Hi First name / friend, 

 

Welcome to our Harmony In Nature August Lúnasa Edition. To ensure you receive our emails without any issues, please add katieandjo@harmonyinnature.uk to your ‘safe sender’ list.

 

🌿 As summer reaches its fullest expression, August invites us into its abundance. The woodlands are rich with birdsong, ripening fruits and lush greenery, dragonflies continue their graceful patrol above ponds and streams, butterflies linger on late summer flowers, and the first touches of gold quietly appear amongst the leaves, especially noticeable after a dry summer, while the first hints of the coming autumn begin to appear. Lúnasa is August in Irish, as well as a quick reference to the ‘first harvest’ celebration on 1-2 August, which reminds us to pause, appreciate what has flourished and reconnect with nature's timeless rhythms.

 

🌳 In this edition, we share seasonal reflections, highlights from recent gatherings, nature connection inspiration, and details of upcoming events designed to help you slow down, restore and deepen your relationship with the natural world, and with yourself.

 

 🍃 If this is your first introduction to Forest Bathing, or if you feel inspired to deepen your relationship with nature, we invite you to discover more about this gentle practice, its research-supported wellbeing benefits, and what you can expect from our guided sessions by exploring Forest Bathing with us.

 

If you are not already a subscriber and would like to be, you can sign up here.

August invites us to slow our pace and notice not only what the earth has produced, but also what has flourished within our own lives. Rather than continually striving towards the next goal, nature encourages us to pause, appreciate what has grown, and recognise that periods of reflection are every bit as important as action.

The longer evenings still tempt us outdoors, yet there is a quieter quality to the light. Dawn arrives a little later, birdsong becomes gentler, and the landscape begins its next gradual transition towards autumn. It is an ideal time to wander beneath the cool shade of trees, breathe deeply, and simply be present with the natural world.

Around 1st August, the Wheel of the Year reaches Lughnasadh, the ancient Celtic festival of the first harvest. Today it is more commonly known as Lúnasa, while the Christian tradition later celebrated the season as Lammas ("Loaf Mass"). Although the names have evolved over time, each reflects humanity's enduring connection with the rhythms of nature, the gratitude inspired by the Earth's abundance, and the co-creative partnership between humanity and nature.

Traditionally associated with the Celtic god Lugh, Lughnasadh was a time for communities to gather in celebration, giving thanks for the first harvest through storytelling, music, friendly competitions and shared feasts. It marked not only the gathering of crops, but also a moment to honour the skills, relationships and experiences cultivated throughout the year.

Today, the festival still offers a reminder to pause and notice what is flourishing in our own lives. As hedgerows fill with ripening berries, seed heads sway in sunlit meadows and the first subtle hints of autumn begin to appear, nature encourages us to appreciate the abundance already present before looking ahead to the next season.

Whether your harvest is found in your garden, your work, your relationships or your personal journey, Lughnasadh invites us to celebrate growth with gratitude, recognising that every harvest begins with seeds patiently nurtured over time.

There's still time to join Joanna's live Holly Lúnasa Full Moon Meditation. Working with the energies of Lúnasa and this year's Egyptian Epagomenal Days, the meditation supports courage, clarity, healthy boundaries and transformative renewal as we prepare for August's eclipse season.
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🌑🌕 August Night Sky Highlights

August brings an especially significant lunar cycle, with both a Solar Eclipse and a Lunar Eclipse framing the month. Together they invite us to embrace new beginnings, deepen our intuition and gently prepare for the seasonal transition towards autumn.
🌠 Perseid Meteor Shower

One of the year's most spectacular celestial events, the Perseid Meteor Shower occurs as Earth passes through a stream of tiny particles left behind by Comet Swift–Tuttle. As these particles enter our atmosphere, they burn brightly, creating the familiar streaks of light we know as shooting stars.

This year's display is especially favourable because it coincides with the Hazel New Moon, meaning darker skies and excellent viewing conditions across the UK, weather permitting. Although the shower peaks on the nights of 12th–13th August, it remains active from mid-July until around 24th August, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature after dark.

For the best experience, head away from street lighting, allow your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and simply look upwards. No telescope or binoculars are needed—just patience, warm clothing and perhaps a blanket or reclining chair.

🌠 Peak: 12th–13th August
🌌 Best viewing: After midnight until dawn under dark, clear skies

Hazel has long been revered as the tree of wisdom, inspiration and hidden knowledge. This New Moon encourages quiet reflection, fresh perspectives and the setting of heartfelt intentions for the months ahead.

Adding to its significance, the New Moon coincides with a Total Solar Eclipse, experienced in the UK as a deep partial solar eclipse (weather permitting). While eclipses have inspired wonder across cultures for thousands of years, they can also serve as meaningful moments to pause, embrace change and welcome new possibilities.

The month concludes with the Hazel, or Sturgeon, Full Moon, accompanied by a Partial Lunar Eclipse. Hazel encourages us to listen deeply, trust our intuition and allow understanding to unfold in its own time. Rather than dramatic revelation, this meditation focuses on gentle insight, discernment and integrating the wisdom gathered throughout the summer.

Joanna's specially pre-recorded Hazel Sturgeon Full Moon Meditation guides participants through a peaceful inner journey of wisdom, receptivity and quiet transformation, supporting intuitive clarity and the integration of all that this eclipse season may reveal.

Katie, Joanna and Julli were delighted to attend this year's Surrey Hills Enterprises Gala, celebrating the collaborations amongst member businesses across Surrey.

As members of the SHE community for four or five years, Harmony in Nature has valued the opportunity to connect with local businesses, share ideas and build supportive professional relationships, and has collaborated with several of them. It was a wonderful evening of inspiration, celebration and networking, and we look forward to continuing to be part of this thriving community.

🌲 Earlier that day we gave a taster session at Harry Edwards Foundation for a group of recoverers from cancer through their regular Wellness Day collaboration with The Fountain Centre based at The Royal Surrey County Hospital.

🌳 Friday 17th July 
Meeting local government officials
We were pleased to meet Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Hunt MP and Cllr Jane Austin during their visit to Birtley Estate, celebrating the collaborative community projects and nature-based initiatives that are helping to strengthen wellbeing and resilience across our local area.
🍒 Saturday 18th July
Collaborating at Birtley

We returned to Birtley on Saturday 18th July for a fun and inspiring afternoon, led by Lorraine from Hedges & Hurdles, bringing together several collaborators to experience one another's activities whilst capturing photographs of us in action working together.

Lorraine's Outdoor Experiences initiative offers a diverse selection of activities for corporate away days and private groups. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen partnerships, explore complementary wellbeing experiences and create new promotional imagery showcasing the benefits of spending time in nature together. And we had a few laughs, which are always good for our wellbeing.

We're delighted to be taking part in Dorking Walking Week, part of Dorking's first Festival of Good Living, celebrating wellbeing, the outdoors, food, creativity and community throughout September.
 

Book any of our public sessions, below, at the Harmony Shop 

 

🌳 Pause, Breathe and Reconnect with Nature 🌳

A short 36-second film, kindly created by Hunter Delves (Community Engagement & Fundraising Manager at Harry Edwards), beautifully captures the atmosphere and restorative nature of Forest Bathing at this special venue. You can watch it on YouTube here.

We are taking a break in August, and by mid-September, the woodland's gentle transition towards autumn will be underway. The intense energy of summer has softened, the first leaves are changing colours, hedgerows are laden with berries, and the air carries a quieter rhythm. It is a beautiful time to slow down, breathe deeply and immerse yourself in nature's restorative embrace.

As the Wheel of the Year continues beyond Lughnasadh, we are invited to appreciate the abundance of the season whilst preparing, both inwardly and outwardly, for the months ahead. Forest Bathing offers the perfect opportunity to pause, reconnect with your senses and find balance amidst nature's ever-changing cycles.

Our guided experience includes a series of sensory invitations, encouraging you to slow your pace, awaken your awareness and deepen your connection with the natural world in a mindful, restorative way.

✨ Expect:

• Deep relaxation and a gentle reset for body and mind
• Time to slow down, reflect and simply be present
• A renewed sense of calm, clarity and wellbeing
• Meaningful connection with nature and like-minded people

Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning to deepen your nature connection practice, September offers a wonderful opportunity to embrace the changing season and experience the woodland at one of its most peaceful times.

For those who would like to extend their wellbeing experience, Sue Llewellyn's popular Qigong class takes place at the Harry Edwards Foundation from 10:00–11:00am before our Forest Bathing session begins. Our later 11:30am Saturday start allows plenty of time to enjoy both activities. We thoroughly recommend this gentle practice to get energy flowing, and Sue runs weekly classes there, with a thriving community of friendly regulars.

Booking for Qigong is made separately through the Harry Edwards Foundation website.

Upcoming Nature Connection Dates:
Saturday 19th September | 11:30 – 14:30

Saturday 10th October | 11:30 – 14:30

Sunday 8th November | 11:00 – 14:00

Saturday 28th November | 11:30 – 14:30

📢 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

 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

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. 

 

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, away 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. You will take away tips to transmute stress into calm.

 

This full day retreat can be arranged for 2-3 people, available on request. To discuss, message Katie directly on 07596 830910.

 

 

mob. 07930 414525 Jo
mob. 07596 830910 Katie