Autumn greetings in this most magnificent “indian summer” that we are being blessed with. I hope that you are all getting the chance to enjoy the warmth, clarity and beauty of it all?!

Before any more time elapses, I thought that I had better metaphorically put pen to paper and ask who would like to join us for Samhain celebrations? We will be meeting on Sunday the 31st October. It would be perfect if the weather could be as we are enjoying it now, as we plan to hold our ritual in Coed Elernion, a Woodland Trust owned property in Clynnog Fawr, (really more on the outskirts of Trevor) where we have found some lovely atmospheric locations among the trees. We will be gathering, either at 1.30.pm at our home in Dyffryn Nantlle, or else you can go straight to the entrance to the wood for 2 o’clock. (And don’t forget that the clocks are going back that weekend!)

We will be doing something connected to the/our ancestors. Also some deeply introspective work in darkness and simulated burial. It will be a more profound ritual this year, with the emphasis on healing and connection through the earth and our past. We will probably return to our home in Dyffryn Nantlle for our celebratory meal, bonfire and entertainment as darkness overtakes us and the evening begins.

As always, if anyone would like to contribute an activity or reading during ritual, you are greatly welcome to do so… just let me know roughly what you intend to do some time beforehand so that I can co-ordinate and weave everything into a cohesive whole. Similarly, if anyone would like to bring songs, music, readings, poetry, stories, etc for the evening, please do so!

Please do let me know if you are intending to come, as I need to assemble certain items for the ritual, and I need to know just how many I shall be catering for. Also, if you are coming and wish me to send directions as to exactly where we are meeting, let me know. And of course, please bring some edible contributions for the “feast”!

I will probably be sending out another email and posting more on the website a bit nearer the time with any other specific requirements… I’ll just see how it goes!

In the meantime, enjoy this glorious weather and your harvest!

Blessings of endings and completion to you all!

We have just spent this afternoon investigating a local woodland owned by the Woodland Trust called “Coed Elernion”, located near the village of Trefor. We discovered that there was a sizeable local wood owned by the Trust after browsing their website for information about one of their recent acquisitions near Dolgellau, and stumbling across their article about Coed Elernion by a very happy accident.

Newly "discovered" Coed Elernion

The woodland its self is not ancient; it was predominantly farmland until the early decades of the 20th century. However there are stands of ancient Oak trees amongst the smaller and more common Willow, Birch and Alder.

Bridging gaps

Old oak

There is also a large stream running through the wood in a southerly direction: This is crossed several times by little bridges. (Do take care as these can be rather slippery as they’re not exactly new!)

Along this stream run boundary walls which often have mature trees nearby, notably Oak (pictured) and Sycamore.

Under the bridge

By far one of the most promising aspects to this wood is that it has two small meadows in it; these are mown reasonably regularly to encourage the large array of wildflowers (and a substantial variety of magical and medicinal herbs) that are present in the area to flourish. These meadows have been planted with specimen trees around the edges. There is a bench, but only one.

Festival field?

Bench

The larger of these clearings looks to be ideally suited as a ritual site for future gatherings; the ground is firm and reasonably solid, although slightly sloping in nature.

According to the Woodland Trust’s website, the wood is infrequently used for leisure activities; something we did notice in the time we were there, as we only saw one lady walking a dog.

Boundary tree

In parts the wood is rather on the boggy side of things, and as with any grove activity, stout clothes and shoes are recommended.  The Woodland Trust describe the site as having a “natural and undisturbed” nature. This is indeed the case and this is a most peaceful and beautiful place. Its natural regeneration continues with small oak and ash saplings starting to colonise the boggier ground hitherto the domain of Willow and Alder. We even noticed a small Yew tree. Holly too makes a regular appearance.

Babbling brook

The view from on high... The wood as seen from the mountain above

More information about this wood can be found at: http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/about-this-wood.aspx?wood=4174

We very much hope and intend to hold a grove ritual in this wood in the future; grove members will of course be kept up to date on grove events.

Hope these photos have inspired you to check out this sacred place of natural regeneration yourself!