Plum is the warmth of the fire red summer's sun, combined with the cool blue of the  winter's hue - a union capturing the enchantment of the Autumn season.

As we approach the new season; we begin to yield the taste and colours of the harvest; the winds of change arrive to bring in the subtle, crisp of air - rustling the leaves in demand of turn to slumber.  The freshly, lit woodstoves lend a warmth in accompaniment to their smokey fragrance of the depths of the forest - where the Stags roam in exaltation for the Doe.   

With all the elements of Fall in place, we've added a few new items to our collections and direct your gaze to traditional, nostalgic gifts -  in inspiration of the season. 

Added to our luxuriously trending Cork collection are these eco-friendly purses and bags in plum.  These are fantastic for day or night and compliment this season's outfits, beautifully. 
For the Gents, the 'Eisenberg' is an excellent choice for on-the-go style.

Greetings Celts!  It's been a wee bit o' time passed since my last blog entry.  I'm very excited about our new products added to our collections of gifts, which capture the essence of the Romance of Spring . 

We often think of Spring in the form of new life  with buds of flowers, fresh sprouts of grass and plenty of rain.  However, once the snow melts (which by the way, here in Northern Ontario, we have just recently said "ta-ta" to till then), the movie 'BAMBI' comes to mind and the Wise ol' Owls' teaching of 'Twitterpatting' ~  "Nearly everybody gets twitterpatted in the springtime. For example, you're walking along minding your own business; you're looking neither to the left, nor to the right when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face... Who-o! Who-o! You begin to get weak in the knees, your head's in a whirl! And then you feel light as feather, and before you know it you're walking on air, and then, you know what? You're knocked for a loop! And you completely lose your head!"

Spring is very romantic, as you can very well gather from 'Owl'; which leads me back to introducing some of our new products:

• Inis Moonlight - Eau de parfum:  the sister of Inis - Energy of the Sea, this fragrance captures the essence of where everything is possible and beautiful, 'Where the Moonlight whispers the Oceans Dreams'!

***Remember, with each purchase contributes to the conservation of our Oceans and Dolphins. 

I've added this video for you to capture the feeling of inspiration which this fragrance invokes.

AVOCA Anthology Socks - Our new favorite...Aran High Knee.
These are inspired by the ever famous Aran Sweater of Ireland. 

May 1st is fast approaching where May Eve is at it's peak with sexuality and earth becoming alive.  Many will be celebrating Beltane.  This is when we really begin to light the bonfires.  Who doesn't love a great bonfire?  The belief is that the fire destroys the powers hostile to man, purifies the air, and allows man, beast and vegetation to thrive and become fertile.  The ceremony of Beltane unifies with our Romantic Spring.  It brings about fertility, passion, sexuality, good fortune; truly an Honour of Life! 

The central figures of the Celts during this time is the Horned God Hernes/Cernunnos, King of the hunt/Lord of the Wild Things along with the unison of the Goddess Ceridwen, the enchantress bringing forth rebirth, transformation and inspiration. 

Beltane (or Beltain) is a Gaelic festival. The name Beltane means bright fire or Fire of Bel (Bel or Belinos being the Sun God). Halfway between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice - this day marks the beginning of the bright half of the year.  

One of my most intense feelings stirred within, upon hearing this Gaelic phrase of love is;
"Mo chuisle, mo chroí" - My Pulse, My Heart!  This is my personal favorite of these love phrases.  Our Moldavite Garnet Jewellery reminds me of this phrase.  The Moldavite Garnet Pendants are held close to the heart.  Just click on the picture to purchase these magnificent pendants of pulse energy, from the rare rock of the skies!  A beautiful gift of Love! 

The Celts have long been reigning in love poems, literature, proverbs, deities of Love Goddess/Gods & Lore!  One such Lore of Love is the love story of - Aengus; The God of Love & Beauty.  The Celts believed the magic kisses of Aengus Og became tiny birds and whoever heard their sweet singing would suddenly be overcome with passionate ideas.

I found this beautiful ancient legend written by a modern day author; Ms. Tara Erinn Pelton.  There are many versions of this same legend but I find this version entails most of the elements contained within all other versions! 

I am certain, that the next time you see an image of the heart-shape swans of love; you will, no-doubt, remember
Aengus and Caer. 

A Grand Welcome to Celtic Spring - such a fine day, indeed!  We're halfway now between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  I anticipate the warmth of change and rejuvenation.  We are still covered with quite amounts of snow in our corner; but with the warm air that we have been feeling this year, it has amounted to puddles while out-and-about.  Soon, I shall start to see the tulips sprouting from the soil, hear the love songs of the birds and a touch of grass peeking along the sides, from beneath the melting snow. 

Also sprouting, will be the newly anticipated items from our OUTLANDER; The Series Collection.  I will be adding these within the next week or two; be sure to check back often!

We have also arrived to the month of LOVE.  As mentioned in our previous blog - here is the first way to say 'I Love You' in Gaelic:

Tá grá agam duit (I love you or I have love for you) - this phrase is said to all of whom you love (Nana, child, friend, etc.). 
What a lovely element of the combination of linguistics of Gael and English, to express your endearment of said, in your Celtic tongue to your beloved.

Good Evening Celts,

Well, this is my first Blog post.  I'm hoping to have a wee bit o 'craic' with it.    It is 9:18p.m. with a full day behind me, now.  We're half way through the week and heading towards the month of LOVE!  Starting the first of February; I will entertain the romantic within us each day, leading to February 14th with saying 'I love you' in all the various Gaelic ways.  

On the rambling list; to inform you that we are working on a different look to our store Website.  We're changing it up to be compatible with the mobile view.  You may or may not have noticed, the smartphone view is not behaving the way I need it to behave.  That in-it-self is quite humorous to me and I am sure has presented you with a view worthy of a chuckle.  Always a great thing to do anytime of the day...chuckle (I like that word, amusing indeed).  We've been happy to oblige!  

On the meandering list for the inquisitive Celt; IMBOLC! 
We are quickly approaching the ancient Pagan path of the Druid tradition, Imbolc (pronounced without the 'b'), as one of eight seasonal Festivities celebrated throughout the year.  This celebration is held on February 1st/2nd in the Northern Hemisphere and 1st/2nd in the Southern Hemisphere.   The celebration marks the purity of snow, the clearing of the debris of winter and the first ploughing and sowing (I can already start to feel the strength and warmth of the sun on my face.  Can you?).   The name IMBOLC refers to the milk of the ewes who had given birth to the first lambs of the Year.  Many cultures find this time of year to be of great importance including the Aztecs, Tibetans and Greeks. 

This festival celebrates the return of the Mother Goddess Brighid, Brig, Brigit (ST. Brigit, the Catholic Church celebrates with Candlemas Day). Brighde, or Bride (Scottish) and Serpent (Scandinavian customs).  She is associated with sacred fire, the fertile earth, poetry, healing and the art of smithing.  It must be noted*** this Goddess held such a strength of influence for the Celts and Druids that she was in later times named as a Christian Saint. 

In essence, it is the time of planting seeds, whether it be physical or within ourselves; a time of new life gradually appearing as the earth awakens from it's frozen state to the humble beginnings of greenery, once more. 

To sum up this first blog, I look forward to many more & leave you with images of Celtic Art, which I find to be absolutely wondrous, & words of wisdom from the ancients... !