Early spring...please?

Early last year, I got a story idea that wouldn’t leave me alone. Don’t you love / hate when that happens? The idea required me to stretch my writing wings and dabble in a new-to-me genre, but I was up to the challenge. I was also sick unto death of the global situation (you know what I’m talking about) and needed a huge distraction. And so I ventured into paranormal women’s fiction.

I’ve been intrigued by witches (the real kind, not the fairy tale kind) since childhood and set my story in that world. My basic plot and characters blossomed as I wrote, but my knowledge of witchcraft was sketchy at best. I began my research. (I like to imagine the librarians in my small, local library getting more and more curious as all my requested books arrived, tee hee.) Anyway, I’ve learned a lot about the beliefs and practices of modern witches, be they Hedge Witches, Kitchen Witches, or Elemental Witches. One concept central to many is the Wheel of the Year. We’ve all heard of Samhain (Hallowe’en) and Yule (shortly before Christmas) but there are other, less familiar special days.

Which brings me to today. February 1 is the start of Imbolc (in the Northern Hemisphere) or Feast of Brigid, halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. In Irish mythology, Brigid is the fire goddess, and on Imbolc, the arrival of longer, warmer days and the early signs of spring are celebrated.

Brigid is also goddess of back-smithing, death & rebirth, poetry, spinning & weaving, and domestic animals – a multi-purpose deity! 

Early signs of spring are difficult to find in my neck of the woods, buried under a foot of crusty snow, but I can plant seeds in a pot and celebrate the tender shoots as they appear.

And Bruno will appreciate the fresh cat grass.

Rather than build a bonfire to mimic the heat of the sun - too cold and windy for that - I can light a candle  to symbolize the longer, warmer days.

Imbolc is the perfect time to start spring cleaning. Cleanse your space, clear out clutter, and sweep away dust and negative energy.

When Christianity arrived in the pagan Celtic world, Brigid became St. Brigid, the patron saint of babies, mariners, Ireland, poets, and poultry farmers. And Imbolc became Candlemas, the day for blessing church candles.

broom - Photo by Gabriel Lenca on Unsplash

candle - Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash 

seedlings - Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash 

crocus - Photo by Luka Savcic on Unsplash 

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband, one spoiled cat, and five hens. 

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Winter Solstice, aka hibernal solstice

As I’m bustling about in preparation for the coming holidays, feeling more and more frazzled every day, I’m inclined to adopt a winter solstice mindset, a time of calm reflection. Also, hibernal suggests hibernation and that’s an idea I can get behind.

Recently I’ve been reading about how the solstice is celebrated around the world. Throughout history, the darkest day of the year has been marked by ritual, reflection, and feelings of renewal. People in Scandinavia celebrated Yule by gathering around fires to burn Yule logs and sip warmed mead – both of which were good antidotes to the encroaching dark and cold of the northern winter. The celebration also welcomed the return of the sun – each subsequent day will be longer.

Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia, dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, to mark the end of the planting season. Music, gift-giving, and feasting lasted for several days.

Traditional solstice rituals continue to be celebrated. St. Lucia’s Day was a festival of lights during which fires were lit on the longest night to scare away spirits. Today in Scandinavia, young girls dress in white and wear a wreath of candles on their heads.

Many people in Japan mark the solstice and the return of the sun, called Toji, by bathing in water scented with yuzu, a citrus fruit. They eat kabocha squash for good luck, and they light bonfires.

Not surprisingly, fires and candles are a common theme across many cultures.

To celebrate winter solstice this year, I plan to walk a labyrinth (perhaps while celebrating this year’s accomplishments and contemplating next year’s goals) before feasting with good friends – a bit of nature and a bit of good cheer. And I’ll light a few candles.

And then I’ll crawl in my cave and not poke my nose out for a few months.

No matter how you celebrate this time of year, may your home be filled with light, warmth, and love.

~~~

If you enjoy steamy, small town romance with laughter and snappy dialogue, don’t miss the first book in this exciting new series. Buy If I Didn’t Care and escape to MacLeod’s Cove today!

Guess who’s moving in next door?

Nicole Bennett is used to bad luck—it’s kind of a family curse. She’s spent the past year stitching her life back together after losing her dream job. Well, it paid the rent. Now stuck working at her family’s grocery store while wrangling a demoralized dad and a spoiled-brat sister, the last thing she needs is for the man who wrecked her life to move in next door, even if it is for only three weeks. So what if he’s sexier than sin and makes her believe in fairy tale endings?

Ross Calvert’s life in the fast lane crashed when he lost his job and fiancée. All he’s got to show for years of hard work are a sleek sports car and a closet full of designer suits – minus the closet. Determined to salvage his relationship with his best friend, he trades in the corporate life for a brief stint as a caregiver. The decision was simple—until he discovers the tempting vixen he wronged lives next door. Maybe she’s what he needs to reboot his life.

What starts off as a no-strings fling soon veers into making promises that might be impossible to keep.

https://books2read.com/if-I-didnt-care

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Photo of fireplace by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash