Bards From The Woods

http://holistic-therapy.org/ I started writing this post in response to some holistic therapists questioning me, and even challenging me, about the holistic value of being present in the woods and forests. Their references were a kind of catalogue of discomforts possible from being in a forest compared to being in their own clinic, relaxation room, sanctuary and cell. It seems they regard their controlled comforts such as temperature, fragrances and sound as being a better therapy than being within the uncertainties of the woodland. Sometimes they made hygiene comparisons too. I have been told about the purity of  prepared essential oils, herbal preparations, treated water, pot pouris, and fragrances. These measured aids are also compared to the unexpected that may be sensed in a forest. Some have told me about how they have fine tuned their spaces with soundscapes of voices, harps, crystal bowls, singing bowls, bells, gongs and silence. Then they compare this to the random

I need to get into the habit of posting reviews of our gatherings here each week. I'll try to start the habit right now. 16 people turned up, including children, and no dogs this time. This included people who arrived later and meeting people later who had arrived much earlier. At last, its was a Sunday gathering, this year, where we had over 10 C temps, though sometimes it did not seem it in the quite fierce wind when we were not sheltered. There were frequent rain showers and bursts of sun too. Good to have a harp along, and a very young player, and some very poetry readers and storytellers I have not heard before. For many here it was the first time they had shared a Bards In The Woods with us. We stopped for readings and listening at the Holy Well before taking off, beside a light waterfall stream along the Green Road and at St. Saviour's Church ruins, then again at the Holy Well on return. There was no food foraging on this walk and, surprisingly, very li