June at the bottom of the garden..New herb garden/ Potager

We have cleared another patch near our new raised vegetable beds for our Herb bed/potager.

Raspberries have been temporarily planted whilst we clear a little more under the trees as we hope to site them permanently following some forest gardening principles . The ear-marked spot gets dappled shade throughout most of the day and direct sun for a couple of hours . There are several mainly dappled spots with sun for a couple of hours that we are condsidering, and as raspberries are part of the "undergrowth" they should do well when fnally sited.

As for the Yurt, we are still awaiting a replacement canvas, but have it up again in its moldy state to enjoy until the new one arrives. It will probably mean sanding and re-oiling the poles and trellis again but we just dont want to be without this space. Now-a-days its become essential for me to collapse and rest in between gardening spurts and anyway its just too lovelier space to be without!

creating the woodland area

Last year i had a huge success with foxglove seeds and as we hadn't cleared the soon to be woodland area from the worst of the brambles , i nurtured them through the summer til planting out in in autumn. Now we are keeping on top of the brambles, hopefully the swath of beautiful foxgloves will be even better next year when i have planted out this years generation and the multitude of seedlings from last naturalise.

These beauties were joined by lots of cowslips ..... so we are on our way , next year blue bells and wood Anemones !

The Hawk

In Native American cultures the hawk represents a messenger.

It often appears in our life when we need to pay attention to the subtle messages found in our surroundings and from those we come in contact with.

As with all messages received it is important to recognize its underlying truth. Because their are so many varieties of hawk its messages vary and can affect all levels of our psyche.

One thing that all hawks have in common is the skill to move between the seen and unseen realms gracefully connecting both worlds together. Their acute vision compliments this ability and their discriminating nature keeps them out of harms way. The broader vision of the hawk allows them to see what the future holds. In man this symbolizes prophetic insight. If this medicine is underdeveloped a tendency towards over analyzing everything is common. In so doing, clear vision is lost. Those who hold this totem should remember to keep their analytical mind under control and not allow it to run wild.

The hawk has many foraging techniques. The most typical in their pursuit of prey is swiftly following the animal's efforts to escape. Once the hawk has secured the prey with its powerful talons, the bird dismembers it with its sharply pointed, strong beak. In man, this suggests that we can run but we cannot hid from our destiny. Sooner of later it will catch up with us. The destiny of all humankind is to awaken from their spiritual amnesia and realign with the original intention of their soul. When the hawk flies into our life we will be asked to evaluate who we have become and rip out the threads of our self created illusions. This enables our inner truth to surface. Hawk signifies union with Great Spirit. A bird of the heavens the hawk orchestrates the changes necessary for our spiritual growth.

Having this totem can be bitter sweet. If we accept its presence in our life we will be asked to surrender anything that doesn't honor the integrity of all life. Be it an idea, a feeling or an action.

Although hard work is involved the rewards the hawk offers us are great. Hawk Wisdom:Clear-sightedness , Being observant , Far-memory ,Messages from spirit , Guardianship ,Recalling past lives , Courage ,Wisdom ,Illumination ,Seeing the larger picture ,Creativity, Truth, Experience , Wise use of opportunities , Overcoming problems

Beltane Blessings- Herne the hunter and the sacred goddess

Beltane is upon us once again....... I love this time of year, everything in the natural world is in growth and this is the time to celebrate union, fertility, love and sexuality. Time to celebrate the sacred union between Horned God and the fertile Goddess.

In days gone by, it was re-enacted by men and women to ensure the fertility of the land.

People made love in the woods and forest, slept outdoors and watched the sunrise.

They walked the labyrinths and mazes and dressed in green to honour the Earth at this time.

The Horned God is usually known as Herne the Hunter, the wild man of the forests.

Herne is transformed into a white stag, and legend has it that he chased the Goddess who turned into a white deer. The Horned God has also been depicted as Pan, the Goat God, Zeus the Bull and Amen the Ram.
Over time, these depictions of the Horned Lord were turned into the Christian version of the Devil, whose lustful nature gave birth to the slang word “horny”, although the old German word for “lust” actually meant “religious joy”.
The God and Goddess become spiritually transformed through their union and the combination of their energies brings fertility to the land.

Celebrations included dancing the Maypole, a symbolic dance showing the entwining of male and female energies. Garlands of May blossom were used to decorate houses.

A Beltane fire was lit at this time, all other fires in village having been extinguished.

The participants jumped the Beltane fire to symbolise cleansing and purification.

A couple jumping the fire together were pledging themselves to each other.

Cattle would be driven through the smoke for protection and fertility.

At the end of the evening, villages each took a burning stick from the fire to re-ignite their fires at home.

Another common celebration at this time of year was (and still is!) Handfasting.

Handfasting is a form of sacred marriage which originally lasted for a year and a day, and would be renewed at the end of this time if the couple both wished it. These days, a Handfasting can be for the traditional year and a day, or for as long as the couple wish, and it is popular to leave the time open, so that the union can continue for as long as it works.

At Beltane the trees are in flower. Apple blossoms, cherry blossoms and hawthorn blossoms lift the heart with the delicate beauty of their soft petals, symbolically promising life’s light, renewal and joy.

And so with the blossom laden trees so heavy, may with the goddess's blessing there be a plentiful bounty of fruit to come.New projects - new goals - new endeavors, new ideas!...New Home??!!

Missed the jack in the green festival at Hastings this year , but hope to see you all next year:)

TREE DRESSING DAY-Honour your local trees!

TREE DRESSING DAY-The first weekend in December .

Tree Dressing Day aims to encourage the celebration of trees in city and country, in the street, village green - anywhere in the public domain.
It highlights our responsibility for looking after trees and reminds us of their enormous cultural and environmental importance.
Tree dressing is based on many old customs from all over the world and at different times of the year.
Tree Dressing Day was initiated by Common Ground in 1990. We decorated a group of London Plane trees on the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and High Holborn in Covent Garden with 150 large number, showing that EVERY TREE COUNTS! Since then, groups and individuals have dressed their trees all over the country.
Always the first full weekend in December
Help to create your own social celebration of the trees in your place. This cross-cultural community expression for everyday nature could include storytelling, dance, music, hanging ribbons, shapes, shining lights, anything which draws attention to the trees we take for granted, an enjoyable first step towards taking more care of them.
Our beautiful and idea provoking full-colour A1 Tree Dressing Day poster is available from Common Ground their PUBLICATIONS PAGES. Also available are the Tree Dressing Times and Manual - two publications containing a code of practice, examples, history and the Manifesto for Trees.
Read more about TREE DRESSING DAY and see some examples on the TREES PATHWAY of www.england-in-particular.info.

Honour your Local Trees!

Seed Gathering Season 23 September - 23 October

The annual Seed Gathering Season organised by the Tree Council runs from 23 September - 23 October 2008, and aims to inspire us all to gather seeds, fruits and nuts to grow the trees of the future.

Through this autumn festival The Tree Council aims to inspire everyone, particularly school children and families, to gather seeds, fruits and nuts and grow the trees of the future. The festival starts on the 23 September (the autumn equinox, considered to be the first day of autumn) and continues until the 23 October, giving everyone plenty of days on which to hold events.
Growing trees from local seed can have great benefits in restocking areas with trees of local provenance. The concept of local provenance - trees that are adapted to the local circumstances and so are likely to flourish and help restore, conserve and beautify local urban and rural spaces. Collecting seed and growing trees is also a great way to get children involved and start growing the next generation of tree enthusiasts.

For useful information about seed gathering and growing trees from seed see The Tree Council publication The Good Seed Guide and their new book How to Grow Them. For information about organising events see Tree Council leaflet Organising Tree Events and Projects.

Where is the sleepy Dormouse?

Having always had an affinity with the Dormouse, I am thrilled that I am soon to be involve with a Dormouse Conservation project run by the Kent Mammal Group.

I have been invited to attend a training course at Wildwood trust in Kent
on Dormouse Conservation covering history of dormouse research,survey techniques and monitoring schemes,habitat management and then I will be able to to apply for a dormouse handling licence and once qualified will be responsible for survey for signs of dormice in my local area.

It is expected that you to monitor a dormouse nest box scheme at a site in your area for a minimum of a year.Which would involve checking boxes one day per month between April and November. A commitment that im sure my health will allow.

How exciting!

Really looking forward to learning more about these beautiful creatures and helping with their conservation.

More information on the Dormouse comming soon!

The Dormouse sings itself to sleep “twinkle twinkle
twinkle twinkle …” Alice in Wonderland