Breath of Life

The day before the full moon in May, the garden was in full expression.

As I walked through, like I normally do, I was so excited to see the abundance that comes after a heavy rain.

We got days,

like back

to back

to back

days of heavy downpours.

At least 10 days of rain within a two week span.

And the mulch was there to act as a living sponge, soaking it all up to release it back slowly into the soil. It holds the water in the soil instead of allowing it to runoff.

Moving through the garden, seeing all of this medicine, sparked an idea…

One of my favorite ways to make medicine is to create blends that are considered “Medicine of Place.”

This form of medicine making occurs when you harvest, not for a particular ailment, but by allowing the land to guide you.

It’s like a testimony of the land. Like a time capsule. You’re capturing a moment, not chasing a cure. 

The garden was showing out and I became an observer. Gathering medicine that seemed to call out to me. The wisdom of God, so vibrant, so clear, so loud. 

So I began to harvest…..

Starting with Monarda. Those beautiful tall stalks of purple blooms were practically singing out to me to be included.

The Lemon Balm, so green and vibrant, and growing fuller and fuller each day, had to be included. I love working with this herb! It’s like liquid sunshine: Bright & uplifting, both in it’s physical form and in the way our bodies respond to it. 

Next, was Tulsi. Oh how I love me so Holy Basil. It withstands the heat of Texas, without batting a bloom. It feels like Psalm 23 in plant form. Refreshing my soul and all. 

Those 3 became the base of this new formulation…

And then my eyes wandered to 

Yarrow

the clusters of white flowers, looking both delicate and resilient

Calendula

thick yellow flowers, looking like sunshine, adding a special vibrancy to the garden

Lemongrass

tall and long, dancing in the breeze

Mullein

with its fuzzy sage colored leaves, growing in abundance

These were the plants that called to me

These were the blessings and provisions that Yahweh allowed me to steward

These were praise offerings

The name came quickly….

I’d call this blend, Breath of Life

I didn’t realize it as I was harvesting, but that’s what the formulation is doing

It’s a bright, aromatic medicine that opens the lungs, awakens circulation, and invites the breath of life.

It feels like summer. It’s bright. It’s uplifting. It’s activating. Telling you to breathe deep and see the beauty that’s all around you.

Scripture:

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Until next time,

Jasz