R – Tree Medicine Tree Magic
Posted by Morrighan on June 1, 2000 at 2:01 am | Last modified: June 1, 2000 2:01 amBy Jodi Lee
Originally Published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)
Author: Ellen Evert Hopman
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing
ISBN: 0-919345-55-7
Published: 1992
Pages: 176
Most people don’t often think to turn to trees when in need of healing. And yet, when thinking of it – where did he basic chemical for Aspirin come from? The Willow (Salix purpurea). Holly berries, although they should never be taken internally, are a wonderful old-time remedy to stop bleeding from cuts or wounds (dried and ground berries placed on the injury). The knowledge our great – great – grandparents held when it came to using what was at hand and in plenty is stunning.
Ellen Evert Hopman’s book is informative and definitely worth reading, and keeping on hand, just in case. It is best suited for those in North America, as that is the main part of this book – trees found in N.A. There are a few quotes given to Tree Medicine in Europe and Asia, but the trees described best are those found here.
Ms Hopman gives in depth descriptions of each tree, followed by a brief, personal comment. Practical uses, healing methods, and finally magickal uses are examined. Each section is on a species of tree, and there are beautiful illustrations by Diana Green. Often there are recipes for infusions, decoctions, salves and even jams, wines and pickles interspersed with the information.
I include here some comments found within each section. They are not directly quoted, just bits I found interesting whilst reading through it.
Oak – I knew that Oak had many purposes, but one I didn’t know was a tea/wash made of Oak bark to soothe scalp irritations and eliminate dandruff.
Pine – Pine resin, when chewed, will soothe sore throats.
Ash – Ash bark can be used for boosting immune systems.
Willow – Poultices for gangrene can be made from powdered bark in cream.
Holly – In Germany, the leaves were often used as a substitute for tea.
Hawthorn – Young Hawthorn leaves can be smoked for a nicotine-free cigarette for those wishing to quit the habit.
Hazel – The nuts are rich in many essential nutrients.
Birch – Use a tea of fresh leaves to help heal mouth sores.
Rowan – The fresh juice of the Rowan berry can be used as a throat gargle for bronchitis and hoarseness.
Apple – Apples can neutralize toxins in the blood.
Eucalyptus – Used properly it may aid digestion and appetite.
Elm – For babies who cannot have cow’s milk, Slippery Elm makes a wholesome substitute.
Maple – Decoction of the leaves is good for boils.
Chestnut – The dried bark of the Horse Chestnut can be used for a fever remedy.
Cedar – Cedar salves are great for rheumatic conditions.
Poplar – Poplar is similar to the Willow in therapeutic use.
Larch – Needles and shoots of the larch are simmered and strained for a stimulating bath additive.
Walnut – Boil green husks with honey and water for a sore throat gargle.
Elder – Elderberry wine is flavorful and a remedy for neuralgia.
**NEVER take any herbal remedy without supervision of a Doctor or Homeopathic practitioner**
Here I would like to add a meditation that I have used many times since reading this book. In the past few months, as some of my readers know, I have beecome very busy with volunteer work and my writing, and a loss in the family devasted me. I through myself into writing, and although my book has many new chapters, I felt the stress of not sleeping or relaxing properly. This meditation is an excellent remedy!
“This meditation works best any place where trees are growing. It is most effective within a circle of like-minded friends. Begin by orienting yourselves with the positions of the sun and moon. Note the four directions (north, east, south and west) and their relation to your circle. Send a blessing and a prayer to the spirits of the four directions and thank them for their help and guidance.
When you feel you are attuned to the energies of the space in which you find yourselves, close your eyes. A spokesperson verbally guiding the process will help to keep everybody focused.
Start by becoming aware of your feet. Notice how they are resting on the earth. Begin to visualize them as extending and burrowing down into the soil. See clearly the taproots and tiny root hairs that curl and reach to anchor themselves in the soil. Notice your new awareness of earth energies, currents of magnetic power, and light. Notice also your awareness of the presence of water and of all the tiny organisms that feed and grow beneath you.
Leaving your “roots” firmly anchored, begin to raise your awareness to your trunk. Feel the sap coursing through your living wood and feel your sensitivity to the wind and sunlight. Now become aware of your highest branches. Feel your leaves turn and seek the light. The guide may direct the circle to raise their arms and wave their hands in sensitive, graceful motions to further capture the awareness of breezes and sun.
At this point some very startling things can occur. On a windless day in mid-winter, I saw the trees around me begin to twost and move. There was a distinct crackling sound and I KNEW they were communicating with us. Try it for yourself.
To end the meditation you simply reverse the process, retracting your leaves and branches and finally your roots.
Give thanks to the four directions and bless them for their help and presence.
Then, go forth with a new sensitivty to your friends, the trees.”
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.
This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.
Categories: Reviews | Comments Off | PermalinkR – The Master Book of Herbalism
Posted by Morrighan on at 1:56 am | Last modified: October 13, 2006 1:59 amBy Jodi Lee
Originally published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)
Author: Paul Beyerl
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing
ISBN: 0-919345-53-0
Published: This edition published 1996 – Copyright is Paul Beyerl 1984
Pages: 415
In the Introduction to this massively informative book, the author states -
“It is far from complete, being the first attempt at taking my own, personal herbal which I have assembled through these years and making it available to the general public.”
If this book is not complete (and I seem to recall seeing a new, updated version at Phoenix Publishing), I would dearly love to sit at Mr.Beyerl’s knee and learn what is not included in the book. From abdominal pain to wounds, Aconite to yarrow, potions, lotions, oils and balms – it’s covered in the book. Sections are marked for easy reference, and there are may tables of correspondences to cross reference bits of information. Even crystals and stones to work with the herbs are covered.
I was amazed. I have to admit that after reading other herbals over the last few years, I was expecting much the same information as the rest – and this book is definitely above the rest! It is easy to see that Mr.Beyerl put a great deal of time, love and experience into this project, it shines through. His usage of both Anglican and American English with variant spellings of words adds such character to this book….it’s like stepping in and out of a time machine, seeing the healer of the past blended with the healer of the present.
Section 4 (beginning on page 171) is the Dosage Guide for The Remedial Herbal. I begin my excerpt with paragraph four, and although I cannot list every herb he has described with their respective usage and dosage, I will pick one or two from each alphebetical listing and include them here.
**NEVER take any herbal remedy without the supervision of a Doctor or Homeopathic/Holistic Practitioner**
Infusion
Strong
1 ounce herbs
1 pint water
steep 20 minues
Moderate
2/3 ounce herbs
1 pint water
steep 20 minutes
Weak(tea)
1/2 ounce herbs
1 pint water
steep 15 minutes
Decoction
Strong
1 ounce herbs
2 pints water
simmer 10 minutes
steep 15 minutes
Moderate
2/3 ounce herbs
2 pints water
simmer 10 minutes
steep 15 minutes
Weak(tea)
1/3 ounce herbs
2 pints water
simmer 8 minutes
steep 15 minutes
Poultice
1/2 ounce herbs
1/2 cup boiling water
steep 20 minutes
Ointment
1 ounce herbs
16 ounces fixative
heat on & off 24 hours
Wash
Strong
1/2 ounce herb
1 pint water
steep until lukewarm
Moderate
1/3 ounce herb
1 pint water
steep until lukewarm
* * *
Aconite -
Internal use; in extreme emergency only; moderate infusion. Administer no more than 1/2 cup while awaiting emergency medical assistance and report herbal dosage to medics.
External use: decrease amount of herb to 1/2 ounce and macerate into ointment. Apply once or twice daily.
Anise -
Internal use: all conditions: moderate infusion, as needed.
External use: antiseptic: use commercial oil, dilute in three parts fixative oil, use as needed. To clean fresh wound, use pure oil.
Balm -
Internal: moderate infusion, as needed not to exceed one pint per day.
Benzoin -
Internal: use commercial tincture, administer as needed via vaporizer.
External: use one part tincture to two parts sterile water, use as needed. If you must use the herb, make a weak decoction.
Catnip -
Internal use, for all conditions: moderate to strong infusion, depending upon taste. Take as needed.
Cloves -
Internal, for the stomach, etc: weak infusion as needed.
External, for toothaches, pain: apply commercial oil being careful to avoid skin.
Dandelion -
Internal: moderate infusion of leaves, or moderate decoction of roots. Take 1/4 cup three times daily, and monitor condition for aperient effects.
External: fresh juice applied as needed is best; strong wash may also be used as needed.
Docks -
Internally for diarrhea, etc: moderate decoction of root. Internally for liver, etc., weak infusion of ground root. Take no more than 1/3 cup three times daily.
Elm, Slippery -
Internally: strong decoction, use as needed.
Externally: strong decoction or poultice, as needed.
Eyebright -
Internally: moderate to strong infusion, taken as needed. Do not continue for more than four days.
Fennel -
Internally: weak to moderate infusion, as needed.
Feverfew -
Internally: moderate to strong infusion. Take as needed, but monitor for aperient effects.
Garlic -
Internally: moderate infusion, as needed.
Externally: use fresh juice as needed.
Golden Rod -
Internally, moderate infusion as needed. Monitor for aperient effects.
Externally, poultice ointment or fresh herb as needed.
Hawthorn -
Internal use for all conditions: moderate infusion, 1/3 cup three times daily.
Hyssop -
Internal use, all conditions: moderate to strong infusion, taken as needed.
Ivy -
Internal use, avoid berries: moderate infusion, 1/3 cup daily, not to exceed three days.
External use: make liniment at same strength as ointment strength, and use as needed.
Kava Kava -
Internal use: decoction at mderate strength, take 1/2 cup three times daily, and monitor system for effects. Lower does if necessary. Discontinue after three days.
I am leaving off here, as I am running out of word space (grin). However, I will be working on seperate pages for the articles, and will continue on and post the URL in the discussion board at a future time. Do go and find the book though, it is an excellent reference!
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.
This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.
Categories: Reviews | Comments Off | PermalinkSprites – Meditations Part One
Posted by Morrighan on January 1, 2000 at 11:56 pm | Last modified: January 1, 2000 11:56 pmThese were posted on a mailing list, and thanks to Sonia,we can now list author and book!!
Author: Maureen Garth
Book: Earthlight, Starbright and Moonbeam
Publisher: Harper Collins Religious
The Star Prelude
I want you to see above your head a beautiful, beautiful star. This star is very special to you, as it is your very own star. It can be any color you like. You might see it as being a purple star, or perhaps a pink one, or blue, or yellow, or is it a speckled star? Or a silver one? Because it is your very own star, it could be any color or colors you choose. This special star is filled with white light, lovely white light that shimmers and glows.
I want you to see this light streaming down toward you until it reaches the very top of your head. And now I want you to bring this pure light down through your head and take it right down your body until your whole body is filled with this glorious white light. I want you to feel the light going down your arms, right down, until you feel it reaching your hands and going into each and every finger. Feel that light going down the trunk of your body, down until it reaches your legs, and when you feel it there, take it right down until it comes to your feet and then feel the light going through each toe.
I now want you to look into your heart and to fill your heart with love for all the people and animals in the world. They are your friends, be they small or large. Can you see your heart getting bigger and bigger? Its expanding because you have so much love in your heart for all these people and the animals, and of course for yourself.
Now your guardian angel is waiting to wrap golden wings of protection around you before taking you into your garden. The angels wings are very large and very soft, just like down. Everyone has there own guardian angel and that guardian angel takes care of you and protects you always, so you are never alone. Its important to remember this and to know that you have someone that looks after you with love and care.
Your guardian angel is now going to take you to a garden that is your own special place, but before you enter I want you to look at the large tree that is outside. This tree is called the Worry Tree. I want you to pin on this tree anything that might worry you, perhaps you have had some arguments at school or maybe you are having difficulty with your school work. This tree will take any worries at all, be it with your friends or or family. This tree accepts anything that you would care to pin there.
Your guardian angel is now opening the gate for you to enter, and as you go in you find the colors are like nothing you have seen before. The beauty of the flowers, the colors, the textures, and the perfume – breathe them in. The grass is a vivid green and the sky a beautiful blue with little white fluffy clouds. It is very peaceful in your garden. It is full of love and harmony.
You may feel this prelude is very long, but it is wise to create with care, thought, and feeling the setting your child is entering. When your child is used to it, the prelude may become shorter, as it is not always necessary to describe the star and the angel in such full detail. Then it becomes something like the shorter version below.
I want you to see above your head a beautiful, beautiful star. This star is filled with lovely white light. I want you to bring the white light from that star right down through your body until you can feel it in every part of your body, and your heart is filled with love for all humanity and for all creatures great and small.
Your guardian angel is waiting for you to wrap a golden cloak of protection around you and take you to the Worry Tree. Put anything that worries you on the tree, and then your guardian will open the gate and take you inside the garden. Your garden is filled with glorious flowers, the grass and the trees are an emerald green, and the sky a deep blue with little white clouds.
After you have set the seen, as it were, you can do anything with the children that you think that they would enjoy. Become a child again yourself, I think you will be surprised at the pleasure these flights of fantasy will give you.
The Animals
As you walk down the path in your special garden, you feel the warmth of the sun caressing you. There is a very gentle breeze blowing, and you can hear the birds calling to each other. There is nothing in your garden that can harm you; each and every creature lives in harmony with the others.
I want you to feel the peace that is flowing in your garden and the gentleness of all who live there. Your path is winding through the trees, and it will take you to a water hole where all the animals come to drink. When you go down to the water’s edge you will find the animals coming over to say “hello” to you.
There are tortoises who are very slow and ponderous and love the feel of the sun on their shells. The proud white swans go by gracefully, while the ducks make lots of noise. Now you can see some deer coming down to drink, and walking with them are lions and tigers. You can pat them when they reach you and give them a big cuddle, as all these creatures love being cuddled. In your garden there are no fierce animals because they have no reason to be afraid, and neither have you.
The hippopotamuses are having a lovely time washing themselves and each other with the water, and now the elephants are joining in. I think you should step into the water and swim with them. If you feel a little tired, you can climb on the back of the elephant and let it hose you down.
I can see the giraffes coming to drink. If you get out now, I am sure you can have a ride on the back of one of them. Yes, you are getting onto the giraffe’s back now and off you go. Because you are sitting up so high, you can see into the trees, and it is wonderful to be able to do this. You can stroke the kangaroos and look into there pouches, very gently of course, and there’s a squirrel. Isn’t it a busy little creature.
I am going to leave you now to explore your garden with your newfound friends. If you want to get off the giraffe’s back and go by foot, that’s all right. Perhaps you might decide to ride on a tiger for a change. There is so much to see and do, and I know you will have a lovely, lovely time…..
The Grandfather Tree
The air is so fresh and clean, the perfume of the flowers is rich, and the sun a huge golden ball, sending down a very gentle heat. The trees are waving their arms in welcome. They have been waiting for you to come into your special garden, and the trees want to talk to you. If you listen you can hear them saying: “Coming to me, come to me.”
There is one tree that stands out from the others. He is very, very old. He is the grandfather of all the trees, and he is full of knowledge and wisdom. There is nothing this tree doesn’t know. He has been watching what happens around him ever since he was a young sapling.
He has a very thick trunk and big, big roots going out through the earth. As they go down into the depths of the earth, these roots push the earth up, making mounds big enough to sit on. This Grandfather Tree has plenty of branches with beautiful green leaves, so many leaves it’s a wonder he can hold the branches as high in the air as he does.
The breeze is rustling the grass and the leaves on the trees are making sounds that are like the purest music one could imagine.
I want you to walk up to the Grandfather Tree. As you approach the trunk of this tree, you will see there is a door with a little handle. I want you to open this door and go inside. Close the door quietly behind you now, and you will find the inside of the tree is lit with a golden glow. In this glow, you can see passageways going through the branches. There is also another pathway going down the trunk into the roots.
Why don’t you go and investigate? You have plenty of time to choose which way to go. I wonder what you will find? I think there are rooms off these passageways that hold all sorts of knowledge. Some have lots of toys. There are always people around to keep you company whom you can talk to. They will be able to answer your questions. If you want to remain on your own, you only have to say so and you can go into the room of your choice and do the things you most want to do.
I shall now leave you to explore your special tree……
The Little White Cloud
Your guardian angel is closing the gate behind you, and your garden is beautiful. The colors are so rich and luxuriant, with that deep blue sky and the sun a radiant golden ball. And there are perky white clouds floating by.
As you go down your garden path, you will find that one of the white clouds has come down from the sky to take you for a ride. I want you to climb onto this cloud. It is lovely and fluffy-perhaps its made of cotton wool? Or is it made out of cotton candy? Look, there is a little seat with a set of leather reins. You don’t have to tell this cloud where to go as it floats off into the wide blue sky. Your cloud knows where it is going.
Now you are leaving the planet Earth behind. I want you to look below. You will see Earth like a gigantic ball with many different patterns. You can see that these are the forests, the rivers, and the mountains. The clusters of buildings are the cities, and they are tightly packed in, but where the sheep, horses, and cattle graze, there are only a few buildings and barns. If you look very closely you can see your home way, way below you.
And off you go, up and up, floating very peacefully on your soft downy cloud. The higher you go, the smaller Earth will appear to you, until it becomes just a speck in the distance. Have a good look around. You will see other small clouds that have children just like you who have been brought from their gardens to feel the freedom of floating in the heavens.
These little clouds are now stopping at a very large cloud. You can step off now and go for a walk on this big cloud. The other children are getting off too. You will find there are people there who like living in the clouds. They are called the Cloud People, and they wear flowing white robes with fluffy shoes and hats. The Cloud People love showing off there land of clouds to children-grown ups are only sometimes invited, and then only if they have the right kind of imagination.
There is so much to do on this cloud. You certainly won’t fall off, even if you hang over the side by the tips of your toes, because they have a different law of gravity in Cloud Land. There are slippery dips and swings and round a bouts to ride. You can even go swimming in the cloud pool, which is all white and foamy.
What fun you can have here, so I think I will leave you now……
(Part Two in next post…)
Categories: Sprites Pagan Kids | Comments Off | Permalink