It's been a while, quite a while..where to begin?
I'll begin at the solstice celebrations, it does'nt seem that long ago since I posted on last years.
A road trip again, back down to Glastonbury, my favorite place for Summer Solstice and a bit of a tradition now amongst my group of friends. Although I'm open to celebrating where ever I might be, there can be no doubt that the countryside around Glastonbury displays the full glory of summer Solstice on every level for me, the soft undulating curves of the landscape, the gravity defying aerodynamics of the Swifts, Swallows and Housemartins all add to the ambience-a magical one, and one that always leaves me feeling renewed-recharged.
The week spent was unexpected, I had'nt planned to go, but realised there was no reason why I should'nt. Armed with camping gear we left and the weather was glorious for most of the week. I visited the White Well for the first time in my years down there, and spent some time before the ancestor altar, which was perfectly fitting.
Time was spent reflecting, communing with and within the land and it's inhabitants, renewing intentions and dedications in the deep night.
The end to the week was also unexpected. I found my new 'all terrain' walking shoes to be slippy on steps after rain and took a fall, badly bruising my lower back and ribs.
It meant an earlier end to the week and the following five weeks off work.
I never realised back injuries could be so agonisingly painful. Still, I know now. I also know a lot more about backs in general, muscles, and my own lack of fitness!
So, the last few weeks have been about reassessing these things and finding ways of rehabilitating my back.
Physiotherapy, swimming, first attempts at Tai Chi and Pilates are underway and hopefully I'll be fitter after the injury then I was before! One can only hope. Comfrey Oil massaged morning and evening is also helping.
There is of course much more to tell about the last couple of weeks..but I'll leave that for another post...
It's been a fair while since I last posted.
The winter months well gone, and the 'alleged' early summer months are in full flow.
I say 'alleged' as there's been so much rain even the May buds have been reluctant to burst-many of them are still hiding, waiting for the kiss of the sun.
It seems they may wait a while-though I'm hopeful that once the rain decides it's had enough the Sun will enthusiastically remind us what it's all about.
May, and all the celebrations it brings with it, is generally one of my very favorite times of the year but I have to admit feeling a bit washed out by this one.
At least some of the reservoirs might be replenished and the calls of drought subdued for a short period of time-one can but hope!
I did'nt intend to leave the blog quite so long.
My thinking about it swung between joining a challenge to post weekly and not feeling obligated to post all the time-the latter clearly won out!
I think I'd like to be a little more balanced about it though-and so will try and make it a little more regular.
It's given me time to potter about with things on the rare dry days.
Wreath making from some bits and pieces of left over Willow that stripped and have to work on when the Sun is kind
Some bits and pieces of magical making for a friend,
And honouring friends passed,
And carrying on with my project of mapping the land I'm fortunate enough to live in.
Even my local car park has a an old Pear Tree slap bang in the middle-park at your own risk in late August or you might get a dent in your roof!
I managed to get this pic of it early April when it was in full bloom-beautiful..
So there's lot's to do, and lot's of been doing.
And I'll try and post a little more regularly perhaps, if I get chance..
Today is Summer Solstice, the longest day, Sun Still, Midsummer.
A wonderful time of year for me, one filled with happy memories of Midsummer's past, and the cunning plans for those yet to come.
I always spend Midsummer's Eve outdoors-I can't imagine any other way. It will always involve watching the sun set, spending the dark hours in various ways of celebration, ending with the sunrise.
It is as ritualistic a practice as I may get-I book time off work, I plan, and I celebrate.
What a lot of things there are to celebrate-when you are out there feeling the warm breeze on your face carrying all the scents of summer it's difficult not to.
I've always travelled, Glastonbury Tor, Rollright Stones to join in the throng of folk all celebrating in their own way, this year was very different.
This year has been very much about the land right here around me, so it seemed there was nothing more fitting than to spend it close to home in the woods not too far away where there is a wonderful hill perfect for seeing sunset and sunrise.
On the theme of home and family I asked my eldest son to come too, he's had a tough couple of years but he's coming through slowly and it gave us the chance to really spend some quality time together, just the two of us.
Off we trundled with our camping chairs, candle lantern, organic honey Ale, incense and umbrella to find our spot.
It was a rainy night, but warm and we found the perfect spot at the foot of our hill and set our mini camp underneath the outstretched branches of an old Oak.
My, that Oak kept us warm, protected us from the wind and rain, and out of sight while we burned our incense and gave our thanks, despite the fact he seemed to find us humans a bit foolish. We gave thanks to him too for his humouring us.
We spent the dark hours enjoying each others company, the company of Owl's, Foxes, and other shifting creatures of the night which we could not see and made our way back early this morning tired and happy.
The legacy of this particular night perhaps remains to be seen. My further connection to the land around me, the deepening of my relationship with my son as the man that he is becoming, and how we mark the seasons together.
I know one thing, those damn mozzies have a lot to answer for!
Skyclad?-bugger that for a lark! I'd be fast food.
My huge bites remind me there is always a price to pay, but it is always worth it.
Recently I read something someone had recommended to fellow pagans/witches.
That was, to get outside and experience the different energies outdoors work with them and see how that differed from usual practice.
I wonder-what other practice is there?
