Eliza Daley ~ Wordcraft & Musing on Home & Hope
Parentalia As February marked the last month in the ancient Roman calendar, the Romans spent this time of year setting themselves in accord with the world. The 9-day festival of Parentalia began on 13 February and culminated with the day of Feralia, which began at sundown on the 21st. Parentalia was a sacred time to… Continue reading The Daily: 13 February 2025
The Snow Moon is full today at 8:53am, so when it rises tonight it will be closest to full. This happens at about 5:30pm here in my part of the world, with sunset about fifteen minutes before moonrise. Just after sunset, Mars will be near the moon in the east; Jupiter will be overhead; and… Continue reading The Daily: 12 February 2025
It is the middle of February. Time to address that age-old question plaguing the minds of men: What do women want? I once tried to explain to someone why I no longer read John Michael Greer. It wasn't the fussiness revealed in that name nor the association with deeply disturbing organizations like the Freemasons. Nor… Continue reading The Daily: 11 February 2025
The Snow Moon is certainly living up to its name this year. But then, the Wolf Moon was snowy also. In fact, there have been only a handful of days in 2025 when it was not snowing here in central Vermont — and only a couple days above freezing. So the garden is deeply buried… Continue reading The Daily: 10 February 2025
5 February is St Agatha’s Day. Born in about 231 in Catania, Sicily, she is one of many virgin martyrs of early Christianity. Her story exemplifies why there are so many women among the ranks of martyrs for the faith. She was said to be a beautiful child born to wealthy nobility, but she turned… Continue reading The Daily: 5 February 2025
It’s that time of year when the old women are cleaning out the attic, metaphorically, if not actually. I’ve been doing both. I’ve been thinking a great deal about what is no longer philosophically useful in my life and jettisoning those ideas. (Mostly in response to the new regime…) But I have also been actually… Continue reading The Daily: 4 February 2025
Tomorrow is the first 10-hour day in central Vermont. Despite Punxsutawney Phil's forecast for six more weeks of winter in 2025, it is time to start thinking about the growing season. For me, it is time to sort the seeds, check the seed potatoes, toss the inevitable pantry rot, and clean up the weeks of… Continue reading The Daily: 3 February 2025
If Candlemas be bright and clear there'll be two winters in the year. — traditional adage from Scotland Of Candles and Divinatory Beasts There are many weather marking days throughout the year. Candlemas, falling on 2 February, was the day that our ancestors began to get nervous about the spring. A fine Candlemas portends a… Continue reading The Daily: 2 February 2025
If Brigid visited your house with a blessing last night, show her your gratitude by beginning your spring cleaning in her honor. If you have a woodstove, today is a good day to clean out the ashes and begin spreading them on your garden beds. (If you live where the soils are already saline, especially… Continue reading The Daily: 1 February 2025
By My Solitary Hearth 