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Lughnasadh, the first harvest of the Celtic Wheel of the Year, has come — the season of the first grain, the first loaf, and the old harvest gratitude. In this episode, we follow the story of John Barleycorn, the centuries-old ballad of the grain that is cut down, buried, and rises again as the bread on our table and the ale in our cup — and we meet meadowsweet, the Queen of the Meadow, the fragrant herb that once crowned the harvest drink and still steadies us through the cold-and-flu season. Come stand with me at the edge of a Vermont field where the light has begun to lean toward autumn, and let this oldest of harvest stories carry you into the turning of the year.
🎶 Listen to my version of this old ballad dating back to the 1500s, Sir John Barleycorn – A Harvest Carol
“Sir John Barleycorn — A Harvest Carol.” Original lyrics, adaptation, and recording © 2026 Brenda J. Sullivan / Thompson Street Farm LLC. Adapted from the traditional ballad “John Barleycorn” (public domain). All rights reserved. No copies may be made or shared without the express written permission of the copyright holder (and that’s ME 😎).
Sir John Barleycorn – A Harvest Carol Version 1
Sir John Barleycorn – A Harvest Carol Version 2
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🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools
(affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work)
Herbs featured in this Show:
1. Meadowsweet Dried Herb
2. Meadowsweet Tincture
3. Lavender Journal: Notebook
My favorite tea-making tools:
BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker,
Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar,
Heat-proof wide-mouth mason jars
📚Bookstore – Brenda J. Sullivan Books
https://www.brendajsullivanbooks.com
🌱My Garden Journal – A How-To Garden Book for Kids
Because every gardener starts with a single seed — and a little curiosity.
My Garden Journal is part how-to guide, part creative keepsake, designed to help children (and their grown-ups) learn the basics of growing food and flowers while documenting their journey.
Inside you’ll find:
- Simple planting guidance
- Space for drawings, photos, and notes
- Imaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef’s Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden)
Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants.
✨ You’ll be amazed at how much you — and your garden — grow when you take time to journal the journey.
🌿 Work With Me
🌙 Herbal Consultations (Now Open)
Root your wellness in the wisdom of the plants — and the stars.
My one-on-one consultations offer gentle, grounded guidance rooted in traditional herbalism, vitalist principles, and (if you wish) astrology. Each session begins with listening.
👉 Learn more here:
https://mailchi.mp/351efb18cd6b/one-on-one-consultations-landing-page
☕ Buy Me a Cup of Tea
If this story brought you comfort, you can support the channel here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/thompsonstg
🎶 Music Credits
A heartfelt thank you to Alexander Nakarada for the music featured in this story.
I am a Patreon supporter of Alexander’s work.
🎼 Song: Planning – 320bit – September 5, 2021
🔗 https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/
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The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC.
https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/
[…] then cross the ocean to the old European Grain Moon and Barley Moon, threading straight back to Episode 52, “John Barleycorn & the First Loaf: The Story of Lughnasadh” (go give that one a listen if you missed it). Along the way: what this eclipse pairing is […]