ABOUT

Through Time and Thyme: Meet Geanina, The Thyme Keeper

Rooted in Nature and History

For over 20 years, I taught geography, sharing my passion for the Earth's myriad landscapes, cultures, and natural wonders with students aged 11 to 18.

Beyond the classroom, my heart belongs to the countryside. Wandering quiet paths, observing and studying plants and trees, and immersing myself in the timeless rhythms of nature have always been my solace and inspiration. My love for foraging and the outdoors is deeply rooted in childhood memories and continues to shape my approach to life and learning.

This passion for nature is deeply intertwined with my fascination for history. Exploring the traditions of 15th-18th century stillrooms has become a way for me to connect with the past. In the stillrooms, medicines for the household were brewed, herbs were meticulously dried, cosmetics were artfully crafted, aromatic waters were distilled, and foods were preserved with great care.

During the balmy days of summer or around Michaelmas, you might find me at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk, garbed in Tudor costume. There, before the eyes of curious onlookers, I distill herbs and resurrect old remedies. 

As a proud member of the Herb Society, I’m passionate about sharing the history, folklore, and practical uses of herbs, blending tradition with hands-on learning.

Rooted in the Stars

My journey into the stars began in the 1990s, when, at the age of 15, I stumbled upon an astrology tome in a quaint library in a Moldovan town in eastern Romania. Captivated by its pages, I filled an entire notebook with notes, igniting a lifelong fascination with the cosmos.

In my early 30s, after moving to the UK, I studied at the London School of Astrology, where I had the privilege of learning from renowned astrologers such as Frank Clifford and Sue Tompkins. Around the same time, I immersed myself in the study of Evolutionary Astrology, deeply inspired by the works of Jeffrey Wolf Green and Steven Forrest. Their books and online courses shaped my understanding of the transformative power of astrology.

Later, my path led me to the rich traditions of Classical and Traditional Astrology, guided by the works of Demetra George, Judith Hill, and, more recently, Kelly Surtees. These diverse influences have enriched my practice and enabled me to weave together insights from different schools of astrology into a cohesive, intuitive approach.

Since 2014, I’ve offered astrology readings and consultations to clients, drawing on over a decade of study and practice. My readings use the Whole Sign House system, which I find provides clarity and depth in understanding planetary influences.

Astrology, to me, is more than just a tool—it’s a lens through which we can explore the intricate patterns, cycles, and rhythms that shape our lives. Whether you're seeking guidance on love, career, health, or personal growth, I offer personalized astrology readings tailored to your unique birth chart and aspirations. My goal is to empower you with insights and clarity, helping you align with your highest potential and navigate life’s opportunities and challenges with confidence.

My Rural Heritage 

A Love For Land and Nature

My grandparents on both sides of the family were farmers, deeply rooted in village life. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, during the collapse of the USSR, I experienced firsthand the hardships of country living, where self-sufficiency was not just a skill but a necessity. In the countryside, the most modern convenience we had was electricity.

There were no indoor taps, toilets, or heaters, instead, there was water to be fetched from the well with a bucket, fires to be kindled every day and food to be cooked on a wood-burning stove.

There were many animals to tend to from dawn to dusk: cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, and even a horse for a while.

And then there was the farmland - it needed relentless attention! Whole days were spent in the fields with my grandparents and aunties, harvesting potatoes, filling sacks with wheat grains, or weeding the cornfields.

My mum and her 5th-grade classmates, harvesting onions. Practical agricultural work was part of the school curriculum.

Villagers crafted cloth from flax or hemp fibers, transforming them into smocks or skirts adorned with exquisite embroideries. They fashioned thick coats and hats from sheepskin, resilient against the harsh Siberian winds and winter blizzards. Every item was meticulously hand-crafted at home.​

Cool rooms in each house stored a bounty of pickles, homemade cheeses, smoked meats, and sausages, as refrigerators were rare.

People were familiar with most plants growing around, including us, the kids. We knew which ones were poisonous and which ones we could eat. We snacked on sweet acacia flowers or mallow nutlets and we knew to squeeze the yellow juice of greater celendine onto warts.

Though village life was arduous, my happiest moments were always those spent close to the land, the rivers, the trees, and the meadows. Today, many years later, I still find my peace and joy in the tranquility of the forests, gathering wild foods and herbs, cooking outdoors by the fire, and gazing at the starry night sky.

My grandmother Maria (on the right) and her sister in the 1950s. 

All their clothes were handmade.

Thank Thee for Visiting!

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