There is something strangely compelling about the idea that the world must end before it can be reborn. In Norse mythology, this idea finds its most powerful expression in Ragnarök—a cataclysm not just of destruction, but of transformation.
Ragnarök is often described as the “Twilight of the Gods,” but that phrase barely captures its scale. This is not a single battle or a moment in time. It is a chain reaction: the unraveling of order, the breaking of sacred bonds, and the final confrontation between gods, giants, and monsters. The world trembles, quite literally, as earthquakes shatter the land and the great wolf Fenrir breaks free from his chains. The serpent Jörmungandr rises from the sea, poisoning the skies. Even the sun and moon are devoured, plunging existence into darkness.
But what makes Ragnarök so fascinating is not just its chaos—it’s its inevitability. Unlike many mythologies where heroes can avert doom, the Norse gods know what is coming, and they face it anyway. Odin seeks knowledge to delay the end, Thor fights knowing he will fall, and countless others step into battle with full awareness of their fate. There is a quiet, powerful dignity in that acceptance.
And yet, Ragnarök is not purely an ending.
After the fires fade and the waters recede, something unexpected happens: the world returns. Green shoots emerge from scorched earth. A new generation of gods rises. Two human survivors, Líf and Lífthrasir, repopulate the world. Life continues—not as it was, but as something renewed.
This duality is what makes Ragnarök timeless. It speaks to cycles we see everywhere: in nature, in history, and even in our personal lives. Things fall apart. Structures collapse. Certainties vanish. But from that destruction comes space—space for rebuilding, reimagining, and beginning again.
Perhaps that’s why Ragnarök still resonates today. It mirrors our deepest fears—the loss of stability, the collapse of the familiar—but also our quiet hope that even after everything burns, something meaningful can grow from the ashes.
In the end, Ragnarök is not just a story about how the world ends.
Experience The Celebration, The Ritual, The Beauty.
8 Sabbats’ by Earth Tree Healing is the 6th release from Composer/Multi-Instrumentalist Claudine West. This New Age instrumental album celebrates The Wheel of the Year, salutes the Equinoxes, Solstices and Harvest Festivals. From relaxing meditation music to dancing around a Beltane fire. For fans of good vibrations. Claudine meditated and channelled energies to capture the essence of each Sabbat/track. Available from digital stores (iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play etc) and on CD, October 31st 2017.
‘Music is a portal. My inspiration for this album, being Pagan. Was to connect further musically with Gaia, our traditions, the history and practices. Honouring the Earth, Nature, Tradition and Spirit. Journey through this musical wheel, from a Pianissimo to its Crescendo, like nature. Feel it, breathe it, let the quiver and the cadence flow. It is the Earth, the Air, the Sky, the Water, the Fire, the Spirits, the Energies…I am grateful for what I have. With our cats often sitting in on recording sessions. As a musician at Claudsville Studios. I sit back, meditate upon the intention and let the vibrations take over. I’m the puppet of improvisation and flow. My guitars, mandolin, bass, sitar, auto harp…Adding piano and keyboards, sounds, frequencies. I am a conduit. Conscious thinking departs. During the composing and recording process, I channel the energies, the essence. I find this experience blissful. I ascend, I dance, I meditate, my fingers flow creating universal vibrations. Blessed be’
Journey through this musical wheel, from a Pianissimo to a Crescendo, like nature. Feel it, breathe it, let the quiver and the cadence flow.It is the Earth, the Air, the Sky, the Water, the Fire, the Spirits, the Energies…
1. Samhain (31st October) As summer ends, we enter the dark half of the year. The vale is thin between our world and the other world. Also known as All Saints Day and Halloween. Samhain is a personal journey I undertake to Wales, with family. Our descendants who reside in the Summerlands gather and dine. Rituals, Divination. Candles burn until they disappear. This is our time together. As the Wheel of the Year continues. We are thankful of the harvests this year. We carve pumpkins, make pumpkin fritters with brown sugar. With a leg of lamb with the roast. The head of the table is laid and dines with us. We place our candles there for our loved ones. This blue library room is where we congregate. Pudding is apples and plenty of brandy for pudding Samhain.
The Blue Room Wales. Samhain.
In the years that have passed. I’ve cried, I’ve overcome. I miss them when they visit and offer support and advise… Good advice! We’ve all discussed what needed to be. From the books… we learned more through divination, than they told read cover to cover. With warmth into darkness. We walked through flames and overcame. We planned, rescued, supported. Where lectures helped awaken. Our hand fasting date on 1st April 2011 came from Samhain. Being part of this something has been welcomed and fabulous. I’m writing this, as am on the brink of my own evolution into bliss. Belief, small steps, giant bounds. The truth and a little help from my loved ones in spirit, got me here right now. Thank you. Oh and enjoy the music 🎶
2. Yule (21st December) The Winter Solstice. The shortest day. It’s time for us to light the Yule log. Celebrate the rebirth of the sun. Watch the fire crackle, bring warmth and hot soup for the soul. Settle with the cats as the evenings get darker and magical. We prepare our intents for the coming year of new adventures. As a child the excitement of the winter snow has never left me. The white blanket that comforts. Present giving and seeing the surprise and gratitude is wonderful feeling. I’m hoping with a little help from the law of attraction, 2018 will bring a Hurdy – Gurdy 😉 (Luckily we just got given a free hot tub!) This time has also been spent with our circle in Wales. With this track I wanted to enhance that magical feeling. The peeping from under the covers. Rebirth in the Solstice sun.
3. Imbolc (1st-2nd February) Following what feels like the damp, dark month of January, the land awakens with the beginning of spring. Where udders lactate. Receive blessings from the Goddess Brigid. This is the time for creativity, inspiration, initiations and music making. (Claudine filmed the video of beautiful skies on a flight back to the UK from a trip to California and Nevada in October 2017)
4. Ostara (21st March) (Spring Equinox)From the North to the East to the South to the West. This is the Spring Equinox. The first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. If Imbolc was a breath on the wind …Ostara is the refresh. The jolt, the spark, the greenery. Life comes alive. The rebirth of nature. The fertile 5 elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit combine for growth. The Cross, the Wheel of the Year. Night and day are almost equal. I love this time of year as it’s the big wake up. The flowers begin to bloom. Colour returns. This is a personal favourite on this album. This track has orchestral instrument arrangements such as French Horns and Clarinets. Whilst a big fan of using the Harp. I put in the pulse of rhythms for this true awakening and celebration.
5. Beltane (30th April-1st May) The festival of fire. This is the beginning of summer. Known as May Day. Bonfires are lit to honour the sun for future harvests. Originating from the Celtic God ‘Bel’ (The Bright One). The rhythm. With guitar, mandolin and drums. This track encapsulates the power and the passion. Dance round the maypole in the wild. Here is a clip of me recording a guitar part.
6. Litha (Summer Solstice) (21st June) With the longest day and the shortest night. The sun is at its Zenith. The Fire Festival with The Sun God. Stonehenge gatherers celebrate midsummer with rituals. This was the first track I composed and recorded for 8 Sabbats. Happy times, sunshine and excitement.
7. Lammas Lughnasadh (1st August)The prelude, first harvest of the season. The festival of the cutting of the grain. From the Irish God ‘Lugh.’ This music for a medieval feast. Don’t forget to make Corn Dollies!
8. Mabon (21 September) (Autumn Equinox) Night and day are of equal length during this harvest festival. Reap what you sow. Be grateful for the blessings that you have. Process the past year, plan your future.As we head into Autumn. I like to get my blankets out, burn lots of candle and romance in the atmosphere. While the leaves will fall. The greens turn into beautiful oranges, red and yellows. The air freshens. A purity in the crisp mornings with the lowering sun. (Filmed 12.08.17 on Cromford Canal Matlock, England. Thank you http://www.cromfordcanal.info/ for the canal boat trip.)
Meditate, relax, dance, celebrate and love ~ Claudine
When the Sun reaches highest in the sky. We celebrate Midsummer. Litha. The Summer Solstice is a beautiful time. Gatherings, celebrations, rituals.
Yesterday (13th May 2017) I began writing and recording my new Earth Tree Healing album. Called ‘8 Sabbats.’
The music journeys through the sunrise to a crescendo of celebration. This album will feature a lot more acoustic instruments such as the sitar, mandolin, autoharp and my guitars. Getting back to my roots. Which began with folk, evolving to Grunge and beyond with the influence of the 80’s. I’ve found my Zen with Paganism, Mother Earth, Spirituality, Meditation and Reiki.
I’m releasing this as a single on digital stores June 3rd. Enjoy. Claudine.
I made this journey in 2016. Connecting with Angels. Channelling feelings, energy, wisdom. Their insights into a beautiful realm, earthbound, skywards. The heavenly vibrations. As a composer I meditated and let the notes and beauty of this work simply flow. My intentions are for you the listener to experience a blissful soundscape that enables connection, divine messages, relaxation and healing. Enjoy – Claudine West 2016
Available on digital stores inc. Spotify, Deezer, Amazon.
Angels surround us. Watch upon us. Protect, advise, comfort. When I call upon Archangels. I sit, I close my eyes, I meditate. I dream, I see. I feel safe. I ask, I see answers. Music helps channel, music inspires, music unlocks. Music is creation and makes vibrations. When you receive messages and experience divine beauty and guidance. Through your own belief system. You can access when you simply ask for help and guidance. Tap into the important messages. Enjoy.
Archangel Gabriel: Ask for guidance and messages, communication. Helps you to understand a situation.
Archangel Raphael: Ask for healing of your mind, body and spirit.
3. Raphael’s Healing – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACR1699800)
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Archangel Uriel: Ask for illumination, insight, wisdom and information.
4. Uriel’s Illuminations – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1641924)
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Archangel Raguel: Ask for help with relationships, harmony, resolution of issues and problems. Empowerment to gain justice with a situation.
5. Raguel – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1642006)
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Archangel Ramiel: (Aka Jeremiel) – Ask Ramiel to show you divine visions. experience hope and dreams. Find your way and new ways to pave your future path.
6. Ramiel’s Divine Visions – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1642015)
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Archangel Azrael: Ask for help with Grief,Support with loss and comfort.
7. Azrael – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1655029)
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8.Archangel Michael’s Protection (Reprise) – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1683926)
Introducing Dead Vulture. Instrumentals & Experimental Music from Earth Tree Healing Composer and Musician Claudine West. EDM, Soundtrack, New Age Funky.
Earth Tree Healing 