Smudging Sage and healing family trauma....

Lets be honest here, I'm a handmade herbalist, home brewed.

When I was first held a bag of 'Grandfather' Sage in my own two hands, Id like to say I knew before me was a being who could make shifts, but I'm also pigheaded, and I was abused as a child by my Grandfather, so well the name didn't really impress. Yet I'd heard he was a good space clearer, and well the feng shui at my place read congested n clogged, so I bought a small bag of loose leaves to burn as incense. Upon lighting the leaves the smoke curled into nooks n crannies, and indeed the feel was better. The translucent tendrils seemed to know just where to go as I walked through the rooms, and it wasn't necessarily towards the nearest open window, somewhat surprisingly.

Later I went to a two day workshop on skin care with local herbalist and generous teacher Sharn. We made a spritzer, my co-maker and I using some Grandfather Sage essential oil. A treat cos Sharn had some of the rather special oil (I know it can be considered blasphemy using essential oils, but the scent, earthy!). When I sprayed some of it for a friend who works shamanically with clients she asked if I could make her one, and i wondered, or rather half mused, if I could. Hhhmmm...

Time passed. I returned to Grandfather Sage for his assistance in clearing and began to dip my toe in with his reputation for making space sacred. It was a little strangely fit for such a woman centred woman, but I went with the flow.
I burned a few dried leaves before journeying, lighting a candle, and gathering objects close to my heart nearby, as I lay down to close my eyes.

I grew two plants, the resinous nature of the fresh leaves is amazing first hand, the silvery leaves almost sticky to the touch at times, potency apparent, growing in sand.

Now my Grandfather had a reputation too, in our family, that was apart from the witty mad science teacher who blew the end off his finger demonstrating jet propulsion, with a homemade rocket, to his students, but I didn't hear of that for some time. It was a story pieced together through self protective denial and shame within our family. Some years after I first spoke up about the feeling I had that he had abused both me, and his daughter.

This isn't easy for me to write about, but I do it to illustrate how deeply the healing powers of plants, especially in combination with other modalities, can touch.

Now it came to the point when i wished to contact the source of those bags I was purchasing in the shop. When I contacted him he was just 'happening' to be on his way to our area with his wares. Michael was a genuine plant dude and devoted to his ally. I decided to invest in some essential oil, hydrosol and a bigger bag of those dried leaves. I was brewing up an idea to make an infused oil to create a salve, portable sacred space maker.

Whilst working with the local Community Mental Health team, with my trusty pagan Case manager, I was being supported by Contemporary Shaman, Odette, to work with spirit in retrieving soul fragments, lost to my Grandfathers actions.
Work I couldn't have done alone. Safe friendship and mentoring allowed it to occur.
It was not easy, but in the end I saw him as a small boy, daggy pulled up socks, bowl haircut n all. Being hit by his very Victorian and strict mother and screaming 'nooooo!'.
In turn there was her tragedy of losing her parents at a young age.
Intergenerational trauma.

This journey shifted my feelings, towards the herb called Grandfather and all that the name had evoked.

When my dear Dad, was dying, this work enabled me to speak to him of his father, whom he knew he was going to meet, from a place of forgiveness rather than the rage that had previously existed within me towards my Grandfather (and indeed my family). My Dad deserved that peace of mind for his journey to the other side. The ease I was able to offer is a bittersweet memory.

Now times a little jumbled up in this at times loaded tale, the orders a bit disordered, but it builds the aspects up nevertheless. So you'll excuse my brain and hearts ways if they ramble.

We now move back to those bigger baggies of dried leaves and I indeed did infuse them in oil and make Smudging Sage Salve. Recently a dear sister put my quiet Salves on her face book page and I had a surge of visitors to my little medicine nook. In fact, I have more leaves I'm yet to infuse,so the journey with Grandfather Sage continues.

The gifts of Grandfather Sage are metaphorical, but also, I believe, real.
As both a smudge and in salve form.
He has bufferrd sensitivity to the overwhelming stimulus that can result from trips into town, or other busy places. Practically, creating the touch of being watched over by a wise Elder.
He has allowed me to clear built up stagnant energy from my aura and HQ repeatedly as I worked with my healing journey, sacred tools and activities. That included assisting lost spirits or beings to let go and move on from my aura. Also as an ally in cutting energetic chords that bind, which no longer served, or needed a clean break to begin fresh. He has carried both my prayers to Spirit, and my desires for setting intentions, on the breeze....

Nowadays, I have a plant Grandfather, who has walked beside me. Just as my paternal Grandfather would have, could he have wholly been the man I believe he wanted to be, had it not been for the effects of the war he served in.....

Resources and Links:
Sharn at Byron Botanicals http://byronbotanicals.com.au/
Michael at Australian Alpine 'Grandfather' White Sage
http://sagedreaming.com.au/
Odette at Contemporary Shaman https://www.contemporaryshaman.net/
Vicki at Sacred Skins and Medicine Things https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Liddell-Sacred-Skins-and-Medicine-Things-190659384298635/ 

Calendula, Rose and Lavendar Face Cream Sale.....1/28/2017

The Nook's Calendula, Rose and Lavender Face Cream. A small batch handmade cream designed for sensitive skins, including those prone to eczema, and hence preservative free. This is my double infused oil batch I brew, and some of their labels are a tad on the original side, the off centre and wild side. I am also shifing and will no longer be under 'The Nook'.For this reason alone they are on sale for $18 for a 60 ml jar. Postage is extra, being $8.50 within Australia for a jar.

Heres a post with some more info about the process of making them...http://thenookmedicinegardensandstudio.blogspot.com.au/2016_03_01_archive.html

If you're interested leave a comment and we'll take it from there. Thanks..

Restfull cups o tea 12/28/2016

Sleep is as much a part of our lives as waking hours, yet many have challenges to restfull sleep for periods in their life. Sometimes it's beneficial, as in creative all nighters of those touched by their particular muses. Sometimes not, as in tossing and turning to nightmarish visions, anxious wide awakes at 3am, or racing thoughts leading to an inability to get off to sleep. There are herbal allies who can be worthy travelling companions in the search for a good nights rest.

My beloved has been pained regularly by insomnia this last year or so, and despite pharma support, is often awake long before sunrise in the mornings including 2.30am. If he can later arise to face the day, watch the sun coming up on our local easterly facing beach, have a swim, perhaps do some yoga, it is a starting of the day that sets up what follows. Despite the challenges of hauling ass there after a night lacking in sleep. Here's a photo he took on one of those rattled mornings....

At the opposite end of the day he is best eased into a state of preparation for a hopefull nights sleep by a blend of more gentle yoga postures to apt music, drinking some Motherwort (Leonuris cardiaca) tea and /or taking tincture. His ways of working with sleep distubance show this as being a process requiring adjustments, kindness to self and a toolbox of approachs. That and sheer determination.


I have taken tranquilisers in periods when sleep evaded me to the point of psychic distress, and reduced them again. I admit theres a place and time for them, Reducing and coming off them takes time and they should be tapered slowly. Whilst these medications can be addictive in action, I believe few people wouldn't trade them in for the capacity to have a peacefull nights sleep without them. Tasting cup o tea allys like Motherwort, Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) and Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia, formerly officinales) can support this. There's comfort in a cup o tea. Medicine ways too.As dried plant teas brew for about 10 minutes, one teaspooon of herb to a cup.

Motherwort tea, (5-10 drops fresh flowering and spiking plant tincture may be added) for getting off to sleep, or to assist returning to it if one wakes during the night, for those transitioning off or on pharma, gives strong results in a warm sense of relaxation (and at times mumbling).Motherwort is like a protective mothers embrace, asking you to tell her all about it, and then listening with an open heart. You know she has your best interests at her centre. She will sit by your bedside and smooth that furrowed brow away, tell you a tale of dreams to come...

"Motherwort is especially valuable in female weakness and disorders (hence the name) allaying nervous irritability and inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system." (pretty old school language Maude but the cores there)
                          
                           Maude Grieves, in 'A Modern Herbal', 1931

I have found Passionflower tea to work similarly, as a relaxing brew, perhaps for different individuals, shes less bitter in flavour, sweeter, with more of an Oatstraw flavour (an excellent nervous system nourisher drunk as an infusion). Perhaps a step along in tranquiliser withdrawel when remaining asleep can be difficult. A slower and deepener of states of ease, to settle with in hand, when waking during the night.

"Passionflower is an old wives remedy for women with nervous insomnia, hysteria, restlessness and headaches."(Susun recommends the fresh flowering plant tincture before bed each evening but I have also found the tea of dried leaves and stems effective)
                           Susun Weed, in 'New Menopausal Years the Wisewoman Way', 2002

Lavender is more floral in taste, and scent, she will ease you gently into dreams with recall of swaying flower spikes. The blue colour of her brew can lift the mood in the wee hours, and is a soul soother to ponder sipping to aid one drifting off.

"Lavendar...These flowers are also burned or smouldered to induce sleep and rest, and are scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness."

                           Scott Cunningham, in 'Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs', 1985

Living in a coastal area where soils are sandy, I grow my herbs in raised beds and pots. This has allowed me to make Motherwort tincture from the fresh flowering plant. I buy in dried herbs for some teas, and infusions, but all the tinctures I use are from fresh plants. So I'm singing to my six Motherworts as we head into January's upcoming harvest time, as they have risen from a rosette of leaves upon the ground into waving stems!

Nightmares can disturb sleep, causing one to awake distressed or confused. I have found journalling helps, keeping a  book and pen by the bed. Somehow writing them out diffuses their hold on you and can show you themes which are repeating, if you actually need a reminder and therefore to locate a key. The other strategy i use is 'reentering' scenarios and rewriting their endings, which may begin as visualisation and end up as sleep.

 If your night of wakefullness is caused by a desire to create, like this blogpost (ok so it aint high art!), then why not? Late nights, or even greeting the sun after an all nighter by choice are a luxury!

Working out the tools we can utilise to aid sleep creates a self reliance, especially if we are transitioning from or working to reduce drugs, by learning our personal ways to create a relaxed and peacefull state. Please do not jump off tranquilisers sharply but go gently with yourself and allow beings like the herbs to build up your systems nourishment first and as travelling companions.

 As always, this is written from my experiences, keep what works for you and discard what don't.         

                             

Opalplantways Smudging Sage Salve 12/13/2016

Smudging, a related kindred to incense burning, is a tradition with many indigenous tribes, where the leaves and branchs of a dried plant are held in sacred intention. Several plants are burnt for their scented smoke, the one which I have worked with mostly is Salvia apiana, otherwise known as 'Grandfather Sage', traditionally from Turtle Island (North America). Grandfather Sage is renound as a clearer of peoples auras, spaces n circles, sacred tools and to delineate a shift from ordinary reality into the realms of spirit or trance.

Generally I light him up, using matches from a box drawn with Reiki symbols from my lovely cousin for the element of Fire. The leaves themselves bring in the Earth, while an Abalone shell gifted me by a dear sister, represents Water. I use my Eagle feather fan, made from feathers my brother gathered from an Eagle killed on a Central Australian highway eating roadkill, to encourage and direct the smoke, whilst symbolising Air. Thus the Four elements, and loved ones, are with me as I go. The smoke becomes the Fifth element of spirit.

Grandfather Sage has supported me with healing of the male lineage of our family, particularly going back to my paternal Grandfather who was both a Veteran of World War Two and a family man. Aspects at odds with each other in some moments of his life. He was at heart, I believe, a loving and kind man, but also a pretty damaged one. Grandfather Sage has helped me to see this, whilst walking beside me in ways he wasn't able, and allowing forgiveness to grow.

Last year I infused a batch of Grandfather Sages dried leaves into Virgin Sweet Almond oil with the intention of making a salve that could be carried easily, and invoke all his benefits by annointing oneself at various points on the body, like the third eye, heart and wrists, mmm. The oil came out a dream and the salve was successful. Now I aint no marketing wizz, mostly its gone to family and friends and that's just perfect, but this year I thought to offer some for sale, or trade.

They are in metal cannisters with screwtop lids and I have them in both 60ml and 15ml sizes. The 60 ml ones have a few specs of more solid wax in them, a la handemade, and so they are reduced to $AU20 each, the handy sized 15ml ones are $AU15. Postage is roughly $8.50 in Australia, less for a single 15ml, but being similar for several salves, which could then be packaged together.

These babies will last you a fair whack of time as you need only a small amount, the 60mls a year or more mayhaps, and to be honest the bits are so small they will melt betwixt your fingers as you apply it but there you go, quality control etc. Both contain the Grandfather Sage oil that infused for well over 8 weeks and beeswax, that's it, so keeping em in the fridge is best, but they will survive out of one. I tested one out of the fridge for 6 months and it lasted fine, but for best quality refridgerate. Its not great for salves to melt and resolidify repeatedly.

An important word of advice, they look like lip balm but are not to be used as it, due to some of the ingredients within the leaves not being good taken internally.

If you're interested leave a comment and we'll take it from there eh.

Resources: Australian Alpine "Grandfather" White Sage Dreaming: http://sagedreaming.com.au/

I am enamoured of Cronewort 10/4/2016

I am enamoured of Cronewort, who you may also know as Mugwort. The fabulous herbalist Susun Weed tells the tale of 'Mugwort; speaking up 'ahem, I'm no mug!'. Artemisia vulgaris and also Artemisia argyi (Chinese) both are called by these names. Both have whiskers and silver hair. Artemisia vulgaris has a reddish stem and prefers cooler climates, whilst Artemisia argyi does just fine in the subtropics as one of my thickly populated garden beds now attests.

                                              Artemisia vulgaris, note the colouring in her stem.....

                                                    

                                                          
                                                                        Artemisia argyi...


 This plant opens a lense of green wisdom for me that can clarify and make sense of some pretty bemusing situations. She's like the shawled Wisewoman who pulls you in close and whispers, "Dearie you's needs be take some time to be quiet' or ' Sweet you's need some raucous belly laughter with your beloved' or 'Dear one go immerse yourself in the nearest body of water'.
I also understand her as a 'gateway' plant. One who can deepen our connections and relationship with other green folk by opening a lense or veil to the fascination there.
I tend to eat a leaf or two fresh from the garden when in need...

I find Chinese Cronewort just as magical as her sister plant, renouned for her support of lucid dreamstates, hedgeriding and trance journeying, perhaps a little more in the way of the Dao. She opens perception of that which is, containing beauty and wisdom. Hence her gift as a gateway plant. Be aware though, this Crone is not to be trifled with, eat a leaf before entering a shopping mall or busy town centre and you will find your senses assaulted and sanity thinning. She, like her sister, is natures familiar not a consumerist high. Mayhaps there is a difference in how these plants act in my system at least, only being able to speak from my own experience, but Chinese Cronewort is a fine journeying companion. This is how Ive come to know this plant.

I bought both as the same from a nursery and its simply through word of mouth from fellow plant lovers, indeed another lovely Artemisia ally, that Ive learned to tell them apart as two species. Mostly by how well argyi has grown here and the size she reaches, I must admit.

Lavender's blue dilly dilly, um well actually, it seems pretty purple but the bee's dont mind! 8/13/2016

Lavender ( Lavendula angustifolia) is a plant with lore long associated with wholth. This variety more so with others mayhaps grown for specific forms or colours rather than medicinal properties.  Her softly blue violet couloured flowers and velvety silver foliage soothing to the eye and fingers echo her effects. I love to run my hands along her stems and inhale deeply the scent which touchs them. The above picture taken by Miles is of one of our Lavender plants we were hanging out with one sunny morningk, as you do.

Previously I had had no luck growing her despite my best efforts. I had thought as we are by the ocean and shes a native to Mediterranean climate all would be well, but alas! The breakthrough came when I bought tubestock (Im unsure of the species name) who had time to acclimatise and then proceeded to take off, as you can see. I have since planted several more, all babies doing well!!

 The sight of her flowers bobbing in the breeze rocks. Her softness can  bring a smile to hearts worn by grief or loss, writes herbalist Judith Berger and I can second that motion. Both magically and physically. For myself I have begun to make a massage oil combining her flowers infused in almond oil, bllended with Rosa centifolia petals prepared in the same way, and a lil Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) essential oil.

When one of the characters in the English series 'Black Books' swallows 'The Little Book of Calm' and begins espousing its virtuous advice with more than a small touch of messianic piss take, 'Try a little Lavender oil in the bath' is one of the sardonic gems, which may well hold more truth than the situation allows!!

Taken internally her violet tinted tea, only needing brewing for a short time with her potent volatile oils, can deepen stillness and relax agitation or shakyness. Although as a wise friend pointed out, she's a little astringent and may ask for a touch of honey or maple syrup :).

"The difficulty with anxiety responses is that the strong emotions they produce often paralyze us or cause us to take ill-timed or ill-placed actions. The life preserving emotions which accompany hysteria must be calmed before we can look deeply into the causes underlying anxiety and concieve of a fitting response. The scent and rich purple hue of Lavenders blossoms inspire our sensuality, reminding us of beauty where there has been devastation. Lavender melts numbness, nourishing and keening our senses, the antenae of our instinctual knowing."
                                                Judith Berger in 'Herbal Rituals'

This herb can clear the  air of a sickroom of infection and can be used as a 'smudge' or incense. For these reasons I have added infused Lavendar oil to Calendula salve, or creams.. One of my teachers always adds a few drops of the essential oil to her Calendula salve. Ive also heard it spoken its a fine thing to add a little Lavendar to Comfrey salves just in case infections present when and where its applied to surface wounds.

 I suffer from Eczema on my face at times. When its in the 'dry' phase I use herbalist Rosemary Gladstars 'Miracle Grains' scrub recipe, based on oats, white clay, blended with Lavender and Rose flowers all finely ground, to gently remove some of the dead skin cells. Its a wonderfully pampering mix at a time when the eczema makes one feel vulnerable, rawly exposed and a little like the creature from the black lagoon! It can be used at any time for a softening of skin and you could eat it if the pantry ran out! Lavender porridge! Infact her leaves go well sprinkled over potatoes and chicken for roasting, with salt, and lemon juice, now we're on the subject of food (again).

No wonder Lavender's  been planted out as a hedge in gardens and the wilder species invited in for centuries!

Pictured below: A glamourous cousin of Lavendular angustifolia

 

Words pondering....8/3/2016

Life is fluid, uncatchabley casting rainbow shards of light upon storm clouds in exquisite moments of vision and temporary blindness.
Tactile in its engulfment of the senses in the Earths abundance, in a moment of body presence we may become completely absorbed, and the beings we share her preciousness with carry us away beyond our selves lost up our own navels.
Spirit support surrounds us loosened from unnecessary fear into an embrace that may pour tears from our soulstone, ancient beyond our years.......