So while I'll be talking with all sorts of people regarding lawyers, adoption, birth certificates, and more, I have also been trying to find some sort of peace in my days. I had some time off last week and made sure I took at least a small amount most days to take care of my body, mind, and spirit. Now it's Monday, and I'm so glad to be heading to a class tonight on healing herbs. I have been interested in the medicinal properties of plants for as long as I can remember, but have never seriously pursued learning more than the basics. Until I found this series, which includes the spiritual aspects of working with the plants. I love this connection.
I have been thinking more recently about Hawthorne and Oplopanax (devil's club). Warrior herbs. Thorny plants. My sister mentioned getting botanical tattoos together and she wants a blackberry. As someone interested in the invasive vs. native nature of our PNW plants, I was surprised that she wanted an invasive plant. But then this morning, I saw this link to a "surprise box of boundary, self-hood and protection," which includes the very herbs I've been drawn to lately, including blackberry.
I'm lucky to work in a naturopathic office, where we stock all sorts of herbal medicine. This is a new job for me, and I'm so excited to be in this world right now. In front of me right now is a Hawthorne solid extract and Oplopanax tincture, both unopened. Today is the day I will begin working with these herbs more seriously, in hopes that I can keep strong, while calling protection to myself, my family, and all others who are as scared as I am right now. I'll keep you posted on how it's going.
