Friday Flowers Club #44~Wakefire

Hello Friends.

The wheel turned over the weekend as we passed Midsummer; a Happy Solstice to you all.

Whilst my son had a little trouble getting to sleep last night as it stayed light for too long, he still noted the significance and energy of this magical day, reflecting a connection passed down through the ages with a time where nature and divinity are so closely intertwined and the notion of Immanence is perhaps at its peak.

Worshipping the Sun has been ritual since the dawn of humanity and across the world. Ra, Apollo, Yarhibol; Humans have always deified the celestial and used the longest day as a focus for celebration and thanks.

Closer to home, Midsummer in Yorkshire was a time when villagers, townsfolk and city dwellers alike would build Wakefires, literal ‘St John’s’ bonfires designed to ward off mischievous spirits and to cleanse the air of sickness.

Modern health and safety prevents us from stoking up city centre pyres these days, but the spirit of the Wakefire continues in other forms of celebration, especially Folk music, such as acoustic Wakefire shows in venues across Sheffield.   

Out in the Peaks however Midsummer is more closely tied to tree folklore, a time when the Forest Deities reign supreme, Oak and Beech becoming doorways to mystical realms as the veil thins once again. Boggarts lurk in cloughs and streams, fairies cause mischief in meadows of red clover and ox-eye daisies. The dance of Summer is in full swing.

This week’s flowers are Wakefire inspired with orange, yellow and pinks.

Have a lovely week and as always, “Bringing the Outdoors In”.

Thank you.