Earth is a “blue” planet because most of its surface (70%) is covered by Ocean. 97% of the water in our planet is stored in them. Water is life, or so they say. And it’s true Life was born here and is possible due to their existence. Topographically, we know more about the moon than we do about Earth, who knows what great wonders can the oceans still hold?
Idunn: Norse Goddess of Apples and Apples Symbology
As we can know from old Nordic poems Edda, Idunn is a Goddess of the Norse Mythology, the keeper of apples and granter of eternal youthfulness. Apple trees were the symbol of rebirth and beauty. The Apple tree is scared in Norse mythology. Idunn is the goddess of Spring or rejuvenation and the wife of Bragi, who is the god of Poetry. With her apples, gods remain young and immortal.
In this old poem it says that the blood of Idunn was elven
Continue reading “Idunn: Norse Goddess of Apples and Apples Symbology”BELTANE
1st of May: May Day
So Walpurgis Night is over and we have woken into Beltane, halfway between Spring and Summer.
When Spring and Summer collides
A promise of life as birds and butterflies unfold their wings.
Longer, warmer days to grow and rise
Splatters of vivid colours over the Spring green canvas.
Above: Me exactly one year ago. My wings are based on the moth species Graellsia isabellae one of my favourite moths, the Spanish Luna a rare moth that can be found precisely in the area I live, in the North of Spain. There is even the only sanctuary of this species in the world that I hope to visit soon as it’s almost the time to hatch out of their chrysalis. I am so longing for the butterflies… in a few weeks from now they are going to be everywhere.
This date is linked to the pagan celebration of Beltane in the Northern Hemisphere. Women usually dress in white or light colours that symbolize purity and wear floral garlands. It is thought the May Queen an ancient tree worship. We do not have these traditions in my country, but I still love to celebrate it my own way.
This time of the year calls to be joyful and active reverencing the abundance of life.
Why hugging trees can heal you?
Have you ever hugged a tree? Does it sounds too hippy let me tell you what you’re missing đ and how it works.
One week ago me HĂ©ctor and I went out like we do almost every single weekend. A lovely early Spring day, a field full of blooms and there a glorious Evergreen tree all lush green already. It stood out as “King of the Hill” and so I hugged it…
A manificent Evergreen Oak
Quercus ilex is also known as “Evergreen Oak” Holly oak or Holm (ancient for “Holy”) Oak. They grow typically in the Mediterranean and are quite large in size. This particular one stood in the middle of a field, all crowned in green while the oak trees around it were barely budding their new leaves. That green has endured Winter and it almost felt like a “flash forward” into Summer.
Continue reading “Why hugging trees can heal you?”Spring Returns/New Beginnings: Daffodils (Narcissus) early blooms
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.
Such frail beauty inspires so much strength. New life growing from the barren land… It tells you life was not gone but dormant.
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.
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.
All pictures are taken by me and my partner HĂ©ctor CorcĂn
Has Spring started already where you live? Or maybe Autumn?
Windswept but still standing
Winter this year was very mild where I live, it has barely snowed a couple of times, so of course I had to go out to do the Wintry photoshoots I had planned when I had the chance. I got an unexpected surprise from my friends, Spanish Fantasy Clothing brand El Costurero Real, this pair of chiffon Cicada Wings. I love them because they remind me to my favourite movie, The Dark Crystal and I intend to do something very geeky with them. But meanwhile and to celebrate the few “late” snowfalls of the season (just when it feels that Spring is on the way) I have had several hikes that I’ll be sharing. I also had the chance to finish filming a videoclip that I had started the year prior and finally I was able to film the final sequences (but that for another post or the videoclip premiere)
Continue reading “Windswept but still standing”Grounding in Nature: Winter mossy woods on a rainy day
The beginning of 2019 came with so many resolutions, I’m struggling to keep up but going at my pace… Nothing is done until it’s done, like one of my forthcoming songs says, so I have set my goals with no deadline, I just follow the task list and cross out a couple of things every day. Most important one is to nurture myself back to full health and for that I have started jogging again, fixing my messed sleep schedule, tidying my working environment and of course the best therapy of all… Nature.
Continue reading “Grounding in Nature: Winter mossy woods on a rainy day”An Oak tree Dryad and Guardians of Nature
I went hiking yesterday (7th of January). I was intending to reach a cave as suitable filming location for a forthcoming videoclip. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to final location but that I enjoyed the walk through the wintry woods and all through the way I found the most singular trees, mostly gnarled oaks
According to Mythology the term “Dryad” comes from “Dryos” meaning Oak or Tree, and this female minor deities were guardians for the forests, groves and trees in general that they would protect fiercely. Those who were linked to a the life of a particular tree (being born and dying when the tree would perish) would be named with the term Hamadryad (from “together” and “tree”) and would have different names depending on the tree to which their existence were tied to. Dryads would have great longevity and would only pass away once the tree they inhabited had died. Fierce protectors and guardians, this wood spirits of shy nature would have shapeshifting powers.
In Roman mythology their counterparts are known as Querquetulanae, or Nymphs of the Oak groves. As we know Quercus is also the Genus the many species of Oak trees belong to, being one of the most popular the European Oak or Quercus Robur (meaning robust Oak).
Continue reading “An Oak tree Dryad and Guardians of Nature”The first day of the year: Hello 2019 from a Mystical Forest
Finding what I’ve lost
As I wrote in my previous entry, I entered this 2019 full of resolutions, but one thing that was clear to me is that I wanted to spend the first day outdoors, grounding, healing and connecting with Nature. And so off we went to look for an item we had lost just a few days prior when we were filming for a forthcoming video, not hoping to find it but enjoying to retrace our trail back. And It was found… which I consider a sign of good luck… Because that is precisely one of feelings I want to cherish… You may think you’ve lost something yet you might not.
Continue reading “The first day of the year: Hello 2019 from a Mystical Forest”Happy New Year. Welcome 2019. My resolutions
Happy New Year. Wishing all my fellow friends a lovely closing of the year, and the will and determination you may need to succeed in your resolutions. I am going to share mine in this post.The Wheel of the year starts again.. A fresh start..
If you fail the first time you can always try again
I am writing this as a free write because one of the things I’d like to change is not to overthink things so much. Sometimes I’m a perfectionist and that makes that I don’t finish things, or that I don’t share them at all… some works have been forever “being completed”. I want to be more spontaneous and share more “works in progress”. There is always time for “polishing”