In which we head out into the wild blue (cold) yonder in search of the small wonders that inhabit the January landscape.

Equipped with our baskets and secateurs we will walk, talk and gather small bits of the natural world that will become the focal point of our January altar. Once supplies have been gathered we will seek shelter within the four walls of my home and fortify ourselves with warm seasonally inspired fare resembling that of a hobbit.

For those of you who are unsure of what an altar is I offer this description:

“By which I mean a simple place of ritual and observance. The beauty and shape of a spent flower. The intricacies of a pinecone. Subtle colours present in rocks. Bare Winter branches.

Treasures gathered and displayed as part of a small corner of concentrated energy in your home. A focal point that is witness to daily comings and goings as well as the bigger seasonal shifts. Serving to both be a vessel for your intentions, dreams and life affirming words, but also to symbolically carry you through the wheel of your year. A place to sit in ceremony and celebration of place and time.”

Details and supplies:

We depart from my home in Merrickville on January 19, 2025 at 1pm. Additional details will be provided upon receipt of remuneration. (A freezing rain date of January 26, 2025 is set).

Supplies included are as follows:

*secateurs, collection basket, surplus dried flowers grown onsite in warmer days.

We will be creating an altar piece that is intended to be a small point of connection to the month we are in. Typically an altar would include some sort of tray or bowl, as well as an accompanying candle. I will be offering a small selection of trays and candles, seasonally related books and handmades for sale for anyone that is interested. Alternatively, please feel free to bring any altar supplies already in your possession.

**Please note. This workshop is intended to provide a shared experience of the outdoors in a month that can be one of the most harsh. This quest will depart in all sorts of weather and those that accept the challenge should be prepared. That said, if anything resembling freezing rain should rear up, a secondary date is mentioned above.