May is a month when our Pagan heritage breaks through into parochial folklore.
May Day, also known as Beltane, is a Pagan Festival still celebrated in parishes across the country featuring elaborate traditions involving May Poles, floral-dressed girls bedecked with flower garlands, Morris Dancers, Green Man imagery, hobby horses etc.
We usher in the promise of sunshine and summer as we welcome green shoots and abundant blossom everywhere, not least the Mayflower (Hawthorn) associated with the old adage, ne'er cast a clout till May be out (which I always assumed meant the month itself) ...
The month could be named after Maia, a Greek Goddess linked with the land, fertility and growth. To the Anglo-Saxons, it was called Thrimilci, the month when cows could be milked three times a day due to constant grazing on abundant new grass.
This month we have Mental Health Awarenesss week 9th-15th May, when we will offer two public sessions on Monday 9th, 11-1.30, £35, at Cannon Hill Common (London SW20) and on Sunday 15th we are offering our first full-day themed on nature angels at Harry Edwards, Shere. The morning is an indoor nature angel workshop (£50) and the afternoon is a nature angel themed bluebell forest bathing session in the private grounds (£40), or special all-day price of £77.
For those wanting a mainstream Bluebell Forest Bathing Session (without the Nature Angel theme) at Harry Edwards, we have one, 11-2 on Sunday 22nd May, £35.
Also during Mental Health Awareness Week, we are launching a 6-week Forest Bathing series for the local branch of the mental health charity Mind in Woking, with Katie and myself as the guides. This has been co-ordinated by The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI) who have worked tirelessly to introduce Forest bathing as an acceptable evidence-based therapy to the NHS and the charity sector. A similar 6-week series has already started for another charity, guided my one of our colleagues. The launch of these charity programmes is a momentous development.
We can hire our venues at Cannon Hill Common (SW20), Horsell Common (Woking GU21) and Harry Edwards (Surrey Hills near Shere) for forest bathing use for private groups, enquire for details. See below for more about our public events
Surrey/London Forest Bathing Events
Through a selection of simple sensory activities, you will learn how to enhance your perceptions and slow down to focus on what could easily be missed. We end with a treelaxtion; a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience, and which, despite the title forest bathing, does not involve any swimming!
Some of the scientifically proven benefits of spending time in woodland include reduced stress levels, stronger immune system response, and a stabilised cortisol cycle.
Our sessions take place in all weathers except 25+mph winds or electrical storms.
When we have the right clothing and footwear, usually plenty of layers, and a spare, we can happily stay outdoors for hours. Even longer if we take a hot drink and a snack!
Forest Bathing at Cannon Hill Common, London SW2Immerse yourself in the healing elements of nature and connect deeply with all your senses.
We will take you on a 2½ hour journey through the beautiful landscaped park, nestled in this little known oasis of calm within Greater London.
Join us for the day in the Bluebell Room and outdoors to learn how to connect and work with a selection of Nature Angels (09.30am-1pm).Discover about nature's WoodWideWeb and learn how to connect with it via Zuphlas (the Angel of Trees) on a daily basis.
An educational, esoteric, interactive and fun workshop for angel and nature lovers.
£77, book at harmonyinnature.co.uk
Morning only, £50; afternoon only, £40
Forest Bathing at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, ShereImmerse yourself in the healing elements of nature and connect deeply with all your senses. Spend 3 hours in this charming private woods mindfully connecting to your surroundings and living fully in the present moment.
Forest Bathing at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, ShereImmerse yourself in the healing elements of nature and connect deeply with all your senses.
Spend 3 hours in this charming private woods mindfully connecting to your surroundings and living fully in the present moment.
We will be attending the Sun & Moon Festival, 26th July - 2nd August at Merrist Wood, Guildford. During the Festival, Katie will be offering three 90-minute Forest Bathing+ taster sessions and Joanna will be offering three separate 90-minute workshops on connecting with the nature angels; harnessing the power of the moon and a New Moon chakra balancing meditation. More at the Sun & Moon Festival Website.Connect with the Lunar Cycle Morning Workshop (£50), afternoon Full Moon Forest Bathing (£40), All Day Price = £77
Human beings have always been fascinated by the moon and its power to influence so much of what happens on our planet.
Our Harmony in Nature woodland sessions deliver the restful yet therapeutic benefit of guided mindfulness sensory activities with fellow nature lovers. 
To book our 'harmony in nature' therapeutic sessions see www.harmonyinnature.uk (currently hosted on harmonyhealing.co.uk). Forest Bathing (no swimming involved!) is an evidence based wellbeing activity. As well as boosting the immune system for 2-4 weeks, balancing blood pressure and reducing blood sugars, typically participants feel a reduction in anxiety (and rumination) and a sharp improvement in concentration afterwards. To find out how it differs from a dog walk or stroll in the woods, see our recent Blog https://bit.ly/WhyForestBathe Through Harmony Healing, Joanna also runs a monthly Full Moon monthly Unity Consciousness Meditation [next one is Easter Saturday 16th April, 7.30-9.30pm (UK time), £20], and other online esoteric/energy healing practitioner and self-empowerment courses
Sign up to Regular Update Mailings
To receive our Forest Bathing Updates, sign up at https://harmonyhealing.co.uk/newsletter-sign-up or email
To receive regular Blog updates as each event unfurls (headed with a title detailing the occasion or event so that you can choose whether to open it or not), featuring New and Full Moon, meteor showers, eclipses and other meteorological events, interesting anniversaries, ancient festival dates plus notification of dates of numerological significance, you can sign up at https://harmonyhealing.co.uk/newsletter-sign-up or at any page of the Harmony Healing website. The nature of the Blog means that whenever there are several key dates in close succession, there will be frequent mailings. The sender e-mail address is (and the sender will show as Joanna Bristow-Watkins @ Harmony Healing). You may need to add this email to your safe list and check your junk filter initially.