You're Invited to my New Collection

• My first weaving collection goes live - this Friday (9th April), 12 noon Eastern 

• Come by and visit my shop tomorrow

• Friday (9th April)
  
  Cost range from $40 - $60
  

The Whirlpool of Corryvrecken

A few years ago I got to take a boat trip out to visit the Corryrecken Whirlpool, not too far from the town of Oban, on the west coast of Scotland. I tell the story each Samhain of how the Cailleach wades out into the water to wash her plaid in the churning waters of this great whirlpool.
As she lifts the cloth from the waters and shakes it dry, water drops freeze instantly and turn the tops of the surrounding hills white in the first dusting of snow.
It's a whole other thing to visit the whirlpool and see first hand the great bubbles of water rising from the depths, for this is a cauldron that churns everything up and so everyone is fed - from the gulls and the gannets, the porpoises, and seals.

Spring Tides
Spring Tides happen every month as the waters dance with the pull of the moon. If we return to that place of feeling, of noticing the ebb and flow, in tune with our own internal rhythms.

Fraoch 

Fraoch is the Gaelic word for Heather. This piece is a fraoch map, a heather map - sitting among the heather on one of my favorite hills, surrounded by the buzzing of bees. The mustard tones are the pollen the bees are collecting but also the golden color of the sun and its angle as it begins to descend and sets the sky alight in hues of gold. The map holds golden tones as a reference to the dance of the bees and how their dance references the changing direction of the sun. 

Rockpools

Little circular weavings inspired by walks along Scottish beaches peering into perfectly framed rock pools. Pools whose creatures have adapted to a possible drying up completely and then the eventual submersion as the tide comes in again.

This collection heads into the shop tomorrow -

Friday 9th April at 12 noon, eastern time

Auld Wives Day (Là na Caillich). Cailleach Shrines & Spring Equinox Gathering Invitation

Click on the images above to check out the Cailleach Shrines in my Etsy Shop

---

Today is La na Caillich, day of the old crone. It was once New Years Day in an older calendar, an apt time for a new year as we enter into that phase of wild weather which takes us from the wild roar of winter and into the spring like weather of the frolic of lambs.

This year the dark has been darker and the deep has been deeper. It’s been a wonderful journey to gather with like minded women and tell tales of the old crone, and explore then through art projects and small gestures of ritual.

Click to visit this shrine in my Etsy shop

This year we journeyed for 6 months exploring the stories of the Cailleach, visiting:

• The Shrine of the Cailleach

• The Whirlpool of Corryvrecken

• The Cailleach’s Relationship with Deer (Her Fairy Cattle)

• As she can’t be found in different continents we explored the Old Women of Different Lands

• We Heard Stories of the Bean Feasa and Their Relationship to the Cailleach

• Looked For Any Links Between the Cailleach and Brighid

• Lastly We Explored the Stories of the Cailleach’s Renewal and the Symbolism of the Myth

With online gatherings via Zoom, art projects and ritual. This course will launch again in October

Your Invited To A Spring Equinox Gathering

Come join us for a gathering on the Path of the Ancestral Mothers for an evening of celbrating Spring Equinox

• Stories of Breejah, Women of Bear Linage, the Awakening of the Great She-Bear

• The Story of Spring Equinox Ritual

• Engaging conversation with like minded women

Sign up is easy just click below - the Spring Equinox Zoom link will be sent out tomorrow by newsletter

Sheena MacLeod Dolls

While I am a doll maker I am not a doll collector, in fact I own very few dolls. Although I have to confess I have a small collection of Sheena MacLeod dolls which I think are rather wonderful. The faces really speak as well as all the details that went into the clothes, and the research she did to make her dolls accurate and sourcing her materials mainly from Scotland and within the UK.

My favourite has to be the older women, sitting by their spinning wheel (see the image above - last row, middle photo). Her spinning wheel has long gone and one day I’ll get her a miniature one and add some wool I picked up on an Hebridean island - just to make her feel at home.

Sheena MacLeod was Scottish and an award winning doll maker, who sadly died in a car crash - but her dolls live on, becoming rarer as the years go on and now definitely collector items. But more than anything these little dolls are so full of character and continue on telling the stories of their traditions.

Below are my few remaining dolls which are for sale in my Etsy shop (of course I’ve kept a couple for myself).

Newhaven Fishwife Doll

Newhaven Fishwife - Perhaps the most famous of all Scottish fishwives, she carried fish from Newhaven into the city of Edinburgh and her cries of ‘caller herring; have been immortalized in song.(Taken from the Sheena MacLeod doll leaflet). Click on the photo to view her in my shop

Mrs. Macleod has increased her range until now there are 12 figures available. To the four types of fishwives she has added fishermen, island women, and crofters. The ''Hebridean Woman'' carries dried peats, for fuel, in her creel (the miniature peats are made of cork). The ''Skye Woman'' carries seaweed for spreading as fertilizer on the potato fields. (The seaweed is the genuine article, a miniature species specially collected, except when export regulations abroad dictate an artificial substitute.) - Interview with Sheena MacLeod, link at the bottom of the page

Crofter carrying a Peat basket on Island Of Harris , Outer Hebrides, Scotland .

Outer Isles (Lewis and Harris) Island Woman Doll

Island Woman - Women in the Outer Isles of Harris and Lewis, where weaving is still the major industry, collected various lichen from the shore and moor and used them to dye the yarn for their now world famous tweeds. (Taken from the leaflet on Sheena MacLeod dolls). Click on the photo to view her in my shop

Fisherman - Birsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Crofter man Making Creel Doll

Crofter man Making Creel Doll - Tenant of an area of land to which he had absolute tenure, the crofter was highly independent, tending his sheep and cattle on the hill, digging his peat; often weaving his cloth and fishing the shore waters; his potato patch and hen run in-lye land; he represented a God-fearing and cultured breed'. Taken from the Sheena MacLeod doll leaflet. Click on the photo to view him in my shop.

Click here to read an article about the dolls

Brighid, Dandelions and Celtic Soul Prayer Beads

Yesterday I spotted my first dandelion, the bright yellow flower shone like a beacon against the brown and frost bitten grass.

There are many different names for this plant in Gaelic, among them fical leaohain (lion’s teeth) and am bearnan Brighde (notched plant of Bridget).

Tess Darwin, in her wonderful book The Scot’s Herbal, states that of the dandelion if it is indeed the plant of the goddess/saint Bride, Bridget then this would explain its powerful attributes.

She notes that Alexander Carmichael, in the hymns, prayers and stories he collected from the Western Isles - the Hebrides, known as the Isles of Brighid, among then a blessing of the earth’s bounty, which included the dandelion

‘Magic hoop was made of milkwort, butterwort, dandelion and marigold. It was from three to four inches in diameter, and it was bound by a triple cord of lint - for lint also had magical properties - n the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, and placed under the milk-vessel, to prevent the substance of the milk from being spirited away’. - A Carmichael

In Scot’s dandelion is known as doon-head clock, horse gowan, milk gowan, piss-a-bed, witch gowan and yellow gowan.

Dandelion roots and leaves were used medicinally for their diuertic, tonic and stimulation properties. In 19th C Fife, mining folk used an infusion of dandelion root to cure stomach ache while dandelion sandwiches were eaten in Glencoe to cure ulcers.

Dandelion can also produce a yellow dye.

Click on the photo above to see these Brighid Celtic Soul Prayer beads in my Etsy shop

Last Two Sets of Brighid Prayer Beads

Click here to read about the symbolism of the beads

This set of Celtic Soul Prayer Beads feature a little wooden Brighid’s Cross, made in Ireland. The pendant sets the tone of the prayer beads set. The three silver beads after the pendant are ‘step beads’ which offer you three steps, or breathes inviting you to drop down into a meditative place. The invitation of these steps beads leads you onto the ‘mystery’ bead,.

The circle of beads represents the circle of life, the wheel of the year and each of the 8 sections, representing holydays around the year. Each section has a ‘threshold’ bead which allows you to consider the overlapping energies of each festival as well as an option to consider thresholds in your own life.

The lighter colored cedar beads are a different color, a reminder of your own intentions you are working with or gratitudes.

There are many different ways of using these beads and I hope to offer an online course which covers all the symbolism of the beads, how to work with them as well as using them in your daily practice.

Click on the photo above to see these Brighid Celtic Soul Prayer beads in my Etsy shop

Resources

Darwin, Tess. 2008. The Scots Herbal. The Plant Lore of Scotland. Birlinn, Edinbirgh, Scotland.

In Conversation

• A conversation with Bridget Engels of The Oracle of Luna, on my inspirations and influences, where, where we chat about:

• What is a Cultural Activist

• My influences on the journey

• My relationship to Land and how that brought about my relationship with the Ancestral Mothers

• Why I call myself a Radical Doll-maker

• Future plans and current offerings

Click below to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcast

7 Stories for the Cailleach Circle

“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here.”

-- The Secret Life of Bees. Sue Monk Kidd

Stories. I can’t imagine life without stories, I don’t even know how that would be possible. We are wired for stories, ears to take in the words and an imagination to set the scene and bring the characters to life.

The Cailleach Circle is a journey through the dark of the year with stories to engage with. You’ll fully engage with these stories -not just in their retelling but by exploring what questions emerge. You’ll explore these themes through the rich language of art and ritual.

1. The Cailleach’s Shrine

We begin with an introductory story by visiting the Shrine of the Cailleach.

2. The Whirlpool of Corryvrecken, The Cailleach’s Cauldron.

1. We begin the Circle by telling the story of the Cailleach washing her great plaid in the Whirlpool of Corryvrecken, the Cailleach’s Cauldron - an ancient ritual that brings the land deep into the dark of the year. What will emerge when you take the journey into the swirling waters of her cauldron?

3. November. The Old Woman of the Land.

The Cailleach holds the only creation story of the lands of Scotland and Ireland - through dropping rocks from her apron. She is a product of the land, she is the land. You will explroe how you can connect to her through the Old Woman of the land where you live as well as diving deep into your own ancestral connection.

4. Her Fairy Cattle

In Decembers Circle you’ll hear the story of the Cailleach’s relationship with deer, who are called her ‘Fairy cattle’. How she protects them from hunters, through a guided journey you’ll visit the Old Crone hanging out with her deer in a mountain by the shores of Loch Lomond.

5. The Bean Feasa

In January we explore the Cailleach’s relationship to the oral tradition of the Bean Feasa, the Wise Woman and all that she represents.

6. The Cailleach and Brighid

As we draw towards Imbolc we explore the relationship between Cailleach and Brighid. Are they the same figure, two sides of the same being and consider why is the Cailleach often portrayed as keeping Brighid prisoner.

7. The Storm Hags

In our final circle as we approach Spring Equinox and the time of emerging out of the deep we explore the Cailleach’s ability to renew herself, we celebrate Cailleach’s Day and explore the story of the Storm Hags.

Registration closes on the 13th October

7 Reasons to Join the Cailleach Circle

---

1. An Ancient Old Woman

Who isn’t drawn to an ancient primordial old woman whose roots are entwined with the very bedrock of the land she was born from? A figure so old that she has seen great ice sheets come and go and remembers back to a time when the very ocean was a forest!

2. Storytelling

Come sit by the fire, wrap yourself in a shawl with a cup of tea. Relax and listen to a guided journey - a story that takes you into the realm of the Cailleach and where you meet the old crone on her terms. But beware - it might be a bumpy ride!

3. Doll Making

We all need a way to make sense of the world, and for me it is dolls. You’ll create your very own doll which will speak of your relationship to the Cailleach as well as exploring your path to becoming an old woman yourself.

4. Ritual

Ritual doesn’t need to be this great grand gathering with lots of people involved. You’ll be invited to create small gestures of ritual which speak to the essence of the stories you are working with.

5. Art

For years I’ve heard women say they can’t make art. We are all artists and sometimes all we need is some time, some space, encouragement and some inspiration!

6. Altar Making

You’ll create your own altar, or altars wither your using an inside self or outside in the garden.

7. Community

There are several ways to engage with our Circle Community - from on the course where you can chat and upload images to a dedicated Facebook Page as well as a monthly Zoom gathering - choose what suits you.

Hopi Community Fundraiser - Passage Tomb Raffle

Many thanks to all who donated - we raised $800

You can still donated here directly with the Hopi Nation, click on the banner below

Many Native communities have been especially hit from Covid 19. I’m offering a brand new OOAK art peices with this needle felted ‘Passage Tomb’ art up for offer, valued at $125.

Passage Tombs are also referred as Womb Tombs, liminal places, places of transformation where the bones of the dead were placed in order to ensure rebirth for relatives and ancestors.

These are altar pieces to complement your ancestral work. This piece comes with a set of divination items all gathered while beach-combing on Scottish Hebridean islands :

• Limpet shell which doubles as a small offering bowl

• Pieces of sea glass

• Cowrie shell

• Limpet shell ring

• Hagstone
  
  

The Hopi People

The Hopi are a matrilineal people who’ve been living in the mesas for at least 2,500 years. They are some of the only indigenous people who were not forcibly relocated by the US Government.

Traditionally, they are farmers who grow blue corn in a very dry & challenging environment, using prayer, ceremony, and relationship to the plants. Their corn is grown without irrigation, except for the rain (which comes from the ancestors). They have a sophisticated culture which is still practiced and largely kept private. But some dances are open to the public. Many of the people in the villages do not have electricity or running water. They live in a food desert, where supplies are very limited, and becoming even more limited during the pandemic. Some people still retrieve their water from local springs, but many of the springs have dried up due to climate change and Peabody Coal, which has been exploiting the people and the environment for a long time.

Peace and happiness is central to their cosmology, Hopi culture encourages a prayerful existence as part of their responsibility to maintain equilibrium for the entire planet. Yet another reason that it is an honor to support them through this difficult time.

All money raised will be sent to a friend, Hilary who lives in Flagstaff, AZ who is co-ordinating this with a Hopi friend who’s been organizing relief work for the folks in her community for the last few months. The money will be used to source food from local growers, so people receive some fresh food, as well as dried/non perishable. Every penny of your raffle ticket money (less any fee’s from Paypal) will go towards purchasing the following requested items:

• PPE

• Hand sanitizer

• Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D)

• Body soap

• Toothbrushes/toothpaste

• Shelf stable lemon & lime juice

• TP

• Paper towels

• Pine Sol

• Bleach

• Empty spray bottles

• Hand sanitizer

• Other cleaning supplies

• Matches

• Feminine products

• Adult diapers

• Water siphons

• Dog & cat food

• Vinegar

• Home first aid supplies

• Tylenol

• Ibuprofen

• Non perishable food

• Bottled water

• Powdered milk

Raffle Tickets

Raffle tickets are priced at $20 although you can pay more if you wish. The raffle runs until tomorrow Saturday 25th July and the winner will be picked at random at 8pm eastern - I’ll email out via social media and my newsletter to let you know how much we raised and who the winner is and to get their details.

Scottish Cowrie Shell and Limpet Shell

Animation - Hopi Creation Story

A Beltane Story. Cee-al, Wise Woman of the Seal People

Beltane morning. I am in the foothills of the Appalachians yet there is a cool breeze blowing which transports me to the Isle of Oronsay, sitting on top of a Mesolithic shell midden - made by people who perhaps moved around their landscape in a great ritualistic gesture.

Sitting on a Mesolithic Shell Midden on the Isle of Oronsay - looking over to Jura. Photo by Joanne Wright

My days of Beltane as a great fire festival and all the celebrations of dancing wild around fires with strangers have changed over the years and now I choose to go sit with Cee-al.

Dolphin Skull - An altar to the Wild.

This is a reminder to feed your wild self - walks in the rain, the sight of storms brewing, dance and song - whatever your wild self yearns for. Cee-al is the holder of your most sacred desires, your wildest yearnings. These desires should be rooted in the world, a yearning for a world to come into balance - what is your role in all of this? What can you do in your life, in your community that brings us back to balance with the Earth, the wild and all living beings? Beltane 2020 is a unique time to brings these yearnings into being - to make changes happen in the here and now.

Selkie Stone

My Selkie Skin hearth altar holds a divination of Scottish cowrie shells. The clouds are racing East this morning as crouch in the garden and wash my face in the dew.

Click on the image to hear Julie Fowlis and the Unthanks sing the Great Silkie of Sule Skerry

The guided journey will take you to meet Cee-al, the Wise Woman of the Seal People. She will wrap you in your Selkie Skin, sit you on a rock and face you out towards the sea.

Check out our Ancestral Mothers of Scotland Wheel of the Year course