Yesterday was Memorial Day in the United States, and thus I declare it the beginning of Forest Hag Summer.
Forest Hag Summer welcomes all genders and all ages—anyone who embraces their inner hag, or their outer hag for that matter. If there isn’t already such a thing as #hagcore, we’re inventing it.
David, beloved of mine, whose 49th birthday is today, told me, with regard to Forest Hag Summer, “I don’t really get what you’re going for.” But then, I had to explain the whole #core phenomenon to him—he’s not very online—and he still didn’t get it. He’s probably not going to embrace anything haggish other than me. That’s fine. Forest Hag Summer is not for everyone.
In honor of my little neglected generational niche (that’s Gen X, people), #hagcore is always already ironic. That tweet above was my inspo, but it’s a little twee, a little sincere, wouldn’t you say? Let’s try to strike the right tone.
Here are some Forest Hag Summer words to evoke the feeling: green, moss, feral, tree, unkempt, forage, shady, snake, wild, folklore, mushroom, fern, lush, ululation.
Forest Hag Summer activities: hiking, camping, lying in the grass staring up at the tree canopy, picking berries, making medicine from plants, tending to the plants and animals, swimming in creeks, going barefoot, reading, building campfires (if the weather is not too dry—which it is right now in central New York), telling stories around those fires.
Forest Hag Summer affect: enthralled, cranky, mysterious, blunt.
Forest Hag Summer behavior: eat what you want, move how you want, rest when you want, and take no bullshit. Bullshit is everywhere these days. Set it on fire with your penetrating gaze. Defend the vulnerable. Trouble the powerful. Hex fascism.
Patron saint: Baba Yaga.
The philosopher Christina Van Dyke, friend of the newsletter, who rocks some of the best Forest Hag hair out there, asked that I publish my proposed Forest Hag Summer playlist. It was a surprisingly challenging playlist to pull together, and a lot of fun. Thanks to one of my favorite hags (also with the hair!), Robin Wallace, for song suggestions. Robin once sent me truffles infused with very small amounts of poisonous plants. That’s hardcore hagcore.
May your summer be green, hidden, eccentric, lush, and wild.
Forest Hag Summer playlist, in no particular order (available on Spotify here)
“Trøllabundin,” Eivør
“Speaking with Trees,” Tori Amos
“Furr,” Blitzen Trapper
“Only the Lonely,” Danielle Ponder
“Down by the Water,” Abigail Lapell
“Dirty Paws,” Of Monsters and Men
“Wuthering Heights,” Kate Bush
“The Foggy Dew,” The Chieftans and Sinéad O’Connor
“I’m On My Way,” Rhiannon Giddens
“Raven Song,” Elephant Revival
“Resilient,” Rising Appalachia
“Siip siie,” Ekova
“At My Mother’s,” Warsaw Village Band
“Just like Heaven,” The Lumineers
“Willow,” Taylor Swift
“Mermaids,” Florence + The Machine
“Green Fingers,” Siouxsie and the Banshees
“Jig of Life,” Kate Bush
“Hag,” The Breeders
“Bells for Her,” Tori Amos
“Dancing Barefoot,” Patti Smith
“Sleep Walker,” Faun Fables
“Deeper Well,” Emmylou Harris
“Awaken and Allow,” Shannon Lay
“Any Way the Wind Blows,” Anaïs Mitchell
“Storm Comin’,” The Wailin’ Jennys
“Find the River,” R.E.M.
“A Forest,” The Cure
“It’s My Way,” Buffy Sainte-Marie
“Flowers and Blood,” Mariee Sioux
“Wolf,” First Aid Kit
“Green Garden,” Laura Mvula
“Soil’s Daughter,” Aisha Badru
“Conjure Woman Blues,” The Hushes
“Oak Tree,” Mirel Wagner
“Wild Ones,” Bahari
“Crossroads,” Tracy Chapman
“Take Me to Church,” Hozier
“Stand Like An Oak,” Rising Appalachia
“To Darkness/Kripa,” Dharohar Project, Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons
“These Are Days,” 10,000 Maniacs
“Mad Woman,” Taylor Swift
“Marry the Night,” Lady Gaga
“Magpie to the Morning,” Neko Case
“We Don’t Need Another Hero,” Tina Turner
“Walk Unafraid,” First Aid Kit
“Highwomen,” The Highwomen
I love this and would like to nominate Ferron for any additions to the playlist.
“Set it on fire with your penetrating gaze”— I love it! That made me lol.