The Simple Life

Sustainable Living

Here's a great resource for spring:

The Simple Life Forum at Daedalus Books Ideas to Nourish & Sustain Growing Your Own, Preserving Your Own

"In its broadest sense, the idea of sustainability covers a lot of ground, from growing our own produce in a kitchen garden to finding responsible land and water management practices that we can sustain far into the future. Sustainability and preservation are also at the heart of what we do at Daedalus Books, which was founded to find a second life for remainders—good books that might otherwise be destroyed simply because publishers can't afford to keep them in stock."

Submit your favorite farmers' market via email on their site!

The Way of the Hen: Zen and the Art of Raising Chickens

Daedalus is featuring, among other fabulous books for living simply, my own book, The Way of the Hen. It's only $3.98 right now! Perfect gift for anyone who loves chickens.

Panic Attacks and Pear Trees

I'm going through some shit. Don't know if it's a Dark Night of the Soul, or what, but I'm coming apart at the seams. I also don't know what started it all, or how long it will last, or any useful information that would still my freaking-out head a little bit. But there are layers: something I'm trying to write, which is forcing me to deal with some old, shoved-under-the-rug emotions; a psychic reading my hubby received; general stress about doing everything right; cutting out sugar; and heightened food sensitivities. All of these layers have woven together into a tapestry called Panic Attacks. Racing heart, sweaty palms and feet, dizziness, fear, and jelly legs. Got tested for hypoglycemia, anemia, and thyroid problems. All fine. Trying to gently allow the stuffed anger, sadness, and fear to come up. Trying to not get completely overwhelmed. Putting my life on hold, which is hard when I'm a homeschooling mom to two smart and emotionally sensitive kids.

While I feel frightened and overwhelmed, I am also receiving little signs of support from the universe. All one can do in the middle of a panic attack is breathe, or try to, and pray. And today, in little nudges, I got some small assurance that everything happens within God's arms, and I will be okay. Like a song the kids haven't played in ages that they played on repeat, a song from my childhood that brings up layers of sadness and also a sense of being cared for. Like in the midst of my creating a rebirth/spring altar, my nursery plants arrived (pear, forsythia, and grape!), and I had just enough time to put them in the ground before it rained. Like the rain, which calms my selkie self and reminds me that it's okay to cry.

As I planted one of the dwarf pears, I shook apart the rock-hard clay soil that hadn't seen sunlight in possibly 60 years, and I let it represent the old stuck parts of me, the fear of being myself. Thunder rolled in the distance, and at first I felt afraid, for people do get struck by lightning here, but then I let it be the fire of transformation, the flash of anger I need to safely let out, and the passion I am trying to allow myself to own. Then I planted the little dormant tree and asked the devas to ground pear in my yard. I dedicated these pears to the sweetness of growth, and to crafting life where there was stuckness.

So mote it be.

The Magical Qualities of Plants

All plants have certain qualities, their own magic or medicine. Often you can learn these qualities from herbal and gardening encyclopedias, but sometimes you either can’t find a given plant or don’t know what kind of plant it is. Fortunately, observation and direct communication can teach you about a plant’s magic.

First look at a plant’s form: What is its shape? Size? Color? In biology, form follows function; in magic, function follows form. What does the shape of the leaves, roots, seeds, or flowers remind you of? To take an obvious example, look at a cactus. Cactus medicine is protection (and chastity!) which is manifested in its thorns. Roses look like the luscious folds of a yoni, and they bring fertility, lust, and love. Kidney beans look just like kidneys, and they help nourish those organs.

Next look at the plant’s location. Does it grow in a ditch, in a desert, atop a cliff? A plant will lend you the properties it has had to cultivate to survive, and this too is part of its magic. For example, cattail grows in wetland areas. It is able to withstand soggy roots without rotting. It has fire energy, and offers strength in adversity.

You can also learn about a plant by communicating directly with it. Find a spot where you will not be interrupted, near a plant you want to know more about. Focus first on the energy inside your own body. You may want to start by feeling the inside of one small part, like your hands. Feel the tingling sensation or whatever you feel inside that part of your body, or the whole body if you can. Next, become aware of the earth beneath you. When you feel connected with your body and connected with the earth, you are centered and grounded.

Continue to feel the energy inside you, but bring you awareness also to the energy around you, in your energy field. Sit with this space for a few moments. Gradually expand your awareness around you, until you meet the plant’s energy. Ask the plant if you might connect with it. You will get an answer as a hunch or a sense. If that plant doesn’t feel like connecting, choose another plant until you find one that does. Most likely the plant will be thrilled that you want to communicate with it. With respect and thankfulness, expand the area of your energy to include the plant. What does this plant feel like? What do you notice? What does it have to share with you, to show you?

When you are finished, pull your awareness back into your immediate body. Take some deep breaths. Record what you discovered. Using plants magically and communicating with them may be new to you, but if you are curious to learn more, just stick with these practices and see what happens.

I'm Tweeting 'Bout Plants

Most of my days (and nights) are filled being a mama, but I find time now and then to blog or reach out to my dear (and terribly appreciated) readers. Up till now I've not gone over to the Twitter craze, simply because I feared being overwhelmed. Which I am. But I am nonetheless on Twitter now, as GardenWhisperer. I tweet about plants and the garden, offering the intuitive impressions I get when tapping in psychically to plants and their energies. If you are a Tweeter, please add me to your list. And if there is a plant you would like more information about, send me a message here, on Twitter or via my website and I'll give your plant a reading. Just as soon as I feed the baby.