Tag Archives: nature

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Living on the edge of woodlands, I am treated, on a regular basis, to rare sights that perhaps a garden with a more suburban backdrop might not enjoy. The birds that visit me don’t come because of a fantastical bird table, or gourmet treats (for mine is a simple table within a dead Camellia tree, and some suet crumbles that seem to suffice,) but simply because of location, location, location! My glasses, alongside my coffee, are needed to be sure of exactly who does turn up at the 7 o’clock hour.

Hawfinches are very rare to see, and although I was unable to get a picture, I do know that it is absolutely possible to spot them near woodlands. He has an unmistakable large beak for his size, a very handy tool for crushing cherry stones and tree seeds. He is the largest finch in the UK, but sadly he is Red-listed, meaning that he is becoming increasingly rare, probably because of the loss of his habitat.

They are very shy birds, preferring to keep high in the canopy of trees, and their numbers increase slightly in winter as their European cousins arrive, giving us a better chance of seeing them.

His symbolism is often linked to that wonderfully powerful beak. In old England, he was known by names such as ‘Cherry Chopper ‘ for his ability to break open those hard cherry stones with ease. That strength of jaw and beak has come to represent inner strength and breakthroughs, a reminder that maybe we do have the ability to crack open what seem to be the impossible problems and reach the truth hidden within.

He’s also something of a mystery, usually unseen amongst the trees, with a simple, sharp call and an almost ghostly presence. I will choose to believe I did see him, face whatever obstacles arrive in my day with a little more strength, and a determined confidence.

Last night in Chawton, we welcomed Lorraine Francois and Catherine Whitbread. Between them, they shared a beautiful, thoughtful address and brought our lovely messages. Thank you so much, Ladies!! A lovely evening. Our own lovely Chris Elliot chaired the evening beautifully. We always thank our family for their readings and prayers, as well as our Music Team, with Julie running the music last night. Thank you for the yummy cake, Carole, and thank you to Sue for hospitality.

We are ever grateful for our diligent healers, ever ready after the service, as well as everyone who not only sets up but also breaks down the evening, and makes it quick, light work.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK.

Please pray for our Natural World. This earth and her inhabitants are going through it. With so many natural disasters occurring, as well as our interference with the ways of nature, we must remember that all of creation is affected, not just us.

Calendar up later.

Have a beautiful week.

Pause and enjoy the change of seasons.

Picture credit: Gary Jones Wildlife Photography

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The end of Summer has come and gone as we tread though the early part of September. I spied Christmas lights up in the area. Good heavens. Let’s just skip Autumn entirely and get straight to it. No!! People are ever interesting aren’t they! How can we skip the new season as it unfolds?

My sister spotted a Red Kite yesterday, not just circling high on the thermals as they do but swooping down on a residential road, obviously with something specific in mind. No one was the victim this time, but as a bird of prey, although not as strong as the others in these lands, small mammals and birds seem to have a sense when they are around, and of course the tell tale meowing call can give them away, and all usually goes quiet, until the danger passes.

Rural areas give much opportunity for these opportunistic hunters, but they will rely heavily on any available carrion meal. They are very visible in autumn for the season brings changes that they must adapt to and they usually gather in larger numbers and so roost communally in woodlands and forests to share information especially concerning food. The young kites will be on their own and getting out there in survival mode also.

Unlike some of the other birds of prey, he is not only the scavenger, and the acrobat, but the absolute thief, stealing whatever he needs, when he needs it.. where possible. In medieval London these kites were known as laundry thieves, as they regularly stole hanging knickers from clotheslines to help build their nests!! Be warned!

He is the epitome of working with what he’s got, and does not waste his energy. Look up on a clear day during the change of the season. He is easy to spot with his forked tail circling high above in those crisp autumn skies. It’s always worth a moment.

Yesterday was our beautiful Healing Service in Chawton, led by Rob Harvey. There were beautiful prayers and readings to set the tone for the beautiful healing that took place during the service. Thank you to our dedicated healers, and all those who offered the readings and prayers.

Thank you to our Music Team running the music, Our Hospitality girls, and for all the set up and break down. We also had a little extra time to visit with each other whilst sipping our teas and coffees.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for Peace in this world. It is so needed with all the violence, the wars and greed that exist

Embrace the day whatever it looks like, or whatever it brings.

It’s a gift.

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Well, the rain dancing worked!

We have been treated to everything from short, sharp bursts of rain to long, thunderous showers. I think I can even feel the relief of my garden fauna as, finally, they get hydrated with water from above rather than my dirty dishwater!

The back and forth of sunshine-filled days and cooler, Autumn-like mornings is now quite obvious, and these rains have brought out snails in mass abundance, almost like an end-of-summer party. Glad of the rainwater to clean off their dry shells, they are now able to travel along smoother, wetter paths, seeking out food and breeding opportunities. They can lay their eggs in the moist soil and fill up on sustenance before the cooler seasons begin in earnest.

The humble garden snail. What a fascinating creature.

These little molluscs are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs, quite an evolutionary leap! When two snails mate, both may go on to lay eggs!

We have so many jokes about their speed: snail mail, moving at a snail’s pace. And yet, in their world, it simply works!

They carry their heavy shells wherever they go, providing protection for their soft bodies, and that ‘delightful’ tell-tale silvery slime they leave behind serves many purposes. It helps them move, retain moisture and navigate their little world, but producing it comes with a high energy cost.

And so, as you return home on a wetter day, tread carefully along your path. Somewhere beneath your feet, a humble little snail is probably travelling from A to B, and it may take a while…He/she is in no rush. And perhaps, as we watch these creatures move through our damp gardens, we might take a moment to slow down ourselves. What a thought! We protest and insist that the world calls us here and there.. but may we remember, whatever we are travelling to…Home has always been right where we are, at this moment.

And I am sure The Family felt ‘home’ as usual last night in Chawton. Unfortunately Vanessa Smallwood was unable to be with us, but our own Steve answered the phone on a Sunday, and so he was the appointed one!

Steve did such a great job bringing a lovely address about St Francis of Assisi. I think we all learnt a few things, and we know our family is packed with animal lovers, and then Steve went on to bring many messages. Thanks so much Steve for giving us such a good night. Our evening was chaired by Alison. Thank you.

There were beautiful prayers and readings from the family. Cake with cherries. Thank you Carole! We are indeed spoilt. And then good conversation, washing it all down with not just tea and coffee, but with healing to give us a good night’s sleep. Thank you also Julie for running our music. Thank you all for the set up and breakdown of the evening.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for Nepal and the horrific flooding. So much devastation and loss of not just human life, but animal life also. Please let us pray that aid can increase, and that healing is in sight.

Have a beautiful week! More sun is scheduled apparently, but we know that Autumn is now just around the corner…

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And still no rain.

This is quite unbelievable, and now we are beginning to suffer some of the same ills as countries we have watched for years, beset by early drought and wildfires, which seem to be coming closer and closer to home.

The impact of no rain really has an effect when you start to notice what is happening in the natural world. I have had a beautiful Kingfisher at my bird table, shy but determined, which I have never encountered before. Perhaps the pickings are becoming much slimmer along the small river behind me.

As the beautiful green fields of rural UK start to look more like hayfields, we have to hope that everyone is being responsible, for dry brush can ignite in an instant, and embers can carry for miles. The balance of sun and rain is the balance of life in a physical world, along with fresh air to breathe and firm terrain beneath our feet.

The sun’s fierce rays may have given us the season we have long hoped for, but we are well due for a massive thunderstorm to clear the air and water the thirsty earth once more.

So, sun worshippers, enjoy, but for those who know a rain prayer/ dance or two, sooner would definitely be better than later!

We enjoyed a lovely evening last night as our good friend Sarah Norris came to visit. Sarah’s passion and enthusiasm filled the room as she shared inspired thoughts and brought us some lovely messages. Thank you so much, Sarah!

Our wonderful Sarah Dorgan chaired the evening beautifully. Thank you, Sarah two!

We thank our readers and prayer people. We thank Sue and Carole, and the cake, for their hospitality. We thank Julie for running our music. And all set up and breakdown is done is very smooth fashion. And of course we thank our healers standing by week after week to assist when neccesary. Thank you All.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please, in light of these temperatures and the fire outbreaks, pray for those in harm’s way of fire everywhere. All life suffers.

Calendar up later.

Have a beautiful week.

Start dancing!

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It is good fortune indeed to be able to walk through nature and encounter our own private canvas in every way. Not only through the visuals, but through the scents, the sounds, and the ‘feels’ of the flora and fauna.

It has been so for people throughout the ages. It is, quite simply, just what the doctor ordered, a tonic for the soul.

The shift in perspective that nature offers has so often brought humankind’s sometimes crazed lives back into balance with gentleness. It is no wonder that some who scoff at a spiritual life can still embrace nature instead. Perhaps it is because, without all the distractions, the demands of ego, hidden agendas, endless to-do lists, and relentless deadlines, we are finally free to encounter the Great Spirit revealed in the natural world, unfettered by us.

Today I finally found Granny Pop out of beds, in wild abundance not far from the river, amongst so many other wildflowers, all competing for space, and yet there seemed to be room for them all.

It’s always the small things, isn’t it?

What a lovely evening yesterday in Chawton.

After yet another beautiful day, we gathered together. Our L’il Chris chaired for us beautifully, and Rob Harvey shared some of his experiences of clairvoyance, including the removal of ghosts, and how it all sometimes comes together. Fascinating.

Then Rob, together with our House Mediums and Fledglings, brought messages while teaching and explaining the process. 

 We even spied a deer through the open door walking calmly down Winchester road in the early evening.

Thanks to everyone. Beautiful prayers and readings from the family, another divine cake from Carole, music run by Julie, and special thanks to our wonderful hospitality gals.

Thank you also to everyone who helped with the set-up and break-down afterwards, and thank you to our dedicated healers, for standing by.

Prayer of the Week

Please pray for those trapped in wildfires around the world—humankind and animals alike. So many suffer. The flora and fauna are devastated too, and let us remember that many of the smallest creatures cannot outrun the flames.

Calendar up later.

“Live life as if everything is rigged in your favour.” — Rumi

Have a beautiful week!

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We are marching steadily towards August, and we have had a little break in the temperatures. It is still warm, but there are cooler mornings and evenings, and a welcome cooler breeze sometimes during the day. It feels like we have been spoiling for a massive thunderstorm in these parts, and we did have a little rain yesterday.

Speaking of the coming thunderstorms, the coming Thunder Moon, or Buck Moon, was clear and luminous in the sky as we drove back from church last night. It was a few days prior to full, but still absolutely beautiful in the heavens above.

How do these moons get their romantic names? They are usually tied to seasonal events. The stunning Buck Moon hails from Native American culture, as the male deer shed their antlers around this time, and the Thunder Moon is simply the time when thunderstorms are most probable during the summer’s build-up of heat and electrical charge.

There is something celebratory about moonlight, especially when you can see the beauty of the sun’s light reflecting off this natural satellite orbiting our earthly home in the spring and summer months.

Far from being myth, the moon does affect us. Our physical bodies are made up of approximately sixty percent water, and if the moon creates the tides through its gravitational pull, it most certainly affects us.

Concerning myth, folklore, and symbolism, there is a craziness associated with the full moon, that is, lunacy, and she is closely linked with the element of water and the feminine aspects we all have,: empathy, intuition, nurturing, and receptivity. It is also a time when we can get especially emotional, so its best to keep our thoughts high, whatever is going on. The Buck/Thunder July Moon will be seen full from Thursday evening all through Friday. Enjoy!

Well, we had a wonderful Sunday again in Chawton. Ann Marie Hogan came to visit us and shared beautiful thoughts and brought our lovely messages, along with laughter. Thank you so much, Ann Marie! Our Steve was at the helm, guiding the evening so well. Thank you Steve!

The readings and prayers were just lovely. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Lisa, for the music. Thank you, Carole and Sue, for the hospitality, and what an array of baked goods!

Thank you for the set-up and breakdown of the evening, along with all the washing up, and always a special thank you to our healers for bringing the healing energies through from the unseen ones.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for all those in this world affected by these devastating natural disasters. Humankind are not the only ones affected.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Keep your thoughts high and your hearts warm

Have a beautiful week!

Picture credit: Getty image

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This year I didn’t see the blackbird chicks in my garden, but I have noticed their parents much more over the past few weeks.

At the weekend, the male perched on the bird table and, for nearly half an hour, this usually shy garden visitor seemed to share some moments chirping back and forth with me. I imitated his chirps, and each time he answered with a slightly different pattern. I finally had to get on with my day, but it felt quite unusual for such a shy and cautious bird and was a wonderfully uplifting way to begin an early summer morning.

Though blackbirds are not strictly monogamous, pairs will often return to the same territory together year after year if both have survived the winter. They are also remarkably intelligent and can recognise individual humans by their appearance, routines and even their voices.

The blackbird is actually a member of the thrush family, a medium-sized, ground-feeding songbird with a truly beautiful voice. It is no surprise that Paul McCartney wrote his famous song, Blackbird.

“Blackbird singing in the dead of night…”

Blackbirds sometimes sing after dark because of light pollution confusing them.

The female is a gentle, soft brown, while the male is unmistakable with his glossy jet-black feathers and bright golden-yellow beak. They have long been woven into myth and folklore. Far from being a bad omen, the blackbird has often been seen as a messenger of hope, renewal, transformation and new awareness.

Last night we had many messengers of hope and love as our own Sarah Dorgan took the platform to share an inspiring message about slowing down, taking a moment to stop and smell the roses. She then went on to bring some beautiful messages. It was a lovely evening of laughter, and chaired beautifully by Virginia Gordon. Thank you so much, ladies.

Our church family offered beautiful prayers and readings that lifted the energy in the room. There was cake, there was music, and there was much laughter.

Thank you, Julie, for our music. Thank you, Carol and Chris, for your wonderful hospitality. Thank you to our healers, and to everyone who helped with the setup and breakdown after the gathering.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for Peace close to home and across our world, for all those who need that solace in their lives.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Have a beautiful week.

Take a moment…. You’re allowed.

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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.

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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!

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Photo credit :Ross Knowlton

What exactly is it that foxes are doing at this summertime point in the UK? I’ll tell you.

Most kits are probably fairly grown by now and getting into all sorts of mischief. The other morning, at precisely 3.30am, I was awakened by quite a din of yelps and general chaos. Looking out of the window in the early morning light, I saw five fox kits, all slightly different in size, playing with,and enjoying immensely,an old ice cream carton that appeared to have some ice cream still in it, obviously thieved from a nearby dustbin.

What a delight.

I watched them for so long that, yes, I got dressed and went downstairs. Standing in my little front garden in the early morning light, I was amazed that the birds were singing so early and so loudly.

The smallest kit came bounding into my garden. He froze on seeing me, like a rabbit in the headlights, then darted back to the safety of the woods. All the others froze too, before quickly following suit.

They have a rough road ahead of them. Not all will survive their first year. There are so many perils for young animals as they begin exploring their newfound playground.

With everything going on in this world, and sometimes in our own lives, reminding ourselves of the beauty and enchantment of nature is just the tonic to start the day,even if it is a little too early. The small things are actually the big things.

We were enchanted Sunday night to have Sarah Wawman, aka Pink Sarah, come to visit us in Chawton. It was a beautiful evening filled with her inspired thoughts and simply wonderful messages. Thank you so much, Sarah. We loved having you.

Our dear Nerina chaired the evening beautifully. Thank you!

The family gave readings and prayers to uplift us, and we were in fine voice. Carole had made the most beautiful chocolate cake, which most definitely did not disappoint. Thank you to our wonderful hospitality team. Thank you to Lisa for running the music, and thank you to our healers. Very quick work was made of packing everything away afterwards.

Prayer of the Week

Please pray for the people and animals affected by the recent disaster in Venezuela. So much chaos and suffering has been caused, and they need our thoughts and prayers.

Calendar up later.

Have a beautiful, and hopefully cooler week.