Brown Betty Teapot

It's funny what happens when you are in a situation like this quarantine. For me, I have reverted to my past. starting with using our 
Brown Betty everyday. Both set of grandparents always had tea. Everything stopped and we sat together for a short time. Not only was the grade of tea important but the container and cup. Going to the grocery store or the organic farm with gloves and masks seems strange. Walking into my local stores and seeing so many empty shelves feels odd. So as I read or listen to the news and try to process our world turned upside down, I turn to my Brown Betty. The ritual of making tea, the time together, and remembering those who have passed, seem comforting. Suddenly old recipes come to mind, my grandparents' use of condensed or evaporated milk, the memories of people who survived much worse for longer arise. My daughter and I are finding comfort in going through the family cookbooks where we find notes written in a late relatives hand. And these thoughts all came about because today, once again, I used our Brown Betty. ❤️

Shaking Off Negativity

Peace and Tranquility

I suppose that I sometimes have difficulty shaking off the day. Especially when I run into people who are very negative. This past week I ran into one of those people and she was very hard to speak to. I realize that if I embrace the Four Agreements, I should just step away and not take her issues personally.  I finally was able to do that. Then today I went outside and transplanted my elder tree. Digging helps stress. I am sweaty and my muscles feel used, but most importantly I feel peaceful.

Amethyst

Amethyst's name from Greek meaning, "Not Intoxicated" and it is a violet variety of quartz. It helps to bring calmness and clarity as well as assist you with your intuition and feelings. Below is an excerpt from my book, "I Know a Woman, Greenfire Wise Woman Craft".
Amethyst-
Color- Purple
Chakra- Crown
Healing Use - Spirituality, contentment, heart, stomach, skin, teeth, skeletal, digestion, nervous system
Metaphysical Use-Dreams, Overcoming Alcoholism, peace, love, protection against thieves, courage, and happiness
Energy - Receptive, Jupiter, Neptune, Water, Bacchus, Dionysus, Diana

Motherwort

Motherwort - (Leonurus cardiaca) happens to be one of my favorite herbal allies. I first met her when I went to visit my teacher, Susun Weed. It is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. Just as it's Latin name implies, motherwort gives you a Lion's heart. It is suggested that it helps with palpitations and lowers cholesterol. This herb is wonderful to keep around for those times when we are given a shock or are under tremendous stress because it helps us cope without making a person dopey or drowsy. It has been used to help with menstrual cramping and menopausal complaints including hot flashes. Young women starting their cycles find it helpful with the emotional changes that follow. There are varying opinions in regards to whether motherwort should be used during pregnancy and as with all herbs you should speak with your health care practitioner prior to ingesting.

Clear Quartz Crystal

Clear quartz crystal is the most versatile of crystals because it can be used in place of other colored crystals. It enhances and amplifies whatever work you are doing so it is important to be responsible; only working for the highest good.
Below is a description of clear quartz's properties from my book, "I Know a Woman Greenfire Wise Woman Craft".

Clear Quartz, Witch’s Mirror

Clear

Crown

Body-mind connection, heals negativity, crown chakra, use on any chakra

Protection, healing, psychism, and power

Projective and Receptive, Sun, Moon, Fire, Water, and The Great Mother

Astragalus

Astragalus or Milk Vetch, is an herb used in Chinese Medicine and is known as Huang Qi. It was not an herb I had originally studied in Wise Woman Craft. A friend of mine introduced it to me and it has been an ally for many years now.  I used the herb to help me with chronic sinus infections and migraines.  I found that it took a year for my sinuses to completely clear and infections were moving out for that entire time.  I use it to boost my daughter's immune system when she is going to school and I find it keeps the flu or stomach virus away. If she does get something it is never as severe as what her friends seem to contract.  It has been found effective in treating cancer, diabetes, digestion problems,  stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure.  Astragalus can have interactions with blood thinners, high blood pressure and diabetes medications, and immune system suppressors. Do not take astragalus if you have a fever as it can raise the fever.  

The Art of "Momming"

"Mother is the name of God in the lips and hearts of little children" -
William Makepeace Thackeray.

Have you ever been "mommed"? Not in the negative way when your mother used to nag you about something you didn't want to talk about, but in the loving way. I remember a movie by Ray Bradbury called, "Electric Grandmother". The grandma was played by Maureen Stapleton. It was about a family who loses their mother. They go to a factory and design the grandma. She takes care of their needs and when they have grown she goes into storage. Many years later when the siblings are all elderly themselves, they go to the storage facility and retrieve her to bring her back to care for them again. Of late I have thought about her, looking back so very long ago and remembering the warmth of childhood, to a time when I was "mommed" enough.

As I start to enter menopause, I am more reflective. I remember both good and bad pasts. Lives that seem so very far away from me now. But this reflective aspect of my life also brings with it memories of my mom. Now I no longer receive hugs from my mother or my grandmother. Nor do they make cookies for me or tuck me in at night. I look back at my youth and wish my mother had been more loving for a longer period of time; not getting so busy as to push me aside. I realize there is a pain in my heart for a childhood cut short by responsibility and untreated parental depression. I ask myself, "Had she been more attentive would I have turned right instead of left when....." And the question always goes unanswered. But nonetheless, I am left feeling not loved enough, not "mommed" enough.

As I look deeper into myself and my relationship with food, it is most often associated with the past, with love, with mothers, grandmothers, and aunts; for we were always in the kitchen, cooking and serving the men. Practicing the Buddhist meditation taught by Pema Chodron I ask my pain what it is that makes my relationship with food so unhealthy - the answer came back, "your pain from your mother". It is my pain that makes me a better mother, it is my pain that makes me choose careers that can be worked around children and their needs, it is my pain that makes me make unhealthy choices sometimes because I was not "mommed" enough.

Several of the Greenfire Women are women who were not "mommed" enough either. Whether through early deaths of our mothers, substance abuse, neglect, or untreated depression, we just were not loved enough. Perhaps that is why we seek out the face of the Divine in feminine form; perhaps that is why we stay in touch even after they have finished training with me; perhaps we help fill that hole - that gap from not being "mommed" enough.

Due to these revelations, I have decided that I must treat myself better. Going to the doctor or dentist, buying new makeup or creams, exercising, doing things that make me happy, in essence, "momming" myself. Along with this self-care routine, I have decided to eat healthier lunches and have started to purchase lunch from a Greenfire Woman who has started her own business, Pandora's Products. Tears came to my eyes the other day when I received a text from her, "do you have enough to eat?" This is not something I have heard in so long, no one has asked and no one has cared. I had just been "mommed".

As I went through my weeks I realized we "mom" each other in a circle of women. I stopped by my friend's tattoo shop, Ink Sanctuary, and we sat to talk for a long time. The energy in the shop was wonderful and I felt really good catching up with her. I was so proud of what she had created and glad to call her my friend - again I had just been "mommed".

So perhaps our mothers in their humanity didn't come close to the mark as mothers. Perhaps some of them just downright failed as mothers. We cannot go back, we can only go forward and seek out love from other women as surrogate moms. The Art of Momming is simple. It requires sending a card when a friend needs it or inviting them over for tea - as my neighbor did the other day. Sometimes it means listening without judgement or giving a hug. Other times it means asking, "Did you have enough to eat?"

THE QUEEN'S TEA

When I go on the radio show "Kickin' it with the Queen" on Off the Top Radio, I bring tea. The queen loves her tea. Here is the recipe she enjoys so much:
Black tea
slices of ginger
sliced lemon with peels
cinnamon
honey
lemon balm
cloves

Simmer all ingredients except the black tea for about an hour. Make the tea separately in a big pot. When it is done brewing (about 5 minutes) combine with the other ingredients, straining out the tea bags, spices, and fruit. Enjoy with great conversation!

IMMUNITEA

There are many varieties of a good tea for cold season. Most recipes include honey and lemon. I like to include astragalus, ginger, green tea and lemon balm along with my honey and lemon. You can change the make-up of the tea and include warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of allspice. Here is my version:
Two Tablespoons of Astragalus
One Tablespoon of Ginger (I like to use fresh slices- but dried can be used)
A few slices of fresh organic lemon peel.
If you want to uses spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice you can add it here- remember to use sparingly -about 1/8 of a teaspoon- a little can go a long way.
One quart of water
Simmer 20 minutes-covered
Turn off the heat and add one tablespoon of Lemon Balm and two or three teabags of green tea - allowing to sit another 20 minutes. If you feel the green tea will be too bitter sitting for 20 minutes you can make it separately allowing it to steep for 2-3 minutes then add it to the rest of the tea. Add honey to taste and if you like it more "lemony" you can add a slice of lemon to your cup. This can keep in the refrigerator for 24 hours, just heat it up before drinking it. Remember that this tea might make you perspire, which is fine when you are really ill. It will soothe your throat and coughs too.

~Original Artwork by Hester~ Available on Cafe.press - Greenfirewoman.

St. Joan's Wort - Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum is a yellow-flowering perrenial herb that comes fro Europe. It grows wild in many meadows and it's common name is associated with its harvesting on St. John's day, which falls around the Summer Solstice. The genus name Hypericum is derived from the Greek words hyper (above) and eikon (picture), in reference to the traditional use of the plant to ward off evil, by hanging plants over a religious icon in the house during St John's day. The species name perforatum refers to the small oil glands in the leaves that look like holes, which can be seen when they are held against the light.

St John's wort folk names include Tipton's Weed or Klamath weed. It was named after the patron saint of nurses, St. John. Among feminist herbalists St. John's wort is called St. Joan's wort referring to it's ability to make a wonderful sunscreen. The reasoning behind the name is that St. Joan knew more about burning that St. John. This herb is assoicated with helping people with depression but it has so many more uses. It helps with shigles, sciatica, back pain, neuralgia, and headaches including migraines. St. Joan's wort is a very stron anti-viral and I use it when the stomach virus is going around or when I have a viral cold. This herb has long been valued for its expectorant action, clearing phlegm from the chest and speeding recovery from coughs and chest infections. St. Joan's wort is wonderful for treating cold sores and herpes outbreaks.

Used as a salve, this herbs heals burns, cuts, wounds, sores, ulcers and calms inflammation. It has antiviral and antibacterial action which is makes it effective in treating TB, and influenza. Because of these properties St. Joan's is being researched in treating HIV and AIDS.

Elderberry - Sambucus Nigra

Elderberry is known as the poor man's medicine. It is a tree of medicine and folklore. It's leaves are healing for wounds and sprains. The berries can be made in to wine, jam, or a tincture. One can use it in a tea. Elderberry has been documented to be a known cure for the bird flu. In my family we make elderberry tincture from harvested berries from our shrub in the back yard. To me, the tincture tastes very much like port wine. We use it every time the flu or a cold comes along. The flowers can be harvested and made into an infusion to break fevers. When the flowers are in bloom they have a slight anise scent to them. When my friend was undergoing chemo for breast cancer, she would take our homemade elderberry tincture every night to boost her immune system. She too loved the taste and looked forward to taking her medicine in the evening.

The folk lore associated with Elder varies; some tell of a witch that lives in every bush. One tale explains how a person can see the fey when they sit under the tree when the veil is thin during certain times of the year. Several cultures believe the Elder protects a home from being struck by lightening. We are always warned never to take from the Elder without asking. In Denmark, a dryad, Hylde-Moer, the Elder-tree Mother, lives in the tree. The Russians believed Elder would protect them from evil. And of course there is the old rhyme, "Elder be the ladies tree burn it not or cursed you'll be".

Looking Forward

I spoke to my father on the phone the other day; he's in his 80's. He just had a knee replacement and is planning to have the other done. He said, "You know if I can get around better, it can change our lifestyle. Travel more and work out in the yard, it will make a big difference." As difficult as the recuperation was from the first replacement, I felt terrific relief. What a wonderful thing to be able to always look forward to something and not say, "I'm too old, I can't do that". As I age, I will remember that I have things to look forward to also.

Welcome Blessed Spring

Spring morning marvel

lovely nameless little hill

on a sea of mist

Basho

I am listening to the birds each morning and enjoying the brighter days. The
garlic mustard greens, cinquefoil, and spring bulbs are popping their heads out
of the ground to assure me that the Cailleach really is in her white stone now.
Kore has come to bring changes into our garden and our lives again and I embrace
her. I love the gently spring rains and the feelings of the change in the air. Today
we will hang up birdhouses and invite birds to our garden. We love listening to them,
identifying them and watching their antics in the garden.

Live with intention

“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” Mary Anne Radmacher

On being a Friend or a Sister

"God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself." (Friendship Proverb)

Friendship is delicate and fragile. It is like a garden and must be maintained ~ care, feeding, and weeding are a must. It can bring you great joy and beauty for a long time to come. Just like a garden there will be surprise annoyances; some strange weed that pops up from nowhere. But there will be wonderous flowers that grow up without being planted and happily grow into great beauties.

What do you do when someone you thought was a friend turns their back on you? What do you say? When you have accepted someone for all their faults and learned to love as well as appreciate them just as they are ~ what do you feel when they have not returned the favor? Loss of friendship hurts, there is no other way to say it. When I look at the loss I have recently suffered, I realize the person was behaving out of her own pain and fear.

It is the same with those you use the term "sister" or "sisterhood" to refer to a close kinship. Often in organizations or clubs one might come across these phrases.This is a term that makes you feel as though there should be safety and acceptance in the relationship. But just as when one calls someone a friend who does not behave as one, so can there be times when you are faced with women called "sister" who do not behave as such. Like friend, it is a word that is used loosely and should not be.

There is a responsibility to being called friend or sister. You are carrying someone's heart in your hands and should remember the precious cargo you hold. Perhaps it is the difference in values one is raised with or the difficulties one might be facing that makes them behave carelessly with this responsibility. But it is also true that one must be careful who they give the job of friendship or sisterhood to. Similar to choosing plants that do well in your type of garden, wise and patient choices in friends or sisters make for a better experience.

It is unhealthy to close your heart completely but it is wise to take your time with friendship and sisterhood. It is also wise to know when it is time to cut your losses and let people go. Like a healthy garden friendships should bring you great joys for your labors. Remembering that sometimes people are in a bad place at that time or they are making decisions from their pain and that the failure of the friendship may not have anything to do with you. Just like when I lose a plant, I review what I have learned and what I could have done differently ~then I move on. With each loss it still hurts, but it makes me grateful for those who love me just as I am and are glad to see or hear from me.

When a friend has hurt me so badly that I realize we cannot continue this relationship I say this Buddhist prayer:"I forgive you for the pain you caused me because the pain you caused me came from the pain you are in". Like the dead leaves from one of my failed attempts with a beloved plant, I release them into the wind.

PLASTIC GODDESS

I have a plastic, possibly resin goddess on my desk. She sits on top of a pile of rocks on a bowl. The rocks came from walks on the beach with my family. She is Kwan Yin, the goddess of compassion. Z. Budapest says she may also be related to Nu Kwa, the Earth goddess. Her original temples were always by the sea and before fishermen went out on the water they would make an offering to her. So Kwan Yin, simply presented as a "nice" goddess of compassion, is also associated with the Earth and the Ocean. This certainly changes my perspective of her.

This year has been a difficult one for me. As a teacher, I have had a very demanding population. They have had many challenges they had to face in their personal lives, so academics was not always in the forefront for them. And there sits my plastic goddess. In front of the family photos. All year I have taught my students to respect other people's property and not touch things on another's desk. Yet when they grab my plastic goddess and say, "Who's this?", I never correct them. I would like to think they needed to touch her that day and maybe she passed a little of her energy their way. Sometimes they pick up the rocks and as they speak of something frustrating them they roll the rocks in their hands. I like to believe that they are absorbing the ocean's energy as they play with the stones.

I originally hid the stones and plastic goddess on my side of the desk for me to see. They were there for me to get through the day - to remind me to stay positive and grounded. Little did I know that she would extend her influence to my students. Even though she is hidden from their view, they manage to find her when they come up to my desk. When my homeless student picked her up and said, "Who's this?" - I said a little prayer that she make a difference in his life too.

Momma and Papa Duck

Our family has been adopted by a mated pair of mallard ducks. We are not that close to the water so we are wondering why they like our yard so much. They enjoy the corn we put out for our squirrels and now they are resting here. We see them each day, they visit our neighbors across the way and then us. We are very complimented by their visit.

Path to Nowhere

There's a path that leads to Nowhere In a meadow that I know, Where an inland river rises And the Stream is still and slow; There it wanders under willows And beneath the silver green Of the birches; silent shadows Where the early violets lean... All the ways that lead to Somewhere Echo with the hurrying feet Of the Struggling and the Striving But the way I find so sweet Bids me dream and bids me linger- Joy and Beauty are its goal; On the path that leads to Nowhere I have sometimes found my soul. Corinne Roosevelt Robinson