Welcome to Nourished Root
Welcome to Nourished Root
APRIL
ROOT, BLOOM & GROW
We find ourselves in our first month of Spring, beginning the solar, growth, expansion, blooming part of our journey.
So far, our journey has been rooted deeply in the energetics of the darker half of the year. Like the feeling of gravity, we have been brought by the plants and the energies of the Earth into the regenerative work of tending our roots, grounding in our practice of nourishment, untethering extractive habits our culture pushes us into and weaving ourselves into our a soulful re- membering of our tradition of the Wise Woman ways, of holistic healing, earth magick, and plant medicine.
With the Earth highlighting that which needs to be released and composted in our lives, communities, and culture, we have worked with our plant allies to move through transformative times. In moments of our shadow work, we have learned how to ground, stay with the experience, acknowledge pain as a portal, bring compassion in for ourselves, deepen in our self care, and rest in the arms of the nourishing herbs, deep earth tonics, adaptogens, and the nervines that have soothed our beloved, sweet and sensitive nervous systems which do their job of interpreting all that is happening at all times.
We deepened ourselves and traveled into the magick of the fertile darkness, learned how to embody the Earth and inhabit the spaces beneath the surface, so we can bloom from a deep well of nourishment, wisdom, earth pace, groundedness & longevity.
As we moved through the Winter Equinox Portal, the meeting of Jupiter and Saturn on the horizon signaled the start of a new era. Still but a spark in the mystery, we rested with the dreaming Earth and let our souls journey into vast realms, reveling in the sensations of awakening and magick.
And then the quickening of Imbolc stirred a delightful knowing that we and the Earth will be reborn. We invited in our inner child, innocence, sensation, bliss, and letting our bodies show us what feels good, where joy is present. The threshold we have been moving through since Imbolc is one of liberation.
We find ourselves now riding a wave of Spring springing forth, and we are invited by the Earth, our allies, and the regenerative currents we are woven into to ride this current of renewal up towards the illuminating light.
April teaches us that among all these expansive energies, an in- breath and renewal of grounding will help us bloom from a fertile and nourished soil for months to come. We are invited to continue with our “spring cleanings” and to make space as more is yet to come and we want to have space for new energies that will arrive in ways we can’t even imagine.
As you enter this month of opening to the unknown rebirths and the activating energies of air and fire that are so prevalent, stay healthy by connecting to earth and water.
Notice if a feeling of fullness keeps you safe or grounded—and if freedom, spaciousness, an open schedule, less of anything and more wide open possibility and unknown makes you nervous. Facing a blank canvas of new beginnings certainly can feel both thrilling and scary. It is a place of liberation, wide horizons and also breaking from the old can elicit feelings of fear around lack of security and control.
In that threshold is where we connect to the energetic gem of this month on our journey through the wheel. We notice the presence of a strong impetus of growth, expansion, springing forward—and we stay rooted in our deep presence and connection to our nervous system, watching it as it does its job of processing all information inside and around us, and deeply loving it into trust and a relaxed receiving of earth’s healing energy with the nourishing herbs and grounding practices.
This will be a powerful month of new beginnings!
The Earth will be supporting us in recreating ourselves, our habits, our lives, rituals, relationships, etc. The Heavens are right there too, bringing us a potent New Moon in April—often considered the most powerful new moon all year for new intentions and spells for new beginnings. It is the start of the zodiac, and we begin a new astrological year with Aries—a sign that emanates the energy of initiation, sparks, igniting change and action.
This is a month where the energies of fire and air that are present can be harnessed for transformation and new beginnings, and can also strain our nervous systems or make us freeze, flee or cling to the old safety we know.
In this month, we will practice helping ourselves feel safe and grounded when sprouting in a land of infinite possibilities (clue: nourishing herbs, nervines, presence practice, deep listening to self, grounding). As we expand and grow, we are invited to deepen our exploration of what truly nourishes us and how we can feed ourselves with healing foods, herbs, and non food nourishment (such as spiritual practices, reflections, presence) so we can bloom from a deep well, and thrive for many months to come.
As above, So below.
As we deepen, so we grow.
This month of April, with our theme of “Nourish, Bloom and Grow” brings us back to the nourishing herbs, to the elements of Earth and Water, to our gardens, the pace of the Earth, and the practices that deeply nourish our nervous systems, root and sacral chakras.
As we remind ourselves that slow and steady wins the race, we treat ourselves like a garden about to spring forth into quick growth—we give it plenty of compost, and we clear out any old, irrelevant, parts that are simply in the way.
It is time to break the shackles of our own limiting beliefs and to cut any chords with energies that drain us, are unhealthy, or simply are asking to be put down or composted and renewed.
It is time to renew our commitments to self-care, nourishment, and the daily, simple root chakra practices that help us thrive in the long run. In this portal of Spring, the Earth invites us to renew our morning rituals so we can grow into each day like a nourished, blossoming flower radiating the light from our solar plexus.
Daily walks will give you both the movement that your awakening and blooming body want, and will bring you into a relationship of observing the changing plants around you.
Befriend a tree, shrub, weed, grass plant and flowering being on your daily walk and notice each day how they change. Notice when they come into their energetic peak (a clue will often be radiant colors of flowers that are attracting pollinators), and notice how the leaves and plant changes as it continues through its cycle.
Now, as we continue riding the expanding energy of the morning and the ripening spring, consider how you wish to connect with the increase of yang energy as the day continues to grow in solar energy towards its peak at noon.
April is a great time to increase our physical activity, strengthen our body, and give our organs the support and tonification they get from daily movement. It is also an important time to cultivate grounding and calming practices like meditation, mindfulness, listening to our bodies and connecting to the slow and nutritive Earth pace. Dance in the subtle realms creating balance.
We are moving now into the heart chakra, and this energy center vibrates with the color green. Looking at a green hill, flooding your senses with the green color will calm your body, open your heart, expand your breath and harmonize your heart chakra.
RECIPE: HERBAL-INFUSED APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Herbal vinegars are a staple in the herbalist’s apothecary and are something the kitchen Witch can use daily. Raw, fermented apple cider vinegar is already food medicine - it is great for digestion and full of enzymes; it lowers blood sugar levels and boosts immunity. As a medicine-making Green Witch, this is my favorite menstruum for extracting the medicinal properties of nourishing herbs. Apple cider vinegar beautifully extracts minerals and vitamins from our nourishing plants. Adding aromatic, mineral-rich herbs such as lemon balm, lemon verbena, tulsi, and mint adds wonderful flavor and enhances the digestive support of the apple cider vinegar.
You can use your herbal vinegar in cooking - add it to rice, stir-fries, salad dressings, and soups. To strengthen your digestive system and ward off colds, you can also begin the practice of drinking a glass of water with 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of your herbal vinegar each morning on an empty stomach. And sipping on 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of your vinegar in ½ cup (120 ml) of water during or after a meal has been shown to lower blood-sugar levels.
Here are some variations. Get creative! Have fun inventing your own blends in the Spring and stock your apothecary for the year when weeds are abundant.
Nettle-Lemon Balm Vinegar
Yield: varies
Fresh, roughly chopped nettles or other nourishing herb
Roughly chopped fresh lemon balm, lemon verbena, mint, holy basil, or basil
Raw apple cider vinegar
Use any size jar. Fill it half full of fresh, roughly chopped nettles or another nourishing herb of your choice.
Fill the other half with roughly chopped fresh lemon balm, lemon verbena, mint, holy basil, or basil. Leave about an inch at the top of your jar so the herbs do not stick out of your menstruum.
Pour organic, raw apple cider vinegar over the herbs and push them down with a wooden spoon so the herbs are completely submerged. Cover with wax paper, as vinegar can react with a jar lid, and seal your jar.
Shake, label, and store in a dark place, shaking every few days and whispering encouragement and love to the infusing herbs.
After 4 to 8 weeks, strain, bottle, and keep in your fridge. Use as often as possible.
“You will need the tonic of wilderness. You will never have enough of nature.”
- Henry David Thoreau
〰️ ROOT, BLOOM & GROW
〰️ ROOT, BLOOM & GROW
Watch the April Visual Spell
Join the April Plant Spirit Meditation
with
Sassafras Leaf
Join Steward Ella Murphy for a sunrise mediation with Sassafras Leaf at 6:30 am pst on April 30th.
*** Do make sure to use the leaf as the root is prepared differently.
To make your infusion:
- Place 1-2 teaspoons of dried Sassafras leaves into a 16 oz jar. (2-4 teaspoons if making in a 32 oz jar).
- Pour boiling water over the leave to fill the jar.
- Loosely place lid over the top and let sit out at room temperature, overnight.
- When ready to drink, simply strain the infusion.
Join Our April Guest Experts Jesse & Ana Smith of White Buffalo Land Trust
Ana is the Director of Programs and Engagement for white Buffalo Land Trust. She works at the nexus of business development and community dynamics. Her background in program development, event planning and production, project management, and creative direction play a key role in the experience our community has with the work of White Buffalo Land Trust, whether online or in person.
The talk titled "Living with the Land: Regenerative Stewardship" will be presented by Jesse and Ana Smith of White Buffalo Land Trust.
It will delve into their approach to land stewardship, exploring how they apply regenerative principles and contextually appropriate practices to restore ecological function to the land, increase biodiversity, and improving soil health.
The discussion will weave in the artistry of working within natural systems, creating a landscape that is both ecologically vibrant and productive.
Jesse and Ana will share how they embrace regeneration as a process and not a destination, not only on the land but also in their family, kitchen and personal / professional growth.,
Join April Guest Expert Stephanie Burg:
Guided Breathwork Experience
April’s Movement Practice
Upcoming events.
Visit Your Monthly Portals
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NOVEMBER
GIVE THANKS & RESTORE
Meditate with Valerian, Move through the changing seasons with Sue and Watch your visual spell.
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DECEMBER
MIRACLES IN DARKNESS
Meditate with Sage, Move through the changing seasons with Sue and Watch your visual spell.
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JANUARY
REST & DREAM
Meditate with Loquat Leaf, Find your Cosmic Bliss Recipe and watch your visual spell
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FEBRUARY
LOVE & BLISSIPLINE
Meditate with Hawthorn, Watch your visual spell and move your body with Sue’s yoga class
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MARCH
SPROUT & AWAKEN
Meditate with Fennel Seed, Watch your visual spell and move your body with Sue’s yoga class
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APRIL
Coming soon
