Clare's C H A T

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

This week I've been fascinated by lichen.
I love that, at first glance, it can look old, weathered, or even dead. Yet it is very much alive, quietly thriving and growing in its own time.
Lichen is actually a partnership between fungi and algae, living and working together in harmony. It reminds us that strength doesn't always come from standing alone. Sometimes it comes from connection, cooperation and finding balance with the world around us.
When you stop and really look, the beauty and intricacy are incredible. The way it weaves itself around bark and stone, attaching itself so gently yet so securely, creates tiny living landscapes that are easy to miss when we're rushing by.
Lichen is often seen as a symbol of resilience, patience and endurance. It grows slowly, adapts to its surroundings, and flourishes in places where other life may struggle. Some species can live for decades, even centuries, quietly witnessing the passing of time.
Perhaps there's a lesson in that. Not everything that appears still is stagnant. Not everything that appears weathered is worn out. Sometimes life is quietly unfolding beneath the surface, growing in ways we cannot yet see. 🔥🐉💚

18/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Penrith Drumming this week.
The energy, laughter and rhythm in the room was something else!
Every circle is different, but there is always something magical about a group of people coming together, finding a shared heartbeat and creating something that didn't exist before.
Until next time, may the rhythm stay with you! 🔥🐉💚

18/06/2026

I sat beneath this tree for a while, watching the leaves dance in the wind.
As I sat there, I found myself reflecting on why I created Return to Earth.
So many of the conversations I have with people begin in a similar way. They talk about feeling stuck. Lost. Unsure of who they are anymore. They tell me something feels missing, yet they can't quite put their finger on what it is.
We live in a world that is constantly telling us we need to be more, do more, fix more. It's easy to start believing that there is something wrong with us.
But what if you aren't broken?
What if you've simply become disconnected from yourself?
Our Great Mother has a way of gently reminding us. The wind through the trees. The warmth of the sun. The rhythm of the drum. The crackle of a fire. The feeling of bare feet on the earth.
These things don't change who we are, they help us remember who we have always been.
That is the heart of Return to Earth.
A day to step away from the noise, reconnect with nature, work with the elements, and return home to yourself in the company of like-hearted souls.
There are just a couple of places remaining, and if your heart has been whispering that you need some time to pause, breathe and reconnect, perhaps this is your invitation.
💚 Return to Earth – Summer Solstice Retreat�📍 The Health Barn, Askham�📅 20th June

17/06/2026

I've been asked quite a bit recently what I do when I'm not working.

Most often, you'll find me by the water, on the water, or in the water. Wandering in the fells. Exploring sacred places. Reading, learning, and spending time in nature.

Much of what inspires my work happens when I'm simply out in the world, reconnecting with what matters most! 🔥🐉💚

16/06/2026

As the Summer Solstice approaches, I find myself reflecting not on what I want to achieve, but on what has already grown.
The wheel is turning towards the South and we welcome the element of Fire. A time of passion, courage, creativity and illumination. A time to notice what is flourishing rather than focusing on what is still left to do.
Nature doesn't rush. The oak doesn't strive to be taller. The wildflowers don't compare themselves to one another. Everything unfolds in its own time.
Perhaps we are meant to do the same.
As we approach the longest day, I invite you to pause for a moment and reflect:
🔥 What has grown in your life this year?
🔥 What dreams are beginning to take shape?
🔥 What lights the fire within your soul?
My latest CHOOSEDAY blog, At the Height of the Light, is now live on my website.
Link in comments 🔥🐉💚

15/06/2026

Our Great Mother doesn't rush from spring to summer.
She doesn't question whether she’s doing enough. She doesn't compare herself to what came before or what comes next. She simply trusts the process.
As we move into a new week, perhaps there is wisdom in remembering that not everything needs to happen all at once. Some things unfold in their own time.
What are you being called to trust today? 🔥🐉💚

14/06/2026

I've only just begun my Bardic journey, but already Druidry is reminding of me so much. Not through books or lessons alone, but through the land itself. Through slowing down, listening and time spent amongst ancient stones, beneath the trees, and beside or in the water.
I’ve said it a few times now, but the deeper I walk this path, the more it feels less like learning something new and more like remembering something ancient. These are just three of the lessons finding their way into my heart at the moment.
Have you ever found a place that feels like home to your soul? 💚

13/06/2026

🦆🔥🐉💚

12/06/2026

New for this week... Nature Fridays!

This week I was drawn to a photo I took recently of the fiery beauty of this Acer, often known as a Japanese Maple. As I stood beneath its canopy, sunlight poured through the leaves, turning them into little flames dancing in the breeze. Yet amongst all that colour and beauty, the tree was quietly doing something important... Letting go. Releasing its winged seeds to be carried wherever they are needed.

Nature reminds us that we don't always need to know where we're going next. Sometimes our only job is to trust the season we are in and allow life to unfold. The Acer does not cling to what has been or worry about what comes next. It simply honours the turning of the wheel, trusting in the wisdom of the cycle.

Trees are among our oldest teachers. The Acer speaks of balance, grace, adaptability and the sacred art of change. It reminds us that there is wisdom in releasing what no longer serves us and courage in embracing transformation. As the wheel turns and the seasons shift, perhaps its message is simple: trust the journey, honour the change, and remember that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning.

What are you ready to release into the wind? 🍁🔥🐉💚