Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Celtic Spirit
The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditations for the Turning Year | Caitln Matthews
44 posts | 1 read | 2 to read
Discover the Living Wisdom of the Ancient Celts The ancient Celts and their spiritual mediators, the Druids believed in the communion of all living things and sought harmony between nature and the human soul. Now, with this inspiring book of day-by-day mediations, renowned Celtic scholar Caitln Matthews shows you how to reawaken the power of this age-old spiritual inheritance. Using poetry, myths, reflections, rituals, and visualizations, Matthews leads you on a yearlong pilgrimage that will help connect the cycles of your soul to the circle of the seasons. From the winter months of Samhain the summer months of Beltant, from mediations on the gifts and blessings of life to the insights and promises of the soul, she enables you to complete your own sacred circuit of the turning year. Brimming with the legends and lore of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Britain, The Celtic Spirit is a brilliant introduction to the sacred wisdom of the Celtic path--and a potent resource for daily spiritual renewal.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
MargaretPinardAuthor
post image

So...just about everything, then?

#octoberfeels #autumn #theworkofwomen #changetime

review
GingerAntics
post image
Bailedbailed

I was so hoping I would finally make it through a book that was meant to be read over the course of the year. I‘ve had this book for almost three years now. In fact, if I kept reading for one more month I would have officially read every entry once, if not necessarily in a single year. But the 7 June entry brought me to a screeching halt. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

GingerAntics It was supposed to be talking about not being violent which is commendable and a discussion that should be ongoing for people of all ages. Instead, it blamed abuse victims for their abuse and claimed that really, as humans, we can‘t help but be violent. Excuse me? 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 (edited) 5y
GingerAntics “Violence initially stems from the thwarting of our will or desire; it is an instinctive lashing out against things we do not like. It‘s containment is made possible by mature self control and patience. Sudden outbursts of domestic violence are usually triggered by a succession of irritations that have built up until they are unbearable.” This is the most ridiculous response to domestic violence I have ever heard. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 5y
GingerAntics Up to this point I had a few things about this book that annoyed me (although I never had to contain a violent outburst), but this is the breaking point. This goes beyond annoying me. This angers me. This is easily triggering. This is disgusting. I have no patience for bull Shite like this. I have no time for idiocy like this. I still don‘t have to control any violent reaction, so there‘s her whole theory out the window right there. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 5y
See All 22 Comments
GingerAntics There is nothing mature about my reaction to this passage. My reaction to this passage is as instinctual as it gets, and here it is: I am done with this book and I will not be reading anything else by this author or her husband. I will not be contributing to the upkeep of this author in any way, shape, or form. Good riddance to bad rubbish as they say. #CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #rubbish #nothappening #wtf 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit I‘m going to have to rescind my precious recommendation. I do not recommend this book for any person. I‘m not sure where this particular entry came from, but one sentence ended my enjoyment and love affair with this book. It is going in the trash, literally. I honestly don‘t want this book ending up in someone else‘s hands. I want it to end up in a refuse pile at a landfill where it belongs. 5y
Eggbeater Wow! Wtf? I can't even. How are you supposed to use that to meditate? 5y
GingerAntics @Eggbeater no idea. None at all. The meditation was supposed to be on recognising our own violent tendencies and how to avoid them (nonviolence I think? 🤷🏼‍♀️), but totally failed at that. I don‘t know how someone could possibly meditate on anything after that. It took me over an hour to settle down after that and meditate. It‘s disgusting. 5y
Bklover I will most definitely avoid this! Thanks for the warning! 5y
Chrissyreadit Yes this is wacky- I wonder where it came from? This is the second time in a week that a book has blamed the victim for domestic abuse. I can‘t help but wonder if it is poor wording or an actual inappropriate response. Meaning that no one is responsible for someone‘s violence against them, but we are responsible for our own anger/aggression(normal stuff not abuse)and abusers are responsible for abusive action. 5y
Chrissyreadit On a second personal rant I had a teen client explain to me that feminism is angry women hating on men- and her google search had three posts stating that!!! When will women stop being treated this way???? 5y
Weaponxgirl @Chrissyreadit omg! I‘d be so frustrated if I was you and it would take all my restraint not to say well this angry woman is about to start hating on your opinion in a min. 5y
Weaponxgirl Good on ya, no point reading books that actually go against our values 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit that‘s what I thought might be happening. That‘s why I posted the quote so someone would hopefully comment and say “I think it might actually be this...” but absolutely NO ONE saw anything else in it all. 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit I just read an article about that yesterday. It‘s this thing by this angry group of men who believe women are forcing them to be celibate. Racism and sexism and violent language are rampant. They‘ve brought matrix pills into it, black pill and rape pill to be specific. It‘s pretty messed up. It‘s amazing the number of social media accounts that boldly proclaim that feminists are just angry women who hate men or feminazis or fembots. 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit it‘s terrible. Apparently, sociologically, it‘s men (and an amazing number of young men) who don‘t like the status quo being disrupted. Apparently every social movement has its backlash and this is the backlash to female empowerment. Unfortunately they are now being targeted by far-right extremists and politicised. It was a long article, but it was truly eye opening. 5y
GingerAntics @Bklover you‘re more then welcome. I was totally prepared to recommend this thing to everyone, then bam. So weird. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl I want to understand other perspectives for a lot of things, but this is not one of those things. This is a black and white matter that really only has one answer. I hope for the sake of the people around this women it is just poor word choice and she doesn‘t really think this, but I‘m not about to stick around to find out. 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics I‘m the same, I like to have my thoughts challenged but I have cut off points. Help me see things in a new way but some things are just harmful and wrong and I‘m not going to support anyone expressing those views. 5y
Weaponxgirl Are we talking about incels? And how they are still often classed as lone wolves and not domestic terrorists when they commit violence. Yet black lives matters and antifa will get called terrorists by certain people in power. 5y
Chrissyreadit @GingerAntics the status quo is scary. I‘ve heard recently that women will be the last to have true equality. When intersectionality is added that is just an insane concept of the way humans are valued. I‘m also struggling to stay hopeful in a country whose ideals I believed in until I learned they only count for a few people. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl yup. Those are them. 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit yeah, I think that‘s a dark day for every American female. The day you learn you‘re not actually equal to the men around you, even though 51% of Americans are female. 5y
23 likes22 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Is this saying what I think it‘s saying? Is this FEMALE author really blaming domestic abuse victims for their abuse? Please tell me I‘m reading this wrong?

This sentence is preceded by “Violence initially stems from the thwarting of our will or desire; it is an instinctive lashing out against things we do not like.”

Violence and abuse are “instinctual”? I may be done with this book, right here, right now.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #wtf

GingerAntics Humans are naturally violent? Really? I‘m sorry, I just don‘t believe that. Children are TAUGHT to be violent by the people around them. 🤬🤬🤬 5y
TrishB I find that quote really objectionable 😡 5y
julesG Yes, humans are animals. No, really. But that is never an excuse for violent behaviour. And yes, that quote is saying what you think it's saying. 😠😡😬 5y
See All 10 Comments
Weaponxgirl I don‘t even know where to start with this! It‘s so wrong in every way. 5y
Caroline2 Hmm! 🤨 I don‘t agree with that quote at all!!! Anger isn‘t instinctive?! It normally stems from fear. (Fight/flight response.) Cor if everyone lashed out after a build up of ‘irritations‘ could you imagine?! Dear oh dear! I don‘t blame you for being done with this book! 5y
GingerAntics @TrishB @julesG @Weaponxgirl @Caroline2 I was hoping I was taking it wrong, but I‘m also kind of glad I wasn‘t going crazy here. I agree humans are animals. I‘ll even agree that fear and even a response of some sort to things that are irritating are instinctual (ie “wow this annoys me I‘m going to walk away/turn it off/not talk about this subject with this person/etc) but I‘m sorry, lashing out violently is not. (edited) 5y
GingerAntics @TrishB @julesG @Weaponxgirl @Caroline2 Animals don‘t go off on flies and hurt them, they flick them away with their tales. Instinctual acts of violence and even violent parenting seem to be instinctual (and even acceptable) only among humans, which is sad. It could almost be said calling humans animals is offensive to all the other animals. Only humans do violent things for fun. (edited) 5y
GingerAntics @Bookwomble this is the quote in question. 3y
Bookwomble @GingerAntics A lot of my work is supporting survivors of domestic abuse and the, "I'm sorry but you made me angry" defence that certain abusers use to excuse themselves is very common, very manipulative, and very wrong. I think it's an attitude deeply embedded in patriarchal society ? 3y
GingerAntics @Bookwomble I completely agree. It‘s really odd because in other parts of the book she talked about how Celtic society was more balanced. I just don‘t understand. I get this was written in the late 90s, but we knew that was BS then, too. 3y
23 likes10 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

We need to get here. Only then can we stop having conservative power grabs for women‘s bodies and autonomy as human beings.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #compassion

quote
GingerAntics
post image

Interesting, I think some extreme conservatives are currently using their “freedom” to infringe upon the liberty of women right now. I would personally love to see some balance return to the madness that is the current state of affairs.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #liberty #freedom #waronwomen

Weaponxgirl Yes! I see this in arguments about free speech all the time and alt right assholes trying to say the uk is less free as we have laws against hate speech. Your freedoms shouldn‘t come at the expense of other people‘s freedom or wellbeing. 5y
readinginthedark Ugh, I'm struggling even more with this after just having a baby girl and living in Missouri. So frustrated right now. 😔 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl yeah, you‘re actually freer because you don‘t have to be worried about getting verbally attacked every three seconds. Honestly, it‘s not really alt right anymore, it‘s just right. 5y
See All 15 Comments
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I can‘t imagine what that‘s like. I‘m getting to where I‘m going to have to start making serious decisions about having kids, and as it stands here in TX at the moment (and all over really) I‘m not sure I really should have kids. Why add more kids to get hurt by this madness. Still want them, but it might not be the right thing to do. I do not envy your position. Hugs. 5y
readinginthedark Thank you. Honestly, having a boy is just as bad in a totally different way. I mean, I love my children, but teaching them both to value equality, respect, and independence is so hard sometimes. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark it does seem almost like having to come at the same thing from two totally different angles. It‘s amazing the number of small, seemingly innocent but still totally sexist things for kids. I don‘t know how you have any sanity. Sheesh. The mind boggles just trying to fathom it all. 5y
readinginthedark Absolutely. My kid was teased for having a purple shirt. It took him months to work up the courage to wear it to school again. And people are constantly giving me onesies that say how "pretty" my baby is. I just get rid of them. It's all so sexist, not to mention teaching them that other people's opinions and desires matter more than their own. 5y
readinginthedark And the number of times I've gotten crap for not making my child hug relatives goodbye is ridiculous. Bodily autonomy and consent only matter to us, I guess? Forget tradition. My kids aren't touching anyone who doesn't want them to or that they don't want to touch. 5y
readinginthedark Sorry for the rant. It's been a lot, and I'm tired. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark oh I‘m totally with you on that. Teaching kids about consent starts with little things like that. If you don‘t want a hug or a kiss, if you don‘t want to give a hug or a kiss, you should be free to say that and have that respected. If we don‘t respect that in our kids, how can expect them to respect that as adults. I think it‘s equally good to teach girls they have the right to say no and have that respected... 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark just as it‘s important for boys to know to respect that and that the same thing will be respected when they don‘t want to be touched/hugged/kissed. You‘re cool. I‘m right there with you. No need to apologise. 5y
readinginthedark Hey! Slightly more well-rested now! And yes, it's so important. Our struggle with this lately has been teaching my son to observe nonverbal signals from his baby sister since she can't speak yet. He wants to give her kisses all the time, which she usually loves, but sometimes she wants space and he can't always tell. We keep repeating, "She's a human, not a baby doll." He's getting better at observing, so success! 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark hey, that‘s awesome!!! I think nonverbal queues are hard for little kids and even some adults, so helping he read them young is AMAZING!!! No wonder you‘re so tired. 5y
readinginthedark 😅 It's certainly a full-time job on top of everything else but hopefully worth it! We're building a better world, in theory! 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark fingers crossed. 5y
18 likes15 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

This really ties in to my last post. When you‘re only concern is this far off “place” and this time other than now, great damage is done to the lives, places, and people you encounter right now where you are. Unfortunately, we all pay for that. It‘s not just you or the people you meet. We are all interconnected, people.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #interconnection #truewealth #climatechangeisreal

Caroline2 Oh I like that “like-souled people”! 😍 5y
GingerAntics @Caroline2 right? That just has a great feel to it, doesn‘t it? That really jumped out at me, too. 5y
16 likes2 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

I see a lot of this where I live. Everything is about this “someday” or “eventually” life, so people act completely contrary to their supposedly beliefs because they think this thing that will happen later is all that matters.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #hereandnow #liveinthemoment

Weaponxgirl You see this with body image too. When I‘m thinner I‘ll buy nice clothes and do this thing I like. I was like that for a while but now I‘m like No way! Appreciate what we have now and do what brings you joy (goddess I sound sappy and motivational) 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl I think that‘s our default to write it off and ignore it because it‘s so simple, but so true. So I‘m fat. My legs work. My feet work. It‘s a beautiful day, why not go for a walk or a run or visit a friend? Nothing is perfect, but it‘s functional and beautiful in its functionality. So rock and roll with it. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I think you have something these. I‘ve put off way too much of my life for when I‘m “skinny again.” 🙄 5y
Weaponxgirl For ages I was like I can‘t flirt or chat with attractive people because of my size after a bad breakup but it‘s ridiculous that we do that to ourselves. My self worth isn‘t equated to how I look and the funny thing is people are drawn to you when you are just being yourself. Worst thing is I do t treat others nearly as badly as I treat myself. Yup, let‘s just get on with the fun in life! 5y
See All 13 Comments
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl I‘m all about that!!! I just don‘t get out enough. The only place I really want to go is the zoo. Is that weird? 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics nope, I freaking love the zoo as long as it has a huge conservation part to play. 5y
Weaponxgirl Also sealife centres as long as they don‘t have whales or dolphins performing. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl I think the only ones still doing whale performances is SeaWorld. That place is kind of twisted. The zoos I‘m familiar with here all have a conservation element and they all work together (across the country and around the world) to support endangered species and protect them in the zoo setting (with natural habitat designs, etc) to prevent them from going extinct. Not sure about zoos there. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl Is it the Chelsea Zoo that‘s in Secret Life of the Zoo? We just got episodes of that here this year. They‘re doing a lot of conservation stuff. 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics most zoos here are but there was one that was horrific with animal deaths ect. Just one of those things I‘m annoying about. People ask duo want to go the zoo I‘m all excited then I‘m just checking their credentials and conservation policies. How do I have friends? 😆 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl 🤣😂🤣 naw I feel like that‘s only fair. If I‘m going to spend a bunch of money to get in, I want to know that money is going to something good. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl sometimes I feel like I‘m asking too much for a guy who doesn‘t care about size (like the arse hat on the train platform last time) AND not just see women as possessions or meat or something to have sex with. 🙄 Part of me feels like saying “eph it.” Part of me thinks no American men should be getting sex at all at the moment. If we all cut them off, some shite would change. 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics I do know both those feelings well too. I say the feminists attack the viagra stores, if abortion is against God‘s will then So is ficking limp dick (I‘ve seen similar on placards and love it) 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl I was thinking if abortion is against god‘s will, then so it the use of viagra. If god wanted you to get it up, by god he‘d let you get it up yourself. 😏 5y
16 likes13 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Another great poem from this book. It‘s also quite a poignant poem for our time as well.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #GerardManleyHopkins #BinseyPoplars #poetry

quote
GingerAntics
post image

One of these days I‘m going to have to read Hebridean Alters for myself. I love just about every quote from this book that Matthews has put in here.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #alistairmaclean #hebrideanalters

Caroline2 Lovely quote! 🥰 5y
rabbitprincess Ooh I'm going to have to get that too! My mum would probably also want to read it. 5y
GingerAntics @rabbitprincess I‘m having a hard time tracking down a copy of it. It must be older. The tagged book is from 1999, so it obviously predates that to some extent. 5y
20 likes3 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Interesting that this is today‘s passage, as I‘m diving into my reading list on how our education system kills creativity and wonder in our children...how despite all scientific evidence, we keep doing the exact opposite of what we need to do to properly educate our children.
#johnmoriarty #notthatmoriarty #turtlewasgonealongtime #CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #education #childhood

quote
GingerAntics
post image

The imagery of this poem is lovely. The “throbbing heart” bit really stuck out to me. No idea why.
#CaitlinMatthews #TheCelticSpirit #poetry #poetrymatters #imagery

quote
GingerAntics
post image
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Interesting meditation questions. I think these are things we all need to spend some time thinking about. Unfortunately, if you‘re an American that third one is an absolute no, and there‘s not much you can do about it. It also means that peace between me and my country is shaky at best, too. 🤷🏼‍♀️ What‘s a girl to do?
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #meditation #questions #thingstothinkabout

Chrissyreadit Do you recommend this book? Your posts resonate with me. 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit my main complaints about the book are more academic (she perpetuates the idea that the Celts never wrote anything down), but again this was written 20 years ago, so the academia certainly would have advanced and the scope of the book is the spiritual side. At the end of the day, for anyone interested in Celtic spirituality, or just nature spirituality in general, I would highly recommend this book. 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit it is completely devoid of the new age, Druid BS that people love to do these days. That stuff is entirely modern, completely inaccurate, and almost entirely made up. It‘s mostly Wiccan with a Celtic twist. Just for the accuracy of the spirituality I recommend this book. 5y
Chrissyreadit @GingerAntics thanks for your response! What kind of work do you do? 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit I work as tutor (although we‘re being called facilitators now) and an instructor at a local junior/community college. I‘m trained as a historian, though. I‘m always keeping an eye out for a professorship or something else in my field. 5y
21 likes5 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

So true. I think most of us have very few genuine friendships like this. I think I have two. I'm probably lucky to have that many.
#caitlinmatthews #tbecelticspirit #friends

blurb
GingerAntics
post image

Minor Book Repair: COMPLETE
The edges I the cover were starting to peel back. I‘m not entirely sure why, as it sits on my bedside table, but I got everything covered in clear, acid-free packaging tape to make sure it stays in one piece.
#cailtinmatthews #thecelticspirit #bookrepair

quote
GingerAntics
post image

Anyone care to guess who this quote made me think of?! 😆
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #somanylies

Weaponxgirl Hmmmm, I may need a clue 😉 5y
14 likes2 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

This was written in the 90s, but it seems to jive with what people are saying now. We have got to go back to actually educating children. We have got to stop fearing science or discrediting things that have been proven. America would not be in this mess if these people could think critically, for themselves.
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #hotmess #education #criticalthinking

Weaponxgirl I miss the 90s, remember when the worst thing that the president of America did was get a blow job? 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl those were the days!!! 5y
13 likes2 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Does this make anyone else think of someone who is treating power like a commodity and abusing it every chance he gets? Just curious. Maybe I‘m just overly excited when things seem to suggest he‘s doing it wrong. 🤷🏼‍♀️
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #power

Gaylagal2 F*** yes it does......lol That thing of human (debatable at this point) in the white house. Ya know, the house he shouldn't have EVER been allowed to live in! 😂 I have to laugh or I will go insane. @GingerAntics (edited) 5y
21 likes2 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

So true in every way. I also tend to think this is true the other way round.
#caitlinmathews #thecelticspirit #mysterious #battleofthesexes #women #men #truth

quote
GingerAntics
post image

Interesting little tidbits that go along with what I‘ve been reading today.
#caitlinmathews #thecelticspirit #scottish #gaelic #love

Crazeedi Truth 5y
29 likes1 comment
quote
GingerAntics
post image

This has me thinking of all the books I have and which ones fall into this category. I suppose this also applies to my vast music library and the works that fall into this category as well (one thing does come to mind in my music library).
#CaitlinMatthews #thecelticspirit #spiritualityforbooklovers #spiritualityformusiclovers #musician

Weaponxgirl Everything I love is so sad, my poor soul 5y
31 likes1 comment
quote
GingerAntics
post image
quote
GingerAntics
post image

I wish more people understood this concept. I feel like the world would be an entirely different place if more people did!!!
#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #lifeadvice

quote
GingerAntics
post image

“The Irish King Cormac‘s instructions can be applied to anyone with benefit.”
#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #lifeadvice

quote
GingerAntics
post image

I really wish more people could internalise this reality.
#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #nature

Freespirit True 5y
39 likes1 comment
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Truth + Nature = Knowledge
Trying to remove any part of this equation ends in disaster. This isn‘t algebra. This is life.
#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #truth #nature #knowledge

quote
GingerAntics
post image

Life has no point or meaning without truth, nature, and knowledge. Period.
So please stop killing it.
Thanks
#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #truth #nature #knowledge

quote
GingerAntics
post image

I wish more people, especially in America, saw children as real people. It is deplorable to hit your spouse because you disapprove of his or her actions or choices; the same rule should apply to children. They are people, too. They have basic human rights. Next time you want to hit your child, ask yourself if you‘d like to be hit under the same circumstances and use your words (like you tell them to do).
#thecelticspirit #children #caitlinmatthews

quote
GingerAntics
post image
julesG My point! Especially the last sentence is important. We need to be kind. 5y
GingerAntics @julesG when I read this it made me think of our conversation the other day about this. I thought you‘d like it. 5y
julesG Thanks! 5y
See All 12 Comments
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics yup, and this has been my mantra most of the time. I know I‘m opinionated and some people find that abrasive sometimes but the only thing that gets me super angry and like that is intolerance and unkindness. I will literally let you do what you want as long as it isn‘t inhibiting someone else. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl exactly!!! Do what you want as long as you‘re not hurting or negatively affecting anyone else. More power to you. The minute you start getting greedy or somehow doing harm, I‘ve got a problem. 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics yes, and being kind doesn‘t mean being quiet about something. I find some people equate one with the other. I will keep my peace in a lot of situations as I actually hate drama and confrontation but I‘ve also learnt that sometimes you do have to make people uncomfortable to do a kind thing for others who are being affected by things. 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl I totally agree with that. I‘m that way, too. Especially when things happen to me personally, I won‘t say anything to the person. I‘ll keep the peace and I‘d much rather address something privately or in a non-confrontational way, but there are limits to that. If it‘s gone beyond a certain point, all bets are off and I can make things very uncomfortable if I need to. 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics oh I‘m the worst at not saying anything if your hurting just me! I‘m quite understanding and will forgive things and some people don‘t seem to realise that it doesn‘t mean you‘re weak and a doormat. People are often shocked when I‘m just I‘m done here, I‘m not gonna argue or anything anymore with you your are just straight out of my life now. This is also made easier by not having Facebook ect, I can just cut you out ruthlessly (edited) 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl yeah, when I snap, that‘s it. I‘m done. It‘s amazing what it takes to get there, though. I‘ll totally rage about some jerk who said whatever to me, but I‘ll never say it to their face (mostly because I don‘t even think about telling them off until later). 5y
Weaponxgirl @GingerAntics I‘m normally the same though I‘ve had a few times where I have just snapped in public really badly. When I‘m on slack ask about the beer fest rage. It‘s not suitable for here 5y
GingerAntics @Weaponxgirl oh good you‘re getting it. I can‘t wait to hear this story!!! Yeah, I have snapped a few times, once to shouted mansplaning, once to a woman in a shop whose reaction to a panic attack was “get ahold of yourself.” Thanks, I hadn‘t bloody thought of that. 🙄 Luckily, I didn‘t snap at the nicer(ish) lady who said “I wish I still had my mama” because she thought I was just being a shite to my mother. 5y
22 likes12 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

Ah, the “Twelfth Night” is here. Apparently, tonight (6 Jan) we‘re all supposed to do the exact opposite of what we would normally do, laugh at all the things we love and hate, most importantly we must laugh at the things we fear, and enjoy revelries.

Good lord, the Celts did love their revelries, didn‘t they. They were bloody party animals!!!

#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #robertherrick #twelfthnight #shakspearereadalong

GingerAntics It is fitting for the Shakespeare read along group. @readinginthedark @merelybookish 5y
readinginthedark 🤔 I did go to bed much earlier than normal! 😆 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark 🤣😂🤣 THAT‘S THE SPIRIT!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 5y
23 likes3 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

I think this is a big shocker to A LOT of people. I think it‘s hard for people to grasp, too.
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #spirituality

BeansPage Agreed! And with any spiritual teaching as well. It's either all or nothing, there is no in between. 5y
GingerAntics @TheReadingMermaid for me this includes “this part of you is evil” or “this part of you needs to be denied/pretend it doesn‘t exist/etc.” All of you exists for a reason and it‘s finding the balance. I often wonder how many “sex addicts” wouldn‘t be “sex addicts” if sex wasn‘t so hyper focused on as a negative, especially in the teen years. 🙄 That‘s not to say there aren‘t actual sex addicts. (edited) 5y
24 likes2 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

HAPPY HOGMANAY EVERYONE!!!
#thecelticspirit #caitlinmatthews #hogmanay

julesG Somehow I always expected Hogmanay to be the winter solstice. 5y
GingerAntics @julesG you‘re not the first person to mix those two up. Even in Christian Scotland (and now in whatever you want to call it Scotland) Hogmanay is this big, crazy, awesome New Years celebration. I don‘t think they have any special term for the winter solstice, other than Yule. Hogmanay is a great time of drunken revelries!!! lol It‘s considered tradition, now, to eat haggis (not recommended) and drink whisky 🥃 (very much recommend). 5y
julesG Yes, I know that. I'm just wondering, every year anew. I need to remember it's a Christian tradition. 5y
See All 13 Comments
julesG Haggis was a one-time experience, by the way. I thought it was only bearable because of the whisky. 5y
GingerAntics @julesG it‘s actually pre-Christian. 🤣😂🤣 I don‘t have enough chapters to add “especially if you‘re going to try the haggis” after whisky 🥃 (very much recommended). 🤣😂🤣 I‘ve heard many MANY people say haggis is only bearable with whisky and only one bite. 5y
julesG I think I managed two or even three bites. It might have been a dare. 5y
julesG Back to Hogmanay. Here's what I've been puzzling over for years. If it's pre-Christian, then it would make more sense to combine it with Yule. It's the celebration of the return of the light. 5y
GingerAntics @JulesG you are a brave BRAVE woman!!! Actually it‘s not. It‘s the celebration of the new year, rebirth, new opportunities, etc. Yule is almost a celebration of the lack of light and the hope of its return. (edited) 5y
julesG Wikipedia says kinda both. 😜 5y
GingerAntics @julesG maybe the best way to think about it is that Yule/Winter Solstice is the beginning of the celebratory period, you have naps and Christmas, and it all concludes with Hogmanay, but it‘s definitely two different things. It sort of ties into the idea that the sun is getting stronger with the coming of the new year, but that‘s a minor part of it. In the modern sense it‘s just a very Scottish New Years celebration. 5y
GingerAntics @julesG basically, there is a great bonfire at Yule, they wait a while to make sure that‘s definitely all the way out before drinking large sums of whisky so as not to light all of Scotland on fire at Hogmanay. 😏🥃🤣😂🤣 5y
julesG Do basically the "daft days" in a whisky fug. ? 5y
GingerAntics @julesG it is Scotland after all!!! 🤣😂🤣 (edited) 5y
16 likes13 comments
blurb
GingerAntics
post image

And just because I can...I hope everyone gets to try an AMAZING eatable Yule log in their lives. These this are SO GOOD!!! Just imagine a giant little debbie Swiss roll...it‘s even better when it‘s pumpkin or gingerbread with a lovely cream cheese filling!!! Who‘s up for some baking?!

Some of these can even get really fancy with animals “in” the log, etc.

#yulelog #chocolate #pumpkin #gingerbread #creamcheese #caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit

julesG You are evil! Now I want some. And I want to make it myself. 🙈🙈🙈 5y
Freespirit Looks amazing 5y
GingerAntics @julesG @Freespirit we‘re actually working on making one now. The picture inspired us to bake. I‘ve never rolled before. We‘ll see how this goes. lol 5y
26 likes3 comments
blurb
GingerAntics
post image

Dreaming of a bonfire on this darkest, longest night of the year.

Didn‘t get to go out at noon to face the sun and then contemplate the longest shadow you can have at noon. We‘re also out of all the real alcohol. This Jamaican Me Happy will just have to do. lol

I hope everyone is enjoying their Yule log (the burning wood one or the French baked dessert one) tonight.

#yule #yulelog #caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #jamaicanmehappy

quote
GingerAntics
post image

Or, in more straight forward terms, you can be a self righteous jerk, or you can think critically. Either way.
😏
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #disbelief #doubt #faithbelief #suspensionofdisbelief #challengingideas

quote
GingerAntics
post image

I seriously wish more people followed MacDonald‘s advice.
As an aside: I‘ve always wanted to read The Princess and the Goblin. Apparently if you‘re a Narnia fan, you‘ll like this. It was one of the works that inspired Lewis, I‘m told.
#georgemacdonald #theprincessandthegoblin #narnia #caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit

twohectobooks Like all classic children‘s lit: there are a few gross and/or sketchy things in it, but I loooved the tone. 5y
GingerAntics @twohectobooks you‘ve ready The Princess and the Goblin? I‘ve never found someone who has read it. 5y
twohectobooks Yep! I can‘t remember what inspired me to pick it up, but I read it a bunch of years ago! It‘s free on Project Gutenberg :) 5y
GingerAntics @twohectobooks I did know that. His writing is rather old. I was wondering if the language is harder to read because of that. I think I have a collection of his writing (for children and adults) somewhere in digital format. lol 5y
15 likes4 comments
quote
GingerAntics
post image

It‘s amazing how poignant this is, and it was written 20 years ago. It still hasn‘t ceased to be true.
May we all become “mystical believers” that see the world as peaceful, or “creative believers” that see the world as a place of great potential. Or maybe mystically creative believers, where the world has the potential to be “a place of peace.”
20 years later and this book is still relevant and kicking it!!! 💚💙❤️
#caitlinmatthews #celticspirit

quote
GingerAntics
post image

This almost sounds like something some of the characters read in The Kingkiller Chronicle...they were basically saying that this is how their magic or binding works. I just read that bit this morning. I love when two books I‘m reading come together so nicely.
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #reality #belief #thekingkillerchronicle #thewisemansfear #patrickrothfuss

quote
GingerAntics
post image

I wish there wasn‘t such a war between the intellect and modern religion. It all goes together, and as a whole we have come so very far from that. Your mind is not at war with your faith. Your faith is nothing without your mind.
#caitlinmatthews #thecelticspirit #intellect

quote
GingerAntics
post image

The Last Pendragon and The Pendragon's Blade both talked about this cauldron. Interesting how all this stuff links up.
#sarahwoodbury has done her homework!!! ❤️💚❤️LOVE IT💚❤️💚
#cailtinmatthews #thecelticspirit #thelastpendragon #thependragonsblade

quote
GingerAntics
post image

This is fitting for NaNoWriMo and the day I reached 50K words. It's interesting how things happen like that (no it's not divine intervention, but it is fun to follow the coincidence).
#cailtinmatthews #thecelticspirit #creativedestiny

Texreader Congratulations!! 5y
VioletBramble Congratulations! 5y
21 likes3 comments
blurb
GingerAntics
post image

In all the excitement of NaNoWriMo, I totally forgot to post that I started this book (1 Nov). I've had it for almost 2 years now. I decided to start it properly this November with Samhain where it begins. Here's hoping I can keep up with it for an entire year.
#cailtinmatthews #thecelticspirit #celtictradition

Texreader Good luck! Sounds great 5y
GingerAntics @Texreader loving going back to my roots and taking all of the mumbo jumbo and BS out of the equation. 5y
16 likes2 comments