Shine Bright! Golden Herbal Powder Recipe

My Golden Herbal Powder will have you shining bright! 

Dispel the clouds of fatigue, the fog of exhaustion, and the overcast humdrum of dull living! Live with shine, I say, and strengthen your adrenals with our sunny tonic. Golden Powder Blend is a wonderful daily remedy for those wanting to help rebuild adrenal strength and is beneficial for those with hypothyroid conditions. 

So, what makes Golden shine so bright?

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) 

Maca is the strong foundation of our adrenal tonic, addressing issues of adrenal exhaustion, chronic fatigue, and having a balancing affect for those with hypothyroid conditions. Maca is also a good reproductive tonic, as it has aphrodisiac affects and improves the quality of sperm. As an adaptogen, Maca helps us adapt to stress.

Pine Pollen (Pinus massoniana)

Pine Pollen is a golden sunbeam of nutrition! Full of vitamins and minerals, Pine Pollen contains 20 amino acids, including the 8 essential amino acids and minerals such as Calcium, Iron and Zinc. Pine Pollen helps to regulate metabolism, increase energy and dispel brain fog. A friend to the prostate, Pine Pollen is a wonderful wellness ally in preventing prostate disease.

Mesquite (Prosopis pallida) 

A wonderful, sweet and low-glycemic food, Mesquite is a good source of fiber and easily digestible protein.

To make your own Golden Herbal Powder mix together the following powdered herbs:

• 2 parts Mesquite (Prosopis pallida) 
• 1 part Maca (Lepidium meyenii) 
• 1/4 part Pine Pollen (Pinus massoniana)

Recommended dosage is 1/2 - 1 teaspoon up to three times daily. You can mix Golden into water, juice, smoothie or your food of choice.  Enjoy!

Pisces: The Astroherbology Profile

It's time to explore the sign of Pisces! You're getting a snapshot into the ever expanding astroherbology magick of the The Lunar Apothecary - sweet! 

I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. To learn more about the series and what all the correspondences mean check out the introduction to The Introduction to Astroherbology Series. Looking for the other signs of the Zodiac? Find out about the astroherbology wisdom of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius!

Looking for inspiration for Pisces season? Come this way!

Element: Water
Mode: Mutable
Guardian Planet: Jupiter (traditional), Neptune (modern)
Direction: East
Season: Winter, Early Spring (NH), Summer, Early Autumn (SH)
House: 12th House / Cadent
Lunar Mansions: The 26th Mansion, 27th Mansion + 28th Mansion
Solar Gemstone: Amethyst
Tarot: The Moon, the Hanged Man, 8 of Cups (2/19 - 2/28), 9 of Cups (3/1 - 3/10), 10 of Cups (3/11 - 3/20), King of Cups
Tissue State: Damp/Relaxation (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: Feet and toes. All body fluids including synovial fluids, mucus, and blood. Lymphatic, glandular, and endocrine systems. The ability of tissues and body systems to relax. Respiratory system. Pineal gland. Abdomen. 

Imbalances + Diseases: Diseases that are cold and moist, including influenza, tuberculosis, colds, and imbalances with excess mucus and discharge such as runny noses and watery eyes. Lung sensitivity in general. Excess and over-developed sensitivity. Low vitality and sickly constitution.  Lymphatic swellings and diseases of the lymph, endocrine, and glandular systems. Auto-immune diseases. Fungal and viral diseases. Environmental and chemical sensitivities and allergies. Chronic fatigue. All diseases of the feet including gout, athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bunions, and ingrown toenails. Club feet. Unusual feet. Swelling and water-retention. Narcolepsy. Addiction and drug abuse. Boils, sores, and break-outs of the skin. Forgetfulness. Alzheimer’s and senility. Putrid blood. Disordered eating, especially overeating or emotional eating. Low libido. Mononucleosis. Obscure diseases of a psychic nature. Indecisiveness, careless, and vague. Moodiness and melancholy that can lead to escapism. Unable to establish roots and groundedness. Impractical, lacking discipline, and self-destructive. Prone to following the whims of others which stems from gullibility and, at its worse, develops into delusion. Overwhelmed by the emotions of others or confusing the emotions of others for their own. Heightened psychic sensitivity preventing them from socializing with others. Depression. Feelings of victimhood and martyrdom as well as lack of faith in self.

Disease Degrees: 1 degree: right calcaneum; 2 degrees: left calcaneum; 3 degrees: nerves of the right foot, appendicitis; 4 degrees: nerves of the left foot, appendicitis, asthma; 5 degrees: asthma, right cuboid bone; 6 degrees: left cuboid bone; 7 degrees: right talus; 8 degrees: left talus; 9 degrees: right metatarsals, rheumatic fever; 10 degrees: left metatarsals, rheumatic fever; 11 degrees: lymph vessels of the foot, Bright’s disease; 12 degrees: plantar artery of the right foot, Bright’s disease; 13 degrees: plantar artrery of the left foot; 14 degrees: right cutaneous veins; 15 degrees: left cutaneous veins; 16 degrees: cruciate ligaments of right foot; 17 degrees: cruciate ligaments of left foot; 18 degrees: extensor muscles of right toes; 19 degrees: extensor muscles of left toes, digestive disorders, excessive eating; 20 degrees: right fibula muscles, digestive disorders, excessive eating; 21 degrees: left fibula muscle, typhoid fever; 22 degrees: achilles tendon of right foot, insanity, typhoid fever, appendicitis, fevers; 23 degrees: achilles tendon of left foot, spine, appendicitis, fevers; 24 degrees: right distal tibia-fibular joint, fevers; 25 degrees: left detail tibia-fibular joint, gout, neurasthenia, cancer; 26 degrees: plantar nerves, suicide, gout, neurasthenia, cancer; 27 degrees: phalanges of right foot, eczema, Bright’s disease, acute nephritis; 28 degrees: phalanges of left foot, tuberculosis, eczema, Bright’s disease, acute nephritis, diabetes, low blood sugar, bleeding, depression; 29 degrees: toenails of right foot, eczema, Bright’s disease, acute nephritis, diabetes, low blood sugar, bleeding, depression, drowning; 30 degrees: toenails of left foot, bleeding, drowning, depression.

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Pisces: Immunomodulating and stimulating herbs, adaptogens, and warming herbs that dry out excess damp. Gentle medicines such as massage, flower and gem essences, reflexology, meditation, and energy healing. and attention to incorporating super nutritive foods into the diet. Plenty of sleep. Learning how to create firm boundaries and how to ground. Developing empathetic discipline and identifying the feelings of others versus personal feelings. Pursuing the poetic and indulging in romance from a place of self-worth and determination.

Gifts of Pisces: Mysticism, empathy, psychic dreaming, clairvoyance, idealism, receptivity, intuition, otherworldly transcendence, adaptability, dissolution of separateness, and unselfish humility.

Rituals of Pisces: Past life exploration, psychic development, blessing of water tools such as cups, cauldrons, and bowls, settling disputes and reconciliation, sacred bathing rituals., and marking the ending/beginning of a cycle.

Pisces Guardian Herbs: Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris), Rainbow Kelp (Iridaea cordata), Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), Burdock (Arctium lappa), Cleavers (Galium aparine), Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Angelica (Angelica archangelica), Chickweed (Stellaria media) and Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus).

Pisces Remedy Herbs: Elder (Sambucus nigra), Milky Oat (Avena sativa), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), Willow (Salix alba), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Maca (Lepidium meyenii), Pine (Pinus spp.), Chicory (Chicorium intybus), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Mullein (Thapsus verbascum), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Linden (Tilia europea), Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Elecampane (Inula helenium), and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis).

Flower + Gem Essences: Clematis (Clematis vitalba), Scarlet Monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis), Rock Rose (Helianthemum Nummularium), Southern Cross (Xanthosia rotundifolia), Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Amethyst, and Aquamarine.

The Sun in Pisces

The final sign of the zodiac is sometimes said to be a combination of all that has gone before which makes sense for a sign known for dissolving the separateness. Pisces folk can be a very sensitive and intuitive sign, valuing attributes such as compassion and the art of giving as primary in their development of self-esteem. Their hearts easily crack open when they come across pain, suffering, and the hardship experienced by so many creatures, humyn, plant, and animal alike, reflecting their inherent empathy. The fish can appear as dreamy and perhaps somewhere between the worlds - which they probably are - but that shouldn’t be mistaken for weakness or lack of understanding of our consensus reality. They’re tuned into the undercurrents of any given situation making them especially valuable in getting to the secret heart of the matter - if they are able to translate their findings into a language we can all understand.

Now, the great gift of Pisces folks - their ability to dissolve separateness - is also the source of their downfall. Setting up boundaries for their own wellbeing, whether good relationship boundaries or psychic boundaries so that they aren’t continuously overwhelmed by intuitive input, is essential but can be very difficult for the fish. They need to learn that setting up healthy boundaries does not make them less compassionate or able to connect but quite the opposite. With clearly defined boundaries that protects their wellbeing and cultivates healthy relationships they will have greater space to stretch their compassion muscle, develop their psychic senses without leading to overwhelm, and experience healing vulnerability without be treated like a doormat. 

Within a medical astrology context, Pisces folks need to guard their vitality carefully as they’re not always engaged with their physical form as much as their soul’s journeying. Pisces guards the fluids of the body including the blood and mucus and when imbalanced they can find themselves experiencing poor circulation and lowered immunity, as well as wet, damp illnesses such as phlegm-y chest colds and tuberculosis. Similar to the sign which precedes them, Aquarius, Pisces folks need to be conscious of the environmental, chemical, and psychic pollutants in their environment. I’ve seen more than one fish folk flinch when they’ve walked into a room where there has been a fierce argument or fight whether it happened 5 minutes ago or 50 years ago - Pisces folk are often tuned into such subtleties of the environment which can be great for picking up psychic information but completely overwhelming if they don’t know what’s going on or how to shield themselves properly. A nutritive diet full of grounding foods can be very helpful as well as regular time spent working with gentle healing modalities such as reflexology (Pisces guards the feet), energy healing, and flower and gem essence therapy. With careful attention to their boundaries, Pisces folks become even more adept as dissolving that which divides us providing space for folks to find one another in love and compassion amidst the turmoil of our modern world that seeks to continuously convince us that we should remain divided. 

Pisces Guardian Herbs

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) via wikipedia

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)

A creature of the sea and watery places, Pisces Guardian herbs include the domain of sea plants such as seaweed. Bladderwrack is a common form of kelp that has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. The plant is both a Remedy and Guardian herb of Pisces, helping the body absorb nutrients and expel toxins which is key to Piscean health. As a metabolic tonic, Bladderwrack improves the rate of the metabolism and has been used to support a healthy body weight. As a cleansing plant, Bladderwrack pulls toxins from the body including radiation and other environmental toxins, aiding our more sensitive Pisces folk. The herb is useful in treating hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions as it supports healthy thyroid hormonal production. Regular consumption of Bladderwrack improves the body’s overall ability to heal, promotes quality sleep, lowers chronic high blood pressure, and improves the condition of the hair and skin. The herb cleanses thekidneys, clears lymph congestion, addresses bacterial and fungal infection, detoxifies body tissue, stimulates the adrenal glands, and assists in the recovery from long-term illness. The herb is also useful in reducing enlarged prostates. Historically, Bladderwrack has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis, another common Pisces complaint.

Topically, Bladderwrack can be used as a skin tonic, improving the skin’s complexion and suppleness. Use the herb in a bath to assist in breaking down cellulite. In general, Bladderwrack can be used as a compress for arthritis, bruises, sprains, hardened glands, and inflammation.

Pisces Remedy Herbs

Pinus densiflora via wikipedia

Pine (Pinus spp.)

The mighty Pine stands as a sturdy ally for our Pisces friends. The leaves of the tree are an excellent (and tasty!) source of vitamin C, helping Pisces folks to keep their immune system happy and healthy. Pine has such a strength of vitality - have you ever stood tall in a forest of Pine gazing up at their amazing heights? You should - you’ll learn about our tree friend through such an experience. The resin of Pine can be used in tincture form as an excellent expectorant helping to clear excess mucus from the lungs, a common Piscean complaint. You can also create a salve with the resin which can be applied topically to the body to improve circulation and warm tired and sore muscles. 

I am a particular fan of Pine pollen which can be enjoyed in powder form and easily added to smoothies and drinks. Pine pollen is a golden sunbeam of nutrition! Full of vitamins and minerals, Pine Pollen contains 20 amino acids, including the 8 essential amino acids and minerals such as Calcium, Iron and Zinc. A friend to the prostate, Pine Pollen is a wonderful preventative ally of prostate disease. Pine Pollen also helps to regulate metabolism, increase energy, and dispel brain fog (you see how it can be a great friend of our fish folk).

Sun in Pisces Flower Essence

Amethyst by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

The key phrase of Amethyst Gem Essence is “I go with the flow.” The cleverness of the purple stone is that it teaches us to go with the flow but not get overtaken or overwhelmed by the current. The stone is centering and grounding without blocking necessary psychic permeability which is a powerful tool for Pisces folk. Along with its  centering properties, Amethyst is also helps address those anxious thoughts that wake us up in the middle of the night and spur on arguments between loved ones. Amethyst helps us to float gently when the waters feel tumultuous, eventually leading to a current that guides us gently back to shore.

Ready to learn more?

• Check out the rest of my Astroherbology series including Starry-Hearted + Wild-Rooted: An Introduction to Astroherbology which includes additional study resources.

• Need a visual guide? Starmaps: The Astrological Body is for you!

• Looking for inspiration for Pisces season? Come this way!

• The Lunar Apothecary is a full length course using the tools of moon-centered herbalism and ritual to help you discover who you are as a healer.

Quickening: Herbs of Imbolc

Whenever I sit to think about a wheel of the year festival, nearly every time I'll find myself thinking, "Ah, [insert festival name] is one of my favorite festivals." Now, it is quite likely that all the festivals have been at one time or another my favorite - it is far more likely, if I'm honest, that they are simply all my favorite at once.

So, let me tell you why, right now, Imbolc is one of my favorite festivals of the year.

I begin dreaming about Imbolc around Samhain when, with my beloved community, I celebrate the new year. As part of my new year festivities I think of what I hope to learn and sink deep into with the coming year. I take these ideas with me down the inward spiral towards the Winter Solstice, shedding some, keeping others, realizing what my commitment my require and how I need to prepare myself. By the time Imbolc comes around my dreams are firmly stirring in my belly, my central core, and I am ready to make the vows of my practice for the coming year, until next Imbolc comes round. I love making vows - I do not make them often, nor lightly, but I find them freeing when I am able to speak of what I am seeking, who I wish to grow into, and how I am planning on remaining accountable - I get excited about the adventure ahead.

What about the plantfolk of Imbolc?

The word Imbolc is from the Gaelic for "in the belly" and speaks of the promise of spring, even when winter lingers. Think of the earth stretching before arising from her winter bed and her blood warming beneath her skin of soil. Astrologically, Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox at 15 degrees Aquarius. In astroherbology, Aquarius guards body systems such as the lower legs, including calves and ankles, electrical impulses of the nervous system, the adrenal system, and the circulation of blood. We now have a few clues as to what plantfolk we might call upon around the time of Imbolc, including grounding nervines, nourishing adrenal tonics, and blood-strengthening herbs.

NETTLES (Urtica dioica) I came to know Nettles when living in Portland, ME (If you've never been, you should go. I'll wait here, no worries.). It was through Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals, both in her writings and meeting her in person, that I learned about these stinging jewels as a nourishing daily tonic. Nettles restore vitality, help us adapt to stress, lend their gentle cleansing quality to promote healthy hair and skin, and are useful for easing symptoms of seasonal allergies. I've found Nettles to be very strengthening to the adrenals, especially when burnout has already occurred or someone is on the verge of burnout. Kiva Rose specifically recommends Nettle Seeds as an adrenal tonic. Nettle leaf is particularly accessible with its mild taste, and who doesn't love a cup of beautifully green goodness? Nettles are drying, fiery, and help to build and cleanse the blood which is why, along with their adrenal tonic qualities, I find them to be a great herb for the Imbolc season. Sometimes Nettles are used in traditional sauna settings, where they are bundled into switches either alone or with other medicinal plants such as Birch, and hit on the body to invigorate the skin, bring blood to the surface, and transfer the greening vigor of the plant to the body of the person being whacked. And, yup, for those of you following along you'll see that I also recommend Nettles as a Spring Equinox herb - it's just that good. Magickally, Nettles add energy to ritual and spellwork, act as a protective barrier, can be used to bless ritual tools like the athame, and the herb is guarded by the planet Mars.

MACA (Lepidium Meyenii) I realize that Maca has appeared more than once as a recommended herb on our little blog and, guess what, we're talking about the tuber again for the season of Imbolc. Maca is excellent for the adrenals, helps the blood breathe, wakes up our metabolism, assists in mental clarity, and is one of my favorite adaptogens. The tuber is very nutritious containing an array of vitamins and minerals. Think about how you're feeding your body after the sojourn of winter - Imbolc calls us to cleanse, wake up mindfully, and give our bodies simple but strengthening food.  Some folks don't like the taste of Maca, but sometimes what has happened is that a Maca concoction, whether a hot chocolate with Maca in it or a raw chocolate bar containing Maca has been allowed to sit too long and the Maca has gone bitter and very drying. Maca concoctions should be consumed soon after they are prepared before the taste of the herb goes off.

GINGER (Zingiber officinalis) Imbolc is a fire festival, so we must have a fiery and warming herb (compared to our fiery but cooling herb, Nettles) such as Ginger as part of our festivities. Another sturdy root, Ginger warms where their is cold, from tense muscles to general chilliness. If you have chronic cold feet and hands, consider a hot foot and hand soak with fresh Ginger. Divine! Ginger moves the blood, stimulates digestion, and can be used as a fresh compress on cold muscles and on the chest in cases of stagnation, helping to break up mucus. Where sluggishness dwells, think of using Ginger, whether it is sluggishness in a specific organ or a general energetic slowness. Matthew Wood shares a piece of wisdom from Margi Flint about Ginger connecting birthing folks to their children and encourages those present at the labor to share in drinking Ginger tea to promote a sense of connection with the labor. At Imbolc we connect to the land in labor and a piece of Ginger on your Imbolc altar can symbolize the child of spring about to be born.

LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia citriodora) Flower Essence

I recommend Lemon Verbena to many folks who either have their Sun or Moon in Aquarius, however, it can be useful for many folks at Imbolc since it is an essence that brings out the best of our exuberance, vitality, and encourages us to live life with bucketloads of laughter. As an Aquarian plant, Lemon Verbena helps us to break through outmoded forms of thinking that have led to conflict, stagnation, and resistance in our lives. Medicinally, Lemon Verbena is antispasmodic and is especially useful for cramping stomachs brought on by emotional tension. It is cooling and calming, soothing both to the nerves and helpful in the dispersal of fevers.

MANZANITA (Arctostaphylos spp.) Flower Essence

A sturdy plant, Manzanita is an excellent essence of integration, specifically the the integration of spirit with matter. The dark half of the year can be very inward-focused and sometimes we travel so far inward we seem to flow beyond the material into the galactic. Imbolc calls us back out after the journey inward. Manzanita helps us to anchor back to the physicality of the present, the changing season, and the importance of giving our spirit a rooted compass so we don't lose our sense of self. Our friend Manzanita helps to restore faith in our body - so many of us struggle with disordered ways of understanding our body that can lead to self-loathing and low self-esteem. The plant is particular powerful when supporting those working through and recovering from eating disorders. Manzanita reminds us that we are not broken and while our bodies can feel challenging, we can reside in them on our terms, with beauty and purpose and compassion.

Evergreens such as Pine and Cedar are also welcome during the Imbolc season, helping us to release the last remnants of bronchial complaints, rebalance our nervous system, and bring warmth to our bones. Also, consider Flower Essences such as Snowdrop and Daffodil which both appear around Imbolc, harkening the early approach of spring.

I wish everyone a bright and blessed Imbolc! May your light be bright, may your community be strong, + may the promise of awakening earth enliven your spirit!

The Longest Night: Herbs for the Winter Solstice Season

The wheel of the year turns deeper into the dark, bringing us to the longest night of winter.  The Winter Solstice is both a time of honoring the reflective gift of solitude and the distant promise of the seed sparking to life.  With this spirit we invite herbs into our practice that root our dreams into reality as well as warm us with the inner fire of the sun's promised return.

So put on the kettle, prepare your charm, and welcome in the winter!

PINE Pinus sp. Evergreens are sacred trees and remain green throughout cold seasons when other trees lay bare.  The needles of the Pine tree can be made into a tea and is an excellent source of vitamin C (more vitamin C, in fact, than citrus fruits such as lemons and grapefruit!).  Drink Pine tea throughout the day to clear up congestion and excess mucus.

ROSEMARY Rosmarinus officinalis Warming Rosemary gives us the gift of a dry, Mediterranean heat in the long dark days of winter.  After a bought of sickness or a round of the blues, drink Rosemary tea to restore your body’s inner warmth and fire for life. Rosemary is very restorative to all of our blood organs such as the liver, heart, spleen, and kidneys, bringing back balance after a period of fatigue.  It is also helpful for a dispelling the winter fog from a dull mind.

VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis A root of water and earth, Valerian is gently sedating, helping us to fully settle into the Season of Slowing Down.  Restlessness, insomnia, nervous stomach, and tension, dissolve with the use of Valerian.  My favorite way to take Valerian is as a glycerite, but it can also be enjoyed as a tea (even though we use the root, it should not be decocted since that would destroy its delicate volatile oils).  Mix Valerian with other herbs such as Mugwort, Anise, and Peppermint to create a potent brew for inducing visionary dreams.

CHAMOMILE Matricaria recutita A classic herb for stomach upset, nausea, and indigestion, Chamomile also supports a sense of peace and cheerfulness in the body through its nervine qualities.  Chamomile flowers are miniature suns and can be used in bath, steams, teas or made into an herbal oil to uplift the spirit, calm the cranky, and center wayward energy.  I think a jar full of Chamomile flowers is a pleasant sun-honoring addition to the home altar.

I also find Flower + Gem Essences to be beneficial at any time of the year!  The following are excellent deep winter wonders:

SAGE Flower Essence The Winter Solstice is the cusp between the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn - Sage is a plant of Sagittarius and its ruling planet Jupiter.  As a flower essence, Sage has an initiatory quality to it, helping us to ease through life transitions.  It is an excellent rite of passage herb and provides release to stagnating emotions.  For the season of the Winter Solstice, Sage helps us to express our deepest kept secrets in ways that bring us joy.

Sage Salvia officinalis

OAK Flower Essence As the Wheel of the Year turns from the Holly to the powers of the Oak, the energies of Capricorn begin to shine.  A tree of Saturn (which rules Capricorn), Oak is a great flower essence for those folks who struggle on even though they are exhausted - they put on a happy and courageous face, hiding their feelings, and never complaining in hopes of not being seen as weak.  While they appear tireless, they have only become rigid in a state of constant stress brought on by a need to achieve the next thing on their list.  An excellent remedy for Capricorns who tend to burn the candle from both ends (you know who you are).  Oak helps us know our limits and be kinder to ourselves by realizing that taking time to rest is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of intelligent strength.

HEMATITE Gem Essence A reflective mirror of night, Hematite is grounding and centering during the hustle of winter holidays.  Hematite is also a very protective Essence and helps folks feel shielded from fears, especially those of the "lurking in the dark" sort of insecurities, teaching us that it is not the dark we fear, for darkness is beautiful and necessary, but what we perceive to dwell within the shadows.

Be well and drink deep the darkness for after the Winter Solstice the days begin to grow longer as we prepare for the burst of spring!  

Create your own delicious + fully enchanted recipes for the winter with The Winter Apothecary!

Hematite Gem Essence is available in our Apothecary along with other fully enchanted herbal remedies for the wintertide.