Trees

Tree Guides for Spring

Hello Wild Soul,

Me again! I love this time of year as the trees are unfurling their leaves and blossom. Tomorrow is the Spring Equinox or Ostara here in the UK, the point at which hours of light and dark come back in to a balance once more. After this point, the light continues to expand, encouraging growth across the land.

There is so much to notice as spring arrives, and today, I wanted to share some of my favourite trees to connect with during this season.

Tree Guides for Spring

Cherry blossom has to be one of the most beautiful markers of spring. Whole streets are transformed as the Cherry trees bloom and the buzz of pollinators return.

The blossom is revered all over the world, and it is a wonderful guide to bring us into the here and now, to appreciate this moment’s beauty.

Cherry energy & symbolism: Joy, Appreciation, Impermanence, Gratitude, Love.



The recognisable black buds of the Ash tree are fattening now. Ash energy is one of strength and direction, aligning us with the rising currents of spring. 

Interestingly, they are one of the last trees to unfurl their leaves, which allows the beautiful spring plants that grow beneath them to absorb the sunlight first. They hold strong associations to the sun, producing wood that is incredibly strong and that burns very hot. Its Latin name means ‘firelight’, and even the grain reminds me of sun rays radiating out from the wood.

Ash energy & symbolism: Direction, Strength, Protection, Growth, Transformation.


Blackthorn has guided us through the dark months, and as winter wanes, her blossom is the first to open reminding us of the cyclic nature of life.

Blackthorn energy & symbology: Renewal, Boundaries, Determination, Cycles.


Alder trees thrive beside the water’s edge. Their soft wood becomes as strong as stone beneath the water. They are experts at transforming watery landscapes, making them more hospitable for other trees and wildlife too. Along with their deep connection with water, they are often associated with the fire element too, and can be seen ‘glowing’ in early Spring when their red catkins cover the tree. The tree’s connection with both elements can teach us about balancing opposites and becoming more comfortable and empowered to explore our emotional landscapes.

Alder energy & symbolism: Balance, Emotional exploration, Adaptability, Transformation.


I am so sorry to anyone who found they had a broken link to the shop in my previous emails. I have checked, checked and checked again this time so click away!

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If you are interested in connecting with the energy of trees, you may enjoy reading walking with trees or checking out our tree guides for embracing change post.

There are so many trees to enjoy this season, and I’d love to hear of any that you have been connecting with lately.

Wishing you all much love as we move into spring,

Nic x

Wheel of the Year

Awakening with Ostara

My emergence into Spring is feeling rather slow this year. As my dear friend, Theresa put it, ‘it’s like waking up, but I’m not quite ready to jump out of bed yet!’ Some years, I am desperate to jump out of bed, and begin planting seeds and foraging those fresh Spring greens. But this year, as I sit in front of the fire and look out onto yet another wet day, my body whispers, ‘not yet’ and I remain in my late Winter cocoon a little longer.

In today’s post, I wanted to share with you my favourite question to return to at this time of year. I am celebrating a tree with deep associations to the season and sharing our first Wild Jewellery release of the year…

Continue reading “Awakening with Ostara”
Wellbeing, Wheel of the Year

Mindful Spring Practices

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.

Continue reading “Mindful Spring Practices”
Wheel of the Year

Beltane

The next festival in our Wheel of the Year journey is Beltane, celebrated around the beginning of May in the Northern hemisphere. Beltane is the mid point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. It marks Spring’s peak and the birth of Summer and is a celebration of the Earth’s fertile energy and life force at this time.

This is a time of abundance, union and life force. Flowers are blooming, new life is being born and the Sun’s strength is increasing. This is a fertile time in the natural world, and can help us to ignite projects, cultivate new actions and reflect on what we need in order to bloom. This increase in active energy, can leave us feeling a little worn out at times, so it is good time to ensure rest, self care and nourishment is established to balance this busy time.

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Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Ostara – the Spring Equinox

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 โ€˜equinoxโ€™ comes from the Latin word meaning โ€˜equal nightโ€™ 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 itโ€™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.

Continue reading “A Guide to Ostara – the Spring Equinox”
Foraging

Spring Greens!

Eating seasonally is one of my favourite ways of feeling more aligned with earth’s cycles and come Spring I really start craving fresher, zingier and lighter meals with lots and lots of greens. And just as if Nature intended, our gardens and woodlands are bursting full of Spring greens, that nourish and cleanse our bodies after a heavy winter.

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Trees

The Magic of Willow

I feel very lucky to have received some wonderful books for my birthday this year including ‘Walking with Trees’ by Glennie Kindred (one of my favourite authors and nature connectors).

It has inspired me to form an even deeper connection with some of our lovely trees in Britain and I thought it might be nice to share some of my journeying here, starting with Willow a beloved tree all year round, but particularly special in Spring.

Continue reading “The Magic of Willow”
Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Imbolc

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.

Snowdrops, a symbol of Imbolc
Continue reading “A Guide to Imbolc”