A WARM SEPTEMBER WELCOME....
We are entering into my favorite time of year! Soon the air will be sweetly crisp in the mornings (we got such a tease of that last week and it was so refreshing!), the leaves will begin their colorful dance, and we’ll be compelled to heed the call to wander the cool woods to soak in the beauty of this magical season. Alas, this is North Carolina so we must wait a bit longer for summer to loosen its golden grip. As we stand at this crossroads between summer and autumn, let’s take a deep breath and allow ourselves the opportunity to savor these last fleeting resplendent moments. There is magic in every ending, a promise of new beginnings just around the corner. As I write this, today my daughter is heading off to school as a high school freshman - we’ve homeschooled since Kindergarten so this is a BIG deal….and represents both an ending to a 9 year chapter and the beginning of a whole new way of life for our family. So yes, savor these magnificent moments and believe in the beautiful magic of what is yet to come.
And all at once, summer collapsed into fall...
-Oscar Wilde
So far this year, most of our product inspiration has been sparked from beloved children’s classics and age-old fairy tales. This month we venture into the deep, dark forest to meet some familiar characters whose stories we all know and love, but also we’ll meet their contemporary parallels. If you’ve been following me on Insta for a bit, you might recall that earlier this year I introduced you to a fresh, modern twist on some classics….a Red Riding Hood x Beauty and the Beast duology that reimagines these two stories with a captivating cast of characters. The Wilderwood series by Hannah Whitten includes For the Wolf and For the Throne, with an epic and intriguing prologue (here’s an excerpt):
Upon the tree where they made their pledge, these words appeared, and I have saved the bark on which it is written:
The First Daughter is for the throne.
The Second Daughter is for the Wolf.
And the Wolves are for the Wilderwood.
-Hannah Whitten, For the Wolf
Between blood sacrifices,monsters and long-forgotten gods, a forbidden forest and an upside-down universe of terror, this duology hauntingly captures the imagination and magic of our most beloved fairy tales.
So as these golden days of summer begin to wane, where we stand at the threshold of a new season, we shall embark upon a new journey, take our first step into the dark forest and find out what magic awaits us there…..
WILD AUTUMN MAGICK
Our INTO THE WOODS artisan botanical soap collection leans into our theme with fresh new faces for some returning scents and a forest-centric aromatic exploration. Here’s a few of our faves:
Wilderwood - The Wilderwood is a magickal, mystical forest - home to the Wolf, it's guardian and caretaker, whose blood sacrifices to protect it are no longer enough and where Red must live out her destiny as the sacrificial daughter. Shape-shifting monsters made of shadows, formed from scraps of forest and bone, and other evil forces continually push their way into the Wilderwood, threatening to destroy everything. Red's own magick is intricately linked to the Wilderwood, tangled through her veins and sprouting leafy tendrils from her wrists. Will Red become just another sacrifice to the Wilderwood or will she learn to harness its magick to save the world and all she holds dear?
Our Wilderwood bar captures the dark, mystical vibe of the Wilderwood with its forest green palette, topped with bits of moss. Its otherworldly aesthetic is deepened by notes of balsam fir, black spruce, vetiver and musk accented by spicy sweet anise. Absolutely legendary!
Here's a little excerpt....
To escape the will of the Kings, they fled into the far reaches of the Wilderwood. They pledged that were the forest to offer them shelter, they would give all they had for as long as their line continued, let it grow within their bones, and offer it succor. This they pledged through blood, willingly given, their sacrifice and bond.The Wilderwood accepted their bargain, and they stayed within its border, to guard it and hold it fast against the things bound beneath. And every Second Daughter and every Wolf to come after would adhere to the bargain and the call and the Mark.Upon the tree where they made their pledge, these words appeared, and I have saved the bark on which it is written:The First Daughter is for the throne.The Second Daughter is for the Wolf. And the Wolves are for the Wilderwood.
-Hannah Whitten, For the Wolf (book one of the Wilderwood duology)
Crimson Cloak - Fans of our Briar Rose soap that debuted back in February will be thrilled with this gorgeous new interpretation. We were hesitant to change it up too much since the dramatic black aesthetic of the original was part of the thrill, so we simply added a few flourishes to match our story. That sultry, spicy rose scent wears this new cloak well. ;)
The cloak came last, heavy and warm and colored like blood. Scarlet for a sacrifice.
-Hannah Whitten, For the Wolf (book one of the Wilderwood duology)
The Wolf - Eerie howls in a fog-shrouded forest should give you goosebumps, but this bar will bring squeals of delight! An earthy palette befitting a wolf - in swirling shades of grays and browns - and topped with a gray crescent moon and stamped with a silvery wolf paw, this iconic bar is sure to be coveted by any wolf lover (or Wolfpack fan!).
The wolf is a recurring symbol of wildness, the unknown self, the feminine, the forbidden or shadow woven into the cultural stories around the world. The wolf archetype has lately been embraced as a devoted symbol for the feminine, thanks to Clarissa Pinkola Estes' book, Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype. The Wild Woman is an endangered species, but she is both magic and medicine and a powerful force that is vital to the future of humanity. HOWL and be heard, wild women.
photo property of NC Zoo
Sadly, extinction is an imminent threat to our native NC red wolf population, currently the most endangered canid in the world. Despite nearly 50 years of conservation efforts, there remain fewer than 30 individual red wolves in the wild today, and just over 200 in captivity and breeding programs. Red wolves are critically important to our ecosystems - helping to regulate prey populations and thereby acting as a crucial balancing factor in the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.
The Red Wolf Center in Columbia, NC at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and the Red Wolf Coalition aim to educate the public and advocate for the long-term survival of this iconic species. If you’re heading to the beach this fall, schedule yourself a stop at the Red Wolf Center…I hear they even have moonlight howl tours in the fall. You can also visit Pittsboro’s resident red wolves, Caroline & Mist at the Carolina Tiger Rescue or Durham's ambassadors, Oak & Adeyha, at the Museum of Life & Science and you can even see red wolf puppies at the NC Zoo in Asheboro, home to the world’s largest red wolf breeding program. We humans need to do better…these animals need our help and understanding.
Artemis - In Greek mythology, Artemis emerges as a formidable and revered figure, embodying the untamed spirit of the wilderness. Known as the Huntress, she strides through ancient tales with her silver bow in hand and a quiver of arrows on her back, symbolizing the balance between strength and grace. Artemis is considered a guardian of the environment, and those who respect wildlife are believed to be under her protection. As a moon goddess, she knows of cycles, wild medicines, the push and pull of earthbound living and the moon’s ever-changing influence over the natural world and the tides of life.
We leaned deep into the Moon Goddess' energy when developing the design for this iconic bar. Silver arrows are her signature weapon so we have topped each bar with a silver bow and arrow charm for you to cherish as a keepsake and for your ritual use. A palette apropos for both her and the fall season in cool silver balanced by bold layers of vibrant teal and orange, with silver mica lines separating each layer and a sprinkling of shimmery silver mica on top.
Our Artemis bar evokes rich forest vibes with an invigorating heart of fir and juniper grounded by warm cedarwood, all uplifted by bright top notes of crisp ripe apple and sweet mandarin. Invigorating and atmospheric.
And yes, we have a limited edition Artemis perfume oil roller as well! Also adorned with a silver bow & arrow, an artistic depiction of Artemis, and Reiki blessed for your ritual use in connecting with her Goddess energy. The perfume roller is distinctly different than the scent of the soap (mea culpa...I grabbed the wrong bottle when making the soap!) but embodies Artemis in every note. :)
“The flame-red moon, the harvest moon, rolls along the hills, gently bouncing, a vast balloon, till it takes off, and sinks upward to lie on the bottom of the sky, like a gold doubloon. The harvest moon has come, booming softly through heaven, like a bassoon. And the earth replies all night, like a deep drum.”
— Ted Hughes
Harvest Moon -This September's full moon, the Harvest Moon, appears on Sept 17th. The term "harvest moon" refers to the full, bright moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox (9/22). The name dates from the time before electricity, when farmers depended on the Moon's light to harvest their crops late into the night, playing an integral part of the seasonal cycle. This full moon will also be a supermoon and the second of four supermoons in a row at the end of 2024. The Harvest Moon will also undergo a partial lunar eclipse. While this partial eclipse won't be dramatic, we here in the States will be able to see some of Earth's shadow crawl across the face of the moon. As a bonus, Saturn will be burning brightly in the moon's vicinity and very much visible.
Although we all live differently now - most of us are privileged enough to have all the light we need readily available and don't depend upon the light of the full moon for our evening chores - our connection to this moon continues – we sing songs, write poems, seek it’s company, and delight in its awe-inspiring journey across the night sky. Nurturing our connection to seasonal markers such as the Harvest Moon bring us closer to the cycles of nature, keeping us in tune with the comforting rhythms of the universe. Even by just observing the sight of the Harvest Moon, acknowledging its stories and history, we forge a deeper relationship with the season and with the natural world. In turn we strengthen our sense of peace and belonging here on this bountiful place we call home.
Our Harvest Moon bar has been capturing a lot of attention here in the shop as it sits on the curing shelf! It's bold, dramatic palette truly captures the mystique of the Harvest Moon! The intriguing, spicy scent delivers spellbinding drama - subtle wisps of smoke curl around orange peel, cinnamon, clove and sandalwood for an unforgettable aromatic journey. A topping of glittery red moons perched atop the bars bring an enchanting dose of #moonmagick!
As an added bonus for this month of September, the traditional time for celebrating Oktoberfest and all things beer, lol, this bar is a beer soap! We can't believe that we haven't made a beer soap all year! Well you're going to looove this one, and we promise not to make you wait so long for the next one. Beer soaps rank high amongst our favorites for a rich & creamy lather. Seriously, if you've never tried one, you'll be amazed at the difference! We made this batch with Edmund's Oast Brewing Co's Bound by Darkness Black IPA. This brewhouse is out of Charleston, SC, and although we normally choose a brewery closer to home, we were so mesmerized by the label aesthetic, we just had to give it a go! We hope you love it as much as we do!
Mabon - We Reap What We Sow
For us here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Fall Equinox falls on Sunday, September 22nd this year. The Fall/Autumnal Equinox, also known as Mabon, represents the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Winter Solstice, when the days and nights are again at equal lengths. After this day, the nights will stretch longer, exceeding the daylight hours. Fall provides such a feast for the senses: the smell of burning leaves, the sweet chill of cooling nights, the spice of Thanksgiving-time sweets, the rich tapestry of color inherent in the trees and harvest vegetables, and above all the transformation of nature’s green into the reds, golds, oranges, siennas, and browns of autumn. It is a time for harvesting, a time for giving thanks for all the blessings that we have, and for honoring the changing seasons. It is time of plenty and of sharing our abundance with others. It is also traditionally a time of balance. In Latin, equinox means “equal night,” and it calls us to remember that even nature spends the majority of its time seeking balance. It is also a good time for rest and taking care of our body. We will feel this shift of energy in us which will stimulate us to be more energetic as the heat of summer dissipates and sleepier as Winter’s cold and darkness seeps into our bones. In any case, we will undoubtedly feel the seasonal change inside.
The essence of the Autumnal Equinox and our human understanding of it is represented in the mythos and stories that our ancestors have weaved. One of these stories is the myth of Persephone, the beloved daughter of the Greek Earth Goddess Demeter and her descent into the Underworld of Hades, the world of the Dead. As Persephone descends into the Underworld, the Earth descends into winter until her return in Spring. Far from being an overly solemn event, this is a time of beautiful thanks-giving, inner reflection, harmony, balance, planning, and reflecting on what we’ve reaped or harvested in our lives over the past year.
Mabon ritual roller pictured here
From a Pagan perspective, Mabon is the celebration of the second harvest (or mid harvest). It is during the second harvest that tallies of stores are taken and the success of your crops and livestock is determined. Furthermore, it is the time families figured out whether or not they would have enough food to make it through the winter. Great feasts were commonly held at this time with lots of drinking and merriment. Hospitality was extremely important, as they may have ended up being the ones to help you through the harsh winter months if your stores ran dry. By November, there isn't much left to harvest, if anything, and remaining stores are rationed accordingly. So it makes sense to give thanks during the harvesting season in September.
Mabon is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures, but it also speaks to death, grief, and the parts of the psyche that we must release to make room for the unknown. The harvest offers us another face – the face of loss, of crops that did not survive. Some seeds planted did not yield (both literally and figuratively), and they too give us something to learn. In learning that not all your seeds will grow, and not all crops survive, you develop the skill of sweet surrender to forces beyond your will and control. You learn to appreciate what you have, deeply and authentically, and in doing so you secure an even more powerful harvest for yourself in the year ahead.
We here at Solstice wish you a bountiful harvest season and a reminder that every beginning has an end and every end is a new beginning.
Namaste,
Stephanie
xoxo
Lost in the lore of trees, my heart sings earthen melodies....
-Angie Weiland Crosby
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