Author: Wild Fen

Botanicals

About your Smoulder Stick

Wild Fen


Smoulder sticks are bundles of herbs bound together and dried for the purpose of burning. Burning herbs is one of the earliest forms of aromatherapy and has been practiced for thousands of years. You may be familiar with the term smudge stick or smudging, which refers to a specific Indigenous American sacred smoke ceremony. Most cultures across the world have burned herbs and dried plants at some point in their history.

All of our smoulder sticks are intuitively handcrafted with a blend of homegrown organic herbs & wild foraged plants local or naturalised in the UK, each with their own unique qualities.

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Foraging

The Intuitive Art of Foraging

Wild Fen

It has been an interesting foraging year for us. I have found myself feeling incredibly drawn to collecting certain plants – wild rose early on in the year, Mugwort throughout the summer and wild oats as the summer progressed. There have also been other plants that despite their abundance and potential, for one reason or another we didn’t forage many/any this year – elderflower and rosehips stand out as two.

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Astrological

Libra season

Wild Fen

The wheel of the year turns once more as we arrive at the Autumn Equinox. Day and night length reach balance as the sun moves into the seventh sign of the zodiac – Libra. The sun remains in Libra until 22nd October where it will transition to watery Scorpio.

It is no surprise given the timing of the season that Libra is characterised by balance. As Libra is an air sign, which is connected to thoughts and mental energy, Libra can be associated with consideration, weighing things up and trying to come to a fair solution for all.

Sometimes this may present itself as indecisiveness or a desire for things to be just, in balance and not to rock the boat.

Libra is the first sign of the Autumn and the sign that paves our entry to the darker half of the year.

Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Mabon – the Autumn Equniox

Wild Fen

Autumn Equinox, falls between September 20th and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. At this point each year, day and night length reaches equal balance once more as we pass through the doorway to the dark half of the year. After this point, the balance tips as hours of darkness increase and day length shortens. This heralds a time to begin slowing down, give thanks for what we harvest, release the old and turn our gaze inwards.

Acorns are abundant now
Hawthorn berries
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Botanicals

Mindful Magick smoulder stick

Wild Fen

We recently put out a question over on our Instagram page asking what people would like from a smoulder stick. The most common answer we received was around support for anxiety, stress and depression.

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Wellbeing, Wheel of the Year

Creating a space

Wild Fen

One of my earliest indicators that Autumn is nearby is my desire to retreat. Woodland walks followed by cosy, quiet evenings, warming foods and the urge to make my space feel cosier and more relaxing.

In my previous post about transitioning to Autumn I discussed how typically this time of year can bring with it a more quiet and reflective energy that guides us inwards, as opposed to the bright and expansive days of the Spring and Summer months just ending.

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Wheel of the Year

Transitioning to Autumn

Wild Fen

According to earth-based traditions, the upcoming Autumn Equinox marks the transition from an outward focus of growth and energy to an inward one. But what does this actually mean?

If we look to nature at this time, we will notice that the active growth of Spring and Summer is beginning to wane. The energetic greens, are transitioning to the oranges, browns and reds of Autumn as the hours of daylight continue to recede.

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Astrological

Virgo season

Wild Fen

Today – the 22nd August, the Sun transitions into the sixth sign of the zodiac; Virgo. Virgo season runs up until September 23rd, before the sun moves into the sign of Libra, at the Autumn Equinox.

Virgo season spans the height of the harvest when times are busy gathering, processing and storing produce for the months ahead. This practical earth sign is associated with qualities of strength, hardwork, organisation, practicality and determination with high standards for themselves and others.

Virgo season can be a good time to really connect with the earth, grounding ourselves in this abundant season. We may experience more focus for any projects we may have over the month ahead and it can be a good time to assess where we may be overly harsh on ourselves and others.

Botanicals

Introducing Smoulder Sticks

Wild Fen

We have decided to rename our handcrafted herb bundles that we have so far been referring to as ‘smudge sticks’.

We have spent a lot of time thinking about this and wanted to give some background as to why we have come to this decision.

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Foraging

Elderberry Oxymel

Wild Fen

On these damp and cloudy days, I feel Autumn’s presence strongly. These days feel just right for concocting healing oxymels for the winter months ahead.

The name oxymel comes from the Greek word ‘oxymeli’ meaning acid and honey. It is a traditional herbal extraction, using a vinegar and honey to extract and preserve the potent goodness from an array of plants, that can then be taken as a medicine. I prefer making oxymels over more sugar heavy syrups.

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