Inspired by the work of Michael Kearney, Consultant in Palliative Medicine in Dublin; the ancient Greeks and by listening to what patients have told us, we wanted to offer people a chance to step away from the aspect of their cancer treatments that involved being done unto. By deliberately offering people the chance to be in nature to re-connect with the changing patterns of the seasons with it’s repeating cycle of life, death and rebirth, we trust nature will offer powerful metaphors and gentle glimpses of hope and give people a sense of healing at many levels. Re-connecting to the rhythm of the season and associated festivals, myths and stories seems to help people slow down, experience the moment and receive the wisdom from within nature and/or simply experience more deeply the rhythm of their own breath.

We are very fortunate to be able to work with Richard Cope at Powdermill Wood and for several months of the year we either meet in the Yurt or the Log Cabin in the wood, beginning at 10:30am and finishing at 12:30pm. These weekly sessions seek to explore experiences and metaphors within the cycle of the seasons and solar festivals using creative writing, images, story telling, visualisation, Tai Chi and simply being in nature.

“Friendly support, understanding, company.”

“Like a support group but different it takes me beyond my cancer.”

“I can say the things that friends and family don’t want to hear.”

“I can be myself.”

“The natural settings are peaceful.”

“Gets me out and is a change of environment.”

“I gave it a go and don’t regret it.”

---

Natural Rhythms Dates 2017

All dates are Wednesdays at Powder Mill Wood 10.30am till 12.30pm.

Please note that the toilet facilities are accessed by a flight of stairs, for all enquiries call the office on 01424 456608.

Lammas/First Fruits
July 12th, 19th, 26th
August 2nd

Autumn Equinox

August 30th
September 6th, 13th, 20th

All Souls/All Hallows/Samhain

October 11th, 18th, 25th
November 1st

Winter Solstice/Advent/Christmas

November 22nd, 29th
December 6th, 13th

"It’s Tuesday morning and I am off to a meeting for Natural Rhythms being held in the Yurt. What’s a Yurt I ask myself – it’s a Mongolian Tent. The only tent I know anything about is when I went camping as a girl guide, sixty odd years ago at High & Over near Seaford. Fifteen minutes later arriving in the woods and there in front, set amongst the bluebells and the fresh green leaves of Spring, is the Yurt. It looks like the round old fashioned haystacks. We go in through double wooden doors.There’s a log burning stove and it’s lovely and warm inside and lots of rugs on the floor which is solid and plenty of chairs, as I was worried if I had to sit on the floor, because I would never have got up again. It’s about 25 feet in diameter, there is a window at the top and the sun was shining through, making it look so peaceful and quiet and all you could hear were the birds singing.We had coffee and chatted and then went for a walk in the woods – what a great morning.I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next visit. I am one of the people who sees a great view , lovely flowers and stores it in my mind for a rainy day or when things aren’t going great. This is one memory that will be stored for future reference" ~ Iris

Please share this article with your friends and followers.