Thoughts on the end of February and the seasonal changes ahead.
(Image description: A photo of a dark stone slab lightly covered by moss, leaning on the ground. A Mary Oliver quote reads in white text, “Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life”. A few green leaves rest next to the stone slab.) Credit: Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash
As of this post, February is drawing to a close. The weather still fluctuates between cool and slightly warm temperatures. Flowers are sprouting from the ground and in certain trees. It might not be long before pollen starts blanketing the ground.
Brighid has made Her rounds and stirred life to start anew in the region where I live. For now, it feels like winter is fading away, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it showed up again in another month that would normally be firmly in spring’s territory.
With March’s approach, I’ve recently started seeing it possibly as a month to dedicate more time to Nodens; this connection is due to the month being named after the Roman god. He’s frequently syncretized with Mars in Roman inscriptions, and this connection reflects His ability to provide the weather needed to ensure plant growth and defend against chaotic forces that might wish to inhibit seasonal development.
Even with the focus on Him, my path is still centered around Brighid. She was the one who directed me toward Nodens, as I’m understanding They are relevant to different aspects of my life.
As part of my practice, I want to more fully dedicate my physical therapy exercises to Him as part of my seasonal focus on healing. The exercises are also dedicated to Brighid, but I like the idea of having a physical means of honoring Him besides the usual offerings of food, drink, incense, or candlelight.
Additionally, I’m getting back into learning about magical techniques that can be used as part of hearthcraft and poetcraft; I feel doing so covers the spiritual side of my health. As befitting of spring, cleansing and purification are my current focal point, but the poetcraft also nurtures the strengthening my creative muscles.
Another matter I would like to focus on is creating an image to represent Nodens on His shrine. Apart from the prayer beads, a jar candle, and a few other items I feel that are connected to Him, it feels a bit sparse.
The main issue with that is there aren’t any specific depictions of Him. I have seen a Neptune-like depiction from a headdress that was found at His temple. There were apparently two Mars statues linked with inscriptions, but they unfortunately disappeared.
Apart from meditation, the only other thing that might indicate something about His appearance is the various meanings of His name (mist, cloud-maker, catcher, hunter, or snarer). Since He was probably introduced from Ireland, I do consider Nechtan to be the same as Nuada, which also lends to fleshing out an idea of an appearance that feels right.
At the same time, I get the sense He still wants to have a certain vagueness to how I perceive Him. For example, I feel like a photo of a misty shoreline would suit Him fine, rather than any anthropomorphized image.
Maybe I could create a small doll with white, mist-like hair without any discernible facial features, similar to what I did to make my Brighid doll. For now, this is only speculation, and time will probably have Him tell me how He wants His shrine image to be.
May March be a time of blessing and renewal in your lives!
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