February 2026
As you wander up through the woodland along the path towards the waterfall you can feel a sense of completion , a readiness for the arrival of spring. There are Hawthorne berries still remaining from the bumper summer , and you will notice Alder catkins dangling everywhere and some small saplings with beautiful sienna leaves still hanging on. I feel that these hangers on are the mentors for the new , to show them what was before.
It has mainly been wet , dreary, dark and cold within the woodland and apart from the rushing water down the burn from the waterfall there is a silence , a waiting silence , a knowing its coming silence.
In the modern world we look at things as commodities , something we get , maybe its forest bathing or nature mindfulness to heal ourselves and sooth our nervous systems. But , maybe there should be something we give , perhaps , the woodland needs our warm hearts and communion whilst it is resting , to able to know you as during summer intensity of growth and busyness of life its attention is elsewhere than us. Wrap up well and venture out , spend 30 minutes in meditation or just sit with a flask of a warm drink and be in communion of this beautiful places.
Due to the amount of rain you can find if you spend time seeking the odd mushroom popping up. The lichen and moss is delightful. To deeply connect to a place is through mindful curiosity and delve deeply into the nooks and crannies , inspect the remaining leaves , check out the moss , marvel in the textures and shapes of trees it is all beautiful. Bringing your attention to this is healing and strengthens your mindfulness. Seeing beauty in everything opens your heart and mind changing how your brain is wired forging better connections.
At the end of the month the woodland gifted us with beautiful snowdrops and a sense of hope for new beginnings,
This is the time to start thinking about your new year , your plans and intentions. This is the time to make your goals and make strategies to how you can do this. Write them down clearly for you to see each day to help manifest them.
