Midsummer Magick - Vivien Schapera

For Vivien, June is the most magical month. As a child, she was introduced to the solstice by Shakespeare. This came about because Cape Town has an open-air theater in a botanical garden called Maynardville. The tall wrought iron gates, splendid palm trees, stately oaks and flowering shrubs beckoned one inside, promising a land of enchantment. That is where Vivien saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As Puck pranced across the stage, Vivien was enveloped by a world where the veil between this realm and the next parted, and midsummer, gardens and fairies became fused forever in Vivien’s mind.

However, trees, blooms and fairies must share the space in Vivien’s mind with another powerful archetype — the solstice sunrise at Stonehenge. On this day, as the sun emerges over the horizon, it shines through the northeastern entrance portal, casting its first rays directly onto the Altar Stone. Whilst fairies conjure ethereal dreams, the solid structure of Stonehenge fills Vivien with wonder and awe. “Who and how?” She asks herself, as she ponders both humanity and the universe.

Stones and fairies were just the starting point for Vivien and Neil. Soon after arriving in the northern hemisphere, they were each inspired to learn more about the esoteric arts. Neil studied with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies to become a shaman, and Vivien pursued in-depth crystal healing research. The summer solstice, traditionally viewed by Nature-oriented cultures as a sacred and ceremonial day, burgeoned with growing significance. For many years, on this date, Neil and Vivien would gather a group. Neil would drum in spirits, angels and power animals and together with these unseen forces, the group would brew lotions and potions, combining crystal elixirs and aromatherapy essences in a base of carrier oil and beeswax.

When Vivien and Neil finally found the time to take up gardening, Vivien wanted to “sit inside the plants.” They designed a screened in deck surrounded by their garden, providing an immersive experience. As soon as the weather is warm enough, mornings and evenings are spent there, communing with the elements. Sitting on the deck in the lengthening evenings, there comes a moment when all the air turns pink. The mingling scents of roses, oak leaf hydrangeas and impatience waft through the air as indigo ink gently filters into the spaces between the leaves. Upon that signal, the fireflies rise from the lawn, cascading upwards, twinkling like stars.

Stonehenge, fairies and the solstice belong to everyone … but for Vivien and Neil there is an additional personal magic. A few years ago, as their garden was coming into full bloom, the solstice also heralded the birth of their grandson, Michael, born June 22nd. Although the day after the solstice marks the first day of declining light, for Vivien and Neil it more importantly marks the first day of a new life and a new year. One of Vivien’s favorite sayings is: The thing and its opposite live in the same space. After all, Vivien and Neil are originally from the southern hemisphere, where June 21 marks the winter solstice. This truth offers a thought worth remembering -- the end is also the beginning.

Vivien Schapera is an award-winning Teacher, Practitioner and Writer living in Cincinnati, OH USA. In private practice for over 40 years, she is also the founder of three schools, and the author of numerous blogs, vlogs, and books, including Everyday Magic, The Complete Guide to Crystal Surgery and her most recent 2026 publication, How to Establish and Maintain a Strong Client Base a handbook for people who want to earn a living doing what they love.

For more information, visit www.CrystalHealingTechniques.com.

Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - June 2026. Vivien is a regular columnist for the magazine since 2022. Downolad the full magazine at https://www.relatable-media.com/the-relatable-voice-magazine.