Bringing back the Hearth: Ancestral Fires for Protection, Connection, and Comfort

Sacred tea over the fire

Fire is one of the most ancient tools that humans have and one of the things that separates our species from others on this beautiful planet. Humans have an incredible ancestral connection to fire. Think about how a fire draws you in–when you see a campfire or fire in a hearth, you want to get close and stay warm. That is probably because we humans have been working with fire for somewhere between 1 million and 1.5 million years. 1.5 million years ago, our ancient ancestors would have been Homo Erectus; and so, as we evolved into Homo Sapiens, it is very likely that fire was already with us. For more information on fire and ancestral fires, I suggest checking out this post!

Because of this deep connection, if we move forward quite a bit in time, we can understand why as people built…

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Nature Connection, Wildcrafting, and the Wheel of the Year

The Druid's Garden

One interpretation of the wheel in terms of our own activity

The Wheel of the Year is obviously a powerful symbol, both in nature spiritual practices like druidry as well as more general neopagan practices. It resonates with something that is ancestral and connected–living by the cycles and honoring the seasons. A host of different traditions use some form of a yearly wheel, and when you join many traditions, the wheel of the year is a critical part of the practice. But what do these holidays mean? How do they actually connect to our lives? How do they connect to our local ecosystems, and how do the wheel holidays help us connect with nature? I consider these questions and argue for a wildcrafted wheel of the year rooted in your own observation, connection, and daily life in connection with nature.

As a druid for the last 16 years, I feel…

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Entering The Sage Moon | New Moon Lunar Report

This New Moon on February 1st could be considered the most powerful new moon of the year!

This new moon takes place on both Imbolc and the Lunar New Year in the sign of Aquarius. This helps us begin the month with what feels like a clean slate ready for powerful new beginnings.

This new moon is also right in the middle of Venus direct an Mercury direct which further helps set the stage for brand new beginnings in our relationships and the ways we might connect with others.

With this new moon we are entering the Sage Moon Cycle. This represents the time of year to clear away any stagnant or stuck energy so that you can plant new seeds for the year ahead.

Each month using our planners, decks and the current astrology, we create the New Moon Lunar Report.

Read complete article at: Spirit de Lune ~ Entering the Sage Moon | New Moon Lunar Report

A 21st Century Wheel of the Year: Reskilling at Imbolc

The Druid's Garden

Imbolc–the first signs of spring (artwork by myself and my father, Mark Driscoll)

In a traditional neopagan Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is the holiday that offers the first signs of spring. Most traditionally, this is when the ewes began to lactate, and the snowdrops appeared on the landscape in the British Isles. In the age of climate instability, traditional seasonal interpretations become challenged for many reasons–not the least of which are climate disruptions. So how might we bring the holiday of Imbolc into the 21st century and think about what this holiday means to us today?

As I’ve discussed in earlier posts in this series, the 21st Century, the Age of the Anthropocene, offers us a set of unprecedented challenges and yet opportunities. As a permaculture designer, I think it’s important to recognize that while the problems we already face are unavoidable, these problems give us a…

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Welcoming In The New Year And The New Moon

Mercury enters its first retrograde period of the year on the 14th of January in the sign of Aquarius. Mercury retrograde in Aquarius can have us questioning what areas we are feeling restricted by in our lives. Aquarius is all about freedom and liberation, so this retrograde could have you noticing the areas in your life where you need more expansion and movement.

On the 16th, Sun conjunct Pluto can help you step into your personal power and make decisions from a heightened perspective. There is also a desire and increased ability at discovering mysteries or uncovering secrets.

The Full Wolf Moon in Cancer takes place on the 17th. The moon is most at home in the sign of Cancer, and you too might find your focus on your home and family.

The Wolf Moon in the nurturing sign of Cancer could shift your attention towards the safety of your pack and your environment. You might feel like cleansing, blessing and protecting your personal space at this time. Listen to your instincts!

Read full article at: Spirit de la Lune ~ Welcoming in the New Year and the New Moon

Sacred Trees in the Americas: American Holly (Ilex Opaca) – Magic, Meanings, Ecology, and Divination

The Druid's Garden

American Holly is one of the most wonderful trees for getting us through dark times. And as the season of darkness is upon us once more, it is a good time to consider the magic, meanings, and mystery of this incredible holly tree!

American Holly has many names including white holly, prickly holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly and Evergreen Holly. It is quite similar to European Holly (Illex Aquifolium) with similar leaves, berries, and an overall growth habit. The American Holly has larger, brighter leaves and berries, but the trees are otherwise quite similar. While I often argue against importing meanings and uses of European trees into American contexts (with Ash being a great case in point), in this case, I think that the myths and old-world understandings of Holly apply!

This post is part of my Sacred Trees of Eastern North America series–here you can learn about the…

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Solar Eclipse Portal | Entering the Cold Moon Cycle Moonthly Lunar Report

Are you feeling the intensity behind this total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius right now? This last New Moon of 2021 is a big one that helps us close out and learn lessons that began almost 2 years ago.

Eclipses are powerful portals that we can intentionally use when it comes to our life lessons and soul progress.

They are known for their intense energies, and they often bring with them major life lessons. While this one is no different, it carries a much more optimistic and friendly tone thanks to Sagittarius.

This new cycle is our final cycle of the year and with it comes opportunities to create and refine the life we are wanting to bring into 2022.

Read original article at: Spirit de la Lune ~ Solar Eclipse Portal | Entering the Cold Moon Cycle

Putting the Garden to Sleep: End of Season Activities and Rituals

The Druid's Garden

The day before the first hard frost. Our garden is still bountiful as the Butzemann watches over all….As the darkness continues to grow deeper on the landscape, it is high time to consider how to put the garden to rest for the winter and honor the garden that has offered you so much bounty and joy for the season. I actually find this one of my favorite gardening activities of the year, both on a metaphysical and physical level. There’s something special about “tucking” your garden in after a productive growing season and knowing that the land will go fallow and rest as the cold and ice come. Here are both the physical activities and sacred activities that you can do to help put your garden to rest.

Do note that my timings are based on the temperate climate in Western Pennsylvania, USDA Zone 6A. You can adapt appropriately based…

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Transitioning into Deeper Darkness: Seasonal Activities and the the Golden Hour

The Druid's Garden

Sun at sunset

As the light grows dim this time of year, as the days grow short, many people find this particular season a difficult one. Without the light, our thoughts can spiral into the darkness, our spirits long for the warmer days. The cold and dark are barely here, and there is so much winter ahead. Just this week, I had three separate conversations with friends about this exact issue: it is a hard time of year, particularly the time between Samhain and Yule, when we know there is much more darkness to come. It is a hard time this year, in particular, when so many of us are beyond stressed and burned out due to the unfolding events of the last two years. It also was a strange year, in that we had temperatures that stayed well above freezing, which kept the leaves green–and suddenly temperatures that plunged…

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New Moon in Scorpio | Entering the Crone Moon Cycle

We are already deep in Scorpio season and this new moon in Scorpio continues that theme of depth, mystery, and intensity. This moon cycle ramps up to some pretty intense astrological events and opportunities for transformation.

This month we experience the 11/11 portal which can help you manifest your dreams and desires. We also enter the Eclipse season with a partial eclipse on the full moon. Eclipses are powerful portals and tend to shake things up in a big way.

So buckle up and get ready for some big transformational opportunities to present themselves to you.

The moon turns new in the mysterious and deep sign of Scorpio on the 4th, which will help you embrace your own dark side. Scorpio is the sign of death and rebirth and this new moon cycle can hold potent transformational energy for you.

The Sun is opposite Uranus on the same day, which will add to that transformational energy and can bring to light any thing suppressed or blocked that is keeping you from stepping into your full power. This aspect is sometimes seen as rebellious, but can be used to break free from any self imposed obstacles that might be holding you back.

Read original article at: Spirit de la Lune ~ New Moon In Scorpio|Entering the Crone Moon Cycle