Events & Celebrations
Happy Solstice!
Sunrise on Dec. 21st at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary
“The future enters into us, in order to transform us, long before it happens.” ~ Rilke
Brennah recently decided to plant a few seeds that are a variety which need to sit through the cold winter in the deep earth in order to germinate properly.
“Some seeds, most often perennials from temperate climate, need 1-4 months of cold damp conditions before they will germinate. This is called stratification. This makes sure the seeds don’t sprout right after ripening, only to be immediately killed by oncoming winter.” – Edgewood Nursery
Hazelnuts
Brennah digging up some fresh soil made from our compost.
And these are seeds we tried planting directly in the ground last year, but didn’t sprout. We think they might have gotten eaten by little critters of some sort. So she decided to plant some of these in pots as well.
Some of the smallest seeds need a very light covering of earth, so she covered them with a small amount of sand taken from the pond construction site.
And finally, a bit of screening over top will hopefully keep critters from digging up or eating the seeds.
All of us at Crossing Hedgerows send Solstice Blessings to you! And may the seeds of all our spirits find whatever conditions they need to grow and flourish. 🌱
~ Jean
Share this article
Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
