Welcome to May.

What a joy May is! The whole of nature celebrates as it bursts into life and you can help, by pledging to No-Mow-May. Birds are chanting, bees are buzzing and reptiles are basking. Here in the New Forest, the foals are being born and finding their feet amongst the freedom of the forest, the mares will be a little lively as the stallions get turned out for six weeks.

Cuckoos are still singing and nightjars churring from the heathlands. Badger and fox cubs play and socialise above ground and hares bound in cowslip meadows.

Gardens are a sanctuary for scruffy fledglings as we dig up the early spring bulbs and enjoy the garden beginning to bloom. The garden may also be your sanctuary away from the bank holiday traffic. Talking of gardens - The first week of May is National Garden week, and the second week is National Hedgerow week. These are both great reminders to slow down, get your hands in the soil or sit and observe and listen to your nearby hedgerow, you may spot a species you have never seen before.

Mays full moon is known as the flower moon and will rise on the 12th. This is a mini - moon, appearing smaller than usual, but this is because it is furthest away from earth. The new moon rises on the 27th and between 6th and 7th the Eta Aquarids meteor shower can be observed after midnight, these meteors are dust particles left behind from Haley Comet.

This months 2 free walks with the full membership are an evening bluebell and pub walk through Pondhead and a walk in the footsteps of Smugglers at Burley. Although the bluebell walk is fully booked, there is a second opportunity to join me for a walk amongst them, also for free as I will be hosting this walk for the Align women's wellness group. You just need to sign up to the Facebook group here, and you will find a post telling you how to book. Or if you fancy venturing just outside of the forest, why not join me for a walk to Clearbury Rings Iron age Hillfort, starting at the Church cursed by a gypsy and enjoy this walk amongst wild flowers and hedgerows with amazing views across ancient land. As a full member you will receive 20% off. All the walks and events can be found here

I will also be collaborating with Kate Forrester and Mollie Taylor from Four Acre Farm, and the Sammie Longhorn - The Hedgerow Yogi for a day of relaxation and deeper connections to nature at the farm, this will include an organic lunch made from the farms seasonal produce and springtime infusions. Tap on the image below for more details.

But, before all that, today we celebrate Beltane and I offer you a short meditation below to anchor in the energy of spring, abundance and fertility.

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