Pagan Date: Beltane

Beltane is celebrated in the southern hemisphere on this date. All throughout the land everything is rich, green and verdant. The celebration of Beltane involves lighting a bonfire, dancing and performing rituals and is a boisterous and passionate day to celebrate fertility. 

Ambient Album Review: Place Language by Various Artists @RobGMacfarlane

Sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy this one. It’s a compilation album inspired by the themes and evocative words in celebrated nature writer Robert MacFarlane’s book Landmarks. The book focuses on showcasing poetic landscape words, gathered from the dialects of Britain and Ireland. The book Landmarks separates out words into types ofContinue reading “Ambient Album Review: Place Language by Various Artists @RobGMacfarlane”

Pagan Date: Eostara

In the southern hemisphere, today marks the date of the Spring Equinox, also know n as Eostara. This is a time to celebrate new beginnings, regeneration, growth and the conception of new ideas. The venerable Bede mentions the name in reference to Eostre, the Germanic goddess of spring. In the northern hemisphere this rite coincidesContinue reading “Pagan Date: Eostara”

Travel: A roadtrip through the remote Eastern Cape of New Zealand

People seldom visit the Eastern Cape of the North Island because of its complete isolation from the rest of the country’s bustling travel routes. It’s quiet in terms of other cars – there are none, except for the occasional local farmer and logging truck ferrying wood from forests to the port in Gisborne.  It’s anContinue reading “Travel: A roadtrip through the remote Eastern Cape of New Zealand”

Pagan Date: Imbolc

In the southern hemisphere, today in the Pagan calendar is Imbolc. It’s a Sabbat to honour the Celtic goddess Brighid. It’s a time to purify oneself, dedicate oneself to a task. The word imbolc comes from Irish Gaelic and means ‘ewe’s milk’. It’s in reference to the time when ewe’s begin suckling with their youngContinue reading “Pagan Date: Imbolc”

Pagan date: Winter solistice

Today is winter solistice in the southern hemisphere. This is a time of rebirth and a triumph of life over death. It’s a reflection and renewal.  Incantations Tonight is the night of the Solstice,the longest night of the year.As the Wheel turns once more, I know thattomorrow, the Sun will begin its journey back toContinue reading “Pagan date: Winter solistice”

What Montaigne And Deep Sea Aliens Teach Us About Humanity

Philosopher Michel de Montaigne lived in a time (the 16th century) when nobody batted an eyelid at the ritual murder and wholesale destruction of people, natural environments and cultures – let alone animals. Yet he was shocked and disgusted at these horrors. He was undoubtedly a kind and gentle man. An anomaly for his time.Continue reading “What Montaigne And Deep Sea Aliens Teach Us About Humanity”

Pagan Date: Samhain

In the southern hemisphere, today we celebrate the pagan new year or Samhain. This ancient gaelic word means Summer’s End.  On this date it’s a good time to reflect on and honour those that have come before us. It’s also a time to release anything that no longer serves you.  Incantation for ancestors  This isContinue reading “Pagan Date: Samhain”

Travel: The sensitive faces of animals in Warsaw Zoo

Something unexpected happened to me in Warsaw Zoo today. Instead of enjoying myself seeing all the animals I felt really sad. Why? Because they came across through my camera lens as being full of emotion, sensitivity and immense intelligence. I connected with them and their pain in the same way I would if I lookedContinue reading “Travel: The sensitive faces of animals in Warsaw Zoo”