“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
~ Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
As more reports enter the public domain about the decline of flora and fauna in the natural world, the abundance and sounds at Bealtaine Cottage seems to soar.
Those who attended yesterday’s workshop attested to this simple fact, as they explored the paths and gardens that link, one to another, in a seemingly endless journey through Nature.
Rachel Carson wrote this over fifty years ago…
“We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost‘s familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been travelling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road — the one less travelled by — offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth.”
~ Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
I am on the road less travelled.
Something of a hermit in a world besieged by those who are driven by acquisition and spiralling discontent.
Bealtaine Cottage now exists as a Ark for Nature. 
That which has brought humanity to this point of peril, exists outside of Bealtaine.
I continue to tend and stand guard on what, to me, represents the sacred, while churches, temples and shrines gather people to them, looking ever skyward for the meaning of life…yet life clings around their feet, plundered and stamped to dust.
And so I continue on the road less travelled…happy and blessed to be so.
I will be hosting another workshop on Saturday, July 1st.
For details and to book your place, email
coletteoneill2010@hotmail.com
The Book, “A Cottage and Three Acres”
https://bealtainecottage.com/a-cottage-and-three-acres-the-bealtaine-story/
I keep myself occupied in the world as I know it…the one where I weave wreathes from Willow and Dogwood…
The one where cruelty and chaos are not allowed entry!
You’ll understand my terror, for that’s why you’re here…to touch base with reality! 
Yes, this is reality…as it was meant to be and in the world most inhabit, is not! 
I have always chosen this reality, both as a child living in poverty and as a mother creating sanctuary for her children in London. 
I have always sought out Mother Earth, wherever she was hidden from view by retail parks and shopping centres, housing estates and suburbia. 
I chose this reality. 
I planted it, brought it forward, share it and allow it’s force to move out in waves of healing and peace.
We all choose our own realities and what we allow carelessly in or strive to keep out! 
The Lughnasadh Garden is another reality being birthed at Bealtaine. 
Just as wanton destruction is being justified all over this Sacred Earth, the need for creation is more necessary than ever in the history of what we laughingly refer to as “civilisation!”
Regardless of party/gender/colour or creed, politicians take us to war and care nothing for the protection of Mother Earth…and that in my view is unforgivable! 
As I approach my birthday and my 61st year, I am becoming convinced more and more of the need to keep one’s head down and continue to nurture and care for Mother Earth. 
It’s all I care to do, for there is much destruction and violence all around that has reached a point of insanity! 
I don’t know where to go from here, except to keep doing as I do and keep this website going…where, I do not know! 
It sounds like “Soul Less,” and indeed many people comment on aspects of our society that are indeed soul-less! 
Television programmes are more and more appealing to a lower denominator within audiences, especially reality shows that can be likened to much of the entertainment provided for the masses, referred to as “the Plebs, (short for Plebians), in Ancient Rome.
Many of these programmes are nothing but a reflection of the very worst in society!
Jung described the unhappiness referred to as loss of soul, a concept borrowed from anthropology, referring psychologically to a state of general malaise. 
Many feel in today’s world that there is something missing from their lives, a sort of glue that holds everything together! 
Insomnia, depression and escapism through drugs or alcohol are all signs of Soul Loss. 
One can feel vulnerable, fatigued or simply not worthy! 
All of us have experienced some of these symptoms at some point in our lives and often refer back to them as low points. 
And it’s true indeed, for the soul feels as if it is dragged down. 
Much of commercial society today uses images, music and indeed brain-attack, to subjugate our beings into enslavement to the corporate will. 
So how do we overcome this dark malaise?
Well, it is often written and spoken about here at Bealtaine Cottage…reconnect with Nature! 
Taking one’s sadness, vulnerability, confusion, low self-esteem into the heart of Nature and communing with Mother Earth in all her wondrous life can be the best medicine…healing gently and cumulatively. 
Spend less time being undermined and insulted by media and more time recovering your soul.
I treasure them as the words therein inspire me to keep on this busy path of sharing Bealtaine and caring for the Earth. 
This evening I have taken more photographs to share with you, as I share the words penned by Christine, who visited Bealtaine some days ago.
“Thank you dear Colette for the wonderful time with you in Bealtaine Cottage yesterday. 
We felt so nourished and inspired, your inspirational company, wise words and delightful home so full of beauty, vitality, and a healing presence. 
Almost like a dream for me waking this morning and feeling – wow – I was actually sitting with you yesterday in your garden, stroking Jack, enjoying our conversation, my eyes feasting on the plants, flowers and trees, the sounds of the light rain, the chimes, the birds and your soothing voice…a real treat. (Of course eating your gorgeous vegan brownies too).
We all feel very grateful to you. 
It’s a total inspiration having you create and share Bealtaine Cottage and being not far from us here, a ‘wake-up’ and an eye opener! 
We each felt so comfortable, at ease and at home…of course many questions bubble this morn inspired from our visit. 
And also some grief…some of what you shared about deep sadness for how we are living as a civilisation, how we have lived with such lack of respect for the earth, the animals and plant kingdoms and also each other. 
Such disconnection…and some of that being reflected in the challenges we have to face…
We went up to the Queen Maeve Cairn at Knocknarea after leaving you…such breathtaking views…
I felt very grateful and blessed for good souls like yourself, living from the heart, soulfully, passionately, the warrior energy to follow one’s own heart-calling and live it, a real warrior path…takes courage tuning into one’s own heart, not that of the tribe or the need to be accepted and fit-in.
So thanks again dear Colette. Much love to you, to Jack and Sammy Bear and of course your beautiful space and it’s healing spirit. 
On this night of the first new moon of Lughnasadh, I am content to be compared to a warrior. 
For, in so many ways, my journey to this point has been a battle at times…not with Mother Earth, but over the twelve past years, on my own, when I have had to motivate myself to stay with the project. 
There have been times along the way, when I have felt nurtured by others, the kindness of strangers on the internet who have supported me when I have needed it most. 
Serendipity has played a huge part in the Bealtaine Project!
This year has witnessed a beautiful maturity in all I have planted and continue to love. I, in turn, feel nurtured by Mother Earth… There is a lot still to be done as we move into uncertain times. 
There are important messages to share that empower us to act in support of Mother Earth, such as I share on my Twitter and FaceBook accounts…
Digging Mother Earth releases 
Likewise…
We are putting out double the amount of 
Carbon is a gaseous food absorbed by plants…so let’s plant more! 
Social Media is a powerful tool and can be used for great good in getting simple messages like these out there!
And, like all old warriors, I’ll just keep on keeping on!
