Hello First name / folks,,

 

We've reached the midpoint of our year folks, I'm not quite sure how, but here we are - about to greet the longest day. Summer seems to have missed her cue, warming up and cooling off in quick succession and never quite settling in - but I am living in stubborn hope of balmier, lazier days ahead. 

 

Writing these emails has been a challenge this year, the curveballs of midlife are coming thick and fast - so I've missed a month here and there. I've also barely posted or spent time on Instagram/social media over the last 6 months. Perhaps it's the 7 year itch - maybe I'll get my posting mojo back again soon. I do miss the real connections with people I made over the years and the genuine, good chat in my DMs. How about you? 

The month of June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of youth and protection. But in the Welsh language, this month is known as 'Mehefin'

 

This beauty of a word is composed of two parts: "me(i)-" meaning "middle" and "hefin" which comes from "haf" meaning "summer". So when you put them together, "Mehefin" translates to "midsummer".

For this month's snippet of seasonal folklore, we are falling down the rabbit hole of flames and fairy folk. Solstice traditionally calls for the lighting of bonfires that blaze brightly against the never quite dark sky, beckoning the fae folk to dance and frolic in the flickering flames. 

 

Legend has it that on this enchanted night, the veil between our world and the realm of the fairies is dropped, allowing these mischievous beings to mingle among us mere mortals. The fire's warm glow casts a mesmerizing spell, drawing in those who seek to connect with the mystical energy of midsummer. 

 

It is said that those who circle the bonfire three times will be granted protection from evil spirits and blessings of good fortune for the coming year. And if you listen closely, you may even hear the faint giggles and whispers of the fairy folk as they flit and flutter around the flames, weaving their magic in the air.

Ready for a tea break? Grab a glass of something cool and enjoy a magical, seasonal read, guaranteed to get you in the mood for those long summer days…

 

First up is a NEW post which delves into Summer Solstice celebrations - the easy way. The beauty of simple rituals lies in their accessibility and ease, the less pressure the better. I've noted down a few suggestions for marking the day and greeting this seasonal shift with ease. 

From the blog archives ~ The stories and legends layered upon our native wildflowers have shaped our relationship with these plants in so many ways. They have given us a sense of wonder, mystery and awe as well as a practical, traditional knowledge bank built up over centuries. This post delves into some of those stories and looks at why they matter so much. 

If you want to delve deeper into the lore and magic of the summer solstice, I've added a quick list of my favourite resources below:

 

A journey through the symbols and traditions of Litha from The Goddess and Greenman blog  

 

Midsummer Solstice episode from the Fair Folk Podcast 

 

The Wild Academy Midsummer Ceremony - a recorded session which brings together the customs and traditions of midsummer plus a guided soul journey to connect with this abundant peak of the solar year.