Of Fools & Feasting
April Newsletter
The sun is trying, I promise. She’s out there beyond the mist and drizzle, burning bright. Each day she pulls herself a little higher into the sky and each day we gain a little more light.
This month the blackthorn and hawthorn will sugar coat the hedgerows, the birds will sing in earnest, of their carefully plaited, feather-lined nests, and the hirundines will scream their return, as the summer’s energy builds from the roots of the earth to the tips of the trees.
The unfurling chartreuse leaves of March will be joined by the first buds of flowers that promise autumn fruits. Soon the Wych Elm’s samaras - tiny bunches of winged seeds - will scatter the paths and the elves that live within their trunks will dance once more.
Let us put on our masks and dance with them, through April to Beltane, through the liminal space and into May.
April’s stories are of chaotic chickens, feasting and food. I have a few storytelling events for you this month with family storytelling at the Weald & Downland museum over the Easter holidays and the start of my author events for ‘Stories Of The Sun'‘. Take a look at the events listing below to join me.
This month, landing in inboxes for all, there will be the usual, book review but as last month’s listical went down so well I’ve decided to do another, only slightly smaller and this time, ‘Three Books of Herstory’. There’s a little more info on this further down the newsletter with this month’s book recommendation. ‘Stories From Lore’ will be back in May as my limited series podcast, ‘Stories Of The Sun’ continues every Friday, through April.
Coming up this month for paid subscribers there is; a little look at my reading list for my next book “A Little History Of Storytelling’, Of Hearths & Halls:Beltane, The Seasonal Altar for April, and Walk With Me: London Edition.
I hope your April blossoms into a fine month full of stories. Read on to find out where I’m telling stories this month, and what my plant, book and podcast of the month are.
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Plant Of The Month
Peony
Poenies are my absolute favourite at this time of year. They are short lasting flowers and spring forth in a big blousy, gregarious display of layered petals in shades of pink and white. Glorious!
This 4000 year old flower unsurprisingly pops up in Greek myth. In the first myth Paeon was a healer under the tutelage of Asclepius. He had the audacity to heal the god of the Underworld Hades with the sap of the Peony flower. Asclepius was going to kill Paeon for this slight when Zeus intervened and turned Paeon into a Peony.
In the second story it is Aphrodite who is offended by a nymph named Paeonia, as she falls under the gaze of Apollo. Aphrodite thwarted her love rival by turning her into a Peony.
In the Victorian language of flowers the peony is considered bad luck but I rather think they are the underdog in both these stories. Smited by the gods for simply having empathy enough to heal or daring to attract the attention of one. Peonies were in my wedding bouquet and were one of my mother’s favourite flowers and so they will continue to hold a place in my heart
They originate from China and there they eat the petals of the tree peony in salads and, when sweetened, in deserts or as a garnish for homemade lemonade.
Podcast Of The Month :
If you haven’t spotted it yet, please do go and take a listen to my new limited series podcast that accompanies my book ‘Stories Of The Sun'.’ Throughout the eight episodes a sunrise audio journal will unfold and I will look at the chroniclers that have brought us the sun, stand still for the solstice, discover the rituals associated with greeting the sun, dance in liminal spaces, explore the need for the dark as well as the light and finally take a look what didn’t make it into the book.
Upcoming Events For April/May:
5th, 8th, 12th April - Easter Storytelling - Weald & Downland Living Museum - More Information here
9th April - Feasting Tales - Winchester Museum
10th April - ‘Stories Of The Sun’ - Online Storytelling - The Last Tuesday Society - Book Here
11th April - Author Event, Blackthorn Witchcraft, Natural Deli, Petersfield (message me for details)
24th April - Poetry Workshop - Portsmouth Poet Laureate project - Private Event
25th April - Author Event - Gilbert White’s House & Gardens - Book here
4th May - Roving Storyteller for Beltane at Butser Ancient farm - SOLD OUT
12th May - Fearsome Fae Folk - Online storytelling with Graeme Cook and Jason Buck - Purchase Tickets Here
27th, 28th, 29th May - Summer Half Term Storytelling At Weald & Downland Museum - Tales of Fae Folk - Book here
For more information and to book me for your event, visit my events page using the button below.
Stories Of The Sun OUT NOW!
‘Stories Of The Sun’, is out now. For author events check out my events page using the link above for more information.
In Case You Missed It - March’s Paid Subscriber Content:
A Legendary World Book Day (Behind The Scenes) - Read Here
Herne The Hunter (Downloadable Journal) - Read & Download Here
Hearths & Halls - Ostara - Watch Here
Walk With Me - Farlington Marshes- Read Here
The Seasonal Altar -March - Read Here
Stories Of The Sun Podcast Extras - Read Here
Stories From Lore - Podcast Extras - Read Here
Continuing archive of content Available here
Thank you for supporting this newsletter through March. 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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April’s Read:
There are a lot of women re-writing Greek myths and when I picked up a fourth re-writing to read, this time ‘Psyche & Eros’ by Luna McNamara I thought I would put a little post together about these books. Later in the month I will be looking at Natalie Haynes, Jennifer Saint and Luna McNamara’s reimagining of these Greek women, both mortal and immortal.
