Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Kissing Tree

The Kissing Tree


Tawodi was breathing hot air on me that summer day in Virginia.  Darling husband and I were attempting to walk the whole property line.  Of course with 60 acres of thick underbrush this is no easy task.  Hot, sweaty and ready to give up, I happen upon a patch of wild grapes, Muscadines.  These beautiful purple grapes were just little bit of motivation I needed to press on and continue my journey. As our walk continued, we starting marking the property line by tying marking tape around certain trees.  As I started up on the next tree that was in the line, I wrapped my arms around it to tie it on the other side and just as that moment occurred the tree spirit reached out and kissed me. Well I have never had that happen to me before.  I stopped for a moment and then smiled and said to the beautiful White Oak that I was involved with, ‘my husband will be so jealous.’  The tree smiled and I smiled back! I shared the story with my husband who was about 15 yards ahead of me looking back as if to say, ‘what is taking so long.’ He just smiled and stopped for a moment to enjoy the magic!  If you have never been kissed by a tree, I hope you will open your heart and mind to the possibility!

Tawodi, is the name that was chosen for our 60 wonderful, sacred acres.  Tawodi is Cherokee for Hawk. 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Digestive Bitter Recipe

Digestive Bitters

Kelli Armes, Herbalist (Maw-Maw Kelli)



Supplies: 
Clean/Dry:
Dandelion Roots, Leaf and Flower (I do not use stems) *
Ginger Root
Yellow Dock Root (Rumex Crispus)
Peel of 1 Lemon
Pinch of Cloves
Small cinnamon stick (optional)
Brandy
Honey
32 ounce mason jar, with lid and label

Directions:
Gather several nice size dandelion plants (roots and all).  Wash and remove stems.  I use all the roots and a handful of leaves and all the flowers.  I use about 3 parts root in this remedy (good sized roots)
About ¼ or ½ of a Ginger root.  ¼ to ½  of Yellow Dock Root (this is optional if you don’t have it, but I like it personally). I had a large root so that may vary depending the size.
I peel 1 lemon
One pinch (heavy pinch) of clove.
I added a small cinnamon stick to mine, but this is your choice as well.
Please note I do not measure, I make most of herbal remedies like I cook, until it seems right (unless of course I am using a strong herbs or roots that require it-then I DO measure and am very careful-use common sense please and never use a herb you are not familiar with or is out of your expertise without seeking help from another herbalist)
Everything should be dry, but not dried out (in other words not wet)
I grate the roots and chop the leaves and flower and add to a mason jar (about ¾ full of material). 
Fill the jar to cover all the material with brandy.  I then add a bit of honey, but you could fill the jar full of brandy if you like.  I like honey in mine.  J
I let steep for about 4-6 weeks, (until the taste is where I like it)
Strain off the material and label your jar.  Shake well and take a little before meals.  (I just take a sip, again I do not a measure-probably about 1 teaspoon).


Note:
I use these herbs for me.  I also forage for most of what I use, so that is why I chose these (except for Ginger which I do buy). There are many ways to make bitters; this is just the way I like to do it.  Explore and find your own way or recipe you like!!!

*Please know your plants before harvesting and always follow ethical wild-crafting!

Hope this helps and Green Blessings!!




Friday, May 24, 2013

‘You do not own the land, the land owns you! ~Tawodi


‘You do not own the land, the land owns you! ~Tawodi

About a year ago my husband purchased 60 acres of land for me for our 20th year anniversary. This land has loving come to be called Tawodi, which is Cherokee for Hawk. As an herbalist and wildlife rehabilitator, my desire has been strong for many years to have botanical and animal sanctuary. A place where wild things stay Wild! A safe place for rehabilitated animals to get released, and a place for humans to get ReWild.  As we walked the old, rocky logging road on that muggy summer Virginia evening, a walk of silence enjoying the sounds of nature, my husband stopped and looked at me and said, ‘I bought this land for you, this is your land. I want you to be happy and be Wild on your land.’  He is a city mouse, and I a country mouse, but our hearts are connected even stronger over these past 20 years of marriage.  Our walk continued until we came to rest near the front of the property.  We both sat, again quiet, just enjoying the Red-shouldered hawks that were flying over calling while hunting, while the rest of the animals lay silent, waiting for them to pass.  As we sat quietly, I heard a voice say to me.  ‘You do not own the land, the land owns you.’ I sat for a moment just enjoying the message that came to me from this magical place and realized that the land had accepted us.  Then I shared the message with my best friend.  He was just as awed by it as I was.  We were hoping to be accepted by Tawodi and it dwellers. Why is this story important to anyone?  What makes a difference, you may wonder?  This message was sent to me, but it is important that this message go to every herbalist even if their land is only a small back yard where they work.  We do not own our land, our land owns us.  The plants want us to hear and listen. The birds want to share their thanksgiving song.  The spirits are longing for us to recognize them again, like the days of our ancestors. We need to be connected once again to our land. It is not enough for us to simply grow herbs, or buy them to make our medicine, we need to be connected, deeply, with where our medicine grows and where our healing comes from. We need not ‘own our land’, but we need to allow ‘our land to own us!’