Friday Treat

For as long as I can remember, Friday (Freya-day) has always been special to me. I never realised at the time (it was the mid-80's) about the link between Freya/Venus being the goddess of love, I simply figured I'd been working hard all week and deserved a reward.

It started in my first job, when I used to allow myself a yummy treat – a cream cake when I worked in the city centre, a choccy bar when I moved to an out-of-town office, graduating to a pint of beer when I joined a team where that was the tradition. And usually a choccy bar when we got back from the pub. Those were the days.

To this day, I always try to do at least 3 things which bring me joy on Feel-good Friday. In our house, that means pizza, red wine and an episode of my latest netflix can't-miss series.

So I hope to post something a bit different on Fridays – hopefully it will be a treat for you too.

Awesome Scottish Drummer Band
I first saw Clanadonia at the Edinburgh Fringe festival almost a decade ago and was mesmerised by the band leader Tu Bardh – who has a song named after him. It’s one of my favourites and you can listen to it by clicking the link.

Sorry - did I forget to say that it really helps if you don't run screaming at the sound of bagpipes? My bad. I used to cringe at the sound, but having listened to their CD for hours, I'm a fan.

To get an idea of the sheer entertainment value of these guys, checkout this video for another fave of mine, Hamsterheid.

If you’re not quite sure about the “crazy, half-naked Scottish guy,” watch it through to 1 minute 50 where he busts a few moves which will definitely raise a smile. A rare treat.

Plants to clean the air!

I love being surrounded by plants and nature. If I don't have the windows open, or if I can't get outside, I feel suffocated.

Indoor house plants are as popular as ever, but are there some that can cleanse the air of all the toxins of modern life?

Yes, there are!

1) Devil's Ivy 

This plant is otherwise known as pothos or golden pothos. Devil's ivy is easy to grow. It will fight off common household toxins. It adds instant colour to any room with cascading tendrils and grows well in water, pots and hanging baskets. The heartleaf philodendron also apparently is said to be harder to kill than to keep alive!



Toxins removed: xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.






2) Peace Lily

Also known as a spathiphyllum, peace lilies are an easy and undemanding plant to look after. Their glossy green leaves make the perfect addition to any room especially those spots with low light. Keep them happy with weekly watering and fertilise with a slow-release fertiliser in spring to promote growth and those glorious white flowers.

Toxins removed: benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene













3) Spider Plant

Spider plants are the perfect choice for newbies and those with a bad track record when it comes to plants. They thrive in indirect sunlight and survive in just about any condition. They have been known to survive in temperatures as low as 2 degrees! Spider plants also send out shoots of baby plants called spiderettes.

Toxins removed: formaldehyde and xylene.

Parsley Moon

Yesterday's full moon goes by many names, among them: Fruit Moon, Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Green Corn Moon, Grain Moon.

But this one appealed: Parsley moon.
Apparently, when parsley is gathered under the full moon, Venus is said to smile upon the gatherer, bestowing a blessing in affairs of the heart, or any kind of love, whether for partner, parent, sibling, child, or friend.

It was believed to be a favourite of Persephone, and folklore suggests it should not be cut with a blade, lest it harm their love. Better to pinch off what you need, smile, and whisper a blessing to whoever you know who needs more love in their life.

Its use as a garnish may have come from the Romans, who placed parsley on their plates to protect the food from contamination and ate it to sweeten their breath after meals. They were also rumoured to tuck it into their togas for protection and wear it on their heads to protect them from inebriation.


Healing/Magical uses include:

• Helps to reduce water retention and bloating (oedema). It’s a natural diuretic, which helps to eliminate excess fluid without depleting the body of potassium.
• Aids in balancing blood sugar, helping with long-term weight balance. Can prevent the degenerative effects of diabetes on the liver.
• May help to modulate the immune system. Parsley essential oil has been shown to suppress an over-stimulated immune response making it a key player in the fight against allergies, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.
• Helps to reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Parsley has strong anti-inflammatory as well as anti-arthritic properties and can significantly suppress swelling in the joint.
• Parsley is a good source of one of the most important B vitamins: folic acid, and an excellent source of vitamin C.
•  In a ritual bath and in ritual incense associated with communication with spirits of the dead.
• Wearing or eating parsley is supposed to protect against drunkenness and increase strength, vitality and passion.

What does Merry Meet mean?

It is possible that you've heard Wiccans, Pagans, and Witches say 'Merry Meet' when they greet each other. But what does it mean?

It’s a greeting that comes from the common expression used when closing a circle after a ritual, 'Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again.' 

This comes from a poem by either Lady Gwen Thompson or (it is suggested) her grandmother, Adriana Porter, called The Rede of the Wiccae. 

One of the lines in the poem is, 'Merry Meet and Merry Part, Bright the Cheeks, and Warm the Heart.' The poem’s last line contains the Wiccan Rede, which is 'An it harm none, do what ye will.'

Merry Meet!

)O(  MERRY MEET  )O(