14 Comments
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Eden Ariel's avatar

What a beautiful, medicinal essay.

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Kelly Hargie's avatar

Ramona, what a wonderful essay. I am continually impressed by how much your pour into your writing here. So much quality and depth. Thank you also for including some of my words in the piece, I so appreciate it and believe that the connections we are making on here with like-minded souls is part of forging that fire of belonging. Many congratulations too on your other essay being published, such a lovely achievement. x

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Jan Elisabeth's avatar

Thank you for this -- to be re-read x

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Lindsay Hounslow (Light)'s avatar

Also, congratulations on your new publication!

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Lindsay Hounslow (Light)'s avatar

Ramona, I love this! There are so many pieces that I adore that I struggle to pick out one aspect to comment on.

I am a Canadian with Irish heritage and it is deeply meaningful to me to find Irish writers who weave together ancient traditions based on relationship with the land and modern issues of culture and environment.

....I am also over here following all the writers you quoted.

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Dawn Nelson's avatar

Thank you for including my words Ramona. It is heartwarming to know there are others who feel the same. If we all resonate the same message surely the earth, the land and the communities around us will hear and join with us.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

You've covered a lot of ground and I enjoyed learning about the traditions. And yes, if only words could weave that calmness 2025 so badly needs, turning away from the capitalism that destroys only to profit from artificially created needs...

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Your writing is absolutely beautiful! Thanks, Ramona.

Also, thank you for educating me about Imbolc and Brigid.

Your observation about things being different after the storm you just experienced brings to mind comments about the Chinese Year of the Wood Snake -- shedding its skin, ushering in big, transformational change. Let's hope so, and that we can navigate our way to a more healed world.

Happy Imbolc!

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

Very good. I really like how you have melded the storm with Imolc, Brigid and the new modern techno-industrial age.

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roger hawcroft's avatar

Stimulating, thought provoking, heartening, despite the recognition of legacy lost or stolen from us and, for a Yorkshireman who has long admired the Irish and regretted his national ancestors their arrogant and despicable treatment of a proud and resilient people, I welcomed the sense of place and being. Thank you.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Ramona, I sweep as we speak. Cailleach’s broom to sweep out the old away from the door, inviting Brighid in, with a harp by the hearth, her woven rushes in place, some milk and bread, a turf, a pillow for her head.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

A poem and a blessing. Xxx

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Josh Liveright's avatar

So much to digest here Ramona! Grateful for your Imbolc posts!

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Ramona McCloskey's avatar

Much appreciated, Josh! They're some of my favourite posts to write.

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