Beltane

Today is the day I buried Ink's ashes. Seemed fitting to choose a Celtic festival. After all, we celebrated his birthday on Samhain (Halloween). Beltane or May Day honors life and is the height of Spring and the beginning of Summer. A chance to be in the sunroom. Our favorite room in the house.

I buried him in the little garden between the birdbath and the birdfeeder. It was his favorite spot to watch the birds, Timex (chipmunk), and squirrels. Ink would sit at the slider door and watch or if the door was open, sniff the breezes through the screen. I also made a garden kite

Over the Winter, Himself was paid an honorarium with an Amazon gift card. He gave the card to me (yeah, Himself is a real keeper). I wanted a garden statue of a kitty and found the sleeping kitty statue. It even came in black which made it perfect.

I weeded the garden. Uprooted the rosebush that didn't survive the harsh winter a few years ago. I love roses, but they are so fussy. All the roses seem to do is attract Japanese beetles from four counties away. Himself planted a honeysuckle vine, but that didn't do well in that spot either.

I'm hoping morning glories and moonflowers will thrive in that spot as it gets sun most of the day. Morning glory and moonflowers seeds are soaking in warm water. That was the suggestion on the seed packet. Himself had a seedling tray so I'll start the seeds indoors and then when they emerge in a couple of weeks, I'll transplant them outside. I think they'll look pretty against the trellis with the string of fairy lights illuminating them at night.

Happy Beltane, Beltaine, May Day

Welcome the greening of the earth as Morris men dance up the sun on Glastonbury Tor. Happy Beltane, Beltaine, May Day to you. Blessed be.

May Day

posted a day late and a dollar short.

Yesterday was May Day or Beltane, an important date in the Celtic wheel (calendar). The day marked the beginning of Summer and the planting season.

To celebrate, I fashioned a paper cone, filled it with some flowers from the garden,  added a bit of ribbon, and hung it on the front door. Very Martha Stewart.

Pickings from the garden are slim as it's been cold. The only things blooming are daffodils and some forsythia. I think the chipmunks ate the tulip bulbs. Though for Beltane, yellow flowers are perfect as they evoke the sun and bonfires lit to honor the sun god, Bel. Summer can't come fast enough for me.

Imbolc

Wordless Wednesday - Face 25

Green Man - Sharpie pen, Inktense, watercolor pencils

First Footing

Chinese food is more appealing than haggis.

In Scottish tradition, if a tall, dark-haired man is the first to cross your threshold in the New Year, you will have luck for the year. He also should bring a gift. Whiskey is considered an appropriate gift.

After much cajoling, I finally got Himself to go out onto the porch and ring the doorbell. He was welcomed in and his gift accepted. Hopefully, he will ensure our luck even though his once dark hair is now white. I'm hoping the fact his roots are still dark counts.  Happy Hogmanay!

Do you practice first footing?

The Friday Five

Today marks the Winter Solstice. Five facts

1. We are halfway through the dark.

2. Today is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Following the Winter Solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.  Is istJuly yet?

3. In Celtic tradition, the Holly King rules until Yule ends when the Oak King cuts off the Holly King's head and then rules until the Summer Solstice. Go read Sir Gawain and the Grene Knight

4. Who does the Holly King look like?

5.  I leave you with Wassail, from the Old English Waes hael meaning, Be you healthy.

Beltain

While waiting, I was looking at the copse. Listening to the birds and crickets.. Thinking how last week the trees seemed to barely have buds and now the trees are green with leaves.  That's when I saw them, The Green Man and his Lady in their endless waltz.

Do you see them?

Wordless Wednesday - Lughnassad Fairy Circles

Fairy Circle

The Young One found a fairy circle in the back yard. Fairy circles are usually mushrooms, but can be a circle of grass, and thought to be a portal to the fairy world. We must have missed the Tuatha Dé Dannan on their procession for the Summer Solstice.