Winter

Monk: What happens when the leaves fall and the trees are bare?Union: The golden Wind, revealed.Hegikan Roku the blue cliff record.Yoga through the seasons Sandra sabatini,In Buddhism the Golden Wind is a metaphor for the reality that you can only experience and which we call God.  From midway between Samhain and winter solstice, so the Read more about Winter[…]

First frosts

Frost forms in swirling ferns and birds sing it’s praise,crows call far out across the fields and beyond expanding my hearing and my heart as I follow the sounds into the beyond. The average first frost for many inland areas in the UK and Ireland is within the first ten days of November later along the Read more about First frosts[…]

August

Worts & weeds Nuts & Berries Goldfinches chattering on thistles  & Swallows preparing to leave August brings the best bounty of the season—ripened tomatoes, beans, peas and corn. THE MONTH OF AUGUST August was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar (63 b.c.–a.d. 14). Find out the origin of each month’s name. Read more about August[…]

July Bloom & Wild

A messy riot, Purple Knapweed, Yellow wagtails, red hot Pokers of Rosebay Willowherb & Puffs of Meadowsweet against a backdrop of Thunderous skies & the smell of cool woodlands 3rd The Dog days of summer – the Time of searing heat 7th Chinese season of Xiǎo shǔ – Slight heat 10th Full Buck moon in Read more about July Bloom & Wild[…]

April

April takes its name from the Latin word aperire, meaning ‘to open’ New life bursts forth from translucent red pomegranate tips on the branches of the handkerchief tree and I stand surrounded by a choir of lilac leaves as they open soft, furry, almost-purple buds and unfurl into delicate new leaves with blushed red tips sounding their Read more about April[…]

January

Stirrings. January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. He had two faces so he could see the future and the past! He was also the god of doors. Winter light. Naked trees and bright moons. Dark skies and stars. Quieten rest in the stillness Ice and snow swirl and whirl Breathe Read more about January[…]

Late September

Sitings of the crescent moon glowing in the embers of the setting sun reach us on Sundaybut we only catch sight of it on moon day and are awed. with the risingthe little egret orchid blooms, takes flight and fades almost within a day we could so easily have missed it. And it’s presence Leads Read more about Late September[…]

Autumn breakfast

Blue Iris Poems and Essays By Mary OliverA celebration of the bounties and blessings of nature. A Book Excerpt on Wonder How Would You Live Then? What if a hundred rose-breasted grosbeaksflew in circles around your head? What ifthe mockingbird came into the house with you andbecame your advisor? What ifthe bees filled your walls with honey and Read more about Autumn breakfast[…]