March at Wycksted 2025

I love this time of year, autumn with its stunning fall colour, the harvest and after the hot and muggy nights and days of February, March is a welcome month indeed. The start of the cooler evenings and mornings, the sound of the cicadas louder than ever and the trees constantly changing are a delight to behold. 

March is the month when I start to do that slight panic and yes we all get that of ‘oh my Goddess I have so much to do!' The list grows longer as I walk around the homestead and see the kikuyu growing at a most alarming speed, even the sheep cannot keep up and the poor old bull down the back paddocks has more than enough to keep him entertained although I expect he would prefer a nice sturdy heifer instead. The ducks are welcoming the start of some rain as the creek beds are looking rather dry and one of the creeks has dried up completely making it an easy space in which to clear out some of the old tree branches that fell in last winter’s storms. Looks like we have beaver dams in our midst.

The garden is still in its early throws even though we are now in autumn and I have no idea how it will be by the time the winter arrives. Herbs also need to be picked and bundled up for drying, the mugwort is simply out of control and I need to divide and replant her into pots as if not contained in a large tub she will take off and spread herself everywhere, very keen is our mugwort.

There are some trees that need trimming this month and several trees on precarious leans that will cost a hefty price to either get them cut down or should they fall down onto the barn and sheds below them. Although we did a lot of logging and tree felling last year ourselves, this lot of wayward trees requires some-what more of a professional lumberjack than us mere mountain folk heathens. I shall add this to my long growing lists of things to do. Firewood is made easier by the log splitter we purchased years ago, may I recommend one of these to anyone who does their own firewood especially if it is their only source of heating and/or cooking. Large discs and stumps, either way are cut through like cheddar cheese. Hubby is very happy and I should say we will have another large stack of firewood before this month is out. So much easier than chopping with an axe and chainsaw, as one gets older one needs a few comforts in life and a log splitter is one of ours. 

Most of our plums have gone, those that were not picked quickly enough were consumed by the birds and our possums, which I happily share with. The figs are nearly ripe, although there are no leaves so the figs cannot hide from the birds of which the chickens and roosters sit up high in the tree awaiting for them. Our animals really are very unruly! The apple tree leaves are turning but the apples are hanging on and now into the third harvest and more to come, by superstitions as we are a superstitious lot, the fruits need to be picked before Samhain to avoid evil doings happening to them, the people and the fruit apparently. 

Hemlock House still is empty after nearly five years although there is the faint sound of laughter and movement one catches out of the corner of their eye when I go up to check in on it. Once the building that housed the actual bones of Wycksted, workshops and coven meets it is now empty of beings other than the insects, skinks and a few other nature creatures that manage to get in and out. Ghosts of the past I am sure are there and will continue to be as guardians from times filled with laughter, fun and much magick. Many memories of friends some who have since passed from this life but I am sure will pop in from time to time and keep the spirits of Hemlock House alive. I miss those times but change comes to everyone. What to do with the building we are not quite sure…mostly off-grid I expect it could be an ideal place for someone choosing to get away from all the hustle and bustle and live their life in nature and how they choose. Maybe the thought will be put out there and someone will emerge from the mists to be the new caretaker of a most beautiful place that needs some tlc.  

The animals seem happy enough although we have had several visits to the vets with Schmiddy (blending in above pic with the autumn leaves) and Arthur Pendragon. My heart leaps into my gut and feels like a rock as soon as there is something wrong. With so many cats and animals passing over the years which of course is going to happen when you have so many during a lifetime, but it never makes it feel any easier and my heart is wrenched so many times you would wonder how our scars ever mend. Read more on the Cats of Wycksted.

So that seems to be March for now as I write, how it changes one can only wonder what the Gods have in store for us, but all going well we shall be prepared with firewood before winter, the fencing sorted and the animal shelters all approved by their occupants.