Happy New Year!

Winter Solstice has been profound for me this year. After sharing a delicious vegetarian Yule dinner, cooked expertly by Miss Lily, we celebrated in her garden under the stars, enjoying a cold, misty, evening surrounded by stunning views & a bright moon. We were warmed by good company, fairy cakes & some magical mulled wine. We lit a Yule log, with prayers, wishes & intentions attached, & if the way it whooshed hotly up the chimney is an indication of the coming year, I expect we will all be rather busy! How grateful I am for good friends with similar ways to my own.
I enjoyed the apparent stillness that surrounds Solstice time. I allowed myself to dream & drift, & made no great demands upon my life, but listened, waiting, for clues as to what I should do in the coming months. This inactivity, I think, is very important. It is a chance to to accept that I am not in control of the world, don't know what the future holds, and can allow my life to unfold without interfering with the process. It lasts only a few days, but it is a time of deep reflection, meditation, of being close with my own company, & being myself in most gentle & uncomplicated way.
Now that the longest night of the year has passed, I notice the light of morning arrives a little earlier, so it's becoming easier to get out of bed. I am ready to begin a new year's work. Preparation is the key for me at this time. The image above shows what I see as I contemplate.


The Earth's energies are expanding to generate surface growth once more. It's as if She's breathing out, & dawn is nearly here. It is still too cold for seed planting outside, but tender things are beginning to show themselves, & my "inner seeds" are beginning to sprout. Naturally, I will keep them well sheltered until they are ready to go out into the world.


The weather has been spectacular. Weak sparkling sunlight post Solstice gave way to hail, driving rain, gale-force winds off the snowfields. Now it is just plain cold - no wonderful wildness, only drizzling, bone-chilling, blood freezing cold. My hairy assistant hates to go outside to do what a dog's got to do. The mist will not lift today. And yet, all is peaceful. I hear the liquid singing of the lyrebird, & the dripping of moisture from leaves. The bush smells of eucalypt & leaf mould, & Luculia in the garden smells like a lady. See above how the garden beckons through the rain.....

There was a partial Lunar eclipse last Saturday evening. I saw the Moon with the Earth's shadow across her face. The atmosphere was damp & cold, so there was a large ring of light surrounding her that glowed faintly purple & green in the frosty air. I have no image for this page, but the one you have made in your mind. I wonder who else saw this graceful movement of celestial orbs. Did you see it? I wonder if anyone has noticed the impact of this event upon their life.

And hey, isn't it great we finally have a woman prime minister? GO JULIA! The Moon's effect is surely being felt somewhere....... Kevin, my heart really goes out to you. I was very pleased when you were elected, but my heart tells me the world is not only ready, but is crying out for the old, feminine way of taking care of business. When I saw a female governor general swearing in a female prime minister, I must admit, Old Marigold's glasses misted up for a few seconds, so moving was the occasion......


I have been recently been introduced to "hyperbolic crochet". Apparently, the mathematics of coral growth correspond with this method of knotting yarn. It's amazing that crochet ends up looking exactly like coral. There is a worldwide project at the moment to bring people's attention to the beauty & plight their local reefs & the marine life therein by establishing interested groups of crocheters, & having a public exhibition to raise awareness of the reefs around the world. Dublin has just has a fine one. There will be an exhibition at Burrinja Gallery in Upwey soon, & the Melbourne Museum may be doing something too. I think it a most wonderful project - there are quite a few groups around town crocheting marine life out of anything appropriate that they can twist with a hook!

Don't you love this sort of community activity? It brings people closer together in a very personal way. At this level, I truly believe we can achieve a better world, without waiting for bureaucracies & governments to decide if it's worth their while to get involved. We may not agree with each other on all issues, but I believe if we make personal connection with others, we can create a respectful, compassionate, understanding, tolerant & kind society.


Well, here is my garden on Solstice morning. With a new year of activity about to begin, I draw inspiration from the growth of the plants that nourish much more than my body. I am about to embark upon another course of study, & a new chapter in the story of my life. How about you? I truly wonder what will inspire, encourage & support people over the coming months.

Blessings of the Tender Growth,
With love, Your Marigold