Mabh Savage
Words and the world passing by; how it sings to me; how I clamour back.
Blizzard
It’s the second of March, and winter has returned. Beyond the safe green of my house plants there is a blizzard; fast, white and dangerous. Even as I type, the flakes are becoming thicker and the garden toys are disappearing under an icy veil.
I tell myself I’m done with winter.
I’m done with the cold.
I’m done with not being able to get to work.
I’m done with Nathan missing school.
I’m done with damp laundry hanging miserably on radiators and hard-done-by cats glowering at their snow imposed prison.
Yet I stop, and stare, and am hypnotised by the swirling spirals of soft, chilly wonder. I know it makes life harder, yet somehow I feel joy at its presence.
I lowered the dose of my anti-anxiety medication a couple of weeks ago. At first I felt much better, like the tease of spring sunshine in February. But just like the March snow, darkness and uncertainty flurried into my mind, fogging my feelings and leaving me a fractious egg, ready to drop and crack.
I burrowed out of hibernation too soon, and was met with ice and emptiness instead of warmth and growth.
I look at the blizzard now and wonder if I will ever gather all those flakes; ever see the swirling stop and a gentle order resume. I seek balance, where the ice and fire sometimes battle but in doing so make steam, not muddy puddles. Give me hot steam, to drive this engine and make tracks with the tasks I long to do.
The sun is coming out now, and I have gone back to my recommended dose of meds, not feeling a failure for not being able to cope without them, simply using them as one with a broken leg uses a crutch. I must remember they are a tool, not a stigma. They are the gentle slowing of the blizzard of the mind. They are a little sun when all is cold.
And it’s only for now. Only in winter. Because there is a season to all things, and even in the deepest, bitterest chill, spring will come.
Morgan Daimler: Fairy Witchcraft
Sometimes there are authors that as a reader, you just instantly connect with. Their words resonate with something deep within, and as you hop the stepping stones from page to page it is your own river you are crossing.
Morgan Daimler is such an author for me. Every time I see a new title from her, I’m first drawn in by the subject matter, then kept rapt by her easy going yet deeply spiritual and informative style.
Some of you will have read my interview with Morgan, which occurred just after I had read her fantastic Pagan Portals: The Morrigan, Meeting the Great Queens. It’s no secret that I’m fascinated with The Morrígan and have been since I was a child. There are many tomes about this elusive goddess, but few as all encompassing as this short but excellent introduction.
Morgan has returned with another volume in the Pagan Portals series, this time on Fairy Witchcraft. Tagged A Neopagan’s Guide to the Celtic Fairy Faith, this sounds right up my street. I know that Morgan knows her stuff when it comes to Celtic ways and the true nature of the Fae.
She warns us
‘it is best to remember that they are not the twee little things of pop culture.’
This is always my first fear: that any book claiming to be about fairies will be more Tinkerbell than Tuatha Dé Danann. Fairies are not to be taken lightly; they are not helpful little forest folk and they certainly won’t take any crap from anyone!
I’m really looking forward to reading through Fairy Witchcraft, and as soon as I’m done watch this space for an in depth review. For a taster, visit Morgan’s Fairy Witchcraft Blog, or simply dive in and buy the book here.
Celtic Witchcraft Chapter 6: Wild Spirit
Click my lovely friend Crowley above to read the latest installment in my musings about Celtic magic. This month I have visited the animal kingdom, looking at our modern relationships with other creatures how our forebears may have seen them.
Haiku for Lugh
Bright poke in the eye
From Lugh, golden in the blue;
I reflect, moon like.
Moon Books- Encountering Paganism through Pagan Authors
I should probably start with the disclaimer that Moon Books are my publisher, and as such I have a natural bias towards them. Becoming an author for Moon Books was incredibly exciting, as my book now sits alongside the likes of The Woven Word by Romany Rivers, a magical tome that reminds me of my own love affair with poetry and prose; or A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Plants and Herbs by the incredibly busy Rachel Patterson, a fantastic work that reconnects you to the green world in the most practical way.
Finding a publisher that supports you as a new author is hard. Especially when you’re rubbish at promoting yourself (like I am!) and lacking in time due to day job, children and other ‘real life’ commitments. Moon Books have always been kind about my time constraints yet still pass opportunities my way when they become available. It’s through Moon Books that I ended up writing for the famous Watkins Mind, Body Spirit magazine. It’s through our incredible community of writers across the globe that I am now a regular contributor to Brigid’s Fire, the Irish Pagan magazine.
The fact that we all talk so much also means I have lots of interview material for Pagan Pages, the website I write for monthly. We’re all really supportive of each other, sharing each others’ achievements and endorsing each other’s work where appropriate (and if we like the book, of course!).
If you’re interested in Paganism, discovering more about your path, walking a new path, or even writing yourself, visit
and see what I’m talking about.
Lick the Sky
It’s Imbolc
And I want to
Lick the sky
Those fiery stripes
Must surely be
As sweet as sunrise ice.
The blackbird nods
Tail bouncing on the wall
Of a run down council house.
The Honda Prelude that
Cuts me up
Is a square assed snap chat
Of the past
And the wind turbine
Crazy in the cruel bite
Of winter’s last stand
Is a bright spark of
Future hope.
It’s Imbolc
And I want to
Grasp the earth
Bulbs tickling my cheek
With first new shoots
Reach out with great
Goddess hands
Surround the sky
And lick.
A Crow Comes to Visit
When I was little I rescued an injured crow, and as it was too damaged to return to the wild, the crow stayed with my family and usually lives with my mum and dad. Crowley the Crow is visiting me, however, because mum and dad are decorating and it will be too dusty for him.
This week I will be writing more about our relationships with animals and the animal kingdom, but for now I’d like to show you a little snippet of my inspiration for this. My cheeky, bratty and adorable companion, Crowley.
Brigid’s Fire Imbolc Issue- Out Now!
I’m so proud to contribute towards this fantastic magazine full of all things Pagan, magical and seasonal. In this issue I write about how Brigid has inspired me to sing. There’s also articles from Ali Isaac, Alan Crowe and many more. Click the picture above for more info. Enjoy!
Preserved lemons
My other half bought me a gorgeous tagine for Yule, and after having taken it out for a successful maiden voyage (mutton with olives and apricots) I’ve been inspired to explore North African cooking a little more. These preserved lemons are easy and satisfying to make (you literally cram them into a jar!) but they have to be left for 3 weeks before eating. So I shall report back on the flavour. I hope I have the patience not to crack into them early!
Recipe from daringgourmet.com
