Weeping Willows Laughed

(April is National Poetry Month)

 

 Casting

 

T’was a westerly breeze
Or maybe not;
Perhaps a wind from the south.
The weather vane spun round and round
My words torn from my mouth.
Weeping willows laughed and danced
As thunder gave a growl.
My spell sent off as rabbits hid
Along with fox and bear and owl.
The moon will rise and set again
Then in the morning, sun.
With Nature’s help
And Spirit’s too
United, the spell was done.

This poem is an original work by Robin Larkspur, April 2012. Copyright laws are in place.

A Friday in April

Quite the Friday today, isn't it?

Passover begins at sunset. A blessed observance wished for Jewish friends.

Good Friday for Christians. Happy Easter.

A full moon which pagans will celebrate.

A beautiful spring day, a frosty spring night.

Peaceful gatherings for all.

So mote it be.

I Have a Daydream

Tractor Supply (website here) is a chain of farm supply stores. They offer horse and other farm animal supplies, wild bird feeders and food, cat and dog supplies, all kinds of equipment and repair parts, wood stoves, fencing, seed...etc.

Tractor Supply offers plans to build this Gypsy Hen Caravan Coop

Their current circular showcased an advertisement for baby chicks and chicken coops. The chicks were $2.29 each! They also had assorted ducks for $4.49 each.  I am thinking, wow, I could just run up the street to Tractor Supply and buy some chicks and ducks, just like that. Not that I would. Living in an urban environment would not be appropriate for livestock; I think also a special permit would be needed. And what exactly would I do with a duck? (no, I would not raise it for dinner!!)

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Thinking about chicks and ducks reminded me of a daydream I have every now and then. Since I was about 8 or 9, I have dreamed of living on a farm. Of course I realize the reality of farm life would not be the same as my daydream. I don't think I could handle a working farm life.

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My daydream is about having a nice old house on just a few acres. There would be lots of wooded areas, a large pond with a big old weeping willow growing near it.  There would be ducks in the pond. And chickens (for eggs), a small kitchen garden with herbs and tomatoes, perhaps a larger veggie garden for growing good stuff to freeze for over winter. No cows or pigs, though. Maybe a goat or two. Definitely lots of room for dogs to run.

The privacy would be wonderful for outdoor rituals; regular sacred fires in a big bonfire pit. And of course a field for a maze, or perhaps a labyrinth. Lots of fresh air, perennials growing, beautiful night skies.

A peaceful life on a bit of land, with animals and gardens. Family and friends. Woods to wander in, connecting with the trees and perhaps the Fae. A natural environment where the sense of divinity is so real and true. What more could a Wiccan want? That's my daydream. I enjoy visiting there every so often!

Spring Babies!

Besides the bursting forth of blooming things, the spring season also brings with it the arrival of bunches of babies! Some of the blogs I follow have been showcasing these little stars of Nature's delightful "party"--Spring! Take a look at these cuties. If they don't bring a smile, then you are still stuck in the cold dark of winter. Cheer up and embrace the Light!

Baby Lambs:  (including a white and black spotted one) lambs

Baby Goat:   Kid 
(be sure to check out the previous posts here to see the very day the baby was born)

Kittens: adorable
(I am truly smitten with kittens on this blog, can't get enough)

This is just a tiny taste of what is happening out there in the Spring world. Soon there will be lots of babies in my own backyard. We have birdhouses which are teeming with activity, as sparrow parents build their nests and await the hatching of little noisy babies. Also for the past few years, a pair of robins have built a nest in the same place on our porch. Last year we had baby mourning doves as well.

The rites of spring...what a joy.

Wiccan Reads--The Legend of Eli Monpress

Actually the post title should be: Wiccan Readings, as I have just started this book by Rachel Aaron. The Legend of Eli Monpress is a volume comprising three novels; "The Spirit Thief", "The Spirit Rebellion" and "The Spirit Eater". The main character, Eli Monpress is a thief and a wizard. The back cover states that this is "a tale of high adventure, romance and larceny."  It looks to be a fun read. I wanted to share a line from the book which immediately convinced me to jump into the pages.:

From Chapter 1, first page: (Eli Monpress is trying to wake up a door, a heavy oak door with an iron frame)

     "He ran his hands over it, long fingers gently tapping in a way living trees find desperately annoying, but dead wood finds soothing, like a scratch behind the ears. At last, the boards gave a little shudder and said, in a dusty, splintery voice, "What do you want?"

I absolutely loved the whimsy and wonder of these two sentences and knew I had to read on. I will let you know how it's going when I finish the first book in this collection.

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The Legend of Eli Monpress  by Rachel Aaron, published by Orbit, Hachette Book Group, 237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.  Compilation Copyright 2012 by Rachel Aaron.

As to another book series that I read in 2011, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, the second season of the HBO production of the books begins Sunday, April 1st at 9:00 pm (edt). Set those recorders now.

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Always looking for new fiction books and authors, predominantly in the magickal, fantastical realm, Arthurian, witchy themes and ghostly subjects. I read a lot of non-fiction too, dealing with Wicca, Witchcraft and magickal practices. If you have recommendations, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email!

Updates, News and a Secret

Despite the fact that a sudden hard freeze here in central New York killed off the blooming daffodils and the beautiful flowers of our weeping cherry tree, if feels more "normal" than all those crazy warm temperatures earlier in the month. Snow has been in the forecast for the last couple of days, none of which has appeared. Mother Nature seems to be having a bit of a chuckle at our expense!

Family Updates: My husband is much improved and has been given the "okay" to return to work  this coming Monday! Such good news!! My brother continues along about the same.

Movie Recommendation: With the hubby home, there has been a lot of movie-watching.  He has a tendency to watch any old thing, bad thing, stupid thing.....well, anyhoo; the one we both enjoyed was Dream House
(trailer here)  A ghost story starring Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts.Creepy atmosphere and a unique tale. Really liked it, give it a try.

Doggy News:  I forgot to wish our little girl Gwennie a happy birthday, how remiss of me! She turned 9 on March 23rd. For 9 years old, she is quite the bouncy, bright-eyed little thing. We adopted her almost 8 years ago and it has been a love story ever since. She came to us with a lot of problems, but time and care has transformed her. (she's a Sheltie--Shetland Sheepdog).

Gwennie, she is such a good girl

Wiccan News: One month from today, the celebration of Beltane occurs. This is a fabulous sabbat. More on this as we draw closer. As I say about all the sabbats, this is my favorite one!

A witchy welcome to some new followers, I am so glad you visit my blog! I have a secret. And it has something to do with a giveaway. Hush, now. It's still a secret.

Bright Blessings to all.

Wordless Wednesday--At the Cafe

Number 8 on my Spring-To-Do List (checked off)