Da Funky Pad....

Some of you reading this may know me as a crafter and artist. This is a deep and strong aspect of myselves, which has created identity beyond some other kinds of labels. I am also an intuitive herbalist and Hedgewytch. Mostly I've worked with direct perceptions of plants and my own research trails. I've studied with Susun Weed by correspondance, in the days of snail mail letters exchanged :-). I am now, after being offered, and accepting, a scholarship, studying with the Chestnut School of Herbalism, created by Juliette Blankespoor, in their Herbal Immersion program. It's an online program with experiential projects abundant n plants central. Hence I find myself blessed to have been able to bring this focus to a new home and gardens. Da Funky Pad.....  

When we feel misunderstood, it's pain full. It's the same for all sentient beings. The practices used to navigate this, vary, and some form the basis of a Sea Eagle eye type view of how we can live. I am a wombyn who hears things others don't, so I feel this at my core. What are your challenges in this incarnation? We all have them. Remaining softly touched by life, without hardening into tension and holding can be the shift to the spirit, body and breath, dropping through and into tears if needed, where turning away and rage can grow. I speak from lived experiences not upon some high horse. Actively re-framing on a daily basis can be called for to stay centred in kindness, for selves and others, when and if we hurt......

The plants are such gifts for us upon the journey to wellness of our whole selves. They are our oldest ancestors and will feed those who will follow on in many ways. The mending of my craftings, extends into medicine makings. For me this once revolved around folk method tinctures, based on Vodka. Alas, for this little red hen, but mayhap of some benefit in the long term, I am now tracking a pathway to alcohol free herbalism with a focus on energetics of emotion and mental health, if there is any line separating these areas from the whole rest. The art of teas and glycerites mostly. Glycerine being a sweet tasting vegetable fat that draws traditional properties out, along with scents and tastes. As a bonus it's safe for wee folk and animals.... 

We be loved and we love...

 

Beltane Bee

 

Rambling Roses...

 

Leap of faith....

New Moon approaches, familiar spaces embraced....

Here I be, back. As the moon is shifting, so too am I.  The last week or so have been spent arranging the spaces of the Nook into focused and centered altars. Reflecting my immersion for the next couple of years n on, with plants yes, yet through magical medicine ways as a language. Listening to, observing their spirits coming through a crafting and aligning up with a deepening herbology 'prenticeship. A wobbly winding path which has always been present, I am simply choosing to amble upon its leaf litter strewn softness with deepening intent and my apron of many pockets o gathering....

I shan't ramble too much, just to let you know that I never really grasped the techy aspects of a website, and so with our Southern Hemisphere's Cailleach staff touched time, I decided to return to being cosy, if old school....here...for any ponderings n musings such as arise. Go gently with me for dancing about somewhat if you've managed to find me again through the ethers, and I will do the same....

Blessings and good vibes, chloeopal...

Roadside Rose experiments....

When on a gallery trip with a friend, we pulled up at a roadside stall, selling bunches of Roses. There, in the wet grass nearby, were stacks o discarded leaf trimmings! Merrily I gathered handfulls! Roses are so evocative of healing (and kick ass protection), especially of the heart chakra, and I felt in combination with Eucalyptus she could evoke the layering of birthplace land, and witchery traditions. Also matching the rambling wild Rose I've managed to grow from cuttings in our garden. The mother plant of whom I adore, and who I have wild crafted tinctures from for a number of years. So, I knew Rose could touch in exquisite n unexpected ways...

Driving home with the scent of 2 bunches of old school Rose flowers, divine!

Once back at the Nook, I popped the leaves in a bucket to soak, and began to stitch a top slash jackety thang. With cotton, linen, wool and silk parts to see how they took on different materials. It was the first experiment! Admittedly. I got a lil excited and didn't wait to allow the bundle to cool in the pot till the following morning. So, the results could have perhaps been darker, if'n I had. However as unexpected things sometimes do, the soft colours delighted me (picture from back)...

I could see the leaves could produce a green on the wool and silk, a black /grey on linen /cotton. :) So I proceeded to begin to craft an emerging 'Soul skin shawl' for the Hedgewitch in one. This time waiting till the following morning to unfurl....

Mushcat n I both meditated on the results, indeedy. Now, the stitchin' begins....