Hearth, Herbals & Sound May 2020 Hello Kind Hearts,
Many are appreciating the beauty of the blossoming trees right now, the bright yellow of the dandelions and the greening of the grass. This month is a wonderful time to illuminate the uniqueness of each plant that you are interacting with. Humanity is a collective, however, each human has their own story. The plants would also say the same is true about them as well. Just as there are herbs and plants that support our physical organs and organ systems, there are even greater amounts of plants that support our emotional wellbeing. It is not always necessary to ingest plants or use them in a physical way to utilize their healing benefits.
Did I ever mention the healing of my Arnica garden? One year when hauling firewood, I had slipped and brought my face down hard on the edge of the wheelbarrow. I lay there briefly, somewhat stunned, then I hauled three loads of firewood while all the time thinking about applying arnica oil or taking arnica tablets. I never actually did either. The following day I felt surprisingly fine, then I remembered, I had walked back-and-forth by the Arnica flower bed six times. I also had been keeping Arnica seeds in our dining area. I felt their offering, their healing, and I realized they had extended healing. If you will, that healing was the fruit of an ongoing relationship with them. I had talked to the flowers, pet their leaves, had photo sessions with them and just loved them. This was an experiential and friendly relationship created over months. The energy & support offered was akin to the energy found in homeopathic remedies.
For about 10 years I have had arthritis in my neck and other areas of my body, that accident could have brought on days of pain and soreness. I cannot explain how incredible that healing was with Arnica, though I also believe there were some healing hands that had buffered the fall.
This month I am providing a guided meditation on deepening communication with Plants. You can enjoy the meditation with an indoor or outdoor leafy friend. It's a beautiful and gentle way to cultivate intuition, an excellent way to ground yourself, and a nourishing way to connect yourself with the Greater Community all beings share. I'd also like to introduce you to one of the herbs of communication. It is hard to communicate with even the clearest, most concise individual when we are irritated or upset. Responding from a place of pause is paramount in hearing the subtle answers that often provide the biggest changes. I have done entire presentations and workshops on Herbs of Communication, so perhaps over the next few newsletters I'll bring some of that here.
You'll find there is substantial healing available, in even the most familiar cups of tea.
The Chamomiles The tea has been used for ages to facilitate restful sleep, calm nerves, and soothe digestion. The tea can be used as a wash for clogged eye ducts (wiping a soaked cotton swab from the middle of the face towards the lateral aspect), and Chamomile hydrosol is a healing and soothing spray for irritated, damaged skin. The energetics of the Chamomiles encourages us to let go of anger built upon frustrations. It is when we are having troubles expressing ourselves or are frustrated with our situation, then anger has a foothold on which to settle. Mojay suggests that the Chamomiles are useful for “individuals who feel neglected though they deny that they need or expect support.” Sometimes we need to settle down before we speak, however, the act of retreating to settle down can be a whole mission of Will in itself! Chamomile can provide the breathing space in which to acknowledge our needs, voice our ideas and graciously accept the assistance of others. German Chamomile- Matricaria recutita A small daisy like flower with a yellow dome in the center. German Chamomile essential oil is much more expensive than Roman Chamomile. German Chamomile is an excellent anti-inflammatory.
Affirmation: All feelings are a part of the human experience. My feelings are important messengers to my consciousness. It is appropriate and healthy to validate my feelings.
Suggested use: Diluted in a cream or massage oil for sore muscles or over the solar plexus to support overheated emotions and frustration. Can be used as a sleepy time massage blend or for digestive cramps. Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, supports skin repair, an anti-histamine, anti-bacterial, anti-viral. Precautions: Essential oil may have interactions with some metabolizing enzymes and anti-depressant medication. Roman Chamomile- Chamaemelum nobileA small daisy like flower with a flat yellow center. Roman Chamomile is expensive, however it's a versatile oil that can be used with children as well as the elderly. It's an excellent anti-spasmodic, and is very useful for cramps, colic, headaches and tension.
Affirmation: I graciously accept the gifts in the unexpected and the miracles in the unforeseen.
Suggested use: Diluted in a cream or massage oil for sore muscles or over the solar plexus to support overheated emotions and frustration. Can be used as a sleepy time massage blend and for digestive cramps. Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, stimulates stomach and digestion. Precautions: Non irritating. Non toxic. Do not ingest essential oil.
Reflection: -Are there expressive people in your life that you greatly admire? What are their similarities and differences? -Is there an experience or feeling that is needing validation and healing? -What is a compassionate listener? -When talking to your children or partner, how often do you really look into their eyes? -Are you able to receive compliments and expressions of kindness, love and affection? Did you want to change how you model this to your children?
At the bottom of patience, one finds Heaven -African Proverb Sound for our Community Guided Meditation for Plant Communication This mediation can be done as much as you'd like until you are comfortable with the process. If you already have a similar practice, I'd like to invite you to get to know two different plants of the same species to notice the nuances in communication. Take your time. Be gentle with yourself and enjoy the graciousness of a new friend.
Flute and the Wind My flute played with the intention to invite in the winds of our area. To hear the whispered prayers and stories that the wind carries. To respond to these prayers and stories with the best version of who we can be.
Hypnosis for Pain Management and Behavioral Changes **Case study opportunity** This winter I received my certificate from University of Toronto for Clinical Hypnosis for Groups and Individuals. It did a lot of hypnosis in class, watched demonstrations, learned theory and did case studies. I am certified and a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists. Since finishing the program, I have been offering my time to work on more case studies so that I can develop greater fluidity & proficiency with protocol. I'll be starting another program specifically for hypnosis and pain management in the next few weeks. Currently, I have a couple of spaces open to be a case study. This involves an online-intake, follow-up with intake over the phone/videocall (60min), and a minimum of two hypnosis sessions (video calls about 60min each appointment) and two Mp3's (about 20min each). Some case studies prefer having everything as an Mp3 with booked check-ins over the phone. I have been looking into having clinic space available for in-person sessions and will have more information in the next couple of weeks! So exciting!
It takes a lot of time to write these protocols (as I am not yet quick enough to record or say them spontaneously) and I also need to create time for quietness to record (tricky with three kids and two dogs at home). This all means I am looking for genuinely interested individuals who are willing to be honest and willing to do their homework. Hypnosis is for shifting a lot of different behaviors or patterns, fears, pain-management, weight management & changing habits. A word about hypnosis; I can only suggest to you things that you would want to believe or currently believe that are true. The intakes are incredibly important to understand specifically what you would like to see changed. I build a protocol around your specific history with the intake process.
You can email me if you are interested or have further questions.
Services over the coming months ~I'll continue to provide monthly newsletters with information about Plants and their various offerings. ~case study opportunity for behavioral changes, pain management or others concerns. ~Complimentary lotion for lung, respiratory & immune support for front-line workers or those with compromised immune systems. This is applied during the onset of symptoms. It's complimentary from me. Just text or email and I'll set it out the front door for you to pick-up. It can be for yourself or a friend......but stock is limited (due to high demand of essential oils). It's antiviral, decongestant, supports the immune system, and has a very high absorption rate. ~Complimentary tea. Has the great properties mentioned with the lotion.
~Classes and workshops will be announced when able to do so. I look forward to healing and sharing in community with sound, meditations, collaborative classes and workshops.
The sun shines, the wind blows, The trees are singing, the flowers grow. Deepen your roots, Heart open wide, Peace and surrender, In whom we abide.
Keeping you in my heart and prayers, Many Blessings, Sarah