Herbally Speaking

18/12: A Solstice Tradition

According to Celtic tradition, the natural year begins at the winter solstice, the longest night and shortest day of the year. This is a time of cleansing which is honored for 12 days – supposedly the time it takes to make the transition during a time of change. There is an interesting correlation with the 12 days of Christmas, which are the days from Christmas Day till the Day of Three Kings on January 6. (The solstice is on the 22nd. Maybe we should start a couple of days early?)

One custom is to “smoke” or “smudge” the entire house with burning incense on each of these 12 days to clear out any negative energy that may have accumulated during the year. (This means you walk through the house carefully with your burning fragrance. Don’t burn the house down!) Some traditional herbs used for this purpose are frankincense, myrrh, juniper, and many others. (Cedar would be nice. It’s really up to your preference and intention.) Prayer and songs often accompany the ritual to enhance the effect.

As you clear out old negative energy during this time, you may want to also focus on bringing in your new (or continuing) intentions. What a wonderful way to combine our Christmas and New Year traditions. And if Christmas is not your holiday of choice, this works with any tradition.

Happy cleansing, and may the best of your intentions become your reality!

Blessings to you for a happy, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous new year!

Marian at Juniper House

11/12: Myrrh

Like frankincense, myrrh resin has been burned for thousands of years for its wonderfully fragrant properties. In ancient times, myrrh was sometimes twice as expensive as frankincense, and they were both right up there with gold. (It doesn’t smell twice as expensive to me! I guess it was harder to come by.)

Myrrh has a pungent, earthy smell, and is associated with femininity and with the earth. It is the “fragrance of the goddess.” The combination of frankincense and myrrh is a balancing blend. (And that is a nice blend, too!)

Not surprisingly, myrrh can be grounding and calming. The feeling, especially when used alone, is heavy! So use it wisely and carefully. You may want to use in combination with more uplifting choices, as was often traditionally done.

I’m burning some frankincense and myrrh right now. Very nice! J I am so happy and fortunate!

Blessings to you and yours,

Marian at Juniper House

07/12: Frankincense

We are so very fortunate to have ready and affordable access to this precious substance!

Frankincense has been burned for its fragrance for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was thought to be a “fragrance of the gods,” and it became one of the most expensive substances in the world! Arabia, where the best frankincense was grown, once had an entire fleet of ships devoted to its transport and trade. (Then they had frankincense; now they have oil!)

Frankincense has traditionally been used for spiritual and ritual purposes, to connect with higher consciousness, and for cleansing and purifying. The Catholic Church still uses it during mass and other ceremonies. (There are reports of altar boys becoming addicted. Is this possible? At least one study has found that frankincense has mild psychoactive properties.)

In the Christmas tradition, frankincense was one of the precious gifts chosen for the Christ child. And according to some European traditions, on January 6, the 12th day of Christmas, the “three kings” knock on doors, then bless all rooms of the house with an offering of burning frankincense. (Less expensive incense choices are sometimes substituted.)

Some wonderful frankincense choices can be found at Inspirations www.inspirationsmindbodyandspirit.com and at Juniper House www.juniperhouse.net! Stop by and visit. We may have some burning!

This information is mostly from the book, "Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health." It's a wonderfully readable and informative book.

Let us enjoy our amazing good fortune! :)

Marian at Juniper House

27/11: Sweetgrass

This is a wild tall grass that is native to the plains of North America. It is a traditional smudging plant that is gathered and braided into long thinish ropes to be burned.

There are differing perspectives on its energetic effect. In the book "Sacred Smoke", the author states that sweetgrass is commonly used for grounding, protecting, and making sacred, and that it can be burned alone or in combination with cedar and sage.

Other sources say that you should never burn sweetgrass alone because it is attractive to ALL energies and may call some unwanted "stuff" into your space. The recommendation from that point of view is to always burn sweetgrass with or after sage. (Or - I don't see why cedar wouldn't work as well.) Personally, I burn sweetgrass with or after sage or cedar - probably because that's how I was originally introduced to it. Obviously, you can decide for yourself. (And add a comment if you have an opinion. I'm interested. Maybe someone else is too.)

Sweetgrass is available in ready to use form as braids, combined with other plants in bundles, and in an interesting incense form. It has a nice gentle scent. I can see why the spirits would be attracted.

Happy smudging.

Marian at Juniper House

20/11: Juniper

During the Middle Ages, Juniper was burned to protect against the plague and leprosy. Until recently, Juniper was burned in hospitals in France to protect against infection. Juniper has a refreshing, woody smell (imagine that). It repels insects. Juniper may be used to strengthen and uplift the spirit, to enhance meditation practice, and to encourage feelings of love, peace, and health. It is said to help dispel apathy, confusion, and anxiety.

Juniper is a bit more difficult to find in prepared form. There is a lovely sage, sweetgrass, and juniper bundle available, and I have just come across (with the help of a friend) a very nice juniper incense as well. And, oh wow! a juniper soap that is really really fine. So I am a lucky woman.

An easy way to enjoy juniper - save your trimmings of juniper plants in your yard, let them dry, and add to your next fire pit! No juniper in your yard? Good news! It's easy to grow, easy to manage, drought resistant once established, and comes in a variety of sizes for your enjoyment!

Juniper can also be found as an essential oil and added to aroma lamps, lotions, oils, baths, etc. Juniper has many healing benefits and some precautions as well for internal use. So be mindful and do your research!

Being Juniper House, of course we have a few plants here, and juniper in many presentations - smudge bundle, incense, soap, sachet, berries, and essential oil. You might even see some in a vase from time to time.

I am so happy and thankful for this wonderful abundance of beautiful, healing gifts of nature! Happy Thanksgiving!

Marian at Juniper House

13/11: Sacred Cedar

Cedar is less well known than Sage these days as a plant for smudging. If you haven't tried burning Cedar for its positive and clearing energy, you are in for a nice surprise! The smell is as lovely as you would expect.

You're probably familiar with the practice of using cedar furniture, or cedar chips, blocks, sachets, etc. to keep insects away from stored items, while permeating everything with a wonderful aroma. Burning cedar is kind of like that. It is used for clearing negativity and enhancing positive energy. It is used to consecrate or make sacred, and has a balancing effect on the emotions. It can also be used when seeking spiritual guidance.

Cedar is a bit more difficult to find in prepared bundles, and I have only seen it in combination with sage. It's a nice combination. There is also some very fine cedar or cedar and sage incense available, that will nicely fill your space with its healing energy. Be sure to get the real thing! Many brands say they are all natural. You can usually tell by the price!

Please do your burning carefully! Of course you will, as it is a mindful practice. Blessings to you for positive energy and balance.

Marian at Juniper House

06/11: Sacred Sage

Here's how I learned to smudge with sage: First gather your tools, being sure to represent the four elements. The sage will represent the earth element, and it's smoke the element of air. (Some people like to use a feather for the air element, or to think of the breath in this way.) The burning embers will obviously relate to fire. The missing element is water, so use a dish that represents the water element. Many people choose a shell. Abalone shells are great because they a thick enough to provide some insulation. Another posibility is a glass bowl. (Glass is actually a liquid. It just moves very very slowly, taking many many years to "drip" out of shape.) By the way, the elements included here are the four elements of Native American tradition.

Light your smudge bundle with a lighter or candle. (A match won't stay lit long enough to do the trick.) Wait till the end is well glowing, then blow out the flame if you need to. Holding you bundle over your dish (It will drop little embers) move through your space in a clockwise direction. Use your breath or a feather to "fan" the glowing sage and keep it burning. Repeat your intention to yourself or out loud, as it feels comfortable to you. When finished, put the bundle out completely and place it away from anything flammable. (The embers in the middle can be imperceptibly lit, and you may find a surprise when you come back. I found this out the hard way!)

Some people think that sage and marijuana have a very similar smell. Just something to keep in mind when planning your agenda. Wouldn't want to cause any awkwardness!

The sage I am most familiar with is of the genus "salvia"; it's a garden kind of sage with broadish leaves that easily wrap around the stem. It's commonly used for smudging these days and not too terribly hard to find. I love it, as do many others, and find it very helpful in keeping me mindful of the positive clarity of myself and my space.

Another sacred sage, desert sage, Artemisia tridentata, is eluding me a bit. Since reading about it in Harvest McCampbell's book, I have been looking to plant some. All the "sages" in the nursery though, are of a different genus, L-something or salvia. Any ideas on this? I'm betting Baker Nursery would have it. I've had lots of luck there - just not so much time to make it across town. Sorry for the rambling; it's a good tip though - Baker Nursery, somewhere on East Osborn - a great source for hard to find plants!

For more information on smudging or gathering and making your own smudge bundles, see the book, "Sacred Smoke, the Ancient Art of Smudging for Modern Times"

You can find smudging supplies at Juniper House - www.juniperhouse.net or Inspirations - www.inspirationsbooksandgifts.net.

31/10: Sacred Smoke

"Sacred Smoke" is the name of a book. It's about the practice and art of smudging, or burning plants for their physical, spiritual, and emotional benefits. Most of us are familiar with burning sage bundles to purify and clear our space for healing work or to help us (and our space) let go of old negative "stuff."

Many other plants are also used for smudging, and each one has its own personal signature and effect. The practice is probably thousands of years old and is part of the traditions of many native cultures around the world. (The burning of incense, when done mindfully and with intention, has a similar effect.)

In the book, "Sacred Smoke, the Ancient Art of Smudging for Modern Times", Harvest McCampbell discusses many of the plants that have traditionally been used in this way within Native American cultures. She also brings to the work her experience with other spiritual paths, which helps to make the book a very interesting read.

"Sacred Smoke", smudge supplies, and some very amazing incense are available at Juniper House. Stop by some time and check it out. Please check our website for hours. Find us at - www.juniperhouse.net! Smudge supplies and incense can also be found at Inspirations, along with many other inspiring tools for your journey. www.inspirationsbooksandgifts.net!

Hope to see you soon!

02/10: Y.E.S.!

Yarrow Environmental Solution (YES) is a vibrational flower essence remedy put together by Flower Essence Services to help us deal with environmental stressors that we all face in today's world.

Inspired by desire for healing after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, Y.E.S. is intended to protect from the effects of unnatural physical stressors such as radiation from TV's, cell phones, electric lines, and medical treatments. It can be used for strength and protection whenever the external environment causes physical or emotional issues. Flower Essence practitioners report success stories with bolstering immunity during or after times of extreme stress which might tend to weaken the system.

Adaptability - that is yarrow's gift. If you have had any success with growing yarrow in the garden, you may know that this year's one plant may lead to a dozen growing here and there next year. It is very beautiful - and it is sometimes considered a weed. Like many weeds, it is a prolific and adaptable grower - hence its use to help us adapt as well.

Yarrow Environmental Solution is available at Juniper House. Use it alone or as part of a personalized formula. We can do that for you too!

By the way, before leaving the subject of yarrow, it is great to use for dried flower arrangements! They have a distinctive and interesting scent and are very beautiful, strong, and durable. Plant some in your garden if you dare. Just be sure to keep up with the babies!

25/09: Yarrow Essential Oil

Yarrow essential oil contains more azulen, from proazulen, than German Chamomile! This is what gives it it's blue color. It is also responsible for much of the anti-inflammatory action of the oil. (It's a lot harder to find than Blue Chamomile though, and you may not think it smells as good.)

Yarrow essential oil works well in combination with other ingredients for sunburn or other skin irritations. You could apply it directly, but you'll want to try a very small bit first.

Like chamomile, yarrow is used to promote stress relief and restful sleep. It is very balancing, also like chamomile. Although I don't have the experience to confirm this, my readings tell me that yarrow balances yin and yang energies and helps to regulate qi flow. I will wait for Roger and Hsiao Hsien's opinion before I make up my mind. (Unless someone out there has some relevant info you'd like to share as well. That would be very cool. Personally, I am still working with a technological literacy deficit and haven't figured out how to add a comment! Maybe someone will read this and come to my rescue.)

FES (Flower Essence Services - a vibrational remedy company) produces a yarrow formula for help with environmental stressors. More on this next time. If I don't get to it, somebody call and kick me in the butt! (figuratively please)