A Morning Walk
by shaUna Owlsong
Full moon in Scorpio invoked my energy last night as I tossed
and turned, the bluish hue of her mighty gaze shining on me
and into me through my bedroom window. Each awakening bringing
me awareness of tensions I hold, of hidden thoughts, and buried
creativity. It awakens me and enlivens me and helps me to
remember what is real and what is true.
Arising at dawn to blue skies and sunshine I feel fully energized
and a bit giddy, even with so little sleep…partly due
to the lunar energy and partly due to my first spring feast
of fresh nettle soup (Urtica dioca) last night. Also, today
is a special day for me. I will spend the day doing whatever
I am called to do. I rise to morning yoga, bathing, and breakfast.
After morning chores I get bundled up in my long underwear
and sweaters. Even though it is the first week of April, it
is still chilly outside. It is a perfect spring morning full
of the splendor that this time of year brings. The sap is
rising, some bulbs are blooming and others are sprouting.
There is a single crocus in the lawn…good morning!
As I descend the steps, my consciousness is altered, the sun
kisses my cheek, the wind rustles my hair, and my feet touch
the earth. It is good to be alive.
I walk a few steps and notice the daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)
stalks are already a few inches tall. I squat down and snap
off a stalk flush with the earth. I peel the outer leaves
off and nibble the inner stalk. So fresh and delicious, a
wonderful addition to salad and soup. I am aware to not eat
very many because they can give me funky digestion (if you
know what I mean).
My house sits on a paved road. It is not very well traveled
for which I am thankful. Across the road from my house there
is a hill, lots of forest, and a stream. Actually right now
there is an additional small stream that exists to help bring
melted snow down from the mountain.
Along
this stream I munch on daisy leaves (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum),
watercress (Nasturtium officinale), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella),
and dandelion leaves (Taraxacum officinale). The daisy leaves
are sweet, the watercress is spicy, the sheep sorrel is tangy,
and the dandelion leaves are simply delightful and ever-so-slightly
bitter.
Wow, I have only walked a few hundred feet and feasted abundantly
on the wild plants under my feet!
I am going to head into the woods now, up along the larger
stream. Within moments violet (Viola species) greets me with
her shiny heart-shaped leaves. I enjoy her slippery sweetness.
I trot up the trail with my feline companion Shady (she
enjoys hiking with me, she runs up trees and hops from tree
to tree and chases leaves). I munch on hemlock tree needles
(Tsuga canadensis) and pine tree needles (Pinus strobus).
They are a refreshing snack and high in vitamin C.
I make it up to a very special spot, a small waterfall with
mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) growing on the banks. She
is my plant ally this year. There is also a huge rose quartz
rock gracing this spot. The fairies live here. They teach
me and I listen:
The water flows
with love,
with purpose
and with strength,
as do you sweet sister,
always remember.
I lay there listening and drift off to sleep, for how long
I do not know…one never knows in fairy land.
Until next time…blessed weed walking to all and to
all an abundant spring!
shaUna Owlsong is presently attending Birthwise
Midwifery School in Maine, the beginning of her journey as
a homebirth midwife. She will soon be moving to Massachusetts
to apprentice with a homebirth midwife there.
She apprenticed and interned with Susun Weed for 13 months
and has apprenticed with herbalists Ellen Hopman and Pam Montgomery
as well. She lives in reverence of the sacredness of all beings
and manifests her connection with life in her dedication to
sacred birth experiences for women and families. shaUna leads
ceremony and offers herbal consultations and birth support.
Email shaUna Owlsong at summerayne@wildmail.com
for permission to reprint this article and for workshop and
consultation information.
Exercise - It's Good Medicine!
by Derek
Beech
The positive benefits from exercise are impressive.
- decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and fat
- a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
- an increase in daily energy and self esteem
- protection against osteoporosis (brittle bones)
- reduced stress and anxiety, resulting in a lower risk of
depression
- and most importantly of course, and increased lifespan.
If you are just beginning a new exercise program it will take
about 6 to 8 weeks for the results to be measurable, but you
will start feeling a lot better about yourself within 2 to
3 weeks.
Exercising will release endorphins in the brain, causing
you to become calmer and less stressed out. It has been proven
that a persons heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension
all increase when a person is under stress, it has also been
proven that all of the above items decrease when we stick
to a regular exercise program.
Be careful in the beginning though and do not add undue stress
into your life by choosing an exercise program that you do
not like or by setting unrealistic goals for yourself.
Start slowly if you need to, walk just 10 minutes a day if
you have not been exercising for awhile. Remember to stretch
your muscles before and after your workout. If you do not
have time to join a gym then be more active in doing what
you already do everyday. Clean the house more often, extra
yard work, invite that friend you have for a walk instead
of the usual morning coffee at the table.
Enjoy being more active, in the long run your body will thank
you for it..
Wishing you success in all your health and fitness goals.
Derek Beech
Derek Beech is a Natural Competitive Bodybuilder and the writer
of the Elite Fitness "Lose Your FAT Fast" E-Course
offered for Free at his website.
