The first of the pagan harvest festivals - Lughnasadh was a couple of weeks ago, and I realised I've been harvesting far more than just plants this summer.
Alongside the handfuls of nettle seeds, yarrow, elderflowers and all sorts of things from the hedgerows, I've also been collecting knowledge. Every walk teaches me something new.
I think that's become one of my favourite parts.
One thing yoga taught me was the real meaning of the word practice. It isn't about getting good enough to stop practising. It's about showing up, making mistakes, learning and trying again.
Foraging has become a bit like that for me.
Sometimes I identify something correctly. Sometimes I come home with an exciting haul. Sometimes I completely forget to sterilise the bottles properly and end up throwing away an entire batch of elderflower cordial I'd planned to give as Christmas presents. (The thought was there...)
Slowly, I'm becoming a slightly more competent witch.
Please don't ask me to grow anything though. I definitely didn't inherit my mum's green fingers! Her garden is a prime example of what happens when a green witch and undiagnosed ADHD combine - Chaos gardening at it's finest.
What has surprised me most is how much foraging has changed the way I experience the seasons.
Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, I'm looking for what's flowering, what's ripening and what's beginning to fade. You have to really notice the landscape to identify plants, in the same way you have to really look at something before you can draw it.
Not only is the natural world a huge source of inspiration for my jewellery, these foraging walks have also become a huge source of dopamine for me.
It sounds simple, but it's made such a difference to my mental health.
There's something quietly radical about it too. At a time when everything feels more expensive, learning even a little self-sufficiency feels empowering. It costs nothing to walk outside, pay attention and come home with something useful. It gets me away from screens, slows my brain down and reminds me that there are still things we can learn directly from the world around us.
I've even started noticing how each year is different. Last year was a mast year, and I remember being amazed by the abundance of fruit and nuts in the hedgerows. Now I find myself wondering what this year's harvest will bring.
It also makes me feel connected to the people who came before us. In a world that increasingly feels dominated by artificial technology, I love that there's still a free, very human way to connect with nature, the seasons and ourselves.
I've learned a lot, made a few mistakes and have plenty I'd do differently next year - but that's all part of the practice.
If you're keen to give foraging a go but don't know where to start, here are some things you could try...
🧺 Research foraging walks in your local area. If you are based in Birmingham I'd highly recommend getting in touch with Natasha from Intrinsic therapies I go to as many of her walks as I can.
🌿 Find a plant identifying app. I use PictureThis but there are loads to choose from. It really increased my confidence in identifying plants while foraging alone. I alwasy cross reference witha quick google search too.
💬 Start the conversation & start small. More and more people are noticing the abundance around them and giving foraging a go. The more we connect with our local communities, the more we take the power back from big corporations who fear our self sufficiency. Power to the people! (and plants)
