The Start of Summer
On Tuesday it is Summer Solstice here in the UK. The start of summer, yet followed swiftly by Midsummer? It doesn’t make sense! :-D
This year, of course, Summer Solstice means I am stitching the next motif in the Wheel of The Year embroidery. I started my stitching this morning. This motif is kind of mixing the Wheel with the Danish tradition of lighting bonfires on Midsummer’s Eve. Hence the flames at the bottom of the motif.
Sankt Hans Aften (Midsummer’s Eve) has always felt special to me. Like nature was somehow closer. The long days, at this time of year, also feel special. At Summer Solstice the sun sets at around 10 PM and rises before 4:30 AM so the nights barely get properly dark.
Traditionally, an effigy of a witch is burnt on the bonfire to ward off witches. And it’s said that the witches fly off to Brocken (a mountain in Germany) and gather there. Which I don’t think is true. I’ve been to Brocken and as far as I could tell, there were no witches..! :-D
I hope you have a lovely weekend!
x Carina
P.S. You can still join the Wheel of The Year stitchalong. It is a lovely way to celebrate the turning of the seasons, whether you think of yourself as pagan or not. :-)
Things I Am Enjoying
Reading: Chosen* by Benedict Jacka.
Music: I’m back to listening to the Folklore album by Taylor Swift! :-)
Watching: The new Obi-Wan Kenobi series
Instagram: @vanessalubach
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