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We stand upon the middle path between shade and light; where night and day divide. As we have willed and worked with one another, so may we ever reap the benefits of all we have attempted within the threads that link us, one to another. Bless-ed equinox my brothers and sisters.  It was one of those melancholic crisp autumn mornings when I was clearing the garden in readiness of the winter, but still warm enough to have the windows open and blast out Maddy Prior’s Year CD. They say that every death brings rebirth and renewal but death and dying can be a harrowing process. Thus it was with decay in my hands and grief in my stomach from recent losses, I mournfully sensed the coming harshness of winter approaching the garden gate. As my body ages, the winter brings yet more pain and discomfort, limiting all that I might do and sends the mood spiraling into muddy walking boots. But...let me not look at the future just yet eh? Let me look to today and all its blessings. Of love, hope and dreams. Of friendships and laughter. Of joy and possibilities. Of happy times and companionship. As we winnow the grains of the year and move towards the Harvest Moon on September 23rd, I give thanks for all the boons in my life and enjoy the garden, not for its summer splendour, but for what it is today. After all, there is no other day to truly live in but the present and I give thanks for being able to still garden, even if just a little. The photograph below is of the Harvest Moon over Glastonbury Tor and by Stephen Spraggon. Check out his website for more stunning images.   It's the time of year for stumbling across the bright red bursts of colour that heralds Sarcoscypha coccinea, commonly known as the scarlet elf cup, scarlet elf cap, scarlet cup or Fairies' Baths. After what feels like a long, inhospitable winter, and as Spring calls out "hold on...hold on...I'm almost here!", to come upon the Scarlet Elf Cup is almost an onslaught to the senses. This burst of colour reassuringly reminds us that life isn't always going to be this dreary and dull. A fungus that grows during the cooler months of winter and early spring, it can be found in amongst the snowdrops in humus rich, damp, deciduous woods with plenty of fallen wood, from which they grow. The contrast of the red elf cups, white flowers and vibrant green moss makes it a very special place to be when awaiting the warmth of spring. The Scarlet Elfcup, and its close relative the Ruby Elfcup, are considered by some authorities edible as long as they are thoroughly cooked. A few field guides now record these fungi as inedible, and some even suggest that they are 'suspect'. Sarcoscypha coccinea was used as a medicinal fungus by the Oneida Indians. The fungus, dried and ground up into a powder, was applied as a styptic, particularly to the navels of newborn children that were not healing properly after the umbilical cord had been severed.
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Morgana WestMystic, Initiator, Guide, My experiences are as yours - filled with challenges, pain, joy, laughter and love.
The settings of our scenes might be different but along our journey together, we will discover similarities and shared experiences. Adventure with me for a while, for it is in the Journey, we become One. PostsHigh Sierra Winter Solstice
Postcards from America (1) Award Winning! God's Own Country An Avalonian Anniversary ..'And did those feet?' Glastonbury/Avalon of the Heart Finding Colour in the Grey Pentagrams Galore! Lessons from Morocco Under African Skies The Earth Mother Mystic Gardens The Glastonbury Unity Candle goes to Knight's Enham Categories
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December 2019
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