August Fest

We’re midway between summer solstice and autumn equinox; a time of celebration in the seasonal calendar known as Lammas or Lughnasadh.

Traditionally these were gatherings to celebrate the barley crops and first fruits – the gifts of the earth – and would have lasted a month.

The Lammas Fair is still a key fixture in the rural community where I grew up – although these days it lasts for 4 days and there’s candy floss alongside the fresh produce and craft stalls!

Regardless of format, it’s a time of being with others and abundance.

This week, we’ve shared gooseberries and blackberries with friends, picked our first tomato and snacked on runner beans.

Ways you can acknowledge Lammas

In our lives, we can consider all that we’ve accomplished this year so far.

Danu Forest in her (wonderful) book, The Magical Year, advocates allowing ourselves to feel proud of such. Also to remember that, as well as outer acts and achievements, accomplishments include deeds of love and overcoming difficulties.

I’m proud of my participation in my Creative Writing MA – specifically overcoming old limiting beliefs about not being good enough and carrying on regardless, making it work to attend all the taught sessions, and honouring the day I set aside each week to write…even when I didn’t feel like it!

What are three things you’re proud of this year so far?🤔

You could write answers in your journal, tell a loved one, or share in the comments below.

I love being playful and creative with nature’s abundant gifts at this time of year.

Things I’ve enjoyed doing in the past include,

• harvesting and drying lavender – I tie it in bunches and hang it upside down in the shed. Once dried, you can store the dried flower seeds in a jar and then sprinkle them under bed sheets and inside pillow cases.

• gathering seeds ready for planting next year. I’ve got a thing for coriander!
  
• making raspberry vodka.

What could playful creativity look like for you this August?🤔

The power of a pause

I take August off. I call it August Fest!

It’s a time to kick back, take a breather, play, camp and generally be outdoors as much as possible. Plus its my birthday month…have I mentioned that before?!🤪

Yet the pull to take advantage of a spacious diary and ‘get ahead’ with some stuff over the weeks ahead always makes itself known. 

I could,

• do some of the behind the scenes admin, like tax returns and updating my website.

• offer more free information sessions about the coaching circles.

• mine these blog posts and write a mini-book.

Thankfully, I know from experience the difference it makes when I take this time off.

As well as feeling rested and recharged – ready for the autumn ‘term’ – one of the gifts that unfolds is clarity about what I want to focus on next. A couple of weeks spent sleeping under canvas and cooking outdoors always does the trick.😉

Having August off is important to me. I wonder,

How could you honour what matters to you this August?🤔

Let’s flourish together!

Arlene x

PS. The Flourishing Woman blog will also be taking a break in August.

We’ll be writing again on 9th September – hopefully filled with memories of wild swimming, big beaches and fun times.😆