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Not  much of a card player but, as a very few people know, one particular, unassuming playing card has called to me down the years. Neither do I consider myself superstitious, nor credulous, but the following raised a wry smile nonetheless. Seems about right:

• 6 of Hearts: Indicates a time of peace and harmony where you can work well with others to achieve your goals and overcome obstacles.
• The Six of Cups in tarot is a card that takes you back to the joyful memories from your past, whether as a child, teenager or young adult. The Six of Cups also often indicates an increased level of harmony and cooperation in your relationships.

"Sauin" is the name in Manx Gaelic of the festival marking the start of the year's dark half, celebrated from dusk on 31 October to dusk on 1 November. In Gaelic & Irish, "Samhain" is a liminal time, marked by fire, and the crossing of thresholds.

A beautiful seasonal quote from the inspiring Damh the Bard.

The weird idea that Earth could be getting a second sun, at least temporarily, if Betelgeuse, one of the night sky's brightest stars, goes supernova, recalls a dream, many years ago, of climbing a ridge in the desert and seeing a dawn uncannily like this photo...

Swimming in open water - ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans - is like crossing a boundary into another world. The ancient Celts even believed that submersion could provide a link to the supernatural - Carpe Diem

Entranced many years ago by Roger Deakin's wonderful Waterlog, which I have lent subsequently to others and they've had similarly joyous reactions. 

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We can be at our most reflective, and perhaps society could be at its most reflexive, around St John's Eve and the other, similar seven calendar points...

Goin' ridin' down by Avalon
Would you meet me in the country
In the summertime in England
Would you meet me?
In the Church of St. John . . .
Down by Avalon . . . .

 - from Summertime in England, by Van Morrison

Sad to read of the passing of Colin Wilson, a truly open-minded polymath, whose books, exhaustive range of interests, freedom of expression and seemingly boundless productivity I long found inspiring.

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