6 Comments

What an intriguing read! Thank you for sharing. I particularly enjoyed the thought of a distaff as the original magic wand. :) Having immersed myself in reading all I can about the Fates and the Norns, it's interesting to come across your article today.

Expand full comment

Hi Caitlin, thanks so much for reading and commenting. I'm glad the timing was so perfect.

Expand full comment

"Be amazing.." Love that entreaty and also the idea to partner candles, stones, and tea. It's been a while since I came across the thought that stones are the bones of the earth. Where I live, we have little exposed rock. I don't fully understand the geology of this, but it has to do with sedimentation from the surrounding bay waters paired with erosion from water action. At any rate, I remember being fascinated by "stwange wocks" as a girl, and I still marvel at the way some of them speak to me now.

I had a notion to make Cattern Cakes but having no self-rising flour on hand, I think I'll use the time to be still instead. :) Thanks, Jan.

Expand full comment

On a slight deviation from your really interesting article, the title attracted my attention because, up here in the dark wet and rainy town in the north-west of England where I live, there used to be a pub called the Bridgewater Arms, except everyone who knew the pub called it by the name of a long-dead landlady. Her name was Catherine and the pub was always known as “Owld Cattern’s” - owld being the Lancashire pronunciation of old, similar to the Scots auld. Also when it’s cold - like today - it is “cowd” and the generation before me used to say the were “starved” meaning really cold, not hungry. 😊 ❤️ ॐ

Expand full comment

I love the way words change over time and how local dialect impacts the pronunciation and spelling and meanings shift. "We're on our way to Owld Cattern's for a pint" sounds like a splendid idea when it's cowd and you're starved.

Expand full comment

Absolutely! 😊

Expand full comment