Stonewylde Newsletter 17

October 31st, 2008

Human skull

Samhain Newsletter 2008

Samhain

Festival of the Dead

Samhain (pronounced Sowain) is one of the Celtic cross-quarter festivals and is the last day of the year in the pagan calendar.

Traditionally it was the time for remembering and honouring the dead - a custom found in many other ancient cultures. When Christianity superceded the old religion, it became All Hallows' Eve, the day before All Hallows when the saints were honoured. But the idea of a festival for the dead remained, although this has become completely transformed by Hallowe'en with its skeletons and ghouls, and the spiritual side forgotten by many.

SAMHAIN AT STONEWYLDE

All fires are extinguished at dawn and people fast until sunset. A great labyrinth is built on the Village Green, with white pebbles from the beach depicting the cursal path. In the centre is a wicker dome where the only fire burns, and crows' feathers and bones hang from the roof. Every member of the community, Hallfolk and Villager, walk this Green Labyrinth dressed in a black cloak, and inside the dome drink a heady brew of elderberry wine.

The elder and the yew are the trees sacred to this festival, the elder as it's the tree of the crone, and the yew because of its association with death and rebirth. The crow is the symbol of Samhain, and is painted as the main symbol in the Stone Circle. Carved Jack o' Lanterns and papier mache skulls decorate the Great Barn.

At sunset an enormous bonfire is lit in the Playing Fields adjoining the barn, and everyone dances in great circles around the fire, symbolising the never-ending turning of the wheel of the year. Then the feasting and dancing begin!

In the Stone Circle the Stone Labyrinth is built, along with a huge funeral pyre. The third book explains all about the strange rituals that take place here, when the Dark Angel is summoned.

Samhain is the time when the veil between the realms of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Departed souls may find a way to contact the living. Its a time for remembrance of our ancestors, and those we've loved who have passed on to the Otherworld (or whatever name you give to the afterlife).

Take time to remember your ancestors, and all those who've died. I shall be lighting a candle for my Auntie Jean, to whom Stonewylde is dedicated, and my mother whom I miss a great deal. And I'll be scaring away any "trick or treaters" with a grim face! My favourite grumpy old woman trick is to give them a treat - a clove of garlic !Completely baffles the poor kids!

Samhain blessings to all Stonewylde readers!

October 31st marks the anniversary of my epiphany in the labyrinth in Devon - that moment when I knew with certainty that I was going to change my life and become a writer. It will be five years to the day that I had this very profound experience. How my life has changed! I'm living proof that you really never do know what's round the corner and can't possibly predict what the future will hold. This is why I really believe in living for the moment - making the most of the here and now and not constantly looking ahead to what may never happen, nor harking back to what's already been.

MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS

My experiences have been written about in detail in two magazines recently. I was in a double page feature in October's issue of Woman & Home, and this week I'm in Best (Issue 44) in another big spread. It feels strange laying your life bare for others to read about. Of course I'm doing it in order to promote Stonewylde and increase readership, but I've also had some lovely messages from people saying they found my story uplifting and inspiring, so that's good. The Western Morning News ran a lovely page focussing more on Stonewylde and my West Country roots - thanks for this Cornmother! See the website for this article. My family and I will also be featured in the Dec/Jan issue of House Beautiful, and there's a great book review in the next issue of Spirit & Destiny.

TV AND RADIO

I was recently interviewed by Martyn Drake (who's also interviewed Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn of "Stardust" fame) for a ten minute film that will be posted on several websites and You-Tube. Details will be on my website. Thanks to a lovely Stonewylde fan, I shall also be appearing on Edge Media TV on Sky 200 later in the year, talking about Stonewylde in a longer interview. And thanks to another brilliant fan, I'll be on Glastonbury Radio at the beginning of December. It really is all happening at last! Thanks to everyone who's helped arouse all this media interest. Full details of all this can be found on the Stonewylde website.

HELIX TREE GREETINGS CARDS

Last year my sister at Helix Tree designed a beautiful Stonewylde card (still available on my website) which has proved really popular. This year she's produced her own set of six greetings cards, The Stonewylde Collection, which were inspired by my books. These will be available to buy from her website after Nov 9th. For a sneak preview of the cards visit www.helixtree.co.uk or click here. I wish my sister every success with her new venture and can promise you the cards are gorgeous!

HARVEST MOON GATHERING 2009

Stonewylde Forum members have been clamouring for a get-together so we've organised one for next Sept. Numbers are strictly limited (by the venue - Monkton Wyld) and there are now only a few places left. If you'd like details please contact me here. This event is only for Stonewylde fans and supporters - first come, first served! And it will be a brilliant weekend.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR YULE!

In the lead up to Yule/Christmas, we'll be running a special offer on the Stonewylde books. You can buy all three in the series (signed by me and dedicated to the recipient) and a blank Stonewylde greetings card for just £19.99 including p&p. What a bargain!

I hope this will help with your Christmas shopping as this would make a great gift. The offer will run for the next six weeks from Mon Nov 3rd to Mon Dec 15th. Visit the Stonewylde Store on our website.

SHADOWS AT STONEWYLDE

I cannot tell you how many enquiries I've had about when the fourth book is to be published! I'm hoping, all being well, that it will be launched at the Summer Solstice next year. Sorry to disappoint everyone who was hoping for it this year - but don't worry, it's all in hand. All you Stonewylde newsletter subscribers will be the very first to get the confirmed date. In the meantime please help by telling all your friends and family about the books. And if anyone wants any of the promotional cards to give out or leave lying around, please contact me. Thanks.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

and bright blessings for Samhain.

Kit xxx

PS - There are still some Stonewylde T-shirts available (limited stock left - these first editions could be collectors' items one day!). - They'd make a unique gift for Yule! Visit the Stonewylde Store for details.

Visit the Stonewylde website!

Swindon Waterstones

book signing

Sat Nov 1st!

I've been invited back again to the Waterstones branch in the Brunel Shopping Centre, Swindon on Sat Nov 1st. I shall be there from 12 noon for a couple of hours - do come and say hello!

Dartmouth Festival of Healing Arts

Dec 4 -7th

Dartmouth Festival of Tantra and Healing Arts

This festival will take place in Dartmouth, Devon and runs over the whole first weekend in December. If you enjoy tantra or anything complementary and alternative, you should enjoy this festival. I shall be speaking on the Sunday afternon about how nature is the greatest healer, and how the process of writing the Stonewylde series changed my life. Click here for more details.

Fans in T shirts!

And here's another one! This is one of our lovely forum members from the Netherlands having a wild time at the Hallowe'en Bash. Send in your pics!

Beautiful gifts

for Yule!

In the last newsletter I told you all about a wonderful website called Where the Wild Roses Grow which makes exquisite hand-made jewellery in silver and semi-precious stones -click here if you missed it. This time I'd like to recommend a site called Spirit of the Green Man. Here you can buy all sorts of beautiful hand-made things, from Green Men to gargoyles. Take a look here - highly recommended!

Join the Stonewylde Forum

The Forum is a very popular place to be and has developed into a wonderful community. You can ask questions about anything, make friends with fellow Stonewylde fans and generally have a good time. We even have a chat room on Wednesday nights (forum members only) in the Jack in the Green! Take a look - click here.

Kit's blog

My blog is far busier than it's ever been, and thanks to all those who leave me comments! Keep 'em coming and I'll keep blogging! Click here.