Flowering: Waxing Quarter Moon Ritual & Healing Practices

As I write this I am sitting in my backyard, watching the white flowers of the Plum dance in the still cool breezes of early spring (and as I edit this today in the far too early heat, I am missing this moment). Our friend Plum, like all of the other trees in our yard, was planted here many years before we came to know this quiet piece of land in the valley of the Nisenan. The first tree to flower in our yard, Plum signals the start of the busier season of growing, early harvests of fresh greens, and the promise of wild winds and (hopefully!) rain that the later spring brings. 

Flowers are waymarkers for those who work and live with the land - which is all of us for we are a landed species on an ocean planet. The flower has come to symbolize wisdom and holiness in many different cultures. The Rose, for example, with its multitude of petals, represents the many layers and paths of wisdom one can journey along through life and it is also a symbol of occult mysteries and secrets (think of the phrase sub rosa).

Flowers communicate through color and scent to all kinds of species to aid in their process of pollination and development of fruit and seed. Through philosophies such as the doctrine of signatures, flowers help us to understand the ritual and medicinal qualities of the plant. Our own humxn species, ever interested in layers of meaning and connection, has assigned nuanced meanings to flowers allowing them to become symbols of revolution and solidarity (such as the Red Rose of the Labour party) to Ojibwe floral myths and arts to conversations communicated by Victorians through the flower language, the meaning of devotional offerings such as through Japanese ikebana, and much more.

As the Moon grows to Fullness, the Waxing Quarter Moon marks a point of balance between what has been and what shall be. It is a time of flowering and the tender-petaled wisdom of opening up towards our power. Change, momentum, disentanglement, vitality, and harmonization are key energies of the Waxing Quarter Moon.

image via @noitadigital

Herbal Traditions

In Traditional Western Herbalism (TWH), the Waxing Quarter Moon is considered a time of hot and dry herbs. Continuing on the sacred structure metaphor started in the last post in our Moon healing and ritual series, the Waxing Quarter Moon provides the heat and dryness needed to transform damp clay and dirt into the boundary walls of our space. The walls are still fragile, not yet cool and completely sturdy, but they begin to give shape to our desire of what we hope to bring into our sacred space. For my garden minded friends, in terms of the compost cycle, this is the height of heat needed for the breakdown of material and the production of soil.

While these are insights born of TWH, there's plenty of stories - personal and cultural - to explore about any phase of the Moon and I encourage you to seek and speak them out. When I think about plants of the Waxing Quarter Moon I'm drawn to flowering herbs that grow in abundance such as Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) who live a vast life both above and below the ground, bringing that Quarter Moon balance into the mix (for an extra bit of magick use the leaves and flowers of Dandelion during the Waxing Quarter Moon and the roots during the Waning Quarter Moon). I'm drawn to plant allies that help me with discernment, helping me to step closer to my sense of power and self-worth, and away from the myths of lesser than and fractured-ness. Whenever you're seeking out plant allies for different phases of the Moon be sure to value your own intuition and creativity to guide you in relating to and with our plant friends.

Examples of Waxing Quarter Moon Herbs: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Elder (Sambucus nigra), Elecampane (Inula helenium), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Juniper (Juniperus communis), Myrrh (Commiphora molmol), St. Joan’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica).

Elecampane (Inula helenium)

One of the reasons I like working with Elecampane and the Waxing Quarter Moon is because it is a fast-acting herb. Most herbs have a slower quality to them - you can feel their effect best over a longer period of time. Elecampane is a fast acting bronchodilator meaning that it opens up constricted bronchial tubes in our lungs helping us to breathe easier. In many ways the energy made possible at the Waxing Quarter Moon is like taking a deep and sudden in-breath after a period of effort. Energetically we move swiftly from the dark half of the lunar cycle to the bright half. As a plant ally, Elecampane can help us to bring swift moving energies into our life assisting us in transitioning from one place to another.

Elecampane has a number of healing qualities which reveal why it is classified as hot and dry in Traditional Western Herbalism including acting as an astringent (which "dries" or tones lax, damp, and stagnant conditions such as excess phlegm) and as a warming bitter that helps to wake up and stimulate a sluggish digestion. It's a hot plant without being too hot like, say, Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) is for some folks or too drying, which can make it more useful for a greater variety of folks. 

A lot of the Waxing Quarter Moon magick that Elecampane holds lies in its ability to help us become more fully embodied after a period of dis/illusion, stagnation or struggling with being present to the here and now. Elecampane whispers, comforts, reassures, saying "Here, here, you are here, right in this moment. Time to take a deep breath in." Our ally Elecampane, which sits so comfortably between the worlds without losing the ability to be fully of the world, reminds us that we don't have to know exactly what we are hoping to become to be able to participate in the act of becoming. That's Waxing Quarter Moon magick - daring to move into a new space, a new awareness, and take a deep breath in when you arrive there.

I love Elecampane for breathwork and it's an essential part of my winter apothecary. If you want to learn more about Elecampane, check out my full plant profile.

image via @tfioreze

Altar + Rituals

Decorate your altar with items that invoke a sense of balance, carefully stacked stones, a variety of colorful that harmonize with one another or more obvious symbols like scales. Before you begin any ritual, take in an even number of deep and sustaining breaths. Wear items of clothing and jewelry that represent who you are becoming. Fire and candle spells, breathwork, rituals of transformation, burning away burdens, delighting in self-discovery, and magick that makes you sweat. As an offering consider the ways that you participate in the everyday transformations of the world around you, from helping to create life-enhancing accommodations for the mental health of others, planting community gardens, and standing side-by-side with loved ones in their time of need. Learn about the sign that the Moon is in for more specific ideas and recommendations.

A Simple Waxing Quarter Moon Ritual

To help you move in the direction of a goal

The following ritual is to help you move in the direction of a goal of yours, guided by your bright wisdom, that will help you to exist more embodied and authentically in your life. For those of us coming into ourselves in ways that aren't supported in our immediate home, school, and/or work environment, this ritual can help us to focus on the inner resilience we need to know and love ourselves unconditionally in a world that doesn't always show us the love we deserve. Here is where the shadow work of the Waxing Quarter Moon comes into play - in seeking to uphold our self-worth we can encounter internal and external narratives which try to devalue us and tear us down. So we follow where love guides us, find the people that love us completely, and work our magick to protect our bright wisdom while also following it like a lantern in the dark.

If you have a tincture, tea or flower essence of Elecampane, you might choose to take a few drops or have a small cup as part of the ritual, helping you to open up and expand your breath to help move energy. Or you can use any other Waxing Quarter Moon herbs or an herbal ally you work with in the same way.

Begin by creating sacred space in whatever way is meaningful to you.

Place a single unlit candle before you on your altar. If you want, you can surround it with herbs, stones, and other objects that will help empower your intention for your goal. Consider what it is you're hoping to manifest. Connect with the ways that you are being guided towards this goal by your inner knowing, including intuitions and affirmations that this goal is right for you. Begin to raise energy around your goal, imagining what it would feel like and what your life would be like to have accomplished it. When you feel like you've raised enough energy around your intention, focus it into the candle before you. 

Take a deep breath in and out. Light the candle and speak the following charm three times through: 

What was, what is, what shall be
By the light of my wisdom
I flow bright, I flow free

Take a deep breath in, focusing on your goal. Breathe out, feeling the path towards your goal manifesting before you. Speak the charm three more times.

Take another deep breath in and out. Speak the charm a final three times.

Use your hands to wave the light of the candle towards you, bathing yourself in the light of the candle, feeling your inner glow draw itself from deep within yourself to all around you. This is the light which guides you towards your goal.

You can either let the candle burn out completely now or perform this ritual for three more consecutive nights, lighting the same candle each time. You can also spend time each day calling forth your inner brightness to guide you home again and again.

A Simple Waxing Quarter Moon Tarot Spread

To help you glow with the magick of change in your life

Card 1 · Desire

What is the change that I currently desire? This card helps us to understand what type of change we are seeking to bring into our life. A card to help us illuminate what it is we want to create in our life.

Card 2 · Fear

What is the change that I'm afraid of? Just as there is change we crave, there is also change we fear - sometimes these two currents are very similar. This card helps us to understand our fear so that we don't let it overshadow our desire.

Card 3 · Heat

What is currently shaping me? This card helps us to check-in with where we are currently at in our life and the forces that are shaping us, much like the heat of a forge shaping raw metal into something new.

Card 4 · Flame

What is the wisdom that guides me? This card helps us to recognize our inner wisdom glowing within us, helping to guide us towards our desire.

Card 5 · Story

The overall message of the Waxing Quarter Moon in your life. If you are familiar with your birth chart and how to find the transiting Moon this card can help you to understand the message of the Waxing Quarter Moon in the context of where it lands in your chart.

This was part two in a series exploring the Moon phases through ritual and healing work. You can find the first post on the Full Moon over here. These posts were inspired by my patrons who help me keep the majority of my work free to access.

If you’re looking for more Moon magick and ritual in your life I highly recommend learning more about your lunar return. Take a deeper dive in my starry-hearted course or find a moment of rest and restoration inspired by the Moon in your birth chart. If it’s the flowers that are calling you, here’s one of my favorite Rose-inspired brews.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Restoring Joy: Lemon Balm Plant Profile

One of the first herbs to emerge in my garden in the early spring is Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis). It’s an herb that is usually introduced early in the education of a traditional western herbalist because it is not only versatile in its use, it is pleasant in its taste, and has very few contraindications. It’s a prized plant in the collection of remedies for children - gentle, effective, and a plant that little ones can learn to harvest from a young age. I’ve loved Lemon Balm a good long while for they are easy to love and love generously in return.

Along with Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), I think they are a plant of our times, helping us to navigate the rapidly changing world of social engagement and technology without losing our connection to the collective soul. Lemon Balm helps us to resonate within ourselves and in the world around us, leading us back into community through our healing. And when we arrive back home, sweet Lemon Balm is there, shining our joy right back at us.

image source

Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis

Folk Names:  Balm, Bee Balm, Dropsy Plant, Heart’s Delight, Melissa

Element : Water

Moon Phase: Full Moon

Zodiac Signs : Carries the energy of Cancer, Libra, and Pisces. A remedy for Aries, Leo, Virgo, and Aquarius.

Planets : Jupiter, Mercury, Venus

Tarot Cards: The Chariot (focus), The Wheel of Fortune (adaptation), 5 of Cups (to uplift the spirit), 10 of Wands (burnout). Learn more about the intersections of herbalism and the tarot.

Parts used : Aerial parts

Habitat : Native of southern Europe, but widely cultivated.

Growing conditions : Full sun to partial shade with moderate watering and well-drained soil. 

Collection : Collect leaves and flowers throughout spring and summer.

Flavor : Sour

Temperature : Cool

Moisture : Dry

Tissue State : Heat, Damp/Stagnation

Constituents : Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, essential oils, polyphenolics, resin, flavonoids, succinic acid

Actions : Antibacterial, antidepressant, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, sedative, digestive, vasodilator

Medicinal uses : Paracelsus, an alchemist and astrologer, prized Lemon Balm as a remedy that was said to be capable of restoring life. Within traditional western herbalism, Lemon Balm is most often used to lift the spirits, invigorate stagnate body systems, nourish the nervous system, and improve overall vitality. English herbalist, Thomas Bartram, notes that Lemon Balm is used “[t]o strengthen the brain in its resistance to shock and stress” as well as its effectiveness in “protect[ing] the cerebrum of the brain” and treating “autonomic disorders - an action similar to modern tranquilisers… usually combined with Peppermint.” (1) Acting on the limbic system of the brain (instinct and mood), the herb is gently sedating and useful for hyperactivity, tension, and nervousness.

In my experience, Lemon Balm has been one of the most reliable herbs when it comes to not only helping to alleviate stress but to restore joy. An extended practice of drinking Lemon Balm tea over the period of a few months can help to support our ability to heal after traumatic events but also the accumulation of stress over the years. But it is also good for times of transition which is why it is an herb that I frequently recommend in the postpartum period which can test our ability to hold joy amongst lack of sleep, changing hormones, big life adjustments, and the general stresses that life with a newborn can bring. In general, I find that Lemon Balm helps us to walk that line between the things which stress us out and bring us joy. It’s a good herb for those dealing with general social anxiety, for example, where there is a need for connection but sometimes difficulty in showing up in community spaces.

Lemon Balm helps alleviate colds and the ‘flu as well as recovery from debilitating illness. It’s a great herb for feverish children - consider combining with Elder flower and berry (Sambucus nigra), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), and Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Alternatively, use as a bath for those children who are resistant to taking tea. The hot tea is antiviral and can be drunk internally or used externally on cases of herpes simplex lesions.

As a carminative herb, Lemon Balm is excellent in cases of spasms along the digestive tract, relieving flatulence and indigestion. As it is tied to uplifting the spirits and relieving anxiety, the herb is well used in cases of “nervous stomach” where an upset stomach is caused by tension, depression, and stress. Headaches, migraines, insomnia, and other anxiety-induced symptoms are soothed by Lemon Balm. A great herb for children, Lemon Balm can be drunk as a tea before bed to alleviate nightmares and is good for those children who are prone to anxiety about school, exams, and general performance. In cases of hyperthyroidism, Lemon Balm has shown to have hormone-regulating effects that help to rebalance thyroid function. Anne McIntyre notes that Lemon Balm is used in Carmelite water for heart complaints which combines Lemon Balm and Lemon peel with nutmeg and angelica root as “a useful remedy when nervousness, agitation or depression cause heart pains, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.” (2)

The sour taste of Lemon Balm helps to awaken the energies of the liver, helping us to process the sluggish and slower energies of winter (or wintering/stagnant states of the body regardless of the time of year) bring the energy of spring into our bodies. Sour tastes in herbs often let us know that vitamin C and other nutrients are present and usually indicate astringent qualities to a plant helping to tonify the body system it works on.

I love taking a bath infused with the hot tea of fresh Lemon Balm leaves and flowers. The plant has an energy that is similar to a soft caress, helping us to quiet our busy minds and be guided by our own healing. I suggest Lemon Balm to many who are in the healing fields, as well as empaths and highly sensitive people, since I find that it helps to open us up as conduits of healing energy without burning out from always trying to assist others and end up overextending ourselves. The herb is grounding without being overbearing which can be especially useful with Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) who respond best to grounding energy that allows them to still float gently in their energetic currents.

Topically, Lemon Balm can be used as an oil or liniment for its antihistamine properties. It’s a great plant to add to herbal steams to clear up congestion and relaxing spasmodic coughs. Use in mouthwashes for ulcers, gum infections, and general toothache. Combine with Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Garlic herbal oil for ear infections.

image source

Magickal uses : The powers of Lemon Balm are of the ancient Bee Priestesses of Greece from which the herb gets its Latin binomial Melissa. The Melissae or “bees” were Priestesses of the Goddess Demeter, at other times said to be of Venus, and Melissa was also another name for the Moon Goddess Artemis. Bees are messengers of the Goddesss and so Lemon Balm imparts a certain quality of peaceful wisdom to those who ingest it. As an herb sacred to the Goddess and her Priestesses, it is an excellent addition to charms of loving, healthy relationships between friends, family, covenmates, and lovers. An excellent addition to baths, Lemon Balm fills the bather with amorous energy that can be applied to any number of goals.

The Lemon Balm Personality : The Lemon Balm person tends to be nervous and on edge. Panic attacks are a familiar experience and sometimes seems to be a primary way of engaging any stressful change in their life. Such constant state of worry and stress can lead to mental fatigue and burnout. Lemon Balm folks are often the helpers and givers in their relationships - they not only worry for themselves but they worry about everyone else, too. This brings about a state of spiritual restriction and emotional tension that often leads to debilitating burnout if not tended to preventatively. Lemon Balm folks need a release valve and the plant helps to reconnect the heart to the head, and deliver messages of calm when all seems topsy-turvy. One of the most healing works that Lemon Balm folks can take is finding a way back into community, learning how to be seen and held by others, adding their song to the buzz of those who love them.

Contraindications : May interfere with thyroid medications.

Dosage : Standard dosage. 1 – 30 drops 1:5 extract up to three times daily. 2 -3 teaspoons dried herb or 4 -6 grams fresh herb per 1 cup water.

image via @phillip_larking

Recipes

Spring + Summer Magick Herbal Tea

A simple tea to help you transition into the magick of the warmer seasons. Cooling, calming, and heart-supporting. Blend together the following herbs:

• 2 parts Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• 1 part Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

• 1/4 part Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

This recipe can also be adapted into a tincture or herbal honey. Make into an herbal oil for a soothing topical treatment for bumps, bruises and sore muscles.

Dream Pillow

Make a dream pillow with blue fabric and the dried leaves and flowers of Lemon Balm at the Full Moon, charging it overnight under the Full Moon’s light. Place it under your pillow or bed to encourage divine dreaming and communication.

Lemon Balm Honey

Infuse raw honey with fresh Lemon Balm leaves and flowers to create a deliciously cool syrup for sore throats, fevers, and to aid recovery from illness.

I hope that you’re finding time to dwell in gardens during this season of Aries - whether it’s the unfolding season of spring in the northern hemisphere or the slow inward journey of fall in the southern hemisphere.

My Lemon Balm profile is available to download from The Plant Ally Library where you can access all of my plant profiles. If you want to learn more about Lemon Balm, they’re an ally I turn to during fire season, for community care, and they’re a wonderful friend for empaths and highly sensitive people.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

 (1) Bartram, Thomas. Bartram's Enyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Robinson, 1998. 48.

(2) McIntyre, Anne. Flower Power: Flower Remedies for Healing Body and Soul through Herbalism, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences. Holt, 1996. 158.

Fruiting: Full Moon Ritual & Healing Practices

Living in a space shared with several fruit trees, the various seasons of fruiting means that I’m daily visiting with the tree spirits, to touch, smell, and listen to their journey of maturation. Buds grow thick skin and stretch outward filling up with the sweet food within. It always seems that fruit is hard until it is not - all of a sudden it is soft and ripe. For me, that sudden softness of fruit come to ripeness is the energy of the Full Moon. While there is always variety in how it plays out because of the unique flavors of whatever sign the Moon is in, the culminating energy of the Full Moon is one that follows a pattern of focus and tension that suddenly falls back into softness, openness, and possibility. With the Full Moon the altar is overflowing with fruit and abundance, and we can feast with hearts open and souls ready for nourishment.

Let’s explore together the magick of the Full Moon, calling in plants as teachers and bringing simple ritual and divination practice into our lives. At the height of the Moon cycle the Moon is at its fullest and most mature, casting its brightest light and acting as the mirror to the energies felt at the Dark Moon. What was in shadow is revealed and understood anew. Expansion, release, openness are all key energies of the Full Moon, and the days surrounding this time are ripe with possibility of celebration, fertile opportunity, and completion of a phase.

image via @anniespratt

Herbal Traditions

In Traditional Western Herbalism, the Full Moon is considered a time of cold and dry herbs. If we were to think of the Moon phase as a cycle of building a sacred structure, we would be at the point of the process of cooling and maintaining dryness to allow for a more sturdy and structurally sound building to stand (this coming after the after the heating and drying energies of the Waxing Quarter Moon that helped us to build the walls of our temple). At the Full Moon a temple space is ready to be lived and loved and held in. Or to bring us further into the garden with our metaphor, the compost of the Moon cycle has cooled and dried out enough to be used throughout the garden.

There are many ways to approach a Moon, though, and I encourage you to be guided by your studies, your cultural stories, and your intuition. Think about plants which help you feel open, soft, and at ease. Plants that are exuberant in their flowers, greenery, and/or fruiting plants - all hold Full Moon qualities. Plant allies that help you feel alive and connected with the world are wonderful, too. As you work with plants and the Moon cycle, always prize creativity and curiousity in re-membering yourself back into relationship with our plant teachers and guides.

Examples of Full Moon Herbs: Rose (Rosa spp.), Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Jasmine (Jasminum officinale), Sage (Salvia officinalis).

Rose (Rosa spp)

Rose is an ancestor plant with fossils found across Europe, North America, and Asia dating back from as early as the Miocene period (7 - 26 million years ago). This is a plant which has observed our development as a species and it isn't surprising that Rose is often associated with gentle parenting and mothering energies and deities. Call on Rose when you need a surrogate parent in your life - when you need to be held and protected to help you get in touch with your vulnerability. Rose is a beautiful ally in learning to treat yourself (and others) with ease and gentleness.

As a plant of Venus, Rose brings harmony to any situation as well as assists in harmonizing the energies of herbal preparations and those who use them. I love to use the flowers and hips in teas and tinctures, herbal oils and especially as a hydrosol or floral water. Rose has an incredible quality of helping us to become comfortable with the skin we’re in, working on phsyical and energetic levels to help us come home to our physical selves. Since it is a thorn plant we also know that it has protective qualities - adding Rose into your daily beauty blends can help to strengthen your psychic boundaries from unwanted energetic intrusions (I’m looking at you, microaggressions).

Connecting with the Traditional Western Herbalism correspondence of cool and dry herbs for the Full Moon, Rose fits both of those profiles. Rose is an excellent remedy for various forms of inflammation (bringing cooling qualities to overheated conditions) and as an astringent it acts as a plant which tones damp states in the body (such as excess oil production on the skin) bringing us into a state of balance. Hildegard von Bingen - herbalist, mystic, language creator, composer, and philosopher - writes of Rose's cooling and drying qualities recommending that one place Rose petals on the eyes in the morning to refresh them and draw out any imbalance in the bodily humours. The use of Rose medicinally is vast, so spend some time with your favorite plant books to learn more.

What I love about using Rose in Full Moon magick is that it helps to reassure our selves on a soul level that "I might not know everything, but I know enough to experience the abundant magick of this moment." It helps us to value mystery as something not to be solved, but experienced, which in turns helps us to settle into our joy and the appreciation of what we (and our community) has accomplished so far. Let's apply this Rose magick to recent events. So we all know that 2020 was a year and we're not out of it yet. The magick of Rose with its many-petaled wisdom helps us to recognize the layers of 2020 - there was extraordinary pain and suffering alongside the largest, most diverse, and most intergenerational global movement for a more kind and more just world that there has ever been in our recorded history as a species. Real change is already happening and the momentum of these movements is only going to keep rolling as we move beyond this pandemic. And the world we’re dreaming of can also feel so very, very far away. Rose helps us to hold all of these realities and get deep into the abundance of hope without having to write a thesis in our minds on why this hope will or will not fail us or why we deserve this hope in the first place. Rose just says "open up, be soft, settle in'' because we can have this moment (and better it be when the Moon is full*) without having to know what comes next or even what exactly has gone before.

I've written about Rose a lot, here is one of my favorite Rose recipes, and if you're an empath or highly sensitive person, Rose might be a good ally for you to work with.

image via @abigailducote

Altars + Rituals 

Decorate your altar with round and soft objects, things which help you to soften in turn. Unbind your hair. Wear soft and/or loose clothing. Practice rituals of celebrating our inner child and supporting the process of re-parenting. Water and cauldron spells, spells featuring song, rituals of abundance, hope, and self-worth. As an offering, consider the ways that you can create ease in the lives of others from home-cooked meal, a donation of time or money, small gifts which you know will bring someone laughter and a moment of levity. Learn about the sign that the Moon is in for more specific ideas and recommendations.

A Simple Full Moon Ritual

To help you open up to the possibility of your own becoming

Begin by creating sacred space in whatever way is meaningful for you.

On your altar place a bowl of Rose petals, whole flowers, and/or hips. Next to the bowl of Roses, place a bowl of salt water representing the ocean from which all life emerged. If you can charge this bowl of water before your rite with Full Moon energy by holding it up to the light of the Moon. Alternatively, because light pollution, quarantine or physical inhibitions may not allow for charging your water directly with the light of the Moon, place a silver colored coin at the bottom of your water bowl to represent the Moon's light and power. Whether with the assistance of the tarot spread below or other reflective practice, come up with a simple phrase that expresses a part of you or your life that you want to soften and open up to. Keep it simple, affirmative and easy to recite (i.e. I open up to more healthy and authentic self-expression).

Take a few centering breaths and begin to focus on your intention for the ritual - opening up to the possibility of the moment. Pick up the bowl of Roses, taking a moment to smell them, notice their color and form, and consider the complexity of life that led them to come into being. Holding them at your heart, begin to visualize a Rose blooming into a wide, open, soft flower. Feel this same blooming from within your own heartbody and say:

As the Rose opens, I open
As the Rose blooms, I bloom
As the Rose knows, I know myself
And all my possibilities

Take a Rose bloom (or petal or hip) and dip it in the Moon water. Anoint your brow, your heart, and whatever part of you that you choose. It is ok to let the water run on your skin for a moment, paying attention to how water quickly adapts to the shape and curves of your body. Becoming soft in our own wisdom and possibility is an act of shifting shapes, perceptions, and expected form into a place that is more vulnerable, more curious, and more able to meet the moment exactly where one is at. Breathing deeper into your openness and rubbing the Rose and Moon water into your skin, an invisible charm to carry with you in the Moon cycle ahead, say:

As I open, I bloom
As I bloom, I know
As I know, I soften, I dream, I flow

Repeat this charm until you feel your own flow then speak the simple phrase of openness you've written for yourself. You might feel called to speak it, sing it, move with it several times - honor your flow. When you're ready give thanks to the water and Roses, making sure to hold on to this feeling of openness, knowing that you can revisit this state of flow at any time by connecting with Rose. Close the rite  and be sure to either offer your water and Roses to the land or use them in other appropriate and respectful ways. 

A Simple Full Moon Tarot Spread

To help you open up to the magick of nourishing softness.

You're encouraged to adapt the following spread in ways that make it more useful for you including using the questions for journaling or meditation instead of divination. I like to cast these cards or journal as at the start of my Full Moon ritual - the reading can help guide my ritual and how I open up. Or use this spread for whenever you need more insight into an area of tension in your life. For those of you who thrive with variety and multi-faceted storytelling feel free to pull cards from multiple tarot and oracle decks for each question.

Card 1 · Tension
What is a source of tension in my life that I should be paying attention to?

Card 2 · Softness
How can I soften this tension? What tools, skills, people, and/or places can help me in release this tension?

Card 3 · Openness
What is calling me to openness? When I become softer what am I able to open up to? 

Card 4 · Nourishment
What is a source of nourishment for me? How does softness and openness nourish me? 

Card 5 · Story
The overall message of the Full Moon in your life. If you are familiar with your birth chart and how to find the transiting Moon in your chart this card can help you to understand the message of the Full Moon in the context of where it lands in your chart.

So begins a new series on the magick of the lunar phases! The idea for this series of lunar magick and herbalism was requested by my patrons who support me in keeping the majority of the work that I do free and open to everyone. You can find the posts for the other phases here:

• Dark Moon

• New Moon

• Waxing Quarter Moon

• Waning Quarter Moon

There is plenty of lunar-oriented reading for you to enjoy within these pages, from a full years journey through the healing potential of the New Moons, Moon-inspired slow magick and a tea I thought was the worst but turned out not to be, a deep dive into what a lunar return is and how to find your own, and a course about your own Moon-centered magick.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

*I’m quoting a line from The Charge of the Goddess which is a piece of inspired prose that I and a many Pagans hold to be sacred. There are a few versions of it, but the one that I most often refer to is Starhawk’s adaptation of Doreen Valiente’s. It’s a beautiful text and you should check it out.

Peaceful Places: Meeting The Star Card

a radical sabbatical post

As I was contemplating my own sabbatical one of the images that helped me to connect with the power of rest was the Star card. The Star is one of my favorite cards in the tarot deck and this quiet place of intuitive rest can be overlooked considering the card rests between the often feared Tower card and the quintessentially tarot tarot card, the Moon. But it is with the Star that we discover that we can’t fast-track to wisdom, that our intuition thrives when we take time to cultivate spaces of stillness and contemplation in our life, and that rest is holy, holy, holy.

So while I am on my own period of rest, I wanted to share with you the profile on the Star card that I wrote for The Tarot Apothecary that explores the card from a place of healing and herbal wisdom. I’ve written about the intersections of tarot and herbalism before and I hope you enjoy the following healing stories (and simple recipe) inspired by the Star card.

image via @alex_andrews

The Star Card

Astrological Correspondences : Aquarius (Saturn Guards + Neptune Exalted)
Key Ideas : Peace, quiet, healing retreats, a break from the world, time, healing power of nature, calm after the storm.
Nouns : Sacred space, holistic healing practitioners, temples.
Adverbs : Peacefully, meditatively, hopefully, intuitively, sweetly, quietly.
Adjectives : Timely, trusty, indescribable, extraordinary, restful, precious.

Divinatory Meaning : I Restore. The Star card is one of my favorite in the pack. It is the card that I seek when I am in need of restorative healing and peace of mind. The Star appears after the storm of the Tower has passed and offers us respite after a dramatic change. Everything feels sudden and sharp with the Tower but the Star introduces the power of time as a way to recenter yourself in the world. The Star has a similar position as Temperance, but instead of containing the energies within, there is trust that our power to recuperate and transform is infinite. The figure in the Star is close to the earth and touching, almost floating, above the water. The water that they pour out from their pitchers returns again and again to the same source of greater water and energy. The small bird in the background represents the still voice of intuition that always rests in the tree of wisdom but sometimes requires us to be quiet and patient to hear their advice.

The Star card is a welcome sight in a health reading for it represents being able to access quiet, healing spaces. It is a place of peacefulness that we can return to again and again whenever we need assistance on our healing path. Our intuition which may have been overshadowed by the Tower is now able to be heard freely - be sure to listen to it because you are receiving messages about what it is you need to do next for your own wellbeing. I always feel that in the midst of the mystical experience the Star describes there is real practical wisdom, too - drink enough water, get enough rest, and allow yourself to tune out distractions and tune in to you.


Herbal Allies : Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Cacao (Theobroma cacao), Kava Kava (Piper methysticum), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Star Anise (Illicium verum), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis).

Essence + Crystal Allies : Aloe Vera (Aloe vera), California Wild Rose (Rosa californica), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), Elm (Ulmus procera), Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande), Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), Oak (Quercus robur), Olive (Olea europaea), Star Tulip (Calochortus tolmiei).

Magickal Workings : Rituals of rest and sleep. Nightly rituals to prepare the self for sleep. Charms against nightmares. Rituals of water, especially herbal baths. Magickal workings to strengthen your connection to your intuition. Examining scarcity mindsets that keep you from believing that there is enough and that you are enough.

Questions : How do I need to rest? What is my relationship to time? Does my well of energy feel dry and depleted or overflowing? In what ways can I live a more restful life? Do I practice regular self-care including drinking enough water, eating good food, and getting enough sleep? If I were to get very quiet what would I hear? What is my intuition telling me?

Health : Conditions of Aquarius. Health complications and imbalances arising from lack of rest and sleep. Overworking and not learning the lesson of previous burnouts. Dehydration and its complications. Excess fluid buildup and stagnation. Neurasthenia. Emotionally disconnected with the heart of the matter.

Inversions : Overworking and placing self-worth solely in one’s ability to produce and be of service to others (Elm Flower Essence). Continuing to push past one’s reserves leading to burnout (Oak Flower Essence). Ignoring one’s inner knowing (Star Tulip Flower Essence). Unable to enjoy the pleasures of the present (Aloe Flower Essence).


Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) : Myrrh is a temple herb - it sanctifies sacred spaces and can help us to connect with the energy of the Star. For those who have or are experiencing oppressive situations, Myrrh can guide us through processing and releasing trauma. With its ability to part the veil between the world of the living and the dead, Myrrh aids in healing lineages of ancestral oppression. Burn Myrrh as a smudge to bless yourself as a sacred vessel of spiritual energy. Keep a small bowl or incense box of Myrrh on your altar to maintain rich levels of sacred energy. Carry Myrrh on you as a charm to help you find peace and quiet whenever you need to.

Myrrh is a supreme tooth and gum tonic, used traditionally in tincture and powdered form for a variety of mouth diseases including cavities, gingivitis, and halitosis. Use it as a tooth powder or a mouthwash to reduce swelling and alleviate sore throats. The herb is also useful for the treatment of inflamed skin conditions such as boils, hemorrhoids, and infected wounds. Overall, Myrrh alleviates feelings of stagnant, swollen heaviness.

Key Qualities : Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, rejuvenative, vulnerary.

Contraindications : Avoid during pregnancy.

Dosage : Small amounts for a short period of time.

Star Temple Liniment

My ideal sacred space involves the adornment of sacred herbs on the body to restore balance. The following external use only liniment is anti- inflammatory and antiseptic - soothing sore muscles, painful bug bites, and irritated wounds. Combine the following herbs in an airtight jar, cover with rubbing alcohol for one cycle of the Moon, and then decant for use.

• 1 part Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) powder

• 1 part ground Juniper Berries (Juniperus communis)

May you be loved and supported in your rest.

As I am currently off on sabbatical for three cycles of the Moon, this post was autoscheduled (you can find out more here). May these words have arrived with the magick of not quite knowing where it’ll land, but choosing to chance it anyways. Want to know when I get back? Sign-up for Magick Mail below.

I look forward to connecting with you all again upon my return.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Crone of Wisdom: Sage Plant Profile

a radical sabbatical post

The Ancient Greeks, one of the many ancestral lines of traditional western herbalism, called the Goddess of universal remedy, Panacea. She is one of the Holy Ones invoked in the Hippocratic Oath and for herbalists like myself She has lended her name to describing those special herbs - called panaceas - which offer a broad spectrum of healing gifts. Sage (Salvia officinalis), the herb teacher we’ll be meeting today, has long been revered as a panacea not only because of the ways that it supports inherent vitality and longevity, but because it helps us to process knowledge into wisdom.

So let’s meet, Sage!

image source

Sage
Salvia officinalis

Folk Names : Sawge, common sage, garden sage
Element : Earth, Fire, Air
Moon Phase : New Moon
Zodiac Signs : Gemini, Sagittarius
Planets : Jupiter, Moon, Mercury
Parts used : Aerial parts
Habitat : Native to southeastern Europe, but naturalized widely.
Growing conditions : Full sun and well-drained soil with moderate watering.
Collection : Spring before plant flowers.
Flavor : Pungent, bitter
Temperature : Warm
Moisture : Sometimes dry + sometimes oily
Tissue States : Damp/Relaxation, Dry/Atrophy, Cold/Depression, Tension
Constituents : Beta-carotene, B vitamins, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, volatile oils, flavonoids, tannin, phenolic acids, phytoestrogens, resin.

Actions : Anaphrodisiac, antifungal, antigalactogogue, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antisudoforic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, choleretic, emmenagogue, estrogenic, expectorant, diaphoretic, digestive, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, nervine, phytoestrogenic, vermifuge.

Main uses : Sage is an impressive panacea of a plant. It’s an herb of longevity, promoting long life and protecting brain function as we age. The herb is warming and strengthening to the body and helps to clear out respiratory congestion. In other words, Sage helps us to breath deeply. Sage has an amphoteric relationship to the fluids of the body which is why it is categorized as both oily and drying in nature. If there is excess fluid, mucus, and catarrh, Sage’s astringent qualities dry out and expels it. The herbs astringency, for example, can be used for excess sweating and heavy periods. If there is lack of moisture, Sage’s oily qualities come into play, lubricating dry and atrophied passageways and organs of the body. The herb is used as part of weaning as it dries up breastmilk.

Sage is well-known as a circulatory tonic, but I would further classify it as a “processing” tonic in that it not only helps to move blood, heat, and information throughout the body, but it helps us to process these parts of ourselves as well. The herb moves energy downward from the crown of the head through the feet which is one of the reasons that Sage helps to calm us down, get restful sleep, and help with digestion.

image source

As a digestive tonic, Sage assists us with processing and digesting fats as well as nutrients from our foods. Look for signs of flatulence and cold digestion. The herb can be used for both chronic and acute infections, especially when fatigue is present. It’s a powerful herb that can be used for everything from the common cold to Staph aureus infections. As a neuroprotective brain tonic, Sage assists with the processing of information and memory, by protecting and improving cognitive function. Additionally, Sage helps to relieve the Tension Tissue State, helping someone shift from being reactive to receptive. 

Topically, Sage is a great addition to hair rinses, helping to prevent hair loss, reduce dandruff, and even return or improve the color of the hair. It is also an excellent herb for burning and all varieties - not just the over-harvested and dangerously endangered White Sage (Salvia apiana) variety - are wonderful for cleansing the energy of body and place. One of my favorite ways to use Sage is as a gargle for sore throats and canker sores in the mouth. It can also be used topically for cuts, burns, bruises, bites and stings. It makes a very effective pain and inflammation-relieving compress for swollen and sprained joints.

Magickal uses : Sage is probably best known magically as “smudge” and it works powerfully to cleanse a space. But please do not purchase White Sage (Salvia apiana) but grow your own and protect the few remaining plants in the wild. The plant has been dangerously overharvested in the name of spiritual practice which is a fundamentally un-spiritual act. The great news is that other Sages can be used in place of White Sage including Black Sage (Salvia apiana) and Garden Sage, both of which can be harvested sustainably. Use in spells of longevity and immortality. A great herb not only for physical health but for spiritual health. Use in rites of grieving. An herb of the Crone, work with Sage to connect with the Old One. 

The Sage Personality : Every one of us is growing and maturing. Some of the time we feel able to learn from our growth, develop as people, and feel a little bit wiser at the end of the day. Other times aging and growing feels ungraceful, traumatic, and miserable. Sage is particularly useful for folks for whom the latter is true, especially if their stall in maturation is a chronic one. The Sage personality isn’t a classic victim or martyr type but is more often fixated on being ill-fated. They might be able to learn from their previous life experiences in a logical manner, but the wisdom has a difficult time permeating into their body. Sage folks often struggle with their body, bodily changes, and signs of aging. If they are so dissatisfied with their physical form why would they want to inhabit it deeper? Fortunately, Sage isn’t here to force us to be embedded in a body we struggle with but to learn how to descend into the wisdom that resides in our physical form without getting hung up on it. In a state of balance, Sage folk are the wisdom keepers and elders (regardless of age) that we are always in need of.

image source

Contraindications : Avoid large doses during pregnancy. Avoid while nursing (it dries up the milk). In very large doses, its thujone content may adversely affect those with epilepsy, high blood pressure or kidney disease.

Dosage : Standard dosage. Hot tea to induce sweating, cold tea to stop sweating and discharge. 1 tsp per 8 oz water; Adults 30 - 60 drops tincture or 1 - 10 drops for drop dosage.

White Sage Smudging Alternatives

Since White Sage (Salvia apiana) is endangered, unless you are growing it on your own (which you should to help our beloved survive), I strongly encourage you to use a different herb for the purposes of smudging. Here is a short list of herbs that offer a wonderful alternative to White Sage as a smudge: 

• Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Juniper (Juniperus officinalis)

• Cedar (Cedrus spp.)

• Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Mugwort (Artemisia spp.)

• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

• Frankincense (Boswellia spp.)

• Copal (Protium copal)

• Pine (Pinus sylvestri)

Smoke-Free Smudging Alternatives

Smoky smudge may be popular but it’s not always feasible (enclosed spaces, housing restrictions, allergies, etc) and there are plenty of smoke-free ways to cleanse a space.

• Room Spray with salt and/or essential oils and/or flower essences

• Crystals placed in a room or waved through the aura

• Sound including your voice, bells, chimes, singing bowls and other instruments

• Candles made of high-quality wax

• Sunlight and fresh air

Croaking Toad Cough + Sore Throat Oxymel

An oxymel is a form of herbal syrup combining honey (or other liquid sweetener like agave or coconut syrup) with raw apple cider vinegar. Croaking Toad is a great remedy to have during cold and ‘flu season as it contains a combination of soothing expectorants and vitality supporting herbs to help us find our way back to feeling well.

Begin by combining the following dried herbs:

• 1 part Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• 1 part Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis)

• 1 part Elecampane Root (Inula helenium)

• 1/2 part Sage Leaf (Salvia officinalis)

• 1/4 part Chlorella Powder (Chlorella vulgaris)

Place all herbs in a glass jar with a tight sealing lid. Since we are using raw apple cider vinegar as our menstruum, you might choose to use a plastic lid or place wax paper between the metal lid and the blend to prevent corrosion. Cover your herbs with (preferably local) raw apple cider vinegar so that there is roughly 3/4 inch of the vinegar floating above or below the herbs. Let your blend brew for a few weeks - I typically brew all of my extracts for one cycle of the Moon.

Once ready, strain the herbs from the vinegar. Then, mix local raw honey with your herbal vinegar. My weight ratio for the vinegar to honey is 1 part vinegar to 6 parts honey. Basically, add honey to taste. If you want a sweeter elixir or oxymel, that is less herbally potent, add more honey. For a more herbally potent oxymel, add less honey. Stir together the honey and vinegar until they dissolve into one another in a loving embrace of healing wellness. Bottle and store in a cool dark place. I store mine in the refrigerator.

A dose of 1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon is recommended up to 3 times daily during times of cough and sore throat.  You'll want to refrigerate your Croaking Toad Oxymel use within 6 - 12 months.

As I am currently off on sabbatical for three cycles of the Moon, this post was autoscheduled (you can find out more here). May these words have arrived with the magick of not quite knowing where it’ll land, but choosing to chance it anyways. Want to know when I get back? Sign-up for Magick Mail below.

I look forward to connecting with you all again upon my return.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎