energy into, we give thanks for and reap the benefits.
Mabon appears in 'The Mabinogion' tale. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honour the Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to the trees.

Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time.

The Welsh know this time as 'Alban Elfed', meaning 'light of autumn' or 'light of the water'
The Wheel turns and the time of balance returns,Alban Elfed marks the balance of day and night before the darkness overtakes the light.

Symbols of Alban Elfed are wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates , vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
Foods that can be used are: Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Colors are very rich and colorful. Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown and gold are the colors of Mabon.

The time of the second harvest, usually of the fruit which has stayed on the trees and plants to ripen under the Summer Sun. It is this final harvest which can take the central theme of the Alban Elfed ceremony.

Thanking the Earth, in her full abundance as Mother and Giver, for the great harvest, the beginning of Autumn.

We now enter the all-important time of inner growth.

During summer, there was little time for the juices of contemplative creativity to bubble up from deep within us.

Now is the time to prepare for this to occur most fruitfully.

Only when we surrender to our inner nature can we begin to hear the still small voice within, and we must set our outer affairs in order now to be ready when it calls.

Our inner fire burns brilliant and strong to guide our way through shadows long.

Hold sacred and close passion’s fierce flame for when all falls away,

it is our dreams that remain.

- Mara Friedman

The change in the world is becoming obvious now.
A scattering of fallen leaves gathers at the roadside.
The grain harvest has been brought in, and only stubble is left on the fields.
Here and there, leaves are beginning to turn to golden or russet, and the virginia creeper in
next door's garden is beginning to blush scarlet.
The last fruits are being picked, and the Goddess is letting go of this world.
She is turning inward, to look at the mysteries within.
And so must we. It is time to look back over the past year and examine what we have gained and lost.
We are asked to see how we have changed, so that we can take what we have learned
on to another revolution of the Wheel.

COZY EVENINGS!

2007-09-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

We have been enjoying some really cozy evenings!

Havent blogged for a while, no access to computer in the yurt( wink), and laptops are banned! so got some catching up to do...let me see....
Made a curtain for the window and been lighting small fires in the stove to seal it prior to installation.... building a log store its a bit ramshackled but i kind of like that, all the wood was from broken up pallets.

MILDEW PROBLEM!

2007-09-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Havent blogged for a little while.
Sadly after only 3 months of our Yurt being up.. we have mildew problems and we are gutted particularly after only having the yurt up for a short period of time.

We are so sad to see our beautiful yurt being spoilt in this way. We will contact the yurt maker " Yurtworks" and are hope to hear back from them soon.
we are bitterly disappointed as this Yurt is so beautifully crafted.
Our plans had been to keep the yurt up until the autumn and take it down then to help the canvas last. I cannot believe it, surely there shouldnt be problems in the summer !
Especially when we are in the drier far south east of england.

Been looking on the net for information on how to remove mildew from canvas it doesnt look easy.

SUMMER YURT LIVING!

2007-08-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

We have just enjoyed a few days of glorious sunshine and some real summer yurt living.
The yurt's circular space has this month offered a wonderful healing environment for recovery from another back procedure. At 3.30pm at this time of the year the sun shines through the crown straight onto the floor cushions, just in time for a snoozy and sometimes dribbly siesta on the floor.

We have been enjoying simple food;bbq's, forraged salads, new potatoes ,green beans,tomatoes straight from the veggie patch.

We are pleasantly surprised that there havent been lots of mosquitos, no need to use the mosy-net. Chris getting very proficient with the night-time swatting by torchlight, means that the few that are around dont last long!
Feel like we are getting a real taste of yurt life , very settled into the early morning, early night routine, and lying in bed with all the candles lit is magical.

Amazing metorite showers, standing on the farm track we saw lots of shooting stars.

There has been a good harvest of calendula petals this year. Once dried we shall infuse some in oil and use the rest for cosmetic concoctions.

We have a resident blue tit!! He/she roosts in between the canvas , just under the roof canvas.
Every night( remarkably early) he tucks himself in and you hear him turning in his bed and ruffling his feathers! I think its amazing that he/she is happy to be so close, with only canvas between us he must know that we are there and can hear us. we have named him rather unoriginally "Timmy the tit", so i hope if its a she , shes's not offended!
And also a beautiful little wren that roosts in the shed .

still havent had the roof cap off at night, the evenings havent really been balmy and we just havent had the confidence that it wouldnt rain! Think i may save some pennies and have a clear roof cap made at a later date.

MUSING ON THE CIRCLE

2007-08-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

The circle is a sacred symbol of life,

individual parts within the circle connect with every other ;

and what happens to one ;

or what one part does affects all within the circle

The circle is used by many traditions the world over from time immemorial is referred to by such names as the Medicine Wheel, Sacred Hoop, and the Wheel of Life .
It has also been used in the sacred art of many religious traditions as an image of wholeness.
Ceremony and religious rites were practised in circles, life was lived in circles and moved with the changing seasons.

The circle symbolizes the sacred unity of existence and is used in the designing of sacred spaces all over the world.
Today's lifestyle has removed us from this natural experience, cushioning our senses with central heating, piped water, flush toilets and supermarkets.

The seasons pass us by year after year and we become more anaesthetized.
To step into the circle is to say yes to becoming - becoming more aware of who we are as individuals and more aware of our interactions with others and the environment we find ourselves in.
It brings a fuller sense of being and knowing, that the journey we walk in this life has a rhythm, and that rhythm can become revealed to us.

Stepping into the Circle, Stepping onto the Wheel

Stepping into the circle is about aligning ourselves to a rhythm.

Nature offers a constant reminder of movement through the changing of season, from the Sunrise and Sunset points to the Moon's ebb and flow.
To bring ourselves into alignment with these changing seasons brings us onto the wheel of life and our own energies into alignment. http://livingintheround.blogspot.com/2007/06/eight-fold-yesrt_1821.html

How often have we felt frustrated in the middle of Winter wondering what to do with ourselves instead of taking the time to be still and allow ourselves to rest? The CIRCLE is a reminder of wholeness and the round-and-round nature of life-cycles. We can take a lot of comfort in the way seasons and the very hours of the day repeat endlessly.
In becoming aware of what our changing energies do at these seasonal times gives us a picture of who we are, how effective we are in our actions, how our energy comes and goes....
Stepping onto the wheel means becoming conscious of where we stand at any one moment on the cycle or rhythm of life.
To become aware of our own personal circle of energy also brings us in touch with a greater sense of awareness around other peoples' energy fields - knowing when to offer healing and when to stand back; knowing that perhaps what is being said is not quite what the person is feeling.

Working with Mandala

The word Mandala arises from the Sanskrit and means sacred circle, they are used as objects to aid contemplation.

The circle symbolizes the womb of creation; and mandalas are geometric designs that are made through uniform divisions of the circle. The shapes that are formed from these divisions are symbols that embody the mathematical principles found throughout creation. They reveal the inner workings of nature and the inherent order of the universe.
Mandalas act as a bridge between the higher and lower realms. They are interdimensional gateways linking human consciousness to the realms of archetypes and the infinite. The relationship of form, movement, space and time is evoked by the mandala. Mandalas offer a way to engage with the inherent harmony and balance of nature. They bring the principles of nature into our field of awareness. For thousands of years, mandala imagery has served as a means to an expanded way of thinking. The images transcend language and the rational mind. They bring about a certain wisdom of universal knowledge and a deeper understanding of human consciousness.

The circle is perhaps the purest, most profound and the most common symbol in existence. It has many interesting associations and appears in or lives in a number of forms.

With the probably infinite billions of stars, planets, moons and galaxies full of the same, the circle is well represented in the physical universe in the form of spheres.

A circle, having no beginning or end, represents infinity, eternity, wholeness and femininity. Other meaningfully significant symbols or objects are circular: Stonehenge, Ouroboros, the Wheel of Life, a halo around the head of a saint, etc. In a very practical way, it can be said that circles rule the world.The circle is a sacred symbol of life, individual parts within the circle connect with every other ; and what happens to one ; or what one part does affects all within the circle

Think of all the things that are circular. From the symbol for nothing to the symbol for the powerful life-giving sun, circles cover a lot of territory. Circles are egalitarian and inclusive; it was for very good reason that King Arthur placed his knights at a Round Table.

As the Tibetan woman spins an endless prayer written on a strip of paper coiled inside the cylinder..........

Give some thought to all of the interconnecting circles in your life.

How can we invite a more inclusive way of being into our lives?

LUGHNASADH

2007-08-01T18:30:00.001-07:00

Lughnasadh - the Harvest festival in honour of Lugh/Llew, the Sun God.

The Christian church recycled Lughnasadh as the feast of Lamas, a word meaning "loaf mass" from the Anglo-Saxon "hl af-masse". Traditionally on this day a new loaf of bread was offered at mass as the first-fruit of the harvest. In the old days bread was truly your harvest fruit - you tilled the land, planted the grain and watered to soil to make it grow - the making of the Lamas/Lughnasadh loaf was packed with mystical symbolism.
The bread-maker and those who ate it were acutely aware of their relationship with Mother Earth - a relationship not of words but of conscious interaction. Just like the Sun God whose heat has nourished its growth, the grain that goes into bread must be cut down in its prime to be useful. Death is necessary for life to flourish, otherwise life dies. In the past humankind the world over acknowledged this relationship between death and life - harvesting grain for bread and seeds for next year's crop - through ceremonies and rituals. One of the famous ones in Britain is told in the song John Barleycorn.

There were three men came out of the West Their fortunes for to try And these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn must die.

The crops are ripening and will soon be cut,the fruit is swelling upon the trees and the land is about to slip into the richness of fall. The growing crop, must die each year in order for the seed to ripen and so yield the harvest.

At this time the sun God is nearing the end of his reign.
The name of the festival (pronounced loo-nus-uh) comes from the druidic festival of Lugh, the Celtic sun God. In some ancient traditions, this is the festival in which the sun God dies, usually in a ritual of sacrifice of some sort. To commemorate him, the ancient peoples of Britain and Ireland held processions, feasts, and athletic games in his honour. It makes more sense if we see this as the beginning of the hunt for Lugh - the chase that will end in the fatal cut that marks his death at Mabon (Fall Equinox), the end of the harvest. With the first cutting of the grain, this was traditionally a feast of bread.

It is tempting to see echoes of ancient human sacrifice, but that is not really what this time is all about. The god does not really die, he continues in the form of next year's growth, he continues in the form of the food and drink he provides for people's sustenance against the coming winter. So who (or what) is it, that is being killed?
What is being killed is the child, to make room for the man.

The period of growth is ended and it is time for the completion of a purpose.

This must happen in all our lives. At one level, we must always remain children, for we never stop learning, we never stop growing. But at another level, we reach a plateau in our development, we step over into a new phase of existence.

In our late teens or early twenties we reach a stage of development of our physical bodies that we call adult. With our new status we acquire certain responsibilities: there are certain aspects, freedoms and liberties, of our childhood that we must lay aside forever so that we may properly fulfil our new role.

So in later life, we reach a state of mental and spiritual growth where we may stop growing for a while and start to make more use of our more developed faculties, for the benefit of others. This is not merely a right, but it is a duty, aresponsibility.

What is all your knowledge and spiritual insight for, if it is not to be used?

Thus, for example, one of us teach. Another may heal. Someone else may be a writer, or an artist, and so on. Some of you may still be looking for your path, not yet quite certain of the way to go on your spiritual journey. This particular time of year, Lammastide, is a good time to be looking for those answers. If you already have the answers, then it is time to put them fully into action.

It is the time of maturity,

of completion of growth,

of the final step towards attainment of purpose

It is an ideal time for completion of projects. Also, like the other major festivals of the old pagan calendar, it is considered to be a time when the veil between our world and the other worlds, the worlds of the spirit, is particularly thin, it especially benefits those projects that are spiritual in nature.

visualisation exercise with the object of bringing about a certain state of events, perhaps to help someone in difficulties or maybe to sort something out in your own lives. This kind of visualisation is usually concerned with the early stages of a project, with getting something off the ground, to a point where you can consciously take over and continue the good work by your own efforts, without the help of outside forces. Then, eventually, your project reaches a state of maturity and you can, indeed must, take on full responsibility for it, just as you take on responsibility for your life when you reach adulthood. But sometimes bringing a project to its intended conclusion can be as difficult as initiating it in the first place. It is not unreasonable for us to request help from higher forces. If the project is worthy, help will be granted. But, you have to ASK.
So, do you have a project that is about to come to fruition, which maybe needs a little final push to get it there? Or, if you are still seeking a direction, is it time that the direction became clear to you? These things are what we will seek to put in hand today, by means of our visualisation.
Lughnasadh: Prepare yourself for meditation in the usual way. Sit comfortably and relaxed. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to cleanse your body and mind of everyday cares and concerns.

Visualise yourself in the countryside, on a warm summer afternoon, surveying a field of ripe, golden wheat. Think about how it will shortly be harvested and baked into delicious fresh bread. Enjoy the beauty of the moment.
Now turn your thoughts to your project, or your question. Form it clearly in your mind, with every detail of where you stand at the moment, and of how you came to be where you are.
Make sure you have every detail of your situation clear in your mind.
Now visualise a successful outcome. What is necessary to complete your project, or to give a satisfactory answer to your question? Let this, too, form clearly in your mind.
Now, quickly dismiss the pictures you have formed in your mind into the ether, and return to normal consciousness. Your petition will be dealt with. Do not think any further about your project or your question for a little while, perhaps a few days, and then the answer or the resolution will come to you.

Now is an appropriate time to take a little refreshment, something to eat and drink. Take a biscuit, or a cookie, or a piece of bread, and break it. As you do so, think of those people in the past, who would celebrate with the eating of new bread, the coming of the first harvest. Feel close to them, and feel close to the time of year, the time of coming to fruition. Then eat in silence, and sip the drink.
Take a few hours, or a few days, to absorb the significance of this meditation. If you wish, you may repeat the meditation several times during the period around the Festival .

COME ON INSIDE....OUR YURT

2007-07-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

WELCOME! come step inside.. please take off your shoes.we are still moving in ,so please excuse the mess:)

carpet has kindly been donated , which we laid down last week,moved the bed round twice.. think we've found the right place now!
splashed out on the hand carved chest.. its made of cedar wood and smells wonderful... got somewhere for our clothes to be hidden away in and it doubles up as a stunning alter.

It was beautiful on tuesday , lying on the floor cushions with the sunshine beaming through the crown wheel. Hoping for some good weather this weekend , with a clear sky so we can have the cap off at night and stare at the stars! (might just need that mozzy-net though)

really enjoying spending time in this space, love the light and the beautiful shadows that are cast on the canvas each morning.. it changes each day.

Definately prefer living/ sleeping in the round.. woke the other morning thinking i was in the yurt and being boxed in by right-angled walls felt really strange .

YURT RAISING!

2007-07-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Cant begin to say how beautifully crafted this yurt is.. thanks Tim.
had a huge beam on my face for a couple of weeks now...the yurt is fantastic. Was surprisingly easy to erect,pulling the roof canvas was a bit of a struggle as it was so heavy, but i did request heavy duty canvas for the roof !
It hasnt stopped raining since it arrived home with us, but its so cozy inside it doesnt matter. There's this beautiful glow inside, even when its overcast and grey outside.
The other night it was put to the test, with freak storms and floods and hail stones the size of a two pound coin! No leaking, though the sound of the hail bouncing off the roof poles was a bit hairy... sounded just like fire crackers going off inside.
Got the essentals inside now.. bed, rugs, gas camping stove. Think if this weather doesnt improve may need to get a wriggle on with connecting the woodburner.

picys of inside to come soon...

YURT COLLECTION DAY

2007-06-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

June30th/July 1st

Drove all the way back up to Devon again this weekend to meet up with Tim Hutton ( the Yurt maker) at the wood fair to collect the Yurt. It was pouring with rain so it would have meant dismantling and packing a damp canvas so unfortunately we were unable to put the canvas on.

Tim Hutton ( Yurtworks), me and our yurt!

( minus the Oak doors and canvas.. too soggy to put it up completely)

very happy bunnies!

hoping for fine weather this weekend and the arrival of our groundsheet so that we can erect the yurt in its full splender!

COLLECTING YURT TOMORROW!!

2007-06-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

Almost there with preparation of the site. Been away on our yearly pilgimage to Glastonbury ( place not festival!)

Had a fantastic time , a wonderful place shared with very special friends :)!!

Collecting our Yurt at the summer solstice didnt quite come to plan.

Tim was unable to complete the order in time without working crazy - crazy hours.. that was fine as it was more important to us to have our Yurt made with good positive vibes, and not too much frenetic energy or the posssibility of the final crafting being in a cloud of red air!!... as it turns out it probably would have been a bit of a squeeze in the camper complete with dog and so we have arranged to meet Tim and collect the Yurt at the Taunton wood fair TOMORROW!!!

UTOPIA

2007-06-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

UTOPIA

we'd gather around all in a room fasten our belts engage in dialogue

we'd all slow down rest without guilt not lie without fear disagree sans judgement

we would stay and respond and expand and include and allow and forgive and enjoy

and evolve and discern and inquire and accept and admit and divulge and open and reach out and speak up

we would share and listen and support and welcome

be propelled by passion not invest in outcomes

we would breathe and be charmed and amused by differencebe gentle and make room for every emotion

we'd provide forums we'd all speak out we'd all be heard we'd all feel seen

we'd rise post-obstacle more defined more grateful we would heal be humbled and be unstoppable

we'd hold close and let go and know when to do which

we'd release and disarm and stand up and feel safe

lyrics by Alanis Morrisette

EIGHT FOLD YEAR

2007-06-04T04:28:00.002-07:00

The purpose of celebrating the eight seasonal festivals is to create a pattern or rhythm in our year that allows for a few hours’ pause every six weeks or so in our busy and often stressful routine, so that we can open to the magic of being alive on this earth at this special time. It gives us a chance to fully enter the moment, to connect with the life of the earth and the land around us, and to feel the influence of the season in our bodies, hearts and minds. If we celebrate on our own, it is a time when we can enter into meditation, perhaps reviewing our life since the last festival, thinking forward to the next one, then returning to open ourselves fully to the Here and Now – soaking in the energies of earth and sky, and the trees and plants around us, and radiating our love and blessings to the Earth and all beings.

Adapted from What Do Druids Believe? by Philip Carr-Gomm, Granta, 2006

NEARLY THERE WITH THE PREPARATION!

2007-06-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Not long to go now before we are living in our Sacred Circle of Ash and Oak!!!

what will rougly be the view from the Yurt door!

LEVELLING SITE

2007-05-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

16ft circle spray painted

Site cleared and levelled. Sand base laid - just got to keep those bunnies from digging it up now! I may have to undo all Willow's bunny-friendly training soon as the numbers have really increased and im loosing alot of our veggies this year to to the fluffy critters.

The Sand- dance!

Rang through the final details of or yurt requirements to Tim, door type and stove etc. Went for double oak dooks and wooden latch . Undecided on whether to have a window or not, traditionally Yurts dont have windows, but it may be nice to have one over the kitchen area .Tim usually makes round ones, which i dont fancy , but he could make us a rectangular one instead.
Hope to collect our Yurt when we go to Glastonbury for the Summers Solstice and Chris's birthday next month!

CLEARING AND MARKING SITE

2007-04-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

further ground clearing and post marking of the 16ft yurt

veg beds finally under control again!

a local resident of the herb patch !

CLEARING OF SITE CONT..MARCH 07

2007-03-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

The clearing continued until we were in a position to mark out the space for a 14ft Yurt (A family sized yurt). It soon became apparent that we could accomodate a slightly larger Yurt, if we could afford it!.. considering that our Lurcher , Willow whom we are sure would take up as much room as she could, and would probably require her own very large comfy bed and the fact that we could do with the extra space in front of the door to do craft work when it rains it seemed sensible to check out the possibility of an upgrade.

Luckily Tim hadn't started work yet, and was in agreeance that a 16ft would make a real difference. Two foot difference in the round is quite a lot of floor space.

The cost wasnt much more , and the crown ( or roof wheel from which you can gaze into the sky through) increases in size with a 16fter from 40 inches to 50 inches in diameter. so we upgraded!!

For my Birthday, Chrissy brought me a boxwood stove, which should keep us nice and toasty through the winter months .It has two cooking plates , so we wont go hungry.

CLEARING SITE FEB 2007

2007-02-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

The site required a fair bit of clearing, but as i had already cleared the area for a veg plot there wasnt too much to do.. the Brambles needed a little taming, and it was unfortunately necessary to sacrifice a herb and veg bed or two. And transplant the herbs into new homes.

Having been ill most of the winter i hadnt been able to do much on the plot so, the remaining veg beds needed a bit of work getting them back under control.

clearing

Living in the Round

2007-02-07T03:01:00.001-08:00

Our earth is round, not square, and multitudinous forms that surround us in the natural world are round in structure. So why do so many of us choose to live most of our lives in cube-shaped houses and apartments? How can we bring the sacred circle consciousness into our daily lives?

Indigenous nomadic peoples, from the freezing Asian steppes to the windswept plains and deserts of the Americas have, since the dawn of prehistory, held sacred the belief of living or worshiping within the sacred circle. Whether it was a tipi, kiva, igloo, yurt, or wickiup, or hogan, the idea of a symbolic circle was basic to their concept of a balanced existence.

A circle represents both movement and completion to nomadic people, just as the seasons of the year are part of the circle, or cycle we call a "year." Nomadic hunter/gatherer peoples had objectives in their journeys- following game and the ripening foods as they matured and were ready to harvest. Their wanderings were not linear with some abstract goal that was never reached, but harmonized with the cyclic pattern of the seasons.

YURT LIVING- the start of an adventure

2007-01-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

Having a deep love and respect towards of all life, and an increasing desire to live life simply , living off and close to the earth - living in a Yurt feels like a natural progression for us.

To live simply, eat simply, harvest food fresh from the veggie patch which i am fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work on.

The idea of living in a simple dwelling has been appealing for many years, the dream of a Yurt about twelve or so years in its coming!

Motivated by recent ill health, and the realisation that life pasess too quickly its timely to realise this dream.
I guess we all have ultimate dreams, many of which are never realised....
we can wait for the "full package" , or work towards the ultimate, small steps to realise some if not all of the ultimate along the journey .. or we can but dream and never realise any of it. Purchasing some woodland, land and to build a simple cob dwelling.. an ideal... an ultimate.
So right now i find myself at this point , with this opportunity in front of me.
Not sure how long this site will be available for us, but thats the beauty of a Yurt, we can move on!
And the Journey... working the land for many years, simple dewelling from the allotment shed to a beautiful and sacred round space in the form of a Yurt, nestled between my carrots , potatoes and herbs!!!

Having researched the various Yurt makers, we decided on Yurtworks based in Bodmin Cornwall.Finding a Yurt maker with the skills to produced a beautiful Yurt, was one thing , but the bussiness ethos and the intent that the Yurt would be made was very important to us.

Yurtworks

" A Yurt cannot be made without the wood and making that connection from tree to tent has remained a central part of the Yurtworks ethos.
We continue to manage the woodland here, when deer and squirrels allow, and also coppice an ash plantation nearby which currently supplies most of our coppiced material.This connection between the yurts and the local environment is the underlying principle behind each part of the business.It is our aim to be as sustainable as possible, supporting both the business and the environment we depend upon.
The yurts themselves are made from trees from local well managed woods, and are finished with organic oils.
The yurt holidays not only make little impact on the land but also bring people a little closer to it while they stay here. It all
enables us to look after the land for a great variety of birds, beasts and
butterflies and the plants they depend upon."
http://www.yurtworks.co.uk/

JAN O7

So it was that in Jan07 we approached Yurt works and yurtmaker Tim Hutton, and located a suitable site for the yurt.

15th Jan we placed the order for our 14ft yurt.