Archive for the 'Earth Spirituality' Category

Come, meet my new plant friends!

tammy April 1st, 2008

I’m excited to be participating for the first time in the herbal blog party this month, being hosted by Ananda at Plant Journeys.  This month’s topic is “Mythical plant personalities.”  Below is my contribution..

space

I’ve spent a great deal of time this last year trying to get to know the plants all around my house.  I want to know more than just what a book can tell me about their chemical make up, their botanical name, or how to use them for medicine or food.  No, that’s not enough.  I want to also know them as unique spirits.  My favorite herbalists, who often write about their own relationships with plants, assure me that plants do have unique personalities, and that they can communicate with us if we will learn how to listen to them.

So this past year I’ve been teaching myself to listen.   

Long walks, stepping gently.  Sitting in the grass, sitting in the forest, exchanging breaths.  Gentle touches.  Watching carefully.  Tuning into my heart, sending out love.  Responding with joy when they send some love back to me.  It’s all quite fulfilling.

The first plant to introduce herself to me was the Self-heal, last Fall.   I kept noticing it in passing, as I was rushing in or out of the house, off to that appointment or this errand. I kept saying I was going to look closer… just as soon as I could find the time.  When I finally did stop to pay attention the summer was gone and we were well into Fall, and the patch had nearly died back.  But there was this one beautiful stalk still flowering, thank goodness.  If there hadn’t been, I’m not sure I would have been able to identify her.

I sat with her and thumbed through my field guide until I found out her name.  I carefully examined the beautiful crown of flowers she wore, and was struck by how it seemed to want to sing, yet could not make a noise.  I almost thought if I could just listen a little bit closer I would actually hear the sounds.  It reminded me of myself and my painful shyness, and how difficult it often is for me to shout out my song, my truth.  I knew that there was much this plant could teach me. 

This interaction was so much different from all the times I had read my favorite herbalist’s account of a plant, and then gone out to find it and use it in the ways they had described.  No, in this case the Self-heal reached out to me, and not the other way around.  It spoke its truth to me directly.  I understood at least part of its medicine through my heart.

That was my first encounter with a plant spirit but since then I’ve met lots of other plants and began to get a taste of just how unique and varied their personalities can be.  After two years of sharing the same ecosystem, I sense that they are all finally getting used to me around here, and they convey themselves to me more and more often.  I am even beginning to discover certain “neighborhoods” around my land, each having a distinctly different energy. 

The young saplings in the forest on one side of the meadow are very playful.  Last week I was walking there where I discovered an evergreen plant growing at the base of many of the trees – the Spotted Pipsissewa, Chimaphila maculata (more on that soon!).  I bent down to examine it more closely and snap a photo.  Then when I stood up, the spindly branches of a skinny young tree caught in my hair and gently raked its boney fingers through, caressing my scalp as it moved along my head.  I had the distinct impression that the tree was intentionally petting me! 

When I stood up and looked around, still amazed and slightly awed at having been petted by a tree, the young Beeches nearby appeared to be giggling!  Every one of the faded dry leaves still clinging to their branches from last season were trembling and wiggling as if the tree was hopelessly caught in a fit of shaking laughter.  I couldn’t help but laugh myself.  It was a very joyful moment.

But on the other side of the meadow, the forest is ruled by a very wise and commanding Oak.  The moment you step among the trees the feeling of being in a sacred space is palpable.  There is no leaf litter in this neighborhood.  Only many ancient layers of spongy, peaty soil.  There is no sound when you walk.  The air is cool and permeating.  The holy silence is audible.  The Oak in the center is easily two of my arm spans in width. As soon as I saw it I was filled with pure awe. I walked up to it and put my arms around it as far as I could.  I felt loved and protected.  I just leaned into it and let the raw strength flow into me.  It seemed I was in the presence of a fearsome, yet gentle and wise, lover. My heart grew at least two sizes during that embrace. 

And then there’s the Poke that keeps showing up at my door.  Literally, it grew right by the front door last year, so that the storm door would knock into it every time we opened it.  My husband kept pulling it down, and it just kept growing back.  I find this plant the most intriquing yet, a little sharp around the edges and a bit of dark mystery and danger there.  It seems a little harder to get to know, not quite as friendly as the others so far, but I’m definitely drawn to it.  I think it, too, has much to teach me, so I’ll be spending a lot of time with it this year.  

I’ll keep you posted on the lessons it shares, as well as probably introducing many, many new plant friends during this growing season.  Stay tuned!

Time to wake up the Spring Fairies!!

tammy January 31st, 2008

Is it just me, or have we had enough winter already? January and February can be so looong! I’m definitely welcoming Imbolc, the mid-winter holiday that looks eagerly forward to Spring.

This celebration is not a well-known holiday, at least it wasn’t for me until recently, but I have definitely come to embrace it as my own. For me, it is a time to renew my sure hope that Spring is coming very soon, and these short, dreary, cold days will be behind us.

I think Imbolc comes at the perfect time, around February 1st or 2nd, depending on which tradition you follow, which is right between the two dreariest months of the year. It is also halfway between the winter solstice (~December 20, shortest day of the year) and the spring equinox (~March 20). It’s a time to remember that the sun is surely returning to us to spread its life giving warmth throughout the land once again!! Read more about Imbolc and the different ways to celebrate here.

This eagerness for Spring is marked in many different ways across different cultures. I am most familiar with Groundhog Day, which tries to predict how much more winter we can expect depending on whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not. But observing groundhogs seems less than exciting to me, and really not a fitting celebration for something so magnificent as the return of Spring.

Instead, here is a sparkling, magical way to celebrate that I plan to implement this year: I am going to make magic wands with my grandchildren that we will then use to take around the yard and wake up all the spring fairies and sleeping vegetation. (This idea was posted on a group forum that I read, and the source was unknown)

Magic Wands to Wake Up Spring

For this fun activity, each person makes a magic wand from straight sticks found in the forest outside, and then we glue or tie on a variety of decorations, such as streamers, sparkles, jingle bells. The crowning jewel of the wand can be an acorn.

Waking up the Spring Fairies

Avery, Kelsea, & Shaun
off to wake up Spring

Then everybody takes their wand and we go all around the yard and through the forests and into the meadow, tapping the trees and plants, shaking our jingly magic wand, and say “Wake up, wake up from Winter’s sleep!” The Spring fairies will hear us and wake up also, then they will sprinkle magic fairy dust all through the land.

Then in a few weeks we will begin to see purple and yellow flowers poking curious heads through the ground. The trees will swell with cotton candy blossoms. The whole world will turn the softest shade of green.

Spring WILL return!! I can’t wait!

A Rain Myth

tammy October 24th, 2007

It is a gray rainy day today. Hurray! We need the water desperately.

Driving my four year old grandson to school this morning, he and I had a nice conversation about the rain and the way it fits into our lives. Here’s a new myth for you.

He first asked all the typical questions, along with some not so typical ones. Why does it rain? How does the water get in the clouds? Will the trees and flowers die without water? Will Mother Earth be thirsty if it doesn’t rain? How does Mother Earth drink the water? When it thunders is Father Sky bowling? Why does he do that?

After a whole slew of questions and me explaining and interweaving as best I could the science and the myth, he grew quiet, his brows knitted together, thinking hard. Gradually, his expression turned to one of disgust.

“Mimi, is Father Sky peeing on us???”

Then he decided that was the funniest thing he had ever heard and started giggling uncontrollably.

Don’t you just love kids?!

Why I brew my herbals for six weeks

tammy October 11th, 2007

Most of my honeys, vinegars, oils, and tinctures are brewed for at least six weeks. I was taught to do it this way by Susun Weed, my first herbal teacher, but it took a while before I understood why. Other herbalists frequently suggest only a couple weeks brewing time. And I have even read many that recommend making infused oil by heating it with the herb for only a few hours before straining it and bottling it for use.

So why then, when there are other less time intensive ways that many use successfully, do I continue to use the six week method? Well, it’s about aligning the subtle energy of the earth’s and the moon’s cycles with my medicines, which I have come to believe makes them more potent.

The moon has a powerful effect on the cycles of Earth and her population. An obvious example is the moon’s influence on the ocean tides. It moves billions of gallons of water on the Earth’s surface by simply moving past — that seems pretty powerful to me!

There is also evidence that the ebb and flow of the female menstrual cycle is similarly influenced by the moon. Before the advent of all the modern technology, the moon was the primary menstrual regulator for women. Women generally ovulated and gave birth on the full moon, and bled on the new (dark) moon.

I’m sure there are many, many other biorhythms on the earth that are also affected. Brewing medicines for six weeks is believed by many to infuse them with the energetic power of the lunar cycle.

For medicine making you would ideally start your medicine on a new (dark) moon, and then let it brew through two full moons, straining and bottling it on the second. This whole process takes exactly six weeks to accomplish.

It is believed that as the moon moves into fullness over the first two weeks, then ebbs back into darkness over the second two weeks, then moves once again into fullness over the final two weeks, it is simultaneously harmonizing and drawing subtle energetic qualities from the plant into your alcohol, oil, vinegar, or honey. (Some medicines are better if brewed even longer)

Ever sat in front of the ocean and watched and listened as the waves ebb and flow and experienced the tremendously soothing and rejuvenating harmony of this rhythm? This is the same energy you want to capture in your medicines. Powerful healing energy.

Smudging, an herbal remedy for the spirit

tammy September 30th, 2007

Smudging is the ancient practice of burning aromatic herbs to produce a smoke that many believe has spiritually healing and cleansing properties.  In one form or another smudging has been a part of most religious traditions of the world since their beginning. 

Many people are familiar with incense and candles being used during certain church ceremonies, and also have at least a vague recognition of the shamanic healers of Native American and other indigenous cultures burning herbs during spiritual ceremonies. But even apart from these formal religious and spiritual contexts, almost everyone has used decorative and fragrant candles or various forms of incense in their own homes at one time or another. 

A group of candles around the bathtub or at the dinner table creates an instant relaxing mood in the room.  A simmering pot of apple and cinnamon potpourri communicates comfort and welcome to anyone crossing your threshold.  Pine scented candles burned during the winter holidays creates an instant festive atmosphere. 

Smudging is simply an extension of these familiar practices, one that adds an intentional spiritual dimension, all within the protective walls of your own home instead of in a church or other group spiritual gathering. 

Instead of an herbal remedy for the body, smudging can be thought of as an herbal remedy for the spirit.

As Jane Alexander, author of The Smudging & Blessings Book, writes, “Homes and bodies are not just made of purely physical matter; they also vibrate with quiet, invisible energy.  Cleansing a space or our bodies with techniques such as smudging clears away all the emotional and psychic ‘garbage’ that may have gathered over the years…”

How to make a Sage smudge stick

Sage smudging is said to banish negative energy, clear the mind, assist in healing, and carry your prayers to the Great Spirit.  Many varieties of Sage are used in smudge sticks, but common garden sage (culinary sage) works just as well as any of them, as does most any aromatic herb.  

To make a smudge stick you will need cotton string and stalks of fresh garden sage cut to approximately equal height. Hold the stalks together in a bunch and begin wrapping them together from the top down with the string.  Wrap very tightly, as when the herb dries it will shrink and the string will become looser.  When you get to the bottom, tie off the end of the string and then hang the bundle upside down in a dry airy place in your home.


Sage Smudge Wand
Available at GardenPlum.com

How to use your smudge stick 

After the bundle has dried (usually several weeks) you can then use it for smudging.  To do so, light the end of the bundle and then blow out the flame so it produces smoke.  Move the stick so as to let the smoke flow over around that which you wish to clear of negative energy… a room, yourself, a loved one.   

Breathe it.  Feel it.  Be intentional.  Verbalize your purpose for the smudging. This ritual is most effective when you are in a quiet, reverent, and/or prayerful state. 

When you are done, extinquish the smoldering stick in water or sand.

Buying smudge sticks

If you do not have access to fresh growing sage, you can also buy pre-made smudge sticks.  They are often available from health food stores or other specialty shops that carry candles or incense.  There are also many online resources. 

I hope you will get a chance to experience the spiritually healing properties of Sage.  In my next post I want to tell you about a common weed from your yard that you can use to create a wonderfully healing ointment.  More on that next week… Green Blessings!

The Secret

tammy September 20th, 2007

I received this poem from a group list I am on and thought I would share it.  I thought it was beautiful… Enjoy!

The Secret

The Creator gathered all of Creation and said, “I want to hide something from the humans until they are ready for it. It is the realization that they create their own reality.”

The eagle said, “Give it to me, I will take it to the moon.”

The Creator said, “No. One day they will go there and find it.”

The salmon said, “I will bury it on the bottom of the ocean.”

“No. They will go there too.”

The buffalo said, “I will bury it on the Great Plains.”

The Creator said, “They will cut into the skin of the Earth and find it even there.”

Grandmother Mole, who lives in the breast of Mother Earth, and who has no physical eyes but sees with spiritual eyes, said, “Put it inside of them.”

And the Creator said, “It is done.”

~Author Unknown

Itty bitty tomato seeds

tammy March 10th, 2007

My lovely non-GMO, non-hybrid, organic seeds arrived in the mail yesterday!  Today I am planting the tomatoes in seed trays so I can get them started growing in a sunny window over the next few weeks.  The last frost should be in just about 3 or 4 weeks, so it won’t be long before I will be ready to set out seedlings in the garden.

As I go about the work of filling each container with soil, wetting them down, and impregnating each compartment with a tiny little pin head speck of a tomato ovum, it is hard for me to comprehend that this seed truly represents the promise of a full size juicy red beefsteak that will come to fruition in the proper time.

I know it does. The life cycle of plants has been ingrained in me since kindergarten.  How many times while I was coming up did I sprout a lima bean on a wet brown paper towel from the box near the classroom sink, or grow a marigold in styrofoam cup, or root a potato in a jar?

But oddly, sitting here sprinkling these feather light wisps into their tiny little nursery pods, I feel like I am truly beginning the lesson for the first time.  I sense myself involved in a very magical process, and I feel simply awestruck.

« Prev