Mainly Spring.
Posted: Monday, 14 March 2005 |
Comments
In the old Celtic calender, Spring began on Feburary the 2nd (Imbolc, somtimes called Candlemass). This was when the Earth reawakened and the first signs of life returning to the outside world could be seen. I have found that the old calenders are far more accurate to what is going on around us than the modern way of measuring things. The old Caltic festivals were observed by our ancestors who were far more in tune with the land and the cycles of life and death than we are today...with our articifial lights,T.V,cars and technology. I don't need some bod sat in London to tell me when spring begins....you hear it in the change of the bird song, you smell it in the milder air.
The next important event in the old calender is on or around March 21st....the Spring Equinox. From then on the daylight will be longer than the nights and thats when we see an explotion of activity in nature....despite the authorities telling us that spring hasen't 'officially' started yet! :-)
witchinthewoods from Mull
I'm not sure the green hue has arrived on Coll yet. My grass still looks wery grey/brown, except the lawn where the hens have de-thatched so efficiently there isn't any green at all.
Down south (Essex) I spotted a lawnmower in action on a roundabout. No, I really don't miss that life at all.
Nic from Coll
Witchinthewoods from Mull,
Thanks for commenting on my Blog Mainly Spring.I'm pleased that you agree that Spring starts at the beginning of February.I find that the appearance of Spring coencides with this time.
My personal belief is that the seasons are as follows (whether you accept, I dont know:) Spring:Feburary, March, April.
Summer:May, June, July.
Autumn:August, September, October.
Winter:November, December, January.
I stumbled upon this way of proposing the seasons many years ago in an old book of knowledge.I always considered it to be pretty close, if not quite accurate.
It is interisting to see that you are acquainted with the old Celtic Calendar and what was observed by our ancestors. I'm sure they had a gift for just that.The modern way of life wouldn't give perspective to their surroundings. Trust you get this plus my regards.
Island Wanderer from From Tiree
Nic from Coll,
Not all of Tiree is even slightly green except the clean arable ground that will be harvasted as hay,but we must be reminded what a precarious element all this is. although the good weather gave us a nice impression, a change in the weather could alter it all-early days yet!
Island Wanderer from From Tiree.
Hi again :-)
Thanks for the reply.I totally agree with you about the seasons. The old calender was split up as so :
Febuary 2nd ( Imbolc)beginning of spring
May 1st (Beltane) Beginning of summer
August 2nd (Lammas) Beginning of the harvest)
October 31st (Samhain/Halloween)Beginning of winter.
You also had what was known as the 'cross quarter' festivals. These being Summer and Winter Solstice and Spring and Autumn Equinox.
Winter Solstice was ofcourse the low point and darkest time of the seasonal year, as Summer Solstice was the highest.
For anyone close to the land or who loves the countryside and is observent enough, then you will certainly hear,smell and see the changes in the land around these times.
I think I will begin a blog on this...have been struggling to find somthing to talk about! lol
witchinthewoods from Mull
Witchinthewoods from mull,
Delighted that you got my comment, and pleased to hear from you in return.We seem to be on the same track as regards the seasons of the year. Our forebearers certainly weren't such duffers. Yes, you can see hear and smell the advent of each season and they all have their distintcive kinds of shades and sounds.
As regards writing blogs, I appeal that you do so. dont delay any longer.
kind regards.
Island Wanderer from from tiree
Hello Island Wanderer.I see in one of Pondhead blogs that Tiree is getting a wind farm. I haven鈥檛 heard much about it but I did see there was planning permission for a mast in the Oban Times this week. Can you tell me what's being considered?
Anne from Mull
Comment for Island Wanderer,
Tiree mast,a test for future turbines-hopefully; but possibly not more than two or three and without problems we all sincerely desire. They are expected to be placed at the back of Ben Hough on the west side of the island,It is hoped that this is not a regular path used by the bird populations, and also copatable to aircraft movements to and from the airport.I'd imagine that in end this small scheme will in some way be in comparison with the Gigha project.Ilook forward to it being a great success.
Island Wanderer from From Tiree.
From what Pondhead wrote it sounds like 3 turbines are being proposed - 2 of which are community owned and one that is not. Can you tell me what the story is regarding the other turbine and where is that one to be sited?
www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/whereilive/westernhighlandsandislands/islandblogging/bloggers/000052/0000001015.shtml
Anne from Mull
Anne from mull,
I only understand that possibly two or three turbines are to be erected here. The finer issues of this matter I don't- like two being community turbines and one no. It is probably the old story, the natives are often the last to know!
Island Wanderer, from From Tiree.
You鈥檙e so right Island Wanderer. It鈥檚 sad that islanders are not the first to find out what is going on. We have a "trust" called the MICT (Mull and Iona Community Trust). It鈥檚 clear that MICT were happily dealing with both the wind farm proposal on Mull and didn鈥檛 feel the need to tell people what was going on. I would have been more impressed with the trust if they had encouraged an open discussion about the merits of various sites before they decided they had the right to back projects. I hope it works out better on Tiree.
Anne from Mull
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