A Druid's Web Log – February 2019, Brighid walks the Land

This evening begins the ancient Celtic festival of Imbolc, February 1. According to tradition, it is the time that snakes emerge from their holes to test the air, and first plowings can begin. That may be true in Britain and Ireland, but here in New England we still have six inches of snow! We Americans make due as best we can.

Today is the day of Bride;
The serpent shall come from the hole,
I will not molest the serpent,
Nor will the serpent molest me
– Scottish traditional saying

I have soaked wheat that I gathered last summer in the tub overnight, and made a new “Bride Doll” out of straw, invested with my hopes for the new sun cycle. I do this every year. On Imbolc Eve I place the new straw effigy outside, along with a basket of “cloots” (rags) to be used for healing work, a candle, a Brighid’s Girdle (a crotched loop of natural twine that is stepped through or pulled over one’s head after it is blessed by the Goddess) and my offering of a bowl of oatmeal for Brighid as She passes by. These are left out all night for Brighid to consecrate. Here are some pictures from last year;

Somehow this beautiful Celtic observance got morphed into Groundhog Day in the US. Like the snake, the groundhog emerges from its hole to test the air and whether or not it sees its shadow determines the length of winter. Celtic Pagans on the other side of the world (down under) are celebrating Lughnasad now, the festival of the first fruits of the harvest and the new grain.
I hope you will forgive the brevity of my blog this Moonth – I am writing a new book, editing another one, and about to record my first audio book! You will find the usual collection of Archaeology, Nature, Climate and other news below.
As always, a reminder * you can purchase signed copies of my books from this website *

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

I hope to see you at one of these events, more coming, stay tuned!

March 23-24, 2019
The Magickal Marketplace and Psychic Faire
Nashua, NH
Ellen will speak on:
Herbal and Spiritual Aspects of Trees and Herbs of New England – Weeds You Can Use.
Courtyard Marriott Nashua, 2200 Southwood Drive
Nashua, New Hampshire 03063
Directions
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Tintagels Gate Presents: Scottish Fairy Lore with Ellen Evert Hopman
505 Main Street in Athol MA, 01331
Please call 978-830-4611 or 508-612-6335 to RSVP/reserve your space
3-5PM, $30 per person
Book Signing immediately after the workshop
Who are the Good Neighbors and how do they live? What kinds of offerings are suitable to them? Learn the basics of polite contact with the Sidhe Realm (the Fairy Realm). Make a wee charm and take home a stone. Ellen Evert Hopman is the author of SCOTTISH HERBS AND FAIRY LORE and has worked with the Sidhe in America, Scotland and Ireland.
“It has been said that the Fairies were once proud angels who rebelled, demanding their own kingdom. They stepped out of heaven and fell to earth and ever since have dwelt underground. There are different sorts of Fairies, the “good” ones, or at least the ones that are kindly disposed to the human race, are called “Gude Wichts” or “The Seely Court”. Those that are less well disposed to humanity are known as “Wicked Wichts” or “The Unseely Court”. The “good” Fairies help humans in the house and barn. The “wicked” ones are always ready to inflict injury on mortals.” (From Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore, Pendraig Publishing Inc.)
Hopman is the author of a number of books and has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990. She is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and has presented on Druidism, herbal lore, tree lore, Paganism and magic at conferences, festivals, and events in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and in the United States.
Tintagels Gate is located at 505 Main Street in Athol MA, 01331
Please call 978-830-4611 or 508-612-6335 to RSVP/reserve your space for this wonderful workshop!
May 17/18/19, 2019
The Awareness Shop
180 Main St. New Paltz NY
12561 exit 18 off I-87
845 255 5756 cell 845 598 8444
Ellen Evert Hopman comes to visit The Awareness Shop in May 2019
- Ancient British Sacred Sites Friday, May 17, 2019 6 PM – 9 PM
  The Awareness Shop – 180 Main St. New Paltz NY
  A slide show and talk covering the South Eastern portion of Scotland with its carved Pictish stones, the major English monuments such as Stonehenge, Avebury, Silbury Hill, some Arthurian sites such as Tintagel, Glastonbury (Avalon), and Camelot, and the mysterious and wonderful Cornish sacred sites of the Michael/Mary Brighid/Lugh ley line. The talk lasts about two hours and is followed by a book signing. $30 per person. $10 Non Refundable Deposit is required as class size is limited.
- Celtic Tree Medicine and Lore Saturday, May 18, 2019 11am-5pm
  The Awareness Shop – 180 Main St. New Paltz NY
  Tree Divination Using the Ancient Celtic Ogham Alphabet
  The Irish Ogham tree alphabet pre-dates the Latin alphabet. Instead of letters like A-B-C-D the alphabet uses tree names like Birch, Rowan, Elder, Oak, etc. Each letter of the alphabet is couched in symbolism and lore. Ellen Evert Hopman is the author of A DRUID’S HERBAL OF SACRED TREE MEDICINE, TREE MEDICINE TREE MAGIC and other volumes that explore ancient Celtic tree lore and tree herbalism.
  In this workshop you will learn a Druid tree meditation with live trees, the basics of the Ogham letters and the spiritual, medicinal and cultural lore around them, make a small divination deck, and practice using the trees to do readings for yourself and others. The class involves work outside in nature so wear good shoes and be prepared for the weather. $125 for the day – $25 Non Refundable Deposit required – class space is limited. Full day workshop 11am—5pm bag lunch included for those with no dietary restrictions.
- The Nine Principles of Celtic Spirituality Sunday, May 19, 2019 11am-1pm
  The Awareness Shop – 180 Main St. New Paltz NY
  What are the basic principles of Celtic Spirituality? How do these principles apply to Celtic Christianity and Celtic Paganism? How is Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism different from more modern paths such as Wicca? In this class we will examine evidence from the historical Celts and their traditional practices, poetry, Celtic triads and aphorisms, and Brehon Law. $50 per person, $10 Non Refundable Deposit to hold your space.
- Cosmology of the Ancient Celts Sunday, May 19, 2019 2-4pm
  The Awareness Shop – 180 Main St. New Paltz NY
  Two Seasons, Three Worlds, Four Treasures, Five Directions: The Pillars of Druidism. $50 per person. $10 Non Refundable Deposit to reserve your space. 845-255-5756.
  An exploration of the basic Cosmology of the ancient Celts and the most important symbols of Celtic and Druidic sacred mythology and religion. Learn why Celtic tales included recurring symbols such as magical swords, chalices, stones, water and fire. Discover the religion that was practiced by King Arthur and the Celts before the Christian missionaries arrived.To register for any or all of these amazing gatherings at The Awareness Shop – 180 Main St. New Paltz NY. Please call 845 255 5756 – be prepared to leave a non-refundable deposit and your contact details.
August 22-25, 2019
Camp Cedarcrest , Orange CT
Harvest Gathering
Event page on Facebook
Camp Cedarcrest
886 Mapledale Rd, Orange, Connecticut 06477
Get tickets
Ellen will speak on the following topics;
- Intro to Druid Spiritual Path
- Pillars of Druidism
- Communicating with Trees
Study Herbalism with Ellen Evert Hopman, Herbalist AHG
A Six Month Intensive in Western Mass
October 13 – April 2019
Intro to Herbalism and Self Care
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.