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All
wooden items created by
Spirit of Old are crafted using
Wildwood Knives |
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Litha
Litha is the
Summer Solstice and is also known as Midsummer and Coamhain. It
falls on or around 21st June and marks the longest day of the
year.
The power of the Sun is at its greatest at this time, ripening
the crops and providing us with plenty of food. Midsummer has a
long tradition of being magickally powerful and many plants and
herbs should be collected now as they are filled with the energy
of the Sun.
One of the names for the Moon at Midsummer is "Honey Moon" as
this is a time when the hives are rich with honey. The honey can
be fermented and made into a traditional Midsummer drink called
"mead".
The Midsummer fires are traditionally kindled from Oak and Fir
and herbs are thrown into the fire to prevent sickness, bad luck
and to help the crops grow. These herbs included: St. John's
Wort, Heartsease, Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium, Thyme and
Pennyroyal. Livestock was once driven through the embers of
these fires to ward off disease and illness. |
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Stonehenge
Stonehenge is an ancient megalithic
site in Wiltshire, England. On Midsummer's day, the Sun rises
directly above a stone called the Heel stone and it casts a
shadow which extends into an avenue of stones. It is an amazing
creation considering the tremendous age of the structure and it
shows us just how important the Solstice was to the ancient
people of this land.
Faery realms
Faeries and Elves were greatly
romanticised by the Victorians and this led to our image of them
today as pretty, harmless creatures. However, this wasn't always
the case. They frequently feature is Celtic myths and legends,
often as mischievous tricksters or slightly darker beings who
should be respected.
The people of Old England believed strongly in Nature spirits
and to their minds, the land of Elves (they believed in two
varieties - light and dark) and the land of Giants was as real
as our own realm of existence.
It was believed that the veil between our world and the Faery
realm was thinner at particular times, with Midsummer's Eve
being particularly powerful.
Oak, Ash and Thorn (Hawthorn) trees growing together were
thought to attract the Faery-folk and a crown of Elder twigs
worn on May Eve will supposedly enable you to see them. It is
said that sheltering beneath a Hawthorn tree on Midsummer's Eve
will allow you to become enchanted by the Faeries. Single thorns
growing near Faery hills and those in threes are considered to
be especially magickal. |
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