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🌿 Curious to learn more about Forest Bathing?
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Scroll down for details of our recent and upcoming sessions, including seasonal dates and special themed walks.

🍂 November – A Season of Rest, Reflection and Transformation🌙

A seasonal pause… November settles over the land like a soft grey shawl. Mornings arrive frosted and veiled in mist, while afternoons glow briefly in slanted golden light before twilight steals in early. The year is exhaling its final breaths before hibernation, the trees becoming more and more skeletal so we can appreciate their forms etched against low skies, their energy drawn deep into their roots.

🌳 Woodland paths are carpeted with decaying leaves—nature’s mulch and nourishment for the seasons to come. Beech and oak cling onto a few burnished treasures, while the hedgerows stand stark, punctuated by lingering berries, a lifeline for foraging birds. 🌾 Mushrooms push up through the damp earth, reminding us they are the fruits of the underground threads binding forest communities. The air holds a notable chill, and mingles petrichor with woodsmoke.

🦉 Wildlife activity contracts—hedgehogs and dormice retreat into hibernation, birds flock together for warmth and safety, and the woods fall into contemplative hush. November invites us inward, encouraging us to rest, listen, and honour the quiet wisdom of the darkening year.

🌲 Our Forest Bathing experiences this month embrace this sacred slowing —an opportunity to pause with nature, attune to silence, and find renewal amidst the stillness of the woodland. We can feel the quiet turning of the year—not only an ending, but also the preparation for a new cycle to be born.

🍁 November – A Month of Remembrance & Quiet Renewal 🌾

November derives from novem, Latin for “nine”, when it was the ninth month of the old Roman calendar. Now the eleventh, it stands as a time of transition—between late summer, almost fully autumn, though not yet winter—holding a liminal stillness between seasons.

🍂 For the Anglo-Saxons, this was Blōtmonath—the “month of sacrifices”—when offerings were made in gratitude for the year’s harvest and in hope of surviving the colder months. Fires glowed on hearths, stories were shared, and communities gathered close against the lengthening nights.

🌾 Across many traditions, early November is deeply associated with remembrance. From the solemnity of All Saints and All Souls, through the 3-day joyful festivities and celebrations of honouring ancestors in Mexican tradition ('Day of the Dead'), to Remembrance Day, it is a month to honour those who have passed before us, to reflect on sacrifice, and to keep alive the threads of memory, at a time where the veil between the spiritual and material worlds is considered to be at its thinnest. It is also a time for stilling the spirit, preparing for the introspection of winter, and seeking the quiet wisdom that lies beneath the surface, should we choose to look.

🍏 Apples stored in cool larders, root vegetables dug from the soil, and nuts collected in autumn’s flurry all speak of the gratitude of harvest, providing nourishment for leaner days. ✨ November invites us to remember, to release, and to renew—finding strength in silence, gratitude in memory, and peace in the waiting dark, and trusting the cycles of nature.

The Celtic Wheel of the Year encourages us to connect with nature more deeply, and emphasizes the importance of the natural world and its rhythms in daily life.

 

🍂 Samhain marks both the ending of one year and the beginning of the Celtic New Year—a time to honour what has passed and to set intentions for what is to come. In Robert Graves’ Ogham tree calendar, November falls mainly under the guardianship of the Reed Moon, carrying us deeper into the inward journey of winter, while the end of the month is overseen by the Elder Moon, the thirteenth of the Celtic year's cycle. You will notice similarities between the two Moons, reflecting a common approach to this slowing and reflective time of year.  This closing chapter of the Celtic Tree Calendar is not just an ending—it is the deep composting soil from which the New Year will rise.

From 28th October to 23rd November, we walk with the Reed Moon. Reed, growing tall, hollow and flexible beside the water’s edge, was the plant of scribes and poets, often fashioned into pens and musical flutes, tools for expressing truth and communicating messages. It symbolises clarity of intention, the power of words, and the ability to carry messages between the seen and unseen worlds. As well as communicating, this is a lunar phase for listening for subtle signs beyond our habitual physical experience.

🌾 In Celtic symbolism, Reed (Ngetal) is linked to clarity, protection, and ancestral wisdom. Its hollow stem reminds us to be empty vessels—open to receive insight and guidance.

🌙 The Reed Moon bridges Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when the veil between worlds is thinnest. Like the reed flute’s song, it calls us to honour our lineage, clear stagnant energies, and carry forward the wisdom of those who walked before.

✨ The Reed Moon encourages us to:

Align words with truth—speaking clearly, writing intentions, chanting or prayers

Listen deeply—to nature, to spirit, to wise guidance from our intuition, dreams

Honour ancestral voices—through remembrance, offering, song and ritual, such as simple stillness by water

🌕 The Elder Moon – A Time of Endings, Rest & Renewal 🌑

From 24th November to 23rd December we are guided by the Elder Moon, known as Ruish (pronounced roo-esh) by the Celts. This final tree of the Celtic Ogham year ushers us into the darkest time, culminating just after the Winter Solstice, when the imminent rebirth of the sun is celebrated. The Elder Moon symbolizes creativity, transformation and renewal, akin to the Elder tree, which, though fragile, recovers quickly.

🌿 Sacred Tree of Thresholds
In Celtic tradition, Elder is considered a tree of death, transformation and rebirth. Its hollow branches were fashioned into flutes, their haunting notes believed to bridge the seen and unseen realms—linking Elder with the wise Crone, guardian of hidden knowledge and of the doorway to the Otherworld. Respectful tradition included asking permission before removing parts of the tree, to avoid misfortune from angering the Elder Mother, the feisty, protective spirit inhabiting it.

🍂 Lessons of Release and Preparing for Renewal
The Elder Moon teaches that every ending contains the seed of a new beginning. Rest and release are essential before renewal can occur, so by surrendering habits and beliefs that no longer serve us we make space for creative vision, clarity, and renewal in the coming year.  The longest nights invite us to rest deeply and prepare for the returning light.

✨ The Elder Moon closes the year’s circle, reminding us that endings are not final—they are fertile ground for transformation and the promise of light’s return.

November skies feel deeper and darker, the long nights wrapping us in a cloak of mystery. With Samhain behind us and the Celtic New Year begun, the heavens invite reflection and wonder. Each shimmering point of light seems to carry whispers from the unseen realms, guiding us gently through the year’s waning days.

✨ The Northern Taurids (peaking 11th–12th November) bring slow, bright meteors, sometimes producing dazzling fireballs. Their patient arcs across the sky encourage us to gaze, to linger and notice.

💫 The Leonids (peaking 17th–18th November) are famed for spectacular outbursts in history, though in most years—including this one—they offer a modest sprinkling of swift meteors radiating from Leo the Lion. Best viewed after midnight, they remind us of nature’s cycles of abundance and rest.

🌕 The Full Moon on Wednesday 5th November at 13:19 bathes the nights in brilliance, veiling the fainter meteors but casting a luminous, silvery glow across the land. Joanna’s online Full Moon Meditation offers a way to attune inwardly with this energy of illumination.

🌑 By contrast, the New Moon on Thursday 20th November at 06:47 brings the darkest skies of the month—an ideal canvas for stargazing and noticing the lingering Leonid meteors. In this stillness, the cosmos feels wide open, inviting us to dream, wish, and renew.

🔭 Whether watching for fireballs, tracing the lion’s stars, or standing quietly beneath the vast dark dome, November’s night sky reminds us that endings are not final—they are gateways into deeper cycles of return and rebirth.

🌿 Immerse Yourself in Woodland Tranquillity 🌿

 

Join us for a transformative Forest Bathing session in the stunning private semi-ancient woodland at Harry Edwards Foundation, nestled deep in the natural beauty of the Surrey Hills. This guided nature experience is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, designed to help you slow down, engage your senses, and reconnect with the natural world in all its seasonal beauty.

 

Led by experienced guides Joanna Bristow-Watkins and Katie Robinson, we will take you on a mindful, sensory journey through the woodland. Feel the changes in the air, observe the seasonal colours, inhale the fresh, earthy scents, and listen to the gentle sounds of nature. As the session unfolds, you’ll deepen your connection through:

🌲 Guided Sensory Exploration – Engaging with nature through sight, touch, sound, and smell.
🌳 A ‘Treelaxation’ Nature Meditation – A deeply restorative practice beneath the trees.
🍃 Woodland Tea Ceremony – A soothing moment to close the experience.

 

📅 Upcoming Public Sessions:
📍 Harry Edwards Foundation, Surrey Hills
⏳ Duration: 3 hours (2.5 hours Dec–Feb)
💷 Cost: £39.77 (3 hours) | £37.77 (2.5 hours)

🗓 Forthcoming Dates:

📢 IMPORTANT: Booking Within 48 Hours?
Please text 07930 414525 before booking to confirm availability. Book any of the above public sessions at the Harmony Shop

Wokingham Forest Bathing Session

🌿 Monthly events at California Country Park, Wokingham, RG40 4HU 

 

🌲In collaboration with The Forest Bathing Institute and Wokingham Countryside, we now have a forest bathing event booked most months for 2.5 hours. This route takes a maximum of 12 people. September's event was a feast for our eyes and noses, as nature's scents increase, so do come and join us if this is not too far from you.

🌲This location holds real variety, and while we start and end in woodland, we wander by a lake, heathland, open fields and a boardwalk area reminiscent of a mangrove swamp, each with its own characteristics and sensory charm. Previous events have been fully booked. 
🌲You will need to book this event directly through Wokingham Countryside bookings, from a range of other events: Book here

 

📅 Upcoming Public Sessions | 10.30am –1pm | £36:

 Our Other venues

We also arrange private bookings and/or corporate sessions at a selection of locations in the Surrey Hills (Shere, Bramley, Guildford, Woking & Tadworth) and London (SW20, SW14, NW3).  Contact us for details on katieandjo@harmonyinnature.uk

🌿 Surrey Hills Enterprises - Benefits of membership 🌳

 After our recent experience at Power of Place, an event for corporate buyers, showcasing locations, food, drinks and activities providers in the Surrey Hills, we were inspired to share a bit about why we joined, in case there are any entrepreneurs or businesses who would like to experience the enjoyable quality of connection we have gained.

 

✨As members of Surrey Hills Enterprises for the last four years, Harmony in Nature is proud to be part of a vibrant network of local, ethical businesses which shares our commitment to operate sustainably, creating community and wellbeing, while supporting local businesses and the natural landscape and heritage of the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

🤝 Collaboration & Networking – connecting us with like-minded organisations creates opportunities for partnerships, community projects, and joint events.

📣 Visibility & Recognition – Being part of Surrey Hills Enterprises raises our profile locally and nationally, highlighting our work as an accredited business committed to quality and authenticity.

🌱 Support for Growth – Members benefit from training, promotional opportunities, and a trusted community of businesses working together to enhance wellbeing, sustainability, and develop a thriving economy and sustainable tourism in Surrey. See more on the benefits of membership here.

Katie spent much of the summer, after breaking a bone in her foot, hobbling to sit at the edge of her garden most days, since it was the only accessible change of scenery. Fortunately, with a good stock of fat balls, there was plenty to attract the local birds. Here are her musings.

 

What fun it was to watch the Blue Tits for so many weeks, especially the young fluffy ones, as they learned to make their way in the world. If I had to describe them in two words, I would say feisty and playful. They seem unafraid of larger birds like Great Tits, Robins and Dunnocks, even Magpies, but the small Blue Tits appeared to hop onto a branch above and shout down at them, and the larger birds would back off. On several occasions there were up to eight or nine Blue Tits in the buddleia shrub where the feeders were, creating a flurry of brightly coloured activity.

 

You only need to watch Blue Tits for a while to know that it is obvious why they have come to symbolize joy, cheerfulness, and resourcefulness, as well as general positivity in life. I defy anyone to watch them and not find themselves widely smiling. They remind us of the importance of clear communication and adaptability, and my observations of them certainly reinforce that, as they don’t hold back!

In Celtic culture an encounter with Blue Tits symbolised:

Through Harmony Healing, Joanna offers a variety of online esoteric and energy healing courses, including online and in-person self-empowerment courses, intuitive readings and 1-2-1 energy healing sessions. Her Violet Flame of Amenti Course starts online 7.30-9.30pm on Thursday 27th November.

 

Joanna also hosts monthly Full Moon Meditations online from 7.30-9.30pm (UK time) and produces a monthly Celestial Forecast, which includes insights on Moon Phases, Asteroid Showers, and Ancient & Modern Festivals, subscribe here.

 

Katie offers intuitive health mentoring and 1-1 places for Nurtured by Nature One-day Reset Retreats (Facebook Link, or message Katie without obligation for details). These retreats are designed for those needing a complete mind and body reset from their usual work and routines. Tailored to your needs, they include a selection from nutrition, breathing awareness, mindful movement, sounding or chanting, essential oils, ‘de-chemicalising’ your lifestyle, natural first aid, Reiki, and sensory nature connection through Forest Bathing.

 

The full day retreat is £366, with half days, or for 2-3 people, available on request. To discuss your ideal retreat, message Katie directly on 07596 830910.

 

 

mob. 07930 414525 Jo
mob. 07596 830910 Katie