A Druid's Web Log – August 2018 – giving thanks for the harvest while saving the trees

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 The end of July and the start of August mark the ancient Celtic festival called Lughnasad or Lammas (from the Anglo-Saxon “loaf mass”, when in former times people brought a loaf of bread made from the new grain to be blessed at their parish church). It is a time to give thanks to the soil, the rains, the plants, and all the unseen forces that bring our harvest into fruition. And let’s not forget the farmers and laborers whose sweat and toil make it all happen.

We moderns need to make the effort to see the divine in all things; in an ear of wheat, in a tree bearing fruit, in a stream of clear water, in a humble bee. We can no longer afford to take any of this for granted. In my area we are struggling to protect our forests, in an ironic battle between those who want to put up massive fifty acre solar farms by clearcutting trees, and those who want to keep the landscape whole and healthy for animals, birds and humans.

The state of Massachusetts has decided to promote solar power but has not yet put laws in place to direct where these industrial sized arrays should be erected. As a result local land barons have decided they can make more profit by clear cutting trees and putting up solar panels, than they can by logging. It’s a terrible conundrum for those of us who want clean, safe, non-fossil fuels. We also want clean air, clean water, and the cooling that trees bring in a time of global climate catastrophe. Wild birds and animals, especially in the crowded northeast, have fewer and fewer places to thrive. So far small towns have been powerless to stop the onslaught of clear cutting.

There are so many ways that solar panels can be sited constructively; shopping mall and supermarket parking lots are a logical place to put them – people can fuel their electric cars while they shop and the panels provide shade and shelter from rain, hot sun and snow. Old landfills would be an ideal location as would median strips on highways, municipal building rooftops, school rooftops. There could be a requirement that all new buildings have solar panels on the roof.

We have to be very creative and thoughtful about how we site these kinds of massive arrays. Clearcutting forests is a shortsighted and stupid way to approach this. Stay tuned for further updates as my little town stands up to the local land magnates.

MEANWHILE, HERE IS SOME BOOK NEWS!

  • The Real Witches of New England book launch party, nibbles and fun!
    Thursday, Sept. 27th, 7-9 pm at AwenTree
    102 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA 01027
    413-527-3331
    ELLEN EVERT HOPMAN, Foreword by Judika Illes
    Shares the stories of 13 accused witches from the New England colonies through interviews with their living descendants Explores the positive role witches played in rural communities until the dawn of the industrial age, despite ongoing persecution Includes in-depth interviews with 25 modern witchcraft practitioners, interwoven with practical information on the sacred calendar, herb lore, spells, and magical practices
    Destiny Books ISBN 9781620557723$24.99 • Paperback 400 pages, 6 x 958 b&w illustrations Ebook available
    “…a truly fascinating and original approach to the subject… that covers not just historical witches, but also their descendants, both actual family and some of the notables who practice Witchcraft in New England today… a fun and entertaining read from start to finish.”—DEBORAH BLAKE, author of Everyday Witchcraft
    “Hopman mixes a historian’s curiosity with a journalist’s zeal resulting in a monumental achievement that bridges our own world with that of America’s earliest witches.” —TOM HATSIS, author of The Witches’ Ointment and Psychedelic Mystery Traditions
    “A fascinating read and a brilliant and creative approach to American Witchcraft—with moving portraits of America’s first accused ‘Witches’, fascinating interviews with their descendants and thoughtful insights from modern New England Witches who redeem the label with dignity and spiritual depth. Who we remember will never die.”—PHYLLIS CUROTT, ESQ.,Wiccan Priestess, author of Book of Shadows, WitchCrafting, and The Love Spell
    ELLEN EVERT HOPMAN has been a Druidic initiate since 1984 and is a founding member of the Order of the White Oak, an Arch druidess of the Tribe of the Oak, and a member of the Grey Council of Mages and Sages. She is the author of several books, including Secret Medicines from Your Garden. She lives in Massachusetts.
    Copies will be available to purchase at AwenTree OR you may order direct from the publisher: Inner Traditions • Bear & Company One Park Street • Rochester, VT 05767fax 802-767-3726 • customerservice@InnerTraditions.com • ORDER 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-800-246-8648 •  

MORE BOOK NEWS

  • I just got the word that this one will be out in summer of 2019, probably in August. I am already working on the sequel!

 

 
 
 

MOVIE NEWS

Speaking of trees, here is a film that I highly recommend. In my area it gets shown about once a month now as a special treat and every show sells out. If you want to learn about the importance of trees to your own local landscape this film will show you. Look it up and see where its playing in your area!

Call of the Forest – Official Trailer

I urge everyone to look for this film – I just saw it in my area and folks have even said they bought it. It covers trees, Druids, Ogham, and forests. A must see.

And an article about why forest fires are getting worse in the west

*And continuing on the subject of trees – I have two books out where you can learn the medicinal and edible properties of trees*

*Find all my books and get a copy signed by the author and a personal note from this site   *

 UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

  • Saturday September 8, 2018
    Western Mass Pagan Pride Day
    A talk on Witch persecutions in Europe and the US
    11am-5pm
    at the Florence Civic Center,
    Northampton MA
  • Thursday, Sept. 27th,  7-9 pm
    Get your Halloween groove on early!
    The Real Witches of New England book launch party, nibbles and fun.
    At AwenTree, 102 Cottage St. Easthampton, MA 01027, 413-527-3331
    Ellen will read from her new book “The Real Witches of New England” in which she presents a time line of Witch persecutions throughout history. She will introduce you to some of the historical accused Witches from our area; The Witch of Northampton, The Witch of Hadley and others. Other book contributors will also speak. Books will be available for signing.
  • October 13 – April 2019
    REGISTRATIONS HAPPENING NOW!
    Intro to Herbalism and Self Care~ A Six Month Intensive
    Two Saturdays a month, 1-5 PM near Amherst, MA
    Western Materia Medica, Chinese 5 Element Theory,
    Flower Essence Counseling, Formula making, Hands on Herbalism,
    Ethnobotany, Herb walks, Homeopathic First Aid, Live case taking and more.
  • Sunday, October 21, 2018
    Celebrate Samhain!
    Courtyard Marriott Nashua, 2200 Southwood Drive
    Nashua, New Hampshire 03063
    Directions 

*And here is the past Moonth’s archaeology, herb, nature, climate, Celt, religion, Fairy, politics and ethics news! Enjoy!*

ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS

HERB NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

CLIMATE AND NATURE NEWS

CELTIC NEWS

ART NEWS

RELIGION NEWS

POLITICS AND ETHICS

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