Healing Wise

Menarche Ritual

Q: Hello, I have read your books, and have been touched by your suggestions about how to honor ourselves as women. My granddaughter just started menstruating and we wanted to have a ceremony to honor this transition in her life. Could you direct me to a resource as possible ways to do this? Thanks, D.

 

A: Hello D., thank you for writing. This is wonderful. I have heard others talk about this at our online forum:

Menarche Ritual
menarche
first period

You are welcome to join the forum and add to the conversations or start a new thread of your own.

As well you may wish to read some of the articles at the bottom of our moonlodge page, and particularly enjoy the book Moon Days: Creative Writings about Menstruation for inspirational ideas.

Here are some websites that I enjoy!
http://www.theredweb.org/
http://www.celebrategirls.com/

The latter has a great list of books. One that I would add to it that was special to me was Saturday, the Twelfth of October by Norma Fox Mazer.

Here is an idea for a menarche ritual.  A little elaborate for me, but perhaps meets your interests.

And another two from Mothering Magazine: http://www.mothering.com/community_tools/teen_voices/first-moon.html and http://www.mothering.com/community_tools/teen_voices/first-moon-side.html

Some people mention the mom creating a basket, box, etc. of moontime goodies for her. One thing you or she might include is a journal and or calendar to record her bleeding cycle. Here is the calendar I use: http://www.snakeandsnake.com/lunar.htm. I color the moons red as I bleed.

I wish you and family a wonderful experience. If you ever wish to share I will be curious to hear what you all decide and how it goes!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Weeds Nourish the Earth

Q: Hi Susun,
I am writing to you because I am doing a paper for school about "Herbal Weeds in my lawn," and I was wondering if you know of any articles or books that would support my claim that it is better for the soil and animals to leave them in, instead of pulling them out or using a product to kill them.

Sincerely,
R.

P.S. I love your books

 

A: Hello R., thank you for writing. This is a great question! First I would like to invite you to our online forum where people from around the world come to share life experiences and questions. This would be a great place to start a search for resources supporting your claim the it is better for the soil and animals to leave the weeds in. Of course there will be lots to show the damages of the chemicals to both the soil and animal life. The benefits of the weeds are something that I know could be found in any literature on permaculture. I am currently reading a book called Gaia's Garden which speaks lots about the importance of a diversity of plant life to encourage a diversity of soil microorganisms, insects, and animal. This then equates to greatly improved soul health. It even disusses some of the plants that can be beneficial, though I think the most important concept there is the diversity that is needed for health, and how monoculture lawns created by the battle on weeds is damaging to soil life and animal ecosystems. Susun does not have internet, though I will pass on your love of her books :) I will be curious to hear about your paper once completed.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Correspondence Students Around the World

Q: Dear Susun,

Is it possible to do your ABC course from England?  And what is the duration?

I have recently lapped up your 'Herbal for the Childbearing Year' and am sitting here with my second beautiful baby. I am wondering if this course would be appropriate for a busy mum to ensure i have some 'me' time and stimulation over the coming months.

Best wishes, A.
in bed recovering.

 

A: Hello A., absolutely you may study right from where you are!  Susun has students all around the world, and she would be thrilled to work with you as well. When I started my studies with Susun, I began with a correspondence course, soon became pregnant and had my first child. It took me 3 years to complete that course, but it was so wonderful to do with my son in a sling and crawling around! Most people take about a year, but there is room for us to take the amount of time we need given our life circumstances. Susun is very understanding and supportive :) Please let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you as you decide!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Tinctures as Simples

Q: Hi Susun

I am 54 and have done various courses on herbal medicine how I wish they had been with you - I only discovered your books last year what an inspiration to have such sensible accessible advice, especially on menopause and breast cancer. I have been combining burdock, nettle and st. John’s Wort tincture in hot water and drinking each day. Mainly because of scalp dryness and scabby and skin problems, also anxiety. Reading your one of your ezines suggests better only use one herb at a time, would this apply with this mixture? No adverse reactions apparent and skin is better.

Love to all at Wise Woman Centre and Ashtree.

B.

 

A: Hello again B.! Yes, this applies to tinctures as well. It is not so much the adverse reaction that is a concern. It just helps, when we use one herb at a time, for us to feel it more closely in our body. Burdock root is a wonderful herb to work with. Nettle too, though I think you would get so much more benefit from drinking the infusions since 8 ounces of the tincture and infusion contain much the same nutrients; we are more likely to drink a glass of the infusion than a glass of the tincture. I am not sure of the benefit of St. Joan's wort in this situation but trust your judgment on what is best for you. If you at least take each tincture separately, spacing them apart, you can get more of a feel for how they respond in your body.

I am so glad your skin is doing better! If you try making the nettle leaf infusions you may also want to try it as a wash.

I will pass on your words to Susun. She does not have internet in her home so is not able to correspond through email.

Have I told you yet about our online forum where people from around the world come to share life experiences and questions.  It is a great place to share with others.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com