When the Forest Speaks: Finding Soul Connection in Ashdown Forest

Anja and Tanya

Moving from the bustling chaos of North London to the gentle embrace of Forest Row has been one of the most transformative decisions of my life. After years of navigating crowded streets and concrete landscapes, I now wake up to the symphony of birdsong and the whisper of ancient trees. This village has welcomed me with open arms, and more importantly, with open hearts.

The people here are extraordinary. There's something about living close to nature that seems to nurture a different quality of human connection – deeper, more authentic, more present. In just a few months, I've met more kindred spirits than I encountered in years of city living. And sometimes, the universe conspires to bring exactly the right person into your path at exactly the right moment.

A few weeks ago, I was walking through the village while speaking German on the phone. As I passed another woman, she repeated a German word I had just said. We both stopped, and what followed was one of those beautiful moments when the universe orchestrates exactly the right meeting. In that instant, I knew I had met someone special. Her name is Anja Kositzki, and what started as a chance encounter is blossomming into a beautiful friendship.

Anja is a midwife, a Lomi Lomi practitioner, and a Women's Sexual Health practitioner who brings the healing wisdom of Hawaiian bodywork to our corner of Sussex. But more than her impressive credentials, she carries an energy that immediately puts you at ease – the kind of presence that invites deep conversation and authentic sharing.

Today, we decided to explore the magnificent Ashdown Forest together, and what an adventure it turned out to be! Armed with enthusiasm and Anja's local knowledge, we set off into the woodland that has become my new sanctuary. The moment we stepped under the canopy, I felt that familiar sense of coming home – a feeling that has surprised me since moving here, because it reminds me so powerfully of the Finnish forests of my childhood.

The scent of the earth, the quality of light filtering through the leaves, even the way the silence feels alive – it all takes me back to those precious early memories of holidays in the vast woodlands of Finland. My father would bring a compass and an old paper map, teaching me to read the forest's subtle signs and find our way by more than just marked trails. Today, when Anja and I looked at my phone's compass to orient ourselves, I was transported back to those magical moments of discovery with him.

As we wandered deeper into the woods, Anja's expertise revealed itself in the most delightful way. Her trained eye spotted what she immediately identified as Steinpilz / Porcini – Boletus edulis – growing proudly beneath the trees. I watched in amazement as she carefully examined each specimen, explaining the identifying features that distinguished these prized mushrooms from their potentially dangerous cousins.

When we came across the striking red-capped Amanita muscaria with their white spots – the fairy-tale mushrooms that look so enchanting – Anja wisely advised we leave them exactly where they were and I was grateful for her wisdom. Trusting someone with such knowledge allowed me to simply enjoy the wonder of discovery without worry.

The Steinpilz/porcini we did harvest was absolutely divine – firm, earthy, with that distinctive nutty flavor that makes these mushrooms so treasured in German cuisine. Preparing and eating it later felt like receiving a gift directly from the forest itself.

As we walked, I found myself mesmerised by the network of roots that occasionally created a steep labyrinth beneath our feet. In some places, the forest floor became a maze of interconnected root systems, making it impossible to tell where one tree ended and another began. It struck me so profoundly – this visible reminder of how deeply connected all life truly is.

"The trees ahead already know we're coming," I joked to Anja, "they've heard about us from the trees we've passed!" But in truth, there was something beautiful in that image. We talked about how trees communicate through their root networks and fungal connections, sharing nutrients and information across vast distances. The forest really is one organism, breathing and living as a unified whole.

We paused before two magnificent trees that appeared to have once been one – split apart by time or circumstance, yet still creating a single, sheltering canopy above us. Anja explained how many of the multi-trunked trees we were seeing were the result of historical coppicing practices from centuries ago, when trees were cut strategically to provide timber for shipbuilding while allowing new growth to continue from the base. The forest holds so much history in its very structure.

As we stood there, a robin appeared nearby, its red breast bright against the forest backdrop. This led us into one of those conversations that felt like peering into the mysteries of existence itself. We talked about the peaceful mornings here in Forest Row, how we both cherish waking to the symphony of birdsong. Anja had noticed how the birds begin singing just before dawn breaks, and wondered how they know exactly when to start.

I shared my belief that they’re connected to everything – to the energy, to what some might call ‘the field.’ Anja’s understanding was immediate as she brought up ley lines and the remarkable ability of birds to navigate routes they’ve never traveled before, even young birds on their first migration. We marveled at how they’re part of the energy that guides them, not separated from it like we often are in our consciousness. The image of starling murmurations came to mind – those thousands of birds moving as one perfect organism, not thinking their way through the choreography but feeling the field, following what it tells them.

This natural flow of conversation led me to share something deeply personal with Anja – my experience learning to channel spirits of those who had passed. It was extraordinary and made no logical sense to me at the time. I could only feel it, never understand it with my mind, but when I shared what I experienced with the person it was meant for, it suddenly had profound meaning.

Anja listened with such presence, understanding that this connects to all animal communication. They understand the language of energy in ways we’ve largely forgotten. We humans need to learn to reconnect with this innate wisdom that never truly leaves us.

These conversations flowed so naturally between us. Here was someone who understood not just the practical knowledge of the forest, but its deeper mysteries too. In many ways, Anja helped me birth a new understanding of myself today – just as she helps bring new life into the world as a midwife, she has this gift for nurturing the emergence of fresh perspectives and deeper truths.

The heathland we crossed reminded me so much of the landscape near the Hundred Acre Wood that inspired A.A. Milne – not surprising, since we weren't far from those famous spots. The purple heather stretching toward the horizon, the scattered silver birches, the sense of timeless peace – it all felt like stepping into a beloved storybook.

But what moved me most was sharing this experience with someone who truly gets it. Anja was fascinated when I told her about Finland's "Right to Roam" – how everyone can freely wander the forests and pick blueberries and mushrooms wherever they find them. The contrast with the more restricted access here in the UK was evident as we spoke about different relationships with the land.

Our walk eventually led us across the golf course where I've recently rekindled my passion for the game. As the late afternoon light began to shift into that magical golden hour, Anja paused and said, "I have a wish. Would you mind if we walked the next five minutes in complete silence? I feel like this atmosphere wants to be truly absorbed."

I was delighted by her suggestion. Though anyone who knows me will tell you I can talk forever, I also deeply cherish moments of peaceful quiet – especially when shared with someone who understands the sacred quality of silence. We walked those final minutes without words, letting the ethereal beauty of the evening settle into our bones.

Finding a true soul connection is precious beyond measure. In Anja, I've discovered not just a friend, but someone who speaks the same language of the heart. We can dive deep into conversations about life's mysteries, share comfortable silences, and explore both the outer landscapes and inner territories with equal enthusiasm.

Living here in Forest Row, surrounded by the ancient wisdom of Ashdown Forest, I'm reminded daily that healing happens in relationship – with ourselves, with others, and with the natural world that holds us all. Whether you're seeking to transform limiting beliefs through the powerful work of PSYCH-K®, or are drawn to the nurturing touch of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi and women's healing work that Anja offers, the invitation is always the same: to come home to yourself more fully.

If you're curious about exploring your own inner landscape through PSYCH-K® sessions, or if you feel called to experience the deep healing that's possible through Anja's beautiful Hawaiian Nurture practice, I encourage you to reach out. Sometimes the most transformative journeys begin with a single step into the unknown – whether that's into a forest or into a healing session that can change your life.

The forest has so much to teach us about connection, growth, and the patient unfolding of our truest selves. All we need to do is step outside, breathe deeply, and listen to what wants to emerge.

Connect with me at www.tanyasperling.com through the contact form below for PSYCH-K® sessions and holistic life coaching. Find Anja's beautiful healing work at www.hawaiiannurture.co.uk or follow her journey @hawaiian_nurture on Instagram.