Imbolc blessings to you and yours. Imbolc was just a few days ago. This first Spring festival celebrates the return of the Goddess Brigid or Bride to the land. In Scottish lore, this is the time when the Cailleach, or Old Woman of Winter, journeys to the magical Isle in whose woods can be found the miraculous Well of Youth. At the first glimmer of dawn she drinks the water that … [Read more...] about Imbolc Blessings
ireland tours
How to Travel Back 1,000 Years
Would you like a taste of what life was like 1,000 years ago? There may not have been electricity or even steam engines, but the arts were flourishing in Scotland and Ireland way back then. The book illustration above representing Mathew, Mark, John and Luke as an angel, a lion, an eagle and an ox was created in about 800 AD in a monastery in either Ireland or Scotland. That … [Read more...] about How to Travel Back 1,000 Years
A Scottish New Year’s Blessing
As we welcome 2024 into our lives, I wanted to share with you a traditional Scottish New Year's blessing... "Lang may yer lum reek" is a wish for a long and happy life that literally means "long may your chimney smoke." And Hogmanay is the name of the Scots' New Year's celebration. The Isles of Scotland, Ireland and Britain are some of the most popular places we visit, so … [Read more...] about A Scottish New Year’s Blessing
Do You Hear The Call of Albion?
You may not know it, but - deep inside - you are probably longing to visit Albion. I'm talking about the land more commonly called "Britain" - England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Some etymologists believe the name came from "albus," the ancient Greek word for white, because of the white cliffs of Dover, visible across the channel from France. When Francis Drake landed … [Read more...] about Do You Hear The Call of Albion?
Happy Winter Solstice
Since ancient times, the shortest day of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere) has been celebrated for the return of the sun, and the symbolic triumph of light over darkness. To modern Druids, today is Midwinter, and it's called "Alban Arthurian," which means "Light of Arthur," because Midwinter is believed to be King Arthur's birthday. Surely the most wonderful creation … [Read more...] about Happy Winter Solstice