It’s maple sugaring season in my neck of the forest, the sugaring process has just begun. Sunny days and freezing nights are the requirements, the signs that spring is slowly but surely inching our way . This week we will have only one freezing day, the rest of the week will be relatively balmy, in the high 30’s and low 40’s. There are patches of bare ground and visible grass, in-between the snow piles.
I can tell its almost spring because I have been putting out egg shells from breakfast and the birds can’t seem to eat them fast enough. They are obviously preparing for egg laying of their own. Neighbors have been excited to report flocks of blue birds at their feeders while I have been visited by Carolina wrens.
A neighbor has already sighted a black bear lounging in the snow, probably a male, as they emerge first. I am laying out the last of the seed for the birds. In a week or two I will stop feeding them altogether, to prevent the bears from raiding the feeders and destroying them.
My big news this Moonth is the re-issue of my trilogy of Druid novels. They are out under a new imprint; “Oak Spirit Publishing” and available in both paper and eBook versions.
Each book contains an Old Irish glossary with a pronunciation guide, so readers can learn the correct terms for Druidic tools, names, rituals and practices. There is plenty of Druidic spirituality within each volume, and teachings about Iron Age herbalism and daily life. The books are Bardic tales for those who want to learn about Druidism in a fun and easy manner.
The other big news is my new children’s book (no title yet!) that will be out this spring. I am collaborating with illustrator Lauren A. Mills and author Jane Yolen wrote the foreword. Here is the first stage (the underpainting for an oil illustration) for the La Befana story.
Upcoming Workshops and Online Appearances
- March 5-7, 2021
WitchCon a livestream video conference
Ellen will speak on the magical techniques of the Druids
Join the largest online magical conference in the world here - Sunday, April 18
6 PM Eastern USA time
Transcending Roots Zoom Class
The Sacred Herbs of Beltane and Spring - May 7, 8 and 9, 2021
10th Anniversary Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference (virtual this year)
Ellen will speak on tree medicine and lore And Celtic spirituality - MoonCon June 5-6
Event by Moon Books
Jun 5 at 5 AM EDT – Jun 6 at 4 PM EDT
FREE and open to everyone
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
TWO DAYS of talks, panels & Q/A live sessions with a whole host of Moon Books authors.
The event will be run live from the Moon Books Facebook page - October 26, 2021
Wild Ginger Herbal Center
6-8 PM Eastern
Ellen will speak on The Sacred Herbs of Samhain
A Zoom webinar
News You Can Use
- How to help monarch butterflies that visit your garden
- Make a candle powered heater
- What to do if you lose power and heat in winter
- This is really cool. click on any green dot and hear a radio station anywhere in the world.
*Below you will find the usual round-up of Archeology news, herbs, climate, health, nature, Fairies, Celts, arts news, religion, politics and ethics news. Enjoy!
And a reminder – you can find all my books on this website*
Archaeology News
- Beautifully designed ancient Roman woman’s shoe found in a well
- The nun’s church at Clonmacnoise has a Sheela na Gig
- First recorded tier list from ancient Rome
Herb News
Health News
- How the Navaho Nation is battling Corona
- There is little evidence of Corona virus infection from food
- Another new Corona variant detected in the USA, 12 other countries
Climate & Nature News
Celtic News
- The weather of March in Irish Folklore
- Celtic woman warriors
- Warrior queens and Fairies in the Isle of Skye
Fairy News
- What is a Kelpie (Water Horse)? (video)
Religion News
- Faith leaders called to help protect sacred Indian land
- A white buffalo calf is born in Missouri
- Brazilian Indigenous leaders warn Evangelicals are undermining vaccination efforts
Arts News
- Guerilla art – statue of the slave who accompanied Lewis and Clark expedition put up in the middle of the night
- Possibly the best dance routine ever – Cab Calloway (video)
- A rare Van Gough from a private collection goes on sale