Hello

I'm Rachel.

I started Rituals and Remedies at The Cottage with the goal of offering readers a deeper glimpse into my thoughts and experiences. What started out as daily Instagram posts has evolved into a dynamic site packed with information about various topics that are near and dear to me. Take some time to explore the blog and see for yourself what makes you curious and eager. Read on and enjoy!

You’ve Arrived! Rituals, remedies, and how to love your true self at The Cottage

Lie on the ground and let it remind me how to feel steady again. 🌍

Did you know lying on the ground can help you feel better because it activates your parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and grounding you physically and emotionally. It’s also linked to the concept of “earthing,” where direct contact with the earth is thought to balance your body’s natural energy.

So, enjoy the weird and get on the floor 💜

Had such a lovely Easter holidays, I’ve been so quiet on here contemplating whether to keep my account going, but after a little rest I’m here trying to post when I can 💚 let me know on stories what you’d like to see next 🫶

#grounding #life #yorkshirehome #cottagegarden #love

Killing two birds with one stone 🫶

Gardening is so good for your mental health, so why not try growing something you can use to aid clarity and calm in your life ✨💚

Chamomile and lemon balm are excellent growing companions! Both thrive in similar conditions—full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Plus, chamomile can help attract beneficial insects, like pollinators, while lemon balm can deter pests, making them a dream team in the garden.

Chamomile and lemon balm tea are also an excellent combination for anxiety. Both herbs are well-known for their calming and soothing properties:
🫖 Chamomile: Contains compounds like apigenin, which binds to receptors in your brain to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It’s a gentle sedative, making it perfect for calming nerves or helping with sleep.
🫖Lemon Balm: Part of the mint family, it’s often used to improve mood and ease anxiety. It can help lower cortisol levels and support a sense of calm without causing drowsiness.

Together, they create a deliciously mild tea that can ease tension and promote a feeling of tranquility. To make it:
1. Use 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers and 1 tsp dried lemon balm leaves
2. Steep in freshly boiled water for 5-7 minutes.
3. Strain and enjoy warm, perhaps with a drizzle of honey for extra comfort.

It’s perfect for winding down after a stressful day or as part of an evening ritual.

Make sure you save this!

Lots of love and garden time this first Spring weekend, love Rach 💚

#chamomiletea #lemonbalm #anxiety #anxietea #yorkshiregarden #gardening #herbaltea

Comment Spring for a free guide 🌸

Also known as Ostara, a time of balance, renewal, and fresh energy. Did you know…

🌿 Day and night are nearly equal in length, symbolising harmony.
🌞 The sun rises exactly in the east and sets in the west.
🐣 The word comes from the goddess named Eostre, symbolising Spring and new beginnings.
♈️ The equinox marks the beginning of Aries season, the first sign of the zodiac, making it a time of fresh starts and new energy.
🌸 Nature awakens—buds bloom, birds return, and the world stirs to life.

Comment Spring for my free guide on how you can welcome Spring into your home, including a couple of fresh recipes 💚✨

What are you looking forward to about Spring?

#spring #ostara #newbeginnings #springflowers

✨ Gardener’s handwash ✨

Nourishing & Grit-Busting 🌿

After a day in the soil, your hands deserve some love! This DIY hand wash cleans, nourishes, and leaves skin soft with a hint of citrus and lavender. Perfect for washing away dirt while keeping hands happy!

Comment HANDWASH if you’d like links sent over for anything needed to make it for yourself.

Recipe:
🧼 ½ cup Castile soap
🥥 ½ cup Coconut oil
🫙 ¼ cup Sugar (for gentle exfoliation)
💧 Top up with cool boiled water
🍊 10 drops Bergamot essential oil
🌿 10 drops Lavender essential oil
🍊 10 drops Orange essential oil
✨ A few drops of Vitamin E oil (for extra skin nourishment!)

If not used within two weeks, add a natural preservative to extend shelf life:
🌿 Leucidal SF Complete: 6-12ml (just over 1-2 tsp)
🌿 Geogard ECT: 1.8-3ml (about ⅓-½ tsp)

Shake well and add to a foaming soap bottle or jar with a lid. Enjoy soft, clean hands after every garden session! 🌱💚 #greencleaning #gardenerhands #diyhandwash #homemade #handwash

To fill every corner with wild roses, foxgloves, and lavender, where the bees hum and the seasons whisper their magic. It’s that deep-rooted pull to nurture, to create beauty, to let nature take its course while guiding it with gentle hands. ✨

Perhaps it’s the spirit of Emily Brontë stirring—a Yorkshire woman who found endless inspiration in the wild moors and the untamed beauty of nature. Maybe it’s something woven into the land itself. Either way, the call to grow and ground ourselves in nature is one I’ll always answer. 🌿💚

#cottagegardendreams #yorkshiresoul #yorkshiregarden #cottagegarden #gardening

Dreaming of making herbal tea with rose petals 💭

Growing anything new this year?
Last year I added a herbal tea garden to my patio and it was my best decision yet! 🫖🥰

#garden #beginnergardener #yorkshiregarden #gardendesign #yorkshirehome #cottagegarden

A perfect day 🥰

#yorkshire #yorkshiregarden #perfectday #soulsisters #soulmates #friendship

20 days and counting…..

until the Spring Equinox! Also known as Ostara, a time of balance, renewal, and fresh energy. Did you know…

🌿 Day and night are nearly equal in length, symbolising harmony.
🌞 The sun rises exactly in the east and sets in the west.
🐣 The word comes from the goddess named Eostre, symbolising Spring and new beginnings.
♈️ The equinox marks the beginning of Aries season, the first sign of the zodiac, making it a time of fresh starts and new energy.
🌸 Nature awakens—buds bloom, birds return, and the world stirs to life.

Comment OSTARA for my free guide on how you can welcome Spring into your home, including a couple of fresh recipes 💚✨

What are you looking forward to about Spring?

#spring #ostara #neebeginnings #springflowers

Ad. I’ve just completed fitting these @newblinds.co.uk Perfect Fit Blackout Pleated Blinds in my daughter’s room, and they’re a game-changer! ✨

Perfect Fit blinds using blackout pleated fabric are designed to reduce light, and look perfect in any window without reducing the view!

Key Features:
✔️ Child Safe
✔️ Snap-fit installation in less than 30 seconds – no drilling required!
✔️ Protects your window warranty
✔️ Easy to operate with a discrete handle
✔️ Stunning range of fabrics and frame colours
✔️ Enhances privacy and improves insulation

Transform your space with style and practicality! New Blinds have kindly given me a code RACHEL10 for you to receive 10% off your order!

#blinds #thermalblinds #blackoutblinds #windows #cottagelife #yorkshirehome

Want to be friends?

Someone called me a hippy last night, and honestly, I’ll happily take that! But I’m not so sure about boxing people off into just one category. I love getting to know people on a deeper level—the little things that make them them. Because once you scratch the surface, aren’t we all a mix of so many things?

I feel most at home with my feet on the earth, hands in the soil, and the fresh Yorkshire air filling my lungs. Nature isn’t just something I admire—it’s something I connect with deeply.

So, am I a hippy? Maybe. A countryside-dwelling, science-loving but spiritual feeling, tree-embracing, gym-going, green-cleaning hippy. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Would you like to be classed as a certain type, or do you think you’d fit into lots of categories once someone really gets to know you? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear!

#hippy #yorkshire #personality #types #naturelover

You’ll want to save this 🫶

✨Here’s how to make PureClean—your all-in-one Rosemary and lavender natural multipurpose cleaning spray!✨

Made with Castile soap and rosemary hydrosol, this gentle yet effective mix tackles kitchen messes, bathroom grime, and even glass streaks. No harsh chemicals—just pure, plant-based cleaning power!

Where to Use:
💚Kitchen countertops
💚 Bathroom surfaces
💚Glass & mirrors
💚Stainless steel
💚 Fabric stains (patch test first)

Where NOT to Use:
❌ On porous stone surfaces (like granite or marble)
❌ On delicate or unfinished wood

How to Use: Shake before each use. Spray onto surfaces and wipe clean for a streak-free shine!

A perfect companion to Pure Sparkle, head to my blog linked in Bio for the recipe 🤍

🧼 Swipe for the recipe and make your home sparkle, the natural way! ✨🌿 #pureclean #greencleaning #holistichome

Here’s why 💚
Yesterday I had a lovely day In the garden and it was time to make some new rescue hair spray! Another amazing reason for rosemary.

One of my favourite herbs for:
✨ Protection & Good Luck – Rosemary by the entrance acts as a protective charm.
✨ Hospitality – Traditionally, rosemary symbolises remembrance and welcome. Having it by the gate is a way of greeting guests with its uplifting scent.
✨Practical Use – Rosemary is a handy herb for cooking and natural remedies. I’ve made hair oils, skin oils, hair spray, cleaning products! And so nice for cooking, handy being closer to the door !
✨Pest Repellent – Its strong aroma helps deter pests like mosquitoes and even slugs and snails!
✨Easy to Grow & Hardy – Rosemary thrives in well-drained soil and sunlight, making it a great low-maintenance choice for a garden entrance.

Would you plant it by your gate? 💚

Have a lovely Wednesday 🫶

#yorkshiregarden #rosemary #plants #gardenherbs #magicalgardening #practicalgardening

Welcome to my corner of Yorkshire charm and holistic living. You’re always welcome here, and my inbox is always open for a chat. Have a good look through my reels and highlights—hopefully, something sparks a bit of joy in you. Don’t forget to check out my blog and website too. Enjoy your time here 🫶

Thanks for being here 🥰

Love Rach 💓✨

#yorkshirehome #yorkshiregarden #yorkshirelife #homeaccount

No greenhouse? No problem! 🌱✨

Reuse plastic storage boxes or milk bottles as mini greenhouses to get your seeds started. Did you know growing your own could be this easy?

I was thinking about not growing sweet peas this year, since starting work again when my youngest started school I’ve struggled to find time to fit everything in, but after my poll last night we’re going to sow again! If you’d like to join me keep watching stories 👀

#gardeninghacks #yorkshiregarden #countrysideliving #gardeninghacks

You’re always welcome here ✨

With so many new faces around, I thought I’d share a bit about the content I love creating ✨ At The Cottage, you’ll find all sorts of musings, and of course, the cows will make an appearance 🐮 It won’t be long before they’re out morning and night, making it tricky to leave the house at certain times of the day 😂

Always love a chat in DMs so feel free to introduce yourself 🥰

Have a lovely Wednesday and I hope you get some time in nature today 💚 love Rachel ✨

#yorkshirecottage #ritualsandremedies #holistic #barefoot #homeaccount #diy #gardening #beginnergardener #vintagehome #cottagecore

Anyone else this clumsy?

Excuse the grainy footage but this was from a live and I thought it was a good time to share some behind the scenes of the calm reels 🤣🌸 at least I don’t have a bun chewing these ones!

I used to get really cross with myself for doing things like this, but now I just embrace it! Embrace you, if you don’t, no one else will 🥰😍

Have a lovely Monday, I wonder what clumsiness this week beholds!

Love Rach ✨💓

#clumsy #springplanters #gardening

This is your sign to take a moment for yourself and welcome Spring into your home. I spent my day off yesterday making some simple planters filled with some emerging hyacinths and daffodils with uplifting scents—little pockets of light and colour to brighten space and spirit. Give it a go! 🌿✨ #springawakening #freshbeginning #springplanter #springflowers #yorkshirehome

Tag your green 💚

The heart chakra, also known as Anahata, is associated with the colour green. The heart chakra is believed to be the centre of love, compassion, and emotional balance within the body’s energy system.

The colour green is often seen as symbolising growth, harmony, and renewal, which aligns with the qualities associated with the heart chakra. It’s believed that when the heart chakra is balanced and open, a person can experience deep connections with others, empathy, and unconditional love.

Practices such as meditation, yoga, and visualisation techniques are often used to help balance and activate the heart chakra. Surrounding yourself with the colour green, through nature walks, wearing green clothing, or using green crystals such as jade or green aventurine can also support the harmonisation of the heart chakra’s energy.

#springwindowsill #houseplantday #houseplants #wateringplants #springplanter #kitchenwindow

Joy in all the seasons 🌷

I think I’ll leave these ones to go droopy 😍🌷

Which do you prefer? I have a little poll on stories if you’d like to join in!
Treat yourself to a bunch this week, you deserve it 🥰🌷✨#springflowers #tulips #spring #yorkshirehome #cutflowers #

Are you like me?

Sending Imbolc blessings to you all, I hope you find a little bit of time in nature and get to stir those feelings of spring on the way today! Light a candle, wash away the winter in a warm bath, journal on what you’ve learnt over the winter.

If you would like a link to my blog post on Imbolc, including some recipes, please comment IMBOLC and I’ll send it to your inbox ✨🫶

Have a lovely day 💚 Rachel #imbolc #imbolc2025 #spring #welcome

Seize every precious moment in your beautiful life, leave no room to worry over insignificant things. Embrace each experience to the fullest, and remember that even pain plays a role in guiding you towards a brighter future.

Lots of love, Rachel ✨💜

I’ll try my best to reply to comments today, it’s gone a little wild here! Have a lovely Friday ✨🫶

✨ DIY Concentrated Floor Cleaner ✨
A powerful yet gentle solution for spotless floors, naturally! 🌿

Make sure you’re following and comment FLOOR to receive the links you need to buy the ingredients.

🧼 Ingredients (makes 500ml concentrate):
• 15ml eco-friendly washing-up liquid
• 300ml white vinegar
• 125ml rubbing alcohol (or surgical spirit)
• 20 drops of your favourite essential oil
• 60ml distilled water

(I sometimes swap this out and use a couple of tablespoons of green bleach ((percarbonate of soda)) instead of this recipe if it’s very grubby!)

*You don’t have to add the essential oils, it is preference, but I like Lemon – cuts through grease, has antibacterial properties, and smells fresh, and Lavender – antibacterial and calming.

If you have pets, don’t forget to be a responsible pet owner and do your research when working with essential oils!

For a safe and effective stone floor cleaner, mix 500ml of distilled water with 1 tablespoon of liquid Castile soap. This gentle, pH-neutral solution is perfect for marble, limestone, travertine, and slate, keeping them clean without damage or streaks.

💧 To use: Add 1-2 tablespoons of the concentrate to a bucket of hot water. For wooden floors, mix in a splash of olive oil for a polished finish.

Enjoy fresh, clean floors with this eco-friendly recipe! ✨

#GreenCleaning #EcoLiving #HolisticHome #NaturalSolutions

February 1st and 2nd

Making a Brigid’s Cross is a lovely way to celebrate Imbolc and honour the goddess Brigid. Traditionally, it’s believed to protect the home from any kind of harm, especially fire, and bring blessings of prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.

It’s also a wonderful activity to do with the children, weaving together the strips of straw or paper. It’s a simple and joyful way to connect with the season and reflect on gratitude as we welcome the returning light.

Here’s how to make it:
1. Gather strips of straw, rush, or paper.
2. Fold the first strip in half vertically.
3. Take a second strip, fold it in half, and place it around the first at a right angle.
4. Keep adding strips, weaving them in a circular pattern until all your strips are used.
5. Tie the ends with string, then trim any excess.

Hang your Brigid’s Cross in the home to bring protection, peace, and a little extra abundance as we move into the lighter months. 🌱✨

#Imbolc #brigidscross #imbolcritual #gratitude #seasonalliving

As January draws to a close, we turn our attention to Imbolc on 1st February – the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. A time to welcome the first breath of spring, Imbolc reminds us to strengthen our connection with nature and look forward to the fertile land that will soon bring crops, flowers, and new life.

This ancient festival is closely linked to Brigid, the goddess of fertility, fire, and poetry, who symbolises creativity and renewal. Whether you celebrate by lighting a candle, crafting a Brigid’s Cross, or simply taking a moment to pause and appreciate the shift in the season, Imbolc is a beautiful reminder of the light returning and the promise of growth.

Even if you don’t embrace the history behind this ancient celebration, it’s hard to resist the joy and hope it inspires for the season ahead and let’s be honest, after a month as eternally long as January, the arrival of February feels like a celebration in itself! 🌱✨

#imbolcblessings #imbolc #seasonalliving #gratefulforjanuary

The magic in nature 😍

Join me this January 25th and 26th for the @rspb Garden Bird Watch! 🐦 It’s the perfect time to connect with nature, spot our feathered friends, and contribute to vital bird conservation efforts. Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let’s see how many species we can spot in our gardens. #RSPBGardenBirdWatch #birdwatching #naturelover #yorkshirenature #gardenbirdwatch

Imbolc (pronounced IM-olk or IM-bolg), celebrated on 1st–2nd February, marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. It’s a time of renewal, light returning, and the first stirrings of spring. 🌱✨

A nature walk is such a beautiful way to celebrate Imbolc – connecting with the earth, noticing the first signs of spring, and appreciating the light that’s returning to our days. As we walk, we can reflect on the season ahead, the growth we’re ready to welcome, and the abundance that’s just around the corner.

If you’re feeling called, join me this evening for a Gratitude Circle on my broadcast channel. We’ll share moments of thanks for the new beginnings Imbolc brings and hold space for each other as we move into a brighter season. 🌱✨

#imbolc #naturewalk #gratitudecircle #seasonalliving #snowdrops #welcomelight

Wash away the winter ✨🤍

Imbolc (pronounced IM-olk or IM-olg), celebrated on 1st–2nd February, marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. It’s a time of renewal, light returning, and the first stirrings of spring. 🌱✨

My favourite bath ritual includes:
🌿 Rosemary – for cleansing and mental clarity
🌸 Rose oil & rose petals – for love, self-compassion, and emotional healing
💜 Lavender & lavender essential oil – for peace, relaxation, and balance
🥥 Coconut milk – for nourishment and renewal
🌿 Rosemary essential oil – for protection and purification

Save this for February 1st 🫶

Let this delightful bath connect you to the season’s energy. As the water washes over you, imagine it taking with it any heaviness, stagnation, or negativity, leaving you lighter and aligned with the promise of spring. ✨

#imbolc #springiscoming #yorkshirehome #bathritual #cutflower #newbeginnings

Fabric softener can be bad for your clothes, skin, and the environment, so why not try this homemade Laundry Elixir as a simple, effective alternative to keep your clothes soft, fresh, and chemical-free. 🌿

🫶Why I love it:
• Gently softens fabrics.
• Naturally freshens with essential oils.
• Reduces static and helps clothes last longer.

Here’s how you can make it:

• 200ml white vinegar
• 2 tbsp vegetable glycerin
• 2 tbsp Epsom salt (replace with citric acid for hard water areas)
• 15 drops of your favourite essential oils (I love lavender and rosemary!)

How to use: Shake well before each use. Add 20ml to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine per load.

A small step, but it feels good knowing my laundry is softer, fresher, and better for my family and the planet. 💚

Would you try this? Let me know in the comments or save this post for later!

If you’d like a link to buy the ingredients, comment ELIXIR ✨

Lots of love, Rach 🫶

#nontoxicliving #greenlaundry #greencleaning #laundryelixir

Bored? Good.

Boredom sparks creativity, self-reflection, and imagination. I always tell my kids when they say, ‘I’m bored,’ which is usually after we’ve had some fun activities 😆 that it’s a gift—an open door to new ideas. Sit with it. Enjoy it. Who knows where it might take you?

Feeling the effects of the full moon last night? Join in my gratitude broadcast channel if you’d like some journal prompts 💜 @the_cottage_on_cow_lane

#boredom #self #selfcare #love #fullmoonincancer #januaryfullmoon

She’s a legend 🫶

You know I love a good Old Wives Tale, this could be my favourite and it does work! Dropping a penny into the water keeps your tulips from drooping. The copper in the penny acts as a fungicide and naturally kills any bacteria that may be hiding in your vase. Only pennies made before 1982 have 95% of copper in them, so hunt them out 🫶

Save and share these tips:

✨Cut your tulips at an angle and place them in the water.
✨Make sure any leaves that will be under the water are removed. This will help in keeping your water clean and fresh.
✨Change the water in your vase every other day. Replace with cool, clean water. I also recut the stems every 3 days. This works with any florals and greenery. Recutting the stems and replacing the water keeps the bouquet fresh and the blooming longer.

Have you tried this tip? I’ve also heard of the pin in the stem? I might have a go I’m off for a few bunches today 🌷

Follow @the_cottage_on_cow_lane for more everyday magic 🌷

#tulips #cutflowers #flowertips #springiscoming #freshflowers #kitchensink #yorkshirehome #yorkshiregarden #tuliptips #tuliphack

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Harnessing the Moon Phases in January 2025: Rituals for Intention, Reflection, and Gratitude

As we step into the fresh energy of January 2025, the Moon offers us a guiding rhythm to live intentionally.

Rachel Howarth

Dec 31, 20242 min read

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Personal Aura Portrait

Would you like me to paint your aura?

A personal aura painting, this will involve a consultation either in person or on video call. We will discuss your needs and likes and the design you would be interested in before you commit to buy. I can also do these as a gift for someone you love.

Contact to enquire

About Me

Thoughts. Experiences. Inspiration.

I’m so glad you’ve arrived. The Cottage on Cow Lane is where I share with you what interests me most, sparking your excitement so that you can nurture your own passions and projects. I hope you enjoy my site and all of the unique content I create. I always say, don't give your power away, follow your own guide, you are the only one you need to trust.
As a child, I could see people in colour, I didn't understand why. Entering into my teenage years, life became full of traumatic experiences watching my Mum cope with her own battles with alcohol addiction. I lost my sight in colour. My life became brighter when I met my life partner Matthew, and we have three most perfect children together. As lucky and grateful as I felt, I suffered with my own mental health. My mum sadly lost her life far too soon to her addictions in 2016, and then my dad, who had always been my grounded parent struggled with his mental health following retirement and took his own life in 2018. It was then, whilst I cared for my beloved Grandma through her own grief that I saw her aura change dramatically and I rediscovered my gift for aura reading. I started to create art for loved ones, to show and explain their beautiful colours. Drawing inspiration from my 10-year tenure in Beauty and Holistic Therapy education, I've integrated aromatherapy, and crystal healing into my practice. Embracing the lunar cycles and the Wheel of The Year, I've found profound meaning in rituals. Through this journey, I've not only overcome panic attacks and following anxious thinking but also learned the art of self-love. Join me in finding the beauty of healing and self-discovery, I truly hope I can help you find something here that sparks something in you.

Chakra Oil Range

A personal oil blended just for you

Get in touch with me, we can discuss which oil would be best suited for your needs. They can be used in a number of ways including massage, diffusers, in the bath, rituals, or facial oils.

Contact to buy

I’m so glad you’re here

If you would like to connect about any of my services or have any questions, I would love to hear from you in the comments. Lots of love, Rachel