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Radio Show – Episode 39 – Stone Music – December 8 and 15, 2019

From the great henges to cairns, rocky mountain and cliffsides to cottages and hearths, stones in the Celtic landscape offer strength, materials, presence, healing properties, companionship, and blessing. They can be doorways to otherworlds or invite one more fully into our earthen one. In today’s episode of Forest Halls Celtic, Show 39, we explore tunes, folklore, song, and tale related to “Stone Music.” Discover Stones of Destiny, dance with trolls before sunrise, join in the race between the Tortoise and the Hare, and make a wish in the rock that saved the life of Sant Gofan – Saint Govan of 6th century Wales. Enjoy harp music from Anne Roos, Margot Krimmel, Mary MacMaster and Hazel Askew, and – in our encore airing of Show 18, “Snow and Flame,”– from harpers Aine Minogue, Knodel & Valencia (Spookytree), Sileas, Kim Robertson, and more!

On Sunday Dec 8 and 15, from 12 noon-2pm PST, join us on KVSH 101.9 fm on Vashon, or via streaming at Voice of Vashon. Or listen on demand for the next two weeks at Voice of Vashon.

12:00: Spookytree – Lochaber No More
12:00: Maurice Lennon – Stone of Destiny
12:05: Matt Molloy and Sean Keane – The Gooseberry Bush / The Limestone Rock
12:09: Zoe Conway and John Mc Intyre – Faoiseamh a Gheobhadsa
12:13: Flook – The Tortoise and The Hare
12:20: Anne Roos – Trollspolska
12:23: Margot Krimmel and Beth Leachman – Rocking the Cradle
12:30: Manran – Oran na Cloiche
12:33: Goitse – The Eagles Rock
12:37: Songs of Separation – Soil and Soul
12:42: Jane Valencia – Stone Music
12:52: Jane Valencia and Starr – Mist and Mountains
12:53: Barde – The Trowie Burn / the Dark Island

 

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Celtic Healing Ways – Workshop

Celtic Knot – illustration by Jane Valencia

I’m excited to return to St. Placid’s Priory to teach another healing ways workshop. Please join me!

When:  Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, 9am to 3pm at The Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516 in Lacey, WA.

Description:
In myth and Saints Lives, in medieval Gaelic manuscripts and folk tradition, herbal and other healing practices of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were often accompanied by prayer and ritual. We’ll explore specific remedies and wellness ways, and craft blessings and ceremony to use with them, bringing Celtic healing wisdom into our everyday lives.

Fee: $65

For more information and to Register.

Celtic Healing Ways – Workshop Flyer

Jane Valencia
Jane Valencia is a herbalist, nature instructor, and harper-storyteller. Jane loves helping others discover the wisdom, beauty, and practical knowledge for health and wellness found within medieval and folk healing traditions.

 

 

 

 

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Salmon Returning Home – a Song for You to Sing

Salmon Leap – Illustration by Jane Valencia

As we’re swimming with the Salmon, thematically speaking here in Forest Halls, by way of blog posts and my radio show,  I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite Salmon songs.

Salmon Returning Home was composed by my dear friend Kristina Turner, and is a wonderful song to sing with kids, families, and in community.  Kristina has generously agreed to share her song here so that you can sing it too.

Here’s what Kristina writes about the birth of the song:

The song has a story – it arrived on Summer Solstice during 24 hour prayer-vigil drumming at Burton Hill on Vashon. It is a healing song, dedicated to salmon fisherman and friend, John Schindler.

Listen to the song here

And here are the lyrics!

Salmon Returning Home – Lyrics and Music by Kristina Turner

Swimmin’ upstream
With my belly in the river
I’m salmon returning home

repeat verse –  you can sing it call and response.

CHORUS
Makin’ my way
From the sea to me
I’m openin’ up to the powers that be
I’m swimmin’ upstream
With my belly in the river
I’m salmon returning home

Verse 2:
Wrigglin’ over rocks
With my belly in the water
I’m salmon returnin’ home

repeat verse

CHORUS

Verse 3
Swimmin’ upstream
To the place I began
I’m salmon returning home

repeat verse

CHORUS:

finish by repeating the last line 2 more times
Salmon returning home
Salmon returning home

Song etiquette:

Please remember to credit Kristina when singing this song. Please do not record/distribute it for personal use or profit, or change it without contacting Kristina and discussing your idea and intention with her. You can reach her here.

And I invite you to take a moment to get to know Kristina! She is a wonderful creative, wise woman who knows how to play! Her questions and insights help me pause and wonder, and to dig into my internal landscape with curiosity and delight. Kristina knows how to follow the Salmon — of one’s passions, creative vision …  — and help others to follow them too. I’ve harvested many a hazel nut of illumination by way of her, and found my way to new streams of possibilities.

Thank you for sharing this song, Kristina!

Kristina Turner
Kristina Turner, composer of “Salmon Returning Home.” Visit her at kristinaturner.com.

PS. Watch a performance of Salmon Returning Home in the video Heart of Vashon  – Telling Our Story. Find it at 1:19:50. (yes, that’s me leading the singing).

A Final Salmon Note: I hope you’ve had the chance to listen to the latest Forest Halls Celtic streaming radio show, Show 38 – Salmon Return, which is a river of music, musing, poetry, and a tale with this amazing creature. If not, I encourage you to listen sometime this week, as this episode will cease being available for listening as of Dec. 8.