This post focuses on how to find your place in the movement and the actions you can take on the street, from home, whoever and wherever you are.

While we have all learned about genocides of the past, and a lot of us are aware that there are multiple genocides happening around the world today, this is the first time in history such inhumane violence has been broadcast in real time from the victims as it’s happening, while the perpetrator is not only getting away with it but is actively supported by our governments, corporations and broadcasters in the Western world.

In this post I have focussed on educational resources because I am constantly enraged by the hugely biased reporting in western media, the messaging that if you want a ceasefire then you don’t know enough about the “complicated history”, and people feeling scared that to show support for Palestinian people is going to be seen as anti-semitic.

This post is especially for you if up until now you have believed the “it’s complicated” messaging or have stayed out of conversations and away from actions because you don’t think you know enough to have an opinion.

Guess what? You don’t need to know the history or have a political opinion to know that genocides are wrong! How about that!

Mindful painting and seasonal creative rituals from Surrey Art School. Oak Gall Ink has been used in written manuscripts since Roman times – the recipe is simple but requires a little time and patience. Tune into that feeling of anticipation and lean into this slow method of making.

There are a few myths and misconceptions that come up regularly when I’m first speaking to clients and community members about tracking our menstrual cycles that I wanted to cover. This post will show examples of how the inner seasons and phases of your menstrual cycle can play out if you have a short or longer cycle too.

When it comes to foods that support my inner winter, I incorporate warming spices that boost circulation and calm inflammation, as well as omega 3 rich foods which help regulate mood.

My go-to inner/outer winter recipe is this warming Baharat spiced bean stew, topped with Za'atar roasted cauliflower. This middle-eastern inspired dish hits all the flavour checkpoints: spicy, salty, sweet, bitter and sour.

A lovely interview and incredibly generous and in depth instructional recipe on how to get started botanically dyeing at home this autumn by textile artist, botanical dyer and knitter, Leya Williams.

Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry said it best when she described Instagram as an extension of capitalism. There’s a reason it feels uncomfortable, pressured, noisy. Everything is monetised or encouraged to be. Everything is measured in numbers. You spend as much time as you can on there creating, showing up, being consistent, or you’re punished by the almighty algorithm.

This season of our menstrual cycle is championed as the time of showing up, being seen, of connection, socialisation, daring and confidence. Yet, over and over again I hear about how this can be the hardest phase of the cycle for people and I wonder how much of it is down to the high expectations and pressure we put on ourselves to be that glowing, summery version of ourselves.

I asked a couple of individuals about the plan and had some feedback that individuals might prefer doing this in the chat room rather than as a live call because they may be more private about their activism, may feel they are not doing enough, feel guilty, get "comparisonitis", or just feel that it's not for them because they don't consider themselves an activist.

So I thought I'd start by asking my community just that - do you consider yourself an activist? What does activism mean to you?

And now I’m asking you. Do you consider yourself an activist?

Recipe and photos by Le’Nise Brothers. This is a wonderful recipe for the inner spring of your menstrual cycle. The quinoa supports your rising energy levels and the pomegranate is high in antioxidants that help your liver breakdown the oestrogen that is rapidly rising during this time. Don’t forget the coriander - this herb is a powerhouse for helping your liver balance hormones!

Tomorrow in the UK the House of Lords will vote on the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which, among other horrors, will:

• Outlaw protesting whether online, in the streets, whether you're organising, marching or sharing resources.

• Peaceful protesters can be imprisioned for "causing annoyance" or being "noisy", or even unknowingly by-standing (because you "should have known"). Activists can be banned from using the internet and social media, or slapped with a "protester's ASBO" and told who they can see and where they can go day-to-day.

• …

When I’m rested, Inner Spring is a really lovely phase for me. I feel creative, confident and capable. My mind can be a bit scatty, but if there is something I forget or make a mistake on I can recover much more quickly (my inner critic stays quiet).

If I’ve been unwell during my winter, been kept awake by my kids, or otherwise just not been able to take the break my body has craved as it bleeds, then Inner Spring can actually be a tricky time.

It’s a quiet, connective moment; something that brings calm and clarity to an otherwise busy day full of the usual distractions of school runs, work and general life chores.

For me, this is what foraging is about. I do it from a nature connection perspective. I’ve found that by learning about the different properties of the wild plants growing on the land we look after at home, I am more inclined to remember their names, pointing them out to friends when I spot them in their gardens or out on a walk, and excitedly telling them what they can make or do with the flowers, leaves or roots.

Rosewater has amazing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Use it as a toner for hydrating and balancing the PH of your skin, and soothing irritation. Add it to coconut oil or shea butter for a luxurious moisturiser.

Roses are also perfect for teas as they contains antioxidants plus vitamins A, B, C and E and (as long as you’ve got your hands on clean, organic roses) rosewater and rose tea can be drunk to soothe sore throats, ease digestion, reduce stress, and further hydrate your skin.

And when you’re not spritzing yourself or ingesting it, you can use it as a room mist for its gorgeous aroma.

This Monday, 21st of June, marks the Summer Solstice (or Litha) and another turn of the wheel.

Solstices are a natural time to pause and reflect on how far you’ve come in the last half of the year. Your achievements, your realisations, and what you now want to release. The sun’s cycle ends and begins again, and the underlying energy changes direction.

At Summer Solstice the sun’s light and energy is at its peak. Everything has been growing, rising, and now it begins to wane. Now passes the longest day, and the turning point of the year. It’s time to take a breath, look inwards, and consider what you want to carry into the coming seasons.

This evening marks the beginning of Beltane, lasting from sunset on the 30th of April through to sunset on the 1st of May. This festival celebrates the peak of Spring, the beginning of Summer, and the fertility and potential of the land and the living. Energy is high and nature’s bounty is beginning to grow abundant!

May Eve (30th of April) was traditionally spent outdoors, walking in nature, and lighting, gathering around (and even jumping over) fires. In the morning, people danced around the maypole, which symbolised the joining of the Earth and the sky, entwining ribbons to symbolise the union of god and goddess, of male and female energy. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever look at a maypole the same way again.

At this time, the very earth we walk on is bursting with potential growth and new life. You have a chance to harness this increasing natural light and energy! Intentions you set and plans you made over the darker months can now be seized upon and set in motion.

It’s been an extremely heavy couple of weeks in the news, and this month marks a long year of lockdown here in the UK. This world can feel like a dark place, even with the days becoming literally lighter.

Go gently. Being aware of the seasons and what they can mean for you is one thing, but pressuring yourself to align activities and plans with them when you actually just want to curl up in a ball, or rage against the world is another.

You don't have to menstruate to want to live and work in flow with natural cycles. Following the lunar phases and aligning yourself with their rhythm where possible gives you an anchor; a way to create both a sustainable working and personalised self care schedule.

Imbolc, on the 1st-2nd February, is the celebration of new life, the earth awakening, and a time to explore the ideas and wisdom garnered from a peaceful winter.

Light and energy is increasing. This is a great time to harness the natural growth and fertility in the air and create a new beginning of your own. A new product, a new project, a whole new business! Take a cue from nature and plant your own seeds and ideas so they can take root.

The Black Lives Matter movement and incredible global uprising over the last few weeks has taught me so much in a short time, and I am ashamed that I didn't seek out the information before the death of George Floyd. I've learned history that I should have been aware of, I learned about biases within myself that I was blind to, I learned how much good can be done when people stand together, and how much bad there is still to undo, to acknowledge, to make right.