Paintings from the studio of the Master of the Female Half-Lengths, a Flemish artist (or perhaps a group of artists) active from 1520-1540 in Antwerp. These beautiful little pictures are so vibrant, yet so delicate.

Three Musicians

Saint Mary Magdalene at her Writing Desk

Madonna and Child

Mary Magdalene Playing the Lute

Mary Magdalene Reading

Grace Kelly would have been 80 today. Was there ever a more aristocratic American girl?

A dream, a poem...

Sometimes my poetry comes to me in dreams, usually a word or a broken phrase. I dreamed about this tree last night.

The Rowan Tree

In January cold and dark

I came upon a Rowan Tree

And touched my hand upon the bark

of brittle silver-brown.

Then 'neath my hand the cold sap stirred

To warm the tinkling branches bare

And through the heavy chill I heard

The witch-wood speak to me.

'Be still', she creaked, 'be ever still,

Fear not the vexes of this world

My sacred wood and berries will

Protect you from all harm'.

'When winter winds bleed out your will

And summer flowers enchant you,

Be still, be always ever still

And remember the Rowan Tree.'

Mary, 2009

Photo courtesy panoramio.com

I am in awe of Turner's pallet in this unfinished work:  all of these amazing yellows, creams and murky umbers.

Sunrise with Sea Monsters (c. 1845), J.M.W. Turner

Grounding

Lately I've been feeling very distracted...flighty and unable to concentrate. I attribute this to several, rather disparate, things: settling into post-vacation normality; a full moon; sinus medication; possibly something wonky happening in my horoscope that I'm too busy to look into properly!

Yesterday afternoon I felt the need to follow some old and effective remedies. I needed some grounding. I thought I'd share with you here one of the ways I cope when I need to 'return to Earth'.

I went outside and knelt underneath my magnolia tree (which by the way is dropping it's beautiful bright red cones). I put my hands down onto the cold, soft earth, closed my eyes, and visualized the excess energy flowing from my body, down through my arms, and out of my hands - down into the earth, being absorbed and negated. I felt the tension and distraction moving down my spine and out through my feet and knees. When I finished, I felt calmer, more centered and 'clean'.

Then I went inside to my altar and put one of the cones from the tree onto my little offering dish, and thanked Gaia for her help.

I also suggest the wearing of obsidian or hematite when you feel stressed.

I'm interested in herbs, but my knowledge of healing herbs isn't great. If anyone has a suggestion for the use of a particular herb or incense for grounding, I'd be most interested!

Centering and grounding are some of the first techniques I learned when I started on the pagan path.

Dear All,

I've been back from my week in Florida for a few days now. The unpacking and laundry are finally done; the refrigerator is re-stocked; I've gone through the stack of mail...all just in time to return to work tomorrow and face the undoubtedly huge backlog of work awaiting me there!

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit the Sunshine State.  It's still warm, but not oppressive as in Summer.  We encountered no rain.  And there is a distinct stress-reducing quality in palm trees.  They sigh and sway and smile at the thought of their northerly cousins who are losing their leaves.
 
So now it's November, a fresh new month and a fresh new year for those who follow the Old Ways.  We've well and truly entered the dark time (the end of daylight savings time today is really messing with my mind); time to settle into a slower more reflective pace.  Time to reacquaint ourselves with the hearth, the fire and the cauldron (even if it's just your stove and the tea kettle).

Photo courtesy Victoria Magazine

A Blessed Samhain to All!

On this night of Samhain I mark your passing,

O Sun King, through the sunset into the Land of the Young.

I mark also the passing of all who have gone before, and all who will go after.

O Gracious Goddess, Eternal Mother, You who gives birth to the fallen,

teach me to know that in the time of the greatest darkness there is

the greatest light.

Scott Cunningham


Dear readers, I will return to regular blogging tomorrow!

Widdershins, Anne Sudworth