How are you, as the cold creeps in, and the days get shorter? I am writing this in front of the fire with some Rosemary smouldering away on top, and I am looking out the window, to the big Ash tree that is losing a few more leaves each time the wind blows.
In today’s post I will be celebrating the upcoming festival of Samhain, and introducing you to some unique Wild Jewellery pieces that we have been crafting, inspired by this magical time of the year. So let’s dive in…
As the days become darker and the leaves turn and fall, we find ourselves drawn to characterful woods, marked by the wild in some way. They hold stories of interaction, alchemy and connection. A history that results in markings and patterns that make them unique.
Our Lunar Calendars are back, with a new look for 2026. They are in store now. They are available as an A6 card and in 2 sizes of print; 8 x 10 inches and 11 x 14 inches.
As always, our artwork is printed on recycled card by an independent print shop and is shipped in compostable packaging.
Wild Fen Updates
Just to let you know, our shop will be closing from Monday 3rd November until Monday 10th November whilst we take our annual Winter break. Any order placed this weekend will be dispatched before we leave.
We are really pleased to let US buyers know that we have been able to reinstate shipping on most of our items to the US from today including our latest Wild Jewellery collection!
To celebrate Samhain, there is 20% off our Wheel of the Year card set and prints until Sunday too!
Wishing you all a little Samhain magic this weekend,
Monday 22nd September marks the Autumn Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere, and in astronomical terms, it is the beginning of the Autumn season. If you are new here, or would like to dive a little deeper into the changing energy at this time of the year, you may wish to catch up with our Autumn Equinox blog post.
With the rain and winds this past week, I have found myself craving soups and stews, reaching for a cosy cardigan, and getting into bed a little earlier in the evening. Have you noticed any changes to your rhythm yet?
The Fruit Harvest
The Autumn Equinox (or Mabon) is often thought of as the second harvest festival of the year, (the first being Lammas: the grain harvest).
Mabon, is the time when fruit is becoming ripe and is gathered in from the trees and hedgerows. This year, the harvest seems especially abundant, and we have been enjoying stewing fruits to top porridge, fill crumbles and make jams and syrups.
The Woodland Trust have a great guide to foraging in September for some top tips, identification and recipes to make the most of Autumn’s bounty.
Beautiful rosehips against a bright blue sky, one of my favourite Autumn sights
Seed Gathering Season
The Autumn Equinox also marks the start of The Tree Council’s seed gathering season. They have some brilliant resources available online, to support anyone who wants to have a go at planting their own trees from seed. You can download their Tree Grower’s Guide here.
We have loved nurturing a little nursery of Elder, Rowan and Ash trees that we grew from last year’s seed and will be out gathering more in the coming weeks.
A few of our little trees grown from last year’s seeds
We have been working with some glorious woods for this collection, inspired by the abundance of Autumn, wild shapes, and the rich colours and markings in the woods.
Here is a sneak peak!
We are also excited to tell you that we have been working with a brand new wood for this collection too. An Autumn icon, the Horse Chestnut tree.
Horse Chestnut Energy & Symbolism: Expansion, Potential, Growth, Hope
Horse Chestnut, aka the Conker tree, was introduced to Britain in the late 16th century and has since become a symbol of the Autumn season. Its leaves are one of the first to change colour and fall as we crunch them underfoot in our search for their plump, shiny conkers. In Spring, their large, sticky buds open up like vivid green palms, welcoming us to a new season of growth. Their large, conic flowers decorate the trees in early Summer as if to announce the potential of the year ahead.
The windfallen Horse Chestnut wood that we have worked into a moon pendant has such unique character too.
Our Smoulder Sticks are back!
Crafted with our vibrant, homegrown herbs and flowers, our smoulder sticks are intended to support your wellbeing rituals.
Herbal Garden Smoulder StickMugwort Smoulder StickPerfect for your wellbeing & seasonal rituals
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,
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!
The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule or Midwinter falls between 20th & 23rd December each year. At this point, we reach peak darkness, the shortest day of the year where the sun sits at its lowest in the sky.
In the natural world, there is both a deep stillness and busyness that exists simultaneously. As the woodlands rest, many animals are busy searching far and wide for food. We can often feel this contrasting energy reflected in our own lives too. Cosy, quiet evenings snuggled under blankets interspersed with busy preparations and never ending to do lists in the run up to the festive season.
In today’s post, I shall be sharing some of my favourite, very simple ways to embrace the season.
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 birds, 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.
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.
The wheel of the year is an ancient way of marking the changing energy of the Earth throughout the yearly cycle. The wheel consists of 8 seasonal celebrations or marker points, that fall every 6 – 8 weeks.
In-between each solar festival is a seasonal festival (or cross quarter point) connected with seasonal and agricultural changes. Imbolc marks the height of Winter where the first signs of Spring begin to appear, Beltane the height of Spring and birth of Summer, Lammas the height of Summer and birth of Autumn and Samhain the height of Autumn and birth of Winter.
The celebrations can be thought of as natural points throughout the year where we can stop and observe what is going on in the outer world as well as our inner worlds. A moment to reflect on how things currently are, how they have been over the last season and how we would like to move ahead into the new one.
My most precious insight from observing the wheel of the year is the element of change within it. Light and dark, growth and decay, beginnings and endings. In the modern world we are often expected to be as productive and efficient no matter the season. A striving towards a fixed state of happiness, vibrancy and certainty that isn’t present in the natural world, certainly not all year round.
Connecting with the energy and changes in the natural world, can help us to reflect on our own energy throughout the seasons which may naturally rise and fall. It can help us appreciate the change and flow of nature and learn to welcome and embrace these qualities in our own lives.
We have created 2 prints to celebrate the Wheel of the Year and a Seasonal Reflection card set aimed to support you in connecting with the energy of each festival, available now in our Etsy store.
Wild Fen 