May Day Greetings 2026

 

May our spirits rise 

as the days lengthen 

and the light grows.

Valentine 2026

 Lettering was done with Calligraphica Crystals

and a Leonardt #40 "blue pumpkin" nib.

Words resting on a cutting of Pieris from the garden.

Celtic Spring 2026

 

This year

spring greets us

with a blanket of snow.

May it nourish the earth

and soothe our aching hearts.

Samhain Greetings 2025

 

May we hold the golden light 

of the witch hazel leaves 

in our hearts as the days shorten 

and we welcome the new year.

In the Celtic calendar, Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is the first day of winter and the first day of the Celtic new year. The seasons begin on the cross-quarter days, the midpoints between the equinoxes and solstices.

Autumn Greetings 2025

 

May the tender days 

of autumn bring us 

comfort and calm.

Autumn (Celtic) Greetings

 It is Lammas, Lughnasadh, the first day of Celtic Autumn.

Let us open our hearts to nature’s beauty and nurture the light within.

Nasturtium, Rosemary, & African Basil

in a vase by Sandra Kavanaugh

Summer Solstice 2025

 

The Celtic calendar helps us understand

 that light and dark are intertwined,

that the longest day begins

the journey to the longest night. 

Let us circle through the year

in communion with nature and each other.

May Day 2025

For summer is a'comin' today

And whither we are going

We all will unite

In the merry month of May

Let us join together

to share nature's rebirth

and support each other

in these difficult times.

Let us open our hearts to the beauty of nature and share our joy.

Gifts in the garden Snowdrops from my late mother-in-law Lyn Gaylord Painting of snowdrops by Sandra Kavanaugh

Winter Solstice 2024

 May we find

peace and renewal

as we trace

the labyrinth's path.

Click here to print the labyrinth to trace with your finger. There is also a basic pattern you can use to create
a labyrinth with your own embellishments.

Celtic New Year (and first day of winter) 2024

 

As the days shorten,

let us grow the light within.

Autumn 2024

 Autumn

this distillation of summer's sweetness

asks us to find beauty in nature's details 

and savor the shortening days

Plant is Callicarpa also known as Beautyberry

Summer Solstice 2024

 Wishing you light and joy

as we celebrate the longest day

and the turning of the wheel.

Lettering was done with a "blue pumpkin" nib and Calligraphica Crystals.

In the background, a foxglove in the AirBnb garden where we stayed

within the Neolithic Stone Circle in Avebury, UK.

Hopefully a small book will be forthcoming.

Beltane/May Day 2024

 

for summer is a’comin’ in

And winter’s gone away-o

from the May carol “Hal-An-Tow” 

traditionally sung on May 8 in Helston, Corwall

Beltane is the first day of summer in the Celtic calendar midway between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice. Here’s a 1965 BBC video of The Waterstons singing Hal-A-Tow.

Vernal Equinox 2024

 

On this day of equal dark and light,

let us set extremes aside

and celebrate spring's arrival.

Lettering with Calligraphica Crystals and Hiro/Leonardt #40 "blue pumpkin" nib

Celtic Spring Greetings for 2024

 

May Imbolc, the first day of Celtic spring, bring us light and growth as the days lengthen and the wheel of the year turns.

Lettering was done with Leonardt #40 blue pumpkin nib and Rose Gold Calligraphica Crystals. Tiny buds are Pieris. Background is snow on Pachysandra.

A New Year Greeting for 2024

Winter Solstice 2023

 

SOLSTICE
From the Latin
sol (sun)
sistere (to stand still)

May the stillness 
of the solstice
fill our hearts
and bring peace
to our souls.

Art from my most recent book, Offerings
photograph by Kevin Harkins

Thanksgiving 2023

Lettering with Calligraphica Crystals and Leonardt #40 (blue pumpkin) nib, Pattern with feather and coffee grinds and water made in Anne McMillan’s Handmade Brushes class, Baptisia (false indigo) seed pods

Samhain Greetings

 The days may get shorter,

and the nights longer,

but the light will never leave us

and will always grow again.

Samhain is the first day of winter and the new year in the Celtic calendar. Witch hazel (Hamamelis) leaves and Shizen black handmade round paper. Lettering done with Leonardt #40 "blue pumpkin" nib and Calligraphica Crystals.