Herbaloo

A Kiss to the Whole World

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:11:19 +0000

Gustav Klimt

The time has come. Seven or so years later and the man of my longing has invited me to become intimate. Though I can’t deny that his feminine side is just as present. His cousins and field companions desired my attention long before I could stand alone with him. So simple a being, and yet so deep and erotic once you fully open yourself to him. Passionate in his seed spreading. Always making me feel at home, with kin all over the world. Never too prying, he gives just enough gentle Earth seduction to appear appropriately and say “Bon soir, mademoiselle. Are you enjoying your day?” Je ne sais pai…

Patience he teaches me. Proper conduct of a Lady. He introduced me to his Queen. We are in love as well. I apprentice with her still. His Sister is of the same reserved and calm demeanor, yet so gentle and loving, kind and caring, true unconditional love seeping from her immensely generous Spirit. She has pink hair. Their cousins have been dyeing to branch out and flash bright hues, to attract the finest suckling of beast and bug. Each sibling carries yellow jewels from their Ancestors. Revealing their inner strength and explosive power, like the sun’s multiple eruptions over its tumultuous yet controlled surface.

You provoke every feeling in me, and your River runs through my instinctual veins. Your protection is a legacy I adore circadianly. I took your hand a long time ago, made a promise that we would be together, forever. The time has come. I am delighted, aroused, intrigued, calm and humble, strong and willing to take on your divine requests.

Thank you, sweet root~leaf~bud. I patiently await your flower’s arrival, whilst I swoon over your luscious foliage.

I am yours.

And still

my own.

Visual Enlightenment: Urban Herb Walk

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:35:07 +0000

~ A rare sighting of the wildflower Jessyloo Rodrigues ~

Here is the video the lovely Melinda Gordon created from the Urban Herb Walk held at Allandale Farm in Brookline, MA on April 21st, 2013. At the end of the walk there were some interesting sky writings – first reminiscent of an om, followed by a heart. I am extremely grateful to Urban Moonshine for helping this all happen. Enjoy!

To the Earth and all her teachings,

Cordially, Herbaloo

Urban Herb Walk Sunday April 21st in Boston

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:23:03 +0000

A nice change of pace…

Song of the Silver Maple

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:10:37 +0000

Where do I even begin? It has been an amazing year working with the Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) I could cry thinking of letting go of this beautiful Tree ~ there is still so much I want to learn and experience from her Spirit and Love. It has been the first year that I am in somewhat of a hold up writing about my year long journey with a plant; also the first year to work with a plant that is not a small herbaceous flower. The third year of experimence as Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice ~ The sacred triad ~ Maiden, Mother, Crone. How appropriate, in a sense, for the glorious Silver Maple to hold the third year’s Crone energy. While studying with Helena Wu from Middletown Springs, Vermont – spiritual herbalist and midwife – she took us out to the Silver Maple to meditate. I depicted a “traveling minstrels” -esque stack of grandmother, mother, and child holding each other up and love flowing freely between the three. When I first began my Silver Maple journey in Spring of 2012, I had two beautiful Silver Maples sawed down aggressively, waking me from my slumber to see through my bedroom window the heart wrenching site. The remaining third Silver Maple in the neighborhood, which I had just moved to, was where I would park my vehicle and meditate for the remainder of the year. Her lowest down-stretching branch dipped close enough to snuggle.

Being Spring, I see the inspiration of new beginnings – and my reminder to nourish the Wood element associated with the season: I was advised to nourish my Wood Element before I started studying with the Silver Maple during consultation with a clinical herbalist who volunteered her time to help me (Thank you Rebecca, I am still processing and incorporating your wisdom). I had been singing a lot, and to continue with song was her other piece of advice. The year continued in song and melody: my voice was exposed to new heights and feelings, I was taught to hear song and sing with the plants freely and openly, and was also advised by my network chiropractor to howl like the wolf that I had expressed wanting to mimic. The Wood element also refers to the liver and anger. A serious time of transformation for me, the Spring. I have so much to learn from the Silver Maple still. I feel this last lesson of Spring, with its returning cycle of ideas and blossoms, is appropriate to complete my year long journey. The season of rebirth brings a perennial reminder to continue on your path, and that each year brings stronger roots to hold you to your life goals and your place on Earth.

Helena had brought us out to the Silver Maple. While meditating I heard voices – I heard singing. I thought, “This must be someone singing with the plant, I feel rude listening in on their private conversation,” so I tuned it out. When I shared this story with Helena and the class, she advised me to listen, and to join in the next time this occurred. It was an invite from the Silver Maple, not a walk-in on privacy. This expansive concept is something I struggle with often as an Earth Apprentice and budding intuitive healer. I once read that the reason we can no longer sense and feel each other’s thoughts and emotions (as Americans) is because we have so much we feel we need to hide. If we were open and willing to flow with the energy around us, we would then be able to feel and hear and see each other’s energy as well. Something I experience with plants often, and someday hope to experience with animals. But other humans … I do not feel ready, and maybe I, too, feel I must hide what is happening inside my head. I am actually, and literally, afraid that when I meet strong intuitive folks from the herbal realm that they will be able to read my thoughts. No joke, this is something that passes through my head on a daily basis. Even just everyday folks I interact with I consciously have the thought – “I hope they can’t read my thoughts” – and it must be at this point that I continue to stuff, suppress, hide, conceal, my true (TRUE) inner feelings, emotions, thoughts. What am I hiding from? I have no reason to be veiled. I am confident that the nourishment of my wood element will assist in revealing the root of this action and urge out my “not-yet-ripe” blossoms. In a recent horoscope I read that now was a pivotal time in learning how to allow others to help me. I took this in the same vein that my thoughts will someday be calm enough to share intuitively without worry.

Does this ever happen to you? Do you purposefully close the gates to your inner garden? If so, why? I don’t expect you to know, as I clearly don’t know why I do it myself. Though I do hope you are inspired to find out, and that is comes easily to you, as you peel back the layers to complete transparency. I like to envision an open heart when I feel closed and private – the image itself changes as I learn and peel, but mantra and intent stay the same.

The Silver Maple taught me to seek out relationships with the other Trees that inhabit the land around me. I remembered the yellow swaying branches of the Weeping Willow, became entranced by the pure love waving in the bark of the Birch, prayed for comfort through leaf-less winter months from the Conifers, and said hello to all Trees I hadn’t met or felt an affinity to before. It is eye opening to take notice and finally see the fine details between each Tree, helping me to identify them in Summer and Winter. I am currently calling and seeking for a Silver Maple in my new neighborhood in Rhode Island’s capitol. If you can hear me Silver Maple, I miss you, and would love to see you again soon. “Draw me,” she soothes now. “We are never far if you hold me in your heart.”

In the past year I have said ‘au revoir’ and ‘adieu vous’ to a number of loves in my life. The Silver Maple held me firmly to the ground, securing me and giving me confidence to grow everyday and continue to soak up the sun and breathe in the sweet life all around me. To uproot and change my surroundings, I may have held on to the Silver Maple to give me strength. The interesting piece is that my 2013 plant ally has made itself apparent; almost as if I need to start my study with this new herb in order to let go of 2012’s study with the Silver Maple. I suppose what I need to know and learn is that by letting go and moving on – growing, changing, reaching towards the sun – I can still maintain a relationship with those from my past and recall their memory to the present, be with them in the present and continue to connect with them, expand my horizons without losing sight of the Sun and Moon, and that movement and adventure means covering ground but does not mean I will lose my connection to the Earth. I am extremely blessed to live on the second floor of a house whose bay window is hugged by a (sugar or red?) Maple Tree. I watch it’s buds swell from the space on the Tree where it’s thick trunk reaches out into many branches. Branching out, but remaining connected to the trunk and roots that ground it. “Like a tree with branches high, my roots run deep as I reach for the sky.”

“Standing like a Tree,

With my roots growing down,

My branches wide and open.

Come down the rain, Come down the sun,

Come down the fruit to the heart that is open to be standing like a Tree…”

I will be writing a few separate posts, containing memories and pictures from this past year with the Silver Maple. We will see how many parts it takes to make the whole ~ An adventure I am pleased to express in supporting levels. I hope you look forward to reading them as much as I look forward to writing.

May you hear your inner song clearly and share it with those around you.

In sincere gratitude, and deep appreciation for your inner Nature,

Herbaloo

Spark, Flame, (nov)Ember

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 07:17:44 +0000

My mind is racing! It’s felt like a while since I’ve had a platform to express what’s flying through my cranium. As a child, my mother would tell me, “Not everything that goes through your head has to come out your mouth.” In my personal life, I inch closer to the return of Saturn – and I can tell. So many changes and giant leaps in life, a racing mind isn’t such a bad thing when in the moment of new beginnings. Though it can become difficult to relax, and meditation is almost out of the question…

And then comes Winter…Or shall I say Samhain and the second half of Autumn. The deepest decent into our Earthly starship of space and time – the dark days of winter. I find it enlightening, actually. My head is not nearly as hot, so thinking does become a bit clearer, if not completely over-rapid. Tying up loose ends and bundling up for the season of contemplation. And with our end-of-the-year holidays (originally of some Earth Religion descent) we bring together communities, friends, and family to celebrate the bounty this past year has brought us. Thinking fondly of our fellows and offering thank-yous in many forms. Fantastico!

I’ve found that accepting the seasons and their treasures makes each one more tolerable. Warm soup and zany complicated recipes for a cozy couple of hours in the dark evenings. Sweaters, blankets, and boots – ‘nough said. Being creative, seeking adventure in new forms, and spending time on all those “side projects” that will some day swallow me whole! I make lists – that’s what I do. I plan ahead, like too many years for it to make any sense when I get there. But each Winter I get to daydream and motivate myself to check several of them off. Wonder what I’ll accomplish this Winter…

The spark of an active mind flowing consciousness into reality and visions into action – the flame of our internal fire which motivates us and finds us when we are at the darkest point at the Solstice to give us dancing feet and warm hearts – the ember maintaining its desire to keep fueled long enough to last us through to next Spring, and warm us all Winter. The Fire Triad. I embrace the Fire element and encourage you all to take grasp as well over the next few months.

The Silver Maple by my house has lost all of her leaves, but she keeps small red buds all winter to keep her tips warm, and send some cold-induced triggers to her xylem and phloem. Silently slinking back into the Earth for hibernation, too. I look to befriend the Conifers in depth.

In true fire passion – a few of my favorite fall foliage fotos …

I invite you to maintain the ritual with sacred spirit in your gatherings and celebrations this season. May you travel safely, and find harmony in the first snowfall.

xoo, Herbaloo

Apothecary Pop-Up: Solstice to Equinox

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:18:24 +0000

Happy Equinox ~ Merry Mabon ~ Peace out Persephone

Autumn has made its grand appearance once again, with its flux of orange, red, and maroon filling the fields of wildflowers and Vermont forests. I enjoy this time of year, but do miss the warmth that Summer had us wrapped in. The long hours spent with full sunlight are apparent in the harvests coming from the fields and the bounty of local medicinals available this time of year. Not only need we reflect on the hard work our Farmers have put in to bring us such lusciously lavish meals, but think too of the great feats you have accomplished during the past season. Nourish yourself whilst you prepare for hibernation. Enjoy the outdoors while the sun still has its strength and the foliage its drastic beauty. And pat yourself on the back for a Summer well done. You can now pamper yourself and look forward to another season to contemplate your goals in life and where you are headed on your next journey. Congratulations, you’ve climbed the sunlight platform and I offer you a hand for balance as we dance slowly with the Earth for some R&R.

and with that …

A few outta-no-where Allies that sprung up between the cracks during our return to homeostasis.

Convolvulaceae

Nepeta

Inula

it was like a strawberry meets celosia. that little red piece is soft & not fleshy.

anybody know it?

Cosmos

Burdockleganger

No idea what this plant is. Jewelweed meets Burdock ish.

Vitis

Acer

my heart beats for you

Asteraceae

Solidago

May you find the essence of the flower blooming for you all Fall long

xoo

herbaloo

Gnarls Barkley, tree that is

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 04:32:35 +0000

“I’m a transformer”

The Silver Maple has me gallivanting on frequent Tree rendezvous’

Come to think of it, I’ve seen faces in the gnarled bark for some time

Here are a few of my favorites from 2012

You know it’s true, I’d walk to you

~ Herbaloo

Apothecary Pop-Up :: Beltane – Solstice

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 04:16:53 +0000

Spring is on its way out – here are the “good-for-yous” that have broken ground before the true heat of summer!

Chenopodium

Plantago

Sambucus

Lactuca

Asclepias

Prunella

Potentilla

Valeriana

Hypericum
on June 19th

surrounded (protected?) by a ring of Poison Ivy

(*see comments below)

Achillea

Cichorium

Lots of beauties pop-up this time of year. A wonderful time to go for a stroll …

Your wandering Earth Apprentice,

Herbaloo

Please take note: These medicinals breaking ground in “waste places” are for Earth Medicine only! If you want to harvest these medicinals, please do so from a clean & trusted plot. These plants have the ability to take up the harshities in the soil – so leave them and let them do their thing … aka Earth Medicine!

*In reference to the Hypericum pictured above, stating that it was surrounded by Poison Ivy: I have an interesting relationship with Poison Ivy. And apparently, the plant in the photo is not Poison Ivy…Or is it?? It’s gotten to the point where I have plants yell at me to “watch out” and I just assume anything with 3 leaves and a red stem is Poison Ivy – the ol’ better-safe-than-sorry. I have never had a Poison Ivy rash (knock on tree), and I TROMP through the woods and meadows. Watching where my feet land, of course!

So yeah – my manifestation of “I want a man who can properly identify Poison Ivy” still holds true.

Please feel free to comment with your Poison Ivy stories/thoughts! Thanks!

Mutant Wildflowers

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 05:02:03 +0000

Thoughts on these multiple-headed genetic drifters?

Plants have the ability to affect our DNA.

What changes theirs? Random acts of Nature?

Is it beneficial to have many heads? You would need multiple hats.

I was induced into trance with Tulsi, and her and the Shaman taught me to learn something new.

A simple request, but grandiose in the possibilities.

And Stephen Buhner reminds me you can ask a plant, through love and devotion, to help you with a specific disease.

The plant will alter its own chemical constituents so you may harvest its specific qualities of healing.

[The plant will literally shift its make-up to meet your specific desires!]

They hold many forms of help and healing.

Multiple hats.

Apothecary Pop-Up :: April

Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:29:24 +0000

Rumex

Verbascum

Viola & Taraxacum

::snuggling in bloom::

Arctium

Glechoma

Solidago

Chelidonium

un-beknownst-to-me Tree, with Chelidonium – Leonarus - Taraxacum

Verbascum & friends

Urtica

Impatiens