Mabh Savage
Words and the world passing by; how it sings to me; how I clamour back.
Doves and Pigeons
Image copyright: Columba Oenas, Stock Dove; Jim Gifford via Wikimedia Commons.
Doves are generally known as birds of peace; the bearer of the olive branch at the end of the flood. The great thing about researching my book of magical birds, is finding juxtapositions to commonly held beliefs. I found today, that in some Southern American States, the sound of doves cooing was thought to portent bad luck or black magic. Furthermore, one could not chase the birds away, as this may anger the witch who had sent them.
The Journal of American Folklore tells us that wood-pigeons are a sign of either ill or good fortune- not very helpful, I grant you! Apparently the sounds it makes will foretell the outcome of your endeavours. Sadly, it’s not clear which sounds herald good news.
Another tale tells of how a wood pigeon ‘wailed’ whilst Jesus was dying on the cross, trying to alleviate his agony with its song. Cheery.
Plenty
Plenty of fish in the
Shop, striking, slicing batter and
Chip off the old block
Out the lights, the blinding
Light the candle, don’t curse the
Dark before dawn, the morn, the
Yawning chasm of emptiness
Jumping and leaping from
One idea island to another
Can’t get feet wet
Can’t step on the crack
Don’t want
To break my back.
My Tuesday Valentine
I know it’s Valentine’s Day
A Christian throwback
To a Roman party
Whips and wolves
Reduced to discount chocolates
Cards compete
In the cheese wars;
Drawers renewed
With lingerie that
Doesn’t fit.
I know it makes no sense
This consumerist cock up
Of religious fervour
Spend lend bend
Your will to the masses
But something pulls
Me to tell you
Happy Valentine’s Day
May these arms never leave
May your chest never heave
With sorrow I cause
Pause a while in this moment
Drink tea with me
Stroke the cat
(Not a euphemism
Really)
Seal our love
With a sideways kiss
Avoiding my cold sore
Slight nose bump
Stubble on my cheek.
No, never perfect;
Better than.
Imbolc Flowers
I was looking back through some old posts and was delighted with the flowers and offerings I photographed in 2014, so here they are again.
How will you be celebrating the coming spring?
Food Alert: Iranian Style Veg Stew
Totally vegan, totally by accident! Onion, spuds, squash, tomatoes, ras el hanout, cabbage, parsley and just a touch of preserved lemon.
Friday Reads
Here is my ‘To Read’ or ‘To Read Again’ list for 2017.
A Mystic Guide to Cleansing and Clearing by David Salisbury. I’ve read this already but am looking forward to revisiting some of the chapters when I have a bit of a clear out at home.
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett. I’ve decided to read all the Discworld books again. I never get tired of them. Still can’t believe he’s gone.
Pagan Portals: Irish Paganism by Morgan Daimler. With my passion for Irish Celtic spirituality, it’s bizarre that I haven’t read this volume yet, plus I love Morgan’s style of writing.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. A favourite topic by a favourite writer. Can’t ask for more.
A variety of Roald Dahl books with my six-year-old. How delightful it is when he asks if can read some of his book to me. I love that we have a shared joy in stories.
Pagan Portals: By Wolfsbane and Mandrake Root by Melusine Draco. All about poisonous plants and their magical uses. Right up my street.
Merlin: Once and Future Wizard by Elen Sentier. I have read many books about Merlin and don’t plan to stop anytime soon! Can’t wait to read this one.
Ireland’s Birds: Myths, Legends and Folklore by Niall Mac Coitir. I’m researching bird folklore in order to create a volume of magical correspondences, and this book looks like a great source of Irish material.
What books are you looking forward to getting into in 2017?
Bacon in the Desert
Currently I’m researching bird related myths and legends, in an attempt to create a volume all about birds and their magical correspondences. This weekend, I had the strangest dream, undoubtedly inspired by my forays into feathered folklore.
I had been rooting in bins for eggs, but the eggs were all broken and even misshapen. I claimed one, smelling it to check it was not rotten despite the cracks and oozing albumen. Prize in hand, I wandered into the desert. Sand swirled in the air, and the desert floor was dotted with people sitting or squatting, eating their own foraged food.
In my hands I now had a plate with some bread and bacon on. My sorry little egg had vanished. I saw a corvid approaching, on wing. At first I thought it was a crow, but as it landed nearby, I realised it was a jackdaw. Bobbing its hooded head, it approached, and I held out a bit of bacon. The bird came closer and claimed the bacon. As it nibbled on the meaty snack, I gave it a scratch, and the bird seemed very content to sit by me and enjoy the attention.
A lady was watching us, and called over to me,
‘Would the jackdaw sit with us if you weren’t here?’
The jackdaw answered in perfect English, but I can’t recall the full answer, only that it loved me. As it ate, its head dipped forward and I noticed two additional eyes peeking through the ruffled feathers on its neck.
What a strange dream! When I awoke, I wrote it down immediately so as not to forget the detail, but it didn’t fade the way dreams tend to. If my research keeps inspiring night-time journeys like this, I may have a companion book of weird dreams to publish soon enough.
Mabh Savage 