This is another opportunity to partake in this introductory workshop, for those of you who missed the last one.
Anyone who attends this workshop can then move on to level II, Entering the Sacred Grove on August 21st and 22nd.
Full details on the website www.earthwisdom.co.uk.
Don’t forget the Kingley Vale walk on June 9th. Weather should be glorious!
This is Gorse, which you see everywhere at the moment, it’s sunny blossoms opening up, and the heady aroma of Spring reaches the nostrils as we walk the downs.
Gorse is a hardy shrub, withstanding the blustery sea winds, its thorns protecting tiny birds who can nest in a dense, golden haven.
The Ogham symbol for Gorse is this.
The mantra is Onn. Onn is a symbol of sunshine and hope. We can connect to the energy of Gorse when we have been through devastating trauma. Onn gives us hope, peaceful resignation and patience. It is a good symbol to use after severe illness, bringing sunshine and healing to anyone who has suffered.
Yew just had to be tree of the week, after they worked their magic on us in Kingley Vale last Saturday.
The Ogham symbol for Yew is Idho.
When we have this symbol placed into our energy field it allows us to be more aware of the Wheel of Life, and the Wheel of Nature. Our lives follow the seasons of birth, life, death and rebirth. With Idho we become less fearful of the death process, whether that is our physical death, or the death of outworn, stagnant conditioning and habits. Idho allows us to release painful situations, and works well with Beith – Silver Birch, for new beginnings, and Fearn – Alder for protection and courage.
The Yew can live for many thousands of years, rooting their branches and growing from within old, hollow trunks to form new trees, perpetuating the evidence of life within death. When Christians built their churches on ancient sacred sites the Yews were still honoured as representations of this. This is why Yews in churchyards are often much older than the church buildings.
How wonderful to spend yesterday morning with a few old friends in the magical forest of Kingley Vale.
These ancient Yews never cease to take my breath away as soon as the first one shows itself quietly waiting in the depths of the wild wood. The colours of the branches, the twisted zoomorphic and anthropomorphic images depicted in their trunks, the impression of constancy that one gets as they show us the reality of how our ancestors viewed them as the trees of birth, life, death and rebirth. Anyone who walks these woodlands surely cannot fail to be impressed with these magnificent giants.
We were shooting a film for my website, and for Youtube. I was very blessed to be accompanied by lovely friends, who volunteered their time on this bank holiday Saturday to help me demonstrate some aspects of the Celtic Earth Magic workshops. By all accounts they too were blown away by the atmosphere of this most evocative of ancient spiritual energy centres. Amanda Sangorski, who was shooting the film brought her two little pugs, and of course they were literally in their element. When we invited Nature Spirits to join us these two little dogs stood quietly and respectfully watching as the gentle Elementals allowed us to feel their energy.
Many, many thanks to Angela Peters, Kathy Johnson, Ali Crystalwitch Holland, Mia Sampietro, Tracy Marshall and Indy Rosekilly for adding your energy to the day, and for giving me confidence and support. Special thanks to Amanda for your patience, professionalism and understanding when I floundered my lines! Thanks to the dear little canines who were convinced that SOMEONE surely must have biscuits?
A few views, none of which do the Yews justice.
This is the Scots Pine – Ahim in Ogham. It’s symbol is this. 
The Scots Pine is seen as a tree of farsightedness. When this Ogham symbol is placed into one’s energy field it will help to lift us out of the dark feeling of being stuck, despairing and fearful. The Scots Pine used to cover the Caledonian forest. There are still small pockets left, as with most ancient forests, but to see thousands of these tall trees with their reddish, intricate bark must have given Scottish Highlanders a sense of home, of belonging, of being at one with their tribe.
The tiny pine cones are just beginning to form. They develop into soft yellow pendulums, full of pollen, which can be eaten, and the clouds of pollen make a good natural flour. 
Looking at those tiny cones today, I wondered at the process which would eventually turn them into magnificent specimens, full of seeds, which occasionally pop out with warmth.
Ahim gives us clear vision, and lights the way forward, just as the Scots Pine was used by our ancestors as a beacon or torch to light their way through the dark of night. The symbol could be used in conjunction with Fearn, the Alder, giving us courage and protection to take the next step forward into the future – into the light.
All the Ogham symbols can be used in unison with others to help us live full, harmonious, joyful and magical lives, at one with the rest of Nature.
I am organising a guided walk in the ancient Yew forest of Kingley Vale on Sunday June 9th 2013.
This forest is home to some of the oldest and most breathtaking Yew trees in Europe.
The area is a diverse mix of flora and fauna, and will include a short but reasonably steep walk to reach a magnificent view across the Solent.
The walk, including time for observation and connection to the trees, spirits of the land and ancestors will take approximately three hours. This will include a short break for lunch.
If you are interested please let me know and I will send further details.
For those with average fitness. In no way will it be a frog march! Taking time for walking meditation is obligatory!
I was away last week, and on my return I was thrilled to see that the pair of collar doves who roost in my Hawthorn tree have presented their two little snuggled-up babies. Keeping fingers crossed that they survive this weather, cats, magpies and hawks.
This is the beautiful Blackthorn. You cannot miss these striking white blossoms at this time of the year. Blackthorn blossom appears before the leaves, and when the flowers are young they taste like almonds. Be careful when picking them, however! The thorn is long, sharp and can cause infection. Legend says that the poisoned needle which sent Sleeping Beauty into her 100 year coma was made from Blackthorn.
In the Autumn the Blackthorn produces blue-black sloes. We will look again at Blackthorn later in the year.
The Ogham symbol and mantra for Blackthorn is Straif. 
It is one of Celtic Earth Magic’s Master symbols. Straif is a very powerful energy, and can be used to clear negative attachments to people and the land. For instance, if black magic has been used in an area we can call upon the vibration of Straif to bring light into the Earth. The same symbol and energy can be used if a person has been involved with a violent, possessive partner or acquaintance, and they are still feeling that influence and fear.
This symbol is only placed into a student’s energetic field at level IV, when they have completed all three previous levels of Celtic Earth Magic.
I love the Blackthorn, and its powerful energy. It can be extremely useful in healing sessions to clear negative conditioning, especially in deep Shamanic work.
In the Celtic Earth Magic level II course, Entering the Sacred Grove, students are taught how to use all the twenty-five symbols for healing, and at this stage Straif is at its gentlest, as are all the Ogham symbols.
Alder is a tree little recognised by many people, but once you get to know the distinctive outline it will never be forgotten.
The Alder loves water, and is happiest when growing near a lake or river.
It’s unusual because the male catkins and female cones appear together.
In the Celtic tradition the Alder was seen as a protective tree. Battle shields were often made from its wood, and the women of the tribe would weave cloaks for the warriors which had been dyed with Alder bark extract.
The Celtic god Bran the Blessed is associated with the Alder. His totem bird is the Raven, and his legend says that his talking head was buried under the White Mount, where the Tower of London now stands. Hence the legend that if the Ravens flee the Tower, England will fall.
The Ogham symbol for Alder is Fearn. 
When this symbol is placed into our energy field it allows us to face situations with courage. It is a symbol of balance, demonstrated by the male and female aspects of the tree. It is a tree of the Sidhe – the Faerie folk – and we can call upon them to help us search for the truth when we feel overwhelmed. They will also offer their protection in conflict if we use this symbol to communicate with them.
With the help of Alder we can walk our Spiritual path without fear, with courage and confidence, knowing that we are protected by the Spirits of Nature. The Ogham symbol of Fearn allows us to call upon these energies for guidance us on our journey.
Please think of the people of Japan today. It is the second anniversary of the devastating tsunami which touched all our hearts. Thank you x 
This is Kannon, Goddess of compassion, known in China as Quan Yin.
