Autumn Equinox Nature Celebration

Join us in private woodlands at Rushcliffe Country Park to celebrate the end of summer and welcome in the season of autumn and beginning of the darker half of the year.

The Autumn Equinox marks the point in the year when day and night are of equal length (equal literally means 'equal night'). From this point forwards, the nights begin to draw in, the air temperature begins to drop, and the autumn leaves begin to turn golden and gently fall to the floor for another year. Along with the Spring Equinox and the Solstices, the Autumn Equinox is one of the most important moments in the natural calendar of the year, celebrated in different forms across the Northern Hemisphere for centuries. It is a wonderful opportunity to take a pause and tune into the beautiful changes in the natural world.

Our Autumn Equinox Nature Celebration will focus on the themes relating to the Equinox of balance, harvest and gratitude.

The event will include:

• A guided forest bathing experience
• A guided harvest walk, identifying and collecting seasonal wild fruits, some of which we will together use to make into our own warming autumn tea.
• A chance for personal reflection, both independently and as a group if you feel comfortable
• Mindful nature craft activity

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing, or ‘shinrin yoku’ in Japanese, is the wonderfully restorative, mindfulness-based practice of immersing oneself in the forest, woodland or any green space. Whether you practise alone, or guided by a trained facilitator as this session will be, you will gently use your senses to connect to the natural world around you. Many studies have shown forest bathing to have a profoundly positive impact on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. When practised in a group, it can also provide a lovely, easeful way to not only connect to nature and to ourselves, but to the other people around us.

The event is open to everyone, whether you regularly celebrate the seasonal festivals of the year, or if you would just like to give yourself some time to rest and recharge jn nature as we move from light to dark. The event will be led by Poppy, an experienced Forest Therapy Practitioner and all-round nature and wellbeing enthusiast.

Please see the FAQs below for more info, or contact me at wildandwondernotts@gmail.com

Where to meet?

Outside the 'cake by the lake' café, by the visitor centre and car park. Full details will be sent to attendees nearer the time.

What to bring:

For your comfort, please bring: something comfy to sit on (yoga mat or camping chair is ideal); a blanket / warm layers; a notebook and pen; and a mug. Limited spares may be available.

Accessibility:

If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please get in touch and I will do my best to inform, advise and accommodate appropriately. The site is accessed via flat, soft and sometimes uneven ground, a 5 minute walk from our meeting point. Disabled parking and toilets are available.

Parking:

Parking, including disabled, is available in the main car park by the meeting point (charges apply). If full, there is usually space to park along Mere Way, just behind the car park, too. Please be advised that parking can get busy on sunny days.

Bus:

The park is served by the number 10x bus route along Mere Way. Other bus routes serve Loughborough Rd and Ruddington Village, a short walk away. Please check bus times and routes.

Facilities:

There are toilets, including disabled, by the meeting point behind the ‘cake by the lake’ café. These are a 5 minute walk from the location we will be based at.

Concession:

Concession tickets are available for those who feel this term applies to them and for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier to participation. This may include - but is not necessarily limited to - pensioners, students, disabled people or those on low/no income.

Refunds and cancellations:

Cancellations made more than 7 days before the event will receive a full refund, minus the non-refundable Eventbrite fee.