Glorious MidSummer

Already 
subtly
the leaves
lose a bit of vibrancy
as they start
sending energy back
to the roots
of the tree
and although
the garden is in full bloom
with harvests
beginning
dusk comes sooner
and dawn is later.

But then,
MidSummer
Solstice,
time of endless
daylight
abundant brilliance
giddy
with berries and flowers
we rejoiced.

 Ever closer to Lughnasahtide
we seem to have felt it for at least a week or more
building excitement
of harvests.
  a host of yellow leaves
now on the cherry trees,
seasons change.

Notes and pics from then
only in the order of recollections
with maybe some commentary

-slug-
lots of snakes
beautiful day
us three
and Elizabeth
Katrina, Eric & Muji the dog
Kevin
(as always for Solstice)
Ann
Nicci, Lea, Sophie
arrived
at exactly 4

Elizabeth with bells on
Katrina with beads
Kevin with cake

 talking about gardens and birds
making our own mints tea
making the fire
just us

 gentle but very hot fire
consuming dry and fresh flowers
quickly
the last of last year's
sweet grass

grains for the Earth Mother
loads of flowers
cherries

kind of easy
no fuss
not cleaning
just being

-the wind chimes-

Sophie anointing/assaulting everyone
with Elizabeth's rose petals

 Bundles of cannabis stems
and hydrangeas

beef fat for the outsiders
(personified by Muji who accepted it)

the arc of the sun
the grounding of the earth
this planet
under our feet
over our head

 final prayer of sacrifice
and sacrifice that wasn't burning

prayers for clean air
prayers for clean water

prayers for good health
prayers for the opposite side of the year
prayers for our departed fathers
prayers for the recently deceased

Our Omens:

and further explained

 the bumbling
of the catechism
of the waters

"no hubbub"

 easy parking, smooth transitions
starting exactly on time

open sandwich bites
two ways
deviled eggs
strawberry rhubarb compote

calm
good climate
good vibe
easy and gentle

weeks of healing
prayers of healing
the balance of rains
and no rains

the interconnections
of our interpersonal
relationships
inter woven
like mycelium

Atmospheric Stress Pressure Release- Beltaine Part 2

 We have lived through the Mars-like atmosphere
of Canadian wildfire smoke.
We have lived through the full blossoming of the season
felt in moments
and in the moment
but not as an overarching whole.
Now MidSummer is upon us,
cooler than usual
but brilliant and full
nonethelss.

We have experienced a lot and also lots of changes
this Beltaine time.
Almost taking for granted the fullness of the sun,
the busyness of time and silence,
this cycle of early Summer.

Rampant joy
seems both at hand
and down the road
in some slightly distant future
just out of reach.

 Nonetheless the early dawn
filled with bird song
calls
us
awake
now.

All seems to be in a rush
this Summer
and yet all is also exactly
on time.

Daisys opened with the beginning of June,
Peonies opened in time for
the little rain we received,
Lilacs opened for Mother's Day,
and the heady fragrance of the Mock Orange,
Honeysuckles and Wild Rose
filled the air
when the smoke receded. 

 And the hummingbirds
returned for the May
during ritual
as they do.

 Notes and pics from then
in a somewhat random order
with some random commentary

being present
I don't have to tell you to relax
the movement happens on the out-breath.

they came early to shower
they didn't come at all
such a beautiful day
blinking in the light
but restless tired energy

the tradition of attempting a fire with sunlight

the tradition of egg offering to the MayPole hole

the tradition of working together

 bird song all around
hummingbirds arrived
dandelion crown
sparkling coronation
light in the flowers
bright sunlight
no shade
walking the wrong direction
non-procession processing

spilt water/dead bird
flying ribbons
summer green

balanced disjointedness
prepared simplicity
no pomp or circumstance

photo by Nicci

photo by Nicci

tree walk
bugs and punk
tea and coffee
eating before ritual
meatloaf and cake and popcorn
and fruit

enforced lockout from the kitchen to protect new floor adding to imbalanced balance

 energy level off but ok
fancy socks
summer dress
best Maypole winding yet

 

being reverent and appreciative
of Winters past
being present
making offerings all over the place

migration of souls

connections and completions

Summer of Love

 hummingbird on the pooping stick
one foot two feet
over/under

now the rains pour
wind both gentle and fierce

photo by Nicci

 

sun strong and then clouds rolled in
the fire never out of control
rushing stream
sliding around
being enough
words matter

prepared but not ready

from our beloved and most honored Dead: Wunjo or JOY!
enjoy good camaraderie, simple pleasures, happy memories
from the blessed Spirits of Nature & Place: Ehwaz or the Horse,
the working relationship of how we get where we are going
from the kind and generous Gods & Goddesses: Kenaz or the Torch,
the light beacon, the shaper, crafter, that which illuminates and carves away
for the season of Beltaine: Tir or the Spiritual Warrior,
Truth and Balance and what is right, the North Star, directional guidance towards the highest

WEKT

Get it done.
Love yourself at least as much as everyone else.
May there be a balance of energy
and a balance of sun and rain.
May we feel the season open our hearts
and may our gardens thrive.