Monday 19 December 2016

The Many Coloured Land.

Yesterday, as daylight dwindled, I was sitting by the stove re-reading AE’s book
‘The Candle of Vision’ when my mind returned to the start of this year. 




I began 2016 here with a post dedicated to George William Russell, AE. 
His writing continued to inspire me through the bleak days of winter and later led me to seek out the Many Coloured Land, places of vision and creative power within myself and the landscape of Ireland.   

To read - Æ, artist & mystic - 
“And the old enchantment lingers in the honey-heart of earth.” LINK HERE


This January was icy but as daylight slowly grew I made preparations to honour Brigid on the Eve of her festival.





The cross was woven and set above the door. 



The brát was placed on the windowsill to catch her blessing as she emerged from nearby 
Croghan Hill, to walk the land. 

To read - "Brighid returns from the Otherworld" LINK HERE


The long desired greening had began by the time I travelled to Kildare, home of her eternal flame. 





Her fire pit held evidence of ritual 



and at Brigid’s Well I felt the rising of the year.

To read - "The promised Spring arrives" LINK HERE


In hindsight I now understand that water has flowed throughout my year. 
Visits to rivers, lakes, bogs and sacred wells have inspired me and strengthened my connection to the spirits of the land. 




I see now that it really began on the shores of Lough Gur, sacred to the goddess Áine. 

To read - LOUGH GUR - “a personality loved, but also feared.”




Then on morning walks to my local river I spied white blossom on dark limbs.



The blackthorn blazed like pale spirits across the country.

To read "Blackthorn, dark sister of the May" LINK HERE




Pale primroses peeped from beneath hedges and gold glinted in the fields.




Bealtaine came nearer. I welcomed summer on May Eve in the old way by decorating a May bush 




and lighting a bonfire at twilight. 



To read - "The May bush ribbons dance as the Fairy Host pass by" LINK HERE


As the land brought forth her flowers and the sun stretched the evenings
I felt a strong pull towards water, the west and Irelands’ many sacred wells. 





To read - "Sacred water and three thousand Holy Wells" LINK HERE




To read - "By Stone, Whitethorn and Well" LINK HERE


One well in particular, Rathin Well in Co. Clare, was to connect me to a deep sorrow still felt
by many communities.


To read - "In silent need they searched for Holy ground" LINK HERE



The year turned towards harvest but water still drew me to loughs 

To read - "Lughnasa, loughs and a last salute to Summer." LINK HERE

and the dark bog spirits of the Midlands.



To read - "Dark Spirits of the Bog" LINK HERE


There were places where the Otherworld felt close


To read - "The Burren: Land of the Fertile Rock" LINK HERE


and a morning when I stepped into The Silence.


To read - "Otherworld Shenanigans: The Silence" LINK HERE


Throughout this years’ adventures The Cailleach, the Old Woman, has been close by.

She has threaded her way through images.


To read - "The Cailleach - Hag of the Mill & Mother of the Herd" LINK HERE


And words. 


To read - "A Samhain Story - The Lament of the Old Woman" LINK HERE


As I prepare to celebrate the birth of a new year she whispers in my ear -

“ There is more, much more yet to come. You have merely glimpsed the Many Coloured Land.” 



Outside The Cailleach traces frost upon the leaves but I know she has already planted 
the seeds of next years’ adventures.


Many thanks to you all for reading, following and commenting on this blog. 

May your New Year be filled with good food, good health & good company!



7 comments:

  1. Sometimes you take my breath away and I cannot think and so to make up for my loss I give you this.

    A Whisper

    A song from tall leafy trees
    dancingly drifts downwards
    through a clear ambience
    of soft sun soothed rain,
    a cool-warm whisper

    Flows as gentle vapours
    envelope a listener
    With eyes that dare to stare
    through a green canopy
    To dreams and beyond

    Where AE's visions birthed
    amid strong summer scents
    Sparkling the May dew fire
    To fertilise Cruachs corn
    in Earth Mothers womb

    Her whose voice inspires
    fills The Dagda's cauldron
    With speckled golden grain
    The song has been sung
    and life is renewed again

    ©MRL 16-03-06 .


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    Replies
    1. Thank you Heron - I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Your poem is wonderful & takes my breath away!

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  2. Many thanks Jenny - will pass on your comment to the author ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. A wonderful stroll through the many coloured land; looking forward to moving into the light

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - glad you enjoyed it Freespiral. Solstice blessings to you!

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  4. There's so much to follow in your post here, Jane. A lovely journey with links that could keep me going for weeks. Your painting is stunning....or as Mel says, breathtaking! Have a wonderful festive season, dear Jane!

    ReplyDelete

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