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squirrel in the tree

Reflecting on 2020 in the Season of Nourishing Darkness

November 25, 2020 2 Comments

When I woke this morning and opened my blinds, I was surprised by bare branches. Overnight, a windstorm stripped almost all the golden-russet leaves off

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three

Create Community Circles

November 21, 2018 No Comments

One of the things I am hearing from many people is how challenging it can be to find a community of like-minded people. I’d like

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center

After the Election, Four Questions

November 14, 2016 4 Comments

Yesterday I gathered a few friends together in my living room to practice the Circle Way and hold a wisdom council on the topic of

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Musings on the Circle Way

August 21, 2014 2 Comments

I’ve been circling for a long, long time. I began with women’s circles in the early 80’s (unless we go back to childhood and count

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A Winter Solstice Story Circle

December 17, 2012 8 Comments

On the Sunday evening after our Lucia Party, my co-hostesses and their families lingered around our sparkling Yule tree into the darkening evening. We had

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Herbcrafter’s Tarot Cards for the Winter Season .. Herbcrafter’s Tarot Cards for the Winter Season ... ::
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Usnea ~ The Hermit ::
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Rest and stillness are good medicine. ::
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Gather treasures from the darkness. ::
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Let wisdom glow. ::
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#herbcrafterstarot #december #yule #wintersolstice #winter #tarot #hermit #usnea

Artwork by Joanna Powell Colbert
Marigold — cempazúchitl — the Death card for the H Marigold — cempazúchitl — the Death card for the Herbcrafter’s Tarot.  “The rich scent and vibrant color of the marigold is said to lead the souls of the beloved dead home so we may celebrate them and the lives they lived.”
	•	May you honor all that is passing. 
	•	May you celebrate the beauty and fragility of life. 
	•	Let the petals wither and fall. 

Words by Latisha Guthrie, Art by Joanna Powell Colbert. #herbcrafterstarot
One of the most meaningful teachings I ever heard One of the most meaningful teachings I ever heard about working with our ancestors came from Angeles Arrien, now a beloved ancestor herself. She used to say that our ancestors stand and our back and pray:

“Oh, may this be the One who will bring forward the good, true and beautiful in our family lineage.

Oh, may this be the One who will break the harmful family patterns or harmful cultural patterns.

Oh, may this be the One.”

I share my favorite ancestral practices over on my SStck today … link in profile. 

(Artwork: "Elder of Fire" (King of Wands) from the #GaianTarot by Joanna Powell Colbert.)
Air, Fire, Water, Earth: What would your Inner Wis Air, Fire, Water, Earth: What would your Inner Wise One say?

(Imagery of hands from the four Curandera / Elder / King cards of the #herbcrafterstarot. Art by me.)
We are entering the season of the Harvest Elder … We are entering the season of the Harvest Elder … 

It seems to me that there are three distinct phases of elderhood that correspond to the three harvest holy-days — Lammas/Lughnasadh (first harvest), Autumn Equinox (second harvest), and Hallowmas/Samhain (third harvest). In my current work-in-progress, I embodied those three stages in the Reaper, the Harvest Elder, and the Old One. 

Which one resonates the most with you right now, and why?

I wrote all about it in my new post on SStk … link in profile.  Happy Equinox! (Harvest Elder art by @joannapcolbert)
New post today about a favorite practice of mine, New post today about a favorite practice of mine, making offerings while off on a wild wander . . .

“When you make an offering to a Nature Being, you’re not expecting anything in return. You’re not asking for a message. You’re not expecting a message. You're coming into relationship with the tree, the river, the Place. It’s a gesture of respect. 

Offerings establish gratitude and reciprocity. It’s as if we are acknowledging: We are in this together. We don’t just take, we offer back in return.” 

Link in profile. #naturespirit #naturespirituality
A few #herbcrafterstarot cards that speak to me of A few #herbcrafterstarot cards that speak to me of the First Harvest, Lammas, Lughnasadh …. ::
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Magician / Sunflower
9 of Fire / Wild Cherry
3 of Earth / Raspberry 
Curandera of Earth / Sweetgrass
::
At Lammastide …
- What will we harvest?
- What will we sacrifice? 
- What will we offer?
::
Blessings of the First Harvest to you & yours 
🌾💚🌾
::
Cards from the Herbcrafter’s Tarot by @herbmother and @joannapcolbert
Instagram post 18088558675690313 Instagram post 18088558675690313
Breakfast in Canada at the @jamcafeyvr ! Ready for Breakfast in Canada at the @jamcafeyvr ! Ready for a full day of music at the @vanfolkfest, my happy place 💚🇨🇦💚

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Winter/Yule • Candlemas • Spring • Beltane • Summer • Lammas • Autumn • Hallowmas • New Year Gaian Tarot • Herbcrafter’s Tarot • Pentimento Tarot • Tarot Spreads • Ancestors • Goddess • Mama Ocean • Death & Dying • Grief • Spiritual Practice • Activism • Aldermarsh Retreats • Circle Way • Community • Place  • Family • Island Life

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 — Joanna Powell Colbert (unless otherwise noted)