I went away for several days; off to where Lake Ontario spoons the shores of Upstate New York. The beachline stretched beyond my sight, past buoys marked for ‘swim at your own risk,’ private residences, and wildlife management areas. Fresh water, sometimes smooth as a reflecting pool, other times choppy and reminiscent of ocean surf,Continue reading “Camping With Fire, Water, and Tree”
Tag Archives: trees
Three Things Thursday: Luis, These Witches Don’t Burn, and an Introverted Conference
Each week, I share three little things. This week, I’m contemplating luis, I’ve got a short book review for you, and I reflect on a writing conference I attended on Zoom. I recently started an in-depth reflection of the ogham with a friend and fellow polytheist. Each week, we focus on one symbol, or fid,Continue reading “Three Things Thursday: Luis, These Witches Don’t Burn, and an Introverted Conference”
Incense of the Land
At the end of March, I discovered an eastern hemlock tree in our yard was weeping resin. This is quite common in the spring, especially if trees have a wound. I found smaller globs on the white pine in front of our house, but the hemlock must have lost a branch or something. I collectedContinue reading “Incense of the Land”
Three Things Thursday: Low-Key Full Moon, Plush Tree Spirit, and a New Excerpt
Once more, three mini posts inside a big one! Trying to remain positive in light of a lot of anxiety at the moment. A Low-Key Full Moon I had plans for the full moon, and they collapsed, much as I did into bed, that night. The impact of losing an hour is amazing (on top ofContinue reading “Three Things Thursday: Low-Key Full Moon, Plush Tree Spirit, and a New Excerpt”
Working with the Land: My First Wattle Fence
There are several tree stumps in my back yard. At one point, there was a grove of trees in the back corner. Last year, our first full summer at our new home, I decided to observe everything growing there in order to decide how to proceed our approach to that area. Given that we onlyContinue reading “Working with the Land: My First Wattle Fence”
Mysteries
It’s officially spring, but we still have snow on the ground here. All the same, signs of spring abound if you look! There are buds on the trees, the chives have sprouted, and several song birds have returned. Having only lived in this house since the late summer, this is our first spring here. TheContinue reading “Mysteries”
Went For a Walk Today
Getting Festive
Despite how sick I was feeling last week, I decided we ought to decorate our tree. We bought a potted tree this year, with the intent to keep her around. My husband brought our box of decorations out, and we hung all our memories. This is the first year that my daughter was visibly excited andContinue reading “Getting Festive”
When life gets busy – go to the forest. When there is drama at protogrove events – go to the forest. When you question why you are trying to build community – go to the forest. When your thoughts won’t let you be – go to the forest. The oak tree will teach you howContinue reading
Autumn in Upstate NY Means Apples
Upstate New York is known for its delicious apples. Each autumn, orchards roll out their red, yellow, and green goodness, cider presses offer their ambrosial best, and folks everywhere delight at the numerous confections produced in kitchens across the land. When fresh apples appear in mounds at farmers’ markets and grocery stores, when the cider pressesContinue reading “Autumn in Upstate NY Means Apples”
Author M. A. Phillips 