About The Garden

What it is

The Garden explains each tradition in plain English and offers practices you can try. Epicureanism is the Greek philosophy of modest pleasure, friendship and freedom from fear. Paganism covers the modern nature-centred and polytheistic religions, with the Wheel of the Year and a set of paths to explore. Shinrin-Yoku is the Japanese practice of forest bathing.

It is written for curious beginners. It is a starting point, and it does not replace books, teachers or the communities that keep these traditions alive. Each section ends by pointing you to further reading.

How it is written

• Plainly. Terms are explained when they first appear, and the Pagan pages include a glossary.
• Honestly about what is uncertain. Where the history is thin or disputed, or the research is mixed, the page says so and does not smooth it over.
• With sources. Reading lists point to books and studies you can find and check. The aim is to check dates, names and reading lists against published sources, and mistakes are corrected when they are found.
• In British English. That means 'practise' as a verb, 'practice' as a noun, and dates such as 9 November 2026.
• Without speaking for anyone. The Pagan pages describe several paths, and none of them is presented as the correct one. The site does not speak for any religious group or organisation.

What it is not

It is not medical advice. The pages on forest bathing describe what the research has found and how strong it is. They do not claim that any practice treats, prevents or cures anything. If you are unwell, or worried about your health, please talk to a doctor.

It is not a business. The site carries no advertising, sells nothing, and uses no affiliate links. It has no accounts for visitors and no tracking; the privacy page gives the details.

Corrections and contact

If something here is wrong, unclear or out of date, please get in touch. Corrections to dates, names and sources are especially welcome. There is no physical address for the project, and the contact page is the way to reach it.