Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Many Medicines
In our western culture, the word "medicine" tends to mean just one thing--drugs, made in a laboratory. Such a sad misuse of such a multifaceted word. In the Native American use of the word, the sense is much broader and more holistic. It implies a force or natural power,or the powerful, spiritual essence of a thing. I know I am not doing this justice. But I only want to get people thinking of the concept of "medicine" in a broader, more natural way. Of course, there are many ways to "make" medicine with herbs-- teas, tinctures, infusions, decoctions, etc. But what they are all trying to access is the plant's inherent "Medicine," which is its healing spirit, or its "area of expertise," as one of my teachers likes to say.If you start to think of the plants as our Teachers and Caretakers,who provide us with their Medicine, with our food, and with the very oxygen we breathe, you may start to get an understanding of just what true "Medicine" is. More on this later.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Herb Spirit Teachers
You might notice that I have a picture of Angelica archangelica at the top of my blog. It is one of my favorite herbs, as you can read in my post about it. It is also a bear medicine, so it goes along with my persona of "Mother Bear."
There is a legend that long ago, in Europe during the time of the Great Plague, an Angel appeared to a monk in a dream and told him that Angelica would cure the Plague. That is where it gets its name, or so they say. I don't know if it actually did cure the plague or not, but I do know that plant spirits teach in mysterious ways, and it is best to pay attention when they speak.
There is a legend that long ago, in Europe during the time of the Great Plague, an Angel appeared to a monk in a dream and told him that Angelica would cure the Plague. That is where it gets its name, or so they say. I don't know if it actually did cure the plague or not, but I do know that plant spirits teach in mysterious ways, and it is best to pay attention when they speak.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
My Teachers
This is a post to publically thank my beloved Teachers. I bow to your Mastery!
With love,
MRJ
With love,
MRJ
Bathed in Moonlight
The moon is full again tonight, this time in the sign of Scorpio. Since this is a water sign it is a good day for planting, although it is better to plant in a water sign while the moon is waxing. The full moon is still a good time, though.If you plant by the moon, the plants seem to grow better. There are lots of books on this subject that you can find. Or just get an astrological calendar or almanac to see where She is on any given day (or night). Plants are in harmony with the moon's cycles, as we all used to be, and many of us still are, whether we are aware of it or not. There is something about the light of the full moon that feels so healing to me. It has a gentle, pearly, motherly feel, that plants respond to. So do animals and other living creatures. Even stones seem to love moonlight. Try setting your house plants (and stones, if you are also a rockhound like me) in a window where the full moon can shine on them. They will thank you for it!
Try this: Make an infusion of a favorite herb, and let it cool. Put it into a clear jar and set it out where it can absorb the magical reflective light of the full moon. After a few hours you can use it."Take a cup and drink it up." Soak your stones in it. Pour it into your bath and soak in it while you are drinking the tea. See what visions come to your inner sight. Perhaps you will receive a Teaching from the Plant Kingdom. The herbs communicate with us in many ways.
Try this with different herbs--of course, make sure they are safe to ingest in this way--Experiment! The herbs have so much to teach us, and so many ways of imparting their wisdom to us. Learn from them as the living teachers they are. They are not just collections of chemical constituents any more than we are. Our DNA is closely related to the plant DNA.
We are one flesh, you and I.
Try this: Make an infusion of a favorite herb, and let it cool. Put it into a clear jar and set it out where it can absorb the magical reflective light of the full moon. After a few hours you can use it."Take a cup and drink it up." Soak your stones in it. Pour it into your bath and soak in it while you are drinking the tea. See what visions come to your inner sight. Perhaps you will receive a Teaching from the Plant Kingdom. The herbs communicate with us in many ways.
Try this with different herbs--of course, make sure they are safe to ingest in this way--Experiment! The herbs have so much to teach us, and so many ways of imparting their wisdom to us. Learn from them as the living teachers they are. They are not just collections of chemical constituents any more than we are. Our DNA is closely related to the plant DNA.
We are one flesh, you and I.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Lady's Mantle
Lady’s Mantle
Alchemilla vulgaris
Alchemilla mollis
Alchemilla xanthochlora
“Among the spirits Quicksilver came first” (Chaucer, The Yeoman’s Tale)
The more I have researched Lady’s Mantle, the more I have come to the conclusion that the alchemical qualities associated with this herb are not just fancy and folklore.
There is a strange and telling conjoining of the Lady, (whether we call her Venus, Freya or Mary, she represents the universal Feminine principle), with the Lion, (whether as the Green Lion of the alchemists, or as the Lion of Judah who is Christ the Divine Bridegroom, representing the universal Masculine principle). To me, this more than hints at the mystery of the Alchemical Marriage. This interpretation might be reinforced when we consider David Dalton’s use of it as a flower essence—he says it is specifically used to balance the masculine and feminine energies in a person.
One other thought—the image of the leaf holding the dew drop seems like an obvious plant-teaching, waiting to be discovered; even though it wasn’t one of Dr. Bach’s original remedies, it clearly teaches the lesson of how to make a flower essence.
I believe this plant has a lot more to teach us.
Lady’s Mantle
Common Names: Lady’s Mantle, Lion’s-foot, Stellaria
Botanical Names: Alchemilla vulgaris, A. mollis, A. xanthochlora
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Cold wet slopes, rocky areas, stream banks. Native to Europe and Asia, but now widely cultivated. It is a northern plant.
Parts Used: Mostly the leaves, but some sources include the root (Grieve).
Collection Time: Pick early in summer before it flowers, while the leaves are still tender (Wood).
Pharmacology: Tannins and salicylic acid
Preparations:
· Infusion—one cup of boiling water to one tablespoon of the leaves. Steep 15 minutes
· Tincture in brandy—1-3 drops
Energetics: Bitter, astringent, cool (Tierra).
Bitter, cool, dry, astringent (Wood)
Tissue State: Relaxation
Organs: Uterus, spleen, kidneys
Actions: Astringent, febrifuge, tonic. It is a good post-partum remedy because it strengthens the abdominal tissues. Claims are made that it can raise sagging breasts. At one time the claim was made that it could restore virginity—a very alchemical ability indeed!
Historical And Folk Uses: In early herbals Lady’s Mantle was listed as a woundwort, because its astringent properties will stop excessive bleeding , including menstrual bleeding. In Germany it was associated with the goddess Freya (Wood). Later in the Middle Ages it came to be associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was called Our Lady’s Mantle,( which has been shortened to Lady’s Mantle) because the leaves supposedly resemble the flowing mantle of the Virgin Mary.
Its botanical name, Alchemilla, linking it with alchemy, might come from the fact that its water-proof leaves are able to hold a drop of dew much later in the day than most leaves. To the medieval mind this dew might look like the “divine dew” of the alchemists. It certainly resembles a drop of liquid mercury—one of the three main ingredients in an alchemical operation. This drop of divine precipitate is sometimes called the Green Lion. A funny coincidence is that Lady’s Mantle is called “Lions-foot.” Some writers say this name comes from the shape of the leaf, which does resemble a lion’s paw). Perhaps beneath the folklore there is a deeper meaning waiting to be discovered. I can’t claim to understand alchemy well enough to mine these depths, but maybe someday someone will.
Culpeper says “Venus claims this herb.” Venus is one of the names of the Lady, of course.
Flower Essence Use: David Dalton in his book, Stars of the Meadow, goes into some depth in discussing this essence. He claims that it balances the masculine and feminine aspects within an individual, (sounding very reminiscent of the Sacred Marriage). It also is protective of women.
Indications: Lack of appetite; rheumatism; diarrhea; stomach trouble; menstrual problems.
Cautions: None found.
Alchemilla vulgaris
Alchemilla mollis
Alchemilla xanthochlora
“Among the spirits Quicksilver came first” (Chaucer, The Yeoman’s Tale)
The more I have researched Lady’s Mantle, the more I have come to the conclusion that the alchemical qualities associated with this herb are not just fancy and folklore.
There is a strange and telling conjoining of the Lady, (whether we call her Venus, Freya or Mary, she represents the universal Feminine principle), with the Lion, (whether as the Green Lion of the alchemists, or as the Lion of Judah who is Christ the Divine Bridegroom, representing the universal Masculine principle). To me, this more than hints at the mystery of the Alchemical Marriage. This interpretation might be reinforced when we consider David Dalton’s use of it as a flower essence—he says it is specifically used to balance the masculine and feminine energies in a person.
One other thought—the image of the leaf holding the dew drop seems like an obvious plant-teaching, waiting to be discovered; even though it wasn’t one of Dr. Bach’s original remedies, it clearly teaches the lesson of how to make a flower essence.
I believe this plant has a lot more to teach us.
Lady’s Mantle
Common Names: Lady’s Mantle, Lion’s-foot, Stellaria
Botanical Names: Alchemilla vulgaris, A. mollis, A. xanthochlora
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Cold wet slopes, rocky areas, stream banks. Native to Europe and Asia, but now widely cultivated. It is a northern plant.
Parts Used: Mostly the leaves, but some sources include the root (Grieve).
Collection Time: Pick early in summer before it flowers, while the leaves are still tender (Wood).
Pharmacology: Tannins and salicylic acid
Preparations:
· Infusion—one cup of boiling water to one tablespoon of the leaves. Steep 15 minutes
· Tincture in brandy—1-3 drops
Energetics: Bitter, astringent, cool (Tierra).
Bitter, cool, dry, astringent (Wood)
Tissue State: Relaxation
Organs: Uterus, spleen, kidneys
Actions: Astringent, febrifuge, tonic. It is a good post-partum remedy because it strengthens the abdominal tissues. Claims are made that it can raise sagging breasts. At one time the claim was made that it could restore virginity—a very alchemical ability indeed!
Historical And Folk Uses: In early herbals Lady’s Mantle was listed as a woundwort, because its astringent properties will stop excessive bleeding , including menstrual bleeding. In Germany it was associated with the goddess Freya (Wood). Later in the Middle Ages it came to be associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was called Our Lady’s Mantle,( which has been shortened to Lady’s Mantle) because the leaves supposedly resemble the flowing mantle of the Virgin Mary.
Its botanical name, Alchemilla, linking it with alchemy, might come from the fact that its water-proof leaves are able to hold a drop of dew much later in the day than most leaves. To the medieval mind this dew might look like the “divine dew” of the alchemists. It certainly resembles a drop of liquid mercury—one of the three main ingredients in an alchemical operation. This drop of divine precipitate is sometimes called the Green Lion. A funny coincidence is that Lady’s Mantle is called “Lions-foot.” Some writers say this name comes from the shape of the leaf, which does resemble a lion’s paw). Perhaps beneath the folklore there is a deeper meaning waiting to be discovered. I can’t claim to understand alchemy well enough to mine these depths, but maybe someday someone will.
Culpeper says “Venus claims this herb.” Venus is one of the names of the Lady, of course.
Flower Essence Use: David Dalton in his book, Stars of the Meadow, goes into some depth in discussing this essence. He claims that it balances the masculine and feminine aspects within an individual, (sounding very reminiscent of the Sacred Marriage). It also is protective of women.
Indications: Lack of appetite; rheumatism; diarrhea; stomach trouble; menstrual problems.
Cautions: None found.
Basil
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Ocimum sanctum
Basil has a long and strangely schizophrenic history. Some herbalists warned that it would grow scorpions in the brain. To other people, e.g., in India, it has a long and happy history of use, both religiously and medicinally, and is called “holy.”
Culpeper reviles it, although he credits it with some medicinal value, i.e. drawing out poison from a sting. But he believes that this is only because “Every like draws its like,” meaning that basil is as poisonous as the sting itself.
The old stories that claim that its name comes from the basilisk—that dreaded reptilian beast whose breath and gaze could kill—might hold a clue to basil’s paradoxical reputation.
In the Western societies, whose histories can be traced back to the ancient Jewish tradition through the Bible, the Serpent (which is a similar archetype to the basilisk) is seen as evil, actually as the devil, and is the cause of the downfall of “Man.” As a Puritan, Culpeper probably believed strongly in this symbolism.
In India, on the other hand, where basil is called “holy,” the serpent archetype as Kundalini,( the serpent energy coiled at the base of the human spine), is seen as a symbol of wisdom, and when properly raised, of enlightenment. (Certain Gnostic sects also equated the serpent with wisdom, but they are mostly long forgotten—except by people like me.)
In considering the extreme polarity of the serpent symbol and its relationship to basil, the Flower Essence Repertory may hold a key. Basil’s flower essence is for the soul who “tends to polarize the experience of spirituality and sexuality,” (and who more so than a Puritan?) This is that old dualistic dilemma of spirit vs. matter, which has been a thorn in the side of so many religions for so long.
In my experience, I have found that Truth exists at the heart of Paradox, in the fulcrum of the scales, so perhaps somehow both of basil’s reputations are true. What if Culpeper’s “scorpions” are simply a reference to a puritanically repressed sexuality, which not coincidentally is ruled by Scorpio in astrology? Even the serpent-like nature of the basilisk is a potent symbol of male sexuality.
Perhaps Basil is another guide into our Shadow Self, but I must stop at the entrance to this gate of mystery here and agree with Culpeper: “I dare write no more of it.” At least, for now.
Ocimum basilicum
Ocimum sanctum
Basil has a long and strangely schizophrenic history. Some herbalists warned that it would grow scorpions in the brain. To other people, e.g., in India, it has a long and happy history of use, both religiously and medicinally, and is called “holy.”
Culpeper reviles it, although he credits it with some medicinal value, i.e. drawing out poison from a sting. But he believes that this is only because “Every like draws its like,” meaning that basil is as poisonous as the sting itself.
The old stories that claim that its name comes from the basilisk—that dreaded reptilian beast whose breath and gaze could kill—might hold a clue to basil’s paradoxical reputation.
In the Western societies, whose histories can be traced back to the ancient Jewish tradition through the Bible, the Serpent (which is a similar archetype to the basilisk) is seen as evil, actually as the devil, and is the cause of the downfall of “Man.” As a Puritan, Culpeper probably believed strongly in this symbolism.
In India, on the other hand, where basil is called “holy,” the serpent archetype as Kundalini,( the serpent energy coiled at the base of the human spine), is seen as a symbol of wisdom, and when properly raised, of enlightenment. (Certain Gnostic sects also equated the serpent with wisdom, but they are mostly long forgotten—except by people like me.)
In considering the extreme polarity of the serpent symbol and its relationship to basil, the Flower Essence Repertory may hold a key. Basil’s flower essence is for the soul who “tends to polarize the experience of spirituality and sexuality,” (and who more so than a Puritan?) This is that old dualistic dilemma of spirit vs. matter, which has been a thorn in the side of so many religions for so long.
In my experience, I have found that Truth exists at the heart of Paradox, in the fulcrum of the scales, so perhaps somehow both of basil’s reputations are true. What if Culpeper’s “scorpions” are simply a reference to a puritanically repressed sexuality, which not coincidentally is ruled by Scorpio in astrology? Even the serpent-like nature of the basilisk is a potent symbol of male sexuality.
Perhaps Basil is another guide into our Shadow Self, but I must stop at the entrance to this gate of mystery here and agree with Culpeper: “I dare write no more of it.” At least, for now.
Rose
Rose
Rosa spp.
Common Name: Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Grows in temperate regions in both hemispheres, but probably originated in what was once Persia.
Parts Used: The fruits, called “hips.” The flowers and petals are also frequently used. In fact, almost all parts of this plant have been used at times.
Pharmacology: The hips contain tannins, flavonoids, sugars, pectin, fruit acids (malic, citric, and ascorbic or vitamin C) and carotene (Wood).
Actions: Aperient, astringent, stomachic, cardiac and nerve tonic, blood purifier.
Preparations: There are possibly hundreds of preparations given for Rose. Some of the more common follow:
· The hips are the most commonly used today. They contain vitamin C and can be taken in tea, capsule, or pill form. They are used to treat colds and flu.
· Rose water is used in cosmetics. When diluted it is also used as a refreshing drink in Arabic countries, probably due to the cooling effects of the Rosaceae family.
· The oil is used in aromatherapy, but is prohibitively expensive. It is estimated that it takes almost 60,000 pounds of petals to produce a little over two pounds of the oil (Chishti). (Maude Grieve gives a slightly more conservative estimate).
· “Attar” is the Arabic word for “essence.” So Attar of Rose means “essence of Rose,” usually in an oil form.
Energetics: Flavors:
· Hips: sour, sweet, cool, astringent.
· Petals: sweet, slightly bitter, aromatic (Wood)
· To the Sufis who value it highly, considering it the “mother” of scents, the oil is said to be cold and dry in the second degree.
Historical Uses: The Rose has been prized since the dawn of human history as the queen of flowers, so named by the poetess Sappho. It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years. The Egyptians used the petals to freshen air and in perfumery.
In the Middle Ages rose conserve was a specific for tuberculosis, from a remedy popularized by Avicenna (Wood).
Since the earliest days the Rose has been used as a token of silence, hence the term “ sub rosa,” referring to matters that require strict confidence.
Hildegard of Bingen used rose hip tea for nearly every illness. Nostradamus, who was actually a practicing physician when he wasn’t writing his quatrains, used rose in his medicine for treating bubonic plague.
Attar of rose was discovered, (so the story goes), in India at the wedding of Shah Jehan, who built the Taj Mahal and Shalimar Gardens for his wife, Noor Jehan, as a symbol of his undying love. On the day of their wedding, he had the moat filled with rose water and rose petals. The heat of the sun, shining on the rose petals and water, caused a natural distillation of rose oil. The Indians have excelled at making rose oil ever since.
Not surprisingly, Culpeper assigns this plant to Venus.
Rose Around the World: Ayurvedic doctors consider the petals to be cooling and astringent, and use them to treat skin inflammations. They also use rose water as a laxative.
Chinese doctors use different preparations from different species, but they see rose as a warming plant. It is used to relieve congestion of qi and blood (Wood).
Aromatherapy: To me this is where Rose’s qualities really shine. True rose oil is the least toxic of all oil, but also one of the most versatile, working on many levels at once. Rose oil’s scent will change when applied to a person’s body if they are carrying many toxins. The scent of the oil will become slightly sour in this case. On a healthy body the fragrance will remain unchanged. This makes rose oil a useful preliminary diagnostic indicator of a person’s general state of health.
Rose oil can help nervousness, menstruation, fever, migraine, depression, and skin problems, among other things. Its signature is a veritable encyclopedia of symbolism.
Unfortunately, fake rose oil is common due to the high price of true rose oil. It must be made from real rose plants—Rosa damascene, R. centifolia, R. gallica are the most often used. The best oil comes from Bulgaria.
Rose essential oil is rarely taken internally, but is added to massage oils and diffusers, where it enters the body through the skin and respiration.
Its character is yin.
My Experience with Rose: It is part of my name and also my personal symbol. I use the hips in tea, the petals soaked in olive oil and used for my skin, the rosewater as a refreshing mister, and the oil as a meditation aid. ( I have a small amount of the precious attar). I find all parts to be spiritually cleansing, at a deep soul level—the “matrix level”—where the blueprint for our physical, etheric and astral bodies is formed. This matrix is where I believe all true healing must take place. Any flaws in this “blueprint” will manifest as illness in the physical body. Some deep-seated “karmic” illnesses can only be healed here. I also find that Rose can heal “heart-wounds.”It rules the heart center in many traditions.
Rose’s Story
According to Sufi legend, in all the universe, the first thing that Allah created was the Soul of Prophecy, which He made from the absolute essence of His own Light, called “Nur.” The Soul of Prophecy burned so brightly with the Light of Allah that it began to perspire. From these drops of Prophecy’s sweat, Allah made the Soul of the Rose. This is how the art of aromatherapy originated.
In Sufi healing, the Rose is the Mother essence, the Queen of scents, whose complement is the Father essence, which is Amber (Chisti). Rose works simultaneously on the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies of the human being. It cleanses, heals, and uplifts a person on all three levels.
To the Sufis, the signature of Rose expresses the spiritual quest of the Soul in its way of return to God. The tall stem, covered with sharp thorns, shows the long hard way of the world that the Soul must traverse and endure in order to arrive at the absolute sweetness of perfection in Paradise, symbolized by the blossom of the flower. Its diadem of dewdrops, bestowed on Rose by the goddess Chloris, hints at the mystical process of Condensation, a secret to Creation understood by few except the Alchemists, the Kabballists, and the Sufis.
Rose has long been a symbol of Love, both human and Divine. It is often used to represent Christ, and also His Mother, the Virgin Mary. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, the Rose has also symbolized silence. In light of our understanding of Rose’s spiritual efficacy, we can accept silence as necessary--- each Soul’s experience in its return to God is ineffable, and may not be spoken of, even if we had the words to describe it.
If some plants, like Angelica archangelica, are great shamans, then surely some are prophets. I believe Rose to be such a prophet from the plant world, sharing her wisdom with all who can hear her silent voice.
It is written that the Rose, may peace be upon her, has no thorns in Paradise.
Rosa spp.
Common Name: Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Grows in temperate regions in both hemispheres, but probably originated in what was once Persia.
Parts Used: The fruits, called “hips.” The flowers and petals are also frequently used. In fact, almost all parts of this plant have been used at times.
Pharmacology: The hips contain tannins, flavonoids, sugars, pectin, fruit acids (malic, citric, and ascorbic or vitamin C) and carotene (Wood).
Actions: Aperient, astringent, stomachic, cardiac and nerve tonic, blood purifier.
Preparations: There are possibly hundreds of preparations given for Rose. Some of the more common follow:
· The hips are the most commonly used today. They contain vitamin C and can be taken in tea, capsule, or pill form. They are used to treat colds and flu.
· Rose water is used in cosmetics. When diluted it is also used as a refreshing drink in Arabic countries, probably due to the cooling effects of the Rosaceae family.
· The oil is used in aromatherapy, but is prohibitively expensive. It is estimated that it takes almost 60,000 pounds of petals to produce a little over two pounds of the oil (Chishti). (Maude Grieve gives a slightly more conservative estimate).
· “Attar” is the Arabic word for “essence.” So Attar of Rose means “essence of Rose,” usually in an oil form.
Energetics: Flavors:
· Hips: sour, sweet, cool, astringent.
· Petals: sweet, slightly bitter, aromatic (Wood)
· To the Sufis who value it highly, considering it the “mother” of scents, the oil is said to be cold and dry in the second degree.
Historical Uses: The Rose has been prized since the dawn of human history as the queen of flowers, so named by the poetess Sappho. It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years. The Egyptians used the petals to freshen air and in perfumery.
In the Middle Ages rose conserve was a specific for tuberculosis, from a remedy popularized by Avicenna (Wood).
Since the earliest days the Rose has been used as a token of silence, hence the term “ sub rosa,” referring to matters that require strict confidence.
Hildegard of Bingen used rose hip tea for nearly every illness. Nostradamus, who was actually a practicing physician when he wasn’t writing his quatrains, used rose in his medicine for treating bubonic plague.
Attar of rose was discovered, (so the story goes), in India at the wedding of Shah Jehan, who built the Taj Mahal and Shalimar Gardens for his wife, Noor Jehan, as a symbol of his undying love. On the day of their wedding, he had the moat filled with rose water and rose petals. The heat of the sun, shining on the rose petals and water, caused a natural distillation of rose oil. The Indians have excelled at making rose oil ever since.
Not surprisingly, Culpeper assigns this plant to Venus.
Rose Around the World: Ayurvedic doctors consider the petals to be cooling and astringent, and use them to treat skin inflammations. They also use rose water as a laxative.
Chinese doctors use different preparations from different species, but they see rose as a warming plant. It is used to relieve congestion of qi and blood (Wood).
Aromatherapy: To me this is where Rose’s qualities really shine. True rose oil is the least toxic of all oil, but also one of the most versatile, working on many levels at once. Rose oil’s scent will change when applied to a person’s body if they are carrying many toxins. The scent of the oil will become slightly sour in this case. On a healthy body the fragrance will remain unchanged. This makes rose oil a useful preliminary diagnostic indicator of a person’s general state of health.
Rose oil can help nervousness, menstruation, fever, migraine, depression, and skin problems, among other things. Its signature is a veritable encyclopedia of symbolism.
Unfortunately, fake rose oil is common due to the high price of true rose oil. It must be made from real rose plants—Rosa damascene, R. centifolia, R. gallica are the most often used. The best oil comes from Bulgaria.
Rose essential oil is rarely taken internally, but is added to massage oils and diffusers, where it enters the body through the skin and respiration.
Its character is yin.
My Experience with Rose: It is part of my name and also my personal symbol. I use the hips in tea, the petals soaked in olive oil and used for my skin, the rosewater as a refreshing mister, and the oil as a meditation aid. ( I have a small amount of the precious attar). I find all parts to be spiritually cleansing, at a deep soul level—the “matrix level”—where the blueprint for our physical, etheric and astral bodies is formed. This matrix is where I believe all true healing must take place. Any flaws in this “blueprint” will manifest as illness in the physical body. Some deep-seated “karmic” illnesses can only be healed here. I also find that Rose can heal “heart-wounds.”It rules the heart center in many traditions.
Rose’s Story
According to Sufi legend, in all the universe, the first thing that Allah created was the Soul of Prophecy, which He made from the absolute essence of His own Light, called “Nur.” The Soul of Prophecy burned so brightly with the Light of Allah that it began to perspire. From these drops of Prophecy’s sweat, Allah made the Soul of the Rose. This is how the art of aromatherapy originated.
In Sufi healing, the Rose is the Mother essence, the Queen of scents, whose complement is the Father essence, which is Amber (Chisti). Rose works simultaneously on the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies of the human being. It cleanses, heals, and uplifts a person on all three levels.
To the Sufis, the signature of Rose expresses the spiritual quest of the Soul in its way of return to God. The tall stem, covered with sharp thorns, shows the long hard way of the world that the Soul must traverse and endure in order to arrive at the absolute sweetness of perfection in Paradise, symbolized by the blossom of the flower. Its diadem of dewdrops, bestowed on Rose by the goddess Chloris, hints at the mystical process of Condensation, a secret to Creation understood by few except the Alchemists, the Kabballists, and the Sufis.
Rose has long been a symbol of Love, both human and Divine. It is often used to represent Christ, and also His Mother, the Virgin Mary. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, the Rose has also symbolized silence. In light of our understanding of Rose’s spiritual efficacy, we can accept silence as necessary--- each Soul’s experience in its return to God is ineffable, and may not be spoken of, even if we had the words to describe it.
If some plants, like Angelica archangelica, are great shamans, then surely some are prophets. I believe Rose to be such a prophet from the plant world, sharing her wisdom with all who can hear her silent voice.
It is written that the Rose, may peace be upon her, has no thorns in Paradise.
A Little About me
I'm not very good at this blogging thing yet.
This blog is meant to be about Herbs, but I suppose I should tell you a little about myself, so you know what kind of creature you are dealing with. I am a Scorpio woman of Scots-Irish and Cherokee descent. In fact, on my Father's side I am a descendant of the great, semi-mythical Irish warrior CuChulain, the Hound of Ulster, (go to the head of the class if you know who he is!) My Dad's folks were "Hill People" and both grew up in log cabins in the Ozarks ( a lifestyle I have been trying to achieve for years), so I guess I inherited my affinity for folk medicine from them. On my Mom's side I am 100% Irish. I grew up believing in Fairies because my clanspeople talked about them as if they were real. (I still believe in Them.) My clans are Murray and McNally, (which, being rebellious sorts, we spell McAnally). Most of my Irish relatives come from the border counties in Ireland, so they are a pretty tough bunch. Poet warriors all. We are what you call "black Irish," not "lace-curtain Irish."
We know less about our Cherokee relatives, but they come from my Dad's side, too. We know even less about my mother's side. Her people came here in the early 20th Century with just the clothes on their backs. It wasn't the Great Potato Famine, but there were other , smaller crop failures when the potato blight struck.
Our religion at home when I was growing up was Irish-Catholic-Union, (all one thing) which gave me my strong mystical and political tendencies. I grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota and came of age in the late 1960's and early '70s. I was most definitely a Flower Child and was involved in the "back to the land movement." (I still call myself a hippie; no matter what people say about us now, we were right about a whole lot of things. And I am still trying to get back to the land).
I started trying herbal medicines once I was out on my own-- (I had been a very sickly child, and actually wasn't expected to live. I have the Herbs to thank for my continuing presence on this planet!)-- and found that the plants could actually heal, rather than just suppressing symptoms. When I started having my babies (one in heaven above and three here on Earth) I raised them with herbs, homeopathy, yoga and vegetarianism (plant foods). They all turned out great. Now I am a grandmother, with one grandson ,( the only child of my peripatetic oldest daughter, in France), and another one on the way (coming soon!) a little closer by, to my youngest daughter.
These days I am back in school, finishing up a degree in Western Herbalism. I have fantastic teachers and classmates, and I will be sad to see this part of my life end.
The more I study the Herbs, the more I am amazed at their inherent wisdom. I have come to believe that the plants are intelligent in a way our modern culture doesn't understand, that they possess a type of consciousness which, though different from ours, is no less real. The plants mysteriously show up when and where they are needed. They will literally reach out and grab a person who needs their medicine. If you are open and willing they will whisper their wisdom to you for free. Learn to listen to them. You might be surprised at what you hear.
I believe in Magic--I believe the whole world, this whole cosmos--is made out of Magic. "There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy" (to paraphrase Hamlet).
I believe that the plants are our teachers and our caretakers--they give us air and food, medicine, clothing and shelter--and sometimes visions. They know we are all related, even if we humans sometimes forget. "We are one flesh you and I," Mowgli says in The Jungle Book. This is my philosophy--in this magical world everything is connected and anything is possible. "God is alive, Magic is afoot."
This blog is meant to be about Herbs, but I suppose I should tell you a little about myself, so you know what kind of creature you are dealing with. I am a Scorpio woman of Scots-Irish and Cherokee descent. In fact, on my Father's side I am a descendant of the great, semi-mythical Irish warrior CuChulain, the Hound of Ulster, (go to the head of the class if you know who he is!) My Dad's folks were "Hill People" and both grew up in log cabins in the Ozarks ( a lifestyle I have been trying to achieve for years), so I guess I inherited my affinity for folk medicine from them. On my Mom's side I am 100% Irish. I grew up believing in Fairies because my clanspeople talked about them as if they were real. (I still believe in Them.) My clans are Murray and McNally, (which, being rebellious sorts, we spell McAnally). Most of my Irish relatives come from the border counties in Ireland, so they are a pretty tough bunch. Poet warriors all. We are what you call "black Irish," not "lace-curtain Irish."
We know less about our Cherokee relatives, but they come from my Dad's side, too. We know even less about my mother's side. Her people came here in the early 20th Century with just the clothes on their backs. It wasn't the Great Potato Famine, but there were other , smaller crop failures when the potato blight struck.
Our religion at home when I was growing up was Irish-Catholic-Union, (all one thing) which gave me my strong mystical and political tendencies. I grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota and came of age in the late 1960's and early '70s. I was most definitely a Flower Child and was involved in the "back to the land movement." (I still call myself a hippie; no matter what people say about us now, we were right about a whole lot of things. And I am still trying to get back to the land).
I started trying herbal medicines once I was out on my own-- (I had been a very sickly child, and actually wasn't expected to live. I have the Herbs to thank for my continuing presence on this planet!)-- and found that the plants could actually heal, rather than just suppressing symptoms. When I started having my babies (one in heaven above and three here on Earth) I raised them with herbs, homeopathy, yoga and vegetarianism (plant foods). They all turned out great. Now I am a grandmother, with one grandson ,( the only child of my peripatetic oldest daughter, in France), and another one on the way (coming soon!) a little closer by, to my youngest daughter.
These days I am back in school, finishing up a degree in Western Herbalism. I have fantastic teachers and classmates, and I will be sad to see this part of my life end.
The more I study the Herbs, the more I am amazed at their inherent wisdom. I have come to believe that the plants are intelligent in a way our modern culture doesn't understand, that they possess a type of consciousness which, though different from ours, is no less real. The plants mysteriously show up when and where they are needed. They will literally reach out and grab a person who needs their medicine. If you are open and willing they will whisper their wisdom to you for free. Learn to listen to them. You might be surprised at what you hear.
I believe in Magic--I believe the whole world, this whole cosmos--is made out of Magic. "There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy" (to paraphrase Hamlet).
I believe that the plants are our teachers and our caretakers--they give us air and food, medicine, clothing and shelter--and sometimes visions. They know we are all related, even if we humans sometimes forget. "We are one flesh you and I," Mowgli says in The Jungle Book. This is my philosophy--in this magical world everything is connected and anything is possible. "God is alive, Magic is afoot."
Monday, April 12, 2010
Herbal Sustainability
As budding herbalists (pun intended) I think it is our responsibility to teach people to use plant medicines in a respectful and sustainable way. As more and more Americans turn to herbs for their medicine, I am afraid that many are bringing the pharmaceutical approach they are familiar with to the world of herbalism. We need to educate people about this. The herbs are part of a living ecosystem that can be damaged and destroyed by non-sustainable practices.These practices are all too often employed by large corporations, trying to cash in on what they think is a new fad. In reality, the relationship between herbs and humans goes back to our prehistory. When the world's population was small, there was little danger of destroying whole populations of plants. Now the possibility is all too real, and some plants are in danger of disappearing from the Earth forever. Please encourage people to check out United Plant Savers and other organizations that are working to save the plants. Get informed. Avoid buying "corporate" herbs.Instead, buy from a local, reputable herbalist. (Believe me. They need the money.) Make it your business to find out which plants are in danger, and look for alternate choices. Extinct is forever.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Herbalism, A (Very) Brief History
Since the dawn of human history, people have turned to the plant kingdom for healing. In the earliest days of our history, shamans and wise women learned the many virtues of plants in order to maintain the health of their tribes and villages. As the centuries passed, this knowledge was handed down through the generations.
Nearly every major culture developed an extensive system of herbal medicine. From India to Egypt, from China to the frozen lands of Northern Europe, as well as across the sea among the Natives of the Americas, herbal healing was the main form of medicine for thousands of years. Names such as Dioscorides, Galen and Culpeper, reverberate down through history, and their works are consulted to this day by modern herbalists. In addition, thousands, perhaps millions, of village wise women and men—whose names we will never know—carried on this noble tradition of healing, often in the face of persecution. In the Americas, Native people taught European settlers how to use medicinal plants of the New World. With the advent of modern bio-medicine, herbalism was temporarily relegated to the shadows. Now herbs are experiencing a renaissance in the West. It is the job of herbalists to make sure they are used wisely, sustainably, and with the respect due to them.
Nearly every major culture developed an extensive system of herbal medicine. From India to Egypt, from China to the frozen lands of Northern Europe, as well as across the sea among the Natives of the Americas, herbal healing was the main form of medicine for thousands of years. Names such as Dioscorides, Galen and Culpeper, reverberate down through history, and their works are consulted to this day by modern herbalists. In addition, thousands, perhaps millions, of village wise women and men—whose names we will never know—carried on this noble tradition of healing, often in the face of persecution. In the Americas, Native people taught European settlers how to use medicinal plants of the New World. With the advent of modern bio-medicine, herbalism was temporarily relegated to the shadows. Now herbs are experiencing a renaissance in the West. It is the job of herbalists to make sure they are used wisely, sustainably, and with the respect due to them.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Dreams of Angelica
“One of the grand traditional remedies of northern Europe.”– Matthew Wood
“I work on all the tubes.”– Angelica
There was never a doubt in my mind as to which herb I would write about first here. I had previously had an experience with Angelica archangelica , but that was years ago. Now at this time of my life, I feel Angelica calling me again. I feel that she has chosen me.
Many authors speak of Angelica’s use shamanically, back into ancient times, e.g., among the Saami (Wood). It is a Bear medicine to many Native American tribes (Wood). The Flower Essence Repertory tells us that it is very protective of humans going through “threshold experiences,” such as death and birth– which is the archetypal pattern of Bear’s life: retreating into the earth womb of the cave, into dream-time, later to be “reborn” into the sunlit spring of consciousness. As a warming plant, according to Rudolph Steiner, it would enhance this rise to consciousness.
Many herbalists also tell us that certain plants were “used” by shamans in similar ways around the world. I believe that this is expressing it backwards: I believe that the plants themselves are shamans and they “call” certain humans to aid them in their work. Anyone who has worked with herbs to any extent becomes aware that the plants are conscious, sentient beings. They have intelligence. It is different than human intelligence, but no less real. In their own green kingdom perhaps they have their roles and callings, just as we do in our world.
In my aging, I am becoming more aware of this special class of plants. As I enter my “cronehood”– the shamanic stage of life– I am increasingly drawn to these shamanic plants. I believe Angelica is an important member of this class of herbs. In getting to know this herb, some of the sources I used also expressed this awareness of Angelica as a highly conscious plant. In his wonderful book, “Sacred Plant Medicine,” Stephen Harrod Buhner describes his first meeting with her: “Angelica possesses a supreme dignity and sense of wholeness. In some manner it balances the polarities...Its nature is completely and totally female
in the deepest sense of the word.”
If I may use myself as an example: As I enter menopause and face the second return of Saturn in my chart, at the same time having become a grandmother for the first ( and soon second!) time, I find myself being called again by this great plant shaman. This is a major threshold time in my life.
Angelica’s role of shaman is evident in her very structure: Her root is a like furry brown bear burrowed deep into the earth –– the Lower World. Her tubular stalk is the tunnel through which the shamana travels between the worlds. Her flowers are like sun-bursts, embodying the enlightenment we gain when we journey to the Upper World, as well as illustrating her rulership by the sun, as Culpeper tells us. Her medicine is here with us in the Middle World –– called Midgard in her northern home.
Buhner also tells the story of a young woman near the time of her first Saturn Return, around the age of 28-29. (Astrological note on the Saturn Return: Saturn takes 29.46 Earth years to complete an orbit around the Sun. A “return” is when it has completed one complete passage around the zodiac, and has returned to the same place it occupied at a person’s birth, as determined by casting a natal chart. It is generally a time of profound coming to grips with one’s true nature and mortality. Many old lessons need to be re-learned.) And although Nicholas Culpeper tells us that Angelica is an “herb of the Sun in Leo,” he also says that it is for use in all “epidemical diseases caused by Saturn.” While it would be a stretch to class the Saturn Return as an “epidemical disease,” still the link is established. This is reinforced by Buhner, who says that Angelica is good for young women around the age of 28-29, the time of the first Saturn Return, when it may help them break out of the sexual stereotypes put on them by patriarchal society. As a man, he can be forgiven for thinking that this is a brief, one-time effort on the part of a woman. In reality it is a lifelong struggle for most women in our culture to find and develop their own inner strength. Many of us were taught that it is a bad thing for a woman to be strong. We therefore hide our strength away in our “Shadow self,” where Carl Jung tells us that we suppress all of our “unacceptable” traits. Our orphaned strength dwells inside our Shadow self alongside Eve, the Witch, the Devouring Mother, Medusa, the Whore, and all the other “terrible” female archetypes that we are taught to disown. This can be a frightening place to a woman. Many never find the courage to open that door. Indeed it can be a dangerous and revolutionary act to face the Shadow. It may lead to victory, or it may lead to madness, self-destruction and death. The Shadow self lives deep within our Underworld. To journey there safely one needs a powerful shamanic guide, a Guardian Angel if you will, who can lead us safely in to find the treasures hidden in the darkness, and then lead us safely back into the healing light of the Sun. I believe Angelica to be such a guide.
As a Native American Bear medicine, the cave where Bear hibernates can be seen variously as the hidden womb of the Earth Mother, or as the secret hiding place of the Shadow, into which Angelica guides us into the depths where our treasures are hidden. As a plant ruled by the Sun, Angelica is able to bring us safely back to the Light, bearing our prize – our true Self.
Native Americans also used Angelica in the sweat lodge, (another “cave/womb”) (Wood). It relaxes the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. This leads to a relaxed state which is conducive to the experience of visions. To me, this confirms my belief that some plants are visionary guides, and that Angelica is one of these. According to the old legend, it is able to come to people in the dream state.
If I have been focusing more on Angelica’s use for women, it is because, like Buhner, I find this plant to have a powerful feminine presence. In its Chinese form it is actively estrogenic, making it a woman’s herb. Also, in my studies of shamanism, I find the writings to be so frequently “male-dominated” – male shamans are often seen as wise healers, while female shamans are called witches, and have been widely hated and reviled throughout human history, especially in the European and early American cultures. And yet women are, by nature, shamanic creatures. We hold the gateway to other worlds within our very bodies. This is a mighty power and a terrible responsibility. The amniotic waters that flow from our wombs join the eternal river of life, out of which we all creep forth into consciousness. Perhaps this is why Angelica prefers to grow near running streams and rivers, often in ravines – all quintessentially “female” terrain.
Early one morning, while I was working with a tincture of Angelica that I was making, she spoke clearly to me – “I work on all the tubes.” It was the clearest plant voice I have ever heard. Then I remembered that in the Jewish prayer book, the Siddur, one of the prayers praises HaShem for the workings of the “wondrous tubes” in our bodies. (I was beginning to understand). All of these tubes – in our human bodies, in Angelica’s plant body, in the paths to other worlds – all of these are passageways through which Angelica can lead us. I have found her to be a trustworthy guide so far.
“One of the grand traditional remedies of northern Europe.”– Matthew Wood
“I work on all the tubes.”– Angelica
There was never a doubt in my mind as to which herb I would write about first here. I had previously had an experience with Angelica archangelica , but that was years ago. Now at this time of my life, I feel Angelica calling me again. I feel that she has chosen me.
Many authors speak of Angelica’s use shamanically, back into ancient times, e.g., among the Saami (Wood). It is a Bear medicine to many Native American tribes (Wood). The Flower Essence Repertory tells us that it is very protective of humans going through “threshold experiences,” such as death and birth– which is the archetypal pattern of Bear’s life: retreating into the earth womb of the cave, into dream-time, later to be “reborn” into the sunlit spring of consciousness. As a warming plant, according to Rudolph Steiner, it would enhance this rise to consciousness.
Many herbalists also tell us that certain plants were “used” by shamans in similar ways around the world. I believe that this is expressing it backwards: I believe that the plants themselves are shamans and they “call” certain humans to aid them in their work. Anyone who has worked with herbs to any extent becomes aware that the plants are conscious, sentient beings. They have intelligence. It is different than human intelligence, but no less real. In their own green kingdom perhaps they have their roles and callings, just as we do in our world.
In my aging, I am becoming more aware of this special class of plants. As I enter my “cronehood”– the shamanic stage of life– I am increasingly drawn to these shamanic plants. I believe Angelica is an important member of this class of herbs. In getting to know this herb, some of the sources I used also expressed this awareness of Angelica as a highly conscious plant. In his wonderful book, “Sacred Plant Medicine,” Stephen Harrod Buhner describes his first meeting with her: “Angelica possesses a supreme dignity and sense of wholeness. In some manner it balances the polarities...Its nature is completely and totally female
in the deepest sense of the word.”
If I may use myself as an example: As I enter menopause and face the second return of Saturn in my chart, at the same time having become a grandmother for the first ( and soon second!) time, I find myself being called again by this great plant shaman. This is a major threshold time in my life.
Angelica’s role of shaman is evident in her very structure: Her root is a like furry brown bear burrowed deep into the earth –– the Lower World. Her tubular stalk is the tunnel through which the shamana travels between the worlds. Her flowers are like sun-bursts, embodying the enlightenment we gain when we journey to the Upper World, as well as illustrating her rulership by the sun, as Culpeper tells us. Her medicine is here with us in the Middle World –– called Midgard in her northern home.
Buhner also tells the story of a young woman near the time of her first Saturn Return, around the age of 28-29. (Astrological note on the Saturn Return: Saturn takes 29.46 Earth years to complete an orbit around the Sun. A “return” is when it has completed one complete passage around the zodiac, and has returned to the same place it occupied at a person’s birth, as determined by casting a natal chart. It is generally a time of profound coming to grips with one’s true nature and mortality. Many old lessons need to be re-learned.) And although Nicholas Culpeper tells us that Angelica is an “herb of the Sun in Leo,” he also says that it is for use in all “epidemical diseases caused by Saturn.” While it would be a stretch to class the Saturn Return as an “epidemical disease,” still the link is established. This is reinforced by Buhner, who says that Angelica is good for young women around the age of 28-29, the time of the first Saturn Return, when it may help them break out of the sexual stereotypes put on them by patriarchal society. As a man, he can be forgiven for thinking that this is a brief, one-time effort on the part of a woman. In reality it is a lifelong struggle for most women in our culture to find and develop their own inner strength. Many of us were taught that it is a bad thing for a woman to be strong. We therefore hide our strength away in our “Shadow self,” where Carl Jung tells us that we suppress all of our “unacceptable” traits. Our orphaned strength dwells inside our Shadow self alongside Eve, the Witch, the Devouring Mother, Medusa, the Whore, and all the other “terrible” female archetypes that we are taught to disown. This can be a frightening place to a woman. Many never find the courage to open that door. Indeed it can be a dangerous and revolutionary act to face the Shadow. It may lead to victory, or it may lead to madness, self-destruction and death. The Shadow self lives deep within our Underworld. To journey there safely one needs a powerful shamanic guide, a Guardian Angel if you will, who can lead us safely in to find the treasures hidden in the darkness, and then lead us safely back into the healing light of the Sun. I believe Angelica to be such a guide.
As a Native American Bear medicine, the cave where Bear hibernates can be seen variously as the hidden womb of the Earth Mother, or as the secret hiding place of the Shadow, into which Angelica guides us into the depths where our treasures are hidden. As a plant ruled by the Sun, Angelica is able to bring us safely back to the Light, bearing our prize – our true Self.
Native Americans also used Angelica in the sweat lodge, (another “cave/womb”) (Wood). It relaxes the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. This leads to a relaxed state which is conducive to the experience of visions. To me, this confirms my belief that some plants are visionary guides, and that Angelica is one of these. According to the old legend, it is able to come to people in the dream state.
If I have been focusing more on Angelica’s use for women, it is because, like Buhner, I find this plant to have a powerful feminine presence. In its Chinese form it is actively estrogenic, making it a woman’s herb. Also, in my studies of shamanism, I find the writings to be so frequently “male-dominated” – male shamans are often seen as wise healers, while female shamans are called witches, and have been widely hated and reviled throughout human history, especially in the European and early American cultures. And yet women are, by nature, shamanic creatures. We hold the gateway to other worlds within our very bodies. This is a mighty power and a terrible responsibility. The amniotic waters that flow from our wombs join the eternal river of life, out of which we all creep forth into consciousness. Perhaps this is why Angelica prefers to grow near running streams and rivers, often in ravines – all quintessentially “female” terrain.
Early one morning, while I was working with a tincture of Angelica that I was making, she spoke clearly to me – “I work on all the tubes.” It was the clearest plant voice I have ever heard. Then I remembered that in the Jewish prayer book, the Siddur, one of the prayers praises HaShem for the workings of the “wondrous tubes” in our bodies. (I was beginning to understand). All of these tubes – in our human bodies, in Angelica’s plant body, in the paths to other worlds – all of these are passageways through which Angelica can lead us. I have found her to be a trustworthy guide so far.
Temple of the Green
Happy Springtime! I saw my first robin of the year today. I saw a man feeding a pigeon out of his hand today. I saw the sacred Hebrew letter "shin" in the clouds today. Tell me what you saw today. Show me how you see the world. If you are at home surfing the web, right now (and if you are reading this, you probably are) here's a word of advice-- go outside and play. All winter long we are waiting for these days. I always think it's funny how we wait and wait for the greenness to return. We watch the progress of the tiny buds each day. And then one morning we wake up and all the plants and trees are in full foliage, acting as if they were never bare at all. I don't want to embarrass them so I pretend I didn't really notice their nakedness all winter long.
I am blessed to live on the bluffs of the Mississippi. I live just a short walk from the River, which I think of as the Kundalini of North America. My friend calls her Ms. To me it is a sacred area, even here in the city. Everyday when I cross the bridge to go to my daytime life, I kiss my hand twice to the magical Lady River, with her secret groves and pathways. Now that it is spring again, the minute I get home I go down to my special meditation spot, where three small waterfalls feed the backwaters of the River. The stone bluff they flow down is already brilliant green with life. This is my sacred temple, guarded by the staghorn sumach, and hidden from profane eyes by the wild grape vines.(These are representatives of the Lord and Lady as they appear in the plant kingdom). Most of the plants are still in the baby stage of early spring, and I go each day to feed them with love and ancient ceremony. Ceremony feeds the Earth. I am a guerilla priestess of the Green.
Tonight the Moon is full, and its reflection on the ancient, endlessly reborn River always puts me in mind of other times and other lives--the Native people who lived here in the Before Times, who were on intimate terms with all the Plants and the Guardian Spirit of the Green. I can see them canoeing on the moonlit waters. ("Ancient waters, I hear you calling, Ancient Waters, I hear your song"). Do the Ancient People hear my voice travelling back to them on the river of time, as I hear theirs? I invoke them now and ask for a Teaching.
I have to go now. The Plants are calling. "We are of one flesh, you and I," (from the Jungle Book).
I am blessed to live on the bluffs of the Mississippi. I live just a short walk from the River, which I think of as the Kundalini of North America. My friend calls her Ms. To me it is a sacred area, even here in the city. Everyday when I cross the bridge to go to my daytime life, I kiss my hand twice to the magical Lady River, with her secret groves and pathways. Now that it is spring again, the minute I get home I go down to my special meditation spot, where three small waterfalls feed the backwaters of the River. The stone bluff they flow down is already brilliant green with life. This is my sacred temple, guarded by the staghorn sumach, and hidden from profane eyes by the wild grape vines.(These are representatives of the Lord and Lady as they appear in the plant kingdom). Most of the plants are still in the baby stage of early spring, and I go each day to feed them with love and ancient ceremony. Ceremony feeds the Earth. I am a guerilla priestess of the Green.
Tonight the Moon is full, and its reflection on the ancient, endlessly reborn River always puts me in mind of other times and other lives--the Native people who lived here in the Before Times, who were on intimate terms with all the Plants and the Guardian Spirit of the Green. I can see them canoeing on the moonlit waters. ("Ancient waters, I hear you calling, Ancient Waters, I hear your song"). Do the Ancient People hear my voice travelling back to them on the river of time, as I hear theirs? I invoke them now and ask for a Teaching.
I have to go now. The Plants are calling. "We are of one flesh, you and I," (from the Jungle Book).
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