Letter from Cressida Pryor
June 18, 2025
Dear FOI Friends,
It's hardly believable that we are approaching the longest day…despite a long dry spring, parched fields and swifts screeching high…I really should believe it!
What does the fullness of nature’s abundance mean to you?
On one particular day recently I was 'woken up' from the day's business by a couple of short but powerfully 'full' moments. Both were of human connection. The first needs a short explanation:
Most of the ethnic food shops are on the lower high street in Cheltenham. These include foods from Asia, the Middle East and eastern Europe. I have one particular favourite that sells the best bread…it's a Polish shop and I try to greet the assistants there with my shaky 'good day' in their language. They are friendly and indulge my communication attempts…
On the day in question I was in another shop altogether and was navigating my way through to the doors at the rear of the building when I saw a smiling and familiar face, from another context…one of the Polish assistants waved a cheery 'hello' to me and I was able to respond, our paths crossed and I was touched she had recognised me out of context and was pleased to greet me, as I was her…
The other one was when we were Morris dancing in a near-by town that same evening…we try to chat and engage with the audience and at some point cajole them into joining in with a simple dance! There was a young teenage lad sitting with two older women…probably mum and a friend…the boy asked several questions about our outfits and announced he approved of our head gear…bowler hats enhanced with tall pheasant's feathers…he was bright faced and interested, sharing some sweets he had after dancing with us…I think we all felt encouraged by this youngster's enthusiasm and energy…
I recently learned that the word 'enthusiasm' originates from the Greek word "enthousiasmos", meaning "inspiration or possession by god". This, in turn, is derived from the Greek words ''en'' (in) and ''theos'' (god), literally meaning "having god within"…
We all have a spark of the divine within us…however there are times when our natural enthusiasm becomes dimmed and clouded by life’s challenges and losses. Then we can sometimes ride the light of others. It takes trust to do this. Trust in the innate goodness of the universe, of the Divine Mother's ultimate loving link with all beings, the entanglement of us all…knowing that we will, when our batteries are restored, pour energy back into the system.
That's what the Summer Solstice means to me…the experience of nature and lights' unabashed fullness and glory. The reminder that this is all ours too…our place within it, our sharing of it with all existences, with humility and care, knowing what a precious resource it is.
I leave you with Dag Hammarskjold's words: 'For all that has been, Thanks. To all that shall be, Yes.'
With Solstice blessings,
Cressida, FOI Steward
