Tree of Life

“And in the midst of that vast plain, I saw,

For I was wide awake,--it was no dream,

A tree with spreading branches and with leaves

Of divers kinds,--dead silver and live gold,

Shimmering in radiance that no words may tell!

Beside the tree an Angel stood; he plucked

A few small sprays, and bound them round my head.”

- Toru Dutt

When I pushed open the rotten wooden gate, my then girlfriend and I simultaneously gasped at the vision that lay before us. It wasn't the crumpled cottage to our right or devastated outbuilding to our left but the thicket before us. A wild wall of nettle, bramble and ivy consumed the small bushes and trees that dotted the evergreen tapestry. It seemed lost in time, reinhabited by a throng of beatles, birds and beasts. I immediately turned to her, overwhelmed by the wild and blurted, “I must buy this place. It is magical. I'm going to die here (hopefully a long time from now),” I had added quickly. Well, I've made it eighteen years so far. Life is a rollercoaster. The duality of good and evil is omnipresent. However hard one tries to do right, disasters are always round the corner. Our training, as this life accelerates onwards, enables us to deal with the chaos better each time. We instinctively move back towards the light.

The house, outbuilding and garden have since been transformed, restored to their former glory, the ancient history of the village Forge is plain for all to see and registered with awe and wonder. The rooms are often a retreat for tourists and pilgrims to soak up the Stone, Bronze and Iron Age relics scattered across this land. I have made the house a haven for artists of all varieties, from my own jewellery to painters to chefs and musicians. Live music is a recent addition in the occasional “Devil’s Den Bar and Club”, named after a favourite local stone monument. For those seeking more wholesome, holistic and spiritual guidance, the yurt a.k.a. “The Temple of Transcendence” offers a wide range of both regular and irregular well-being experiences. For those looking for the most romantic engagement proposal or wedding anniversary, come stay and forge your dream jewellery heirloom with me.

During this near two decade transformation much has come and gone, replaced with still more manifestations of love and beauty. Girlfriends, wives, a son, friends, parties and the most unique jewellery shop in the world have morphed the space with me. We rolled with the punches of pandemic and have risen like the Phoenix from ash. If we just believe in our truth, even if it may seem impossible at times, everything is achievable on life's great journey.

Of the many features in this extraordinary place, one has remained my constant guide throughout. As I have grown so has it. I discovered it early on as I crashed through the thicket which became my garden of Eden. Its trunk was barely the expanse of a child’s hug. It was about 15 feet tall and was overshadowed by the nearby and nearly deceased apple tree. It was sometime before we even made it to the next door neighbours’ fence and the willow which weeped into a long forgotten pond.“It's an oak!” I had celebrated with horticultural friends.

Now it stands, majestic, the central feature of my paradise. It soars high, fresh and strong, dominating the biggest trees on Smithys Lane with its pure beauty. It is the refuge of millions of inhabitants. It is King. It is the Queen. It is the ruler. Its twisted trunk reminds me of my hero’s bronze home in Kensington Gardens. It is an easy flight of fantasy to combine the reality of birds, rabbits and squirrels with the dragonfly winged fairies that worship before my angel PP. The oak’s comforting canopy shields us from the worst of sun and rain. It is the most romantic place I know.

In homage to this incredible entity, to celebrate the most important occasions in your own lives, I have conceived and my sibling has created, using recycled metal and upcycled crystal, once from deep beneath my guru’s roots, “The Tree of Life”.

Tree of Life birthstone pendants and earrings.

Busy beeees at Smithy Art Forgereeees!

Here’s a run down of all the exciting experiences I’m hosting at the Smithy over the next few weeks. I usually have a vegan food option available for guests. Please note that all tickets need to be purchased online through Experiences Calendar at least 24 hours in advance. No tickets are sold on the door.  Just click on the event for links to information and sales.

For enquiries or reservations for donation events, please contact me on guy@thesmithy.gallery. Again, at least 24 hours in advance please.

DREAMCATCHER WORKSHOP

Sunday 28 July - 13:30-16:30 - £60 - a unique opportunity for a handful of lucky souls to learn how dreams are woven into our consciousness and can be harnessed by creating a dreamcatcher with Michelle of Naturali Catchi. All basic materials supplied.

CHANUPA CEREMONY

Sunday 28 July - 17:00-18:00 - £25 - shaman David Standing Deer will guide you through the Native American Indian sage and tobacco peace pipe ceremony.

HARP CONCERT

Sunday 4 August - 14:00-16:00 - ‘Mermaid Music Tales’ by Fraujke Ramona Weishaupt - Food (vegan options) & Licensed Bar.

FORGE FEST

Saturday 10 August - 14:00-22:00 - £10. After the success of our folk music evening, Gus White and his collective of merry troubadours bring us an afternoon and evening of live music, interspersed with poetry, entertainment, food (vegan options) and Licensed Bar. For those wishing to park or camp, the next door field is available for £5.

SUNDAY SOLACE

Sunday 11 August - whether you want to chill to a Cacao Ceremony, Yin Yoga session, Meditation, Sound Bath, Chanupa Ceremony or be pampered by all of the above, Sunday Solace is for you. £10 - £95.

HEART & MIND

Thursdays 10:00 - Cacao Ceremony & Sound Bath - £40

TAROT READINGS

Fridays - By Ivan Brownrigg - £50

CACAO CEREMONY

Saturdays - 11:00 - Divine Goddess Dee will guide you through this heart warming ritual. Your spirits will be revived and you are now ready for a host of experiences throughout the day. Donations.

LET IT OUT

Saturdays - 12:30 - An intense Breathwork Experience. Hendrick & Victoria will guide you through the best emotional release of your life. Go with the flow, concentrate on the breath, listen to the sounds and Let It Out! Whether your traumas are deep or minor, this will help you move forward in life, having left your baggage far behind. Not for the faint hearted. Donations.

PANDORASTAR LIGHT & SOUND BATH

Saturdays - 14:30 & 1500 - PandoraStar is a flickering light arranged in a sacred geometrical pattern that is designed to stimulate the brain’s natural production of neurochemicals for inducing altered states of consciousness similar to psychedelic experiences. Hendrick & Victoria will guide you whilst massaging your ears with a sound bath. 4 people per 30 minute session. Pure heaven! £25

MEDITATION

Saturdays - 14:30 - Guided by Ivan Brownrigg, £10

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I very much look forward to seeing you at my ancient home very soon.

Guy

THE WITCHES OF EASTCOURT

The single track road from the cottage towards Eastcourt is appropriately named Smithys Lane. At this time of year, the great trees above sag their green into a mystical tunnel. A journey through nature. The raised banks tower with ferns, nettles with white and purple flowers, budding pink-white wild roses, tall green grasses with bearded heads and enormous clumps of pink-purple buddleia cones droop from the gardens above, all their colours piercing the deep green.

Popping out into the sunlight of Taskers Lane, I randomly thought of the herbalist that recently rented rooms at the house. On listening to my tale, she hurried over to a foxglove, picked the top five budding flowers and instructed me to lightly open them, make a tea and sip it slowly before bed.

“Because you are ambitious and these enchanted flowers will protect you.” she added, waving away my protestations that I had been told they were poisonous. Which they are. I guess everybody has to draw the line somewhere between almonds and cyanide.

As I walked on, a recent 13 episode podcast on BBC Sounds, about so-called ‘witches’, sprung to mind. The patriarchal purge of women, and occasional men, that swept through Western Europe and America, purely to discredit ancient societal equalities for money and power, is rapidly being seen for the bloody religious sham it was by increasing numbers of people who have a connection with our true universal nature. My favourite is the ancient word, ‘Gossip’. Once used to describe a highly revered and respected women’s circle, it was ridiculed and denigrated to its current meaning. Manifesting circles is something I enjoy, especially the crop variety, but thinking of the female variety trumps it. The Divine Feminine.

With these empowering thoughts, I left the hedges, crowned with a tiara of purple rosebay willow herb and white umbrella cow parsley and turned right into Eastcourt. Strolling along the avenue of pretty thatch and slate topped homes, I stopped at the church then, not understanding why the whim, left the road and walked through the churchyard. The older stones were covered in moss and lichen, disguising the names of the bodies below, so I offered my gratitude to my ancestors and spirits soared. On reaching the far side, the cooing of plump woodpigeons and noisy shrill of a wren was merged with the sound of gay laughter coming from the copse beyond. Treading past a detritus of teenage decadence, crushed cans, disposed vapes and soiled rubber, I calmed my anger with reassurance that we all learn eventually. And if we don’t, nature will consume us anyway. I left the carnage behind and moved forwards towards the light, a glade beyond the twisted trunks of yew.

My next vision could not have been in greater contrast. Several women swirled, bare arms extended upwards, long monochromatic light dresses floated with their movement, as they laughed and danced. Their hair was adorned with flower garlands. Golden amulets and pendants flashed in the sunlight on wrist and breast, whilst dusty toes caressed the Mother below. In a seeming circle of sacred geometry, the spinning maenads brought pure joy to my world. They stopped suddenly when their spy was spotted and turned towards the intruder. Their obvious expressions of disappointment confirmed that I was no Dionysus. I fumbled then ventured.

“Haven’t seen any snowy egrets out here, have you?”

Photographs by Natasha Milanovich & Martha Simpson

Spirit of Jewellery

Like all the art, culture, events and experiences curated at The Smithy, our jewellery is in the Spirit of Wiltshire. I have worked in the diamond and jewellery trade for nearly 35 years. It is pure joy to be combining my passion for romance with my sparkling business, my magical home and the most beautiful area on Mother Earth.

After years of exploration into the physical geography and spiritual depths of the land that surrounds me, or even possesses me, I have assembled precious metals and stones, not only designed and made by my brother and me but by other silver and goldsmiths whose work embodies this spirit.

Circles, moons and stars feature alongside all that is natural. My walks in the hills, not only yielded the stone barrow and henge trophies of all we tourists, but glimpses of the Divine, in the form of plasma orbs, electrical vortexes and crop circle energies. These inexplicable forces have reawakened my awe and passion for the Eternal beyond this world.

The jewellery collection reflects this wonder. Geometric silver and gold crop circle earrings, pendants, rings and bangles for everybody. Tree of Life engagement, Crescent Moon eternity and Portal cocktail rings are available to those lovers of the finest unique jewels with an extra zero or two in their budget. As ever, you are free to express yourselves with bespoke projects that only you can manifest.

For those travelling from further afield, rooms in my beautiful thatched cottage are available for two night stays. Eat, drink and celebrate with me around the kitchen table or in the garden. Chat about designs, jewellery, music, magic and art or build your trip around the plethora of wellbeing, cultural and social events I host here too. You will also have plenty of time to wander the rolling hills and, who knows, you may just see the magic too.

Guy Shepherd

Cottage Industry

Sticking my tongue out when making calculations is a habit that I would better myself without. Having gasped at the steps, scratched my head at the metrics, the tongue was retracted when I worked out that the walk had been fifteen miles. And what a yomp it had been! Out of Burbage, along the southern ridge that borders Salisbury Plain, across the vale via its namesake, Pewsey, and up the hill at Oare to walk back homewards, gazing at West Woods and Savernake Forest from the top of the meadow flower encrusted downs.

There have been many sticking out tongue moments over the last few months, calculating what will and won’t work. “Test. Test. Test.”, an old business mentor once told me. As you know, I am a jeweller. Something that my brother and I have done very well for many years. Long may that continue in multiple guises. But changing the actual experience of that purchase is something that not only intrigues me, it inspires me. Yes, I am an old romantic.

So think about that very special purchase, whether a twentieth anniversary present or bespoke engagement ring. Can you imagine a service so relaxing and personable that you wanted to stay in a cosy cottage, eat home cooked food around the kitchen table, chat through design, metal and stones with the expert then just sit back by the fire in the near four hundred year old blacksmithy and have a glass of something that tickles you?

Or maybe consider other art, paintings, photography and woodwork? Even take in an event in the house or garden such as a barbeque, live music gig, pop up restaurant, lecture, poetry or prose evening? Or you could just fill your time with a long walk in the hills that have been the destination for travellers and pilgrims for millenia, to ancient barrows and circles of stone and wheat, depending on the sun’s annual cycle? Back at the cottage, in the garden’s enormous yurt (The Temple of Transcendence), you could wind down with a host of wellbeing and spiritual experiences including meditation, breathwork, sound baths, PandoraStar light, drum circles, yin yoga, dreamcatcher workshops, tarot readings, Cacao (pure chocolate) or Chanupa (Native American peace pipe) ceremonies?

Well, you can. My beautiful thatched home is now all these things. Shop, eat, drink, walk, talk, pop in, stay, listen, laugh, relax and come away having had the most magical experience that you can imagine. Who said romance was dead? Not with me in charge of this love ship. The laws of supply and demand will soon indicate which your favourites are but know that everything is curated, and eventually calculated, for you in the Spirit of Wiltshire.

Guy Shepherd