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Lessons Learned From Everyday Goddesses

Lessons Learned From Everyday Goddesses

A powerful blog from Lisa Levart exploring the impact of Everyday Goddesses on her journey to self discovery.

 Many incredible women are mentioned, including Susun Weed!

Lessons Learned from Everday Goddesses. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-levart/everyday-goddesses_b_928177.html

And check out Lisa's upcoming book:

Goddess on Earth will be available September 23, 2011. To pre-order, go to: www.goddessonearth.com or join the Goddess on Earth community on Facebook.

Goddess on Earth by Lisa Levart

Goddess on Earth

by Lisa Levart

Lisa Levart is photographer and multi-media installation artist. Goddess on Earth, her book of portraits of women as the divine feminine, will be release by LUSH Press in the fall. Her photography captures the vitality, archetypal beauty, and inner life of her individual subjects.

Levart’s photographs have appeared in numerous publications, including: Architectural Digest, New York magazine, The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, Time magazine, and The Washington Post. Lisa’s work includes an ongoing project photographing the Maloto organization in Malawi, Africa that helps feed, educate and empower the women and children of their region.

Read Lisa's Huffington Post Blog. Many Everday Goddesses are mentioned, including Susun Weed!

Lessons Learned from Everday Goddesses. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-levart/everyday-goddesses_b_928177.html

The Artwork of Phyllis Tarlow

The Artwork of Phyllis Tarlow

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I've been working professionally as an artist since the early 80's, first entering the world of art as a commercial artist and illustrator and gradually turning toward portraiture and fine art. Commissioned portraits of people, homes, and pets continue to hold an important and valued place in my work life, while in addition, oil landscapes have become central to my body of work and have captured my heart and attention.

The variety of locations, atmospheric effects, changing seasons and climate present such endless possibilities that I can see this love of the landscape continuing to feed my senses and challenge my abilities as an artist for the rest of my life.
 

I paint in oil en plein air (on location) as well as in my Hartsdale, NY, studio where I often finish a painting started on location but also paint new subjects using plein air sketches and photos I take with my beloved digital camera as reference.

You can learn more about Phyllis and her work at the following websites:

www.phyllistarlow.com (fine art website)
www.phyllistarlowportraits.com
www.facebook.com/phyllistarlowfineart
www.facebook.com/phyllistarlowportraits

Radicalizing Herbalism and Activating the Healers

Radicalizing Herbalism and Activating the Healers

Facilitated by Claudia Abbott-Barish and Meghan Murphy

Using popular education, our workshop will cover a brief history of corporate power and how herbal medicinal use has been prevented in the past, barring us from actions of self-sufficiency. We will focus on why cultivating, wild-crafting and teaching about herbs creates new possibilities for us to create more healthy, reciprocal systems (social and economic) in the rest of our lives.

This analysis will include examples, past and present, of how people have used herbs and herbal medicine to resist exploitation by those in power. The workshop will end with a dialogue on how to engage around these issues with members of our communities; what methods are inclusive, representative and equitable, and how to collaborate with the most people.

Sliding Scale Donation $0-10, none turned away for lack of funds.

 

ITINERARY POSSIBLY SUBJECT TO CHANGE: We will keep you updated as we confirm our venues!

August 16th – 27th BIKE TOUR IN NOVA SCOTIA!!!!

August 30th Florence, Massachusetts, 6pm – Gold Thread Apothecary

September 1st Chatham, NY, 6pm – Common Hands

September 2nd New Paltz, NY, 6pm – Tweefontein Herb Farm

September 5th, Brooklyn, NY, 5pm – The Commons

Visit the Root Medicine website to learn more: http://rootmedicine.org/

Why We Love Her ~ Artemis, Goddess of the Wild

Why We Love Her ~ Artemis, Goddess of the Wild

Like a summer wind that hits the forest and dances with the aromatic pine needles of the evergreen; Artemis is free. Goddess of the Wild, and of the hunt she is the free spirit that flutters beneath your skin like thousands of butterflies in search of the truth within your heart. Artemis is a virgin Goddess and no not Virgin in the same context as we use today, for Artemis did take lovers but she choose not to marry or to have children.

Instead she spent her time with the candid woodland nymphs and protected all animals, including human women while pregnant and during labor. Her symbols are the crescent moon which represents her bow and arrows, as she was not only an avid huntress but a warrior goddess as well. She believed in herself first and foremost and with the fierceness of a mother bear she refused to back down from what she believed.

Why do we love her? There are lots of reasons why this kick ass Goddess was worshiped by some of the first feminists on the planet! But let’s highlight just a few.

1. This Greek Goddess has the power to both protect and nurture all life but also has the power to take life away while on the hunt; showing us that woman can be both soft and hard, brave and gentle. The key here is to remember that life is about opposites and its okay to embrace both the dark and light aspects of ourselves.

2. Artemis doesn’t take crap from anybody! She is strong willed and fights for what she believes in. Ancient woman recognized the importance of this trait and honored the Goddess with feasts and ritual allowing only woman to learn her secret mysteries. For it was said that any man who laid his eyes on the lovely forest Goddess without her permission would surly find the wrath of her arrows. She shows us that it is not okay to let anyone take advantage of us. To stand up for ourselves and fight for what we believe in.

3. By choosing not to have a husband or bare children, Artemis shows us that we do have a choice. It doesn’t matter what path you choose to walk down, it matters that you chose what is best for you based on your own free will. The best lesson we can learn from her is that we should always follow the truth within our hearts. That if we listen carefully our inner voice will tell us exactly what it is we need and what anybody else thinks….. doesn’t matter!

For more information on Artemis: Check out Melissa Potter’s Class Reclaiming Artemis: Calling Passion, Power, and Wildness Back into Your Life available from the Wise Woman University.

 

Stephanie Cavoli has been interested in writing and studying Woman’s Mysteries her whole life. Fascinated with the beauty, power, and prestige ancient myths have give Goddesses around the world, she has found that to empower women, is to honor and celebrate their individual uniqueness.

The Many facets of the Goddess is an amazing demonstration of just that. Stephanie owns and operates Potions Soapworks, plans to graduate from the Center of Natural Wellness, School of Massage Therapy in Albany NY this fall, and is excited to be able to incorporate her love for these Goddesses in her practice as well as her business. Stephanie may be contacted at Reclaimingthegoddess@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.Potionssoapworks.com

 

 

 

The Wishing Pond by Lady Mathers

The Wishing Pond

by Lady Mathers

The desperate toss pennies and pour all their dreams into one wish.

I watched a child settle flower petals on the water's gleaming face

to watch them float.

Tiny curving petal flower boats.

How many pennies in a wishing pond?

How many wishes come true?

How many reflections wear carefree smiles,

or tightly pinched brows, ruled by worry?

Faces soothe as cool pond marble, or dimpled like spongy moss,

never sharing a happy thought.

Ripples born from a penny's toss, reaching every corner,

before turning back on itself.

Once I wished on a wishing pond...then felt my heart

being pulled beneath the water, into a bottomless reality.

I was drowning between the shimmering dimes,

stones, buttons, slugs, and quarters.

I could hear the whispers of ancient ghosts,

see the shadows of rounded monks, peasants and soldiers,

peering down at me in the water...wondering.

I could see the trickling fountainhead, spilling forth 

its liquid wishes...

the sun dancing on currents of hope.

How many wishes in a wishing pond?

How many wishes come true?

You Can Have a Green Ally! ~ by Susun Weed

Healing Wise ... You Can Have a Green Ally!  by Susun S. Weed © 2004

 

 

You Can Have a Green Ally!

by Susun S. Weed © 2004

Herbal medicine is people's medicine. So why don't more people use it? Because it can seem complicated and scary, for starters. That's the reason I urge you to use herbal medicine simply -- one herb at a time. And that's a good reason to have a green ally: one plant that teaches you the fundamental principals of herbal medicine.

Herbal medicine is spirit medicine as well as body medicine. Our green allies tend our souls along with our sores. So why don't more books and courses talk about plant spirits? Or, if they do, why do they divorce it from herbal medicine? Because its not something that is easily written or even talked about. You have to connect with the devas and fairies yourself. And that's a good reason to have a green ally: one plant that opens you and guides you into the realms of green blessings.

Herbal medicine is broad, deep, wide, timeless. It takes seven lifetimes to become an herbalist. Take the time this year to develop a relationship with one special plant: a green ally. How?

Choose a plant that grows very near to you...no more than a one-minute walk from your door. You don't need to know the name of the plant, or anything about it. You will be sitting with your plant every day, so, if possible, choose one that grows in a quiet and lovely place . . . in a pot on your balcony is just fine . . . in a park is great . . . so is an alley. . . or a backyard.

You can read about the plant you've chosen if you do know the name, but it isn't necessary. The point is to develop a special caring, nurturing, relationship with your green ally. The following six exercises can help you do this. They are from my latest correspondence course:  ABC of Herbalism, which focuses on ways to prepare and use 52 herbs and herbs for dealing with more than 20 health concerns. I also offer a year-long Green Ally Correspondence Course. For more information on my other correspondence courses visit me at www.susunweed.com

Green ally exercises from "ABC of Herbalism with Susun S. Weed"

First green ally exercise: Sit and breathe with your green ally for 3-10 minutes a day. You breathe out and the plant breathes in; the plant breathes out and you breathe in.

Second green ally exercise: Make a detailed drawing of your green ally, as accurate as you can make it. Then do a soft-focus, impressionistic drawing of your green ally. When the weather is too inclement to breathe with your green ally, breathe with your green ally's picture.

Third green ally exercise: What part of your green ally is usually used? Are other parts helpful? Experiment by making several small tinctures, oils, and vinegars of the different parts of your plant. Ask to plant to help you discover new ways to use her.

Fourth green ally exercise: Observe the conditions that your green ally chooses to live in. Does your ally grow near to people (to be used) or far from them (to be left alone)? In a shady spot (cool) or a sunny one (warm)? In a wet area (moist) or an arid one (dry)? In rich soil or poor soil? Plants make alkaloids and glycosides in rich soils; resins and essential oils in poor soils.

Fifth green ally exercise: Write a story from the point of view of your green ally. Let your ally speak to you and through you. Listen for the voice of your ally in your dreams, in your day dreams, in your mind. Write down what she says.

If this is hard, try writing with a pen instead of on a computer; or try writing with your non-dominant hand. A warm-up exercise given to me by Jean Houston is to first write a page of praise of your ally, tell your ally how wonderful she is, and how much you like her.

Final green ally exercise: Introduce one or more friends to your green ally. Tell them what you know, what you feel, and what you think about your ally. If it is edible, feed them some.

Study with Susun Weed in the convenience of your home! Choose from four Correspondence Courses: Green Allies, Spirit & Practice of the Wise Woman Tradition, Green Witch, and ABC of Herbalism- includes audio/video tapes, books, assignments, special mailings, plus personal time.

Learn more at www.susunweed.com or write to:
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081

Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com

Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.

Susun is one of America's best-known authorities on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists and well-known physicians and are used and cherished by millions of women around the world. Learn more at www.susunweed.com

Click here to learn about Susun's new course, ABC's of Herbalism

ABC of Herbalism is a double-length course that guides you in the wise use of 52 herbs. You'll make teas, infusions, tinctures, vinegars, oils, honeys, poultices, soups, and beauty aids. You'll learn how to use herbs to build powerful immunity, boost nutrition, increase energy, and help ease problems of menopause, menstruation, asthma, allergies, cancer, headaches, heart disease, joint pain, obesity, sleep problems, more. Develop a relationship with a green ally. Includes 52 projects, herbals, books, tapes, talk time, more. Total cost $550

Why We Love Her, Athena, Goddess of Wisdom

Why We Love Her - Athena, Goddess of Wisdom

It should be of no surprise that the Greek City State famous for its free thinkers and known as the birthplace of democracy bares the name of the Great Goddess Athena!

Her valor and bravery on the battlefield, as well as her thirst for tactics, strategy and some of the more domestic talents such as weaving, make Athena a very diverse Goddess indeed. Motherless and born from the cracked skull of Zeus himself, Athena is the quintessential Goddess of “Anything you can do; I can do better”

Often symbolized by the shield and spear men took into battle, courageous Athena was well known for her efforts on the battlefield, yet often overlooked were her efforts to avoid war entirely. By digging a bit deeper into Greek Mythology we find that more often than not, Athena guided both Gods and mortals in strategy to resolve wars before they began.

She also taught the domestic arts such as weaving and spinning and offered her services to all of those with a thirst for knowledge. The owl, a symbol for wisdom and respect even today, is often considered her animal to call and can be seen perched on her shoulder or flying beside her in many depictions of the Greek Goddess.

Why we love her? Athena is a strategist first and foremost! She shows that with a little thinking, planning and tenacity we can accomplish just about anything we put our mind too. The key here is that everything we want in life takes hard work and we need to be willing to get our hands a little dirty in the process.

It’s important to remember that while she worked to avoid conflict, Athena fought along with mortal men whenever her cause was warranted. She was never afraid to sacrifice for that which she believed in. When was the last time you sat down and made a list of your goals? When you made that list did you follow through by creating a structured plan to achieve them?

Stephanie Cavoli has been interested in writing and studying Woman’s Mysteries her whole life. Fascinated with the beauty, power, and prestige ancient myths have give Goddesses around the world, she has found that to empower women, is to honor and celebrate their individual uniqueness. The Many facets of the Goddess is an amazing demonstration of just that.

Stephanie owns and operates Potions Soapworks, plans to graduate from the Center of Natural Wellness, School of Massage Therapy in Albany NY this fall, and is excited to be able to incorporate her love for these Goddesses in her practice as well as her business. Stephanie may be contacted at Reclaimingthegoddess@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.Potionssoapworks.com

 

The Artwork of Sandra M. Stanton

The Artwork of Sandra M. Stanton

 

From the Artist's Website...

Statement About The Paintings

The myths of many of the world's peoples overlap and intertwine, creating an intriguing web of variations on shared themes. Studying those centered on female deities offers a fascinating look at
the way many cultures revered and respected women as integral aspects of nature itself.

For over 30 years, the women's spirituality movement has been resurrecting long buried female deities, reclaiming their stories and, in some cases, rewriting them for modern times.

In this series, the portrait of each woman is just as important as the narrative content of the piece. I chose models from among friends and acquaintances who seemed to embody the characteristics of the deity to be portrayed. In addition, most of the paintings include artifacts and animals connected with the  deity herself.

The paintings are done using a modified Venetian technique. Essentially, a ground color and turpentine are brushed onto the canvas, then a drawing is done on top.

The next step is an underpainting in neutral tones. After this dries, oil glazes, that is, pigment and varnish medium, are built up in layers over the underpainting. In this way, light is reflected off the underpainting and back through the layers of transparent glaze.

This technique mirrors the layers of time that have buried many of these myths and yet they shine through in modern incarnations.

Visit Sandra's Website: http://www.goddessmyths.com/

Moon Of My Ancestors

Moon Of My Ancestors

March 19, 2011

By Lady Mathers

Equinox moon, rise in all your glory,

and with your rising, my emotions stir.

Upon your face, there unfolds such stories,

which speak of my ancestors...things that were.

 

Somewhere, there must be a book of knowing,

guarding the silence of forgotten needs.

Time-worn, musty, fragile pages,

embracing ancient secrets, hopes and deeds.

 

The face of the moon speaks of the olds ways;

the wisdom of those found on distant shores.

They who knew the land, the forests and fields.

I see misted lakes and a boatman’s ores.

 

I feel their lifted hearts fiercely dancing,

gathered for Ostara’s celebration.

The returning of the light from winter’s dark;

‘tis a time of hope and expectation.

 

The circle of life in each tiny seed,

stirs in the womb of thawing mother earth.

Comes the loving rains and the blessed sun;

from this sacred union is spring...her birth.

 

I speak to the moon of my ancestors

and my beating heart that calls out to them.

I light my candle to honor what was,

as the wind shares their voices...with me...once again.