cazimi is an astrological term translated from Arabic to mean "heart of the sun" and is used when a planet is conjunct or next to the sun. It is a beautiful word, a powerful aspect, and the name of this cardiotonic blend made while Venus prepared for her journey through the underworld, meeting the heart of the sun and rising, again, as a morning star. Venus and the Planets do this regularly, as do we. We dive into the dark, we peer into the unknown or the scary or the repressed or the forsaken. When we are there we find gold. When we witness what's there we can return with it, integrate it. If you're not familiar with the myth of Inanna, a mesopotamian goddess of love, beauty and sex - and war, power and justice - summer 2023 is a wonderful time to read and reflect, mirror and mimic.
venus is not just the planet of love, beauty and pleasure but it is the body that helps us look at what we value, of course. In this rapidly changing world amidst much collapse, we are supported by planets as wise elders and the cycles of nature, guided through living our lives on purpose, even when it sucks. real bad. or is just a good, honest, radically honest reassessment. Venus retrograde, as any retrograde, is an opportunity to review, reassess, revisit, reflect. Where are the beautiful things and experiences within us and our relationships? What inspires us? What are the non-negotiables when entering into partnerships and collaborations of all kinds? What is my innate value? What is yours? What is the rock’s? What are we celebrating and honoring about each other, and how?
These are just some examples from me, and there is no wrong way or right answer to exploring being human alongside the plants and planets.
Summer 2023 I am asking while Venus is in Leo : WHAT DOES MY HEART LONG TO EXPRESS AND EXPERIENCE? WITH COURAGE AND PRIDE AND JOY?
the plants in this blend are
motherwort aka leonurus cardiaca aka lion heart.
Motherwort leaves and flowers have a special way of tending to our hearts. Especially for hearts that bump fast with nervous tension & anxiety or that are sore and tender with wounding from our mother - child relationships (literal or archetypal), motherwort has a special, strengthening way of calming and soothing. It is not sedative in nature, which is also pretty rad.
This plant also helps ease discomfort and pain in the uterus from menstruation and birthing, but is contraindicated during pregnancy. If you have delayed periods usually associated with tension or anxiety, motherwort will help the blood flow, calm the tension.
The specific, individual plant in this tincture is generational, regenerative and sprouted the season I birthed Meraki Farmacy. Currently I grow motherwort from seed saved from Great Grandmother plant at the first Meraki Farmacy gardens. There was a significant, 10 x 3-4 foot wild patch of her growing between the two large plots of the gardens.
I would sit and marvel at how many bees would spend hours bopping and buzzing along her beautiful and delicate appearing flowers, up tall stems and straight leaves. When I collected some seeds the first thing I noticed was the sharp barbs of the seed pods. Any plant I have ever learned from regarding the heart has some kind of sharp edge. I think this is so important: to witness the coexisting, to see the nourishment and tenderness and universal feminine energy present, with built in protection and toughness teaches us a lot. Structure is function, and each part of the stem and flowers and seeds all serve purposes.
Motherwort is often paired with hawthorn as a cardiotonic (see next plant teacher) and you can connect with it alone or also in the Smooth duo. Motherwort is not recommended for use during pregnancy, but is literally Mother's Herb and recommended post partum.
Hawthorne crataegus spp
Long thin arms adorned by long sharp thorns. Observe Hawthorn through the growing cycle, as all life transforms. To witness the budding and opening of some seriously sensual blossoms . . . . there are many lessons with hawthorn, that you must experience directly. The teachings and medicine here are about Sacred space, the fae kind of fierce embodiment of a full sensory life, of being at the intersections of sensual joy and solid protection.
Flowers and berries are the parts of the hawthorn plants that people work with. Hawthorn in the human body acts as a cardiotonic: substances from plants or drugs that increase the efficiency of the heart and promote better circulation throughout the body. What is really amazing about hawthorn (berries, here) as a cardiotonic is that it’s a specific remedy for most cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease, degeneration due to aging, mild congestive heart failure, recovery after heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), and hypertension.
It helps your heart literally pump better (through direct action on contraction) and improves circulation, and makes energy more readily available through the cardiovascular system, and therefore into all body systems.
We are lucky to have Hawthorn. You can also work directly with Hawthorn with this tincture or the Sacred Heart Ship.
Damiana turnera diffusa
central nervous system tonic. stimulating blood flow, supports relaxation.
Known as an aphrodisiac with particular potency, I find this flavorful dessert plant teacher so helpful with grounding into my body, feeling relaxed and free without sedation. I work with her for reconnecting with erotic energy/creative energy, kundalini energy.
Damiana’s actions are anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, astringent (toning, especially to kidneys and pelvic region), and is a stimulating nervine - which is cool and a bit different than the other plants I usually learn from and work with. Damiana will increase the energies in nerves while also relaxing the nervous system. It sounds wild, and should be experienced. Creative and erotic energies coming from the base of our spine and genital areas isn’t simply about sex, which is still a delicious gift from this plant. Any creative endeavor: making, breaking, painting, singing, raising, renegotiating, imagining, dreaming .. . . is supported by Damiana.
Damiana roots you in, and lifts your spirits. This plant teacher is used in central and south america where people have been making teas, tinctures and wines for thousands of years. Connecting with Damiana, as with any plant, demands we honor her people and lands, in actionable and generous ways.
Also found in the Chill Joy blend and can be used as a solo tincture.
MILKY OAT TOPS - cereal for your nervous system, subtle but potent, and soothing and toning and nourishing all aspects of our sensory stimuli processing parts. Really helpful for those putting harm reduction into practice, decreasing use of other survival and coping tactics that are numbing and preventing further exploration. Highly recommend as part of a daily care regimen especially those in it, use solo daily for 2-3 months then take a wee break. You can find it solo here.
Always consult with your other care providers. motherwort and damiana may be contraindicated during pregnancy.
venus is not just the planet of love, beauty and pleasure but it is the body that helps us look at what we value, of course. In this rapidly changing world amidst much collapse, we are supported by planets as wise elders and the cycles of nature, guided through living our lives on purpose, even when it sucks. real bad. or is just a good, honest, radically honest reassessment. Venus retrograde, as any retrograde, is an opportunity to review, reassess, revisit, reflect. Where are the beautiful things and experiences within us and our relationships? What inspires us? What are the non-negotiables when entering into partnerships and collaborations of all kinds? What is my innate value? What is yours? What is the rock’s? What are we celebrating and honoring about each other, and how?
These are just some examples from me, and there is no wrong way or right answer to exploring being human alongside the plants and planets.
Summer 2023 I am asking while Venus is in Leo : WHAT DOES MY HEART LONG TO EXPRESS AND EXPERIENCE? WITH COURAGE AND PRIDE AND JOY?
the plants in this blend are
motherwort aka leonurus cardiaca aka lion heart.
Motherwort leaves and flowers have a special way of tending to our hearts. Especially for hearts that bump fast with nervous tension & anxiety or that are sore and tender with wounding from our mother - child relationships (literal or archetypal), motherwort has a special, strengthening way of calming and soothing. It is not sedative in nature, which is also pretty rad.
This plant also helps ease discomfort and pain in the uterus from menstruation and birthing, but is contraindicated during pregnancy. If you have delayed periods usually associated with tension or anxiety, motherwort will help the blood flow, calm the tension.
The specific, individual plant in this tincture is generational, regenerative and sprouted the season I birthed Meraki Farmacy. Currently I grow motherwort from seed saved from Great Grandmother plant at the first Meraki Farmacy gardens. There was a significant, 10 x 3-4 foot wild patch of her growing between the two large plots of the gardens.
I would sit and marvel at how many bees would spend hours bopping and buzzing along her beautiful and delicate appearing flowers, up tall stems and straight leaves. When I collected some seeds the first thing I noticed was the sharp barbs of the seed pods. Any plant I have ever learned from regarding the heart has some kind of sharp edge. I think this is so important: to witness the coexisting, to see the nourishment and tenderness and universal feminine energy present, with built in protection and toughness teaches us a lot. Structure is function, and each part of the stem and flowers and seeds all serve purposes.
Motherwort is often paired with hawthorn as a cardiotonic (see next plant teacher) and you can connect with it alone or also in the Smooth duo. Motherwort is not recommended for use during pregnancy, but is literally Mother's Herb and recommended post partum.
Hawthorne crataegus spp
Long thin arms adorned by long sharp thorns. Observe Hawthorn through the growing cycle, as all life transforms. To witness the budding and opening of some seriously sensual blossoms . . . . there are many lessons with hawthorn, that you must experience directly. The teachings and medicine here are about Sacred space, the fae kind of fierce embodiment of a full sensory life, of being at the intersections of sensual joy and solid protection.
Flowers and berries are the parts of the hawthorn plants that people work with. Hawthorn in the human body acts as a cardiotonic: substances from plants or drugs that increase the efficiency of the heart and promote better circulation throughout the body. What is really amazing about hawthorn (berries, here) as a cardiotonic is that it’s a specific remedy for most cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease, degeneration due to aging, mild congestive heart failure, recovery after heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), and hypertension.
It helps your heart literally pump better (through direct action on contraction) and improves circulation, and makes energy more readily available through the cardiovascular system, and therefore into all body systems.
We are lucky to have Hawthorn. You can also work directly with Hawthorn with this tincture or the Sacred Heart Ship.
Damiana turnera diffusa
central nervous system tonic. stimulating blood flow, supports relaxation.
Known as an aphrodisiac with particular potency, I find this flavorful dessert plant teacher so helpful with grounding into my body, feeling relaxed and free without sedation. I work with her for reconnecting with erotic energy/creative energy, kundalini energy.
Damiana’s actions are anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, astringent (toning, especially to kidneys and pelvic region), and is a stimulating nervine - which is cool and a bit different than the other plants I usually learn from and work with. Damiana will increase the energies in nerves while also relaxing the nervous system. It sounds wild, and should be experienced. Creative and erotic energies coming from the base of our spine and genital areas isn’t simply about sex, which is still a delicious gift from this plant. Any creative endeavor: making, breaking, painting, singing, raising, renegotiating, imagining, dreaming .. . . is supported by Damiana.
Damiana roots you in, and lifts your spirits. This plant teacher is used in central and south america where people have been making teas, tinctures and wines for thousands of years. Connecting with Damiana, as with any plant, demands we honor her people and lands, in actionable and generous ways.
Also found in the Chill Joy blend and can be used as a solo tincture.
MILKY OAT TOPS - cereal for your nervous system, subtle but potent, and soothing and toning and nourishing all aspects of our sensory stimuli processing parts. Really helpful for those putting harm reduction into practice, decreasing use of other survival and coping tactics that are numbing and preventing further exploration. Highly recommend as part of a daily care regimen especially those in it, use solo daily for 2-3 months then take a wee break. You can find it solo here.
Always consult with your other care providers. motherwort and damiana may be contraindicated during pregnancy.