The feasts that we prepare for Thanksgiving, with love, are the centerpiece of this holiday. Coming together from far and wide so that we may enjoy the company of our family and friends, with thankful hearts that we are blessed to have this day of togetherness, to have and share such abundance. It has been said that eating is America’s favorite past-time, and yes, we tend to overdo it, especially on Thanksgiving. Our ancestors prepared many of this holiday’s most popular dishes with herbs and spices that are helpful for digestion and comforting to our bellies. Age-old remedies are interwoven into our traditional dishes, even today. Although recipes differ, these herbs are the shining stars of many of our Thanksgiving favorites! Bell’s Seasoning, for instance, is used by millions of Americans on Thanksgiving to flavor their family’s stuffing and the ingredients are Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Ginger, Marjoram, Thyme, and Black Pepper. Whether you’re grabbing for this pantry staple or you’re using fresh herbs, it’s amazing to consider that these aromatic herbs and spices all have properties that help to digest food and ease bloating and gas. Even traditional Thanksgiving desserts like Pumpkin and Apple pie are made using spices and herbs that help in this regard like Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Cloves.
-Rosemary~aids in digestion by stimulating the liver and gallbladder because it is a bitter -Oregano~ a warming digestive stimulant, Oregano not only helps to digest food, its antibacterial properties help to fight off any food borne pathogens -Sage~Helps to move stagnation, especially helpful in aiding digestion of meats and higher fat foods, Sage helps prevent gas, indigestion, and belly aches that are commonly associated with the rich dishes we enjoy on Thanksgiving. -Ginger~ the warming properties of Ginger help to stimulate digestion, bringing heat to move things along by increasing digestive enzymes to work on the fats and carbs we eat. This root is also well known as a very powerful anti-nausea remedy, helpful to ease the queasiness after a big meal. -Marjoram~ another great digestive aid, Marjoram helps us to digest our food and helps to alleviate gas and flatulence. Like many of the previous herbs listed, She is also an anti-spasmodic, meaning that Marjoram reduces spasms in the digestive tract that lead to cramping. -Thyme~offers us the same benefits that many of the previously mentioned herbs, as far as her digestive and carminative properties( gas and bloating). Spiritually speaking, Thyme helps bring down heightened tension and mental exhaustion, allowing us to release our in-breath. I find this very helpful during holidays because there can be some tension amidst the festivities, as is expected because we are human, after all. -Black Pepper~ another of our warming allies, Black Pepper is the dried fruit of the Piper Negrum plant. A powerful digestive stimulant, it also works with our digestive enzymes to allow for better nutrient absorption. black pepper helps reduce toxins in our gut as it increases our digestive fire. -Cinnamon~a warming and stimulating herb, Cinnamon, like many of our aforementioned herbs, helps to raise the vitality of all of our body's functions. In this way, it can help to speed up our digestive processes. Cinnamon has medicinal qualities can also alleviate diarrhea and quell nausea. Many studies credit this herb with the ability to lower blood sugar too, always beneficial after a carbohydrate laden meal. -Nutmeg~has digestive properties that can help with indigestion and stomach upset. Nutmeg can help to reduce stress, as it has mild adaptogenic qualities.. holidays can be stressful, as we all know! -Cloves~the carminative action of Clove helps to increase peristalsis( the movement necessary to digest our food) as well as increasing the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, leading to better digestion. Cloves are an analgesic too, which means they can reduce pain. While the herbal actions of all of these herbs used in our Thanksgiving meals have many of the same or similar properties, they each bring their own flavors and benefits. Food is medicine, and even though we include them in our heirloom recipes to this day, a nice cup of tea made from these herbs as an added boost can remedy your digestive discomfort after a day renowned for overindulgence. ( or any day you’re belly is not up to par) Herbs, Love, and Yoga has their own tea blend specifically crafted to support digestion, and carries individual herbs if you prefer certain herbs for their flavors and properties. One of my personal favorite herbs that I find has the most calming effects on an upset stomach is Chamomile. She is not one of the herbs that is typically used in our Thanksgiving meal, but she is a great nightcap and I highly recommend turning to Chamomile after the festivities wind down. This post was written by Debra Romano an apprentice at Herbs Love + Yoga
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 I can remember, not too long ago, during one of my classes at Herbs, Love, and Yoga when Alyssa asked each of us “What is gratitude?” There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer, but I began to panic. I have so many things that I am grateful for; I am mostly healthy, I am loved, I love deeply, I am appreciated and I show appreciation, my family and those close to me are not all healthy, but they’re doing the best that they are capable of and bless me with all sorts of intangible gifts, allowing me to bless them with mine as well. I am clothed, I have a place to call home and I have abundant resources. I know that I am fortunate even though my life is not “perfect” and for all of these reasons I am grateful, but there is this deeper sense of gratitude that I have come to know. Finding the words ( as much as I love words) to articulate what gratitude was seemed nearly impossible. I stumbled over my response, and all I could verbally come up with at the time was that it was a feeling that fills you up. Over the years, and through many hardships I had this idea of gratitude that went something like this: -You SHOULD be grateful for what you have because someone else who doesn’t have what you have WOULD be. This leads to comparison and shame - It’s hard to feel grateful when so many things are WRONG or I am LACKING something that I want, and others have it, or things come easy to them. This creates envy. -If I do something for YOU then you SHOULD show ME gratitude, and YOU doing something for ME implies that I OWE you my gratitude. This feels like both indebtedness as well as entitlement and obligation. -If I have X,Y, and Z then I am grateful, my gratitude then becomes dependent upon my circumstances and what I HAVE or DON’T HAVE. The issue with viewing gratitude with this mindset is that it is dependent upon outside sources. It can be taken from you against your will, creating resentment, anger and a deep sense of lack, or maybe this could even bring up thoughts that you are not deserving of the things that would make one grateful. So, what is gratitude then? GRATITUDE:( noun) the quality of being thankful THANKFUL:(adjective) conscious of benefit received, expressive of thanks, well pleased; glad. But, is it really? When approached within this construct it diminishes the actual power of gratitude, and its ability to be a life changing practice. Key word PRACTICE, which is a verb,meaning it’s an action. Not a noun, which is simply a thing. What if you could approach the concept of gratitude in a way that could transform your life? GRATITUDE:(verb) the act of recognizing and acknowledging, immediately, the moment(s) when your spirit has been breathed into( touched) and therefore has been acknowledged and recognized by the Divine Spirit itself. This recognition combined with acknowledgment in the moment creates a channel through which light, love, and a sense of knowing( pure magic✨) can flow from God and back through you, and all throughout the center of you to extend out to everyone around you, and to the world. Once you begin to acknowledge these occurrences, and the feeling that grows inside of you, your heart will open. What that feels like is a sudden shift, like a blooming, that expands and awe and amazement of the best kind is at the center of it. It’s big, and trust that when you become aware of it, you will know. Not only will you know, you will automatically think to yourself “THANK YOU”. Love and light will become the guiding force that leads you in life, whatever you do and wherever you go. Gratitude in its true form fills you so completely that being thankful everyday becomes as natural as breathing air into your lungs. It makes you want to do good, to make the world better, to help, to be kind, to love and understand people, to be compassionate, to be gentle..you’re not looking for reward or praise, your only motivation is to share the light you were fortunate enough to receive through your notice of it’s existence. ( God, Source, the Divine, the Creator, the Universe; whoever or whatever your higher power is)
Gratitude flows, it is like water. It removes the expectations and entitlement that our egos seek in order to feel secure. It gives us the clarity to listen to our intuitive heart.Yes, there were innumerable times in my life that honest and authentic gratitude was given and received. It wasn’t until I truly came to understand that gratitude is a direct relationship (a pathway, a connection) to the Universe, that I recognized how powerful a medicine it is. I can’t tell you exactly how to tap into this lifeforce because my personal experience is my own, but I can explain to you what it feels like and how I came to recognize its true nature when I began to tap into it. Many people will feel the essence of gratitude within the walls of their churches, many will find it during prayer and meditation. I, personally, did not have the community of a religious group or a religion that was practiced as I was growing up. This left me unsure about who, exactly, I would be thanking or praying to and what it even meant.. if I’m being honest, it made me uncomfortable. It was only in the depths of despair and brokenness, that I found myself being inexplicably drawn to spend more time alone in Nature. Noticing the way the sunlight dappled through the densest canopy of trees, glimmered on her streams. The reflections and shadows created when her canopy was bare. Her welcoming embrace surrounded me with comfort. Her magnificent beauty, her perfect imperfection, her smell, her song, her texture, her taste(who doesn’t nibble from a plant or two while exploring the wilderness?) She changed constantly yet remained ever the same, in that she felt like home. I could pull myself out of my own thoughts and instead pay attention to every detail of her existence. She had the audacity to persevere while the world, my world, was in such a state of distress. She lives and she dies and she lives again, all the while she does so with grace, with ease. Interesting… while nature itself is actually anything but quiet, there is a quiet sense when you are alone in it. You are the disruption, until you spend enough time in it to realize that you are actually not just a part of her, you are her. She was showing me what it means to just BE. She was inviting each one of my senses to be engaged, expanding my perception. Bringing my sense of self down out of my head and into my body. Nature, in her wild, untamed expression of life revealed to me what gratitude, as a practice, truly was. The reciprocal relationship between myself and the Universe that is my driving force in everything that I do. While my practice of walking in gratitude has changed my life profoundly, I do want to say that like anyone else I falter. Walking in gratitude highlights your humanity, and isn’t it beautiful to be here, as a human being with all of your intricacies, attributes and even your shortcomings? And to see and accept them in others? I encourage you to go and find the moments that open your heart to the power of gratitude, not as a thing but as a living, breathing practice. Let your authentic self shine, let that light lead you, find your magic!! You are LOVE❤️ You are LIGHT💛 You are MAGIC✨ This post was written by Debra Romano, a Herbs Love + Yoga Apprentice. Calendula & Marigold: Discovering the Physical and Spiritual Benefits of These Healing Blooms10/27/2024 Calendula In Europe Calendula had been called Marigold for thousands of years, and then when the Spanish brought Marigold seeds that they had taken from the Aztecs, Calendula started being referred to as Pot-Marigold. The name Marigold itself, evolved due to its sacred connection to the Virgin Mary- Mary’s gold, however in Latin the name would translate to bitter or rebellious gold- precious metal. Precious, she is indeed! While the two plants are both in the Daisy family( Asteraceae) and do have some similarities, they have different medicinal as well as spiritual properties. Calendula Calendula Officinalis~Pot Marigold Hailing from Central Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, Iran, her name in Latin derives from the word Calendae~meaning first day of the month, or even farther broken down Calea~meaning warmth, flower heat. Her blooms are bright yellow to orange with a definitive center, where long petals stretch out from, she is similar in appearance to the daisy flower in that way. Calendula blooms cyclically every month( all year, in warmer climates) ; she also opens up in the morning sun and closes when the sun fades from the sky. The Pot-Marigolds’ deep, rich color has been used for dying fabrics, and coloring foods in place of Saffron. Her flowers are edible and nutritious, and known to encourage healthy eyesight. An amazing ally for the skin, she is a wound healer and soother. This is mild medicine that can be used for children, even babies. She can stimulate the uterus when taken internally though, so she is not indicated for use during pregnancy. The energetic qualities of this herb are spicy, bitter, neutral-cooling, the cooling part is unusual since her planetary influence is that of the sun, her element fire. Calendulas Medicinal properties give her the ability to help with: ~Topically~ rashes fungal infections burns prevention of scars diaper rash sunburn dry, cracked skin sores cuts bruises herpes shingles ~Internally~candida infections cervical irritation delayed and irregular menstruation liver issues healing of old inflammation ulcers gastritis colds and flu lymphatic congestion ~Spiritually, Calendula can be a beautiful ally as well. Working with her can be helpful when you need: a boost of brightness in your life clarity to listen to hear a message, not just to listen to respond better communication a renewed sense of how you deal with the world around you ease when healing and growing to work on your warmth and receptivity I personally like to work with Calendula during Beltane and Samhain. Before the Marigold that we know as Marigold today came to Europe, the ancient Druids and Pagans had never seen today's Marigold. I find that Calendula has strong protective qualities. She can allow us to be a great communicator so she facilitates our ability to reach out to the unseen( but felt) realms as well as teaching us to listen. She creates a space for us to be able to show reverence for those we have lost with a sense of warmth and ease. She closes her petals in the evening and catches the nighttime dew, and when she opens up again in the morning she weeps, I see this as a message that in order to experience the light and warmth of the sun, we must let go of what we hold onto in the darkness Marigold Tagetes Erecta~Cempoalxóchitl(sempa-soo-cheel)
Aztec Marigold is sometimes called African Marigold, but these plants are Native to Mexico and Guatemala, where they grow in the wild. The Ancient Meso-American civilizations like the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs revered the Marigold as medicine and as a sacred plant. Like Calendula she can be used to dye fabrics and foods and is edible. In modern Mexico she is integral to their Day of the Dead celebrations. Her pungent aroma guides the spirits of the dearly beloved back to the earthly realm to visit, and her bright orange and yellow colors invoke a connection to the sun; the bearer of warmth and of life. Marigolds keep pests, both above and below ground, at bay-interestingly this could apply to both physical pests and spirits that mean harm. The energetic qualities of Tagetes are pungent, bitter, astringent with planetary influences from the Sun and the sign of Leo. Cempoalxótchitl can be called upon medicinally for a variety of conditions:
The oils of this plant are also helpful to:
Spiritually speaking, the Marigold( Tagetes) is beautiful to work with for support in the following ways:
This post was written by Debra Romano, a Herbs Love And Yoga Apprentice. El Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
The Day of The Dead is a celebration with ties to Meso-American Culture( Aztec, Mayan, Toltec....)with hints of European and Spanish Culture blended with Christianity. Widely celebrated in Mexico, it is a holiday to remember, honor, and welcome home passed loved ones and Ancestors. Día de los Muertos also falls at the same time of the year as Halloween and Samhain. Coinciding with the thinning of the veil, and the ending of Summer, the Day of the Dead is celebrated between the end of October(27th) and the first week in November. Most notably November 1st. Different families may have their own number of days that they celebrate. The Day of the Dead is a happy and joyful time and the excitement builds as the day the ancestors and loved ones return to visit draws near. Like Samhain, this holiday calls its celebrators to create an Altar to honor and welcome the dearly departed. An Altar for El Día de los Muertos is sometimes called the Ofrenda( offering). The space that will be used for the Altar will be cleaned l lovingly, and Copal or other sacred cleansing herbs may be burned to cleanse the space and the offerings. Placing a cloth down is also common practice, before setting up:
During El Día de Los Muertos there are parades and fiestas, music and dancing, children dress up, adults dress up too as Calaveras and Calaveras Catrinas( caricatured,fanciful skeletons, that are truly beautiful). Food plays a big role in the Day of the Dead.
Honoring Samhain: Creating an Altar, Crafting a Ritual Oil, and Celebrating the Spirit of the Season10/27/2024 Cultures steeped in ancient traditions have long celebrated the time between the Autumn harvest and the anticipation of the upcoming Winter with celebrations centered around honoring the lives of our ancestors and loved ones who have departed from this earthly realm. In modern America, Halloween has become the focus of our October festivities, a lot of which have their roots deep in these historical practices. Samhain (Gaelic* pronounced Sow-en) is the most sacred of the Pagan holidays. Although widely celebrated on October 31st -just like Halloween-The Festival of Fire was traditionally held over multiple days. The Witches New Year honors the halfway point between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. The Druids and Ancient Celtic civilizations revered this first dark turn of the Wheel of the Year as the time where the veil between the spiritual and physical worlds was the thinnest. These festivals had been held to connect with their ancestors and the spirits of their lost loved ones, with gratitude for their sacrifice and wisdom as well as prayer and asking for their continued protection. The winter has long been associated with mortality, and as such the time to ask for the assistance of those who came before them was of the essence. There is something cozy and communal about sitting around a fall bonfire, perhaps for some of us this feeling comes from our souls remembering how the bonfire was the focal point of Samhain in the time of the Druids and Celts. Bonfires were lit on hilltops to ward off evil spirits and plead with the sun to stay, in villages strewn across Ancient Europe in countless Tribal Chiefdoms. This was not just in Ireland, Scotland and Britain, as many believe. They would not have referred to themselves as Celts, as it was a name given to them by the Greeks sometime around 540 B.C, who referred to them as Keltoi-meaning barbarians! The people in these villages would extinguish their homes' hearths and take some embers of the sacred bonfire to relight them, in the belief that this newly lit hearth of the sacred fire would bring them protection, warmth, and prosperity for the new year ahead. Offerings of livestock bones were placed in the fire hence the name Bon-Fire. Eventually, as time went on and Christianity spread throughout the world, these villages that were expansive all throughout Europe dwindled, and people of their lineage predominantly settled in what is now Ireland and Northwestern Europe. Christian churches vilified Pagan practices, especially Samhain. Which led to the creation of All Saints Day on November first, and All Souls Day on November second. Though both of these newer holidays are centered around the same theme, the afterlife and the bond between the living and the heavenly. As the Irish came to America during the potato famine, they brought so many of their Ancestral practices with them, passed down through generations. Much like a game of telephone though, the message has become diluted and missing much of its original meaning. -Today, Jack O’ Lanterns are carved in countless homes in America. Originating from the hollowing out of turnips and carving faces into them, to bring light into darkness while scaring away evil spirits. They were used as lanterns to take home the embers of the bonfire. As the bonfires of Samhain started disappearing across Europe, families would still carve turnips to keep outside of their homes for protection and as people immigrated to the New World they found that pumpkins were much easier to carve.
The Samhain Altar The Altar you create for Samhain is a sacred place dedicated to the honoring of your loved ones who have left this Earthly realm and the ancestors who came before you. The Altar represents, in big part, your own connection to the spiritual world. Magic is an expression of the individual, so while there are certain aspects that you would want to include, you’ll want to use your creative freedom to make it your own.
The entire process of setting up your Altar is one of reflection and oneness. The burning of incense, and cleansing herbs and resins such as Sage, Mugwort, Copal, and Santo Palo to ready your space and altar components is part of the practice. Samhain oil can also be used for anointing our Altars. Placing your chosen items with intention and reverence and mindfully honoring the spirit world reminds us that we are loved, protected and evermore connected. Taking our time to lovingly acknowledge this connection is a beautiful experience. This Altar is a place you can pray, give thanks and communicate(talk with your dead) Samhain oil is a blend of herbs, and essential oils placed into a carrier oil. Making this sacred tool is another lovely way to feel wholly a part of this holiday. You can work with it to anoint your Altar, your tools, Altar items and offerings,as well as your self. Making a Samhain Oil  Some other things we can do for the Witches New Year
This post was written by Debra Romano, an apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga  Autumn is fully underway, and plants stop flowering and growing upward as they begin to send all of their energy back down into their roots. This is why we want to harvest the roots of the plants that provide health benefits from their less visible source at this time of the year. This is when their medicinal and spiritual offerings will be at their peak. While the roots of the Chicory plant are not the only parts that offer us her many benefits, we will concentrate on them for today. Chicory is a great example of a plant whose roots we want to harvest because her roots have many benefits for our health. Closely related to her more well known cousin, Dandelion, she has a slew of her own very distinctive offerings. The most notable being a very high Inulin content. Inulin is a prebiotic fiber and here is what that can do for us:
Working with Chicory to improve or maintain your physical well being can also benefit us spiritually, as she carries with her her own beautiful essence. Chicory imbues us with strong determination, perseverance and feelings of being worthy. This isn’t surprising, as she is found frequently on roadsides and at the edges of parking lots and is mostly overlooked. When working with Chicory you may find that you have increased intuition, as she helps to heal your gut, she presents the opportunity for us to follow our “ gut feelings”. She will simultaneously help to ground us and leave us feeling more in the present. The flowers of Chicory have their own set of spiritual benefits such as unconditional self love, but the roots give us a great start towards that journey. Harvesting Roots and Seeds The Roots of the Chicory plant can go very deep into the ground, these are called taproots. Taproots go so deep so that they protect the plant from drought, and to seek out the nutrients in our soil. This also means that it’s not easy to harvest, if you want to get a nice big piece of Chicory root. I wanted to be able to have my Chicory come back next year, so I did not dig too deeply or take too much of the root. With any kind of harvesting, it’s always better to take one -third or less of what you’re harvesting so that you can ensure that the plant can return in the spring to support our pollinators and to offer their gifts to us once again.  (Chicory is to the right and Dandelion is to the left) I also harvested some Dandelion, which has a taproot as well, so that I could create a wonderful coffee alternative that would be loaded with the benefits of these two plant wonders. A recipe for making this delicious brew is to follow, but first let’s talk about seed collecting. Just like we want to harvest roots for medicine in the fall, the time to collect seeds to plant in the spring is also upon us. It is best to wait until the chosen plant is pretty dried up so that the seeds are dry and won't grow mold over the winter. Since I had been out by the Chicory, I had noticed that there were quite a few brown stiff stalks that were perfectly ready for harvesting seeds. The seeds of plants are found either in the dried up flower or seed pod, in fruiting plants you’d find them in the fruit ( or vegetable). You can take the whole brown and dried up flower head or pod off and collect the seeds from them or you can harvest by pulling the seeds straight out of the flower or pod. I prefer to snip the flowers and pods off and collect them in a place where I won’t lose too many, so I do it inside over a paper towel. As with any other type of harvest, you also don’t want to take all of the seeds. Leave some so that they can fall naturally into the earth and grow in the place that their life began. It’s amazing to consider that within each seed is the DNA for a whole new life!! Storing seeds is best done in an envelope, storing in plastic bags may cause the seeds to grow mold. ( air is essential to life-let the seeds breath!!) Store your harvest in a cool, dry place and mark your envelopes, so that in the spring you can plant accordingly.
Chicelion BrewTry this amazing roasted chicory and dandelion root coffee substitute- recipe below!  This post was written by Debra Romano, an apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga.
Simmer pots are a natural and creative way to fill your home with feel good aromas . They are a great non toxic alternative to scented wax melts, candles, and plug in or spray air fresheners. You can create a simmer pot in your own home or office by simply combining aromatic herbs, warm spices, dried fragrant flowers and citrus peels with water and just allowing them to simmer gently, adding water when necessary, as it will evaporate - In a crockpot you’ll want to put it on low heat- Pleasant smells have long been shown to enhance our overall well being and mood.  What’s even better is that when simmer pots are made with the intention of calling forth the spiritual properties of the ingredients, you also will benefit from the positive energetic shift as well. What’s more, a simmer pot crafted with certain medicinal herbs can help us to breathe easier and help to cleanse the air. Lavender and Balsam Fir are two of which have been used for centuries to purify the air and have antimicrobial properties. Whenever I make one of these fragrant, bubbling blends I feel as if I am taking a step back from our fast paced world and I am transported back to the days of yesteryear! New to Simmer Pots? Here are some frequently asked questions: Q: I see simmer pot recipes that use fresh fruit, what’s the difference between only using dried ingredients and adding fresh ingredients? A: ingredients like freshly picked herbs, apples, sliced up citrus fruits and berries can be wonderful addition to simmer pots. When you use these ingredients though, the simmer pot will only last about 2 days and if you’re not using a crockpot ( where the heat won’t stay on all the time ) then it would be best to refrigerate the contents in between uses. Dried herbs, peels and spices last longer-about 4 days and their aromas are more concentrated. Q: Can you drink the simmer pot liquid? A: You could certainly craft a simmer pot with consumption in mind. These simmer pots would be short simmers and not used for days and then consumed. An example would be a lemon, ginger and Thyme simmer pot. You would only simmer for an hour or two, adding water and honey at the end so it’s not so concentrated, and you could drink it to help ease cold symptoms. You would get the benefit of the lovely smell wafting in the air and have a nice hot beverage to comfort your cold. Q: Are Simmer Pots pet friendly? A: Yes, Simmer Pots are pet friendly. Always make sure your simmer pots are out of reach of pets. Some simmer pot recipes you will come across will include essential oils, which can be harmful to pets( and even humans-particularly children and the elderly)in large quantities, as a pet owner I don’t recommend using essential oils in Simmer Pots. Q: What are some other ways I can use the liquid from a Simmer Pot? A: You can make Simmer Pots specifically to use in room air freshener sprays and clothing/fabric refreshers. As with the consumable Simmer Pots, you’d not want to simmer for days.. just a few hours at max. Adding vodka prevents it from spoiling and growing bacteria and mold. I typically will add 1⁄4 cup of vodka to 3⁄4 cup of liquid. Just be aware that spraying directly on clothing and fabrics could cause staining so you would not want to use darkly colored liquids. Adding a very small amount of essential oils to these sprays( not to the Simmer Pot itself )is okay since you're not simmering the essential oils, of course if you have pets make sure they are considered safe for pets! Q: How do you dispose of Simmer Pot contents? A: You can strain the liquid, if not using it for the above mentioned purposes, and dump it down the drain. Solids can be thrown in the trash or put in composting pile.( not where pets can get to it though)  Leading up to the full moon I always keep my gratitude up and my negativity down. I want the best intentions to be a part of the process in making Full Moon Water Spray. I make this spray to offer to my family and friends as a tool for protection and as a way to utilize the astrological energy of a current moon along with the full moon’s support in illuminating things we all need to work on , and of course her ability to help us let things go. I make a beautiful Simmer Pot like this recipe I’ve included, while I begin setting my intentions. Once simmered and fully fragrant ( and always after I’ve said my prayers) I’ll strain the liquid into a glass jar and put it outside to bask in the glow and the powers of the Full Moon. The next morning I bring the jar in, add the appropriate amount of vodka and place it in the refrigerator until I can put it into individual spray bottles. You can also call in the energies of different stones and crystals. When I get to bottling the moon water spray I usually dilute the Simmer Pot liquid with plain moonwater I have made in a separate vessel. I may also add small amounts of various essential oils that call in the energies I am asking the spray to embody. Bottling and labeling are also done with gratitude and intention. Happy Simmering!!
This post was written by Debra Romano, an apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga  The fall equinox, a celestial event marking the equal day and night, is a time of profound spiritual significance across cultures. It symbolizes a pivotal moment in the natural cycle, a transition from the vibrant energy of summer to the introspective quiet of autumn. As the days shorten and the leaves begin their colorful descent, this equinox invites us to reflect, harvest, and prepare for the seasons ahead.
Spiritual Symbolism
Traditional Celebrations Throughout history, cultures around the world have celebrated the fall equinox with unique rituals and traditions. Here are a few examples:
Honoring the Equinox Today While the specific traditions may vary, the underlying themes of gratitude, balance, and renewal remain universal. To honor the fall equinox in your own life, consider these practices:
By embracing the spiritual significance of the fall equinox, we can align ourselves with the natural rhythms of the earth and cultivate a deeper sense of peace, gratitude, and renewal.
I don’t quite remember when I first started the tradition in my home, or where I came to learn of it, but for years now around this time of year I honor Goldenrod by harvesting a few of her stalks and creating a broom to bless my home with her radiant sunshine and good fortune. I will share with you a simple way to bring the warmth and prosperity of Goldenrod into your own home as summer fades. All winter long you too will be blessed with her warmth and good cheer!! Preferably, you would want to pick a day that is dry and sunny to go out foraging for the threeGoldenrod stalks that you will need to make your broom. On that day, it’s best to set out with a pair of scissors and a sense of gladness and joy. Spend some time walking amongst nature, reveling in her beauty, and feeling the warmth of the sun. One by one I like to choose the Golden rod plants that just seem to call to me. Offering thanks ( in my heart or out loud- usually both) I snip the Goldenrod, give her a gentle shake to make sure any little insects stay outside where life is best suited for them, and head home. You want to remove the leaves on the stems below where the flowering tops begin-you can leave a few leaves at the top, if you feel so inclined. To do this just wrap your thumb and pointer finger around the stem and pull downward. The leaves come off pretty easily. You should trim the ends of the stems so that they are all the same length.
Next, you wrap all three stems together with twine or ribbon beginning with the top by the base of the flowers. You want to wrap it pretty tightly so that it doesn’t come apart. Then you gingerly twist the stems a bit as you work your way down and do the same thing at the middle and again at the end of the stems. You’ll want to create a loop at the ends before you tie it off so that you will be able to hang the broom. You can hang her anywhere you like, some say it is tradition to place her above your front door. I prefer to find a place in my kitchen because that is where I spend most of my time and I enjoy the sunshine and good cheer she blesses me with all year long. In the photo here to the left, you’ll see how last year’s Goldenrod broom has faded, which is why I like to create a new one each year. I’ll take down the broom I made last September, offering thanks for her blessings, and place her in my garden so that she may return to the earth once more. May you enjoy Goldenrod’s yearly gift as the Autumnal Equinox approaches, and may she bring you through the winter with prosperity and warmth.
This post was written by Debrah Romano, an herbal apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga.  Ah! As the autumnal equinox approaches, we are so fortunate to be able to see how nature surrounds us with her unimaginable beauty everywhere we cast our eyes. Here, on an ordinary Thursday, I am blessed to find myself in a field bejeweled with Goldenrod.
Goldenrod has been called on as medicine for centuries in Europe and for thousands of years by Indigenous Native Americans. Today she is still an asset in Herbal Medicine. The top one-third, or aerial parts are made into teas, tinctures, oils, and salves. Gldenrod can be employed for her diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, which is beautiful medicine for urinary tract issues and supports the body in the prevention of kidney stones. Her medicinal properties are also great to ease sore throats as well as mouth and gum infections. Her antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties are helpful for those dealing with rheumatism, sore muscles and gout. Herbalists also call upon Goldenrod when looking for an herb to treat allergies, colds, and flus because she is also a decongestant and a diaphoretic ( sweat that fever out!) Her bright golden plumage is a great addition to salves used for eczema, skin conditions and wounds too. What a beautiful gift she is!! |
Hi, I'm AlyssaMindfulness, yoga, and herbal medicine have been fundamental to my own journey in life. I hope to share my experiences and perspectives in order to inspire and connect with others. Archives
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