Lighting a candle for spring....

I'm so proud to be part of the Blackthorn Trust family as a trustee. This charity, situated in Barming near Maidstone, has been called an 'oasis' or 'sanctuary' for people at points of crisis in their life, whether that is mental or physical.

And as it's based on Steiner principles, celebrating the change of seasons is important to us. This morning we celebrated Candlemas, that time halfway to spring, by gently lighting up the soil to wake the garden. The gardeners had dug a hole...

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Which we - staff, trustees, volunteers, co-workers, friends - all then filled by going round in a circle ladling in hot wax... Our 'earth candle' will be lit this afternoon and will burn for several nights. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the light returning and acknowledge stirrings in the soil, and as always the importance of rituals.

It's also exciting to see the stirrings in the garden as our beautiful physic garden, designed by Marian Boswall, is coming into fruition. It will be officially opened on June 8th, and you are all invited. Come and celebrate with us!