The Sun and the Moon

 

4am

The summer solstice saw an early rising to be at the Knowe above the beach to see day break.

As the end of what must have been a prehistoric processional way, it is an ideal site for a view of the eastern horizon

A low bank of cloud hid the actual sunrise. but the magenta sky was an augur of good weather.

The sun just breaking over the cloud bank

It was also a full moon.

This was the Flower Moon or the Honey Moon or, by association, the Mead Moon for each is dependent on the previous.The bees go to the flowers to make honey for us to make mead.

It is the Strawberry Moon in America

A Honey Coloured Moon

 

In the U.K. it is the Flower Moon or, in the Celtic calendar, the Moon of the Horses or the Oak Moon.

'Full moons come,
Full moons go,
softening nights
with their silver glow.
They pass in silence
all untamed,
but as they travel
they are named. *

The bees have been slow to forage this year with the cold wet weather not to their liking but the cotoneaster against the south facing wall of the garden was buzzing with an assembly of mason bees, white-tailed and carder bees with a good representation from the honey bees as well. The cold weather seems to have inhibited the swallows as there are far fewer this year.

When we first came to this house, many years ago, the huge gean or bird cherry in the garden would be humming with bees when in flower but they are no longer heard.

Let's hope the Honey Moon will bring them out again.

*

Rhyme from 'When the Moon is Full' a book for young children by Penny Pollack