Tag Archives: writing

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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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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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One of the most striking butterflies to be seen in the UK during June is the Red Admiral. Originally known as the “Red Admirable”, his original English name, the butterfly’s name became “Red Admiral” over time.

This beautiful butterfly is migratory, arriving from North Africa each spring. Many return south in September, although not all make the journey. With the milder winters Britain has experienced more recently, increasing numbers are choosing to remain here, hunkering down in sheltered locations through the winter.

The Red Admiral is particularly fond of Buddleia, AKA “butterfly bush”, for the nectar-rich blooms. He is also frequently seen feeding on fermenting fruit, when necessary, and tastes with his feet, marching up and down to see whether it is worth a munch.

He is fiercely territorial and a little grumpy. Males will often establish their patch and aggressively chase off rival butterflies.

In folklore and spiritual symbolism, the Red Admiral is often regarded as a messenger, representing transformation, protection, and courage. A sighting of him is sometimes interpreted as a sign of guidance, reassurance, or positive change on the horizon.

After another gorgeous day in these parts, we welcomed Karen Bazazan Noghani to us in Chawton last night for our Friendship Service. Thank you so much for your inspired thoughts and bringing our messages last night. We were so glad to meet you. Steve chaired our evening beautifully. Thank you, Steve.

The energy was high as we enjoyed beautiful readings and prayers and sang some lovely hymns. Thank you to our readers. Thank you, Julie, for running our music, and thank you to the hospitality ladies. Carole and Sue. Our healers stood by to help those in need after the service. Thank you, and so many pitched in to pack up and clear away.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for our little church, that we can find new ways to serve our own church family, but also those in our communities.

Calendar up tomorrow.

It’s almost midsummer. Enjoy the long light evenings!

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The upside of having a wild, out-of-control garden is that it becomes an adventure. That’s my excuse! Most years I am fighting with the ivy, but this year a more unassuming little wildflower has become the bane of the back garden. Masquerading as Herb Robert of the same family, and growing right alongside it no less, while somehow managing to seed itself inside the pots of my lovely golden cypress and seemingly causing their demise in record time, is Rock Cranesbill. Named aparently because of the shape of her seed capsules.

With her pretty innocent pink blooms, red stems, and aromatic citrus scent, she seems to have taken over this year… or perhaps she was simply biding her time. The pollinators absolutely adore her. So many are coming and going between the delicate flowers.

Rock Cranesbill belongs to the geranium family and is native to the Balkans and the south-eastern Alps. She is hardy and has been in England since the 16th century. It is unclear who introduced her, but she arrived unofficially during a time when botanists and explorers were bringing many new plants into the country.

Her symbolism is that of resilience, purity, loyalty, and spiritual endurance. She also possesses healing properties as an astringent and anti-inflammatory.

No Mow May is still in effect, although I think it may be best to get organised before the month is out, before this innocent but hardy wildflower takes over completely!

We certainly needed to stay organised on Saturday as we kicked off our Bank Holiday weekend with our Spring/Summer Coffee Morning. A great deal of coordination was needed as we welcomed four visiting mediums alongside our House Mediums and Healers. Thank you to everyone who helped keep everything running smoothly, no easy task. Many thanks to our visiting mediums: Lesley Knight, Sarah McLaughlan, Debbie Reeves, and Rachel Setford Berry. You brought such wonderful messages. Thank you! Our House Mediums were busy throughout, as were our Healers. Thank you all.

Thank you also to Carole and Sue for your hospitality and the cakes! There was plenty of chatting and wonderful high energy on a glorious sunny morning.

On Sunday we welcomed our friend, Jim Demitri, and once again we shared a lovely gathering filled with laughter. Thank you so much, Jim, for your beautiful messages. We look forward to seeing you again later in the year.

Chris Shore chaired our evening beautifully. Our family gave beautiful readings and prayers, and we still had delicious baked goods left to enjoy afterwards while our Healers stood by to help. Thank you all.

Prayer of the Week

Please pray for Africa. She is facing hurdles in every direction with conflict, drought and extreme weather, starvation,along with social and political unrest. May there be a way forward of plenty, stability and Peace.

Calendar will be up later.

Have a beautiful week. Hydrate! It is going to be very warm for the UK.

No complaining!

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One of the beautiful things about this springtime season is the constant emergence of life all around us. Surely it is enough to soften even the hardest heart. We seem to be transported to a place of innocence as we see the flowers, trees, and bushes bloom. I am personally transported when I see my stunning lilacs flowering again so boldly, or when I become aware of the ​creatures and their little ones taking their maiden steps.

We think of the badger as a quiet, shy, and reclusive creature. Although nocturnal, this is the time of year when they can often be seen at either end of the day, as the cubs venture out from the sett. The young ones are silly and playful, a complete delight to watch if you are ever fortunate enough to do so. Delayed implantation has allowed the young to be born into a springtime of favourable conditions.

They will grow into hardy creatures, with stout bodies and sharp claws, as well as a not-so-delightful odour to ward off predators! And did I mention they can run up to twenty miles an hour? Not too shabby for a creature that looks just a little clumsy. We can trace badgers in England back at least half a million years, roaming the land alongside wolverines and bears, no less.

The writer Kenneth Grahame cast his character ‘Badger’ as a wise mentor and protector in his beloved children’s book The Wind in the Willows. Little surprise then that the badger’s symbolism is wisdom, along with tenacity and determination. Spiritually, he reminds us to dig down and understand as fully as we are able​, and we are all about that​!

Last evening, after another glorious spring sunny day, our friend Spencer Rose came to visit. What a lovely evening, as he shared his thoughts and brought our ​wonderful messages. We had such a lovely time. Thank you so much, Spencer, for coming to see us! The lovely Chri​s Elliot chaired the proceedings beautifully, as we heard the lovely prayers and readings from ​The ​Family. Thank you.

Thank you, Julie, for running our music last night. Thank you, Sue, for your hospitality, and of course, Carole was in the house producing a very lovely chocolate cake.

We thank our dear healers and those training for helping so many last night, and thanks as always goes to everyone who helps with set-up​, break-down​, and washing up.

Prayer of the Week

Please pray for the Natural World. Sometimes we are the reason for ​their struggles, as we take away land without enough concern for the plight of those who share it. So many are trying to educate us and make us aware of what the land, the waters and the air around us need in order to sustain all the other life that lives and breathes alongside us.

Calendar to follow later.

Have a beautiful week.

It is heavenly out there.

​Don’t miss it!

Picture credit Andy Rouse Photography.

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The catkins have arrived, now we are truly in springtime. The Goat Willow, or Pussy Willow as it is so lovingly called, is a welcome arrival for early pollinators. Those soft, silver catkins protect the delicate flowers within from the chilly days until the sun warms their world. Native to the UK and Europe, with relatives in the Americas, this tree offers a quiet beauty.

Willow has long been associated with healing. Its active component, salicin, an active ingredient of aspirin, has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever. Native Americans understood its healing ability, using willow in their daily lives for ailments and pain control.

The catkins themselves resemble tiny kitten paws, and a Polish legend tells of a mother cat, distraught because her kittens fell into a fast-flowing river while chasing butterflies. It was the willow branches, bending low over the water, that gave the little ones something to cling to, saving their lives.

The willow is a symbol of renewal, resilience, and adaptability, and even weather magic, as twigs thrown into the wind are supposed to calm storms. Perhaps someone was working that magic, as yesterday gave us a truly glorious spring day, with no rainstorms in sight, and we came to church in high spirits.

Although Louise Barnes was unable to join us, her cohort, Jenny Hedley from Reading, offered truly beautiful, inspired prayers and thoughts. Thank you, Jenny. Your words were truly lovely. The evening was chaired by our own Alison Keogh.

Our family, as always, shared heartfelt readings, followed by beautiful messages from our house mediums with two of the fledglings. Thank you to Nerina Dannat, Virginia Gordon, Julie Shearman Searle, and Aimee Andrews. It was a lovely evening, complete with another beautiful cake from Carole, warm conversation, and healing on offer from healers and trainees

Thank you also to our music team, Julie and Lisa, and to everyone who helps set up, break down, and take care of the washing up.

Prayer of the Week

Please send a prayer up for unity in our world. Its lack is the cause of so much division, not only on the world stage but within our communities and homes. May we learn to see others as ourselves, beyond differences of culture, politics, or belief. Anything less is sheer spiritual ignorance.

The calendar will be up tomorrow.

Wishing you a beautiful week!

Hello sunshine !

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Reindeer have become synonymous with Christmas time. They are a very unique deer, native to parts of Europe, Scotland, Asia, and North America. The males and females grow antlers, unlike any other deer. The males lose them in autumn during the mating season, but the females keep them to protect their young. Their antlers are huge and so account for their particularly majestic look. Their eyes are not bad either, allowing them to see ultraviolet light and spot predators more easily. Their special noses can allow them to warm that cold air.

Folklore has them travelling, pulling Santa’s sleigh throughout the skies of the world, but they can actually travel very long distances. In North America, they are known by a different name. Caribou. Whatever the name, we enjoy them as a beautiful feature on our cards and calendars during the Christmas and winter season.

What a night Sunday!! It was our Carols and Panto gathering, and probably the wackiest service of the year. We sang our favourite carols, heard some lovely, humorous readings, and then it was time for the much-anticipated pantomime. This year, it was Alice in Wonderland. Steve Lidgett Williams played an Alice Cooper kind of Alice, while Rob Harvey was The Evil Queen donning Freddy Mercury regalia. As if that wasn’t enough, we had Sarah Dorgan as The White Rabbit and the Mad Mad Hatter, Alison Keogh as the Mad March Hare, Graham Searle as a Dozy Dormouse, as well as a playing card. Chris Elliot was our Cheshire Cat, and also a playing card, and Virginia Gordon was a caterpillar and a playing card, also. Chris Shore narrated the buffoonery. We also had Santa and the Elves coming by. Thanks to Julie, Nerina, and Sue.

We thank our readers and prayer people, Ailette lit our Shepherd’s candle for JOY, and Lisa ran our music. Carol and Sue brought us some delightful Christmas baked goods with mulled wine to wash them down with. It was a very festive night enjoyed by all. Thank you Everyone for all the work and effort!!

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for Peace around the world.

Calendar up later!!

Have a beautiful week, everyone, and slow down.

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Sorting out my Christmas decorations, I came across a faux sprig of mistletoe. Associated with Christmastime, this parasitic but evergreen plant that grows on some deciduous host trees has a rich tradition of folklore and myth, where it was often thought to represent Peace and Love, whether among the Romans, the Druids, or the Norse ancient culture.

The name Mistletoe actually derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘ Dung on a Twig.’ Delightful. This is no doubt the way in which the seeds are spread by birds eating those juicy, waxy, white berries. In this era, she is mainly known for the tradition of kissing beneath her boughs. This tradition was started in the Victorian age, when every time a couple kissed beneath her, a white berry was plucked, but when the berries were gone, they were gone, and you were definitely out of luck. She is toxic to pets and plants, but she is a blessing to birds, deer, squirrels, and even butterflies in the depths of winter.

Spencer Rose was in the house Sunday night, and we had an amazing evening as we celebrated the start of Advent. We were joined by some from Basingstoke Spiritualist Church, and the cross-pollination felt wonderful.

Spencer’s address was so inspiring, and the energy was off the charts. He went on to bring simply wonderful messages to some. Thank you, Spencer, for your laughter and spirit. What a lovely evening! We thank Chris Elliot for chairing our evening brilliantly, as well as those who gave beautiful readings and prayers.

Ken spoke about the Advent candles, and Sue came up and lit our first one for Hope. Thank you, Sue, also for the hospitality. Lisa worked on our music, and our healers stood by after the service. The setup, breakdown, and washing up are always taken care of by our family in record time. Thank you!

Prayer of the week

Please pray for all the victims of the terrible floods in Asia. We think of our own kind, but also the animals and all life affected. May help come and life be restored.

Calendar up next.

Slow down amid the decorations and shopping, and take a moment.

‘Tis the season for a reason.

Have a beautiful week!

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I see the acorns are falling fast and furiously on the woodland floor, especially with the wind and the downpours that have kicked up recently. You know this little mite will not be wasting the opportunity. He is the ultimate hoarder. Grey squirrels are already preparing for the winter months. We could all take note. Acorns, flowers, pine cones, and sometimes even bird eggs are all on the hoarding list as he gathers and finds a secret space for his stash.

The playful young squirrels born in spring and summer, playing up and down the tree trunks with one another, will also face their first cold snap and will have to ‘catch on’ and get organized. Did you know he can also create pretend storehouses and act out burying nuts, so that thieves are kept confused and his winter larder remains full. His symbolism is obviously that of preparedness and resourcefulness. A character loathed and loved, but quite obviously here to stay.

We had such a lovely evening in Chawton last night. Dave Collins visited us and brought along Lorraine Whitfield. We were blessed to have a ‘twofer’ while they worked as a team. Dave gave an inspired address, giving us plenty to think about, and then they both brought the messages and laughter for us. What a lovely evening. Thank you so much!! Our effervescent gal, Sarah Dorgan, chaired the proceedings, so you know it was full of fun and laughter!! Thank you, Sarah!

We thank our Family for the beautiful prayers and readings, and thank Julie for the music. Thank you to Carole for the cake, Nerina, and Chris Shore for the hospitality. Thanks always to our healers and all those setting up, breaking down, and washing up!!

Prayer of the week.

Please pray for more Love in this world. Just throw out the love in whatever way you can, daily. The world so sorely needs it.

Calendar up next.

Have a beautiful week, everyone. Get your woolies out. Summer is over.