Philosophy Blog

It can be hard to know how to move from the rhythm of the workweek to the pace of the weekend. These Friday poetry evenings offer a beautiful way to slow down and reconnect.

Inspired by Gaston Bachelard and his luminous writings on the four elements, we’ll explore our memories and experiences of air, water, earth and fire - and notice how our imagination transforms them into something new.

Bachelard is one of France’s most remarkable philosophers. After devoting the first part of his career to the philosophy of science, he turned to the phenomenology of poetry, asking how it feels to create and to read poetry. Among his many works are Air and Dreams, Water and Dreams, Earth and Reveries of Will, Earth and Reveries of Repose, and The Flame of a Candle.

Each of these Friday evenings will be dedicated to one element. We’ll listen to extracts from Bachelard’s work (the English translations are excellent!) and reconnect with that element through a creative writing experience. Everyone will have time to write, and you may share your text only if you wish to in the moment. ✨

Bookings are through the Christchurch WEA website - the taster session last month filled up quickly, so be sure to book early if you’d like to join! 💫

Four fortnightly Fridays starting 20th February, 6–8pm, $51

At the WEA, Christchurch 🌿

✨ Looking Ahead: From Learning Design to Bachelard’s Evenings

Until the end of 2025, I’m dedicating my time to designing training modules for the Graduate School of the University of Canterbury, working as a learning designer with their Researcher Development Team.
It has been such a joy to collaborate with them - a space of thoughtful exchange, creativity, and purpose.

🌿 In 2026, I’ll have time to return to my other beloved activities, including the Bachelard’s Evenings.

From February to April, two cycles will take place:

🔥 Every other Friday, 6.00 pm at CWEA - on the theme of the four elements
💭 Every other Wednesday, 6.30 pm at Cherish - on the theme of reverie

I’m very much looking forward to these gatherings - to thinking, dreaming, and sharing together once again.

Come Play with the Four Elements – A Poetic Teaser at WEA

While I’m currently in France for a few weeks, I’m already looking forward to being back in Ōtautahi Christchurch in time for a special session at the Canterbury Workers Educational Association.

📅 Monday 8 September
🕡 6.30 – 8.00 PM
📍 WEA, 59 Gloucester Street

Come play with the four elements!

This is a poetic taster session inspired by the beautiful writings of French philosopher Gaston Bachelard. His meditations on fire, water, earth, and air will be our starting point for poetic games and shared creative time.

No prior experience with philosophy or poetry is needed – just a bit of curiosity and a love of language.

All activities and readings will be in English – no French required!
Come and let yourself be inspired by the philosopher of the four elements, and leave with your own crafted poem and the memory of a warm, playful encounter with imagination and words.

Spots are limited – feel free to RSVP or come early to grab a seat!

Yesterday, we had our final gathering of the season, exploring Gaston Bachelard’s fabulous philosophy of poetry.

As a conclusion to his work on the poetics of the elements—and a transition toward his reflections on the poetics of space—we grounded our writing in the chapter “The House of Our Birth and the Oneiric House” from The Earth and Reveries of Repose.

It was one of my favourite sessions, with participants deeply moved by the theme of home, especially in a city like Ōtautahi.

I’m looking forward to beginning our new cycle this Spring, centred on Bachelard’s best-seller The Poetics of Space.

We had the joy of welcoming a new gifted participant to our philosophy/poetry group tonight! His name is Harley Bell. He teaches creative writing and it’s been both humbling and inspiring to have him in the group. He even delivered targeted feedback to one of us - who had specifically requested it. No one here receives feedback that they have not explicitly asked for! But I really appreciated the way he did it - it resonated very well with Bachelard’s idea that “To revive a language by creating new images—this is the function of literature and poetry.”

Together during this session, we explored how certain images of the earth can foster rest and even wrote a poem for our Friday meditation group—Earth’s Lullaby. We also created another piece inspired by more dynamic and stimulating earthy objects.

There is always an incredible creative atmosphere in these sessions—both nourishing and stimulating—offering a deep connection to oneself and others.

If you'd like to experience it for yourself, a few sessions remain this autumn:

March the 26th

April the 9th (with guest teacher Susannah Kenton)

April the 23rd

⏰ 6:30 PM