The Niðstöng. A Pole of Scorn. In the Saxon and Viking Age, one of the harshest acts of hostility was the raising of a niðstöng, a “pole of scorn.” In Egil’s Saga, Egil Skalla-Grímsson sets a pole in the earth, fixes a horse’s head upon it, carves runes, and turns it toward his enemies’ land. He calls on the landvættir, land-wights, to drive them out and deny them peace. This was not something done slyly or on the quiet, it was very much an open magick. It was a public declar

Fire cider is a traditional kitchen remedy made by infusing roots, herbs and spice in raw apple cider vinegar. It’s taken in small doses to support digestion, circulation and immune resilience, particularly during winter. It’s sharp, warming and deliberately strong. Fire Cider, made in a 2-litre Kilner jar Fire cider is one of those old kitchen remedies that sits somewhere between the hedge and the kitchen cupboard. Sharp as fook when it's brewed properly and if you swig too

As It Was Told on the Downs... I was told this years ago, as it happened, not as a story meant to frighten, but as something that simply took place. It was told plainly, without embellishment, as a reminder to be careful of what you follow when you’re out on the open land alone. There was a man out hiking on the downs on a summer afternoon. As he crested a hill, he stopped beside an old, wind-blown hawthorn and looked out across the view. As he stood there, he became aware of

Mud Month, in old English, Solmonað. Solmonað , the Old English name for February. Pronounced SOHL-mo-nath (soft “th” as in that). Think of it as the Sun’s month, the time when winter still lingers but the days start slowly lengthening. The Anglo Saxons had a knack for calling things exactly what they were. February in Saxon England was the month when winter's grip began to loosen just enough to make a mess of things. If you find yourself in the old heartlands of Wessex this

Jelly Ear fungi, Auricularia auricula judae, soft, dark, and quietly strange, clinging to old wood through the colder months. Most often found on elder. Long valued in East Asian cooking, they’re often sliced fine and added to soups or stir fries, where they bring texture more than flavour. With such a high water content they have a habit of spitting in a hot pan, so a bit of patience is wise. They’ve also found their way into more unusual preparations, soaked in citrus juic

There was a time, several years ago now, when I was walking the dogs along the northernmost edge of the woods. These Wessex woodland paths are old, the land here has carried people for thousands of years, as a way through, a place to live, and a place to lay the dead. Pathways for getting from one place to another, but also ground that holds burials, settlements, and the long eroded traces of lives spent close to the trees. You couldn’t be much further from other people, at l

Here’s the way I grow oaks from scratch. I start by collecting fresh acorns, always checking they’re not damaged. Green ones are best,...

Join me on a peaceful journey along one of England's ancient sunken lanes. These holloways were carved deep into the earth by centuries of feet, hooves, and cart wheels, creating natural tunnels of history.

Sometimes the most magical moments happen when we simply stop and watch. I set my camera up along the edges of this beautiful holloway and captured butterflies dancing in the dappled light.

When the orchard sighs and the boughs let go… In early summer, as the sun strengthens and green turns to gold at the edges, many fruit...

The Holloway Path.   They say Tamsin of Oakhollow was the first to see a moss troll and live.   She was a hedge gatherer, known for...

Communing with trees. The Old Ways Remembered. In the hush of woodland or the edge of a hedgerow, there stands an ancient truth: trees...

Elder: Cut, Plant, Honour Elder doesn’t die easy. Cut it right, and it will root and rise again, strong as ever. A tree of both death and...

Today, in the stillness between bare branches, I found the brown hare, still, quiet, taken by the season. A shape once swift, now resting...

The lonely stretch of land known as Black Dog Hill, between Ditchling and Westmeston, carries an unsettling legend. It is said that a...

A bit of kitchen witchery going on here today! This herbal cold remedy is packed with warming spices to help boost circulation, provide a...

In the rich tapestry of English folklore, Jack Frost emerges as a fascinating character. This mischievous sprite is credited with...

Woodlarking Tribe t-shirt UK ordering deadline extended to 8pm Mon 16th December! We all know a Woodlarker who would love to be gifted a...

Seeded Country Sourdough Loaf Looking for the sourdough bread recipes? Jump here: ==> Simple Sourdough Loaf   ==> Seeded Country...

In a world of processed food, baking your own bread at home from just three natural ingredients could be considered a revolutionary act!...