Easy Does It

Eilean Donan Castle, 2004

Last week's Creative Dreaming assignment was to look at our journey so far and see what came easy.

We always hear about artist's suffering for their work and passions...no pain, no gain, right?

This doesn't always have to be true.

When I started on this journey I remember asking that the process be joyful because I couldn't handle the changes coming in a cataclysmic, traumatic way.  I've had enough trauma over the years and I'm sure I'll have more in my life...so PLEASE let the course to my dreams be exciting and happy.

Has it been so far?  I'd say, mostly yes.  There has also been a lot of hard work and some unhappiness along the way.  I've begun to feel grateful for the unhappiness though, because I've started to realize that it's another tool to help me leverage my way into the dream.

So, back to what came easy.

Nothing that came easy came without work...let me say that right up front.  All the work that I've been doing on myself...the love I'm cultivating for my passion, for Scotland.  That has all been (joyous) work...but when I've stepped back and rested between the work, wonderful things have come to me.

*Writing this blog is (wonderful) work and it has yielded new friends in Edinburgh, a place to stay the next time I'm in town, and direction for my dreams...just by writing about my passions and thoughts. It even brought me the opportunity to profess my love to Edinburgh...

*Someone suggested I try a Reiki treatment 4 years ago, and I quickly found a place around the corner from my apartment.  That led me to research other alternative therapies and to eventually be attuned to give treatments myself. I discovered that there was a whole other world out there for me...

*My herbal path was laid out in front of me when I got an e-mail for a course called "The Art of Herbal Medicine Making," and a little voice inside me prodded me to take it...which led to "Herbal Alternatives to Antibiotics," which led to a workshop and weed walks...and now two years into a wonderful apprenticeship...

*The herbal medicine led me to cook more...

*Having leftover yarn prompted me to pick up the needles again...

*A gift of the Outlander books led me to want to check out Scotland because it sounded pretty...

*A fun, crazy, road trip around the UK in 2004...turned into something deeper than I could have ever planned...

*My love for Scotland, and a little voice telling me I needed to be there for my 30th birthday, led me to a retreat week in Forres where I had the idea for this blog...

*A magazine my Mother left on my bed led me to Iona and the "Matter Matters" week a year later...

*An e-mail newsletter about "Pilgrimage for Change" is leading me back...


Other things have been coming to me as well...possible and actual extra income, help with my website, new ideas for my dream business, new friends, opportunities, and so much support from the dearest people! The unsolicited outpouring of love never fails to touch and surprise me. I appreciate it more than I could ever express...and accepting it gets easier every day.

XO

Mugwort Chicken Salad

In early November I completed the first year of my herbal apprenticeship. I can't believe a year has gone by already! I remember having the germ of the idea while standing in my room at Newbold House in August of 2008 (in Scotland).  So much has happened since then. 

Mugwort and Me
As part of the apprenticeship, we all chose plant allies to work with.  Mine was Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris).  Mugwort has been very magical for me.  The first medicine I ever made was mugwort oil. Since then I have meditated with her and made many other medicines such as tincture and salves.

Some Fun Facts about Mugwort
*According to Botanical.com “In the Middle Ages, the plant was known as Cingulum Sancti Johannis, it being believed that John the Baptist wore a girdle of it in the wilderness. There were many superstitions connected with it: it was believed to preserve the wayfarer from fatigue, sunstroke, wild beasts and evil spirits generally: a crown made from its sprays was worn on St. John’s Eve to gain security from evil possession, and in Holland and Germany one of its names is St. John’s Plant, because of the belief, that if gathered on St. John’s Eve it gave protection against diseases and misfortunes.”

*Aids with Dream recall

*Helps relieve inflammation, such as arthritis pain

*It's a wonderful ally to women for cramps

*IT WAS USED TO FLAVOR BEER!

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 For my final project, I created a recipe!

The following was inspired by a "woman's" tea recipe that I found:

2 green apples
1.5 lbs chicken breast (no antibiotics, etc)
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
Powdered Mugwort
1 lemon
Walnut Oil
Sea Salt
Ginger

Brown the chicken breast in walnut oil, Celtic sea salt and powdered mugwort. I had harvested and dried my own, but you can buy powdered mugwort in Japanese markets.

While the chicken is cooling, chop the apple and tossed the pieces with some lemon juice (about 1/4 cup).

Mix the apple with the chopped dates

 

Pan toast the walnuts with a touch of honey and salt

 

Mix it all together with a little more salt, a little fresh grated ginger, and a dash of dried ginger. Dress it with a little more honey and walnut oil.

Mugwort is very useful in helping with digestion...which is why I decided pairing it with ginger would be lovely (since ginger also helps with the tummy).

This plant has become my fellow traveler. I took her with me to Scotland in tincture and salve form as well as in a little luck charm. I'm so excited to keep learning and growing with her!

XO