England, fossielen, Fossils, Geologie, Geology, geschiedenis, History, mineralen, Minerals, Nature, natuur, Scotland, Wales

Steenkool, het zwarte goud van Groot-Brittannië

Waar iedereen druk is met het zoeken naar alternatieve, schone, energie bronnen, haalde Engeland onlangs het nieuws met een opmerkelijke krantenkop. Voor het eerst in 30 jaar wordt er een nieuwe diepe ondergrondse steenkool mijn geopend in Cumbria en gaat men op grote schaal steenkool winnen uit de Britse bodem. Waarom, in deze tijd van… Lees verder Steenkool, het zwarte goud van Groot-Brittannië

Christendom, Christianity, England, folklore, Geologie, Geology, geschiedenis, History, mineralen, Minerals, mythologie, Mythology, Nature, natuur, Scotland, Tourist attraction, Wales

Garnet

Voor de Nederandse versie van dit artikel klik hier. The beautiful colour of the mineral garnet appeals to the imagination of people. Or rather, the mineral group garnet. For centuries people have seen the beauty of the deep red stones. It was also one of the first minerals I had as a child, a garnet… Lees verder Garnet

Bezienswaardigheid, Feestdagen, folklore, geschiedenis, History, mythologie, Mythology, Nature, natuur, Pagan festival, Scotland, Special Days, Tourist attraction, Wheel of Year

The Cailleach, Goddess of Winter

Voor de Nederlandse versie van dit verhaal klik hier. Midwinter, winter solstice. This time last year I wrote to you about the history of Yule and the pagan roots of what we now call Christmas. But winter is not just Yule. It is also the time of the Cailleach, the Celtic goddess of winter. The… Lees verder The Cailleach, Goddess of Winter

Christianity, England, folklore, Geology, History, Minerals, Mythology, Nature, Scotland

The Crystal Ball

Voor de Nederlandse versie van dit verhaal, klik hier. It’s one of the most stereotypical pictures of witches and fortune tellers, the woman gazing into the crystal ball. The crystal ball has been known for centuries as an object to predict the future. Where does this believe come from? Last year I wrote a blog… Lees verder The Crystal Ball

England, folklore, Fossils, Geology, History, Minerals, Mythology, Nature, Scotland, Wales

Hagstones

Voor de Nederlandse versie van dit verhaal klik hier Hagstones ... a magical find for many. A piece of stone with a natural hole through it. Finding a hagstone or witch stone is special. A stone to which all kinds of magical properties are attributed. But what exactly is a hagstone? What is a hagstone?… Lees verder Hagstones

Christianity, folklore, Mythology, Pagan festival, Special Days, Wheel of Year

Beltane

Nederlandse versie van dit artikel door hier te klikken On the first of May Beltane was celebrated in pre-Christian Britain. The name Beltane is Gaelic. The oldest written sources date from the 9th and 10th century from an Irish writing that talks about Beltine, the fire (tine in Gaelic) of Bel. It is Samhain's counterpart, the… Lees verder Beltane

Christianity, folklore, Fossils, Geology, History, Mythology, Nature, Special Days

St George’s Day, about dragons and dinosaurs. How mythology became paleontology.

Voor de Nederlandse versie van dit verhaal klik hier. April 23rd is St George’s Day in England. The feast day (and in this case also the day of death) of Saint Saint George. The English are more English this day than you can imagine. Everywhere the English flag with the St George’s Cross can be… Lees verder St George’s Day, about dragons and dinosaurs. How mythology became paleontology.