Rooted by Nature Samantha Sear

In this light and uplifting episode, I’ll be celebrating spring and the themes of rebirth and renewal that come with it. I’ll be talking about simplicity when it comes to approaching creativity and inspiration, caring for ourselves and our homes, ideas for making and baking beautiful things and a daily ritual to begin  this new season with a sense of optimism, hope and abundance.

Substack
For the banana cake recipe, tutorials and more seasonal inspiration, check out my Substack page and click here to subscribe.
Get in touch
Instagram: @rootedbynaturepodcast
Email: rootedbynaturepodcast@gmail.com

In this episode  I venture into the forest to discover the marvels, magic and folklore of trees. Did you know they can speak to each other? They keep time and have their own memory. Trees protect one another and use their sense of touch, taste and smell to survive. Did you know they can heal us? Each tree symbolises meaning and magic that stretches back in time. So join me as I revel in the research, defer to the druids and fall further in love with our beautiful trees.

Substack
To read more about our beautiful trees and enjoy lots more free content from me, check out my substack page and click here to subscribe.

As recommended in the episode, check out:
Jen Writes Again on Substack
The Wisdom of the Celtic Tree Ogham article

The Ogham Tree Calendar:
Birch - Dec 24th to Jan 20th 
Rowan  - Jan 21st to Feb 17th
Alder - Feb 18th to Mar 17th
Willow - Mar 18th to Apr 14th
Ash - Apr 15th to May 12th
Hawthorn - May 13th to Jun 9th
Oak - Jun 10th to Jul 7th
Holly - Jul 8th to Aug 4th  
Hazel - Aug 5th to Sep 1st 
Apple - Sep 2nd to Sep 29th 
Bramble- Sep 30th to Oct 27th   
Ivy - Oct 28th to Nov 24th  
Reed - Nov 25th to Dec 23rd 

Happy New Year everyone! In this episode I'll be sharing my winter wellness tips and tricks, why I avoid new year resolutions and how to practise the lost art of daydreaming and connect with nature. I'll also be sharing a recipe for delicious chocolate chip cookies that's keeping my spirits and sugar levels up!

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Links
My interview on the Witch Wavelength Podcast
Sheena's Instagram page 
Sheena's website
Sheena's books:  The Witch Wavelength and Riches For Witches

How to make a wreath

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Get in touch
@rootedbynaturepodcast
rootedbynaturepodcast@gmail.com

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Cookie recipe ingredients
120g of soft butter
75g of light brown sugar
75g of golden caster sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon of salt
180g of plain flour
1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
150g of chocolate chips

Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees, 160 fan or gas mark 4.
Combine ingredients, spoon onto a lined tray and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas for all those who celebrate and happy winter solstice to those who don't.  In this episode I share a secret I've been keeping, confide some deeply personal thoughts and provide a survival guide to Christmas that's very much based around my current state of mind.  If you're looking for festive folklore, recipes and nature facts then please listen back to my Midwinter episode from last year, I promise you lots more of all that good stuff in the new year.  But for now, join me as I take you on a personal tour of my Christmas mindset and celebrate the coming of winter.

Get in touch:
Instagram @rootedbynaturepodcast
Email: rootedbynaturepodcast@gmail.com

Post natal PTSD and birth trauma are briefly mentioned in this episode but without any upsetting detail. I doubt the content will disturb anyone but just in case here is a TRIGGER WARNING (sorry that sounds a bit dramatic).

In case these links could be useful for anyone, here are sites I have found helpful:

Birth Trauma Association 
Website: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBTA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birth_trauma_association_uk/

Tommy's: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

The NHS have a birth trauma service that's unique to the county in which you live. The name of the service differs depending on where you are. The easiest way to find it is to google it, speak to a health visitor, GP, child support hub or local maternity ward.

Happy Halloween! As I delved into detail last year about the folklore and history of Halloween, I thought this time I'd do something a little different. So jump on my broomstick, don a pointy black hat and let me take you on a ride through the magical realms of witchcraft. I'll cover all the witchy basics, including how to access your own natural magic, how nature provides us with the essential toolkit, what working magic truly means and where to look for further inspiration. Of course I go off on tangents about folklore and geek out over my favourite witchy books and films (and there are a lot of Harry Potter references) but that's all part of the fun. Whether you're a witchling, a wise old crone or a cynical muggle, I challenge you not to feel a little bit magical by the end of this episode.

Have a peek at what I'm up to on instagram @rootedbynaturepodcast

Feel free to get in touch by email on rootedbynaturepodcast@gmail.com

Recommendations:

Books
Harry Potter, The History of Magic: The Book of the Exhibition
Thames, Sacred River by Peter Ackroyd
The House of Dr. Dee by Peter Ackroyd
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Northern Lights (1st book of His Dark Materials Trilogy) by Phillip Pullman
Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente
An ABC of Witchcraft, Past & Present by Doreen Valiente
Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott
A Spell in The Wild : A Year (and six centuries) of Magic by Alice Tarbuck
Witchcraft into the Wilds by Racheal Patterson
 The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Book Shops
Blackwells (Oxford)
Treadwells (London)

TV shows
A Discovery of Witches
Charmed (original 1998 - 2006)

Films
Harry Potter series
Practical Magic
The Craft (original 1996)
Hocus Pocus (original 1993)

Podcast
Witch by India Rakusen (BBC Radio 4)

Youtube
The Green Witch 
The Witch of Wonderlust
The Witches' Cookery
Treehouse TV with Sheena Cundy

It’s the autumn equinox, a time for foraging, self care and good books! Join me as I learn to truly enjoy the moment, meditate with trees and ease gently out of summer and into autumn. A gradual transition for mind, body and spirit.

Have a peek at what I'm up to on instagram @rootedbynaturepodcast

Feel free to get in touch by email on rootedbynaturepodcast@gmail.com

Library books stacked on my bedside table:

Why Women Grow: Stories of soil, sisterhood and survival by Alice Vincent
If Woman Rose Rooted: The journey to authenticity and belonging by Sharon Blackie
The Enchanted Life: Reclaiming the magic and wisdom of the natural world by Sharon Blackie
Love Nature Magic: Shamanic journeys into the heart of my garden by Maria Rodale
Empowering Practices for the Highly Sensitive: An experiential guide to working with subtle energies by Bertold Keinar
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a focused life in a noisy world by Cal Newport

My favourite books for autumn:
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer