Season’s greetings friends! Here at Sacred Tree Spirit, we’ve been baking spiced treats, planning for our first day retreat and giving the shop a festive makeover with some newly-turned holly bowls.
All Things Sweet and Spice
The fruits of my neighbour Felix’s bountiful apple tree have made their way into this gluten-free Spiced Apple Cake recipe, which pairs perfectly with a cuppa to warm the cockles on a chilly winter’s day.
Ingredients: 5 medium/large sized apples (dessert ones work best), 250g brown sugar, 200g ground almonds, 175g polenta, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp Xanthan gum, 1 heaped tsp mixed spice, 70g coconut oil, 70g olive oil, 3 eggs or 3 tbsp pre-soaked chia seeds to make the recipe vegan.
Method: Core two apples, cut into chunks and pour the melted olive and coconut oil mix in. Then puree down with a stick blender. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add the eggs, blended oil and apple and mix with a spoon until it’s an even consistency. Layer three cored and sliced apples on the bottom of a coconut oil-greased, shallow rectangular Pyrex dish. Spread the cake batter on top and decorate with the remaining apple slices. Place in a preheated oven at 160-℃ for 40-minutes.
Word of the Month: CHATOYANCY
Originating from the French word: oeil de chat or ‘cat’s eye effect,’ chatoyancy in wood refers to the rippled shimmer that dances across the grain, creating shifting patterns akin to an optical illusion when exposed to light. The root cause are curled wood fibres which can give way to the hologram-like effect often described as a “wet-look.” You can observe chatoyancy’s 3D luminous quality in this birch bowl that I crafted as part of a collaboration with willow weaver and basket maker Clyde Hoare. The finished product is available to buy at Wobage Makers Gallery, www.wobage.co.uk
Craft Meets Ceremony
January marks new beginnings; a time for reflection and regeneration which we are honouring at Sacred Tree Spirit through a Day Retreat under the forest canopy on 17th January. Highlights include crafting your own dreamcatcher, a steam in our crystal-encrusted spa pool tub and a guided collaborative forging of a sigil. For more details and booking please enquire by email to sacredtreespirit@gmail.com.
Good Vibrations
Traditionally used to tune musical instruments, the sound waves created by striking tuning forks can also be harnessed to promote deep energetic and physical healing. Every tuning fork vibrates at a specific frequency, denoting the number of vibrations per second. One in particular stands out for its therapeutic qualities: the 128 Hz tuning fork which was traditionally carried by medical doctors to diagnose bone fractures. Dubbed ‘the body tuner’ and corresponding to the musical note ‘C’, this particular frequency can aid with bone healing, reducing inflammation, increasing mobility, supporting the nervous system and pain management. I offer a two-hour private tuning fork therapy in Sacred Tree Spirit’s tranquil therapy room. Email sacredtreespirit@gmail.com for more details.
‘Tis The Season To Be Holly!
Holly may be synonymous with Christmas, but the berried beauty is also steeped in myth and lore. A sacred tree in more ways than one; the Druids carved its branches into magic wands, the Celts considered it a Chieftain tree, whilst the ancient Romans revered it as a symbol of protection and abundance. Traditionally used to ward off lightning strikes and evil spirits (when hung over windows or doors), the humble holly is also associated with peace, good fortune and goodwill. I’ve enjoyed turning a selection of small bowls and plates (the one pictured is still available to buy) from a neighbour’s holly tree which I climbed and dismantled two years ago.
Sacred Tree Spirit 