Forest Bathing in the Autumn Woods
Sunday 25th October 2026
Five participants joined certified Shinrin Yoku guide Katie, from Wrenaissance CIC, and volunteer Tim in the woods near Severndroog Castle for an autumn forest bathing session inspired by the approaching Hunter’s Moon.
We had been keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, as the strong winds associated with Storm Boelo were expected to ease around the time of our session. The gusts were still making themselves felt when we met, but Katie had chosen a more sheltered section of the hillside, allowing us to go ahead safely and enjoy the atmosphere of the woodland in the wind.
The Hunter’s Moon is traditionally associated with the changing seasons and preparing for the months ahead. With this in mind, we explored four themes during our time in the woods: **preparation, self-reflection, letting go and survival.**
Preparation: arriving in the woods
Our first invitation was to leave our to-do lists and busy agendas behind in the car park and give ourselves time to arrive in the present moment. Walking into the woods with our eyes closed, where the path was safe to do so, or with a softened gaze, we began to pay closer attention to our other senses.
We noticed the smells of the woodland, the feel of the ground beneath our feet and the presence of the trees around us. The low autumn sunlight streaming through the thinning branches was particularly beautiful, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow.
Self-reflection: finding our own purpose
After learning a little about Shinrin Yoku, the Japanese practice often known as forest bathing, we explored the concept of *ikigai* — a Japanese idea commonly associated with meaning, purpose and what makes life feel worthwhile.
We then each found a tree to spend some quiet time with, using it as an opportunity to reflect on what matters to us and what brings us happiness.
The sheltered spots offered a little protection from the wind, while the canopy above us swayed and rustled. It was a beautiful reminder that even a quiet moment in nature is part of a living, moving world.
Letting go: making room for change
As we moved between the darker, more sheltered parts of the woodland and lighter, more open spaces, we considered how the changing seasons invite us to change, too.
Each of us chose a leaf and reflected on whether there was anything we no longer needed to carry with us. Just as trees release their leaves in autumn, we considered what we might be ready to put down.
And the leaves themselves offered a reassuring perspective: what falls is not simply wasted. As leaves break down, they return nutrients to the soil, helping to support future growth. Perhaps the things we leave behind can also become part of what nourishes us as we move into the next phase of life.
Survival: discovering hidden worlds
Working in pairs, we used magnifying loupes to explore the woodland in greater detail. Looking closely revealed tiny structures, unexpected patterns and fascinating details that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
This invitation encouraged us to look beyond our usual perspective and discover the remarkable complexity of the natural world. There were surprises to be found in the smallest things, reminding us that there is always more to notice when we slow down and look closely.
Gathering our reflections
At the end of our session, we came together to reflect on our experiences and write short haikus inspired by our time in the woods. These little poems offered a way to capture a moment, a feeling or an observation without needing to explain everything in words.
We finished by sharing a warming cup of fresh apple tea, which had been gently brewing throughout our time in the woodland. It was a simple, seasonal way to bring our morning to a close, with time to share our thoughts and appreciate the space we had spent together.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the woodland for offering shelter, inspiration and so many things to notice — even on a blustery autumn day.
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