FLOWERING ✽ 12
to every thing there is a season
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
I recently learned that Pete Seeger’s song Turn! Turn! Turn!, made famous by the Byrds, is basically taken verbatim from the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. I’m not well versed in biblical texts (although there was a point where I was seriously considering getting a degree in religious studies - and sometimes still ponder that life path - but that’s neither here nor there), so that finding came as a surprise because honestly that song slaps. It popped into my mind the other day while I was dwelling on all the upcoming changes. The transition from summer to autumn feels like a death, and while there is much of me that is excited by this time of transition I still catch myself clinging to what was. It is so timely, of course, that I am also leaving my routines of day to day life here behind as of next week. As this current season of life in Victoria comes to an end I find myself growing disturbingly fond of it. How I’ll miss my tiny apartment, my 8-4 work schedule, my quick lunch time walks - even though just mere weeks ago these were the exact things driving me to the brink of depression. These are the perfect times to put that old theory of non-attachment to practice. Things will change, everything is cyclical, and clinging to past versions will do us no favours. So I try to let go and let the seasons of life change. But I recognize that change can cause emotions like stress and grief to stir, so I turn to some herbal allies to ease the transitions.
One of my herbalism teachers, Paul Bergner, has a great lecture about “herbs for the spiritual heart” that I find myself coming back to again and again. The thing about herbs that really holds my intrigue is the subtle ways in which they work on us, as opposed to the more obvious (but still very cool) physical expressions (ie. yarrow stopping blood flow from a wound). Like magic, they can fine tune our systems and act like little faeries sprinkling their faery dust where we need it most. Think of it like when you’ve caught a cold and put on your favourite movie to make you feel better (You’ve Got Mail?). You’re not physically consuming a drug or medicine, but by revelling in something comforting there’s a shift and you do start to feel better. It is all energy. Here are some pictures that work on my spiritual heart:
Herbs for the spiritual heart encompass some of my all time favourites. These include: Rose, Hawthorn, and Tulsi (I’ve written whole newsletters on each of these!). We can split these emotional herbs into three categories: heart protection, heart opening, and heart grounding. If you’re needing to have a tough conversation with someone and tend to struggle with boundaries go for heart protectors. Look towards the thorny plants like hawthorn, rose, and devils club for support. For heart opening, you want something that will stimulate vitality and exhilarate you, like tulsi, cinnamon, or saffron. To feel grounded and centred in the heart, I turn to burdock or wood betony.
For times of transition when stress is elevated, I trust in nervines to support my frazzled nervous system. I’m a big fan of oats for times like these. I’ve been hitting my milky oats tincture pretty hard as of late, and have been using both the milky tops and the oat straw in my tea blends. It can also be nice to add in some immune boosting herbs during any transition (especially for the summer → autumn time). I like upping my vitamin C intake by incorporating rose hips. To help support the body, mind and spirit through the ups and downs of change I try to cover all areas from herbs for the heart to aid with grief, nervines for stress support, and nutritive herbs for immunity. This might look like a tea of: rose petals and hips, tulsi, cinnamon, burdock and milky oats, for example.
I love the traditional Chinese medicine concept of “late summer” where it is categorized as a season unto itself. It is a time of transition from the hot and hazy days of august to the crisp entry of autumn on the equinox. Late summer is ruled by the element earth and is marked by the shift from yang energy to yin. We undergo the same shift internally, slowing down from the fast paced days of summer. It’s kind of like a pendulum reversing its swing. Transitions like this can be hard. In TCM belief, this fifth season is connected to the emotion “worry” and our minds might be consumed with overthinking (I know mine is!!). It’s important to recognize that these changes are real and if you are noticing some distress that’s totally natural.
There are also so many non herbal ways to support ourselves through these transitions. Take a bath, go for a walk, watch the sunrise, eat nourishing and warm meals, play with an animal, etc. Louis and I have a new ritual of walking around the block after dinner and visiting all the neighbourhood cats. Talk about healing the spiritual heart! I feel like a simplistic child when I recognize how much joy playing with the cats brings me. But really, we are simple and healing does not need to be complicated and that is beautiful.
In closing, I have a song to share. My friend and very talented and cool musician, Evan Cheadle, just released a song that feels perfectly aligned with this time of year. Give it a listen and please enjoy.
Hope you’re doing well under that big blue moon. Until next time,
Anika
I loved this one so much Anika <3