Imbolc

Winters end,Fresh starts and new growth...

Weclome to our new subscribers this month, and we hope that you enjoy our newsletter. Imbolc, celebrated today, the 1st February, marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is rooted in Celtic tradition and symbolises the awakening of the earth and the first stirrings of spring. It is also a time to prepare for brighter days ahead.

There is always a tension at this point in the year. It is still very much winter, a season for rest and being slow. And while (welcome) signs of spring are already appearing in the garden, but there are pressing jobs that need doing before the spring equinox arrives. Our aim for December and January was to slow down and somewhat hibernate, making art, crafts and music in the studio with the fire roaring, playing board games and generally having a good rest.

That didn’t quite happen due to illness, so now there’s a bit of a sense that January has passed by, and we’ve missed out and fallen behind our winter tasks and pastimes. We need more winter, we’re not ready for Spring yet! While I’ve been under the weather, Julie has been busy in the studio, making clothes and bags, including this tote bag with padded pocket, and an art pouch, both for friend’s birthday gifts.

Art wise its been a quiet month, but we did get to the Hepworth Wakefield on our new year visit to Sheffield. Its a brilliant building and seeing Barbara Hepworths work in these spaces was a real joy. There was also a really nicely curated exhibition of Elisabeth Fritsch pottery which was a revelation.

I know January isn’t a great time for everyone, and when I lived in London i used to suffer what I called ‘February depression’, but living here and spending more time outdoors, seeing the days get a little longer, the beautiful light at sunrise and sunset, and new growth emerging around us has banished that for good and now I love winter equally as much as the other seasons.

So now our focus is on completing winter and early spring tasks. Woodland projects will continue. Hedges and trees will be pruned and dead hedges built. Fences and structures will be repaired after the battering of autumn and winter storms. Firewood will be cut and split so we have full log sheds for the house and cabins. We also continue to have good harvests of winter greens including Cavalo Nero, Daubenton and Red Russian Kale, Tree Cabbage, miners lettuce, parsley, sorrel and land cress

Siskin and Coll Cabin will be checked, maintained, and prepared for the season ahead. We have a few upgrades planned for the water system, and aim to have this all done before we open for the season again on the Spring Equinox on 20^th March. If you’re interested in staying here, take a look at our website and our cabin listings! Coll cabin is ideally suited for a writers retreat for any of you substackers who need a space to escape to and work on a project.

We wouldn’t describe ourselves as Pagans, but the Celtic year makes a lot of sense of how the turning of the year is closely aligned with what’s happening in the garden and our routines and cycles. For the last few years, we have kept a Biotime log. It works like a perpetual calendar, where we record things we notice about nature. This includes weather, animals, plants, trees, and anything else that feels worth noting.

It fits well with the permaculture principle of observe and interact. Walks around the garden at this time of year reveal small signs of emerging growth, and it is a pleasure to notice them and write them down. Another permaculture principle is to design from patterns to detail. Recording these observations each year helps us see the wider rhythms and cycles of nature. Over time, it becomes clear how things shift and change from one year to the next.

This is useful when designing the garden. It helps us make sure there is always something in flower for pollinators. It also shows what is thriving, what is struggling, and how climate change is affecting the timing of seasonal events. Its also nice to reflect back on the 10 years we have lived here and the increasing abundance and health of the ecosystem.

February can still bring lots of cold, icy and snowy weather, but the snowdrops started to open this week, and cyclamen are pushing through. Today is milder, but don’t be fooled, winter can still bite! Last year we treated ourselves to a Winter flowering ‘Crystal Falls’ weeping cherry, we spotted the first blossom opening this week as well. We also planted a Prunus Incisa ‘Kojo-No-Mai’, which has plenty of buds but no blossom just yet.

This month also marks a personal change. I have started a new role as Communications Officer with Transition Black Isle. Working two afternoons per week, I am helping to look after the website, newsletter, and social media channels. I don’t like to use Socials for ‘personal’ use, preferring instead our website, this newsletter via Substack, and our Airbnb listings. These feel more direct, less driven by algorithms, and suit our needs and ethics.

That said, social media is still a useful tool and is necessary and useful for getting the message about the positive work that TBI is doing across the Black Isle to a wide and diverse audience. Its a great job working with an organisation I’ve volunteered with and supported since moving here, and its perfect for me as fits in around the seasonal cabin and garden work, but also plugs a gap in our ‘poly-income stream’ plan. Have a look at the website and if you’re in the Black Isle or Highlands sign up for our monthly newsletter!

So enjoy the month ahead and seeing what is starting to grow and change in your area. Thanks for reading!

C&J