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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 19 December 2009 15:21 |
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Snow softly falls. The only sound is a few birds whispering together. Mother Nature waits in peaceful anticipation for her restful blanket of snow.
What a perfect way to begin the winter season...with a new blanket of snow! It is as though nature itself is, too, celebrating the winter solstice. This day, of course, marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year.
Ancient cultures around the world celebrated this time to celebrate the “rebirth” of the sun. In 7th century Japan, the winter solstice was celebrated to honor the sun goddess Amaterasu. People of the Netherlands celebrated Beiwe and ancient Celtics referred to the day as Meán Geimhridh, which essentially means Midwinter. Of course a more commonly know ancient celebration is Saturnalia, the Roman feast honoring their sun gods. Did you know the word “Yule” is an old Germanic word which roughly means a celebration of nature and religion?
To celebrate the Winter solstice, I light white candles to represent the snow and a red candle to represent the sun. I let these candles burn all day and all night. Traditionally, a Yule log would be burned, but unfortunately a fireplace is not at my disposal. At midnight, I light a special candle in honor of the season. If possible, I step out to my garden and bless it as it is going dormant, and feed the hungry birds. This is a season for rest, peace, friendship and love, new beginnings, and rebirth. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 14 November 2009 15:55 |
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Ah, late autumn....a time of year when the trees have shed their leaves, frost is heavy on the ground, some might spend their evenings near a warm fire sipping hot cider, and....colds and flus are circulated. And what better way to combat that cold or flu than with hot yarrow tea.
Yarrow has many uses-yes, including aiding in recovery from colds and flus. Some say the “golden cure” is peppermint, elderflowers, and yarrow. Yarrow is also useful for inducing sleep, easing pain and bruises when applied as a poultice, reducing blood pressure, and speeding up blood clotting (thus explaining another common name for yarrow, Nosebleed). Really, the list of ailments yarrow is known to help is endless. This herb is also a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Native to Europe and Asia, yarrow is a very common, unfussy herb. It likes full sun, but will tolerate poor, dry soil. Even if not used for its medicinal purposes, yarrow is still great to grow in your garden for the benefit of the other flowers and herbs. It attracts predatory insects like wasps, ladybugs, and hoverflies and repells bad ones. The leaves are a good fertilizer when added to compost, and it has even been discovered that sick plants will become healthy when grown near them.
During the Middle Ages, yarrow was worn to protect the wearer from just about everything....though most often for love and friendship or protection. Legend says the herb would also provide courage, improve psychic powers, and even prevent baldness. It was also used in exorcisms...perhaps explaining another name for the herb, Devil’s Nettle. Other common names for yarrow include Arrowroot, Wound Wort, Milfoil, Field Hops, Lady’s Mantle, and Witch’s herb.
My own varieties of yarrow are pictured here.
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 17 October 2009 14:39 |
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The frost is on the ground and outdoor gardening is minimal. While some gardeners enjoy the break provided by the cold winter months, I am one of those who brings some of her garden indoors. One of my favorite indoor plants is the eucalyptus.
The eucalyptus (also know as blue gum tree or stringy bark tree) is native to Australia and southern Asia, so naturally, it is a pretty unfussy plant...withstanding dry, poor soil. It is an easy plant to grow in a pot, but is fast growing and doesn’t like to be potbound so be sure to plant it in a large pot. Whenever planting a eucalyptus, avoid knocking the roots around and never cut the roots to loosen them. This plant is extremely sensitive to root damage.
The eucalyptus is an natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and has “warming properties”....in short, this herb is one of the best treatments for colds, flus, pneumonia (and other chest congestion), sore throats, arthritis, etc, etc. It can be used as an inhaler or rubbed on the skin. You could even make a tincture or tea for relieving an ailment.
When grown indoors, the eucalyptus cleanses and freshens the air. It is, of course, a healing and protection herb. You could hang eucalyptus over your bed while you are ill to help speed recovery or place the seed pods under your pillow. |
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Welcome!
Thank you for visiting my site! Please feel free to look around my galleries. You can download all my art and photographs to use as desktop wallpaper for your computer.
I seek to be honest and express myself without pretense. I hope you find my site intriguing and inspirational.
- Madame Aradia
What is a "Book of Shadows"?
Originally, the "Book of Shadows" was a term that referred to a coven's collection of spells and secrets. In modern culture, the term is used to refer to a witch's personal diary and/or journal. The purpose is to keep a record of everything the witch learns and discovers. While usually kept private, I have decided to make mine public in the form of a blog. I have done this in the hopes of helping other find magic in everyday life, and especially in the practice of gardening.
My Latest...
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What's My Name?
madamearadia posted a photo:
In the early 1970s, the Dower House was bought and renovation began to restore the lovely old home. Oddly, cats began to appear. No one would ever see them clearly...they were like a shadow. One day, one of the workmen was cleaning up a room when it suddenly became very cold and the door opened. Thinking someone was playing tricks on him, the workman called out "I can see you". Two cat-like red eyes burned through the darkness at him and a voice growled "You cannot see me. You do not even know who I am"...
01/20/2010
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Midnight Conversations
madamearadia posted a photo:
Folklore tells us when there is a blue moon, you will be able to see the moon's face. And if you stand in the moonlight, the moon will talk with you....
No, a blue moon doesn't mean the moon is actually blue. A "blue moon" refers to the phenomenon of two full moons in one month.
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A Christmas Forsaken
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Snow Holly
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Snow Faery Rose
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