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328 results for “equinoxefr”
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Dziś w historii sztuki w komiksie mam dla Was coś nieoczywistego. Trzeba nie tylko uważnie się przyjrzeć, ale i (raczej) wiedzieć, czego szukać. Przyznam, że sam bym nie zauważył, gdybym nie natknął się na tę informację w internecie (nie pamięta, niestety, gdzie). Ale natknąłem się, odnotowałem, sprawdziłem i zrobiłem zestawienie.
Po lewej: Willem Claeszoon Heda, "Martwa natura z ostrygami, kieliszkiem, cytryną i srebrną miską", 1634.
Po prawej: "Valerian", t. 9: "Les Héros de l'Équinoxe", 1978, scen. Pierre Christian, rys. i tusz Jean-Claude Mézières.
P.S. Album ukazał się w Polsce jako "Bohaterowie równonocy" w 2015 roku w trzecim tomie wydania serii od Taurus Media.
#komiks #komiksy #comics #historiasztukiwkomiksie #valerian #pierrechristian #jeanclaudemezieres
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Dziś w historii sztuki w komiksie mam dla Was coś nieoczywistego. Trzeba nie tylko uważnie się przyjrzeć, ale i (raczej) wiedzieć, czego szukać. Przyznam, że sam bym nie zauważył, gdybym nie natknął się na tę informację w internecie (nie pamięta, niestety, gdzie). Ale natknąłem się, odnotowałem, sprawdziłem i zrobiłem zestawienie.
Po lewej: Willem Claeszoon Heda, "Martwa natura z ostrygami, kieliszkiem, cytryną i srebrną miską", 1634.
Po prawej: "Valerian", t. 9: "Les Héros de l'Équinoxe", 1978, scen. Pierre Christian, rys. i tusz Jean-Claude Mézières.
P.S. Album ukazał się w Polsce jako "Bohaterowie równonocy" w 2015 roku w trzecim tomie wydania serii od Taurus Media.
#komiks #komiksy #comics #historiasztukiwkomiksie #valerian #pierrechristian #jeanclaudemezieres
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Orbital Point or Apex Point? Hmm... Former's more descriptive. And from the obvious to the subtle there's diurnal rotation, speeding up and slowing down, axial tilt, axial parallelism, precession of the equinoxes, nutation, polar wander, true polar wander, etc.
#Astronomy
#OrbitalPoint
#Ephemerides -
Lascar – Equinox Flower Review
By Dear Hollow
Ah, my old friend. We look upon our very first reviews fondly, as opportunities for meditation and embarrassment alike as we grow older and just plain old. Six years ago, for my first assignment as a meek n00b (10), I was assigned to Chilean post-black act Lascar and its third full-length Wildlife. It was, uh, not a good experience. The biggest gripe was its obvious paper-thin Deafheaven worship, pretty ambient post-rock passages copied and pasted atop milquetoast blastbeats and shrieks, which gave it an ultimately disingenuous feel that undermined the post-black necessity for emotional connection. Mastermind Gabriel Hugo wasn’t a one-and-done, no sir, as his 2023 side project Voidmilker’s trver and rawer black metal attack offered meager redemption. Time has passed, so how will Equinox Flower fare?
Hugo has not been sitting on his hands; although Wildlife was the first release sent to our humble establishment, it was the third full-length and there have been three(ish) full-lengths and two EP’s since its 2018 release.1 In Hugo’s defense, Lascar has taken a more streamlined approach. Instead of a stark contrast between the heart-wrenching and the blackened attack, Equinox Flower feels more dynamic and balanced. While atmosphere is first and foremost, as you’d expect from myriad post-black acts, its more diminished chord progressions and fusion of lush ambiance and heavier black metal instrumentation set it above Lascar’s history. Old habits die hard, but Equinox Flower is a better album than I ever expected from this act.
The streamlined approach works for Lascar’s aesthetic better, that while Equinox Flower’s first priority is melody and beauty, it does awkwardly juxtapose it with black metal but rather fuses them. As such, the four tracks here are given more opportunity to flow and breathe, effectively utilizing its atmosphere in place of hooks, while the blackened attack gives it needed momentum. Also useful is that Hugo seems to have taken a more depressive approach not unlike Naxen or Austere which doesn’t undermine its blackened thrust while more diminished chord progressions and melodies recall Evilfeast or Midnight Odyssey. More long-form tracks do the album a fair amount of good, because while the atmospheric bombast felt rushed and muddled in Wildlife, Equinox Flower effectively balances, with a fairer production and mixing blueprint to go by, each of Lascar’s instruments given its due.2
Case in point, closer “Late Autumn” feels like a very solid black metal song complete with melodic tremolo, double bass, and blastbeats as a backbone while the soaring ambiance serves as a transcendent motif that enhances the nature-based vibe. The opening title track and “Early Spring” also utilize memorable hooks and passages of tranquility to provide an organicity that was sorely lacking in the stiff and unyielding Wildlife. In fact, aside from listener stylistic choices, third track “Floating Weeds” is the only track with issues. Existing as the only cut without lulling passages, the overwhelming synth hook gets incredibly old incredibly fast as the track length backfires. Of course, Lascar remains post-black or blackgaze or whatever, and an extremely triumphant version of it, the more subtle atmospheres of Wolves in the Throne Room or Alcest be damned, and thus listeners who are expecting more subtlety will be disappointed by the (albeit better) post-black bombast.
When I was alerted of Lascar’s new album, I sighed heavily, expecting the pretty and paper-thin shenanigans of Wildlife from my fledgling years to rear their ugly pretty heads. However, thanks to a more organic songwriting and safer utility of melody and ambiance, Equinox Flower turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant experience. It’s still stubbornly post-black with all the warts and bombast you expect, but channeled into a far more productive form. Sorry for ever doubting you, Lascar. Keep improving, you glorious bastard you.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Tragedy Productions
Websites: lascar.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/lascarmusic
Releases Worldwide: June 7th, 2024#2024 #30 #Alcest #AmbientBlackMetal #AtmosphericBlackMetal #Austere #BlackMetal #Blackgaze #ChileanMetal #Deafheaven #DSBM #EquinoxFlower #Evilfeast #Jun24 #Lascar #MidnightOdyssey #Naxen #PostBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #TragedyProductions #Voidmilker #WolvesInTheThroneRoom
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Lascar – Equinox Flower Review
By Dear Hollow
Ah, my old friend. We look upon our very first reviews fondly, as opportunities for meditation and embarrassment alike as we grow older and just plain old. Six years ago, for my first assignment as a meek n00b (10), I was assigned to Chilean post-black act Lascar and its third full-length Wildlife. It was, uh, not a good experience. The biggest gripe was its obvious paper-thin Deafheaven worship, pretty ambient post-rock passages copied and pasted atop milquetoast blastbeats and shrieks, which gave it an ultimately disingenuous feel that undermined the post-black necessity for emotional connection. Mastermind Gabriel Hugo wasn’t a one-and-done, no sir, as his 2023 side project Voidmilker’s trver and rawer black metal attack offered meager redemption. Time has passed, so how will Equinox Flower fare?
Hugo has not been sitting on his hands; although Wildlife was the first release sent to our humble establishment, it was the third full-length and there have been three(ish) full-lengths and two EP’s since its 2018 release.1 In Hugo’s defense, Lascar has taken a more streamlined approach. Instead of a stark contrast between the heart-wrenching and the blackened attack, Equinox Flower feels more dynamic and balanced. While atmosphere is first and foremost, as you’d expect from myriad post-black acts, its more diminished chord progressions and fusion of lush ambiance and heavier black metal instrumentation set it above Lascar’s history. Old habits die hard, but Equinox Flower is a better album than I ever expected from this act.
The streamlined approach works for Lascar’s aesthetic better, that while Equinox Flower’s first priority is melody and beauty, it does awkwardly juxtapose it with black metal but rather fuses them. As such, the four tracks here are given more opportunity to flow and breathe, effectively utilizing its atmosphere in place of hooks, while the blackened attack gives it needed momentum. Also useful is that Hugo seems to have taken a more depressive approach not unlike Naxen or Austere which doesn’t undermine its blackened thrust while more diminished chord progressions and melodies recall Evilfeast or Midnight Odyssey. More long-form tracks do the album a fair amount of good, because while the atmospheric bombast felt rushed and muddled in Wildlife, Equinox Flower effectively balances, with a fairer production and mixing blueprint to go by, each of Lascar’s instruments given its due.2
Case in point, closer “Late Autumn” feels like a very solid black metal song complete with melodic tremolo, double bass, and blastbeats as a backbone while the soaring ambiance serves as a transcendent motif that enhances the nature-based vibe. The opening title track and “Early Spring” also utilize memorable hooks and passages of tranquility to provide an organicity that was sorely lacking in the stiff and unyielding Wildlife. In fact, aside from listener stylistic choices, third track “Floating Weeds” is the only track with issues. Existing as the only cut without lulling passages, the overwhelming synth hook gets incredibly old incredibly fast as the track length backfires. Of course, Lascar remains post-black or blackgaze or whatever, and an extremely triumphant version of it, the more subtle atmospheres of Wolves in the Throne Room or Alcest be damned, and thus listeners who are expecting more subtlety will be disappointed by the (albeit better) post-black bombast.
When I was alerted of Lascar’s new album, I sighed heavily, expecting the pretty and paper-thin shenanigans of Wildlife from my fledgling years to rear their ugly pretty heads. However, thanks to a more organic songwriting and safer utility of melody and ambiance, Equinox Flower turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant experience. It’s still stubbornly post-black with all the warts and bombast you expect, but channeled into a far more productive form. Sorry for ever doubting you, Lascar. Keep improving, you glorious bastard you.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Tragedy Productions
Websites: lascar.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/lascarmusic
Releases Worldwide: June 7th, 2024#2024 #30 #Alcest #AmbientBlackMetal #AtmosphericBlackMetal #Austere #BlackMetal #Blackgaze #ChileanMetal #Deafheaven #DSBM #EquinoxFlower #Evilfeast #Jun24 #Lascar #MidnightOdyssey #Naxen #PostBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #TragedyProductions #Voidmilker #WolvesInTheThroneRoom
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Happy #Beltane, folks! Tonight at sundown begins one of the two oldest festivals in the world, the other one being Halloween. Holidays like these cross cultures because they are simply seasonal markers (mid-spring and mid-autumn), much like solstices and equinoxes (the origins of Christmas, Easter, etc.). 💐🌖🔥
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/blog/beltane-april-30---may-1
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Happy #Beltane, folks! Tonight at sundown begins one of the two oldest festivals in the world, the other one being Halloween. Holidays like these cross cultures because they are simply seasonal markers (mid-spring and mid-autumn), much like solstices and equinoxes (the origins of Christmas, Easter, etc.). 💐🌖🔥
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/blog/beltane-april-30---may-1
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Happy #Beltane, folks! Tonight at sundown begins one of the two oldest festivals in the world, the other one being Halloween. Holidays like these cross cultures because they are simply seasonal markers (mid-spring and mid-autumn), much like solstices and equinoxes (the origins of Christmas, Easter, etc.). 💐🌖🔥
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/blog/beltane-april-30---may-1
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Happy #Beltane, folks! Tonight at sundown begins one of the two oldest festivals in the world, the other one being Halloween. Holidays like these cross cultures because they are simply seasonal markers (mid-spring and mid-autumn), much like solstices and equinoxes (the origins of Christmas, Easter, etc.). 💐🌖🔥
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/blog/beltane-april-30---may-1
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Happy #Beltane, folks! Tonight at sundown begins one of the two oldest festivals in the world, the other one being Halloween. Holidays like these cross cultures because they are simply seasonal markers (mid-spring and mid-autumn), much like solstices and equinoxes (the origins of Christmas, Easter, etc.). 💐🌖🔥
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/blog/beltane-april-30---may-1
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Having never lived near the equator, it's only today that I theorized that although summer and winter are astronomically-speaking indistinguishable at latitude zero, these seasons receive different sun exposure than spring-fall.
The midday sun on the equator is vertical twice a year at the equinoxes. On the tropics, the midday sun is vertical once a year, at the summer solstice. For other locations between the tropics, I'm guessing it also happens twice a year sometime between the summer solstice and the nearest equinoxes.
Now, I'm curious about actual climate differences between December and June at specific regions on the equator.
#earth #climate #math #geometry #astronomy #bathroomthoughts -
https://www.evshift.com/260138/how-to-manage-your-ev-with-mychevrolet-mobile-app-chevrolet/ How to Manage Your EV with MyChevrolet Mobile App | Chevrolet #2022 #2022_bolt_euv #2022_bolt_ev #2023 #2023_bolt_euv #2023_bolt_ev #2024 #2024_blazer_ev #2024_equinox_ev #2024_silverado_ev #App #BlazerEv #BoltEUV #BoltEv #chevrolet #cw #ElectricCars #ElectricVehicles #en_us #EquinoxEv #equinox_ev #EV #htw #manage #Mobile #myChevrolet #Phase1 #Public #SilveradoEv
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🍂Si vous avez raté ma collection d'automne, filez la voir vite fait, y'a des pépites à kidnapper ! 😆😄
Tous les bijoux sont des pièces uniques pour cette collection, il n'y en aura donc pas pour tout le monde...
Ça se passe ici :
https://www.ortilys.fr/categorie-produit/collection-ephemere-equinoxe/ -
#12octobre : #voteznon ! C'est pas ce que prône le ministre ... à quoi ça sert m. Fesneau de faire de la politique si c'est pour voter les lois des plus forts ?
#stopglyphosate et toute cette chimie qui tue la #terre
#agriculturebio ou #agriculturedurable (🚜 #permaculture en #transition 🌱) du moins, sinon plus d' #agriculture du tout✊🌈 #ecologie #maintenant ! #pachamama 🌏🌍🌎🥰
Doux lendemains d'équinoxe 🌚🍁
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Attila Bozay (1939 – 1999)
https://bozayattila.hu/en"The Three String Quartets"
[String Quartet No. 1, Op. 9 – Bartok Quartet;
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 21 – Kodály Quartet;
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 40 "Az evszakfordulok unnepei" (Feasts of Equinoxes) – Somogyi Quartet]
(Hungaroton 2014)
https://songwhip.com/bartok-quartet/bozay-string-quartets-nos-13#NowListening #ClassicalMusic #music #StringQuartets #ChamberMusic #HungarianComposers
#AttilaBozay -
Attila Bozay (1939 – 1999)
https://bozayattila.hu/en"The Three String Quartets"
[String Quartet No. 1, Op. 9 – Bartok Quartet;
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 21 – Kodály Quartet;
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 40 "Az evszakfordulok unnepei" (Feasts of Equinoxes) – Somogyi Quartet]
(Hungaroton 2014)
https://songwhip.com/bartok-quartet/bozay-string-quartets-nos-13#NowListening #ClassicalMusic #music #StringQuartets #ChamberMusic #HungarianComposers
#AttilaBozay -
Attila Bozay (1939 – 1999)
https://bozayattila.hu/en"The Three String Quartets"
[String Quartet No. 1, Op. 9 – Bartok Quartet;
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 21 – Kodály Quartet;
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 40 "Az evszakfordulok unnepei" (Feasts of Equinoxes) – Somogyi Quartet]
(Hungaroton 2014)
https://songwhip.com/bartok-quartet/bozay-string-quartets-nos-13#NowListening #ClassicalMusic #music #StringQuartets #ChamberMusic #HungarianComposers
#AttilaBozay -
Attila Bozay (1939 – 1999)
https://bozayattila.hu/en"The Three String Quartets"
[String Quartet No. 1, Op. 9 – Bartok Quartet;
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 21 – Kodály Quartet;
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 40 "Az evszakfordulok unnepei" (Feasts of Equinoxes) – Somogyi Quartet]
(Hungaroton 2014)
https://songwhip.com/bartok-quartet/bozay-string-quartets-nos-13#NowListening #ClassicalMusic #music #StringQuartets #ChamberMusic #HungarianComposers
#AttilaBozay -
Attila Bozay (1939 – 1999)
https://bozayattila.hu/en"The Three String Quartets"
[String Quartet No. 1, Op. 9 – Bartok Quartet;
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 21 – Kodály Quartet;
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 40 "Az evszakfordulok unnepei" (Feasts of Equinoxes) – Somogyi Quartet]
(Hungaroton 2014)
https://songwhip.com/bartok-quartet/bozay-string-quartets-nos-13#NowListening #ClassicalMusic #music #StringQuartets #ChamberMusic #HungarianComposers
#AttilaBozay -
Happy Groundhog Day! I'm excited to announce the formation of The Society for the Promotion of Cross-Quarter Days! Join us in celebrating Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain with equal fervor as the solstices and equinoxes!
#CrossQuarterDays #CrossQuarterSociety #GroundhogDay
Agenda item: honorary membership for April Fool's Day--see you in May! -
In the 17th century, #IsaacNewton recognised that the #julianCalendar was deficient but the #GregorianCalendar was too #Catholic for him. He worked on a new calendar whose mean year was just a few seconds shorter than the #TropicalYear (the mean Gregorian year is about 29 seconds longer). Newton viewed this as a feature rather than a bug, because under his system, the dates of the solstices and equinoxes would gradually drift back to those when #Jesus was alive.
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C'est le fête de la mi-automne ! 🥮🎊
Pourquoi c'est la mi-automne alors que dans notre calendrier grégorien occidental, l'automne n'a même pas commencé ? Les saisons du calendrier agricole chinois, divisés en 24 saisons, ne commencent pas au même moment. les solstices et les équinoxes ne marquent pas le début d'une saison mais plutôt leur milieu, moment où l'énergie commence à décroître.
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C'est le fête de la mi-automne ! 🥮🎊
Pourquoi c'est la mi-automne alors que dans notre calendrier grégorien occidental, l'automne n'a même pas commencé ? Les saisons du calendrier agricole chinois, divisés en 24 saisons, ne commencent pas au même moment. les solstices et les équinoxes ne marquent pas le début d'une saison mais plutôt leur milieu, moment où l'énergie commence à décroître.
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Celebrate the Spring Equinox: Rituals for Renewal
The spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, heralds the vibrant arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere with a spectacular display of natural beauty. This year, on March 20, we will witness this moment when the sun gracefully crosses the celestial equator, moving from the southern skies to the northern realm. It ushers in a sense of balance, as daylight and darkness dance harmoniously across our planet, inviting us to embrace the rejuvenating energy and endless possibilities that this season offers.
Vernal Equinox Importance:
- Cultural Significance: Many cultures embrace the arrival of the spring equinox, holding festivals and rituals that beautifully honor renewal, fertility, and the shifting of seasons. Among these cultural celebrations is the Persian New Year (Nowruz), which marks the first day of spring and is celebrated by millions across the globe. Nowruz, meaning “new day” in Persian, involves various traditions such as setting the Haft-Seen table, symbolizing hope and rebirth, and visiting family and friends. This vibrant festival includes activities like feasting, dancing, and cultural performances, inviting reflection, joy, and a fresh start for everyone.
- Astronomical Concept: The equinoxes occur twice a year, with the other being the autumn equinox in September. During an equinox, the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a balanced day and night.
- Nature and Agriculture: Spring is a time for planting and growth in many regions, and it signals a change in animal behavior with increased activity and reproduction. As the days become longer and warmer, farmers prepare their fields, sowing seeds that will soon sprout into crops, while animals emerge from their winter dormancy, engaging in various mating rituals and nurturing their young, heralding the promise of new life and a bountiful harvest ahead.
The spring equinox symbolizes a beautiful time of change, hope, and a fresh start in nature and our communities. On this special day, we can gently embrace simple rituals that help us reconnect with nature and our true selves, fostering a sense of peace and renewal.
The Joy of Spring
As the days begin to warm, I find myself craving sunlight on my skin, fresh air flowing through my windows, and the vibrant colors of spring blooming around me. The desire to refresh my home with deep cleaning and decluttering grows stronger as I envision the spaces filled with light and organization. I can almost hear the gentle rustle of leaves outside, inviting me to toss open the shutters and let the world in. Each corner of my home beckons for attention, urging me to clear out the remnants of winter to create a sanctuary that reflects the new beginnings of the season. This annual ritual becomes a cathartic process, both physically and mentally, as I let go of the clutter and make room for new memories. With every item I sort through, I feel a sense of renewal, a reawakening of my spirit as I embrace the freshness of spring and breathe life into my living space.
Incorporating small rituals into your life can effect a tremendous change. These mindful acts allow us to deeply touch the moment and appreciate this beautiful existence rife with the miraculous. By engaging in these practices, we create anchors throughout our day that can ground us in the present, fostering a sense of peace and mindfulness amidst the chaos of life.
Simple Rituals to Celebrate the Spring Equinox at Home
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com- Nature Altar: Create a small altar in your home using natural elements like flowers, stones, and plants. Incorporate symbols of spring, such as eggs or seeds, to represent new life and growth.
- Planting Seeds: Begin your garden or plant seeds in pots as a symbolic gesture of growth and renewal. As you plant, express your intentions for the season and visualize the outcomes you desire.
- Sunshine Meditation: Spend time outside during the day to absorb the sunlight. You can meditate or practice mindfulness, focusing on gratitude for the return of longer days and warmer weather.
- Balance Ritual: Light two candles, one representing day and the other night. Take a moment to appreciate the balance of light and dark in your life and set intentions for harmony in the upcoming season.
- Spring Cleaning: Engage in a thorough cleaning of your home, both physically and energetically. As you declutter and organize, consider what you want to let go of and visualize making space for new opportunities.
- Seasonal Harvest Meal: Prepare a meal using seasonal ingredients. This can be a fun way to connect with the earth’s cycles and appreciate the abundance of spring. Check out your local Farmers Market for ideas and inspiration.
- Gratitude Journal: Write down things you are grateful for as winter fades and spring arrives. Reflect on what you hope to manifest during this season of growth and renewal.
- Flower Arranging: Gather fresh flowers and create a beautiful arrangement for your home. This not only brings the essence of spring indoors but also serves as a reminder of nature’s beauty and resilience.
In addition to the meditation below, these rituals can help you connect more deeply with the spirit of the spring equinox, reinforcing themes of growth, balance, and renewal in your life. As you engage in these practices, you may embrace the awakening nature around you, feeling inspired to cultivate new beginnings and let go of the weight of old habits. The rituals serve as a bridge to the sacred energy of the season, inviting a harmonious flow into your daily experiences as you align yourself with the vibrant pulse of life emerging all around.
Revitalize Your Space
This is also a good time to enrich your home environment with a sacred space for journaling, meditation, reading, or other devotional practices that nurture your spirit and promote mindfulness. By dedicating a specific area in your home, you create an inviting sanctuary where you can retreat from the demands of daily life, allowing you to immerse yourself in peace and reflection. Consider incorporating soft lighting, comfortable seating, and elements that inspire you, such as plants, crystals, or meaningful artwork. This thoughtful arrangement not only enhances your overall well-being but also encourages you to cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
Exploring Further
For a guided journey to create your own unique Sacred Space, explore our offering, Creating Sacred Space, where you will discover insightful techniques and practices that encourage mindfulness and intentionality. This course aims to guide you in selecting the perfect elements, colors, and items that resonate with your personal spirit, helping you cultivate an environment that nurtures peace and creativity. As you delve deeper, you will learn to harness the energy of your surroundings, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary sanctuaries for meditation, reflection, and personal growth. Join us on this enriching path and take the first steps toward designing a space that truly reflects your essence.
$50.00This course will explore various tools and techniques for creating sacred space in your dwelling. This space serves as a reminder of our daily practice and connection to everything in creation. Sacred space is all around us; if we are watchful and mindful, we notice the miracle unfolding in every moment.
Creating Sacred Space quantity Add to cart Category: Courses Tags: balance, chakras, grounded, happiness, healing, health, Meditation, presence, Relaxation, Sacred Space, spirituality -
Imbolg, St Brigid, and the Quickening of the Year
It is 1st February 2026, which means that today is Imbolc (or Imbolg in modern Irish), an ancient Gaelic festival marking the point halfway between the winter solstice and vernal equinox. In the old pagan calendar, this day is regarded as the first day of spring, as it is roughly the time when the first spring lambs are born, daffodils etc start to appear, and the days get noticeably longer. The name Imbolg may be derived from “i mbolg” meaning “in the belly”, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. This time corresponds to the Welsh Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau and is also sometimes called, rather beautifully, The Quickening of the Year. It’s a time for rebirth and renewal after the darkness of winter.
Incidentally, in spoken Irish it is common to place an unstressed vowel sound – often schwa – between certain pairs of consonants, e.g. the name “Colm” is pronounced “Collum”. This extends to Hiberno-English: e.g. many Irish people say “fillum” for “film”. Imbolg is therefore pronounced something like “Imbollig”. In phonology this is called anaptyxis.
In Ireland Imbolc is usually often referred to a Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day, after St Brigid of Kildare, whose feast day is today 1st February. There are events going on in Maynooth, which is in Couny Kildare, but I am not in Maynooth today so I don’t know what is going on. Incidentally, the Celts counted each day starting from sunset, so the Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day celebrations in County Kildare started last night, 31st January, but I didn’t see any of them either.
In the Northern hemisphere, in astronomical terms, the solar year is defined by the two solstices (summer, around June 21st, and winter, around December 21st) and the equinoxes (spring, around March 21st, and Autumn, around September 21st). These four events divide the year into four roughly equal parts of about 13 weeks each.
If you divide each of these intervals in two you divide the year into eight pieces of six and a bit weeks each. The dates midway between the astronomical events mentioned above are the cross-quarter days, of which Imbolc is one. They are:
- 1st February: Imbolc (Candlemas)
- 1st May: Beltane (Mayday)
- 1st August: Lughnasadh (Lammas)
- 1st November: Samhain (All Saints Day)
The names I’ve added in italics are taken from the Celtic/neo-Pagan and, in parenthesis the Christian terms, for the cross-quarter days. These timings are rough because the dates of the equinoxes and solstices vary from year to year. Imbolc is often taken to be the 2nd of February (Groundhog Day) and Samhain is sometimes taken to be October 31st, Halloween but hopefully you get the point that although the Pagan festivals have been appropriated by the Christian church, they have much older origins. The status of St Brigid herself is particular obscure; it is not known for sure whether she was a real person or Christian appropriation of a Celtic deity, or some amalgamation of those.
Until recently there was an anomaly in that the first of these was the only one not associated with a Bank Holiday. That was changed in 2022 and tomorrow, Monday 2nd February, will be the St Brigid’s Day holiday. It would have been the first of teaching in Semester 2 had it not been a holiday; we return to teaching on Tuesday. As you may have surmised, I’ve taken the opportunity of the long weekend for a bit of a break and a trip elsewhere.
P.S. As it also happens, today is also the 8th anniversary of the very first lecture I gave in Maynooth, on Computational Physics, on 1st February 2018. I”ll be giving pretty much the same lecture again on Thursday 5th February.
#Imbolc #Imbolg #Kildare #StBrigidSDay #TheQuickeningOfTheYear
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Imbolg, St Brigid, and the Quickening of the Year
It is 1st February 2026, which means that today is Imbolc (or Imbolg in modern Irish), an ancient Gaelic festival marking the point halfway between the winter solstice and vernal equinox. In the old pagan calendar, this day is regarded as the first day of spring, as it is roughly the time when the first spring lambs are born, daffodils etc start to appear, and the days get noticeably longer. The name Imbolg may be derived from “i mbolg” meaning “in the belly”, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. This time corresponds to the Welsh Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau and is also sometimes called, rather beautifully, The Quickening of the Year. It’s a time for rebirth and renewal after the darkness of winter.
Incidentally, in spoken Irish it is common to place an unstressed vowel sound – often schwa – between certain pairs of consonants, e.g. the name “Colm” is pronounced “Collum”. This extends to Hiberno-English: e.g. many Irish people say “fillum” for “film”. Imbolg is therefore pronounced something like “Imbollig”. In phonology this is called anaptyxis.
In Ireland Imbolc is usually often referred to a Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day, after St Brigid of Kildare, whose feast day is today 1st February. There are events going on in Maynooth, which is in Couny Kildare, but I am not in Maynooth today so I don’t know what is going on. Incidentally, the Celts counted each day starting from sunset, so the Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day celebrations in County Kildare started last night, 31st January, but I didn’t see any of them either.
In the Northern hemisphere, in astronomical terms, the solar year is defined by the two solstices (summer, around June 21st, and winter, around December 21st) and the equinoxes (spring, around March 21st, and Autumn, around September 21st). These four events divide the year into four roughly equal parts of about 13 weeks each.
If you divide each of these intervals in two you divide the year into eight pieces of six and a bit weeks each. The dates midway between the astronomical events mentioned above are the cross-quarter days, of which Imbolc is one. They are:
- 1st February: Imbolc (Candlemas)
- 1st May: Beltane (Mayday)
- 1st August: Lughnasadh (Lammas)
- 1st November: Samhain (All Saints Day)
The names I’ve added in italics are taken from the Celtic/neo-Pagan and, in parenthesis the Christian terms, for the cross-quarter days. These timings are rough because the dates of the equinoxes and solstices vary from year to year. Imbolc is often taken to be the 2nd of February (Groundhog Day) and Samhain is sometimes taken to be October 31st, Halloween but hopefully you get the point that although the Pagan festivals have been appropriated by the Christian church, they have much older origins. The status of St Brigid herself is particular obscure; it is not known for sure whether she was a real person or Christian appropriation of a Celtic deity, or some amalgamation of those.
Until recently there was an anomaly in that the first of these was the only one not associated with a Bank Holiday. That was changed in 2022 and tomorrow, Monday 2nd February, will be the St Brigid’s Day holiday. It would have been the first of teaching in Semester 2 had it not been a holiday; we return to teaching on Tuesday. As you may have surmised, I’ve taken the opportunity of the long weekend for a bit of a break and a trip elsewhere.
P.S. As it also happens, today is also the 8th anniversary of the very first lecture I gave in Maynooth, on Computational Physics, on 1st February 2018. I”ll be giving pretty much the same lecture again on Thursday 5th February.
#Imbolc #Imbolg #Kildare #StBrigidSDay #TheQuickeningOfTheYear
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Bloomsday 2025
So it’s 16th June, a very special day in Ireland – especially Dublin – because 16th June 1904 is the date on which the story takes place of Ulysses by James Joyce. Bloomsday – named after the character Leopold Bloom – is an annual celebration not only of all things Joycean but also of Ireland’s wider cultural and literary heritage.
If you haven’t read Ulysses yet then you definitely should. It’s one of the great works of modern literature. And don’t let people put you off by telling you that it’s a difficult read. It’s a long read, that’s for sure -it’s over 900 pages – but the writing is full of colour and energy and it has a real sense of place. It’s a wonderful book. I’ve read it three times now, once as a teenager, once in my thirties, and again last year when I’d reached sixty.
Anyway, here’s an excerpt with an astromomical theme, which seems to me to fit this blog:
With what meditations did Bloom accompany his demonstration to his companion of various constellations?
Meditations of evolution increasingly vaster: of the moon invisible in incipient lunation, approaching perigee: of the infinite lattiginous scintillating uncondensed milky way, discernible by daylight by an observer placed at the lower end of a cylindrical vertical shaft 5000 ft deep sunk from the surface towards the centre of the earth: of Sirius (alpha in Canis Maior) 10 lightyears (57,000,000,000,000 miles) distant and in volume 900 times the dimension of our planet: of Arcturus: of the precession of equinoxes: of Orion with belt and sextuple sun theta and nebula in which 100 of our solar systems could be contained: of moribund and of nascent new stars such as Nova in 1901: of our system plunging towards the constellation of Hercules: of the parallax or parallactic drift of socalled fixed stars, in reality evermoving wanderers from immeasurably remote eons to infinitely remote futures in comparison with which the years, threescore and ten, of allotted human life formed a parenthesis of infinitesimal brevity.
I’ll also mention that, starting at 8am on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra (but also available at other times on the RTÉ player), you can listen to the classic radio broadcast of Ulysses from 1982.
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OSE Deities – Danu
Introduction
In support of my campaign world for Old-School Essentials, I have been creating a set of deities that rule over the world of The Dungeon of the Gods. This week the focus is on the deity Danu, and a post that I’ve been working on for weeks.
Taken from Dehio, G. and von Bezold, G.: “Die Kirchliche Baukunst des Abendlandes” (1884)Danu (Mother of Knowledge)
Alignment: Law
Portfolio: Motherhood, Wisdom, Knowledge, Sovereignty, Nature, Water, Air
Followers: Mothers, rulers, sages, rangers, elves, fae
Symbol: A triskele (tris-kee-lee) “triple spiral”
Favored Weapon: A rodDanu (DAN-oo) is often depicted as a triple goddess (maiden, mother, crone). There is also recognition that she is a shapeshifter, so sometimes she is depicted as an animal wearing a crown, or holding keys. She is the patron deity of elves, fae, and many other sylvan related beings in the world.
When presenting herself as a maiden, she is believed to behave in a tempestuous manner, prone to rapid and dramatic changes in her mood when dealing with others. In her mother persona, she watches over all as if they were her children. Her crone presentation has the grand matriarch kind of behavior where she has a sharp tongue and doesn’t have any reticence to ensure everyone stays inline with her expectations.
Key holidays for Danu are the transitions between the seasons (equinoxes and solstices). These are the times when followers of Danu typically make sacrifices to curry her favor for the coming season. These ceremonies frequently take place in locations where both trees and water are present, such as a riverbank.
Homage is paid to Danu with sayings such as “Diligence is the mother of good fortune,” “Knowledge in youth is wisdom in age,” and “Water is the lifeblood of nature.”
Followers of Danu strive to live and promote the four tenets of Danu:
- Recognizing the sanctity of nature and the preservation of natural habitats.
- Adopting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.
- Valuing biodiversity and protecting endangered species.
- Promoting environmental education and awareness.
Interactions of Danu
With Divine Beings
Even other deities seek Danu out for her wisdom, to help guide them through difficult choices that they may face. Some will even enlist her to support them in their relations with other deities.
With Mortals
Many mothers say prayers to Danu to protect their offspring, or to give themselves or their offspring guidance in trying times. Danu’s name is sometimes invoked to swear people into positions of authority.
Clerical worshippers of Danu gain the following traits as they earn the ability to cast spells of certain levels:
1st level spells: A streak of green in hair.
2nd level spells: Skin gains a hint of blue.
3rd level spells: Lustrous, green hair.
4th level spells: Pupil-less eyes become sky-blue in color.
5th level spells: Shadow contains triskele shapes within it.Additionally, the clerical worshipers of Danu have access to the following alternative spells:
Water Float: 1st level, replaces Detect Evil.
Nurture: 2nd level, replaces Find Traps.
Know People: 3rd level, replaces Locate Object.
Air Walk: 5th level, replaces Dispel Evil.Blessings of Danu
The following divine blessings are examples of what may be granted by Danu to particularly devout clergy at times of stress, need, or as a reward for furtherance of Danu’s divine will.
RollBlessing1Add 1d4 points to Wisdom for 1d6 turns.2Add 1d4+2 points to AC for 1d6+2 turns. 3Those within a 15-foot-radius gain a bonus of 3 on any one save against any forms of mind control or fear effects within the next day.4All creatures within a 30-foot-radius view the follower of Danu as if they were a beloved family member for 1d6+4 turns. 5The follower of Danu’s max # of retainers is increased by 1 for 1d6+5 weeks. 6One container of liquid is changed into a filling and nutritious liquid called Mother’s Milk. This liquid is capable satisfying all of the needs of the person who drinks from the container.Spells of Danu
Air Walk
Cleric 5
Duration: 1 hour + 1 turn/level
Range: The caster or a creature touchedThe recipient of this spell can walk in the air as if on a solid surface. They are able to increase or decrease their altitude as if traversing a 45° slope at ½ their normal movement rate. The target creature can be affected by strong winds.
Know People
Cleric 3
Duration: 1 round per level
Range: 30’ radiusThe caster is able to discern the base drives, emotions, needs, or intentions of those around them. The caster is able to identify who is hostile, friendly, or neutral, as well as who is hungry, thirsty, afraid, angry, curious, enamored, or hurt. In addition, if the caster spends an round focused on an individual, then they will know one random detail about the person.
Nurture
Cleric 2
Duration: Instant
Range: Infant creature touchedTarget infant creature of animal Intelligence or greater will view the caster as their mother. The target creature must be a reptile, bird, or mammal. Any food the caster provides to the target creature is transformed into age appropriate food for the target creature. Upon reaching adulthood, the target creature will behave as if under Animal Friendship spell. Each creature counts as a retainer against the casters max # of retainers.
Water Float
Cleric 1
Duration: 1 round per level
Range: The caster or a creature or object touchedThe affected creature or object does not sink into water or any other liquids for the duration of this spell, but instead will float and bob about on the surface of it. Objects weighing no more than 150 pounds per level can be affected by this spell.
Magic Items of Danu
The Decanter of Endless Water is viewed by the followers of Danu as a magic item of special significance.
Conclusion
Hopefully you can find a use for these rules that I’ve put together, and if you’ve got suggestions or feedback, please provide it. I’ll be using them as I construct the pantheon of deities for this campaign world. I’ll post the deities as I create them as well.
You can find other posts by me for Old-School Essentials, Houserules, Spells, or other OSR posts by following these links.
Game on!
#Bestiary #Deities #Elderdelve #houseRules #OSE #OSR #Spells #TTRPG