Spring! Spring! Spring! Spring!

I can't tell you how relieved I am that Spring has finally sprung! The vernal equinox is here! Not only does this day have equal hours of light and dark, but the moon is waxing again, having gone dark on the 18th. A fine day for crafting new hopes and setting things in motion!

Some of the more traditional things to do today would be to bless seeds that you will be planting later, and to color eggs. Even if you can't plant anything outside for awhile yet, blessing the seeds today will help the growth cycle to begin. You add potential to those seeds, and by doing so will have a stronger bond with the plants. We just got a foot of snow, and will probably get more in the next few weeks, but I will still be blessing plants and seeds today. Not only does it help my garden, it really helps me feel better! I'm so ready to Winter to be over, and doing these little rituals helps me focus ahead, and get out of the doldrums.

Dyeing eggs is an ancient tradition, practiced long before there were "Easter" eggs.Here are some natural dyes you can use to get beautiful colors. Just boil the material, to desired color strength, with your eggs:

• Orange~ Onion skins, one for a soft shade, many for a rusty color
• Pink~ Beet juice and vinegar, or pickled beet juice
• Light Blue~ vinegar and the outer leaves of red cabbage, then let cool overnight.
• Yellow~ Add tumeric to color the eggs a bright yellow

I also like to use this time of year to make a collage of hopes & dreams, for prosperity & abundance, or for anything that you want to see grow! Magickal collage-making is one of my favorite forms of ritual. Here's a link to a post I did about making a magickal collage, in case you missed it: http://summerseaherbs.blogspot.com/2007/01/making-collage-for-abundance.html

Well, I need to get outside in the sun now! Let me know what you will be doing to mark today's Equinox?

Blessings, tracyw

Spring is almost here!

OK, take two: I tried to post this earlier, but it all went away when I hit "publish". sigh. There are days that technology and I don't get along!

I have been laying low due to some bug that I came down with over the weekend. I spent most of the weekend in my recliner or in bed. This thing feels like having a hangover, but without having had any of the fun. Not fair! I missed my best friends' annual Irish celebration, too. I did get to watch Harry potter again, but I would rather be feeling well.
Since I was supposed to go to the N.E.flower show in Boston today, but can't, I thought that I would post some more of my spring flower photos for you.
I'll be going on Wed instead, when I'm feeling better. I didn't think I could deal with the drive or the crowds today.
I hope you enjoy the photos!

It's a good day to be Green!

Happy St.Patty's Day to You!

Ah, to be sure, it's a good day to be Green!

Even if you're only Irish on one day a year, you can do a lot to be Green! We all know about recycling, and how that helps the environment. Have you thought about how what you buy affects the planet?

You know that I'm going to say that buying organically-grown/ low-impact products is a great way to help the planet and keep yourself healthier.

Organic and green is not only about your food, but your homes, paper products and your home heating choices.

Recycling is the easiest thing for us to do to help reduce the waste we put on the planet. I learned that San Francisco leads the country's cities in recycling ~ a whopping 63% of all it's waste is recycled! That's amazing! Now what if we personally tried to do that? Here are some ideas to help reduce your personal environmnetal impact.

One way to make recycling easier is to buy grocery products with less packaging around them. Buying bulk from your local food co-op helps, as does buying fresh food from an organic farm stand during the vegetable growing season. Use reusable containers to put things into smaller packages, instead of buying multipacked products, such as fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese or pudding. Even if you have a small household, buying family pak sizes of meats will save on packaging waste. You can then freeze the items into serving size portions that fit your needs. I wash and re-use ziplock baggies, as well. Use dish towels and cloth napkins whenever you can. I usually only use paper towels for the cat messes. Buy unbleached paper products whenever possible.

If you live in a place where you can do it, then try composting your food waste. You can put everything except meat products into the compost pile. Composted coffee grounds and egg shells are really good for your garden, along with vegetable matter.

When it comes to your homes, there are so many "Eco-" products out there now, from carpets and flooring, to paint, glass and siding. Many of these products have come to be to serve the markets of health-conscious consumers, not just Eco-friendly. With asthma prevalent in our children these days, there is a new awareness of what our environmnets can contribute to wellness or illness. There are magazines and books dedicated to the subject. Just do an internet search and you will find a wealth of information. Flooring options have really boomed in recent years! Hardwood is beautiful, but unless it's sustainably managed, it's not always a "Green" choice. Bamboo flooring is good alternative, as bamboo is very fast growing, sustainable, and makes a very durable surface. Cotton/wool/silk/hemp carpets and rugs are available, as well. You can even buy carpets and pads that contain no chemicals. Particularly in the area of home renovation and building, being environmentally concious can have a big impact on your health and that of the planet. There are so many chemicals in building materials and products, it's scary.

Tim and I got a pellet stove to help heat our home this year, and it's a choice I can feel good about. The pellets are made from sawdust waste material. It helps us cut down on our propane usage, too. We are looking into ways to make our own pellets someday in the future.

Reduce~Reuse~Recycle! If we do it more, then we have less trash! I don't know about you, but we have to pay for the town trash bags we take to the dump. Is there something you can do, today, to help reduce your trash, even just a little bit?

Springtime allergies?

Ahh, Spring! The birds returning, the plants starting to peek through the soil, and the trees all in bloom! Ack, Wait a minute~did she say the trees are all in bloom? Uh oh!

Yes, I'm an herbalist with hay fever. The Goddess truly has a sense of humor!

Well, with Spring officially starting in a few days, I thought I would write about something that I know many people struggle with~Springtime allergies. I know, first hand, how horrible a beautiful breezy spring day can make you feel! That sounds odd, but when you figure in all the allergy symptoms of itchy eyes, draining or packed sinuses, sneezing and headache, you may wish for a Winter's day again!

While there are some days that even I break out the OTC allergy pills, most of the time I can deal with my allergies using herbs (of course!). There are two herbs that I find to be the most helpful for dealing with allergies. These are Nettles and Eyebright. A blend of both of these herbs, together in tincture form, is a great way to help you thru the season and to feel better. The key to doing this is to start NOW! It takes a few weeks for the full benefit of the herbs to work.

Eyebright, while mainly associated with optical health, is a great decongestant herb for sinusitis and other congestion.Here's Eyebright in flower:

Nettles is good for clearing mucous out of the body, specifically the respiratory system. You can find this blend, ready-made, by several herbal companies. I like the blend by HerbPharm (you can find this at many health food co-ops), and also the blend from Mountain Rose Herbs (scroll down their page to see the Nettle-Eyebright blend).

Here's what Nettle looks like in flower:

The other thing that is handy to have around for congestion is Peppermint or Eucalyptus essential oil. You can rub a drop of this onto your temples and under your nose to help break up sinus congestion, and clear your nasal passages.

I hope this helps you get ready to face this year's upcoming bloom.

Blessings,

tracyw

You never know!

It's funny, but I just never know what my customers will do with the herbs they buy from me. I always think that they will make a little tea or something. A little while ago, I sold some organic Red clover to a nice man in PA name Christian. Well, it turns out that he's an avid baker! He made some very yummy sounding biscuits with my clover and I wanted to share the recipe with you! There are also some other delectable recipes on his website, so please browse around while you are there.
http://www.biscuitbaker.com/clover_biscuits.html


I'm not much of a baker anymore, but I think that I may just have to try making these biscuits! I know that I will make them again once the fresh clover is up this Summer! MMMMMM!!
Have a great day,
tracyw

Creatures in the Night

For most of this past week, the motion detector flood light has come several times each night. Usually, it's the neighborhood cats. However, the other night we had a raccoon come and visit here. While they are very common critters here, it's the first time we've seen one since we moved here in 2005.

I put several bird feeders out back and this tends to draw all manner of animals. Mostly squirrels and mice. The weird thing about this raccoon is that it didn't even look under the bird feeders. It just walked across the yard and climbed the Oak tree right outside the kitchen window. It was about zero degrees outside that night, and there's no holes big enough in that tree to hide in. We watched for awhile, as he went up and up. We never saw him (seemed like a him) come down, and we haven't seen him since. I felt bad that a creature had to be out in such freezing weather. Last night the flood light came on about 5 times, and whatever it tripped the sensor was gone by the time I got to the window. Very odd. Makes me wonder what else is creeping around outside there while I'm nice and cozy inside.

We had installed that light after several rounds of finding the Police in our yard with dogs looking for someone. We live in a very rural and safe neighborhood, but there are allot of summer houses here, and they get broken into. Last Summer we had the electrician put sensor lights around the house. I feel much better here when I can see outside. Besides, I love to watch it snow at night.

Anyway, I've been thinking about what is walking around here at night, unseen. Just out there doing their animal things, surviving. what kind of critters do you have at night near your home?

Chicago trip : Part Three~ Art Institute of Chicago

On our last day in Chicago, we visited the world renowned Art Institute. I love Impressionist art, and the collection there is fabulous! There was an exhibit going on featuring the collection amassed by Vollard, an art dealer in Paris. We weren't allowed to take pictures of those paintings, but the collection brought back together from all over the world, was stunning. There were also beautiful collections of decorative art, and Asian artifacts.
Here's some photos from the things that caught my eye, including my favorite Renoir painting the Two Sisters. Some of these views are details of the art.

Hope you enjoy this little view into the Institute
~tracyw

Chicago trip : Part Two~ Field Museum of Natural History

Well, on Day two, Mom and I went to the field Museum to see all manner of interesting things! From dinosaurs to ceramic goddesses to crystals, it was fabulous! The Quart crystal pictured is about 350 pounds!
This is also the home of Sue, the only full complete Tyrannisaurus(sp) Rex skeleton in any musuem. Unbelievably, scary-huge! There was also a wonderful tibetan exhibit, and loads of native peoples stuff. Made for a really nice day!
Here's a few photos for you!
More on the trip tomorrow,
~tracyw

Chicago trip : Part One~ Shedd Aquarium

Hi everyone! It's good to be home!
After taking a couple of days to actually get to Chicago, we finally made it! Getting out of Bradley airport in Hartford, Ct took extra time due to the bad weather.


On our first day in Chicago, we beelined over to the Shedd Aquarium. My family has a soft spot for all things animal, so it's the first place we wanted to go. Besides, what else should one do on a cold and nasty Midwestern afternoon? At the aquarium, they had so many cool exhibits, both temporary and permanent. I've posted a few pics from this part of my trip.The white Beluga whale is named Niya. She would just float around, propped up by her tail, and watch the people watching her. It was too funny!

I'll post more photos of the rest of the trip tomorrow! I just have to edit a bunch of photos that I took. I had a terrible time with my camera most of the trip ;0(
Well, enjoy the photos!
blessings,
tracyw

Vacation Time for Me! Feb.25-March 1st

Well, Mom & I heading to Chicago for a few days of sight-seeing! Yes, great places like the Field museum and the Shedd Aquarium are calling my name! Of course, I wish that they weren't calling it in February. Just a tad chilly there this time of year! But, hey, who would want to be indoors in nice weather anyway! I'm really looking forward to seeing the Contemporary Art museum, as well as finding that superb slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza! (packed my Lactaid already!)

I'm also hoping that the hotel room, which has a little kitchen in it, also has a good-sized bathtub!Our tub at home is really shallow, and I just can't get a good soak in there. I'm bringing all my bath fizzies and stuff, just in case!

I don't know if I'll be able to post when I'm there. The hotel supposedly has a business suite , but I don't know what's available. If not, I'll just see you here when I get back!

Have a great week, and don't forget to visit the new featured Etsy sellers for this week!

I wish

I wish that I could look outside and see my garden in full flower, and my yard full of GREEN!!!!

I thought that if you were in New England, you might want that too!

Just in case, here's some photos I've taken, in the past, to brighten up your day.

All these flowers are the first to bloom here!

~Lilacs, Pansies, Lupine, Azalea, and Laurel~

Flower Essences

One of the turning points in my life, as an herbalist, came the day I made my first flower essence. It was in the Summer and the Lady's Mantle was in full flower. I was at one of my herbal apprenticeship class weekends. Keep in mind that this was over a decade ago! I was having my heart and mind opened with all kinds of new ideas about the ways of healing spirits.

Making that essence awakened within me a link to my intuitive side, as a healer.

And that is what flower essences are~ imbibing water with the healing spirit of a plant. This can be done using both solar and lunar influences. For making flower essences, I prefer using the Sun, but for making gem elixirs, I like to use the Moonlight (but that is another post altogether).

I have made dozens of individual flower essences with flowers from my garden, and those from other gardens around Massachusetts. I have formulated blends for various problems. you can find all of my currently available blends on my website, in the Flower Essence section.

The solarized essence contains the vibrational patterns of flowers. These patterns help to heal imbalances in your body's energy systems on emotional, physical, mental and spiritual levels. Essences are catalysts for healing, helping you to be able to experience shifts in patterns of behavior, the way you view yourself and your place in the world, as well as very real physical changes. Most essences engage the healing process in subtle, yet ultimately profound ways. Some essences are formulated for very quick action, such as dealing with an emergency or panic.

To use an essence, you just take two or three drops under the tongue, in a beverage, directly on your skin, or in a bath. While a couple of drops may not seem like much, keep in mind that the vibrational patterns of the flowers and crystals will spread out as on a grid, to fill any container including your body! Essences may be used in conjunction with other healing modalities. There are no side effects or contra-indications, nor can they be neutralized by other substances. It is not possible to over-dose on an essence. Usually, an essence is taken for at least one month, then the healing process is assessed and adjustments in the formula are made, if necessary. Store your essences out of the light, and away from essential or fragrance oils.

Private consultations for flower essence and gem elixir blends are available in person, by phone or email. We would talk about the healing work that you want to do, and then I will make a custom essence for you. Most consultations take about an hour or less. If you are interested in a custom blend, just send me an email!

For alcohol-sensitive people: Although flower essence blends are preserved in brandy and spring water, the essence is used in a diluted state. Dilution of two to four drops in a large glass or water or water bottle, will yield a physiologically insignificant amount of alcohol, about 1:4,800 parts in 8 ounces.

Bright, Sunny Calendula

Calendula flowers (Calendula Officinalis), otherwise known as yellow Marigolds, are among my favorite blossoms! These bright denizens of the garden always make me smile! It's hard NOT to notice Calendula flowers blooming in the landscape, even on the dreariest of days.

I love to use Calendula flower petals in many of my formulas, both for medicine and magickal uses. As medicine, the petals are a very effective wound and skin healer. It's soothing, yet antiseptic properties are wonderful in lotions and ointments, or in your bathtub. Calendula is also a strong anti-fungal for foot and yeast conditions, such as Athlete's foot or Candida. It can be used both externally and internally. I like to include it in health formulas to help soothe gastric problems, and tone the stomach. Calendula flowers can also help to regulate delayed menstrual periods. For this reason, you shouldn't take alot of it during pregnancy! the flowers can be used whole, infused into oils, or ground into powder for use in external formulas. I have added Calendula flowers to a couple of my favorite tea blends, Blossom Mint and Daily Support Organic Herbal Teas.

Magickally, Calendula is aligned with the element of Fire, due to it's sunny color and it's anti-septic properties. Among other things, Calendula is used in workings for protection, and also for legal issues. It's helpful to put some petals in your pocket, or on your altar, if you're headed to court. I have put petals into homemade candles burned for protection spells. You can add the flowers to a pouch for protection or court. I use Calendula flowers in my Flower Power Smokeless Smudge formula.
Whenever I get done mixing up a batch of this blend, I always toss a handful on the front steps of my house for blessing and protection. As with most kinds of magick, having the actual herb is better, but you can also use an image of the flowers.

What do think of when you see Calendula?

New Stones Listed today!

I just wanted to let you know about two new stones I just listed in my Etsy shop!

The first one is a beautiful piece of Labradorite, cut to show the brilliant blue flash of iridescence! Labradorite is a feldspar, it's flashy patches of blue color, when held in the light, is known as "Labradorescence". This was sooooo hard to photograph, I can't tell you! I needed about four hands to get it right. My photos really don't do it justice.

The other stone I listed today is a Rose Quartz Egg! It's got a nice and gentle feeling about it! Of course, Rose Quartz is used in all kinds of healing applications where the heart is concerned. Particularly, for healing the emotional heart issues, such as anything having to do with loving or being loved. The egg shape also symbolizes fertility and growth.

For further information on either of these stones, please check out my full listings in the shop.

With Love, From Me To You!

I've learned that all a person has in life is family and friends. If you lose those, you have nothing, so friends are to be treasured more than anything else in the world.

~Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park, Prehistoric Ice Man, 1999

Happy Valentine's Day

to you, my family and friends!

New items!!!

Wow! It's Monday already? How did that happen?

Well, I've been busy getting my new tea ready for sale. The formulation and testing always take longer than I think, but being a bit of perfectionist when it comes to my products, I guess I shouldn't be surprised!

Drifting Away 100% Organic Herbal Loose Tea Blend is a relaxing blend of herbs to help you relax at the end of your busy day! If you're like me, once you lay your head on the pillow, you start thinking about your day: what happened, what you should/could/must do about EVERYTHING! Well, this gentle tea blend can help quiet that inner chatter! The key word here is Gentle! This won't zonk you out, just help you relax. It's also a good choice if you are taking a homeopathic sleep aid, as I formulated this blend without mint so it won't antidote your remedy. You might also like this tea when you get home from work, in the event of a very stressful day!

The other item I listed yesterday is this lovely Calcite Geode! It's unusual in it's formation due to a calcite crystal growing on the edge. This formation is referred to as a "diamond".It's a pretty little stone and I hope you like it!

Yesterday, I spent most of the day working. I took a bunch more photos of the crystals I have yet to list in my shop! Have you ever tried to photograph Labradorite? You know that beautiful blue flash you can see in it when you turn the stone to the light? Well, just try to capture that with a camera! Sheesh! I just about drove myself nuts with that! Anyway, once I get those photos edited to size and correct the color, I'll let you know.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Talking Turkey

Here a photo of the guys that visit my feeders for corn several times a week.

They are part of a flock of turkeys that congregate together in our neighborhood every winter.

We haven't seen too much of the birds so far this year. Until we had our recent snow, they stayed mostly in the woods, where they were still able to find acorns and other foods. This year has been very mild, without much snow at all here. Usually, by February, I have about 25-30 turkeys at my feeders for corn every day. When the snow is very deep, they can't scratch down thru it to get to their food.

There are many cultural references to turkeys that are less than flattering. However, if you really examine the wild turkey, as opposed to the overbred domesticated birds, you'll find a wiley bird with beautiful plumage. They actually can fly for short distances, and it always startles me to see them roosting in trees. Turkeys can also run really fast, although it does look slightly silly. They are native to North America.

Turkey, as a being, has been respected in many earth traditions, and are part of the mythological stories of the Native Americans, Aztecs and Mayans. Turkey is signified by the aspect of shared blessings and the harvest. Hen turkeys will share a nest in which they lay their eggs. They take turns sitting, ensuring a larger,more successful brood. turkeys frind strength in numbers. The turkey is also associated with wisdom and growth. This is because of the mainstay of their forest diet, acorns. Acorns are symbols of new growth and hidden wisdom.

If a turkey (or a turkey feather) turns up in your life, you may want to look at the blessings in your life that are shared with others. You should be aware of opportunities for new growth that will come your way!
If you ever see a turkey fanning his feathers in the sun, you will be amazed by brilliant red, green and brown colors! Beauty in the most ungainly of creatures!

Element of Fire

When I got up this morning, the outside temp was a balmy 10 degrees. The inside temp was about 58. Both have since increased slightly. I found myself looking at the calendar, trying to figure out how long it will be until I can go lay on the dock, and bake in the sun. It's going to be a long time. I just haven't been able to get warm for the last two days, no matter how many sweaters I have on. I think this is a function of having Fibromyalgia and CFS. The winter season has gone from being a time of joy for me, to one of just wanting it to be over. But, I digress.

Since I have been so cold, I choose to focus on the element of Fire, and it's corresponding direction, South. While we all know that the Sun is hottest in a south-facing window, there are some surprising correlations of this element. While the power of a full-fledged fire can be devastating, fire can also be healing when it's managed. Scrying into a campfire, or even a candle flame is one of my favorite form of short meditations. I am a complete nut when it comes to campfires and bonfires. Not that I would ever have a fire outside of a proper container-not that kind of nut! I just find it so beautiful, and useful. I like the freedom I feel when I toss old writings and spells, such as from my Spirit jar, onto the flames. It's cleansing and a completion of the work that I had done. One of the reasons I like to go camping so much is because I get to play with fire all weekend. I have a knickname for these excursions: Woman who F%$*s with Fire. Cute, huh? I just can't help myself.

Other realms of Fire are sex, love, and transformation.

Here are some correspondences for the element of Fire:

• Magickal tool: knife/athame
• Herbs: chilies, thistle, nettles(thorny things), coffee, dragon's blood, hot spices
• Stones: Carnelian, lava rock, jaspers, clear quartz
• Animals: salamander, snake, scorpions, lady bugs, shark
• Zodiac: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo (that's me!)
• Oils: Basil, copal, neroli, pettigrain, peppermint

There are so many aspects of Fire in the natural world. This list is by no means complete. One of my favorite kinds of spellwork is candle magick. I find it so effective! Stay tuned for more on that subject!

New Stuff!

I was delayed posting today due to another round of frozen pipes at my house this morning! This time the water main pressure switch was frozen, or so the plumber said. We had water when I got home from Vermont this morning, but only for an hour or so. Called the local plumbers and they were out here in about an hour! Love those guys! So, they got us going again, and now I can relax and regroup, not worry about possible broken pipes. Whew!

I want to tell you about a few new things in my shop! I have posted a couple more crystals, such as Lepidolite and a lovely enhydro Herkimer Diamond. I also have a new organic herbal loose tea sampler available. This pack has four of my most popular teas in it, so you can try them before you commit to a larger bag of any one kind of tea. Each packet makes about ten cups of tea. In a few days, I will be listing my new Drifting Away tea! This is my evening/bedtime relaxation blend. Of course, it's 100% organic, like everything else I make!

You're going to love it!

Finally!

It Finally Snowed!

I never thought that I would be excited to see it snow. I was watching the storm last night, just like a little kid anticipating a school day tomorrow! At our house, we got 4.25 inches of snow. it's the first time all winter that we have had more than one inch of snow at a time.
While it has been nice, in terms of lack of shoveling and bad driving, it's just wrong!

The man that plows our driveway got here at 5:00 this morning. Our bedroom is just feet off the driveway. It feels like he's coming thru the wall when he goes by!

Here's a picture of my little gargoyle guy on the deck this morning.

Since it's snowed, I need to go out and make sure the bird feeders are full, and put some cracked corn out for the wild turkeys. They'll probably show up later for a free lunch. It's a beautiful sunny day out there, although the wind is really blowing!

I hope it's nice where you are!