Mindfulness, Trees

April overwhelm, mindful moments & tree flowers

Hello Wild Soul,

How are you this spring morning?

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.

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,

Nic x

Products

Gorse release incoming!

Hello Wild Soul,

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.

Speak soon,

Nic x

Plants, Wild Jewellery

Returning with a Spring in my Step & our Gorse Collection

Hello Wild Soul,

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,

Nic x

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Updates

December Updates & Last Weekend for Orders!

Good evening wild soul,

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!

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…


December Moments

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,

Much love,

Nic x

Products, Trees

Tree guides for the darker months

Hello Wild Soul,

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.


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,

With love,

Nic x

Wheel of the Year

Trees of Samhain

Hello Wild Soul,

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.

In a recent post on Instagram, I talked about how experiencing a sense of awe has been shown to have a positive impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing along with our relationships.

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

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.

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.


Further reading

If you would like to read more about Samhain, you may enjoy our previous posts; the energy of Samhain, Samhain offerings and spontaneous rituals and the Wheel of the Year.

Wishing you all some peace and awe this week,

love,

Nic x

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Products, Wheel of the Year

October, Samhain, Self Care & Tree Prints!

Hello Wild Soul,

How are you as we move through October?

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?


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 fabulous Nottingham Pagan Market on Saturday 26th October, 12-5pm for 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.

Coming up….

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!

Wishing you all a little October magic this week,

With love,

Nic x

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Products, Wheel of the Year

Harvest Moon, Mabon & Lunar Calendars!

Hello Wild Soul,

Did you catch sight of the beautiful harvest moon over the past few days? We have enjoyed watching it rise, lighting up the fields adjacent to us as the farmer gathers late into the evening, just as humans have done throughout history.

This big, beautiful moon feels like the perfect time to introduce you to our Lunar Calendars for 2025. There are 3 sizes available; a double sided A6 card or medium (8×10″) and large (11×14″) prints. Our design is printed onto a premium, recycled card and packaged in a compostable plant based sleeve. Find them in store now!


The Harvest Moon, also lets us know that Mabon, the celebration of the Autumn Equinox is almost upon us, here in the Northern Hemisphere.

Mabon

This year, Mabon fall on Sunday 22nd September. This marks the beginning of the Autumn season. At the equinox, night and day become equal in length once again, after which we step over the threshold to the darker half of the year.

As the light is noticeably retreating now, we may find ourselves beginning to crave more rest. Earlier nights, warming foods and cosiness are my tell tale signs the season is changing. One of my favourite practices for this time of year is toย create or tend to a spaceย so that it feels cosy and welcoming for self care practices for the darker months to come. Other practices I love at this time of year are:

  • Lighting incense and candles in the evenings.
  • Watching the sunrise & sunset.
  • Noticing signs of Autumn as the leaves begin to change colour.
  • Cooking some warming dishes with earthy fruits and vegetables.
  • Sitting in front of a fire.

I would love to know what helps you feel connected to the season.


Grounding practice

Some seasons may feel easier to transition into than others. As I move into Autumn, I feel the need to ground myself regularly in nature and I wanted to share one of my favourite ways to do this with you:

Find a tree and stand nearby, if possible with your back against the trunk. If this is not possible it also works just by visualising yourself doing so. Take a few moments to slow down and notice your surroundings; the textures and temperatures. The colours that you can see and any noises that you can hear.

Take some deeper breaths, and bring your attention to your feet on the ground. Gently press each one into the earth a little. Notice how supported you are, by the earth, held and welcome. Breathe in this feeling of support throughout your body.


Wild Fen updates

We had a brilliant time at the Wonder of Wood Fair near Cambridge last weekend! Thank you to anyone who came to say hello!

Our next stall is on Saturday 28th, 10.30am-4pm for theย Thetford Autumn Pagan & Alternative Fayre,ย Charles Burrell Centre, The Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford IP24 3LH

You can find out where will be in the coming months here, with a couple more dates to be added soon!

I am very excited to be attending the Wild Sister Gathering this weekend, hosted by two hugely creative beings; Sonia Bicker and Jo of Under the Rowan tree. I shall be bringing a few Wild Fen creations with me too, and if you are going, I look forward to seeing you there!

Wishing you a nourishing Mabon,

Nic x

Trees, Wellbeing

Tree Guides for Embracing Change

Hello Wild Soul,

In my last post, I shared how observing changes in the natural world has helped me to embrace change a little easier in my own life. In today’s post, I wanted to share some of my favourite trees for supporting us during times of change or uncertainty.

What if I don’t know the species of tree?

I would like to start by saying, if you are not sure how to differentiate a Beech from a Birch tree, please do not worry! You do not need to be an expert to connect with the supportive energy of a tree. There are some brilliant resources out there to help you begin to tell different species apart including this free guide from the Woodland Trust. They also have a brilliant A-Z of trees that is well worth a browse.

Remember, learning about something is a wonderful way to connect with it. Begin with trees you have noticed before. Approach them with the willingness to get to know more about them. Greet them. See what stands out to you about them. What colour and texture is their bark? What shape and size are their leaves? Do you notice anything else growing on them – cones, fruit, nuts or flowers? Are there any feelings or words that come to mind as you spend time near this tree?

Greeting a huge beech tree

Tree Guides for Embracing Change

Here are some of my favourite trees to connect with during times of change and uncertainty. You can read more about each tree by clicking on its name:

  • Beech – A nurturing tree often thought of as the ‘Mother of the Woods.’ Beech trees go through a vivid transformation each year and can show us how to embrace change whilst nurturing ourselves and others.
  • Birch – Birch trees are often the first to move into land that has been cleared and can transform a piece of open land into a woodland. They are wonderful guides when we are beginning something new, especially when courage is required!
  • Blackthorn – These small but determined trees can guide us in strengthening our boundaries or when we are facing a challenging situation.
  • Elder – These trees grow fast and are one of the first to reawaken at the end of the Winter. They are wonderful guides for times when we may be desiring change but are feeling stuck or unmotivated.
  • Hawthorn – Hawthorn offers us medicine for the heart space. Connect with them when the fear of change takes over or when we are feeling lost or defeated after a life change that didn’t go our way.
  • Hazel – A flexible, energetic tree that can guide us in thinking creatively to overcome challenges.
  • Oak – A symbol of strength and stability. These vast, slow growing trees can be very supportive if we are feeling ungrounded or like things are moving too fast.
  • Rowan – If we are unsure of our direction, Rowan energy can help us connect with our intuition and inner guidance.
  • Willow – The energy of Willow trees is one of flow. Associated with water, they offer us space beneath their sprawling branches to rest and release the old.
  • Yew – Yew trees are our oldest living trees in the UK, with some thought to be around 3000 years old! They are a symbol of rebirth, regeneration and adaptability. Yew trees are wonderful during times of uncertainty or where we may be lacking perspective on a situation.

How to connect with a tree

  • The most simple way to connect with any tree is to spend time with them. See what you notice in their company, what you notice about them and also what arises within you.
  • Visit some known trees at different times of the year and notice how they change. Do they feel any different as you greet them in different seasons?
  • Gather fallen leaves, sticks or cones to display in your sacred space.
  • Some of the trees listed above have some wonderful medicinal properties that you may wish to learn more about. At this time of year, elderberries are ripe and make delicious syrups. Hawthorn and sloe berries from the Blackthorn tree are also wonderful to explore.*
  • We craft tree energy pendants from the windfallen wood of many trees. For the times we can’t be in the woodland, the woodland could still be with us.

I would love to hear how you found this post, and whether you would like to see more like this in the future. Stay tuned for my next post where I shall be sharing some grounding tools with you.

Wishing you a bright week,

Nic x


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* A note in regards to foraging, please do ensure you are able to identify anything you gather with 100% certainty. If you have any doubt, always cross check the identification. The Yew tree is one example of a tree that is toxic to us. Plant medicine can be potent so it is well worth having a look at any known contraindications for the plant that you are foraging.

I encourage everyone to forage with a deep respect to the tree/plant and the ecosystem it is part of. The Autumn berries in particular are a precious food source for many species of wildlife who depend on them so gather with care from areas of abundance.

Wellbeing

Embracing change naturally

Hello wild soul,

I am enjoying seeing trees that just a few months ago were full of blossom, now hang heavy with fruit. And I think of them, in a few months from now, standing bare in the midst of Winter’s depth.

It has got me thinking about how present change is in the natural world, and yet, how often the fear and avoidance of change shows up in our human lives over and over.

See, our brains like certainty. Did you know that just the thought of uncertainty in the future has been shown to trigger a threat response in us? The brain often prefers a negative yet predictable outcome to an uncertain one. So it is easy to see how we may come to fear change and learn to avoid uncertainty in an attempt keep ourselves safe.

Whilst from an evolutionary perspective, certainty can be linked with safety, avoiding the unknown can limit situations and opportunities that may bring us great joy, growth, and success in our lives too.

The good news is that whilst our minds tend to prefer certainty, they are also flexible and can learn to embrace change too.

If uncertainty is unacceptable to you, it turns into fear. If it is perfectly acceptable, it turns into increased aliveness, alertness, and creativity.” – Eckhart Tolle


I have found that observing the changes that occur in the natural world is a wonderful guide in embracing and navigating change and uncertainty in my own life.

In today’s post, I wanted to share some of my favourite ways to connect with the natural world and feel more aligned with the cyclic nature of the Earth, so let’s dive in!

  • Be in nature often. Take in your surroundings, noticing any ways they may be changing. Notice colours, textures, sounds, temperature & light.
  • Gather some natural treasure (cones, leaves, acorns, feathers, flowers etc.) and make a space to display them. Update them often as the seasons change.
  • Plant some seeds or bulbs and enjoy seeing them sprout, grow, bloom, seed and wither through the year.
  • Take a few moments at sunrise and sunset to look out on the day.
  • Keep a journal, and notice how outer changes impact on you. Your energy, mood, habits and rituals may all shift with the day, season or moon cycle. Choose a ‘key word’ to describe how the Earth’s energy feels to you in this moment. Now pick one to describe your own energy.

Further reading

If you enjoyed this post, you may like to check out our ‘Cycles of the Moon’ post and ‘The Wheel of the Year‘ post for more on cyclic living. And if you are feeling Autumn approaching, check out one of my favourite rituals for this time of year; ‘Creating a Space’.

Keep your eye out for my next post too, where I shall be sharing my favourite trees to connect with to support us during times of change.

Wishing you all some bank holiday magic,

Nic x