This Fig Tree Turns Two!

In gratitude, I am gifting a 20% discount on my full archive for a year to all upgraded subscriptions (offer ends November 30th)

Hello, friends, from a rice field and a very happy me.

Holy wow. It does not feel like two years since I sat at the cobble stoned cafe that became my temple in Montmartre, Paris.

I’m not sure how, or from where, but it was there that suddenly Under a Fig Tree was here. Pulled from that other place of mystery and secrets somewhere between ambrosia and cups of coffee.

I came to the name in Spanish first - bajo la higuera - perhaps because the original fig tree that inspired this publication was my great-grandmother’s back in Spain.

But the fig is an icon for me. A glyph of almost religious significance. I think it would be worth writing a separate piece on the mythic and symbolic significance of the fig…

Anyway, today I find myself reflecting on all that has been, as well as the future of this publication. I feel like something fresh so I’ve given the page a bit of a makeover. Weirdly, I had a dream of this oak bark coloured background this week as I started thinking about changing it up, and by an act of magic, Substack had it as an option. I hope you enjoy it (and the tidied headings)!

I have also revamped my About page with much more detail about me and my work.

Just a heads up, the pieces will now be sent out at 7am UK time (thinking of those of you who are up at sparrow fart). Hope this gives more of you a chance to enjoy them with your morning coffee.

As more readers upgrade to a paid subscription, I am able to dedicate more and more time to my writing. But I’m not going to lie, my publication is still quite small. So this is also a request for your support. 

If you enjoy my work and find value in it, here are a two suggestions on how you can be part of, ultimately, what makes it possible for me to do this!!

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT UNDER A FIG TREE

• Upgrade your subscription to paid. If you are a free subscriber, upgrading your subscription will make it possible for me to dedicate more time to my fieldwork and writing, which is all fully reader-funded. As an independent scholar, I don’t receive funding from any institution, organisation or private body. So becoming a paid subscriber directly supports my work, while giving you full access to my findings.

• Like, comment and share my pieces. Believe it or not, reader engagement makes the world of difference - both because it is somewhat of a relief to know my words are landing somewhere, and because it really helps to get my writing out there.

Thank you to the stars and back for your support in whatever form you are able to offer it!

For the first time in my career, I am getting paid for my writing. So a very special thank you to the generous paid community here! There are just about ninety of you now. And when I imagine what ninety people looks like in a room, it’s breathtaking.

Added to the almost 2000 of you on a free subscription, well, I’m pretty much knocked sideways every time I think of it!

A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE

To those of you on a free subscription-

I have set up a 20% discount for new paid subscriptions that will give you access to my full archive for 1 year

This means that if you become part of the paid community this month, for a whole year you will have access to:

• My full archive

• A fresh piece of writing with its audio recording every Sunday (sometimes fortnightly)

• 10% off all my online courses

• Exclusive access to my upcoming online salon The Imaginarium (details coming towards the end of the year)

• And my monthly newsletter (also for free subscribers)

Please note: The discount is only available for 1 month

To the paid community-

Again, thank you. I light a candle for you every time I sit down to write. It’s not lost on me that I would have to put more hours into my other work and have less time to do what is closest to my heart if it weren’t for YOU.

As we near Samhain and ancestor-time, I would like to gift you a simple ritual that I have developed over the years and that I find sets a very particular tone for the year to come. I will send you a separate email with the stages.

To the free subscribers who claim the discount code, if you upgrade your subscription before October 31st, you will also receive the ritual stages.

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It goes without saying of course, that though I believe writers should be paid for their work, I also believe in making my work accessible to as many people as possible. I have offered complimentary subscriptions to people who genuinely can’t afford a subscription. If this is you, please get in touch.

Thank you again, all of you, for welcoming Under a Fig Tree into the world! Now, do please introduce yourselves. I’m very excited to see who’s here!!

With great regard and in gratitude,

x Gabriela

The fig tree ripens its figs, 
and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. 
Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.

- THE SONG OF SONGS