Wheel of Wonder December 27, 2009

The Winter solstice is one of the High Holidays of the Pagan Calendar. So we'll explore the Holiday further on this week's Wheel of Wonder. There will be more information on how the Druids recognize this Holiday, even featuring some of the written works of Damh the Bard. We'll also speak of The Horned one, as the Winter Born King. Also in consideration of Scandinavian Legend and Belief we'll speak of The Wild Hunt. Believed to be the spirit hunt for lost and evil souls, led by Odin or Herne, The Wild hunt would tear through the land with the power of a winter storm, and one had to be careful not to get "Caught up in the Hunt" when it blew through around the Winter Solstice. We will also feature new music by Robin Williamson, and Sharon Knight with Pandemonaeon.

The picture above to the right is Artist Unknown, if anyone can show me where one might surf the net to find the artists identity, please let me know.

Wheel of Wonder December 20, 2009

Whether its called Alban Arthuan, Yule, or the deep midwinter, it is also known as the Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year when all seems darkest, but as in many different cultures , on the very darkest night the Sun is reborn as the baby sun king! Bringer of light and hope! Even while the land seems to lie sleeping and in the Northern Hemisphere, the brow of the Goddess has turned pale as frost and sometimes the wind is deathly cold. Light is returning. But Winter has a quiet beauty to it also and brings many people together around the fire or into our homes, as we celebrate the Holidays.

On this week's Wheel of Wonder, we'll talk about the beliefs of solstice recognized by the Druids and Pagans, and perhaps others as well, as I take us on a journey of Celtic, Holiday Music. Music that carries the beauty of the cerulean winter sky, the calm silence of the falling snow, and the festivity of the Troubador.

This week's episode will also serve as another installment of the Bardic Byways series within a series, as we hear an Interview with Faerie Tale Minstril Alexander James Adams, soloist, and 1/3 of Tricky Pixie; he'll speak about his dynamicaly changing, and Inspirational Life, and his personal journey of expression through music.

The picture to the right "Holly King" was created by artist RavenWillowHawk and was found on DeviantArt here's the link

Wheel of Wonder December 6, 2009

December is Bardic Byways Month on Wheel of Wonder! This week we'll run my Interview with Sharon Knight, San Francisco Bard of the Feri Order, as she has described herself. T. Thorne Coyle author of Evolutionary Witchcraft and occasional collaborator with Ms. Knight appears to be one of the scholars of this craft path as well. Take a second to look at the new Links I've posted on this site. Modern Bards help to carry the Spirit of the legendary and the Awen of Inspiration into the twenty-first Century travelling by many roads to the pathway of music they follow through the Universe (as I once wrote in a Poem). This week I'll attempt to share some new insights about the Bards, and speak about what is publicly known about the philosophies of the Feri Tradition. I hope you'll join me on the journey.

The picture to the right is an example of the wonderful Illustrative work of Emma Alvarez. Sort of the dark reflection of the work by Priscilla Hernandez I've posted here before (see August 4, 2009). Both fine female artists from Spain. Check out their links to learn more.