Compared to other parts of Britain which continue to suffer, we have been lucky with no power cuts and only minor disruption for humans. The heavy frosts may have damaged the frog spawn in the ponds and halted the growth of plants, and the lambing season will have been made very difficult for our hill farmers, but life has gone on as best it could in the determined world of nature: our owl boxes were taken over by stock doves this year, and I have been amazed to see them stoically continue to fly in and out to sit on their eggs in turn, despite the most inhospitable of conditions, and my seedlings valiantly grow still in the unseated greenhouse, which I find remarkable.

Nature is resilient, though even she cannot overcome certain extremes of weather and I know some farm animals at least have died this week, probably other creatures too. I try not to be sentimental about these life and death situations, knowing all I can do is to try to care for what I can around me and knowing others elsewhere are doing their best too. It helps to remember that most of our wildlife species have been here for thousands of years, surviving every weather pattern imaginable, and while some are in decline they are here still - and their decline is due to us, not the weather. The weather is due to us too, as experts like the Chief Scientific Officer have been saying only yesterday.
Wherever you are, however cold or uncomfortable you may be, remember, if you can, the wonderful, precious world beyond your door, for even in a city nature is close by, and, if you can, do something to help even if it is just throwing out your stale bread to hungry birds. This is the time to care for our community, and that community extends far beyond just the human.
Claire Montanaro is a spiritual teacher, channel and blogger with special interest in esoteric philosophy and the world in transition. Loves nature and wildlife. Author of “
Spiritual Wisdom”.]]>