Trees for Bees

Hello again,

I missed the Imbolc, Spring Equinox, mark. No writing, or real celebratory time other than an acknowledgement. Have been feeling behind on many things outside of my immediate obligations or commitments such as my job, massage clients, nourishing myself and general household duties. But spring has sprung, and I imagine the energy levels will rise soon as well. I am definitely starting to feel the shift! As we all shift into the new season, I am reminded to give myself and others grace around capacity. Oftentimes we spring to action and try to get it all done when this time of year rolls around. Making time for people we love and care about can be a challenge when we feel overwhelmed. Make time for what we can, when we can, and do our best to let others know we care and are thinking about them. 

We have been getting nearly 200 saplings in the ground containing a mix of Golden Currant, Sand Hill Plum, Sumac, Chokecherry and Burr Oak. Our goal is to establish wildlife habitat primarily, but also create more privacy on our urban acre we inhabit and admittedly block out some of the neighborhood blight. My methods of gardening have shifted over the years, and though I still enjoy getting some veggie starts into the ground, my focus these days are perennials. Labor intensive annual gardens are not really for me. I prefer to give farmers cash who are good at that during the farmers market season. Not to say that we won’t have some things in the ground, because we will! I love anything that will spread and cover up grass, like squash, melons, and pumpkins. But making sure our bees have pollen and implementing a long-term plan with food for birds and small animals is more interesting to me at this juncture. And my perennial herbs will always be a source of love for me. We purchased our saplings through the Kansas Forest Service, which provides native and pollinating trees and shrubs annually for a fraction of the cost of what you would spend retail. I highly recommend using this service. Getting native species implemented into our property feels incredibly grounding and land-connecting. I realize I might not see those acorns in this lifetime, but hopefully whoever comes next will be pleased. In about 5 years, the shrubs should be filled out and full of food for the wildlife. Living fences are always the way to go if appropriate for your needs. Some of the other trees we have planted over the years are Montmorency cherry, apple, pear, crabapple, and a Golden Willow. I love how depth has begun to transpire. Through not over-mowing (we try to hold off as long as possible, plus create paths and let it go when and where we can), allow fallen logs to remain as is to provide shelter, polycropping, planting trees and creating a small bog has really turned what was once more of an open space, into something multidimensional and lasting.  To some it may look like a haphazard mess, but for us it feels like an oasis finally starting to come to fruition. It’s time to get back into the apothecary as well. Dandelion oil, rosemary massage oil, violet and chickweed elixir, healing propolis salve, and goat milk soap are on my list for this Sabbath, my free day to play. 

I have been thinking a lot about inherited and otherwise trauma as of late, as we approach eclipse season it seems inevitable. Though I won’t delve into any of this now, I would like to recommend a great book for those who need a connection on CPTSD. I was diagnosed with this right before heading off to Panama, and though I had a sneaking suspicion I held it, it was affirming to discover my mind and bones were not amiss. What My Bones Know is a memoir told through the lens of a woman diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the healing journey she has taken, and how she has helped others through her journalistic voice. I may start to write about my experience with this, but it will be through a modest paywall, not due to wanting to make money, but rather so that sensitive content will be landing on the eyes which are actively requesting it. 

But for now, it’s Escapist Time!

If you know me, you know I have been talking about astrocartography for a LONG time, since I learned of it back in the late 90’s while living in Seattle. I recently discovered a few lines that are identical to the ones I was born on. Vilnius Lithuania happens to run along the same Uranus line to that in which I was born in Great Bend, Kansas. Nearby is also Chiron, and the Moon nodes. I am specifically entranced by this discovery because I have become infatuated with the ritual of Pirtis and am smitten by the Baltics in general. I have a deep rooted feeling to have lineage from here, long ago. Maybe the stars are telling me it is so. I have been following a couple of Lithuanians who offer Pirtis training, and a sauna business owner in Maine has recently purchased a property with a deep spring fed pond for cold plunge. She has a big vision for training opportunities and I am excited about getting in on it when I am able to travel again. Maine or Lithuania, either one works for me! If you would like more information on a sauna travel experience, let me know. While I do not offer bespoke travel planning, I still consult on specific wellness experiences. Since I am a big fan of Design Hotels, I will throw in the beautiful, Euro-Mod Hotel PACAI, in case you want to go to Lithuania. You would fly into Vilnius, so this would be your jumping off point. And Lithuania boasts an incredible history of beekeeping practice. 

Thanks for reading. xo