Summer Solstice Rituals, Celtic Mythology & the Lost Art of Play

Summer solstice is here, the longest, brightest day of the year. The time known as Midsummer throughout ancient Europe. In this solo episode, Eileen explores the mythology, energetics, and seasonal wisdom of this luminous peak moment on the Wheel of the Year, and weaves in a teaching that's very much alive in the Wise Wild Woman Mentorship right now: the radical, necessary act of play.In this episode:* The Celtic Wheel of the Year and why Summer Solstice is called Midsummer even though we know it as the beginning of summer today* The Oak King and the Holly King and the mythological battle at the heart of the solstices* A brief look at the two primary Celtic deities associated with this turn of the wheel: Áine (Awn-yeh), Irish sun goddess and Fairy Queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and Lugh, the Shining One* Why the veil thins at midsummer and what Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream has to do with it* The science of play and what the National Institute for Play's research reveals about why adults need it as much as children do* How we were slowly conditioned to believe play is indulgent, childish, or something to be earned* Why play can feel genuinely unsafe for women whose nervous systems learned that worthiness is tied to productivity and usefulness to others* Small, accessible ways to weave play back into your daily life this season"We put rest off 'until...'. We put play off 'until...:'.  And that 'until' never comes."🌿 Summer Solstice Ceremony June 19th, 2026 (in-person Calgary + hybrid) 🌿Take the Which Witch Are You Quiz🌿Order Awaken to the Magic Within🌿Connect with Eileen on Instagram🌿Follow Eileen on Insight Timer🌿Send Eileen an email