Talking Trees Books

Samhain marked the end of the Celtic year and the beginning of a new year and as such can be seen equivalent of our New Year's Eve. It was the division of the year between the lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter) and the division between this world and the otherworld which was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through. The remnants of these Celtic celebrations from about 2,000 years ago, have become the celebration of Halloween. The practice of divinati

Once again we reach the great turning point as our Sun has reached its full power and will begin to dwindle soon. But for a few days we stay in a limbo of solstice which is derived from the Latin sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"). It seems synonymous with how we have all been living these last few months. However we know that things will change both in the daylight hours we have and in our lives. These changes may come slowly but gradually the accumulative affect is

We loved the sentiment carved into this standing stone that is part of the recently situated sculpture at Corgarff in the Cairngorms sitting 637m above sea level and on the 'snow route'. An indicator of how 2019 should be spent- we could think of no finer New years Resolution. The rest of the sculptural scene was 'The Watchers' by John Kennedy, four sculptural iron seats that look out over the Cairngorms and give shelter from the whipping winds as you sit in awe of the stunni

The summer solstice is always a significant event in Talking Trees household as we celebrate that we have reached the zenith of the year of the longest day but begin to look towards the daylight shortening after midsummer’s day on 24th June. Solstice means to ‘stand still’ and for 4 days that is what happens in terms of our daylight hours. We like to use these four days as productively as possible, making’ hay while the sun shines’, so to speak. We began by witnessing day br

It's hard to believe that May is nearly upon us. At first light carry on the age old tradition of bathing in May morning's first dew to keep your complexion, gather may blossom (if you can find it ! we are still with blackthorn in bloom and only first leaves on our Hawthorn) adorn your gateposts, your doorway and make garlands, be the first to drink water from the well to guarantee a healthy and prosperous year or perhaps light two Beltane fires and drive your livestock betwe