The Earth Is Waking

A seasonal reflection for The Gathering — April 16, 2025

The land is beginning to stir. Sap is rising. Roots are stretching. Days are longer now, but not yet stable. The Earth is neither fully asleep nor fully awake — and neither are we. This is a threshold time, full of movement and uncertainty, and it can be hard to know what to do with the energy.

If you live close to the land, or are walking a path of rewilding, you may feel this season more intensely. It’s easy to get swept up in the rising momentum — the drive to plant, to clear, to act. But the Earth doesn’t burst open all at once. She unfolds. Slowly, precisely, and in rhythm with temperature, light, and memory.

You might be feeling more alive and more sensitive, all at once. Days of tiredness followed by restlessness. A pull to grow, interrupted by the need to retreat. If you’ve been inside all winter, even the shift in sunlight can feel overstimulating. If you’ve been carrying emotional weight, now is when it may start to rise. This is not a setback. It’s a signal that your system is waking up — and asking to be met with care.

Now is a good time to walk the land you tend, even if it’s just a small patch. Look for what’s emerging, not what needs to be done. Pay attention to what’s ready — the dandelion leaves, the nettles, the early signs of wild garlic, the feel of the soil in your hands. These are not just seasonal cues. They’re invitations to listen and align.

Supporting your body during this time doesn’t need to be complicated. Warm food, bitter greens, hands in the earth, feet on the ground. If you’ve stored things away — inside or out — open them gently. Let the air move through. Let your body move, too, not for performance, but for release.

Beltane is near. Fire, fertility, and life force are on the horizon. But you don’t need to rush toward it. Honour this in-between — this liminal season of almost. It's a time of soft becoming, of noticing, of preparation without pressure. Let the rhythms of the Earth guide your own.

You don’t have to bloom yet.You just have to listen.

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Living With the Season

If you're living close to the land — or slowly returning to it — this part of spring holds its own rhythm. It’s not yet summer’s abundance, but it’s no longer the stillness of winter. This is a time of tending rather than taking. A time to observe what the Earth is offering and begin working with her, not ahead of her.

In many places, the wild greens are emerging now. Nettles are rising strong — good for tea, soup, or drying for later use. Dandelion roots and leaves are cleansing and bitter, perfect for supporting the liver as our bodies move into more activity. Wild garlic may still be found in the shaded woods, and violet leaves offer quiet nourishment if you look closely. When you gather, do it slowly. Take only what you need. Say thank you. This is part of the return.

If you’re planting, this is the time to prepare the ground. Seeds that like a longer season — brassicas, early salad, courgette, beans — can begin indoors or under cover. If you're further south, potatoes may already be in. But don’t worry if you haven’t started yet. There is time. Growing your own food doesn’t need to follow anyone else’s calendar. Pay attention to the warmth of the soil, the feel of the air, and the creatures moving around you. They’ll tell you when it’s time.

Now is also a good time to repair what’s worn. Mending fences, sharpening tools, cleaning the corners of your home. These small acts of care ground you in the present and make space for what’s to come. They’re not distractions — they’re offerings. They remind you that tending is its own form of prayer.

You might also feel the rising energy of Beltane approaching. If you feel called, begin preparing in a way that feels right for you. Gather wood for a fire. Create something with your hands. Let your body move more freely. You don’t have to know what you’re celebrating yet — just make room for joy to arrive.

This season is not asking you to be more.

It’s inviting you to become more you.

Trust that living with the Earth means learning to follow her timing, not override it. Whether you live off-grid, in a village, or in a city with your windows open and your bare feet on tile — you’re still part of the pattern. Let this season reach you where you are.

The Earth is waking. And so are you.

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Wild Nettle & Garlic Soup

This simple soup honours the early wild greens of spring. Nettles are rich in iron and minerals, deeply nourishing after winter. Wild garlic brings warmth and gentle cleansing. If you can't forage, use spinach and garlic or leeks — the intention remains.

You’ll need:

a colander of fresh young nettle tops (wear gloves to harvest and handle)

a handful of wild garlic leaves

one potato, peeled and chopped

half an onion or a small leek

olive oil or butter

vegetable stock or water

salt, pepper, and a little nutmeg if you like

Start by gently softening the onion or leek in a little oil or butter. Add the chopped potato and pour in just enough stock or water to cover. Simmer until soft. Add your nettles and wild garlic and simmer just a few minutes more — they cook quickly.

Blend until smooth. Taste. Adjust. Let it be simple.

Eat slowly, with bread if you have it. Or outside, with your feet on the ground.