Sunshine

June, the month of Midsummer magic, when the peak of light is reached on the Solstice which can fall around 20th or 21st of the month. When in the northern hemisphere is the longest day and shortest night.

Another festival of fire, encouraging the power of the sun with bonfires, torch lit processions and circle dances. once these fires blazed all across Europe, warding off the dark, death, blight and winter.

The solstice was particularly important in Nordic communities, where seasonal changes in sunlight are dramatic. The Vikings used the long days to maximise their productivity by hunting, settling disputes and conducting raids

Now is also the time of those glorious grey storm skies and green meadows, with its nourishing rain. I never tire of looking at this combination or hearing the low growls of thunder as they roll out across the landscape. There is also a delight in being caught in one of these warm deluges as if all cares are being washed away.

Towards the Solstice you can begin to feel the land start to slow down. The first broods are raised and fledged, the flowers are considering their seed pods and the grasses are growing long in the meadows.

My feet tend to itch for long walks in ancient places, these node points of energy mostly forgotten in the landscape. The chalk downs usually call to me and a visit to Uffington White Horse and Waylands Smithy will be made. I love that walk along the Ridgeway thinking of all those centuries of feet walking before mine.

A dirt path in a lush green garden with white flowering plants in the foreground, a wooden swing hanging from a tree on the left, and a wooden fence in the background.

“Midsummer was seen as a time when the normal laws of nature or divinity could be suspended, when spirits and fairies could contact humans, when humans could exceed the usual limitations of their world.”

— Ronald Hutton University of Bristol Professor of History

Hopefully the weather has allowed outside crafting, to enable you to ground yourself, especially if you are using real wool. Kick those shoes off and walk on the earth!

Knit, crochet, spin and weave those intentions and wishes into your magical project. If its going to be a a dry night leave it out to catch the waxing moons rays for an extra touch of Midsummer magic.

Decorative floral pattern with leaves and buds in a continuous line.

The Oak King and the Holly King

Think of the sun as a tug-of-war game between two twin brothers. The Oak King pushes the sun higher in the sky during spring. At the Summer Solstice, the sun stops rising and starts to fall. The Holly King wins this fight, he then takes the crown.

The Oak King: Rules from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice. He is the ruler of the summer, of light, fertility, and growth.

The Holly King: Rules from Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice. He is the ruler of winter, darkness, and death.

In most stories, The Oak King and The Holly King are brothers, sometimes twins. These brothers meet for battle twice a cycle, to fight for the Crown of the Year, and both times the one is dethroned as the other succeeds. When The Oak King takes the crown early in the year, the days are long, the crops grow tall, and new life is brought into the world; when The Holly King ascends towards the year’s end, long days are replaced by long nights, crops do not grow, and many living things perish in the cold.

Simple black spiral design on a white background.

A ceramic mug placed on a multicolored knitted textile outdoors with greenery in the background.

A decorative green and white illustration of a tree with large leaves, surrounded by ornate border designs.

Open field with green grass, trees in the background, and a small barn in the distance under a partly cloudy sky, with tree branches hanging overhead.

“June is the elixir of life”

— L.M. Montgomery

All is in full leaf, the fruits and grain are ripening and there is a sense of completeness and coming abundance. Time to celebrate all you have manifested and enjoyment of all that you have and the peace in being true to yourself.

This is now the peak of solar energy and yet more change is coming for the wheel never stands still for long. This energy now ripens all we have seeded, bringing strength and awareness to all our intentions. As the life force of the land starts to wane, the energy in our inner lands will increase.

Now is time for movement, get out and walk on the landscapes, you might be surprised by even just exploring your town on foot. Lots of old footpaths weave through houses and shops and open spaces were all once meadows. Plenty of wild flowers still bloom in the untidy areas of parks and greens. June is the time when nature is looking her best so make the the most of this beautiful time outside.

The June moon is the Strawberry Moon or Horse Moon.

A good time to harvest special flowers and herbs that can be woven into protective garlands. Plants plucked on Midsummer’s Eve have special potency.

St John’s Wort with its blood-red sap if lain to dry on a window ledge can keep the house free of evil spirits, fire, and thunderbolts.

Large, weathered limestone rock with numerous holes and crevices in a grassy field with a clear blue sky in the background.

A peaceful creek flowing through a lush green forest with reflections of trees on the water.

Four large standing stones aligned in a grassy field with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Wild daisies and yellow flowers in a green meadow under a blue sky with clouds.

A small stone and brick tunnel entrance in a grassy field with a cloudy sky overhead.

Large moss-covered rocks in a grassy field with white wildflowers, surrounded by green trees under a blue sky.

Minchinhampton Long stone. River Frome. Local meadow The Harold stones. Lugbury Long Barrow. Stony Littleton