Trees – Wild Fen

The Magick of Apple

October 26, 2022October 27, 2022 Wild Fen

Apple trees hold such rich symbolism in our culture and have inspired artwork, poetry, fairy tale and song throughout the ages. They are associated with the season of Samhain as their branches hang heavy with beautiful, nourishing fruits during this time.

From our native crab apple tree, over 6000 species of apple tree have evolved and their blossoms, leaves and fruits feed a vast amount of wildlife throughout the year.

Apple trees are a member of the very special Rosaceae family, that also includes Roses, Hawthorns, Rowans, Blackberries and Blackthorn. The blossom of many species within this family have 5 petals and if you have ever cut an apple in half horizontally you may have noticed the 5 pointed star at its core. This star is also present on the bottom of Hawthorn and Rowan berries and many believe that it is symbolic of the uniting of the 5 elements; earth, air, water, fire and spirit.

Yesterday we shared that we have created a small Wild Jewellery release in celebration of the energy of Samhain and introduced you to our pieces crafted from Blackthorn. Today I wanted to introduce you to some pieces we have crafted from Apple wood and the energetic qualities of this beautiful, sweet smelling wood…

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Trees, Wild Jewellery

The Magick of Blackthorn

October 26, 2022 Wild Fen

The frosted inky sloe berries decorating the hedgerows just now are the fruits of the Blackthorn. A small deciduous tree that is most at home forming dense, impenetrable hedges. Blackthorns are part of the Rose family that alongside roses also include Hawthorns, Rowans, Crab Apple and Wild Cherry trees. This family holds deep magick for this time of year, their branches hang abundant with rich fruits, a nourishing glut that supports life moving into the Winter months.

As we move towards Samhain, we felt pulled to work with this beautiful, protective wood in celebration of the energy of the season. We shall be releasing a small collection of Wild Jewellery that will be in store on Friday 28th October at 7pm. Scroll down for a sneak peak of some of the pieces and to read more about the energetic qualities of Blackthorn…

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Botanicals, Trees

A note about resin

October 4, 2022October 4, 2022 Wild Fen

Resin is an amazing substance produced by certain trees in response to damage. The sticky substance has antibacterial properties, acting as a healing plaster for the tree that seals the wound and prevents the tree from further damage or infection.

Alongside its wealth of medicinal properties, resins often have beautiful aromas and have been gathered for use in incense and medicine for thousands of years. Well known and loved examples of tree resins include Frankincense, Copal and Myrrh. Frankincense in particular is one of the oldest traded commodities in the world spanning at least 5,000 years and anyone lucky enough to have smelt this resin burning will understand why it is so revered…

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Trees

If you go down to the woods today…

September 24, 2022September 24, 2022 Wild Fen

…you may be in for a big surprise, (but more on that later!) This is one of my favourite times of year to spend in the woods. The hedgerows are bursting with colourful berries and ripening acorns adorn the Oaks. It is an in between time where the green leaves feel as though they are making the most of the last days before they fall and I am so grateful to still be enjoying them for a little longer…

In the spirit of balance (so apt for this time of year) we spent much of yesterday’s Autumn Equinox crafting Jewellery, packing up orders and filling in our tax return so today we headed out early to visit our new local woodland. It was a glorious, blue skied Autumn day, we filled our mouths with blackberries and our pockets with rosehips and hawthorn berries. I shall be drying them out over the next week to make an oxymel with them.

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Trees

The Magick of Ash

August 28, 2022 Wild Fen

I had never much connected with Ash trees before this year and yet over recent months, they have become one of my strongest plant allies.

Before I talk more about the wonderful qualities of Ash trees, let me first explain a little more about the way I connect with plants and how this process has evolved over the years. My interest in plants grew upon discovering some of the medicinal and healing properties of the herbs that I was growing within my garden. I spent much time researching their qualities and experimenting using them in teas, bath soaks and other herbal remedies. It was a brilliant way to kindle my fascination with plants and open my mind to the healing held within so much of that which is found around us.

Over the years, the way I connect with plants has become more intuitive. It often begins with me noticing a certain plant whilst out on a walk. It seems to catch my attention and I feel pulled to get to know more about it. Often now, if the species is new to me, I find the name comes to me somehow too, a knowing of the plant arising from somewhere within.

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Trees

The Magick of Box

August 21, 2022August 21, 2022 Wild Fen

Box is one of our 5 native evergreen trees in the UK alongside Yew, Scots Pine, Juniper and Holly. It is now most commonly thought of as a neatly trimmed garden shrub however was once a more common feature in our woodlands.

Small pockets of ancient Box woodland remain in the UK. Most notably on Box Hill in Surrey with other patches found in the Chilterns and Cotswolds. They are truly magickal places to visit and provide stable, protective environments for rare lichens and insects amongst other wildlife.

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Foraging, Trees

Rowan Berry Garlands

August 12, 2022 Wild Fen

There is a lot about this year that has been anything but ordinary, from record temperatures, severe lack of rainfall, and now the early arrival of many fruits including the beautiful berries of the Rowan tree.

The vibrant orangey-red berries always seem to call to me and for the last few years it has become a tradition to gather the ripe berries and string them into garlands that decorate our home and altar space.

Ancient Tradition

Making and hanging Rowan berry garlands around the home is an ancient tradition, believed to protect the space and invite good luck. Berries are gathered and garlands made as we head towards the Autumn months, crossing the threshold to the darker half of the year. Once dried, the garlands keep for years, bringing a rich pop of colour and magick to the home.

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Trees

The Magick of Beech

June 28, 2022June 29, 2022 Wild Fen

The majestic Beech tree is a joy to witness at any time of year. In Autumn she stands ablaze with her fiery orange crown, cloaking the forest floor beneath her with smooth, rusty leaves. Winter is a time to admire her smooth, grey bark before she unfurls her heart nurturing, protective green canopy in the Spring.

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Trees

The Magick of Elder

June 5, 2022June 28, 2022 Wild Fen

As I write this at the beginning of June, Elder trees are amass with creamy white blossoms that fill hedgerows and paths with their delicate scent and rich abundance. I love this time of year, gathering a couple of flower heads along my walks, returning to enjoy a daily Elderflower Brew.

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Trees

The Magick of Hawthorn

May 10, 2022July 13, 2022 Wild Fen

The Hawthorn is one of our most wild and magical native trees. Steeped in folklore they can live for up to 700 years. Once a custom to plant one in every garden for good luck, they are often found marking ancient sites and boundaries. They support a plethora of wildlife, including over 300 species of insects, doormice and other small mammals and many bird including migrating species over the winter.

Come May the hedgerows are an abundant mass of creamy Hawthorn blossom earning them the name ‘May tree’ they flower just in time for Beltane – the festival of Nature’s abundance and fertility.

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