Monday 21 June 2010

Solstice Blessings

I am slowly getting unpacked and settling into my new home. The hamlet is very small and friendly and already I know so many neighbours. It is fun getting to know the community.

It won't be too long before we are completely unpacked and I can weatherproof and paint the stone outhouse and turn it into a studio. A neighbour has already offered me 9 sheep fleeces of cross breed wool. The fleeces are a mixture of Doll Suffulk and Welsh so it will be interesting to see the colours and texture of this wool.

In celebration of the solstice and my new beginnings I would like to have a small give away. I am not sure what it will be yet but am sure I will have fun making it.

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me about your favourite solstice moments and magical sunrise experiences. I will anounce the winner on the last day of June.

Happy Solstice and Midsummer fun to you all x

32 comments:

Jess said...

I only discovered your blog recently, but I so enjoy reading it and hearing what you're up to and how your move is going.
I'm afraid my favourite solstice moment was not of a sunrise.
I remember a few years ago I went out walking at Shotover forest in Oxfordshire, which I knew very well, but got hopelessly lost until it was long past dark. When I finally found my way home, my mum told me that Pan had tricked me and tried to lead me astray.
I hope that all of your moving and unpacking is going well! It's always exciting to move to a new place.

Yvette said...

you too my dear friend...I miss you but have been so sick...let you let me know your new adress?

kiskis

Suzi Smith said...

Solstice `Blessings to you too xx It takes a while to sort everything out doesn't it? Sounds like you are feeling pretty comfortable there. Can you believe i actually woke up in time for sunrise this morning!! Photos will be up soon when i get my bloggy head on!

Healing Woman said...

I love the name "hamlet" How wonderful to be living in a place called a hamlet vs. town. I can't wait to see Wales..leaving Friday morning and so excited. As far as Solstice and sunrises..every morning when I awake, I walk to the door leading to my wonderful garden area and say, "Good Morning-today will be a wonderful day." This is the way I greet the sunrise.
Congratulations again on your move to the rural area of Wales you had longed for.

The Scrybe said...

I love watching the sunrise; often I will wait up all night, just to witness as the sun explodes across the sky. It's my favourite thing to do, and I've not yet been disappointed by any one I have seen.
Happy Solstice :)

Fiona said...

The best sunrise I ever saw was in New England when Dave was recording over there. We had spent a crazy night up till the dawn and when it arrived it was a thin but red line all along the horizon. I have never seen anything like it again.
Please enter me in your giveaway, and I'm so pleased you are settling in so quickly.

Valerianna said...

I celebrate Solstice every year by facilitating a ritual. For many years I did so in New Hampshire at America's Stonehenge with my friend, Katja. We had over 100 people. My favorite Solstice celebration was when we spent the whole day prior building an enormous clay goddess... I had had the vision for years... so it was wonderful to see her realized. She had a huge metal bowl for a belly and all the participants had a moment to enter the center of the circle and place a flower representing their authentic self in the center bowl filled with water - bringing ourselves back to the Mother.

It was an incredibly sweet ritual, the children especially were lovely to watch carefully placing their flowers in the huge goddesses belly.

I just might have to post about this on my blog! Thanks for the inspiration....

Caio Fern said...

happy Sostice , Jasmine !!
so cool to live among a warm small comunity ... i mean .. i imagine it is as i have never done ... but ...
i am glad you are enjoying.
all the best !

dorie said...

Oh Jasmine, I'am afraid I'am a person for sundown...have seen a lot of them and I cannot get enough of them. Watching sunrise it's too early for me and I like my warm bed. The only sunrise I have seen was in Turkey in Capadacie long, long time ago. It made the phenomonal landscapescenery overthere really magic!. So that one I'll never forget with loads of pictures in my album

Shall I try to get up early tomorrow morning and make a photo? If I'll succeed you'll read it on my blog!

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Happy Summer Solstice to you! I don't have one favorite moment, really. But this time of year excites me for it is the time of harvesting and poetry and Shakespeare festivals. I love seeing the fireflies at night! They have been gone for SO long - it is great to have them back. I love seeing the bumblebees and honeybees sucking nectar from flowers. And our butterfly bush is blooming, which means our darling butterfly friends shall soon be returning. Hurray for summer! Theresa

Deborah said...

Happy solstice! Your new home sounds wonderful and you have already accomplished so much!

Patti Edmon Artist said...

congrats on your new home and the wool! looks like wonderful creative moments ahead!

lynne h said...

blessed solstice to you, jasmine...

i don't think i can single out any one solstice moment, they're all pure magic to me. last year we were on beautiful mt. shasta, but this year i think we're staying home... just want to BE with the energy of it all...

sunrise - many years ago on a fire fighting crew after having slept all night outside. the lightening of the sky and the earth as it was revealed were beautiful beyond words...

love, love...

Tammie Lee said...

oh Jasmine,
you will have your own workshop! and a neighbor is giving you wool. this all sounds like your new home has promises of grandeur.
a give away... oh i am smiling!
Solstice;
the sun was out till the storm rolled in
i took a walk in the woods and meadows
and found the lovely wild rose is blooming, again
i sat with her and took her beauty in
and ate her sweet sweet petals...
now petals flavor my spirit~

Unknown said...

What a beautiful picture and I'm so glad you're enjoying getting settled in. Can't wait to see pictures when you create your new studio. Since I'm an early riser and drive to work early, I rarely see the sun rise except for summertime. This morning as I rounded the bend on the road, there was a huge brilliant red-orange ball just coming up. It was so pretty and just started my morning right.

summertime dreams said...

Happy Solstice!
My celebrations all take place within. For every seasons change I try to just soak it all in, all the energy that the earth and sun give me.

Poetic Artist said...

It is good to know the move is going well. Beautiful solstice moment.

Shadow said...

oh, there's nothing better than moving to a new home and feeling welcome and comfortable! i'm glad you're settling in nicely! p.s. i love that murial in your previous post, heee hee heeee

Anne said...

blessed solstice to you jasmine.
i think my celebration this year wast the most special of all because my daughter and granddaughter were with me this day at the sea:))

Yvette said...

happy midsummer mooi mens!

Your summers will always be beautiful in your new house!

as wel as...and....and.....

happy happy happy

love

Karin Bartimole said...

I am excited about getting to see your new surroundings as you reveal them to us Jasmine. It feels magical! Summer solstice blessings to you... ❤ K

Sara Figal said...

Each of the four intense days--summer and winter solstice, and the two equinoxes--are intriguingly difficult for me over the past years. My older son, now 11, is ALWAYS sick on these days. After many years of last-minute cancellations of solstice celebrations, I accept that he feels the intensity in a way that throws him off balance. He has fevers, headaches, respiratory issues in the summer that come out of nowhere and are gone the next day. And so we mark the days in different ways, not with unfettered celebration but with a wary respect...

Sara Figal said...

Each of the four intense days--summer and winter solstice, and the two equinoxes--are intriguingly difficult for me over the past years. My older son, now 11, is ALWAYS sick on these days. After many years of last-minute cancellations of solstice celebrations, I accept that he feels the intensity in a way that throws him off balance. He has fevers, headaches, respiratory issues in the summer that come out of nowhere and are gone the next day. And so we mark the days in different ways, not with unfettered celebration but with a wary respect...

Gina said...

Croseo Cymru. Welcome to Wales, God's own country. I hop you'll be happy here among the mountains

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Jo Potter said...

Jasmine,
Happy Belated Solstice Blessings!:)
I know the feeling about packing and unpacking boxes. You sound like you are settling into your new home really well. I'm looking forward to seeing what you will create with the fleeces and seeing your new studio!

Magical blessings,
Love Jo.xx

Harnett-Hargrove said...

Settling in is such an adventure before the an adventure. It really never ends. It all sounds so exciting, in a quiet, profound way. -J

Heather Woollove said...

It sounds like your move went as well as could be expected! Before long, you'll be installed in your new workspace and working away at those fleeces! (Have you ever seen Elis Vermeulen's work with large fleeces? Amazing!! http://elisvermeulen.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/photo-shoot-near-the-water/
My best Summer solstice was this past Monday while vacationing in Bristol, England. I awoke at 4:30am, the sound of seagulls in the air, a strong breeze coming in my opened window and the promise of fresh, flavorful berries and creme fraiche for breakfast and coffee made in a cunning French press... with a whole day ahead in which to enjoy the sights and sounds of an exciting city!! Wonderful!!!

Genevieve said...

Sounds like a wonderful place your settling into. Our solstice celebration was simple and heartfelt this year. Sunrise is my most favorite time of day, It renew and awakens my spirit.

Sandra said...

As I won your latest give away I'm not going to sign in now....
I've had much admiration for your necklace, and am still happy wearing it.

Love,

Sandra said...

And I'm glad you're having nice neighbours. That's so important to feel at home.

Lyon said...

Happy belated Solstice Blessings to you as well - and many happy blessings on your new home! It's been awhile since I've been able to get by here and say hello so - hello to you this morning. =)

Carol Anne Strange said...

Hope the blessings and magic of Solstice remain with you, Jasmine, as you settle nicely into your new home. Much love and bright wishes. xx