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I’m just heartbroken. Sharon Kay Penman died last week. I can’t even begin to express how intoxicating her novels are. Her writing and her characters are a part of me. A formative part. And she inspired at least two of my European trips. If you have not encountered her yet, you’re in for a real treat.

Today begins Samhain, which literally means “summer’s end.” November 1 also marks the beginning of the new year in the Celtic calendar. And because of that, today (and the night preceding – Halloween) is considered the thinnest time of the all the thin times in the entire year. A thin time is a time when the wall between earthly time and eternal time becomes transparent.

If next summer, you want to visit Stonehenge on the Salisbury plain or the Ring of Brodgar in the Orkney Islands of Scotland or the Ring of Kerry in Ireland, it is not too soon to plan! We could even throw in Ceann Sibeal, (C-eann She-Bil) where the Jedi Temple was re-constructed for Star Wars: The Force Awakens off the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland’s most westerly point.

This year English Heritage announced that the site of Stonehenge will be closed due to the coronavirus. BUT they are offering live coverage of sunset and sunrise at Stonehenge. That means we all can witness this remarkable moment without any travel at all! This special occasion has long been on my bucket list, so I am excited!

Midsummer is a time of celebration. We celebrate nature, fertility, creation, abundance, successes.  We celebrate the triumph of good hearts over evil spirits. June, the time of peak summer, is the month of the oak tree which is a symbol of strength and vitality.