October round-up
Slow cosy autumn living
Hi Coddiwomplers,
Welcome to this October round-up as we find ourselves easing into November.
How are you? I hope you are well. I invite you to grab your favourite beverage and escape this crazy world with me for a few minutes.
Coming up:
Releasing & Restoring
Autumn Coddiwomples
Creative Coddiwomples
Ruminating with my Runes
Month End
I personally love the month of October, the colours and the light, it’s nature’s Golden Hour and her annual reminder that it’s time to safely let go of what no longer serves us. Did you feel the effects of the dazzling Hunter’s Supermoon and the powerful Storm Ashley? I know I did, for me it was a proper energy shake up!
Firstly, on the subject of releasing and restoring, Tim and I decided to clear out the cupboard under the stairs. This hasn’t been accessed for years due to a huge plant being in the way, but needs must sometimes! Does anyone else have one of these? You know, that one cupboard in the house where we hide “stuff” and then don’t go near for years!
I had stored some old cases in there when I moved in 9 years ago and I had forgotten what half the contents were. Among many old family photos, certificates and memories I found Dad’’s desk diary from 2012. In it he had recorded all the hospital visits he and Mum attended after their cancer treatments earlier that year, along with his meticulous notes about the effects of their medications. I had originally kept it in case I had been required to double check any dates after they died later that same year, but It was now time for that to go and I felt a visceral shift in my gut as I flung it in the rubbish bin.
Another briefcase contained some old paperwork of mine relating to serious financial issues that I had been funnelled into after a previous relationship had gone very badly wrong in the early 2000’s. For me this envelope represented broken promises, and an appalling abuse of trust. Again, I had only kept it because of tax reasons but now the time had come to safely dispose of it. Thankfully we also found a shredder and we spent a very cathartic couple of hours literally shredding my past.
I can only liken it to feeling like I’ve peeled away a thick layer from an emotional onion and I felt utterly exhausted later that day.
This mantra also popped into my mind:
“I release these energies back to the Universe to be re-purposed and re-cycled for the Highest Good of all.”
I can still feel the effects of this shifting three weeks later as I type this newsletter, so I know everything is being restored to where it should be and I feel so much lighter.
If you’re feeling stuck and stale at the moment, I can thoroughly recommend a good old turn out in order to let new, fresh energies come in. If the thought overwhelms you, perhaps start with a kitchen drawer or cupboard and see where you go from there.
Autumnal Coddiwomples
October is my birthday month so not only was it a month of releasing old energetic baggage, it also heralds a new cycle for me.
We were blessed with some glorious autumn sunshine that coincided with a mini-break to West Sussex for my birthday (well it is said that the sun shines on the righteous!) I had bought Tim a blacksmith’s experience day at Amberley Museum, near Arundel and he had booked his workshop for the day after my birthday.
We began our break by exploring the RSPB Pulborough Brooks nature reserve, a very peaceful space to connect with nature and just Be before we could check in to our B&B. I was delighted to spot some Highland Cattle, especially as we hardly saw any when we were in Scotland!
Our semi-rural B&B was situated about a 30 minutes walk from Arundel’s town centre. Our converted attic roon was airy and very spacious with far reaching views across the Arun valley towards the sea.
I spent the following day exploring the picturesque, historic town of Arundel by myself while Tim was busy forging. I began by enjoying a stroll around Swanbourne lake marvelling at all the autumn colours and sounds dancing with my senses before moving on to the Wetland Centre. I last visited that in 2010 with Mum & Dad and it’s changed a bit, it’s even got Pelicans!
Thankfully I’d arrived early when it was nice and quiet and I was thrilled to be rewarded with a glimpse of a Kingfisher. The flash of turquoise blue is unmistakeable.
The Centre started to fill up with people as the sun broke through and it got closer to lunchtime, which wasn’t’ all good!
I couldn’t understand why two young mothers took two noisy toddlers and a young screaming baby into one of the quiet bird hides and made matters worse by loudly making “sshhh” noises! Needless to say, the keen bird watchers and photographers who had set up camp there weren’t best pleased! I think it’s wonderful that children are introduced to nature at a young age, but this place is a conservation centre not a theme park. It does also have plenty of designated areas for children to play in and learn about the wildlife there.
By then it was lunchtime and I’d seen everything there was to see so I stomped off towards the town for lunch (actually I had a Cream Tea, and it was bloomin’ delicious!)
My lesson from that day is that I learned that all I require from life is peace and quiet!
Meanwhile Tim had created an impressive chandelier at the end of his busy day!
The golden days also gave us the opportunity to enjoy trips to the coast and long walks around our local lanes, topping up the Vitamin D before the shorter days draw in.
Creative Coddiwomples
I spent some time creating this cheeky little squirrel, inspired by the little munchkin that visits our garden stashing nuts away for the winter. I also played around in my small A6 size sketchbook capturing some of the memories from walks and days out.
Ruminating with my Runes!
I’m beginning to become more familiar with my new set of Runes. It’s taken me a while to get my head around the fact that they don’t foresee what’s coming, but they tell us what’s going on in the here and now, highlighting aspects of life that we hadn’t noticed or understood. At least that’s how I understand them so far! Does anyone here work with them? I’d be very interested to hear how you connect with them.
Month end
October has now closed her curtains, the clocks have gone back for the winter, ushering in shorter days and longer nights, and we welcome cosy evenings by the fire, comforting food and a gentle slowing down (well sort of!)
What are your plans for November? Whatever they are, please remember to make time for some self care, it’s not selfish, it’s essential.
In the meantime, thank you so much for being here and I’m so grateful. If you’ve made it to the end, please write “Pelicans” in the Comments, and Like and Subscribe if you feel called.
Until next time, wishing you love, happiness and joy.
Wendy xx
Thank you Pelicans! I felt nostalgic for southern England where I spent much of my early life. Your photos are so beautiful and evocative. Financially out of my reach just now but maybe in my later old age…
Your photos and stories are amazing! I wish I could visit and experience all these. I love your drawings too wow. Runes are something new for me, so intriguing though.