"You don't have to go to the top of the mountain or the bottom of the sea to feel like you belong -- all it takes is presence".​
- Frankie Edwards, Sacred Harmony podcast

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April Tree: Hawthorne

Hey Reader,

The day my heart slowed back to a reasonable pace was in April of 2022, about a year after I decided to take a walk through High Park, Toronto (at least) once a week for 52 weeks.

In 2020 I had moved from the Beaches to the West end and happened to live a short walk to the Bloor entrance of High Park. After years of academia, working throughout schooling to make ends meet, and experiencing burnout firsthand, I had no idea how much this park would change my life.

Early in 2021, the anxiety, social tension, and brazen behaviour of many had reached its breaking point for me. I was feeling more alone than ever. My extroverted heart truly ached. From the loneliness of everything to the polarization of people to the stretched edges of gender identity exploration -- I had just about seen it all. Or so I thought, anyhow.

A good friend of mine met me before dawn. The morning birds had begun to sing as we rode our bikes to the north east side of High Park and threw a picnic to witness the sunrise.

We sat and poured coffee, honouring a pour for the park herself, meditated, felt the warming sun rise, and chatted under an old oak tree. My nervous system finally relaxed.

After weeks of traversing through high park, I felt a sense of kinship that was always there but did not recognize. I was not only relaxed, I was developing relationship... to the land.

That day is etched in my memory.

What a joy to slow down amidst the chaos. When I look back now, it's dotted with some negative emotions I was experiencing too: overwhelm, fear, isolation, the grief of becoming...

These emotions -- I had no idea but they were more than just my own. I was feeling what the collective was feeling. I was taking the world's problems and plopping them onto my tiny shoulders. And my heart chakra was bearing. the. weight.

I see now that being in nature was not only helping to calm my physiology, but it was giving me a sense of relationship to the land too. Something I deeply needed after moving.

Relationships are so important - feel free to follow along :)

In the Celtic Ogam (the Irish tree language), Hawthorne tree comes from March 21st-Apr 18th. This time represents a time for uniting. Therefore...

• Composting what no longer serves (that means forgiveness)
• Preparing to step into and protecting your own generative power (in preparation for Beltaine - May 1)
• Marrying both masculine and feminine energies within

This month, we:

1. Clear out old thought patterns and beliefs.
2. Stick your hands into soil. Get in there and bring the mind down down down down into the Earth and into our Earth bodies.
3. Re-create what is important to you. Dust off your altar or re-do your home's furniture layout.

Hawthorne is plant of significant traditional and medicinal uses for the heart and digestion along with being a culinary treat.

What heart aches are you healing lately?

Moving, transitioning, grieving? This podcast episode may help.

I was recently featured on the Sacred Harmony podcast teaching how to reclaim your nervous system through nature. Take a listen!

You Belong to the Land: Recl... Mar 25 · Sacred Harmony 25:27   ​

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Ways to get connected and experience nervous system restoration of your own via forest bathing.

1. April: Ephemeral Futch Walks in High Park ​
   4 weeks of walks on Wednesday evenings in High Park Toronto. Each week's walk has curriculum that builds on the next.
   For anyone who resonates with the word Futch (femme + butch).
   Wednesdays 6pm
   Starting on April 8th
   ​Must register ahead of time HERE.​

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2. June & August: Join an Upcoming IN-PERSON Nature Retreat​
JUNE: The deadline to register for the Newfoundland You Belong to the Land retreat is very soon (April 30th).
The retreat is Jun 13-18th, 2026.
​There are NEW quick-purchase links NOW directly on my website.​

The final info session for the Newfoundland Retreat is :

April15th

YOU BELONG TO THE LAND: NEWFOUNDLAND 2026 RETREAT

Sign Up for April 15th Info Session for NL

Other cool things:

Head to https://abundanceworld.today/retreats-overview for more info on these:

• Future AW Retreat:
  ​August 7th-10th​
  Bancroft, ON - Rooted
  ​A 3-night Camping Wilderness Retreat for skills-building. Fire-making, tent-pitching, land/plant knowledge and dreamworking.
  ​Register here​
  ​
• Future AW Retreat:
  ​October​
  Spiritual Meanings of Backyard Plants - Ancestors are Everywhere
  ​Signups Coming Soon​
  ​
• My friend Hassan (he/him) just started DayRips TO - Check it out here​
  ​
• My friend Mac (they/them) is soon closing registration on a 3-month Conscious Reset coaching program - check them out here​
  ​
  ​

Nervous System Reset? Go Here

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Hawthorne / Huathe ~ Pronounced "hoo-aw-tha" in Gaeilge ~ ​“Sabbatical. Preparations. Sacred marriage. Protection of the sacred." Unite the mind and body. The heart and soul. The masculine and feminine. The doing and the being. Protect your inner truth. Maintain your self-sovereignty. Take a time out to support your purification. Meditate. Abstinence. Whatever that looks like for you. Return to the slow and steady heart beat of Gaia. - Celtic Tree Oracle by Sharlyn Hidalgo

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Have an abundant April!

See you at the NL Retreat Info Session April 15th!

~ Big Love // Gra mor ~

Frankie

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This newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace advice given from a healthcare provider. Please do not attempt to make botanical medicinal remedies at home.
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Abundance World stewards transformative human:nature immersions you crave (retreats, forest baths, sound healing, Celtic & Druid cosmology) for teams and individuals.
​Work with us.​

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