John Barleycorn

John Barleycorn. The Spirit of the Fields. Sewn in the early Spring, sometimes late Winter. Green at the Summer solstice, an old man, bearded, with a crooked cane, at Lughnasadh. With the rains we’ve had it seems sad to suggest that Lughnasadh is the beginning of Autumn. The first harvest is coming in, and John Barleycorn is being cut, but it seems that only now am I feeling the Sun’s warmth upon my skin. I’m just not ready to call this the beginning of Autumn yet, so late Summer it is. I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and am not looking forward to going into the darker evenings without a good few months of sunshine behind me. I think this Winter might be a difficult one, but we shall see. All I know for sure is that the Sun is shining, the warmth is still here, and John Barleycorn will be reborn.

I am really looking forward to playing at the Artemis Gathering this weekend, and it looks like it will be a fine weekend camping too! I can barely wait to wake up in the tent, and take in the fresh air, drumming, good cheer, ritual, and friendship.