Divinities & Cults

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Divinities & Cults DIVINITIES & CULTS: VOLUME II BEING A REFEREE & PLAYER RESOURCE FOR LABYRINTH LORD AND OTHER CLASSIC ROLEPLAYING GAMES Written by Dan Osarchuk Revised 2017, 2019 Cover Illustration by Luigi Castellani Interior Illustrations by Luigi Castellani & stock art Special thanks to Curtis Lyon (Three Sages Games), Bruce Wiggins, Ben Orndorff, Craig Grubb, Kolbe Ann, and Loken Roderic for their assistance in helping to edit and refine this work. Copyright © 2016, 2017, 2019 OSRDAN GAMES Compatible with the various Old School Editions and their ‘Retro-clones’, especially Labyrinth Lord! Labyrinth LordTM is copyright 2007-2011, Daniel Proctor. Labyrinth LordTM and Advanced Labyrinth LordTM are trademarks of Daniel Proctor. These trademarks are used under the Labyrinth LordTM Trademark License 1.2, available at www.goblinoidgames.com. Samplewww.divinitiesandcults.com file Key to Divinities & Cults: Volume II How to Use This Book The incredible and mysterious powers of the Gods require similar Triggers are reduced by 1 each day thereafter, along with normal abilities for their followers! Use some or all of these rules in order to prayers, meditation, etc. make one’s cleric more specialized by divinity. Triggers Test Type Roll 0 nil none Special 1 I 1d6 Though ‘cleric’ is the default term for most divinities’ mortal servants 2 II 1d8+2 in this work, they can also be served by priests, druids, and the like. 3 III 1d10+4 Read further in this Volume for details on these subclasses. 4 IV 1d12+6 etc. etc. +4 per Trigger Tenets For example, a cleric violates one of his divinity’s tenets, immediately Clerics are expected to follow these ideological guidelines. Major triggering a d6 roll on the Divine Test table for his divinity. Later that transgressions will result in an immediate roll on the divinity’s Divine day, he needs a +2 bonus for one of his spells, triggering a 1d8+2 roll, Test table in order to bring the cleric back onto the path. thanks to calling upon Divine Intervention. The following day, he rolls a 1 on a casting roll (see below), causing him to start with another Type II Allowed Weapons and Armor Test (1d8+2), since 1 trigger still remained from the day before. Clerics bear protection in specific ways as per their patron deity, marking them apart from clerics of other deities. Clerics who use Cleric Spells disallowed weapons or armor will be unable to use any of their Clerics have access to different spells based on which god or powers during that time and for the next 6d4 hours afterwards. goddess they follow. Note that spells marked thus (*) are magic- user spells; (D) are druid spells. Holy Symbols These are the representations of the cleric’s faith in their divinity. Casting Rolls Various symbols may emphasize various aspects of the divinity and In order to make spellcasting even more dynamic and exciting, may represent distinct sects, denominations, or even cults thereof. clerics can perform casting rolls to have their spells succeed. Doing so makes casting spells feel *magical* and adds an additional layer Can Turn of depth to your game. Clerics can attempt to turn all listed beings held antithetical to their Roll a d20, add the cleric’s wisdom modifier, and then consult the god or goddess, rather than just necessarily undead. following table. The total will need to equal or exceed the listed number in order for the spell to succeed. If successful, then the Mysteries magical side-effect can be rolled too (see above). What is more, clerics may gain special bonuses or abilities, often usable up to once per day per level, based on their patron deity. CASTING ROLL SUCCESS MATRIX Mysteries not only add an additional level of strategy to gameplay, Spell Level but also reiterate a cleric’s place within the cosmos. Cleric Level 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Magical Side-Effects 1 5 - - - - - - Something that matches the deity’s purview may also occur along 2 4 - - - - - - with the usual results of a spell. Depending on the d12 result, the 3 3 5 - - - - - recipient may need to fulfill a special requirement first, experience something unfortunate, or even gain a special bonus. Using 4 2 4 - - - - - magical side-effects in one’s game helps to keep each spell gritty, 5 2 3 6 - - - - interesting, mysterious, and memorable. And if a side-effect doesn’t 6 2 2 5 - - - - apply to a certain situation, simply consider it to be ‘no side effect’ 7 2 2 4 6 - - - in that case. 8 2 2 3 5 - - - 9 2 2 2 4 7 - - Divine Tests 10 2 2 2 3 6 - - Divinities may test their clerics (and even other mortals) to bring 11 2 2 2 2 5 7 - them back onto the divine path for their overall benefit or simply to 12 2 2 2 2 4 6 - punish them. In either case, the further the individual strays, the 13 2 2 2 2 3 5 8 greater the test, so the will of the Gods should be taken seriously! 14 2 2 2 2 2 4 7 Success: The spell works! Even if the target then saves, they will Divine Tests are triggered each time a cleric: still experience 1/2 the spell’s effect unless they save by 10 or - Defies a tenet of his or her divinity or does the opposite of one more. - Calls upon Divine Intervention (see Volume I) Failure: Spell doesn’t work- nothing happens! Cleric can try to cast - Gains a new cleric level- this serves as an initiation: the number of the spell again next round. triggers equals the new level divided by 2, rounded down - Defiles a sacred place, object, or individual of any divinity (applies Natural 20: Success and the spell’s effects increase by x1d4+1! to all individuals, not just clerics) - the test will be from the divinity Natural 13: A divine test is triggered even if the spell succeeds! that has been dishonored; save vs. spell negates Natural 1: Failure and a divine test is triggered! - Fails to follow the requirements of a Magical Side-Effect (Exclamation marks are used because this process is so exciting!) - Rolls a natural 1 or 13 on a casting roll, or fails a casting roll by 10 or more (if using casting rolls, see below) Miscellany - For any Sampleother reason, per Referee Divinities & Cults also offers a filenumber of optional rules, new monsters, and random tables, organized by divinity, for use in your The number of triggers determines the Test Type. Roll on the classic roleplaying game. As with all the rules in this book, feel free following table to see which of the divinity’s divine tests occurs. to use whichever ones you wish. Indexed Table of Contents DIVINITIES Fomorian Mutations................................................ 32 Page Brigid....................................................................... 1 Items Mechanica, Items Magica............................. 37 Cernunnos............................................................... 4 Orc & Goblin Foulness........................................... 39 Dagda, The.............................................................. 6 Weapons & Armor by Culture................................ 30 Danu......................................................................... 8 Dis Pater................................................................. 10 Page OPTIONAL RULES & SIDEBARS Lugh........................................................................ 13 Avatars.................................................................... 48 Manannan Mac Lir................................................. 15 Bards....................................................................... 2 Mars......................................................................... 17 Druids...................................................................... 14 Mercury................................................................... 19 Cerberus Hounds................................................... 11 Morrighan, The....................................................... 21 Defixio..................................................................... 11 Trivia........................................................................ 23 Expanded Spell Themes........................................ 24 Vesta........................................................................ 25 Fianna...................................................................... 7 Venus....................................................................... 27 Fomorian Giants.................................................... 32 Vulcan..................................................................... 29 Gaesatae................................................................. 14 Gladiators............................................................... 18 RANDOM ENCOUNTERS Page Legionaries............................................................ 18 Brothel..................................................................... 26 Helms ...................................................................... 30 Cleric....................................................................... 35 Magical Side-Effects by Cleric Sub-Type............. 20 Cold......................................................................... 42 More Magical Boons.............................................. 2 Fey Realms & Beings............................................. 3 Mystics and Priests .............................................. 20 Fen.......................................................................... 22 Shades.................................................................... 11 Hill........................................................................... 7 Shamans................................................................. 42 Nodes.....................................................................
Recommended publications
  • BRT Past Schedule 2016
    Join Our Mailing List! 2016 Schedule current schedule 2015 past schedule 2014 past schedule 2013 past schedule 2012 past schedule 2011 past schedule 2010 past schedule 2009 past schedule JANUARY 2016 NOTE: If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the day of the show, you will pay the day of show price. TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, CALL BRT AT: 401-725-9272 Leave your name, number of tickets desired, for which show, your phone number and please let us know if you would like a confirmation phone call. Mondays in January starting Jan. 4, $5.00 per class, 6:30-7:30 PM ZUMBA CLASSES WITH APRIL HILLIKER Thursday, January 7 5:00-6:00 PM: 8-week class Tir Na Nog 'NOG' TROUPE with Erika Damiani begins 6:00-7:00 PM: 8-week class SOFT SHOE TECHNIQUE with Erika Damiani begins 7:00-8:00 PM: 8-week class Tir Na Nog GREEN TROUPE (performance troupe) with Erika Damiani begins Friday, January 8 4:30-5:30 PM: 8-week class Tir Na Nog RINCE TROUPE with Erika Damiani begins 5:30-6:30 PM: 8-week class BEGINNER/ADVANCED BEGINNER HARD SHOE with Erika Damiani begins 6:30-7:30 PM: 8-week class SOFT SHOE TECHNIQUE with Erika Damiani begins 7:30-8:30 PM: 8-week class Tir Na Nog CEOL TROUPE with Erika Damiani begins Saturday, January 9 9:00 AM: 8-week class in BEGINNER IRISH STEP DANCE for children 5-10 with Erika Damiani begins 10:00 AM: 8-week class in CONTINUING
    [Show full text]
  • Diplomarbeit
    DIPLOMARBEIT Titel der Diplomarbeit „Irish Folklore and Mythology in Irish Young Adult Fantasy Literature: Kate Thompson’s The New Policeman, and O.R. Melling’s The Hunter’s Moon.“ Verfasserin Monika Kraigher angestrebter akademischer Grad Magistra der Philosophie (Mag.phil.) Wien, im Januar 2013 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 343 Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt: Anglistik und Amerikanistik Betreuer: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Franz Wöhrer To my grandmother, for her love, guidance and support... I would like to express my gratitude to Prof. Wöhrer for his exceptional guidance and patience. Thank you to my mother who has supported and motivated me unconditionally during my studies and in my everyday life. Finally, I would like to thank my friends and colleagues, notably the “gang“ from the Australian literature room, who were a great mental support during the work on this diploma thesis. DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY I confirm to have conceived and written this Diploma Thesis in English all by myself: Quotations from other authors are all clearly marked and acknowledged in the bibliographical references, either in the footnotes or within the text. Any ideas borrowed and/or passages paraphrased from the works of other authors are truthfully acknowledged and identified in the footnotes. Table of contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 2. Irish Children’s and Young Adult Literature ........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Nationalist Adaptations of the Cuchulain Myth Martha J
    University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Theses and Dissertations Spring 2019 The aW rped One: Nationalist Adaptations of the Cuchulain Myth Martha J. Lee Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd Part of the English Language and Literature Commons Recommended Citation Lee, M. J.(2019). The Warped One: Nationalist Adaptations of the Cuchulain Myth. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/5278 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Warped One: Nationalist Adaptations of the Cuchulain Myth By Martha J. Lee Bachelor of Business Administration University of Georgia, 1995 Master of Arts Georgia Southern University, 2003 ________________________________________________________ Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English College of Arts and Sciences University of South Carolina 2019 Accepted by: Ed Madden, Major Professor Scott Gwara, Committee Member Thomas Rice, Committee Member Yvonne Ivory, Committee Member Cheryl L. Addy, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School © Copyright by Martha J. Lee, 2019 All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION This dissertation and degree belong as much or more to my family as to me. They sacrificed so much while I traveled and studied; they supported me, loved and believed in me, fed me, and made sure I had the time and energy to complete the work. My cousins Monk and Carolyn Phifer gave me a home as well as love and support, so that I could complete my course work in Columbia.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title The Supernatural and the Limits of Materiality in Medieval Histories, Travelogues, and Romances From William of Malmesbury to Geoffrey Chaucer Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9ck303t5 Author McGraw, Matthew Publication Date 2013 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE The Supernatural and the Limits of Materiality in Medieval Histories, Travelogues, and Romances From William of Malmesbury to Geoffrey Chaucer A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English by Matthew Theismann McGraw December 2013 Dissertation Committee: Dr. John M. Ganim, Chairperson Dr. Deborah Willis Dr. Andrea Denny-Brown Copyright by Matthew Theismann McGraw 2013 The Dissertation of Matthew Theismann McGraw is approved: Committee Chairperson University of California, Riverside ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION The Supernatural and the Limits of Materiality in Medieval Histories, Travelogues, and Romances From William of Malmesbury to Geoffrey Chaucer by Matthew Theismann McGraw Doctor of Philosophy, Graduate Program in English University of California, Riverside, December 2013 Dr. John M. Ganim, Chairperson The supernatural, broadly defined as magic, marvels, wonders, and miracles, might at first seem to be wholly separate from material goods and the cultural practices surrounding material objects; miracles occur solely through divine grace, and magic would logically seem to involve making things happen without using physical force. Yet, in the depiction of the supernatural in medieval texts, miracles, marvels, wonders, and magic all depend in some way or another upon material goods. At the same time, the supernatural has a recursive effect upon materiality in the texts in this study; it functions as an amplifier of signification.
    [Show full text]
  • Irish Landscape Names
    Irish Landscape Names Preface to 2010 edition Stradbally on its own denotes a parish and village); there is usually no equivalent word in the Irish form, such as sliabh or cnoc; and the Ordnance The following document is extracted from the database used to prepare the list Survey forms have not gained currency locally or amongst hill-walkers. The of peaks included on the „Summits‟ section and other sections at second group of exceptions concerns hills for which there was substantial www.mountainviews.ie The document comprises the name data and key evidence from alternative authoritative sources for a name other than the one geographical data for each peak listed on the website as of May 2010, with shown on OS maps, e.g. Croaghonagh / Cruach Eoghanach in Co. Donegal, some minor changes and omissions. The geographical data on the website is marked on the Discovery map as Barnesmore, or Slievetrue in Co. Antrim, more comprehensive. marked on the Discoverer map as Carn Hill. In some of these cases, the evidence for overriding the map forms comes from other Ordnance Survey The data was collated over a number of years by a team of volunteer sources, such as the Ordnance Survey Memoirs. It should be emphasised that contributors to the website. The list in use started with the 2000ft list of Rev. these exceptions represent only a very small percentage of the names listed Vandeleur (1950s), the 600m list based on this by Joss Lynam (1970s) and the and that the forms used by the Placenames Branch and/or OSI/OSNI are 400 and 500m lists of Michael Dewey and Myrddyn Phillips.
    [Show full text]
  • Paganism Is a Group of Religions That Includes, Wiccans, Druids, Heathens and Others.1 They Share a Common Reverence for the Earth
    PaganPaganiiiissssmmmm Paganism is a group of religions that includes, Wiccans, Druids, Heathens and others.1 They share a common reverence for the Earth. Some see it as a living system to be taken care of; some see it as a living deity to be worshiped; some see it as Mother-Earth who provides and cares for her children; some see it as a combination of all three. Most strands of Paganism are rooted in European folklore, though some take their inspiration from North American, African, or other cultures. All claim to predate Christianity. It is estimated that there are over 250,000 Pagans in the British Isles today. God Pagans worship the divine in many different forms, both male and female. The most important and widely recognised are the God and Goddess (or Gods and Goddesses) whose annual cycle of giving birth and dying defines the Pagan year. Pagans can be pantheists, polytheists, duotheists, or monists. Most acknowledge the existence of Nature spirits — river spirits, dryads, elves, pixies, fairies, gnomes, goblins and trolls — and ancestral spirits and often engage with them in prayer. Some do not believe in deities at all but simply revere Nature. Creation The aim of Pagan ritual is to make contact with the divine in the world that surrounds us. Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death. Pagans are, understandably, concerned about the environment — most try to live so as to minimise harm to it — and about the preservation of ancient sites of worship.
    [Show full text]
  • January 2019
    published since 1948 for the town of Glen Echo, Maryland ≈ chartered in 1904 ≈January 2019 playing, etc. She will come since that will have the most Town Council Notes to a Town Council meeting impact on residents. The once the inventory is com- first house to be built will be he Town Council meeting was held December 10 with plete. For now, she continues on the lot facing upper Cor- Members Costello, Spealman, and Stiglitz present, to tackle the files in Town nell Avenue. Welty Homes Talong with the Mayor, Town Manager, and four residents. Hall, which are in a “signifi- will be the homebuilders as cant state of disarray.” well as the contractors for Town Business for Town Hall, the ADA- Ms. Ventura and the Echo the road project. Town Manager Nicole Ven- compliant elevator hasn’t editors are working on a The owner of 7315 Uni- tura told the Council that worked in a while and is pamphlet for new residents, versity Avenue had until going forward the Irish Inn awaiting a part to be fixed. which explains Town gov- December 16 to appeal the would be billed quarterly Modernizing the elevator ernment and services. Once County’s ruling that wall- for the Town land they use could cost a lot ($50k), so it is complete, all residents ing in the back porch and for parking, and payment Ms. Ventura and the Mayor will receive a copy. expanding the kitchen has been received. It was are also looking into a chair without permitting was also mentioned that a new elevator, which would go up Building and unacceptable.
    [Show full text]
  • The Festival of Beltane
    The festival of Beltane Jennifer Uzzell Religion Media Centre Collaboration House, 77-79 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4LP | [email protected] Charity registration number: 1169562 Beltane is generally celebrated about 1 May, although some Pagans celebrate it at the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, which falls about 5 May. Some Pagans celebrate Beltane when the May blossom (hawthorn) first starts to bloom, which means there might be considerable local variation. It is one of the eight festivals associated with the “wheel of the year”, which was devised in its current form by Ross Nichols and Gerald Gardner in the middle of the 20th century and is followed by many modern Pagans. Beltane means bright fire, or possibly “fire of Bel”. Bel or Belenus (“bright one”) was probably a Celtic fire god. It is also, sometimes, known as Calan Mai. The wheel of the year comprises four solar festivals (all dates are approximate) marking the winter solstice (21 December), the spring (or vernal) equinox (21 March), the summer solstice (21 June), and the autumn equinox (21 September). These are separated by four “fire festivals” that are probably connected to the ancient farming year. They are Imbolc (2 February), Beltane (1 May), Lughnasadh (2 August), and Samhain (2 November, although some Pagans celebrate it on 31 October to coincide with the Christian festival of Halloween.) Some believe that the festivals of Beltane and Samhain were originally the most important, marking the beginning and end of summer, and that they have particular significance to pastoral rather than agricultural societies, meaning that they may date from a time when the early Celtic people, or even the Indo-Europeans, were primarily herders of animals practising transhumance, the moving of livestock from one grazing ground to another in a seasonal cycle.
    [Show full text]
  • Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race by Thomas William Rolleston
    The Project Gutenberg EBook of Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race by Thomas William Rolleston This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license Title: Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race Author: Thomas William Rolleston Release Date: October 16, 2010 [Ebook 34081] Language: English ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC RACE*** MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC RACE Queen Maev T. W. ROLLESTON MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC RACE CONSTABLE - LONDON [8] British edition published by Constable and Company Limited, London First published 1911 by George G. Harrap & Co., London [9] PREFACE The Past may be forgotten, but it never dies. The elements which in the most remote times have entered into a nation's composition endure through all its history, and help to mould that history, and to stamp the character and genius of the people. The examination, therefore, of these elements, and the recognition, as far as possible, of the part they have actually contributed to the warp and weft of a nation's life, must be a matter of no small interest and importance to those who realise that the present is the child of the past, and the future of the present; who will not regard themselves, their kinsfolk, and their fellow-citizens as mere transitory phantoms, hurrying from darkness into darkness, but who know that, in them, a vast historic stream of national life is passing from its distant and mysterious origin towards a future which is largely conditioned by all the past wanderings of that human stream, but which is also, in no small degree, what they, by their courage, their patriotism, their knowledge, and their understanding, choose to make it.
    [Show full text]
  • THE WOOING of CHOICE: Prosimetric Reconstruction of the Female Journey in Irish Mythology
    THE WOOING OF CHOICE: Prosimetric Reconstruction of the Female Journey in Irish mythology by Roxanne Bodsworth 2020 This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University. i Abstract: In “The Wooing of Choice: prosimetric reconstruction of the female journey in Irish mythology”, I examine the representation of female characters in Irish mythological tales where the woman chooses her lover in contravention of social expectations. In the traditional versions, the woman recedes into the background as the narrative develops around the male hero. I ask what happens to the discourse of the narrative when it is subverted so that the focus is placed upon the female experience. This is explored through a creative component, called ‘Meet Me in My World’, a prosimetric reconstruction of three Irish tales in which the woman chooses her lover and compels him to follow her. The three tales are: Aislinge Óengusso (The Dream of Óengus); Tóruigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne (The Pursuit of Diarmaid and Gráinne); and Longes mac nUislenn (The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu). The exegetical component, comprising 50% of the thesis, is composed of two sections. In the first, I examine theories of feminist writing and remythologizing, and develop a new model for feminist reconstruction, which I apply to the creative product. In the second section, I explore the relationship between narrative and poetry, from medieval prosimetric translations to contemporary hybrid texts, and consider which form provides the best framework for my female-centred narrative and the verse.
    [Show full text]
  • 1401882258184.Pdf
    The Witch A New Class for Basic Era Games by Timothy S. Brannan Copyright © 2012 Proofreading and editing by and Jeffrey Allen and James G Holloway, DBA Dark Spire. Artists: Daniel Brannan Brian Brinlee Gary Dupuis Larry Elmore Toby Gregory Aitor Gonzalez William McAusland Bradley K McDevitt Bree Orlock and Stardust Publications Howard Pyle Artwork copyright by the original artist and used with permission. Some artwork is in the public domain. Cover art by John William Waterhouse 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................. 2 Athamé .................................................................................78 Forward ................................................................................ 3 Broom ..................................................................................78 PART 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................... 5 Cauldron ...............................................................................78 PART 2: THE WITCH CLASS ............................................ 7 Censer ..................................................................................79 Special Restrictions (Optional) ............................................. 8 Chalice .................................................................................79 Witch ................................................................................. 9 Pentacle ................................................................................79 PART 3: TRADITIONS
    [Show full text]
  • Imbolc and the Season of Increasing Light
    Welcome to Imbolc and the Season of Increasing Light Today we celebrate Imbolc. Some call this day Candlemas. We know this day as Bridget’s day. We honor her today and the women that tend her eternal fires. It is a time when mothers feel life moving inside. It is the time for seeds to be bursting from their shells or pods and begin sending out a shoot that will break through the cold earth to become a seedling. In some Christian services the priest or minister bless throats. The wheel has turned again and we find outsides looking for longer days and warmer times. The weather has turned snowy and sometimes it feels as if spring is a long time away. The days are so short and the cold weather seeps into your bones. Then you notice a tiny white or yellow or even purple head peeking up through the snow and you know spring is just around the corner. Everyone is looking for a place to get warm. This little one paid us a visit the other day in our bathtub. We still are not sure how he got there but he was very thirsty. Since Groundhog Day is also celebrated I included an old English song which explains about his shadow. If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go Winter, and come not again. The maple trees in my yard have buds on them along with the hummingbird bushes. This is the quickening moon and in the Celtic calendar, Imbolc occurs during the Luis Ogham.
    [Show full text]