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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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)

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