The Daily: 15 June 2025

June 15th, the Ides of June, was the last day of Vestalia. With great ceremony, the sanctuary of Vesta was cleansed and closed to the public for another year, the sustaining Vestal hearth-flame hidden behind walls that no man was allowed to pass. This is a slack time, a time when heat is intolerable and… Continue reading The Daily: 15 June 2025

The Daily: 13 June 2025

Friday the 13th Today is judged unlucky by many. It is the weekday named for the goddess, Frigg, mother and matron of the Norse. She is wife to Odin, the wanderer and all-father in the Nordic pantheon. She is mother to Baldur, the golden summer lord who dies from a dart of mistletoe wielded by… Continue reading The Daily: 13 June 2025

The Daily: 11 June 2025

The Strawberry Moon is full at 3:44am this morning here in Vermont. I expect most of us will miss that moment of fullness, though I have been having insomniac nights lately. Too much to do. I have those lists of things that did not get done plaguing the predawn hours. Still, there isn't much to… Continue reading The Daily: 11 June 2025

The Daily: 19 May 2025

Today is St Dunstan's Day. Dunstan was a beloved bishop of Glastonbury in the early 10th century. He used his skills at casting bells and crafting music to bring beauty into his church. He believed music both glorified god and brought more people into the fold. Today, he is the patron of bell ringers, and… Continue reading The Daily: 19 May 2025

The Daily: 11 May 2025

In my garden planner, I have ambitiously scribbled "plant summer squash, cukes, melons, and spinach". For the second year in a row... Not surprisingly, once again, I will not be following my schedule. It is not freezing, and it is raining — both good for germination — but it's not warm enough for cucurbit seeds… Continue reading The Daily: 11 May 2025

The Daily: 5 May 2025

I have been dealing with ramped up rheumatoid arthritis and allergies for a couple weeks now. Mostly related to weather — perpetual drizzle and highs in the low 50s(°F) — coupled with maple bloom season. You would think the rain would wash the pollen out of the air, but maybe there isn't enough falling moisture,… Continue reading The Daily: 5 May 2025

The Daily: 2 May 2025

Because of the emphasis luni-solar calendars place on the eve of the day, today, May 2nd, is sometimes named May Day. More properly it is named Bealtaine — the later holiday for organized (ie paid) labor, May Day, is fixed to the first of the month in keeping with labor time rules. But Bealtaine is… Continue reading The Daily: 2 May 2025

The Daily: 1 May 2025

the thorn queen she waxes full in fertile grace queen of quick and fay, she reigns in mantle green and seemly face quelling fear and mortal pains eternal mother, ever maid undying wisdom in her glance deathless weird is on her laid to spin th' unceasing wheel of chance again, she comes in crown of… Continue reading The Daily: 1 May 2025