Crow's Daughter's Herbal Wisdom

"Just a minute," said a voice...

2011-10-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

"Just a minute," said a voice...
by Mary Oliver

"Just a minute," said a voice in the weeds.

So I stood still

in the day's exquisite early morning light.

and so I didn't crush with my great feet

any small or unusual thing just happening to pass by

where I was passing by

on my way to the blueberry fields,

and maybe it was the toad

and maybe it was the June beetle

and maybe it was the pink and tender worm

who does his work without limbs or eyes

and does it so well

or maybe it was the walking stick, still frail

and walking humbly by, looking for a tree,

or maybe, like Blake's wondrous meeting, it was

the elves, carrying one of their own

on a rose petal coffin away, away

into the deep grasses, After awhile

the quaintest voice said, "Thank you." And then there was silence

For the rest, I would keep you wondering.

Moving Forward with Intention~September 11

2011-09-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone, I wrote two poems after the momentous events of September 11, 2001.
The first one I wrote within days of September 11th and the second one about a year later.
May we all move forward with peace in our hearts.
Green Blessings, Julie

It was a morning like any other,
I crouched in front of my heater,
I remember a dream I had right before I woke
Lovers were intertwined in the mud,
In the rubble along a flowing river
It was my mother's call that alerted me to the tragic plane crashes
I was in shock I was afraid and excited
It was, after all, an awakening.

It was a mourning like no other
An incredible sadness lay heavy in my body.
I sought information from the radio internet
I sought my own true nature for wisdom
I felt myself rise up out of my grief
And follow the path of my dreams

The path is filled with possibilities and road blocks.
"Pray for peace" my email message read.
"We must destroy the evil" I heard him say.
"Extend compassion empathy to everyone involved." he wrote
"God Bless America" everywhere I look.
"Love is the answer to every question." She sang.

And a voice sings out in me strong and clear.
"Follow your heart's desire.
Do only what you are called to do.
Nothing more.
Feel everything strongly and thoroughly,
Let despair envelop you until you find possibility.
Let rage propel you to act without hesitation.
Let sadness bring you a last to peace within yourself."

And I cry,
"I love myself."

This poem was published in my column, The Wise Woman's Garden, in
The Beltane Papers, Journal of Women's Mysteries, Spring 2002

In the heart of hopelessness,
I found a new world.
In its sadness,
a river flowed in peace.
And in the center of all grieving,
a flower bloomed
into a joy
beyond all knowing.

May it be in Beauty.

2011-08-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Roses by Mary Oliver

All afternoon I have been walking over the dunes,
hurrying from one thick raft of the wrinkled, salt
roses to another, leaning down close to their dark
or pale petals, red as blood or white as snow.
And now I am beginning to breathe slowly and evenly-
the way a hunted animal breathes, finally, when it has galloped,
and galloped-when it is wrung dry, but, at last, is far away,
so the panic begins to drain from the chest, from the wonderful legs,
and the exhausted mind.

Oh sweetness pure and simple, may I join you?

I lie down next to them, on the sand.
But to tell about what happens next, truly I need help.

Will somebody or something please start to sing?

Weaving the Green

2011-03-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful and quite a dynamic experience with my free teleclass this morning.
As I talked about the potent energy of the earth very close to the ground in the fall and winter
months, the potent wind through the trees blew our electricity out. Then it came back
on. A bit of delay in the class, but powerful display of the transformational energies
that are present during this winter-into-spring time.

Two things I shared on this teleclass this morning:

An excerise to connect with the green emerging
Seven ways to weave the green into your life right now.

The New Green Way ~ Shamanic Exercise:

Go outside on the earth where you live. Look at your feet.
Bend your knees slightly and allow your energy to sink into the earth just a bit.
Breathe naturally, three breaths.
Now breathe with the awareness that you are breathing in the breath of the plants around you and breathe out, offering your breath to the plants.
Now become aware that this beautiful earth you are standing on is alive. Breathe in and out with the earth.
Bring awareness to the green around you, no matter what the weather or what appearance of the landscape.
Breathe in and out with the green.
Now connect the green with the green of your inner landscape. And listen.
Offer gratitude when this is complete.

Seven Ways to Weave the Green as winter turns into spring:

Spend time outside everyday, listening and breathing with Gaia, our living earth.
Breathe in and out with the green, whether you can see it or not. It is there now.
Before harvesting any plants, ask permission. Wait for an answer.
See all weather patterns of spring as being instrumental in bringing about fertility. Give up complaining about weather and give thanks instead.
Plants seeds as soon as it is possible. Plant your intentions with them.
Drink nourishing herbal infusion to wake up your body.
Notice what nourishes you and what doesn't nourish you.

May it be in Beauty.

I am the Hawk, Soaring Over the Land

2010-11-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

It is the second day of snow here on our land on Whidbey Island. Sometimes the cold, dark rainy weather keeps me inside most of the day. The snow lures me outside, to explore the landscape. I noticed the other day that there were still some wild rose hips that looked beautifully red and plump down in the thicket. Today I venture down there to harvest some, knowing full well that the Vitamin C in them is potent because of the cold.

They are so easy to pluck. And the blood red color stands brillant against the white snow and grayish red stalks. I start out gathering rose hips and think I will get bored easily. But there is something about rose that lures me into another realm. I forget this truth until I am here in this expanded version of life, where love and beauty reign.

There are at least three different species of wild rose that I am noticing. The very hard, small fruit are the most vibrant at this time of year. But I venture over to the place where the large, plump hips are hanging. As I am almost to the edge of our land, I look up and overhead comes a very large hawk in its winter garb. Mostly white, with flecks of brown.

I can tell the time by this hawk. It comes in the afternoon about 2:30 pm. It flies over the land and over the garden. I am fortunate to be here at this moment to witness its flight.

Out there on the land, as the sun is ending its fullness and beginning to wane, I feel a sense of connectedness with everything. I am the hawk, soaring over the land. I am the ruby red rose hips. I am the snow, the frozen cold. I am the sun waning and the darkness approaching. I am the earth mother old and dying and the gestating infant earth, held inside the deep dark holy womb.

I remember as I write this that I am held in total darkness as the light of my existence prepares for birth. I am thankful for this vision that peace is felt first before it is seen.

May it be in Beauty.

I will tend and water and pray and sing

2010-09-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

The garden this year has been deeply nourishing. It is the 5th year of this garden for us here at our little farm on Whidbey. I have written before about my whole life being an adventure of moving here and there and discovering new plants and new gardens. It was so easy in the past to uproot myself and leave for new adventures. When we moved here, I knew it was permanent.

There has been a stirring in me for over 20 years to root into the land and grow from there. It started in Seattle, where Tadd and I owned a little house in Ballard. We had a eight foot thick laurel hedge growing around the perimeter of our yard. Tadd, with chainsaw in hand, cut the laurel back dramatically. We discovered that the squirrels lived in there as we disrupted their homesteads. And the summer after that clear cut, I discovered a blue elder growing out of the laurel. This was right around the time when I met Susun Weed and EagleSong. My life was to change dramatically in a very short span of time and I didn’t quite know it yet.

I began to do small rituals out my my yard, to honor the earth, to pray for my life purpose to be revealed to me and for peace. I would pour herbal infusion on the elder at the end of my rituals. The elder grew flowers and then berries that summer, right in the middle of Seattle, right in the middle of the laurel. I trusted this message and thanked Mama Earth for such a generous gift. One day when I finished my ritual, I turned to walk back in my house and from around the corner of the house flew an enormous hawk. It flew very near me and then out of sight.

I was taken to my knees by this experience. And from it I felt something grow in me that now flourishes some twenty years later. I learned that wherever I am on the Earth, it is sacred. I learned that to do what we are called to do wherever we are, whoever we are is what is needed.

I am now being called to cultivate the land here. This seems like the hardest task of all. It is the land itself that is calling for this. I could easily live here amongst the great weeds and tall grasses and not grow many plants. But I am being called into something greater than I have been before and with some reluctance and resistance I am answering the call.

It is like the shedding of the snake’s skin. I am surrendering to the fact that I am
changing. It is uncomfortable with a lot of not knowing. And like the seed that hold new life inside it, I don’t yet know what I will become with it. I will tend and water and pray and sing and trust the invisible hands that guide me on.

May it be in Beauty.

Divine Design within the Imperfection

2010-06-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

I returned from my fourth trip to Vermont Prosperity Training this last Sunday evening. It was a good training this time. Each time I am opened more. This time I really wanted to hide and not open because of disclosing my lack of integrity in relationship with money.

I am even reluctant to share it here. What will you think if you know that I am not always in integrity with money?

We had an assignment to choose four ways of changing. One of these ways was....”from tired overwhelm of a mess that’s chaotic, unconscious, frantic, scatter and make wrong”...to....”energetic actions of order and design making priorities and promises that are focused, scheduled and accountable.” In choosing this one, I saw that I could organize my finances and be straight with what I need to pay. What occurred after this was somewhat of a blur. My teacher Toni Stone proceeded to break-down the ego mind with which I was operating and help me to see that I am not fully in integrity with what I said I would do. I truly thought I was doing pretty well up to that point, that I was doing my best. I discovered that I sometimes pretend to be ignorant when really I am not at all.

Later we talked about witnessing these imperfect ways that we are and accepting ourselves as we are. I am learning from this training and also from my prosperity conversations with students that the goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to be vulnerable, to open ourselves to being ourselves. There is a kind of divine design within the imperfection.

May it be in Beauty.

Bring into the World, That Beautiful Idea

2010-05-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Tadd and I were living in Arlington, Washington about ten years ago. The house we were renting was an old, old Victorian farmhouse that was falling apart. I had returned from my apprenticeship with Susun Weed in New York about a year before that and was beginning the integration period of this life changing experience. I was also just beginning menopause and I felt like I was falling apart also.

I had quit my job as a teacher and was living off of some savings I had and then off of Tadd's income. I already had started a small herbal products business and was selling at farmer's markets and a bit through mail order. I had started writing a column for The Beltane Papers, Journal of Women's Mysteries and discovered I could write about plants.

There was a very, very large managed forest to the east of us. I would climb up behind our house and walk and walk through it. I spent my days walking in the woods and gardening, talking to the plants and wondering what I was going to do with the rest of my life. Tadd wondered that also.

I began to cook all our food from scratch at that time and also made nourishing herbal infusions for us to drink. I grew lots of food for us and made medicines from the plants that were near. I grew very close to one of the Douglas Fir tree up in the woods and visited her almost everyday.
I also remember the Herb Robert and how it helped me feel welcome on the forest trail.

I had some problems with my self esteem at this time. My body was changing and I gained quite a bit of weight. I had shaved my head to celebrate my transformation upon finishing my shamanic apprenticeship and I hated the way my hair looked for a long time.

I sought shamanic healing to help me navigate this strange new life and trained with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I started a shamanic practice in my little delapidated house near the woods. In the unseen world of my journeys, I found the home base for my shamanic herbal practice. I began to teach and enrolled a couple of apprentices to come explore the way of the wise woman with me.

Then the world trade towers came down. This marked a significant change in both Tadd and myself. Tadd began to struggle a bit with finding enough work and well, I was hardly making any money at what I was doing. Our chiropractor told Tadd about a woman from Vermont, Toni Stone, who had helped his wife double her income. Tadd gave her a call and started to receive coaching from her.

Within the next year, we had moved to Whidbey Island to rent a little house on the beach. I started to receive coaching also. And within a couple of years we bought a beautiful farm where we now live and work.

It has been almost six years since we moved here to our little farm. My herbal school, Crow's Laughter Mystery School is very successful and my products are helping to heal many people all over the US and even internationally. I have always had within me a beautiful idea of how I wanted everything to be. When I started studying prosperity with Toni Stone and now Gifford Booth and many others, I learned that I could bring into the world, that beautiful idea. And I have done that and continue to paint a greater picture of it.

I have learned that sharing my gifts even when I don't think I have them to give has opened me to a greater sense of life. I have learned that being thankful for what I have been given over and over has trained me to see possibility. And I have learned to give up the easy road and instead, I have found a deeply engaging path that is rich and embodied.

I look forward to growing deeper and stronger into the richness of life and invite any and all of you to join me in celebration of our passionate abundance.

May it be in Beauty.

I am sure I am headed into the mystery again.

2010-05-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

I have been out in the garden everyday recently. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with all the weeds. This happens mostly when I take just a bit of time, when I am in a hurry. If I take the time to breathe and listen I begin to notice more and appreciate what I am witnessing.

Today I spent 3 hours weeding the Goddess Garden. This is a space within our garden shaped like a goddess. I created this just over two years ago from stones. She's about 20 feet long.
In this garden we planted oatstraw. And today I found, little plants, lamb's quarters, shephard's purse, chamomile, borage, burdock, red and yellow dock, catch-fly, couch grass and every other kind of grass.

When I stepped out of the classroom just over 13 years ago and stepped onto
the spiral path, I discovered my wildness. I was a little frightened of it and to
be honest sometimes very frightened of it. But I also loved it.
I remember discovering a weed that was growing in my garden in Ballard (Seattle)
was Nipplewort, Lapsana communis and that this plant was utilized as a poultice for
dried, cracked nipples on breast-feeding moms.
This plant that I had thought was a problem, was actually a solution.

It has only gotten better from here. Tadd and I moved from our lovely Ballard home to
a place in South West Washington called Enchanted Valley. I apprenticed with Susun Weed and
returned to our little cabin in the woods where I began my journeys into my wildness. I certainly
did cultivate plants there and in the next places I lived, but I started a practice of never weeding a plant until I knew what it was. And some wild plants that I wanted to eat in my salad and put in my soups, well, I let them grow all over the garden.

I have learned about a lot of wild plants over the last 13 years, and I have grown very fond of my wildness. I have allowed it to flourish and I have grown comfortable with those places in me
that were so frightening long ago.

Just about a week ago, I noticed that I have a strong desire to cultivate, to weed and remove many of the wild plants so that I can grow more medicinals herbs and vegetables. I have a vision of strong-rooted fruit trees as well as lindens and Hawthornes and a old growth forest of cedar and hemlock. I would love to invite, Meadowsweet, Pleurisy Root, more lavenders and thymes, and garden roses of all kinds into the garden. It is time for me to fully cultivate the garden and land here.

And as I begin this quest, this journey, I feel a little nervous that I will tame the wild, wise woman and she won't be any fun, won't know the voices of the unseen world anymore. I am sure I am headed into the mystery again. I am excited this time as I step into the wilds of cultivation and begin to plant seeds there.
Goddess only know what can happen now.

May it be in beauty.

I could actually say I am in love with the taste of wild rose honey.

2010-05-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

One of the most delicious and deeply sensual gifts of life is Wild Rose Honey Electuary. It's taste is exquisite and its healing unfathomable. It is so simple to make. You can make it with the wild roses which are beginning their bloom right now and you can make it with any rose.

Here is how.... Venture off to a place where the wild rose grows. As you come into its presence, begin to pay attention to your breath. Detect the smell of rose, perhaps subtle at first. And then put you nose right into the bloom. (Watch for bees. :<)

Smell this delectable fragrance and give thanks for it. Now, ask the rose if you may harvest. Yes? Well then, look for the blooms who's stamens are still pale yellow. Harvest as many as you can get in a jar just about to the top. Offer gratitude once again.

Saying thank you is a practice in itself and cannot be done too much. You can harvest the roses right into your jar if you like, but when you place them in a basket, they are so beautiful. Place these beautiful roses in your jar and drizzle local, raw honey over them. This is a slow process and can be rather messy evoking the wild wise woman in you.

You will want enough honey to cover the roses. Put a lid on your jar and label this with name and date. And wait...its hard to wait for rose honey, but oh, so worth it. Six weeks is long enough, but you could actually start to taste the rose in the honey after just one day.

You can strain this with a seive and a cloth. And....you can just eat it right out of the jar. And offer gratitude again for such precious medicine. I could actually say I am in love with the taste of wild rose honey. I must just surrender to this fact.

May it be in Beauty.

Love and Beauty at my Doorstep

2010-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

This piece is the first of three articles I wrote for Susun Weeds' Wise Woman eMagazine ind 2008. You can read all three installments here...http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June08/goddess.htm

The Journey of the Rose
A Shamanic Herbal Tale in 3 parts ~ Part I

I am looking forward to the blooming of the wild roses this year. Each day making my way down into the yard to “check on them”. We have lived here on this land for just over three years. When we moved here in December of 2004, I remember one of the first things we did was to walk down into the wetland area. My husband was on this trek to “claim” the land he had chosen to steward. I was in search of plants. Who lives here? I saw the thickets of thorny bushes, but I didn’t yet know for sure they were roses.

Around 8 years ago, I discovered a magical place on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington where there are acres and acres of wild roses. I began to travel to this place to harvest the blooms in May/June and then the wild rose hips in October. Year after year I would make this pilgrimage to commune with rose. Wildcrafting wild rose blossoms is bewitching.

It begins like any other wildcrafting task..... asking, listening, thanking, plucking the blooms, sniffing here and there, tasting. But then as I continue, I find myself entering another world. Soon I am mesmerized by this thorny priestess; I am inside the realm of love and beauty. Peace abounds in this space. Loving myself is simple. Wild Rose tells me tales of how to love, who to love and how to teach love. This sacred space that beckons me, welcomes me is difficult to leave. It is soon time for me to stop harvesting so that I may get to the ferry before the last boat. Wild rose is saying pick me, pick me, more and more. I am pulling myself away from her, telling her I will return in fall to harvest her hips. I discover that even after I leave this space between the world, I can still travel there in feelings and sensations.

As spring came ‘round, our first spring here at our farm, I discovered the wild roses...still doubt sets in about whether it could possibly be true that I had chosen to live the rest of my life surrounded by this sorcière couverture. I made plans to travel to the Peninsula to harvest once again my beautiful blossoms. I returned to the spot where the wild roses spoke so loudly to me, seeking that feeling, craving the realm, hungry for it. The wild roses did speak loudly to me then and startled me. “What are you doing here?” they yelled. “You have roses on your land to harvest? You can harvest a few petals here and then you must return to your home and begin your journey there with wild rose.” I was heart broken or might I say that my heart was broken open at that moment. I realized that up until this time, I had to go seeking for love and beauty, I had to leave home to find it. Now I am being called to a simpler and yet more difficult task, to find love and beauty at my door step.

This year, I am restless to discover what wild rose will teach me. Her subtly, fragrant green leaves have already taken me in. Within her wise teachings, there is more difficulty in peeling away layers, in finding more love for myself and there is also laughter and singing to come.

May it be in Beauty.

There are three spaces left for...
The Journey of the Rose ~ Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
May 29-30, 2010 ~ Amongst the blooming wild roses at our farm on Whidbey Island
Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for detailed information and to register and email us anytime.

The Green Teachings of the Fairies

2010-04-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

“Green! ‘Tis the fairy garb of spring with million dew drops glistening.” Pedro Caulderon de la Barca, “Green and Blue”

It was just over five years ago that my husband Taddeusz and I came here to this land on Whidbey Island in Washington. We moved here from the rentals we had lived in for 7 years after selling our house in Seattle. Because we had moved so much, lived in so many places around Puget Sound, getting here to this place didn’t seem that significant at first. Another place to live, to discover, another adventure. What was to unfold as winter turned into spring could not have been known, but perhaps in the holy darkness of my psyche, I knew about the enchantment that was calling me forward.

I offered an herbal class at our farm the spring after moving here. As we walked on the land to discover the wild plant populations, one participant walked ahead of the rest of us. I saw her looking down at the ground and pointing. She said, “Look at this.” I came to the place where she stood and saw an old dead tree stump, quite small actually, with shelf mushrooms growing out of it. I knew immediately that this was the place where fairies dwelled. A gateway into their underworld sanctuary.

This place on our land became known as “The Fairy Dell” As spring came into her fullness, we discovered that “The Fairy Dell” was in the middle of a great thicket of wild roses. We told everyone who came to the land that this fairy sanctuary was off limits to humans, showing everyone where they could walk no further.

I didn’t know much about fairy lore. I had attended some talks given by R.J. Stewart and Dorothy Maclean at the Fairy and Human Relations Congress and listened intently. I read stories. And then I began to offer herbal mentorships for girls here at the farm. I did my journey work to discover what I could offer the girls. The fairies appeared in my journeys, giving me shamanic exercises in which the girls could connect with the unseen realm of these enchanted beings. The girls, ages 6-13 years old, understood the fairy language. They were delighted and seriously indulged in these experiences.

We listened, offered trinkets, libations and blessings. When the old tree fell over in a storm we created a staff with ribbons, herbs and beads to mark its place. It was this relationship that the girls had with the fairies that created a place in me to believe and to listen.

The fairy realm is intricatedly connected with the green world. A deva is a plant in its true and entire essence. Offered here are a few shamanic exercises in which you can discover the teachings of the fairies first hand right where you live.

This First Meditation/Journey can be done in a comfortable chair in your home:

Close your eyes and find yourself at home outside in your garden or yard.
Within this space, go to a plant with which you feel a connection.
Notice your breath.
Breathe in and out 3 time naturally.
Now breathe and imagine you are breathing in the breath of this plant. Breathe out and offer your breath to the plant.
Ask your plant, this plant, “What have you for me?” and listen.
Now look down at the base of the plant where it comes out of the ground. Look for movement, as if you can see the wind.
Acknowledge this as the fairy beings that dwell around this plant.
Watch this energy move, and see if you can sense this energy communicating with you. What might it be telling you? Listen.
When you sense this is complete, step back from the plant and acknowledge it by saying thank you.
Open your eyes.

Activating the Fairy~Plant Connection: You are going to be activating the fairy~plant connection. The Devic realm will be honored and blessed. The magical realm of the plants will be activated. Fairies and Devas work together in the magical realm of the plants. This ceremony will open these realms. It can be done in each season.

Fill a bowl with water, and place plants in it.
Choose plants with which you feel a strong connection. Ask permission before gathering these plants and offer gratitude.
Hold the bowl of water and plants in your hands.
Breathe in and out, allowing the entireness of the plant to be breathed into you. As you breathe out, offer your entire self to the plant. Do this for 21 breaths.
When this is complete, offer this water at the base of an old tree and offer gratitude to the fairies~devas~plants~water.

Song of the Birds: The fairies say that when you breath the song of the birds into your body, when you are in the garden or surrounded by plants, that you go to the place where plants walk around like humans and speak in the language you can understand.

Find a place where you can sit and listen to the song of the birds.
Close your eyes.
Listen to the songs, breathe the songs into your body, feel it enter you body.
Allow the song of the birds to take you to the unseen realm of the plants. And see what you discover.
When you are home, cooking in your kitchen, open the window and allow the bird song into your kitchen. Breathe it in. This will bring the fairy energy into your home.

The connections with the fairy realm are not always light and fanciful. The fairies are powerful beings with strong intentions and will ask you to do things for them. Be strong in your own intentions as you begin this connection and trust your own intuition always.

May it be in Beauty.

First Printed in The Beltane Papers, Journal of Women's Mysteries, Spring 2009
www.thebeltanepapers.net

i listen

2010-04-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

A rule for participants visiting our land and farm:
Do not to pick any plants or gather anything unless you ask me first.

please honor the land
come into relationship
with plant and animal
people grab and rip grass
seeds taken
tulip petal stolen
Crazy witch?

noticing grass
between my fingers
i greet my apple tree
she shares her wisdom
voices of the land
whispers of plants

a feather
on the ground
is this something
for me?
compassionate beings
changing me

breath
attention
intention
a whole world
opens

i listen

Before St. Patrick

2010-03-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

I can easily say,
I love rain.
I love gray days
the holy darkness
that holds our world
when it rains.

Stinging Nettle shone
vibrant green
in the rain.
Full of life force,
presence.
There is a
new green,
this time of year.
From deep, down
in the fertile earth,
comes life once more.
I think perhaps
that before St. Patrick
there was
The Green.

We Must First Breathe Out

2010-02-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

I returned from Vermont late Tuesday night. I spent the weekend at Toni Stone's home in Fairfax at a Prosperity Training. This was the second in a series of 7 weekend trainings over the next year, every other month. I decided to do this training because my life has been so vitally enhanced by the prosperity tools I have utilized and because of the prosperity coaching I have received over the last 9 years.
I always choose challenge. Even when I say I don't like it in the middle of it, that I am going to be easier on myself next time etc. etc. The work that we did over the weekend didn't seem so challenging on the surface. We made books about our season in the prosperity cycles. We studied Feng Shui together and the Chinese Zodiac. We did needle point, we wrote, we colored. We prepared meals together and we had deep conversations about what is so.
I woke up on Sunday morning in a fit of despair. I felt like I was the most inept person alive, that I cannot even get my life together. I laid in bed for awhile in this "seeming" problem and then decided to get up and begin my chores. I thought if I moved my body, I could move my emotional body as well. I met one of my fellow prosperity practioners in the kitchen, Tim, an electrician and stand up comedian. I shared with him about what I was experiencing. He said, "There is no destination we are trying to get to. We just keep going forward, keep practicing." This helped.
We sat down in the large comfy living room/course room to write and have conversations. I shared my despair about being such a fuck-up. Toni said to the group, "Who isn't a fuck-up here? Who isn't inept?" Well, no one raised their hands. I realized that it doesn't matter, all this stuff that goes on in my head about my experience. That spending time in self concern about what my life is like was keeping me from being fully alive. This experience was ego shattering for me. It drew me away from the mind chatter of what I think I am, back into myself and who I truly am.
A shamanic teacher of mine once said that the mind chatter, the voice that goes on and on in our heads is like the out-breath. Just let it go. As the words, the thoughts float through our consciousness, just allow them to be expelled.

Intuition and inspiration are the in-breath.

In order to breathe in the breath of possibility, we must first breathe out.

May it be in Beauty.

Growing Quickly When Its Necessary

2010-02-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

In Seattle today, at Warren G. Magnuson Park, I visited the cottonwood trees. There is one tree especially who's strong presence I seek when I return to this beautiful place. The buds of this tree were swelling, plump and even though they were out of reach, I could sense the thick, gooey, resin of Balm of Gilead. This other worldly medicine is in its prime right now. I almost forgot to harvest this year, distracted by so many changes, until I was spontaneously drawn to the park this afternoon before a healing session. As soon as I drove into the park, I saw the cottonwoods and remembered.

I am tied to the seasons now. I have been returning to harvest Cottonwood aka Balm of Gilead for I think about 15 years. The plant's messages and compassion are getting stronger and stronger for me. I cannot avoid it, pretend I don't understand it or doubt it anymore. I am happily surrendered to this life along side the plants. Cottonwood has worked her magic with me quite a bit lately. I have offered her my fear and she has given me inspiration. I have harvested her buds and she has given me healing oil. I have asked her advise and she has smiled at me, comforted me and taught me to grow quickly when its necessary.

It is Imbolc today...the traditional time of initiation. I am initiating spontaneity. I am opening to the wise and wild path of change and growth, fast and fine.

What will you initiate this year?

May it be in Beauty.

Invisible Quiet

2009-11-16T22:07:00.000-08:00

I walked out on the land today.
I asked the apple tree for some advise about my work.
I walked up under the Douglas fir trees and greeted the burdock,
who’s leaves are almost invisible now.
I collected a few evergreen branches to feed to my goats.
I looked down at the beautiful beech leaves on the ground,
amber and glistening from rain.
I looked up at the majestic cedar.
Outside, I was quiet and slow.
Witnessing, listening, feeling.
Inside, I am working through,
continuing, calling, crafting, journeying, writing,
emailing, dreaming, intending, and affirming.
My inner world is very busy right now creating.
My outer world is gently being.
I was reminded by my walk out onto the earth,
that the gentle slow and low energy of this new moon day,
can nurture me best outside. I will follow earth’s energy inward,
and work diligently on the inside.
And I will allow myself to notice the
invisible quiet of the earth on the outside.

May it be in Beauty.

Calling us into Relationship, October Blog Party: Bio-regional herbs for Colds and Flu

2009-10-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to visit Rosalee de la Foret's blog and links to many other herbalists who has written their blogs with the theme: Bio-regional herbs for Colds and Flu
http://methowvalleyherbs.blogspot.com/2009/10/october-blog-party-bio-regional-herbs.html

When I moved to Whidbey Island, just over 7 years ago, I had a good relationship with a few plants that boosted my immune system and helped me release viral and bacterial infections, helped me soothe myself through being sick and support me back to wellness. Some of these plants didn’t grow where I lived and so I depended on buying the fresh root and at times the dry root to make tincture. I had no idea what I would find here, on this precious island, and I am still amazed every time I think about it.

At a recent plant walk I offered on the island, I spoke to participants of how we don’t need to worry so much about colds and flus on Whidbey Island because we are surrounded by amazing immune system plants. I will share a bit about a few of these plants, how to prepare them simply at home and then at the end offer a few ways to nourish your immune system so that you are less likely to contact a cold or flu in the future.

Wild Rose Rosa nutkana and other species:
We have wild roses here on our land on Whidbey Island, almost an acre of them. They are in abundance all over the island as well as all over Western Washington, into the mountain and beyond. Wild Rose is anti-viral to name just one of many ways this plants offers itself to us. I met a man years back at an herbal conference who had done significant research on Pacific Yew as an anti-cancer herb. He told me that at University of British Columbia in Canada, they were testing some native plants for their anti-viral properties and the wild rose rosa nutkana, leaf and flower tincture killed the cold virus in the laboratory.
I was amazed and excited, I had some wild rose tincture at my booth, which is what sparked the conversation. I had not utilized it in this way. I began to make the tincture as he suggested and have utilized it now when I have a cold. It has been gentle and very effective in my healing. Students of mine have used it and we have found that it strongly supports healing, and can turn what appears "bad" to "not so bad "in a short amount of time. This “Pacific Yew Man” as I call him, said that he believed that wild rose hips tincture would have a similar effect. My husband and I now utilize both of these preparations for healing our upper respiratory infections. One of the beautiful things about this herbal preparation of wild roses is that it also supports the relaxation of the nervous system, which is beneficial when we are sick. It helps bring us into a more positive perspective about our health.

You can easily make wild rose tincture and wild rose hips tincture yourself at home. Right now, the wild rose hips are ripe and ready to offer themselves to you for healing.

Find a stand of wild rose hips from which to harvest. Spend some time with the plants and breathe in their oxygen, breathe out offering your breath. Listen and see what these plants specifically have for you.
Ask their permission to harvest and gather the wild rose hips in a basket or cloth bag. Say thank you for such beautiful medicine. If these rose hips are in abundance, gather enough to dry as well for infusions full of Vitamin C and pectin.
Place your wild rose hips in a jar, filling it 2/3 full with these ripe red berries. Fill the jar again with 100 proof vodka. (You can now find organic vodka at the liquor store) Put a lid on your tincture and label it with name, date and perhaps something the plant spoke to you. Let this brew sit for six weeks, the turn of a season.
Strain it through a sieve with a clean cloth draped over it. Squeeze out the liquid, as much as you can and place this incredible life giving medicine into a beautiful bottle.
My husband and I use 25 drops about every 3 hours when we are right in the middle of a cold and then lessen it to once or twice a days as we are getting better.
Next year, when spring is turning to summer, you can gather the wild rose flower and leaf tips and make a tincture in the same way.

One of my practices that keeps me connected with the compassionate wisdom of the plants that I utilize for medicine is to continue to thank the plants for their healing. And so I return to the plants again and again and wish them well, say thank you and remember what they have offered me.

Lomatium Lomatium nudicale: I found out about this plant from Ryan Drum, www.ryandrum.com, at an herbal conference. I had heard of Lomatium dissectum, a plant that is strongly overharvested. Ryan talked about how traditionally, the seed of the lomatium nudicale was utilized by the native first people here around Puget Sound. He said it was much more sustainable to harvest the seed than the root and really, the root is not a traditional medicine. I was intrigued with his stories.
I had just moved to Whidbey Island and asked him if he thought this plant grew on our island. He said “Yes” that he had seen it up near the central part of the island on the beach. I purchased lomatium seed from Ryan so that I could make tincture with it and begin to bring its medicine into my life. I have found the place where Lomatium nudicale grows on the beach. It is a member of the carrot family, and has a beautiful low growing umbel of seeds that ripen in late summer. I am excited to share this medicine with others, passing on its gentle and effective healing of upper respiratory infections. I also discovered that it has been called the “Indian Consumption Plant”
There is one more bit about it that is significant here. The Lomatium nudicale seed is a spirit healer as well. It was given to another when the giver wished to be heard. This to me represent relationship. And I have found in my studies and journeys that the immune system is about just that, relationship.
This plant is a little more elusive than wild rose. But if you do happen onto it, gather the lomatium seeds in late summer and make a tincture very similar to the directions above. Infused honey is another preparation that can be helpful when we are in need of support in healing a cold or flu. In this case, fill a jar half full with the lomatium seeds and pour local, raw honey over this to the top. You can use this preparation in a week or two, but do wait for at least six weeks for it. It will be worth it.
Tinctures are such a great way to make herbal medicine last for long period of time. I like to advocate that people also make infusion with plants. The mineral richness of the healing herbs will be extracted in a strong tea that sits for a long time. This is also the more traditional use of the herb.
Infusion of Wild Rose Hips:

Pour one quart of boiling water over one ounce of dry rose hips.
Let this sit for 4-8 hours.
Strain off the liquid and put the wild rose hips in a saucepan with more water.
Boil this for a long time.
Strain this through a cloth draped sieve (so you don’t get the little hairs inside the hips)
Add the two liquids to each other.

This is an exquisite infusion and full of goodness.

There are two , two weeds, that grow in my garden and on our land with which I make nourishing herbal vinegars. They are Dandelion Root Taraxacum officinale and Burdock Root Artium lappa. Now is the time to harvest these roots. They are filled with inulin, a starchy substance that nourishes your gut flora. It is becoming more and more widely known that most of the immune system is in the gut. When you have a healthy gut, you are well. Here is a link to a blog post I offered awhile back with instructions for harvesting dandelion root and making an herbal vinegar with it.
http://crowsdaughtersherbs.blogspot.com/2008/01/dandelion-has-been-potent-ally-of-mine.html
You might think the dandelion root would be bitter, but right now it has sweetness in it. I put this dandelion root vinegar on my salads, in my soups and on my well cooked greens.

The healing plants are calling us into relationship. "Come outside" they say, " And discover a whole new world of nourishment and healing at your doorstep."

May it be in Beauty.

We are Water, Mostly, and So are Plants Water

2009-07-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

The rain came this morning to our land here on Whidbey Island.
I prayed for it and then wished I hadn't because of the start of our Herbal Wisdom Summer Mentorship for Girls starting today.
But once I stepped out on the earth, onto the rain soaked grass and felt the warm moist air on my skin, I softened. A gentleness washed over me, soothed my overwhelmed, overheated and overexcited body/mind.
Water is a much needed companion in summer's heat and fire.
Water washes away that last bit of unneeded energy so that we may manifest our desires.
We are water, mostly, and so are plants water.

I will not wait for the overwhelm of summer's heat to take its toll on me next time.
I will drink water, I will sprinkle water on my brow, I will soak my feet in water, I will swim.
Summer is the time to grow, grow, grow. Summer is the time to continue through, to put all that we've got into what we desire.

And as we focus our intentions on our desired outcomes, we may bring gentleness, peace and well-being into our practices with water...

Walk barefoot on the rain soaked land
Wash your face with spring water
Soak your feet in warm, salty water
Drink nourishing herbal infusions
Bless the you that is water
Cry tears of sadness and joy
Spend time wading in a lake, a stream, an ocean
Thank the rain

May it be in Beauty.

The Alchemy of Our Divine Nature

2009-06-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

I walked out this morning as the sun rose over the tall evergreen trees, to check on my goats and to visit the tipi that sits on our land. I stood in the bowl (a natural concave) before the tipi entrance and look up at Grandmother Cedar, released my burdens, sloughed off what is no longer useful and entered the tipi to replace the water and check on the now dowsed fire. Our Summer Solstice~New Moon Earth Celebration last night was powerful and precious. Fourteen people gathered for community potluck and then new moon ritual to release anything we no longer want for ourselves, our families, our community our world. And then we gathered blessings for our world, scattered rose petals for love and beauty, laid yarrow stalks for transformaton and placed cedar boughs on our path to bless each step we take in the world. I am moved by the rituals we have here, I receive a great deal from them and am inspired to know that each person evokes their own inspiration.

It was mentioned last night that the word Solstice means "pause". My shamanic teachers have offered wisdom to me about this time of year as not a waning but a widening, an expansion of the earth's energies and a great time of manifestation. At Summer Solstice, the energy of the earth is fully activated from the deepest parts of the earth up and out to the deepest reaches of the cosmos, connecting us with our ancient past and our ancestors and also into our infinite future. My garden this morning was powerful, so many plants speaking to me, offering themselves to me.

There are a few plants that bring their most potent medicine at Summer Solstice. St. Joan's Wort, Hypericum perforatum, connects us with the soul of who we are. She is a most precious nervous system nourisher and healer and a plant teacher. Plant teachers are those plants that will heal anything and everything. St. Joan's Wort is one such plant. Nervous system, liver, immune system, energetic system, healing thoughts, emotions and spirit. The beautiful yellow flowers reveal within them, a deep magenta-red substance who's smell calms and who's medicine is like to other.

We have a native Artemesia plant here on Whidbey Island, Artemesia suksdorfii. This powerful plant's fragrance is intoxicating and calls me over whenever I am in the garden the last few days. I utilize her for bringing focus to my dreams. I will gather the flowering stalks now to dry and make smudges and to place under my pillow. I won't use her indicriminately though. She is powerful enough that I use utmost integrity and intention when I evoke her magic.

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium grows wild on the beaches here on Whidbey and in my garden wild, from plants I transplanted from my beach home. Yarrow is utilized by wise woman who want to stop excessive bleeding, flooding during menopause. She also is a native healer for the immune system and a wound healer. I call upon her to transform my entire being, bring new manifestation to my world. I dreamed of her years ago...a phoenix in a garden burst into flames and was reborn as a yarrow plant.

We have an incredible opportunity to transform our lives, our world into one that works for all beings. It is already here before us, we only need evoke new thoughts to see and receive it. Noticing what is working, speaking prayers of peace, of prosperity and humanity, of kindness and nourishment, of inclusion for all in this sacred earth community is what will transform our thoughts. It is the alchemy of our divine nature that supports the growth and expansion of this new world.

A simple practice to support this perspective:

Write down 100 things in your life that are working.
Write down 100 gratitudes.
Say thank you to 10 people everyday that have helped and supported you in any way.

May it be in beauty.

A Wild Thing to Do

2009-06-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

It was been a beautiful spring and early summer here on Whidbey Island. We have had more sun than usual at this time of year and the garden is expressing herself exuberantly. I have planted a few vegetables this year and have been rewarded with wonderful romaine lettuce, dinosaur kale, and walla walla sweet onions. More veggies to come soon.... What I am especially enjoying this year are the weeds. I am inspired to share a few ways to utilize the weeds in your garden. It is quite a wild thing to do and offers you incredible minerals and even healing in every mouthful.

Our Chickweed Stellaria media is still coming up in many places, cool evenings and shady area are helpful for its continuation. Chickweed is cooling, nourishes our skin, our eyes, and is a tonic for the heart among other wise healing ways.
Sow Thistle Sonchus oleracea is another wild green packed with mineral salts. You may be weeding this plant out, even cursing it and not realized its potential for nourishing.
Isla Burgess tells us in her book, Weed's Heal that Sow Thistle cools fevers, returns health to intestinal issues, and nourishes the blood.

Lamb's Quarters Chenopodium album: I am so happy this weed returned to my garden this year. It is one of my favorite cooked greens, it out does kale and spinach for mineral richness and flavor.
Wild Greens Pesto: Gather chickweed, sow thistle leaves and lamb quarter leaves (the ladder two best harvested before flowering) cut them up just a bit and put them in a food processor with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. Blend this and add more olive oil until you get a nice paste. If you have basil you could add a bit of that for flavor, or any of the Mediterranean herbs (Rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano).You can add fresh garlic if you like or fresh young onions from your garden. Cook whole wheat spaghetti pasta until al dente, strain and mix in your pesto. Sprinkle parmesan or feta cheese on this and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Red Clover Trifolium pratense infusion and vinegar: The red clover returned this year with a gusto. The deep fushia flowers are abundant and covered with bees. I have been harvesting the flowers everyday and placing them on a flat basket away from direct sunlight to dry. The warmth of the summer days helps to dry them quickly. When dry, they are ready to infuse ~ fill a jar with the dry red clover flowers, don't pack them just drop them in and fill the jar again with boiling water. Place a lid on this and leave it on the counter overnight. Strain it and drink. Iced is nice during the summer months. Red Clover nourishes your blood, your liver, your lungs, is anti-cancer and anti-tumor and is very calming. Red Clover connects us with our bloodline and promotes a sense of happiness. What an amazing repetoire for a weed!
If you have an abundance of flowers, gather them and fill a jar with them packing slightly. Then pour organic apple cider vinegar over them, label this with name and date and let this sit for about six weeks. When you strain this, you will have a sweet, nourishing and tonifying treat.

Oh, Dandelion Taraxacum officinale: There are countless ways to utilize this precious, potent plant. The dandelion leaves right now are full of the bitter richness that support healthy digestion. Gather the dandelion leaves in a basket. Hold several leaves at one time and snip them small. Fill a jar with these leaf pieces and then fill again with organic apple cider vinegar.
Six weeks of infusing allow the abundant minerals to be released into the vinegar. Strain this and eat it on salad, on cooked green (someone say lamb's quarters) or put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass with water and drink 10 minutes before eating. This will support your body to metabolize more minerals.

When I gather plants for eating and for crafting, I always ask permission to harvest. The plants are most often agreeable to my request. I listen to these compassionate beings and I am told which leaves to harvest, how much and sometimes other bits of wisdom are offered. It is a life close to the earth that is cultivated with this practice.

May it be in Beauty.

Goddess Out There in the Barn

2009-05-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Mama goat loves her babies
Is fierce about sharing her milk.
Kicking, bucking
I cried a little
Talked and sang to her
So peaceful in the barn,
in the night
baby goats bed down,
sleep sweetly in the corner of the stall
I wonder if I am doing it right
I listen into the middle world
I have discovered the Goddess out there in the barn.
In the quiet, in the night, in the eyes of fierce Mama goat.

May it be in Beauty.

Ignited in Me Was the Wise Woman

2009-04-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have been on the spiral path of the wise woman for almost 15 years now. Before that first step onto the path, I was a therapeutic teacher at a school for homeless children in Seattle. It was very stressful and joyful work. My energy was depleted in ways that I didn't realize at that time. I loved my work and yet needed to strongly commit myself to it again and again to continue it.

My husband, Taddeusz, worked in an involuntary psychiatric facility on Capital Hill. A woman came to give an in-service to the staff and shared a healing perspective with him that drew him in. He purchased a book, Healing Wise by Susun S. Weed from the trainer, EagleSong. He came home and showed it to me, and I think attempted to give it to me. I looked through it and found only a few herbs listed. I tossed it aside thinking I might look at it later. Tadd then invited me that next spring to go on a plant walk with EagleSong at Discovery Park. We learned of the wild plants you could eat and utilize medicinally. I enjoyed this and discovered a very sweet place at this park where the energy was magical. Tadd invited me to harvest nettle that spring also, which we did and hung in our basement from the ceiling to dry.
The next year, I attended the Women of Wisdom conference and signed up for EagleSong's class. She came in dressed in a long black dress, hobbling on a walking stick and throwing french fries around the room. (Salt of the earth.) She spoke...I am Black Eagle Woman, daughter of.... granddaughter of ....., great great granddaughter of ..... I began to cry and couldn't stop for a long time. I don't remember anything else about this workshop, only that EagleSong had cracked open a door for me and pushed me through.
I also met Susun Weed at this conference. She overwhelmed me with compassionate wildness in her evening talk. She jumped around on the stage and grabbed her breasts and said things like, "How can milk and eggs be bad for women, we are milk and eggs!!" Another step on the spiral path.
I signed up for The Ultimate Alchemical Circle that spring at Ravencroft, EagleSong's homestead farm in Monroe, and there I met my sisters, my wild companions. And I chose to dance with Stinging Nettle. I began to drink nourishing herbal infusions of nettle often and even brought this brew to school with me.

And then something strange began to happen. Where I once was contented to be a school teacher inside a little room in the Central District of Seattle, I found myself looking outside. I began to dream of spending time outside instead of in the classroom and even took my students on plant walks around the neighborhood where we collected dandelion flowers and plantain leaves for oils and salves.
Then came the crows. Crows began to come and sit outside the window of my classroom on the fence and look in at me. I was soon discontent to be in the classroom. What was once my passionate calling was now crumbling before me and what was ignited in me was the wise woman.

Stinging Nettle led me further on. I followed. Nettle helped me forget things so that I could re-member other things. Nettle nourished the cellular memory in me of being a shamanic herbalist. Nettle nourished my body, so deeply depleted and changed me. I am a shamanic herbalist because of these wise teachers. And I am so thankful.

Nourishing Herbal Infusion of Stinging Nettle: It is time to harvest Sister Spinster Stinging Nettle now.

Harvest her before she flowers cutting about four inches from the ground, leaving a set of leaves so that she can grow again.
Hang her upside down in a warm, dry place until the stems are quite dry.
Store the dry nettle in paper bags in a cool, dark place.
And...place one ounce of dry stinging nettle in a quart jar, fill to the top with boiling water and let this sit 4-8 hours (overnight is great).
Strain her nourishing brew and drink hot or cold.

Listening with Stinging Nettle:

Heat the Nettle infusion to just below boiling
Pour this into your favorite teacup.
With cup in hand, sit wherever you love to sit when drinking tea.
Sip the infusion
Savor the flavors, the temperature of the infusion and notice her many qualities.
Begin to listen to your body’s response to the brew.
Take note.
Now, ask the question, “What nourishes me?”
Listen for a response, notice thoughts and feelings that come into your consciousness.
Ask this question at least three times.
When you have finished your cup of infusion, rinse the cup and place it on the counter in your kitchen.
Give thanks for Stinging Nettle
Give thanks for the things that nourish you.
Give thanks for the ways you nourish yourself.

May it be in beauty.

Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for the latest news about apprenticeships, classes, immersions, events and celebrations.

A Time of Great and Small Movements

2009-03-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

What an incredible time to be alive.
We as humans have the opportunity to create our lives as works of art.
This spring time energy of emergance feels to me like the emergance of a new way, a new culture and we are crafting it with each breath, each thought, each intention, each act, bringing forth a world of peace and abundance.
I have been paying close attention to the energy of spring this year. Emergance is a powerful force. When I look down at the grown and see the deep, red Valerian leaves breaking ground and growing little by little up toward the sun, I think I understand how to change. When I think about the wild, winds yesterday, rushing through the towering Douglas Fir Tree on our land, I think I know how to change.
Because emergance is a transitional time, a time of great and small movements, it can be challenging to pin down how to nourish ourselves. Nurturing ourselves during this seasonal and cosmic shift will help us embody fully what we perceive as our most precious path. I have found that focusing on what is emerging and how to nurture myself through great change has helped me to stay focused on the sensory aspect of living and create my story from within me.

Here is an shamanic exercise that will help to nurture emergance:

Find a comfortable place to sit, inside or outside.
Notice your breath and breathe in and out three times.
Allow things to emerge, to bubble up, to pop out. What comes to mind?
Write it down, then again and again 27 times
These things you have written down are like a puzzle, a dream interpreted. Read these and discover themes.
What you decipher from this is what is emerging for you.
Find ways to nurture these things.
This is a very creative, wild way to take your thoughts and utilize them to discover what calls you and to nurture it.

This time of emergance is a wonderful time to discover and enhance self love. Nourishing Herbs are a wonderful way to give ourselves the mineral richness that Earth provides at our doorsteps. Stinging Nettle is initiating herself all over the place now. Soon she will be large enough to harvest and dry for nourishing herbal infusions. Oatstraw, wild, nourishing and estatically vibrant plant can be planted right now to harvest in summer. These two plants bring nourishment to our blood, bones, energetic and nervous systems and so much more. Stinging Nettle nourishes change and oatstraw bring focus to our consciousness. This is a good place to start loving ourselves from the inside.
May it be in beauty.

Visit our website, www.crowsdaughter.com, for a full list of apprenticeships, classes and more.

In Your True Tongue

2009-01-29T09:35:00.000-08:00

I am eager to garden this year.
I was outside today with my hori hori knife,
lifting some buttercups out of the garden spaces.
The earth is pretty frozen in many places still and I am ready for spring.
I am impatient.
If ever there was an appropriate time to be impatient this would be it.
Waiting, waiting, anticipating, quickening, initiating, emerging........
Opening my eyes to this new world.
What do I see?
I see possibility
I see new green nettle shoots emerging when I look closely at the ground.
I see new ways to think about my life and my work.
I see deep, red raspberry buds emerging from long, curved stalks.
I see a new way to look at money and finances that serves me,
sustains me and nurtures the well being of the world.
I see the emerging tips of daffodill leaves and flowers.
I see the way to take good care of myself and my family and get all of my work done.
I see my pregnant goat, Fille Luna.
I am ready.
I invite you to step outside into this new world and see for yourself
that what you dream and desire is within your reach.
Within us is possibility.
When we find it,
we are then able to bring into being
our heart’s desire.

Take a deep breath of oxygen, that which is offered to us by the trees, the plants.
Breathe and know that within our cycles of breath we are connected with all of life.
Imagine for a minute that the heart of this new world is beginning to beat in time
with the deep resonant beat of Mother Earth’s rhythm.
The energy of the heart at this time of year is green. Green for newness and green for aliveness and growth.
And now connect this heart felt energy with your deep red of your womb space (the true heart shaped organ and our deep dark wisdom center).
Breathe a breath into your heart, and now a breath into your womb,
Again your heart, again your womb,
and again your heart and again your womb.
This connection will enable you to speak your true tongue.
In your true tongue, tell someone you love about your heart’s desire.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offering for 2009:
Call or email for more information and to request an apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next sessions begin May 1 and September 18, 2009 ~ 16 Months, Comprehensive Immersion in the shamanic herbal tradition of the Wise Woman. Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.

The Journey of the Rose ~ Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
June 13-14, The Wild Roses will guide us as we listen, make herbal preparations
and acquaint ourselves with their mysteries

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Plant teacher for February is Garlic
February 21, 2009 ~ 10:30-2:30
Monthly open circle, come to as many as you like, discounts when you sign up
with friends and multiple circles.

Crow's Daughter's Herbal and Earth Teachings ~ Individual Sessions
I work intuitively, consulting my shamanic helpers to offer you what is needed.
Sessions are experiential. You will be connecting with your wisdom through time in nature, creative arts, and deep listening. I recommend multiple sessions to delve deep into the heart of what you desire. Available at our farm on Whidbey Island and in Seattle at BodySong Healing and Art Center.

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalism, an opportunity to begin crafting a deeply nourishing life where you live.
Start anytime, participate at home. 13 monthly assignments with daily practice lessons, 9 seasonal assignment, phone consultations, and discounts on our other classes.

Abundant Earth ~ Prosperity Circle
Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 pm
Details on our website soon. Call or email to reserve your space.
The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ~ February 4, March 4
A group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.

First Green Earth Celebration
Feb 1 ~ 2-5 pm
Free event ~ Everyone welcome, children are encouraged to attend

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
Monthly: Jan 31, Feb 28, March 28, April 25, May 30 ~ Fee is by donation
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants ~ Learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman ~ Discover your plant ally ~ Learn to listen and talk to plants.
Dark of the Moon Lodge
Sunday, February 28, 7:30 pm
Nourishing supper, Talking Stick, Co-created ritual

Classes in the Community ~ Seattle and beyond:
Herbalism of Place ~ Beginning with Spring
February 7, 10-12 pm
Living Earth Herbs, Bellingham, (360) 734-3207

2009 Women of Wisdom Conference
February 13-16, 2009
Saturday, 5-6 pm ~ The Trees Know
www.womenofwisdom.org
✂ ✂ ✂
Abundant Earth Prosperity Circle
February 25, 6:30-9:00 pm
BodySong Healing and Arts Center in Seattle

Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk
North Seattle CC~May 9, 10:30-12:30
www.learnatnorth.com

9th Annual Fairy Congress
June 26-28. Eastern WA
Julie teaches two classes:”The Lore of Roses”
and “The Green Teachings of Your Garden Fairies”
www.fairycongress.com

I heard the silent call of Cedar.

2008-12-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve,
a traditional family time
for me of wonder.
As a child we would prepare food,
wrap gifts and welcome
friends and family
to feast and exchange presents.
Late at night we would go to a candlelight
service at our church.
I loved the anticipation of giving and receiving,
the feasting and family connections
and the prayers and connections
through songs to God.
I am still enchanted
by Christmas Eve.
I think it is the anticipation of the birth
of the holy one that calls me in.
The celebration of the blessings of birth.
My spiritual path has grown and expanded
over the years.
Nature and the plants
are incorporated
into our celebrations now.
A couple of weeks ago,
I walked on our land
to connect with the trees.
I heard the silent call of Cedar.
"It is not a child that is the holy one.
It is a tree,"
May it be in Beauty.

May you find your own precious holiness.
May the wonders of nature beckon you outside in all kinds of weather.
May we all find peace in our hearts and in the heart of the world.

Green Blessings,
Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter

Visit www.crowsdaughter.com for information about all of our classes coming in 2009.

Connecting at Ground Level

2008-12-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Today the earth is very quite. I can sense her energy very near the surface of the ground. What lies within is what is potent right now. When I lived with Susun Weed about 11 years ago, she talked about the difference between life force and soul force. Our life force energy is that which impels us to survive and protect. Our soul force is not so interested in whether we live long lives, it is more interested in the quality of our lives and beckons us into deeper spaces of existence.

At this time of year, I feel that life force energy is at ground level. Consciously breathing natural breaths, sitting on the ground, walking barefoot, placing our hand on the earth, digging roots will bring stronger connection with our life force energy. This I feel can be helpful when we begin to feel overwhelmed by the business of the holidays. Connecting at ground level can actually help us touch into the energy of the holy days.

Our soul force energy is the fire that burns within us. At this time of year, contemplative practices such as meditation, journeying, soul singing, walking in the dark are all ways to connect with the inner fire that illuminates our core. Ritual at this time of year is powerful when the energy of the soul’s fire is channeled into a container for healing and manifestation.

Within, around and beneath these forces is the source, the darkness; the deep, dark holy womb of wisdom. I feel held in womb energy this year, I call it up to nurture me when I feel afraid to move forward with what I desire. I relinquish myself to it, succumbing to the darkness that surrounds me for most of the days now.

Life force protecting, soul force illuminating and holy womb nurturing us as we fall deeply into ourselves, preparing for what will come by focusing on what is now.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offering for the last bit of 2008 into 2009:
Call or email for more information and to request an apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Earth Friendly Holiday Gifts on our Website

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begin January 16, 2009 ~ 16 Months, Comprehensive Immersion in the shamanic herbal tradition of the Wise Woman. Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Plant teacher for December is Cedar
December 13, 2008 ~ 10:30-2:30
Monthly open circle, come to as many as you like, discounts when you sign up
with friends and multiple circles.

Crow's Daughter's Herbal and Earth Teachings ~ Individual Sessions
I work intuitively, consulting my shamanic helpers to offer you what is needed.
Sessions are experiential. You will be connecting with your wisdom through time in nature, creative arts, and deep listening. I recommend multiple sessions to delve deep into the heart of what you desire. Available at our farm on Whidbey Island and in Seattle

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalism, an opportunity to begin crafting a deeply nourishing life where you live.
Start anytime, participate at home. 13 monthly assignment with daily practice lessons, 9 seasonal assignment, phone consultations, and discounts on our other classes.

Abundant Earth ~ Prosperity Circle starts January 13, 2009
Details on our website soon. Call or email to reserve your space.

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ~ January 7, February 4
A group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.

Winter Solstice Earth Celebrations
December 20 ~ 3-6 pm
Free event ~ Everyone welcome, children are encouraged to attend

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
Starts January 31 ~ Fee is by donation
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants ~ Learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman ~ Discover your plant ally ~ Learn to listen and talk to plants.

Enchanted Earth~The Plant Teachings of Winter,
Class a A Gathering Grove ~ December 16 ~ 7-9 pm,
Fee is by donation.

More monthly classes in Seattle coming in 2009.
Also classes in Bellingham coming in 2009.

Dark of the Moon Lodge
Returning January 24, 2009

I May Flower Even in Winter

2008-12-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

I went out walking yesterday in the garden. My eyes looked down at dark brown and yellowing leaves, flowers offering their last farewell and rich earth. What is vibrant? What speaks to me? What is offering itself for nourishment and healing?

I found comfrey. The leaves are yellow and green now with edges of brown heading toward earth. What I discovered when taking a second look, when breathing with these plants is the vibrancy of the comfrey roots. If I was to dig down into the soil around this plant I would find dark brown roots, mirroring earth so successfully that you can hardly distinguish them from it. Breaking open these roots I would find creamy white moistness that nourishes the skin, softening and healing it. These roots contain a substance that encourages replication of cells, allowing muscles, nerves, bones, and skins to heal rapidly. I won’t harvest here for a few more years. There is a place nearby with comfrey growing everywhere. I will harvest in January as I have done for the last three years.

Near the comfrey, the espalier apples are releasing their leaves one by one. Here I found Usnea lichen. This plant is a synergistic combination of an algae on the outside and a white fungus chord within. I won’t harvest this Usnea as it is quite small and sparse here on the trees. I will walk up into the deep forest to look for it. Wind brings down evergreen branches filled with Usnea. This plant kills bacteria that causes infections of all kinds. I find it most helpful as a remedy for sinus infection. Other people I know have utilized it for healing infections of teeth, bladder and skin infections. I find this plant to have strong and deep medicine and so would call upon it to offer advise for healing chronic conditions.

As I continued on the garden path, I came upon our large reclining stone. This stone was deep in the earth on our land until it was unearthed when our house was built. Growing close to its north facing base, I found Violet. The leaves are still quite vibrant and green. One purple flower, reminds me of that I may flower even in winter. I will pick some of these leaves for my salad. Violet is mineral rich, cool and moist. This plant is the most like me of any, I think. I will call upon my sister violet to nourish me during the winter months. I have planted some yellow violets under the center espalier tree. These I was invited to dig up in a place I used to live. My vision is to have violet growning all over the land here. Patience and persistance is needed in order to manifest visions. I can wait.

If I take the time to look and breathe when I walk outside, even if just for a little while, I find vibrancy, I find nourishment, I find healing at my doorstep.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offering:
Call or email for more information and to request an apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Earth Friendly Holiday Gifts on our Website

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begin January 16, 2009 ~ 16 Months, Comprehensive Immersion in the shamanic herbal tradition of the Wise Woman. Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Plant teacher for December is Cedar
December 13, 2008 ~ 10:30-2:30
Monthly open circle, come to as many as you like, discounts when you sign up
with friends and multiple circles.

Crow's Daughter's Herbal and Earth Teachings ~ Individual Sessions
I work intuitively, consulting my shamanic helpers to offer you what is needed.
Sessions are experiential. You will be connecting with your wisdom through time in nature, creative arts, and deep listening. I recommend multiple sessions to delve deep into the heart of what you desire. Available at our farm on Whidbey Island and in Seattle

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalis m, an opportunity to begin crafting a deeply nourishing life where you live.
Start anytime, participate at home. 13 monthly lessons, 9 seasonal lessons, phone consultations, and discounts on our other classes.

Abundant Earth ~ Prosperity Circle starts January 13, 2009
Details on our website soon. Call or email to reserve your space.

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ~ December 3, January 7
A group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.

Winter Solstice Earth Celebrations
December 20 ~ 3-6 pm
Free event ~ Everyone welcome, children are encouraged to attend

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
We will begin again in January 2009
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants ~ Learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman ~ Discover your plant ally ~ Learn to listen and talk to plants.

Enchanted Earth~The Plant Teachings of Winter,
Class a A Gathering Grove ~ December 16 ~ 7-9 pm,
Fee is by donation.

More monthly classes in Seattle coming in 2009.
Also classes in Bellingham coming in 2009.

Dark of the Moon Lodge
Returning in 2009

Call or email anytime to find out more, share your inspirations and request an apprenticeship application. 360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Earthen Gratitude

2008-11-25T19:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings, Lovers of the Green,
It has been quite a year so far, hasn't it?
I have had some amazing challenges and
some parts of my life have been turned upside down.
I could easily complain about quite a few things.
But that would not be in line with the season.
We are now in the time of gratitude.
It is time to look back over the year,
the seasons of birth, growth, expansion,
flowering and fruiting and be thankful for
all that is given.

Earth rests on her surface,
and below she moves deeply.
You can put your hand on
the earth right now and
with breath and intention
you can feel this vibration.
You must be very patient
and still because the vibration
is very slow and low.

We can choose to find
this slower and lower pace.
And from this place take time
to glance backward before
we begin again to move forward.

Earthen Gratitude Practice...

Go outside
Bend down and touch the earth
Notice your breath and breathe in and out several times as you continue to place your hand on the ground.
Listen...first listen to your surroundings and what you hear.
Then listen...under this to the earth herself.
Now go inside and with pen and paper, write 21 things you are thankful for in your life.
Go back outside and breathe and listen again to the earth.
Return to your home and write 21 more things you are thankful for.
Do this at least one more time.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offering:
Call or email for more information about the following offering.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Plant teacher for December is Cedar
December 13, 2008 ~ 10:30-2:30
Monthly open circle, come to as many as you like, discounts when you sign up
with friends and multiple circles.

Crow's Daughter's Herbal and Earth Teachings ~ Individual Sessions
I work intuitively, consulting my shamanic helpers to offer you what is needed.
Sessions are experiential. You will be connecting with your wisdom through time in nature, creative arts, and deep listening. I recommend multiple sessions to delve deep into the heart of what you desire. Available at our farm on Whidbey Island and in Seattle

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalis m, an opportunity to begin crafting a deeply nourishing life where you live.
Start anytime, participate at home. 13 monthly lessons, 9 seasonal lessons, phone consultations, and discounts on our other classes.

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begin January 16, 2009 ~ 16 Months, Comprehensive Immersion in the shamanic herbal tradition of the Wise Woman. Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.

Abundant Earth ~ Prosperity Circle coming coming in January 2009
Details on our website soon. Call or email to reserve your space.

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ~ December 3, January 7
A replenishment group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.

Winter Solstice Earth Celebrations
December 20 ~ 3-6 pm
Free event ~ Everyone welcome, children are encouraged to attend

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
We will begin again in January 2009
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants ~ Learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman ~ Discover your plant ally ~ Learn to listen and talk to plants.

Enchanted Earth~The Plant Teachings of Winter,
Class a A Gathering Grove ~ December 16 ~ 7-9 pm,
Fee is by donation.

Dark of the Moon Lodge
Returning in 2009

Call or email anytime to find out more, share your inspirations and request an apprenticeship application. 360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Laugh with the Gifts

2008-11-19T08:50:00.000-08:00

frozen earth this morning
foggy blanket covers our valley
deep maroon dock seeds
remind me of inner bounty
amber leaves lead me to the goat barn
chickweed laughs
with the cold and wet
so happy, so content
I will take her lead
I will be thankful for this day
and laugh with the gifts
I am receiving

A shamanic exercise to connect with the gifts this day offers:

Walk outside near where you live
Find a plant that is thriving in your surroundings
Sit or stand near this plant
Notice your breath and breathe a few natural breaths in and out
Now shift your perseption and take 7 more breaths, breathing in the breath of this plant and breathing out, offering your breath to the plant.
Notice how this plant is growing, everything about it. How it comes up out of the earth, what colors are present and imagine its root below the ground.
Now for just a few minutes, imagine you are this plant, thriving here in the energy of the earth right now.
What is your breath like? What do you feel? What thoughts come to mind? What sensations? as you embody this plant thriving...
When this is complete, give thanks for the plant and this day.

May you find humor and joyfulness in life's circumstance.
May it be in Beauty.
Green Blessings,
Julie

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings:
Call or email for more information about the following offering.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Join us and listen to another Inspirolog with Jamie Walters of Ivy Sea and Crow's Daughter. In this recording Jamie and I are sharing more about connecting with the spirit of nature and the trees.

Crow's Daughter's Herbal and Earth Teachings ~ Individual Sessions
I work intuitively, consulting my shamanic helpers to offer you what is needed.
Sessions are experiential. You will be connecting with your wisdom through time in nature, creative arts, and deep listening. I recommend multiple sessions to delve deep into the heart of what you desire. Available at our farm on Whidbey Island and in Seattle

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalis m, an opportunity to begin crafting a deeply nourishing life where you live.
Start anytime, participate at home. 13 monthly lessons, 9 seasonal lessons, phone consultations, and discounts on our other classes.

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begin January 16, 2009 ~ 16 Months, Comprehensive Immersion in the shamanic herbal tradition of the Wise Woman. Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Plant teacher for December is Cedar
December 13, 2008 ~ 10:30-2:30
Monthly open circle, come to as many as you like, discounts when you sign up
with friends and multiple circles.

Prosperity Circle coming coming in January 2009
Details on our website soon. Call or email to reserve your space.

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ~ December 3, January 7
A replenishment group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.

Winter Solstice Earth Celebrations
December 20 ~ 3-6 pm
Free event ~ Everyone welcome, children are encouraged to attend

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
We will begin again in January 2009
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants ~ Learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman ~ Discover your plant ally ~ Learn to listen and talk to plants.

Enchanted Earth~The Plant Teachings of Winter,
Class a A Gathering Grove ~ December 16 ~ 7-9 pm,
Fee is by donation.

Dark of the Moon Lodge
Returning in 2009

Call or email anytime to find out more, share your inspirations and request an apprenticeship application. 360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Finding Nourishment at Your Doorstep ~ A World of Possibility

2008-10-11T15:28:00.001-07:00

This writing begins a series of essays, poems, recipes, shamanic exercises and connections to inspire our journeys to live full and rich lives of peace and possibility.

A World of Possibility
Yesterday I spent three hours planting garlic at a historic farm in Greenbank on Whidbey Island, just up the island from where I live. I volunteered to help a friend who is starting a new project there; an internship for folks to learn to create CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms. Outside on the earth, rich soil, picking rocks, appreciating rocks, breathing in the salty sea air, raking, creating deep rich beds, listening, connecting with others who love the earth, digging small holes and dropping in organic red garlic cloves, raking to fill holes and standing to view the good hard work we had done.

Later we ate soup and homemade bread together and my friend and I looked out the kitchen window of the old restored house on the farm. We could see the field where this project is being created. Anza told me about her vision of seeing this field planted with food ~ organic vegetables ~ a world of possibilities.

I returned home to our farm and went out to feed our goats. The beech tree on the path had dropped rich, amber colored leaves. I felt nourished by this day of connections and good work. I felt nourished by the colors of fall all around me. As I walked back from the barn, I looked out over our valley and felt content to be here at this place on the earth and this place in time.

And I am so thankful.

One of my teachers told me that feeling gratitude is the opposite of feeling lack. In this precious time, this wild and powerful time, this creative time,
We cannot afford a feeling of lack.
Acknowledging our gratitude for what we have and who we are
and breathing in and out this acknowledgement
Allows the breath of possibility to come forth.

The Breath of Connection ~ The Breath of Possibility ~ Shamanic Exercise

Go outside where you live, very close to your home.
Notice your breath and breathe in and out three times.
Notice the natural world around you and how it moves. A leaf, an insect, a bird...
Choose one of these beings and move like it.
Breathe in the teachings of this being as you do this.
Begin to notice all of your surroundings and take hold of the notion that all things are of the earth.
Give thanks for this experience with your breath.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings End of 2008 into 2009:

Listen to Crow's Daughter as Jamie Walters of Ivy Sea offers one of her Inspirologs.
From Anxiety to Inspiration, and the Wisdom of Nature. (the 3rd one down.)

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begin January 16, 2009 ~ 16 Months, Comprehensive Immersion in the shamanic herbal tradition of the Wise Woman.

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Plant teacher for November is Dandelion
November 15, 2008 ~ 10:30-2:30
Monthly open circle, come to as many as you like, discounts when you sign up
with friends and come to multiple circles. December's Circle in on the 13th.

Seasons of Plenty ~ Full Moon Dinner and Prosperity Circle
November 12 ~ 5-9 pm
Community Potluck at 5 pm and Circle start at 6 pm~ Fee is by donation

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalis m, start anytime, participate at home.
13 monthly lessons, 9 seasonal lessons, phone consultations, and discounts on our other classes.

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ~ December 3, January 7
A group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.

Winter Solstice Earth Celebrations
December 20 ~ 3-6 pm
Free event ~ Everyone welcome, children are encouraged to attend

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
We will begin again in January 2009
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants ~ Learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman ~ Discover your plant ally ~ Learn to listen and talk to plants.

Class a A Gathering Grove
December date to be announced

Dark of the Moon Lodge
Returning in 2009

I Offer Persephone an Apple

2008-09-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Lovers of the Green,
I have learned quite a bit from standing under our Gravenstein Apple Tree. She is a stately home for many birds and insects. She wears garlands of pink blossoms in spring and in Autumn her fruit offers deep nourishment.

Apple is the guardian of the gateway to the underworld, her fruit an offering to the Dark Goddess. We took our first step into the underworld at Autumn Equinox. We are now on the inward journey to our source and center. What will we cast off? What belongings are too heavy to carry on this journey? What will we bring along? What strengths and gifts will nurture this dark journey? And who will be our helpers?

I used to have a difficult time in fall. I carried a great deal of emotional baggage. I felt sorrow for myself as the season’s turned toward the dark. That is when I discovered Persephone. This dark maiden has helped me navigate the inner realms, teaching me how to feel deeply so that I don’t need to carry so much on my back.

I offer Persephone an apple. She in turn offers me a necklace. Persephone tells me that this necklace will help me find my inner treasures. Each time I encounter a difficulty, return and connect to the necklace of jewels and see this hardship as a treasured gift. As I walk the inner spiral, I encounter many beings. Persephone teaches me that they are here for me for a reason. She says, imagine a mirror held up as you encounter each being. Look into the mirror and ask, “Who am I?”

The gift of apple is an initiation. When we acknowledge and embody the act of nourishng ourselves, we can fully incorporate its gifts. Apple increases the vibration of the inner realms. She stimulates our cells into vibrant aliveness. Connecting, listening, harvesting, crafting and eating apple will set these vibrations in motion so that you may fully experience this journey through the inner realms.

A shamanic exercise with Apple to increase vibration:

Find a favorite apple tree.
Put your hand on her trunk.
Notice your breath and breathe in and out three times.
Now as you breathe imagine the breathe, the oxygen of this apple tree filling your lungs.
Breathe out and offer your breath to apple tree.
Do this 7 times or more.
Ask apple tree, “What have you for me?”
Listen.
Harvest apple, asking permission before you do and offering gratitude when you are complete.
Cut up apples and cook them in a heavy pot with a lid. Put just a little bit of water in the bottom so they won’t burn. Don’t peel the apples as this removes the vibrancy.
Stir often. Smell the aroma of apples and again breathe this into your lungs and breathe out offering your breath. Again ask, “What have you for me? and listen.
Now eat the cooked apples and once again breathe in the vibration of the apples and breathe out offering. And again ask, “What have you for me? and listen. Allow your vibrancy to expand as you eat apple.
Offer Gratitude for this whole and holy nourishment.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow’s Laughter Mystery School Offerings for Fall and Winter 2008 into 2009: Please call or email us any time for more information, 360-579-2319, julie@crowsdaughter.com and visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com

13 Months of Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ We have extended our enrollment period!
You can sign up and begin October 11, 2008 ~ Come join a vibrant circle of lovers of the green world and her teachings. Plants as Teachers is the focus for this 13 month spiral of Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ October’s Teacher ~ Burdock ~ October 11, 2008 We meet monthly on Saturdays ~ 10:30-2:30 ~ at our farm on South Whidbey Island.
Includes 4 seasonal one to one sessions and 25% off our other classes ~ $925 or $81 a month
A delicious whole and wild, local and organic lunch and herbs for crafting are provided.
To register call 360.579.2319 or email julie@crowsdaughter.com This is an open circle. You can also come to one or as many circles as you like. Next circles ~ October 11, November 15, December 13

Earth Mysteries Weekend ~ Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism November 1-2, 2008 ~ This time of year, the Earth above ground, appears to be sleeping, to be dormant. What is really happening is below the ground and in the subtle bodies of the Earth. What stirs is deep within us. Come join us and discover the deep nourishment that comes from connecting with the Earth Mysteries. On our first day, shamanic listening exercises will be offered to connect with the roots and our rootness. We will be digging, harvesting and crafting herbal preparatons with roots here at our farm. After dark, the community is invited to gather for supper and a ritual to Honor Our Ancestors. When this is complete, we will gather together to journey to Bone Woman and the Land of the Dead to receive messages from The Ancestors. On our second day, you will journey to meet your center and gather stories of deep personal transformation. The common weeds will be teaching, guiding and nourishing you in this process. This weekend will be filled with deep work, soulful, creative, connection and compassionate community.

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Open Day ~ October 3, 2008 ~ Next session begins, January 16, 2009
A rare opportunity to connect with the common plants and the spirits of the land on beautiful South Whidbey Island and around the Puget Sound area, to listen deeply to your surroundings and your own inner yearnings and gather the bounty of the Earth.

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalism ~ 13 monthly lesson, 9 seasonal lessons.
Connect, listen, gather and craft herbs at your doorstep ~ Start anytime.

Dark of the Moon ~ September 27 ~ 6:30 pm A nourishing supper, talking stick and co-created ritual are offered at our farm on Whidbey Island. RSVP by Friday, September 26

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women ~ First Wednesdays, 7-9 pm In North Seattle ~ October 1, November 5, December 3 and more.
October’s Theme: The Treasured Gifts Within Us

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls, 8-13~October 4 and November 8 Come explore the amazing healing way of plants, learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman, discover your plant ally and learn to listen and talk to plants

Rooting Yourself in Earth ~ An Exploration in Shamanic Herbalism Dandelion Botanical in Seattle, Oct 7 Come join Julie Charette Nunn, Crow’s Daughter and discover the shamanic herbal tradition of the wise woman. Experience shamanic listening practices that will connect you with your rootedness and the Earth Mysteries. Learn about the plants at your doorstep, who’s roots you can gather for nourishment and healing. We will craft an herbal preparation together that you can take home. 5424 Ballard Ave. NW Suite 103 in Seattle, (local)206-545-8892 (toll-free) 1-877-778-4869

Plant Yourself Deeply ~ Explorations of the Wise Woman
East West Bookshop in Seattle ~ October 20 ~ 7-8:30 pm
East West Bookshop in Bothell ~ November 7 ~ 7:30-9 pm
Come join Julie Charette Nunn, Crow’s Daughter and discover the ancient shamanic tradition of the wise woman. Experience shamanic listening practices that will connect you with your rootedness and the Earth Mysteries. Learn about the plants at your doorstep, who’s roots you can gather for nourishment and healing. 206-523-3726, 1-800-587-6002

Shamanic Arts and Herbalism ~ October 22 ~ 7-9 pm
UW Women’s Center in Seattle ~ Come join Julie Charette Nunn local herbalist as she weaves together the ancient shamanic teachings of the plants with the sustainable gifts the plants offer us today for nourishment and healing. Discover ways you can connect, listen and heal yourself utilizing the plants in your own yard and community.
Take home an herbal preparation you made yourself. http://depts.washington.edu/womenctr/ For more information call 206-685-1090.

Honoring Our Ancestors ~ Earth Celebration
Time and Date to be announced soon.
Winter Solstice ~ Earth Celebration ~ December 20

For those in the Portland area, visit www.artemishealingarts.com where you will discover Artemis Institute. This is a project created by and for women to encourage community, education, and the healing arts. We offer affordable and accessible Women's Healing Arts courses which powerfully integrate the creative and healing arts. In each series, we share, listen, learn from elders, and create together in a supportive circle.

Active Breath ~ Summer's Fruit

2008-08-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

earth
is
growing
flowering
fruiting
ripening
we
participate
release into life
breathe in life
active breath
active being

I am intrigued with this seasonal time. The earth is working so hard and yet so peaceful.
This to me is active being. Everything we have dreamed of is now coming to fruition.
It is time to celebrate life and be fully present in it.
There is a shamanic exercise that faciliates this process:

Go outside where you live to a place you love.
Notice your breath and breathe naturally three times.
Now breathe in with the notion that you are breathing in all of life.
Breathe out with the notion that you are giving life with your breath.
Continue this breath for a short time.
Then listen to your surroundings.
What is your experience?
When you are done, give thanks for all of this.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offering for Summer's End
and into Fall 2008:
Please visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com more details about all of the following offerings. And call or email anytime. You can also register for many of our programs using paypal.

Our Apprenticeship Program:

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
New session begins on September 12, 2008
We meet weekly on Fridays, 10:30-2:30. Once you are enrolled you will attend Four 13~week sessions over the next 16 months, coming around again the following year and repeating the session you began with. You will be walking the spiral. Gathering wise woman wisdom from all four seasons. Women only

Call or email to request apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Weekend Immersions:

Earth Mysteries Weekend ~ Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
November 1-2 ~ Details coming soon.
2nd Annual ~ Journey of the Rose ~ Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
Dates to be announced in Fall 2008

Classes and Events on Whidbey Island:

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ Monthly on Saturdays
August 9th, August's Theme: Plants as Teachers
This is an open circle, participate for 13 month or come when you like.

13 Months of Herbal Wisdom Circle
Begins on September 20, 2008
We meet monthly on Saturdays, 10:30-2:30. Also included in this program are 4 seasonal one to one consultations and 25% off the price on weekend immersions.

Passionate Abundance Earth Celebration on Whidbey Island
August 10th ~ Noon-4 pm ~ Free and Open to everyone ~ Children Welcome
Noon ~ Free Herbal Class ~ Listening, Gathering and Preparing Herbs
Followed by Passionate Abundance Ceremony and Community Potluck
More Earth Celebrations coming up:
Autumn Equinox ~ September 21
Honoring Our Ancestors ~ October 31
Winter Solstice ~ December 20

Dark of the Moon ~ Women Only
August 30 ~ 6:30 pm

Mentorships for Girls and Teens:

Into the Wood ~ Immersion in Green Witchery for Teen Girls
August 18-21 ~ on Whidbey Island

Herbal Wisdom Mentorships for Girls
Saturday, 10:30-2:30, October 4 and November 8

Study at Home in Your Own Garden:

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ 13 Month Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalism ~ Start anytime ~ Request a sample lesson
Introductory Offer: You can now sample our 13-Month Home Study Course by

signing up for the First Month for $45.

Classes in Seattle, around Puget Sound and More:

The Well ~ A Monthly Study Group for Women ~ in North Seattle
First Wednesdays: August 6, September 3, October 1 and more

A Healthy Gut ~ Explorations in Intuitive Wellness
August 7 ~ 7-9 pm Offered through North Seattle Community College
www.learnatnorth.com to register

The Wise Woman Herbalist ~ September 15 ~ 4-8 pm ~ Missoula, Montana
To register, contact Kali Star, starconnections@hotmail.com,
406-333-2312, www.montanaconnections.com

Rooting Ourselves in Earth ~ An Exploration in Shamanic Herbalism
October 7, Dandelion Botanical Company, Seattle

Festivals and Faires, Herbal and Earth Conferences:

Seattle Tilth Organic Harvest Festival ~ September 6
I will be selling our nourishing herbal creations.
http://seattletilth.org/events/Harvest%20Fair/HarvestFair

Seattle Bioneers Confernce ~ October 17-19

American Herbalist Guild Conference ~ Redmond, WA ~ October 24-26

We look forward to seeing you at some of these events.
Green Blessings,
Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter

Breathing the Breath of Rose

2008-06-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

The Journey of the Rose
A Shamanic Herbal Tale in 3 parts ~ Part II

The wild roses are in full bloom now on our land, enough for all kinds of herbal preparations. We discovered a variety of wild rose buds as we wildcrafted recently. One flower bud being dark fushcia pink, another more mauve in color. Last fall as we gathered the ripe rose hips, we noticed even more species of rose. Some large and fat, some round, some oval, some ripening quite early and others not quite ripe. The fullness of this diversity is heart warming. Even within the wild rose community, when you look closely you will see many unique and wonderful gifts.

The wild rose, her teachings, her healing properties, her uses are an example of the ancient wise woman tradition of only utilizing a few plants for healing. Once, long ago, there were plants that were known to heal everything, anything. These plants were the companions of wise women and helped guide their healing practices. I enjoy discovering these plants and their shamanic teachings as well as utilizing them in as many ways as possible.
Rose is a spiritual teacher. I mean this in the shamanic sense. She is the one who will lead you to other plants that will nourish and heal you. In order to discover the teachings of wild rose, it is best to begin outside with her, listening. Here is a shamanic exercise that will facilitate this relationship:

Take a walk and find a wild rose plant you feel a connection with.

Sit or stand near rose

Observe the rose plant, noticing how it comes up out of the ground and how it twists and turns toward the light.

Find the thorns and observe the thorns

Observe the intricate patterns of the leaves, the buds and flowers allowing yourself to detect the aroma.

As you detect the scent of the rose notice your breath, breathing in and out three times

Begin to feel yourself take shape as a rose.

Feel yourself become the rose in all its intricacy, noticing many details

Bring awareness back to breath again, breathing in the oxygen of this rose, breathing out offering your breath, and now breathe in as rose, breathe out offering oxygen. Do this for seven cycles.

Listen. Listening is more than hearing. What do you see, hear, smell, feel?

Now, ask yourself, “Who am I ” Take note.

When this feels complete, open your eyes and move and stand once again.

Give thanks to the rose.

While proceeding with this exercise, do your best not to interpret what you are experiencing. When you are completely done, this is a good time to write and explore fully what this means for you.

Return to the same rose. Connect again, remembering its details and the interchange. Now take basket in hand and gather rose.

There are many concoctions that you can make with wild rose. I have two favorites, wild rose infused oil and wild rose infused honey. To make the wild rose infused oil, I used to gather just the rose petals and buds. This makes an incredibly fragrant oil. Recently though, I have been experimenting with also using the wild rose leaves in my infused oil. The fragrance is a bit deeper and the healing tremendous. Gather wild roses in your basket. Immediately cut up the petals, buds and leaves, place them in a jar and drizzle olive oil over them just below the top of the jar. Put a lid on this and shake. Label with name, date, and perhaps something you remember from your journey and put it in the dark. Six weeks later, strain it and bless your skin with this precious oil.

Wild Rose infused honey is made just this way. Instead of olive oil, drizzle raw, local honey over the roses. You won’t have to wait six weeks for the honey. In fact, you can make this and use it the next day. But do be patient to let some of it sit for six weeks to increase its potency. This sensual delicacy is extraordinary. Not only is it delicious, you can utilize this honey for deep healing of infections.

Wild rose is anti-bacterial, antiseptic, very softening for skin and quite gentle. I have received feedback recently from people using wild rose balm (a combination of wild rose infused oil, wild rose infused honey and bees wax) who have experienced tremendous healing. A woman with auto-immune disease and a terrible rash that would not go away, put wild rose balm on the affected area and overnight it had began healing. Another woman put some of this balm on an open cut that was very painful and within a few seconds, the pain had subsided. Such a powerful and yet gentle healer.

As I reflect on the many ways that wild rose offers herself to us, I am reminded again of the wise woman. She is strong and compassionate and she is also sensuous and joyous.

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings for Summer and Fall 2008
Follow the links to our website for all the details. Call or email anytime to find out more and request an apprenticeship application.

Apprenticeship Opportunities:
Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program;
Next session begins September 12, 2008
Open Day for Potential Apprentices ~ July 11th
Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ 13 Month Apprenticeship Program
Begins September 20, 2008

Summer Programs for Girls:

Herbal Wisdom Summer Mentorship for Girls
July 7-10, 2008 ~ 10:30-2:30
Awaken the Wise Woman! Apprenticeship Weekend for Girls 10-13

July 18-20, 2008
Into the Wood ~ Immersion in Green Witchery for Teen Girls 14-19

August 18-21, 2008

Monthly Classes:

Herbal Wisdom Circle
July 12 ~ 10:30-2:30
July's Theme: Lavender: Source and Center
The Well ~ Women's Study Group
First Wednesdays ~ July 2, August 6 ~ North Seattle

Earth and Moon Celebrations:
Dark of the Moon
July 2 ~ We are combining "The Well" Study Group and Dark of the Moon this month.
Passionate Abundance Earth Celebration
August 10 ~ 12-4 pm ~ Sunday
Free Herbal Class, Ceremony and Community Potluck

Classes in the Community:
Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk at Golden Gardens in Seattle
July 16 ~ 6:30-8:30 ~ www.learnatnorth.com to register
A Healthy Gut
7-9 pm ~ This is offered through North Seattle Community College
www.learnatnorth.com to register

Earth Mysteries Weekend ~ Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
November 1-2, 2008

Festivals and Fairs this Summer and Fall:

Northwest Herb Fest ~ Pleasantville, Oregon ~ July 26-27

I will be selling my nourishing herbal creations.

Seattle Tilth Organic Harvest Fair

September 6 in Seattle

I will be selling my nourishing herbal creations.

American Herbal Guild Convention in Redmond, WA

October 24-26, 2008

I will be selling my nourishing herbal creations.

Love and Beauty at My Doorstep

2008-05-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Journey of the Rose
A Shamanic Herbal Tale in 3 parts ~ Part I

May it be in Beauty.

Come join us for...
The Journey of the Rose ~ Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
June 13-15 ~ Amongst the blooming wild roses at our farm on Whidbey Island
Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for detailed information and to register and email us anytime.

Close to Home

2008-04-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

I have been quite close to home the last seven weeks.
I have been watching from my window as the apple tree plumps and grows leaf and flower buds.
I have watched the nettle grow thick and vibrant and now begin its flowering.
I have watched the garden fill with dandelion flowers, grass, red dock, buttercup, poppies, lemon balm, roses, strawberries, mint, violet, calendula, bok choy, red clover, garlic, shallots, valerian, yarrow, St. Joan’s Wort, cronewort, tulips, english daisies, nettle...
I have witnessed the beginning of the oatstraw goddess garden with poppies leaves at her head and around her yoni.

In my trips to the garden, I sit on a chair and watch the plants, notice things I wouldn’t have before, sitting in one place.
I broke my ankle about 7 weeks ago. I then had surgery to set it, insert screws and a metal plate. I slipped down some stairs at the Center of the Universe.
In the last seven weeks, I have learned a great deal about how healing happens. I have discovered more of myself. I have gained a beginner’s understanding of presence and stillness.

And I am so thankful for this situation. This may seem rather odd to some of you. I didn’t intend to be thankful that I fell down the stairs and broke my ankle. I didn’t try to conjure gratitude from resentment and frustration, grief and anxiety. I actually have checked in a number of times to ask myself, “What am I feeling?”
Sometimes the answer is “trapped”, sometimes “utterly frustrated”, often “angry” or “sad”...but underneath all of these feelings is a foundation of gratitude.
I feel that I have been given something. I feel that this life circumstance has offered me an opportunity to “stop” and “look both ways” before continuing. Which way do I wish to journey now?

I am wondering now if one of the gifts of this ‘reorganization” is to spend a great deal of time at home. I have discovered that what I need on a daily basis is right before me. My beloved husband is here to help with daily well being chores, with songs and even with challenges to see what I can do myself. Family is here to take care of me, encourage me and provide entertainment. Friends, neighbors and colleagues are here to offer healing prayers, healthy intentions and nourishing food. Nourishing Herbal Infusions are here to bring bone building and healing minerals to my body as it reorganizes. Motherwort tincture is here to soothe my anxiety, help me relax and know that I am held in this healing time. My apprentice is here to take on more responsibility and thus deepen her studies. The Douglas Fir trees are here to be guardians of my true path, encouraging me to continue my work, offering an opportunity for me to follow more fully the teachings I have been offering.
I will go to Seattle tomorrow and they will saw off the bright green cast on my left ankle/leg and I will step onto the ground again with both feet.
I feel a gentleness for myself as I think ahead about this.
I wish to now journey on the path that leads me home.
May it be in Beauty.

Crow’s Laughter Mystery School Offering for late Spring and Summer 2008
To get details information about any of the following programs visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com, call 360-579-2319 or email julie@crowsdaughter.com

We are delighted to be offering...
The Journey of the Rose~ A Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism,
June 13-15, this weekend will offer the shamanic teachings of the plants with Rose as our teacher, the sensuous crafting of wild rose honey and other rose preparations, a plentitude of information about working with the healing plants at your doorstep, gourmet, nourishing meals all made from scratch from local, whole, organic and wild foods, ceremony to integrate the teachings and good company. Sign up by May 19th to receive the early bird price.

We have now launched our...
The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~13-Month Home Study Course,
You can participate in this from anywhere in the world. Visit the home page of our website for more info and to register. Email us to request a sample lesson.

May 2008 Offerings:
May 3 ~ Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls ~ 10:30-2:30
May 3 ~ Dark of the Moon Lodge, 6:30 pm, our farm
May 7 ~ The Well ~ Study Group for Women, 7-9 pm, Shoreline
May 9 ~ New Session Begins ~ Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
May 10 ~ Kindling Enchantment Earth Celebration at 1 pm, Free Herbal Class at 11 am and Community Potluck. This event is free and open to everyone.
May 17 ~ Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ May’s Theme: Leaves and Life Force, 10:30-2:30
May 31 ~ 10th Annual Bastyr Herb and Food Fair in Kenmore, WA, I will be selling my nourishing herbal products.

June 2008 Offerings:
June 4 ~ The Well ~ Study Group for Women
June 7 ~ Dark of the Moon Lodge, 6:30 pm
June 13-15 ~ The Journey of the Rose ~ Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
June 21 ~ Summer Solstice Earth Celebration and Community Potluck
June 27-29 ~ The Fairy Congress, My class: Fairy Blessings and Plant Beings

July 2008 Offerings:
July 2 ~ The Well ~ Study Group for Women ~ New Moon
July 7-10 ~ Herbal Wisdom Summer Mentorship for Girls, 10:30-2:30
July 9 ~ American Herbalist Guild Plant Walk at UW Medicinal Garden
July 11 ~ Open Day for Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
July 12 ~ Herbal Wisdom Circle
July 16 ~ Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk at Golden Gardens through NSCC
July 18-20 ~ Awaken the Wise Woman for Girls 10-13
July 23 ~ Julie leaves for Glastonbury, England

August 2008 Offerings:
August 4 ~ Julie return from England
August 6 ~ The Well ~ Women’s Study Group
August 7 ~ A Healthy Gut, class at NSCC
August 9 ~ Herbal Wisdom Circle
August 10 ~ Passionate Abundance Earth Celebration and Community Potluck
August 30 ~ Dark of the Moon Lodge

September 2008 Offerings:
September 3 ~ The Well ~ Women’s Study Group, Shoreline
September 4-7 ~ Breitenbush Herbal Conference
September 12 ~ New Session Starts, Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
September 20 ~ Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ 13 month program begins
September 21 ~ Autumn Equinox Earth Celebration and Community Potluck

"Life's Blood, Life Force"

2008-03-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

my life blood flowed through me like a dream
subtle life force energy transformed into vital life force energy in an instance
“a slight miscalculation at joyful moment” and a slide down carpeted stairs
distorted ankle, broken ankle
my own hands guided by the mystery put my foot back in place
more hands that heal brought the life force back into my body
and with that excrutiationg pain
“Life’s Blood, Life Force”

hands and hearts that heal come from every direction
and gratitude for gratitude is offered
inside too long, I call a meeting of my closest allies
I ask for help in finding a way outside
to my yard
to my garden
and the Green

spring is becoming a ritual for me
things that I took for granted
are much hard work now
a rebirth is taking place now within me as I move
closer than ever to what is essential
in each moment
stillness is now in my awareness
resting, revitalizing and then voicing
with every breath
the present moment
May it be in Beauty

Crow’s Laughter Mystery School Offering for Spring 2008:

Permaculture Weekend on Whidbey with Marisha Auerbach
April 11-13 ~ I am excited to learn more permaculture techniques and invite you to come learn with me. Visit our website for more details and to register.

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
March 29, 10:30-2:30
Also, May 3
http://www.crowsdaughter.com/girls-herbal-wisdom.html

Earth Celebration ~ Spring Equinox
March 30, 1-4 pm
Come join us for a seasonal ceremony and community potluck.
This event is free and open to everyone. Children are welcome.
RSVP julie@crowsdaughter.com or 360-579-2319

The Well ~ Study Group for Women
April's Theme: Nurturing Presence ~ April , 7-9 pm
North Seattle~ First Wednesdays~ April 2, May 7, June 4
Visit our website for more info and to register

Dark of the Moon Lodge
April 5 ~ 6:30 pm
This month we will have a potluck and co-created ritual.
RSVP by April 4

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session starts May 9, 2008
Women and Plants ~ Open Day ~ April 18, 2008
We are opening our apprenticeship program for a day for 13 women to discover and beauty and mystery of devoting a year and a half to learning wise woman ways and nourishing yourself fully. Come join us. For more information and to register for this day visit: www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-apprenticeships

Herbal Wisdom Circle
April 19 ~ 10:30-2:30April's Theme: Herbal Rhythms~Herbal Tonics
Visit our website for more info and to register

Shamanic Arts and Herbalism at East West Bookshop
April 23, 7-8:30 pm ~ Visit East West Bookshop online to
find out more and call 206-523-3726 to register.
http://www.ewbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ A 13 month Home Study Course
Coming very soon.

The Journey of the Rose ~ A Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
June 13-15, 2008 ~ Visit our website to find out more and to register

Tantric Dance of the Divine Feminine
A Year and a Day program with Kathy Kali
Begin May 18 in Seattle www.tantricdance.org

Wise Woman Teachings and Shamanic Healing~ One to One

Nettle Stories ~ Blog Party

2008-03-03T05:54:00.000-08:00

Signs of spring are present now, signs of the warming and changing Earth.Frogs croak loudly in the wetland and Stinging Nettle emerges once more.
We are hosting a March Blog Party called
"Nettle Stories" through the Herbwifery website. http://herbwifery.org/forum/
Below you can read our entry, "Nourishing Wholeness".
And visit the following blogs to read more "Nettle Stories"
The Poke Patch ~ http://grannysams.blogspot.com/
Blessings of an Herb Wife ~ http://herbwyfe.blogspot.com/
The Medicine Woman's Roots ~ http://bearmedicineherbals.com/
The Herb Wife's Kitchen ~ http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2008/03/04/spring-aphrodisiac-nettles/

“Nourishing Wholeness”

A wise teacher of mine once said that the Earth does not understand the concept of hope. This intrigues me, as I know that hope has helped me through some tough times. It is my humanness that hopes for renewal, hopes for things to change for the better, hopes for peace and justice in the world. How does Earth do it? How do I transform hope into promise, trust, and inclusion...? If I were to shape shift my consciousness into being Earth; that which renews again and again without fail...What would life be like?

Well, come join me on the path called Nourishing Wholeness.

To follow this path, you need not give up anything; you need not change anything because this is the path of change itself. Come walk with me.

The sun warms the Earth now and spring appears wearing her new green cloak. There is a promise she brings, out of the darkness and deepness of winter will come life, newness and wholeness once again. Trust is a way of life on this path.
We are walking the spiral; each step is new and different. Each time we encounter our familiar surrounding they express themselves ever so differently.
Within us new cells are being created every moment. The natural world mirrors this miraculous creation. Always new; always unique;
ever-changing. Possibilities are endless for us here and we choose to enhance this journey with nourishment. We choose food and herbs that nourish our wholeness. We choose activities that nourish our wholeness. We acknowledge thoughts and feelings as the incredible rainbow palette of self-expression. We feel power and passion burning within us. We breathe in the breath of the trees, the plants and breathe out our gift of life to all around us. We are women, womb ones, holy ones.

There is a plant that nourishes our wholeness, our holiness and this ever-changing path. She is Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica. She is growing right outside my door and most likely very near you as well. Her lifeblood helps us women to nourish those new cells within us being created every moment. Take sometime this spring and summer to find Nettle growing near you. If you wish to harvest her green bounty pick her before she flowers in spring. But do go visit her when she is in bloom. And visit her again in late summer to harvest her seeds, full of vibrancy and minerals to nourish healthy change.
Here is a shamanic exercise to explore the nourishment of Nettle and ways we nourish ourselves (You can do this shamanic exercise with any plant brew.)
Prepare some Stinging Nettle Nourishing Herbal Infusion ~ one ounce of dry herb per one quart of boiling water, pour the boiling water over the dry herb, cover this and let it set overnight. You can then strain it. (Refrigerate any of it you are not going to drink right away.)
· Heat the Nettle infusion to just below boiling
· Pour this into your favorite teacup.
· With cup in hand, sit wherever you love to sit when drinking tea.
· Sip the infusion
· Savor the flavors, the temperature of the infusion and notice her many qualities.
· Begin to listen to your body’s response to the brew.
· Take note.
· Now, ask the question, “What nourishes me?”
· Listen for a response, notice thoughts and feelings that come into your consciousness.
· Ask this question at least three times.
· When you have finished your cup of infusion, rinse the cup and place it on the counter in your kitchen.
· Give thanks for Stinging Nettle
· Give thanks for the things that nourish you.
· Give thanks for the ways you nourish yourself.

May it be in Beauty.

This Spring and Summer as you venture on the spiral path of nourishing wholeness, explore ways of offering gratitude. There are many. Some speak their gratitude before meals and at night before sleep. Some offer gifts to those that bless them. Some sing and dance their gratitude. What is your way? How will you offer thanks for your blessings?

This article first appeared in my column, From 'The Wise Woman's Garden' column in The Beltane Papers, Journal of Women's Mysteries, Issue 35 ~ Spring ~ 10,005,
Year of the Goddess
There is was titled "Shamanic Herbalism ~ Part III ~ Nourishing Wholeness"

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings for March 2008

The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ A 13 month Home Study Course
Begin on the New Moon, March 7, 2008

Women and Plants ~ Open Day
March 14, 2008
We are opening our apprenticeship program for a day for 13 women to discover and beauty and mystery of devoting a year and a half to learning wise woman ways and nourishing yourself fully. Come join us. For more information and to register for this day visit: www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-apprenticeships

The Well ~ Study Group for Women
March's Theme: Discovering and Enhancing Nourishment ~ March 5, 7-9 pm
North Seattle~ First Wednesdays~March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4

Dark of the Moon Lodge
March 8 ~ 6:30 pm
Include a nourishing supper and co-created ritual

The Nourishing Herbs
University of Washington, Women's Center
March 12 ~ 7-9 pm
http://depts.washington.edu/womenctr/

Women of Wisdom~Community Connections: Sustainable Lifeways
Join us at BodySong Healing and Arts Center
Herbalism of Place with Julie Charette Nunn
Dancing with Nature with EagleSong
Living the Good Life with Marilene Richardson
Visit www.womenofwisdom.org to register

Herbal Wisdom Circle
March 22 ~ 10:30-2:30
March's Theme: "Nettle Stories

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship for Girls
March 29, 10:30-2:30
Also, May 3
http://www.crowsdaughter.com/girls-herbal-wisdom.html

Earth Celebration ~ Spring Equinox
March 30, 1-4 pm
Come join us for a seasonal ceremony and community potluck.
This event is free and open to everyone.
RSVP julie@crowsdaughter.com

Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for more information, to register and to explore writings to inspire your journey.

Awakening from our Dreams

2008-02-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

Greetings, Lovers of the Green,
Bright sun and shadowed moon
Bring me deeper into my physical presence in the world
The season of awakening from our dreams is upon us
We have dreamed the dreams of our desires
We have birthed ourselves into a new world
And now we are ready to open our eyes
I see...
A pair of bald eagle dance together in the air above our farm
Their cries are soothing and wild.
From out of the soil comes Chickweed, subtle, sweet and potently present
Poppy leaves return at the top of the Goddess garden
Wild turkish tulips wave their new bright green leaves
Catkins dangle from hazel, alder
Apples plump to reveal a bud of leaves
Pussy willow reminding me of my childhood life outside
I know that somewhere nearby cottonwood drips with resin

What is it we wish to see in the world this year?
Let us begin it.
Be it.
Embody it.
The world cries a wild and soothing call for us
To mate with our deepest yearnings.
Let us open our eyes wide
To life’s potent, subtle and sweet possibilities.
May it be in Beauty.

A shamanic exercise to initiate awakening from our dreams:

Go outside where you live where there is a natural setting, trees, plants and some open space.
Close your eyes and notice your breath. Breathe in and out 3 times.
Now imagine you are just awakening from sleep, eyes closed and you have just dreamed a dream of all that you desire.
Open your eyes and what do you see.
Do this several times. Each time taking note of what you see when you open your eyes.
Give thanks for what you witnessed.
Now speak outloud an intention for all that you desire.
Take time in the next weeks until Spring Equinox to speak this intention to others.

Green Blessings,
Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter

I had tasted Hawthorne

2008-02-05T22:59:00.000-08:00

There is a tree that
grows wild in Seattle.
Her name is Hawthorne.
She is an initiate
of the sexual mysteries
and offers her teachings to those
that dare enter this realm.

I was a budding herbalist, back about 13 years ago. I had tasted Hawthorne flower infusion and decided to go in search of the blossoms in my neighborhood park. It was a cloudy, late April day. I walked to the tree I had discovered a few months back. I gently pulled flower and leaf from the tree, feeling so vulnerable and so peaceful in this task.
I returned home and laid these flowers on a dish cloth to dry.
That night I dreamed of having sex with the Hawthorne tree.
This dream had an other worldly flavor and awaken me to a undiscovered and deeper part of myself. I wrote the following poem in response:

I dreamed last night
I lay on the ground
Next to you
My heart beat rapidly
My body smelled of sex
I writhed on the ground
In ecstatic connection
To you
It must have been dawn
The dawn of an age, perhaps
And I was your captive
As well as set free
To embody my dreams
Of (w)holiness.

May it be in beauty.

Frozen Earth Sparkles by Moonlight

2008-01-23T22:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday...
The full moon spotlight flooded my bedroom at 4 in the morning.
I got up and started to work, making lists of things that need tending.
Later I prepared for ritual, concocted a ceremony to burn evergreen boughs.
Releasing my dreams by smoke into the world.
The fire blazed so hot, so wild.
I ran to the stairs and looked back from far away.

Is my power this wild?
Are my dreams really this big?
This morning...
My eyes wanted to stay shut.
I am not sure I am ready for more light.
Where does the moon live in side of me?
Is this the light that I wish to shine?
Sunlight is so bold and brazen, I can't look upon her
without squinting, without looking away.
Moonlight glows from my womb, a reflection of my soul.

Dandelion Root~Nourishing Herbal Vinegar~A Potent Ally

2008-01-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale has been a potent ally of mine for many years now. I have grown fond of finding this plant where ever I go, growing up through cracks in the sidewalk, near compost heaps, and now here on the farm. She is an integral part of our garden, growing here and there along side our vegetables and medicinal herbs. This past fall, I was delighted to dig some of our incredible garden, dandelion root to make vinegar. What a blessing.

Over the past few years I have been reading and hearing more and more about the value of nourishing the digestive system to bring optimum health to our immune system, nervous system and more. Dandelion root(also burdock root and elecampane root) have within them something called inulin. This starchy substance nourishes the gut flora and helps to create a healthy environment in the intestines. Apple cider vinegar extracts the inulin well.

I am inspired to share here the story of how to make Dandelion Root Nourishing Herbal Vinegar from beginning to end. It is really not difficult to find places, even in the city where you can dig this root.

When I set out to harvest plants, I ask their permission before I do. In mid-November, this dandelion root has asked to be dug. After the fall equinox, the energy of the plants moves down into its roots. Digging the dandelion roots in the early part of fall insures that you will extract plenty of inulin.

The dandelion root freshly dug from the earth. Such a beautiful plant! So strong and deeply nourishing. When we dig plants up by the roots, we give death.

I dug up about 7 plants on that November day. Once all the plants are dug, I wash the dirt off with the "jet" spray on the garden hose. Then they are ready to bring inside and cut up for vinegar. I washed them a bit more once in my kitchen.

I cut the leaves off the roots once inside. It is best to only extract one part of the plant in each preparation. You can use the leaves in salad or soup if they look vibrant and healthy like these do.

Large, old growth dandelion root,
potently beautiful and rich with goodness.

I chopped up the root as small as I could, to get the most potent herbal vinegar.

I filled this glass canning jar, about 2/3 full of the dandelion root. Then filled it again with apple cider vinegar. I put a lid on it and shook it up and down.

I labeled my newly crafted jars of dandelion root vinegar with name of plant, the date and anything else that I may wish to remember; a connection I had with plant, perhaps my harvesting spot, and moon sign, especially if it is on a new or full moon.

This dandelion root nourishing herbal vinegar preparation sat for six weeks, in a cool place away from direct sunlight. By January 1, 2008 it was ready to strain.
My tools for straining herbs.
A two quart glass pitcher. A seive that will hold at least a quart of plant pieces. A dish towel or in this case a handkerchief.

The Dandelion has offered forth her gifts into the vinegar.
The cloudiness is the starchy inulin.

Dandelion is the Wise Woman's Plant. The women that came from Europe did not want to be without her. They collected the seeds from their ancestral lands and put them in their pockets.

Dandelion Root ~ Nourishing Herbal Vinegar, bottled and ready for the market.

Dandelion nourishes the gut flora, yes. It also nourishes the liver, urinary tract system and lymphatic system. Dandelion moves energy.
Dandelion Root is best dug between the fall and spring equinox. You can also chop it up and put it in soup or roast it and make a wonderful brew that tastes like chocolate when you add honey.
May it be in beauty.

Crow’s Laughter Mystery School offering for 2008:
I am just so excited for this year and the possibilities it will bring through our apprenticeships, classes, one to one teachings and the crafting of nourishing herbal creations.
We are continuing our popular programs and also new things are afoot.

Women and Plants~Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next sessions begins January 25 and May 2, 2008
This apprenticeship program is a rare opportunity to connect with the common plants and the spirits of the land on beautiful South Whidbey Island and around the Puget Sound area, to listen deeply to your surroundings and your own inner yearnings and gather the bounty of the Earth. Four, 13 week sessions spread out over a year and a half.
We meet on Fridays. This is a working apprenticeship! Apprentices help with organic gardening, tasks involved in running a success herbal business, classes and moon
circles. Each week we will also connect with each other through classes on topics of in
terest, talking stick, herbal crafting, shamanic exercises, and simple ceremonies.
Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ January 26th
January’s Theme: Initiating an Alliance with the Green World.
We meet monthly~Next circles, Feb. 23, March 22. April 19
Includes a delicious, nourishing whole and wild food lunch and herbal crafting supplies
Register online for Herbal Wisdom Circle, $75, 4 months for $250
http://www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.html

"The Well"~ A Study Group for Women~ 7-9 pm
North Seattle~ First Wednesdays ~ February 6, March 5, April 2
We are thrilled to offer this group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.
$30 ~ 4 consecutive months for $100.
Register on our website~ www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.com

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship Days for Girls
Feb. 9, March 29, May 3
Come explore the amazing healing way of plants, learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman, discover your plant ally and learn to listen and talk to plants.
$60, 2/$110, 3/$150 Look for information soon about our Summer Programs for Girls.

Dark of the Moon Lodge ~ February 9th
We are returning to meeting on Saturday evenings.
Includes a nourishing supper, talking stick and co-created ritual. $10

Community Classes~ A Healthy Gut ~ January 30 ~ 7-9 pm
Come discover how nourishing the digestive system brings optimum health to the immune system, nervous system and more. A demonstration of herbal vinegar preparation and yogurt and kefir making will be offered. $15, 2/$25

The Compassionate Nature of Plants~A Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalism ~ Beginning in March 2008, you will be able to participate in this course anywhere in the world. It is designed to inspire you to connect locally with the earth and plants outside your door.

The Journey of the Rose ~ A Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism
June 13-15, 2008, The wild roses blooming on the farm be will be our guides as we
discover the gifts of living fully and nourishing deeply. Shamanic exercises, herbal crafting, and community connections. Open to adults and teens. $275 early bird price until May 1st. Includes all meals and simple accomodations.

We are working to bring Marisha Auerbach to our farm in spring 2008 to teach a
Weekend Permaculture course. Look for details soon.

Classes in Seattle:

The Wise Woman Herbalist ~ Sunday, Feb 17, 9-Noon~ At the 16th Annual Women of Wisdom Conference at North Seattle Community College in Seattle ~ Empower yourself through exploring the ancient tradition of wise woman herbalism. Experience ancient shamanic listening activities and discover how to craft herbal preparations from the dooryard herbs. This class will include many experiential exercises that will open the gateway onto the spiral path of health, wholeness and holiness. www.womenofwisdom.org for more information and to register. I will also be selling my nourishing herbal creations at this conference.
This Goddess Market is open to the public.
Saturday, 8:30 am-7:30 pm and Sunday, 8:30 am - 6:30 pm

The Nourishing Herbs ~ March 12, 7-9 pm ~ UW Women’s Center
Wild Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk ~ Carkeek Park~ North Seattle CC, date to be announced ~ More classes with North Seattle Community College coming soon.

Wise Woman Teachings and Shamanic Healing~ One to One are offered here at our farm and will soon be offered in Seattle. Visit our website for details, http://www.crowsdaughter.com/wise-woman-teachings.html

Tantric Dance of the Divine Feminine ~ A Year and a Day program with
Kathy Kali Begin May 18 in Seattle ~ This is a beautiful and sensuous movement meditation practice that I am going to participate in. I invite you to join me. In the few times I have experienced this, I have learned incredible subtlties about my energetic body that have helped me in many different aspects of my life. Visit www.tantricdance.org for more information, to register email julie@crowsdaughter.com

Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for more details about these offering, and please feel free to call or email Julie anytime, 360-579-2319, julie@crowsdaughter.com

This time that I am born

2007-12-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

I have been sitting in silence
deep down
in the belly of the earth,
Gestating
anticipating
trusting
inside the
the mother,
Yesterday the flavor of light
that shone
beckoned my heart
and I knew it was
time to emerge.
This time
that I am born
I am completely new.
I can tell that
who I am
is not who I was.
I am aware that
what I see
is a formation
of what I am becoming.

a multitude of promise

2007-11-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

rain falls
plants fall over
turning golden and brown
wishing to rejoin
mother earth
little star lady
chickweed returns
enriching autumn salads
rose hips ripen fully
brilliant red
softening to release
her seeds
mushrooms emerge
all over the place
from forest wood chips
reminding me
of the fairy realm
seeds latch onto
my clothes
steadfast in their pursuit
to continue
a beautiful lesson
to watch burdock
dark brown plant
fall effortlessly
to earth
sending off her seeds
full of new life
into the world
she does not linger
in feelings of regret
she lived fully
now dies fully
each seed head holding
a multitude of promise
I follow burdock
releasing my life
into the holy darkness
giving thanks
knowing new life will emerge
from seeds
I have sown

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings:

Susun Weed Weekend~Nov. 30-Dec. 2~Discovery Park in Seattle
We are thrilled to be hosting Susun Weed for this fabulous weekend.
Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for all the details and to register.
Early bird prices will be increase on Monday, Nov. 12th

Women and Plants~Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begins January 25, 2008
Come immerse yourself in the nourishing and healing ways of the plants. Learn to live as a wise woman, craft herbal medicines from door yard herbs. Experience ancient shamanic listening practices, connect with your sisters on this path. This is an all-inclusive, comprehensive program that spans a year and a half with 4 ~ 13 week sessions. New participants are invited to join us at the beginning of each 13~ week session, each time continuing through until they have completed 4 ~ 13 week sessions.
When you choose this work you choose to deeply nourish all of yourself. When you join us, you are called upon to craft an apprenticeship with the plants and the Earth.
Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ November 17th
November's Theme: The Earth Mysteries
Come join me as we explore the earth mysteries, the darkness and the healing arts.

Learn ways to honor the source of life, death and rebirth through shamanic exercises.

We will also explore the art of tincture making with organic alcohol and roots. $50

Includes a delicious, nourishing whole and wild food lunch and herbal crafting supplies
Register online for Herbal Wisdom Circle
http://www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.html

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ 13 month program
This 13-month course includes 12 sessions held monthly on Saturdays,
from 10:30-2:30 and one weekend intensive in late spring.
This program is an opportunity to study the deeper teachings of the earth and plants first hand.
The cost is $675. Payment plans are available.

"The Well"~ A Study Group for Women~ 7-9 pm
North Seattle~ First Wednesdays ~ December 5, January 2, February 6
We are thrilled to offer this group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us.
$30 ~ 4 consecutive months for $100.
Register on our website~ http://www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.html

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship Days for Girls ~ Returning in 2008

Dark of the Moon Lodge ~ Returning in 2008

A Healthy Immune System ~ Seven Medicines Approach
Wednesday, November 28th ~ 7-8:30 pm ~ at our farm on Whidbey Island

Coming in 2008...
The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ An online course in Shamanic Herbalism
You can participate in this course anywhere in the world.

And...more classes, plant walks and offerings in Seattle

Crow's Daughter's Earthly Goods:
We have added a page of holiday gift ideas from the Earth to our website.
We are also offering free shipping again this year to enhance your giving.
Visit http://www.crowsdaughter.com/plant-stories.html

We will be selling our products at the Langley Holiday Fair, Nov. 24th, 12-5 pm.
You can find us right behind North Star and across from Useless Bay Coffee House.

We look forward to seeing you at one or more of these events.
Blessings of the New Moon and may the ancestors guide your steps
through this holy dark time of year,
Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter

The Treasures of the Dark Maiden

2007-09-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Lovers of the Green,

I walk in the garden and listen this morning
To the sounds of Autumn
A few pink catnip flowers whisper
Tomatoes pray for a bit more sun
Pumpkin leaves faded to yellow
Prepare for ripening fruit
Crow wings overhead
Cawing, cawing
A little nettle sprout determined to continue
After a strong weeding
Clover happy and content to bloom
As long as possible
Comfrey steadfast and vibrant still
Reminds me about her constant medicine
Burdock leaves beckon me to imagine
Their gigantic roots.
Bright fuchsia dahlias are
The entrance to the underworld
Apple hanging heavy and desiring
The cauldron
The shape of a goddess garden emerges
From an ancient psyche
Persephone calls us to seek
The treasures of the dark maiden

May it be in Beauty.

Crow's Laughter Mystery School has many offerings this fall.
We invite you to join us in exploring the deep teachings of the Wise Woman Tradition.
Feel free to call or email anytime to find out more about all of our offerings and visit
our website www.crowsdaughter.com
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next session begins January 25, 2008
Come immerse yourself in the nourishing and healing ways of the plants. Learn to live as a wise woman, craft herbal medicines from door yard herbs. Experience ancient shamanic listening practices, connect with your sisters on this path. This is an all-inclusive, comprehensive program that spans a year and a half with 4 ~ 13 week sessions. There is a spiralic nature to this apprenticeship. New participants are invited to join us at the beginning of each 13~ week session, each time continuing through until they have completed 4 ~ 13 week sessions.This apprenticeship program is a potent and powerful journey into the true nature of life. When you choose this work you choose to deeply nourish all of yourself. When you join us, you are called upon to craft an apprenticeship with the plants and the Earth.
Call or email to request an apprenticeship application.
360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com

Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ 13 month program
Herbal Wisdom Circle is a potent and powerful connection with the plants,
the Earth and all of life.
This 13-month course includes 12 sessions held monthly on Saturdays,
from 10:30-2:30 and one weekend intensive.
These sessions are held at our beautiful farm on South Whidbey Island
A delicious whole and wild food lunch is included.
This is an open circle. Participants may join us at anytime and continue for 13 months.
The themes and topics we explore are seasonal and crafted with participants needs and desires in mind.
This program is an opportunity to study the deeper teachings of the earth and plants first hand.
The cost is $675.
Payment plans are available.
We also welcome participants on a monthly basis.
Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ October 13th
October's Theme: Fruits of Passion
Register online for Herbal Wisdom Circle
www.crowsdaughter.com

"The Well"~ A Women Study Group ~ October 3, 2007 ~ 7-9 pm
Seattle ~ First Wednesdays
We are thrilled to offer this group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us. Our new location will be in Shoreline at the home of Jennifer Sundstrom.
October's Theme: Persephone's Gift, Come take a journey to the Underworld to meet Persephone and learn of the gifts she can offer us as we move into the dark time of year.
$30 ~ 4 months for $100.
Register on our website~ http://www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.html

Herbal Wisdom Mentorship Days for Girls ~ September 29 and November 3, 2007 10:30-2:30 ~ Come explore the amazing healing way of plants, learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman, discover your plant ally and learn to listen and talk to plants. $60 per day or $105 for both days. Pre-registration is required. Includes a delicious, nourishing whole and wild food lunch and herbal crafting supplies.

Dark of the Moon Lodge ~ October 10, 2007
Come join us for a nourishing supper, talking stick and simple ritual.
Come and just be. $10 ~ reservations are required by Tuesday October 9th.
If you lack access to resources pay what you can. If you have an abundance of resources you are welcome to pay more. This will be our last Dark of the Moon Lodge for 2007.

Healing Salves from Garden Herbs ~ October 6th ~ 10:30-12:30
UW Women's Center and Medicinal Herb Garden
Come join Julie Charette Nunn, local herbalist for this hand-on class that explores the healing herbs you can grow and craft into wonderful healing salves. This class will take place in the beautiful UW medicinal herb garden where we will see first hand the medicinal herbs that make great salves. We will make herbal salve which you can take home. $25 ~ $5 supply fee
and
The Nourishing Herbs ~ October 17, 2007 ~ 7:00-9:00 pm
UW Women's Center
Come discover herbs you can use daily to increase well being. Learn simple techniques for growing and preparing these herbs that you can easily do at home. Learn an amazing way to look at healing that supports optimum health. Experience a simple exercise to connect you with your body’s wisdom. You will sample nourishing herbal infusion and make nourishing herbal vinegar to take home. $25 ~ $5 supply fee
www.depts.washington.edu/womenctr/classes/classes.html

Wild Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk ~ Magnusson Park, Seattle ~ October 7th 10-12 pm ~ Come join me right in the middle of the city to explore the wild plants that can be used for food and medicine. Discover weeds that make great salad greens, trees that heal the heart and ease muscle pain and learn about simple herbal preparations you can make in your kitchen. Julie is an herbalist and teacher from Whdibey Island that love to introduce people to plants. We will meet at Magnusson Park. To register visit www.learnatnorth.org

I look forward to our future connections.
Green Blessings,
Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter

Wisdom to Hold Ground

2007-07-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

sun filled world
bright days wild
dark nights
potent with
what shall be
what is

our garden is wild
overgrown
with weeds
nourishing foods
potent medicines
expansion
and deeper callings allow
less time for a perfect garden
how is this helping
some deeper yearning?

wild peas grow all over this year
purple blossoms spreading
intertwining with planned plants
returning nitrogen to the soil
we are in need of this here
the soil calls for more food
to strengthen her

two weeds growing
in raucous abundance
Sow thistle leaves
are mineral rich
wonderful in salads
as they flower
our goats gorge on them
little mallow is spreading far and wide
thought it would be so nice to invite her to
a little corner
of the pumpkin patch
she didn’t stay in the corner
for long
stretching out in all directions
carpeting the soil
with her heart-shaped leaves
and delicate pink flowers
delicious in salad and
enough for herbal vinegar
she soothes our insides

more weeds

dandelion ~ wise woman plant
plantain ~ bee sting plant
lamb’s quarters ~ better than spinach
chickweed ~ in the shade of the potatoes
burdock ~ yang/wild woman plant
shephard’s purse ~ midwives plant
red dock ~ remedy for nettle sting
yellow dock ~ iron-rich liver lover
red clover ~ I planted this
butter cup ~ poison tenacious plant
self heal ~ subtle chakra teacher

this year as I look
in the mirror
of my garden
I see
the intertwining fertility
of my most alive self
abundant graciousness
of growing where I land
wisdom to hold ground
spreading green ways
all over the place

may it be in beauty

Crow's Laughter is a mystery school that teaches wise woman ways of self love and nourishment. We facilitate the exploration of inner nature and its mirror in the natural world. We do this through connection with earth and body wisdom, herbal crafting, shamanic journeying, deep listening and simple ritual.

We are delighted to offer many ways to connect with the Earth and the plants. Come join us.

Shamanic Apprenticeships

Awaken the Wise Woman!
Residential Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program of Women
Come join me and immerse yourself in the nourishing and healing ways of the plants.
Learn to live as a wise woman, listening deeply. Discover new perspectives on health and wellbeing and ways to offer your gifts to the world.
Teens Welcome. 9 days ~ August 10-18 ~ $700
Price includes teachings, meals, camping accomodations, many herbs for crafting and much more.

Women and Plants ~ Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program
Next sessions start September 14th and January 25, 2008, we meet on Fridays.
This is an all-inclusive, comprehensive program that spans a year and a half with 4 ~ 13 week sessions. There is a spiralic nature to this apprenticeship. New participants are invited to join us at the beginning of each 13~ week session, each time continuing through until they have completed 4 ~ 13 week sessions. Teens welcome.

Our Classes

Herbal Wisdom Circle
Monthly on Saturdays
July 14th ~ 10:30-2:30

"Lavender and Friends"
Next circles ~ August 11 and September 15th
Coming in September...there will be an opportunity to sign up for 13 months of Herbal Wisdom Circles. More info coming about this soon.

The Well ~ A Study Group for Women
First Wednesdays in Seattle ~ August 1st
Come gather at the Well. Replenish, renew,
connect, reflect. Discover Wise Woman Ways and the treasured
gifts within you.

Dark of the Moon Lodge ~ July 14th ~ 6:30 pm
Reservations are required at least on day ahead. $10
Come join me in Sacred Space.
My home and land are open to you, between 6:30 and 9:30 pm. You are welcome to come anytime during this 3 hours. We will be gathering for food the first hour and then cleaning up. If you would like to eat, please come during that time.
If we are in circle with talking stick or ritual, please enter in silence and join us.
Please bring...
Any ideas, songs, stories, poetry to share. Tarot decks or other oracles with which
To imagine your future. We will co-create the space together. If ritual is desired we will create it. I will invite you into the circle with talking stick at some time in the evening.
If you desire...
Just come and connect, Listen deeply, Walk on the land.
Share with others, Do nothing,
These things are welcome.
This space is created to honor the blood mysteries,
The ancient temple of women's womb stories
Moms and girl children of all ages are welcome.
Boy children under two or breast feeding are welcome.
Pre-registration is required so please call ahead to reserve a space.
Directions will be spent upon registration.

More dates...
August 12th
September 11th
October 10th
November 9th
December 9th

Lunar Sabbats
July 29th~ Lunar Lammas
November 9th~ Lunar Samhain

Classes for Children

Herbal Wisdom Summer Mentorship for Girls
July 16-19th ~ 10-2:00 ~ $225 ~ Pre-registration is required
Girls will be learning about the healing ways of plants, through listening, herbal crafting and organic gardening.Includes a delicious, nourishing whole and wild food lunch and herbal crafting supplies.Call or email and we will send you our information and registration letter.

Awaken the Wise Woman! Apprenticeship Weekend for Girls 10-13
July 27-29th ~ $275 ~ Pre-registration is required
Includes camping accomodations, all meals and herbal crafting supplies.
Girls will be learning the way of the wise woman through herbal crafting, shamanic listening exercises and organic gardening. This program is an opportunity for girls to connect deeply with their true natures and learn to step into the world as powerful young women. Call or email and we will send you an application for this program.

Classes in Seattle and around Puget Sound

Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk
July 18th ~ 6:30-8:30 pm
Lichton Springs Park, North Seattle
Offered through North Seattle Community College
To register visit www.learnatnorth.com

A Walk with Plant Families
Wednesday, July 25th ~ 7-9 pm
University of Washington
Medicinal Herb Garden and Women's Center

Healing Salves from Garden Herbs
Tuesday, August 14th ~ 7-9 pm
University of Washington
Medicinal Herb Garden and Women's Center
www.depts.washington.edu/womenctr/classes/classes.html
For more information call 206-685-1090

Celebrating Spirit in Community with Plants
An online course in Shamanic Herbalism
Offered through the Women of Wisdom Foundaton
For more information visit www.womenofwisdom.org/online/

Wise Woman Teachings and Shamanic Healing One to One
Julie is now available for one to one consultations which may include shamanic healing such as power animal retrieval, soul retrieval and shamanic extraction, shamanic exercises and discussions about herbs and foods that may support your well-being. We will structure our time to fit your needs. Please visit www.crowsdaughter.com/wise-woman-teachings.html
for more information about these teachings. $30-$60 sliding scale

Crow's Daughter's Earthly Goods
We have been creating nourishing herbal products for over a decade.
You can shop for our hand-crafted, healing products on our website.
http://www.crowsdaughter.com/earthly-goods.html

For information on any of these programs please Email Us and let us know you wish to be on our email list. We send out updates regularly and a beautiful seasonal newsletter.

Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter
Nourishment~Common Herbs~Wise Woman Ways
360-579-2319
julie@crowsdaughter.com
www.crowsdaughter.com

Wild Medicine

2007-06-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Lovers of the Green,

I was just out on our land early this morning to listen and connect and I could smell the beauty of wild roses so potent. I am inspired to offer you this article I wrote for the Women of Wisdom Newsletter in 2004.
Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for our upcoming apprenticeships, classes and dark of the moon lodge this summer. Our Wild Flower Body Tonic and Wild Rose Tincture are available now...our Rosabunda Lotion and Wild, Wild Rose Balm will be available by end of July, now soaking and releasing their potent medicine into organic olive oil
Green Blessings,
Julie

It is early June and I am making a daylong trek to a beloved spot on the Olympic Peninsula. My intention is to gather wild rose blossoms, to create healing oil, honey and tincture...wild medicine...I am going to a place where there are acres and acres of wild roses. Around the end of May, they begin to bloom and are ripe for picking. I drive into the park, gather my cloth bag and venture onto a trail along a bluff, wild roses growing thick at the edge of the world. I begin to pick the wild rose buds and the open blossoms with pale yellow stamens. (Once the stamens have turned brown, their precious essential oil is spent.)

I pick and I pick, communing with bees and occasionally noticing the salt water far below and the graceful giant kelp fluttering in the waves. I walk along on this gathering spree, indulgently poking my nose into the open wild rose flowers. After about an hour or so of this it is quite clear to me that I am intoxicated with rose. I am relaxed and happy and my thoughts are filled with dreams of love and beauty. The wild roses appear to speak a truth to me of what is possible within us and among us. I listen and obey their call to keep picking. I find a little patch closer to the entrance of the park where I finish my task. I have to literally pull myself away from this spot and stop picking. I really do have enough for my concoctions. The wild roses delight in my reluctance to leave and beckon me on to continue savoring their offerings. I speak to them in the language of connection with the unseen worlds. I will return to you in the fall to gather your fruit, the ripe wild rose hips.

It is early October now as I venture to gather their ripe wild fruit. I am wondering what this adventure will bring me after such an amazing summer encounter with the intoxicating medicine of this native plant. I am excited to see the red, ripe berries all around me as I enter the park. I start again near the bluff and begin to pick the perfect fruit. After a while of picking, I begin to notice that there are not just one kind of wild rose hip here but many. Before I am done, I have identified at least six species of rose. I am entranced this time with the deep medicine of this plant... love and beauty, yes, again come to mind but in this season I also sense a strong pull toward Earth. The wild rose blossoms express to me a manifestation of heart, while these ripe, red berries speak of womb medicine, the deep dark medicine of female power. I give thanks for this wisdom and the expansive gifts of this place on earth.

May it be in Beauty!