A month filled with mystical, magickal moments through the connection of spirit. Through our harvesting season we connect with the earth in a gratitude manner. You appreciate the food you are able to source. You begin cutting, sealing and packaging your fruits of labour… to be stored for the winter season soon upon us. To have witnessed a seed turn into seedling into a plant and than food is a mystical moment.
In these moments, I am reminded of our ancestors and of their knowledge passed down to us. We are always connecting to the land in a holistic way. The soil that you touch helps ignite your hormones to produce your serotonin, which in-turn helps manage depression.
We are able to grow our own medicines through plant medicine all there for you to reconnect and learn and connect with the magick among mother nature. Mother nature is here for us all no matter race as we each are a part of this land.
Bringing us towards the celebration of Samhain which honours ancestral love, land connection and new beginnings. Before we get deep into this stage of the wheel… let us acknowledged this beautiful season called fall. Look around and take notice of the bright red tops of the trees that shines among our bright sun, which gives our sunsets a golden red/pink. These are moments to cherish!
To see nature gathering their foods, storing and eating so they can hibernate for the winter. I often see squirrels digging through my soil to hide their nuts, and each morning they arrive again to dig them out and eat! Though they make such a mess it is a pleasure to witness their work!! They add to our ecosystem and keep the cycle of nature moving.
I am in love with the sound of the wind and its dance, as you connect your body to the wind around you, you move in a dance, as the trees sway with the winds present.
When you get up and take that brisk walk it heals you and calms your thought as nature heals. Begin to give mother mature your attention and your views will never be the same!!!
The beauty of the sky embraces your smile, the forest heals your soul, the flowers cheer up your heart and the animals keep you grounded.
We are beginning our love letter writing again! I took a break to enjoy some time with myself, family & significant partner!!! I will begin writing again and sharing many nee exciting info & stories! Here we begin with this months requests!!!
VALERY
“Valery is my best friend of nine years. She’s the most supportive and kind person I have ever met. She is always by my side, likes to help others, especially animals, and has a lovely heart.
Some months ago she finally got the courage to leave her job that was underpaid and start a new chapter of life in another big city. Even though she was very scared and frustrated, she did it for a bright future and I am so proud of her. Her family was in an unstable financial situation and she has been working so hard since her teenage years to help her mother and little sister to have a better life.
She is having tough times in a new place, but I know that she can do it. She does not have many friends but has a pure and open heart. She likes art, classical music, museums, and nature.
Valery deserves support and appreciation, and I want to make her believe in miracles, good people, and kindness around us.”
Let her believe in love again. Letters are welcome in English, Spanish & Russian.
PLEASE MAIL ALL LETTERS TO:
Valery’s bundle
℅ Ksenia P.
Altufyevskoe sh. 92-244
Moscow
127349
Russia
Please drop all letters in the mail by September 30, 2022
AMY & JASON
“My sister Amy is an incredible woman. She has always been committed to seeing the light and joy in life despite her hardships and encourages others to do the same. I call her a spiritual giant. One cannot leave an interaction with Amy without feeling uplifted. However, I know this year has been difficult.
About a year ago, her husband (Jason) was diagnosed with ALS. She’s worked ceaselessly to support him and their three children as ALS continues to take its toll on him. Despite now being wheelchair-bound, Jason maintains his good humor and positive outlook on life.
In August, we had planned a weekend trip to visit them (they live a state away), but when the weekend came, she and her family had Covid so we were forced to cancel. I know love letters would mean a great deal to Amy and her family- especially at this time. If people could send love letters to her and Jason, I know they would be a beautiful reminder of the goodness of life and people, and could help uplift them during difficult times.”
Let us gather around our letters and encourage Amy and Jason during this hard time.
PLEASE MAIL ALL LETTERS TO:
Amy & Jason’s bundle
℅ Lindsay P.
10885 State Street
Sandy, UT 84070
USA
Please drop all letters in the mail by September 30, 2022
LEANA
“Leana is Matthew’s mom. That is who she has been full-time, non-stop for the last fourteen years, with them spending no more than four hours apart (when he went to “school”). Leana adopted Matthew at birth with an initial diagnosis of Myotonic muscular dystrophy and apraxia, although later it was discovered there were more diagnoses to come. Since her mother’s passing in 2017, Leana has also been his sole source of care. They were told when Matthew was born that there was little chance that he would live to be three. With her strong heart and stronger faith, along with her background in nursing, she provided an environment where Matthew would not only survive but thrive for fourteen years. On August 5th along with her beloved’s picture, Leana posted “The most beautiful, amazing boy ran into the arms of Jesus at 3:44 this afternoon.” He loved music, his bear, his stories, his favorite blankets…and his mom.
Later in a post, she writes “I saw him take his first breath and I held him as he took his last and that’s an honor I will never take lightly. While I would give everything I have to have you with me for 5 minutes longer, I’m so grateful you are no longer in a bed, tied to machines. You are pain free. I’ve tried to think all day, what you might be doing in heaven. How many new friends have you made? How happy grandma was to see you. I wish I could have heard your first sentence and seen you running.”
He was literally her whole world. Please write to encourage Leana at this impossible time. Let her feel your love, prayers, and support.”
PLEASE MAIL ALL LETTERS TO:
Leana’s bundle
℅ Susan H.
1066 Linden Road
Venice, FL 34293
USA
Please drop all letters in the mail by September 30, 2022
PAUL
Paul’s mom wrote this to our community: “I want to nominate my son Paul who in our little town is quite a celebrity and known as the local Matthew McConaughey. He is super chill and loving.
Paul started his own business selling his art and despite his networking, handing out business cards, and posting on social media…it’s slow going. He is extremely talented and it’s frustrating for him to try to live out his dreams but lacking money and time. He works for a local store where hours can be zany and the pay is minimum wage. He is limited by few small-town opportunities which is why his business succeeding is so important!
He has exuded kindness throughout the years, for example, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and went through two years of treatment. I was very sick and he moved back home to care for me and his younger special needs siblings. He did it while working, keeping house, and caring for our animals. He put his life on hold while doing it! He didn’t blink at stepping up! Additionally, we lost his grandmother to cancer last year and she was a big supporter of his and they shared many late night phone calls.
I’m nominating Paul because his spirit is beginning to break. He is losing confidence and you can see a weariness that shouldn’t be in a 27-year-old young man’s eyes. He feels he is fighting a losing battle to be appreciated and successful. He is much beloved by his customers. People all over stop me and ask if I’m his mom because they adore his stories and personality. Despite this, he often feels alone. Depression is sinking in.
Please send him some encouragement! Paul loves Budda, all things Kevin Smith, and enjoys other people’s artistic creations!”
PLEASE MAIL ALL LETTERS TO:
Paul’s bundle
℅ Kimberly E.
PO Box 861
Bridgton, ME 04009
USA
Please drop all letters in the mail by September 30, 2022
TANIA
“Tania is the best friend anyone could possibly ask for. She is a loving, generous, thoughtful, empathetic, fun, and loyal wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and doggy mom! Tania has dedicated her adult life to her husband and two sons. Due to Lupus, Tania suffered several miscarriages, and she was not sure if she would ever be able to carry to term. Just as Tania and her husband, David, had decided to explore adoption, Tania became pregnant again and was blessed with her first son, Gabe. Two years later, Tania gave birth to Benny.
She has enjoyed motherhood more than she even imagined she would. Gabe is starting his sophomore year of college and Benny is starting his senior year of high school. This time of change and transition is difficult for Tania, and she is trying to find her way as her sons are spreading their wings, so to speak. Tania also continues to suffer from chronic systemic lupus. This disease has started to cause kidney dysfunction. She also fights severe chronic fatigue. Sadly, Tania has also started to have liver dysfunction, and her GI doctor is concerned that she may have an ultimately fatal liver disease.
She has so much on her plate, and she smiles and laughs every single day. She is kind to others every single day. She puts others first every single day. Finally, Tania took me in when I needed a home. She does not judge me for being in need – rather she is constantly making me feel like I am the one doing her a favor by living with her and her family. Tania is a truly special human being!”
PLEASE MAIL ALL LETTERS TO:
Tania’s bundle
℅ Barbara B.
154 Granby Place West
Westerville, OH 43081
USA
Please drop all letters in the mail by September 30, 2022
We speak a lot about self care today. It is important to create a self care routine because it balances you as a human. It helps you to recognize your struggles and make changes needed. Self care is connected to our shadow work which, is always working on your SHIT, as there is no one person that walks this earth that is perfect. It is extremely important to understand you are still a part of the society you are growing up in and needing to adapt to that is as important to our whole being.
At times, I believe we confuse self care and self love with that we get to do whatever we want and its all about ourselves, NO, that is not true. We are among nature and mother earth, that alone tells you we are a community and rely on each other. I had a conversation with a young adult who stated to me, “North America is a toxic environment as people have no real connections. This is a melting pot with no culture or identity which tries to mold us all into one race. Anyone who thinks differently is outcasted or has addiction issues. “ They also stated that within the world of addiction it is not someone just craving substances but the community thats created as once you are sober you are majority of the time doing your own thing.
This is why I bring up the conversation of self care and the connection of community. We are here to make a better version of ourselves for those around us and for ourselves but not SOLELY just you… as that creates a narcissistic person. I see the excuse used, I can’t help others right now or be involved for community as I am working on myself or I have a family. I see through that and if we are honest with what we see around us, there is an increase of narcissism which is why many during these two years were left on their own. These two years, community was not created that is for sure but many of those protests that people bash definitely tried to do that! I ask you rethink about, “What is self care?”
Beginning the sessions of self care: “Home is where the heart is.” A place filled with people and possessions you love. But too often people hold onto stuff they do not need, use or cherish. So how are you going to change your home into your haven?
Looking through fresh eyes what would you need to change in your home to have it reflect your personality, interest and lifestyle. Do this without judgment and allow this to help you place some perspectives.
What would you change to make it the home you desire? Make a list…
Many people tend to hoard, and hold onto things that is unnecessary and clutter puts your mood in a discomfort. We are going into Beltane which always recommends a good spring cleaning. This also helps declutter your mind and creates a stable spirit. Write a mission statement, including the benefits of an uncluttered life, can be a great motivational tool.
Write done reasons to live a clutter free life: make a list and start here. This can be at times an overwhelming feeling. Focus on one category at a time and allow yourself to let go, its the beginning of decluttering our minds! Lets begin here!
I also recommend creating a spiritual cleanse within your home and self. This creates a positive ritual and connects you with our mother earth who will always protect your journey and make you grounded. We need to go back to our land and love the magick it brings us everyday. Sing or speak to your birds as they listen. Going into spring:
🕯Ostara, or the Spring Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere, is the first of the quarter days, which marks the second of the spring holidays (the mid-point between Imbolc and Beltane). 🕯Ostara is traditionally celebrated on the day of the Vernal Equinox, determined by when the Sun is directly over the earth’s equator (this date may range from March 19th through March 22nd each year depending on the Sun’s position). 🕯Modern Ostara celebrations stem from the contemporary Wheel of the Year, where Ostara is associated with. 🕯Spring Equinox and is celebrated as a time of new beginnings and the re-emergence of life after the depth of winter. 🕯This is a time to start new beginnings, bring in light & love into your hearth. To cleanse the old and bring the new, sense of renewal. Its a time to rebirth and balance your spirit in celebration of all that is green! Crystals to carry: rose quartz, amethyst, snd jaspers.
Create a nature altar through gathering all your greens and manifesting a wreath or walking among nature or spring cleaning & home blessing or embrace fresh honey! 🏹🖤🕯💜🕯💜
It’s a question I have asked myself over and over again! The medical field will always give an academia response! Well that is not always helpful! Also attending therapy is tough for so many reasons…
For one you know you are on the clock and that makes it feel insensitive. It makes it feel you are just a dollar sign. (Understood we all need to make a living, I am in the field so I know but that’s the feeling for many adults/teens not children)
When you see your therapist looking at the clock it tends to shut down the process.
It’s expensive, using organic natural medicine can be expensive as well.
Also it’s a place for someone to listen to you, validate you and guide you in creating tools.
There is no magic, no quick fix, no medication that makes it go away. That is what the individual wants, is for it to go away!!!!
Medication has so many downfalls and so many other side effects. It also does not work forever and some of it is addictive! How do we win this battle of depression!?!?
I have to disappoint you by saying that there will always be sad days but suffering from depression is crippling.
So it’s all about a combination of things but managing depression starts with US! There is no way around that, the motivation has to come from within US! A ROUTINE has to be created! Such as:
Getting up every morning, taking a shower, brushing your teeth and having a warm herbal tea. Even if this is what happens for a few weeks.
Then introducing uplifting music to your day versus silence. Starting a simple task: journaling, reading a book, painting, colouring, writing letters, or watching a lighthearted show.
Getting outside for a walk among nature is extremely important. Feeling the fresh air on your skin, hearing the birds sing, the smell of the trees, the feel of the air on your skin, and getting your body to move.
Healing your thoughts is so important and managing that song & dance we do with ourselves. It is important to navigate our thoughts, as they can dismantle friendships, working relationships and families. Getting control of those thoughts and filtering through what is accurate.
Today, mediation is so important. It helps us quiet our minds so we can actually see what is going on around us.
Looking at using vitamins such as; 5-HTP, Vitamin D, Magnesium, or *St. John’s Wort.
Reading self help books along with attending therapy. (Will have some links below)
It is so important to not smoke, use alcohol, marijuana, or other substances as it does trigger symptoms of depression.
Herbal teas are essential and essentials oil in your home. Using crystals on you is extremely helpful as it holds your energy. Looking at what works for you and then implementing it into your daily life. Most important be with nature whenever you can and animals!
Decrease in electronics such as; phones, TVs, computers and all these addictive tools! Pick up a magazines or book instead!!
Often times when we are experiencing a moment of depression, all of our views are under a microscope. We create a set of emotions that are amplified, dramatic, sensational towards a set of different scenarios. At these moments we can’t separate truth from fiction. We then lose friendships through making unreasonable decisions and unfortunately there will be those times that you will not be able to make amends. Not everyone will understand that you went through a moment of sabotaging everything in sight.
These types of situations stem from distrust created in your childhood. This is the beginning of where trauma is created. Many are not so fortunate to have had a blissful childhood. This is where you should have been protected and had an abundance of love. Often it is here the damage begins and where it leads to so many distorted thoughts. This is where many develop anxiety, depression, low self esteems, insecurities, self destructive behaviours and so forth. In saying all this…
In order to reach recovery, it needs multiple of layers. It will need a combination at times of psychotropic medications, counselling, mindfulness, yoga, vitamins, meditation, and essentially a treatment plan that works for you. This will help you towards becoming a healthy adult and one day, if this is your choice, to be a better parent! You need to rediscovery yourself, build self love, heal all wombs, be open to change and feedback!
Often times you have to look at creating a treatment plan that helps you heal. It can be built through meditation, yoga, journalling, writing, painting, mindfulness activities, adult colouring, volunteering and helping others. This list goes on but you have to find what will work for you and dedicate to your healing. Dedicate to changing the dance to a more positive outcome, as this is possible but takes a lot of work and overcoming our fears. The love you seek is through your well being. Needing to accept gratitude to begin healing depression. You most likely will always have those sad days just not daily. It is knowing to cope with that and being able to manage those days so it does not consume your months and years.
I hope that this blog will find you well! Below I will now list a few links to places I recommend and suggestions to tools:
https://www.whitelotusclinic.ca(Get trusted natural and nutritional treatments for hormone balance. Our focused practice offers supportive and compassionate care led by lab testing and research. Established in 2001, our licensed Naturopathic Doctors collectively offer many years of clinical experience)
https://theherbalclinicanddispensary.com(Our Herbalists and Dispensary Assistants have in-depth knowledge of herbal medicine, including the optimal therapeutic uses of medicinal plants. We stock a very wide selection of medicinal herbs. Our herbs are of the highest quality. We source cultivated organic or wildcrafted herbs whenever possible and we try to support local farmers) Links to useful products:
Anger is something we feel. It exists for a reason and always deserves our respect and attention. We all have a right to everything we feel—and certainly our anger is no exception.”Anger is a signal and one worth listening to,” writes Dr. Harriet Lerner in her renowned classic that has transformed the lives of millions of readers. While anger deserves our attention and respect, women still learn to silence our anger, to deny it entirely, or to vent it in a way that leaves us feeling helpless and powerless. In this engaging and eminently wise book, Dr. Lerner teaches both women and men to identify the true sources of anger and to use it as a powerful vehicle for creating lasting change. For decades, this book has helped millions of readers learn how to turn their anger into a constructive force for reshaping their lives. With a new introduction by the author, The Dance of Anger is ready to lead the next generation.)
(The key problem in relationships, particularly over time, is that people begin to lose their voice. Despite decades of assertiveness training and lots of good advice about communicating with clarity, timing, and tact, women and men find that their greatest complaints in marriage and other intimate relationships are that they are not being heard, that they cannot affect the other person, that fights go nowhere, that conflict brings only pain. Although an intimate, long-term relationship offers the greatest possibilities for knowing the other person and being known, these relationships are also fertile ground for silence and frustration when it comes to articulating a true self. And yet giving voice to this self is at the center of having both a relationship and a self. Much as she did in THE MOTHER DANCE, Lerner will approach this rich subject with tales from her personal life and clinical work, inspiring and teaching readers to speak their own truths to the most important people in their lives.)
(Unhappiness, says bestselling author Harriet Lerner, is fueled by three key emotions: anxiety, fear, and shame. They are the uninvited guests in our lives. When tragedy or hardship hits, they may become our constant companions. Anxiety can wash over us like a tidal wave or operate as a silent thrum under the surface of our daily lives. With stories that are sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking, Lerner takes us from “fear lite” to the most difficult lessons the universe sends us. We learn: how a man was “cured in a day” of the fear of rejection – and what we can learn from his story, how the author overcame her dread of public speaking when her worst fears were realized, how to deal with the fear of not being good enough, and with the shame of feeling essentially flawed and inadequate, how to stay calm and clear in an anxious, crazy workplace, how to manage fear and despair when life sends a crash course in illness, vulnerability, and loss, how “positive thinking” helps – and harms, how to be our best and bravest selves, even when we are terrified and have internalized the shaming messages of others.)
I hope this blog finds you all well and that you are able to take something that will be useful for you.
“Don’t rush anything. When the time is right, it’ll happen. A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.”
