The Turning Of The Wheel

 Yule  = Wheel 

The Winter solstice is traditionally time for 'the turning of the wheel'

The wheel of cycles and the wheel of life. 

This year Dec 21st will be our darkest day and the longest night, with it the 22nd marks the returning of the sun, there will now be an increase in the amount of daylight we have, sparking off the return of the growing seasons.

It is the perfect time to embrace the darkness and go inwards to find the parts of us we need to let go and the parts of us we need to nurture and grow. 

All of the ingredients in this post represent just that, I hope it will inspire you to go out and forage for some of your own yule time magic. 

• Holly:  A Protector plant- reminding us to look inwards at this time and reflect
•    Ivy: Representing growing through adveristy and Binding us together 
• Pine: Representing strength, fire and longevity
• Yew: Representing transformation and rebirth
• Mistletoe: The sacred plant of the druids- healer, protector, representing fertility and the giving of life... Also great for kissing!

Our Christmas tree is always toadstool and reindeer themed so I was delighted to find this article (thanks to Karen) all about 'Mother Christmas' and what the Reindeer and Amanita Mascaria symbolise at this time of year

Sorry Rudolf! 

http://gathervictoria.com/2014/12/04/doe-a-deer-a-female-deer-the-spirit-of-mother-christmas/

The wreath you see in this post was made at a Sensory Solutions wreath making workshop held at Deans Court. Go and have a read about what they do, they are very special ladies changing the face of how we medicate and heal ourselves. 

 

I spent the day with some gorgeous like minded ladies, really getting to know the plants, learning all about their medicinal and healing properties, drinking homemade Chai tea, singing carols and listening to gorgeous Fi's endless wisdom. It was very special day and I came away feeling so inspired. 

Winter Solstice blessings and a very Happy Christmas to you all. 

xx

Everlasting

Granny's Hydrangeas and river side forage. 

Everlasting and completely compostable... No glue gun or metal wire in sight!

If the traditional wreath style is more to your liking them join myself and Ellie, the Deans Court gardener, on Thursday 10th December for a lovely day of foraging, tutoring and Christmas festivities in the Deans Court grounds. 

Hope to see some of you there! 

The Last Dream Of The Great Oak

The oak remained awake through the morning of spring, the noon of summer, and the evening of autumn; its time of rest, its night drew nigh- winter was coming. 

Already the storms were singing, "Good-night, good-night." here fell a leaf and there fell a leaf. " We will rock you and lull you. Go to sleep, go to sleep. 

We will sing you to sleep and shake you to sleep and it will do your old twigs good; they will crackle with pleasure. Sleep sweetly, sleep sweetly, it is your three- hundred-and-sixty-fifth night.

Correctly speaking, you are but a youngster in the world. Sleep sweetly, the clouds will drop snow upon you, which will be quite a coverlid, warm and sheltering your feet. Sweet sleep to you , and pleasant dreams." 

And there stood the oak, stripped of all its leaves, left to rest during the whole long winter, and to dream many dreams of events that had happened in its life, as in the dreams of men. 

The Dream Of The Old Oak ~ Hans Anderson

I would highly recommend reading the whole fairytale, such a beautiful and touching story about life, death and passing on... Perfectly timed for Samhain.  

The Victorian photo album is available to buy in my shop as part of an Autumn update. Click the photo below to take you straight to my Etsy. 

The Seasons

Inspired by 'Autumn' from Alphonse Mucha's 'The Seasons' after a visit to The Russell Cotes museum to see her in real life. 

Gentleness

"When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. 

I see a living being. 

I see a friend

I feel a soul." 

~ A.D Williams

I have a favourite Vernon Ward print in our kitchen, it sparks off day dreams and wistfulness over breakfast. 

 The best part about the print is the almost worn away lettering hidden on the back...  

' THE ENCHANTED GLADE'. 

The other morning I came face to face with that enchanted glade. A Doe and her two Bambi's.

I always see deer when i'm doubting myself, they're a personal reminder that senstivity is a gift, to always trust my intuition and that gentleness is THE truest strength. 

Have you ever had any special animal sightings?

Photo taken at Farrs Meadow

Gypsy Wagon - Farrs Meadow

The moon over Farrs Meadow. 

You may have already read my love letter to this magical place in my last post. 

Nature, flowers, wild swimming and goats are just a few of the things that make camping here so special.

THEN they went and added a Bow-top wagon into the equation, and that right there means true love (and great difficulty getting me to leave). 

Complete with a comfy double bed (and room for little ones underneath), a gas cooker and a pot belly stove, I did feel that we were cheating with such luxury. 

Sadly there is no horse for your wagon, but maybe that's coming up next (David and Luds?), and really there is no need to move on. 

The wagon (don't let the gypsies hear you say caravan), has been handmade in Dorset and is parked up next to one of the most beautiful spots to watch the sun go down over Pamphill. You are also convienently situated just across from where David makes his delicious wood fired pizza.

Sit down at trestle tables decorated with wild flower arrangements, enjoy your pizza dinner and watch the sunset!

 For a more detailed description of Farrs Meadow visit my last post here. 

For booking, more information and a chance to meet the lovely David and Luds, visit their website here.

Facebook ~ Instagram 

~ Eat pizza, make friends, shower in a horse box, count the bats, meet the goats, light the fire pit and gaze at the stars.~

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Farrs Meadow

Glow worms, roses, goat walks, wild flowers, deer sightings, river swimming, soaring buzzards, and magic sunsets... summer at Farrs Meadow. 

I am under no illusion that I overuse the word magic, but in this case I can not think of better way to describe this special place.

The definition of magic: 'beautiful and delightful in a way that seems removed from everyday life', to me that is Farrs Meadow and we all need to be removed from everyday life every once in a while. 

Just outside of Wimborne in Dorset, perched up on a hill overlooking the breathtaking Stour Valley, surrounded by Elders and antient Oak trees, the meadow is now home to a converted stable, yurts and a gypsy caravan nestled in amongst an abundance of wildlife including my two best boys Bernard & Boris (the goats).

Positioned just minutes away from the River Stour's wild swimming spot at Eye Bridge and a short walk across fields to the fairytale thatched hamlet of Pamphill and it's famous little pub. 

  

David and Luds are the lovely owners who have cleverly converted horse boxes into hot showers and compost toilets. They will deliver your luggage by quad bike and make you pizza in their wood oven on wheels. 

All of these pictures are from a beautiful weekend away with Kate for summer solstice, a perfect place to celebrate nature and the longest day. 

We stayed in Kate's bell tent but you can have the choice of bringing your own tent or staying in one of their more luxurious options, including the beautiful bowtop gypsy caravan which I will introduce you to in my next post. 

To find out more about camping at Farrs Meadow visit their website here or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

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