Lichenwood Rambles

The Wheel Turns and Brings the Old Round Right Again

The last day of September, 2017, and the most wonderful time of the year is upon us.  We have but a few short weeks to make our final harvests before we rest in the dark time. Nature is ever-changing and ever-renewing and I always look to Her for inspiration and guidance as I seek my own way to move down this pathway.

A nurturing rain is falling outside the office window that overlooks the gardens and the compost pile. I have been here in Maine for almost four years. Moving to this new iteration of home brought changes to my practice. I limited my teaching here to the flower essence practitioner program.  I see mostly flower essence clients now and a handful of herbal clients.

As time flows along, I find that I am drawn to work more intensely with the plants and the essences, as I once did before, in the first few years of this century, before I was actively teaching. To this end, I decided that I would discontinue teaching.  This came at a time when a full class of very worthy and students were at the ready to sign up for the 2018 class. This made for a difficult decision.  Even after publicly announcing my decision, I've had further inquiries that made me question my decision for an instant. The Universe is like that.  It enjoys testing you.

Many people have asked me who I recommend as a teacher on the topic of flower essences. That has been a very difficult to question to answer. Every potential teacher has something worthy to offer, yet there is really no particular teacher that I feel comfortable endorsing 100%.  No teacher other than Nature and the plants and your own inner wisdom can really provoke enough thought, energy, and depth.  I have suggested to all who ask to begin to engage in self study and to that end I am going to devote much of my blogging time (now that I have finally taken it up again!) to suggesting books and activities to enhance your experience with flower essences.

Let's begin with my top three inspirational books.  As the days grow shorter and the wild winds blow, cozy up to the fireside and read through these books.

Flower Essence Repertory by Kaminski and Katz

Flower Essences and Vibrational Healing by Gurudas

The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood

 

I plan to be back here on a regular basis to share my thoughts and insights. Keep learning, growing, thinking and walking down your own path of discovery!

Learning and Exploring

The bees are busy with their summer harvest.  Their instinct tells them how to gather and process the ingredients they need for their survival and luckily for us the byproducts of their work are the pollination that allows fruit to set and seeds to be created, and also the wonderful honey, wax, royal jelly, pollen and propolis.

Humans have their instinctual gathering skills also.  Long ago our ancestors were keenly attuned to the environment.  It was key to their survival.  There were no distractions from the sights, smells and vibrational awareness of each unique ecosystem.  Today humans rely less on themselves and more on television, radio, internet, and cell phone and they have given up their own empowerment for choice to corporations, supermarkets, big food, big pharma, and the list goes on.

You can reclaim your power by knowing and understanding the wild plants, the medicinal garden plants and flowers of your bioregion.  You can learn how to make better choices for your table by shopping local at your farmer's market and choosing ethically, organically raised fruits, vegetables meat and dairy.  You can also learn how to harvest your local plants and create your own medicines, medicinal extracts and oils, salves, lotions, and creams.  You can experience the transformational magick of flower essences to move forward on your path as you resolve old troublesome psychological and emotional issues.

All the particulars (dates, times, cost, etc.) for Lichenwood's 2012 Herbal Mentorship program and Flower Essence Practitioner Training have been posted at Lichenwood Herbals .  Each year the journey is exciting and rewarding for both the teacher and the students as we talk, learn, explore and grow in knowledge and experience.  You will have lots of hands-on experience in either program.  If you have been longing to know how to go forward on the path of herbalism or how to experience the vibrational healing of flowers, consider gifting yourself with either or both of these programs.  

Student groups are often an eclectic mix, from the complete plant world novice, to graduates of other programs who are eager to hone their skills under guidance.  Payment plans are always an option. Please contact me at [email protected] with all your questions.  I would like to invite you for a visit to Lichenwood so that you can decide if either of these programs is right for you in 2012.

 

Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference

Last December I took a leap of faith and registered for the first ever Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference.  There were so many practical reasons not to make this commitment:  Would I generate enough money with my business to pay all the expenses associated with travel?  Could I overcome my fear of flying?  Could this pampered woman who sleeps in a cushy bed with a big down pillow adjust to conference style accommodations at the Ghost Ranch?  I could go on and on with all the cautions that came to my mind.  Happily my desire to be part of a conference that celebrated Vitalism and included teachers that I have not had the opportunity to hear in person overcame my concerns.  I committed myself, I registered, and of course, the Universe provided me with sufficient work to meet all my needs including travel to the conference.

 Since I hadn't been on a plane in 25 years I was glad to have a traveling companion who knew the airport security drill.  Joyce Belcher of Herbs for Life was my guide through the current air travel regulations and just a wonderful overall travel buddy.  We had our own mini conference on the plane, exchanging all kinds of ideas, questions, and knowledge about the use of herbs for people and animals.  My fear of flying?  It was nonexistent.  I was looking out the window enjoying the view.  Flower essences are just amazing!  The blend I put together to address my specific fears worked beautifully! 

Arriving on Thursday in Albuquerque, we spent the afternoon in beautiful Santa Fe, resting from travel and enjoying a lovely meal served on a terrace.  How refreshing it is to the eye to view a completely different landscape and cityscape.  We continued our journey and arrived at the Ghost Ranch to register for our room in a charming little adobe casita where we had our bedroom and bath.

 It was exciting for me to be present in an environment that is so different than my beloved New England.  The colors, the lack of humidity, and so many plants that I did not know left me feeling like a stranger in a captivating new land.

 
The new physical vistas were a taste of things to come once I began to meet and interact with the beautiful students and teachers of this conference.  I am not a conference person.  I don't like the confinement of crowds, or the distance I've felt at other gatherings between students and teachers.  I usually end up just buying the lecture CDs and skipping the social piece of conferences that sometimes feels uncomfortable and stilted to me.   My first social interaction at the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference?  A warm welcoming hug from Kiva Rose who recognized me immediately from Facebook!  I found all the teachers to be just as approachable, connecting from a deep heart space with the students, sharing their passion for plants and healing.  It was REAL.  It was VITAL.  I have rarely felt so connected during a group event since the 60's and early 70's.  

 I took away so much from this conference.  It was not just the lectures and wisdom shared.  The passion for life and the commitment to follow that passion to learn, share, and serve the community and the Earth was a primary message that I received.  

How nurtured and re-energized I feel!  I have made a few changes since I returned home eliminating some meaningless activities from my life and making more time for things I am passionate about.  I have been on this path for awhile, but my experience at this high vibration conference has infused me with joy and purpose.  Many thanks to Kiva and Wolf for organizing the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference.  I look forward to another rendezvous in 2011!  Read Kiva's blog post about all the wonderful plans for next year! 

Neighbors

Yesterday it was finally cool enough to take a long walk down the dirt roads and shady trails of Lichenwood to check on my green neighbors.  My rambles are unplanned.  I feel the pull of energy to go in one direction or another and there I proceed.  The plants call me forward and onward, beckoning me to visit with them.

I cannot even leave the driveway without stopping to admire the fat berries of Aralia hispida, or Hairy Sarsaparilla.  I will pull these roots in the Autumn to make diuretic medicine for ascites.

Blackberries at the head of the drive are just beginning to ripen.  There should be plenty of them for making cordial to honor the goddess Brighid.

There is a thriving colony of Agrimony by the old barn.  Above you can appreciate the overall form and gesture of the plant, while below, a close up of the flower draws the mind and heart deeper for a true communion.

 

People needing Agrimony flower essence present a cheerful face to the world despite inner turmoil. They may mask their inner pain with drugs, alcohol, or food. They are in a state of denial. It is necessary to face the hidden pain in order to heal.  May the inner light of this flower reveal to these seekers the source of their discomfort.

My new camera is equipped with macro zoom capability.  Using this feature reveals the delicate beauty of this Rosaceae family member Spirea alba, or what we in New England call Meadowsweet.  It has a much softer presentation than it's near neighbor/relative Spirea tomentosa, below.

Early on in my walk I was called by Indian Pipe, so I left the light filled corridors of the country dirt road and ventured into the dark interior of the Hemlock Forest.  Last year I went purposefully to this same location with the intention of harvesting Monotropa uniflora.  Not one plant did I see last summer in this location.  I saw plenty of this tribe in spaces where I had no business harvesting.  I gave up my quest and accepted the gift of extract prepared after a sacred harvest from my friend, Deb Mercier of Greenwood Herbals .  Now the Indian Pipe will allow me to see and interact with them.  I am not to harvest them here.  At least for now.

 

 

In this part of the forest lies the Coyote clan's killing field.  I consistently find the bones of deer in this space, a Saturnian reminder of the cycle of all life.

Leaving the cool of the Hemlock forest, I passed by human neighbor Phil's house and was treated to a display of Chicory in flower.  I was especially happy to see this because Phil has in the past cut down these azure beauties in the name of tidiness.  At least I got to see and enjoy them this year.

  

Later in the day I visited the Northwood Farmer's Market to pick up some fresh organic free range chicken from Hayward Farms.  After nearly three years of living in Barrington, I was approached by someone who identified himself as my next door neighbor!  Mike, it turns out, lives the next driveway down from me.  We have a lot in common.  We were both attuned to Reiki by the same Master.  He loves the solitude and natural surroundings we are blessed with, and he shared with me that he recently saw quite a large bear roaming at night near the mailboxes at the end of the road!  

It is a gradual process to meet your country neighbors.  Gradually, I am meeting everyone, human, animal, vegetable, and mineral.  We meet each other in our time, whenever it is right, all along knowing that we are connected whether we have direct acquaintanceship or not.

 

 
      

Miracles

Spring is a season of miracles.  Twelve years ago at the Spring Equinox I was beginning my journey with cancer.  First, I had to fight with doctors to even be examined.  I was told to simply go home and learn to live with symptoms that I knew were not normal.  Herbal medicine would have healed me if that were so.  When symptoms didn’t diminish I knew I was in trouble.  Eventually I asked my husband to take me to the ER where I forced the issue.  All that happened in the months that followed is a story for another day.  The short version is that I was eventually diagnosed with a rare aggressive sarcoma and had surgery to remove my uterus, ovaries, and 19 lymph nodes.  

My prognosis was dire.  There was no protocol for this kind of cancer.  I am grateful for that because I didn’t have to fight so hard to limit conventional treatments.  I had one devastating radiation treatment.  Although that was rough to go through, I was comforted in dreamtime by a long time spirit guide who told me not to be afraid, but to choose this particular form of radiation.  This took a great burden off me and allowed me to go ahead.  All along the way the use of flower essences, herbs, Reiki and magick supported my healing.  I didn’t listen when the well meaning oncologist forbade me from using herbal medicine.  I healed quickly on the physical level.  Healing on the emotional, spiritual, and physical levels has been ongoing and is a part of my spiritual path in this lifetime.

My husband has been my close companion throughout my healing.  We have been together since we were 18 and 20 years old.  He has always been a perfect model of healthy living.  We have never worried about Daryl’s health, though he has always done his best to improve his health habits whenever we became aware of better ways of living.

Daryl’s history of adult onset allergic asthma had been just that- history.  He seemed to have healed that issue over time and hadn’t touched an inhaler in several years. 

On the day of the Spring Equinox it was warm and sunny.  We strolled around the yard examining the plants and shrubs, planning the gardens and other summer projects.  I was just in the last days of recovery from my first upper respiratory infection in 3 years, still a little tired, still coughing a little.  After lunch Daryl didn’t feel well.  His chest felt “weird”.  We both thought maybe he was catching my cold and that this would be something that could set off his asthma.  He managed to find a new inhaler, packed away in a box in the pantry.  After a few puffs he initially felt a tiny bit better.  Then he vomited.  He had no pain radiating down his arm.  The feelings in his chest were still consistent with bronchial issues.  Still, I didn’t like that he seemed in distress and asked if he would like to go to the ER.  I was shocked that he said yes.  In retrospect we are not sure why we thought to go to the ER.  The symptoms at this point were not drastic.  Daryl has no risk factors for heart disease- no high blood pressure, no family history of early cardiac disease, eats good organic food, doesn’t smoke, exercises, does Yoga.  We decided to drive 45 minutes to our preferred hospital where our PCP is located.

About 20 minutes into the journey it was obvious that Daryl was feeling worse. He continued to vomit and was agitated.   I told him that I was going to pull over and call 911.  He asked me to continue on a few minutes to the Safety Complex in Lee where EMTs could take a look at him and decide if he was in trouble.  This stop saved his life.

The police, fire fighters, and EMTs were amazing.  At this point I still thought it was likely asthma or an allergic reaction, although part of me must have known since I raced into the building calling for help, saying “My husband is exhibiting signs of a heart attack”.  They gave aspirin, put him on oxygen, took his blood pressure and pulse (162/92;81).  The ambulance rolled in and I reiterated our desire to go to Exeter Hospital as opposed to Dover or Portsmouth.  Daryl went on a stretcher in the back of the ambulance with 2 EMTs and I rode in the front with a very sweet young man who did his best to put me at ease.  I began to pray hard and continued calling on all our spiritual connections to protect Daryl as I had been since we left the house.  I called our son Kirk and asked him to call our daughter to meet us at the hospital.  

Upon arrival at the ER, the EMT took me aside and looked deeply into my eyes.  He let me know that they had done everything for Daryl in the ambulance that would have been done had we made it to the ER.  He told me that the EKG was consistent with a heart attack and that this EKG had been forwarded to the ER.  An angioplasty team was assembled and Daryl would be prepped and in the cardiac cath lab in minutes.  Within 20 minutes his artery was opened, blood flow was restored, and the delicate business of placing a stent was begun.  The placement of the stent took more than 2 hours.  

I waited with Kirk and Laurie, Hollynn and Jamie.  We got reports from various nurses over time, but of course it was hard to wait to see him and know that the procedure was complete.  The surgeon came in to explain what had happened.  I didn’t notice, but the kids were stunned at the amount of blood on the doctor’s pant leg.  I was focused on the doctor’s words.  The blockage was in the anterior left descending artery.  This kind of blockage is called “the widow maker” because the person feels fine, is asymptomatic, and then suddenly feels unwell and can experience sudden death.  There is a small window of opportunity to save someone who experiences this.  Tim Russert, the journalist and moderator of Meet the Press, died of such an event, sudden and decisive.

Everything that we did made a huge difference.  If we had hesitated in our decision to go to the ER, he would likely have died.  If we had called 911 from home, we most certainly would not have gone to Exeter, the only area hospital prepared to scramble an angioplasty team so quickly.  If we hadn’t pulled into the Lee Safety Complex, many life saving treatments would have been delayed.  

So now the recovery phase begins.  Daryl is expected to return to an active lifestyle.  He is on several pharmaceutical medications as the stent settles into his body.  This is hard for us to adjust to since we have been committed to herbal therapies over pharmaceuticals, but above all we are committed to rational decisions being made.  Heroic medicine was needed to save my husband’s life and I am very happy that it was available to us.  We will take things as they come, making changes and decisions along the way.  We will proceed as Daryl wishes to proceed because ultimately it is his life and his body.  We are extremely grateful.

As a couple we are now two walking miracles.  Two people who statistically shouldn’t be here, yet we are.  No human being is a statistic. Follow your instincts about your own health and insist on the care and response that you innately know are needed. Life and death are mysterious.  Love is all there is. Thank you for all the prayers and healing that are flowing our way.

 

Thoughts Become Things

February’s energy has accelerated the materialization of long held plans.  Much like the Red Lotus above, energies from primordial earth and water are transforming themselves into a beautiful reality. Both long term programs at Lichenwood will take place this year.  The Herbal Mentorship is almost full and the Flower Essence Intensives are filling up as well.  If you, or someone you know, are thinking of enrolling in either program, please contact me as soon as possible.  I invite you to come to Lichenwood for a visit.  This is the best way to find out if one of these programs is for you.  As always, the Universe attracts the right group of students to come together for an optimum experience.  

 HERBAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 2010

 Dates for this program are: Mondays from 9am-4pm, March 8 and 22, April 5 and 19, May 3 and 17, June 7 and 21, July 12 and 26, August 9 and 23, September 13 and 27, and October 4 and 18).

 There will be 112 total hours of instruction (16 meetings of 7 hours/meeting).  Lunches will be working lunches.  Please bring a bag lunch.  Be prepared to hike outdoors in all weather.  You are encouraged to bring an extra change of clothes.

 
 

This program is designed to introduce the student to the basics of herbal medicine. At the end of the program the student will know how to safely and respectfully wildcraft, grow, and preserve the herbal harvest. They will understand the basic functions of the systems of the body. They will be capable of using personally prepared herbal medicines to improve health and heal common ailments. They will be prepared to continue learning new herbal skills and build upon a strong foundation of herbal knowledge.  They will create their own materia medica.

Students will receive substantial handouts that create an herbal manual. They will receive a suggested reading list. They will have access to Lichenwood Herbals library and will be able to borrow some books, cd’s, dvd’s, cassette tapes, and VHS tapes.

 
  

During class students will make tinctures, infused oils, herbal vinegars and tonics, herbal syrups, capsules, lozenges, salves, creams and lotions, teas, compresses, poultices, and other products. Students are responsible for purchasing some materials and will receive a list of items to be purchased at least one week prior to class, however, most materials are provided.   The cost of this program is $1000.

 
 

FLOWER ESSENCE INTENSIVES FOR 2010

 

This group of 3 intensive weekends replaces the former Flower Essence Practitioner Program.  It will still be possible to obtain certification by attending each weekend, and completing additional requirements (see below class descriptions).  However, each weekend is designed to be a complete experience.  Past students may wish to attend one or more of the weekends for the fun, sharing, and review.  Weekends will include hands on experience and lecture, copious detailed handouts for your future reference, and a small set of 10 basic stock essences.  There will be a one hour break for lunch. 

 

Weekend One: Co-Creation 

May 15-16      9am- 4:30pm             $250 (includes all materials)

 

Co-creating with Nature

Genesa Crystals

Plant Spirit Connection

Mother/Stock/Dose

Methods of Preservation and Storage

Meditation with flower essences

Plant identification

Plant walk (rain or shine, dress accordingly- Natural bug repellant provided)

Doctrine of Signatures~ Twelve Windows of Plant Perception

Methods of essence selection

Suggestions for further reading

 

Flower Essence Kit: Green Bells of Ireland, Yarrow Synergy, Lady’s Mantle, Comfrey, Angelica, St. Johnswort, Bleeding Heart, Apple, Chamomile, Blackberry

 

Weekend Two: Dynamics of Flower Essence Therapy 

June 12-13; 9am-4:30pm                      $250 (includes all materials)

 

 

Patterns of Healing and Strategies for Therapy

People Who Do Not Heal

Flower Essences for Animals (guest teacher)

Flower Essences for Pregnancy and Birth

Flower Essences for Children

Flower Essences for the Death Transition

Flower Essences for Relationships

Flower Essences for Physical Issues

Flower Essences for Depression

 

Flower Essence Kit: Aspen through Blue Quartz, White Bleeding Heart, Nettles, Evening Primrose, Motherwort, Sunflower, Pokeweed, Black Pansy, Cosmos, Black Eyed Susan

 
 

Weekend Three: Advanced Techniques and the Practice of Flower Essence Therapy

 September 25-26      9am- 4:30pm               $250 (includes all materials)

 Ethics of Flower Essence Consultation

Client Intake

The Consult

Consulting from a distance

Client communication

Record Keeping

Grids

Adjunct therapies (Reiki, Chiropractic, Massage, Crystal therapy, Herbalism, Aromatherapy)

Environmental uses of Flower Essences

Amulets

Group work with a “real” client

 Flower Essence Kit: Calendula, Lady’s Slipper, Buttercup, Wormwood, Agrimony, Dandelion, Spicebush, Tomato, Yellow Hawkweed, Lobelia

 
 

The certification process will require the following additional work:

 One meeting of 4-7 hours in length, of one on one coaching and instruction, arranged at the mutual convenience of the student and instructor.  There is a charge of $50 for this additional meeting.  This will be a time to hone your skills in areas where you are weakest, or areas you want to explore in depth.  We might spend this time on plant identification, going over class material, co-creating essences, meditating, doing personal essence work/selection- anything goes. 

 Two case studies, following two clients (“willing victims”) through 3 rounds of flower essence therapy must be written up.  Detailed instructions for conducting and writing your case studies will be provided.

 A thoughtful and thorough plant study, including co-creation and testing of a flower essence, must be written.  Form for this work will be given and examples provided.

 Anyone who completes all three of the weekends will be eligible for a practitioner discount on essences.  This is a 25% discount off retail price.

 I do provide a suggested reading list.  I do not require that you purchase any materials.  You will receive handouts that are substantial enough to require a 3 ring binder.  You will receive 10 stock flower essences at each class.  You will create an essence or essence product in each class.

 ase call or email Christine Tolf to discuss details of either program and arrange to visit Lichenwood. 

603-664-3393     [email protected]   www.lichenwood.com  

Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference

Here's where I'll be in September!  Will I see you there?  

Avoiding the Post Holiday Immune System Crash

The sparkle and excitement of the Winter Holidays are over, gone with the strings of twinkling tree lights and aromatic greens that decked the halls.  Although we all proclaim to love the holidays, when they are officially done most of breathe a huge sigh of relief.  We have pushed ourselves about as far as we can go in terms of doing our part to make the season merry and bright.  We are exhausted.  We have had weeks of poor nutrition in the form of sugary treats and alcohol.  Our budgets and our patience have been stretched to the limit.  Our guard is down and opportunistic viruses or chronic diseases are able to take advantage.

There are so many things that herbs, essential oils, and flower essences can provide to help us through this post holiday let down and boost our immune systems to combat whatever viral marauder comes our way.  Here are some of my favorite ways to keep myself healthy during January and February.

 

Eat local, eat seasonal, and eat organic.  This will go a long way to keeping anyone healthy.  Traditional foods of autumn and winter make so much sense when you think about them.  Traditional methods of preservation such as pickling, fermentation, and jam and jelly making are brilliant means of saving the harvest in such a way that the healthful elements are retained.  During winter if we are active we can stand a little extra sweetness, a slice of pie brimming with blueberries (frozen berries actually are better here since freezing breaks down cell walls and allows you to access nutrients more efficiently) high in antioxidants or pumpkin with its beta carotene.  We’ll use the calories chopping wood or shoveling snow.

 

 

Roasted organic root vegetables are a delicious way of adding nutrition as are soups and stews. Don’t forget to add some Astragalus root to your soups as you prepare them.  You can remove the woody pieces before serving and they will have lent their immune boosting properties to the broth.  Likewise, Garlic, Thyme, Oregano and many common kitchen herbs have great healing to offer.

Root tonics made by chopping up the roots of fall dug Burdock, Dandelion, Yellow Dock, and Wild Sarsparilla are an old time remedy for delivering minerals to the body.  Cover your chopped fresh roots with organic Apple cider vinegar and let the whole concoction steep for several weeks.  Then take a big ole spoonful every morning.  Definitely good for what ails you!

Take Elderberry syrups, elixirs, or tinctures at the first hint of a cold or flu.  Elderberry has been a traditional flu remedy and modern studies support the idea that Elderberry stops the influenza virus in its early stages.  This remedy is simple, inexpensive, delicious, and suitable for all ages.

 

Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with flower essences (St. Johnswort, Water Hyacinth, and Witch Hazel are good possibilities) and nervine herbs (including St. Johnswort), along with exposure to sunlight as much as possible. 

 

Realize that abrupt changes in body temperature cause big energy loss and compromise immunity.  Don’t get a chill.  Stay bundled up and keep your feet dry.  Your mother was right about many things!

 

If you do get sick, REST!  Our society does not support rest as an acceptable method of healing colds and flu, but it is an important part of healing with the added benefit that if you are at home resting, you are not out and about spreading the germs around.  Sick days are not to be saved for added vacation.  If you are fortunate enough to have sick days at work, use them to heal. 

 

As I write this, the second ice storm of the season is transforming the landscape.  I’m warm by the fire with a nice mug of Rosehip and Lemon Balm tea.  The ideas I’ve shared today are just a hint of what I share in my educational programs.  If you think you’d like to know more about the Herbal Mentorship or the Flower Essence Practitioner Training, so that you can be more empowered to care for yourself and your family, please visit my website: www.lichenwood.comto explore these opportunities. 

Green Spirits of Old Canaan

This beautiful colony of Agrimony lives along the shady roadway on Old Canaan.  The first time I met this plant spirit was under the old Apple tree in First Field.  Later, I visited it along an old woods trail.  This group of plants that lives just down the road from me is spectacularly healthy and vigorous and just coming into bloom.

Later these flowers will give way to small burrs that have earned this plant spirit the nickname "Sticklewort".  Matt Wood has written a thorough portrait of Agrimony's herbal and flower essence uses in The Book of Herbal Wisdom.  He refers to Agrimony as the "caught in a bind" remedy that helps us deal with unbearable tension.  People needing Agrimony present a cheerful face to the world despite inner turmoil.  They may mask their inner pain with drugs, alcohol, or food.  They are in a state of denial.  It is necessary to face the hidden pain in order to heal.

Quite near the Agrimony tribe lives a magickal community of Enchanter's Nightshade plants.  You must look carefully to see the small blooms, lunar white (fading to a faint pink), two petaled, each split in two, along the spike of the plant that tops out at your mid calf.  A Saturn-ruled perennial that spreads through underground, runners, it is also called Sorcerer of Paris, Witch's Grass, Great Witch Herb, Wood Magic Herb, Paris Nightshade, and Herb of St. Etienne.
Named for the powerful enchantress, Circe, of Greek legend, the plant seems inconspicuous in the shady tangle of understory plants, but beware, the small seed pods become burs which will stick to your clothing and travel home with you. 

Circe was both a sorceress of the dark arts and a powerful healer of the deepest emotional traumas.  She used her considerable skills in herbcraft and magick to purify and transform.  Supplicants often came to the her island to beg help from this powerful seer and healer.  Circe is credited with cleansing the souls of Jason and Medea who were guilty of the murder of Medea’s brother, Apsyrtus.

This tiny flower offers us this gift of moving through the light and dark, using our own magick and power with confidence.  Enchanter’s Nightshade awakens us to the magickal nature of both light and darkwithin ourselves and in Nature.  The flower essence can be of help with shadow work, helping us to realize the power of our shadow selves.

The deep cut which divides the upper and lower petals nearly in two, is emblematic of the division of inner soul consciousness of higher and lower self.  It represents the polarity of positive and negative, light and dark, male and female, immanence and transcendence.  The flower essence helps us move through fear toward a balanced use of our own powers for the good of all with harm to none.  A confidence is imparted that gifts us with the ability to open ourselves to our own magickal strengths and talents.   We are cleansed, healed, and transformed.
Astrologically, this flower essence is connected to the Autumn Equinox.

 

Flowing with the River of Transformative Energy

Spruce Brook sparkles in the sun and heat as it flows through the woods and fields of my new home.  As we approach the full moon, I am vividly recalling this time last year.  I had no idea what the Universe had planned for me or what miraculous gifts would be offered.

Last July as the Full Hay Moon was waxing, I knew that serious changes needed to be made in my life.  I thought the main thing I needed to do was lose some weight in order to better my health prospects.  I felt good, but I was on meds for blood pressure and my sugar was alarmingly high along with cholesterol numbers that were out of whack.  Getting on a program was easy.  I signed myself up for Weight Watchers online program.  That took care of the mundane portion of my proposed transformation, but the magickal part took some thought and preparation.

I began to imagine an amulet that could aid me in completely transforming myself.  Well, you know what they say: “be careful what you wish for”.  I was indeed careful.  I took time to contemplate the flower essences or gemstones that would most be in synch with my desires.  At night I dreamed a powerful dream.  I met a plant that likely does not exist on the Earth plane and received instruction from a glowing spirit form on how to prepare my amulet and create essence from this particular plant.  I was told to wait until “Monday when the moon is full”.  This worked well with my intentions since the Monday of the Full Hay Moon actually placed the moon in the beginning phase of waning- perfect for ridding myself of that which I no longer needed. 

This also gave me time to plan the other pieces of the amulet making process.  Over the next days I got clear messages about the other components of the amulet.  In this entry from last year I describe awakening to the idea of including Werewolf Root flower essence in the amulet.  A pearl from my original wedding ring was also placed inside.  Pearls are also emblematic of transformation.

During ritual for the Full Hay Moon, as it was still waxing, I called to the spirit of the mysterious plant that I had met in my dream.  I drew a picture of it and placed it under the altar paten upon which I had placed my favorite flower essence co-creation vessel.  In this way I was able to capture the essence of that beautiful plant being from another dimension.  The amulet itself was put together as the spirit had instructed on the following day, Monday “when the moon is full”.

Consulting astrology charts for that day showed the moon was falling on my Sun/Jupiter conjunction in the 8th house of transformation.  There truly could not have been a more favorable time for this work to happen.

So, I had my amulet and I wore it daily.  I began to lose weight and was pleased.  However, there was much more in my life that would be transformed, and I do believe that the amulet served as a catalyst to activate some amazing possibilities, transforming them into wonderful manifestations of positive change, personal growth, and endless possibility.

In this one year I have lost 40 pounds.  My husband and I very unexpectedly found the home of our wildest dreams and decided to move. 

By accident, while surfing the net for ideas on garages and barns, Daryl found a house he thought I might like.  I thought he was crazy.  It was brand new, huge, fulfilling every pipe dream I’d ever had about a luxurious yet energy efficient home, private, nestled in the heart of Nature.  I agreed to look at the house and set a line of dominos in free fall motion.  We looked at the house in early October and moved in on December 1st.  I am still not completely clear on how everything happened.  We listed the Durham property at the absolute “worst” time possible, the holiday season.  Immediately there was an inquiry and I KNEW it was the buyer and told my agent so.  Though it took time for the offer to manifest, it was indeed the person who made the initial inquiry back in December who closed on the property in late May.

There were times of fear and nervousness.  Owning two homes is not easy in any way, especially in a winter of relentless snow storms that require endless plowing, shoveling, etc.  My husband is amazing.  We made it work.  Every time I felt scared about the financial part of this leap of faith, I had to focus on the fact that I would not have been led to this place which although custom designed for another family, is perfect for all of our needs, unless the Universe planned to follow through with the sale of the Durham property.

I moved into new territory in other ways as well.  I am teaching a beginner’s program in herbalism that meets two Mondays a month.  My students are wonderful teachers.  I am learning so much about what my goals as an herbal educator should be.  I am busy writing the program in between meetings.  I had to put the flower essence practitioner program on hold for one year.  This was a little sad, but it will allow us to have the gardens planted before I resume the program next year.  I don’t know how I could have managed the writing and teaching of the herbal program AND working with the flower essence students at the same time.  Next year it will be possible.

I now have space to offer some exciting classes.  My dear friend Christopher Penczak was the first guest teacher back in May.  I hosted the first flower essence meditation with Black Pansy just a few weeks later.  Classes will be offered during the light half of the year.  My plan is to offer classes on subjects I am passionate about.  I can’t predict how frequently the classes will happen, but I now trust that this will evolve as it should.

My constant task now is to go forward from here as I mean to go forward forever.  My desire is to work with clients who have a strong wish to heal.  I would like to be an empowering guide along the path using all the tools I have gathered along the way.  Herbs, flower essences, Reiki, and aromatherapy will be my allies as I help clients navigate their way a little further along their healing paths. 

Change is not only possible, it is inevitable.  Embrace it, live it, transform!