reflection

We waste so much energy trying to cover up who we are when beneath every attitude is the want to be loved, and beneath every anger is a wound to be healed and beneath every sadness is the fear that there will not be enough time.

When we hesitate in being direct, we unknowingly slip something on, some added layer of protection that keeps us from feeling the world, and often that thin covering is the beginning of a loneliness which, if not put down, diminishes our chances of joy.

It’s like wearing gloves every time we touch something, and then, forgetting we chose to put them on, we complain that nothing feels quite real. Our challenge each day is not to get dressed to face the world but to unglove ourselves so that the doorknob feels cold and the car handle feels wet and the kiss goodbye feels like the lips of another being, soft and unrepeatable.

~ Mark Nepo

Notes on Fennel

By ANA

As we get ready to enter into a new year, I want to present a plant ally that symbolizes protection, courage and strength.

Fennel is helpful in so many ways, and she’s also delish!

Her seeds can be used as a spice, her thin dill-like leaves can be used as an herb, and her bulb, sliced and eaten raw, roasted or sautéed

As for her medicinal properties, Fennel helps to relieve gas and cramping, and her seeds can relieve nausea.

She has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

Regarding her symbolic, or magical properties- in the way that fennel works so hard to protect your insides, she also works at protecting your spirit.

She provides protection for the home as well as your aura, and can help clear away negativity- and not just from outside sources, but also from within yourself- often the harshest and most abundant source of negativity…

Fennel is said to give you strength to become who your truly are. She gives you the courage to follow your truth. She opens up the throat chakra, allowing for better communication from that truth.

She is said to support those who are ready to see positive transformation or to release old habits

You can work with Fennel if you’re seeking a new path or new beginning. She empowers you to be who it is you see yourself to be.

You can ‘work with’ fennel, like most plant allies, by taking her as a medicine in tincture or capsule form.

You can also work with her by using intention when you cook with her.

And, you can work with her by growing her and forming a relationship with her- this is the place from which wisdom, knowledge and healing from the plant kingdom comes from

There are tips to doing this:

One tip- eat a single leaf everyday. This is a potent and yet super simple way to continually make relationships with your plants. When we focus in on this simple connection, really be with the intention. Drop into your connection. Ask the plant for permission. Say hi to this being. Notice any changes. Are there blooms where there weren’t yesterday? This is a beautiful way to maintain the relationship and bringing the plant into your body and becoming a part of you

Another tip is intentional watering. We have this ability as humans to be highly mobile and the ability to give the plants, who aren’t mobile, what they need. You can really drop into your intention as you water your plants.

We know by looking at the works of Dr. Emoto that water has this amazing ability to take on and encode your intentions- the vibrations of your thoughts and feelings. So when we talk about intentional watering, you want to put the water in a watering can and just take a moment to infuse the water with your love and gratitude.

I also do this with my drinking water

In my opinion, true, deep healing begins with interacting and forming a relationship with the plants that you’re using.