Mindfulness – Wild Fen

Tree Guides for Slowing Down

October 14, 2026October 14, 2026 Wild Fen

Hello Wild Soul,

As the first touches of cold have begun creeping into our mornings, I have felt that familiar pull toward earlier nights, cosier evenings and more rest. I am curious to know, if you have felt this too?

I find that there is an exciting energy about Autumn too, the vivid colours, the comforting meals, the joy of gathering treasure and creating new routines and rituals as we move into darker evenings. A reset.

We have found ourselves out for sunrise a couple of times this week, and are also noticing that it is dark early enough to be mesmerised by the night sky again. Two of my favourite things that this season brings with ease.

In today’s post I wanted to share some of my favourite tree guides to work with to support us in slowing down and inviting more peace and calm into our days as we ground into the Autumn.

Let’s dive in!

Tree Guides for Slowing Down

There is not much that beats a cosy Autumnal walk through a Pine forest. The vast height and refreshing scent of these charismatic trees encourages us to look up, drop our shoulders and take a deep breath of fresh air.

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 a calmer being.

Whether you gather some Pine cones on a walk or burn some Pine oil or incense, connecting with this grand tree can guide our busy minds to slow down.

Holly trees hold strong associations to the dark half of the year where their glossy evergreen leaves, and bright red berries bring a comforting glow to the woodland.

Hollys are masters of growing slowly and patiently in the understory, waiting until space opens up for them to expand. They are wonderful guides in patience, taking our time and trusting in the timing of our own lives.

The next time to you see a Holly tree, take a few breaths and see what you notice about them.

Known as the ‘Mother’ of the woods, the dense canopy and wide branches of the Beech tree protects and shelters those around them.

Their heart nurturing green canopies turn mesmerising shades of bronze and rust in the Autumn. Watch for stray leaves gliding down to earth in the breeze, as they are keen to offer us a mindful moment in our day.

The Lime or Linden tree can be characterised by their heart-shaped leaves. In herbal medicine, the blossom has long been called upon to soothe tension, stress and headaches and gently encourages the body to unwind into a deep sleep.

The Lime tree soothes, calms and offers the most generous support in times of worry.

The graceful branches of the Willow tree hang above the water’s edge where they can always be found encouraging us to talk the time to rest and reflect.

Their gentle energy guides us in allowing things to flow rather than forcing or rushing outcomes.

Field Maple are such a staple in the landscape that they can often be overlooked, however when Autumn arrives, they lead the transformation, into the most gorgeous golden yellows that scatter beneath our feet.

These humble trees grow throughout our towns, cities and countryside reminding us that there is beauty hiding in the mundane.

These trees have been inspiring our making this week so keep an eye on your inbox for a first glimpse of some new pieces coming soon!

Wild Fen Updates

We have enjoyed some great markets and fayres so far this month. Thank you if you have come along to see us!

Here is where you can find us next…

Currently in Store

We have a beautiful selection of moon pendants currently in store and you can enter the code WILDTEN at the checkout for 10% off this week.

Alternatively click the link below and the discount will be added straight to your basket.

Wishing you all a little extra magic this week,

With love,

Nic x

Trees

Whispers of the Wild

April 28, 2025April 28, 2025 Wild Fen

Hello Wild Soul,

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.

Birch Burl Collection

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.

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:

You will find our store below:

Wishing you all a moment of magic today,

Nic x

Mindfulness, Trees

April overwhelm, mindful moments & tree flowers

April 13, 2025April 24, 2025 Wild Fen

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

Wheel of the Year

Ostara, Air and Smoke Cleansing

March 17, 2023March 14, 2025 Wild Fen

Ostara, the celebration of the Spring Equinox falls between 20-23rd of March each year in the Northern Hemisphere. Day and night length return to an equal balance once again. This can be a good time to reflect on the areas in our own lives where we would like to cultivate more balance. In today’s post I will share some simple Ostara practices and introduce you to one of the elements associated with this season; Air.

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Foraging, Wellbeing

A Wild Brew

April 13, 2022March 29, 2026 Wild Fen

A practice I find incredibly grounding at this time of year is to get outdoors and gently gather some beautiful fresh Spring plants for a brew.

There are so many medicinal plants growing in abundance at this time of year that are perfectly aligned to help nourish and cleanse the body after Winter. Many even make their way into our gardens if we let them!

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Wellbeing, Wheel of the Year

Mindful Spring Practices

April 13, 2022March 29, 2026 Wild Fen

I don’t know about you, but I can find myself feeling pretty restless at this time of year. The transition away from Winter can be a long one. The promise of Spring feels so sweet when it arrives. Those first warm rays on the skin and the sound of bird song lift my heart so much. And just as I am about to lean right in to the new season, Winter announces she isn’t quite done as she delivers one last blast…

I have noticed over the past few years that my mind can become restless at this time of year. My mood and energy feel as mixed as the weather. One foot planted amongst the hopeful wildflowers of Spring, the other hanging back in the heavy malaise of Winter’s end.

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Botanicals, Mindfulness

Guided Smoulder Stick Mindfulness Practice

April 6, 2022September 25, 2022 Wild Fen

Hello lovely souls, below is a guided practice you may wish to use alongside your Smoulder Stick. Find a comfortable space where you can sit and relax for a while, have a candle and lighter available and a heat proof dish for your stick. Enhance this practice with any of your favourite music, oils, blankets etc. You can use this guide whether you choose to light your stick or not.

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Wellbeing

Lessons from a Primrose

May 5, 2021February 2, 2022 Wild Fen

After a shaky few days, taking my morning cup of tea out in the garden this morning felt like an act of restoration. Walking barefoot across the lawn, moving from the shade into the sun I came to sit down in front of a small patch of Primroses. I noticed that the petals of most of the flowers were wilting now, nibbled (not by me) and turning brown in patches as they were reaching the end of their blooming period here in the UK.

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Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Ostara – the Spring Equinox

March 20, 2021September 30, 2025 Wild Fen

In astronomical terms, the Spring Equinox (also known as Ostara) marks the beginning of the Spring season in the Northern hemisphere and falls between the 20th – 23rd March each year.

The word ‘equinox’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘equal night’ and twice a year, on both the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, night and day length reach a point of balance. The light has slowly but surely been increasing from it’s lowest point at the Winter Solstice (Yule) in December. It will now continue to expand, overtaking the hours of darkness, until it reaches its peak on our longest day at the Summer Solstice (Litha) in June.

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Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Imbolc

January 31, 2021September 28, 2025 Wild Fen

Traditionally celebrated at the beginning of February in the Northern Hemisphere, Imbolc marks late Winter, as the very first signs of Spring emerge. It falls midway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara).

At this time of year, the land is beginning to awaken from Winter’s slumber. Light is increasing, encouraging changes in the behaviour of our animal friends and we may notice our own energy changing too. Most growth is still occurring underground, but some little pioneer plants bloom first, signalling the quickening of the year.

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