Hearthstone Book Club: Fall
An invitation to Winters in the World - and an exciting announcement!
“…though his primary focus is explaining the course of the church year, Ælfric was also interested in different systems of seasonal calculation, the connection between the liturgical cycle and the natural world, and how learned and popular understandings of the calendar coincide. From his writings we can get a sense of how beliefs about the cycle of the year and its religious significance were communicated to a wider audience in Anglo-Saxon England.”
Eleanor Parker, Winters in the World
Welcome, friends. I’m Kristin: a Pacific Northwest artist, mom, & farmer offering support for seasonal, local, liturgical living. Together, we’ll explore the agrarian heritage of the Church calendar and ideas of sacred time & sacred place.
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Seasons have been shifting here in the Pacific Northwest lately - leaves are turning umber & falling from trees, and a mist rolls in over the pastures every evening. The pumpkin patches are a tangle of vines, their leaves steadily dying back. It’s my favorite time of year, and it feels like the perfect moment to launch Hearthstone Book Club!
Wherever in the world you find yourself, whatever seasonal transition you’re in right now1: I have the perfect book to begin our studies together. It’s a delightful read that walks us through older perspectives on seasons and the transitions between them, all woven with the historic religious context: Winters in the World by Eleanor Parker.
“Winters in the World is a beautifully observed journey through the cycle of the year in Anglo-Saxon England, exploring not only the rituals and customs linked to the different seasons, but the profound relationship between human life and the rhythms of nature. Eleanor Parker provides an imaginative connection to the Anglo-Saxon world, tracing the surprising history of its festivals – many of which are still celebrated today – unearthing traditions now long forgotten and celebrating some of the finest treasures of medieval literature.”
Gatherings…and big news!
This book has become an absolute favorite of mine, and I’m over the moon to get to read it alongside you. I have a handful of cozy gatherings planned for us…including a live chat with the author!!
Eleanor Parker is Lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Brasenose College, Oxford. She has a doctorate from the University of Oxford and is a specialist in the literature of medieval England and Scandinavia. She writes regularly for publications including History Today and BBC History Magazine, and is the author of Dragon Lords: The History and Legends of Viking England (2018) and Conquered: The Last Children of Anglo-Saxon England (2022). (via Reaktion Books)
Book Club Gatherings:
ZOOM
(For paid subscribers. Details and a Zoom link - as well as recipes for a warm beverage, so that we can all wassail our time together! - will be sent the week of each gathering.)
Friday, October 25 at 7 pm PDT (we’ll chat about the first half of the book - but remember, there’s no pressure! Even if you haven’t cracked the book open yet, you’re welcome to join in the discussion).
Saturday, November 16 at 11 am PST - WITH THE AUTHOR!
Friends, it’s true - lovely Dr. Eleanor Parker herself is so gracious to be joining us for a Q&A and discussion. As you read, be thinking about questions or thoughts you’d like to hear her perspective on! If you’d like to support her ongoing work, please consider visiting her Patreon - I’m a proud supporter of hers over there.
SUBSTACK CHAT
(For all subscribers. We’ll discuss the book using Substack’s text Chat feature! Details will be sent out the week of our gathering.)
Monday, November 18 at 10 am PST
Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful way to settle into some Fall reading?
If, like me, you find yourself trying to keep up with all the calendar additions this season…I have a little gift for you. It’s a printable library card2 that you can use as a bookmark as you read Winters in the World - and it has all our gathering dates on it, to make your life easier.
A few suggestions for finding your copy of Winters in the World:
UK publisher: Reaktion Books
US distributor: University of Chicago
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/W/bo184798471.html
Audiobook on Libby (library app)
Audiobook on Spotify:
Grab a warm beverage, get cozy, & let’s pore over Winters in the World together this fall. Feel free to invite your community on board! If you have friends local to you who may be interested in reading, wouldn’t it be lovely to gather together with them in-person for our Zoom calls & Substack Chat?
If you have any questions, feel free to email me or pop them into the comments!
Pax et bonum,
Kristin
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For those who are able to support a monthly or annual paid subscription, I offer occasional new printables, extra posts, and access to my whole library of printables: the Scriptorium. I’m so grateful for your generosity, which helps to support my work through the purchase of additional books for research, art supplies, and more!
For more reflections and perspectives on the liturgical year, please visit Signs + Seasons: a liturgical living guild!
Perhaps you’re in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoying Springtime, as I wax philosophical about Fall?
Thank you, Kristin! I can't wait to begin. I just received my book last week:)
I am so excited to read this book! Just ordered it. I can’t make the October group but am excited for the November chat!