Beltane 2012

The hawthorn tree behind the house is in full bloom, and the young Winter King hawthorn, planted in our garden three springs ago with buried offerings, is close to blooming.  This evening I stepped out and tied ribbons on its branches in honor of Beltane. After a long, difficult break, I am harping again.  It [...]

Samhain in Portland

Samhain is, for me, the most significant season of the year. It is a time when I build an ancestor altar with photographs of my beloved dead, from a well-loved grandfather who died before I was born, to a dear old cat whose long life came to a close this past winter. The faces are [...]

The sound of gold strings

Brendan Ring has just posted his first video clip playing the new Trinity College Harp by William MacDonald of Skye. This one is strung all in gold, and as you will hear, has found its voice early. Enjoy the lush sound of Brendan’s playing. The tune is a piobaireachd entitled Clan Ranald’s March to Edinburgh. [...]