THE VIOLET AND THE BLACKTHORN SPRINGTIME 2019 Nature’s rhythms are wondrous. April is upon us after a rather strange Spring Equinox in March. There seemed to be a stream of serenity yet, at the same time, an undercurrent of turbulence. Intriguing! Nevertheless Nature graced us with her early springtime loveliness. Two beauties who particularly wish to be noticed, to me at least, are the sweetly mysterious Violet and the Blackthorn blossom who this year exudes so much light and expressive magnificence. The captivating Sweet Violet is the first violet to flower, then comes the Dog Violet. They have different tints
The Knot Garden The hallmark of a knot garden is the interflow and knotting effect of the shapes; it is a place that one can walk around in a leisurely and intimate way (if large enough, or simply view), admiring the contrasting tones, tints and textures of carefully placed plants. I made a tiny one at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a very long time ago that won a ‘Silver Gilt’ award! and a much larger one in an old walled garden in Suffolk (again a long time ago). This larger one was based on an original sixteenth-century design by Parkinson, a
IMBOLC In Praise and Celebration of Womankind At the very beginning of February, the Fire Festival of Imbolc honours the Goddess, the re-emergence of light and life all around. Winter’s mantle is still upon us, though it is now timely to make wishes and plans, to sow ideas, to begin to leave behind Winter’s constrictions and indeed anything in our lives that sits uncomfortably within our being. This creates more space for ourselves, and for the potential and possibilities ahead. Renewal and hope are in the air. It is time to applaud Mother Earth’s fertility and our own very special
WELCOME YEAR OF THE PIG also known as YEAR OF THE BOAR As Year of the Dog comes to an end on 5th February 2019, Pig/Boar trots in with keenness and the offering of a yellow flower. This flower has five petals, the number often associated with humankind. Its yellow colour is to bring illumination – a clarity of vision – truth and wisdom. We are invited to fill our solar plexus, each day, with a golden yellow glow. Our canine guardian, throughout Year of the Dog, has had a challenging time, with many issues of injustice brought to the