16 Oct 2005
Winter Nights

Last night we named the Winter Nights and called forth the disir (female ancestral spirits) of our kindred. In elder days this was akin to our modern New Years celebrations, as the year was considered to begin on this night (the Saturday closest to the first full moon following the autumnal equinox). The celebration was, as is our custom, hosted here at Hammerstead Farms, and the bonfire burned until the early morning as Ravenswood enjoyed feast and sumbel.

Winter Nights is a tide of remembrance, and we especially remembered our fallen kinsman, Jason Cope, who journeyed across the Rainbow Bridge nearly a year ago, as well Larry and Anne Hendry, the father and stepmother of Jim Hendry, who's as close to a kinsman of Ravenswood as one can get without taking the oath. They passed just a week ago in a motorcycle accident. But the wheel turns, and life continues. It was heartening to see Heather Sauers, daughter of our Lawspeaker and Gythia, participating in blot - reminding us all that one day we ourselves will be the ancestors remembered by our descendants at the tide of Winter Nights.

00:00 /Asatru | 0 comments | permanent link

H5N1 Moves Into Europe

EU ChickenTwo posts below from the morning news aggregator run: Romania and Turkey now have confirmed cases, and Bulgaria is looking... and almost assuredly will find the bug there, too.

The hype surrounding the potential of the virus to jump species and cause a human pandemic is getting incredible: there's at least one story a day in nearly every major news outlet quoting some "expert" as to how unprepared we are. But the question nobody's asking is "What if it doesn't jump species and begin to spread in the human population?"

We'll all breath a collective sigh of relief and go on about our day, no doubt. At least until breakfast. Or until we go to the market. Because it's still a disaster: the poultry industry in affected countries will be devastated. This virus has a nearly 100% mortality rate in birds, and governments will begin flock culls almost immediately to prevent it's spread. Do you have any idea how much poultry you eat? And I'm not just talking about your Chicken Cordon Bleu, Peking Duck or McChicken sandwich here: don't forget the eggs! Here's a hint: think about all the pastries, breads, puddings and other baked good requiring "liquid chicken".

From the standpoint of a poultry producer, I'm feeling pretty helpless right now ...

EU Commission says Turkey bird flu is deadly type

Reuters - A strain of bird flu found in Turkey has been identified as the same deadly type that hit Asia, the European Commission said on Thursday, as fears rose of the virus spreading into Europe.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

Bird flu confirmed in Romania

Tests have confirmed the presence of bird flu in Romania, but there is no evidence yet the strain poses a threat to humans.

(link) [BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link