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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 19 December 2009 15:21 |
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Snow softly falls. The only sound is a few birds whispering together. Mother Nature waits in peaceful anticipation for her restful blanket of snow.
What a perfect way to begin the winter season...with a new blanket of snow! It is as though nature itself is, too, celebrating the winter solstice. This day, of course, marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year.
Ancient cultures around the world celebrated this time to celebrate the “rebirth” of the sun. In 7th century Japan, the winter solstice was celebrated to honor the sun goddess Amaterasu. People of the Netherlands celebrated Beiwe and ancient Celtics referred to the day as Meán Geimhridh, which essentially means Midwinter. Of course a more commonly know ancient celebration is Saturnalia, the Roman feast honoring their sun gods. Did you know the word “Yule” is an old Germanic word which roughly means a celebration of nature and religion?
To celebrate the Winter solstice, I light white candles to represent the snow and a red candle to represent the sun. I let these candles burn all day and all night. Traditionally, a Yule log would be burned, but unfortunately a fireplace is not at my disposal. At midnight, I light a special candle in honor of the season. If possible, I step out to my garden and bless it as it is going dormant, and feed the hungry birds. This is a season for rest, peace, friendship and love, new beginnings, and rebirth. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 14 November 2009 15:55 |
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Ah, late autumn....a time of year when the trees have shed their leaves, frost is heavy on the ground, some might spend their evenings near a warm fire sipping hot cider, and....colds and flus are circulated. And what better way to combat that cold or flu than with hot yarrow tea.
Yarrow has many uses-yes, including aiding in recovery from colds and flus. Some say the “golden cure” is peppermint, elderflowers, and yarrow. Yarrow is also useful for inducing sleep, easing pain and bruises when applied as a poultice, reducing blood pressure, and speeding up blood clotting (thus explaining another common name for yarrow, Nosebleed). Really, the list of ailments yarrow is known to help is endless. This herb is also a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Native to Europe and Asia, yarrow is a very common, unfussy herb. It likes full sun, but will tolerate poor, dry soil. Even if not used for its medicinal purposes, yarrow is still great to grow in your garden for the benefit of the other flowers and herbs. It attracts predatory insects like wasps, ladybugs, and hoverflies and repells bad ones. The leaves are a good fertilizer when added to compost, and it has even been discovered that sick plants will become healthy when grown near them.
During the Middle Ages, yarrow was worn to protect the wearer from just about everything....though most often for love and friendship or protection. Legend says the herb would also provide courage, improve psychic powers, and even prevent baldness. It was also used in exorcisms...perhaps explaining another name for the herb, Devil’s Nettle. Other common names for yarrow include Arrowroot, Wound Wort, Milfoil, Field Hops, Lady’s Mantle, and Witch’s herb.
My own varieties of yarrow are pictured here.
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Welcome!
Thank you for visiting my site! Please feel free to look around my galleries. You can download all my art and photographs to use as desktop wallpaper for your computer.
I seek to be honest and express myself without pretense. I hope you find my site intriguing and inspirational.
- Madame Aradia
What is a "Book of Shadows"?
Originally, the "Book of Shadows" was a term that referred to a coven's collection of spells and secrets. In modern culture, the term is used to refer to a witch's personal diary and/or journal. The purpose is to keep a record of everything the witch learns and discovers. While usually kept private, I have decided to make mine public in the form of a blog. I have done this in the hopes of helping other find magic in everyday life, and especially in the practice of gardening.
My Latest...
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Pansy and Bee
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Snowdrop
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Purple Pansy and Bee
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Crocus
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Now the Moon
madamearadia posted a photo:
Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in silver feathered sleep
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.
-Walter de la Mare, "Silver"
3/4/2010
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