Greetings from Wildflower Haven,
What a delightful morning to be outside in the garden, harvesting sweet chamomile flowers and lemon balm leaves, tending to herbs, and offering the indoor plants some fresh air on the shady side of the deck. Everything is greening up and this week’s rain has been magical. I love to watch the daily changes in and around the Jank House. The irises and peonies are getting ready to bloom, the clematis are climbing, the herbs are smiling.
May’s spectacular beauty and vibrancy has been a balm for us; It’s been a challenging month here at Wildflower Haven. We had to say goodbye to our precious beastie, our beloved Seven, just last week. Our dog Seven had such a good life and brought so much joy to all who knew her. She loved strolling and sniffing around the backyard and barking at the larger birds with her brother Linus as they circled overhead. You can view a tribute and some special photos of her here. Our hearts are broken, yet still remain full of Seven’s special energy. It is an act of bravery, for all of us, to love so deeply.
Apothecary Spotlight
I attended my second Green Witch Herbalism weekend May 1-3, this time in New Jersey. I was surprised at how much further along the growing season was just a couple hundred miles south of us. The weekend was a chance to gather with other Green Witches from across the US, and our mentor, Robin Rose Bennet, to forage, make medicine, laugh together and learn from one another. These weekends reveal so much about aligning with and communing with the green world, and how to help make her messages and medicine accessible to all. We worked with dandelion, black birch, witch hazel, plantain, artemisia, and so many more plant allies.
We played as well! We crafted crowns from the plants we’d harvested and created a full scale maypole. Our maypole dance of interweaving the ribbons we had each brought from home was powerful, even though it was remarkably chilly that day. Being in this circle of women reminds me I am in my right place, on my right path, and that I am in good company.
Since I’ve been back home, I’ve been creating an exciting front yard herb border garden and working with the intoxicating lilacs that are in bloom. I’ve had so much fun making a lilac tincture and a lilac oil. They will both need several weeks before they are ready, and I look forward to seeing, smelling, and feeling the results.
Showroom News
Our craft show season has begun. I really enjoy being at the shows, shmoozing and talking up James’ work which is always interesting, everchanging. Here is a link to the upcoming shows we’ve booked so far. And here is a link to our Upcycled Glassworks page, where you can check out what’s new. Come on by the showroom to see the work up close. It's amazing.
A Little Moon Magic
Our twice-a-month gatherings – new moon and full moon - to connect with the moon’s phases are little nuggets of magic. They help reveal what’s moving in us and we learn so much from each others’ experience.
The Moon Magic group will meet next on the full moon, May 31. We meet for just about thirty minutes. If you have questions about this simple practice or would like to join in this practice at any point in the month, let me know, or simply respond to this email with the subject line, new moon.
I love when the crescent moon aligns with Venus – everything feels right with the world somehow.
Until next time, let's dare to enjoy our moments,
Linda