Trees and Nature
-
Ruminations Under an Oak
On Wednesday we visited the Angel Oak near Charleston, South Carolina. It is a vast thing, probably over a thousand years old, twisted and hoary and huge, like a cross between a live oak and an elephant. From a short distance away, it looks like a whole grove of trees; under its boughs, it is… Continue reading
-
Moss, Mire
This week we’re in Charleston, South Carolina, visiting the Angel Oak. It’s considerably sunnier and wetter here than it is back in Pittsburgh: the earth is sandier, the blue skies paler, and the waters warmer. In the morning we went out jogging past the stately homes, the gardens lush with semitropical bushes, huge magnolias, and towering… Continue reading
-
Rain, Wind
It’s been a cold, rainy spring here in southwestern Pennsylvania, and though there are lilies blooming in the garden and birds clamoring in the yard, I’m nevertheless wrapped under two blankets, the windows are shut tight and the rain and wind are beating at the glass. 3 AM – I am awake to the downpour,… Continue reading
-
Uprooted
Like a silent thunderclap The sun strikes a blade of grass, — A sharp thrusting blade it is, a defiant green punch Out of the soil at the sky — Now struck and smelted with gold leaf, Humming with new life and power, Slow and ruminous the photosynthesis. The Long Hand of Lugh Has painted… Continue reading
-
The Coligny Calendar
The Coligny calendar was discovered in Coligny, France (near Lyon) as little more than a pile of bronze fragments in 1897 – most likely smashed by Roman authorities during the suppression of druidic practice – and painstakingly restored piece by piece. It was originally the size of a rather cramped doorway. Less than half of… Continue reading
-
The Druid Zodiac
The Gundestrup Cauldron, an intricate silver bowl composed of plates depicting fantastic figures and scenes, may be a representation of the ancient Celtic Zodiac. Continue reading
-
The Plight of the Honey Bee
Almost everyone is aware by now that honey bees are having a very, very difficult year. Bee colonies are dying all over the United States, imperiling not only the supply of honey, but also crops that depend on the bee for pollination, such as almonds, strawberries, blueberries, apples, watermelons, cranberries, and soybeans. While there are… Continue reading
-
Avoiding Colds and Flu (Druid Herbal Wisdom)
Knowing Druid herbalists has its advantages. Every winter, my family has all kinds of trouble with colds and flu. It happens because we’re cooped up in the house a lot, and we have small children who ensure that every bug and germ wandering around town ends up at our house. We’ve tried tea, we’ve tried… Continue reading
-
Is it Too Late to Avoid Collapse?
Archdruid John Michael Greer has a theory about the collapse of civilizations, a theory he calls “catabolic collapse”. The gist is that civilizations don’t drop from a great height immediately to the bottom of a chasm. Instead, they tend to tumble in stages, like a drunk falling down a stairway. They fall a little bit,… Continue reading
About Me
Word, Card, and Star – a journey through language, divination, and inspiration. A chronicle of my search for guidance, insight, and a connection to nature and the ancient world. Along the way, I hope to discover beauty, connection, groundedness, and a sense of wonder.
Recent Posts
Newsletter
Pages
categories
- Abundance
- Ancestors
- Arguments Against Religion
- Astrology
- Atheism
- Christianity
- Consciousness
- Defining Paganism
- Druidry
- Ethics
- Etymology
- Fiction
- Fire Festivals
- Futurism
- Gods
- Guides
- Health
- History
- How to Choose a Religion
- Inner Landscapes
- Language
- Literature
- Magic and Manifestation
- Meaning
- Meditation
- My Favorite Meditation
- Paganism
- Philosophy and Religion
- Politics
- Products
- Reconciling Dreams and Reality
- Relationships
- Religion
- Religion and Magic
- Ritual
- Selling Salvation
- Society
- Sun Festivals
- Tarot
- The Great Bear
- The Structure of Consciousness
- Tolkien Tarot Spread
- Trees and Nature
- Uncategorized
- Word and Spirit
- Writing
- Zen
- Zen and Tarot
Druid Journal 