intro to first newsletter of 2021
It's been a while, please forgive me. I did not mean to disappear, at first things were changing so fast, What seemed relevant to share one day seemed insensitive or simply not useful the next. As the days became months I started to get quiet, taking in the world around me, studying the effect of the news on people, studying my friends, studying myself, studying peoples resilience, observing the "shit show that 2020, turned into" taking it all in, and getting quiet enough to hear my guides again. And while quiet I began to assess my work both professionally and personally. I am now ready to emerge again.
For the past two decades I have run Blazing Star Herbal School alone, and for the past 17 years I am been a single mother, it's been exhausting, exhilarating, hectic and non-stop. I had reached my limit and needed a break! Ironically the last book I ordered from my local library in Feb was "Chasing Slow" by the time I finally picked up in July (when the library re-opened) life had changed so dramatically (foreshadowing perhaps) You could say life stalled.
I begun quarantine enthusiastically taking advantage of the pause, cleaning my house, catching up on some books, thinking I had two weeks until life resumed. When two weeks became four, I decided to paint my home, and do some projects no-one has time for, such as sanding the butchers block etc, . . .then I went through all my belongings, weeding out what I no longer need, use of bring me joy!, when that was done and piled high in the basement! I then I went on a quest to find some good fitting jeans (ordered lots of pairs and returned lots- and the irony of good fitting during a pandemic where baking has become key to survival). It was about now that I realized this was a long term "pause" and I had to pace myself so I began to go on long walks, sometimes with friends sometimes solo and explore the surrounding area, photographing things that inspire me, engaging my sense of curiosity and wonder. As I wandered deeper and deeper into the woods old parts of me returned, parts that gotten lost after parenting for so long. Remembering what brings me joy, what inspires me to create, I begun to explore plant eco printing, anthotyping and cyanotyping (alternative photographic methods) and couldn't stop. Yes -there were many days when I was frustrated with myself for not finishing my book, not creating more content, not putting out a covid care protocol, not doing enough, not sharing enough not being enough, how dare I rest! I kept hearing loud and clear! that it was time to listen time to be quiet. Time to plant seeds and dream.
I feel strongly that it is time for us to create the world we want to live in. (I know my apprentices are tired of hearing me say this!) In order to do this we all need to show up be part of the process and be willing to do the work. We need everyone's skill set, there is a role for everyone. Growing community is the way forward, we all need to feel connected on many levels, to each other, to animals, to plants, to elements and to the planet.
My first offering of 2021 is an updated " The Art and Revolution of Self Care" beginning on Imbolc also known as St Brigid's day, Feb 1st.
To read the rest of the newsletter follow this link