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Path of the Wise Woman by Carla Cancio-bello ..........

this path was laid so long ago,
by pilgrims, fools and thieves-
steps of those who came before me
crushing the dry leaves.

they walked to church and markets,
some walked to give birth-
a few wise women slowed to gather
gifts from mother earth.

brought by romans, vikings and celts,
to cure mind and body-
left for us to find today,
a gift for everybody.

wise women lovingly harvest,
the plants underfoot-
preparing to serve
natures medicine to suit.

valerian and wild thyme,
angelica too-
blue borage and burdock root,
glistening with dew.

rose hips, yarrow, elder flowers,
chamomile, chicory-
have all grown along this path
since ancient history.

wild hedgerow plants others pass,
mundane weeds to some-
but a wise woman's soul quickens
into a joyful hum,

when she finds those wonderous weeds,
and gathers them up-
giving thanks to mother earth,
while sipping from her cup-

teas, tonics and infusions,
sip this soothing drink-
to restore life's energy,
and make cheeks glow pink.

hidden gifts from mother earth,
only wise women can see-
on this ancient worn old path
grow plants for you and me.

 

 

~Many thanks to Carla Cancio-bello for sharing this poem.

Mystic Art Medicine ~ Cher Lyn........

Art and Healing interwoven in Shamanic lore.......

http://www.mysticartmedicine.com/

 

On Cher's website, you will find amazing artwork filled with beautiful healing qualities.  She also has Mystic Art Medicine Cards which are stunning:

Mystic Art Medicine Cards

These Medicine cards are about empowering yourself with the innate knowledge that already exists in you, a tool for revealing what you already know.

About Cher Lyn:

At thirteen years old a blessing occurred for me when I discovered I could draw while in an art class at school. Fired with passion and dedication I drew every day. Art demonstrated to me, right from the beginning an emotional healing tool for my mind and a temporary refuge from the pain of living in a severely abusive household. If it were not for Art, I would not have survived. 

I work intimately with Nature Spirits as an artist and feel these co-creative ventures transform energy through our creative expression using intention. My given medicine name, translates to, “Keeper of Sacred Altars.” Given I am told, as I was observed in the integrity of how I orchestrate my environment, devotional practices and ceremony. 

I've developed my own unique style while painting in daily dedication since 1986.  Inspired by Nature, I’ve lived and “Painted, Played and Prayed on Ancient Chumash ceremonial land in the mountains of Malibu, Calif. to include the powerful Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Maui’s magical Hawaii and Glastonbury, England on the Holy Isle of Avalon, and presently at the crest of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, CO. 

http://www.mysticartmedicine.com/

The Artwork of Opalessence........

 

http://opalessence-shamanix.blogspot.com/

Opalessence is a blog filled with a women's artwork, writings and gardening.  The above piece of artwork "Damn Shopping Lists" is just one of the many wonderful pieces you will find on her blog. 

CRESCENDOh - Creative Passion, Authentic Community, Focused Compassion

   

CRESCENDOh - Creative Passion, Authentic Community, Focused Compassion

   

Mommy&Me
The Magic Onions: Pinecone Gnome Ornament Tutorial.		Garden Mama: Garden art leaf sculptures tutorial.		Natural Suburbia: Orange slice ornament tutorial.

   

via blog.crescendoh.com

Poetry by Kat Smith: Trail of Tears........

 

Our home was a simple one 

Safe and warm and filled with the fire of love 

And family 

Each day Grandmother would take me down to the water 

And as we searched for clams and fish and seaweed 

To feed our neighbors and ourselves 

She would feed me our ghosts stories as well 

Those that had gone before

Those that still visit 

She said it was a circle 

Life, death and inbetween 

A circle that circled within a dream 

A dream our loved ones before had created 

Then Grandfather would sing me songs that led me off to sleep 

This is the order our lives would keep 

And no sound was heard from the birds or buffalo 

I didn't know

 

 

Then came a time our shaman wept 

And no one in our village slept 

I was so young then 

I pretended it was all a story from long ago 

Even when the pale men came 

I pretended it was all a game 

We were traveling again as we sometimes did 

When winters chill became too frozen

To fill our bellies 

We went further to where the sun was stronger 

I said it to calm myself this is the same 

I was wrong 

We weren't strong enough for their eyes of steel 

We went along with their ideal 

I remember a trail of tears 

Each family leaving something loved behind 

And lost along the way 

We were taught that we did not know how to pray 

I remember that day 

I asked Great Spirit to bring us away 

From all this pain and misery 

It was not to be 

And even when I learned their words 

My prayers were empty... 

 

 

This poem was written from memories of the stories her Great Grandmother would tell her when she was a young girl.

About the Author Kat Smith:  I am a professional psychic medium and writer living on Long Island N.Y. with my partner Joe and our two Siberian Huskies. We are both proud parents and grandparents and we enjoy the beauty of the ocean and the Sound surrounding us.