Tag: Wheel of the Year

Wheel of the Year

Late Summer & the smell of Autumn

Wild Fen

Hello wild soul

How are you as we move through August?

At this time of year, the Earth’s energy has been shifting from active growth to ripening as the harvest season arrives. Fields are turning golden and nuts and berries are fattening in the hedgerows. We stand in late Summer as the smell of Autumn wafts in on the breeze.

Late Summer days on the land

I have come to really love these transitionary times of the year. As one season nears its completion, the next ebbs in. Both intertwine and overlap. Dancing they invite us to savour the process of transition and to embrace the ‘in-between‘.

We may naturally find ourselves feeling more aligned to different points along this process. Some of us may feel ready to embrace the magic of Autumn while others are basking in the late days of Summer. What is your experience this year?

Savouring the Moonrise

I find myself using the word ‘savouring’ a lot this month. Savouring the golden sunrises, savouring the peace at dusk, savouring the vivid colours of my garden, savouring the flavours of ripe blackberries and eating outdoors. I wonder, what are you savouring this month?

Juicy blackberries
Garden tea

Trees in transition

Trees are wonderful markers of change. I love to revisit trees that I watched burst back into life in early Spring and see them now as their fruit, berries, nuts and seeds are ripening.

Blackthorn blossom in late Feb
Blackthorn (sloe) berries in August

Are there any trees that you have enjoyed watching evolve throughout this year?

There are many trees to enjoy at this time of year; Rowan, heavy with their vibrant orange berries. Apple trees growing their delicious fruits. Hazel, Beech and Oak are all growing their nuts & acorns.

Elder

One of my very favourite tree guides for supporting us during times of transition in our own lives is the Elder tree. A wonderful symbol of the cycle of life and transformation. During those cold days of January, the Elder tree can been witnessed bursting into leaf, an early signal that change is near.  The creamy mass of elderflowers are the perfume of long summer days. And once again, Elder announces that change is near as its green berries begin to fatten, turning the most deep hues of purple.

Elder leaves are one of the first to unfurl in January
Creamy Summer elderflowers
Elderberries ripening

Just a few months ago, we were celebrating the hedgerows for their abundance of blossom and fresh leaves and now, the leaves are drying as the berries and nuts are ripening. Heralding our journey into the waning half of the year.

Wild Fen Offerings

As always, we have been deeply inspired by the trees of this season. Working with Elder to create some special, bark-on pieces that are in store now.

Trio of hedgerow moons

Find us next

We had a wonderful time at ‘Ye olde wytches market‘ in Newark on Trent this month. If you are local then do keep your eyes peeled for the next one to be announced!

In September we will be at:

Further reading

You may like to check out my ‘transitioning to Autumn’ post from a few years ago and if you are interested in foraging and haven’t yet gathered any nettle seeds, you may enjoy this article here.

I hope you savour some beauty this week,

Nic

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Updates

July update, new tree pendants & more

Wild Fen

Hello Wild Soul,

We have finally dried out after a rather soggy weekend in the woods trading at the fabulous Folk in a Field festival in Norfolk. It was the first time we have taken our creations to a festival and despite the weekend being extremely wet (with the odd storm thrown in for good measure) we met so many lovely people and listened to some great music.

Today’s post is a recap of July so far. I also wanted to let you know about some new trees that we have begun working with and share what is new in store this week, so let’s dive in!

July

The month began creatively, making some new stands and signs to upgrade our stall. We love to reuse materials wherever possible. For our new signs we sanded down some broken fence panels, and turned 2 cupboard doors into a makeshift blackboard and a jewellery display!

Makeshift blackboard
Fence panel signs..
Jumper, wool hat, socks and coat in July!

July still feels far from ‘typical’ weather wise. I was in full Winter mode for part of the festival and I have found myself craving some rather Autumnal foods… not to mention the extra blankets and jumpers.

But I am really appreciating those bright, dry days when they arrive. Making the most of gathering some of our herbs and flowers that are in abundance, putting my bare feet on the earth and feeling the sun on my face. We had a lovely evening walk at a nearby wildflower meadow and saw some butterflies, which I have been missing so much this year!

Marbled White & Pyramidal Orchid
I love wildflowers!
Drying homegrown herbs & flowers for a tea blend

Wild Fen Offerings

After collecting a piece of windfallen wood, we leave it to dry for many months before we begin working with it. We are very excited to introduce you to the newest additions to our tree energy pendant collection, handcrafted from Rowan and Alder wood! You can find them In store now.

Rowan trees are known as ‘Mountain Ash’ or ‘Lady of the Mountains’ due to their ability to grow higher up the mountainside than any of our other native trees. They symbolise protection, resilience, adaptability and facing challenges. They can also guide us in connecting with our intuition & meditative states.

Alder trees thrive beside the water’s edge. They are experts at transforming watery landscapes, making them more hospitable for other trees and wildlife. Along with their deep connection with water, they are often associated with the fire element too, and can teach us about balancing opposites and becoming more comfortable exploring our emotional landscapes.

At Midsummer, I gathered some herbs and flowers that are abundant here on the land. I crafted a batch of Herb and Flora Smoulder sticks that are in store now. They combine a magical mix of Sage, Rosemary, Bay, Lavender, Yarrow, Feverfew and Rose and embody the energy of those bright, warm days.

Upcoming dates

Our next event will be Ye Olde Wytches Market in Newark on Saturday 10th August alongside some magical traders and readers! We always love to connect with any of you that are able to make it, and if you know anybody that lives nearby and may want to come, please share it with them.

Wishing you all some more warmth this month,

Nic x

Wheel of the Year

Slow Rituals & Reflections at the Summer Solstice

Wild Fen

Hello wild soul,

It seems hard to believe that we are approaching the longest day of the year on Thursday. I began writing this post to you as I have all of my wheel of the year posts this year, wrapped in a blanket, looking out onto a cold and rainy day. Today, however, is quite the contrast. I am sat with the sun on my face, surrounded by 5 noisy young swallows, who bravely left their nest yesterday and are out ‘finding their wings’, such a joy to witness!

In today’s post I wanted to share some simple rituals that I’ve been enjoying as we move towards the solstice, some reflections and a few exciting announcements so let’s dive in!

Continue reading “Slow Rituals & Reflections at the Summer Solstice” →
Trees, Wheel of the Year

Beltane Blessings & Spring Wild Pendants

Wild Fen

Hello wild soul,

How are you as we approach Beltane this year?

I am writing this to you as I listen to two swallows chatter away busily outside the window. They returned yesterday from their Winter in west Africa and have reclaimed part of the stables here on the land. If we are lucky, they will raise 1 perhaps even 2 broods here before they head back to Africa in the Autumn. Their arrival is one of the cues that tells me that Beltane is close by. The other is the profusion of beautifully scented blossoms everywhere; Lilacs, Apple, Cherry, Hawthorn and Rowan. I am curious: What are your Spring cues?

Beltane is celebrated around the 30th April and 1st May and marks the peak of Spring’s energy. This is the time of year where the land is fertile, growth is increasing rapidly and flowers are beginning to bloom.

In today’s post, I shall be sharing some of my favourite ways to celebrate Beltane, introducing some of the trees that are calling out to connect with us at this time and have some very special wild pendants to show you so let’s dive in….

Continue reading “Beltane Blessings & Spring Wild Pendants” →
Wheel of the Year

Awakening with Ostara

Wild Fen

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” →
Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Yule – the Winter Solstice

Wild Fen

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.

Continue reading “A Guide to Yule – the Winter Solstice” →
Wheel of the Year

A Guide to Samhain

Wild Fen

Hello lovely Soul,

Samhain (pronounced sow-in) marks Summer’s end and the birth of Winter as the hours of darkness now outweigh the hours of daylight. This Celtic festival is celebrated over October 31st/Nov 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and is the origin of Halloween. If you are new to the Wheel of the Year (an ancient way of marking the passing seasons) you can read more about it here.

In today’s post, I shall be sharing a little more about the energy of the season and sharing some simple seasonal rituals.

Continue reading “A Guide to Samhain” →
Life, Wheel of the Year

September updates

Wild Fen

Hello lovely soul,

It has been an interesting September so far in the UK with some of our hottest temperatures of the year occurring this month! And yet, despite the heat, signs of Autumn’s approach are weaving their way into daily life. The misty mornings and dew decorated spider webs. The hedgerows heavy with purple and red jewels and the return of the Robin to our garden who has been serenading us each morning. I wonder, what changes you may have been noticing where you are?

This time of year, is a wonderful time to pause and acknowledge the transition of the year from Summer into Autumn. As the light is noticeably retreating now, we may find ourselves craving more rest, earlier nights, hearty foods and cosiness. 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.

In today’s post I wanted to share with you a little of what we have been up to lately, some ideas for connecting with the season and let you know what we have coming up over the next few months…

Continue reading “September updates” →
Wheel of the Year

Lammas is coming

Wild Fen

Hello lovely soul,

As we move towards Lammas in the Northern Hemisphere, the countryside is turning golden as the season of harvest is upon us. This is a time of abundance, ripening, and of things coming to fruition. Gardens are blooming yet the active period of growth is waning. Most plants are now ripening the fruits and seeds that hold the wisdom of next years growth within them.

In today’s post I shall be introducing the plants I have felt pulled to connect with lately, sharing some of my favourite ways to connect with the season and revealing our brand new offerings too!

Continue reading “Lammas is coming” →
Wheel of the Year

Litha is coming

Wild Fen

Hello lovely soul,

As we move towards Litha, the festival marking the Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere, we reach the peak of the Sun’s strength and power. This peak has a huge impact on the land around us – flowers are blooming, herbs are at their most fragrant and animals are busy raising their broods. Life navigates around this peak – rising and blooming in tune with the Sun.

Solstice literally means ‘the Sun stands still’ and it can be a good point in the year to pause and reflect on how our own lives are feeling right now. In today’s post I shall be sharing my favourite question to work with at this time of year, along with some simple ways to connect with the season.

Continue reading “Litha is coming” →