Entries in Seasonal (3)
Lavender Love
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 06:58PM Summer is here and so is Lavender Fest!
Every year at Organic Bouquet celebrates the abundance of fresh lavender that is grown during just a few short months every year. Grown organically and sustainably, their exclusive collection includes summer lavender wreaths, fresh lavender, dried lavender bouquets, rare white lavender, and lavender roses.
This is a fabulous company to support and their products are simply stunning!
And, don't forget, your purchase through this link will also help to support my website!
This offer runs through July 31st, so, treat yourself and someone special in your life this month with a lovely lavender gift! Mmmmmmm, can't you just smell it??
St. John's Wort & Midsummer
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 01:04PM 
While herbal medicine is an informal passion of mine, it is not my area of expertise. However, I just wanted to share my appreciation of one little "green ally" - to borrow Susun Weed's term - that is hypericum perforatum, or St. John's Wort. (Of course, if I'm going to borrow from Ms Weed in this case, then I should refer to this plant as St. Joan's Wort.)
Today, June 24th ( in many Christian religions being St. John's Day; and in more pagan traditions, Midsummer) is traditionally the first day on which St. John's Wort is harvested. What I love about this humble little plant are the interesting associations. For example, the affinity with the Sun... the brilliant shade of yellow in the blooms, the time of year in which it's ready to be picked and its contrary nature of causing photosensitvity, while at the same time being used to treat burns (better even than aloe in my experience) and damage from radiation therapy. St. John's Wort has also made its way into mainstream pharmacology through its use as an anti-depressant (which can be a poetic metaphor for bringing light into a dark state of mind).
Reflecting on the mythology of its namesake, the beheaded St John the Baptist, the color of the nectar contained with the tiny blooms is a deep, rich, blood-red. St. John's Wort oil, which is used in topical applications, is infused with the little blossoms, and therefore also bears this dramatic hue. Quite beautiful!
And speaking of planting..
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 05:54PM .. it's gardening time.!!! .. or just past time to begin.
But even if you haven't yet started, or don't think you have enough space, don't give up! Even a couple tomato plants or an assortment of cooking herbs in a pot is enough to get the satifaction of growing something green, fresh and homegrown. And digging in the dirt is incredibly supportive of our Earth element... that aspect of our body/mind, which, according to Chinese medicine, governs our ability to nurture ourselves and relate to one another.
For those of us who find ourselves continually in our heads, or pulled from task to task, connection with the earth and nurturing lfe, even on a small scale, serves to ground us.. emotionally and mentally.
Need help getting started, or some new ideas and inspiration? Check out the sidebar or my 'books and music' link for, well, books and music, as well as some fun gardening supplies. Also, be sure to click on the 'Gardens Alive' banner below to give your organic efforts a good strong start.