From Dec 18th 2014 Newsletter

Hello
From Kellie and Herbs & Things.

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. 
~Joseph Campbell~

Book club this month was much fun and the book Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult...was AWESOME. If you are on the waiting list, stay there, it's worth the wait and IS a must read.

Memory Keepers daughter from last month was also a good read.

Spiritual Gab was fun too, we talked of many things, such as, Chiron the wounded healer, great teacher, who represents our deepest wound and the efforts to heal the wound; How Chiron's placement in astrology is affecting many of us.  

Chiron was named after the centaur in Greek mythology who was a healer and teacher who, ironically, could not heal himself. 

Also about, that the 'holding pattern' we've all been feeling is starting to dissipate. We discussed how we wanted to kind of hibernate and just wait for some things to just be over. Maybe I can shed some 'light' on these feelings and why they are there.

If you ever want a reality check of who is control, you or the animals, Especially when your are sure you now have the chickens trained to come when you call them because they always do... just have 4 chickens sneak out of the barn when you are done with chores and ready to go in, through the what you thought was to small of an opening for them, in to the snow free driveway thoroughfare, and then try to get them back in, while keeping the others from coming out, because they aren't ready to go back in their coup where you can lock them in.

Yep the crazy chicken lady, was at it again...that be me...LOL

The Winter Solstice is almost here. We all look forward to it for many different reasons. We start to gain daylight hours, like the energy winter brings, it's almost Christmas and the new year, and more.  

Many will be celebrating with drumming, dancing and big gatherings, which if this is what you feel you should do, you should...but I get the feeling, at least for me, and maybe for many others, more so than last years quiet time, this should be a quiet celebration with much reflection, and thoughts and thanks for what we have. Because change is coming. Thus because this change is coming, we need this quiet time, solitude, and rest to be prepared.

I found even through Christmas decorating this year, a reflection of this 'quiet' with my senses wanting subtle, natural and soft decorations with few lights, leaning towards mostly a old fashion, natural and country kitchen smells, motif.

I feel the holding pattern we've all been feeling for weeks and months, is about to dissipate, shift and energetically increase, bringing spiritual energy closer to the physical and many of us will feel it strongly, hence... prepared through rest.

One reason I think I've gotten this message correct, is confirmation by a dreamTuesday Dec 16th.

Black Panther came to me in my dream. With out going in to great detail of the dream, the gist was, I was afraid when I saw him, and ran from fear, but once I got to safety I accepted this fear, saw his beauty, and was proud that I survived it's presence, all that happened was significant. 

Panther is about reclaiming ones true power. It's cycles of power is New Moon (Dec 22nd, day after the solstice), Dark of Moon (the lunar cycle from dark moon, until the new moon)and winter. Also the fact I dreamt of Panther now, and he was a...pronounced shiny.... black, links it to this Dec 2014 Lunar energy, thus making it's timing, before the solstice, New Moon and during the Dark Moon Phase, perfect!

For whom Panther comes to, it's energy is sometimes a reflection of ones self, in that Panthers often are loners, although they do like to socialize with others, but find comfort in alone time. Panther also suggests being quiet while pursuing goals, and is often a symbol of darkness, death and rebirth, Darkness where most of our fears are. Death meaning old parts of ourselves are dieing...and new is emerging.

Panther helps us to understand the dark, our fears so we can acknowledge them, thus eliminating fears and allowing us to use our 'new' powers as we travel towards the light of the new moon; New Moon representing the beginning or birth of things.

Panther Medicine covers much, and reflects the saying 'of that which does not kill us, makes us stronger', thus it's energy also holds the promise of rebirth and guardianship, and that whatever is lost will be replaced by that which is greater, stronger and more beneficial.

Dark Moon...Stillness is the key word for the Dark Moon Phase. Restful, rich solitude gives you the chance to hear that inner voice. With the lunar face hidden, the intuitive-psychic self takes over. This quiet reflection helps make space for a clearing of the mind and spirit, so that you can be ready to receive when the light of the new moon illuminates.

The holidays for some is stressful, and I've had a lot of people ask about aromatherapy. So here are few ideas for up lifting or calming down scents.

And of course I do have a few essential oils in Herbs & Things...You can use them in a diffuser or in a pan of hot water ( I use EO's in my pan of water on top of fireplace heater in the kitchen). 

Oils such as lavender, chamomile, geranium, yang yang, sandalwood, cedar-wood or patchouli are great for calming and smoothing your energy.

Clary sage, Melissa, orange, lemon verbena, and lemongrass are good to lift your spirits.

Cinnamon, clove, ginger, allspice, citrus and evergreen scents help create positive energetics of "winter holidays."

Remember, Essentials oils are not your only source of aromatherapy.

Herbs & Things wonderful scented home poured 100% soy candles, in a variety of calming, or uplifting scents. (yes a shameless plug:)

With the Snowvember storm, there are plenty of evergreen branches on the ground for you to gather and use in the house, in a vase with other holiday decorations, created a swag or what ever idea you come up with and have fresh pine scent.

Put mulling spices in a pan of hot water and let simmer.

The smell of baking cookies or bread, always creates a calming throughout the house.

Burn a beeswax candle, it will have a subtle aroma of honey.

Take a walk outdoors in the fresh air, breath in and enjoy!

Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way

Kellie
+
Herbs & Things  

From March 21st 2014...
Happy Spring
From Kellie and Herbs & Thing
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.
~Hal Borland~

It is Spring and today the sun is shining.
I know it’s hard to think it's spring as the cold and snows still have their grip on us, and I am anxious to get my new little green house up, but close your eyes and feel instead of looking, and you will feel springs energy all around you.

Last week I was invited from the the big old Tree up in Chris's hay field across from the Medicine Wheel, to come and visit. I did not go then, the time did not feel right.

It was with joy Monday, walking to the Medicine Wheel, I heard what I've been waiting for, the song of the Red Winged Blackbird...telling me Spring really is here in spite of what it looks like outside. Not only did Red Wing announce they were back but they also graced my yard and feeders Thursday in a huge number of at least 50. But this mobbing of my feeders I believe was not only finding food in the spring snow storm, but a conformation that a visit I did, was just at the time I was suppose to do it

Taking advantage of another beautiful day, Tuesday the dogs and I again, walked over to the Wheel enjoying the Robins and Red Wings Songs, and watching the Bluebirds pick bugs off the snow; how resourceful they are. Though I want the snow gone, I had to thank the hard snows still on ground making the walk over to the Wheel, and up the hill later, much easier.

Tuesday was the time...time to go visit the Old Tree...Once more taking a moment to listen and soak in, the welcomed song of the Red Wing Black birds, I started my trek to visit the Old Tree.

At first I was almost afraid to take the walk, why? I really don’t know, but I pushed on. Once the dogs and I crossed the road from the Medicine Wheel and started walking up the hill, it took on a surreal, quiet and calm feeling.
I enjoyed looking at all the various tracks on the snow....Fox, Duck, Turkey, Crow, Deer, Mouse/Mole, all those I did not see with my eye that had crossed that field, but their tracks, just like mine now, told a story that they were there.

The serenity and quiet embraced me like a hug. I noticed too, as I got closer to the tree, the sounds of my foot steps on the snow, and my coat brushing against the bushes, were amplified...creating a new depth to the sounds and heightened my hearing, making everything seem as if it were in another dimension or a different area.

About 40 foot away for the Tree, I was awed by the energy it expelled. The energy though powerful, was warm and welcoming.
The old Tree is surrounded by brush and it took me a minute to find my way through a small pathway. When I reached the Tree, I was awed again, forgetting from Linda’s and my last visit, the size of the trunk and it's massive limbs.
Just as I stepped on a rock that is near the tree, a breezed stirred and gently brushed on my face, if felt as if if someone had opened a door and I walked through.

I stood on the rock, laid my hands on the Trees warm trunk; the dogs lay at the base of the trunk, still and quiet, they too seemed to be soaking in the welcoming energy of the Tree. Again, a breeze brushed against my skin and was inviting. Just being there feeling her bark on the palms of my hands was comforting. I could feel a heart beat. I concentrated to see if it was my own, It was not, there were two distinct heartbeats, hers and mine.
I closed my eyes, I felt sadness and think the Tree told me it felt like it was dying. It was low on energy, because that it and all the other trees, felt forgotten, not by the animals but by us humans.
I asked if I could do anything and She asked for energy healing.So I asked God to allow the energy to flow through me. As I felt the warmth go through me into the Tree, my thoughts were...trees are a direct connection to God so why could they not ask God to heal themand I heard, sometimes a simple touch is the healing modality one needs.

In this quiet reflection I realized how much the sounds in the valley and beyond, from my position under the Tree, were amplified to the point it sounded like people were right next to me. I could hear people and sounds from up on Partridge and way down Hayes Hollow.
Amazed by this amplified hearing, the Tree knowing my thoughts, told me, it hears all the prayers, sorrows, angers and fears, from miles around and sends them to God. This is why She and many other Trees are tired, because they always help us, but so many of us in our to hurried lives, don’t take the time to give back or give thanks for what Trees do.
She told me, the Tree people, watch many of us drive and walk by, but are hurt the majority of people no longer take the time to acknowledge them or give Trees a second thought; taking them for granted.
She then asked me, "why can't humans see what the world would be like without trees" and She reminded me, all Trees are connected to each other, God, the Earth and us, each healing the other...if only we would connect again.
After spending a while with the Tree, I could ‘feel’ she felt better, and i got some of it was just in the fact I took the time and thanked Her too for inviting me, I told her I’d be back.
After reaching the bottom of the hill, walking back through the Medicine Wheel, I had to walk the East spoke, honor the Red Wing Blackbird, then walk the spoke of the Ancestors. I heard, “The Ancestors and Trees work as one”.

I found out after the fact, doing the walk on this day, after the return of the Red Wing Black makes sense with perfect timing, because the colors of the Red Wing Blackbird are connected to the Tree of Life and has ties to all the creative forces of nature. blink, blink...awesome.
Trees are an Ancient life and powerful symbol of the connection we all have, between each other, heaven and earth and the universe. They represent all things that grow. They are of the Earth but reach to the Sky, creating a bridge, as birds do, we need between heaven and earth to enable us to walk between the two in our consciousness as we grow.
It is the Tree that holds the knowledge of paradise and hell to us, along with many other lessons of the ancestors.
One needs to know nothing of the labels we’ve put on Trees, all we need to do is spend time with one, to feel It’s energy and gain from it’s ancient wisdom, literally and spiritually.
So this is a reminder, as you go about your day, take a moment to give thanks to the trees, and what they offer; They offer more than we realize.
As always
Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie
&
Herbs & Things

Hello from Herbs & Things

Be careful when speaking.  You create the world around you with your words.
~The Diné~

I hope everyone is staying warm and dressing correctly when going outside.
I'ts been a few years since I've had to worry about frozen buckets and water dishes in the barn; hammering the ice out is now part of the routine.
It's cold weather like this, living is this old farm house, that makes me glad we have the gas fireplace in our kitchen: we put in about 20 years ago.
Watching the flames in the fireplace takes me back to a time when it wasn't there, the kitchen and floor so cold, you'd temp fate stepping out there without shoes on, because the cold floor hurt your feet and the normal for cooking dinner until the oven warmed the kitchen, was to wear an extra sweatshirt, and maybe a hat, or when I was kid my mother would take the chill off  by lighting the oven for a while too.  But our trusty little fireplace takes care of all that now.
This cold feels like the January's we always use to get and to be honest though its not very comfortable at times, it feels more normal for this area at this time of the year. The plants, trees, and soil in this area are not accustomed to the milder weather we've had the past couple of winters and I think some are suffering the consequences. On my way in from the barn Wednesday night when it was 6 below on the thermometer, after Looking at the Chestnut Tree, Crab Apple Tree and the trees in the woods across the road, and commenting,  you poor trees this cold must feel awful to your limbs and there is nothing you can do except, accept it, I heard, "This cold will make us healthier come spring."
So now I'm anxious to see if this is so, but it does feel like the cold is cleansing the earth of the bad bugs that survive in milder weather. I'm hopeful this colder weather will kill the blight that has affected so many of the Chestnut Trees the last few years.

It is the time of Aquarius, and it's Angels...and in Native American Astrology, the Otter.
The Angels of Aquarius, Jan 22nd-Feb 21st help us blend the old wisdom with the new sciences, and also stimulate new thoughts and ideas in to old concepts, while inspiring us with new approaches to problems and difficulties.  (I wonder if this is why 'they' suggested I do something with Angels in the next Chakra Testing and Balancing?)
This balancing the old and the new appeals to me, because I did something I wasn't sure I'd ever do, blending old with new, I bought a Kindle E reader. I decided with book club this would be a good way to get the books the club reads; books I may not buy for myself if I was looking for a book to read,(which is why book club is good, it takes me in reading area's I normally wouldn't go).
 I love real books and keeping them but I'm running out of space. So....my idea, as not to use up space for books other than those I really want on my shelves, the kindle will be for out of print and those books I wouldn't buy. My research books or any hands on books, will get placed on my shelves.. Any one who LOVES books knows,  there is nothing like turning the paper pages and filling your books with book marks,  highlights and marker tabs:)
I must admit though and I was surprised, reading the kindle is a lot easier, than reading a book through my silly bifocals:).
So, the Angles of Aquarius have helped me to take my old thoughts and 'pair' and or incorporate my old ways with another technological idea and being comfortable with it.
Also interesting, while in the Medicine Wheel last Thursday, I was asked to offer not just a sprinkling of tobacco, but my whole little pouch as a Thank you. I had to walk the Ancestors path again on the way back, and was told, 'do not forget the Ancients, ..they are always here for you', leaving me the impression too I'm going to continue hearing from the Ancestors for a while. Why? Well, it was suggested I try making small batches of certain homemade cultured foods besides homemade yogurt  and 'Ancient' peoples, cultured food was how they preserved their foods...and I heard too,"take advantage of the early spring getting your garden ready, plowed and tilled".
I'm not sure if this meant I'll be able to plant sooner, but I wonder if this means we'll have an early stretch of weather to get the gardens ready...? We'll have to keep watch of that..and see if I got it right.
Otter brings their energy to this time of integration too, of Joy Playfulness and Sharing.
They awaken curiosity, and show us everything is interesting if we look at from the right perspective, such as combining the old with the new. Their connection to water symbolizes the connection the feminine, of creation, imagination, joy and love of the young, reminding us to keep the inner child alive.
So let the energies of the Aquarius Angels and Otter bring joy into your life, as both of the energies are revolved around water...the flow of life.

Which brings me too, that suggestion, of small batches of cultured food... I thought made no sense and I had no understanding of it at all, when recently....for days, that new suggestion was make sauerkraut in small batches. Pint or Quart canning jar size".
Sauerkraut is a cultured food and is good for you. But I wondered why make it now and not next fall? So I searched to see if this could be done and yes it can be, something like Kimchi, (a traditional Korean fermented dish). Thus because the message wouldn't stop... I finally got the ingredients, made it Wednesday and it is fermenting. I put some shredded carrots in too for some extra taste.

THEN by chance after I did what was suggested...ah ha... came an article in my email,
'Limiting bone loss after Menopause'. 
This article peaked my attention not only because I've have gone through menopause, but because my father suffered from a degenerative bone disorder.  I've kept my bones healthy so far, and the fact I don't smoke or drink as he did, I am sure has helped, but still I do think about my bone health often. Anyhow this article explained one good way to save off bone loss is with sufficient vitamin K and K2 in your diet...and what is one very good source of vitamin K2...you got it...sauerkraut! :) Other good sources are Aged cheese,  Hard cheese, Soft cheese, Egg yolk, Butter, Chicken liver, Chicken breast, Ground beef and MORE (click Link) other Vitamin K foods. I eat all these, thus I'm on the right track for good bone health.
I guess for you out there, even if you are only in perimenopause, start thinking vitamin K in your diet. 

If this newest homemade suggestion works and is yummy, I'll have a class on how to do it, because it's really easy.
I'm going to try fermented Ketchup too, because the ketchup we buy in the store is not so good...I'll let you know about that too:)
and this brings me too...
Thyme...is the Herb for this week with its abundance of health benefits...including vitamin K for bones...
Thyme is packed with flavonoids that have antioxidant capacity. It is good source of manganese and vitamin K, which allow for antioxidant protection, that protect against free radical damage and oxidative stress, which can increase the risk of cancer and heart disease and accelerate the aging process.
It works as an Anti-inflammatory which is good for heart health, The antioxidant protection combined with its anti-inflammatory benefits help to prevent cardiovascular disease as chronic inflammation is one of the leading causes of heart disease.
Thyme helps fight off bacteria and fungi, including.E-coli and can help improve respiratory health. It's been used for centuries to treat chest and respiratory conditions like coughs and bronchitis. Brew thyme tea by steeping a few leaves in hot water.
It's also a great source of iron, providing nearly 20% of the recommended daily allowance (in about 1 tablespoons), Iron is essential for energy production and iron deficiency may cause anemia, fatigue and make the body more susceptible to infection. Thyme can also help to improve bone health with it's excellent source of vitamin K, iron, calcium and manganese which are all essential to promoting proper bone growth, maintaining strong healthy bones and preventing bone disease. For Skin health, Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that thyme was effective at fighting the bacteria that causes skin acne.

As always
Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way

Kellie
+
Herbs & Things

Hello...:) from Herbs & Things

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
~Henry David Thoreau ~

Meteor showers
Lyrids will be coming and are active from April 16th to 25th 

I was snowshoeing Thursday morning, first time since last winter. Heading towards the Medicine Wheel, I could feel my muscles waking up or remembering what to do to snowshoe. As they were waking, I was directed to walk the Ancestor spoke and while there, I heard, "When waking muscle memory, this also awakens ancestral memory". Hmm interesting, I understood but not in a way I could explain, so I searched.
Ancestral memory is also referred as Genetic memory...and with the new lessons I think are coming in 2014, makes very much sense and apparently The Ancestors are still with me:)
Ancestral or Genetic memory...READ MORE HERE
and about 'factory installed hardware' maybe Carl Jung was right...HERE

I hope everyone stayed safe through this latest weather event and noticed the energy and beauty ( if you are home safe to appreciate it) this Polar Vortex brought with it. Not only did it created beauty on the landscape but draped in its white cover, if you took a moment, you could feel the comfort, tranquility and a meditative state. Also, for me anyhow, spending time out in such drastic elements shoveling and or doing barn chores, left me with a certain sense of accomplishment as I am sure it did others, that we were hearty and physically able to endure, even if only for a short time, but thankful at the same time we have someplace to get in out of the cold.

I love the fact too, after all that wind and chill... 2 degrees felt comfortable and then when the sun came out at 13 degrees felt like sun bathing weather:)
 

Sometimes a storm is just a storm, but sometimes it is more, this storm was more. Did you feel it?
Even in it's origin, the North Pole which created a Polar Vortex dictated it was different. The name seems fitting doesn't it with the transformations and growth around us, that a vortex with its circling energy drew everything and everyone in its path, to the core or center of it's energy, where you could not help but 'feel' there was a message one of being to rest and go within. If you think about it, not only for the past months beside stock up, be ready, get ready for winter, we were told this is a time of rest, to slow down and go within to learn about who 'we' are and this Polar Vortex, forced us to do just that. I for one am very glad I 'listened' to 'their' messages to prepare for an old fashion winter. I wondered then, if any one besides me could feel and hear a deeper message in her voice as the winds whipped and the air cooled.
After pondering of how to understand her message, I refreshed my memory on what a Vortex is and also the energy from the direction North. Why North...because this Polar Vortex came from the North Pole. I noticed too around my house the winds were circling and hitting the house from the East, which is kind of odd for this time of year, pushing cold air through the corner cabinet in the kitchen. It was then I realized this storm was speaking of more than just blowing and drifting snows and cold
.
A Vortex is a mass of air moving in a circular motion...that pulls 'things' into it's center... as does the energy of the Medicine Wheel, that revolves around the center( the void), a place of rest. Also it's the center of the Medicine Wheel (as is above so is below) where you become the center of the universe and Natures Medicine Helpers revolve around God, You and Earth, creating energy that connects all.
The North direction is of...Renewal, cleansing, enlightenment, sacred wisdom, teaching, abundance, balance, thankfulness and trust in who you are, which is what 2014's energy speaks much of.
East energy is of...healing, creativity, illumination, intuition, sunshine, learning's and new birth...which are part of any transformation.
So for me this particular storm not only carried a message but also was a conformation, of  me hearing correctly and the messages I've had to relay..I love it when stuff comes together:) !
This makes Morning Dove and Pigeon message, and the word I had to look in to,  more profound...
Morning Dove's energy teaches us of
Security of Home,  how to find our way back, they help awaken our ancestral memories,
They also reflect fertility of home and family.
They will huddle together during a storm, reflecting huddle with family biological or otherwise
They also make their own milk for their young...called Crop Milk, which makes the newest message about my summer garden have a bit more impact.
 

With more transitions, transformations and growth, going on now, I believe for more people than in 2012, many are talking more frequently about some of the 'predictions' of what's to come of us and our Earth.
As I've said before I believe the world as we know it will end... not literally end, which are definitely different concepts.
My feeling during this last storm, with the ice jam in the Niagara River being so close to the power plant and possibly knocking out power was played down as to not cause panic, but that we came much closer to loosing power than we knew, which would have compromised our infrastructure.

It's nice to know though, that this time of transitions and growth will bring many more to the realization of who they are, and being comfortable with that, and will also awaken more of us to how vulnerable we've made ourselves. Thus, 'they' will teach us if we are willing to listen and learn new 'things' how to be less dependent and get back to our roots and be a strong nation under God again. Which brings me to the latest reoccurring reference to the word...Apocalypse...that made me take notice and research...I think is something I am supposed to share.

Most of us associate the word Apocalypse with a tragic end, or end time catastrophe, usually pertaining to us and our earth. I recently was 'directed' to look into the meaning of the Earths end time....and what I found is, that  the word Apocalypse translated from Greek, means... a disclosure of knowledge, i.e., a lifting of the veil or revelation. It's been about 2 + years since Linda K and I were first introduced to the veil face to face and it was an unforgettable experience. In religious contexts it is usually a disclosure of something hidden, not the end of something.
In the Revelation of John, the last book of the New Testament, the revelation which John receives is that of the ultimate victory of good over evil and the end of the present age, and that this is the primary meaning of the term, one that dates to 1175.
Today's reference to the Apocalypse is much different in that it is commonly used in reference to any prophetic revelation or so-called end time scenario, or as I understand a misguided idea of the end of the world in general. But as I've learned in 'their' messages, we often need to learn to 'hear' and 'see' outside the confines of our vocabulary to understand their message.
More about the Revelation to John...
 and
Revelation-Introduction

I know it seems early to think about summers gardens but I had better mention this now.
It was recently 'suggested' my garden be bigger this year, with more potatoes (white potatoes to be exact) and tomatoes.
Those were the only two things mentioned so far, but I've got this hunch there will be more.
So if this message resonates with you, start thinking about this years garden now...:)
And oh, new this year, Herbs & Things will have potted herbs, such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, cilantro, to name a few, so you can have fresh herbs all year long; get that herb shelf ready:)

As always
Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way

Kellie + Herbs & Things