Herne the Hunter

A spectral, antlered forest spirit (originating mainly in Windsor folklore but associated with Sherwood in later tales). Said to haunt the forest, especially around the oaks, appearing during storms or misty nights.

Often viewed as a guardian of the wild—part ghost, part ancient nature deity.

With the world filling up on A.I. – (Whilst I still think of the Terminator outcomes and wonder how quickly jobs, manufacturing and dating will be replaced by non humans)

it’s a thing to embrace that is revolutionising some tasks. But taking away one’s own speech, creativity and efforts. I’m intrigued to see where it all leads.

Note – I do not use Artificial Intelligence in the creation and performance of my musical works.

I’ve challenged myself to document, compose and record an album of monuments, folklore and magical places – entirely using acoustic instruments. The title to be imagined.

As of September 27th 2025. When I made this. (Editing the video on iMovie on my phone was time consuming)

I composed, improvised and recorded ‘Herne The Hunter’ with Acoustic Guitars, Native Flute (by Nightstar flutes) and Mandolin. Featuring Bill’s Guitar. His widow said he would have been very happy.

Can’t beat an actual Cactus as a shaker. 

My Earth Tree Healing Music Links and Discography 

https://linktr.ee/earthtreehealing

When life throws challenges – retreat into music. 

Music has a remarkable ability to heal—emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Here’s how it works across different dimensions:

Emotional Healing

Expression and Release: Music gives voice to emotions we struggle to articulate. Whether it’s sadness, joy, anger, or nostalgia, hearing or creating music helps us process and release those feelings.

Mood Regulation: Listening to uplifting or calming music can reduce anxiety and depression, while sad music can offer catharsis and validation during tough times.

Mental and Cognitive Benefits

Stress Reduction: Music lowers cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Slow tempos and soothing melodies can calm the nervous system.

Memory and Focus: Music therapy is used to help patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia recall memories. It also improves concentration and learning in educational settings.

Neuroplasticity: Engaging with music—especially playing instruments—stimulates brain regions involved in coordination, planning, and emotional regulation.

I do love improvising and drumming in our Band Stinking Rita.

Stinking Rita – Barefoot Festival 2025

Physical Healing

Pain Management: Music can reduce the perception of pain by distracting the brain and triggering the release of endorphins.

Heart and Breathing: Rhythmic music can synchronize with heart rate and breathing, promoting relaxation and even aiding recovery after surgery.

Sleep Aid: Gentle music before bed can improve sleep quality by calming the mind and reducing insomnia.

Social and Spiritual Connection

Community and Belonging: Singing in groups or attending concerts fosters connection and shared experience, which is vital for mental health.

Spiritual Uplift: Many cultures use music in rituals and meditation to promote inner peace and transcendence.

Music doesn’t just fill silence—it fills us. Whether through a lullaby, a symphony, or a simple hum, it reaches places words can’t.

Flow state in music is that magical zone where everything just clicks. It’s when a musician becomes so deeply immersed in playing, composing, or even listening that time seems to vanish, self-consciousness fades, and the music feels effortless and alive.

What Defines Flow in Music?

Total Absorption: The musician is fully engaged—mind, body, and soul—with the music. Distractions disappear.

Effortless Execution: Technical skills feel automatic. Fingers move without conscious thought, and ideas flow freely.

Loss of Time Awareness: Hours can pass in what feels like minutes. The musician is “in the moment.”

Merging of Action and Awareness: There’s no separation between the player and the instrument. It’s as if the music is playing through them.

Intrinsic Reward: The joy comes from the act itself, not from external praise or outcomes.

After my 50th Birthday celebrations in Cyprus. We’ve had a busy summer of events and festivals.

In other personal news. We recently saw the brilliant Miriam Margolyes live in Derby. The lady ‘signing’ on stage translating Miriam’s vulgarities was utterly brilliant and hilarious!

Whilst I’m embracing sound therapy, exercise, health good food and meditation more and more. Paramount during menopause. 

Reflexology, Acupuncture, Massage, gong baths. Giving my body, mind and soul nourishing experiences pays dividends. And yes I have to work hard to pay for them. (I get Reiki free as trained ‘properly’ in it.)

I’m in love with sound therapy. It was the progression I was designed to embrace. Gong bath addiction is real!!

Whilst friends and acquaintances come and go. The older I get. The more folk pass over. The more I see this world filling up on hatred. I’m never surprised at how disappointed I am a some peoples actions and behaviours. Good riddance.

And folk falsely kiss arse, all in the name of networking and getting a small piece of the pie or to ladder climb. 

I find being true to oneself and principles even more important. 

The ones that are running and telling the world they are ‘good people’ who aren’t actually free at all. They are full of negativity … in complete denial. Pitiful really. 

Is there an argument for joining an argument about something that you have no control over, no ability to change it. Just using social media to spread a sheeple opinion.  Would time not be better spent helping others, animals, environment where you are? Doing that little bit that actually makes a small difference. 

I observe the egos and self importance. It’s not pretty. I’ve become more humble, less of a dick the more I age. (I still do have my moments) Dare I say I am content at the age of 50. 

We recently played the game Uno. One of the funniest nights of arguments I’ve ever had.

Watch!!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I don’t enjoy competing. Or playing games. Weird.. but it’s just what I’ve become. I wasn’t always like that. 

That is true in my work and music – I don’t compare ‘me’ to anyone else, as I am unique to me. This is my journey alone – I’m just travelling on the same journeys parts of the way with others.  

I do enjoy YouTube and audiobooks more than TV nowadays. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Breath by James Nestor and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Have accompanied me on my exercise bike journeys recently. 

Then there is the burger to my buns-but her buns are bigger 😉 My Wife Ange. ❤️ with domestics, adventures, twatting about, areas being stuck to freshly varnished toilet seats….loving one another. It’s never boring.

If you want to see some of the things we get up to – Watch our Adventures With Clange YouTube channel.

https://youtube.com/@adventureswithclange?si=WpketQ8jIlP7Gm6I

Then there is Dogman Encounters Radio with Vic Cundiff and other Cryptid explorations. It’s definitely made me think twice about the woods and wilderness!! 

The more I seek out the pockets of calm, beauty and happiness. Whilst others delve into the darkness. I revitalise in the light of good things. 

Whilst we are currently working through a family tragedy. It reminds us all to get help if depression and suicidal thoughts enter. There is help. You can feel better.

Life flies by in the blink of an eye. Embrace, Enjoy the Energies. Be Kind.

P.s I now live very near Sherwood Forest. Beware the moon!

The Making Of Candle Gardeners

The Making of Candle Gardeners. Released 30th May 2018 http://hyperurl.co/ef3qxg

Welcome to this journey. Music to be mindful, meditate and chill out to. This was an adventure abundant year in the making. A musical travelogue. Time flows as we capture elements of our life, loves, experiences, states of being. Multi-Instrumentalist Claudine West (aka Earth Tree Healing) releases her 7th instrumental New Age recording via digital stores on 30th May 2018. The name Candle Gardeners came quite suddenly during a celebration of Samhain in 2017. A year in the making. The journey, inspirations and concept created on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Malibu. CA. Wales and Glastonbury, England. This 12-track album explores ethereal places of musical ascension. Starting by the coast. ‘Overture of Oceans’ introduces the album. Explore sonic sunny rambles with ‘Glastonbury’ then wake with the mellow golden dawn of ‘Eos.’ Chill out to ‘Summerland.’ The upbeat ‘Green Man’ sparkles and indulges. ‘Namaste’ is an evolving improvisation with Sitar. The hypnotic refreshing heartbeat and simple piano of ‘Mercury In Retrograde’ gently prepares you for the meditative ‘Doom Mons’ and 25 minute track ‘Realms.’ We then embark on the final 3 introducing the waking rhythms of ‘Illumine’ and ‘Lithosphere.’ The finale wildfire is ‘Diablo Winds.’

The name Candle Gardeners came quite suddenly during a celebration of Samhain in 2017. I was in Wales with Family. We had prepared the table in the Blue Room for our feast of honouring our ancestors.  We lit candles for loved ones and were in and out of the room bringing food. I was tasked to guard the candles. It then happened upon us all the ‘garden’ them. Divination, laughter, affirmations and a noisy hamster wheel via Skype followed. Our circle..The Candle Gardeners. This had been the place where Ange and I had been Hand Fasted on April 1st 2011. The place of magic, where the Green Man and wood nymphs roam. Watching over with blessings. There is a strong possibility of the presence naughty faeries too. (The ones that nicked all of our tea spoons last year!) Thanks for giving me back my cowbell you pesky little ones. I need it for gigs! 

samhain blue room
The Blue Room Wales. Samhain

Earlier on October 15th 2017. I had stood upon the golden sands of Zuma Beach, Malibu. Watching the Pacific Ocean waves.

Track 1: Overture Of Oceans.  I have a true love for the sea, the healing, new beginnings. An indulgence of wonderful negative ions. That feeling good experience that revitalizes ones being. Freedom as the waves crescendo on the shore, a vast open expanse of well being. The danger in one moment, that might just swallow you into the deep blue. The recreation of that feeling musically begins this album. See more blogs of the trip to California. I could and would live here. https://wordpress.com/view/claudsville.wordpress.com

Track 2 (recorded 17.03.18 is simply the beautiful guitar and piano of ‘Candle Gardeners.’ It was the last track and 13th recorded. My album theme tune.

Full video playlist making of Candle Gardeners featuring more videos. 

Track 3: Glastonbury. Waking up to birdsong on sunny fresh morning gazing at the Glastonbury Tor.  I grabbed my phone and captured the summertime.  It’s a magical place. Somerset is a beautiful County. I love the vibes. It’s also a place where we could live. This is inspiring in itself. Creating this track, creating the balance of natures music, with variety and feel of the instruments. Acoustic guitars and flute compliment piano arpeggios. I used an accordion that I bought from a car boot sale in Colwick, Nottingham.

Track 4: Eos. The Greek Goddess of Dawn. To become witness to the absolute wonder and beauty of sunrises over and over is one of life’s many pleasures. When each day awakens.. new opportunities for a blissful existence arise. great for yoga and meditation practice. Chasing sunsets draws me into the woods and flourishing skyline adventures.

Track 5: Summerland. During my first past life regression, described in my Kindle book Claudsville Blogs and Bio of a Bog Woppit  I glimpsed a moment in time where I stood gazing upon corn fields. With an electric blue sky and a breeze shimmering. I felt content and accomplished. I felt peace. We arrive at the Summerland. We remember the Summerland. In the afterlife, rapture, blessed be. The music to travel to your places and explore the serenity. I recorded the video on a train travelling back from Wales January 2018.

Track 6: Green Man. It is thought his image was the medieval bridge between Paganism. and Christianity. Our foliage faced Pagan nature spirit. Symbolizing rebirth, spring. I see him as the ‘daddy of the woods.’ Growing up in Nottinghamshire with the Legend of Robin Hood and The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. Wood nymphs run riot, beheaded vegetation deities, nature is a beautiful thing. What flowed when I composed this was a mandolin menstruation. A fast strum to the beat of a bodhran. I then planted different seeds to grow. The Green Man to me watches over. Lives in the wild abandon. Often glimpsed but ever present. I’d painted him a number of years ago on a box for the Daughter of friends.

img_30881

Green Man will have its full unveiling upon release. It’s one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Track 7: Namaste. Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana. A venture into the sitar. I’ve got a beautiful old one from India with a history that dates back decades. How better to honour it with the welcome of Namaste. Starting off on Kalimba. I added an autoharp. This track was Improvised. The spark in sunshine. The limes in a tree. It’s quite a citrine blossom with differing shades of  wild orange. I’ve had dreams, meditations and vision during Reiki attunements of temples…floating.

Track 8: Mercury in Retrograde. Spells trouble, trauma for some of us. It certainly meant trying times for us in 2017. Once acknowledged though, one works through it and come out the other end wiser even if a little peeved. I’d been working on a piano riff. The original recording went a bit haywire in my studio. Nothing would sync to it for no apparent reason. I profess not to be a sound engineer. More of a multi-instrumentalist that puts a jigsaw of instruments together. The riff became quite fitting and a reflection of this time.

Now your journey moves into unadulterated relaxation. Lay back, meditate, practice mindfulness, yoga.. dream…

Track 9: Doom Mons. Titan. The largest moon of the planet Saturn. The largest mountain range. I recorded binaural beats and with a setting the turning to God frequency 432hz. This is consistent with the vibrations, patterns and mathematics of the universe. Ancient sites such as Stonehenge and the pyramids reflect the number 432 as the ratio to the sun, earth and moon. Article here There is a subtle difference for listener exploration into Zen compared to 440hz music. At this point on the album it is time to drift off into the cosmos.

Track 10: Realms.  25 minutes of frequency 432hz.  Imagine a breeze, imagine a moment. Imagine a horizon. And… relax, meditate, practice yoga, mindfulness, connection.

Track 11: Illumine Enlightenment. Awaken. Attain insight. Attain spiritual knowledge.

Track 12: Lithosphere The crust and upper mantle of the Earth. Armed with a flask of tea by the lake. We connect to the earth, the crust. Observing the wonder of the sky and the sunrise.

Track 13: Diablo Winds

I was in San Francisco, October 2017 during the wildfires, the fear, the tragedy, the smoky air, watching it live on the news. Unprecedented destruction. I wanted to capture quickening, the forces of nature…I’ll never forget the burning..thoughts, prayers and healing. Trees are born in fire…

Track 13 (recorded 17.03.18 is simply the beautiful guitar and piano of ‘Candle Gardeners’

Full video playlist making of Candle Gardeners featuring more videos. 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Making Candle Gardeners. It was a more ‘go with the green, the flow and the rhythm indulgence. Sessions and my creative juices have been so productive during the winter darkness, Vitamin D supplements and Chai Tea. That I’m now halfway thought recording ‘Reiki’ which will be released on July 1st 2018.  The commitment to a track a weekend is a welcome release from a stressful and exhausting  6 months in the NUH day job. Summer is coming…..

Claudine West Music/ Earth Tree Healing links

Check out my other albums.. 8 Sabbats, Archangel Divination 2, The Journey, Archangel Divination, Citadel, Meditation Chronicles.

SmartURL

Official Site

Claudine West LinkedIn

Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/user-856862566

Bandcamp

https://bogwoppit.bandcamp.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/claudinewestmusic

Twitter 

https://twitter.com/claudinewmusic

@claudinewmusic

https://twitter.com/claudsville75

@claudsville75

Instagram 

Reverbnation

https://www.reverbnation.com/claudinewest

Earth Tree Healing Meditation Music

Blog

https://claudsville.wordpress.com/

Art

https://claudinewestart.wordpress.com/

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Exceptional Believers and the Mandolin

As the dark afternoons and days fill me with a certain sadness. Hibernation, although it would be easy to slip away. Is a procrastination.  But It is nesting and writing time. I’m in rehearsals for live solo work, as well as with Subway Circus http://subwaycircus.com/ being the resident drummer. So Jim Jams on as soon as the dark hits. Being true to oneself and playing the music I love is the sparkles in the flames of my life.

Here is Exceptional Believers: