My Blog

Rain Water Washes My Spirit

Julie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:40:41 GMT

It has been raining for a week or so now.....cold and rainy. I love the rain. I grew up in Aberdeen on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. I watched the rain from my living room window when I was a child. I felt safe and secure inside as I watched the rain come down and down. I still feel this way...washed by the rain. It is as if the water is healing me. I don't think much about cleansing. That is too harsh for me, I like gentleness. But washing is somehow different. Washing is like a blessing. And so I wash my spirit with rain water and I am so thankful that I live in Western Washington. May it be in Beauty.

First Milk of the Earth

Julie — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:11:49 GMT

Snow all over our land The first stirrings of spring are blanketed I can feel it though. I am longing for growth and expansion Dreaming of that warm day coming soon when I will get spring fever. Earth Mother's Breasts are full of milk and I open my mouth and drink The first milk of the year Crow's Laughter Mystery School offering for 2008 Come join me out on the earth. Email me for more info julie@crowsdaughter.com Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com and our weblog www.crowsdaughtersherbs.blogspot.com The Journey of the Rose ~ A Weekend Immersion in Shamanic Herbalism June 13-15, 2008, The wild roses blooming on the farm be will be our guides as we discover the gifts of living fully and nourishing deeply. Shamanic exercises, herbal crafting, and community connections. Open to adults and teens. $275 early bird price until May 1st. Includes all meals and simple accommodations. First Milk of the Earth ~ Earth Celebration ~ February 3, 1-4 pm at our farm, Everyone is welcome, open to the public Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ February 23 February's Theme: The Heart of the Matter We meet monthly~Next circles, Feb. 23, March 22. April 19 Includes a delicious, nourishing whole and wild food lunch and herbal crafting supplies Register online for Herbal Wisdom Circle, $75, 4 months for $250 www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-...cle.html Herbal Wisdom Mentorship Days for Girls Feb. 9, March 29, May 3 Come explore the amazing healing way of plants, learn to see through the eyes of the wise woman, discover your plant ally and learn to listen and talk to plants. $60, 2/$110, 3/$150 Look for information soon about our Summer Programs for Girls. "The Well"~ A Study Group for Women~ 7-9 pm North Seattle~ First Wednesdays ~ February 6, March 5, April 2 We are thrilled to offer this group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us. $30 ~ 4 consecutive months for $100. Register on our website~ www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-...cle.html Dark of the Moon Lodge ~ February 9th We are returning to meeting on Saturday evenings. Includes a nourishing supper, talking stick and co-created ritual. $10 The Compassionate Nature of Plants~A Home Study Course in Shamanic Herbalism ~ Beginning in March 2008, you will be able to participate in this course anywhere in the world. It is designed to inspire you to connect locally with the earth and plants outside your door. Permaculture Weekend on Whidbey with Marisha Auerbach, April 11-13 at our farm Classes in Seattle: The Wise Woman Herbalist ~ Sunday, Feb 17, 9-Noon~ At the 16th Annual Women of Wisdom Conference at North Seattle Community College in Seattle ~ Empower yourself through exploring the ancient tradition of wise woman herbalism. Experience ancient shamanic listening activities and discover how to craft herbal preparations from the dooryard herbs. This class will include many experiential exercises that will open the gateway onto the spiral path of health, wholeness and holiness. www.womenofwisdom.org for more information and to register. I will also be selling my nourishing herbal creations at this conference. This Goddess Market is open to the public. Saturday, 8:30 am-7:30 pm and Sunday, 8:30 am - 6:30 pm The Nourishing Herbs ~ March 12, 7-9 pm ~ UW Women’s Center Wild Edibles and Medicinals Plant Walk ~ Carkeek Park~ North Seattle CC ~ Date to be announced More classes with North Seattle Community College coming soon. Tantric Dance of the Divine Feminine ~ A Year and a Day program with Kathy Kali ~ Begin May 18 in Seattle ~ This is a beautiful and sensuous movement meditation practice that I am going to participate in. I invite you to join me. In the few times I have experienced this, I have learned incredible subtlties about my energetic body that have helped me in many different aspects of my life. Visit www.tantricdance.org for more information, to register email julie@crowsdaughter.com Wise Woman Teachings and Shamnic Healing~ One to One are offered here at our farm and will soon be offered in Seattle. Visit our website for details, www.crowsdaughter.com/wise-wo...ngs.html

Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings for Fall 2007 and Winter 2008

Julie — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 05:08:45 GMT

Greetings......I have decided to post all my offering here....I am moved to share the gifts of the earth with all. This time of year, the dark time, has incredible gifts for us. I love teaching shamanic herbalism now. If you are local, come join me for one of these offerings......Green Blessings, Julie Crow's Laughter Mystery School Offerings: Susun Weed Weekend~Nov. 30-Dec. 2~Discovery Park in Seattle We are thrilled to be hosting Susun Weed for this fabulous weekend. Visit our website www.crowsdaughter.com for all the details and to register. Early bird prices will be increase on Monday, Nov. 12th Women and Plants~Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship Program Next session begins January 25, 2008 Come immerse yourself in the nourishing and healing ways of the plants. Learn to live as a wise woman, craft herbal medicines from door yard herbs. Experience ancient shamanic listening practices, connect with your sisters on this path. This is an all-inclusive, comprehensive program that spans a year and a half with 4 ~ 13 week sessions. New participants are invited to join us at the beginning of each 13~ week session, each time continuing through until they have completed 4 ~ 13 week sessions. When you choose this work you choose to deeply nourish all of yourself. When you join us, you are called upon to craft an apprenticeship with the plants and the Earth. Call or email to request an apprenticeship application. 360-579-2319 ~ julie@crowsdaughter.com Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ November 17th November's Theme: The Earth Mysteries Come join me as we explore the earth mysteries, the darkness and the healing arts. Learn ways to honor the source of life, death and rebirth through shamanic exercises. We will also explore the art of tincture making with organic alcohol and roots. $50 Includes a delicious, nourishing whole and wild food lunch and herbal crafting supplies Register online for Herbal Wisdom Circle http://www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.html Herbal Wisdom Circle ~ 13 month program This 13-month course includes 12 sessions held monthly on Saturdays, from 10:30-2:30 and one weekend intensive in late spring. This program is an opportunity to study the deeper teachings of the earth and plants first hand. The cost is $675. Payment plans are available. "The Well"~ A Study Group for Women~ 7-9 pm North Seattle~ First Wednesdays ~ December 5, January 2, February 6 We are thrilled to offer this group for women to explore the wise woman tradition, nourishing ourselves deeply and connecting with the treasures within us. $30 ~ 4 consecutive months for $100. Register on our website~ http://www.crowsdaughter.com/herbal-wisdom-circle.html Herbal Wisdom Mentorship Days for Girls ~ Returning in 2008 Dark of the Moon Lodge ~ Returning in 2008 A Healthy Immune System ~ Seven Medicines Approach Wednesday, November 28th ~ 7-8:30 pm ~ at our farm on Whidbey Island Coming in 2008... The Compassionate Nature of Plants ~ An online course in Shamanic Herbalism You can participate in this course anywhere in the world. And...more classes, plant walks and offerings in Seattle Crow's Daughter's Earthly Goods: We have added a page of holiday gift ideas from the Earth to our website. We are also offering free shipping again this year to enhance your giving. Visit http://www.crowsdaughter.com/plant-stories.html We will be selling our products at the Langley Holiday Fair, Nov. 24th, 12-5 pm. You can find us right behind North Star and across from Useless Bay Coffee House.

The Dark Earth and the End of the World

Julie — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:25:27 GMT

Greetings, I haven't posted to this blog since Summer Solstice, a long time ago. I find myself wanting to write about the gifts of this season of darkness. I have been studying the darkness for about ten years now. When I started I was so afraid of what I might find in the dark, so afraid of the demons that lived inside of me and so I never allowed myself to venture too far into the inner realms. I have always been an internal person, always had a rich inner life, but up until I learned of the dark earth energies, I hadn't been far away from home. Well, this year I have noticed that I am happy to give up everything about the world and dive into the deepest part of myself. I am wondering if this is what those prophets meant when they talked about the "End of the World" Not apocalypse, just this world, this year burned to ashes. And in the darkest place within me I find an empty cave. No pain, no story, no thought, just stone and earth. And I am still.

Wild Salad is Ripe for Pickin'

Julie — Mon, 28 May 2007 15:30:55 GMT

Hello Everyone, I have just been noticing the incredible green richness in my garden when I go out to pick wild salad greens. I thought I would share some of my favorite salad plants with you and some techniques for gathering. The tools you will need are... A pair of gardening scissors A flat basket Your intentions When I gather any plant, I always ask the plant's permission first. You can find your own way with this. It is amazing to open ourselves to listening to the plants and what they wish to offer us. After harvesting, I give thanks. I like to seperate the plants as I pick, each one in its own little sections. This way as I prepare the salad, it is easier to discover grass (which you don't want to eat.) or perhaps a poisonous hitchhiker. Once you are complete with your harvest, take the plants into your kitchen...DON'T WASH THEM!!!...cut them in a beautiful bowl with your scissors (don't tear them...they don't like this). Serve with organic, extra virgin oil and apple cider vinegar. I encourage you all to learn the wild edible plants for yourself. There are many books that list these. Also, when we spend time in nature listening, aquainting ourselves with the plants, we learn much about how to gather. Some of my favorite salad plants.... Dandelion Leaf and Flowers Taraxacum officinale: Best time to pick dandelion leaf is in the spring and fall for the best taste. You can pick them now, but they are quite bitter so cut them up small.(Now is actually the best time to pick for drying and tinctures as their bitter properties are potent) Plantain Leaves Plantago lanceolate and major: Look for the smallest, freshest leaves to pluck for your salad. Chickweed Stellaria media: What a great salad plant (Also makes good pesto!) Chickweed likes it cool and damp. Right now she is growing in amongst my tall grassy meadow. Spring is best time to find her in abundance but she is growing in spaces right now in the shade. Rose family plants: Blackberry, salmonberry, thimbleberry, wild rose, garden rose petals. All these are edible and delicious in salad. Sow Thistle Sonchus arvensus:Find the smooth leaf variety not the sharp edged one. These are incredibly mineral rich and tasty. They use this plant as a soup green in New Zealand. Lamb's Quarters Chenopodium rubrum: I love this plant in salad and as a cooked green. We have a native variety on Whidbey Island that is so salty, filled with incredible mineral salts. Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella: Sour, tasty, full of vitamin C. Pick the leaves in spring for best taste. Oxe-daisy leaves Erigeron spp: This plant is abundant where I live. The leaves in spring are amazing and exotic tasting. They get a little numbing after the plant begins to flower. Malva neglecta:(Pictured) This is one of my dearest plant friends. Very small, obscure plant that grow in and amongst garden plants and at the edges of farms. It is a member of the hollyhock family...Mallow. The flower are soft and juicy, the leaves melt in your mouth. This practice of Wild Salad gathering is precious and allow a deep connection with all of life. May it be in Beauty. Green Blessings, Julie Charette Nunn, Crow's Daughter

Dark of the Moon ~ Giving Death

Julie — Sun, 13 May 2007 06:44:48 GMT

Greetings, This is my first blog entry on tribe. I have noticed that I am letting go of a great deal right now. My work, although fulfilling and inspiring, feels challenging. I feel as though I am giving up an entire life to live another one. Weeding my garden is giving death. I choose consciously to uproot plant and cast into compost. This seems a big mirror for what is taking place around me, within me. Uprooting old ways, dislodging stuck energy, honoring the life that is, and now that was. And making room for new life, expanded growth and experiences I have only dreamed about before. May it be in Beauty.