Oh, it's been one of those days today all right. I have seen some of the worst driving ever (which is saying something) and the whole world seems to have gone mad.... or is it the moon? Could it be that the drivers who just launch themselves into main roads from side streets are responding to some deep primeval pull from the moon? There is definitely something in the air some days and I think this is one of them.

So I was wondering - has anyone else noticed anything 'full moon' about today?

Seeking the Green by Tylluan Penry, published soon by Capall Bann. For more info - watch this space!

If the weather stays fine today I’m going to do some gardening. Or more accurately, I shall take off into the garden with the intention of working. Probably I shall curl up with a book of poetry.

The road outside my house used to be the old summer migratory path up from the valley to the summer pastures. It’s been there since Neolithic times and at the top there’s an ancient cairn. Nothing odd in that around here. In fact, outside of Stonehenge, our valley boasts one of the few remaining stone circles in the UK. And what did our Council do, in its wisdom? It built a rubbish tip over most of it. Philistines.

Back to the road – it’s very busy. Not with the neighbours or cars (though on occasion you see a few of the latter driving up and then down when they realise they’ve lost their way and it’s a cul-de-sac) but with – well, ‘them’. The earlier groups who made the annual trek up and down to what are called the hafodtai or summer dwellings. It means there’s always a lot going on out there on the psychic planes, especially at this time of year, right up until the autumn. It quietens down a bit after that until late the following spring.

There’s even a soldier from World War I who regularly comes to the gate but no further. We haven’t managed to find out who he is yet.

But today is the eve of Lughnasadh – that’s it’s most popular name but by no means the only one. Really we can call it what we like - it's the underlying meaning that matters.

Falling on the 1st August it marks the beginning of Autumn in the pagan calendar. So for me that means understanding that the year is winding down again after the frenzy of growth in spring and summer. It’s a time of taking stock, of working to bring in the harvest. Years ago this was quite literal – countryfolk had to work had to ensure there was enough for the long winter months ahead. You even find a Rune – Jara – that marks the harvest.

But now our harvests are different – more subtle maybe, harder to spot, but no less hard work. For me it’s making sure my home is wind and watertight because the weather here is so harsh; also soon I intend to start on my jam and pickle making. Also my writing is part of my personal harvest.

Other people may have quite different ideas and priorities, but look closely and you’ll find there’s something (maybe several things) in your life which are your own personal harvest around this time of year, August – October. Understanding and engaging with them is just one way of bringing the meaning of Lughnasadh into our lives. The people who once trudged up and down the road outside my home, heading to and from the summer pastures would have understood this.

Seeking the Green by Tylluan Penry, published soon by Capall Bann. For more info - watch this space!