Ancient woodland visualisation

This visualisation should be enjoyed with some Celtic inspired music to set the scene.. (Try my Spotify playlist ‘Celtic woodland’ by kuschyk)

Imagine yourself walking into an ancient woodland, full of character. You’re carrying your foraging basket as you step into the forest. The tree roots are spread across the forest floor, covered with moss. You notice that the atmosphere changes as it feels more chilly and damp, so you huddle into your hooded cloak.

The forest is full of magical sights, and you can imagine little fairy houses and portals everywhere, in large tree root crevices, among the toadstools, within moss-covered tree stumps.

You come upon a clearing with a circle of oak trees. This could easily be a portal to Faery and the trees look alive, as though they’re having a meeting. You decide to enter the clearing and sit on a fallen tree branch to spend some time in their company. Can you hear them whisper to each other? The trees gently creak as they move and sway. The sun peaks out from behind the clouds and the sun rays dance among the leaves and over the grassy floor.

The circle of oak trees

The sun quickly disappears again behind thick cloud, and you run back into the forest as it starts to rain. There is always the sound of water in the forest, from distant streams that echo in the distance, to the sound of rain hitting the leaves. Then there’s the wonderful scent of earthy leaves that becomes stronger when it rains. You find a branch of pine and place it in your basket. You might use the pine needles to make a tincture or household cleaner later. You also select some well-preserved pinecones and some branches of holly to create decorations for your home. You can imagine the scent they’ll bring into your home, that earthy scent of the forest.

As you continue to walk through the forest you notice little scuttling sounds close to your feet. The mice, who are hidden under the carpet of leaves, scurry away as they hear you approach. You look up and see a red squirrel run up the tree, angrily screeching as it feels threatened. The forest is alive and you can’t help but feel you’re intruding.

The forest path takes you up higher and higher and as you eventually rise above the tree canopy the air becomes clearer again, fresher. Your vision is expanded by the wide open view of mountains and lakes. You feel a little as Bilbo Baggins did when he climbed a tree in Mirkwood to orient himself, now that you have risen above the canopy, you are able to see where you are in relation to other landmarks.

The view from above the tree canopy

As you descend into the forest again the sound of rushing water gets louder and louder, and you see a beautiful river. You set your foraging basket down on the riverbank, take off your shoes and walk into the shallow part of the river. At first the water feels painfully cold as it gushes over your feet. As you start to adjust to the temperature you feel invigorated and alive and you let out a cry of joy, which echoes through the forest. You are so grateful to be here and get to enjoy the magic of the forest. As a mark of respect you make sure not to leave behind any sign of having been there, besides the footsteps where you have trod carefully.

The magical river

As you leave the forest to go back home, you can’t help but feel deeply moved by it. It’s left its mark on you, and you’ll always feel its pull to come back in.