March 2012 – Almost Spring!! – Ellen Evert Hopman

Dear friends:
Firstly I apologize for the brevity of this moonth’s offering. My old computer went to the Otherworld and I spent three weeks reading posts from the public library. We all owe a big debt to librarians everywhere, I couldn’t do my research without their help, nor would I have had any computer access this past Moonth.
One casualty of the Great Computer Crash is that I lost my mailing lists. If anyone wants to be added to my list please message me privately and include your name, e: mail and THE STATE YOU LIVE IN (important!) Write to saille333 at mindspring.com
It’s been a harrowing Moonth for me; I was supposed to go to California to launch the new novel PRIESTESS OF THE FOREST: A DRUID’S TALE. I got to the airport, e: ticket in hand, and was preparing to check my suitcase. I had a confirmation number for my flight. The woman informed me that all my flights had all been cancelled “by someone”. She could provide no further explanation.
There was no way I could purchase a last minute ticket; it would have been far too expensive. I still have no idea what happened but the lesson is this; when using frequent flyer miles be sure to triple check your flights. Especially when flying United Airlines (never again).
On a more positive note, the new novel is finally out and folks are receiving their copies. I have them on hand in my bookstore and if you order from me via PayPal ($18.95 plus $4.00 s/h, add an extra $6.00 for s/h for orders outside the USA) you will get a signed copy and a personal note.
Here’s a brief description;
Pagan Celtic Druids and Early Christians meet in this story of Iron Age Ireland. Saint Brighid of Kildare based her temple on an earlier Pagan model and the novel imagines what such a temple may have looked like and how it may have functioned. Celtic beliefs about sacred Fire and the Sky World are explored in this Celtic romance.
The first novel in the trilogy; PRIESTESS OF THE FOREST: A DRUID JOURNEY explored the relationship with sacred Land. The second title; THE DRUID ISLE focused on the realm of Sea and the mystical voyages undertaken by wandering Celts. The third novel; PRIESTESS OF THE FIRE TEMPLE: A DRUID’S TALE is about the Sky realm and sacred fire. The new novel can be read alone but those who have read all three books will have a richer experience. Old characters make an appearance in the new work.
The three realms of Land, Sea and Sky form the basic cosmology of ancient Celtic spirituality. These novels are all Druidic teaching tools as well as tales of action and romance.
Read more about the new book here
If you happen to live near Western MA here are a few venues where I will be speaking and signing books;
Monday, March 19, Agawam Public Library
I will discuss the new novel PRIESTESS OF THE FIRE TEMPLE: A DRUID’S TALE and my other books. I will have books for signing.
750 Cooper St., Agawam, MA. 7 PM
(413) 789-1550
Book launch Celebration – Priestess of the Fire Temple
Sunday, April 1 from noon – 2 pm. Inspirit Common,
219 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060.
413-585-1169.
www.InspiritCommon.com
I will sign books and answer questions about Druids and Celtic spirituality.
Thursday April 19, Huntington Library
I will lecture on Celtic Gods and Goddesses and sign books. 5:30PM
7 East Main Street, Huntington, MA. 01050
(413) 667-8847
The View From the Mountain
The local nature news is that after a warm and dry winter we suddenly had a snow storm March first. Even though there are about eight inches on the ground the goldfinches are already starting to turn yellow. They now resemble little canaries with black and white barred wings. The bird feeders are full and still upright, no sign of bears so far.
Maple sugaring is in high gear and everyone is looking forward to the new crop.
I am experimenting with those small solar powered lights that you stick in the ground to illuminate a path. I have made a path into the forest that looks like twinkling Fairy lights after dark. Those little lights are also useful when you have a power outage; you can re-charge them by day in the sun and then bring them inside at night.
Here are this moonth’s gleanings from the media (sorry for the slim pickings this time!)
ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS