Ali Isaac's Blog: H A G , page 4

May | Sunshine on the First Day of Summer

I’m switching things around. These last few years, I’ve been living in a permanent state of grief over things that are mostly out of my control. It’s been debilitating, at times. It has affected my wellbeing, both physical and emotional. It can’t go on.

In 2020, I found myself reassessing my life, and plunged deep into intense gratitude. This led to the achievement of positivity and contentment, even as we moved through a pandemic and lockdowns, because that is what gratitude does. It is life-ch...

The cailleach's Circle: Did you know March is named after the God of War? How appropriate.

Did you know March is named after the God of War? How appropriate.

April | Our Dandy Ally - Three Ways

In the time since I last posted about the dandelion, some unexpected things happened that caused significant disruption to me emotionally, and to my writing practice. In that time, I have also learned so much more from this kind, happy loving plant that just keeps on giving, and I confess I have become a little obssessed. Read on to find out how I have brought this powerful plant being in to my life and daily practices.

Dandelions in my garden; yellow wellies when harvesting are optional! © Ali I...

March | "Love is like the Lion's Tooth"

The quote in the title comes from one of Yeats’s poems, Crazy Jane grown Old Looks at the Dancers, in which the observer watches a young couple dance together with great passion, and an element of violence. The refrain, repeated at the end of each stanza, implies there is danger in love. Or, I suspect, where we find danger, we will also find love.

Dens leonis (Latin), or dents de lion (French), is the name given to a very humble plant that we know better as the Dandelion. Its name means ‘teeth of...

"Love is like the Lion's Tooth"

The quote in the title comes from one of Yeats’s poems, Crazy Jane grown Old Looks at the Dancers, in which the observer watches a young couple dance together with great passion, and an element of violence. The refrain, repeated at the end of each stanza, implies there is danger in love. Or, I suspect, where we find danger, we will also find love.

Dens leonis (Latin), or dents de lion (French), is the name given to a very humble plant that we know better as the Dandelion. Its name means ‘teeth of...

Coming into Bud

Today, 4th February 2024 is the cross quarter day that marks the exact midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. That means, astronomically speaking, today is really Imbolc, the first day of spring, and the feast day of Brigid.

Tomorrow, we have a public holiday in her honour, it being the closest Monday to the 1st February, the fixed official Brigid’s Day which fell last Thursday. So, we get to celebrate her three times within a matter of only a few days! That seems a very fit...

February | Finding Brigid

Good morning! I hope you’re out enjoying the first day of Spring. Here in Cavan, after a particularly wild and windy start to the year, the air is still, the sky shrouded from view, the light muted. There may be the promise of rain to come (let’s face it, when isn’t there in Ireland?) but for now, it’s peaceful.

I want to wish you all the blessings of Imbolc as the Cailleach transfers her mantle to Brigid. The balance of power has been passed on. There may be some turbulence as the Old One settle...

Finding Brigid

Good morning! I hope you’re out enjoying the first day of Spring. Here in Cavan, after a particularly wild and windy start to the year, the air is still, the sky shrouded from view, the light muted. There may be the promise of rain to come (let’s face it, when isn’t there in Ireland?) but for now, it’s peaceful.

I want to wish you all the blessings of Imbolc as the Cailleach transfers her mantle to Brigid. The balance of power has been passed on. There may be some turbulence as the Old One settle...

January | Little Rituals

Good morning! Happy (Gregorian) New Year to you! Whether you celebrate Christmas, the Solstice, or something else, I hope you are well, fulfilled, and looking forward to another circuit around the sun.

The gorse, one of my favourite wildflowers, is already in bloom. Its golden light reminds me of the sun, which feels appropriate as the days are beginning to lengthen. Its fiery colour in the deepest dark of winter is always a welcome and cheering sight. © Ali Isaac

The 6th of January is Women’s Ch...