FIRE

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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.