Nature Support For February
“You are still you and yet you have transformed. What I cannot see in the dark bring it to light” - Diamond Burnett, Founder of Illumined Alchemy
True Communication involves deep listening from the heart and truly making a conscious awareness to see and hear the one you are in dialogue with. When there is a sense of safety one can share from their heart and blossom with openness and vulnerability. When in community online and in person we allow ourselves to share space with all beings in a reciprocal, grounded and boundaried way. We can include the process of stepping forth then stepping back. Noticing how much we are talking and contributing to a conversation and allowing those who are quieter to also feel they can speak. True communication opens the door to observing oneself and asking, “Why am I talking?” is what I’m sharing helpful? Is this adding to the dialogue? Are my words kind? Am I trying to be right or prove something? Being able to witness how we share and how much we share is truly important.
Tough love can be an invitation and intitation. Being able to accept feedback from a place of curiosity and understanding that we all have behaviors/beliefs/blindspots that we are clearing and releasing and when things get called out by a loved one, friend, colleague, community member it’s not personal. It is an innately shared experience that we all flow in and out. Sometimes we need tough loves so that we can remember that we don’t have to hide that there is still so much potential and empowered choices we can make.
May we allow people to voice how they feel/speak their truth/allowance to express difference of opinion and then take their space and then come back together to discuss what happened. There is no need to convert someone or change their mind. Focusing on seeing the common ground rather than what divides us. Going from reaction to reflection.
Elements for the month:
Amethyst and Clear Quartz
Water: Water is connected to our emotional nature and our ability to accept change and let go. Water often is a vessel that helps us cleanse the body and even our physical spaces to release what was and brings what is yet to come. Rainfall is so vital to our ecosystem and its ability to circulate vital nutrient through the earth for all living beings. Water is a sacred purifier (eg. our tears) and represents our ability to be fluid, flexible and even adaptability in the face of changing situations, turbulence, and conflict. Water can also be linked to emotional awareness and an opportunity to flush out what can no longer remain in our lives and a potential to resolve conflict and strive for greater healing and reconciliation. Water can also be an indicator of our subconscious and how deeply rooted we may hold biases about the world/people/situations and even expectations. Once we are made aware and unearth those biases, expectations and judgements we can begin to step into deep full body listening and tend to our hearts for greater stability.
Keywords: wisdom, purity, subconscious, deep feelings, acceptance
Wind: Wind is a catalyzing element that for me is associated with the east. The east is associated with the new beginnings and fresh starts. The wind also convey clarity, flow, movement and the ability to communicate with ease. Air provides an ability to feel, observe, release and notice what is asking to be change.
Animal of the Month:
American Crow: Is a reminder to create stillness in your day and reflect on the ways you have previously been able to adapt and transform in the face of loss and change. To be with what is (with life and your emotions) is an invitation and a willingness to look at our fears and the change we are resisting. What we resist actually revisits and grows so that we acknowledge without judgement and make a choice. When we are open to letting go, naturally we allow in greater access to clarity and insights and the ability to transform.
Themes: Talkative (speak your truth), initiatory, sound (AW, AW, AW), pattern disruptor, attention grabbers, to zoom in and zoom out and trusting your innate knowing.
I sat outside at the park/rec and there was a single bird in community and yet his friends were there with them in their own tree.
Gentle Self Inquiry: What in your life is asking to be let go? How may you move from resisting to being open to change? What is your relationship to loss? Have you taken time to pause and sit with your grief?
Flowers of the Month:
Jasmine: Night blooming jasmine blossom in the midst of uncomfortable and unexpected circumstances. I have a very personal connection to this plant and have been cultivating a relationship with her for years. Jasmine opens up the heart to see where we are holding disappointments within ourselves, holding on to failures, the love we withhold, and brings up our perceived limits and insecurities that we try to hide. Jasmine is a great ally for showing us the truth and will bring to light how we betray ourselves. She is a salve of compassion, generous, and love. Her message: You are loved. You are not alone.
Keywords: Mercy, Humility, Compassion and Kindness.
In my personal reflection with this flower her smell is a disrupter for my senses (she smells overwhelming). The smell shakes up my emotional body and mental thoughts/repetition when I am having limiting beliefs and doubts about myself that are not True. She dislodges those thought streams.
Here is a channel transmission of Jasmine from my YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/Wf-z9Cqe3S8?si=NINwIwUcPvgrGRJs
Cherry Blossom: reminder of renewal, graceful beauty and gentle friendships. Cherry Blossoms also are guides for reconciliation, forgiveness, patience and community. A reminder that we can open our hearts to trusting life and choosing to center into wonder, joy, hope and enthusiasm. This flower is great for fresh starts, new beginnings and establishing harmonious and aligned partnerships. Great ally to work with for those going through life transitions and changes and would like to anchor in greater trust and embrace transformation.
Working through: wallowing, apathy, fears around past wounding and doubt and the things that hold us back from our highest potentials.
Brings in: innocence, trust, excitement and the sweetness of life.
Reminder that good things take time and that we don’t need to rush or try to control the trajectory or pacing of time.
Cherry blossoms tree bloom mid-January and can be seen through the end of March depending what part of the world you live in.
Japanese Cherry Blossoms in Hawaii? A Labor of Love
Herb and Mushrooms of the Month:
-Lemon Balm: creates a sense of safety within the body. Improves mood and it has sedative properties that reduce stress and anxiety. I drink it after a meal for digestive support and in the early mornings or at night to feel comfy and cozy. Antiviral/Antibacterial/Anti-inflammatory and assist with sleep quality/skin heath
-Reishi Mushrooms: Immune support, antioxidant properties, anti inflammatory, blood sugar regulatory, reduces stress, lower cholesterol
-Chaga Mushrooms: Calming adaptogen properties, great immune system support. Anti-inflammatory/Anti-viral/Anti Cancer/Anti-diabetic/Antibacterial.
All have in common: Immune support, Calming properties/reduce stress, antioxidant properties to protect cells and reduce risk of chronic disease like heart disease, lower cholesterol, useful for times of transition helping to ground the root chakra and a feeling of safety and security and acceptance to keep moving through life.
Supports: immune system, digestive, cardiovascular, and a grounded stablized nervous system
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. Each and everyone of you matter and is needed in the world. If there was something that resonated with you or was an “Aha” moment in the writing please share. I’d love to hear from you! Take good care and journey with ease this month. See you soon. Mahalo.