Ancient practices for a modern world Traditions and Celebrations This important point in the sun's cycle has been celebrated all over the world for thousands of years. For the Norse and Celts, it was Yule, for the Romans, Saturnalia, and it has now been Christianised into Christmas. But all these celebrations have the same theme in common - the rebirth of the sun (or 'the son' in Christian terms). Our ancestors were very keen to honour this time of the year and designed so

Ancient practices for a modern world Lammas / Lughnasadh - 1st August 'Gratitude' Late summer is an important transitional season, a time to re-centre, create stability, balance and comfort, in preparation for the cooler yin stages of autumn and winter. In yoga we focus on core stability, connecting to the earth and feeling centred. The first harvest; and the corn is being brought in from the field and apples are ripening. During the season of harvest, we take time to

Ancient practices for a modern world Imbolc - February 1st (Candlemas / St. Brigid)​'Awakening' Winter into Spring Between now and the Summer Solstice in June the light will be expanding. The world is waking up after winter sleep bringing transformation and regeneration. Life is beginning to show again with new shoots and flowers popping through the cold ground. This is a time when the first lambs are born and ewe's milk is available again after the long winter. The year i

Ancient practices for a modern world Seasons and Cycles Life is full of cycles and change. So often we are too busy to be in tune wth them. The seasons are the most obvious to think of and they really can affect how we feel. We are creatures of nature with the same response to seasons as animals and in winter we slow down and feel like being in more (hibernating) and in spring our energy changes and we want to be out more and doing things. Some really feel the difference in

Ancient practices for a modern world. Ogham & the Celtic Tree Calendar The ancient Celts didn’t have a written language, but they had a mysterious set of symbols known as the Ogham, pronounced 'Oh-am'. The exact historical origin of the alphabet has been the source of arguments for many years between modern pagans, scholars and authors. The Celtic alphabet of Ogham is an undisputed ancient written form in Ireland from around the 4-10th Century CE found on giant stone monument