Tag Archives: gardening

Posted on by
Reply

After obtaining a hedgehog house at our Garden Party Auction on Saturday, I think I might need to brush up on my quill-osophy! Sorry, just had to.

These are the only creatures of their kind in the UK, and, in fact, can be found in Europe and Asia, but not the Americas. Although the Americas have their own spiky dude, the porcupine, he is from a completely different family.

Those spiky quills of a hedgehog are made of keratin and are a wonderful deterrent and defence system. Not many will mess with the hedgehog except the badger, who is able to unfurl him with his strength.

Summertime is busy, as the breeding season stretches from May to September, and those little hoglets will be nursed and hopefully get off to a good start. Strimming is always a worry in the garden, as a female hedgehog, whilst nursing, will likely abandon her brood if disturbed.

These very fast runners are quite quirky nocturnal creatures and, on encountering a new scent, will chew on the source of that scent, mixing it with their saliva, and then cover their quills. This is thought to be a form of scent “camouflage”.

Spare a thought for any hedgehogs that visit your space or garden, as dehydration can have them sighted in the daytime, circling in confusion. Some water, not milk, and some non-fishy cat food will do the trick and get him back on track.

He can be inspirational also in his character and simplicity. The Hedgehog Concept is a business plan developed based on his character, simplifying complex things into a single concept that guides all decisions, and his symbolism is that of obvious self-protection and healthy boundaries, a continual lesson for us all, especially when we are serving a spiritually focused life.

What a weekend! Amidst the football and Wimbledon, we had the continuing heatwave. Summer is in full blast.

Saturday we enjoyed our annual Garden Party!!  A lovely afternoon of Pimms, sandwiches, cream tea and much laughter and conversation, followed by the famous Garden Party Auction led my Rob and Sue. We raised £235. Thank you to Chris Shore and all who prepared, and helped run the plates of food and keep us filled up with tea, amongst other things.  Thank you to Rob for sharing his beautiful house for the occasion  

 On Sunday, so many made it into Chawton for our Divine Service, braving the heat, and we were glad to welcome John Morrow. And we did have such a lovely time, as John shared his journey towards Spiritualism and becoming a medium. So very interesting, and then he went on to share some absolutely lovely messages and information. Thank you so much! Our lovely Chris Shore chaired the proceedings with her usual ease.

Thank you to our readers. Thank you, Lisa, for the music. Thanks to our hospitality team, and yes, there was cake! We are growing our healing team, and so we were in full force for anyone wanting healing. Set-up and break-down were done so smoothly. Thank you, everyone!

Prayer of the week

Please pray for more love and kindness in this world. These simple ingredients could make such a vast difference in the lives of all who share this Earth.

There is a beautiful breeze today and some rain coming midweek.

There are a few who will be happy about that.

Have a beautiful week.

Posted on by
Reply

I have been watching the bumblebees favour a particular wildflower growing through the cracks of my patio. She has been growing in complete wild abandon this year, I might add. The bees just keep coming and coming to her, and I found myself wondering why this flower, in particular, was so favoured.

The flower is Linaria purpurea, originally from Italy but brought to the UK in the 1700s. She also has the wonderful common name of Purple Toadflax. With a name like that, it was enough to entice me to search further.

Although originally introduced and cultivated in the UK, she, like so many others, became an escapee and can now be found growing in the poorest of soils and in the most unlikely places of wasteland, like my patio!

The bees love her, especially the ‘Bumbles’ because their weight allows them to press down the lower lip of the two-lipped bloom and reach the rich treasure of nectar that so many other pollinators simply cannot get to. Bees, in general, are also drawn to that beautiful purple-blue colour.

Folklore has had a field day with this flower. The two-lipped flower resembles a toad’s mouth, giving her common name. Of course, she is associated with the faeries and their hidden treasures, but she also carries symbolism of protection, resilience, and even the breaking of hexes!

She must indeed be a treasure, for I have watched the bumblebees visit her from dawn’s early light right through until dusk on these beautiful summer days.

We gathered again last night in Chawton after one of those glorious summer days. Rob Harvey, our President, gave an address on just how close spirit can be. He then shared a little clairvoyance, with education and demonstration, with the help of some of the people who sit in Circle. It is a wonderful way for the whole family to understand, at a deeper level, just how close and real the other realms truly are.

Thank you, Rob, and thank you to Sarah Dorgan, who chaired the evening so beautifully. It was such a lovely, relaxed evening.

Thank you to our readers and prayer people, who help to build the energy. Thank you, Carole, for another delicious cake, and thank you to everyone who helps with hospitality. Thank you, Julie, for the music, to our wonderful healers, and to everyone who helps with setting up and packing away afterwards.

Prayer of the Week

Another heatwave is on its way. Please hold in your prayers all those who are vulnerable, people, their beloved companion animals, and don’t forget our wildlife and all animals. Yes the bees and the little ones too. They all need hydration. Prayers for all. Thank you.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Drink before thirst, take care in the heat, and enjoy these beautiful sunny days and heavenly blue skies!

Posted on by
Reply

I thought I had witnessed a June bug when I caught an iridescent metallic flash of emerald green on my windowsill, but June bugs do not live in the UK, do they? However, a smaller imposter does, and this smaller, stunning flying beetle turned out to be none other than the Rose Chafer.

Gardeners are probably well aware of the chewing habits and destruction caused by this little critter, for he can demolish a flower, eating the fleshy parts of petals and leaves. His favourite snack is likely the dog rose, whose nectar and pollen he very much enjoys. He is very visible now and will remain so throughout the summertime, sometimes staying around till October here in the UK.

This stunning flying beetle carries wonderful symbolism for many people, representing inner alchemy, transformation, and the journey from humble beginnings to something radiant and beautiful. His stunning metallic green colour flashing in the sunlight, can feel like the arrival of a spirit messenger, encouraging awareness.

Those wishing to protect their roses may find some success with planting marigolds and lavender which help deter the beetles, while fine mesh provides a more reliable barrier. Otherwise, they will simply do what rose chafers do best, feast upon the blooms that attract them.

A beautiful garden visitor, a living jewel flashing in the summer sunlight, the Rose Chafer remains one of the most beautiful and memorable beetles seen during a UK summer

After a more gentle late spring/early summer day yesterday, we gathered in Chawton and were so pleased to welcome Sarah Norris to us again. Sarah’s energy just invigorated the room and she brought a beautiful inspired address and such lovely messages. Thank you so much Sarah. We really had such a lovely time. Alison Keogh chaired the evening. Thank you.

Thanks to our readers and prayer people for lifting the room with your words and energy. Thank you Carole for your cake and thank you all those who helped with the hospitality for the evening. Thank you to Lisa running our music, and setup and breakdown has become a fine art, and we also thank our healers for their dedication after the service. A lovely evening!

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for our supposed enemies in this world. They need the prayers and healing. Whether on the global stage, or in our own lives, those who cause dissention and hurt to people or animals or lack of respect for any of creation need the prayers and healing badly.

Calendar up later!!

Have a beautiful, cooler week!

Posted on by
Reply

We all have our little rituals, and one of mine, as I come up to my front door, is to stop and choose the newest bloom of my climbing Zephirine roses to breathe in their heady scent. I can take no credit for these beautiful pink roses, as I inherited them when I bought the house.

Roses have such a history, dating back some 5,000 years, and they have evolved into so many varieties. Of course, they have also been cultivated almost to death, so that many modern roses no longer have a scent because the enzyme RhNUDX1 has effectively been bred out of them. That is more than sad, because a rose is not just about beauty, as its fragrance is a lure for pollinators, and in fact, the Damask rose, one of the old rose varieties, is the plant used to make Rose Damascena, or Rose Otto, the therapeutic rose oil which has the highest vibration of any plant on this earth.

Most roses bloom between May and June, but these climbing varieties, encouraged by a mild spring, have bloomed earlier than usual to cheer us up during this mixed weather we have been experiencing.

Their symbolism is, of course, love if red, while yellow often represents friendship, white purity, orange energy and enthusiasm, and the beautiful pink at my front door speaks of gratitude, grace, and joy. In any case, their beauty catches the eye and, hopefully, their heady scent reminds us to figuratively stop and smell the roses in our own lives. We always have a moment.

We had many beautiful moments last night and such a lovely evening with Ann Marie Hogan, who shared such inspired thoughts and brought our wonderful messages. Thank you so much, Ann Marie, and thank you to Sarah, who chaired our evening beautifully.

We are also grateful for the prayers and readings from the family, the hospitality and cake from Sue and Carole, the music led by Julie, and our lovely healers who helped after the service. Thank you too for the quick set-up and break-down of the gathering.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for the animals in this world. They need so much help, whatever circumstances they are in. May humans move ever further towards kindness and understanding with them.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Have a beautiful week. A heatwave is on its way!

Stop and smell the heady scents of springtime.

See less

Posted on by
1

Where have all the buttercups gone? I was quite shocked to actually see buttercups in a nearby park this morning because, quite frankly, they have not been as visible as I remember from my youth.

Buttercups of the meadows, usually the Meadow Buttercup, along with the Corn Buttercup, have indeed been in sharp decline through the decades. Along with many other wildflowers, their habitat has diminished through housing development, intensive farming, and pesticides.

This buttery yellow wildflower, blooming from May through June, is surprisingly toxic to cows if eaten in large quantities. She is also known in folklore as “crazy weed,” amongst many other names, as breathing in her scent was believed to drive one insane. That lore even included advice for picking them, for one was supposed to utter this verse quietly:

“Gold below, gold above…

I take none, I seek no trove…”

A folklore charm to keep the nature spirits happy… lest you have your voice stolen and be led in circles till sunset!

Her spiritual symbolism is one of radiant joy, renewal, and innocence, along with the golden blessings of every moment.

I will always remember, as many will, from childhood, the picking of them with wild abandon and placing those beautiful luminescent yellow petals beneath the chins of playmates to see that golden reflection, confirming who indeed liked their butter.

We welcomed our good friend, Jeanette Foote, to our little church last night in Chawton. What a lovely evening. Jeanette shared such an inspired address concerning healing, so perfect for the end of Healing Awareness Week in the UK, and so perfect for our church, because we are all about healing.

Jeanette then went on to bring many lovely messages. Thank you so much for an evening filled with warmth and laughter. Our own Nerina took the helm and chaired the evening beautifully.

We thank the family for their readings and prayers. Thank you, Julie, for running our music. Thank you, Sue, for your hospitality. Thank you also to our healers and trainees who were on hand afterwards. The set-up and break-down were done very quickly, as many hands do indeed make light work.

Prayer of the Week

Please pray for the sailors trapped in the Straits of Hormuz. They are so vulnerable, and running out of supplies, and we send prayers for their safety with all the events happening in the region.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Have a beautiful week!

It is a little grey today in these parts, but we know above those clouds is the ever-brilliant blue sky and sunshine!

Posted on by
Reply

If you are walking in woodlands around these parts, especially in this early spring, and you spy the unmistakable sight of yellow primroses growing in little bunches, you may well be in ancient woodland, particularly if that woodland also hosts bluebells and wild garlic.

These beautiful, delicate flowers provide essential nectar for early butterflies such as the brimstone and the tortoiseshell. Primroses have also naturally created hybrids over time, and along with many cultivated varieties, their colours can range from soft pale yellow to a rainbow of colours. They are also known for their gentle healing properties, often described as mildly sedative.

Both the flowers and leaves are edible, though be careful to correctly identify primrose and not confuse it with evening primrose, which is a completely different plant!

Symbolically, the primrose represents eternal love and emotional healing. In Irish folklore, it was planted by doorways to keep fairies at bay, as these mischievous beings were thought to steal the milk and butter. The primrose was thought to help guard the home from their trickery.

What a weekend we have had. On Saturday, Rob spoke on healing, took questions, gave demonstrations, and offered healing to all who wished to receive it.

On Sunday, despite a cancellation, we had a wonderful evening, as Steve Lidgett Williams chaired, and our own Chris Elliot served as medium, giving a beautiful address and delivering messages, assisted by Virginia Gordon. Steve also contributed with a few readings himself making it a lovely night for everyone.

Thank you to our music team, our hospitality team, and all those who gave prayers and readings. A special thank you as well to our wonderful healers, always on hand after the service.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please take a moment to pray for peace, peace everywhere, and especially in the many hotspots across our world. May God bless and protect those on the ground who are helping others in such desperate times of need.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Have a beautiful week and enjoy this early springtime!

Posted on by
Reply

The beautiful Magnolia trees are coming into bloom. There is a stunning example just around the corner from me. They are ornamental trees; they were first brought to England in 1687 by John Banister for Fulham Palace, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, more varieties were introduced from China and the Himalayas.

These early spring bloomers really help with pollination, even though they’re not as nectar-rich as some blossoms. Arriving on the spring scene early, they help those bees take their fill. They are thought to be living fossils as there is evidence that they existed some 95 million years ago, although not in their current form.

Their petals are tough and are actually two in one, for what would usually be the green part of the bloom, and the petals are identical. Those tough petals help with the rough behaviour of those beetles, who like her, and are also the quieter pollinators of the springtime.

Their Spiritual symbolism is vast. Including purity, perseverance, and everlasting connections.

We are well aware of our everlasting connections when we gather, feeling those in spirit join us in such numbers. On Sunday, Helen Atkins came to visit on Mother’s Day at our Divine Service and gathering. Helen brought some lovely, inspired thoughts for us to ponder, and then went on to bring some lovely messages for the family. Thank you so much, Helen!! Our lovely Nerina chaired our evening beautifully, and we had such lovely readings and prayers from the family. We were also in good voice, which we were thankful for, as we did not have our hymnal, but that did not stop us from singing our hearts out. Thank you, Julie, for timing us for our healing silence, and Barbara, for making sure we were on pitch.

Of course, we were spoilt with two cakes, which went very quickly. Thank you, Carole and Sue.

And thank you to our healers and trainees on hand after the service. Thank you for all the set up, break down and washing up.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please continue to pray for understanding in this world, but also tolerance, especially from World Leaders right now in all the situations that continue to erupt.

Have a beautiful week. It should get warmer in these parts. We can’t wait!!

Happy St Patricks Day!!

Beannacht De’ leat!

Posted on by
Reply

We are moving through the season of Lent, an introspective time to not only be aware of the journey of Jesus of Nazareth, but also to ponder our own Spiritual journey so far. At this time, we have been blessed with days without rain and some sunshine, along with our evenings getting so much lighter, and the skies sometimes so clear we can enjoy a starlit evening sky complete with a crescent moon.

Life in the natural world is all a twitter with the birds, and now we have the brilliant cheeriness of the daffodils coming into bloom. These happy, sunshine-yellow flowers are a sure sign that springtime is around the corner. There are thousands of varieties worldwide, and evidence suggests that daffodils existed as far back as 300 BC. Originally, they came from Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, one daffodil that grows wild is native to the UK. These wild daffodils are also known as the Lent Lily, appearing during our season of Lent. It is not surprising that they have been adopted as the national flower of Wales, for they are a symbol of hope, renewal, and rebirth, and we all know that a ‘host of golden daffodils’ most definitely lifts our spirits high.

We gathered last night in Chawton to enjoy Irene Hall and Em Dowsing, who came to visit. Irene shared some lovely, inspired thoughts, and then they both gave lovely messages for the family. Thank you so much, ladies!! Our own Chris Shore chaired our evening beautifully. Thank you to our prayer people, our music team, our hospitality, as well as all those who set up, break down, and wash up. As always, a special thank you to our healers and those learning.

Prayer of the week.

Please pray for Mother Earth. We need to protect her and our physical home. She has provided everything we need. We must make sure humankind does not destroy her resources and her beauty.

Calendar up next.

Listen to the birdsong.

Have a lovely week!

Posted on by
Reply

As the season already starts to turn, we see the stunning mauve heather adorn our common lands. The ferns begin to shift to their signature autumnal rust colour, and other plants are starting to move through their own changes. The sunny St. John’s Wort has been in bloom since June and will soon be showing us red berries, which beckon wildlife to snack, but humans should refrain from eating, as there can be quite adverse effects.

The petals of St John’s Wort have long been used for homeopathic remedies, notably for skin problems, but especially for lifting the mood and chasing those blues away. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, he has quite a history. He is named so because of the time of year he blooms, around the time of the summer solstice and the Feast of St John. His sap is red and is connected to the blood shed by St John, confirming his Christian ties. Wort is just an old English name for this plant who has spiritual symbolism of protection against negative energies, bringing healing and a connection to Divine Light, and we always like that.

Last night in Chawton, we rode high on that Light when Vanessa Smallwood came to visit. It was Vanessa’s first time with us, and we loved having her. What a night!! A fascinating address, concerning her path to Platform and Mediumship and then wonderful, sometimes hysterical messages, from those in spirit. Our sides were splitting. When we say our loved ones retain their sense of humour and who they are, we mean it!! There was a lot of laughter on both sides of the veil last night. Thank you so much, Vanessa! Li’l Chris, our own Christine Elliot, chaired the evening beautifully. Thank you so much, ladies!!

We thank our family for the beautiful readings, prayers, and hymns sung to lift the energies. We thank Julie for music, Sue for hospitality, our healers standing by after the service, and, as always, those who set up, break down, and wash up!!

Prayer of the week

Please pray for the animals in this world. From pets to wildlife and every other creature in between, in their different circumstances. There is so much ignorance and abuse of those others that share this world with us. From wars to famine to wildfires, the animals struggle, too.

Calendar up next.

Get your brolly out, and have a beautiful week!!

Posted on by
Reply

I am happy to see my Lavender planter perking up again after blooming in June and then getting frazzled by the intense sun we experienced.  Lavender is actually part of the mint family and her healing properties stretch from an anti-inflammatory, and relaxation aid to a soothing balm for minor burns (when correctly distilled and without solvents)

The pollinators love her. ‘The Bumbles’ especially. She loves sun and is native to the Mediterranean regions, but is much loved everywhere for her colour, healing properties, and that very distinct scent and lure for her pollinators. Our own Queen Victoria actually insisted on lavender-based polish.  She also drank her tea infused with lavender, believing it aided her digestion.

If you are in this neck of the woods, The Lavender Fields in Alton are in full swing, where you can enjoy the beautiful fields and buy just about anything lavender.

https://www.thelavenderfields.co.uk/

Her spiritual symbolism is serenity, calmness, and purity.  

Well, I don’t know how calm we were last night in Chawton.  There is always a lot of laughter, especially with Steve.  Steve Lidgett Williams stood in last night as Pink Sarah was unwell.  Steve shared a very thoughtful address and then went on to bring our lovely messages.  Well done and thank you, Steve!!  We had a lovely evening, chaired by our gal Sarah Dorgan with readings and prayers from the family to lift the vibration with healing to follow, as always.

Carole turned out another cake that looked divine, and Sue had hospitality covered. Thank you, Julie, for our music, and all those who set up and break down each week.  

Prayer of the week

PLEASE PRAY FOR GAZA!!  Channels for aid are being opened.  They are desperate.  Please pray for supplies to get through and true Peace to come!!.

Calendar up next.

Savour the moment.  It’s just an experience.