Our approach to view the seasons is to break down the year into six seasons that correlate with the life cycle stages that all life endures. As gardeners and foragers that so often observe the rise and decline of life outdoors, we view the year from this six-season perspective. Here I’m sharing the annual year broken down by the 6 seasons plus ways to align with the season in order to experience a seasonal year.
Read MoreNature has always been a place for me to self-soothe. Whether it's been starting a garden and learning how to tend my heart in the same way I do my plants, or by going on walks in the forest to discover wild herbs and edibles. There's no denying how therapeutic it is to escape into nature and recalibrate our true north, or as I call it: rewilding. In the chaos of our global pandemic, economic instability, climate change, and social justice movements layered on top of an already fast-paced and overstimulated culture, I see the need now more than ever, for people to rewild. So, I’ve rounded up a list of 15 ways to rekindle your connection nature and rewild yourself.
Read MoreGardening by the phases of the moon may seem like a mystical or superstitious way to cultivate plants, but in fact it’s a biodynamic gardening method that farmers and gardeners have practiced throughout the ages. Sowing and harvesting with the moon has turned many of my mundane garden tasks into magical rituals that strengthen my awareness of the cycles of nature. It has helped me cultivate a thriving and beautifully productive garden landscape that nourishes both my body and soul.
Read MoreSeasonal living, and the artful practice of connecting nature, is tonic for the body and soul. It is all about taking care to notice the delicate transformations in our environment as they happen through the year and adjusting the way we live in response. It’s about being more in tune with each of the micro seasons that fall within a single year and the life cycles of the flora and fauna that inhibit our ecosystems. It’s about growing our awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings and engaging in communication with nature.
Read MoreThis time of year I always turn a bit reflective. The dark languid days between holidays seem to finally offer a bit of well needed respite. During this little gap on the calendar, time seems to slow to a crawl and we finally have time - time to rest, time to play, time to breathe, and time to dream. I find this time of year perfect for reflecting on the year gone by and setting intentions before launching myself into a new year, and in this case, a new decade.
Read MoreHave you ever walked under evergreens and noticed the trees excreting drops of sap? On a recent adventure into the forest I came across a beautiful old pine tree that was dropping large globs of pine resin. Here are my instructions for sustainably harvesting pine resin and using it to craft an antimicrobial healing balm.
Read MoreMidsummer is the peak celebration of the Summer Season and the midway point in the solar cycle. Here are six illuminating rituals to slow down and connect to nature this Midsummer season.
Read MoreI believe that sustainable living is rooted in mindfulness. Making sustainable lifestyle choices is about making intentional decisions in full awareness. Living sustainably is a challenge and can be exhausting - simply because we are literally working against the system we live in. As a global community, we do not have the luxury to mentally sweep this environmental crisis under the rug - as tempting as it may be. It is truly up to us to accept our current state, then make positive changes one moment at a time. This is the way of acting in mindfulness. One breath at a time. One moment at a time.
Read MoreThe seasonal changes that occur in Spring are more than just natural spectacles - they are cues for our own seasonal living habits. To the gardener, they are prompts to pick up shovel and seed, then get to work. To the mindful, they are cues to begin a different type of tending - an internal sort of gardening. The springtime blossoms are our beautiful teachers in nature. They share the message that life is short, imperfect, and cyclical. They bring tidings of potential and possibility. They also teach us that at some point in our journey, letting go and accepting the process of becoming is not only possible but necessary for happiness and growth.
Read MoreIn light of our planet’s environmental outlook you may be wanting to live more sustainably or even considering going zero-waste this year. To help, I’ve created a list of 12 achievable sustainable living New Year’s Resolutions. Regardless of which goal you work towards you’ll be well on your way to being an eco-conscious citizen!
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year - the climax of the darkest period. It marks the rebirth of the sun and the return of warmth. A new solar cycle begins. This year, connect to nature by celebrating the Winter Solstice with these illuminating rituals.
Do you know what “homing” is? The biological definition refers to an animal’s ability to return to a place or territory after traveling away from it, often into foreign and unpredictable terrain. The esoteric human practice doesn’t differ much from that definition. This mindfulness practice is one that I regularly use to reconnect with my own soul-self - my own inner wisdom. It is the practice of finding the places that call to us; the places that emancipate our souls. It’s navigating to the refuge that allows our soul to rest, run, play, sing, create, and dance in delight of existing.
Read MoreEvery time I step into my garden, to begin my tasks of plant caregiving, I become aware that I am doing more than just manual labor for the benefit of my kitchen table - I’m doing deep internal work as well. Gardening is meditation in action. Here’s the lessons I’ve learned, from my garden, about celebrating and attracting abundance.
