Autumn is the season of quiet transformation, when Earth exhales her bounty and prepares to draw her breath inward. It is a time for us to express our gratitude for the harvest and to prepare for winter, as well as for the balance of light and darkness in nature and life. At this celestial moment of perfect equilibrium, may this Equinox bring you a moment of peace and reflection.
The 25th Hampshire Open Studios event unfolded under gloriously perfect skies – sunny and warm throughout both weekends. Meeting so many wonderful visitors in my studio was an absolute delight. Your kind words and enthusiastic support truly made this year’s event memorable, and I’m deeply grateful for the warm reception.
My garden studio, Hampshire Open Studios 2025
If you missed the show, I would be happy to set up a casual studio visit to chat about my work in a relaxed setting. Please send me an email ([email protected]) and let me know if you’re interested in any paintings or prints from my website or book. We can then arrange a visit at your convenience.
Earth Pathways Contributor 2026
Don’t forget to order your Earth Pathways calendars and diaries for 2026. I am sure you will agree that they make wonderful keepsakes and would be ideal as Christmas gifts. Additionally, my artwork, ‘Mother Earth II,’ has been selected for April. Order your copy here.
Cyclamen are perennial flowering plants in the Primulaceae family. The flowers can be pink, white, fuchsia or purple. The white and pink varieties have appeared in my garden this year, starting in August, which is relatively early, as they usually remain dormant during the summer. I expect them to continue blooming until spring, although, as Victorian art critic John Ruskin observed, they have an unpredictable, individualistic, and wilful nature.
“… the most “capricious” of all beautiful wild flowers” J Ruskin Proserpina (1885)
Myth of Mother Earth and Cyclamen
Cyclamen have often been associated with the feminine and water element in myth. Common names for cyclamen are Sowbread or Swinebread, as they were once the chief food for herds of wild swine. In ancient times, swine were sacred to the goddess of all seasons, Demeter. Bakers would throw small clay effigies of pigs into the oven before baking their loaves of bread. The circular (‘kyklaminos’) shape of the loaves reflected not only the coiling of the cyclamen flower stems after pollination but also represented the cycle of life. This ritual would act as a blessing for the people who consumed the bread.
Pliny the Elder, in the first century AD, referred to the round tubers of cyclamen as “earth truffles” or “amulets,” as people believed they provided protection against evil forces. Cyclamen would continue to be used as amulets throughout the Middle Ages to ward off nightmares and alleviate the pain of childbirth.
“The Grecian cyclamine from far they bring, The red and white both flourish in the spring.” Rene Rapinus of Gardens (Book 1) 1672
Myth and Folklore: Cyclamen
So cyclamen have been significant in myths and culture across different traditions. In fairy folklore, these delicate flowers were revered for their protective qualities, with legends often depicting magical fairy rings formed by clustered cyclamen. The flower’s symbolism extended beyond mystical realms, finding a place in Christian iconography where it represents love and humility and is associated with the Virgin Mary. In Japanese culture, the distinctive heart-shaped blooms carry a profound meaning of love, making them a cherished Valentine’s Day gift that symbolises a deep emotional connection.
Healing Properties: Cyclamen
Despite containing toxic compounds, researchers have investigated the tubers of cyclamen for their potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The complex nature of these tubers presents both challenges and intriguing medical research opportunities, balancing their inherent toxicity with possible therapeutic benefits.
Language of Flowers: Cyclamen
Cyclamen’s delicate petals remind me of butterfly wings. With this in mind, the flowering plant carries a profound symbolic language that transcends mere botanical beauty. In the rich tradition of floriography, these elegant plants embody a complexity of emotions: love that is pure and unconditional, sincerity that speaks without words, devotion that endures through challenges, empathy that understands the deepest human vulnerabilities, and powers of protection to shield against dark forces. As the seasons shift and nature prepares for transformation, cyclamen emerge as powerful metaphors for personal renewal. Their graceful presence gently encourages those who feel stuck to embrace change, to release past constraints, and to courageously step onto unexplored paths of self-discovery and growth.
Thank you for reading, and I wish you a happy and healthy season!
