A Druid’s Web Log July 2021 – record heat and cold, and days of endless rain

The past week we had very strange weather; heat that broke all records in the western USA and Canada. About two hundred people died from the extreme temperatures in Canada but the northwestern USA doesn’t even record those numbers, mostly because it’s never been an issue before. Here in the northeast, we also had record breaking warmth. There was one day when the heat index was 105 F and I couldn’t even bring myself to go outside for a swim.

When the heat finally broke here in New England, temperatures plummeted to the 50s and we have had rain almost every day since. To me it feels like the Earth is trying to stabilize things, just to maintain a reasonable climate for life. The garden, of course, is loving the moisture.

There are still states here in the USA with very low vaccination rates, even though the vaccines are easily available. Those folks are the ones now ending up in the hospital. People who are vaccinated can supposedly get the Delta strain but it is far milder and doesn’t require hospitalization. We can also transmit it to the unvaccinated. Israel reports that 50% of Delta cases are happening in people who are fully vaccinated.

I still see posts on Facebook where people think it’s some kind of statement about “freedom” not to get the vaccine. I tell them you aren’t “free” if you are in the ER on a ventilator. Or dead.

BOOK NEWS

I am still editing the new children’s book, mostly trying to make sure the languages; Irish, Polish, Norse, and others are correct. The book is in English but has stories inspired by folklore from different areas. The book is for ages 12 and up and will be out in spring of 2022. Here is an illustration from it, by fabulous local artist Lauren A. Mills.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

July 9 – 11th 2021
WITCHSFEST USA 2021 IN PERSON ON ASTOR PLACE & BROADCASTED LIVE ONLINE GLOBALLY
From: New York City
10th Annual WitchsFest USA – A Pagan Faire
REGISTER AND JOIN IN THE MAGICK!
RSVP HERE
Neo-Pagan Club of India
18 July 2021
Ellen Evert Hopman, Neopagan Author
DURATION : 90 minutes
TIME : 7 pm India 1: 30 pm England . 9:30 am USA . Conference will be on Zoom
whattsapp contact number is +917327965424
August 7, 2021
3:00-4:30 PM Eastern USA time
Dragonfest
A talk on Druid magical techniques from history
October 26, 2021
Wild Ginger Herbal Center
6-8 PM Eastern
Ellen will speak on The Sacred Herbs of Samhain
A Zoom webinar

A RECENT TALK I GAVE AT MOONCON

Who were the Druids? (video)

*Below you will find the usual collection of gleanings from the media; archaeology news, herbs, nature, climate, Celts, Fairies, religion, art, ethics and more. You can find my books, blog and videos here. Enjoy!

ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS

More Archaeology News…

HERB NEWS

Eating milkweed buds (Please don’t pick all the buds off your milkweed – leave some for the butterflies who depend on them!)
Make a wild yeast starter for natural beers and sodas
Make rose petal wine and mead (make sure to use old fashioned non GMO roses with actual scent to them)

More Herb News…