My 2012

My 2012

Clan Witney atop The Cairngorm Mountain 

So, as per usual, its been a while since my last blog. My blog is something I really want to try and keep going  again into 2013....so I will try my hardest to keep on top of it better throughout 2013 :o)

Its been a funny old year....generally good I hasten to add....but very speedy with some funny areas. Now where shall I start? Family stuff I reckon!

Family Stuff

The biggest news being the addition of not one but two doggies into our family!!! Asha, a Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer, came to live with us in mid July. I had been wanting a dog for many years but the timing hadn't been right. I have grown up with German Shorthaired Pointers all my life, so had always wanted another Pointer, ideally a German Weirhaired Pointer....I had never heard of the Slovaks before but within a week of uttering those words we had found one (or she found us) and she came for a trial weekend on my birthday and hasn't left ;o) We'd met Hattie when we'd been to see Asha for the first time but she was only a few weeks old.....and I had no plans to have a Pointer (English) let alone two dogs....although Hattie stood out of the litter for me with her 'hat' spot right in the middle of her head. But we went home with Asha and onto settling her in. Asha settled in with us well....but was really missing being part of a pack (she'd lived in a multi dog household all her life) So after a couple of months we decided it would be best for Asha to get another dog and low and behold Hattie was still around......so that sealed the deal ;o) But as Hattie was still so young, 4 months old, it wasn't wise to take her to Scotland with us. So she came to stay for a week, went back to Sue (her breeder) and then moved in with us after then!

Asha and I at the top of The Cairngorm Mountain

Hattie 4 months old

So the main photo of this blog was taken in our beloved Scotland. It had been an 18 month wait for us to get back there. I began to realise as October loomed that the reason my summer had been a bit emotionally odd for me was I hadn't had my High/Soul-land fix. I'm so lucky that we manage to get up here annually....to be honest if we didn't I'm not sure how I'd cope :o/

We decided to try a different area this time to our normal West Highlands. Seeing as we always head over to The Cairngorms to see the Reindeer, we thought we'd give that area a go. We booked a beautiful cottage just outside Aviemore...up a secluded private road that headed past the house and up the side of a mountain and woodland. As you can imagine Asha hated that walk everyday ;o) Badgers, Red Squirrels, Red Deer and masses of other wildlife right on our doorstep!

We visited the reindeer, a golden sanded Loch, Lily Loch, climbed The Cairngorm Mountian, heard the Red Stag rutting around our cottage, walked along the beautiful Findhorn Bay, honoured the ancestors at Clava Cairns and one of the most memorable parts for me....Seeing the Northern Lights!!!! AMAZING!!!!!

Our Cottage in the Cairngorms

Fynlay at Clava Cairns

Moody 'otherside' of Loch Ness

Workshops

I've had the wonderful pleasure to run two Elen Retreats this year, firstly 'Immerse in Elen' in June and then the Clan Gathering 'Elen's Equinox Reunion' at Mabon in September. Plus I had the blessing to run a 'Sacred Scars' Workshop with the wonderful Suzi Goose!!!

I'm so blessed to be able to run these wonderful workshops and meet/gather such fantastic groups of folk! Junes 'Immerse in Elen' is a wonderful gathering, a time to bond with other like minded souls who journey or are starting to journey along Elen's Antlered Road. Time spent in meditation, ritual, crafting and out on the land....sleeping in Tipi's and sharing deeply!

 

Grandfather Oak

Releasing the Old

Tipi

The wonderful gathering of the Clan that is 'Elen's Equinox Reunion' is a time when the previous attendees of the 'Immerse' Workshops are invited to gather as a deep connection and community. Not so organised and more about spending time together and partaking in some wonderfully facilitated workshops. This year we had the wonderful Blacksmith Nick bring along his Forge for us to create wonderful Copper loveliness and Herbwise Emma who led us on a herb walk within the local land and took us on a deep journey with Elder. 

Working at The Forge

Out on the Herb Walk

And here's a pic of the lovely Sacred Scars Girls 

Sacred Scars Girls

Artwork

Its been a strange old year for me and my artwork. I had got to a point with taking my artwork to shows and festivals, where I wasn't enjoying it. Prices for pitches had raised and I felt I was putting too much pressure on covering costs and this took some of the pleasure out of it for me. I made the decision at the beginning of 2012 to not do so many shows and give myself a break. This worked positively in some ways but not in others ;o) I booked one show, Leaping Hare in Colchester, which was an AMAZING success....probably one of the best shows I've ever done in every-way shape and form! New work was debuted, commissions taken and generally spent time with amazing people and a huge part of the Elen Clan were there too! FAB DAY.

Aurora Hare debuted in March

I was SO blown away by how well 'Aurora Hare' was received. The Aurora Series is strictly Limited Edition to 15 and the first purchase was bought as a wedding gift for the lady's daughter. So grateful my work goes to such wonderful homes! I was FULL to the bring with gratitude  positivity and inspiration! But the downfall of not booking shows and festivals and taking a break from all that. Lead to complacency and lethargy ...I had all these ideas buzzing but no reason to do them...so I didn't  It wasn't a great summer for my artwork :o( But, luckily, I got accepted onto The Maldon Art Trail this year....which took place in October...this gave me the much need kick up the arse I needed!!! The feedback was fantastic!!! The venue I was given couldn't have been better and it fired me up again!!! Off the back of the Art Trail success, plus another kick up the bum from a friend of mine, I booked my Open Studio event. I had never thought to open my 'studio/house' up before and so with four weeks preparation time, it was booked and I started advertising! The local paper gave me the most fantastic story and so many friends old and new came along!!! It also made me realise that I need DEADLINES I work so much better under pressure and with dates looming! Five new pieces were birthed within that four week time period.....all pieces had been on my 'to do' list this year but I hadn't had a reason to do them! So Aurora Hare, Reindeer, Polar Bears, Reindeers, Spirit of the Woods and the copper guild-ed 'Luna Fox' came into metal being. Once set up for the Open Studio I had such a proud moment....a realisation....I love what I do, sharing my art and Elen work with those that feel the same way! This is one of the main lessons I shall carry fourth into 2013......seeds are planted and most need their own story/blog. So as they fruit I will share! Especially the Temple of Elen....it wouldn't do it justice to quickly add here....so I will devote a blog to it soon!

Not a great picture....But Aurora Hare, Reindeer's and Polar Bears

Born into slate Reindeer

Born into slate Luna Hare

So I think for now I shall end this particular blog post.....thank you if your still reading! More than anything I wanted this post to get me back into the swing of things.....I want to tell you about Yule/Time spent at sunrise with my wonderful friends and my Gratitude Jar. My plans for 2013 and the Temple of Elen.....but there's probably at least two or three blog post there so it'd be a shame to squeeze it all in now wouldn't it ;o)

I'm not making a big deal out of New Years Eve....I'm working till 10pm but have a good one whatever your up too! My 'New Year' starts on the 7th January when the kids go back to school and we start getting back into a routine! So bye for now xxx

 

D is for Daily Practice

Still playing catch up on the Pagan Blog Project.......

But I have a question to put to all the lovely readers of my blog?

Do you have a Daily Practice within your Spiritual path???

Now, when I'm being good.....like REALLY good....I have a daily practice.......now don't get me wrong....I have been on this Path a while, its a wonderful and mysterious and I'm ever learning. All I do with my work, life and faith is as a Priestess of Elen. So weather I'm creating my artwork, weaving words, washing clothes/dishes, helping to raise my kids etc etc Still at my very core is my Spirituality.

But I'm also an all or nothing gal.....a perfectionist about my work....and BUSY! *phew* So and definitely right now my daily practice, as I would like it to be in its 'ideal' form, is pretty rubbish! So would you like to hear what my ideal day sounds like??? Well and remember this is all ideal, and on a good day does happen.....

I wake at 6am, everyone in the house is still a sleep, I sneak downstairs. Kettle goes on and I make myself a Yogi Tea of choice (that current choice being Women's Tea) I then either go into my dining room, light incense and candles at my house altar or head to my workshop at the bottom of my garden and do the same (although in the winter its VERY cold for that). I'm then undisturbed for about 45mins to meditate, chant, sing, journal...whatever comes about that I wish to do, on a spiritual level. My day then starts lovely, I get the hubby off to work, the kids off to school and I then start to work. I have a few hours whilst the youngest is at Preschool and then its normal day stuff when he returns....lunch, cleaning, school run etc etc I would then finish my day by going up to my bedroom, lighting my Gratitude Candle and writing a few words in my Journal...all the things I'm grateful for and then sleep.....aahhhhh zzzzzzzzz.

When this happens....my day starts well, I'm set up for the day and generally less stressed. But just recently I cannot get into it.....its the getting up bit that's the prob....and the undisturbed bit too....my four year old is an early riser! So I'm kinda feeling a bit guilty right now....cause it seems SO achievable but seems so far from it. Like I said I still do little things throughout the day, my nods to Elen and my Path. But ^^^ that is the ideal....

So I'd love to know......what do you do? If anything, as Daily Practice? Would love to hear how you start your day the Pagan Way????      

C is for Chalice Well Gardens....by the light of the Full Moon

I will start by apologising for the quality of the photo. At the time I really wanted to capture the atmosphere of the place, at night on the Full Moon......This is the main waterfall within the gardens, lit by candle light....you become very aware of actually how red it is. 

Chalice Well is one of Britain's most ancient wells, nestling in the Vale of Avalon between the famous Glastonbury Tor and Chalice Hill. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and orchards it is a living sanctuary in which the visitor can experience the quiet healing of this sacred place. For over two thousand years this has been a place where people have gathered to drink the waters and find solace, peace and inspiration.

I have been a visitor and companion of Chalice Well for a number of years. Since I first went to Glastonbury, my heart was lost to this beautiful and peaceful place. Every time I go, I become aware of a new little corner I haven't spent time in or a new tree speaks to me and I spend time with it.

The most magical experiences I've ever had there have been at night and especially on the Full Moons. Having only visited the Well and Gardens in the daytime, before my first Full Moon experience. I wasn't prepared for the change it had at night. The gardens are gently lit by only natural light, candles, garden flares and lanterns. So from the moment you step in your senses are used on a different level. Rather then the sight of plants and flowers capturing your vision its their smell....gentle wafts of jasmin and honeysuckle especially hang in the summer evenings air. I found that no matter how well I knew my way around the garden in the day at night your bearings are not the same....it really is like being transformed into another world.

So peaceful at the best of times but if you can, try and stay at their accommodation. This privilege also gives you special access to the Well and gardens 24 ours. Their are so little other people around at those times when you stay there and it really is personal time. especially again at night or dawn. 

The Chalice Well is among the best known and most loved holy wells in Britain. Many legends are attributed to its chalybeate waters, which flow ceaselessly at a steady rate and temperature that never varies. Not least among these is that they represent the blood of Christ miraculously springing forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the Last Supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life, the gift from Mother earth to sustain its living forms and so a continuous spring like Chalice Well is a direct expression of an unbounded life force.

I like to think of the waters as a direct link to the Mother aspect of the Goddess. the red flowing water of life that connects us all. Bathing, paddling and drinking the waters is a very special experience. I use the waters within so much of my magic and feel they bring a very unique element to my work. If you are ever in Glastonbury then I cannot express enough how important a place this is and what a deep experience you will have there.

Healing, Nurturing, Spiritual.........

Passages in italics are directly taken from the Chalice Well website.

Elen Prayer Flags

So if your a friend on Facebook you maybe bored of this blog already ;o) But for the last couple of weeks I've had my head down and been busily creating a new range of Prayer Flags and Goddess Banners dedicated to Elen of the ways.

What I thought might be nice, is to blog about them here and show each individual flag and what the symbols represent.  So the above picture is the whole set together, nine flags in all their Elen-y glory! I'll start with the central flag and work outwards.....

The Antlered Spiral Heart

Elen, Reindeer and Deer are related to Love and specifically the Heart Chakra. I use a lot of Heart Chakra opening with my workshops dedicated to Elen for this reason too. Nothing like Love to break down barriers! Spirals have always featured heavily and pretty much in every piece of artwork I've created, its one of my signatures. Spirals are the symbol of Life, in my opinion, and hence why they find their way into my animal works especially. This and the main Elen design are the symbols to me that encompass all that is Elen of the Trackways. Meditate upon this symbol to open your Heart Chakra.

The Spiral

As I just mentioned above, The Spiral is a symbol that appears throughout all of my workings. It’s the essence and energy of life, the ever Spiralling cycle of Mother Nature. Whenever I think of Life Esscence and energies in the land. I always see it as a Spiral, not sure why, just always have. Spirals and Labyrinths are of HUGE importance to me within my Spiritual Practise. Meditate upon this symbol to bring energy and vitality into your life.

Shed Antler and Tracks

A single shed Antler along the Path. A symbol of release, we all leave our marks/tracks along the road. The shed Antler shows how we all grow and release along our Life’s Journey. Female reindeer are the only antlered female deer. They also keep their antlers longer than the males before they shed them, so they can protect their offspring during winter from predators. A reindeers antler is akin to a fingerprint and they can be recognised by their shape and style, each year growing the same but bigger. I feel, that Elen's link with reindeer is natural because her being an Antlered Goddess and the female reindeer being antlered. That and deer/reindeer trackways, being repeatedly used over generations, it all links beautifully to Elen. Ancient reindeer trackways can be found deep with UK's land, migrational paths that have probably been present since a time before we became an island. Whenever I dwell on that it gives me goosebumps....Elen's prescence within my lands for all that time, yet so elusive and almost forgotten! Meditate upon this symbol for what needs releasing and what growth you can bring into your life. 

Circle within a Circle

This symbol was gifted to me at one of my Elen Retreats last Mabon. The lovely Phil and Lynne of Shamanic Druidry came along to lead everyone in a Rattle making workshop. We journeyed to receive symbols to henna onto our Rattles this was one (along with a Antlered Deer head) that I received. Circles are often seen as protective symbols. Standing within a circle shields a person from supernatural dangers or influences outside of the circle. Conversely, a circle can also be containing, keeping that which is inside from being released. Its also the symbol of the sacred hoop/ring, an integral part of the Sacred Drum. Meditate upon this symbol if you feel protection is needed in your life.   

Elen of the Track Ways 

This symbol is the embodiment of Elen. Lady of the Track ways, Guardian of your Pathway, Walker of the Antlered Road. Along Her pathway are a trail of stars, hearts and spirals. This is the symbol I have tattoo'd upon my wrist too....my calling, passion and all I dedicate my works too. Call to Elen when direction along your Life’s Path is needed.

Elen of the Trackways Prayer Flags can be purchased here at Etsy

C is for Challenges Along the Road (and Cleansing)

Ok, so I'm late posting my pagan blog project post, and its also not what I originally wanted to post about either. But the title of this post says it all...this last 5 days has been all about Challenges. Challenges in life and boy has it been tough. I dont think the timing of the 'challenge' was great.....building up to the Full Moon and also my Moontime. So the emotional rollercoaster its brought in its wake has been crap :o( 

A cave is the only place I've wanted to be this last couple of days. Wallow is all I've wanted to do there. All the things I would normally do when such a challenge comes along went out the window. All I've wanted to do is cry....I've had to go into my normal day job and keep myself together. I've been going through my head on how we can over come this obstacle, how we can be ok and how to make it all right. I know we need to stay positive and that the universe (hopefully) has a grand plan in all this. I'm trying to trust and have faith. But sometimes its just plain tough!!! And, yes, actually all you wanna do is wave that magic wand or click those sparkley red shoes and make it all perfect. But hey this is normal life hey!

So I'm doing what I can it to make it ok....cutting back, saving pennies where I can, supporting, (and seaking support from my sisters for me).

Imbolc is still in the air, here in the UK, we're heavy with snow but the melt holds promise.

Last night we went out into the forest, we drummed, sang and cleansed. I cried and cleared. We sowed some ancient seeds and voiced our wishes. We sent healing and lit candles...light within the darkness. The forest was like Narnia, quiet, white and magical. We found deer tracks in the snow, always a welcome sign for me.

So how am I gonna move forward from this challenge, you might ask?

As the snow melts I shall start to physically and spiritually clean the house. I'm gonna move these negative vibes outta my house and outta of ours lives! they are not welcome here....nothing to see....move along!!! I'm gonna smudge my house and whisper positivity into all the corners. I'm gonna put some salt and rosemary by my front door, to catch those nasty negavibes, if they so much as sniff at my door they'll be absorbed! That metaphysical tree thats laid across our Path at the mo....well as they say with lemons and lemonade....well that tree will make great firewood!!!! 

Universe you can bring on that amazing new wonderfulness you have ahead for me and my family....we're making way for it....we'll be ready....

Imbolc

Last night I spent an amazing time amongst the ancestors. 

In a very unknown, unused ancient Temple of East Anglia, a site of great importance in days gone by. With excavations showing it to have been used in the Bronze Age and Iron Age, by Anglo Saxons, Celts and most obviously the Romans. I say most obviously because its the the Roman temple remains that stand out the most. An ancient rivers flows near by, a grand oak stands watch near (many a story to be told from that old man) and processions of people can be seen and felt amongst the land.

There was a feeling of great importance, of triangular energy, spirals and the stirring of ancestors been woken from their long sleep. A warriors breath on the back of your neck and the wiry, guarding energy of youth and protection. Shadows moved in the corner of your eye, but the residing feeling was that of peace and gratitude for people returning to honour those gone before us. Drum and voice were brought along, but no raucous celebration was needed. This was a place of rediscovery, quickening and awakenings, a gentle rebirth was all that was required. Imbolc being that ideal energy.

Above us the waxing lady moon was luminating bright with Cassiopeia, The Plough and Orion hanging in the inky sky, joining in the triangle of energy. At times you could stand at the Altar Stone, the pond barrow to your right, the celtic works to your left and Minerva's Temple in front and see the rippling of an ember coloured light surrounding the whole area. Almost acting as a  protection from the untoward energise that may seep from the modern industrial structures surrounding its outside edges.

We laid offerings upon the Altar Stone, our drums, swan feathers, cauldrons of incense, flowers and crosses of Brighid. The Ancestors knew we were there, you could almost feel them opening one eye from their sleep just to keep a check on us. But realising we had just come to give our Blessings to The Land.  They snuggled back down to rest again, waiting for that energy to keep burning brighter, waiting for the right time to fully awaken.

Small Ripples......

"The bottom line is......I believe I can make a difference. Not necessarily a big one, but a difference none the less. And if enough people like me make our little differences, one day we're going to wake up and find we really did manage to change the world!"

- a slightly re-worded passage, from a book of short stories by Charles de Lint.

We can all create small ripples of change! We are the difference!!!