First Gathering of the Season As the first Full Moon harvest of the new growing season arrives, we gather to honour what is emerging, what has matured and what is ready to be shared. The Full Moon invites reflection on abundance, reciprocity and the ways nourishment and value circulate through our lives. What are we cultivating, what are we receiving, and what are we ready to transform? Moving gently through the gardens and surrounding whenua, we harvest medicinal herbs with care, guided by the plants, the weather and the season. Returning to the circle, we prepare our harvest together through clipping, plucking and bundling, sharing tea, conversation and moments of quiet observation. A gathering to welcome the season, honour its offerings and explore our relationship with abundance. This Season: Every Full Moon brings something different. Some months offer leaves and flowers, others seeds, berries or roots. We work with what is ready, allowing the season to guide the harvest. September brings the first signs of spring. Tender perennial greens, fresh herbs and the earliest medicinal leaves begin to emerge, offering the first harvests for teas, fresh cooking and spring pestos. During the Session: Each Moon Harvest begins with a shared breath and a moment of gratitude — for the growth, the whenua and all the living elements that have made the harvest possible. From there, we step into the harvest together. Each participant is paired with particular plants and guided in how and where to harvest, why we gather in a particular way, and what we leave behind. We then return to the circle to prepare what has been gathered for drying and later use, sharing tea and conversation as we work. Shared Learning: Through harvesting and preparing the plants, we share practical knowledge of medicinal herbs, seasonal timing and respectful gathering. The deeper learning comes through attention — recognising when something is ready to be received, how much can be taken, and what should be left. What to bring: Warm layers, sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for an evening outdoors. A journal if you like to take notes.