If Winter comes Can Spring be far behind? (Percy Bysshe Shelley)

Stepping in to the garden this morning was like stepping into an energy field. The air was crisp with the lightest of airy blue skies and I was surrounded by the sounds of blackbirds quarrelling, robins singing and the neighbour's hens making happy hen noises.

Leaves and twigs were brushed with the lightest of frost and in the sunlight they sparkled and twinkled catching my eye, filling me with joy. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly my spirit is lifted by days like these.

Whilst I was out, I fed the birds and cracked the glassy lid of ice on all their watering holes. I knew I was being watched as the trees rustled with blackbirds leaning forward to see what I'd left for them.

The cat has remained in bed - as is her want - she is a a bit of an 'old dear' and likes her creature comforts and usually I want to do the same, but not today. 

Today is too beautiful to miss.

Turning of the circle

Winter Solstice - it is not a single moment, we don't see a change in the light for several days however, the lightness can be felt in the head and the heart - spring is on her way.

Today Himself and I managed to steal a few hours away from the world and take ourselves off for a walk to mark Winter Solstice and it was wonderful. We set off in Zeb, our van -  a big burly bloke of a vehicle to find a small waterfall up in the Dales.

The weather was wild, with winds and rain making driving and walking 'interesting'. Views slipped in and out of focus as curtains of rapidly moving mist and rain flew by. Himself and I followed a stony path alongside Cotter Beck in Wensleydale towards the falls. All the rain had filled the beck to almost bursting and the water boiled and roared in a coffee coloured torrent. 

Long before we reached the falls, we could hear it. A chest thumping roar of water crashing down the limestone - we were not disappointed when we saw it.

We were the only ones there and the wildness, the wind, the crash of the water and the spray in the air felt so primal - we caught ourselves grinning at the rawness and beauty of it all.

We walked up along the falls to the top and felt the power of the water as it crashed through the rock gulley - the spray drenched our legs and wet our faces. And it felt good.

We returned the same way as we arrived, only this time we noticed different beauty. The fence posts were host for tiny microcosms of lichen, moss and fungi. The gate was a patchwork of rust and lichens and just shone out in the gloom.

What a wonderful way to celebrate Winter Solstice - May the turning of the wheel bring you light and love, kindness and clarity - Blessing be xx

Mirrie Dancers

 Life is rather filled up with LIFE at the moment and we seem to have so few moments to do the things we love so when we can snatch shared experiences that actually make us gasp - then they are beyond precious.

And when one of your bucket list dreams actually comes to you

rather than you having to go a long way north to hopefully find - 

it is beyond believable 

This just filled my heart with so much almost overwhelming joy!

I found I was actually holding my breath.

I hope you managed to see this most magical

shimmering and uplifting spectacle

I will be keeping a bit of this light within me forever

 

Post Script : I still can't believe we spent nearly four hours beneath a sky of dancing colours. We stood in awe as we clutched mugs of tea while they swirled and flickered around with the stars.

All the photos were taken with my mobile so are a little fuzzy in places.

Epimelides Dryad*

Sunday was different - Sunday meant driving to work wearing twisted twiggy horns, with wild green tinged hair and elf ears poking through the tangles. It meant having a green face with sigil-esque marks on my forehead and cheeks. 

It also meant a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. 

Sunday was a special festival for adults with learning difficulties and/or autism and we all became magickal folk for the day - there were dryads, butterflies, fairies and wizards.

I am lucky that where I work - the volunteers and staff are amazing folk and step up to the mark when asked. 

And the title ? Epimelides Dryad? - a tree sprite specifically associated with fruiting trees in particular apples, now seeing that Hawthorns are the same family and what I do for a living, it felt right.

PS when I finally returned home ready to wash my hedge-backwards hair and fae-face I found out that Himself has switched the water off while he was tacking the dodgy plumbing in the kitchen .... oh well - might as well be green a little longer....!