World Bee Day

Honor the Gods has written a great post on an important topic. Keep reading to find out about how you can help bees…

honor the gods

Roman statue: Antinous as Aristaeus

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Aristaeus is the son of Apollo and the huntress Cyrene. He was raised by nymphs, from whom he learned the rustic arts of bee-keeping, mead-making, and cheese-making. He also studied with the centaur Chiron, from whom he learned the selection and uses of medicinal herbs. Aristaeus taught these arts to humanity and was widely revered as a benevolent deity.

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Today, May 20, has been designated World Bee Day by the United Nations!

Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.

You can help by:

  • planting a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year
  • buying honey from local farmers
  • buying products from sustainable agricultural practices
  • avoiding pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in our…

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Vampire’s Garden: Yew

Vampire's Garden: Yew, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Gardening, history, mythology, crafts, folklore, yew, taxus baccata, poisonous plants, toxic plants, dangerous plants, sacred tree, sacred trees, Fortingall yew, vampire, vampires
Photo by Julia Filirovska on Pexels.com

Love Lies Bleeding‘s readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist. Trained when she was still human, she continues to study plants and have a garden. This post is fifteenth in a series exploring Mara’s plants. Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some vampires…

Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or treating yourself or anyone else.

Caution: All parts (except the flesh of the berries) are poisonous: do not ingest. The berries contain poisonous seeds. Even dead and dried parts of the tree are poisonous. Toxins can also be inhaled or absorbed through the skin: handle carefully. Yew is also toxic to many animals: keep away from pets and livestock. There is no antidote to yew poisoning, although there are drugs that can help in recovery. If you suspect yew poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

Caution 2: Male trees produce copious pollen that is highly allergenic. Keep windows closed to help prevent allergic reactions, and try to stay away from yew trees in spring. While the pollen also contains toxins, they’re in low enough doses that it won’t poison you (it might be hallucinogenic, though, and standing in the pollen on a hot day can “shift consciousness”).

Botanical Name: Taxus baccata

Common Names: Common yew, English yew, European yew

History: Native to western, central, and southern Europe, and parts of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, yews have existed since the Triassic period, about 250 million years ago. Despite being toxic, yews are considered sacred in many cultures throughout history, including in Ireland, where it (known as Eó Ruis) is considered one of 5 Sacred Trees. The Norse tree Yggdrasil was likely a yew (early interpretations may have mistakenly identified it as an ash). Because of their blood red sap, some Christians believe the tree is bleeding in sympathy with Jesus. Yew trees are commonly found in churchyards in the UK, although there is no definitive reason why (possibilities range from churches being built near yews to help convert pagans, to the trees being a symbol for death and resurrection, to yews being planted to discourage farmers from letting their livestock graze on church lands). Yews are long lived: The Fortingall Yew in Scotland is believed to be somewhere between 2000 and 9000 years old (ring counts can’t be done with yews due to the way they grow). Because of this, and the tree’s ability to repeatedly regenerate, the yew is also known as the tree of immortality. Because of its toxicity, arrow tips were once coated in yew to make them extra lethal. That same toxicity has been put to good use more recently in chemotherapy drugs.

Victorian Language of Flowers Meaning: Sorrow

Cultivation:

Zones 5 to 7. Perennial. A shade-tolerant evergreen, yew grows in almost any soil as long as it’s not water logged. Make sure to plant it in well draining soil to prevent root rot. It prefers a moderate amount of moisture, but it can tolerate short periods of drought. Although it can grow in shade, growth is healthier when it gets a few hours of sunlight a day. Yew is tolerant of cold, heat, and urban pollution, but keep it sheltered from strong winter winds. Too much rubbing on the bark (such as from children climbing it) can kill it over time. Yew appreciates yearly fertilizing in spring, along with a layer of mulch or compost. Yew is slow growing, taking about 20 years to grow 4.5 m (15 feet) tall. When mature it can reach 20 m (65 feet) tall.

Uses:

Woodworking: Described as one of the hardest softwoods, yew is ideal for a number of projects, from bows to musical instruments to furniture and flooring. It also has interesting and attractive burls. The sawdust is toxic so wear a mask when working with yew wood.

Here’s a short video of a longbow being made from yew:

Ornamental: Yews make good hedges and topiary, and because it is slow growing it doesn’t need frequent trimming (only about once a year).

Bonsai: Yew is a popular choice for bonsai.

Wildlife: Birds including waxwings, thrushes, and finches eat the berries and seeds. The dense foliage provides protection and nesting opportunities for them too. Small mammals, such as squirrels and dormice also eat the berries. The leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of the satin beauty moth.

Mara’s Uses:

In Love Lies Bleeding, when Mara is listing possible plants to experiment with, she mentions that “yew bleeds.” Between its blood-like sap and its association with immortality, yew would be an important potential ingredient in Mara’s herbal blood substitute.

Further Reading:

Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com

Love Lies Bleeding: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
FREE Blood Magic: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
FREE Tooth & Claw: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books

If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥

Flower Meanings Dictionary from A to Z

https://www.ancient-yew.org/map/ (Locations of ancient yews in the UK)

Yew Tree Folklore

Wikipedia

Woodland Trust: Yew

How to Grow and Care for Yew

Yew: The Hedgerow Poisoner

It’s True, Everything We Do, We Do it for Yew

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

🧿

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Kung Hei Fat Choy, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Happy New Year, Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, Year of the Rabbit, 2023, new moon

Happy Year of the Rabbit!

Although I wasn’t born in a Rabbit year, I’ve always felt a connection to rabbits. Besides being adorable (and having vicious bites, which I learned the hard way!), rabbits symbolize intellect and cautiousness. The Year of the Rabbit is supposed to be one of peace and prosperity– something I think we all need.

Chinese New Year also takes place during the new moon, which is a time of change and fresh starts. I’m fully embracing this aspect, as I’m in the midst of moving (finally!) My posts (and comments) might be on the light side for the next while (I’m also still working on the new book), but I will be around. In the meantime, I wish everyone all the best for the lunar new year!

Kung Hei Fat Choy, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Happy New Year, Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, Year of the Rabbit, 2023, new moon
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

🧿

PS: Start something new for the new year– download my books!

Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com

Happy Hallowe’en/Samhain

Happy Hallowe'en/Samhain, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Halloween, Samhain, thinning veil, spooky season, jack o lantern, day of the dead, nightmare before christmas, honouring the dead, honouring ancestors

Wishing you all a happy (and creepy!) Hallowe’en/Samhain! Are you doing anything special to celebrate? Share in the comments….

For me, this year feels sombre. My lost loved ones are on my mind, so I’ll be honouring them today. I’ll probably also indulge in some movies: Nightmare Before Christmas for sure, and possibly something else, as well. Any suggestions for a film on the lighter side of the horror spectrum?

If I have time, I’d also like to make Pan de Muertos, AKA Bread of the Dead. If you haven’t tried it, Pan de Muertos, a lightly sweet bread, is traditional during Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It’s usually shaped into skulls and bones, but you can make it in any shape that suits you. This recipe is very close to the one I use: Pan de Muertos.

Happy Hallowe'en/Samhain, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Halloween, Samhain, thinning veil, spooky season, jack o lantern, day of the dead, nightmare before christmas, honouring the dead, honouring ancestors, pan de muertos, bread of the dead, dia de los muertos
Photo via The Kitchn

If you’re looking for something to read in the spirit of the season, download my books now:

Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com

Love Lies Bleeding: SmashwordsBarnes & NobleKoboApple Books, Amazon
FREE Blood Magic: SmashwordsBarnes & NobleKoboApple Books
FREE Tooth & Claw: SmashwordsBarnes & NobleKoboApple Books

If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

🎃

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