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As the days start to lengthen,
Primroses start to flower, tough
enough to withstand winter frosts.
Imbolc to Ostara
Small Cleavers appear
and a little later Nettles.
Both can be harvested
when young
As the woodlands slowly wake up,
Wild Garlic, Bluebell and Wood anemone
emerge amongst the trees.
Imbolc is associated with the goddess Brigid and falls around 1st February as the day’s start to become noticeable longer and the soil starts to stir. Ostara, falling on Spring equinox, marks the point where warmth starts to dominate cold, and light brighten the dark. I often feel a powerful rush of emergent green life around this point and an awakening in my own body.
Young Angelica and Horsetails start to
appear in marshy areas, around springs,
canals and rivers
With a palpable sense of life emerging, late spring starts brings with it an abundance of plants. Beltain, the well loved fire ceremony held around the 1st May, traditionally
marks the start of summer.
In the woods, Ferns
new growth starts to unfold.
Look out for Hart’s Tongue
and Lady Fern, Polypody and Bracken.
Ostara to Beltain
Pink-white Hawthorn blossom is a traditionalindicator of the coming of Beltain. Delicate flowers appear on Bramble, bright young Lemon Balmsgreet us with their beautiful scent. Dandelion’s,
hidden amongst the grass, suddenly cover fields with flowers.
Summer solstice ... Beltain to Lammas
Mid summer brings an abundance of growth and flowering. Sweet, musty scented Elderflower follows
Hawthorn and St. John’s Wort reliably marks Summer Solstice. Lamas, early in August, is the first harvest of the year.
Summer is abundant with plants of the Rose family - Meadowsweet, with richly scented flowers grows by water, Lady’s Mantle is a common feature in gardens and Wild Rose can be found climbing in the hedgerows and woodland edges.
Borage and Chamomile both offer a cooling of heat and inflammation in the summer, though in quite different
ways.
Poppy and Clary Sage, both potent in very different ways, have incredible flowers. Poppy’s are surprisingly delicate whilst Clary’s flowers and stems are covered with a pungent resinous oil which is a large part of the plant’s potency.
Marigold and Fennel both have
a bold presence inviting a boldness in us. Marigold with their bright intensity and Fennel, with strength, sensitivity and grace.
A time when the intensity of summer starts to fade, berries and seeds form the plants’ energies gradually withdraw to their roots.
Lammas to Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
Vervain is a beautiful, small plant that can be collected from early summer, but I associate them with this time of year due to their effect of helping re-centre and return to self and equanimity after the intensity of the summer.
Mugwort, archetypal herb of dreaming, witching and the liminal, grows up to 2m tall and can be harvested around this time for burning – ‘saining’.
Mullein stands tall and proud in the herb garden at this time of year, right a bright rod of yellow flowers, often reaching well over 2m.
Wormwood, sister herb of Mugwort, shares a similar silvery-white colour of the leaves, but it paler and far more bitter. This is a potent plant, powerfully awakening the body and helping move stagnancy.
The descent into winter, with darkening days and plant life returning to the soil in the form of root and seed, is a time for slowing, consolidation, harvest and taking stock. September and October are full of fruit, berries (Elder and Hawthorn) and mushrooms, whilst October - November is a time for collecting roots such as those of Nettle, Marshmallow, Angelica and Valerian.
Marsh Mallow root is robust and rubbery, with little smell but a sweet, mucilaginous taste. Mallow root tea is often my first choice to help grounding and calming, as well as soothing the digestive system.
Angelica root is pungent and aromatic with a penetrating aroma that instantly can feel like it clears the head. This is a root that awakens the aliveness and vibrancy of our breath.
Mistletoe, whilst growing all year, is often only really visible when the leaves fall. High up in the trees, this is a plant that never touches the ground.
Fly agaric is a potent and magical presence in Birch woodland in October. If you meet these in the wild, take time to sit quietly in their presence.
Valerian root is fine and delicate, with a very distinct and potent scent – a scent cats (and rats) love. Even the smell alone is enough to have a profound effect on some people.
Mabon to Winter solstice