Over the past week my apple tree shed its last autumn leaves and now stands stark and bare in a garden that sparkles with an early winter morning frost. The only bright colour left is offered the glorious orange Chinese lanterns, or physalis. They were at their best over Samhain and to me they evoke the season more than a pumpkin lantern. Yet even they are dying back now, leaving skeletal cages around bright berries.
To me, being a witch is as much about appreciating the changings seasons as it is about doing magic. Possibly more important, in fact, seeing as I very rarely cast any spells but I do enjoy walking in the countryside and observing the beauty of the natural world.
Wicca, along with many other nature-based religions, considers the rotation of the seasons (or the Wheel of the Year) as central to its cycle of festivals. Samhain, which was celebrated a couple of weeks ago on 31 October, is symbolically the start of the year. It is the time when the plants are dying back in the fields and in the garden and it is also a time to remember our own loved ones who have died.
Samhaim was the date I intended to start my blog as it is a good time for a new beginning, but I guess I am running by pagan time - late.
Still, better late than never.
Some links:
A databaise of edible, medicinal and useful plants:
www.pfaf.org/
www.pfaf.org/
Details of how to create a sensory garden, including Chinese lanterns:
www.noahsarkgardens.co.uk/Articles/SensoryGarden.htm
www.noahsarkgardens.co.uk/Articles/SensoryGarden.htm
A site selling seeds:
Information on the Wheel of the Year:
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