Closure… with Cottongrass

It is with a little regret but with an overall feeling of rightness that I have decided to close this blog. Since 2012 I have been writing poems for the land and myths for the old gods of Britain and documenting my spiritual path.

This culminated in the publication of Gatherer of Souls and my lifetime vows to my patron god, Gwyn ap Nudd. Since then I was a little lost, my cauldron was a little empty, until, with Gwyn’s guidance, I found a new path in life as a trainee restoring the Manchester mosslands, and through this serving my gods.

Since I started I have been channeling my awen into it in various ways from the more obvious, like writing poetry for a poetry trail and an article on the prehistoric archaeology of Chat Moss, to the less obvious like working on an introductory booklet to peatland plants, a management plan, and a funding bid.

Above all I have enjoyed being the awen. Sowing, propagating, nurturing, and planting the peatland plants and fixing the broken pipes and bunds. Seeing the difference we have made as the plants grow and the water levels alter.

Another reason for closure is that since… I’m not quite sure when… I stopped living my life as my own but as material for poems and blog posts. I want to be in the moment, rather than rehearsing how I am going to retell it.

Before I close I would like to say a huge thank you firstly to my patrons who have supported me through a difficult period and made these blog posts possible. I would also like to thank all who have followed and commented.

And to close… here is a photo of common cottongrass in flower around a pool filled with Spagnum cuspidatum on Little Woolden Moss showing how well some areas have recovered from peat extraction following restoration.