Roar! Full Moon in Leo

On Friday, February 14 we'll find the Full Moon in Leo glowing in our skies. Full Moons in Leo are like the best kind of parties, parades, and concerts mixed into one. Imagine your favorite exertion of joyful energy - whether riding the energy of a crowd or dancing by yourself in a room lit by candlelight and glitter - and you can begin to grasp what an intention-centered Leo Full Moon can be like. Practice exuberant generosity to yourself and others. Energy is high and their is room for sacred drama and ritual. If you sense conflict, choose the path of honest expression of your full creativity - hiding or suppressing your individuality under the light of Leo can bring heartache and distortion.

Leo guards the heart and spine as well as the distribution of vital energy and nutrients through the blood. When Leo energies are out of balance there is overstimulation, overexertion, and overheating (the "over" part of Leo can also work in your favor when you finally "get over" what it is in your life that no longer serves you). Aggressive fevers and poor circulation can appear, along with heart conditions and high blood pressure. Many heart tonic herbs fall under the guardianship of Leo including Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Rose (Rosa spp.). For Full Moons in Leo, I love to pull out Angelica (Angelica archangelica). Angelica is a heart tonic (in cases of heart problems in relation to complications of angina, the herb has components that act like calcium channel blockers) and a blood purifier along with a large collection of other uses. What I love about Angelica is that it is a dream herb - it not only helps us to dream with clarity, but to dream with boldness and greater imagination. Just a few drops of the herbal extract or flower essence connects our heart to our dreams.

Open your heart, stand tall, and let your passion flow.

The Moon will also be in the 12th Mansion, known as Al-Sarfah or the Changer, fully falling into the realm of Leonine honesty. Think about a dishonesty detox in your life. How are you dishonest to yourself and others? What relationships are not honest in your life? Are you truly living your life in the way you want to be? Are you really expressing your honest self to those you are in relationship with? Join us in learning more about the Mansions of the Moon.

Learn more about why the Moon Matters in Herbology! Struggling to connect with the heart-opening energy of the Leo Full Moon? Check out our Blah-Buster Brew!

Blessed Full Moon, clever friends!

Looking for some music to start your Full Moon festivities? Check out our Full Moon in Leo mix below!

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Lunar Imbolc /// Black Moon in Aquarius

Blessed Black Moon + Lunar Imbolc!

Not only is tonight Lunar Imbolc but it is a Black Moon. A Black Moon is when there is a second New Moon within the same month. Tonight's Black Moon is in revolutionary Aquarius and we're near the end of our journey with Venus in retrograde. Have your relationships, partnerships, contracts, and/or agreements had rough time this month, perhaps even falling to teeny, tiny, itty, bitty pieces?

Ok, take a breath.

Tonight you can make a choice that'll set you up to come out with surety once the retrograde has passed at the end of the month. Retrograding with Venus allows us to re-examine our approach to relationships and the commitments we make. With the power of a New Moon in Aquarius we can stage a personal revolution in our life. Suddenly the ways that we've attempted to squeeze who we are into the box of conformity and comfort and habit, breaks at the seems. We can panic and hold the shreds of the box together with tight fists or we can let all the cardboard fall away. Where do you imagine you would be if you could express the full glory of your individuality and have it be celebrated?

That's your work tonight under the darkness and sliver of light that the New Moon offers - personal revolution - because, clever ones, the stars are aligned for you and the earth is singing, "Go on, child, get it done."

Find out about herbs to support your journey with our blog post on herbs for Imbolc and Aquarius.

Ready to go deeper into the world of lunar lore, herbal remedies, and magick? Study Lunar Herbology with me and an amazing circle of womyn! The Moon is calling...

Quickening: Herbs of Imbolc

Whenever I sit to think about a wheel of the year festival, nearly every time I'll find myself thinking, "Ah, [insert festival name] is one of my favorite festivals." Now, it is quite likely that all the festivals have been at one time or another my favorite - it is far more likely, if I'm honest, that they are simply all my favorite at once.

So, let me tell you why, right now, Imbolc is one of my favorite festivals of the year.

I begin dreaming about Imbolc around Samhain when, with my beloved community, I celebrate the new year. As part of my new year festivities I think of what I hope to learn and sink deep into with the coming year. I take these ideas with me down the inward spiral towards the Winter Solstice, shedding some, keeping others, realizing what my commitment my require and how I need to prepare myself. By the time Imbolc comes around my dreams are firmly stirring in my belly, my central core, and I am ready to make the vows of my practice for the coming year, until next Imbolc comes round. I love making vows - I do not make them often, nor lightly, but I find them freeing when I am able to speak of what I am seeking, who I wish to grow into, and how I am planning on remaining accountable - I get excited about the adventure ahead.

What about the plantfolk of Imbolc?

The word Imbolc is from the Gaelic for "in the belly" and speaks of the promise of spring, even when winter lingers. Think of the earth stretching before arising from her winter bed and her blood warming beneath her skin of soil. Astrologically, Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox at 15 degrees Aquarius. In astroherbology, Aquarius guards body systems such as the lower legs, including calves and ankles, electrical impulses of the nervous system, the adrenal system, and the circulation of blood. We now have a few clues as to what plantfolk we might call upon around the time of Imbolc, including grounding nervines, nourishing adrenal tonics, and blood-strengthening herbs.

NETTLES (Urtica dioica) I came to know Nettles when living in Portland, ME (If you've never been, you should go. I'll wait here, no worries.). It was through Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals, both in her writings and meeting her in person, that I learned about these stinging jewels as a nourishing daily tonic. Nettles restore vitality, help us adapt to stress, lend their gentle cleansing quality to promote healthy hair and skin, and are useful for easing symptoms of seasonal allergies. I've found Nettles to be very strengthening to the adrenals, especially when burnout has already occurred or someone is on the verge of burnout. Kiva Rose specifically recommends Nettle Seeds as an adrenal tonic. Nettle leaf is particularly accessible with its mild taste, and who doesn't love a cup of beautifully green goodness? Nettles are drying, fiery, and help to build and cleanse the blood which is why, along with their adrenal tonic qualities, I find them to be a great herb for the Imbolc season. Sometimes Nettles are used in traditional sauna settings, where they are bundled into switches either alone or with other medicinal plants such as Birch, and hit on the body to invigorate the skin, bring blood to the surface, and transfer the greening vigor of the plant to the body of the person being whacked. And, yup, for those of you following along you'll see that I also recommend Nettles as a Spring Equinox herb - it's just that good. Magickally, Nettles add energy to ritual and spellwork, act as a protective barrier, can be used to bless ritual tools like the athame, and the herb is guarded by the planet Mars.

MACA (Lepidium Meyenii) I realize that Maca has appeared more than once as a recommended herb on our little blog and, guess what, we're talking about the tuber again for the season of Imbolc. Maca is excellent for the adrenals, helps the blood breathe, wakes up our metabolism, assists in mental clarity, and is one of my favorite adaptogens. The tuber is very nutritious containing an array of vitamins and minerals. Think about how you're feeding your body after the sojourn of winter - Imbolc calls us to cleanse, wake up mindfully, and give our bodies simple but strengthening food.  Some folks don't like the taste of Maca, but sometimes what has happened is that a Maca concoction, whether a hot chocolate with Maca in it or a raw chocolate bar containing Maca has been allowed to sit too long and the Maca has gone bitter and very drying. Maca concoctions should be consumed soon after they are prepared before the taste of the herb goes off.

GINGER (Zingiber officinalis) Imbolc is a fire festival, so we must have a fiery and warming herb (compared to our fiery but cooling herb, Nettles) such as Ginger as part of our festivities. Another sturdy root, Ginger warms where their is cold, from tense muscles to general chilliness. If you have chronic cold feet and hands, consider a hot foot and hand soak with fresh Ginger. Divine! Ginger moves the blood, stimulates digestion, and can be used as a fresh compress on cold muscles and on the chest in cases of stagnation, helping to break up mucus. Where sluggishness dwells, think of using Ginger, whether it is sluggishness in a specific organ or a general energetic slowness. Matthew Wood shares a piece of wisdom from Margi Flint about Ginger connecting birthing folks to their children and encourages those present at the labor to share in drinking Ginger tea to promote a sense of connection with the labor. At Imbolc we connect to the land in labor and a piece of Ginger on your Imbolc altar can symbolize the child of spring about to be born.

LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia citriodora) Flower Essence

I recommend Lemon Verbena to many folks who either have their Sun or Moon in Aquarius, however, it can be useful for many folks at Imbolc since it is an essence that brings out the best of our exuberance, vitality, and encourages us to live life with bucketloads of laughter. As an Aquarian plant, Lemon Verbena helps us to break through outmoded forms of thinking that have led to conflict, stagnation, and resistance in our lives. Medicinally, Lemon Verbena is antispasmodic and is especially useful for cramping stomachs brought on by emotional tension. It is cooling and calming, soothing both to the nerves and helpful in the dispersal of fevers.

MANZANITA (Arctostaphylos spp.) Flower Essence

A sturdy plant, Manzanita is an excellent essence of integration, specifically the the integration of spirit with matter. The dark half of the year can be very inward-focused and sometimes we travel so far inward we seem to flow beyond the material into the galactic. Imbolc calls us back out after the journey inward. Manzanita helps us to anchor back to the physicality of the present, the changing season, and the importance of giving our spirit a rooted compass so we don't lose our sense of self. Our friend Manzanita helps to restore faith in our body - so many of us struggle with disordered ways of understanding our body that can lead to self-loathing and low self-esteem. The plant is particular powerful when supporting those working through and recovering from eating disorders. Manzanita reminds us that we are not broken and while our bodies can feel challenging, we can reside in them on our terms, with beauty and purpose and compassion.

Evergreens such as Pine and Cedar are also welcome during the Imbolc season, helping us to release the last remnants of bronchial complaints, rebalance our nervous system, and bring warmth to our bones. Also, consider Flower Essences such as Snowdrop and Daffodil which both appear around Imbolc, harkening the early approach of spring.

I wish everyone a bright and blessed Imbolc! May your light be bright, may your community be strong, + may the promise of awakening earth enliven your spirit!

Winter Solstice: Recipes of Mirth + Brightness

If we take time to seek out mirth in the darkness, we're bound to find it during the long nights of winter. I probably create and dream of more new recipes during the winter months than any other time of the year. Perhaps it is the flow of introspective energy or maybe its all the twinkling lights that send my mind musing on new ways to connect with our plant allies. Maybe it all comes down to my love of giving and receiving gifts, full of surprises and shouts of glee, and practicing generosity towards ourselves and our community.

Juniper Liniment

I created this liniment as a topical treatment for inflammation, sore and stiff muscles, and as a sacred forest anointing water to celebrate long winter nights. Juniper is a cleansing and protective herb, well suited to the work of pulling pain from the mind, body, and spirit.

• 8 oz Organic Juniper Berry (Juniperuscommunis)

• 300 ml Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Extract

• Optional essential oil blend:

  • 3 drops Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil

  • 3 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Essential Oil

  • 3 drops Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Essential Oil

  • 6 drops Juniper (Juniperus communis) Essential Oil

  • 6 drops Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) Essential Oil

Begin by creating an extract by combining your ground up Juniper Berries with the Witch Hazel. Let brew for a full cycle of the Moon, shaking and singing to daily. Strain the Juniper Berries from the Witch Hazel and you can either bottle the beautiful brew now or add the optional essential oil blend. I take the leftover Juniper Berries and wrap them up in cheesecloth and add them to my evening bath.

To use your Juniper Liniment make sure to shake the bottle up and then add some to a clean cloth. Use the cloth to either wrap or rub on the liniment to the area causing you discomfort such as aching knees or sore shoulders. You can also add the brew to a spray bottle and apply the liniment by spraying it on the affected area. The liniment should keep for a number of years if stored in a cool, dark place when not in use.

Winter Sun Sugar Scrub

While I haven't been a fan of traditional sugar scrubs that use white sugar, I think coconut sugar is pretty swell since it is not only healthier for the body than standard processed sugar but is a more environmentally sustainable source of sweetness. The Winter Sun Sugar Scrub is like the right sort of candy for the body combining the exfoliating qualities of sugar with healing herbs and essential oils. Chamomile, like other bright, sun-like herbs, are wonderful during the winter months aligning our earthly bodies with celestial signs (since herbs like Chamomile and Calendula are well suited to the signs of Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces) and bringing cheer to dark nights.

• 1 cup Coconut Sugar

• 1 tablespoon Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla) Powder OR 2 tablespoons whole Chamomile Flowers

• 1 - 2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil

• 2 drops Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil

• 1 drop Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Essential Oil

• 2 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Essential Oil

• Optional Essence blend:

  • 1 drop Chamomile Flower Essence

  • 1 drop Oak Flower Essence

  • 1 drop Sage Flower Essence

Mix all ingredients together while dancing and store in an airtight container. Use by rubbing the blend onto damp skin and then washing off, leaving your skin sunshiny and smooth.

Solstice Bath Tea

I created this blend as one of the many holiday remedies I'm sharing with friends and family this year. Bath teas are an accessible and easy-to-use form of herbal medicine. Toss them in a tub and don't worry about the taste! Our Solstice Bath Tea is full of skin-nourishing herbs that also work wonders on soothing the nervous system. A lovely bath blend for folks of all ages right before bed!

• 1 part Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) Flowers

• 1 part Elder (Sambucus nigra) Flowers

• 1 part Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Flowers

• Optional:

  • Add 1-2 cups of healing salts to every cup of herbs

  • Add one or more of the Winter Solstice Flower Essences depending on your need

Mix all the flowers together in a golden blend while singing songs of merriment. Add 1/4 - 1 cup of Solstice Bath Tea to every bath either by adding the flowers directly into the water or wrapped in cheesecloth. Alternatively, you can brew the Bath Tea ahead of time for 20 minutes to a few hours, strain, and then add to your bath water which allows you to access more of the medicinal qualities out of the blend.

I hope you enjoyed these recipes for your winter festivities! I’ve written a lot more about winter wellness and herbs of the season since writing this post in 2013 so be sure to check out the following posts if you’re looking for extra inspiration:

• How to Create a Winter Wellness Apothecary

• Healing & Magickal Practices for Winter

• Winter Warmer: A Gentle Adaptogenic Tea

• Darkest Night: A Winter Solstice Spread

• A Might-Do List for Yule

Wherever the season takes you may it be full of merriment and joy!

Changes + Shifts at the Apothecary

I started Worts + Cunning Apothecary over three years ago while living in Portland, Maine. Since then the Apothecary has criss-crossed the country setting up shop in Maine, Texas, Arizona, and California. As an herbal remedy-maker, I've loved creating the fully enchanted herbal goods that so many folks have come to love from Worts + Cunning.

There is a big change coming and we're about to embark on a new path for our traveling tea party.

I love remedy-making - it is one of my primary callings as an herbologist. I also really love teaching and engaging with others in the pursuit of knowledge, facilitating relationships between plants, creatures, and people. Some of you know that I launched my first online course this past may - the Lunar Apothecary - and I love, love, love the sweet and invigorating space it has become. Having written my first ebook, Morning Mischief, about a year ago I began my herbal recipe series this Fall starting with The Haunted Apothecary and I just published The Winter Apothecary. Writing these recipe books and sharing some of the most popular Apothecary remedies as well as creating new ones has only beget longer lists of ideas, recipes to experiment with, and more books to write. I love it! (Noticing a theme yet?)

While I could continue to make and sell my own herbal remedies, it has been so much fun to teach others to do so themselves. I'm in the process of writing more online courses and as well as a few local classes in the Long Beach, CA area. Oh, yeah, and I've been running around with a bunch of plantfolk known as the Roots of Healing community, organizing herbs fests, remedy barters, and free classes, with big visions on the horizon (Southern CA-based herb school, anyone? What about a sliding-scale herb clinic?). The work of the Apothecary is shifting and I'm thrilled!

To make space for these big changes, this year will be the last winter holiday season that our herbal remedies are available for sale.

I know.

Big news!

Where will folks go to get their daily dose of high-fives or their flower garden in a bag?

Well, I've been writing recipe books for a reason, clever friend, and that is to continue to share our recipes with you so you can make them all your own! More importantly, I'm making space to create more - from courses of study to lots and lots of free and enchanting resources for our plantfolk community.

In short, I'm upping our daily intake of high-fives and making sure that there is more than enough to go around.

So get your teas, essences, powders, and super surprise packs while you can and make sure to keep in the loop by signing up for your own free dose of fully enchanted remedies and ecstatic herbology.

The year ahead promises to be a wild one and I'm so glad I have clever friends like you to share the road with!

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