Herb Walk at Nurtured Family Nurtured Earth

I'm really pleased to confirm that Medical Herbalist Tim Carpenter will be leading a Herb walk in and around the beautiful gardens of Haslemere Museum, at Nurtured Family Nurtured Earth this June 4th. 


We went on a herb walk with Tim last year with our local home ed group and it was wonderful ~  lively, interesting and informative, and led by a man with clear passion and commitment to his work. This is what Tim has to say about the walk ~


"Come rain or shine the wild stuff will thrive. Whether you call them wild plants, herbs or weeds, they can probably help you improve your health. Learn the identity of some of Britains wild flowers and trees and how they work with your body to heal various ailments."


http://www.timcarpenterherbalist.co.uk/



and what I love about herbs and wild plants is that they are a shining example of how much the Earth nurtures us when we are willing to open our eyes, minds and hearts to her. 


Herbal medicine is a huge part of the magic of this Earth-Walk that inspires and moves me. I hope that you will find something to uplift and inspire you too, when you join us at Nurtured Family Nurtured Earth this June. 


Look forward to seeing you there!


x

At The Red Thread we came together last week for our last meeting of 2010. Amy came to see us and gave a talk on Bach flower remedies specifically for children which was really interesting and will definitely prove helpful over the ensuing season!

For the rest of the morning, there was playing, pom pom making and a delicious shared lunch of soup, breads, salad and raw apple pie to be enjoyed.

In all, a lovely way to mark the end of a year that we have been blessed to share as a group. 2010 has seen comings and goings; some of our original members left for pastures new and we miss them still and many new mama's have come to join our circle; we have celebrated Blessingways & Births; and started our "Mothers Only" Saturday circles, a really special, sacred space and a haven for us all to take time out in occasionally.

In the new year as the light begins to return, there is so much to look forward to, not least Nurtured Family Nurtured Earth and all of the love, preparation and work that we can't wait to pour into it. In the meantime though we will look forward to meeting up again in January. Knowing that we have the ongoing love and support of a group of wonderful Mamas like the Red Thread is an incredibly empowering way to meet the new year and I can't wait to see what other delights 2011 has in store!


Blessed Be.

 

Gifts of the Solstice

Amid falling picture book snow and sub zero temperatures, the Winter Solstice approaches once again. With all the snow we've had it truly does feel like time to hibernate and dream ~ I just sometimes wish someone could tell my children that! 

The fire burning, candles flickering and the solstice tree brought into the house all mark the approach of the longest night for us. We are lucky to live rurally, but still the air of slight panic pervades even here, as people dash around shop-shop-shopping, giant santa claus' loom at us from buildings and there's not a parking space to be found in town when you need one! Every year I find myself feeling more and more uncomfortable with the consumerist nightmare that IS christmas for many people. 

It feels very counter intuitive for me, all this bustle and bluster at a time when the energy all around is calling for us to retreat and nest. Even the trees have sent their energy down into the roots, letting their leaves fall, and everything looks bare and stripped back. As a society we are so far from nature that we no longer take our cues from the land, but for those of us that try to live in harmony with the earth, a deep discomfort can arise. The discord between the wisdom and depth of the Solstice and the superficial tack and glitter of the average Christmas is painful on many levels.

The beauty and truth of this season is there for us all if we can find some peace and stillness in which to observe it. Light a candle and take a moment to connect with whats happening on the land and whats happening in your inner landscape too. Feed the birds, get out in the garden, feel the earth under your feet, settle and breathe into her. Grounding is a great antidote to the frenzy of the season if you find yourself losing your centre, which is easy to do. 

Be true to yourself and the heart of your family ~ celebrate in whatever way is personally meaningful to you and enjoy.

I wish for all of us, the blessings and promise of the Solstice Energy, and the time to savour it and snuggle with our loved ones. 

Nurtured Family, Nurtured Earth 2011

At The Red Thread Mothers Circle we have been busy planting seeds and incubating plans for next year. We are very excited about the results of this dreaming and planting; plans for a day event next year here in Surrey, dedicated to Holistic family life, called Nurtured Family, Nurtured Earth. 

"Our vision is that Nurtured family, Nurtured earth will be a day to Inform, Inspire and Celebrate Holistic Family life. A day of bringing together our individual lights, to shine into the areas of our lives that may need it;  maybe we need to remind ourselves why we do what we do, to affirm our choices; or maybe we need something to lift and encourage us, and to help us to strike out boldly upon the path that awaits us. Lets come together to support, educate and encourage each other... 

I love the attitude that it is a great honour to be incarnated now, with so much change going on and such great opportunities to make a difference, and this is the energy I'd like to bring to the day. 

Let it be a reminder that in fully and wholeheartedly nurturing the next generation, we are doing the same for our great Mother, the Earth; not just because of how lightly we tread (although that is also vital), but through the loving and whole adults of tomorrow that we are caring for today."

We are still in the early stages of planning Nurtured Family Nurtured Earth but it has taken on a life all of its own and is coming together beautifully. 

As guests speakers already confirmed we have Veronika Robinson, Editor of The Mother Magazine, Anna Watson, founder of Arnica Parents and Patrick Houser of Fathers To Be International.

Activities planned include Childrens Story Telling, Healing Spaces, Music, Cafe and a market room.  We also have a beautiful outside space in which to play and  explore.

~ More will be confirmed as the day takes shape ~

If you think you might like to contribute in some way then please take a look at the dedicated page above, and do get in touch.

and please save the date ~ Saturday 4th June 2011~ and lets all take this opportunity to come together and celebrate our parenting journeys.

Harvest Moon

Can you feel the change in the air? A chilly edge to the wind, the taste of rain on the horizon, the smell of wet earth and damp woodlands. The rose hips bob in the hedgerows, almost ready, and the elderberries glisten, apples fall~ Autumn comes.
I am somehow taken unaware this year. Even though I knew that Autumn was here, the equinox energy is strong and flowing suddenly, like a river in flood, jolting me from my late summer reverie. "Change", she whispers on the strengthening breeze, "honour and let go….move with me, dance with me, trust in me"
With hearts open, there is wisdom and deep learning to be gained in the balancing of our inner and outer worlds. Equinox energy moves us to clear out our cobwebs, open the windows and let her blow through our hearts and minds one last time before we retreat, to dream the dark of the year.
Mabon heralds a natural pause; a time to ground and reorient ourselves upon the path. A time for gathering your achievements to you and honouring how far you have come.
A time to reflect; What have you grown this year? Where have you reaped your harvest? What are you most proud of?
Take this moment and celebrate every sacred part of yourself; growing and changing as you are, spiralling with the seasons.
Give Thanks; Take your morning tea out into the garden. With a prayer, raise your cup up to the windswept blue sky and the sunshine, in gratitude and acknowledgement, then pour out a libation upon the Earth to honour her part in all that you do. Bring that Earth and Sky blessed cup to your lips and drink a toast to yourself and your achievements.
The day and night are of equal length and beauty, and the full moon this week has blessed us with her magical light that bathes all areas of our lives. Her gifts of abundant creativity flow, and her light illuminates the paths of our lives to give us clear sight, far sight, both forwards and back. An opportunity to gain new insight and perspective. Meditate, pray, dream and Give Thanks in her presence.
Get out in the wet silver grass of the full moon garden and sing to her, tell her your stories of journeys made and mountains climbed, of joy and sorrow interwoven, of rainbows and muddy puddles, sticky fingers, dirty faces, new friends and days full of simple pleasures.
Ask for her blessings on the many adventures to come, that you may journey well, with Her good grace and a light heart.

Happy Birthday

One balmy Sunday afternoon at the end of July, the women of The Red Thread came together in celebration of our merry band.
We brought our children, our partners and lunch to share and spent the afternoon in the summer garden. There was much playing, exploring and bouncing on the trampoline (and that was just the Dads!)
 
walks by the pond, piano playing, duck watching, lots of picnic rug chatter,

really delicious food shared and not a few waspy friends joining in too... It was a truly lovely, peaceful afternoon spent in wonderful company.

I am ever grateful and in awe of the gifts that The Red Thread has brought in to my life and without doubt, the best of these is the gift of some wonderful friendships. Thank you all you lovely Mamas, for nurturing with me this dream of the Mothers Circle, and may it, like all our children, flourish and grow in our Love and care.
with bright blessings, Keeley x

"Only when we stop reaching off balance for the light, and equally welcome the darkness of our souls, will we find the exquisite inspiration that comes from being rooted, nourished and blessed by nature. Open to the sanctity of nature's currents, can we then experience the vibrant flood of energy that is offered us as life, finding the deep resources of wisdom and fuel within our nature, and exploring the freedom of perfect self expression."
Emma Restall Orr, Kissing the Hag.
photo~ Pascal's Oak Heart, June 2010