Dear Colm. I've read this several times now and think it's wonderful. Thank you for sharing it. Did you write it? Words being bound together by rhyme is a really interesting one that I hadn't thought about- another powerful route to spell making? Do you consider any of your poems to be spells? Sophie
There is an old myth of a Salmon of knowledge that lived in an unfounded pond (perhaps the well of knowledge) surrounded by 9 Hazel trees said to hold the wisdom of the universe. The salmon is said to have eaten the Hazel nuts that fell from these trees into the pond and thus obtained this knowledge. Fionn then caught and ate the salmon accompanied by an old Druid. I love the story but no one has ever told me why 9 Hazel trees (instead of 7 or 3, equally important numbers) nor whether a salmon would be able to eat nuts. It would probably need a hammer, or a fish fin nut cracker brought from the fish hardware store under the pond. Before you scoff, This is equally possible if the tale itself is possible. I am convinced there is a hardware store of universal knowledge somewhere with all the tools we need to transcend, why wouldn’t a fish find it first? Love the idea of spell - spelling. That will be in my mind for a long time yet. Thanks for the story!
Thanks, Corraib! Yes I love this story and that's a fascinating question - why 9 trees? Perhaps one day we'll understand again, once the salmon of knowledge has wended its way back to our waters. I live in hope that such a day will come! Thank you for reading, Sophie
I loved reading this; I've not seen the twisting of a hazel tree by a honeysuckle vine before. It makes a beautiful staff. I have a willow in my garden. She is a good friend; her leaves are mostly gone, it being winter here in the southern hemisphere, but she's still beautiful.
Dear Carri. It means a lot to know that you are out there, reading and enjoying these words. Thank you. Where abouts in the world are you? It is strange for me to think of it being winter somewhere when everything here is so lush and green. Your willow tree sounds like a special being indeed. I love willow, and enjoy crafting from willow bark and wood. I have been making little willow bark containers for collecting berries recently and they are very sweet. Warmest wishes, Sophie
Hello Sophie. I live in Stellenbosch, outside Cape Town, South Africa. It's a beautiful place. I love the idea of crafting with willow wood and bark, and would love to see what you do.
I spend my time between Somerset West and England. 😊
My entire family has moved to England, but I hang on doggedly to my little house in South Africa, which I love. In fact, I dreamed it into life. I call it Gratitude Cottage, and have written a few pieces about it. I have a special appreciation for Hazel Cottage, as Sophie inspires me so with her magic. 🪄
The wren has rendered thoughtfulness
While singing from the hedge
Things don’t always sound
Just how they look she did allege
And her weighted silent letters
Bore down upon my head
Things written but not seen when heard
Might not be found as said
And I couldn’t help but think about
Those words that sometimes rhyme
With a sprinkling of rhythm
Their connections bound in time
And things like whole and hole
How they simply sound the same
With a universe of difference
In the spelling of their names
But there must be more than letters
That come between those two
Letters filled with letters
And double meanings too
Yes! Words are worlds that fall apart
in alphabetic stew
Their meanings bound and parted
By a silent double you.
Dear Colm. I've read this several times now and think it's wonderful. Thank you for sharing it. Did you write it? Words being bound together by rhyme is a really interesting one that I hadn't thought about- another powerful route to spell making? Do you consider any of your poems to be spells? Sophie
“Things written but not seen when heard
Might not be found as said”. I love this. 😊
There is an old myth of a Salmon of knowledge that lived in an unfounded pond (perhaps the well of knowledge) surrounded by 9 Hazel trees said to hold the wisdom of the universe. The salmon is said to have eaten the Hazel nuts that fell from these trees into the pond and thus obtained this knowledge. Fionn then caught and ate the salmon accompanied by an old Druid. I love the story but no one has ever told me why 9 Hazel trees (instead of 7 or 3, equally important numbers) nor whether a salmon would be able to eat nuts. It would probably need a hammer, or a fish fin nut cracker brought from the fish hardware store under the pond. Before you scoff, This is equally possible if the tale itself is possible. I am convinced there is a hardware store of universal knowledge somewhere with all the tools we need to transcend, why wouldn’t a fish find it first? Love the idea of spell - spelling. That will be in my mind for a long time yet. Thanks for the story!
Apparently Nikola Tesla had a theory about threes, sixes and nines being elemental to unlocking the universe’s secrets. Google it. 😊
Thanks, Corraib! Yes I love this story and that's a fascinating question - why 9 trees? Perhaps one day we'll understand again, once the salmon of knowledge has wended its way back to our waters. I live in hope that such a day will come! Thank you for reading, Sophie
I shall look it up thanks Avril and Sophie!
A few days before you posted this I came home from the woods with a gift for my five year old - a hazel staff whittled almost exactly like yours.
Aw magic, Ben! Synchronicities whispering across the hills. I’d love to see it. Sophie x
This is so wonderful!
Thank you @orangesare! Do you have a hazel tree close to where you are?
I loved reading this; I've not seen the twisting of a hazel tree by a honeysuckle vine before. It makes a beautiful staff. I have a willow in my garden. She is a good friend; her leaves are mostly gone, it being winter here in the southern hemisphere, but she's still beautiful.
Dear Carri. It means a lot to know that you are out there, reading and enjoying these words. Thank you. Where abouts in the world are you? It is strange for me to think of it being winter somewhere when everything here is so lush and green. Your willow tree sounds like a special being indeed. I love willow, and enjoy crafting from willow bark and wood. I have been making little willow bark containers for collecting berries recently and they are very sweet. Warmest wishes, Sophie
Hello Sophie. I live in Stellenbosch, outside Cape Town, South Africa. It's a beautiful place. I love the idea of crafting with willow wood and bark, and would love to see what you do.
Hi Carri
I was born in Stellenbosch ❤️
Wow! We've lived here since 2017, and love it. Where are you now?
I spend my time between Somerset West and England. 😊
My entire family has moved to England, but I hang on doggedly to my little house in South Africa, which I love. In fact, I dreamed it into life. I call it Gratitude Cottage, and have written a few pieces about it. I have a special appreciation for Hazel Cottage, as Sophie inspires me so with her magic. 🪄