Summer Solstice

The next Sabbat will be on Thursday 22nd June, Mid Summers Day. The longest day of the year when we celebrate the vital energy of Fire and salute the Sun at the height of its powers. Now the turning Wheel of the Year briefly stands still and we begin a new phase, the descent into darkness. The Sun's power begins to wane as it starts the long journey into Winter. At this time the Oak King must depart and give way to his twin the Holly King, Lord of the Shadows, who will hold sway over the Earth til Midwinter.

At Stonehenge the sun is seen to rise at the end of the Avenue in line with the Heel stone and cast a shadow to the Altar.
Midsummer is traditionally a 'Spirit Night' when one may be visited by ancestors, spirits or the Fey. Due to our location amongst the Tumuli of Martlesham we are ideally situated to commune with previous dwellers of this land.Blessed be.

June Esbat

The full-moon of June 11th we refer to as the Mead Moon, traditionally the time when the Meads or meadows were mown for hay. This is the ideal time to gather herbs as the concentration of active constituents in a plant varies during its life cycle; it is best to collect leafy herbs just at the stage of first flowering before the plant begins to put all its energies into the developing seeds.
During May the countryside has been filled with spectacular blossoms and the bees have been gathering the nectar to fill their hives with honey. Honey is then used by witches to brew Mead, the favoured drink of the ancients. Mead is considered to have magical and restorative properties and much is consumed by the Coven at this time.
This is also the time when, as we sip this drink of the Gods, we ourselves will be ready to receive the inspiration of the higher realms.
Over the week-end of the full moon the witches of Carlford Coven will be involved in the Ipswich Riverside Folk and Maritime Festival www.irfmf.org.uk
held at the Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich.

Full Moon Esbat

May Full Moon
In May we will celebrate the Dyad Moon with the Sun moving towards Gemini and the Moon in ardent Sagittarius. Dyad is the latin for 'pair'and this is the time of the annual symbolic Greenwood Marriage of the Goddess in her aspect of the Fertile Earth and the God in his aspect of the young Oak King, when opposites meet in perfect balance to become as one in harmony.
We will meet at The Triple Goddess Crossroads in love and merriment to unite with all nature and enact the Great Rite under the Full Moon serenaded by Nightingales.
We will collect Spring Water from our favourite source at this magical time and give thanks for recent successful outcomes to our Workings and honour the Fey as this is traditionally the time for the Elf Queen to ride out with her Court at mid-night..............
Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.......