The Sun

'Hail to thee, thou sun of the seasons,
As thou traversest the skies aloft;
Thy steps are strong on the wing of the heavens,
Thou art the glorious mother of the stars.


Thou liest down in the destructive ocean,
Without impairment and without fear;
Thou risest up on the peaceful wave-crest
Like a queenly maiden in bloom.' 


From The Carmina Gadelica - Hymns and Incantations of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Collected in the 19th century by Alexander Carmichael

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This poem or morning hymn to the sun was collected on the island of Barra, from John MacNeill who was a crofter on the island. I would like to share these beautiful words of Isabel MacNeill, also of Barra, who said :

" In my father's time, there was not a man in Barra but would take off his head-cover to the white sun of the day, nor a woman in Barra but would incline her body to the white moon of the night. Old men in this countryside do so still. I myself do so at times, though the children make fun of me. 

I think myself that it is a matter of thankfulness, the golden-bright sun of the virtues giving us warmth and light by day, and the white moon of the seasons giving us guidance and leading by night."

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Music from the Dene

The harp, recorded live in spring, with the sounds of a cock pheasant and lambs in the field by my cottage. This track plays on auto when you open the page - replay as often as you like.

This is a reflective track that starts very quietly. Turn up your volume and listen with headphones to get the best sound!

Images from The Dene
New life, lambs playing, morning mists on a spring morning, gold and blue, jewelled colours of the pheasant and sunrise across the mountains of Mull, seen from Iona ...not from the Dene but part of me, all the same.. Enjoy..
with love, Julie 

Spring sunrise over Mull, seen from Iona

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