This Month’s blog is a wee bit late as I have been managing a bad case of bronchitis. The illness was brought about by too many parties. I knew it was too much for me but I kept showing up anyway. There is just something about the darkest time of year that makes one long for bright lights, rich foods and human company.
It all began with a Solstice night revel that included a speech from a local Rabbi who declared that Solstice night was the night of Kabbala, the night of “receiving”. That in a mystical sense it was about taking in the gift of the light on the darkest Moon of the longest night of the year. Then there was a mad dash to exchange gifts, a Yule log ritual and a feast, dancing and then some Inca initiations (I was only able to stay awake for two out of four, I had to go to work the next day!)
Christmas night local Pagani gathered around a table to feast, in sight of a huge Christmas tree and a fire. New Years there was a lovely supper attended by local Witches in elegant garb. In-between I was working as usual and teaching. Then I went into complete collapse.
Thankfully the bronchitis is now almost out of my system, I just took a long walk in the moonlight, to enjoy the unusually warm weather. There is no snow at all here on the mountain, I have seen gnats and other winged critters hovering in the sunlight. The Canada geese are still hanging around; they have seen no reason to migrate. Maple trees are already dripping with sap; so far this is a very strange January.
This year is THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON. I am a dragon, as are most of my old schoolmates. Suddenly there is allot of interest in reunions, maybe because we are turning 60. It seems like an important milestone. Junior High, High School and college classmates are popping out of the woodwork.
Below you will find the usual collection of news items, ranging from archaeology, religion and anthropology news, to nature news, Druid news and updates on my books. May 2012 be less “eventful” than 2011. May we all find comfort, peace, prosperity and joy. I especially wish all the Dragons out there a stellar year. DRAGON’S RULE!
Book News
- MAKING KITCHEN MEDICINES is now out of print and a new English publisher is starting to work on a slightly more sophisticated version. Stay tuned.
- SCOTTISH HERBS AND FAIRY LORE got a nice little review in Many Hands
- NEW BOOK ALERT! The next book in the Priestess of the Forest trilogy is available here. PRIESTESS OF THE FIRE TEMPLE: A DRUID’S TALE comes out March, 2012
Writing News
- If you have always wanted to write in Scotland, under the wise eye of an excellent teacher this is for you! Patricia Lee Lewis also has retreats to Guatemala, South Africa and other places. See her website.
Nature News
- Life in a tree house
How bees find home - How to make a bee hive
- German town makes millions using alternative energy sources
- A giant White Oak tree in Poland
- And one 20 minutes from my house!
Archaeology News
- ‘Discovery of a lifetime’: Stone Age temple found in Orkney is 800 years older than Stonehenge – and may be more important
- Fascinating explanation of where the Maya went when their culture collapsed
- Origin of Stonehenge stones solved (we still don’t know how they moved them)
- Newgrange 2011 Winter Solstice mornings
- Newgrange – ancient ceremonies (video)
- Who were the people of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth?
- Neolithic Goddess Found in France
- The Easter Island “Heads” have bodies, too
- Witch cottage found in Lancashire, UK
- World’s oldest bedding found in a cave…
- Bronze Age canoes, swords, even nettle stew, found intact
Anthropology News
- “First Genetic Evidence Of Long-Lived African Presence Within Britain” Gee. I thought we ALL had African ancestry….
Druid News
- Rollo Maughling predicts a good year in 2012. I don’t think other Druids would consider him THE Archdruid of Stonehenge as claimed in the article, however.
- Pagans turn up at Stonehenge for Solstice on the WRONG DAY. Don’t they have Druids?
Religion News
- Solstice at Stonehenge
- Yule as it is and was celebrated in Orkney
- Saudi Arabians execute a “sorceress”
- Rival gangs of Christians fight at the Church of the Nativity – with brooms
Politics/Ethics
- Women from a nursing home close local Bank of America branch – I hope I get to live with women like this when I am 80!
- Christian Republicans introduce a bill to allow churches to support political candidates – can a Pagan running for President be far behind?
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A Brigit bennach ar sét – O Brighid, bless our road!