Guidance from nature - Lammas 2006

With the longest day of Summer Solstice several weeks behind us, the days are drawing in. Hopefully the best of the summer sun is still ahead of us, but then what? We live in a 24/7 society that encourages us to live in a 'fast-forward' way all year round without much thought for the changing energy of the seasons. What is your response right now to the approach of Autumn and then Winter? Do they fill you with dread or anticipation? Does your lifestyle allow you to set aside time to withdraw your energy from the outer world, contemplate the fruits of the passing year and turn the debris into compost for the new year? Could it be that you already make time to be still and use the long winter nights to identify what seed-intentions you want to sow for yourself the next year? Do you emerge in the Spring (like the deciduous trees) with renewed vigor? Or does it feel like the start of another homogenous year?

If you are interested in what you can learn from Nature's annual cycle then read on.

In 1998 when I began the post-grad research for my MA in Education I had the vague outline that we could learn much from Nature's wheel of the year. On an intuitive level, I felt that there were strong parallels between Nature's growth cycle - the seed, shoot, flower, fruit cycle and the human cycle. I wanted to find out whether there was any merit in observing the parallels between what is happening in Nature and what is happening in our own lives. So I set up a research project that was meant to last one calendar year, but went on to run for seven! One day my dissertation entitled Nature as Educator will be available to read on-line, but until then it sits in the library at UEA. Even though it was written up in an academic style, the contents of my findings had very little to do with logical or linquistic learning, and everything to do with other forms of intelligence.

I imagine that many of you reading this may be therapists and body-workers who already utilize kinesthetic, intra and interpersonal forms of intelligence, but what of the under-developed natural or spiritual forms of intelligence?

Over the last few years I have been developing an experiential, educational framework that supports and encourages both personal and professional development. It has been likened to life coaching - except that your coach is Nature. I create exercises that are largely located in local woods and nature that help you to develop your connection with the wisdom inherent in these areas. The elements and our place in the circle of life also play a part in my workshops and training.

If anything of what I have said so far resonates with you, please email me

Autumn trees - Samhain 2007

Renewing contact with your inner light - Winter Solstice 2006

Get closer to nature - Imbolc 2006