Did you know that it is National Hedgerow Week here in the UK and in my opinion, one of the best times of year to enjoy this special habitat.
Hedgerows can be found throughout the countryside, lining tracks and field edges and marking boundaries. They play an important role in urban areas too, surrounding parks, fields, and gardens. As the UK’s largest wildlife habitat, they provide homes, shelter and food to over 2000 species, including frogs, newts, birds, mammals, and insects.
As well as being a refuge for wildlife, hedgerows also help reduce flooding, soil erosion and air pollution. I feel very lucky to live beside one that is currently filled with frothy Hawthorn blossom, fresh green leaves and the buzz of life, you can enjoy it with me here!
Hedgerows can vary in species, with rural hedges often a mixture of shrubs and trees, including hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel,elder, ash and oak. In urban and landscaped settings you are more likely to find species like box, yew, privet and holly.
Hedgerow Jewellery
To celebrate the beauty and magic of the hedgerow this year, we have crafted some pendants from the woods of some of our favourite hedgerow trees, all of which are in store now.
Just a little update to let you know that our very special Birch burl collection will be instore at 7pm today, this Beltane eve.
We have been feeling the call of the Birch trees so strongly this month as their new leaves unfurled, and their deep roots have been busy drawing up nutrients from the earth.
Each pendant comes infused with the message, ‘I am courageous‘, which feels like the generous gift of the Birch trees who courageously move into new land before any other tree is ready…
We have loved working with this unique wood to create these 5 pieces that we hope celebrate the wild grains and colours of the burl.
Beltane Sale
In celebration of Beltane, our print collection & Wheel of the Year card deck have 20% discount all weekend!
Beltane blessings
As May arrives, I wish you all some magic this Beltane. Sometimes the very simplest of moments are the richest. I will likely be gathering herbs from our garden to make some fresh tea, watching our resident swallows build their nest and soaking in some of this beautiful sunshine as we prepare for Lincolnshire Makers Spring Artisan Market at Stourton Woods on Sunday 4th May 2025.
If you are looking for a Beltane ritual for the coming days, you may enjoy checking out our Beltane fire ritual.
I will leave you with these cheerful little beauties that have become our (very early) alarm clock as they chatter outside the van from 4:30 each morning!
Our resident swallows are back and busy nest building!
As we approach Beltane in the northern hemisphere, the land feels rich with growth and vitality. On Saturday, we travelled to the brilliant Nottingham Pagan Market. On the journey, I was just mesmerised by the vivid green that has cloaked the land once more, and of course, the blossom too.
In today’s post I wanted to share with you an experience that changed my life and helped deepen my connection with the natural world. I will also be sharing some information about our very special, upcoming Wild Jewellery collection, so let’s dive in!
In 2018, I signed up to a forest bathing course, held in an ancient woodland on Dartmoor. Guided by pioneer Eco therapist Stefan Batorijs of Nature & Therapy we spent a long, autumnal weekend immersed in the healing power of nature. Drawing together two areas of life I had long been fascinated by; nature and wellbeing.
Forest Bathing
‘Forest bathing’ is a translation of the Japanese term ‘Shinrin-yoku’, referring to the practice of immersing ourselves in a forest or wild place. It has become an important part of preventative healthcare in Japan, and the benefits to health and wellbeing have been widely studied.Research has been able to demonstrate scientifically, that which we may feel instinctively, that being immersed in nature, is good for us.
Some of the benefits of spending time amongst the trees include increases to our immune function. Trees release natural antimicrobial compounds called phytoncides that protect the tree from pests and diseases. When we breathe those compounds in, they impact our own immune system by boosting the number of NK cells in our bodies. NK cells help us to fight infection, disease and even detect and control early signs of cancer. These benefits to the immune system were observed for up to 30 days after a visit to a woodland. Stress hormones, heart rate and blood pressure were all shown to decrease when we spend time around trees, whilst metabolism increased and sleep quality improved.
A Deeper Connection
During our forest bathing course, we were guided to slow down and engage our senses to notice things that we may otherwise overlook. I didn’t know it at the time, but this skill allowed me to deepen my connection to the world around me in a profound way. I began to listen, to notice, to observe and experience my surroundings more deeply. I was no longer just walking through a woodland but becoming a part of it, welcomed and held by the land around me.
I began to notice more about the trees I walked beside. The way in which the new leaf buds that open in spring actually grow at the end of summer when the trees have more energy. I noticed how little Birch trees could so often be found springing up in land that had recently been cleared, as if to reclaim it for the wild. I observed how Rowans claimed spots high on the top of hills, whilst Willows and Alders thrived whenever water was near. My walks and visits to wild places became more enriched and filled with meaning and discovery.
The Energy of Trees
These days I am usually found talking about a tree’s energy. Sometimes this word can feel a little ‘out there’ but to me, it is simply information that is shared when we open up to a connection with something. Just like how we come to know or feel a person over time, the same can be true of the wild world.
That brings me on to our latest collection of Wild Jewellery, that has been inspired by the recent call of the Birch tree, a wonderful tree guide for courage and new beginnings.
Inside a Birch burl
A few years ago, we came across a beautiful Birch tree, recently fallen in a storm. It had a small burl on its trunk. Burls can grow on trees for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is where the tree has been injured and healed, sometimes due to an interaction with fungi. Burls are prized in woodwork as they house the most fascinating, irregular grains and colours that are completely unique.
We created 5 wild pendants celebrating this beautiful wood. They will be in store on Beltane eve, Wednesday 30th April at 7pm. You can see a preview of the whole collection in the video below:
I love this time of year, the blue sky and warm afternoons. The vivid green of new leaves and the excitable bird song that fills the morning air. There is an aliveness that I feel seeping back to me from the earth around.
And yet, alongside the joys of spring, other experiences can arise, too. Fluctuating energy levels, feelings of restlessness, overwhelm, and anxiety can all increase as our bodies adjust to longer days and increased light levels.
In today’s post, I wanted to celebrate the beauty of this month and share some of my favourite ways to bring mindfulness into busy days.
This season brings so many invitations to leave the busy realms of our minds for a few moments and come back to the present moment, where life is unfurling.
Here is what we’ve been noticing this month:
Tree flowers
Over the past few years, we have really enjoyed noticing the different flowers that grow on trees in the spring. They tend to open just before or alongside the leaves. This is a wonderful month to see some growing. Here are a few that we have spotted in the last few days…
I must also take a moment to celebrate the blossom that is continuing to bring me so much joy as streets and parks transform. From cherry blossom to blackthorn, white to every shade of pink. I know no better way to welcome spring than to spend a few moments standing beneath a blossom tree, absorbing its beauty, and noticing the life that buzzes around them.
Cherry blossomBlackthorn blossomI adore the pink buds of apple blossom
Getting outdoors
Whether it be the woods, a park, or beside a river, this season is filled with magic and change around every corner. We can spot something new on every visit. The vibrant green of new leaves that draws our eyes skyward never fails to make my heart feel uplifted.
April is the month that bluebells transform ancient woodlands into places of (even more) wonder. Birds, including swallows and cuckoos, are arriving back to the UK after their winter migration.
Tree Guides for Overwhelm
Both Birch and Willow have been capturing my attention this week and are wonderful allies for soothing busy minds. Spending time around any trees can significantly improve our wellbeing. Here are some of my favourites to visit during times of overwhelm:
Willow – beside the water, Willows always offer us a place to soften beneath their branches. Their gentle yet supportive energy can guide us in slowing down, releasing tension, and creating more space in our busy lives.
Birch – these pioneer trees are wonderful guides for courage and new beginnings when we are required to step out of our comfort zones and into the unknown.
Hawthorn – these special trees are known for nurturing the heart and nervous system and are particular favourites to visit during times of worry and overwhelm.
Oak – these iconic trees offer a deep sense of strength and grounding and are wonderful to visit whenever we feel on shaky ground or are doubting our abilities.
Wild Fen updates
We are looking forward to returning to Nottingham Pagan Market for Beltane in a couple of weeks’ time.
You can find out where we will be next at the bottom of our about page.
We are currently working on some beautiful new Wild Jewellery pieces, inspired by our favourite spring trees.
Here is a sneak peak of a fascinating piece of birch burl that we found 2 years ago, and now feels like just the right time to share its magic. You will be the first to see the finished pieces in a few weeks’ time…
Wishing you all some mindful moments over the coming week,
Just a little update from me to let you know that our Wild Jewellery collection for Spring will be in store at 6pm today! In my previous post, I celebrated the magic of Gorse and why it has inspired our first collection of the year. You can catch up with that post here.
There will be some other beautiful woods featured in this collection, and I shall be sharing more about them in my Tree Guides for Spring post coming later this week. Here is a sneak peak of some of the pieces!
And finally, in celebration of Ostara, all of our prints & Wheel of the Year reflection cards will have a 20% discount this week.
I hope you have had a chance to soak in some of the delicious sunshine that has shone down on us so far this month. It has certainly put a spring in my step! I have felt the urge for some spring clearing, garden pottering, and a little planning for the year ahead. Have you noticed any changes in your energy yet?
As soon as the sun shines, I have an overwhelming urge to visit the coast, which I did last week. Whilst there, coastal loving Gorse seemed to be in its element, blooming vibrantly against the blue sky.
And so it is Gorse that has inspired our first Wild Jewellery collection of this year. In today’s post, I will be sharing more about this fascinating shrub, I will introduce you to our Gorse collection and let you know exactly when it will be in store, so let’s dive in…
Gorse is a resourceful, evergreen shrub that has developed many adaptations to help it to thrive. It produces nitrogen that enriches the soil around its own roots, so that it can grow in the places that other plants may struggle. Strong spikes protect Gorse so that it can bloom without restraint.
Gorse energy can guide us in learning how to nourish and protect our energy so that we may flourish. To me, Gorse is an advocate for an untamed life, and finding creative ways to thrive. What a wonderful wild guide as we move into spring.
Introducing our Gorse Collection
The overwhelming feeling we experienced from working with Gorse wood was ‘wild’ and ‘untamed’. It felt as though we were working with the wood to retain its own wild character, patterns and markings which shine through these unique pieces. We really hope you love them as much as we enjoyed creating them!
These pieces will be in store on Monday 17th March at 6pm alongside some other spring pieces. The link below will take you to our Etsy shop where you can add us to your favourite shops for updates.
We have really enjoyed hearing about your connections with Gorse over on Instagram this week. If you haven’t already, we would love you to come and join us there too. Let’s share and celebrate the beauty and magic of nature together. You can find us there by clicking the link below…
Further reading
As we approach the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere you may wish to catch up with some of our previous posts: ‘Ostara, Air and Smoke Cleansing‘ and Awakening with Ostara which includes my favourite journal prompt to work with at this time of year. You may also enjoy our Mindful Spring Practices too, especially helpful if you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed at this time of year.
In my next post, I will be sharing some of my favourite tree guides for the spring season, but until then…
Wishing you all a little spring sunshine this weekend,
As we reach mid-December, I feel a sense of relief to know that we are almost at the shortest day of the year now, how are you holding up?
On Saturday, 21st December we reach the Winter Solstice, after which the light slowly begins to expand once again. Can you believe, that by the end of January, we will have an extra hour of daylight compared with today!
Yule Reflection card in store now
We have had a busy month making up your orders, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shopped with us again this year. It really means the world to us, to still be here, creating gifts for you and your loved ones for another year.
Shop Update
If you are still thinking of shopping with us before Christmas, please do get your orders in by 7pm on SUNDAY 15th DECEMBER. Any orders placed after this time will be shipped out in the New Year. This is to ensure your UK order has plenty of time to reach you before Christmas, given the increased pressures on the postal system at this time.
We still have some lovely things in store if you are looking for a last minute gift. From tree pendants, to prints and boxsets, here is a taste of what is still available…
Moon Ritual KitLunar Calendars in 3 sizesA selection of handmade Moon pendantsFor Moon LoversTree energy printsTree energy pendantsFor Tree loversSeasonal Living box setWheel of the Year printFor Earth Lovers
Whilst this time of year can feel busy and full, we hope you are finding some cosy, slower moments amidst it all. Energy can be lower at this time of year so make sure to take a few extra moments to nurture yours this month. A cup of tea drunk slowly under a blanket. Getting into bed a little earlier to read a book, light some candles or sink into a hot bath. It need not be fancy, just something that allows you to take a deeper exhale after a long day.
The last Full Moon of the year will rise on Sunday 15th at around 3.20pm in the UK. Fingers are crossed for clear skies so that we can catch a glimpse at some point in the evening.
I wanted to leave you with a few of our favourite photos from December’s gone by as a reminder of the beauty that can be found on these cold Winter days. I hope you enjoy them and find some moments of peace this week,
How are you as we move into the darkest days of the year?
In today’s post, I wanted to share some of the trees that I love connecting with through the darker months. It is my hope that their generous energy may support you too as we move into Winter.
Let’s dive in…
Tree Guides for Winter Months
In my last Samhain post, I shared the Celtic myth about the old Goddess of Winter; the Cailleach, who beats her Blackthorn staff on the earth to bring Winter to the land. This determined, thorny tree can be a wonderful guide for us in establishing the boundaries we need to protect our dwindling energy at this time of year. And if you find yourself feeling lost in the cold, just know, that it won’t be long until Blackthorn will be opening her small, white blossoms once again.
Energy & Symbolism: Boundaries, Determination, Hope, Overcoming Challenges.
Holly trees shine the brightest amongst the cold days of Winter. Hollys are long lived trees, growing slowly and patiently, often beneath the taller trees in the woodland. When the time is right and space emerges, they claim their space proudly amongst the woodland greats.
Energy & Symbolism: Patience, Adaptability, Wisdom, Acceptance, Clarity, Introspection.
When our minds are overloaded, and our short days disappear into a busy haze, Pine offer a great reminder to pause, look up and breathe deeply. No matter how long our to-do lists are, we can always create more space in our day when we make the decision to pause and come back to the present moment, even if only for a breath or two.
Energy & Symbolism: Cleansing, Clearing, Expansion, Protection.
As Birch trees mature, their bark turns white, brightening even the gloomiest of Winter days. Associated with the Winter Solstice, renewal and new beginnings, they support us in sowing the seeds of our dreams into the dark, fertile earth.
Energetic Properties: New beginnings, Transformation, Flexibility, Courage, Nurturing.
Whilst many plants are dormant over the Winter, Ivy continues its journey, climbing trees and walls in order to reach the light. It is wild and rambling and is steeped in folklore and mystery. It can be symbolic of our own, wild journey and guides us in embracing the twists and turns in our path.
Energy & Symbolism: Wildness, Journey, Change, Growth, Embracing ourselves.
Ivy pendants
Thank you!
We would like to take the chance to thank you all so much for your ongoing support this year. I think I speak for many of us when I say it has been really challenging at times, and your words of support, purchases, reviews and connection mean the world to us. If there is anyone who you think may enjoy our creations, we would be super grateful if you could spread the word and share our details with them.
Wishing you all a little peace and nourishment this week,
As the Wheel of the Year reaches Samhain, I wanted to introduce you to two very special trees that have been guiding me lately and whose symbolism may speak to us as we move into the dark half of the year here in the Northern hemisphere.
The Autumn, feels like the perfect time to connect with a sense of awe whether it is gazing up at a starry sky, catching a misty sunrise or watching the woodland transform in front of our eyes. I experienced a sense of awe on a walk beneath some mighty Pine trees last week and I wanted to share a little more about this wonderful evergreen with you.
Scots Pine
Scots Pine is the most widespread variety of Pine in the world and is the only Pine native to the UK, although other species grow happily here including the Corsican or Black Pine that is predominantly grown for timber.
Scots Pine was one of the pioneer trees that first returned to Britain after the last Ice age, moving northwards where it formed the vast Caledonian forest in Scotland. Some remnants of this forest still remain today and protects an array of iconic wildlife including red squirrels, cross bills, and pine martens.
Their vast height and fresh resinous scent encourages us to look upwards, take a deep breath and open our mind and lungs. Being in their presence can help us to move from our busy minds and into the present moment. To experience reality with a fresh outlook and calmer sense of being.
Evergreens have been celebrated through the dark months since antiquity and Pine groves were especially important to the druids, who would decorate them around the time of the Winter Solstice.
To me, they are important to visit often through the cold months where I most appreciate their green, their freshness and the awe they inspire in me. Tell me, have you visited a Pine forest lately?
Blackthorn are small but mighty trees often found growing as part of hedgerows and boundaries. They are steeped in folklore and hold strong associations to the dark months on the year and the waning moon cycle. Their sharp thorns and dense thicket like growth are both protective to the wildlife who live and shelter within them yet attacking to those whom it prevents from entering.
Thorny Blackthorn
According to Celtic myth, the Cailleach (goddess of the Winter) beat her blackthorn staff on the ground around the time of Samhain ushering in Winter across the land.
Interestingly, Blackthorn is also the first tree to come into blossom at the end of Winter, providing a crucial early nectar source for insects and bringing a sense of hope that Spring will return to the land once again.
I often think of Blackthorn as a wise Elder that guides us with implementing the boundaries needed to protect our tender inner worlds, just as they protect wildlife. Their energy can guide us through the dark months and offer glimmers of hope that the wheel will turn once more towards Spring.
Between the rain showers, we have been catching glimpses of some wonderful Autumnal magic. From misty sunrises, starry skies and dewy spider webs to the incredible Aurora borealis which we were overjoyed to see this month. And if that wasn’t enough, the largest Super Moon of the year graced the October skies and woah, it was a strong one – did you feel its impact?
This season feels like such a potent one. As the light wanes, the Swallows have departed and the Starlings have arrived here on the land. The first frost seems to have encouraged the leaves to transform and the forests are full of mushrooms. I wonder, what is standing out to you about this transformative season?
First frostFalling leavesMagpie Inkcap
Samhain
Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) is celebrated at the end of this month and marks the end of the harvest and the birth of Wintertime. This Celtic festival inspired modern-day Halloween, and was once thought of as the end (and the beginning) of the year.
For me, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming adjusting to the darker, colder days. The earth’s energy has shifted from one of growth and light to one of retreating, turning inwards and rest. This is also a time of endings that can evoke strong emotions in us all. You can read more about the energy of Samhain here.
Our Wheel of the Year reflection cards offer seasonal info, ideas for connecting with the season and journal prompts. Find them in store now.
Self care
Whilst our calendars and to-do lists may be feeling full at this time of year, taking the time to pause and check in on our energy is really valuable. How has the year impacted us so far? What emotions are present right now? and how may we be able to shift our energy if we are feeling tense or overburdened? A question you may wish to spend some time reflecting on at this time of year is, ‘how can I welcome more nourishment into my life?’
Wild Fen Updates
We will be heading to the fabulousNottingham Pagan Market on Saturday 26th October, 12-5pmfor the first time and we are really looking forward to it. We have some great events coming up throughout November and December too, you can find out where we will be at the bottom of our About page.
New Print
If you follow us on Social Media, you may well know that we have had a new print (or two) in the works for some time! We are so excited to finally share, that our Energy of Trees prints are now in store!
We are SO pleased with how they have turned out, they feel like a true celebration of our journey with trees over the past few years. We have adapted historical botanical drawings with our interpretation of the energy of our most beloved trees, combining our own observations and conversations together with ancient folklore. We would love to hear what you think of them.
As with all our designs, they are printed on premium, recycled card (uncoated) and packed in biodegradable packaging. They are available in 2 sizes (Medium 8 x 10″ and Large 11 x 14″) and in light and dark versions.
As a valued newsletter subscriber you will receive 10% off any tree print when you add the discount code TREE10 at the checkout. This code is valid until midnight on Wednesday 23rd October.
We are currently working on a very special Wild Jewellery collection to capture the magic of this season so do keep an eye on your inbox in the run up to Samhain as you will see the collection here first!
Wild Fen 