Summer Solstice 2008 'Festival News' by Sarah Partridge

Contents of Festival News

About Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice poems
Ideas to help you mark Solstice
Advance notice of Lammas and Autumn Equinox celebrations

About Summer Solstice ..... 'Life flows fully and freely around the Summer Solstice. Communities gather and celebrate together. At this peak of the year, life can be very rich and it can be a relief to acknowledge where we are in the wheel of the year. As we 'fast-forward' towards the first harvest, the days start getting shorter. Nature's energy has peaked, and now we can relax and begin to taste something of what we have grown since Imbolc.' Sarah

Would you like to celebrate Summer Solstice with like-minded others at

a wonderful wildlife reserve just north of Ipswich?

Join us to celebrate Summer Solstice

Friday 27th June at White House Farm, Hasketon, for Labyrinth walk, Meditation with the Oaks in Herne Wood, Oak and Holly King ritual in the tree circle. 6.30 - 10.30ish Begins with a light snack. Bring a veggie contribution to share, warm clothes and something to sit out on under the sky/stars. To book in, or from more information, email Kaaren. Directions to White House Farm from Charlotte on 01394-382992

Lammas celebrations

Saturday 20th July Hearth 3.45 - 8.30pm 8 miles NW Ipswich, small gathering includes Heart-centred Council, Ceremony, shared supper, no cost.

Sunday 3rd August 2.30 - 6pm Lammas larger community ceremony in beautiful meadow to honour the ripening grain, North Suffolk, shared supper, no cost, email Kaaren for more details

Kaaren writes ...... 'This Lammas ritual was created several years ago specifically for outdoor enactment. It has previously happened in Brightlingsea UK, Connecticut USA, Cratfield UK and for the last two years at Fromus Valley in North Suffolk. It brings out the aspect of first harvest, the honouring of Lugh as the spirit of the sun which is sacrificed for the earth, the continuity of the Earth Mother in her fertility and the sharing of the people and their harvest. The Lammas ritual is beautiful in words and symbolism.

Lammas, the time of first fruits, is also the time of sharing those fruits: all our gifts and talents, some of the learning and experience we have gathered up until this point in the year's cycle. It is when we can look back at the intention/s, seed/s sown in the dark of the year and see the beginning results coming to the fore. Nice to be with friends at this time.'

Autumn Equinox celebrations

Saturday 13th September 2.30 for 3 at wonderful old meadows in north Suffolk

Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd September Autumn Equinox Dance Journey at Orchard Barn in Suffolk

Email for more information



	Contents of Festival News About Summer Solstice Summer Solstice poems Ideas to help you mark Solstice Advance notice of Lammas and Autumn Equinox celebrations About Summer Solstice ..... 'Life flows fully and freely around the Summer Solstice. Communities gather and celebrate together. At this peak of the year, life can be very rich and it can be a relief to acknowledge where we are in the wheel of the year. As we 'fast-forward' towards the first harvest, the days start getting shorter. Nature's energy has peaked, and now we can relax and begin to taste something of what we have grown since Imbolc.' Sarah Would you like to celebrate Summer Solstice with like-minded others at a wonderful wildlife reserve just north of Ipswich? Join us to celebrate Summer Solstice Friday 27th June at White House Farm, Hasketon, for Labyrinth walk, Meditation with the Oaks in Herne Wood, Oak and Holly King ritual in the tree circle. 6.30 - 10.30ish Begins with a light snack. Bring a veggie contribution to share, warm clothes and something to sit out on under the sky/stars. To book in, or from more information, email Kaaren. Directions to White House Farm from Charlotte on 01394-382992 Lammas celebrations Saturday 20th July Hearth 3.45 - 8.30pm 8 miles NW Ipswich, small gathering includes Heart-centred Council, Ceremony, shared supper, no cost. Sunday 3rd August 2.30 - 6pm Lammas larger community ceremony in beautiful meadow to honour the ripening grain, North Suffolk, shared supper, no cost, email Kaaren for more details Kaaren writes ...... 'This Lammas ritual was created several years ago specifically for outdoor enactment. It has previously happened in Brightlingsea UK, Connecticut USA, Cratfield UK and for the last two years at Fromus Valley in North Suffolk. It brings out the aspect of first harvest, the honouring of Lugh as the spirit of the sun which is sacrificed for the earth, the continuity of the Earth Mother in her fertility and the sharing of the people and their harvest. The Lammas ritual is beautiful in words and symbolism. Lammas, the time of first fruits, is also the time of sharing those fruits: all our gifts and talents, some of the learning and experience we have gathered up until this point in the year's cycle. It is when we can look back at the intention/s, seed/s sown in the dark of the year and see the beginning results coming to the fore. Nice to be with friends at this time.' Autumn Equinox celebrations Saturday 13th September 2.30 for 3 at wonderful old meadows in north Suffolk Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd September Autumn Equinox Dance Journey at Orchard Barn in Suffolk Email for more information Click here to Do you have any news, photos, images, poems you would like to contribute? If so, please contact Sarah
Summer Solstice poems Solstice Blessing by Joanna Read 2007 Becoming One by Kaaren Whitney 2007 Summer Light in the Labyrinth by Kaaren Whitney 2006 Mid-summer Fertility by Kaaren Whitney 2005 Passing the Hat by Kaaren Whitney 2003 Light Lines by Kaaren Whitney 2002 Solstice Oak by Heather Shackleton 2001 The Midnight Vigil by Kaaren Whitney 2001