Spiral Way

From Angelika’s Diary: I’ve read a bit about a plant the famous physician Galen called “Phu” for he was a man who definitely did not like the smell.  I’m afraid at times, humans can adopt very strange behaviors and superstitions, based on watching animals reacting to certain plants.  Phu is known today as Valerian, and it is most well-beloved of rats and cats.  I must carefully wrap, four times over, and then store in a tight container, any valerian root I may have, for otherwise, I would be inundated with the creatures.  However, because of this, or some other legends I’ve heard tell of, people will make an extract of the roots, or use the leaves to put the scent on their body to attract a mate.  I personally think they’re only going to attract the vermin, but who listens to me? Some believe that valerian is the plant called spikenard in the Bible.  I’ve a hard time believing that Mary would wash the feet of her dying son with a scent that would att...

From Angelika’s diary: In the same way that seasons have cycles, so too, do people. There are times in each person’s life where some events can be a wee bit harder than others, and usually, there are physical and spiritual reactions to them, for the body and the spirit are quite connected in how they work. As a midwife, most often I am called upon to help with the changes in a woman’s life, particularly changes brought about as a woman begins to travel through the changes she will experience. One of the differences I have noticed over time is how a woman reacts to her monthly cycle. Oft times, those who look upon it as a curse will experience cramping, discomfort, and generally wish to take to their beds. As my own mother taught me, that’s a waste of time for what should be a time of joy, a celebration, as God has blessed women so that we may some day have children. This difference in attitude provides a difference in the levels of physical discomfort, and I’ve had a bit of luck i...

Pagan folk were the Irish before they learned of Christ and melded their stories with those the Christians brought from the Holy Roman Empire.  Those who were of the Tuatha de Danaan often became saints within the Church, and the stories changed only in small ways.  The Irish have long believed, but often use different words to describe their beliefs.  ‘tis actually one and the same.  Or so my mother told me. The story, as she was told, was about Airmeith.  She was a good and caring child, growing with her brother, Miach, and learning from their father Diancecht, all the knowledge of the herbs of the Earth.  Diancecht was the most renowned healer and physician to the Tuatha de Danaan, and he was called on by Nuada, King of the Tuatha de Danaan, when he had his arm severed in a battle.  Diancecht took his children, Airmeith and Miach with him to assist, and it soon became clear that his children had much greater skill than he.  Where he would ...