Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Tokens from the Spirit World

Everyday is another day. You can wake up with a new idea, change some habits, decide to turn left instead of right, choose a new path...Everyday is a brand new world of possibilities, it's all up to you to make it happen (with a little help from the Universe).

I've made choices that were not easy to make and are/were not understood or acknowledged by those who surround me and I made a few mistakes too along the way (nobody's perfect)...But when you are on the right track, you just know it.

When you are on a spiritual path, things start to unfold and become more obvious. You are also more aware and receptive...especially when it comes to signs. The signs you see are usually only meant to you to see and for you to understand.

To me they are comforting and reassuring. I feel privileged and honored when I get a sign because it means that not only is the Universe aware of what I'm doing but it also means that what I do is appreciated and supported by the Spirit Realms. I usually get these signs when there's a major change going on or when there is a new path/idea that I have to pursue...I got one of these signs no later than last night (with a Full Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse). These signs can take different shapes depending on the person, to me they usually manifest themselves in little coins with my year of birth on them: 1978. I have found these coins in strange places when I least expected to find them (I've also had more strange/paranormal/unexplicable signs but that's another story)...these little tokens from the Spirit World mean a lot to me.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Doing More for Women...

Those who know me also know that I always go further in whatever I invest myself and my time in...That's part of being a perfectionist. I just want to offer the best stuff to people and if I'm not satisfied first, why would anybody else be?

Being a woman, I'm naturally interested in improving the well-being, health and quality of life of other women. That is why I am currently working on more women-oriented products (amongst other projects).

Soon should the following items appear on my shop and in my catalog:
-A WeMoon Herbal Tonic which is an herbal tea blend naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, which can also be used during pregnancy (a time when women need even more nourishment).
-A Wild & Wise Tea which nourishes and balances body & yoni...and should help alleviate PMS.
-A Moon Thyme Incense made with a blend of herbs and meant to be used during women's moon time...A time of introspection which holds great power and wisdom.
-A set of Triple Goddess Creams: 1 for each aspect of womanhood - Maiden, Mother & Crone.
...I might go further in the future and work more on mothers, mothers-to-be and babies. Only time will tell ;)!

I also have 2 interesting creative challenges going on: the first celebrates the arrival of the Fall and the 2nd one as "Oracle" for a theme...I feel very inspired!

Some people have request a Black Chai from me...so Black Chai there shall be...soon!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

More about the Moon...


After watching that beautiful caramel crescent of Moon last night (unfortunately I missed the Moonset), I thought I should share more of the words of Glennie Kindred.

"NEW MOON (Dark Moon):
Here Sun & Moon rose together in the East, the Moon is invisible because she is hidden by the Sun's brightness in the day and is on the other side of the Earth with the Sun at night. Astrologically, the Sun and Moon are in conjunction. This means that they are linked together, mutually helpful to each other, enhancing each other's energy. Their combined energy brings the potential for new beginnings. This is the best time to begin new projects, take new directions and make new resolutions, affirmations and statements of intent. The New Moon represents the Maiden aspect of the Triple Moon Goddess. She is full of potential ans daring. This is the seed phase. Use it for planting seeds in the Earth and for planting the seeds of ideas, future intentions and seeds of hope.

CRESCENT MOON (Waxing Towards Full/Waxing Crescent):
This is the first visible sliver of Moon seen in the Western sky in the late afternoon and early evening. The Crescent Moon brings new growth to ideas and plans. This is the sprouting phase.

FIRST QUARTER MOON (Waxing Half Moon):
She rises at noon and sets at midnight. Astrologically, the Moon is square to the Sun. This is challenging energy which, if faced, will propel things forward. This is the growth phase, as the Moon is waxing towards full.

GIBBOUS MOON (Almost Full):
She rises mid-afternoon and sets just before dawn. This is a time for activity and personal expression through our feelings.

FULL MOON:
She rises at sunset and sets at sunrise and astrologically the Sun and Moon are in opposition. This means that their energies are diametrically opposite, polarizing or complementary, and this can cause mood swings and emotional turmoil. Sacred to the Mother aspect of the Triple Moon Goddess, the Full Moon brings abundance and represents the flowering, the peak of fullness. Use this time for completion, self-expression and celebration.

DISSEMINATING MOON (Waning Full Moon):
The Moon now begins to wane, visibly getting smaller each night. She rises mid-evening and sets mid-morning. In Nature the Waning Moon cycle promotes root development and the swelling of fruit. She brings self-assessment and turning within.

LAST QUARTER MOON (Waning Half-Moon):
She rises around midnight and sets around noon. Astrologically, the Moon is square to the Sun, creating a challenge in their relationship. This is the harvest phase of the Moon, a time for reaping the fruits of our wisdom, for assimilation and quiet reflection.

BALSAMIC MOON (Waning Crescent Moon):
This is the last sliver of Moon seen in the Eastern sky at dawn when she rises and is visible until she sets in the early afternoon. The Waning Moon is sacred to the Crone or Wise Woman aspect of the Triple Moon Goddess, bringing inner wisdom, guidance and the mysteries. This is the time for letting go of things that are no longer helpful to you, for breaking psychic links, shedding the old so that you can begin anew. Use this time for transformation and change."

"Earth Wisdom - A Heartwarming Mixture of the Spiritual, the Practical, and the Proactive" by Glennie Kindred

Indian Summer Ice Tea

I'm longing for the Fall...Most people are sun lovers but I'm not one of them ;P. I like the fog (the denser, the better), the smell of the humid soil combined with decomposing leaves, moss and mushrooms, the trees changing colors and that distinct introspective atmosphere...

But Summer is not over yet even though the season is already changing (just look at the Sun and you'll understand) and we still need to cool down. So I blended a tasty ice tea with a touch of spice (even though spices are considered warm and mostly used during the cold months, they can make you sweat and cool your body...that's why you can use them to treat colds & fevers) and fall flavors.

For 1 quart, you'll need:
1 jar
3 cups of spring water
3 teabags of rooibos chai (but you can also use black chai or regular rooibos with or without adding spices)
1 cup unfiltered apple juice or apple cider (fresh and unpasteurized usually taste better...but you can also try with orange juice)
3 tbsp (raw) honey

Put the teabags in the jar. Boil the water and pour it over the teabags. Steep 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the teabags and add the apple juice. Stir a little then add the honey. Stir again and put the jar in the fridge...Once cool: enjoy (with or without ice cubes).

Try a hot version of this tea during the fall and winter, as an afternoon or evening tea...By the fireplace it's even better! It's similar to a hot cider with mulling spices ;).

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Follow the Moon...


"The Moon is closer to the Earth than any other heavenly body and influences our lives in many ways. Her cycle of 29 days corresponds to the menstrual cycle of a woman and so in the past our ancestors personified her as a Triple Moon Goddess: the new Moon was the young Maiden, full of emerging potential, the full Moon was the Mother, the abundant provider, and the dark of the Moon was the Crone, the guardian of the inner realms and wisdom.
Everything that flows on the Earth moves in rythm with the Moon. The force of her gravitational pull is so powerful that she influences all the Water on the Earth, the oceans' tides, the underground Waters deep in the Earth, the life fluids of plants, animals and people, all female reproductive cycles and the migration patterns of birds. The Moon can also influence our emotional patterns and our behavior, bringing constant change to our lives.
The phase of the Moon reflects the angle between the Sun and the Moon as seen from the Earth. There are 8 lunar phases and each one lasts 3 to 4 days. The Moon changes astrological Sun every 2 and a half days."
This is taken from "Earth Wisdom - A Heartwarming Mixture of the Spiritual, the Practical, and the Proactive" by Glennie Kindred. She has become one of my favorite author. I own 3 of her books: "Sacred Celebrations", "Herbal Healers" and this one...And I intend to get more.
I love the way she expresses herself, she's genuinely kind, loving and gentle. Her books are full of knowledge, wisdom and interesting ideas. Even her illustrations are worth it. I can only recommend her work warmly ;).


Keeping Your Cool When the Weather is Hot...

A very helpful article written by herbalist Brigitte Mars who suggests the use of cooling herbs, some dietary recommendations, elements of chinese medicine, aromatherapy...and a lot of common sense.

http://www.brigittemars.com/framefiles/article_hotweather.htm

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Good Vibrations

I've decided to bring back my "Good Vibrations" tea. It was my most popular tea at the Alternative Healing Arts Fair last Sunday. I originally created this tea for healing work, especially energy healing.

It's a blend of pesticide-free rose petals, wildcrafted white sage and organic lavender plus...a little blessing (all my teas are blessed). Soothing rose petals for love and opening the heart chakra, white sage to clear energetic blockages and prepare the body for spiritual/healing work & lavender to calm and relax.

With the help of a fellow chakra healer and a tea taster, I've tried a little experiment which had an amazing and very positive result: the tea taster was energetically scanned before and after drinking the tea. It appears that her energy level raised by 12%...and she didn't even finish her cup!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Oyle of Rose

I've bought some rose infused oil before, handmade with fresh rose petals infused in (extra virgin) olive oil...Well I wasn't too impressed. I won't deny that the softening, soothing and healing qualities of the Rose weren't in the oil but the scent was so faint that I must have compensated with my imagination to smell the roses.

So I decided to give it a try, it took me 2 months but the result is pretty satisfying. I started on May 31st, on the Blue Moon. I filled a pint size glass jar with fresh rose petals from my very fragrant dwarf rose bush, then I added a few fresh rose geranium leaves (Attar of Rose variety) and a few fresh sprigs of rose thyme. I covered the herbs with a blend of organic extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil (1 to 1 ratio). I closed the lid and left in on my porch, under the sun for 1 lunar month, shaking the jar from time to time.

On June 30th, at the Full Moon (this one was the Faerie Moon), I strained my oil and decided to reinfuse it. So I filled the same jar with pesticide-free dried rose petals, half pink and the other half red (rosa centifolia) and added a few fresh rose geranium leaves as well as a few sprigs of fresh rose thyme. I covered the herbs with the oil I strained before and left the jar in the sun for another lunar month.

The result was a pleasant lightly scented rose oil, with a velvety texture which leaves the skin soft and not greasy. With both solar and lunar influences...Plus when I use this oil, my husband says I'm glowing ;). Conclusion: if you wanna be a natural beauty queen, ask the Rose.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

FOUR SEASON GODDESS CREAMS

Whether you are aware of it or not, your body is not only affected by the sun and the lunar cycle, but also by the seasons. Our wise ancestors, who were knowledgeable about all things natural, knew that fact very well.

We all react to seasonal changes differently. The best way is to find out what your needs are is to observe, eat seasonal food and be in tune with your body.

Your skin also has different needs throughout the year. That is why I created a new line of face creams inspired by the four seasons. I incorporated my knowledge of herbs, teas, seasonal and nutritional herbalism into those creams. For example, in winter your body needs more vitamin C to strenghten the immune system and because winter food is less rich and less varied than summer food so your body needs to compensate for that lack of nutrients. Thus my WINTER GODDESS CREAM contains rooibos which is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals as well as hibiscus which is a natural source of vitamin C. Vitamin C also makes your skin glow with health.

My creams are handmade with infused tea (with spring water), herbally infused extra virgin olive oil, unrefined beeswax and benzoin tincture. They have a natural delicate scent and a lighter texture than the Wise Woman Creams.

-SPRING GODDESS CREAM contains jasmine green tea & extra virgin olive oil infused with nettle, rose petals and/or rose geranium leaves.

-SUMMER GODDESS CREAM contains white lilac tea & extra virgin olive oil infused with elder blossoms, rose petals and/or rose geranium leaves.

-FALL GODDESS CREAM contains vanilla rooibos & extra virgin olive oil infused with calendula, rose petals and/or rose geranium leaves.

-WINTER GODDESS CREAM contains earl grey rooibos & extra virgin olive oil infused with hibiscus, rose petals and/or rose geranium leaves.

I should soon add the Summer Goddess Cream to my Etsy offerings...Thank you for browsing ;).
CURRENT MOON

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