Welcome to our Summer Solstice edition of “As the Wheel Turns"! 

Blessings of the Light on the Longest Day to our Dear Walking Awake Friends! 

Summer is now in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere as we celebrate the arrival of the Summer Solstice. For us, it is the longest day of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the shortest day of the year, as it is their Winter Solstice. 

Where Nick and I live (in the Scottish Borders on the south east coast of Scotland), there is currently nearly 18 hour of daylight. Add in the magical glowing betwixt and between of dawn and dusk, there is light in sky for just shy of 20 hours this time of year (making black out curtains and blinds a must for sleeping!). 

Today, I am writing you from Texas, U.S.A. where I am thoroughly enjoying my once-a-year visit with my daughter, son-in-law and 8 year old granddaughter (and lots of co-creative, fun playtime!). Nick is at home in Scotland spending time visiting with family and friends there and in England. For both of us, summer is a time of being fully present to the abundant gifts and precious moments of life. We hope the same for you. 

Our Summer Solstice edition of ‘As the Wheel Turns’ is jam-packed with suggested reflections, recipes, crafts, rituals, and fun facts pertaining to this spoke of the Celtic Wheel of the Year/Samhain. As you scroll through, towards the end, you will find information and details on some of our upcoming 2026 events including: a guided walk at Columcille Megalith Park in July, and a link to register for our annual Walking Awake into the Celtic New Year retreat weekend in October at Kirkridge Retreat Center. You will also spot a sneak peek at our upcoming 2027 Walking Awake Pilgrimage and Sacred Travel to the following island locations in Scotland: Orkney, Skye, Lewis/Harris and of course, Iona. It’s all still in the works (as well as, other events). Registration will be open to the public soon. Spaces on these journeys will be limited. If you would like the opportunity to secure your reservation and room choice prior to us going public, please send me an email and I will add you to our early notice list. 

Before long, I will be heading back to the N.J./PA area to spend time with my mom, siblings and friends. During that time I will also direct my annual summer acting camp (in its 23rd year!) and lead the Walking the Blue Dragon’s Back guided walk at Columcille Megalith Park before I make my way home to Scotland (and Nick!) at the end of July. 

Early August, Nick and look forward to greeting 22 wonderful pilgrims in Glasgow for our *Weaving our Iona Connections Pilgrimage with Columcille Megalith Park and Kirkridge Retreat Center. *FYI: Due to a last minute cancelation, I do have ONE, SINGLE room available on this very popular journey. Is it yours? Our time together runs August 7th - 15th, 2026. The cost to reserve this space is $3500.00. This space is available on a first contact basis. Please let me know if you would like to secure this spot ASAP and I will send you all the details. 

Well...that's all for now! It is our hope that you fully enjoy our Summer Solstice newsletter. May the many treasures within inspire you to continue to dig deeper into the Wisdom of the Wheel.

We hope to see you sometime soon! 

May the Blessings of the Summer Sun be upon you! 

Denise and Nick 

The word solstice is derived from the Latin words ‘sol’ meaning “sun” and sistere (meaning to stand still). The arrival of the solstices result in a change of length in night and day with the longest day falling between June 20-22, and the shortest between December 21-22. The equinoxes are days when the sun shines directly on the equator resulting in equal amount of both daylight and darkness all across the earth with the spring/vernal equinox falling between March 20-21 and the fall/autumnal between September 22-23 . Click here for a short informative video on the differences between our solstices and equinoxes and here for more about the seasons, solstices and equinoxes.

Summer Solstice lends itself to a variety of names, celebrations, and associations with gods and goddesses throughout cultures around the world: Alban Hefin (Light of the Shore, or Light of Summer) in modern Druid traditions, Litha or Midsummer in modern Pagan traditions (marking the beginning of the cyclical battle of the Oak King and the Holly King: representing the light and dark half of the year). In Norse mythology it is the time of year dedicated to Sol (or Sunna): the goddess of the sun. In Ireland, it is associated with Áine: Queen of the Fae and goddess of Summer, as well as Maeve (or Medb): the intoxicating one and warrior queen (both of whom are connected to the attributes of abundance, wealth and sovereignty).

The arrival of Summer Solstice marks a time of great abundance. In Nature, everything is green, blossoms are blooming into their full beauty and crops are growing strong with anticipation for Lughnasadh (August 1), the first of the three harvest festivals on the Celtic Wheel of the Year. 

While many of you are familiar with the solstice and equinox gatherings at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, in Scotland, people will gather for the summer solstice at sacred sites such as the Callanish Standing Stones in the Outer Hebrides on the Isle of Lewis, and the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney. (Both of which we will be leading pilgrimages to in 2027 -- scroll down for details!). The arrival of midsummer also begins a fun-filled time of festivals all across Scotland featuring music, drama, storytelling, and Highland Games.

When sharing about Iona, we often mention Felix Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture inspired by his 1829 trip to Fingal's Cave near Staffa (located just north of Iona). At Midsummer, it feels like the perfect time to listen to another Mendelssohn classic: the Overture from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Click here to listen.

*Pictured Above: "The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania" by Scottish artist

Sir Joseph Noel Paton can be viewed in person in Edinburgh, Scotland at the National Galleries. Here is their description of this beautiful painting:

"Paton's painting is an imaginative interpretation of an incident in Shakespeare's play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, quarrel over the possession of a changeling (a human child, carried off to the fairy realm and replaced by a fairy child). The main figures are surrounded by a host of smaller fairy creatures, some grotesque, others beautiful, whose supernatural character excused their sensual appearance and behaviour. The painting was judged to be 'picture of the season' when exhibited in Edinburgh in 1850. Later it captivated Lewis Carroll (the author of 'Alice in Wonderland') who counted 165 fairies."

*To read more about William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Click here.

Midsummer is Faerie Time!

If you love faeries and you haven't heard of Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies, this is sure to bring you joy! Click here to visit the Flower Fairies website where you can view more of her gorgeous drawings (many of which are accompanied by sweet poems such as these). Have fun with the Fae!

The idea to gather in a 2027 Women's Circle on Iona was birthed during our most recent Walking Awake Iona pilgrimage held in May of 2026 which organically evolved to be a Women's Pilgrimage. During our time together in May, I led a session on the Women and Feminine Archetypes of Iona; past, present and future -- a new subject for our Walking Awake sessions that's well-received and has inspired deeper research and exploration.



It's been years since I have held an all women's pilgrimage to Iona and even longer since I have led a Women's retreat. This felt like a gentle nudge from Iona, to reignite this work within a community of like-minded, supportive sisters who also, feel a strong connection to Iona. Are you one of them?

I envision this gathering to be an intimate Circle. To keep the costs down and make this opportunity accessible for all who feel called, individuals will make their own way to Iona (or travel with friends). While on Iona we will share in the daily chores of community life (cooking, cleaning up, etc.). We will split the costs for our group accommodation (self catering cottage or house TBA), groceries, etc. I will make all the Iona arrangements for us so that when you arrive you are able to just 'show up and settle in''. If it feels right to all members of our Circle of Sisters, I may work into the overall cost - a small stipend for myself to honor my time and energy shared during the planning stages.

Your individual Iona time might be spent writing, journaling, crafting, hiking or simply resting in the arms of the healing energies of Iona. On any given day, you might find yourself alone in much needed silent reflection, sleeping in or wandering the wilds of this sacred isle on your own or in the company of other 'Iona Sisters'. While I do see us gathering in Circle in the evenings, perhaps even some mornings, this very special opportunity is meant to provide space for our individual exploration within the company of other Women and to explore more about the Women and Feminine Archetypes of Iona; past, present and future. Unlike other Walking Awake Iona pilgrimages, there will be not be a set group itinerary led solely by myself (although I am happy to lead a few walks and talks throughout our time together). All of this is to unfold and be co-created once our Circle is set...once YOU have answered the call.

This pilgrimage will be for a one week period and will either take place in the winter months of early 2027 or towards the end of May 2027.

The cost of this week on Iona will depend on the accommodation secured and the amount of participants.

Space is limited.

Please let me know ASAP you are feeling called to join me and if so, which time period best suits you. Once I receive notes of interest, I will assemble a Zoom gathering to share more.