The Quickening

Ever wondered why they call Imbolg The Quickening. Well, one thing i notice is that at this time of the year, my hair grows quicker and needs the roots recoloured more often than any other time of the year.

To me the first sigh of the Quickening is the beautiful almond blossom! To me this signifies the first blossoms announcing that spring is on her way. Willunga hosts the beautiful almond blossom festival, what a great way to celebrate Imbolg.


My offering this year, was goats cheese and caramalised onion tarts..... mmmm (made with two types of goat cheese). I did consider making it from sheeps cheese (as Imbolg does literally mean ewe's milk) but i just prefer the taste of goats cheese.



This year i was lucky enough to be invited to celebrate Imbolg with some friends. We made Brigids Crosses out of straw.

And did anyone see all the caterpillars crawling aroung the place. Just the common garden type, but there were so many. We found at least 5 in our garden just in one afternoon. Spring is about to Sprung! The butterflies are coming.

The Quickening

So Imbolc has come and gone, but the signs that it is upon us, is are all around.

The most noticable for me is the beautiful almond blossom. All around are these beautiful trees, with an abundance of white flowers

Winter Solstice 2009

Tallis at the Winter Solstice Bonfire at Prospect Hill.

The Roasted Pumpkin Risotto was wonderful, and then on the actual Solstice, we walked up to the Bluff to watch the sun set on the shortest day of the year. I made a "cake" to share and have with our Ale. Actually it was a Cheese and Chive Scone, cut into eight sections. It just came out of the oven and we ate it hot with melting butter on it as the sun set over the ocean. Check out the photos.

CJ and Tallis at Sunset,

Our Cheese and Chive Scone,

Our Family Celebrating the 2009 Winter Solstice at the Witton Bluff.

Thank You To My Time Angels!!

Well this week has been a bizarre week, but i didnt realise it was till it was all over. I have recently returned to work after maternity leave, and received my company phone back. I didnt realise at the time, but the girl who had it before me had it on 24 hour clock, but set the wrong way. So 6am on my mobile clock was 18:00.
So last Tuesday, i was flying to Melbourne and had to be up by 4am. I set my mobile phone for 4:00 but i woke up before it was due to go off. I caught my plane on time.
On Wednesday, a colleauge and i got up extra early to go for a run in Melbourne, Mobile alarm set for 5:00am, again i woke up before it went off.
On Thursday, final day in Melbourne, alarm was set for 6:00, I woke up at 6:10am and discovered that although i had woken at the correct times each day, my mobile phone alarm clock had not gone off one single time, due to the time discrepancies!!

So Thank you to my wonderful Angels, who woke me up each and every day and allowed my week in Melbourne to be a success.

If you know me, then you know that I cant stand to be even 5 minutes late. i feel ill if i am late. This week could have been a disaster for me, but thanks to my Angels, it worked out really well.

Thanks

Tracy

Winding up to Winter Solstice.

Well the Winter Solstice for 2009 is fast approaching and as usual I am upset that i wont be going all out and holding a ceremonial ritual this weekend. So, I am doing what i do most celebrations, I cook! I believe that when my time is short (I am a mother of two girls, both under 4, I work full time for corporate USA, and have a small business on the side). This weekend is about my family, and how i can share it with them.

So, I tend to cook with my family. Tonight my 3 year old helped me roasting the Pumpkin with Sage, Rosemary and Garlic, for tomorrows Winter Solstice Pumpkin Risotto.

I always think about it for a while, and try to make all the ingredients important and special to the celebration. So this Yule (AKA Winter Solstice) we are having Pumpkin Risotto. The pumpkin gives the dish a wonderful orange colour which welcomes back the orange of the sun. All of the ingredients are either winter ingredients or ingredients that store well in winter. The saffron, pine nuts and herbs combine to make an earthy dish.

We are headed to Prospect Hill, to a Winter Solstice Bonfire. Last year i taught the 'Charges' the Rainbow song. This year I make a huge pot of Roasted Pumpkin Risotto, which has been infused with magickal ingredients to honour the return of the days, and a shortening of the nights. And as we eat it, we will honour the Sun, the warmth that comes from it, and the dawning of the new day.

Illustrations in hand!

Well the illustrations have arrived from the wonderful artist in Sydney. Thank you so much DRG. They are great. Next step is to figure out where the writing will go on each page..... they finalise formating....... save up the other half of the printing costs...... print....... do website........ get them out there.

Today we are one step closer to "Kite Magic" being 'out there'!!

BB
Tracy

The Beach and The Elements

As i was running along the beautiful Port Noarlunga beach today, it occured to me that the beach, was a perfect place not only to find the elements but to use them to my advantage.

The AIR was so clean, and i could see clear blue skies for miles and miles. It supplied clean oxygen to my lungs and my muscles as i jogged along taking it all in.

The EARTH beneath my feet, crunchy sand and shells, supporting the weight of my legs as they carried me along on my journey.

The FIRE of the glorious sun, which shone on my face, willing me to run on. It warmed my heart, and my soul, and gave me light to see where i was going and where i had been.

The WATER, the vast blue ocean, whose waves splashed up to greet my every foot fall onto the sand. Crisp and fresh, enticing me in to be encompassed by its clensing waves.

How perfect was that hour on the beach today? And every day. How lucky am i to live where the elements kiss my life daily, Yeah, today i felt like the richest woman alive. I felt Alive, thanks to the wonderful elements!

Blessed Be.

Tracy

Kite Magic

Kite Magic is on its way. A picture book for pre school children to teach them about the basics of Paganism. Kite Magic is about the element Air.
It is the first of a set of four books, the other three being about Earth, Fire, and Water. Stay tuned, its on its way.

Welcome

Welcome one and all!

Paganchild publishing is on its way. The first book will be out very soon. Stay tuned.........