Change is in the air: next week is Mabon, the Autumn Equinox: the time where day and night are equal length. It feels like the official start of Autumn for me, although in the Celtic Wheel it’s the second of the two harvest festivals. Certainly here in Scotland it already feels like the new season is underway and this just cements it for me: for the first time last week I reached for a coat, I found myself craving hot chocolate, and soup season has started in earnest. Here are a few things I’ll be doing throughout this six week period between Mabon and Samhain, the start of Celtic Winter - including launching my paid subscriber community! Read on to find out more and make sure you’re subscribed to hear about the launch…
Cosy Reads
I’ve been reading less as result of renovation stress and the start of term but am determined to get back into it as the nights draw in. A new book is helping - Bella Mackie’s much lauded yet misleadingly named ‘How to Kill your Family’ - it’s hilarious and hard to put down, well worth the hype. In the Everything Looks Rosie community I’d love to start a reading group to share our seasonal reading recommendations - think of it as a no-pressure book club! I think the sharing aspect and community feeling will help me to stick at something I know is good for me. I’m hoping it helps you too.
Apple Symbolism
The apple is traditional symbol of Mabon, and apple picking was often a celebratory Mabon activity as a result. Community orchards are becoming increasingly common again, even in cities - so it’s worth looking up where there’s one close to you and spending a crisp, early Autumn afternoon apple picking. Apparently there is one hidden in the Astley Ainslie Hospital near me in Edinburgh; we were too late for the harvest last year but I’d love to have a picnic beneath them this year! If you can’t find an orchard then seek out interesting varieties at your local farmers’ market and make something special with them. Speaking of which…
Cooking a Crumble
I made the first crumble of the year a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been craving more since! The first was extra special as it was made with home grown apples from my parents’ garden, delicious. I used my go-to family recipe (which you’ll just have to join the subscriber community to see 😉) but other favourite recipes include this one by Rosie Birkett with a warming spice and spelt crumble and this one by Mary Berry where the oaty crumble is cooked separately. Is there anything more crowd-pleasing and Autumn appropriate than crumble?! I think not!
Nesting
It’s officially the time of year for blankets, throws and candles and I, for one, am delighted by the prospect of cosy season. I know that not everyone is though, and I appreciate the darkening days can take their toll. This was part of my rationale for launching my new subscriber community in Autumn: to create a supportive environment to share our ideas for slowing down and living seasonally at this darkest time of year when it can be hardest. It’s a cliché but I think that dressing a cosy corner can make a safe space to retreat to and help you to embrace rather than resist the dark. This is your permission slip to buy that candle, to finish making that throw, to get the fairy lights out of the Christmas box early.
Crafternoon
Autumn officially means crafting season to me - although of course I indulge all year round, there’s something special about the slower pace of these days later in the year that means you can really get into that flow state I find. I’m planning on trying some seaweed pressing after a trip to East Lothian today and have lots of seasonal crafting ideas in mind to take us from Autumn through to Christmas and beyond in my subscriber community.
I’ll still be writing Sow, Grow, Harvest, Rest, my free newsletter, once a month but as of Wednesday will be introducing a paid tier with regular, extra posts and behind the scenes content. Here’s a flavour of what’s in store:
The Creative Life: personal updates on projects I’m working on, interviews with other authors and makers, and a look behind the scenes of publishing, seasonal reading recommendations.
Rosie Makes: exclusive crafts, recipes and opportunities to be involved in the development of exciting projects! Watch this space…
Community Focus: Question and Answer sessions and discussion threads on all things seasonal, slow living, and the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
Edinburgh and Scotland Slow Living Guides: my favourite places to visit, itineraries, local makers that share my ethos.
Home Updates: seasonal decorating, renovating, interior tips and styling how-tos and vlogs.
All for less per month than the price of a coffee and cake at your favourite café.
You can sign up to the paid tier as of Wednesday - make sure you’re subscribed for updates and instructions on how to upgrade!
I’d love it if you shared this newsletter to help me spread the word. Thank you xxx
Oo this sounds beautiful Rosie! I’d like to sign up will keep an eye out. 👀✨✍️👩🏽💻