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
Every year, the Summer Solstice seems to take me by surprise, and this year is no exception! The heat is rising, the flowers are blooming and insects are busy gathering nectar.
The Summer Solstice corresponds to the Full Moon phase of the lunar cycle. These are points of fullness and culmination. Whilst these ‘peaks’ can feel abundant and celebratory, we may also find ourselves experiencing overflow and overwhelm as our long days become full, busy, and hot!
Summer Solstice is associated with the fire element and the Full Moon phase of the lunar cycle
In today’s post, I will be sharing my favourite practices for working with this heightened energy so lets dive in!
Grounding Midsummer Practices
As the heat rises, I find myself craving the water’s edge to balance some of the fiery, Summer energy. If you would like to read more about ways to work with and balance the intensity at this time of the year, do check out my post Lessons from the Longestday too.
Grounding
As the land around us brims with abundance, one of my favourite daily rituals is to get my bare feet on the ground as often as possible. In fact, laying my whole body on the earth and feeling the support of the ground beneath me is so nourishing just now. I wonder, do you ever plant yourself to the earth in this way too?
I especially enjoy being outside first thing, as the morning air is cooler, and again in the evenings as the sun lowers in the sky. I tend to my plants, soak in the stillness and gather some herbs for a garden brew…
Garden tea
One of my favourite practices to connect with the seasons is to gather some herbs from the land around me and brew them into a fresh tea. At this time of year, there are so many vibrant herbs and plants to choose from, many of which can be grown in pots if you are lacking space.
Some of my favourites just now include; Peppermint, Lemon balm, Calendula, Sage, Thyme, Chamomile, Lavender, Self heal and Clover.
I like to use a cafetiere to brew my herbs, cover them in just boiled water and steep for around 15 – 20 minutes. I then enjoy my tea mindfully in the garden.
A handful of herbsBrew for 15 minutes or soEnjoy amongst the flowers
Introducing our Moon Phases print
We LOVED creating our new moon print as it is something we have been asked for so many times! We would love to hear what you think. It comes with a guided prompt or reflection for each moon phase throughout the lunar cycle.
As with all our designs, they are printed on uncoated, recycled card by an independent printing company and are available in two sizes; 8 x 10 inches and 11 x 14 inches.
Just a little update to let you know that our very special Birch burl collection will be instore at 7pm today, this Beltane eve.
We have been feeling the call of the Birch trees so strongly this month as their new leaves unfurled, and their deep roots have been busy drawing up nutrients from the earth.
Each pendant comes infused with the message, ‘I am courageous‘, which feels like the generous gift of the Birch trees who courageously move into new land before any other tree is ready…
We have loved working with this unique wood to create these 5 pieces that we hope celebrate the wild grains and colours of the burl.
Beltane Sale
In celebration of Beltane, our print collection & Wheel of the Year card deck have 20% discount all weekend!
Beltane blessings
As May arrives, I wish you all some magic this Beltane. Sometimes the very simplest of moments are the richest. I will likely be gathering herbs from our garden to make some fresh tea, watching our resident swallows build their nest and soaking in some of this beautiful sunshine as we prepare for Lincolnshire Makers Spring Artisan Market at Stourton Woods on Sunday 4th May 2025.
If you are looking for a Beltane ritual for the coming days, you may enjoy checking out our Beltane fire ritual.
I will leave you with these cheerful little beauties that have become our (very early) alarm clock as they chatter outside the van from 4:30 each morning!
Our resident swallows are back and busy nest building!
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!
Yule Reflection card in store now
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…
Moon Ritual KitLunar Calendars in 3 sizesA selection of handmade Moon pendantsFor Moon LoversTree energy printsTree energy pendantsFor Tree loversSeasonal Living box setWheel of the Year printFor Earth Lovers
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,
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,
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.
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 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.
Thorny Blackthorn
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.
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!
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 to create or tend to a space 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 the Thetford Autumn Pagan & Alternative Fayre, 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!
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.
The abundant apple tree, blossom & fruit
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.
Being in nature in all seasons
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.
Wild Fen 