Mabon or the Autumn Equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on Tuesday 22nd September. Day and night will be of equal length for the second time in the Wheel of the Year (the first time was at Ostara, the Spring Equinox). The Equinox also marks the official start of autumn, although with some of the … Continue reading Mabon – Celebrating Harvest
Lammas – Celebrating Abundance
At this time of year, grain is ripening in the fields, there’s crops of fruits ready and gardens are lush with colour. This first harvest is celebrated as Lammas (also known as Lughasadh) and takes place on 1st August in the Northern hemisphere this year. The word ‘Lammas’ comes from ‘loaf mass’ as traditionally bread would … Continue reading Lammas – Celebrating Abundance
The Magic of Libraries and Book Shops
About loving bookshops and libraries and how to discover new books in a post-lockdown world.
Stone Circles in Fiction
I’ve been obsessed with stone circles since a family holiday to Brittany when I was 15. I remember vividly my fascination with the stone alignments at Carnac which kicked off a lifelong passion. I’m what my best friend’s husband, who’s an archaeologist, calls “a stone botherer” which doesn’t bother me at all as my stone … Continue reading Stone Circles in Fiction
Six things which got me through my darkest time which might help now
If you’re struggling to stay positive at the moment then you’re not on your own. I’m finding it very hard indeed and seem to fluctuate between near panic and a kind of stoic ‘everything will be fine’. When I feel panicky I’m trying to remember the things I learned when I was very seriously ill … Continue reading Six things which got me through my darkest time which might help now
Summer Solstice – Celebrating Light
In the Northern hemisphere the summer solstice occurs on Thursday 21st June this year when the sun will be at its furthest point north in its annual cycle around the Earth. In the UK, that will actually be at 11:07. It’s the time of the longest day and the shortest night but it’s also one … Continue reading Summer Solstice – Celebrating Light
Five things I’ve learnt about writing from reading Dorothy Dunnett #IDDD
Back in April this year, my friend Lucy recommended the Lymond Chronicles to me. I’d been moaning to her about how hard it is to plot a series of books and she recommended that I learn from the expert and read Dorothy Dunnett. I went home, downloaded Game of Kings to my Kindle and started … Continue reading Five things I’ve learnt about writing from reading Dorothy Dunnett #IDDD
Celebrating autumn
Is it just me or does the run up to Christmas seemed to have started even earlier this year? It was mid-September when I saw the first Christmas books released and Christmas gifts appearing in the shops. It’s as if the world’s forgotten there’s a whole season in between. A season that’s particularly lovely and … Continue reading Celebrating autumn
Stopping to take stock
For the past few years I’ve had what people call a ‘portfolio career’. As well as writing, I’m a consultant, an external examiner and a creative writing tutor. That takes a lot of swapping of hats and this week has been particularly hectic. Monday morning saw me at an important meeting in York, Monday afternoon … Continue reading Stopping to take stock
Going Back to Find Something New
I’ve been coming to Glastonbury (the town not the festival, as I’ve explained a lot in the past few weeks) every year or so since I started writing Beltane six years ago. It’s become a kind of spiritual second home and I love it for its quirkiness, its willingness to embrace the alternative and the … Continue reading Going Back to Find Something New
Alys West 