Sunday 31st May 2026
12 Noon, local time
Sun in Gemini, Innovator/Duality
Moon in Sagittarius, Teacher/Visionary
Photo by Angela Shaw
Dear Gatekeepers
Welcome! We are very pleased to say that our Annual Conference will take place on Sunday 8 November. The theme this year will be “Gateways” and we are putting together an outstanding panel of speakers who will share their wisdom on this theme. We will provide further details as soon as possible, but in the meantime please Save The Date. As we move through the seasons, the weather warms and the Summer Solstice is on the horizon. We celebrate the full moon in Sagittarius, being the second full moon the month.
We pilgrimage onto the Sagittarian landscape of the south of England where Angela Shaw takes us on her “Sound in the Land” pilgrimage to the rivers of Hampshire and Surrey:
Sending words and sounds of blessing and healing through the River Wey’s waters’ flow out into the wider landscape and to other Gatekeepers joining from their sacred spaces. Water from the River Hart, hawthorn, incense and singing bowl represented the elements. Both rivers flow into the Thames, one flowing west to east, the other south to north. So, all directions were covered – Hart to Wey - linking these two water catchments and the counties of Hampshire and Surrey.
Birdsong was the predominant sound, the river giving a plop of acknowledgement at the end of our ceremony of honouring. A shared time of stillness, presence and gratitude. What a special time midway between the Flower full moon on May Day and Beltane on 5 May.
Angela Shaw
On the 31 May Full Moon – named the Blue Moon as it is the second full moon this month, will rise in the east, just to the right of the constellation of Virgo. The colour of the moon will probably be reddish or orange when it is near the horizon.
In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs around 20–22 June and pinpoints the beginning of astronomical summer. This year the date falls on Sunday 21June at 9.24am.
When the sun rises on the fourth day after the summer solstice (24June, the sun having stood still for theprevious three days), Peter Dawkinswrites of this Midsummer’s Day, iethe culmination of the three-day solstice, that it has been “traditionally celebrated as representing the glory and majesty of light, whilst at its heavenly zenith, beginning its gradual descent into the dark underworld.
This is known as The Festival of Joy. Whereas the midwinter festival has its focus for celebration on the family and hearth (or heart) of the home, the midsummer festival focuses its celebration on the greater community and hierarchy of rulership or divinity: hence in the Celtic-Christian tradition Midsummer's Day is when King Arthur and his Queen hold their annual feast with their knights and ladies of the Round Table.”
https://www.zoence.co.uk/time-cycles/summer-solstice/
Sound in the Land Report 4 May 2026 – Jane Knight.
On 3 May at 12 noon, I took two minutes to tune in with everyone participating in Sound in the Land. I was involved in a prearranged family event, so I intended that my meditation the next day would connect in with these energies. I am fortunate enough to live next to Hem Heath Woods, managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. At around 11.15 the next day I walked with my dogs through the woods. My intention was, as well as intuiting my spot, to take the edge off their energy so they settled while I took time out to meditate and sound. April and May are my favourite months in the woods as they are a carpet of blue. I found myself a place where I could rest undisturbed. My silence was not matched by the birds who were joyfully singing their hearts out. I could barely hear my own toning as I joined in with their songs. It was a magical experience. As I finished my meditation, I recorded 30 seconds of birdsong. I was delighted to discover I had been connecting with nine different species: wren, blackcap, blackbird, mistle thrush, goldcrest, robin, wood pigeon, great tit, treecreeper. I gave thanks for this wondrous connection with the land and all its inhabitants.
We have all the Sound in the Land and Light in the Land reports on our website. We would love to include yours. Please send it to secretary@gatekeeper.org.uk
Astbury Church, Congleton, Cheshire - Photo National Churches Trust
On Sunday 31 May Vicky Wade is leading our next Gatekeeper pilgrimage around Astbury in Cheshire. We are meeting at 10.30am at the coffee shop by Astbury Mere car park on Sandy Lane, Congleton. All are welcome. There is no charge and no need to be a Gatekeeper member. We are a friendly group so you’re welcome to come on your own or with friends.
This is a relatively easy walk of a few miles. Vicky has secured access to the Grade I listed Astbury Church which is bound to be fascinating.
We are also dog friendly! There are no stiles to negotiate so this walk is suitable for dogs of all breeds with their owners. We just ask that dogs are kept on short leads and be aware that they may not be allowed in the church, but we always have volunteers to look after the dogs, so we all get chance to look round in shifts.
Please register your interest with Vicky on 07956 015879 by Friday 29 May.
For more information follow this link to the website page.
Sam Lee, who has previously been a speaker at our conferences, gives a powerful andpoignant reflection on song, land, belonging, and the reclamation of cultural heritage here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXv4NBDo9pY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Portland Update May 2026
It was inspiring to see Tout Quarry come to life on the Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust (PSQT) stand at Docklands Excel Centre alongside a display of traditional carving at the Stone and Surfaces Show. Visitors were encouraged to engage with the unique qualities of Portland stone.
Click here to read full update on Portland
With thanks to Amelia and the Gatekeeper Trustees.
Rose
Rose.wol2022@gmail.com
Here we meet Charlotte in the sun sign of Gemini: https://gatekeeper.org.uk/events/wheel-of-life-full-moon-meditation-gemini-sun-sagittarius-moon-2/