The Green Spiral

Welcome to The Green Spiral, Green Women Gathering's Newsletter!

Hello, beautiful community!

As the seasons shift and new energy flows in, we’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates, inspirations, and opportunities from Green Women Gathering. This newsletter is your space to reconnect with the heart of our mission - to foster a community of strong and supportive women, honor the Earth, and empower one another on our journeys of growth and discovery.

Inside this issue, you’ll find exciting announcements, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Whether you’ve been part of GWG for years or are just finding your way to us, we’re so grateful to have you here.

Let’s continue to grow, gather, and ground together.

What We’re Up To

Registration for the Fall Retreat is open! This year’s retreat will take place September 10–13, with a weekend rate of $100. Day passes will also be available. We are also accepting workshop proposals - visit our website for full details and submission information if you would like to lead a workshop.

We had such an incredible time at our Sculpting the Goddess Within workshop that we’re excited to offer it again! Join us on June 27, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Cultivated Essentials in Hanover. The workshop is $45 and includes all supplies. Tickets are now available on our website - reserve your spot today!

Seasonal Musings

Solstice

~Tess Taylor

How again today our patron star
whose ancient vista is the long view

turns its wide brightness now and here:
Below, we loll outdoors, sing & make fire.

We build no henge
but after our swim, linger

by the pond. Dapples flicker
pine trunks by the water.

Buzz & hum & wing & song combine.
Light builds a monument to its passing.

Frogs content themselves in bullish chirps,
hoopskirt blossoms

on thimbleberries fall, peeper toads
hop, lazy—

Apex. The throaty world sings ripen.
Our grove slips past the sun’s long kiss.

We dress.
We head home in other starlight.

Our earthly time is sweetening from this.

Litha

Litha is an ancient pagan holiday marking the summer solstice (around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere). Celebrating the longest day of the year, it honors the sun at its peak power, the height of nature’s abundance, and the warmth of summer.

Common Litha traditions are centered around fire, light, and nature. Lighting large fires is a traditional way to honor the sun and release obstacles to the flames. Celebrations often include feasting outdoors, gathering herbs, and honoring sacred bodies of water. Some cultures believed the veil between the human and faerie worlds thins during this time, making it a popular time for faerie offerings and nature magic. The holiday is represented by colors like vibrant gold, bright yellow, green, and red, as well as symbols like the sun, honeybees, and sunflowers.

Grilled Peaches with Honey

Ingredients Needed

3-4 medium peaches (uniform in size)
4 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon (more or less to taste)
⅛ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

Serving Suggestions (All Optional)

vanilla yogurt (or plain Greek yogurt)
vanilla ice cream
additional honey
chopped fresh mint
chopped pistachios

Instructions

Preheat grill on high heat at least 15 minutes or until temperature reaches 450° Fahrenheit. While grill preheats, halve peaches, cutting along natural lines on each peach. Remove peach pits and discard.
In shallow bowl, whisk together honey, cinnamon, and salt, until ingredients are fully incorporated.
One by one, dip each peach half in honey mixture, stopping to whisk mixture again as needed. Repeat process until all peach halves have been coated in honey.
Keep grill heat on high. Place peach halves honey-side down directly on grill grate. Grill peaches 3 to 4 minutes or until grill marks are as dark as desired.
Flip peaches over and grill skin-side down for 1 minute, until rounded side of peaches has softened. Carefully remove peaches from grill and serve immediately over yogurt or ice cream with extra honey, mint, or chopped pistachios as desired.

Recipe Notes

Make it Vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey.

Sweet Summer Sun Tea

Ingredients:

10 regular tea bags
1cup sugar or 1/2 cup maple syrup
1gallon glass container
ice cube, cubes from 2 trays

Remove the paper tabs from tea bags. Tie all the tea bag strings together, throw into glass container.

Add 1 cup sugar to glass container. Fill container with water within 2" of top. Shake container to dissolve the sugar.

Place in a sunny spot outside.

Do your chores or play, come back later, add ice cubes.

Pour into tall glass with slice of lemon or whatever you like for additional flavor.

Fae Communication Ritual

What You'll Need

A small bowl of honey
A piece of fresh fruit (apple, pear, berries, etc.)
A sprig of mint
A rose or rose petals
A white candle
A quiet outdoor space, preferably near a tree, garden, or natural area
Joyful music

Steps

Prepare the Space
- Choose a peaceful location.
- Place the fruit, honey, mint, and rose together as an offering.
- Light the candle.
Ground Yourself
- Stand or sit quietly.
- Take several deep breaths.
- Focus on the sounds, scents, and feeling of the natural world around you.
Present the Offering
- Hold each offering and say:
  - "Fruit for friendship."
  - "Rose for respect."
  - "Mint for clarity."
  - "Honey for welcome."
- Place each item down as you speak.
Speak the Spell
- Recite your chosen invocation use this one
- Beneath the moon and among the leaves,
  
  I speak with respect to those unseen.
  Spirits of meadow, forest, and stream,
  If it is your wish, draw near in peace.
  
  I offer kindness, not command,
  Wonder, not ownership.
  May only those of good intent approach,
  And may this meeting bring no harm.
  
  If there are words to hear, let them come gently.
  If there are signs to see, let them be clear.
  By moonlight, starlight, root, and stone,
  I open my heart to the magic of the wild.
  
  So may it be.
Dance in Celebration
- Play joyful music.
- Dance freely around your offering or sacred space.
- Let your movements be guided by happiness, gratitude, and wonder.
- Celebrate the beauty of nature and the magic of the moment.
Close the Ritual
- When the music ends, thank any spirits, energies, or beings you believe may have shared in the celebration.
- Say:
  - "With gratitude and respect, this rite is ended. May peace remain between our worlds."
- Extinguish the candle.
Leave the Offering
- Leave the offerings overnight if it is safe and environmentally appropriate.
- The next day, dispose of them respectfully.