Winter

Is still here.

So we have the Ice Age ;]

And fun

(provided by Mardylas)

Keep warm humans.

It won't be long ;]

Frozen Britain seen from above

Global warming caused ice age in UK

(photo taken on 07.01.2010 by NASA's Terra Satellite)

It's bloody freezing here in Edinburgh :/  Yesterday morning on the bottom of my bedroom window I found frozen condensation water. Heating is EXTREMELY expensive here. So we have it on just for a 4-6hrs per day, usually once we are back from work, in the evening (me and my flatmates).

Yes, I do support global warming ;]

Wesołych Świąt! Merry Christmas! Buon Natale!
Boldog Karácsonyt! Feliz Navidad!

And Mardylas came to Edinburgh, this is our first Xmas together :]

Here with Greyfriars Bobby

Winter Solstice

The Winter is rollig on and the darkness is enveloping us.

The Earth sleeps, preparing itself for its emergence in Springtime.

The people of the land shiver and cosy in with each other, standing against the biting cold.

The trees stand bare and seemingly lifeless across the land. But all is not dead. Nature stares this adversity on the eye and refuses to die The Winter chill only serves to make us want to dance together, to share body heat, to eat til we're bursting, drink til we're merry and laugh til our faces ache.
Nature lives on, the Holly has sprouted its precious berries, its ostentatious and, some might say lascivious, scarlet hue warming the monochromatic melancholy, reminding us that the Wild Man of the Woods still stalks the land, surveying his Kingdom.

And the Winter King wants us to enjoy the season.

We have reached the shortest day, the longest night. From here on in we lookforward to the coming of the Spring. The emergence of snowdrops and daffodils is just round the corner. Together we shall light the darkness!

Come celebrate the Winter Solstice with your brethren, revel in the turning of the tide.

This year's Winter King gave me a special personal blessing

And he has a birthday the same day as me :]

Flying lesson

Well, what are you waiting for?

Everyone stand by a broomstick.

Stick out your right hand over your broom and say 'Up'!

Afer mounting your broom, kick off from the ground, hard.

Keep your broom steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly.

Flying lessons by Madame Hooch, Flying Instructor

Samhuinn

Samhuinn tells us the ancient story of a battle between light and dark, summer and winter.

The Green Man is starting to decay as the seasons draw colder, his darkness is arising, and will manifest as the Horned God, King of The Winter.
Two Kings and their forces of magical creatures will do battle with fire, ritual and drums for the hand of the Cailleach, The All Powerful Goddess.

Join us in our spectacular staging of this eternal story, where light battles dark, summer battles winter and the future of the world is at stake.

If you're in Edinburgh on 31st Oct, come and join us to celebrate Samhuinn. The start is at the castle (9pm), down the Royal Mile to St.Giles cathedral where the battle of the kings take place. And is for free ;]