Create a Phenology Wheel

“We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts.”
- William Hazlitt
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As the weeks in lockdown go by I have found myself seeking ways to bring more attention into my day to day, to keep things varied and my mind engaged. At the beginning of April I created my first 'Phenology Wheel' as a way to document and take note of the events in nature taking place around me. A Phenology Wheel is a circular, daily calendar that encourages a regular routine of nature observation. I use the wheel most days to write a few words or draw a doodle that sums up some of the changes and new things that I have noticed, whether by looking out the window, being in the garden or along my daily walks. Working with the Phenology Wheel has been a creative and colourful way for me to stay connected to the seasons and my local area, especially with so much 'inside' time for us all at the moment, and it has also brought me a lot of gratitude for the smaller things in life.

To create your wheel you will need:
A pen & paper
A compass or some round objects to draw around 
Paints and crayons, magazines and newspapers for collaging the centre & outside of your wheel 

Make the wheel personal to you. I find placing an image that expresses life for me now (it could describe your physical landscape or how you are feeling emotionally) in the centre helps to 'anchor' my wheel....But more than anything it should be enjoyable and about the imagery you are drawn to.....

I split the wheel into 4 weeks and fill each one fairly spontaneously as I go, but if you are really good with a protractor (which I am not!) or drawing free hand, you can even split the wheel up into daily segments.....

I hope you enjoy this activity. If you would like to share what observations you have made where you live during the month of May we would love to know, so do get in touch....

Best wishes :-)