Wolves! I am most familiar with the wolf/coyote hybrid that lives all around me. They are close; I can hear their calls from the adjoining woods and can recognize the different communication, the call to each other and the sound of a hunt. It can be chilling to hear in the middle of the night and very understandable why they were so feared but also so saddening.
Your description of wassail bowls had me looking up images. I found the multi-handled ceramic bowls that I read were tied with ribbons but I liked the thought of several hands holding the bowl at once, although realistically probably not more than a finger would have fit through each handle! And then the more elegant turned and footed wooden ones. All so interesting! Thank you again for your writings. Wolf moon blessings.
Wolf Moon blessings to you too, Elizabeth. When you talk about the wolf-coyote hybrid animals close to you, it brings home that the wild is still very much with us. Interesting that you’ve found more about wassail bowls. I imagine the wooden ones came first but it’s logical that the shape would be easier to achieve with ceramic and especially those handles. Thank you for reading x
Imogen, I enjoyed your writing about wolves and about the sanctuary for them in the Marches.
I have recently read a book called “The wisdom of wolves” by Elli Radinger. She has studied wolves in the wild both in Yellow stone national park in America and in Germany.
What was particularly interesting for me is that the behaviour of wild wolves is quite different from those in captivity. I found the book really fascinating and it deserves its tag line “ how wolves can teach us to be more human”.
I like the term Wolf moon and have included in a book I am beginning to write about the moon however I call this moon; the first after the solstice Quiet Moon - because that’s what is most relevant to me.
I can’t wait to hear more about St. Pega, growing up I used to wonder why we didn’t have more Saints, as an adult I am delighted to find we have so many; they have just been hidden away!
Such a great entry, thank you! I love wolves -- they are such majestic creatures. It breaks my heart that they’ve been hunted to extinction in so many countries 😢 There’s a pack of coyotes that live near me, and it’s always an exciting moment when I hear them howling and barking together! Oddly enough, I have noticed more howling a couple of days before the full moon lol
I wrote a short story a while back -- a Little Red retelling that casts the wolf as the hero. I published it on substack if you’d like to read it:
I plan on writing longer form fiction about wolves in the future. We definitely need more positive stories about these beautiful (and very misunderstood) animals 🐺🤍
Oh Daisy Anne, that’s all so very interesting! I’m fascinated to learn that you plan longer form wolf-centric fiction and look forward to hearing more as things progress. Meanwhile I will definitely read your short story to be going on with! 🐺🩶
It’s interesting that the early centuries that you write about, my ancestors were still in England. The first lot sent here in 1788. So not that long ago, my ancestors feet were still on the homeland soil 🥹
Happy new year to you too, Nikki! I’m very interested to hear about your wolf book. There was so much more that I could have written but had to be mindful of space. They are fascinating and beautiful creatures. I gathered from the website I was looking at that their lifespan is quite different in captivity, which I can imagine having a knock on effect in other ways too.
How exciting that you’re writing a book! Please do tell me more when you have anything to share. I remember you saying before that you work with your own system of naming the moons, which again is very interesting to ponder.
Yes, the lost local saints! I have plenty of work to do, to reclaim Pega’s story, but that’s all the more reason to do it, I feel.
Imogen, I really enjoyed your writing of wolves and the Wolf Moon. It’s sad that your wolves are gone.
And the story of Pega is fascinating and amazing. Why indeed could she not be acknowledged for her skilled herbalism and shamanism! Your writing brings the mystical and historical past forward and it is truly delicious.
Takaya was a modern day wolf who lived near my island. Cheryl Alexander studied and photographed him and wrote a book about him. There’s also a documentary.
Wolves! I am most familiar with the wolf/coyote hybrid that lives all around me. They are close; I can hear their calls from the adjoining woods and can recognize the different communication, the call to each other and the sound of a hunt. It can be chilling to hear in the middle of the night and very understandable why they were so feared but also so saddening.
Your description of wassail bowls had me looking up images. I found the multi-handled ceramic bowls that I read were tied with ribbons but I liked the thought of several hands holding the bowl at once, although realistically probably not more than a finger would have fit through each handle! And then the more elegant turned and footed wooden ones. All so interesting! Thank you again for your writings. Wolf moon blessings.
Wolf Moon blessings to you too, Elizabeth. When you talk about the wolf-coyote hybrid animals close to you, it brings home that the wild is still very much with us. Interesting that you’ve found more about wassail bowls. I imagine the wooden ones came first but it’s logical that the shape would be easier to achieve with ceramic and especially those handles. Thank you for reading x
Imogen, I enjoyed your writing about wolves and about the sanctuary for them in the Marches.
I have recently read a book called “The wisdom of wolves” by Elli Radinger. She has studied wolves in the wild both in Yellow stone national park in America and in Germany.
What was particularly interesting for me is that the behaviour of wild wolves is quite different from those in captivity. I found the book really fascinating and it deserves its tag line “ how wolves can teach us to be more human”.
I like the term Wolf moon and have included in a book I am beginning to write about the moon however I call this moon; the first after the solstice Quiet Moon - because that’s what is most relevant to me.
I can’t wait to hear more about St. Pega, growing up I used to wonder why we didn’t have more Saints, as an adult I am delighted to find we have so many; they have just been hidden away!
Happy New Year to you xxx
Such a great entry, thank you! I love wolves -- they are such majestic creatures. It breaks my heart that they’ve been hunted to extinction in so many countries 😢 There’s a pack of coyotes that live near me, and it’s always an exciting moment when I hear them howling and barking together! Oddly enough, I have noticed more howling a couple of days before the full moon lol
I wrote a short story a while back -- a Little Red retelling that casts the wolf as the hero. I published it on substack if you’d like to read it:
https://theheartofstorytelling.substack.com/p/of-men-and-wolves
I plan on writing longer form fiction about wolves in the future. We definitely need more positive stories about these beautiful (and very misunderstood) animals 🐺🤍
Oh Daisy Anne, that’s all so very interesting! I’m fascinated to learn that you plan longer form wolf-centric fiction and look forward to hearing more as things progress. Meanwhile I will definitely read your short story to be going on with! 🐺🩶
Thanks, Imogen! I’ll let you know about other wolf stories in the future 💛
My maternal ancestry is from Lincolnshire !
And so mine from the Huntingdonshire fens is very close to yours!
And Pega’s land is really Lincolnshire. Its in border territory though, so it’s a very liminal location.
Well then I feel that it’s appropriate that I adopt Pega into my yearly calendar!
In fact, your ancestors probably lived closer to Pega than mine did!
It’s interesting that the early centuries that you write about, my ancestors were still in England. The first lot sent here in 1788. So not that long ago, my ancestors feet were still on the homeland soil 🥹
Yes, it’s the blink of an eye in terms of human history. And your ancestors were here when we lost the 11 days between 3 and 14 September in 1752!
Happy new year to you too, Nikki! I’m very interested to hear about your wolf book. There was so much more that I could have written but had to be mindful of space. They are fascinating and beautiful creatures. I gathered from the website I was looking at that their lifespan is quite different in captivity, which I can imagine having a knock on effect in other ways too.
How exciting that you’re writing a book! Please do tell me more when you have anything to share. I remember you saying before that you work with your own system of naming the moons, which again is very interesting to ponder.
Yes, the lost local saints! I have plenty of work to do, to reclaim Pega’s story, but that’s all the more reason to do it, I feel.
Imogen, I really enjoyed your writing of wolves and the Wolf Moon. It’s sad that your wolves are gone.
And the story of Pega is fascinating and amazing. Why indeed could she not be acknowledged for her skilled herbalism and shamanism! Your writing brings the mystical and historical past forward and it is truly delicious.
Takaya was a modern day wolf who lived near my island. Cheryl Alexander studied and photographed him and wrote a book about him. There’s also a documentary.
Thank you💜