VenetiaJane’s Garden

“Through the hush one hears the tuneless drone of insects, lulling fears and hopes alike. A sense half understood, of something sweet that was and is no more, stirs in the heart. ‘Summer is gone,’ we say.” — Emily Shaw Forman (1827-1908).

Keep your eyes peeled folks, although not here in Sussex it could appear here, also, this shows the lengths criminals will go to with our heritage. #HeritageCrime www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

October’s #FullMoon peaks in the early hours of 26 October. It is known as the Hunter’s Moon. “The moon stays longest for the Hunter now: The trees cast down their fruitage, and the blithe And busy squirrel hoards his winter store;” – John Gardiner Calkins Brainard (1796–1828).

Another name for Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is ‘Mother’s Heart’. In an old children’s game, one child would offer a playmate a tiny, heart-shaped seed pod. When it cracked open in their grasp, the cry went up: “You’ve broken your mother’s heart!” #FolkloreThursday

In Highland folklore, the rowan tree was a sacred protector. With blood-red berries and star-shaped scars, it stood by gates and doorways to guard against witchcraft. No harm would come where rowan grew, a belief so strong it was taboo to cut one without cause. #FairyTaleTuesday

We've spent many hours with experts and professionals creating our guides on the threats to our heritage. They all focus on niche areas of our heritage world, giving great advice and signposting. They're all free to access, use and share, please see: davidbexhill.wixsite.com/sussexheritage

“Nature is an endless combination and repetition of a very few laws. She hums the old well-known air through innumerable variations.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882), “History”, from “Essays: First Series” (1842).

“The chestnut trees turned yellow, The oak like sherry browned, The fir, the stubborn fellow, Stayed green the whole year round. But O the bonny maple How richly he does shine! He glows against the sunset Like ruddy old port wine.” – Christopher Morley (1890-1957) #poetry #nature

The Roman goddess Cardea guarded door hinges and thresholds. In Ovid’s Fasti, she touches doorposts with strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) leaves to protect an infant from the striges, vampire-like night birds sometimes said to be witches transformed by magic. #FairytaleTuesday

“Dark clouds and drifting showers, Ye come, ye come, sweet flowers! With meek and touching grace; And o’er the parting season’s wing A wreath of lingering beauty fling.” – from ‘Autumn Flowers’ by Agnes Strickland (1796-1874).

Vividly colourful autumn leaves, berries and wildlife, including a red admiral butterfly and a red squirrel, photographed during my visit to St Andrews Botanic Garden last week. Have a great #Friday everyone!

In ancient Greece, it was said mushrooms sprang up where Zeus, god of the sky and thunder, cast his lightning. There may be some truth in the tale; modern studies show strikes can boost mushroom growth, even doubling yields on spore-laden logs hit by lightning. #FolkloreThursday

"The little robin in the quiet glen, Hidden from fame and all the strife of men, Sings unto Time a pastoral, and gives A music that lives on and ever lives." – from 'The Eternity of Nature' by John Clare (1793-1864). #poetry #autumn

In old ballads and country lore, ivy was said to bind lovers’ names long after they were gone. It crept over graves and stone walls, sealing their vows in silence. Some say ivy grows where promises were made and never kept, whispering secrets the living forgot. #FairyTaleTuesday

“But in October what a feast to the eye our woods and groves present! The whole body of the air seems enriched by their calm, slow radiance. They are giving back the light they have been absorbing from the sun all summer.” – from ‘Falling Leaves’ by John Burroughs (1837-1921).

A Red Admiral pauses to feed on a strawflower, its papery petals glowing like rubies in the autumn sunlight. These striking butterflies can often be seen on the wing well into autumn, bringing another flash of colour to the garden in the first days of October.

Cosmos are another birth flower for those born in October. Their name comes from the Greek “κόσμος”, meaning order, harmony or adornment. Perhaps inspired by their name, and the balanced shape of the flowers, cosmos have come to symbolise harmony and perfection. #FlowersOnFriday

The Dahlia is a birth flower for those born in October. In the language of flowers, it symbolises dignity and elegance. Dreaming of brightly coloured Dahlias is said to bring good fortune, while in flower magic they are associated with “spiritual evolution”. #FolkloreThursday

“With a beauty all his own Reigns winter keen and hoary; Sweet the springtide’s vivid smile, Sweet the summer’s glory; But autumn’s bounteous hand, In the cloudless weather, Brings flower, fruit, and harvest home To the world together.” – from ‘Autumn Hedges’ by S. K. Phillips.

29 September is Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels. St. Michael, traditionally the celestial warrior who leads the fight against evil, is patron saint of soldiers, paratroopers and police officers. The Michaelmas daisy, or aster, is his dedicated flower.