By Way of Sorrow : Healing Magick for Times of Grieving

Earlier this year I put out an informal call for contributions to a free resource to support our myriad communities during times of grief. I received some contributions and requested others and all came together to create By Way of Sorrow: Healing Magick for Times of Grieving.

Within these 40+ pages are rituals to get grounded and protect your aura, to let your queer heart grieve, and discover the hidden tensions you carry with you. There are tarot stories and plant stories and a tarot spread for finding power in your grief. There are poems, affirmations, and a simple one-page critical care guide for yourself and those you love. All of these resources are situated within the context that we are a grieving people and that our grief is necessary and needed.

But why focusing on grieving? Why not resiliency? Or revolution? Or anger?

In response to the myriad crises, what I have seen again and again this year is one consistent message: cry today, but get up and fight tomorrow. 

Yet, such a message doesn’t sit right with me. I think we could do with more time to cry and grieve. Somehow, though, the idea of mourning is seen as counterproductive to the “real” work of fighting against that which oppresses us. In fact, we deserve time and space to grieve now more than ever. The lack of grief amongst different people for the same tragedies is what, in part, perpetuates fear of the other and belief (whether conscious or unconscious) that their life is of less value.

Grief shows investment in someone other than ourselves. It’s a sacred and unifying emotion. Grief also highlights what we are willing to fight for. To avoid our grief is an act of avoiding ourselves. Instead, I invite each of you into the magick of knowing your grief as powerful and a clarifier of vision. 

None of the resources within these pages are meant to fix you of your heartache. But they do offer ways for you to know your grief as a tool of change. These resources are not meant to make you "tougher" or more "resilient" to the violence of 2016 - they are meant to help you let the trauma pass through you so that you may know it but not let it rot your bones and spirit. The contributors to By Way of Sorrow offer their words in order to to hold space, hold hearts, and gift each of us the gentleness we all deserve.

So here is my message for 2016 and beyond: cry and take time to know your grief, for that too, is the work of repairing the world.

I want to thank all of the contributors whose full bios are listed in By Way of Sorrow, but whose names and websites I have linked below.

Bri the Hood Witch | www.thehoodwitch.com | @thehoodwitch | facebook

Asali Earthwork | www.asaliearthwork.com | @asaliearthwork | facebook

Siobhan Rene | www.siobhansmirror.com | @siobhansmirror | facebook

Ritual Kitchen | www.ritualkitchenfolk.com | @ritualkitchenfolk | facebook

Lottie Winchester | thesacredcocoon.wixsite.com/artwork | @sacred.cocoon | facebook

Maria Turner-Carney | www.seattlefeministtherapy.com | @feministtherapyforall | facebook

Alexis J. Cunningfolk | www.wortsandcunning.com | @wortsandcunning | facebook

If you are interested in contributing to future editions of By Way of Sorrow please get in touch.

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By Way of Sorrow is to be shared freely with those who would benefit from its contents. If you share online, please link to the contributors as a way of saying thanks (you can simply copy and paste the links above). I would also love to know what you find to be most powerful and relevant to your life from the what you have read within By Way of Sorrow. Share your thoughts in the comments below or get in touch. 

May By Way of Sorrow be a healing resource and wellspring of inspiration as we move from 2016 into the years ahead. 

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Additional Resources for Grief + Healing

How to Support an Herbal Call-to-Action

Edit: Since I wrote this post I’ve created an ongoing resource on herbal call-to-actions and other community organizing needs.

I've enjoy sending (and bringing) herbal remedies to protests and community apothecaries. Answering an herbal call-to-action is a simple way to support community and grow the revolution towards a more kind and more just society. Many of my herbal peers do the same, but this summer there was some of the largest outpouring of herbal support that I have seen in recent years. There were call-to-actions spurred on by the Orlando Grief Care Project in response to the Pulse massacre, multiple for local Black Lives Matter groups, and later by the needs of the ongoing Standing Rock Camp.

First, let's take a moment to appreciate the time, energy, and sheer will of organizing that the Orlando Grief Care Project continues to maintain. The original call for donations to create herbal care packages for friends, family, first responders, and other community members in the wake of the the Pulse nightclub shooting has transformed into the Herbal Action Network (you should join!). I'm really excited to see the direction that the Herbal Action Network is headed in and hopefully it means that there is an easier and more effective way to alert the vast, diverse, and awesome herbal community of call-to-action needs.

Read the Call to Action Carefully

Communities know what they need and if they have put together a specific list of requests as well as instructions for proper packaging, mailing, etc. then please make their jobs that much easier by following their guidelines. The healers and medics at Standing Rock Camp, for example, requested alcohol-free remedies to support the rules of the camp. The Orlando Grief Care Project requested Bach Rescue Remedy and Rose-based remedies. Our work as herbal support is to reduce the amount of work that the organizing team is having to do. Pay attention to the details!

Choose Accessible + Appropriate Remedies

If you have read the call-to-action, then hopefully you will know what sort of situation your donations will be headed to. Is it a mobile street medic operation? A long-standing clinic? Is the purpose to have clients come and see herbalists or for herbalists to go out and distribute remedies to the community? When I have donated to up-and-coming or already established location-based apothecaries I'll send larger 4 to 8 ounce jars of liquid extracts or bulk bags of herbs. If, in the case of the Orlando Grief Project, I know that the remedies are being put in care packages, I made sure to prepare and send easily distributed remedies in individual-use packaging.

Unless requested, I don't send herbs that require greater attention and expertise regarding dosage such as Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) or Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). I stick to herbs that are generally considered safe such as Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Elder (Sambucus nigra), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Rose (Rosa damascena) to name just a few.

Hot Tip! Whenever making good first-aid and crisis care type remedies for yourself, your business or community, make a few extra to keep on hand to mail out quickly when a call-to-action arises.

Limit Packaging Waste + Keep It Organized

Regarding packaging waste, be mindful of where you are sending your box. If you're sending it to an encampment with limited trash management capabilities, be as streamlined and minimal in your packaging as possible. Write letters of support on the inner flaps and walls of the box, for example, so as not to include access paper waste.

If I am sending multiple packages at once I will label the outside of the boxes "Box 1 of 3" and so on, so that the organizing team has a quick visual clue that they should be expecting more than one package from me. It it also nice for when boxes are being quickly organized and stored.  

I know what it is like to receive a well-packed and organized package for an event versus a chaotic cacophony of stuff. Remember that we are wanting what we send to feel supportive, inspiring, and help the organizing team feel good as well as serve those who need help.

Label Clearly

Poorly labeled remedies are such a waste and add extra work to the organizing team. Employing clear labeling practices is an easy way to prevent a lot of confusion. Here is what a clear and useful label should contain:

• Name of remedy

• Common and latin binomial name of every herb contained

• Any additional contents such as type of alcohol, water, glycerin, etc.

• Date made and best used by date

• Brief instructions on use

  • Sometimes this does not fit on a label, so I will include a handout (or handouts if herbal care packages are being made) on recommended use.

• Your name and contact information (such as a website)

Hot Tip! Have a base label ready to go either printed out for you to fill in by hand with all of the above information or one that can easily be filled out on your computer and printed. 

Promote!

Whether or not you send remedies, promoting the call-to-action is vital in making sure that the herbal community knows that help is needed and for those who need help to know that they have resources they can access. You don't have to be an herbalist to promote and it is of immense help to those of us who have less time to do it because we are actively making remedies to send.

One great way of promoting and making remedies to send is to have a remedy-making party. Invite over friends and family, educate them about the call-to-action and then teach them how to make a simple remedy that everyone can then recreate then and there in bulk. It is a fun community-building way to educate and disseminate resources!

Have any other tips for supporting an herbal call-to-action? Leave your hot tips and insights in the comments below!

Herbal Baths for Self-Care + Community Healing

2021 Update: Since writing this post I created a page dedicated to Herbal Calls to Action + Community Care Resources which is full of additional recommendations.

A few years back I was exposed to the work of Maurice Mességué via Rosalee de la Floret’s blog post on the famous French herbalist. I love reading biographies and autobiographies of herbalist - their stories of becoming herbalists and practicing their craft are always illuminating and inspiring. I especially appreciated Mességué’s approach to herbs which generally involved little to no alcohol-based remedies and a lot of hand and foot baths. As someone who doesn’t use a tremendous amount of alcohol-based remedies in my practice, I am always interested in learning about the herbalists who use alcohol-free alternatives as well. Herbal baths (whether full body or for the feet) are something that I personally love and I would make them as part of many a client consultation, usually with a ritual component attached to them (because magick). Reading Mességué’s work inspired me to work more with herbal bath concentrates and have them become a primary form of herbal remedy with some of my clients as opposed to an adjunct therapy. I haven’t been disappointed with the results and what I love about herbal baths is that they are so darn easy to create and use. If you can throw herbs together in a bowl and pour hot water over them you can make an herbal bath. You don’t even have to worry about what the blend will taste like as in the case when you’re making teas. 

Herbal baths are an inexpensive luxury which is why they are such a great self-care tool. You don’t even need to have a bath tub to enjoy an herbal bath as you can use a big bowl for a foot or hand bath. I have a large white bowl that I thrifted a few years ago that I use exclusively for foot baths and it has become a magickal cauldron for tired feet to be soothed in and re-emerge happy and restored.

Foot baths have also become my remedy of choice to send to community clinics, political actions, and protests. Herbal foot baths don’t require that you like tea (which lots of folks are not interested in taking an herbal tea consistently) but it is rare that I meet someone who doesn’t enjoy a simple foot bath. I will be sharing two recipes that I created this summer for the Orlando Grief Care Project and the Standing Rock Camp political action.

The following tutorial will help you create a single herb or multi-herb blend for your own herbal bath. I have separated out herbs between those that are more warming versus those that are more cooling. Herbal baths are typically enjoyed hot, but the energetics of herbs can be cooling or warming to the body. You might want to use warming herbs for an autumnal blend that helps you release tension whereas cooling herbs might be better for a summertime sleep blend. I’ll also list out some additional herbal bath “boosts” that you can incorporate into your brew for a special addition of healing spark. 

Let’s get brewing!

Warming Herbs

Warming herbs are often more stimulating than cooling herbs. They help to move stagnant energy, improve circulation, and awaken a groggy mind.

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) : A circulatory stimulant and a great aid during times of indigestion, travel sickness, as well as colds and flus. Elevates the body temperature to help break fevers. Warming to a cold disposition and heavy heart.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) : Rosemary is great for when headaches are present whether brought on by stress, high blood pressure, indigestion or fatigue. The herb is a heart-strengthener and connects the mind and the heart in a healthy and loving way. Helps to re-establish a sense of sovereignty.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) : Wonderfully antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, antifungal, and pro-feeling good. Thyme is great for chest and head colds and infections of all sorts. It also has carminative effects. Thomas Bartram writes of Thyme’s ability “to break the alcohol habit” which might make Thyme an interesting addition to a herbal care protocol for those in the early stages of recovery.

Basil (Ocimum spp.) : Warming and gently detoxifying, Basil is uplifting to the spirits making it a great addition to a bath to help alleviate depression. It is also an antispasmodic herb which pairs well with its ability to calm high-strung nervous types.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) : Improves weak digestion, alleviates colds, and it’s astringent qualities help to relieve diarrhea. Cinnamon is good for those who are exhausted in body and spirit. A little goes a long way.

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) : An effective stimulant that opens up the body to increased warmth. Excellent at improving circulation and in cases of hypothermia. Cayenne increases vitality and courage. Like Cinnamon, a little goes a long way.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgraris) : A great addition for menstruating folks as it helps to regulate the cycle and alleviate cramping and pain. It is stimulating to the appetite. Mugwort is calming and centering. Helps to alleviate night mares while promoting vivid dreams. The soft herb has been used as a shoe insole to cushion the foot and has a reputation for being very protective of travelers.

Cooling Herbs

Rose (Rosa spp.) : Rose is cooling, mildly sedating, and a classic heart-opening aphrodisiac. The herb has excellent anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a great choice for after-sun recovery as well as sore muscles and bruises. I call Rose a vessel herb since it is known in Traditional Western Herbalism to carry the medicine of other plants to wherever they need to go in the body - most of my herbal baths contain Rose in them for this reason.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) : Skullcap is my go-to herb for high-strung nervous tension. It is great for folks with busy thoughts and who carry a lot of anxiety and worry. Skullcap is relaxing without being sedating which is a key characteristic to helping many anxiety-prone folks to relax. It’s also great for tension headaches, muscle spasms, and irritable stomachs.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) : Exhaustion, insomnia, and nervousness are often relieved by Passionflower. It is a great herb for relieving neuralgic pain and tension headaches. Passionflower is more sedating than Skullcap. It is good for restlessness and relieving spasmodic conditions of all sorts.

Borage (Borago officinalis) : Borage restores and strengthens adrenal integrity. It is cooling to hot, agitated bodies, especially the stomach. It helps to alleviate anger but bolsters courage. Borage is helpful in relieving arthritic pain, menstrual cramps, and general tension.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) : An excellent choice for the healing of clean wounds as Comfrey accelerates the regrowth of healthy skin cells. It has a long use in TWH in helping to repair broken bones and its great for sprains, strains, and general muscular discomfort.

Neutral + Dual Energy Herbs

Milky Oat (Avena sativa) : A great remedy for overworked and tired feet, Milky Oat is a fantastic nervine that is neutral on the warm to cool scale. Great for eczema, psoriasis, itchiness, and irritated skin. Milky Oat is especially effective when used both internally and externally for the long haul.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) : Peppermint is a useful herb embodying the mercurial qualities of its Guardian Planet of Mercury. It is able to relax when needed one day and to awaken and stimulate the next. To understand how a plant can be both relaxing and stimulating, try the following. Rub the top of your head with your finger for a quick moment. Feel how that is both relaxing and stimulating? Such is the powers of Peppermint. So, it is a popular herb in the summer for its cooling qualities and it is found again during the winter as part of warming teas and cold-care remedies.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) : Lemon Balm is rebalancing and neutral on the warm to cool scale. It relieves tension and indigestion caused by nervousness. Lemon Balm is also antiviral and it is a great herb to help bring on sleep.

Additional Boosts

Epsom Salts : A great addition to relief muscle tension and pain including cramps and tension headaches.

Apple Cider Vinegar : Apple Cider Vinegar has an alkalinizing effect on the skin, provides pain relief, and is a great antibacterial addition to a bath.

Flower + Gem Essences : Choose any variety of Flower and Gem Essences to add that amazing extra boost of magickal energy.

Making an Herbal Bath for the Body, Feet or Hands

Option 1: Add 1/2 - 1 cup of your herbal bath blend to your bath or bowl either directly in a tea bag or loose. Remember that adding it loose to your bath requires cleaning up the herbs afterwards.

Option 2: Brew your bath tea ahead of time! Add 1/2 - 1 cup of bath tea to a large bowl or jar and cover with hot water and let steep for at least 15 - 20 minutes. This is also great option for folks who want to use the herbal bath as a wash if they don't have a bath or if you're using the herbal bath loose leaf because you can strain the tea before adding it to your bath. This is my favorite way of preparing a bath tea.

A note on hand baths: While I recommend soaking both feet at once in the same bowl, I often soak one hand at a time. Mostly because it is an easier set-up to create and allow someone to sit comfortably for 15 - 20 minutes. I would soak one hand first and then prepare a second fresh bowl for the other hand. Of course, you can soak both hands at once and even both hands and feet if you are able to find a comfortable way to do it!

Making an Herbal Bath Concentrate

To make an herbal bath concentrate you are basically making a really strong infusion. For every 4 parts of water use 1 part of herbs. Let the infusion brew for at least 20 minutes - I typically let it infuse overnight. Strain and place in a clean, airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Your concentrate should last for about 3 - 4 days. I use about 1 ounce per foot or hand bath and about 4 ounces per bath.

So now for some recipe inspiration for you! The following two recipes are ones that I created this summer to send out to the Orlando Grief Care Project and the Standing Rock Camp political action.

Homecoming

For the Orlando Grief Care Project, I wanted to create something that relieved both physical and emotional pain - something that called frightened hearts back to the sanctuary of the body. 

• 4 parts Rose (Rosa spp.)

• 3 parts Borage (Borago officinalis)

• 3 parts Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Mountainfooted

For the Standing Rock Camp, I made a brew that served the practical purpose of being warming and restorative to sore bodies with the additional purpose of supporting the spirit in maintaining its connection to its inherent sovereignty of place.

• 4 parts Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• 2 parts Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

• 1 part Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

• 1/2 part Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii)

• 1/2 part Rose (Rosa spp.)

What brews will you create for you and yours?

Share your recipes and your favorite herbs for soaking in the comments below. Make sure to check out the Orlando Grief Care Project and the Standing Rock Camp if you haven't already. And if you're craving some self-care comfort, clever one, I hope you make yourself an herbal bath to enjoy. You deserve it.

The Magick of Thorns

I’ve been talking a lot about thorn magick this summer within the Lunar Apothecary, in my readings, and within community conversations. The summer of 2016 has been rough. In the United States we are wrestling with ourselves, searching for our center, and coming undone. The work of repairing the world is hard stuff and it takes more than a little bit of vulnerability and grit. There are those who are learning about privilege for the first time and grappling with that heavy knowledge. There are folks who are realizing that they have too long normalized or denied or hidden the pain of the violence they face on the daily. There is a lot of opening up and difficult realizations occurring and there are a million hearts breaking in the process.

To do this work of unraveling, we need to be able to feel vulnerable in ways that allow us to still feel supported. 

Thorn magick can play a powerful role during times like these when we are opening up, whether for the first time or all over again for the hundredth. So, what is thorn magick? It is herbal remedies that open us up while establishing a steady and protective boundary so that we can do the work that needs doing. Thorn magick allows for vulnerability and support to exist simultaneously instead of feeling vulnerable and too far exposed. I recommend thorn magick to those who are doing the hard work of creating change in their communities and in their lives; who are recovering from a difficult breakup and looking to be vulnerable in love again; to those who are experiencing difficult emotions that they have long denied but are now finally coming to the surface.

Working with herbs that possess strong thorn energy, such as Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Rose (Rosa spp.), can be as easy as preparing and ingesting a tea or tincture or the plant. Especially if that tea or tincture is made, in part, from the thorns of the plant. Adding a single thorn to your Rose tincture can powerfully shift the brew to being not only a heart-opener but a heart-protector. Sitting and communing with living thorny plants can be another way of working with thorn magick. If neither or those two options are available, even meditating on an image of a thorny plant (such as placing a picture of a sacred Hawthorn tree on your altar) can do a lot of good.

image by Oliver Pacas

However, you work with the plant, I encourage you to visualize two things occurring at once. First, see a beautiful and protective shield of thorns encompassing your whole body. The thorns are turned outward from you allowing only that which of benefit to you to get to you. Second, within this protective space, visualize your heart blossoming open like a flower, knowing that it is supported and guarded within the sanctity of your thorn space. I encourage you to move slow with the second part of the meditation - don’t force movement, but allow the unfolding of your heart to occur at an easy and kind pace. It can take time for our hearts to feel safe enough to open up again. That’s ok. Give yourself time. The plants are patient and wise and will stick with you. 

While there are many thorny plants in the world, I have profiled Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Rose (Rosa spp.) below which are two common and well-loved plants within Traditional Western Herbalism. I’ve listed some of the more prominent medicinal uses of each plant, but have primarily focused on their emotional and magickal gifts. Other thorny plants you might consider working with include Agave (Agave americana), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.), a great variety of cacti, and many other plants.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

Hawthorn is one of the first herbs many Traditional Western Herbalists turn to for supporting cardiovascular health. The herb nourishes and feeds the heart working best as a long-term tonic (i.e. multiple months of use if not longer). In other words, Hawthorn is a cardiac tophorestorative which is a restorative tonic for the heart, bringing the hard working muscle back into balance whether from an illness, stress, or the affects of aging. Hawthorn is a powerful but gentle herb meaning that children, seniors, and all between can benefit from its use. Part of Hawthorn’s heart healing gifts is its possession of antioxidants which prevent and reverse damage caused by free radicals as well as reducing oxidative stress on the capillary walls and improving circulatory tone (whether by relaxing or strengthening). The herb should be considered when there is a case of congestive heart failure, angina, irregular heartbeat, hardening of the arteries, enlargement of the heart from excessive exercise or overwork, hypertension, both low and high blood pressure, and too much cholesterol.

Hawthorn shares a common characteristic found in many TWH heart herbs - it possesses beautiful flowers and protective thorns. Hawthorn helps the heart to open to new possibilities, especially after a period of heartbreak and distress such as after the loss of a loved one whether through death or a break-up. The herb protects our emotional vulnerability with its thorns. In fact, we are able to feel more vulnerable in a way that is healing and restorative when we feel protected by plant allies such as Hawthorn. Add a thorn from the plant to your tincture or glycerite preparations for extra protective energies. I have used Hawthorn many times in my practice for those recovering from heartbreak and have seen beautiful transformations occur with this plant’s amazing healing gifts. I love the language used by Judith Berger to describe Hawthorn: “As guardian of the hinge, hawthorn wisely discerns the right timing for the wounded heart to open” (Herbal Rituals, 134). Combine with Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) to help the Wounded Warrior, Wounded Healer type recover after a long period of giving and overwork where they has exhausted their mental, physical, and emotional resources. Hawthorn is also a good herb for those who feel wild and overstimulated in their grief and heartbreak. It calms, it soothes, and it protects, which is what we need more than ever when we feel raw. My favorite way to use Hawthorn as a daily tonic is as a glycerite that combines the leaf, flower, and berry.

Within an astroherbology context, Hawthorn is most often connected with the planet Mars due to its thorns. Other planetary correspondences include the Sun, because of Hawthorn's affect on the heart and overall vitality of the body, and Saturn since Hawthorn is hedgeherb and boundary-marker with strong connections to the otherworld.

image by Jana Illnerová

The brokenhearted and grieving have a special place in the Hawthorn circle, for Hawthorn opens the heart after a period of despair. It is an ally for those who feel the grief of the world most readily, even if a personal tragedy is not currently present in their life. They recognize the tragedy of living on a planet that we pollute without regard to our shared sacredness and amongst endless wars and conflicts. Feeling wild in grief is a sign that Hawthorn may be needed and for some their journey with Hawthorn will be significant but relatively brief as they are able to move on with their lives with a newly opened heart. Those who need Hawthorn in the long-run tend towardsrestlessness and irritability, they are easily overstimulated and can sometimes lean (or fully reside) in the domain of the Type A personality. Often they are categorized as having attention disorders as children, whether or not this is warranted. They are children who appear to be more like changelings than a fully humyn child. Sometimes they are punished for the everyday acts of being an energetic child and disdained for their enthusiasm - they close up their heart to protect it from the hostility of a world that would prefer they sit quietly at a desk for hours following directions. Hawthorn re-opens the heart and helps folks connect with their resiliency, their capacity to forgive those who have harmed them, and to remain protected as they begin to express themselves and all their energy with pride and focus. The herb will bring calm to what has felt like a tumultuous existence, helping folks to find the tools they need to express themselves honestly and beautifully. 

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Rose is an ancient plant with fossils have been found across Europe, North America, and Asia dating back from as early as the Miocene period (7 - 26 million years ago). The flower has been used medicinally for thousand of years, with Dioscorides recording Rose as a cooling and contracting medicine. The three varieties of Rose most often used for medicine-making is Rosa gallica (also known as as Provins or Apothecaries rose), Rosa damascena (or Rosa x damascena to denote its hybridity, also known as damask rose), and Rosa centifolia (also known as Provence Rose). More modern uses within TWH includes Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa.

Roses strengthen the heart. 18th century herbalist J. Quincy wrote that Rose “raises the spirits and gives sudden strength and cheerfulness” and categorized Rose as primarily a cardiac and cephalic (relating to the head). The herb assists with memory and promotes clarity of mind, heart, and spirit by connecting all three. Rose nourishes the body and is sweet medicine which calms the nervous system. Within Ayurveda, Rose is considered a rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) and medhya (brain tonic and nervine) for all of the doshas or body types. 

image by Jeffrey Wegrzyn

As a plant of Venus, Rose is a classic aphrodisiac. Rose is an opener - it opens the heart and body to sensual experience. Like many aphrodisiacs, Rose has nervine and nourishing qualities which help to relax and soothe the body so that it may become ready and desirous of intimacy. Venusian magick, though, reveals desire on more than the physical level. It reveals the desire to engage mystery where there has only been the acknowledgement of the mundane.

Rose is especially useful for those who have lost their spark of desire. They might have trouble sleeping, restless and exhausted, but not enough energy to go out into the world. The desire to create and experience is low along with their vitality. What they think they should be doing dominates their thoughts more than what they want to be doing. Sometimes they are not even sure they know what they want to be doing. There can be a disconnect in relationships and not necessarily a feeling of isolation, but of distance. Rose folks often experience sudden overwhelming feelings of despair and being lost without a light in the murk. Sometimes, unresolved anger simmers deep below the surface - Rose teaches us how to use both our thorns and petals to set up boundaries and supportive spaces to express how we really feel. Rose reconnects to wildness, fierceness, and determined desire. To dream and want and feel and growl and move and connect with each other. One thing that I have seen again and again that is particularly powerful about Rose, is its ability connects us back to the secret excitement of mystery. So much of our unresolved and stagnant pain arises from a false notion that we know it all or at least know that our pain is permanent, what caused it is unchanging, and that this is all that will ever be. Rose reminds us that we, in fact, know very little, acceptance of which opens the path of possibility faster than a heart that has forgotten the importance of mystery will ever achieve.

Whether or not you use thorn magick and medicine in your practice, I hope that you have a space that you feel protected and held so that you are able to be vulnerable, soft, and open to the wisdom of your heart.

Do you use thorn magick in your practice? What is your favorite thorny plant to work with? Share your stories in the comments below!

You Are Indispensable (and why that matters)

I think we need to spend more time recognizing how we’re indispensable to one another.

I know that I talk a lot about the sacred interconnectedness between plant, people, and creature, but when we say that something is indispensable there is a new level of necessity that appears. We can be interconnected, but to be indispensable is to fall in love with our interconnectedness. 

Having posted recently about creating an indispensable herb list right around the same time that a continuing and powerful resurgence of the #BlackLivesMatter movement swept across the US, I wanted to offer a spread that helped us to recognize the indispensable in our lives (Curious about your role as a healer, card reader or magick-maker in #BlackLivesMatter? Come this way). Because if we recognize that our plant kindred are indispensable, we’ll stop destroying our common home planet. If we recognize that Black lives are indispensable, we’ll stop the senseless, grinding violence against our Black kindred. If we realize that we are indispensable as individuals, we’ll begin to love ourselves more honestly and unhesitantly. 

Now a tarot spread certainly isn’t going to change the world. But those who are casting cards will. 

You can use The Indispensable Interview spread to talk with a plant, animal, God/dess, ancestor or living person to help you figure out and communicate the indispensable and necessary relationship you have with them. If you are reading with another person, I suggest working with two decks (or three or more if you’re working with more than one person). Each person involved pulls a card for each question. So if there are three folks casting this spread together, person 1 would pull a card for their relationship with person 2 and another card for person 3, with person 2 and 3 doing the same. Take time to cast this spread, pour yourself some tea, pull out a journal to write in, and allow yourself to settle into the story that’ll emerge. Additionally, you can use this spread to understand your relationship to a cause or movement such as #BlackLivesMatter or a local community cause.

design by author | background image by matthew wiebe

1. Why are you indispensable to me? Get intimate in your knowledge of the other. Sometimes this card comes up a bit challenging, sometimes it is just a mushy love note, and often it is a bit of both.

2. Why am I indispensable to you? You need to know and love your indispensableness in the lives of others and this card will help you do just that.

3. What can we expect to experience together? A bit of a pick into the future with this card. Emphasis is on the experiencing more so than the doing.

4. How can I best share our wisdom in the world? This is a big question. We can become stewards and caretakers and seed-casters of the wisdom that others share with us, but we must learn to do it responsibly, effectively, and with accountability. This card will help you to discover how to do just that. I carry, for example, the wisdom of my herbal teachers and I am responsible for how I share and use the wisdom they have revealed to me to others.

I would love to know your experiences with The Indispensable Interview and ways that you tweaked the spread to fit your needs - comment below to share! If you're looking for more tarot spreads, I have a whole lot more.

My hope for you is that you may know how truly indispensable you are.

May the world around you reflects this truth back to you every moment of every day.