Hedges & Hags
September's Newsletter
Storm Lillian snuffed out the end of August like a candle, leaving us longing for autumn and the new life that it will make way for. The name Lillian comes from the latin word for lily. The lily is also one of the flowers associated with the Sumerian goddess Lilith, a wind spirit that screeches in the night and rules over storms. A wild spirit, later demonised by cultures wishing to instil order in their deities. An apt name for a storm in many ways, especially as the summer comes to an end, the lilies are starting to wane and bow their heads as the last of the sun’s warmth withers their petals, tamed at last by the liminal space of seasonal change.
Soon the berries and fruits will take over and the season so many of us love will arrive with its abundance, mellowed temperatures and golden leaves.
Fruit, berries, hips and haws provide us with ketchups, chutneys, pickles, pie fillings, tinctures and vitamins to get us through the winter months. I hope to be able to gather a few blackberries before the hedgerows are cut although I think many of the brambles are already done for the season. Our apple tree has done well this year. We have enough that I am planning to make a batch of apple butter, a favourite in our family. You can find my recipe for this as part of my Mabon Seasonal Celebration Sheet.
Mabon, also known as the autumn equinox, is celebrated by many, in the last third of September, as a festival of hedgerow harvest that acknowledges the plenty we have now and the hardships that winter will bring. Coinciding with the beginning of the great leaf shedding it’s also a good time to shed anything you may wish to. Habits that no longer serve you and thoughts that do not aid you on your path.
Why Mabon? Mabon is a Celtic god, son of the earth mother who was stolen and hidden beneath the waters in a place only the oldest of animals knows. He finds himself in the legends of King Arthur as they attempt to save Mabon from his fate. In a semi- Persephonesque myth, Mabon became the poster boy for this point on Gerald Gardener’s Wheel of The Year. He’s stuck there and he is forever a reminder that sometimes you cannot fight destiny and the changing seasons.
September’s stories continue and bring with them my collaboration with Jason Buck on the 13th, at Butser Ancient Farm: Hags, Witches & Wild Women. The evening is sold out but you can still get tickets to the afternoon performance. Ticket link here.
There will also be a new audio story for Mabon available via The Village later this month and I will stop by with a link to it when it’s available. You can also find me at the Butser Boat Burn on 21st. Again this is sold out for the evening but you can find me there with Herigeas Hundas, during the day.
I am fully booked for October this year and if you are already planning for spooky season, you can find where I am telling haunting and humorous folktales this year via the events further down the newsletter.
This month, landing in inboxes for all, there will be the usual book review, events and updates, with a break in the podcast as I plan Season 5 which I hope to start in the late autumn, work load allowing.
In the meantime, I hope your September is as fruitful as Mabon hedge!
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Plant Of The Month
Hawthorn
In September the hedges are full of bounty and we are spoilt for choice. Blackberries, sloes, rose-hips, wild raspberries and of course, hawthorn berries.
Hawthorn is a truly magical plant as I have written about many a time. It houses the fairies, can bring you bad luck if ill treated but equally will endow good luck if used shrewdly and with a healthy respect for its power. Offering protection if placed above your door but ill luck if the blooms are brought inside the house, Hawthorn is a fickle friend.
Hawthorn ketchup is a favourite amongst foragers at this time of year. If you do give this go though, take care as hawthorn can reduce blood-pressure, and make sure you leave some of the berries for the overwintering fieldfare which will surely be with us soon.
You can learn more about the folklore of the hedgerows via Season 3 Episode 1 of the podcast, just click on the link below to listen.
September’s Listen :
I’ve not been able to listen to many podcasts and books this month as it’s been a busy summer but my daughter and I have loved listening to Fia’s album ‘Keeper Of The Keys.’ Above is one of our favourite tracks and you can listen to the full album on Spotify using the ‘Listen Here’ link below.
Fia produces awesome, organic music that uses chant, rhythm and incantation in a modern way to celebrate the earth and the mother goddess. I know you’ll love it.
Upcoming Events For September/October :
13th September (afternoon performance) - Hags, Witches & Wise Women Book Tickets Here (evening performance sold out)
21st September - Boat Burn - Roundhouse Storytelling - SOLD OUT
4th October - Storytelling Workshop at Meoncross School - Private Event
19th October - Stories Of The Sun talk at Butser Book Festival - Book Tickets Here
26th & 27th, October - Spooky Woodland Walk - Walmer Castle - Book Tickets Here
28th, October - Spooky Folktales - Weald & Downland - included in admission to the museum - Book Here
29th October - Storytelling Workshop Iping Common - Private Event
30th October - Spooky Folktales - Weald & Downland - included in admission to the museum - Book Here
31st October - Spooky Woodland Walk - Walmer Castle - Book Tickets Here
1st November - Spooky Folktales - Weald & Downland - included in admission to the museum - Book Here
For more information and to book me for your event, visit my events page using the button below.
Thank you for supporting this newsletter through August. Supporting my work in this way allows me to continue to find new stories and research the old ways, and I thank you from the bottom of my storytelling heart.
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September’s Read:
I discovered this brilliant book whilst looking through the Hampshire library catalogue as part of my research for my current WIP. So I completely ignored my current, physical, teetering stack of TBR and reserved this one for the Summer. I was not disappointed! Review coming soon.
O! Golden September!