Hi Barbara, just received my beautifully packaged “Forest Oil” and the fragrance is divine. It smells like Christmas tree in a bottle. Thank you so much. ❤️🎄
Thanks again, Barbara. I totally agree about laughter, in fact I've been writing about it and am just about ready to put it out there, once I get over my "stage fright", so to speak. LOL
Before I read your post, or listened to it, actually, I heard somewhere it was the Year of the Snake, and I remember thinking, "oh, great!" sarcastically. Then I heard your podcast and felt very different about it, and exactly for the reasons you elucidate--
And it made me smile, the same "Ah ha!" that YOU had...
I love it when that happens, and I felt much connection in that, in all the Good Ways.
I too, have had little "experience" with snakes. One time, I did... I was hiking up a big round rock in Texas, with scrub and tufty grass, and I surprised a snake that was sleeping there, and IT surprised ME, and we BOTH jumped into the air, and the snake was, for a split second, sort of "resting" on my leg, and I felt a sort of tenderness toward it, which also greatly surprised me... And I still feel that when I think of that critter and our intersection of that day, some 40 years ago... !!! I like snakes now.
You don’t know how powerfully this hit me today, girl! Before I even knew it was the year of the snake, I was seeing them, feeling them and even incorporating them into my D&D character (I play with my boys, we have a family campaign that is always magical!)! And I have never been a snake person. As you were talking, I spoke to that energy inside me, the Kundalini, which I’ve been tossed around by for the past few years, and said, “let’s do this.” Time to shed the old. Thank you! Love you!
I love this so much!! Especially that you are drawing your boys into the Magic. I'm sure they are supplying a big dose of it themselves.
Yes to your Kundalini comment. I didn't go into any details about my journey but holy wow, that's all I'll say! 🫢🐍 Sounds like you know exactly what I'm talking about.
And, I'm embarrassed to ask you this - but is this Wendy Lou from Kathleen's group?? I just made that connection (if I'm correct!) XOXO
along with a bunch of those ladies after, well…you know. I refuse to hate, and I was sad that they all turned the way they did. But…we persist! We remain!
Thank you, Joshua - for reading and taking the time to comment! I hope the Year of the Snake surprises you with the best kind of transformation you could dream of. 🐍
This is a gorgeous post, Barbara. I just commented somewhere else about the tiny little dead snake I show under the globe in this video thumbnail: https://thirdparadigm.substack.com/p/hebrews-in-egypt-slaves-or-masters? I found it on my path a year ago when I was doing a month of microdosing and going for walks in nature to find what spoke to me. My plant medicine woman, Caitlin, found significance in it.
I love your conclusion, that it's not humility (coming from humus, connected to the earth) to deny your calling. Especially when it seems too good to be true. It only seems so good to you because you recognize its power, and that's why the gift is yours.
I'll be sitting, standing, walking with this the rest of the day. And I need more walks in nature! I'm with my daughter this weekend and I'm going to suggest we do that.
Thanks, Tereza! I will check it out. I think maybe I was someone with an obnoxious ego in a past life because I'm so overly careful about it in this one. :)
I hope you do get outside more. I just came in from a long walk - it was 12 deg. when I set out, but it was so crisp and clear it was magical. And NO BUGS! :)
Dear fellow Vata Snake Woman, thank you for this post :) The Snake is so often misunderstood and mis-characterised in the western mind, at least. Because it is the Wisdom Carrier perhaps? in this upside-down world-system where Deception is the name of the game...
I find your substack to be so special and healing in nature and always a joy to read, it's my favourite. I very much appreciate you, your wisdom, your creativity and kindness. And yes, I'd like to join you as a sunshine soul in this world, quietly and unassumingly shining out for those with eyes to see, illuminating the shadows and dissolving illusions.
I wonder if you ever came across German New Medicine? I took a course in this recently with Freya Kellet (she also has a YT channel). There is a website called learninggnm.com wherein Caroline Markolin (who worked with Dr Hamer the originator) has detailed so much information about it. Very interesting way (framework) of approaching our ills (and shown conclusively by brain lesion CT scans as well), as conflicts that we deal with In our lives that are tied to biological programs operating from time immemorial to help our bodies deal with whatever we are facing in life, showing how our bodies heal themselves when we can resolve our inevitable conflicts. And of course other healing modalities go so well with this framework as healing support and alleviation when our bodies are in their symptomatic healing mode.
I always seem to be drawn in some way towards looking into natural healing modalities. Allopathy even has its place - even though, like you I had more or less rejected it for many reasons - but the emergency room can be very helpful when required. And sometimes interventions are required with certain conditions.
In another vein, I wish I could obtain your concoctions which sound absolutely divine, but which I noted, you cannot ship outside the States. Oh well, so be it then...
Anyway, wishing you so much love and a wonderfully beautiful Black Snake Year!
And thank you, thank you, thank you for your healing Nature posts full of treasure.
Aww, Clair. You always leave the kindest comments. Thank you, luv. Yes, I know about GNM, but I have never studied it formally—I have just listened to many videos. I will check out the information you shared, so thank you!!
I can tell without "meeting" you that you are indeed a Sunshine Soul. ☀️ by how you interact here and in your words. 💗
Yes, to all you said about the Snake! I hope the Year of the Snake brings you transformations you could have never imagined.
Are you in Scotland? I always forget (sorry!) I was able to ship some Pine Oil to someone in Canada, and it went pretty smoothly. Shipping wasn't too crazy. I fear that
shipping overseas would be way too costly and there's always the issue of Customs. I'm happy to share my Elderberry recipe with you - just send me an email.
Thank you again for being such a cheerleader on The Quaking Poplar. It means a lot to me!
Oh, Barbara. Your light reaches so easily into my life through these precious posts. Loved every single word. Grateful the 'voice' insisted you share it. Magic is all around us and you show us how to engage it. Thank you for sharing. And for being you.☀️🐍🌲2025 is definitely going to be an interesting year. I'm in!
Well, I did a GULP when I pressed Publish on this one...not gonna lie. But it just goes to show you how authentically sharing who you really are draws authentic people to you in the most wonderful way...you being one of them, Kathleen!
Thank you for reading and for always leaving such generous, beautiful comments! XOXO
As usual, you have sung directly to my soul, Barbara. I, too, was born in a Snake Year, and your wisdom shared about healing, transformation, and Sunshine is exactly what I need to hear RIGHT NOW. Thank you, shining soul-sister.🌟🐍
Mary! I have missed seeing you in my Inbox...I hope you're taking a well-deserved break from the 😳😳 here on Substack.
I love that we're fellow Year of the Snakers! And I'm so happy that the post resonated with you, beautiful one. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!
What a fantastic bedtime story. This is pure magic. 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗 Yes! I want to join you!!! This year, we shed!!!!!!! We heal and grow!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! I love you, xo!!! Jamie Lynn 💗
Dreams can certainly be revealing and helpful. My brother was heavy into East Indian astrology. Each sign is represented by corresponding animals. Each sign is also broken into more categories known as decanates and dwads. He said Gemini is represented by the snake. Gemini is a duality sign seen in both the poisonous and non poisonous nature of the snake.Snakes can also be at home on land or water. Gemini is known as the most youthful sign of the zodiac...symbolic by the shedding of skin. I thought this might be of interest to you.
Ah, I’m smiling so big reading this post! This is your year to shine in all your pink, snake-wise ways. I’m so glad you wrote this post and shared it with us. You *are* a healer, as those lucky enough to call you friend all easily attest. And, your magical potions and creations tell the same story. Thank you for doing the hard work to heal yourself so the rest of us can learn from your life-earned wisdom. Love you, Snake Woman!
Thank you, my friend! You make being a Crone easy by taking in what wisdom I have to offer. It feels reciprocal, though...you have so much wisdom of your own to share. This is going to be an interesting year for all of us. Love you so much, Amanda! XOXO
Here's my address: philandronnie@q.com
I just subscribed!
Thanks so much! It seems to be taking a while for Substack to verify all the emails that I imported, so it may be a day or so before I press Publish.
We'll be waiting! It'll be grand! XOXO
Hey Barbara, I may post something today or tomorrow, please send me your email address.
Keeping your fingers crossed. Thanks for your encouragement and support.
Will do! Go for it, Ronnie! 🥰
Hi Barbara, just received my beautifully packaged “Forest Oil” and the fragrance is divine. It smells like Christmas tree in a bottle. Thank you so much. ❤️🎄
Thanks for letting me know, Robin! Enjoy! XO
Oh, Barbara, this story is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing it with us. I loved it! Better late than never! You have such a special gift.
Thank you, Ronnie! I'm glad you found it inspiring. I'd love to know what YOUR special gifts are... XOXO
Thank you for "asking", Barbara. My sense of humor is one of them. I think!!
The people who are meant to see it will love it, Ronnie! Substack needs more of it that’s for sure! 😬🩷
Well, that’s a HUGE one, I think, Ronnie. Laughter heals! You can literally feel stress melt away with a good belly laugh. 😂 🩷
Thanks again, Barbara. I totally agree about laughter, in fact I've been writing about it and am just about ready to put it out there, once I get over my "stage fright", so to speak. LOL
HA! That last bit made me LOL. Perfect. ;)
Oh, I LOVE this post, maybe more than any other.
There's so much here that I feel within myself as well.
And btw, my lovely, YOU ARE... You just ARE, so don't argue with it or try to push it off.
You know what I mean! mmmwah! xo xo
Aww, thanks, Jaan! And I hope you took those words in for yourself, as well.
Thanks for reading and always leaving such sweet comments!
Happy Happy Year of the Snake! XOXO
Before I read your post, or listened to it, actually, I heard somewhere it was the Year of the Snake, and I remember thinking, "oh, great!" sarcastically. Then I heard your podcast and felt very different about it, and exactly for the reasons you elucidate--
And it made me smile, the same "Ah ha!" that YOU had...
I love it when that happens, and I felt much connection in that, in all the Good Ways.
I too, have had little "experience" with snakes. One time, I did... I was hiking up a big round rock in Texas, with scrub and tufty grass, and I surprised a snake that was sleeping there, and IT surprised ME, and we BOTH jumped into the air, and the snake was, for a split second, sort of "resting" on my leg, and I felt a sort of tenderness toward it, which also greatly surprised me... And I still feel that when I think of that critter and our intersection of that day, some 40 years ago... !!! I like snakes now.
XOXO ^_^
Oh, I love that story about your Snake encounter, Jaan! :) XO
I thought you might! It makes me smile even now. XO
You don’t know how powerfully this hit me today, girl! Before I even knew it was the year of the snake, I was seeing them, feeling them and even incorporating them into my D&D character (I play with my boys, we have a family campaign that is always magical!)! And I have never been a snake person. As you were talking, I spoke to that energy inside me, the Kundalini, which I’ve been tossed around by for the past few years, and said, “let’s do this.” Time to shed the old. Thank you! Love you!
I love this so much!! Especially that you are drawing your boys into the Magic. I'm sure they are supplying a big dose of it themselves.
Yes to your Kundalini comment. I didn't go into any details about my journey but holy wow, that's all I'll say! 🫢🐍 Sounds like you know exactly what I'm talking about.
And, I'm embarrassed to ask you this - but is this Wendy Lou from Kathleen's group?? I just made that connection (if I'm correct!) XOXO
Yes! I had to let her go, unfortunately,
along with a bunch of those ladies after, well…you know. I refuse to hate, and I was sad that they all turned the way they did. But…we persist! We remain!
Me too, Wendy. 😳
Thank you for the backstory of journeying with dreams. After reading it, I feel open to new things, a more fulfilled potential, in 2025.
Thank you, Joshua - for reading and taking the time to comment! I hope the Year of the Snake surprises you with the best kind of transformation you could dream of. 🐍
This is a gorgeous post, Barbara. I just commented somewhere else about the tiny little dead snake I show under the globe in this video thumbnail: https://thirdparadigm.substack.com/p/hebrews-in-egypt-slaves-or-masters? I found it on my path a year ago when I was doing a month of microdosing and going for walks in nature to find what spoke to me. My plant medicine woman, Caitlin, found significance in it.
I love your conclusion, that it's not humility (coming from humus, connected to the earth) to deny your calling. Especially when it seems too good to be true. It only seems so good to you because you recognize its power, and that's why the gift is yours.
I'll be sitting, standing, walking with this the rest of the day. And I need more walks in nature! I'm with my daughter this weekend and I'm going to suggest we do that.
Thanks, Tereza! I will check it out. I think maybe I was someone with an obnoxious ego in a past life because I'm so overly careful about it in this one. :)
I hope you do get outside more. I just came in from a long walk - it was 12 deg. when I set out, but it was so crisp and clear it was magical. And NO BUGS! :)
Enjoy the time with your daughter! XO
Dear fellow Vata Snake Woman, thank you for this post :) The Snake is so often misunderstood and mis-characterised in the western mind, at least. Because it is the Wisdom Carrier perhaps? in this upside-down world-system where Deception is the name of the game...
I find your substack to be so special and healing in nature and always a joy to read, it's my favourite. I very much appreciate you, your wisdom, your creativity and kindness. And yes, I'd like to join you as a sunshine soul in this world, quietly and unassumingly shining out for those with eyes to see, illuminating the shadows and dissolving illusions.
I wonder if you ever came across German New Medicine? I took a course in this recently with Freya Kellet (she also has a YT channel). There is a website called learninggnm.com wherein Caroline Markolin (who worked with Dr Hamer the originator) has detailed so much information about it. Very interesting way (framework) of approaching our ills (and shown conclusively by brain lesion CT scans as well), as conflicts that we deal with In our lives that are tied to biological programs operating from time immemorial to help our bodies deal with whatever we are facing in life, showing how our bodies heal themselves when we can resolve our inevitable conflicts. And of course other healing modalities go so well with this framework as healing support and alleviation when our bodies are in their symptomatic healing mode.
I always seem to be drawn in some way towards looking into natural healing modalities. Allopathy even has its place - even though, like you I had more or less rejected it for many reasons - but the emergency room can be very helpful when required. And sometimes interventions are required with certain conditions.
In another vein, I wish I could obtain your concoctions which sound absolutely divine, but which I noted, you cannot ship outside the States. Oh well, so be it then...
Anyway, wishing you so much love and a wonderfully beautiful Black Snake Year!
And thank you, thank you, thank you for your healing Nature posts full of treasure.
Aww, Clair. You always leave the kindest comments. Thank you, luv. Yes, I know about GNM, but I have never studied it formally—I have just listened to many videos. I will check out the information you shared, so thank you!!
I can tell without "meeting" you that you are indeed a Sunshine Soul. ☀️ by how you interact here and in your words. 💗
Yes, to all you said about the Snake! I hope the Year of the Snake brings you transformations you could have never imagined.
Are you in Scotland? I always forget (sorry!) I was able to ship some Pine Oil to someone in Canada, and it went pretty smoothly. Shipping wasn't too crazy. I fear that
shipping overseas would be way too costly and there's always the issue of Customs. I'm happy to share my Elderberry recipe with you - just send me an email.
Thank you again for being such a cheerleader on The Quaking Poplar. It means a lot to me!
Much Love, B 💗💗💗
Oh, Barbara. Your light reaches so easily into my life through these precious posts. Loved every single word. Grateful the 'voice' insisted you share it. Magic is all around us and you show us how to engage it. Thank you for sharing. And for being you.☀️🐍🌲2025 is definitely going to be an interesting year. I'm in!
Well, I did a GULP when I pressed Publish on this one...not gonna lie. But it just goes to show you how authentically sharing who you really are draws authentic people to you in the most wonderful way...you being one of them, Kathleen!
Thank you for reading and for always leaving such generous, beautiful comments! XOXO
As usual, you have sung directly to my soul, Barbara. I, too, was born in a Snake Year, and your wisdom shared about healing, transformation, and Sunshine is exactly what I need to hear RIGHT NOW. Thank you, shining soul-sister.🌟🐍
Mary! I have missed seeing you in my Inbox...I hope you're taking a well-deserved break from the 😳😳 here on Substack.
I love that we're fellow Year of the Snakers! And I'm so happy that the post resonated with you, beautiful one. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!
Love you!! XOXO
What a fantastic bedtime story. This is pure magic. 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗 Yes! I want to join you!!! This year, we shed!!!!!!! We heal and grow!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! I love you, xo!!! Jamie Lynn 💗
I love you back, Jamie Lynn! Yes, let’s shed together. 🐍 🐍 . Headed up soon…sweet dreams, beautiful friend. 😴 🩷🩷
Dreams can certainly be revealing and helpful. My brother was heavy into East Indian astrology. Each sign is represented by corresponding animals. Each sign is also broken into more categories known as decanates and dwads. He said Gemini is represented by the snake. Gemini is a duality sign seen in both the poisonous and non poisonous nature of the snake.Snakes can also be at home on land or water. Gemini is known as the most youthful sign of the zodiac...symbolic by the shedding of skin. I thought this might be of interest to you.
Thanks, Heide!
I almost spit my tea out when I got down to that meme at the bottom of your post, Barbara 😂
I couldn't help myself, Amy! 🫢 I saw it in my Photos and...
Thx for reading! Hope you're well! XOXO
Ah, I’m smiling so big reading this post! This is your year to shine in all your pink, snake-wise ways. I’m so glad you wrote this post and shared it with us. You *are* a healer, as those lucky enough to call you friend all easily attest. And, your magical potions and creations tell the same story. Thank you for doing the hard work to heal yourself so the rest of us can learn from your life-earned wisdom. Love you, Snake Woman!
Thank you, my friend! You make being a Crone easy by taking in what wisdom I have to offer. It feels reciprocal, though...you have so much wisdom of your own to share. This is going to be an interesting year for all of us. Love you so much, Amanda! XOXO