Imbolc Nature Celebration

Celebrate the season of new beginnings in the natural world

Join Forest Therapy Practitioner Poppy Wildman for an immersive afternoon in private woodlands to honour the traditional celebration of Imbolc and its themes of new beginnings and gentle reawakenings.

This event will include:

• Guided forest bathing* invitations
• Journaling and intention setting space
• Gentle nature craft activity
• Cup of warm foraged tea

Imbolc marks the traditional half-way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In nature, this is the point when we will begin to see the first signs of life reawakening around us, such the emergence of snowdrops on the forest floor and the bursting of elder leaves in the lower canopy above, while the hours of daylight begin to henceforth exceed at an increasing rate.

And while we still have some time to enjoy winter yet before spring announces herself more fully in the next six weeks or so, it is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate this liminal space between the two seasons. Imbolc invokes themes of new beginnings and reawakenings, and these are elements that we will focus on most intentionally during our time together.

It is worth noting that Imbolc itself is a celtic celebration, linked to the goddess Brigid, who symbolises fertility, fire and poetry. This event is a secular celebration of the natural world based on these origins that invites participants of all backgrounds to explore these themes in a way that feels nourishing and comforting to them, whilst honouring too the roots of this ancient tradition.

And while Imbolc is the term I connect with most to celebrate this wonderful time of year in nature, and is one that been used across the British Isles for millenia, it is worth noting too that across the world the start of February is honoured in many different traditions - from Groundhog Day in the USA and its themes of returning from hibernation, to St Brigid's Day and Candlemas across the Christian world that takes its inspiration from the celtic goddess Brigid and our themes of light returning, to the Lunar New Year in China that celebrates new beginnings. It is clear that as humans we are drawn to finding celebration in this time of year, and is a powerful tradition to celebrate.

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, gently using your senses to connect to the natural world around you.

The event will be guided by a qualified Forest Therapy Practitioner. Additional information will be sent out to all attendees 2 days before the event by email - if you have not received it by then, please check your spam then message me at wildandwondernotts@gmail.com.

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Please see FAQs below for information on accessibility, parking and other info. Any other questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.

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; 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.

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.