Phew - managed to get this newsletter out in time for the Summer Solstice! Bright blessings to everyone, and I hope you have a wonderful time at this important turning point of the year.  The sun is at its zenith, and although for us in the modern world that may not seem especially relevant, just imagine what it must have felt like for our ancestors who watched these things so carefully. The longest day of the year for us in the Northern Hemisphere, and the time when the sun rises and sets at its furthest points on the horizon.

 

When I lived in Dorset I always stood in a special place on a hilltop and knew exactly the spot where the sun would appear and disappear on June 21st.  It amazed me to discover that the sunrise spot was exactly the same as the place where the Winter Solstice full moon rose.

Mr B and I have now settled into our new home and it's lovely here. We've been innundated with visits from family and friends, and especially all our children who love the house and garden. I've been busy planting vegetables and decorating, and had a bit of a set-back trying to catch up with all the e-mails after our lack of broadband during the first couple of weeks here.  We were burgled during the night as we slept (NB - if you have a uPVC front door with handle, lock it from the inside with a key.  I wish we'd known that.) and our laptops were stolen. Luckily one of my cats, Malik, woke me up going crazy and the thieves only got the laptops. Everything's backed up but it's messed up my e-mails and I don't know who've I've replied to.  If you've written to me since May and haven't heard back, please write again.  I'm not being rude - just can't see who I've replied to.  Sorry!

 

The books are selling strongly throughout the UK and are stocked in so many independent book shops now.  Waterstones are slightly lagging behind, although many of them do sell Stonewylde. Amazon and other Internet sites are still going mad, selling so many copies.  I was recently featured in another national magazine, but am still looking for some TV coverage. That would make all the difference. Please help if you have any media contacts.  And if not, just keep telling all your friends and family to read the books.  It really does work.  We all like to read something that's been personally recommended.

I shall be celebrating the Summer Solstice with Mr B enjoying a day out in the countryside. This time last year I was in Italy at the Hill that Breathes (where I took the sunrise photo 

above).  Next year we may be doing something very special for the Solstice - don't want to give away too much yet, but keep reading the newsletters!    

Mr B and I will be at Womad in July wearing our Stonewylde T-shirts, so if you're there, look out for us!  I believe many fans have been wearing theirs to festivals and gatherings, so keep an eye open for the distinctive Green Man on the front, and reclining Earth Goddess on the back.  The T-shirts have been selling like hot (ceremony) cakes so if you haven't bought one yet, do visit the Stonewylde Store before we start to run out.  

It's been a very busy time what with the BBC Radio interview, Wessex Gathering and my trip to Monkton Wyld.  Sadly Glennie Kindred was ill and couldn't take the course, although Nik and Jo from Woodwize did a brilliant job running the weekend about Sacred Trees. It turned out the willow and birch were special to me that weekend (symbolising creativity and new beginnings respectively - bodes well for Book 4 then!).  Do check out Monkton Wyld in Dorset (click here) as they have some great courses and it's a wonderful, magical place.  And fantastic food too! 

I wish you all happiness, peace and magic at the Summer Solstice.  Even if you're not into celebrating the Pagan festivals, take time to tune into the special energy of this important day in our calendar.