I am sure I am headed into the mystery again.

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.

The Green Teachings of the Fairies

“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

Before St. Patrick

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.

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

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.

The Alchemy of Our Divine Nature

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

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.

Ignited in Me Was the Wise Woman

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.

Close to Home

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

Nettle Stories ~ Blog Party

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

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

Dandelion Root~Nourishing Herbal Vinegar~A Potent Ally

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