ABOUT

The world is a tumultuous place, but it is also a place of incredible natural wonder.
We must never lose sight of the awe-inspiring beauty that exists here on Earth.

You probably already know that spending time outside feels good. But it isn’t always easy to prioritise, and it isn’t always easy to feel mindful in our modern world.

T H E   S E C R E T   A L M A N A C  is here to offer guidance. Each edition is full of activities designed to help us get in the right headspace to connect with the Earth, and connect with ourselves.

Beyond the walls of our homes, there are countelss ecosystems waiting to be discovered. Life grows up through the cracks in all sorts of urban environments, and with the right mindset, there’s always lots to do and see.

The natural world can help us remember to be, to breathe, and to play amidst our busy lives. If you want to spend more time watching the sunset, enjoying the breeze, or breathing with the trees, then you’re in the right place. 

And remember, you don’t have to be a reclusive monk or an eccentric new-age type to get on board. Mindfulness is not an exclusive and grand spiritual practice. It is a simple, open, and wise relationship with the present moment. Even a brief moment spent appreciating the beauty of a sunset can feel profound and connect us to a deep sense of peace. 

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THE SECRET ALMANAC

BEGINNINGS

The Secret Almanac is self-published and created by me, Hannah Demerise! Like many of us, I was a wild, free, outdoorsy kid. We travelled around a lot for my Dad’s work and I was blessed to see many corners of our Earth at a very young age. My Dad, like me, has lived a life outdoors as an environmental engineer. And my Mama, although afraid of creepy crawlies, appreciated my spirit and my curiosity. She always encouraged me to explore, and she never batted an eyelid when I collected frogs in the bathtub!

Wherever we went, I always gravitated towards the rich natural world and my childhood brimmed with  outdoor adventure: Collecting giant snails during the rainy season in Mali, West Africa, bareback horse riding in the Spanish countryside, and building beachside forts in Far North Queensland.

These days, I live in a pretty suburban environment. This means I have to prioritise spending time outside more than ever before. This is why I created the Secret Almanac.

The Secret Almanac is a starting place for anyone who wants to spend more time outside, or anyone who wants to feel more connected to the natural environment (including me!). So let’s do this together. Let’s start a conversation. Let’s see what happens when we spend a little bit more time outside.

Here I am at four years old, enjoing some time with big trees and flowers. To this day, this remains one of my favourite pastimes.

OUR POLICIES

  • If you are not satisfied with The Secret Almanac for any reason please contact me so I can help resolve the issue!

    To return or exchange your copy of The Secret Almanac for any reason, please contact me.

    To be elgibible for a refund, you must return the book in new condition. Return postage ($4.50 within Australia) is at the expense of the customer.

  • The Secret Almanac values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

    What Information We Collect
    When you purchase a book or interact with us, we may collect basic information such as your name, email address, phone number, and billing information. This is only used to provide you with the services you’ve requested.
    We may also collect your information if you submit a contribution to The Secret Newsletter, our quarterly e-zine (optional).

    How We Use Your Information
    We use your personal information solely to fulfill your orders, communicate with you, and improve our services. We will never share or sell your information to third parties without your explicit consent.
    At your request, we may also share your information (such as name and country/state) and creative contributions via The Secret Newsletter, our quarterly e-zine.

    Your Rights
    You have the right to request access to, correct, or delete your personal information at any time (unless it has already been published in The Secret Newsletter).

    If you have any questions or concerns about privacy, please reach out!

  • AI is already a huge part of our world. And that can be scary. As a human civilisation, we didn’t ask for AI to be created, and we didn’t decide how to regulate AI before it was created, either. Now that AI is here, it’s up to all of us to be diligent and critical about the media we consume and the technology we interact with.

    Here at The Secret Almanac we believe that machine intelligence can not replace human creativity and thought. For more information about how we use AI, keep reading.

    • We don’t use AI to generate any images or content.
      All the images in The Secret Almanac printed books are original photographs and illustrations.
      All online content is either original, or created using liscenced images through the Adobe Suite.

    • We don’t use AI to generate any text.
      Anything you read at The Secret Almanac is original text, written by a human.

    • We occasionally use the AI embedded in our online platforms to make online decisions.
      AI is good at collecting data, and sometimes the data collected by our online platforms helps us make decisions about effectively sharing online content.

    • We occasionally use AI to help create checklists and brainstorm business processes.
      AI is good at condensing information and making lists. This can sometimes be a helpful starting point for the admin/business side of things.

    If we ever use AI to help facilitate the creation of The Secret Almanac, we promise to be 100% transparent, and indicate how it was used.

    Remember that AI will never be able to understand or replace the we simple profundity of spending time in nature. Remeber to be present to your experience. Remeber to take a break from screens and enjoy the sun on your skin.

    And if you do decide to use AI, remember that AI is not a substitute for human thought. AI is a tool, and we are its operators, so don’t let your tools determine the course of your life.
    Get outside, take some deep breaths, and enjoy your human existance! The future depends on it.