Strange process of links. That is what this blog is about.

Number One.

Recently uploading thoughts regarding a book I was reading that had impact, Katherine May’s ‘Enchantment’. It spoke of the Earth’s elements of water, fire, earth and air. The author being influenced by Earth’s elements on her human connections and activities.

https://graysummerstwo.com/2023/05/10/enchantment/

Number Two:

I have been subsequently reading another book. The book is ‘Natural Wellness Everyday. The Weleda Way’ by Emine Rushton. It speaks of Biodynamic Gardening methods. My wife brought the book home from her Dyfi Wholefoods shop where some of her suppliers actually follow the biodynamic/biodiversity gardening philosophy to produce their goods. After reading the Weleda methods and what was involved regarding the garden as ‘alive and a living organism in its own right’, I was keen to follow up the principles for our own gardening ideal. One sentence made me adopt the whole ethos totally.

‘Nature’s breathing rhythms are cosmic in origin, governed by the interactions between the sun and the earth which creates night and day, and the seasons’.

Number Three:

A friend asked me a question on an email re: if I had considered gardening by the moon/lunar cycle. Thought always Sunshine Day. But…..Night? I actually read a long time ago about it, but it never bit into the enthusiastic vibe. You don’t garden at night at all. That would be odd. But night time has it’s influences. Deeper and wider influences come from many sources and timing considerations concerning the biodynamic/biodiversity philosophy. I never remember past investigations easily, so would need a massive revisit to even begin to start understanding what was actually involved again. What you think is simple? Nope. Actually, as said, far deeper. The Emine Rushton book, which inspired further exploration, spoke of Maria Thun’s book regarding gardening by cosmic activity. So I ordered the book ‘Biodynamic Gardening Calendar’ by, as said, Maria Thun and it arrived yesterday.

Number Four:

Lo and behold it speaks of earth (roots), air (flowers), water (leaves) and fire (fruit and seed) elements/plant:vegetable types that Katherine May mentions regarding human connection to the Earth elements in her book! Circle? Complete.

Please tap on the individual photographs below to enlarge.

Why are photographs regarding ‘The Den’ added? Basically it is because creating spaces for ourselves for comfort, learning and creative thinking develops subsequent lightbulb insights. A room to feel comfort and joy is Nirvana. This is my settle and let it all work itself out space. For others? It could be a shed, a favourite corner in a local cafeteria, a place to sit by a river, beach, woodland or lake, a friend’s house that offers escape space with no strings attached, a place you, and only you, know as a gift from the unowned faerie people or Santa Claus. You have to have a place to call your own. Priceless. And essential for well being.

Back to gardening ideals. So. Small still pond to make, wildflower types for bees to consider, apple/damson/plum tree blossom alive with busy bumble bees, shrubs, vegetable seedlings and seeds, soil microbes, dead hedges, compost bins, insect hotels, birds feeders, animals that are hidden, etc. A blue tit has decided to make nest in one of our apple trees. A hole exists in the trunk. I instantly put out a food source in the simplicity of a bird feeder. A pair of robins are flying in and out of the old pigsty with worms in their beaks. I have been digging up soil to provide layers for the Hugelkultur raised bed system. But putting most worms found back into the raised bed to munch on the compostable materials within. The robins hunting down surplus that I haven’t seen.

I have been gardening over the past few days, with my grandson, and been out under the sky. Trying to learn how I can connect to the environment and involve the future generations that is my grandson. And subsequently my grandchildren. However! My grandson is more interested in a metal Land Rover I bought him than the importance of Earth’s future! Boys will be boys. I truly understand. I loved a khaki army truck of similar style. Moving onwards…….Beginning to think about how to grow spiritually within our four slate garden walls and adopt a connection with nature holistically? Can’t compete with a Land Rover, so I did most of it alone whilst we chatted about all kinds of stuff. He now loves The Walrus and the Carpenter poem.

It’s balance found in the presentation of tick tock time. The living in that second by second, minute by minute, days to weeks to months and years. It is being part of the timeless process, contributing thoughtfully and not destroying balance. I love the challenge, but am spooked by my abilities to understand the complexities.

The Den? Vital. Provides a space to sit and review the days. Write in the diary. Think on your ethical pursuits. Read Zen ideals, Gardening books, seed packets, garden glove buying, the right bought inclusions for an ongoing project, write the reflective and planning journal, etc. Basically spend time to build the aims slowly and hope to go back into the garden the next day with a bit more learnt, under your belt and a determined attitude.

As the philosophy states, ‘Give back more than you take out’.

Here’s a bunch of collective photographs below from ‘The Den’ that provide how a blogger sits and writes in surroundings to feel at one with the WordPress world. Repeat of above photos. Music you can’t see. It’s ‘Bliss. The Journey’ by Andrew Blissett which is gently playing. And the feeling is synergy. And finally? Red wine! It has been relaxing to sit and add it to the equation. It is half past twelve after midnight and that means it’s time to take myself to sleep-ville. Thank you. Especially if you got to this bit here. If you didn’t, thank you anyway! You won’t know, but the cosmos will.

Please tap on the individual photographs below to enlarge. Many thanks.