Summer Solstice Arrives

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve...

A bit of Dickens this day, from his "A Christmas Carol", found a card published by the legendary Cahill and Company publishing company.

Christmas Time--the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem - by one consent - to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of the people below them as if they were really fellow-passengers....and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

Granted there is the upper class vs lower class distinction in this quote, but I still see Dickens awareness of what a message of love and compassion can bring to the world.

May your Christmas and Yule be both Merry and Bright,
Blessings,
Duncan

Saturday, December 1, 2012

White Friday information

Joanna Mell, a well known harpist and healer, has created WHITE FRIDAY for the 21st of December as a way to honor (in her words from the Harplist):
" I wanted to start an annual tradition on the Friday before Christmas to bring LIGHT into the darkness that fills the world right now. Black Friday celebrates all that is wrong - greed, selfishness, materialism, violence, consumerism and worship of the accumulation of unnecessary junk. WHITE FRIDAY will celebrate all that is right and good - giving, selflessness, peace and love.  So, harper/harpist, think about playing a peaceful concert in a public place - or in the warmth of your home or studio. Light a candle. Harp music goes a long way to bring cheer and warmth into others' lives."

This is an absolutely wonderful idea and I plan to  play on W.F. in the spirit of what Joanna is helping to create and I invite all other harpers and non-harpers to spend a bit of time either playing or lighting that candle and remembering those who need our love and our compassion--especially in the dark days of winter.

And sorry for the lack of music on the site, Mixpod has folded and I am looking for another good online application for my blog.

Stay warm,
Blessings to all,
Duncan

Saturday, November 24, 2012

A Pagan Muse found again!

I have just re-connected with Leanne who blogs at http://talesofsimpledays.blogspot.com/ which got me inspired to start my own blog...and she was so helpful with providing me with advice and counsel.
I have updated her link (she had to re-incarnate her blog) so that you can visit one of the very best Pagan/Goddess blogs on the net.
And I very much appreciate all of her wonderful apps, pictures and links on the right side of the blog--go visit!.

Monday, October 1, 2012

The Wheel turns on.

I cannot believe that it's October again! Been a busy month between gardening and increasing harp playing time at the hospital. I love the Fall  season best of all, but find that as I get older I would love more light during winter. (Dream on, my Harper).
Will be attending the annual conference of the Music Thanatology Association International this weekend at Providence Medical Center in Everett to connect with other harpers and musicians who provide music in healthcare settings.

And may be playing for a memorial service in the near future. I have played for weddings and church services, but this would be my first memorial service and while I have a bit of trepidation, good harp friends have given me kind guidance and support as I decided to take the plunge if my schedule allows.

Blessings of harp and peace to you all,

Duncan

Monday, September 3, 2012

Improv at the Hospital

Last week I was into about my third hour of the rounds as a music minister and as I began to play a tune, I found that I had not only forgotten some of the notes, but I was totally not making any musical sense of the tune--and was starting to jumble at least two together.
I gritted my teeth and tried to recover, but soon realized that it was hopeless and I didn't want to inflict any further musical pain on the staff and patients.
I took a deep breath, stopped and was rewarded by several listeners thanking me for "such beautiful music".
I was rather flabbergasted, but there and then decided to relax and let some music flow and I was so delighted to find music that was music flowing from the harp.
It's been very important for me to be sure and bring music that I hope and pray will offer healing and comfort on my rounds, and until now was not willing to step outside the musical harp box. So glad I did...and I will be doing so some more!

Blessings of music and peace to you all.

Frogs and Bees.

I was out watering this afternoon and in the rose garden I saw a wee tree frog inside one of the yellow roses. I ran back into the house to get my camera, but by the time I had returned to the garden, the frog was on a leaf. So enchanting.

Then onto the herb garden where the bees were, by the dozens, swarming around the flowering herbs. The music and the hum was truly hypnotic. Tried to get a picture of several bees, but was only able to get one bee at a time. I so love September with all of it's wonderful scents, smells and promise of harvest.




May your harvest be fruitful and blessings be yours.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Fionnuala Gill - Deus Meus (Adiuva Me)



I have just discovered this wonderful ancient hymn from Dennis Doyle and I am learning it to play at the hospital. This is a wonderful rendition.

Monday, July 16, 2012

What happened at Peace Hour...

I was about 45 minutes into my Peace Hour when our cat Daphne decided she had enough of the music...climbed in my lap and then started washing my beard. I continued to play one-handed. I played, among other pieces, the Irish Lament entitled "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye" about what war does to those who undergo conflict. The last verse, not often sung, is the most moving:
"They are rolling out the guns again, haroo, haroo,
They are rolling out the guns again, haroo, haroo,
But they never shall take our sons agin,
Ach, Johnny, I'm swearin' to ye!

With prayers that all men and women can come home from the wars and peace may come to us.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Peace Hour

Today is the Peace Hour organized by Harpists for Peace and I will join hundreds of other harpers around the world who are playing with the prayer and intention of letting music help heal our wounded world.
This had become an annual event with all harpers invited to play at a time of their own choosing. To know that harp music is flowing from harps around the world lifts my heart and I hope it will brintg comfort to you as well.

Blessings of Peace and Music to you.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

New additions

1. I am adding links to two sites by Peggy Coats that I just discovered.  The first one is at http://dorveille.com/ and although I have just begun to explore it, I find it a rich treasure trove for harpers. Go and look!
The second one can be found at Liminal Harp. I think the Dorveille is her more current site, but I love the list of links on Liminal...not to mention the well written of her journey to the harp.
2. I have added a few more tunes to the playlist...I like how the tunes are from Youtube so you can watch as well as listen, but the only drawback to using MixPod is that every time I add a new tune or two, the code has to be rewritten and reposted. Small price to pay I guess for such lovely music.

May the Harp bring you Peace,

Duncan

The Harp that sings in the hospital.

When I was making my music minister rounds in the hospital yesterday, I noticed that when I walk down certain hallways and corriders, my small lap harp begins to "sing" in my hand along with vibrations. Although I am sure this is due only to machinery and or heating and cooling systems creating a sympathetic resonance in the harp, I love the feel of the harp singing on it's own. And brings to mind the concept of the "Music of the Spheres" with the reality that we are all connected on a deep level. (Quantum physics has proved that!).

Blessings,

Duncan

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Spiritual Care...

I have been busier than ever at the hospital....harping now two days a week and looking at ways to also play the large harp at the Cancer Center.
I find that being part of the Music Ministry with the Spiritual Care department has given me the wholeness that I have been seeking...to be both a harper and a minister gives me such satisfaction and I believe that I am able to bring more to the patients, staff and familes.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Harp at the Hospital

This last Thursday I played at the hospital again and it just gets more rewarding. In additiona to playing the usual wards and rounds that I play, I had an invitation from one of the recreational therapists on the locked mental health unit to play for one of their groups.
It was a most memorable occasion--the patients were open and responsive to the music, the recreational therapists supportive, and I felt that I was helping with therapy again.
I do not regret retiring from the unit, but I have missed working with the staff and I felt that I had come back home in a way.
Looking forward to more groups and seeing how we can have music be part of the healing process with this population who have so many struggles.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Happy Beltane and May Day

A wonderful poem for today that I found on the Stonewylde website, and it was written by Claire who runs the Where the Wild Roses Grow website (http://www.wherethewildrosesgrow.co.uk/). Her shop is a delight to visit, be sure to check out the Green Man Torc Bangle-- I WANT ONE!
I hesitated posting this poem until I received permission from Claire, but I feel it's right to post today and apologize later as need be.

We Gather The May …..

I sleep in the Whitewood in the dark of the year
With snow for a pillow and ice as my bier
And I dream of my Lord who sleeps with the dead
And waits for my touch when the darkness has fled

I sleep in the Whitewood with the dark and the dead
With frost as my blanket and snow for a bed 
And I dream of my Queen who will raise me each year
At the turn of the earth  from my wintery bier

I stir in the Greenwood at the turn of the earth
I unfurl from the dark as the light gives me birth
I reach to the sun and blossom the bough
Mosses and ferns are my coverings now

I stir in the Greenwood at the touch of her hand
Hear her whispers in breezes see her smile on the land
She showers her promise in soft petals of thorn
And here again once again, new, I am born

We dance in the Greenwood all crown-ed in Leaves
And we bind us anew with the garlands we weave
We spin through the forest by night and by day
And here in the Wildwood we gather the May

We dance in the Greenwood all garlanded green
And bind fast our bright hearts I and my Queen
And here in the Wildwood as we gather the May
Dark becomes Light as Night becomes Day

Then, as in mosses and ferns we lay us to rest
I gather him close to the warmth of my breast
And in showers of petals from the Oak Ash and Thorn
Once again here again the Light is re-born.

May the day bring you Joy and Delight...no matter what the weather!

Friday, March 30, 2012

Added a new Harp site

Please take a look at the SacredFllight (https://www.facebook.com/SacredFlight) Face book page and the homepage link under the Harp and Music Therapy links section.

They are doing wonderful work and presenting  more and more concerts.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spring Quote

From the Old Farmer's Almanac online edition....

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.

–A. E. Houseman (1859–1936)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Ah, Spring!

I know it's been a long time since the last post...more medical problems and then finding my roots again.
Speaking of which, I have cobbled together as many pagan verses of the "Lord of the Dance" song as I have researched and herewith share it for your Spring Celebrations.


Lord of the Dance Pagan Lyrics (combined)
When She danced on the water and the wind was Her horn
The Lady danced and a universe was born
And when She lit the sun and the light gave Him birth
The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me
And I'll lead you all in the dance, said He

I dance in the circle and the flames leap on high
I dance in the fire and I never, never die
I dance on the waves of the bright summer sea
For I am the Lord of the waves' mystery

I sleep in the kernel and I laugh at the rain
I dance in the wind and through the waving grain
When you cut me down, I care nothing for the pain
In the spring, I'm the Lord of the Dance once again

I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth
And I feel the pain of dying and rebirth
And I lift my head in gladness and in praise of the day
For the Dance of the Lord and the Lady gay

I see the maidens laughing as they dance in the sun
And we count the fruits of the harvest one by one
We know the storm is coming, but the grain is all stored
So we sing to the praise of the Lady and the Lord

We dance even slower as the leaves fall and spin
And the sound of Her horn is the wailing of the wind
The call of the Hunter as He rides across the plain
While the Lady sleeps 'til the spring comes again

The Sun is in the southlands and the winds they will chill
And the sound of Her horn is fading on the hill
The herd stands in the stillness as we move in a trance
But we hold on fast to our faith in the Dance


The Sun's in the southlands and the days lengthen fast
And soon we will sing of the winter that is past
But now light the candles and rejoice as they burn
We dance the Dance of the Sun's return

The snow is slowly melting and the clouds bring the rain
The Lady wakes, for the spring has come again
We dance in the meadows and we dance in the groves
And rejoice in the Lord's and the Lady's love

I dance at the Sabbat when you dance at the spell
I dance and sing that everyone be well
When the dancing's over, do not think that I am gone
To live is to dance so I dance on and on

The Lord and the Lady cast a song across the plain
The birds took the notes and sang them back again
'Til the sound of Her music was the song of the sky
And to that song, there is one reply


They danced in the darkness and They danced in the night
They danced on the Earth and everything was light
They danced in the darkness and They danced in the dawn
And the day of the dancing still goes on.
I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth
 And I feel the pain of dying, and re-birth
 And I lift my head in gladness, and in praise
 For the Dance of the Lord, and His Lady gay
                                       
  I dance in the stars as they whirl throughout space
  And I dance in the pulse of the veins in your face
  No dance is too great, no dance is too small,
  You can look anywhere, for I dance in them all!

Blessings,

Duncan