Time waits for no woman..

Nor man indeed. 

It's been just over two years since I last posted.

A blink it seems.

That said, that time has been filled with stuff.

Life.

Love.

Laughter. 

Tears.

Pain. 

Joy. 

Excitement.

To name a few. Naming them gives them form, substance from memories.

And, well, the future. This year isn't over yet.

Maybe I'll manage to carve a place in time to visit here, or maybe it will be two years gone before I know it.

Such is Time.

It's been a while, quite a while..where to begin? 
I'll begin at the solstice celebrations, it does'nt seem that long ago since I posted on last years.
A road trip again, back down to Glastonbury, my favorite place for Summer Solstice and a bit of a tradition now amongst my group of friends. Although I'm open to celebrating where ever I might be, there can be no doubt that the countryside around Glastonbury displays the full glory of summer Solstice on every level for me, the soft undulating curves of the landscape, the gravity defying aerodynamics of the Swifts, Swallows and Housemartins all add to the ambience-a magical one, and one that always leaves me feeling renewed-recharged.

The week spent was unexpected, I had'nt planned to go, but realised there was no reason why I should'nt. Armed with camping gear we left and the weather was glorious for most of the week. I visited the White Well for the first time in my years down there, and spent some time before the ancestor altar, which was perfectly fitting.
Time was spent reflecting, communing with and within the land and it's inhabitants, renewing intentions and dedications in the deep night.

The end to the week was also unexpected. I found my new 'all terrain' walking shoes to be slippy on steps after rain and took a fall, badly bruising my lower back and ribs.
It meant an earlier end to the week and the following five weeks off work.
I never realised back injuries could be so agonisingly painful. Still, I know now. I also know a lot more about backs in general, muscles, and my own lack of fitness!
So, the last few weeks have been about reassessing these things and finding ways of rehabilitating my back.
Physiotherapy, swimming, first attempts at Tai Chi and Pilates are underway and hopefully I'll be fitter after the injury then I was before! One can only hope. Comfrey Oil massaged morning and evening is also helping.

There is of course much more to tell about the last couple of weeks..but I'll leave that for another post...

Return of the Wanderer.

It's been a fair while since I last posted. 
The winter months well gone, and the 'alleged' early summer months are in full flow. 
I say 'alleged' as there's been so much rain even the May buds have been reluctant to burst-many of them are still hiding, waiting for the kiss of the sun.
It seems they may wait a while-though I'm hopeful that once the rain decides it's had enough the Sun will enthusiastically remind us what it's all about.
May, and all the celebrations it brings with it, is generally one of my very favorite times of the year but I have to admit feeling a bit washed out by this one.
At least some of the reservoirs might be replenished and the calls of drought subdued for a short period of time-one can but hope!


I did'nt intend to leave the blog quite so long. 
My thinking about it swung between joining a challenge to post weekly and not feeling obligated to post all the time-the latter clearly won out!
I think I'd like to be a little more balanced about it though-and so will try and make it a little more regular.


It's given me time to potter about with things on the rare dry days.

Wreath making from some bits and pieces of left over Willow that stripped and have to work on when the Sun is kind


Some bits and pieces of magical making for a friend,

And honouring friends passed,

And carrying on with my project of mapping the land I'm fortunate enough to live in.
Even my local car park has a an old Pear Tree slap bang in the middle-park at your own risk in late August or you might get a dent in your roof!
I managed to get this pic of it early April when it was in full bloom-beautiful..

So there's lot's to do, and lot's of been doing.
And I'll try and post a little more regularly perhaps, if I get chance..

Scorpio Horoscope 21st November by Rick Levine.


'The Moon's visit to your 12th House of Secrets may have you slipping back into your past in order to find the inspiration you need to handle current events. Fortunately, you're a champion at connecting with life's subtle mysteries and you're willing to dig as deep as necessary now to uncover the answers. Keep in mind that your realizations may be so complex that you cannot explain them to anyone else, anyhow. However, there's no pressure to share your discoveries until you're ready.'


Mmmm..maybe not just me then..

The Dark Half

So, after some neglect blog-wise, the wanderer returns. 
The above pic was taken a few mornings ago, from one of the few windows at work. Of the dawn sun breaking through the darkness that is now the reality going to and from work.
I feel like a mole, like I always do this time of year.
The dark of the year seeping into everything, stealthily. 
Not depressing but inevitable. 


It's been a busy few months. Assignments to be completed, work, more learning, catching up with folk not seen for a while, holidays to be had, birthdays and the odd crisis to deal with.
You know-'normal' life.


I don't find it a time of rest when the season shifts to the dark, there is a lot to be found in it, a lot going on. It's not necessarily comfortable-though I like the sloppy jumpers, stews, mist and fog, bonfires and fireworks.


I look back to look forward.
In the dark months last year I wanted to achieve lot's of things, many of which I really have, and many of which were seeds planted that will continue for many years to come.
Learning about heritage, an ever present resource-looking back for the future.
Building on relationship formed with the local land and working with it, slowly developing skills with wood.
And there are changes on the home front-lot's of potential, but a couple of possible directions.

So there is still much to be done.
Obstacles to be navigated, blockages to be opened, paths travelled, challenges met.
It is in the dark where illumination might be found.


More and more this year, I have had increasing difficulty with words. Peculiar that it should be being as it's been a year where I've also dabbled with social networking in it's many forms (albeit as a techno-pleb novice)-or perhaps that's what might have made it all the more noticeable.
Twitter, Tumblr, forums. I have enjoyed lot's about them-there are truly many inspirational folk out there that I wouldn't have known about otherwise-and they have provided a place simply to be amongst others-which I really do appreciate.
But it's made it all the more difficult this word thing.
Perhaps it doesn't help that naturally I'm not a wordsmith, I'm a keeper of secrets by nature.
I like them-with secrets I'm amongst friends. It's my most natural instinct. You don't need words for secrets either, they exist without them.
Those secrets are'nt mysterious, arcane knowledge or power, or anything necessarily special at all, they are thought,  feeling, instinct, intuition. 
I have though at times felt that perhaps this really isn't right, I should be sharing much more for my own benefit, and who knows-someone else's perhaps?
If it hadn't been for others sharing, then perhaps I'd have missed quite a few things?
Perhaps those secrets are a cop-out, easier to keep than give physical form?
So perhaps it was Fate-led that I happened across the interesting guest articles by Robin Artisson on the lovely website American Folkloric Witchcraft.
Well worth a read, and food for thought and practice for me over the dark months.
And who knows? By spring I might be ready to spend less time with my secrets..perhaps.


And I wonder what else the dark will bring....

"Widdershins whirleth the Dance of the Dead;-
I go back to my bones.
Great Lord of the nighted graveyard and the tomb,
The Spade, the Coffin and the shady Yew,
Thou are Reverser, Separator,
Unveiler of that which is concealed from the beginning.
Black Lord of the Skull and Cross'd Bones,
Send thou the scouring black wind of the North,
To tear away times transient rags,
Laying bare the timeless seed within"


From 'The Ceremony of the Red Bones'  The Masks of Misrule-Nigel Jackson.

Bloodstone Bay: Before You Sleep...

Bloodstone Bay: Before You Sleep...: "...softly whisper these words to yourself. May your dreams be peaceful."

Amongst the Green...

Today is Summer Solstice, the longest day, Sun Still, Midsummer.
A wonderful time of year for me, one filled with happy memories of Midsummer's past, and the cunning plans for those yet to come.
I always spend Midsummer's Eve outdoors-I can't imagine any other way. It will always involve watching the sun set, spending the dark hours in various ways of celebration, ending with the sunrise.
It is as ritualistic a practice as I may get-I book time off work, I plan, and I celebrate. 
What a lot of things there are to celebrate-when you are out there feeling the warm breeze on your face carrying all the scents of summer it's difficult not to.
I've always travelled, Glastonbury Tor, Rollright Stones to join in the throng of folk all celebrating in their own way, this year was very different.
This year has been very much about the land right here around me, so it seemed there was nothing more fitting than to spend it close to home in the woods not too far away where there is a wonderful hill perfect for seeing sunset and sunrise.
On the theme of home and family I asked my eldest son to come too, he's had a tough couple of years but he's coming through slowly and it gave us the chance to really spend some quality time together, just the two of us.
Off we trundled with our camping chairs, candle lantern, organic honey Ale, incense and umbrella to find our spot.
It was a rainy night, but warm and we found the perfect spot at the foot of our hill and set our mini camp underneath the outstretched branches of an old Oak.
My, that Oak kept us warm, protected us from the wind and rain, and out of sight while we burned our incense and gave our thanks, despite the fact he seemed to find us humans a bit foolish. We gave thanks to him too for his humouring us.
We spent the dark hours enjoying each others company, the company of Owl's, Foxes, and other shifting creatures of the night which we could not see and made our way back early this morning tired and happy.
The legacy of this particular night perhaps remains to be seen. My further connection to the land around me, the deepening of my relationship with my son as the man that he is becoming, and how we mark the seasons together.
I know one thing, those damn mozzies have a lot to answer for! 
Skyclad?-bugger that for a lark! I'd be fast food.
My huge bites remind me there is always a price to pay, but it is always worth it.
Recently I read something someone had recommended to fellow pagans/witches.
That was, to get outside and experience the different energies outdoors work with them and see how that differed from usual practice.
I wonder-what other practice is there?

Meet The Terrorist...

Here he is, The Terrorist who happens to be my almost three year old Patterdale Terrier.
Terrorist because he is given half a chance, though I have to say he is settling now he's getting a little older.
Settling means not chewing wooden furniture, though he still has a penchant for socks and the odd bra. It also means he's reasonably happy with a several mile walk a day and some manic runs around the garden which would give a whippet a run for their money!
Train well? Mmmm...my one to one trainer says he has the attention span of a gnat, he will dominate in the blink of an eye, and to quote "I think you may have your work cut out with this one". That said as he disappeared after a squirrel over the fields whilst recall training for the millionth time.
I love him dearly though, he's fun, loving, and he's taught me there are more important things than furniture, cushions, cardigans.......
We have some pretty decent adventures on our walks, though he does'nt seem to be as interested in birds as I do.
He has a thing about dead frogs which I have to keep my eye on, and our shared interest in trees is from a different perspective but all in all he's a great friend and challenger.

To bitch or not to bitch?

I may be missing something here so I'd welcome your feedback on the subject, but it occurred to me recently that at the moment there is a trend online to add the word Bitch to profiles.
I'm not knocking it, just pondering it. I like the word generally-it has a decent sound to it. 


You may be out and proud with your bitch-ness and revel in the fact-many do. You may have a variety of bitch responses to a wide array of subjects that particularly nark or irritate you and you are letting them go-at last! It may be empowering, re-claiming.
After the past years of new age, happy purple, daisy loving, beautiful blonde goddess worshippers we need some balance here. We don't want to be nice, we want to be a bitch.
Goddess is'nt always nice, she can be a bitch!
Thing is, we are all perfectly able to be a bitch some of the time. Should I put it in my profile? 'Sometime bitch'. Is it yet another label we want to add according to trend? Is it a practical issue in this online world where we need to add relevant tags? Is it who we really are, or are we quite nice too? Does it mean that you are a straight-talker, or that you'll shoot someone down for expressing their opinions regardless?
Can you not 'tell it like it is' with diplomacy? Or am I being a little naive here?


I am, for the most part, quite nice I think (not that you won't have suspected that). But i guess quite nice would'nt inspire folk to read- my nark's might inspire it more perhaps?
I do get narked, I get downright annoyed, and sometimes I just want to annoy someone else. Sometimes I want to play devils advocate and wind folk up. But...is'nt everyone like that?


Perhaps it's because I'm always seeking something, or because I generally like people, from all over, whatever particular path they may be on that makes me reluctant to proclaim my bitchness? Perhaps I'm presumptuous and assume folk will know I can be a bitch at times?
I might learn something, I might meet someone 'nice'. Perhaps it's just because I'm 'quite nice'. 
Mmmm...I may add that to my profile as an experiment.

Renaissance

Renaissance.

When men go

And give you

the heave-ho

They leave

such a hole

You know

where their vitriol flowed.

Be slow

to fill it

with another

Hero.

And, don't play the role

of the grieving soul.

Grow trees,

Train fleas,

and never say please.

Easier than you ever think it will be,

living, loving ,sowing, playing

instead of waiting

for

love.

Written about twenty years ago now, I happened to come across this going through some old stuff and liked it very much, whatever my situation seemed to be at the time!

On the subject of Traditional Witchcraft....

Traditional Witchcraft...non-Wiccan, I won't go anywhere near explaining to anyone what it is-I'll leave that to those who do it much better than my simple mind allows:
Sarah Lawless at The Witch of Forest Grove 
Robin Artisson in his essay Becoming a Traditional Witch
Andrew D Chumbley in his essay for Xoanon Press entitiled What is Traditonal Craft


Interesting introductions for enquiring minds, regarding the subject and those involved with it.

Hans Weidlitz

Afflictions.

I am, at the moment, experiencing something I seem to get every now and again and it drives me mad!

Mind Fog.

There are a few ways this manifests. Not being able to order thought, not remembering things I know that I know (if that makes sense), and having so much going on without order that I can't make useful sense out of it. There are probably a couple of other ways it manifests too i suppose but I can't think properly at the moment!

It may help writing things down. I have'nt tended to until I started this blog and I can be utterly rubbish keeping up with posting.

It may help somewhat ordering my learning of the craft, which i have'nt done for a good while now.

It may help being more open generally with others as I don't tend to be. The cogs turn quietly most of the time, with only the furrowed brow that those who know me well giving a clue to what's going on.

Still, it won't last forever, and perhaps a concerted effort on my part to get out of the fog will help.

One of the things on my mind has been how open do I want to be? I'm still thinking on that one.

So on to something else I've been musing on, the way we work together.

I work in a team of about five or six folk, who are part of a department of four teams of the same. It's always an interesting thing i think, working in a team. What I find difficult though is that often those who manage teams have no idea (or that is often the impression given) how to do it. Or, if they do, seem to leave everything they learn about it at the place they learned it and revert to ways of managing that they have experienced themselves regardless of whether they are effective or not.

There seems to be an imbalance between the huge amounts of research, study, and theory done by many folk over the years and the actual practice of it in the workplace. The benefits to employers, and employees could be manyfold.

What a strange thing-but then I'm an Idealist.

In my ideal world working teams would be empowered to find solutions to the daily problems they encounter themselves, as often they are best placed to do so. They would be acknowledged for their good work, and it would be a source of encouragement and a motivation for others.

The quality of work and working conditions and relationships would improve.

But then-I still believe in Santa Claus.....

I've been thinking about being more creative, but I had been thinking along the lines of art and crafts, something I used to do much of when I had more time.

It seems with these few months ahead that I will need to be creative, but in things related to work, as that seems to be the theme at the moment. Perhaps at some point in the not too distant future, it will be the art and crafts I'd like to have time for.
An element of those arts and crafts I intend to put into practice will go towards my cunning plan of preparing in advance for what may be known to many as Imbolc. Though I don't celebrate in quite the same way as some. There is no 'Bride' for me, and the date is open depending on what's going on around me. It's a time to celebrate the passing of sun still and enjoy the more obviously lengthening days. There are tight buds appearing and lambs being born.
Making incense, snake sticks, gathering useful items are all on the list of things to do, in order to make an area of focus to acknowledge the changing tides. 

On a plus point, I seem to have had an easy ride with the lurgy that seems to be going around like wildfire at the moment. I only had a week of laryngitis before the end of last year, rather than flu, swine flu, and Norovirus. Love to all those I know that are recovering from it all, and to those I know who are supporting their loved ones through it.

Now I'm off to do some housework therapy!

The New Calendar Year

It's almost time for the new calendar year to begin.

I tend to see it as a milestone simply to put actions inspired by the seeds planted at Hallowmass into actual practice.

There are a few things happening.

In the practical world, i'll be working at another hospital for three months. That will be an interesting experience, though i've been there before, it will be time to build upon existing friendships and forge new ones with folk i've yet to meet.

It will be a time for professional development, new ideas, learning new ways to work and building on the good old ones.

It will take me out of my comfort zone-never a bad thing.

And there are my plans for my personal interests! Bloody hell, that sounds well!

There are those things that i do because we all have to, and those that i do because i want to, need to, am driven to. These are the things i am making time for this year. And the things that deserve the time i will give them.

Exploring the history of the craft from a traditional perspective (as far as you can in a modern world) and concentrating on the practice of it (it's easy this time of year to get stuck in the armchair-or is that my age)?

Making my present home my hearth as it's still quite new in my mind (i've been here a year now), what can i do with it?

More walking the land i know and love, and building on that relationship where I can.

Planning the time will be interesting in itself. I'll be blogging about my progress (hopefully-time allowing).

And posting about my musings in the process.

So after all this pondering, i'll make a decent start at some point.

Wishing all a happy and interesting 2011.

Winter Solstice

Well if ever there was any doubt that winter was here, that is certainly dispelled with the arrival of snow and sub-zero temperatures-the 'Kiss of the Cailleach'.

Like many things a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the landscapes around us are beautiful, but they are also treacherous, for anyone, let alone the vulnerable.

Good Christian folk do not have a monopoly on being a good neighbour-good pagan folk can also pay attention to those in the community that might need our help, popping to the shops for some supplies for someone who can't get out takes nothing more than our time.

Be watchful! Not only does the human world have difficulty during the winter but the animal kingdom struggles too. The Robins find it tough to feed this weather, being ground feeders, so a few fat balls placed in strategic places will help them on their way and you'll make an ally in the process.

This Winter Solstice lifts my spirits, the light will return-the Yuletide celebrations begin and I am caught up with memories, as usual, of the Spring and Summer to come.

I spend much of my spare time this time of year reading and researching things i need to know and many things i just find interesting. I have a wish list on Amazon that may take me years to sort through!

I'm having to narrow it down as i could spend so much time delving that i never actually get anything done!

Hence, this Solstice I am dedicating a year of study and practice of three things-a science, a practical craft, and the development of my relationship with a piece of land local to where i live.

I have decided on a few things, not quite sure about the practical craft yet as there are so many i would like to do (it has to be something useful) and i have already been walking and watching a piece of land for a good while now. It will be interesting next Solstice to see where this leads.

In the meantime, Wishing All a Very Merry Yuletide!xx

Changing Tides...

The tides are changing once again, subtle in their beginning until you can't deny another season is upon you, along with their underlying energies. The swifts have left for warmer places, i miss their joyful aerodynamics. The blackberries are ripening well and ready for picking, the Rowan berries are ripe, and the Hawthorn are very nearly there in most of my local places. Spirits willing i'll be starting my gatherings in the next week or so.

Blessings to my local farmers preparing to cut the fields, it's been unsettled and wet the past week or so-hopefully the past few dry days will give them their opportunity for harvest without worrying too much.

I'm sad to see my local Elder has been a casualty in a fire on the fields, one filled with broken booze bottles and rubbish that has also damaged a large Sycamore. Both are strong spirits and will survive but it's difficult to see their scars caused by the thoughtlessness of a few.

I'm feeling the thankfulness that comes with this time of year and making the most of every opportunity to get amongst it, but there is a shift in consciousness approaching with the coming of the darker days-as always. One of learning, experience and introspection.

The beginning of the year brought with it a new way of practical living in a material sense, and since then i've had opportunities to learn much about leadership in a professional sense which has been the start of another journey.

I feel however another path emerging on a spiritual level, where it will lead i have no idea, but it feels like a natural process, like an old memory returning in bits and pieces, or a dream remembered in fragments. Anyways, what will be will be. Onwards and upwards-or is that downwards? We shall see...

Looking under the stone....

Have you ever lifted a stone and had a peep underneath to see that there is a whole world of activity going on totally oblivious to our own and quite often independent of it?

Fascinating stuff, especially if, like my niece you have a particular penchant for creepy crawlies!

Brings many thoughts to my mind, magical and practical. I'll leave the magical for another day though and focus on the practical.

More often than not when we're wrapped up in our own microcosm of daily living we forget that there are countless 'worlds' existing around us and it's up to us whether we lift the stone to find them. It does sometimes require a little effort but it can be well worthwhile.

One stone i lifted a few years ago was to look around at the world of Art that exists around me-and i found that it was incredibly creative and there is much going on that i had no awareness of.

Apart from the incredibly creative people i'm fortunate to know, there are loads of interesting exhibitions locally that you can have a nice amble down to one example being The International Festival of Glass 2010.

I'll be revisiting it again this year to see what's new and hopefully meet some great folk in the process.

Lift a stone where you are, and see what's going on beneath. You really might be surprised to see what you find.

The Wheel Turns....

Indeed it does! There have been a fair few changes since my last brief blog. I'm now separated, have moved house, and am making tentative steps in a new relationship. I have custody of the terrorist of course-my life just would'nt be the same without him.

I'd like to say it's all good but, there is always a price to pay, mine is the verbal from my disaffected spout, ever the victim and never to blame (how very dare I).

So, my life is now free from control, and alcoholism and many other complex psychological issues that i naively thought may be solved with love.

Enough said about that-the wheel continues regardless.

Spring is doing it's thing, the washing is drying on the line, the tumble dryer is redundant once more, (ok maybe that's a little optimistic). The sun is getting strong again, the birds are singing at 3am, and the bulbs and buds are appearing all around.

I spotted my first Greater Spotted Woodpecker pecking away at a tree on the field two weeks ago, the fledgling crows of last year are looking all sleek and handsome-the only thing i need now is the hoots of the owls and i will be truly chuffed!

I love this time of year-more so as i get older-with it's promise of summer to come. Maybe especially this year with the new found freedom to enjoy it all.

Hope it's all good with you all too and the Spring energies put back the bounce in your step after the winter months.

Many Blessings,

Pye.x

Is it really The Black Country?

It never ceases to amaze me, The Black Country that is. It's title still conjours images of foundaries spewing out smoke and pollution and yet it's one of the most beautiful places i know and i feel very fortunate living here.

Just this morning walking the terrorist over the local fields we stood and watched a pair of Buzzards looking for breakfast, not long followed by two huge Herons flying low above us. Mistle Thrushes, and Green Woodpeckers, Dragonflies and naughty Magpies catching up on their gossip!

A few days ago while walking part of the canal nearby, we were fortunate enough to see a Kingfisher flash by, Wagtails, and Mandarin Ducks.

It does'nt matter where you live does it really?

There is a whole host of wildlife there if you want to see it.

The Otherworld....

Means different things to different folk. To me at the moment, it's a forage into the world of Blogging. 

What a world it is, a whole new world. For those that know me, a notorious techno pleb, then need i say more-there will be dodgy moments no doubt. To those that don't then i hope you will be patient and eventually you'll see the lightbulb flick on and there will be something to enjoy at some point!

So i'm off to investigate further, find some interesting things to read and catch up on, and try to navigate my way around how it all works!