Summer King, Robin Crane

The King is the Land.
The Land is the King.

That’s an idea I fell in love with early in my life, in story and myth. An idea which I felt fit close to the heart of the character of the Summer King, that gloriously regal, yet often tragic figure, when I stumbled across the the celebrations of Beltane Fire Society.

I’ve been a member of BFS for four years now and was an audience member at festivals for a good few years before that. All through that time, under and alongside all the foolery, drumm-ery, hunt-ery and arch-ery (not archery) I’ve had thoughts bubbling away about who I believe the Summer King should be. I’m greatly honoured to be given the chance to breathe life into my ideas this Samhuinn.

So who is my Summer King? He is is exactly who we think he ought to be. He is the embodiment of all we believe a good and just Lord should be. Bounteous and generous to a fault, his hall is ever open to anyone who knocks at his door. At the heart of him is the warmth of community, of fire, food and wine shared with friends and lovers. He is the ancient laws of Hospitality incarnate.

Please, come sit by my fire and let’s put the Awe in Autumn together.