Imbolc 2012
Greetings at Imbolc, dear friends......here is a beautiful Imbolc poem by Kaaren Whitney (Imbolc 2008):-
BRIDGET'S APELLATIONS
Named Bridget at this time of Imbolc,
time when howling winter winds torment
tips of trees, snowdrops huddle near roots.
Named Bridget at this time of ewe's milk,
the first succour to the first born life,
sustenance after dark gestation.
Named Bridget at this time of small light,
growing, extending itself each day
inexorably sure of increase.
Named Bridget, forged mistress of smithcraft,
fashioning with fire our fragments,
disparate parts, hammering them whole.
Named Bridget, muse-guide to all poets
who call upon her inspiration,
give voice to promptings as yet untold.
Named Bridget, earth-mother of the land,
midwife who brings forth our intentions,
our dreams for the coming year's cycle.
Called Bridget, Imbolc or Candlemas,
we acknowledge change without, within.
Light is rising, earth will enliven.
For more Imbolc poems click on link 'Living the Wheel of the Year'
Goddess Blessings, Willow
Secret - What Secret
P.S. Has Waite been rumbled.......
Pendle....Then and Now
Hi everyone - I have to do the very British thing and ask how you are all enjoying this cold snap. We've had a bit of snow- not much but enough to make the land look rather picturesque. A couple of days ago I saw Pendle Hill (of Pendle Witches fame) and it was covered in snow. Usually it is dark and brooding, even on the sunniest of days and it looked stunning dressed in its dazzling coat of white. I am planning a trip there with a friend in a few days time, although I would need a helicopter to get up to the top, and helicopters willing to take passengers on a no-fee basis are few and far between. The last time one was seen it disappointingly turned out to be a UFO.....who knows where one would have ended up had one hitched a lift!
Speaking of Pendle Witches, this year is the 400th anniversary of their hanging at Lancaster Castle and there are numerous events planned to mark the occasion, e.g. two plays, a course on religion and witchcraft, guided tours of Lancaster Castle, a new sculpture trail at Barley, a small village in the shadow of Pendle Hill. I am going to attend as many events as I can, as I have had a fascination with Pendle for many years. One of my all-time favourite books is Robert Neill's 'Mist Over Pendle'. I have read it numerous times and being familiar with a lot of the places mentioned in it, the book comes alive for me. Of course, people are cashing in right, left and centre in terms of books - so many new ones have appeared, both factual and fiction.
Well, I'm off now to dream about my previous incarnation in Pendle. When one is sleeping, 400 years is but a moment ago.........
Goddess Blessings, Willow
Will He Wont He
Well, what a to-do. I'm afraid I upset Mr. Waite last week with my comments about how he must feel about his fame in today's world.......pop over there and see what he has said in response.
Last week a friend of mine, Little Red, (see link) started up a Tarot Meet, and we met at my house. It is to take place on a bi-monthly basis so if anyone on the Yorkshire/Lancashire borders and beyond is interested, do get in touch with me for details. It was a wonderful experience, meeting with people whose enthusiasm for the Tarot matches my own, and to hear how everyone had come to the Tarot was fascinating. Everyone had brought decks for us all to look at and discuss, and what a lively group of people it is! For next time, we are each going to design a spread and share it with the other group members, hopefully doing some readings for each other. We are hoping it will grow and become an ongoing event for a long time to come. Talk soon.
Goddess Blessings, Willow
Doldrums and Antidotes
Full Moon Greetings to one and all. I expect most people have by now got back into the normal swing of things. What a month January is. In my opinion it is the worst month of the year - all the xmas and new year hype is over, spring is still a long way off and it's so easy to fall into the doldrums and stay there. My antidote to this right now is the new 'Willow and Waite' section of my website, If you go to it, you will find the first four letters, which I hope you will find of interest.
Lipreading class starts up again tomorrow after the xmas break. Funnily enough, on xmas day when I was out for lunch with my family, one of my class-mates was at the very same place. However, we didn't try to communicate across the dining-room as it's a bit difficult when one has a mouthful of xmas fayre. Crumbs don't really add much to the process of lipreading lol.
My son was home for xmas and new year and whilst he was here he very kindly photographed the books and decks I've acquired since Meg took the previous ones. I seem to have got a bit off-track with book reviews, and still have about six to do before moving onto the latest lot. There's actually only a few new books, but about twenty new decks, which I will be starting to review soon and adding to the Tarot Archive week by week. I think I got sidetracked by various things, such as researching Arthur Waite, and a few health issues. However, I'm hopefully over the blip and can get down to serious business again.
I have started bonding with the Hezicos Tarot which I got for xmas and it is such a beautiful deck. There are so many fascinating details, e.g. many of the 'Rods' have little faces, and even arms! If you click on the 'Hezicos Tarot' link you will be able to see pictures - take a look at the Eight of Rods and you'll see what I mean.
Well, that's it for another week. Talk soon.
Goddess Blessings, Willow
Ode To Change
Well, I must say I don't know what happened to my last blog - the one that seems to have mysteriously disappeared.......perhaps I only dreamed that I had written something.......no explanation, I'm afraid. However, let's press on.
The Tarotcast for January 2012 is now posted. I had a bit of a brainwave (???) and have written it in verse form. If you have any comments on this format, do get in touch and let me know what you think.
Monday 2nd January will see the launch of the newest section of my website.......'Willow and Waite'. Just to remind you, it is all about correspondence between myself and Arthur Waite, and I expect it to go on for quite some time. Who knows what Waite may reveal..........what does he think of today's attitudes to Tarot? the proliferation of decks? the many writings on Tarot? And what is he willing to tell us about himself and his life? Will he let his guard down by and by and let us see the inner man?..............
On another note, I was thinking about resolutions the other day and wondering how on earth anyone ever keeps the resolutions that they so sincerely make on New Year's Eve. Then I was struck again - another 'brainwave' lol - and came up with the following poem (poetic license applies!).
AN ALTERNATIVE TAKE ON NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
That time of year is coming
When I resolutions make.
I don't know why I do it
For I know them I will break.
No chocolate, crisps or biscuits,
No cream cakes, chips or bun -
This all will be forgotten
E'er the New Year's Day is done.
I promise that I'll exercise,
I'll walk three times a day.
I'll finish all the household tasks
Before I get to play.
But couch potato I become,
No walking, pots or beds,
Instead I sit and read all day
Till all the reading's read.
But wait - a thought occurs to me,
If promises I break,
I'll fool myself completely -
Not hard, for heaven's sake!
I promise that I'll eat the lot,
I'll stuff my greedy face.
I'll finish all the biscuits
At the fastest possible pace.
The chips will fill my belly
Right next to buns and cake.
I'll lie around and sleep all day
And ne'er a salad make.
And so these resolutions
Won't last a day or two.
I'll soon be eating salads
And clean the house right through.
I'll go to bed at midnight,
I'll rise before the dawn.
I'll do one hundred press-ups
E'er night has turned to morn.
But just who am I kidding?
Do I really think I'll win?
To give up chips and chocolate
Would be just such a sin.
Instead I'll try to compromise
And eat cake on the run,
And maybe things will be on track
E'er New Year's Day is done!
May I wish you a truly great 2012
Goddess Blessings, Willow
A Not-So-Toothy Grin
The words of a song come to mind in view of the incredibly strong winds we have experienced the last few days......."I'm still standing".......and that's a miracle. I almost got blown off my feet on Thursday and had to hang onto a handrail in order to remain standing. I could imagine the headlines of our local paper........"Local woman seen magically flying over town hall".
On a more sensible note, I have posted the review for Bill Butler's book, "The Definitive Tarot", an older book published in 1975.
It's been quite an ordinary week, the nitty-gritty stuff of which most of life is made up, but there was an episode (apart from the above-mentioned one) on Thursday which is perhaps worthy of note. I had gone to my local Morrison's supermarket to do my shopping (well, I'd hardly be going to hunt for Yeti, I suppose), and as is my wont, I borrowed the electric scooter and began shopping. I had put about five items in the basket when the scooter suddenly stopped and wouldn't go backwards, forwards or sideways - although now I think about it, it never did go sideways. But anyway, two members of staff took it away to charge it up for an hour whilst I repaired to the cafe for a shot of caffeine. After patiently waiting and doodling, I went to collect the scooter again. As I was folding one of my walking sticks, it suddenly flipped up in the air and attacked me, making a clean strike at one of my front teeth. The tooth duly broke and I made a sweeping dive to catch the piece which had flown off. It was so funny that I had to laugh (don't suppose I'll be laughing at the dentist), and with that, I drove the scooter away. Two shopping items later and........nothing. The darn thing gave up the ghost again! So in the end I went away with too much wasted time, a coffee that wasn't even that good, a broken tooth and a distinct lack of shopping items.....not really what you'd call a successful trip. Please feel sorry for me :-(
I'll finish with one of James' Ricklef's 'Tarot Affirmations' (see previous blog for details).......
"Temperance - I see opportunities for growth and transformation in hardships and misfortune".
Goddess Blessings, Willow
Later That Day.......
Well, not quite, but the next day.......Kindle has forgiven me and come home so I am now able to quote you an affirmation from James Ricklef's book (see yesterdays' blog)......
"The Moon.........My dreams tonight will lead me to an awareness of the dark secrets of my mind, and I will remember them when I awaken".
Goddess Blessings, Willow
From Affirmation to Transformation
December is upon us and you will find the Tarotcast for this month is now available for you to read. Also, you will find Brian Innes' book, 'The Tarot - How To Use And Interpret The Cards' is now on the Book Reviews page.
Speaking of books, in the last couple of weeks I have come across an amazing book, James Ricklef's 'Tarot Affirmations'. The title is self-explanatory but there is so much more to it than just a list of affirmations - if you're looking for a very creative way to use the Tarot for personal transformation, this is the book. You can find more about it on http://www.jamesricklef.com/Booklet_AFF.html It had been my intention, having got the author's permission, to quote an affirmation each week for the next three weeks, but I have the Kindle edition and at the moment my Kindle has done a disappearing act (panic is settling in rapidly). With any luck, I will be able to offer you an affirmation next week - one taste and you'll undoubtedly want more!
Can I remind you that we are now on countdown to the forthcoming new section on this website, 'Willow and Waite' - see last week's blog for a description of what you can expect.
I'm sure you will have noticed that xmas fever is upon us all. The air is filled with seasonal music and I can't help singing along to the xmas carols that I have known since childhood. The fact that I'm a pagan and not an xtian doesn't seem to deter me whatsoever. When I was learning to play the guitar and the harmonica forty years ago (not quite national orchestra level yet :-p) I was a practicing xtian and the songs I am most familiar with belong to that era in my life. If I'm watching a commercial television channel, I often pick up the harmonica in the ads and knock out a tune or two - don't know what the neighbours make of it - maybe they think I am strangling the cat.......
Anyway, speaking of xmas, I am dying to get my xmas prezzie from my dad, as it is a Tarot deck that I have been wanting for a while. I can't remember which one it is (okay, so I do know, but it's fun to pretend), but all will be revealed soon after December 25th.
Ah well, happy anticipation (contented sigh).
Goddess Blessings, Willow
Eureka
Well, I am still on a high after my trip to London. The London Eye was fantastic, and given that it was a sunny day, the views over London were absolutely stunning. I have to say I was just a tiny bit nervous when we were getting to the top as it is so high and the capsules are mostly made of glass.........but I can't wait to do it again!
However, it has to be said that the highlight of the weekend was the trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum, to the Print and Drawings Study Room. It was just soooooo exciting looking at the catalogue and filling out request forms for the Tarot cards that I wanted to see......and then there was a twenty minute wait whilst someone dug them out from their protected environment somewhere in the bowels of the earth. I could feel the tension mounting as the minutes ticked by, and my heart began to beat faster. Then came the moment.........the first of the boxes of cards arrived and I looked at several original decks, including one of Alliette's (Etteilla) Minchiate decks which was really fascinating, but the true piece de resistance was..............the arrival of the Antonio de Cicognara Italian Tarot cards from the sixteenth century. They are mounted/displayed on a board and are utterly and absolutely stunning. I have waited many years to see these cards and I felt overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't help crying! Even my son, who is not a believer in Tarot, was so impressed with the quality of the artwork. It was hard to believe these cards are five hundred years old - they look pristine, and I have never felt so privileged. All I can say is, if you get the opportunity to go to the V and A, go look! Yes, Eureka, the Holy Grail.
Sylvia Abraham's 'How To Read The Tarot' is this week's book review, and an interesting book it has turned out to be.
Now then, you may remember that I have alluded to a new section which is coming soon to a website near you.........It is going to be called 'Willow and Waite' and is all about correspondence between myself and Waite - not that Waite is speaking to me from beyond the grave, rather, from my own imagination. I'm hoping it turns out to be interesting and fun. I've always enjoyed writing letters so keep your eyes peeled for this.
Well, time I wound my weary way to bed.......the sand-woman cometh, so
Goddess Blessings,
Willow
