Portrait of an Artisan: For the Love of Patchouly

Daphne blends perfume oils. She's been perfecting that art for the past 10 years! Daphne also has a passion for the exotic patchouli and shares her passion for this scent through her creations. But not all her perfume oils contain patchouli...As a matter of fact 2 of my favorite blends don't contain any patchouli (don't be mistaken, I do not dislike patchouli).

I was really impressed by the quality of her fragrances, they stay on the skin all day. I really love Amber (probably my all time favorite) so I was naturally drawn to the exotic KUNDALINI: a rich blend of 3 ambers, frankincense, morrocan myrrh and black opium.

My other favorite is OSHUN, though I'm not too much into light floral scent...My husband seems to like it too :). Oshun is the name of an Orishan water-goddess who reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy. It's a feminine & sexy blend of orange blossom, muguet du bois and Moroccan rose floating on a base of white amber and white sandalwood.

Daphne also has many patchouli blends, one of her best sellers being a unisex scent named HIPPIE LOVE which is an earthy blend of Indian patchouli, white musk, ginger and and amber. There is no limit to creativity and I truely recommend trying her natural and affordable perfume oils, you won't be deceived.

http://patchouly.etsy.com

Chakra Dance Flow: Movement Meditation (bellydance, freestyle, guided meditation)

Chakra Dance Flow is not a traditional workout, no past pace or sweat building repetitive movements. Chakra Dance flow is a meditative dance workout that combines elements of yoga and bellydance and uses the system of the 7 chakras as guidance in energy work.

It is a relaxing and uplifting journey to reconnect with your inner self, the Universe and the Goddess. It will allow you to be aware, unblock and open each of the 7 chakras (individually or all together) and let energy flow. This guided meditation reconnects the physical with the emotional and the spiritual. It helps reawakening energy centers, releasing tension and anxiety and reclaiming inner balance.

I appreciated the fact that elements of meditation and spiritual work were brought up and integrated in the workout, such as : clearing, energizing, centering and grounding. Also energy being the flowing life force within and around us, it was refreshing to see slow, gracious, flowing moves, the integration of sound, the consciousness of breath and the awareness of the elements.

Herbal Recipe: Elderflower Champagne

This is a recipe I've been wanting to try for some time now (just need to buy some nice corked bottles first). Though it's called champagne, it's not a real champagne since it's a non-alcoholic drink. There is a natural substance in the flower heads that makes this drink fizz.

Before starting, you'll need to harvest fresh elderflower heads. Just make sure you know how to identify the tree: any mistake could be toxic if not lethal. Stay away from the cone shaped flower heads of the red elder tree...the flowers and berries are poisonous.

"This delicious, effervescent summer drink has a flavor reminiscent of muscatel wine.

RECIPE:

-4.5 litres/1 gallon/20 cups water (you may want to use good spring water and not tap water)

-500g/1 1/4 lb sugar

-6-8 fresh elderflower heads

-2 lemons, sliced

30ml/2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1/Heat half the water to just below boiling point and add the sugar. Stir to dissolve, add the rest of the water and leave to cool. Add the remaining ingredients and leave to stand for 24-48 hours. 2/Strain into strong glass bottles and cork tightly. The drink will be ready to serve in about six days."

For more herbal recipes, I recommend the following book: "Herbal Tea Remedies - Tisanes, Cordials and Tonics for Health and Healing" by Jessica Houdret

Celebrate Mothers Day under the sign of the Rose...

You may ask why the Rose? Well, Roses and Rosewater have been used through the millenniums for religious ceremonies, as a courtesy to guests, for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. There is no other flower that is so closely associated with love, beauty, health and feminity. The Rose is a flower that is universally appreciated by women for its beauty, its uses and its scent. No other flower has been as celebrated as the rose in art, poetry or even music. My mother likes roses (like most mothers or so I think). Thus I thought it was very appropriate to celebrate Mothers (and Mothers-to-be) with roses in my products. Some of them are brand new and specially concoted just for the occasion:

-Moroccan Rose Face & Body Lotion is all natural and hand blended with Moroccan virgin argan oil, true Moroccan rosewater (distilled with Damask roses), organic aloe vera gel, unrefined cocoa butter and unrefined beeswax. It's non greasy and moisturizes the skin all day long...plus this lotion leaves the skin very silky :). http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5915480

-Mon Amie La Rose Face Cream is hand blended with true Moroccan rose water (distilled with Damask roses), Moroccan virgin argan oil and unrefined beeswax. The texture is much lighter than most of my creams so that it can be used even by combination skin types. With this cream, you'll agree that the Rose is a true friend of your skin. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5914253

-Rose Kiss Balm is handcrafted with organic extra virgin olive oil infused with pesticide-free rose petals and/or rose geranium leaves, unrefined beeswax and honey. Only pure natural goodness for your or your mom's lips...Plus the tin is ornated with a pretty ribbon rose :). http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5817082

-Timeless Tea is one of my favorites. It's a gentle and feminine blend of organic white tea, pesticide-free rose petals and organic lavender. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5765440

-Moroccan Rose is a dreamy and exotic blend of organic jasmine green tea and pesticide-free rose petals. A delight for the senses. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5682975

-Thé à l'églantine aka Rosehip tea is more traditional yet not less tasty than the teas above. It's a blend of organic black tea, organic rosehips, pesticide-free rose petals and organic cloves. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5785258

Please feel free to contact me if:
-You have any question.
-You wish me to list an item specially for you.
-You wish to place an order but not through Etsy.
-You wish me to prepare a special gift bag with some of the items mentioned above and list it (or not) on Etsy.

Alchemille's Spring News #2 "DOWN TO EARTH"

As I said in the previous newsletter there have been lots of changes and novelties that have kept me busy for a while. I named this newsletter "Down to Earth" because most of my new body care items have a Moroccan and African inspiration and contain natural ingredients such as Moroccan Argan oil, Tanzanian Baobab oil, Namibian Melon seed oil or Moroccan Rhassoul clay (what is more earthy than clay?) just to name a few.

My latest creation (that, I must admit, was lingering in my mind for a while) is my wonderful Sultana Body Scrub. It's pure natural goodness, very gentle and naturally scented (no fragrance or perfume oil involved). This scrub is a blend of fine sea salt, organic extra virgin olive oil, Moroccan rhassoul clay, Damask rose powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and organic vanilla extract. You can smell the spices but the scent is far from overpowering and I love the fact that a light cinnamon scent lingers on the skin afterwards :).

I am equally proud of L'Aziza Facial Elixir and Sem'sema Skin Elixir. L'Aziza, which means beautiful in arabic, is a blend of Moroccan argan oil and rosehip seed oil infused with pesticide-free rose petals and/or rose geranium leaves (I grow the rose geranium myself since dried leaves are not commercially sold). I recommend L'Aziza for normal to dry and mature skin types. You just need a few drops. It can be used alone or with your usual moiturizer.
Sem'sema is a head-to-toe moisturizer hand blended with the 3 oils I mentioned above. You can use it as a conditioning hair oil, a face oil, a body oil and even a massage oil. Very practical, useful and non-greasy!
If you wish to know more about all these oils, feel free to visit my website's glossary: http://www.alchemillesgarden.com/glossary/

There are people who like oils, those who like creams and those who like lotions. I happen to have a little bit of everything for everybody :) and new items as well. Let me introduce you to my Crème de Sultane Face Cream, a smooth cream and little luxury with Moroccan argan oil and floral waxes...Or my Wise Woman del Morocco Cream with rose-infused Moroccan argan oil.

For those of you who prefer lotions, there's my Wise Woman Herbal Lotion with herbally infused extra virgin olive oil (you pick your herb or flower :) ), unrefined cocoa butter and aloe vera among other ingredients. The beauty of this lotion is that it can be used both on face and body (I love products that have multiple uses)...And my Sultana Facial Grains, my Herbal Kiss Balms...etc

I won't talk about all the novelties, I'd rather let you discover them at your own leisure...Most of them are already listed on my Etsy shop: http://alchemille.etsy.com

Let's not forget about my Artisan Tea Blends to complement your exotic pamperings: whether you need a little change of scene or just the time to daydream and relax while sipping a cup of tea.

Wild and Wise News #2 : Earth Day Celebration

We feel naturally concerned about the health of our planet and we all have a great respect and reverence towards Mother Earth.

As we all make natural, healthy, soothing and healing products, we wanted to honor the Great Mother through our creations for this upcoming Earth Day:

-Xiane created a wonderful Earth Day Ritual Kit including a handmade herbal incense (combination of Rosemary, thyme, frankincense, myrrh, sage and lavender), a lavender soy candle and an herbally infused anointing oil.

-Maggie, who specializes in natural household products, concoted a fresh cut grass scented laundry soap to bring the smell of the outdoors indoors.

-Jeane made a beautiful necklace with a purple wired Brazilian Agate and crystal quartz beads. Agate is said to provide protection, strength and harmony.

-Griselda made 2 handcrafted Gaia/Earth Goddess Shamanic Dolls out of polymer clay combined with other materials. These make wonderful altar pieces and spiritual companions.

-Andra created a nice Gaea stone necklace for the occasion. It's made out of mariposite, turquoise, petrified wood, riverstones and copper. An earthy, calming and protective necklace.

-Lacey, who's been very inspired, has created a few jewelry pieces including beaded fairy bug and Green Man chockers with ribbons.

-Charlotte crafted a Runic Magic Wand out of Hazel Wood and engraved it with the Runic Alphabet. The wand comes with it's own protective pouch and informaiton booklet. A beautiful and powerful tool for magickal use and spiritual practice.

-Night modeled a handsculpted Altar Goddess in the Ancient Nile River Bird Goddess style. She is crafted from leafy green polymer clay with a copper shimmer.

-Lisa made a "Love Mother Earth" clay pendant with a green painted heart which is also the color for the heart chakra.

-Piper crafted a very huggable "Goddess Hugs Herb Pillow" stuffed with a fragrant blend of lavender, geranium, spearmint and orris root. She also made a very natural looking "Wood and Bones Knotted Necklace"...The wooden beads have been rubbed with amber oil :).

-Parul has blended an organic Earth Mother Herbal Tea with Raspberry Leaf, Peppermint and Stinging Nettle. This energy powered herbal infusion is a source of vitamins and minerals.

-Raven put up a wonderful Garden Tea Basket with a bag of SPRING GARDEN tea (a blend of chamomile, lemongrass, hibiscus and licorice), four packets of wildflower seeds, violet candies, a lovely ceramic mug and a luscious herb scented votive candle...Goodness in a basket!

-I created 2 herbal teas: the first one I named JOURNEY TO MIDDLE-EARTH, it's a sweet, earthy and grounding blend of organic green and red rooibos, organic cinnamon, fennel seeds, organic rosemary and cardamom. The second one I named WALK IN THE WOODS, it's a wild tasting organic blend of strawberry leaves, raspberry leaves, blackberry leaves, nettle and rosehips. Loaded with vitamins and minerals from Mother Nature.

If you wish to know more about our Earth Day Creations, go to: http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=twwc%20earth%20day&search_type=tag_title&order=&page=1

Or seach for "twwc earth day" on http://www.etsy.com

The Earth is our Mother, she's provided food, medicine, clothes and shelter for us...We should not be ungrateful children!

Nomadic Lights

an

The idea was lingering in a corner of my mind for months because I couldn't find the time to develop the actual product...But what was just an idea has now become real!

It may not have an incredible look but I'm proud of that product. I think I've manage to capture the essence of the Ancestors and a glimpse of their life style through these candles and that's what I wanted. I've been inspired by ancient terracotta oil lamps uncovered from various archaeological sites around the Mediterranean, which were once part of the Roman Empire.

I make these candles with red clay, olive butter, unrefined beeswax and biodegradable cotton twine. I like them as natural as can be, but I know some people like fragrances so I offer the make them scented as well.

I've already listed my Nomadic Lights on Etsy and plan on adding them as permanent item in my catalog and on my website.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5655131

Alchemille's Garden Spring News #1

Spring brings a wind of change, novelty and improvement...

About novelties, I have listed 3 new teas on Etsy (2 of them are currently Etsy Exclusives):

-Morning by the Countryside is a caffeine-free herbal blend that can help you wake up gently in the morning http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5547535

-Faery Magick tea is a very springy and spiritual blend...For those seeking to connect with Fairies :) http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5623325

AND

-Grandma's Favorite that I created with my grandmother's favorite herbs and to help her in my own way. It's a very tasty and special blend. If you wish to find out more: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5609680

I also added (on Etsy and on ny website) 3 natural deodorants the "Wise Woman Deos". 1 is available unscented and the 2 others are scented with organic perfumes oils (essential oils in a blend of jojoba and grapeseed oils).

You can choose from Goddess Spirit with sweet lavender, ylang-ylang, rose attar, roman chamomile and sweet marjoram or Nature Spirit with sandalwood, lavender, cypress, cedarwood, fir needle, sweet marjoram and sage.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5609685

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5622001

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5622070

In the face and body care section, I removed the Featherlight Lotion (I will only add it occasionally on Etsy) and added a 100% natural Wise Woman del Morocco Face Cream with Moroccan Argan Oil http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5617755 and I am currently working on a Crème de Sultane...:)

I am still switching from fragrance oils to perfume oils and am currently selecting some luxurious, exotic and alluring perfume oils for you, bellydancers, sultanas, wise women and goddesses to enjoy.

Alchemille's products in Florida

For those who are not familiar with Bijouterie (which means jewelry shop in french), Bijouterie is a little shop located in Tavernier, Florida which features handcrafted jewelry by Susan Goracy, who studied interior design.

But Susan is also into natural stuff so she carries natural handcrafted products by little indie crafters like myself. She already sells a good selection of my teas but she will also soon carry my Nomadic Perfumes :).

Here's what she said about my products in her latest newsletter: "These Nomadic Perfumes are truly EXOTIC, as well as "All Natural" made of extra virgin sweet almond oil, beeswax, and fragrance oils. Watch for these exotic scents arrivingfor April: Amber (amber, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, musk); Moonlight Shadow (sensual floral blend of lavender, rose, violet, musk); Spellbound Woods - my favorite (amber, sandalwood, vanilla, cedarwood, hint of flowers); Chocolate Decadence (fresh citrus layered over a rich dreamy middle of hot dense chocolate, and cocoa melded with a base of sexy musk & sandalwood - sounds like something to eat, doesn't it?!); Vanilla des Isles (African vanilla beans, sandalwood, shredded coconut, delicate white flowers); Black Amber (rustic amber, Parisian lavender, mysterious black myrrh, vanilla ,Tonka bean, Egyptian musk, clary sage).

Samples of Moonlight Shadow & Spellbound Woods are available to try! Natura Botanica also offers Sacred Oils in a small variety of scents used as massage oils, for rituals, on face & body, or for meditation. If you're interestedin trying, contact me for more info & to order.

Another exciting addition to Alchemille's Garden are Astrological Teas, available by custom order in the Astrological sign of your choice(s). This makes an interesting gift for a unique friend!"

Susan will be at the Goddesses in the Garden Party raising fun and funds for Breast Cancer on Sunday, April 29, 2007 in Key Largo. She will be donating 35-40% of sales made that day to the Breast Cancer Fund. So I invite you to come out and support a very worthwhile cause!

Susan's shop "Bijouterie" is located on 91495 Overseas Highway in Tavernier, FL 33070 .

And here's her website: http://www.e-jewelrybysusan.com/

TWWC celebrates the Spring...

We've been waiting patiently for the Spring to come back with its garlands of green and flowers buds, the first fairies frolicking in the garden and the happy songs of the birds...

Some of us wanted to celebrate this magical time of the year with some special creations that I'm glad to introduce here:

-Lacey, our newest and youngest member, from threepaws created a wonderful beaded necklace on a satin-edged organza ribbon that she named "Spring Fling".

-Rick and Heidi from ParadiseHillDesigns made a pine keepsake box with a wood burned butterfly as well as a beautiful blue eyes grass birch wood pendant. They use reclaimed wood that they collect locally for their creations. A wonderful example of natural art and jewelry.

-Charlotte from AwakeningMoon created a set of 69 printed inspiration cards wrapped in a beaded organza bag. These cards may be used to nurture yourself and to help you in your growth and development. They make a great gift idea too.

-Raven from TeaAndCauldron mades a tea shrine art tin...Open the tin and you'll meet the Tea Fairy herself! A good way to ensure growth, abundance and prosperity to your home and your garden :).

-Night from ShaktiStudios made a Jade and Crystal Quartz Necklace. Another incredible piece worth wearing by the Queen of Fairies herself. It has a pure, refined and crystalline look.

-Griselda from awesomeart made three spring inspired shamanic dolls. You'll find the Wild Moon Equinox Spirit Doll, the White Birch Spring Equinox Doll and the Spring Equniox Moon Goddess Doll. These dolls are very inspiring and may help you on your spiritual path.

-Maggie from MugwortMaggies wants to turn your home into a rose garden :). She created a Wild Rose Laundry Soap. A good way to turn your laundry task into a pleasant and fun time.

And

-I always enjoy a good cup of tea and the Spring brings plethora of good herbs and flowers. I created 3 teas for the occasion: "Morning by the Countryside" which is a caffeine-free herbal blend which wakes you up gently in the morning but can also be enjoyed any time of the day, "Faery Magick Tea" which is a wild herbal and floral blend for those who seek to contact the Fairies and a "Wild Chai", where weeds meet spices and which is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals.

Thank you for browsing and enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title_description&search_query=twwc%20spring%20creation

Wild and Wise News #1

Dear Friends,
As promised here’s the first newsletter regarding the Wild and Wise Collective featuring Etsy crafters and artists who share an interest and passion for everything natural. There are currently 21 members, including myself with different specialties ranging from teas, to body care, jewelry, pottery, natural household products, paper and even natural home decoration. Here's a little introduction to the products we make and that you can find at our shops:

*Three Ravens*: Xiane makes organic herbal products for bath and body as well as perfumed tinctures and natural incense.

*Whimsy Hollow*: Piper makes luscious natural, botanical and magical products such as soaps, lip balms, candles and wonderful perfume oils.

*Tea and Cauldron*: Raven blends herbal teas the old fashioned way. She has afternoon teas, healing/nourishing teas and even some to chase annoying gremlins out of your house.

*Awesome Art*: Griselda is a talented artist who paint and makes incredible shamanic dolls.

*Shakti Studios*: Night makes jewelry, art, herbal goodies and wonderfully scented perfume oils.

*Healing Herbal*: Healing Herbal offers hand blended herbal teas, bath oils and herbal hair rinses.

*Hecate’s Owl*: Dianne offers handmade jewelry with stones, pagan rosaries, soaps and more…

*Awakening Moon*: Charlotte makes divination tools, stone jewelry and magickal wands.

*Path to Nature*: Lisa offers natural, herbal and healing products such as salves, herbal vinegars, infused oils and Sacrana jewelry.

*Mugwort Maggie’s Apothecary*: Maggie makes natural household products such as laundry soaps as well as soy candles and natural lip balms.

*Natural Herbal / Full Circle Herbs*: Sage makes natural products such as teas, balms and tinctures. Most of her products are for pregnant women, nursing moms, babies and children.

*Summersea Herbs*: Tracy makes organic herbal teas, natural incense blends and flower remedies.

*Black Horse Hill*: Denise makes earthenware products such as sculptures, jewelry and home decoration inspired by leaves and Nature.

*Earth ‘N’ Elements Pottery*: Kathi makes unique Nature inspired pottery items with an organic look.

*Silver Frog Designs*: Andra makes natural stone and pearl jewelry items.

*Paper Planet*: Sher is an eco-artist who makes paper items with fibers and botanicals.

*Paradise Hill Designs*: Rick and Heidi make reclaimed wood creations for home decoration and woodburn engraved jewelry.

*Les Vieux Jours*: Pam makes « reincarnated goods » with used and recycled materials that she turns to art, jewelry, journals and other unique items.

*Raven Wood Herbals*: Heather makes handcrafted and homegrown herbal products. The proceeds of some of her soaps go to Heart of Texas Rat Rescue.

*Hildegard / Healing with Herbs*: Parul makes herbal products such as teas, bath salts and massage oils inspired by Hildegard von Bingen.

And of course...:)

*Alchemille’s Garden*:
I make artisan tea blends as well as natural and herbal body care items inspired by Fairies and Bellydance. I soon hope to add bulk herbs, seeds, natural candles and some art pieces.

If you wish to know more about the Wild and Wise Collective, its members and their shops, please go to (click on the names to be redirected to the shops):
http://team.etsy.com/profilest/twwc.shtml

To celebrate the Spring, some of us have concocted new and exclusive creations that can be seen on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/index.php . Just search for tags and descriptions with “twwc” and “spring creation”.

Blessings and thank you for your support.

Faery Magick Tea

There are times when the veil between the seen and the unseen gets thinner, times when our senses become sharper and our eyes are allowed to perceive for a short time what we usually can only feel if we are a little sensitive.

These special moments can be linked to different times of the day like dawn or twilight, atmospheric changes like the fog or even seasonal changes like the Spring Equinox and other magical days of the celtic wheel of the year.

I created this special Faery tea for those who seek to (re)connect with the Shining Ones either to gain knowledge and wisdom or because it is amongst the Sidhe that the soul is at home.

My tea is a blend of wild thyme (I have it in limited supplies so I might use organic thyme instead), organic rosemary, organic lavender, pesticide-free rose petals, organic violet leaves and organic malva. I make it fresh upon request.

For more details about this tea, the herbs and their use, please visit my shop:

http://alchemille.etsy.com

The Wise and Wild Collective

The Wise and Wild Collective (TWWC) is a group of Etsy sellers and artisans who work with natural supplies and respect the environment, the cycles of Nature as well as the knowledge and wisdom of the Ancestors.

We all specialize in different crafts, you'll find tea blends, jewelry with metal, clay, stone or wood, organic pottery, eco-paper, natural household products, natural bodycare, herbal products, home decoration and shamanic dolls.

By supporting and shopping with the Wild and Wise Collective, not only do you support environmental-conscious crafters but you also support creativity. You'll own a special piece that is either one of a kind or handmade in small quantity sometimes upon your request.

We all put love, knowledge, positive thoughts, wisdom and healing energy into our products, it's almost like they have a soul of their own and you will feel the difference with standard mass produced items. There is that little "je ne sais quoi" that you cannot define but nonetheless vibrates within you.

If you wish to learn more about the Wild and Wise Collective and its members, go to:

http://team.etsy.com/profilest/twwc.shtml

You can also go to http://www.etsy.com/index.php and search by tag and description for "TWWC" or "TWWC Spring Creation". This will lead you to the crafters and their wonderful products.

Thank you for supporting artisans, natural alternatives and the Wild and Wise Collective :) !

The Book of the Month : Healing Teas from around the World

I highly recommend getting "Healing Teas from around the World" by Sylvia Schneider with a foreword by Terry Willard.
This is not just another book on teas or herbs...This book makes you travel through time and space. You'll learn about the history, lore, philosophy, medicine systems (humors, elements...etc) and principal herbs used in China, Japan, India, Tibet, Arabia, the Americas and Europe. You'll also learn how to use these herbs, what they can do for you and there are quite a few recipes for you to try at your own leisure.
I really enjoyed the Europe section where the medieval medicinal tradition is mentioned along with the Witches' and Wise Woman traditions (a clear separation has been made and the materia medica is not the same)....And the alchemical tradition (alchemy deals with herbs too)!
Overall an interesting and useful read...

Circles of Strength

"I imagine and then feel, that when I gather in sacred harmony with one woman or many, gathered with us is the power of all women. I see the circles of women who have come together since the beginning of time and I know I am descendent from this long line of female strength. And even in my weakest and in my darkest moments there is a silent strength that draws me to the light. It is a power within me that calls me to live and it is a power I draw from all women, whose paths have not always been and are not always easy, and yet who find the courage to keep walking.
I keep walking..."

Karen Haffey

Things to do at the Full Moon

Moon gazing is a nice thing to do during the full moon. Ideally from moonrise to moonset...but it depends on how much time you can spend. I particularly enjoy moonsets because of the color changes which vary from a golden honey color to rusty orange and even pinkish red when really low on the horizon. Try to pick a place like the top of a roof, a sandy beach...A place where you won't be bothered either by too much artificial lights or too many people.

If you wish to benefit from lunar energy, wait for the moon to rise just above the horizon. Then stand up and stretch your arms above your head, the palms of the hands facing the moon. Inhale deeply and let the moon fill your body, from head to toe, with lunar energy. Once connected with Dame Lune, feel free to whisper a wish or a prayer for she has a kind, loving nature and is a good listener. She'll shine upon you and your wishes with her blessings.

Don't forget to thank her, then leave a wine glass full of water (you can add a crystal) all night long in her honor. She'll bless it with moonlight on her path. You can drink your moon water the following morning (you can share it with your beloved as well) or pour it into an opaque glass bottle to sip at your own leisure. Your plants may benefit from this moon water too, don't hesitate to splash the roots, stems and flowers of your favorite trees, totem plants and herbal allies.

Celebrate Lammas/Lughnasad...

"...As my own eyes survey the miracle of fruition, I am reminded of the European earth goddess Habondia, her braided hair thick as loaves of oven-baked bread, her arms pliant as dough yet supple and strong from outdoor labor, her long skirts colorful and well-pocketed to carry the bounty of the harvest and share it with all.
The ripening of the barley, the flowering of the goldenrod and the readiness of the corn all come from the generous land embodied by this luxuriant goddess. The purpling of the plums and the reddening blush of the apple fruits mirror the healthful bloom in her cheeks and the swelling of the gourds matches the mounting ripeness of the goddess to womanhood. Habondia's lush physicality teaches us to be proud of abundance in all forms on earth, be it our own ample and curved flesh, the fruits of her joyous labor or the endless river of human imagination which brims its banks, flooding us with poetry, dance, song, story, meal-making and ritual. She invites us to savor, celebrate and create with the gifts of the land and to remember that we are worthy of these gifts.
Habondia's spirit is meant to remind us that abundance is our birthright and that through the act of gathering to ourselves the harvest of nature, we accept and relish this cycle of ripeness and fullness as well as our worthiness to receive treasure. Spilling her vast riches before us, Habondia challenges us to use our creativity to preserve some of the harvest, that it can sustain us through the long winter months. She asks only that we have gratitude for our full baskets and that we share what we have with others through the gift of hospitality..."

"Herbal Rituals" by Judith Berger

A thought for the heart, mind and soul

I didn't write this but I'd like to share it with you:
"We must work the soil, planting healthy seeds to nourish.
We must work with the children, planting seeds of love to nurture.
We must work with the elders, harvesting wisdom of experience.
We must work together to create a heaven.
Every thought a seed, every word a prayer to feed, every action a display of possibility.
We are the waking possibilities of tenderness, compassion, truth and love.
The beneficial moments are in every interaction with life,
Eternally,
This love will set us free."

What to expect?

Through this blog I hope to share and exchange knowledge, advice, recipes and DIY tips. Tell about my passions and events I'm working on. There will be more coming soon...