Burdock . Lessons & Inspirations

Burdock Loves community . It grows in patches and is abundantly found almost everywhere. Considered a weed , it taught me to never judge anything or anyone from word of mouth but from direct experience.

In my garden Burdock has a place of honor. It is allowed to pop up wherever she wants. A Venus plant with many talents it is considered one of the best blood and lymph cleansers . The leafs can aid rheumatic pain and skin conditions. The stalks harvested before flowering make a delicious meal and flowers and seeds are used as well in tinctures and tasty meals. Its tap root grows deep into the soil breaking up compaction and is used as well , medicinally and culinary .

A grounding and protecting plant offers its leaves to the sun and in dried form can be used as smudging bundles. And I love its leaves because they are my source of artistic inspiration .

 

 

 

We found Burdock when we first moved in and we tried to get rid of . She intimidated us . Her persistence showed up every year not taking NO for an answer. Few years into our journey I needed its medicine and I cried with gratitude when it came back in the garden. Then the Bees showed me it is also food for them and other pollinators .

Burdock tells me abundance is everywhere around us. Nature is generous and gives wholeheartedly . It is just up to us to recognize and value the treasures she puts at our feet .

We need to preserve all this abundance and we must see Nature with completely new eyes. In the process we may see each other with more compassion .

We are One . And we are One with ALL

Wedding in the Heavens

When a hive reaches maturity the Queen and half of her Worker Bees will swarm to a new location and start over. They leave behind a house full of brood, honey, nectar and a new Queen.

The most amazing thing is to experience a swarm. The high energy of the Bees in motion reverberates in the deepest corners of your body. There is Happiness in the air and a contagious exuberance.

In the middle of this chaotic swirl of Bees emerging from the hive the Queen shines like a bride. She flies high up in the heavens to mate with the Sun. Exposed to light a chemical process renews her fertility and power to create.

In the “ Nine Lectures for the Bees ” Rudolf Steiner explains the alchemy of light within the hive and relationship between the Queen and the Sun. But the most delightful explanation of this Holly event I found reading ‘The Song of Increase ” by Jacqueline Freeman

My Bees Blessed my garden three times this Spring . I caught few causing me to climb at dizzying heights to get them.

While I welcome and understand the event my heart always aches at the thought of departing from a good old queen.

There was no time to even get my hat or a tarp to put underneath the box. I had to act fast . Many times they will sit in a location for a short while and then they fly to another which is permanent.

So at the end of the day I got the swarm and a good doze of euphoria.

 

A simple meal .

 

Just around the corner the Nettle patch is looking up with new ,young leaves . I reach down and grab few with bear hands allowing the prickly contact to awaken me into a new day.

In Gratitude I fill my basket feeling so loved and so abundant . Earth , The Mother is gifting us with her first bounty , in turn I give her my Soul’s songs and dreams .

I dry some of the fresh Nettle  and the rest I rinse and start preparing for a simple meal I have learned from Grandma . It used to be our Spring feast and to this day I crave its taste. Besides , when we come out the winter and we feel weak , Nettle comes to the rescue . Its  health benefits made this humble plant into a superstar .

The recipe is simple . Boil water with a pinch of salt and throw the rinsed nettles in for two three minutes . Drain and chop but save the broth. You will use some later in the recipe and the rest you can drink , rinse your hair or dye your favorite scarf with .

Saute’ one onion and few cloves of garlic in two -three tablespoons of olive oil. When the onion looks soft and shiny throw the chopped nettle in and mix gently . Let it simmer for five to ten minutes and add some broth ( a ladle or two ) . Let it simmer at medium heat for another ten minutes and is ready .

You can pair it with some golden polenta or just bread and sunny side up eggs . I like it either way with some extra fresh garlic and without eggs .

Nature Resurrected . Three weeks into Bliss

My Bees did not make it through the winter. I had them for about three years .They arrived as a swarm and they were tough as nails . The sorrow froze my heart and when I opened them up I found out they never got to cluster back on one of those days that went from 60 Fahrenheit to well bellow freezing. They left stores of honey waiting in the empty hive.

In despair I bought three packages and although I was told they will arrive April 1st  my broken heart did not want to hear it . I was still mourning my hive.

I think it was around the 29th my house started to smell like a hive. I know it sounds strange but it is true. The first time I have bought Bees same thing happened to me. So I knew I will hear something soon. On March 31st I had a phone call my Bees were ready to meet me . I had exactly an hour to drive there . It was very exciting and scary because it was raining and freezing cold .  When I picked them up I was told I could keep them for few days inside .

Bee Packages freshly picked up

I drove back home singing to them and telling them about the gardens and about my plans .

After they stayed inside the house with me for few days I took them out on April 2nd, the first warm, sunny day in a very long time . They were so happy to be out of the wire cage they did not fuss about a thing and everything went smooth .

 

I stood there in awe and gratitude watching them cover my hands and flying everywhere   Love was in the air and I felt a shift.

One week later I opened them to retrieve the queen cages and they already had drawn comb and stored pollen . They were diving full force into their work . 

A week later they already had drawn fresh comb

the queen cage covered in fresh comb and some pollen

I start them with just a sliver of wax foundation at the top of the frames so they get a chance to build in their own  natural measurement  and they love it.

Frames ready to go in the new hive

A week later they already had drawn fresh comb

I also feed them for the first three-four weeks Bee Tea. ( Cane sugar syrup or honey mixed with herbal tea and essential oils like Lemongrass , Eucalyptus , Thyme and Spearmint) . The tea strengthens their immune system and gives them confidence in the first days of making comb and getting adjusted to a new place .

Tomorrow  on Easter Sunday they are three weeks into entraining me in their frequency. Since their arrival Trees flowered, Dandelions emerged, the Weather is tamed , everyday is Paradise again and I barely touch the ground .

Cherry Tree in full bloom

The first Dandelion

While they are busy bringing loads of pollen I am cleaning the garden around the hives . Although I could give them individual names they told me many years ago their name is Andromeda . They also taught me to listen with my heart , never treat them and never assume I know better .

Bees have very high frequency and if you are open they will telepathically inform you of their needs and also teach you some zen wisdom.

One of the first lessons I have received was Bliss. They actually make me feel it in their presence . Meditating with them daily helped me understand our natural state as Bliss , Oneness and unconditional Love . It is those moments  that reminded me why seven years ago in the biodynamic beekeeping class I sobbed watching the movie Tales from the Hive . It is deep ingrained into our hearts to live in these states , yet we are drawn in separation and we fight with life .

Tomorrow we celebrate Easter. To me the celebration goes beyond its religious connotation . I celebrate Nature’s resurrection  and my own from sleep walking into being present , allowing my Soul to shine and striving to embody my Spirit .

A lot more about Bees , Andromeda and Love soon.

Until then I wish to radiate all they filled my heart with into yours .

Peace

Spring

We have been under two feet of snow and chilled to the bone in frigid temperatures for the past week . Only since yesterday I could say I see the light at the end of the wintery tunnel .

My garden tucked away in white pajamas looks deep asleep . Underneath , life pushes through with determination and force .

Part of me wants to roll over and hide under pillows but my heart changed the beat drumming for Spring .

I woke up in a spectacle of Light . Unlike other times I can not run and start working in my garden.

I can only absorb the Light and meditate on a moment of perfect balance . The peace of my clay painted walls reminds me there is a place within me where I can start creating already .

So with all my heart I let the birds and their songs  guide me . I listen and imagine . I listen and imagine.

The plans are already set. Nature has the blueprints . I only have to download its dream into reality.

Open your hearts, listen and imagine . The Earth awaits us all to align with its new energy and vision . In despite what you see outside the window BELIEVE we are to experience Joy , Peace , Cooperation , Compassion ,  Abundance , the Divine in all that is and Each  Other .

Blissful Equinox to you all .

In Between

I looked outside and the sun shines bright. No traces of clouds.

Only the last two days we have been sandwiched between freezing temperatures ( 27 F in day time and 10F at night)

Encouraged by the light i took a stroll in the garden.

I close my eyes and the cold air bites into my hands while the birds are telling me something more hopeful : 15 more days until Spring arrives.

The trees, the birds and your heart always tell the truth.

Standing on frozen ground I reach the Cherry branches with my gaze. Buds are cracking open. Life can not be contained anymore.

From in between two seasons I experience the weight of my winter thoughts and the adrenaline rush of Spring’s actions .

LOVE

When the world turns grim we can allow ourselves to slip into darkness or we can open our hearts to LOVE.

Love is the only tie that never dissolves and transcends space and time.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

                                                              ― Jimi Hendrix

Love – watercolor available in prints at https://www.ethericdesigns.com/new-products/ Was originally created as an energizer and energy enhancer for the Love Gua

“One word

Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:

That word is love.”

― Sophocles

” OUR LOVE IS OUR POWER”

Sharon McErlane 

The 13 Days of Christmas and the seeds

This post is mainly dedicated to those who expressed their curiosity and interest in the Biodynamic gesture of burying the seeds on Christmas eve.

                                                                              Why

“When the days become shorter, when the autumn and winter approach, the sun withdraws its forces more and more. In the same degree, however, in that the physical force of the sun is withdrawn, the spiritual force grows. And it is conferred on the earth most strongly when those days come when the shortest days arrive, and when the nights are longest.” Rudolf Steiner – The Mysteries, December 25, 1907

According to Rudolf Steiner the cosmic forces do not influence the earth directly .They radiate from within the earth informing the mineral and plant kingdom .

“On the other hand, for a certain time before and after this period — and notably before it, when the minerals are, so to speak, just on the point of passing over into the crystalline element of form and shape — then they are of the greatest importance; they ray out the forces that are particularly important for plant-growth. Thus we may say, approximately in the month of November-December, there is a point of time when that which is under the surface of the Earth becomes especially effective for plant growth.”

Lecture 2 Koberwitz  10th June 1924 / The Agriculture course/Rudolf Steiner

To understand this practice further I recommend reading about The Festivals and their Meaning

During December 24th and January 6 this cosmic force, the Cosmic Christ enters the earth and dispenses the new energies of the new solar cycle into all layers of our world.

The seed (microcosmos) is infused and informed of the new energetic patterns and later this energy is propagated through the plant into the animal kingdom.

Since we participate in this event by burying the seeds something magical hapends .We ourselves are being informed by this cosmic outpour  and we flow into greater understanding and harmony with nature finding our hearts and consciousness is expanding every year.

                How

So you decided to practice this.

Choose a spot in your garden that is not prone to flooding and dig a hole big enough to fit a plastic bucket with lid . (I do this step in the fall so I am safe at Christmas if the ground is frozen.)

On the evening of the 24th gather your seeds and lovingly put them in a cardboard box. Wrap the box in few heavy duty plastic bags sealing them tightly.

Place the package in the bucket ,cover with the lid, cover the top with some burlap , some plastic and then soil and  wooden cover so everything can stay undisturbed for the next 13 days.

On January 6  before noon take the seeds out from the hole and  out of the plastic bags.(of course bring them back inside your home)

Your garden will be filled with love and harmony when you sow them.

Try and let me know.

In Winter’s Embrace

In white and diamond studded garments Winter arrived living a trail of icy veils and rainbow shimmers across my gardens.

Just crossed the Solstice threshold and in a hurry to make my last Christmas ornaments I grabbed some cookie cutters and a tray with water.I felt torn between the need to slow down and the big list to do.

Breathing in and slowly out, the frigid air gives me a rush of anticipation. In a blink of an eye the ornaments are ready and the inner child is lost in wonder . Clear Ice , Crystal Like hanging on my Cherry Trees. And a wish in each so when the Sun will melt them all the Love will sip into the ground.

 

Few days later on the 24th I grabbed my bundle of seeds for next year’s sowing and carefully buried them few feet under my dormant beds. In Biodynamic gardening we do so because until January 6 the Earth is most receptive to the new Solar and Cosmic energies . The seeds are being informed of a new energetic  blueprint .

I too trust myself into this process and i have learned to slide into dream time even when the modern life grabs me out into doing.

Join me and Dream of a world filled with Beauty, Peace, Joy and Compassion. Imagine rivers of clear , healing water and fields of opportunity to embrace cooperation rather than competition. Sow your life with good deeds and nurturing thoughts .Care for one another . Be present and deliberate. Weave your hearts and your actions into Love and cover the world with it.

With Gratitude

In Winter’s embrace I wish you all to experience Happiness and Grace

 

 

 

Bread Alive

Since it is cold outside we heat our home burning wood in our beloved ESSE Ironheart. She is a real beauty and my best friend in winter.

While I gaze into the fire I can cook and bake bread simultaneously. Not to mention the magical atmosphere it creates.

Today I made bread . The recipe is simple:

Six cups organic unbleached flower, sea salt to taste ,  half cube fresh brewer’s east ,3 cups water , prayer and a heartfelt blessing.

Magically a face appeared in the rising dow can you  see it?

 

After all today is 12/12 . My day was filled with wonder . And this visitation made it even more so.

Wish I could share this bread with you all.