How to Create a Nature Journal
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Taking time to observe nature throughout the year is a simple way to reconnect—with the earth, with your thoughts, and with yourself. A nature journal is just a place to notice what’s happening around you. Creating your own nature journal doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it works best when it’s not.
What to Observe
Nature observation can be as broad or as specific as you want. You might pay attention to:
Plants
Birds
Bees and other insects
Trees
The changing sky
Sunlight - how it changes throughout the day or season
Or you might choose one thing to follow over time—a single tree in your yard, a patch of wildflowers, or even just the way the light hits your porch each morning.
There’s no right way to do this.
How to Record What You Notice
Use all of your senses when you’re outside:
What do you see?
What do you hear?
What do you feel (temperature, wind, texture)?
What do you smell?
What do you taste(only if you’re absolutely sure it’s safe)
You can:
Sketch what you see
Write a few sentences
Make a list
Track patterns over time
If you want to go deeper, bring tools like binoculars or a magnifying glass. When you slow down and look closely, you start to notice things you would normally miss—the veins in a leaf, the texture of tree bark, or the subtle color shifts in a single flower petal.
A Simple Example to Try
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved dandelions. They were always the first flower to bloom around my elementary school and it meant two things: spring was finally here and school was almost out for the summer. As a kid, I would pick the dandelion and bring it home - only to find it wilted and sad at the bottom of my backpack. As an adult I’ve learned the best way to enjoy a dandelion is to leave them be and watch them grow.
I still find dandelions just as enchanting and sign that summer is right around the corner. When I look at them I notice:
Low green leaves spreading across the ground
Bright yellow blooms opening toward the sun
The transformation into those soft, wispy seed heads
and finally watching the breeze turn the flower into wishes
Watching that full cycle play out gives a surprisingly clear sense of time passing. I know when the dandelions are finished blooming, that lilacs will be next, and then the roses, and so on and on. I mark seasons by what I see in bloom just as much as with a calendar or planner.
Track the Seasons in Real Time
Your journal can also be a place to track:
Daily weather
Temperature changes
First signs of seasonal shifts
If you like a bit of structure, you might try a phenology wheel—a circular way of tracking changes in nature over time.
Nature journaling isn’t really about journaling. It’s about paying attention.
It’s a way to:
Quiet a busy mind by focusing on something tangible
Get outside and support your physical and mental health
Build a deeper sense of connection to the natural world
Notice the things we usually take for granted—clean air, clean soil, healthy trees, and seasonal rhythms
Over time, it also builds a kind of quiet compassion for the earth. Observing nature from a young age has instilled me an awareness of the impact we have on the earth. I am by no means perfect when it comes to enviornmentalism or sustainability, but I do strive to do my best to be a good steward of the natural resources around me.
Inspiration for Everyday Life
Nature journaling naturally feeds into other parts of your life.
It can inspire:
Seasonal or Wheel of the Year celebrations
Creative projects
Writing, art, or photography
There’s a reason landscapes have been painted, written about, and studied for centuries. There’s always something new to notice.
Let It Be Imperfect
This part matters.
The goal is not to create something beautiful or impressive.
It’s just for you.
You don’t need to:
Journal every day
Fill every page
Make it look aesthetic
Do it when you can. Skip it when you can’t.
If you tend to get hung up on consistency (I do too), this is your reminder that it still “counts” even if it’s occasional. I practice nature journaling often in my weekly letters to readers. I describe virtually the same scene over and over - the view from my back porch that stretches across a river valley. Every time I write about this, I see something different or new.
My Instagram is kind of like a makeshift nature journal - if you look at all my photos, you’ll see that 90% of them are of nature, often repeating the same scene or subject in different seasons.
Start Simple
All you really need is:
A notebook
Something to write or draw with
A few minutes outside
That’s it.
Everything else builds from there.
If you would like help getting started, I’ve created a free Nature Journaling worksheet. Happy journaling!
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Celebrating the Season of Beltane
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Beltane is a time of celebration and renewal, when the earth is lush and vibrant, and the energy of life is palpable. This ancient pagan holiday is traditionally celebrated on May 1st, halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It's a time to honor the fertility of the earth, the renewal of the land, and the abundance of the coming summer.
Creating a Beltane Altar
One of the most important aspects of Beltane is the celebration of the union between the Goddess and the God. This represents the union of the masculine and feminine energies in nature, which brings about the fertility and abundance of the earth. Many people choose to create a sacred space to honor this union, either by creating a Beltane altar or by performing a ritual*.
To create a Beltane altar, you'll need to gather items that represent the themes of the holiday. This might include flowers, herbs, ribbons, candles, and symbols of fertility such as eggs or seeds. You can also incorporate images of the Goddess and the God, or other deities associated with Beltane. As you arrange your items on the altar, you might want to say a prayer or offer a blessing for the renewal and abundance of the earth.
A Beltane ritual might involve the lighting of a bonfire, which represents the energy of the sun and the warmth of the coming summer. You might also choose to dance around the fire, or to perform a ritual that honors the union of the Goddess and the God. This might involve the use of sacred symbols, such as the Maypole, which represents the phallic energy of the God and the fertility of the earth.
In addition to the creation of a sacred space or ritual, there are many other ways to celebrate Beltane. You might choose to spend time in nature, perhaps by taking a hike or a picnic in a park. You might also decorate your home with flowers, ribbons, and other symbols of spring and renewal.
Setting Intentions at Beltane
Another way to celebrate Beltane is to focus on your own personal renewal and growth. This might involve setting intentions for the coming summer, or creating a vision board that represents your goals and dreams. You might also choose to take part in a Beltane meditation, which can help you connect with the energy of the earth and the cycles of nature.
At the heart of Beltane is the celebration of the abundance and fertility of the earth. Whether you choose to create a sacred space, perform a ritual, or simply spend time in nature, the key is to honor the energy of renewal and growth that surrounds us during this special time of year. By tapping into this energy, you can invite more abundance and joy into your life, and cultivate a deeper connection to the natural world around you.
How will you be celebrating Beltane this spring?
Recommended Reading
The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year: From Samhain to Yule, Your Guide to the Wiccan Holidays by Judy Ann Nock
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells by Skye Alexander
The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book: Your Complete Guide to Crafting and Casting Spells by Sky Alexander
Creativity By The Sea
Hello Friends,
I hope this finds you well and safe. I have left the mountains and headed to the sea this week for a much needed break. One of the best kept secrets of Maine is going Downeast for a visit, especially in the off season. Right now all the coastal towns are sleepy and quiet and it’s a great time to go exploring.
I always love being near the ocean. It’s an entirely different energy than the towering pines and sloping mountains that surround my home. But at the same time, being near the ocean is as familiar as visiting with an old friend.
I’m taking advantage of my vacation to do some purely fun creative activities. Along with writing, I’ve been sketching out several new printables and begun work on the theme for the 2023 Wheel of the Year / Pagan Planner (I can’t commit to a name for it yet). I’ve also been working on my book outline and just thoroughly enjoying this opportunity to immerse myself in the thing that light up my soul. My creative adventure is off and running!
A New Wheel of the Year Printable
This week’s printable is probably my favorite one to date. I wanted a cheat sheet for the seasons, Wheel of the Year and the various moon names. I hope you like it!
A New Favorite
In the spirit of Beltane, I wanted to share a lovely Youtube channel that I recently discovered: Bealtaine Cottage. The host of the channel is a woman named Colette O'Neill who is also an author and just all around lovely to listen to. She has transformed an old Irish cottage into an amazing permaculture garden. Her content is a mix of gardening, paganism, and sustainability along with tidbits of her own life.
I hope you have a lovely rest of your day and I’ll see you next week!
