Way Of Willow

Purple dreaming Belles, Way of Willow and Moon Magic

Dear Hearts

I cannot tell you of the dreaming belles, nor of the moon magic that shone turning every leaf to silver. This weekend saw the Way of Willow evening at Wild Spirit Woods celebrating our journey through a modern Celtic Tree calendar with sound story and more. The night sky as deep and purple as those fairy bells.

Painted With Dreams AC Vesty

Wild English Blue Bells, a sign of a wood long established.

Bluebells at Wild Spirit Woods

Wild Spirit Woods once used as a dumping ground has had trailer loads of rubbish removed letting flowers and saplings flourish. Now a goddess temple tipi, and Sun Lodge sit on the edge of the trees while Flittermice fly by the light of the moon. (Flitter mouse an old Cheshire term for bat).

My social anxiety has been pretty bad (I’m AuDHD for those of you that don’t know). I have been taking my homemade Willow Tree Spirit Essence and her gentle ways have washed over me.

My lovely friend Simon drove me to the woods as my leg still has a long way to go to be healed. One thing Willow teaches us that not only is healing largely helped by what happens within each of us but that healing is not a one-off. Healing happens over and over with each new day, situation or happening. Most often we tend to focus on cures and suppressing symptoms. However the old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ is true. Our mental health needs tending to, we all need support wether we are neurodiverse or not. Our mental health has a huge bearing on our physical health as we all know.

Being late diagnosed I used to be really ashamed of myself, feeling like a failure because I couldn’t get my brain to work the way I wanted it to. Now I have learned to be less driven and much more kind to yourself.

We went the Way of Willow, welcomed water and sat with dragons. An old Cheshire dragon tale in local waters , sipping tea, sinking in to sound…

Oh gentle Willow, you under whose gentle bows the calf does shelter, we thank you for your medicines of kindness and healing.

Sound Travels

Earth Day and Ancient and Sacred Trees Ten Year Anniversary

This Earth Day I wanted to let you know that my Labour-of-Love volunteer run Ancient and Sacred Trees project has recently funded Rob McBride TreeHunter, Save The Oaks project, the Phantom Planter, Eden Projects, Wild Justice, Phantom Tree Planter and more. The tree certificates, gift card and teeshirts (designed by me) make this all possible. Since setting up the tree protection and planting side 4 years ago Ancient and Sacred Trees has now funded the planting and protection of over 5000 trees in the Tropics and the UK. (Not bad a for a small volunteer run project with no marketing budget). It is our ten year anniversary this year and the new tree planting membership scheme starts at just £1 a month with Buy Me A Coffee.

Earth Day Blessings and Wild Wishes

Amanda Claire …

Meanwhile, below for my paid supporters, a look behind the scenes of a glimpse of the Way of Willow Tea Ceremony preparation, taste and presentation testing. Plus a little film capturing a glimpse of evening magic.

From my forager garden: Bear Garlic, Chard, Oregano, Chives Ground Elder, Beech