Happy October Friends!
Praying
It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
~ Mary Oliver ~
(Thirst)
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Oh the wise words of Mary Oliver. I know Fall has arrived when I am making big pots of soup and mixing herbs into new blends of herbal chai's, (hoping someone will stop by for a cup) dreaming about spending time on the couch reading Mary Oliver, quilting, planning next seasons garden and reminiscing about the fleeting days of summer!, like its been months since we saw the sun! I feel like I am chasing the last few Summer rays...still hoping to get to the coast one more time, maybe in early November.
We have been talking a lot about Gratitude over on the Blazing Star Herbal School Facebook Page- feel free to join in the conversation with your favorite Gratitude quote and activities. Gratitude is an emotion of connectedness, which reminds us we are part of a larger universe with all living things. It opens the heart and activates positive emotion centers in the brain. Regular practice of gratitude can change the way our brain neurons fire into more positive automatic patterns. The positive emotions we evoke can soothe distress and broaden our thinking patterns so we develop a larger and more expansive view of our lives. I have been doing a walking meditation daily focussing on being thankful. I have also been thinking a lot about creating a category of "Herbs of Gratitude" so far I have Tulsi, Cacao and Vanilla. What herbs would you put in that category. What would qualify an herb to be an herb of Gratitude? I would love to hear your opinion here or on FB.
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The 2012 Apprentices made vegetable based soap this month with out guest teacher Desiree Cohen. Soon there will be a post on the Apprentice blog with lots of pictures. Registrations are coming in for both the Beginner (tuesdays) and the Advanced Apprenticeship (thursdays) for 2013
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I am excited about this months "Harvest Moon Special" as it centers around one of my very favorite element of herbalism which is medicine making! and allows for much creativity! which is why I call it
"Creative, Tasty and Nourishing Medicine Making for the Beginner Student"
(click on title and scrol down for more information)
It is the 4th offering in the DIY series, Do-it-Yourself Herbalism Series ...practical, thrifty and fun! It has been called "an Art Course for the Herbal Student", and a course "that will lubricate your senses" Why do I love creative medicine making so much? It adds opportunity to create beauty, nourishment and richness to an ordinary day, more blessings to be thankful for...and as your olfactory senses are stimulated it helps the brain register more happiness! This course is for everyone serious students of herbal medicine, homesteaders, urban dwellers, ...anyone that wants add a little colour and creativity to their kicthen!
This course covers:
Water Based Preparations (infusions (hot/cold), decoctions, medicinal baths, compresses,
formentations, mouthwashes, inhalants)
- Alcohol based preparations (tinctures; maceration,percolation & spagyric methods)
- Oil Based Preparations: Oils, Liniments, Salves, Cremes
- Acetates, Glycerites. powdered herbs and honeys
- Understanding basic interactions of plant phytochemicals to make better medicine
- Recognizing and assessing the quality of dried herbs
- Choosing the appropriate form of the remedy
- The importance of effective record keeping
- Terminology and definitions
- Equipment needed for creating herbal preparations
- Principles of Ethical Harvesting
- Basic Herbal First Aid remedies
- Intro to Food as Medicine
- Herbal Nourishment
- Grow (your own) Medicine!
here is a sample of creative, tasty and nourishing made my apprentice Shannon Toye for my birthday it's a cheesecake with a goldenrod, mango syrup glaze! Yum!
Learning to create your herbal medicine at home is both empowering and eye-opening. Herbs are magical but preparing and using them doesn't have to be mystical. Click on the link below to take advantage of this monthly special and begin this 12 module Harvest Moon Journey!
BUY NOW for just $175
I will give 10 spots away at this lowered price after that the price returns to $250 so act fast! to take advantage of this deal!!
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Don't forget that the "Family Winter Health Empowerment Package " is still on sale until Oct 15th or until sold out.
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The recipe I have to offer you this week one of my favorite nourishing seasonal recipes.
Favorite Fall Time Chai
Roasted Dandelion Root
Burdock Root
Chaga
Cocoa Husks
Orange Peel
Cinnamon
After decocting the herbs I steam a little milk (you can use coconut milk though I use raw milk) add a hint of Vanilla Essence and Maple Syrup and add a little to your chai. Sometimes I prefer to use a little Tulsi honey instead of the Vanilla and Maple Syrup for an alternative flavor! Yum!
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So while you enjoy your Chai, here is a little Mary Oliver to watch and listen to. If you have never listened to her read her poems you are in for a treat, I frequently start the day listening to her read a poem "Many Miles" is my favorite Collection but " At Blackwater Pond" is also fabulous.
