european Folk Lore
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THE BLESSINGS OF LUGHNASADH / LAMMAS by Veronica Smith
The Celtic Solar Fire Festival of Lughnasadh takes place at the mid-point between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. Traditionally, the Gregorian calendar gives the festival a fixed date of August 1st, and a Christianised name of “Lammas”, meaning “Loaf Mass”. … Continue reading
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HOW TO COOK LETTUCE by Veronica Smith
At this time of year, you can have a glut of lettuce in the veggie patch. There is only so much salad you can eat and raw lettuce does not freeze well. However, COOKED Lettuce does freeze and it tastes… Continue reading
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BRAMBLE-BERRY PLANT LORE By Veronica Smith
Every Celtic festival has at least one Sacred Plant linked to it. For Autumn Equinox, the Druids chose the BRAMBLE, with its Black Berries. In Shamanic traditions, Bramble is associated with Brigantia, Brighid, the Sidhe, various Harvest Goddesses and the… Continue reading
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AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS DIGESTION IN PLAY! By Veronica Smith
Adages exist as memory aids, to help us remember useful information, such as: “an apple a day keeps the doctor away!” Not only is the Apple Fruit a delicious food, storing well over the winter months at a time when… Continue reading
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ELECAMPANE – A FORGOTTEN MID-SUMMER HERB
By Veronica Smith Like so many other useful and once-popular herbs, Elecampane has been ignored by the modern media and commercialism, being relegated to a “back of herbaceous border” garden curiosity. It is only when you delve in to its… Continue reading
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ST JOHN’S WORT: MID-SUMMER MADNESS OR MIRACULOUS MEDICINE? by Veronica Smith
Growing on the edge of our woods is an inconspicuous little plant, only 3 foot high (1 meter) at the most. You only really notice it when the small, lemon-scented yellow flowers appear in summer. Its botanical name is HYPERICUM… Continue reading
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RESPECTING ONE’S ELDERS by Veronica Smith
In ancient Ireland, the Elder (Sambucus nigra) was part of a trio of Sacred Trees revered by the Celts as Herbal Healers. Hawthorn was “Father”, working with the heart and circulatory system; Elder was “Mother”, working with the respiratory system… Continue reading
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REMARKABLE RHUBARB! by Veronica Smith
Whether you love it or hate it, Rhubarb (Rheum Palmatum / Rhabarbarum) is one of the earliest edible garden plants ready in the spring! Depending on your geographical position, you can start picking rhubarb stalks from March right up until… Continue reading
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HAWTHORN: HEARTS AND HEDGEROWS by Veronica Smith
The flowering of the Hawthorn in May has always heralded the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. May Day / Labour Day on the 1st May is merely the modern name for the ancient Celtic Fire Festival of Bealtaine… Continue reading
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ST GEORGE AND THE DANDELION by Veronica Smith
ST GEORGE AND THE DANDELION By Veronica Smith The 23rd of April is DANDELION DAY, according to Freda Davis’ Blue Ball Press “Moon Calendar”. It’s a date shared with St George, the deity associated with the Dandelion. Both play an… Continue reading
