Imbolc, February 2, 2015 by Barbara Carvallo

On this day Goddess Brigit steps through the golden dawn and the Quickening begins.  All of Her children in the green world start to awaken.  Seed and bulb, root and vine will feel Winter receding in subtle ways imperceptible to what is left of human instinct and Earth consciousness. 

Gardeners and Witches know this stirring of new life as the Great Crone Hecate gradually withdraws Her mantle of cold and snowy white to make room for the Maiden’s green and glowing Spring.  

The Fae precede Brigit with drum and cymbal, flute and chime playing the music that will coax the Sun closer to the soil.  In the fullness of time as the Earth warms the Great Mother will spread Her arms and bring forth the richness of blossom and bloom to decorate Her terra cotta robes.  Thus the Wheel of the Year turns. 

Black Jade by Barbara Carvallo

 Black Jade is a miniature rose, small both in leaf and bloom size.  She is fragrant and very hardy.

On the Divide from Pagan Dreams by Barbara Carvallo

In the lusty evening the lilac light is splintered like stained glass,
Filling the spaces between pale saffron peony and blood tinged roses.
The wind whispers sweetly to the coming full moon,
Shinning kindly on the indigo blue fissures and ragged peaks of the Great Divide.

This is the breast of the Goddess soon to be sleeping in moonlight,
Breathing in starlight, loving all of Her creation with the beauty of Her presence.
Now as mountain streams roll on softly, Hecate steps toward the horizon in ebony and silver,
Obscuring the Divide under a perfect mantel of night.

Unseen the Goddess remains in the song of nocturnal insects,
The sweet scent of the flowers borne on a wandering breeze.
On the currents of piney coolness rolling down off the Divide,
Her voice fills the growing stillness, “I am with you morning, noon and night.”

SOLSTICE IN THE RABBIT HOLE by Peno Hardesty

on this---the longest night---the rains fall heavy---as though the sorrows of creation weep together----thunder roars---a warning---then lightening---a message---si---we weep and we question but thunder warns us not to stop living---not to stop fighting for justice ---not to stop seeking truth---lightening reminds us that there is both pain and exhilaration in moving----moving forward---we weep that we might release---we weep that we might breathe---we weep that we might remember strength and courage---we weep that we might understand cleansing and rebirth of spirit---we weep that we might walk--anew--------in this darkness we see clearly---we focus---we allow truth to be-----we accept.................................................

may the blessings of the solstice find each of us and may each of us recognize the blessing................................................

CHRISTMAS PAST IN THE RABBIT HOLE by Peno Hardesty

see----long long ago little wibble wobbles---oh I am sorry----wibble wbbles is a unicorn---a rather tiny unicorn---and his horn is on his nose so he had trouble learning to walk and balance and all------long long ago wibble wobbles met santa clause---santa did not mind that wibble wobbles wobbled a bit-----santa could see that wibble wobbles was lonely---and shy and tiny-----but wibble wobbles loved to sing---just sing and sing---but with a horn on your nose sometimes the singin' ain't so good---so wibble wobbles just sang to the trees and the wind-- santa took wibble wobbles one Christmas eve on a special flight---all the way to florida usa------it was a cold night even in florida but the sky was clear and the stars were very bright so santa's sleigh could hide among them----down below there was a clubhouse where a little family was singing----the little boy played the keyboard---and although he had no horn on his nose he could not sing so good but it was the most beautiful music that wibble wobbles had ever heard---santa explained to wibble wobbles that the music came from the heart of the little boy-- so good ---so true ---a little boy who believed in magic people and love ------believing is the music----wibble wobbles wrote a note to the little boy that very night---in crayon---and even though some words were misspelled and some letters were backwards it was a magic letter because it was written with love----believing is the magic------wibble wobbles still rides with santa on christmas eve--and sings to the stars--and still wibble wobbles sees the little boy--- now all grown up with a little girl of his own---and the magic that was in the letter from wibble wobbles---the words- the love --the giving-- are in the heart of the little girl- and the little girl --although she has no horn on her nose does not sing but she draws the music and she writes the music and the music is beautiful------because that is how love grows and magic shines and dreams become real----believing is the love and love is...............................................

Winters in Colorado by Barbara Carvallo

Just Joey

Winters in Colorado can be formidable; although, they are not nearly as wet as they used to be.  Still, deep and prolonged cold is to be expected.  This November, for instance, has been the coldest in 200 years. 

As a gardener I know that unseasonably warm temperatures throughout too much of the late fall and winter are not good for most ornamental perennials grown in climates like mine.  However, this year my roses went from 55 degree days to below zero nights in a week’s time.  That is extremely hard on even established roses.  I am concerned about two new roses freshly planted this past spring.  They are Just Joey and Smoke Ring pictured here. 

When the dark and cold of winter set in I think about the many plants nestled below ground that need the cold for proper development.  Bulb plants like daffodils, lilies, tulips, and some iris require the cold of winter to mature and produce lovely shows for the next season.  

Smoke Rings

From the Goddess' Gardens by Barbara Carvallo

Simplicity is the glory of expression. ... Walt Whitman