Embracing the Dance of Two Worlds:

A Wild Goddess Solstice Reflection

This weekend, I had the privilege of attending the most magical Solstice celebration at Lyne Down Organics, hosted by the incredible Blackthorn ritualist folk. The energy was electric, and the air was thick with reverence as we gathered to give thanks to the Sun, acknowledging its power and presence in our lives. There, I felt the pulse of something much older, something sacred that connects us all to the rhythms of the Earth, to the Wheel of the Year. It was the kind of celebration that not only felt like a nod to ancient wisdom but also invited us to reconnect with something deeply primal within ourselves.

As I sit here today, reflecting on the beautiful chaos of the weekend, I'm reminded of the power of Sundays. For me, they’re always a contemplative day — a time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with my inner world after the hustle of the week. Today, I soaked in a calming lavender-infused bath and finished reading Anam Cara by John O'Donohue, a book I can only describe as deeply nourishing. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it — it speaks to the soul in ways that few books do.

And as the last page of the book fluttered closed, I found myself thinking about a phrase that was shouted by the Blackthorn Folk during the Solstice celebration, a chant that echoed through the crowd with a sense of collective power: “To the old ways!” It was shouted with such conviction, and we all eagerly chanted it back, our voices rising in unity. There was something so alive in that moment, so raw and full of heart.

The old ways... they’re not just rituals, but a way of being. A connection to land, to ancestors, to the cycles of nature, to the seasons, to folklore — a world that has long since been buried beneath the noise and demands of modern life. These old ways speak to the deeper parts of our souls, parts that often get drowned out in a world of constant notifications and unending to-do lists.

But yesterday, surrounded by a group of like-minded souls, I felt a shift. The energy was palpable. There was joy, love, and a deep sense of self-acceptance as we reveled in our shared desire to reconnect with something ancient. We were all there, each with our own journey, yet united in this longing for a deeper connection — to the Earth, to the divine, and to the old wisdom that has been passed down through generations.

In many ways, I often feel like I am living with one foot in this modern world and one foot in the world of our ancestors. Living in a bustling town, surrounded by the constant noise, traffic, and digital distractions, it’s easy to forget the sacredness of the land beneath our feet. But my soul speaks a different language — one that is rooted in the earth, in the natural cycles, in the stories of old. I have always felt this deep calling to the goddess, to ancient wisdom, to folklore, and to the magic that lies within the natural world.

It’s a dance I find myself constantly performing — trying to reconcile the modern world with the ancient world. It’s not always easy. There are times when I feel torn between the demands of the present and the call of something older, more sacred. But I am learning to honour both. I am learning that it’s okay to be present in this modern world, but it’s also okay to retreat into the quiet of the land, to seek solace in the wisdom of the seasons, and to reconnect with the sacred rhythm of the Wheel of the Year.

I’ve realized that we don’t need to hide the parts of us that feel out of place. The parts that yearn for connection with the old ways. We don’t need to lock them away in shame or fear of not fitting in. Instead, we can let them flow, let them merge, let them create something beautiful, a coastline of contradictions, beauty, chaos, and truth. Because in the end, those parts of us are just as much a part of the whole.

Perhaps, the biggest lesson we can take from the old ways is the reverence for the natural world. The quiet wisdom it offers when we listen. The beauty that exists in every season, in every shift of the wheel. The magic that flows through us when we step outside of the madness of modern life and simply allow ourselves to be present. To feel the earth beneath our feet, to honour the cycles, to reconnect with the land and its ancient stories.

So, what if we all took a step back and gave a little more reverence to the old ways? What if we took time to celebrate the seasons, to pause and appreciate the magic that lies in the simplicity of the natural world? What if we let go of the rush and the noise, just for a moment, to reclaim the quiet wisdom that can only be found in stillness?

As I continue to journey this year, I’m leaning more into these questions, giving myself permission to embrace both the modern and the ancient. I know I’m not the only one who feels this inner pull to reconnect with something deeper. And I want to encourage you, too, to listen to that call. To honour the ancient wisdom that resides within you. Whether it’s through celebrating the Solstice, walking the land, or simply pausing to take in the beauty around you, know that the old ways are still here, waiting for us to remember them.