Testimonials from Winter Well 2022

"Winter Well was a bit of a turning point in my not-always-positive relationship with winter! In following the nature-focused activities Helen suggested, and really taking time to observe my surroundings, I discovered some incredible beauty out there. I also made peace with the dark over the weeks and achieved a sense of calmness and peace outdoors after dark that I hadn't thought possible. Helen created a wonderfully warm community and heart space in which thoughts, experiences and photographs were shared. Thoroughly recommend to help cultivate a deeper appreciation of the winter months and connect with nature during a time when this may not be intuitive.” ~ Julia, UK

I can only say that you created a unique month of experience and reflection. I immensely enjoyed your daily mails, the group sharings online, the hearthside gatherings with their short meditations and friendly exchanges. Highlights were your readings of poetry. Not only were the poems carefully chosen, but to have them read out really evoked the deeper meaning of those words. Altogether, "Winter Well" truly was the most beautiful online event I have attended so far. ~ Uwe, Germany

THANK YOU HELEN. It has been rich, precious and beautiful. ~ Zoe, UK

“It was so very beneficial for me to participate in this and I would say it was, for that month, really life-changing, in the sense that each day I really connected with the natural world and noticed things I know I would not have been aware of before. The poetry and reflections you created were balm for my heart and mind (probably my soul too) and encouraged me to slow down and really look and see and experience in a much deeper way . The whole experience was one of nourishment, and offered a real oasis at the beginning of each day and on Saturday with the Hearthside Hour.” ~ Gill, UK

“January has often been a tricky month....torn between work revving up or the 'clearing' after the festive period, and wanting to hunker down.  This year, as we move to the Chinese New year and the turning to spring at Imbolc, I reflect on a much calmer 'present' January.  I truly feel Helen's daily prompts and sharing the wintering moments with the wintering well group have brought a 'presentness' I have struggled with in the past.  I'd like to thanks Helen for her gentle daily invitations to revel in the darkness and aliveness of winter.  She truly brought hygge and contentment into my room and space, along with the prompts to get out there and savour the more than human happenings in the natural world.  Big gratitudes to her and the other poets and connected wordsmiths for the breakfast readings.....it has been my 'daily bread'.” - Jon, UK

“My heartfelt thanks to you for this month of wintering well. I shall miss these gentle invitations and the richness of the varied invitations and offerings of poetry, images and music. I’ve tuned in more deeply than usual to the rhythms of the days and over the month, thanks to the daily focal points and invitations to pay attention. At the beginning of January I was hankering to stay in December and feeling concerned that the catkins were out, bursting with energy, whilst I still felt that I needed to be in hibernation. Wintering well has facilitated the gentle and reluctant  emergence of my energy, just as I’ve been observing the emergence of the garden bulbs.  I’ve enjoyed having the Facebook group as a place to share and have felt nourished by this gentle and private way of participating. Warmest wishes and congratulations on having created such a beautiful month of offerings.” ~ Sue, UK

Helen’s calming presence fitted perfectly with winter. Her beautiful daily reflections, her voice, her quiet but firm acknowledgment of each person created a community that honored each person’s uniqueness and at the same time created a trusting community. Helen has a gift for opening meetings with meditations that both inspire and ground a person in what matters. Winter Well has had a lasting effect on me. Several times a day I notice small beautiful things that I would not have noticed if I hadn’t been a part of this group. It has increased my awareness of the power of  quiet noticing of what is around me. It has grounded me more in the nature around me. It has given me more of a sense of connection to the awe that surrounds me all the time. ~ Bruce, USA

“I really valued the whole experience of Winter Well from the thoughtful daily emails to the meditations led by Helen. It helped me to see the joy in the smallest of things at a time of year which can be difficult. I remember sharing a lovely moment when I saw a leaf dancing its way along the road. I look forward to joining again and having a space to reflect with others from all over the world.” ~ Sally, UK