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Enter Midnight at the Grove ... if you dare!
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 Reg Varney, "Stan Butler", On the Buses, Source: Wikipedia Common sense seems to be in short supply these days. Or is it only me who feels this way? I do hope that common sense is making a comeback and actually I think we might be on the way! We simply can't go on the way we have been unless we go back to "showin' a bit o' common". "Show a bit of common, mate!" is an English expression that is usually expressed in exasperation when someone does something that is just too ridiculous to explain to them and begs that common sense be applied to the situation. One of my favourite TV characters, Stan Butler, used this expression in "On the Buses", a popular British television series in the 1970s. It just got added to my vocabulary! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019/edited 2022
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I'm absolutely smitten with Hollyhocks this year! They are a magical must-have for any garden and I'm pleased to say they have been successfully added to the Grove. The English flower folk name "Hollyhock" is thought to be comprised of "holy" and "hoc". "Holy", from the flower's copious use in the Holy Land and Egypt; and "Hoc" meaning part of the mallow plant family. Hollyhocks were and are present in Europe, Japan, the Middle East and North America - this plant species is believed to have originated in China ... and travelled far, arriving in England during the 16th Century.    Hollyhocks symbolize "female ambition" and with such beautiful blooms, and an average growth of 6 to 10 feet ... it is easy to see why! Due, I suspect, to their height and the possibility of needing staking or protection from the wind, you often see these flowers growing against the sides of houses, along rock walls or garden fences and no English cottage garden would be complete without Hollyhocks. They are also heavily present in graveyards, perhaps as a remembrance that they were used long ago in the funeral preparations of the Ancient Egyptians. This magical flower has been used in a variety of ways including a soothing way to wrap bruises or a horse's sore hoof (hence another folk name "Hockleaf" and perhaps another origination for "Hoc"?). The fairies often use the blooms for skirts or other clothing and so adding these flowers to your garden are sure to please the wee folk as well. I've recently discovered the existence of "black" Hollyhocks, which are actually a very deep, dark purple ... I would love to add them to our garden as there are a number of "night" plants I want to cultivate. Quick as a flash, no sooner had I voiced this wish, then a friend mentioned she was popping some black Hollyhock seeds in the mail to me. Never doubt the existence of magic in a garden! Bibliography: The Language of Flowers, Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose, Sheila Pickles, 1989
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
Bibliography: The Language of Flowers, Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose, Sheila Pickles, 1989
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
When you mention "May Day" to many folks, they automatically think of "International Workers' Day". It saddens me that this beautiful day has been overshadowed by a cause that just happens to fall on the same date .. and is of a much more modern origin. Obviously, the world is large and many special days share the same date on the calendar ... but for goodness sake - did they have to borrow the name as well? I'd like to help to dispel this misunderstanding with a little introduction to the ancient celebration of May Day or Beltane, long celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere and other parts of the world as well:
So there you have it! Absolutely nothing to do with workers' rights, strikes, labour or similar uprisings. Thank you for reading!
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
My interest in Asian folklore is relatively new and, as such limited, but I understand that these little fellows are moon rabbits, popular in Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other folklore. The oblong dish to the left is made in Japan and depicts moon rabbits with the full moon above them in the dark blue night sky. They are surrounded by eggs. I had forgotten the imagery on it when I stumbled across the little pastel-coloured dish to the right. It mystified me a bit at first, because it is egg-shaped and the bunnies are busily cavorting among pretty pink eggs and a flower. This led me at first to think it was an Easter dish - until I flipped it over and saw an Asian back stamp! But of course, when you compare the two, there is simply no mistake - I believe the pink flower in this case serves as a pretty substitute for the moon. The white moon rabbit lives on the moon and stirs an elixir of immortality. Sometimes, when you look at the full moon, you can see his image. I'm not sure if the chocolate eggs I intend to place in these dishes will help in the quest for immortality ... but they certainly will satisfy the evening sweet tooth! Bibliography: Wikipedia, Moon Rabbit, 2019
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
St. Patrick's Day brings popular images of leprechauns - cute, comical and dancing about ... jealously protecting their pots o' gold. They are seen as "fiercely" sweet but being oh so terribly tiny, can only trick human beings, rather than fighting a fair fight. But don't forget that leprechauns are of the same ilk as banshees (who foretell death), changelings (ancient creatures who secretly take the place of human babies) and also of béfinds. Remember fairy godmother #13 who cursed Sleeping Beauty to die? Yeah, you want to keep on the good side of a béfind. Also, what we mortals call fairies were perhaps gods and goddesses; once upon a long time ago. Most are part of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient race that arrived in Ireland many eons ago, or they are at least descended from them. So in order to please a leprechaun, we need to replace the current cute image and choose one that garners a bit more respect. He is a very small, old and wizened fairy who makes his home under hills or in fairy mounds. He smokes his pipe for pleasure and works diligently at repairing shoes ... or at least one shoe - why is it only one? I think it's a "smoke screen". The leprechaun is working ... but it is appearance only. He is actually waiting, observing, contemplating and if we can wait long enough, this wise old fellow might remove the pipe from his mouth and let us in on a few secrets about the world. If you would like to gain favour with a leprechaun, I suggest the following:
May you secure the good luck blessings of your local leprechaun this St. Paddy's Day! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019 / edited 2021
February is when we see the first stirrings of Spring. Throughout the British Isles, in olden days, these first cheerful signs of Spring's return were celebrated by our Celtic ancestors in a holiday called "Imbolg" or "Bride's / St. Brigit's Day". Celebrations varied from community to community but the central theme was the same. Nudged by the observations of "life returning" in the form of small green shoots poking through the sometimes snowy ground, buds forming on trees and the birth of little lambs, the festivals often included bonfires or candles to represent the return of the warmth of the sun, and offerings to the Goddess Brighid, a mother goddess later venerated as Saint Brigit by the arrival of Christianity. It was also traditional to burn any leftover winter greenery, used in the Yuletide celebrations, indicating to me, a fresh start. I rarely say "Off with the old, on with the new" for I love many beautiful legacies from the past, represented in architecture and vintage items; but in this case, throwing off the old refers to things that no longer serve you or have run their course, in a natural cycle that makes way for new life. It is a beautiful time of year and we are experiencing a particularly gorgeous Imbolg. Lots of snowdrops, crocuses, songbirds, small buds ... and even a wee bit of snow glittering in the fantastically warm sunshine. If you have the opportunity, go for a little walk and see what you can see - Happy Imbolg! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019 / edited 2020 & 2021 Bibliography: Guide to the Fairy Ring, by Anna Franklin, 2002, Llewellyn Publications; Entry for "Imbolc", Wikipedia, last edit 2019
 Source: Orkney's Terrible Trows, The Volkisch Folkorist It is still the dark time of the year. Yes, we are slowly moving towards the light and Spring ... but it still seems so far away! Especially when at a half past three in the afternoon, it can seem unusually dark and gloomy outside. The fairies are not so different to humans and naturally can exhibit a wide array of both good and bad characteristics. The Trow is a very old fairy (well, which of them aren't?) whom you probably will want to avoid. He sprung to life in the Shetland and Orkney Islands, an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland. The Viking influence may be partially at the root of his existence as he exhibits a similarity to Scandinavian trolls. These fellows live in the old burial grounds and it has been said they are found of music and dance. But, they only go out into the human world under the cover of darkness (which at this time of the year is a lot) and they like to enter the villagers' homes to warm themselves by the fire. While this may seem innocuous - beware - they are also called the "Night Creepers" or "Night Stealers" and have been known to kidnap human children ... and leave Changelings in their place. Bibliography: Guide to the Fairy Ring, Anna Franklin, 2002, Llewellyn Publications Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
I love the ancient tradition wherein an employer would fill a box and gift it to his servants, to help make their Christmas bright; and also to show your appreciation for a year's work - kind of like the modern Christmas Bonus! The idea originated, partially, because servants had to wait on their employers and their guests all day long on Christmas Day -- cleaning, cooking, serving, receiving guests, taking coats, stabling the horses, etc. etc. etc.! So the grateful employers would fill a box the following day full of all kinds of wonderful things such as left-over cakes, pies, meats and treats; to old clothes and household items that had been replaced by new items. The servants would then take these boxes home to their families and celebrate their Christmas on Boxing Day. That's only one variation of this very old tradition but it is a particularly nice and generous one. Other versions include people going door-to-door to the homes of rich people on Boxing Day, carrying with them their own box, in the hopes of receiving any bits and bobs that the abundant households might no longer need and were happy to pass on to the less fortunate. Or sometimes, the wealthy would make a day of it and gather as a group to go about to the homes of those in need, or to their servants, and drop the goodies off themselves ... remember Bob Cratchitt's turkey! I received a nice big cardboard box this year from out-of-town relatives filled with lovely Christmas gifts. I was just about to recycle it when I decided that, while I don't have any servants (more's the pity), I'm going to fill the box with items around the house and take it to our local Salvation Army or hospital charity shop. And maybe I better leave out some wee offerings to the fairy folk; for my brownies and house elves, and also those industrious little garden gnomes who perform many important tasks around the Grove! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2020 & 2021
If you are making fruit cake this season for your Christmas or Yuletide celebration ... it is time to get them soaking! With just under 5 weeks to go, this is the optimum time to wrap your cake in brandy-soaked cheesecloth, wrap it in tin foil and seal in an airtight container. Refresh the brandy once a week, and re-wrap ... up to 5 or 6 times before Christmas! The longer your Christmas fruit cake soaks ... the more incredibly dark and delicious it becomes. For my complete Christmas Fruitcake recipe, click here: christmas-cake.html Last year, I went pagan and decorated the Christmas Cake with a fresh sprig of holly from our tree here in the Grove. But this year, I think I will go "kitschy vintage" and adorn it with the many bits of pieces of vintage plastic cake decorations I have acquired over the years. I have trees, greeting signs, holly, elves, reindeer ... and even Santa and his sleigh! Maybe I'll even include some coins in the cake to reward the lucky few!  The Snowman, Raymond Briggs, 1982 One of the most beautiful stories of Christmastime is "The Snowman" by Raymond Briggs. Pictured here, the little boy's Mom has magically (and simultaneously) decorated the Christmas Cake with an exact duplicate of the snowman her son created in their garden. The Snowman comes to life, at the stroke of midnight, and he and the boy share a memorable, yet ultimately heart-wrenching adventure. Decorating a Christmas Cake can give you a chance to express, in diorama, the symbols of Christmas that you hold dear. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
 I love Alfred Hitchcock! One story he collected, "Curious Adventure of Mr. Bond" by Nugent Barker, portrays Mr. Bond, a lone traveller, who after a wearying journey up the slopes of a valley happens upon a vast tableland and an inn, far in the distance and on the edge of a forest. He is delighted when he is heartily greeted by the landlord, a Mr. Crispin Sasserach and his wife Myrtle, who is preparing "a lovely broth to-night". After a wonderfully warm and cozy evening of delicious broth and good company, Mr. Bond departs the next morning with Mr. Sasserach who drives him over land bordered by forest on the left and rowan trees leading down to the valley on the right. Mr. Bond is duly deposited at the inn of Sasserach's brother (Martin), "The Headless Man", where he enjoys a meal of many succulent meat dishes and a game of chess with his host (with curious hand-carved chess pieces). Mr. Bond does start to feel a little "obliged" and frustrated by their "over-hospitality" when it is insisted that he visit the third brother's inn, "The Traveller's Head".  He learns on this journey that the three brothers own the entire land above the valley, divided into three equal portions. When prompted by Mr. Bond to discuss the names of the inns, which are seemingly quite common, but nonetheless "turned around"; the manservant, Stennet, who is driving the carriage, enlightens him thusly: the name "The Traveller's Rest" is self-explanatory and so is made poetical by changing it to "The Rest of the Traveller" focusing on the "rest" to be found at the inn. "The Headless Man" is simply grim for the sake of grimness and "The Traveller's Head" pays homage to the traveller himself, in the same manner that many inns are called "The King's Head". By now, however, you must have had some suspicions as to the eventual fate of our poor Mr. Bond.  "Mr. P.R. Barnes, licensed to sell Beers, Wines & Spirits" I took these photos last month when we found ourselves, without benefit of a map, and on the dubious advice of modern GPS, lost and travelling down many of those narrow, winding roads so common in England. We finally pulled up short in front of this inn while my husband consulted his own sources to get us back on the right track. I sat in the car looking up at the sign above the doorway of this seemingly deserted (although correctly named!) inn and was relieved to read that a "Mr. P.R. Barnes" was the proprietor ... and not Mr. Crispin Sasserach himself!! Cannibalism is common in folklore and fairytales. As the hour of All Hallow's Eve approaches and leads us into the dark of winter, I humbly felt it might be an appropriate time to include one of my favourite tales of this delightfully taboo subject! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
  "Apple Tree in Avalon" (Glastonbury, England - 2018) It isn't for me to say if the legendary Avalon existed literally or figuratively, but Avalon, or "the island of apples" was located for some at Glastonbury in Somerset, England. Certainly there is magic in the sight of the serene countryside, gently grazing farm animals, stone walls and weathered wooden gates - not to mention the many apple trees growing amply and fruitfully in fields alongside the path to Glastonbury Tor. Legend tells that the numerous wild apple trees of Avalon needed no cultivating to grow and gave fruit endlessly - contributing to an easy lifestyle for its happy inhabitants! I have found that nature provides everything spontaneously for our own apple trees to flourish and thrive. If you want to bring a little of the magic of Avalon into your own backyard - why not consider planting an apple tree or two? There are many varieties that need very little space to grow. The benefits vastly outweigh the initial modest cost and labour involved -- adding beauty and oxygen to our world, blossoms for bees, hiding spots for birds, shade, compost and most importantly -- year after year of free delicious apples!
Apple Trees in Meadow Sweet Grove Copyright © Meadow Sweet Grove / V. Buchanan 2018/e2019
~ It will be a lark! ~ On a lark ~ Just for a lark ~ Larking about ~ Go on a lark ~ These are English expressions used to describe something done for a bit of carefree fun; usually on a sudden impulse or whim. It can be silly and gay. It can be mischievous - but never malicious. "Come on, join me in the three-legged race ... it will be a lark!" Marie decided to buy a new hat on a lark. The children turned their desks around backwards, just for a lark, before the teacher came into the room. "Stop larking about and turn those desks back 'round front", she laughed. Sigh, I definitely need to go on a lark right now!! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
This lovely refined image above is subtly carrying on the tradition of the likely much more sensual predecessor of "Maying"; with a sweet lady in front continuing the search for her fellow; while a courting couple trails behind ...  Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2021 |
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