Mama Nature has it ALL
Spring has finally arrived and I can tell its here to stay (well for the next 4 months!) The ground has warmed up (have you gotten your hands and feet in it yet?), the breeze has lost her bite and tiny reminders of life have begun to pop up in the brighter spots of the garden and forest!
Our internal clocks have begun to wake from our deep slumber and are reminding us its time to freshen things up and begin to clear out the old to make room for the new.
The Moon and the Stars have become a big influence in my life so naturally when Pisces ends the cycle of 12 astrological signs my body takes notice! No matter what your belief system is this time of year marks new beginnings and a fresh start for all. We are all interconnected to each other and to the Earth after all so the more you honour where She and You are at, the easier things will become. Learning how to harness the powers and the potentials of the natural rhythms of Earth is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your littles ones. It can give you the answers you’ve been searching for all this time, it can create harmony within you and give you the strength to take that challenging task on or say no to something because it doesn’t serve you. We all have the natural rhythm inside of us, and although it may be easier for some than others to find it, it is there and it can serve you in powerful ways if you let it!
One of my goals this year is to learn more about the abundance in our backyard and all the potential laying within fallen branches, so called weeds and natures other wonderful gifts. My journey has taken me to connecting with plant educators, reading books and simply trying things I never thought to try. I have been utilizing the power of White Pine all winter to boost my immune system - My sister gifted me a whole bin full of branches she saved from a tree that was cut down near her home on Vancouver Island. We knew this tree was meant for more and have been so thankful for the gift that was presented to us despite the unnecessary sacrifice. I decided to try my hand at using the pine for other purposes, so I have created a beautiful Skin Salve that not only soothes and protects with the addition of Lavender and Calendula but fights infection and helps heal wounds as well with the added White Pine! Here is how to make this all purposes healing salve if you ever find yourself with these gifts from Mama Nature:
Bare Skin Soothing Salve
Ingredients:
20g Jojoba Oil
20g Coconut Oil
10g Apricot Kernel Oil
5g Hemp Seed Oil
1 tbsp Dried Lavender Flower
1 tbsp Dried Calendula Flower
Dried White Pine Needles - harvest from fallen branch enough to be submerged in oil
6g Beeswax
Instructions:
Melt Oils together on low heat (be sure not to burn or boil as this will cause the oils to smell rancid). Add herbs to oils and mix until fully submerged. Keep on low heat, uncovered to allow any moisture from herbs to release for 3-6 hours then let cool completely. Strain out foliage from oils using a sieve or cheese cloth (some plant matter remaining is completely fine but some prefer it to be completely removed). Add beeswax (can substitute for other wax like Candeillia or Carnauba Wax if you prefer a Vegan option). Melt completely then pour into glass or metal jar with air tight lid. Salve will last 1-2 years and is best to keep in a cool, dark place. Makes approximately 60g of salve.
Wildcrafting is a magical process and one that helps connect us further to our Mama Earth and ourselves. We must be mindful of where and how we forage and always ask her for permission. Remember that we are taking on the responsibility for whatever we do take out from the land so we need to be mindful of taking only what you need and have the time to use.
