Getting back to nature and aligning our energies to Her needs will allow your needs to be met. My Shamanic training deeply taught me that we are not only part of the web of life, we ARE the web. What we do to others we do to ourselves. If we cause harm to others, we cause harm to ourselves. If we spread fear in our web, it will ripple back to us like a boomerang. If we withhold love and acceptance of others, this shows up for us too. There is no hierarchy of importance. We are all equally important in this world. Mother Earth is showing us that respect of all life forms is part of the solution. In the words of the Mandalorian “this is the way.” The time is now and the solution is up to us.
Particularly in the last several years, but perhaps my whole life, I’ve been working with and learning about Earth medicine. Herbs, essential oils, food as medicine, spices that heal: all things that are close to their original form. They come from our beloved planet and many times, we can grow and create them ourselves. Anyone who has worked with Earth medicine has learned on thing early on: nature is always changing. Changing to adapt to things in the environment, changing with each season, changing with each harvest and with each variety. Each plant or tree changes based on how much water, sunlight and wind they get. Ayurveda teaches us that each person does the same.
Students in my aromatherapy classes ask “how much should I use,” or “where should I apply it?” My answer is always the same: “Ask it.” We have forgotten how to do this. Modern Medicine has taken away our ability to listen to that inner voice. They have effectively taught us that “This is the standard dose. Take this dose for the rest of your life” is the answer to the question “how do I use this.” That is simply not true in nature. Anyone who has grown a garden knows that each day, the amount of water needed and sunshine given is different. We humans need that same personalized support in our daily lives. Some days we need more water, some days we need more sunshine. Some days I need more Nettle tea, others I need less. Sometimes I need more time with my dogs, other days I need less. Um, wait. Don’t think I could ever need less time with my dogs.
Our Mother Earth is constantly receiving information and changing based on the need to sustain life. All living things are in a constant state of change, updating the response to outside environment and outside invaders. It is in this ever-changing way Earth medicine will heal us. Always adjusting the course based on any obstacles in our way. My belief is that everything on this planet can be used for healing, if we just get curious as to how. That inquiry out starts with getting still, quiet and listening to the giver of the medicine, inhabitants of Mother Earth.
The art of listening to the needs of our body is making a comeback. We are entering into a new time where people are being FORCED to spend more time away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. In the last few days I’ve seen many social media posts about “time to grow a garden,” “let’s grow our own food,” “I’ve got a lot of time on my hands at home, what will I do?” Listen. Just wait and listen. Don’t be in such a rush to find the quick answer. Open up and let Mother nature’s magic back in.
Until the answers come, be kind to each other. Help someone in need. Don’t let fear keep you from doing these things. Check on people. Tell them you care and are there to help. A big question is how can I help? That help certainly isn’t to feed the fear. That help is “how can I make this situation a better place.” What skill can I lend/offer to the world right now? When you are deciding on your own actions, be certain they are born out of love and not fear. Are you creating out of fear? Or are you creating out of love? The former will leave you scared and worried about the future and the latter will excite you and fill you with joy!
I’ve been sitting in my own place of contemplation. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to pull back from in-person appointments. It has to be done for the greater good. My in-person practice has shifted quickly to on-line. I am not sure when I’ll be back to seeing people one-on-one so in the coming days and perhaps beyond, I’ll be sharing my wisdom and knowledge so others can benefit.
Stay tuned. First up, sharing my daily regiment to stay healthy, balanced and support my immune system. I’ll be telling you what my go-to’s are during these challenging times.
Until then, the mantra I keep repeating that brings me great comfort:
“I am an Earthling. The Earth is my home.”
{{Social distance appropriate hugs}} to you all.
