| THE EPISTOLARIAN |

Every now and then, a collector friend will press a seal from their collection for me, and I absolutely cherish it. It’s like adding a new piece to my little museum of wax and letters.

Take my friend Vanessa from Marbled Paper Studio. She sent a seal I’m obsessed with—a beautiful piece I even helped her decipher. It shows a man and a woman riding a horse with the inscription "To Gretna." As a romance reader (and now, writer), I swooned instantly -- get the smelling salts!

"To Gretna" refers to Gretna Green, a small Scottish village near the English border that, in the 18th century, was the equivalent of Las Vegas for runaway marriages. This trend started with the Marriage Act of 1754, which required parental consent for anyone under 21 and a drawn-out process of announcing marriage intentions by reading banns in church on three consecutive Sundays, giving people a chance to object. Couples who wanted to avoid delays—or disapproving relatives—had to jump through hoops. In Scotland, however, you could marry immediately with a simple declaration in front of witnesses—no fuss, no waiting. Naturally, Gretna Green, just across the border, became the go-to destination for English couples eager to tie the knot without interference.

Marriages there were often performed by the local blacksmith, nicknamed the “anvil priest” because he symbolically “forged” the union. His shop became an iconic setting for these romantic elopements. For many, Gretna Green represented freedom—love triumphing over societal expectations. It symbolized youthful rebellion, a place where love, not obligation, ruled. Even today, Gretna Green remains a popular wedding destination, steeped in romantic lore.

Naturally, we had to create a Kathryn Hastings Collector Seal for Gretna. It’s all about the spontaneity and magic of love—the kind that makes you want to marry for love above all else.

I briefly shared this seal in my stories, and the response was immediate! If you know this seal belongs in your collection, be sure to order quickly for two reasons:

• I want to make sure you get yours before they sell out.
• I’d love to fulfill your order before I leave for Ireland.

​You can order yours here. Now, get your smelling salts, here are some more detailed shots...

Featured Wax Color:Bacchus

In mythology, Bacchus symbolizes indulgence, the liberation from societal constraints, and the pursuit of pleasure—a jubilant defiance that mirrors the spirit of elopement, beautifully captured in the "To Gretna" seal and its association with runaway marriages. Much like a fine vintage wine that enchants the senses, the deep, rich hue of Bacchus sealing wax evokes a sense of opulence and indulgence, inviting the beholder into a world of passion and freedom.

The Vine by Robert Herrick

I dreamed this mortal part of mine
Was metamorphosed to a vine,
Which crawling one and every way
Enthralled my dainty Lucia.
Methought her long small legs and thighs
I with my tendrils did surprise;
Her belly, buttocks, and her waist
By my soft nervelets were embraced.
About her head I writhing hung,
And with rich clusters (hid among
The leaves) her temples I behung,
So that my Lucia seemed to me
Young Bacchus ravished by his tree.
My curls about her neck did crawl,
And arms and hands they did enthrall,
So that she could not freely stir
(All parts there made one prisoner).
But when I crept with leaves to hide
Those parts which maids keep unespied,
Such fleeting pleasures there I took
That with the fancy I awoke;
And found (ah me!) this flesh of mine
More like a stock than like a vine.

With love,

Kay

PS: If you want to learn more about Gretna Green, they have a darling website.