The Lady of the Wood

Kathleen Lowe

In the hush of late autumn, when the mist hangs low and the forest floor softens with fallen leaves, the Lady of the Wood awakens.
She does not come with the bright call of spring, nor the song of summer thrush, she comes quietly, cloaked in grey and green, with moss at her feet and the scent of rain in her hair.

Long ago, the people knew her by many names. Some called her the Keeper of Endings, others the Wise One of the Hollow Tree. The Celts said she lived between the worlds — not fully of this realm, nor the next. They left her offerings of bread, milk, and pinecones, so that the forest would rest gently through the dark season.

The Lady of the Wood is no maiden, nor mother — she is the Crone, the elder of the wild places. Her eyes see what others overlook: the beauty in decay, the strength in stillness, the promise within the seed that sleeps.
When she walks, the branches bow to her wisdom. When she speaks, even the wind listens.

Each autumn, she gathers the memories of the forest, the whisper of roots, the last hum of bees, the quiet breath of deer — and she carries them deep into the Earth. There they rest through winter’s dreaming, until the light returns again.

The Lady teaches that every falling leaf is sacred, every ending an initiation. She reminds us that to release is not to lose, but to make space for what will be born anew.

If you walk the woods in silence this time of year, you may feel her presence. Perhaps in the soft weight of fog, or in the hush that falls just before dusk. She will not speak aloud — her language is the rustle of leaves, the heartbeat of soil, the pulse of your own breath returning to stillness.

And if you listen — truly listen — she will remind you of an ancient truth:
that you too are part of the turning,
that wisdom is born in quiet,
and that endings are the forest’s most beautiful prayer.

Based in Connecticut, Kathleen Lowe is the founder of Friends of the Forest, a non-profit dedicated to helping women reconnect with nature, themselves, and one another. Through her organization, she guides women to slow down, attune to their bodies, and deepen their connection with the natural world. Friends of the Forest offers a variety of restorative programs—including seasonal celebrations, creative workshops, forest bathing walks, women’s gatherings, and nature-based practices—designed to create space for reflection, presence, and inner peace.

You can connect with her on friendsoftheforestct.org