Welcome to the Nurture podcast/ blog.
Let’s create the beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
Summer Seed Setting- What we can learn from naked flowers.
Not every flower in my garden is in bloom. There are flowers with dropped petals, with browning stems and drooping heads. A tidy gardener will go through and dead head these spent blooms to encourage the plant to keep looking it’s best and prolong the growing season.
But by late July the heat and dryness of summer is signalling plants to shift from growth to seed set. Blooms can’t be forced forever and soon the prettiness of the garden gives way to the practical need for next year’s seed supply.
We don't quite understand how a flower turns out a seed that is more resilient, more adaptable and stronger than the season before- but they do. Everytime a flower grows it becomes better at surviving. That is why the plants we label weeds (who set seed and regrow many times in one season) are better at survival than most others.
Normally when we talk about plants we think in terms of growing and expansion: planting seeds, growing starts, blooming flowers and harvesting bounty. But none of this would be possible without the liminal time in late summer when the seeds ripen and form. This very important moment is often overlooked all together because well, it’s not that “sexy”.
In a culture that worships at the altar of beauty and youth and endless growth- those worn out flowers going to seed are just seen as having outlived their purpose. Maybe as a woman nearing 50 I can identify a bit more with late summer flowers than I did in my early 30s when I started farming.
But in 2021 I feel our whole culture is in a kind of seed set mode. We have just been through a global pandemic, economic shut down, extreme political polarization and as I write, fires of climate change are burning through Southern Oregon months earlier than last year.
Many of us are simply exhausted. To jump back into blooming again from this point would be to skip one of the most important steps on our journey.
Late summer was known to the ancient Irish as the time of Lammas (or Lughnasa)- and it marks the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. It is traditionally a time of less work for farmers as the spring planting is done and the big work of harvesting grain the fall is still to come. County fairs held around this time are remnants of the Lughnasa celebrations of old.
Lammas is the time of seed set. Most finished seed is not ready to harvest but the magic of creating seed is underway. During seed set plants are no longer trying to grow. Instead, they are quietly taking stock of all the information the bees have given them about pollination, about how much water was available, what minerals were lacking in the soil, how cold spring was and a billion other factors. They are storing all of this information in a tiny hard drive called a seed. Poppy flowers can create tens of thousands of seeds per square foot. Each one with a full store of knowledge about how to be a more resilient poppy in the season ahead.
As humans we also go through “seed setting” cycles in our lives.
Times of personal seed setting could show up as feelings of disconnect from your past self while still being unsure on what’s next. It could be a time of realizations but not action, or maybe even depression and grief as parts of us that no longer fit start to drop away.
It’s deep work of letting go and turning inward to find resilience. It also means stopping growth for a while.
Because seed setting is not the most comfortable of times many of us may prefer to skip over this process to what feels more fun and exciting.
We live in a culture that is always in a hurry to get to the next thing. There seems to be no time to process and reflect.
News outlets bemoan the fact that people aren’t rushing back to work and that economic indicators aren’t rising as fast as they could. The culture yells as us- Grow! Grow!
I think many of us see where this constant focus on growth has gotten us.
To grow a new culture we need to a new set of seeds. We need to feel into how we can truly live as resilient, loving and connected beings on the planet. We need to tend to our areas of depletion, grief and imbalance. We need to let go of growth for deep reflection and visioning for our future.
Lammas is the perfect time to drop into seed set mode. Many of us are already there anyways- so perhaps just fully give yourself permission to go deeper. Release the need to keep “doing” in favor of listening to your own heart. Resist the urge to dead head your own flowers and find the beauty in this process of life.
Never fear that seeds will eventually begin the growth cycle again. If we let them fully mature with the wisdom and healing we have earned they will rise up beautifully to create the world our hearts know is possible.
Journal Questions for Lammas Time ( I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below too!)
Check in with your inner flower power. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a flower in the garden. What does it look like? What stage of life is it in? What does that tell you about where you are right now?
What seeds are you setting deep within for your future self?
What do you need to finish or fully ripen in your life in order to harvest the rewards?
Enjoy this beautiful late summer time while it lasts! Eat peaches and go swimming.
Take a break from the hard work and rest a while.
xxoo
Ginger
Summer Solstice Guide to Magical Sun Teas
Why celebrate the Summer Solstice?
Summer Solstice (aka Midsummer’s Night Eve or Litha) is a celebration of the longest day of the year, where the Sun is at its full zenith. It’s a time to celebrate our life-giving Sun and the Earth’s bounty. Look around you- there’s colour, beauty and life buzzing everywhere!
Summer Solstice is a turning point in the year; from this point on the light will wane towards the Winter Solstice (the shortest day) in late December. This solar turning point is a perfect moment to set intentions that are all about you.
How can you show up for yourself every day with loving kindness? Is it time for you to be recognized more fully in your business or career path? What intentions do you have for your health and vitality? How can you open to more joy in your everyday life?
Whatever your intentions are this Summer Solstice, let them be ones that makes your deepest soulshine sing! You’ve got the power and strength of the Sun behind you at this moment to be and do anything!
Midsummer’s Sun Tea
The big bright energy of the Solstice sun brings extra oomph to your Sun Tea Brewing! Set your personal intentions and let them steep with your Sun Tea. Just follow these easy steps and believe.. (because Midsummer’s Night Eve is known for it being a time for fairy rings and magic!)
Supplies:
A mason jar/glass jar
Enough water to fill the jar
Fruits, herbs + flowers to put in your jar*
Tea of your choice
Sunny crystals like: Pyrite, Citrine + Clear Quartz (optional)
Pen + piece of paper
*I recommend using fruits, herbs or (edible) flowers that are in season or in your garden. If you can get to a farmer’s market or a grocery store that supplies local food, pick whatever you feel called to. I’m including a few recipes below for inspiration, but by all means get creative and do your own thing!
Oregon Strawberry Rhubarb:
a small handful of strawberries, sliced
1-2 stalks of rhubarb, sliced
rooibos tea
1-2 teaspoons of honey
Sunshine in a Glass:
Want these crafty iced teas at your next party?
Choose a bunch of fruit and herb flavor combos and brew individual assorted jars of iced teas instead of one big jar. It looks great, is healthier than sode and allows everyone to enjoy their favorite flavors!
half an orange, sliced
half a lemon, sliced
half a lime, sliced
black, green or white tea
Summer Pollinators Delight:
a small handful of lavender sprigs
a small handful of sacred basil (tulsi)
rose petals
mint (with the flowers if you have access)
chamomile based herbal tea
1-2 tsp of honey or a sprinkle of bee pollen
Brewing up the Magic
Ideally you can make this Sun Tea on the day of the Solstice.
Solstice morning or day before, spend time in nature (even if it’s in your own backyard) to connect with the elements and energy of the season. If you find anything on a nature walk you can take home with you (wildflowers, water from a stream, soil, rocks etc) to decorate your tea brewing area.
Set up your Tea brewing area with flowers, crystals (sunny colors like citrine, pyrite, tigers eye, yellow or orange calcite are great) and any other art, colors or items that make you feel powerful and shiny.
Calm your mind and energy by taking deep, slow breaths and feeling your connection with the Earth.
Ask yourself what intention you can make that will allow you to shine as your brightest, most expansive self.
Once you feel very clear about what your intention is, WRITE IT DOWN on your piece of paper. Be CLEAR + SPECIFIC.
Place all your ingredients in your jar and top with water. Place your jar with all your ingredients either outside IN THE SUN, or in a sunny windowsill, with your intention paper under or tied around the jar or your intention written on the brew jar in marker. If you’re using crystals, place your stones against the jar so they can infuse their energy into your sun tea.
Once your Sun Tea has steeped in the sun for at least 3 hours (but ideally all day), STRAIN + DRINK your tea over the course of the next day or two. With each sip feel the magical energy of the Sun and let your intention vibrate in every cell in your being!
How to cold brew your tea for summer!
How to Cold Brew Tea (and why)
You know that cold brew coffee is a thing but what about cold brew tea?
The cold brew tea method is making tea with cold water only and eliminating the water-heating process. It’s not the same as iced tea but this method is just as refreshing and offers many advantages. You will be surprised with some of the subtle flavors that show up – especially when cold brewing green tea!
Did you know: Tea will release it’s flavor into liquid whether the liquid is hot or cold? The only difference between hot and cold methods is that hot tends to work a bit faster.
When no hot water is used, the tea leaves are extracted much more slowly which results in a lighter-bodied tea with less astringency and bitterness.
It’s an easy way to enjoy any tea type (black, green, white, oolong, puerh and herbal) and depending on how what kind of brew you want.
The Science
Tea is simply an extraction of compounds from the tea leaves into a solvent: water. Hot water is very efficient at pulling out many different compounds from tea leaves such as caffeine and aromatic flavor compounds. Heat also helps to break down the cells so these chemicals are easily released into the water. But you only want to steep your tea for 1-5 minutes because steeping too long in hot water begins to extract undesirable flavor from tannins–particles that make your tea taste acidic and bitter.
With cold-brewing the water is able to pull out the flavor and caffeine without too much tannic extraction. The result is a mellow and balanced tea.
Why Should You Cold Brew Tea?
This method is incredibly simple.
You may even find it easier than steeping your tea in hot water because with cold water you don’t run the risk of over steeping. Because cold brewing is more forgiving you don’t have to worry as much about the amount of tea leaves or how long you steep the tea. For example, many people tell me they’re not a fan of green teas and usually it is because the water temperature is too hot and/or the leaves are steeping for too long. This results in a very bitter drink.
If that’s the case for you, then cold brewing a delicate tea, like Japanese sencha, would be an excellent way to taste it with no bitter notes.
How Long to Cold Brew Tea
You can cold steep your teas for as little as 2 hours or as long as 12 hours or more. The point is to experiment and find out what you like best. Check back on your tea often to taste where it is at and see if you like the flavour profile.
The only downside to cold brew tea is the wait time, but it’s easy to get over that if you just set your tea in the fridge to steep overnight. The next morning you’ll wake up to a refreshing drink waiting for you …hooray!
Which Teas to Cold Brew
The guide pictured is helpful but you notice it has a range of steep times because not all teas in a category brew alike (ie. rolled oolong tea leaves may take longer to cold brew than other oolong teas).
You can even cold brew your spent tea leaves from a hot steep! There are many times when you can save your used tea leaves and set them in a pitcher to steep overnight in the fridge to pull the rest of the flavor out.
*If you’re looking to cold brew matcha there is no need to wait. Matcha is tiny particles of finely ground tea leaves and can simply be shaken or blended with ice cold water and enjoyed immediately.
How to Cold Brew Tea
What You’ll Need:
A pitcher or jar
Tea of choice (for best flavor use loose-leaf tea)
Room temperature or cold water
Optional: flavoring (fresh herbs, fruit, spice, etc.)
STEP ONE: MEASURE OUT TEA INTO JAR
Measure 1 heaping teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per 8 ounces of water into a pitcher or jar. (or follow brewing directions on the tea container label) I like to have tea loose in the pitcher opposed to using a tea infuser or filter. This way the tea leaves have plenty of room to dance around and steep, allowing them to release all of their good flavours. Remember, you can use any tea you like and tea bags work just as well here as loose leaf.
STEP TWO: ADD WATER
Fill jar with room temperature or cold water according to how much tea you are making. 5 heaping tablespoons per gallon of tea is a good general rule.
*OPTIONAL: You can also add slices of fruit, fresh herbs, spices and sweetener etc. to cold steep with the tea at this stage.
STEP THREE: CHILL
Cover the jar with lid and place in the refrigerator for at approx 6-12 hours. You can prepare and place in the fridge overnight for use the next day. Feel free to experiment to see how long each stee time works for your favorite tea.
STEP FOUR: TASTE & ADJUST
After cold steeping, take note of the liquid’s change in color. It should be about the same color as if you hot brewed it. Taste test your cold steep tea to see if it’s to your liking. If you think it was steeping for too long and is now too strong, simply mix in more cold water.
When it is perfect, pour it through a fine mesh tea strainer or cheesecloth to remove the loose leaf tea. However, if you placed your tea leaves in a tea infuser, or you used tea bags, then simply remove and discard.
To make your Cold Brew life easier- you can now purchase cold brew tea pitchers that have lids with filter to catch any tea leaves when pouring (some also have built in strainers etc.
STEP FIVE: ENJOY
Don’t forget to pour yourself (and others!) a glass over ice. Enjoy!
How to Cold Brew with a French Press
Fill French press pitcher with water and loose tea leaves.
Use approximately 1 teaspoon of tea for every 8 ounces of water.
Place in the refrigerator (plunger up) 6-8 hours – or until desired strength is achieved.
Slowly depress the plunger to filter and serve.
How to Make Sun Tea
While this technically is not a cold brew method, it is a slower solar brew method that’s lots of fun and is faster than waiting for cold brew!
When brewing tea using sun power, just fill up a large glass jug (preferably something with a lid you can close) with water.
Then add your tea. A good general guide is 5 heaping tablespoons of tea per gallon of water. How many you add will depend on the strength of the tea you’re using. Add a bit of mint, some muddled fruit or other herbs to the mix if you desire.
Seal it up and place glass jar in the direct sun.
Leave it outside for about 2½ hours or so depending on how hot the day is. If it’s really hot outside and the tea is starting looking dark quickly, the brew time might be less. The length of time you settle on will again depend on how strong you like your iced tea.
After it’s brewed, refrigerate or pour over ice and enjoy!
As the summer begins, let’s savor the tea season!
What’s your favorite iced tea recipe?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Hawthorne - the Queen of Hearts
HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS spp.)
The day of the fairies return is "the day the hawthorn blooms." As the fairy gates open this May, open your heart to hawthorn. Let its beauty and strength imbue you with great heart, for hawthorn is the herb of healthy hearts.
Known for its abundance of healing properties, Hawthorn has been revered as a sacred tree by humans for thousands of years. The tree holds strong mythic associations many of which seems to contradict each other- such as being a tree of both wild fertility and of pure chastity, of heart opening and of boundaries & protection, of magic & fairies and of Christian faith. One thing is for sure- this shrubby, thorny tree has held a deep fascination and long relationship with cultures around the world. From Ancient Greece to China and the British Isles.
Hawthorn Lore
The three most revered trees in the old Celtic world were the “Oak, Ash and Thorn” (referring to Hawthorn). The “Haw” part of the name is an old word for “hedge”. Hedges were more than just living fences back then; they signified the boundary between the known, safe and civilized world, and the wild woods beyond.
“The word 'hedge' derives from 'Haga' which is contained in the old name for Hawthorn 'Hagathorn' and shares the same root as 'hag'. The hag, in old English was not just an old woman, but a woman of prophetic powers, and 'hagzusa' spirit beings, and 'hedge riders' - in other words, beings that live 'between' the worlds of mundane reality and the otherworld beyond, and who could easily traverse the boundaries between them. Likewise, healers, seers and soothsayers were also considered 'boundary-walkers'. Thus, Hawthorn's symbolism is that of protection, but also as a gateway to this other world of magical beings.”- Sacred Earth)
Perhaps Hawthorn’s association with death comes from the scent of the flowers – some liken it to a rotting fish odor – thanks to trimethylamine. And such the flowers attract carrion insects. During the black plague the smell of Hawthorn in bloom reminded some of death and so unlucky associations formed with bringing its blossoms into the home. But more widely the same scent is associated with sex and therefore fertility. The association with fertility could also be due to Hawthorn’s ability to cross breed so easily. Or maybe it’s because Hawthorn flowers in early May, the time of Beltane fertility rites and blessings. (Note that in the old English Calendar Beltane would have fallen on May 13th and not on May 1st, which is around our current Mother’s Day and when the trees begin to blossom in Oregon).
The best beloved hawthorn tree in Britain is the ‘Glastonbury Thorn’ or ‘Holy Thorn’, said to have originated when the staff of the visiting Joseph of Arimathea was struck into the ground and sprouted. (unfortunately it was badly damaged by vandalism in 2000 but it is still alive!) There are other big trees, seedlings from generations of Glastonbury Thorns in the area. Each year a sprig from one of the oldest trees is sent to Her Majesty the Queen to join her Christmas decorations.
The great Abbey of Westminster in London stands of the site of a group of ancient hawthorn trees, evidence once more of Christianity using pagan sites of worship in order that the people could simply continue in their place whilst being taught different values.
Birds find refuge in the thorny branches of Crataegus, nesting there to keep away from predators. The thorns of Hawthorn have the potential to become branches. If you look closely at one of these trees you might spot thorns with leaves, flowers, and berries growing off of them. Consider all of that potential energy stored in this healing tree along with the fact they can live up to 400 years!
Healing Properties
In Western Medicine, Hawthorn is the ultimate heart tonic. It has the power to both raise and lower blood pressure (this is known as being “amphoteric”). How? According to herbalist Matthew Wood, it "improves the deposition of lipids in the walls of the capillaries and red blood cells that are squeeze through them.” This cuts down on “irritability” allowing free passage of the blood flow. Hawthorn also helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol. It is highly regarded as a safe way to lower blood pressure when the patient is diabetic or has kidney disease. An injectable preparation of hawthorn was widely used in modern medicine prior to the introduction of blood pressure drugs and heart-valve surgery. It is still available in Germany.
Harvesting our farm Hawthorn tree from the roof!
The leaves, flower buds, flowers, and berries/haws of the hawthorn are all rich in anti-oxidant flavonoids. Flavonoids benefit the heart and blood vessels in many ways. Their powerful anti-inflammatory effects relax the blood vessels. Their anti-microbial actions stop low-level infections like those associated with gum disease from harming the heart. And flavonoids support healthy functioning of the immune system and the liver. No wonder hawthorn is the herb of longevity in stories and tales!
The nutrients in hawthorn assist its active ingredient so that the heart and circulatory system are slowly and deeply healed on multiple levels. Hawthorn carries its magnesium and calcium directly to the heart muscles, enhancing their ability to contract and increasing available oxygen. This beneficial effect extends into the coronary blood vessels as well. Hawthorn is unique in its ability to strengthen the weak heart and carry the old heart into a healthy future.
Regular use of hawthorn can
Lower blood pressure
Increase the effectiveness of the heart's pumping action
Strengthen the heart muscle
Slow the heartbeat
Dilate coronary arteries
Prevent heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
Help those healing from heart surgery
Support the immune system
Increase longevity
Hawthorn is safe to take with any other medicine although if you are using cardioactive pharmaceuticals like digoxin, consult your doctor for supervision. Dose adjustment may be necessary.
Working with Hawthorn
Hawthorn is member of the rose family, and thus closely related to rose hips, apples, cherries, apricots, and almonds. Hawthorn is notable for its long thorns and bright red haws (apple-like berries). The thorns may be used as needles; and hedges of thorny hawthorn grow quickly enough to keep even goats at bay. The tasty crimson haws -- called cuckoo's beads, chucky cheese, and pixie pears -- are fermented into wine, made into jams and jellies and baked into little cakes. The leaves, flowers, and ripe berries of Cratageus oxyacantha taste great and are easily consumed in teas, infusions, and tinctures.
To use Hawthorn as heart medicine you can choose to make a strong tea, which is typically made by steeping two teaspoonfuls of dried leaves and flowers in a cup of boiling water for twenty minutes.
Or you could make a Hawthorn infusion. Which is made by steeping one ounce of dried flowers and leaves or one ounce of dried haw berries in a quart of boiling water for at least four hours.
A dose is a cup of tea or half a cup of infusion normally taken once or twice a day as needed. Traditional European herbalists often add a big spoon of honey to hawthorn tea or infusion. They believe that the sweetness heals the heart.
Make a Hawthorn Flower Essence
Hawthorn can help heal a broken heart and is often recommended during times of grief. The flower essence can be used in addition to the herb, or alone, to heal emotional wounds.
How to make a Hawthorn flower essence:
Flower essences are a type of vibrational medicine, akin to homeopathy, in which the healing energy of flowers is captured in a process of dilution, and no flower parts remain in the finished remedy.
It is easy to make flower essences and they are a wonderful complement to herbal medicine because they address the underlying emotional causes that create problems in the body. Sometimes addressing the emotions can resolve physical symptoms and ailments.
They can work quickly, or take time to clear blockages. Similar to doing a detox cleanse, it is possible that you may initially feel heightened awareness of symptoms as stagnant emotional patterns are unearthed.
Flower essences offer a wonderful way to heal and grow because they affect change at a deep emotional level.
They are safe for all ages, and even pets, and the don’t interact with medications.
Making the concentrate or “Mother Essence”
Float fresh Hawthorn flowers in pure spring or well water in sunlight for 20 minutes to 3 hours or until more than half the flowers are wilted.
Remove the flowers and transfer the liquid to a clean bottle. A small tincture bottle is good, about 50 ml. A funnel would be helpful.
Mix the flower water with an equal amount of brandy or glycerine.
Shake the bottle 100 times to mix them.
Label as “Mother.”
Notes: Flower essences made with brandy will last decades, glycerine will last about 5 years, and plain water essences will last a few days. Look for or prepare glycerine based essences if you do not consume alcohol.
Make a Stock Remedy
Fill another small bottle with half water and half brandy. Add 5 drops of the mother. Shake 100 times. Label as “Stock Remedy.”
Make a Treatment Bottle
Combine water and 30% glycerine or brandy. Add 5 drops from the stock bottle. Shake 100 times. Label.
Keep the Mother and the Stock, and you can make flower essences to last a lifetime (if you have used brandy). Simply make more treatment bottles with the stock, and make more stock from the mother when you run out.
The treatment bottle is what you will use for the following methods:
Ways To Use Hawthorn Flower Essence
Hawthorn is a renowned heart healer. As a flower essence, it heals broken hearts, opens the heart chakra, eases grief and enhances expressions of love. It also helps balance emotional extremes.
Take 3-5 drops in the mouth or in water, 3 or more times daily.
Use as a room spray – add 3 to 5 drops to a spray bottle full of water.
Add about 20 drops to a bath.
Flower essences can also be added to healing creams or lotions.