Hello Spring: Ostara Blessings with my song The Waking of Spring

Above: My song and music video “The Waking of Spring”. Click PLAY to listen while you keep on reading.

“The Waking of the Spring” is a Celtic uplifting seasonal song I wrote some years ago so you can feel like blooming the entire year. It talks about the life renewing during the Spring awakening. In this season I often sing it barefoot in the forest and I take my first baths in the creeks. I must say though, that today I woke to a wintry day and all was covered in snow but frail pale white and pink blossoms are facing the cold weather and buds are unfolding. Aren´t we longing to bloom? I am!

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Today, 20th of March is the celebration of Ostara a Pagan celebration of the the Spring Equinnox in the Northern Hemisphere. Ostara is named after a Germanic Goddess of Spring and fertility The name means “to shine”. In the Equinox the length of the Day and Night is the same, the forces of Light and Darkness in balance, and now on days will be longer and brighter until next Solstice. A promise of life… as birds unfold their wings

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Though the dormant Goddess of Spring is supposed to start to stir at Imbolc it is today when the season is considered to begin. It is also the date of the Druidry Festival Alban Eilir (The Light of the Earth). A time for growth and balance… the return to life until it reaches its full boom and peak on forthcoming Beltane (May Day Festival) where everything will be in full bloom. Splatters of colours, tender grass and animals coming out from their lairs. Soon the canopy of the forest will be lush and will rustle with its “new leaves” voice.
Crown the tree with a lush and glorious green at the Waking of Spring

Despite having had a cold Winter this year the forest floor starts to fill with Daffodils and Crocuses… Here is a picture from last Sunday, taken while I was hiking. As you may know already I love Nature and I like to “forest bath” as much as possible. It is a source of inspiration and healing to me, and it has become my way of living.

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They grow and thrive against all odds, Spring has awakened.

The symbolic plant of the Equinox is the trefoil and that’s why the celebration of Saint Patrick a few days ago is also related to the welcoming of the new season. Read my previous post about Saint Patrick and my obsession for “green”

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Poetry and Lyrics: The Waking of the Spring

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Melting icicles tearing sheer droplets giving birth to glittering sprites that rejoice and splash at the fountain dazzling under the light Graceful they sing in the newborn stream gurgle and dance at the waking of the spring A blooming warmth is filling the air with tantalizing scents and flourish now in the curve of your smile of delicious lips so red A promise of life as birds unfold their wings runs in our blood at the waking of the spring Maidens wearing floral garlands with a blush so healthy glowing on their cheeks and barefoot as they gather like nymphs playing by the creeks Cover field with flawless beauty Crown the tree with a lush and glorious green The sounds that winter muted now burst alive and sing for the waking of the spring la, la, la… la, la, io… And craving for sun our life and love renew la, la, la… la, la, io… and craving for sun our life and love renew

The making of the video

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Above: Part of the video was filmed in this fields that I can see from my window. I love the way the fields transform before my eyes. At the moment there are no flowers but it’s covered with vivid green grass.

Credits
Music and lyrics and all arrangements written by Priscilla Hernandez
Everything in this recording is acoustic:
Priscilla Hernandez (me): voice, lyrics, composition, harp, flutes, chalumeau, low whistle
Hector Corcin @hedac: Percussion and various, mixing and mastering
Armen Vartanyan: Violin
Svetlana Tovstukha: Cello

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You can support me by downloading this song from Bandcamp
It was a stand-alone single that was never included in my albums though I will likely include it eventually in an acoustic compilation of songs inspired by Nature I have made throughout the years.

The video was filmed in a park in Barcelona and the rest of locations are in the countryside of Navarra, Spain where I currently live. The video was filmed and edited by @hedac and me. I made my own gown and dresses, except for the big floral garland (courtesy of Mimsy Crowns) and the white blooms crown (courtesy of Freckles Faerie Chest).

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My harp was a gift from Rees Harps https://harpsicle-harps.com/
I was new to harp and it is one of the first formal recordings I ever made playing it.

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Fun random fact about this video and me

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You can see me dancing… I cannot dance in public. Even in a party I would hide behind a curtains not to be noticed. It makes me feel extremely shy, and I certainly don’t have a talent for it, yet here I genuinely spun in joy. When performing on stage my movements are subtle and I often seek shelter behind my instruments… but I still am able to appreciate the “liberation” of it and shh…. sometimes I do in meadows and groves Sound of Music freestyle and vibe. That is the power Nature has over me and that the courage it bestows upon me.

My fufunchi starlet: Guest appearance of my rat Ritva

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The video features a guest appearance of Ritva (now gone). She was one of my three rats (known as “fufunchis”). Ritva was a gorgeous white and grey husky rat, her name meaning Birch Branch.
She already had hind leg paralysis and was very old when we filmed this video. But this footage makes me remember her under the sun enjoying the smell of the garden flowers. I love you my sweet “fufunchi”. One of this days I will write about my rats, because I know there are still lots of prejudices against them and I think I might be able to change a few minds about it. They were amazing and left a deep imprint in my soul. In fact they are featured in many of my music videos, sometimes in hidden places (like Easter Eggs to be found). You were so beautiful my little branch, Mummy misses you!

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All images and music are copyrighted to Priscilla Hernandez. All Rights Reserved.

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New leaves unfolding, bare branches in full blossom… May you bloom and feel the warmth of Spring. And craving for Sun our life and love renew

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Some impressions from last Spring

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Happy Saint Patrick Day: Still looking four my four leaf clover :)

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Happy Saint Patrick’s Day (Patron of Ireland, country that has given us so many Fairy myths and legends). I like Celtic music and play myself Irish whistle and harp, and other traditional instruments that are usually featured in my recordings. Though my reinterpretations and original songs are not traditional, this influence is undeniable.

Though the tradition was born as a Christian celebration (being the death of the Patron Saint of Ireland) for me it’s a celebration of green.

First blooms in the forest growing on padded moss

So today is all about green… I love wearing green and usually wear it the whole year to the point some of my friends and neighbours make jokes about it as if I were some kind of pixie. I love green so much that I classify my clothing in my wardrobe by “shades of green”… mossy green, forest green… It´s a green that shifts through the seasons. A green that becomes vibrant in Spring and muted in Winter.

Late winter into Spring… the green turns greener…

So Kermit the Frog once said It’s not easy being green. Today might be the easiest day to be, because it is told Leprechauns will pinch on you if you do not wear it. And also as Kermit said… green is the colour I want to be. For me it represents my “Mother Nature” which I like to worship. I hike regularly (with my partner @hedac) and find it an enless source of inspiration.

Branches don’t stay bare forever

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We have endured Winter, and yes, for some it’s been harsh, and branches have faced winds and even some of them have broken all naked and bare

These days I’m rejoicing to see the first budding leaves unfolding… if you care to see those little buds sprouting… they seem small but they’re a promise of life (and luck maybe)

and we must now remember it won’t be long until this happen again

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And this is a message I leave to all of you for interpretation 🙂

Blessings

All images are copyrighted to me and taken by me or along with @hedac
Crown and dress made by myself.

Meanwhile outside, the first leaves are starting to unfold… Pay attention… You don’t want to miss this magical moment of “transformation” . Light returns and all comes to life. Days are longer… make the most of them!

I love the moment when the wintry bare forest starts to turn green. Now it’s time to grow.

By the way, I’ve never found a “four leaf clover” myself… wish me a little bit of “LUCK” to find one (and for all the things that matter to me). Best wishes back!
The leaves of Shamrocks and common 3 leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love and the less common variants with four, luck. The “luck of the Irish” might be related to the fact that in that country is where these rare variants of clovers are more easily found.

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So if you haven’t found your luck yet keep on searching, maybe it will find you
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Spring Returns/New Beginnings: Daffodils (Narcissus) early blooms

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Me last year among Daffodils

Daffodils (Narcissus) are the among the earliest flowers to bloom, an herald of Spring, symbols of “rebirth” and renewal and thus perfect to celebrate new cycles and beginnings. This is a picture taken yesterday when I was hiking. Though the forest is wintry and bare, clusters of yellow daffodils brought colour to it. The bulbs have endured the slumber of Winter… they are a sign of the “resilience” of Nature, coming in longer and more vivid clusters every Spring.

Above: Daffodils growing on a moody wintry day… advent of Spring

Such frail beauty inspires so much strength. New life growing from the barren land… It tells you life was not gone but dormant.

Daffodils (Narcissus)

In Wales there is a legend that says that if you see the first Daffodil blooming you will be blessed with wealth for the rest of the year… These may not be the first and wealth has many shapes and faces that are not related with money… I have found it in their golden petals and the lesson they convey, also in the love of people who care about me.

Daffodils are also a symbol of friendship

In Victorian times they were also used as a symbol of friendship so this daffodil I’m holding is for you my “friends”, the ones that have supported me and make me find my place here.

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All pictures are taken by me and my partner Héctor Corcín
Has Spring started already where you live? Or maybe Autumn?

Daffodils growing in the forest floor


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On your Wings (The Ravens Incantation) Video and Recording

A little magical Incantation along with the Ravens… Filmed 9/2/2019 in Zuriza (Spain)

Trying my Christmas present: My A key tin whistle

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The flute I’m playing was my self Christmas present, an alto Irish tin Whistle in A key with an extra G hole. The maker is Shearwater Whistles and though an affordable brand I was quite pleased with the result. I bought if for myself on Christmas though I had to wait for it to be done. I finally could film this video a couple of weeks ago.

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Location and Recording

Location is Zuriza (Spain, close to France border) barely a few weeks ago… It’s incredible how weather can change so drastically, it was all wintry white and now leaves and blooms are unfurling. The footage was filmed using a brand new toy, a handheld stabilized camera (Osmo Pocket) who was gifted to me by @hedac to do more vlogs (yes, yes I know, I must do more!!)

I’m wearing my hat from my friends El Costurero Real, self knitted mittens and a coat gifted by my friend Wui. It’s not leather but fabric and faux fur.

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The crows and raven sounds were really recorded in place too, they are not an fx added. We used a portable Zoom recorder. The audio is not from the Osmo Pocket camera itself. A second round of flute was recorded to make a duet. Other than that there is only a supporter drone which is a mix of sounds in the studio, including one pad made out of the recorded voice of one of my fufunchis (Ritva, my rat) which sounds New-Age but comes from the sampled squeaks of my rat (now gone) I have the instrument of their voices so they can be part of my music.

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Above, Ritva, an angel now, but her voice is featured as part of the humming drone all through the tune

About the “Incantations” project

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Incantations is a little project I have recording outdoors. They are usually short and improvised, most of the melodies are done in the spot inspired by the place. Thus this one was called “On your Wings, the Ravens Incantation” because the crows and ravens were hovering above me while chanting. The Incantations are made as a way to channel Nature, they are usually very short improvisations… I hope some of them will become songs in their own right one day. In a way it is like the birth of a possible song in the simplest way, just letting myself flow and be inspired by my surroundings while I ground in Nature.

Above an image of the previous Incantation (Over the Clouds) which went viral uncredited 🙁

I am wearing again my hat from El Costurero Real and the reason why is because one of the previous Incantations went viral several times but stolen, cutting my credit and watermark out of the video and without even mentioning me. With over 4 million plays scattered among a few groups and countless of shares on facebook, I stumbled upon my own video without my name on it. I will make maybe a post about it. Some of those groups even asked for money to restore my name to my “stolen” video. But I could prove it was mine and some were finally blocked. Still as in the previous one I was in in silhouette, I decided to do a similar one wearing the witch hat but this time showing my face. Let’s see what happens this time, but I am encouraged to continue these series of short and sweet compositions outdoors.

I have created a playlist on my youtube channel with the Incantations and recordings in Nature

And this was the video that circulated out without control (if you ever stumble upon it)

Filming a new one as soon as the leaves unfold… but shifting my colours into green… what do you think? Spring is drawing near and a new Incantation along with it

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Networks

Priscilla Hernandez
singer-songwriter & illustrator
http://yidneth.com

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