Saint John's Eve

On the evening of the 23rd of June every year, strange and magical events on are happening all throughout Cornwall, and around the world. Descended from pagan times, one Saint John's Eve tradition is the lighting of special bonfires on the tops of hills, from Lands end, right up to Kit Hill near Plymouth. Bonfires were often lit in the past on midsummer to ward of evil spirits and Witches, who were said meet to this time. They also used to jump over the bonfire with the cry of "Meigas Fora" (Cornish for "Witches Off!"), but somehow I didn't quite fancy jumping over this one.

 Right off in the distance you could even see the next bonfire in the chain all the way down to Lands End, a bit like in Lord of the Rings!

I thought this image was quite interesting because to me it looks like there is a huge face leaping out of the flames, like one of the midsummer spirits it is said to protect against.

I also made some Midsummer charm bags embroidered with the solar cross and using some of my turmeric handspun wool. Saint Johns Eve was also the traditional time for women to collect magical plants and herbs for a variety of uses, such as fennel, rosemary, yarrow, and elderflowers, and little charm bags like these are a good way to use them.