Summer 2020 – Time for Yourself

Summer

Solstice has come and gone, and now the sunlight fades a little earlier each day. The Motherwort in my garden is spent, and the Monarda’s stunning purple falls away. In the rhythms of life, of the earth, summer brings us to the hot, bright spot on the wheel of the year, where Goldenrod, Poke and Sunflowers ready their buds in the heat.

Summer corresponds to other rhythms as well: Noon, and the full moon, when energies are high and dreams are born. This is the time of fullness, as the land brings crops and plants into readiness for a harvest to come — by us, and by birds and animals who already dine on the bounty of my juniper berries and hollyhock seeds. It is the time of high activity, creating, and exuberant life.

But what a different summer this is. There is a surreal overlay as the stress of uncertainty features in the ongoing days, and loss and the constant need for adjustment take their toll. How do we navigate the time before us? The same way humans have always navigated difficult changes in their circumstances. We will pause, and assess, and learn, and create new options. But now, in the middle of a global pandemic, on the edge of a longed-for social justice revolution, faced with mounting loss of loved ones, jobs and income, it feels as if the overwhelm may not end. In this moment, self care and compassion become the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Finding or creating time to feel safe, loved, and at peace is a critical strategy of self care. As you do this, aligning with Earth Rhythms and our common herbal allies are powerful gifts.

Ease

Faced with overwhelm, it’s important to first disconnect from the what’s causing it — even if just for a few minutes. This is like pulling away from a hot pan that you have touched. It removes the source of the damage, so the skin can cool, and heal. The healing is deeper if you will choose to:

- - Put the phone away
  - Give yourself permission to set aside all the worrying thoughts just for that time, and insist that they be still. (Tell yourself that you can come back to them, but this is your time to disengage.)
  - Give yourself completely to whatever you are doing.

Sunlight

Your body makes the critical hormone we call Vitamin D using sunlight. Without it, body repair slows down; and depression, lethargy and a sense of distress usually increase. Outside the summer is going on. What about taking some special time each day to ground, and root yourself deep into the earth? Morning is a great time, not long after you wake up. Energizing sunlight right then helps set the body’s rhythm for falling asleep at night. Just stand barefoot on the earth and see your energies going going, like roots, deeper and deeper into the earth’s core. Both the physical touch of feet on earth and the visualization are powerful.

And that bright noon sun! Try sitting or walking outdoors for at least 30 minutes between 11 AM and 1 PM each day. Breathe in the sunlight, and see it invigorating every cell in your body. Watch puffy clouds if you have them, and free yourself from everything external, to connect deeply with the world around you. It’s a meditation in itself, and so nourishing!

Herb Bathing

Take an old sock that it’s okay to stain, a large muslin bag, or a square foot of cotton, and fill it with an herb for a soothing bath. Tie it off in whatever way works, and set 1-2 quarts of water in a pan to boil. When the water comes to a boil, turn it off, and add the sock or bag full of herb. Poke it down with a chopstick to help it become saturated, put a lid on, and wait 30-40 minutes. In the meantime, draw a warm bath, and light a candle or two in the bath room, if you’d like. (Time it to be ready when your herbs are done.) When they have steeped, make sure your closure on the bag or sock is really tight, then pour the whole pan, herbs and all, into the bath water, and join them! Breathe deeply and enjoy the down time.

Herbs I love for this are Mugwort (cooling, so good if you’re hot natured, and can promote dreaming), Lavender buds or leaves (Ahhh, my favorite!), Rose buds, and Calendula. (If you have dried or fresh Calendula flowers you can just throw them loose in the tub, and watch them expand and drift, but you’ll need to skim them out with a big strainer before you pull the plug!)

Tea for One — A Ritual

This is a ritual of self care, that begins with connecting with a plant. Choose a tea for it’s aromatic, or enlivening, or soothing properties, and consider it for a moment. What draws you to the plant that this comes from? Boil some water in a pan or teapot, and select a lovely place to drink it where you will not be disturbed. That could be at the table, or on the porch, or on a blanket in the grass. Be inventive! Set your place with a teapot and cup; put tea in your vessel to steep, and pour the water when it’s ready, straining if needed.

Notice everything that you can about the tea: The warmth and smell of the steam, the initial color of the tea and how it changes, the smell of the herb. Enter a meditative space for 3-5 minutes while the tea steeps. Pour your tea, noticing it’s fragrance and color. Sip, and explore the taste. Is it bitter? Astringent? Tannic? Sweet? What else? Breathe deeply and let your thoughts be calm and flowing as you enjoy your tea and your sacred space.

My favorite uplifting teas for this are Black or Green tea with Clove, Orange Peel and Cardamom. (The spices are warming, so use less, or try honey instead if you are hot natured.) My favorite relaxing brews for this are Chamomile, Linden, Hawthorn and Lavender.

Flow

When the nervous system is nourished and supple, it’s easier to flow with life. Some herbal allies have a gift for nourishing and soothing the nervous system from within. To make any of these herbal infusions, use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of herb* to a pint of water. Plan to let it steep for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. Several of these are really bitter (and that’s part of the medicine!), so adding honey or stevia is fine. As you drink them, be sure to tune in to their taste and energies.
* Exception: Marshmallow. Instructions are below.

1. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) An antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and gentle calming herb. Also a digestive bitter, so it’s great if anxiety unsettles the stomach. Try a strong pint, divided into 3 doses 20 minutes before meals during the day for daytime calm and to sleep easier at night.

2. Linden (Tilia europea) I love this herb! A lovely ally when the stomach is nervous, blood pressure goes up from anxiety, and overwhelm creeps in. It can ease grief, and relieve heart inflammation. I make a strong infusion to drink on many days, and use it as a weaker tea for my tea ritual (above) just so I can just smell it. I’m convinced this is one of the gifts of the fey to us for times of change.

3. Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) Such a soother! It is demulcent, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and more. When we become dried out from summer heat, so does our nervous system. Drinking a demulcent tea on a regular basis can bring flow, and counter depression and sleeplessness. This one is easiest to make: stir a 1/2 teaspoon powdered herb into a pint of filtered water at room temperature. Let it sit for 4-8 hours, strain, and drink all day as a beverage. It will have a slightly thick consistency, and you want that! You can even leave the powder in the jar and stir it well before you drink. Did I mention? — It’s a nutritive tonic, as well.

4. Oats (Avena sativa) This is a nervine tonic, and considered a longevity drink in the Ayurvedic tradition. Drink a pint of strong infusion a day as a beverage for as long as you want, to add a soothing flow to nerve energy. It’s B-vitamins, minerals and saponins are wonderful nourishment for the nervous system.

5. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) A supreme nervine tonic, that imparts a regenerative effect. It is notably calming, and perfect to use before doing any of the other interventions above. You can use the 1/4 cup amount long term for extended nervous tension and nervous exhaustion during the day, and benefit from easier sleep at night. Reduce to 2-3 Tbs if 1/4 cup makes you sleepy.
“Side-Flowered Skullcap” by pchgorman is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

This time calls to us to bring our gifts of creativity and love to the front, to heal what can be healed for ourselves, each other, and the planet. It is the Change Time, and our gifts are needed. Our Allies are here for us, and we can be here for the world, if we give ourselves the care we need to nurture strength and resilience. May this sharing help you thrive, and may you be well. — Joan

Joan is offering support online at reduced rates for those who want help navigating the stress of these times. Contact her here for a free phone consultation to learn more.

If you would like to learn more about herbal lifestyles and reweaving your connections with earth rhythms, click here to visit Joan’s events page, and be sure to sign up for her newsletter.
She will be adding virtual events soon,
and any delays or cancellations in previously scheduled events
will be noted as they occur.

You can follow her on facebook here.

May 20, 2020May 21, 2020

Resilience

This is a tender time, as we confront loss of what once seemed stable. Loved ones, jobs, and a way of life once taken for granted all feel threatened by something so small it cannot be seen with an ordinary microscope. Yet outside, spring is unfolding in all her glory, reminding us that life is greater than our own changes, and will continue past this time that feels very big to us right now. It is worth remembering too, that the plants know how to navigate change, and we can learn a lot from them about resilience, by sitting with them, and observing how they react to their world. Just doing that eases stress and fosters resilience.

Finding Resilience

Resilience is said to be the ability of a system or a person to withstand and adapt to shock, sudden change or adversity. On a personal level it begins in the mind, heart and spirit. It comes from confronting life honestly, separating what we have control over from what we do not (I make a list on paper, for clarity); caring for the need of the moment and providing for the next need to follow, with whatever is at hand.

There is an opportunity in this time of transition, to consider what we might not want to resume as the new normal emerges, and what we want to co-create instead as we all adapt to this change. In making decisions as we adapt, our intuitive heart can help us be in our center as we quietly connect with it; and being in nature offers grounding and perspective. Herbal allies can nourish the heart and nervous system, as we adapt to changing circumstances. Many of these are soothing to spirit as well as body. A few of my favorites are…

Three mints and a rose:

**Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis).**

It is a member of the mint family, that comes to us from southern Europe. Its name Melissa comes from the Greek for “bee”. (Bees love it!) Calming, Mildly sedative and antidepressive — what’s not to love! It has been naturalized here for a long time, and is a favorite for its soft energy, strong presence, and delicate fragrance. Avicenna, a middle eastern herbalist who taught and practiced during the middle ages, recommended it to “make the heart merry”. It nourishes the nerves and has antiviral properties, making it a favorite in times of viral illness. Try a cup of relaxing lemon balm tea as you stop the clock to unwind; or snip fresh leaves into a salad for added flavor and an uplifting treat for your spirit.

**Rosemary (Salvia rosemarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis).**

This heady, aromatic mint is so easy to benefit from. Just breathe it’s uplifting scent for a boost to the emotions and nervous system! Or put it in your food for a little warming-bitter flavor to aid digestion, and lift your spirits as well. This is an herb I use often for those dealing with grief. If that is so for you, try sitting near a live Rosemary as you sort out what you are feeling, and bask for a little while in its unconditional acceptance. Rosemary is warming, so go easy in the summer if you’re a hot constitution, but it’s also a diaphoretic, and can cool you through sweating. This herb is considered a “blood mover”, so check with your care provider before using in medicinal amounts, if you are pregnant.

**Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora).**

Another “magic mint”, nervine and relaxant. Skullcap is one of my frequent go-tos when stress keeps a person in a state of anxiety that they cannot come down from. Tincture or tea will work, though the tea actually seems stronger to me. The trick with skullcap for high stress times, is to use smaller amounts, but more often. This acts as a tonic restorative for the nervous system, fostering relaxation without heavy sedation, so it can be used in the day time. A tea, as under “To Imbibe” below (it’s bitter — honey is fine), or about 10 drops of tincture, three times a day for either, is a good place to start.

**Hawthorn berry, leaf and flower (Crataegus spp.).**

This tree in the rose family is often planted as a border in hedgerows, and guards the edges of roads or where forest meets prairie. Hawthorn is a lovely herb that both protects and heals the heart (verified through much scientific study!), is also antioxidant, and can lower blood pressure over time. It soothes the inner, or spiritual heart as well, making it easier to settle into your intuitive center. I use the powdered berries in an almond milk smoothie as a daily treat, and sip a tea of the leaf and flower before meditating, or connecting with the natural world.

To Imbibe

Unless you prefer taking in a tincture as I suggested for Skullcap, pour one cup boiling water over 1-3 teaspoons of dried Lemon Balm or Hawthorn — or only 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Rosemary or Skullcap — in your favorite teapot. (Experiment with larger amounts for fresh herb). Steep for about 20 minutes, and sip. Rosemary and Skullcap are bitter, and that’s part of their medicine. If you drink them about 20 minutes before a meal, they will help your digestion as an added benefit. Adding honey is fine. Or… You can dilute them in smoothies if you’d like. If you are pregnant, avoid Rosemary except in in small amounts on food, unless your care provider says it’s okay.

Herbs can support you as you seek a state of ease, so you can sort out where you are going. Any or all of the herbs listed here are friends in times of change, and I leave you in good hands with them, as you go forward. Until next time, I wish you wonder as you sit in green spaces, drawing on your wisdom in the company of the plants.

If you would like to learn more about herbal lifestyles and reweaving your connections with earth rhythms, click here to visit Joan’s events page,
and be sure to sign up for her newsletter.
She will be adding virtual events soon,
and any delays or cancellations in previously scheduled events
will be noted as they occur.

You can follow her on facebook here.

December 22, 2019January 3, 2020

Connecting with the Gifts of Winter

Part of the call to return to the way of herbs is, for most of us, an underlying longing to reconnect with the Earth, her cycles, and her life. One way we honor that call is to participate in the gifts each season beckons us to receive, as the wheel turns, each time. In our culture that has become so Yang, so overactive and doing, the gift of being often goes unseen.

Into Darkness

Winter reaches out to us with gifts of quiet, darkness, stillness, and the chance for introspection. Just as the seed rests in the dark womb of Earth in winter, our own creativity is nourished in the heart of our stillness. Freed for a moment from planting, preparing, and harvesting, the ebb cycle of earth-life offers us a chance to to conserve our energy, and tend deeply to our non-physical being. At Winter Solstice I find myself reflecting on these gifts. There is a safety in withdrawing from busyness, and seeking our own center for renewal and regeneration. It is a place I always long for after the high activity of autumn.

A Winter Ally

As we enter our inner world, herbs can serve as allies to open the gateways of our spirits. These need not be exotic herbs. Some of our most powerful allies are well known plants that we have partnered with for millennia. One such ally is Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis, now named Salvia rosemarinus, a tender perennial evergreen where I live. Her warming, blood moving energy allows the peripheral parts of the body, out to the skin, to be vitalized and protected, as we sit in stillness. She is steadfast, with heart opening qualities that can help allay melancholy that sometimes arises during the inner work of clearing out the debris of an old year, to make room for the new. Her evergreen scent opens and clears our spaces, making room for new and brighter energies, calming the mind and emotions at the same time it lifts the spirits. Rosemary’s gift for aiding memory is real. It was known from ancient times as an herb to strengthen the mind, and now science has validated what healers of 2000 years ago knew. Moderate amounts used long term work well to support cerebral circulation and nourish the brain. It is a wonderful warming helper in the dark months, when the shorter days sometimes foster an inner gloom.

And Rosemary supports the heart. The heart has an abundance of neurons governing many tasks in the body, and it is clear from the work of the HeartMath Institute and others that the heart has an intelligence of its own¹. It processes external and internal information, and plays a role in intuition. I first learned of Rosemary’s gift for helping to heal the emotional and physical heart after a loss, when I sat with this plant friend for hours. It came clearly to my mind that I should take the leaves to help me ease my grief — and they did. It was not until months later, while researching, that I learned that Rosemary is indeed an herb that is considered healing to the heart in multiple dimensions.

The first and best way to use Rosemary is in food. If you are fortunate enough to have this herb in your garden, take snippets to use often in salads, soups, beans, and savory dishes with meat or fish. (Harvest with care in winter, as the plant is stressed from cold, and probably thirsty. Water is a good gift to return to it, in our dry winters.) Or perhaps you have dried rosemary, that you gathered when leaves were at their plumpest, when they drank in the summer summer sun. In addition to using on your food, try it dried as incense to clear the air of microorganisms and stale energies, or as a tea with a little honey before meals as a bitter.

Aligning with the Gifts

Now in winter, this evergreen friend calls to me. It is time to stop the clock, as even the sun seems to pause in it’s journey. Time to sip my tea and follow my breath, allowing my senses to quiet, as I sit in silence, to just be. Dark has come here, and I will settle in by my fire, embracing the gifts of winter; reaching out with my inner senses to my plants and garden in this season. And reaching inward to let my heart ponder what matters: What I will choose not to carry forward, and what to nourish in the light of the returning sun. Connecting to Earth and the season of Winter, the sharp evergreen scent of Rosemary reminds that though all may appear barren outside, life awaits beneath the surface, if we nurture what we wish to see grow.

1. https://www.heartmath.org/resources/videos/science-of-the-heart/

A Short Meditation

It is best to read these instruction through then set them aside. You will be sitting in the dark for a time. And of course you can adapt this any way that serves you.

You will need:
A form of Rosemary: dried, tea, tincture, oil or fresh leaf. Just a small amount is fine.
A candle and matches.
A comfortable place to sit where you won’t be disturbed for a few minutes.

1. Arrange the Rosemary, candle and matches where you can place your hands on them from your chair. Dim or turn off the lights, and sit comfortably.
Take a few deep breaths, allowing your thoughts and heart to slow.
Sip or nibble a bit of your Rosemary, connecting with the plant in your thoughts.
Notice the taste, the quality of any energy you can sense, and where you feel it in your body.
Breathe with that for a few minutes.

Now ask for her gifts of remembrance and heart support, and visualize your mind and heart receiving them.

2. Turning your attention to the darkness, sense it around you.
Notice how you feel about being in the dark, in stillness.
Is there anxiety? Restlessness? Peace? Ease? Calm? Or….?
Just observe without judgment, or trying to change anything, for a few minutes.

Let come into your mind something in your life or about yourself that you would like to release. It need not be from the recent year. Any unwanted emotion, habit, or concern — let it surface in the stillness.

Name it, saying, “[what you’re releasing] is lost to the night!” Repeat this three times with intention, feeling it release. See it gone, dissolving into the impartial darkness. Again, sip or nibble your rosemary, sensing her wholesome, evergreen scent, and energy of clearing.

3. Now light your candle, a symbol of light returning.
Sit for several minutes in silence, allowing thoughts to surface as they will.
In just allowing, you are sowing the seeds of creativity that your subconscious will integrate as gifts to you in the future.

If anything stands out that you want to take forward, write it down. If not, that’s okay too. There will be time to revisit this meditation throughout the winter if you choose, and as the light grows, you may find a growing connection with your herbal ally.

Connect with Joan at Events and Workshops

https://www.brightcircleherbcraft.com/events/