The Fallen White Pine Lives On

As I'm STILL easing into Spring, with Summer fast approaching

I went walking in the rain again yesterday and passed the fallen White Pine that I spoke about in an earlier post. When I approached the top branches lying on the ground, almost spilling into the road, something caught my eye.

Little tiny Pine cones!

They were not there when the tree came down.

I’ve been collecting her needles, which still look vibrant, to make oil and tincture and infusions. I just made a White Pine infused witch hazel.

When I break off the little twigs that the needles are attached to, her strong scent immediately spills into the air, and I can smell the life that’s still inside of her.

Honestly, seeing those Pine cones (they look much bigger in the photo) sent a ripple of Joy through me.

Life goes on, even when we think it’s over.

In case you forgot what she looked like, here she is, post-wind storm:

While I’ve been out walking the land, mostly in the rain, it’s been nudging me to think about the cycles of life. This tree that looks dead still has so much life left in her.

And Spring, well, as much as I’m struggling to ease my way in, trying to get in the mood, she’s forcing me to surrender to her bright green new life everywhere I turn.

“Look at me!” she says. “Come on, Barbara! Get excited!”

And I have to admit that I am.

Like a toddler, I’m fascinated by each little plant I see, anxious to identify them properly.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a cluster of Red Trillium! This beauty of a plant takes her time proliferating, and I believe she’s considered endangered. So, I’ll be leaving her be. Maybe, I’ll ask for one flower to make an essence and see what she says. Or maybe, I’ll just sit with her.

Mullein was one of the first plants I met when I moved here. She was growing everywhere on the hill. I think she was here to help me heal some deep-seated grief. Mullein is considered a lung plant, and grief lies buried in the lungs.

Last year, she looked so sickly that I didn’t harvest any. I just let her be.

But this spring, she’s back, and she’s beautiful!

There are wild strawberries everywhere. Maybe the birds and the bears will leave some for me this time around.

Walking in the woods here seems so familiar. Comforting. It immediately felt like home the day I came here.

How did I end up in this place? Why? Could I have lived here before?

Coincidentally, I was listening to a podcast called “Past Lives, Karma, and Soul Mates.” It’s an interesting discussion if you’re so inclined. I’d love to hear your feedback.

I was out walking earlier in search of Nettles, which I didn’t find. But, I noticed that the forest floor is covered with Lily of the Valley. It’s going to be so beautiful when the flowers appear!

Tomorrow is May 5th, and I don’t know if you’ve been feeling the intensity of the energy the past few weeks, but I most certainly have. My dreams and meditations have been different and very intense. Lots of people from my past.

Last night, my former partner was in my dream. Tomorrow is the anniversary of his death, and he almost always shows up somehow/someway on that day.

It’s Taurus season, and with my moon and rising signs both in Taurus, I’ve faced a lot of challenges in that arena. Taurus energy can really be stuck. Worrying about security. I’m relying on my Sagittarius sun to keep me light and moving forward.

We’re in eclipse season, and tomorrow is a lunar eclipse and a Scorpio Blood Full Moon. Here’s what’s going on:

Good things can come for us if we do the work, and that’s my intention. I know what my shadows are, and I work hard not to get stuck in them.

The talk here in New Hampshire the past several days has been rain, rain, and more rain. While I’ll be glad to see the sun, I have to admit that I’ve been enjoying the cold rainy days more than most people probably are. I’m still wearing my winter coat. There are no bugs yet! And I’m not looking forward to hot weather. You would think my Vata would love it, but I’m kind of dreading it.

At any rate, summer will be here before we know it. I’ll probably be writing about easing into summer. :)

My friend, Pamela, recently introduced me to a wonderful Irish herbalist on YouTube. I started watching her videos, and now I can’t stop. Terri is a lovely, down-to-earth, wise woman, and watching the videos is feeding my soul and easing my homesickness for Ireland. How can I be homesick if I’ve never lived there? You tell me. Ireland and Scotland both feel like home to me. More past lives?

Even the rainy days here remind me of them.

Terri is also lighting a fire under me to garden! I love her haphazard way of gardening, and I’m slowly working my way toward action.

May 1st was Beltaine (Irish) or Beltane (Scottish), an ancient Celtic holiday celebrating the coming of summer. Here’s a lovely introduction to Terri Conroy of Danu’s Irish Herb Garden. This is one of her older videos.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY

And I absolutely LOVED this episode, so I’m sharing another one. They’re both short videos. Much of what she says about her spiritual beliefs could have come right out of my mouth. I have a difficult time putting them into words, but Terri does not. I’m also a former Catholic who now considers Nature to be my temple, cliche as it may sound.

I’m pretty sure if you watch these videos, you’ll fall in love with the animals who make an appearance.

I’m going to go now and put away some tools in my shed while trying not to disturb the mama bird who has (again) built her nest inside. I find that if I speak quietly or sing a little song, she doesn’t get agitated.

Wishing you a happy full moon and lunar eclipse! Hang on. Or rather, let go!

Much Love,
Barbara