…the wind of change is blowing in…

 

After a GORGEOUS AUTUMN DAY , yesterday, there is a restless wind gusting over base camp, today.  The wind has a chill.  Chilling… related to the temperature, related to the change itself, or both?  As I sit here writing, I can hear it.  It seems to be “yelling”, sometimes louder than others.  What is the change of which you speak?

My girls and I had a wonderful day, yesterday.  They enjoy Autumn as much as I do.

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I’ve been cleaning out my camper.  Winterizing, transitioning to be stationary for the Winter.  I’m reminded of my first attempt to “make it on my own” and the lessons learned to help advance me in our next attempt…Calling on my resourcefulness/resilience/creativity.

I’ve noticed quite a few different spiders around camp.  While rolling up my camper awning, I saw a pumpkin spider…

…DID YOU KNOW… To the Native Americans, “spider is grandmother, the link to the past and the future.  Grandmother Spider is a master weaver,… kept and taught the mysteries of the past and how they were affecting the future.  Spider reminds us to awaken our own sensibilities to be more creative, in life.”  The symbolism surrounding spider… spiders have a 2 section body, giving a “figure 8″ appearance.  This along with it’s eight legs links it to all the mysticism associated with the figure 8 form.  On it’s side, it is the symbol of infinity.  It is the wheel of life, flowing from one circle to the next.  The difficulty is learning to walk those circles, or even hold your position within the middle…”  Creativity and the Weaving of Fate…spider teaches us that everything we do now, is weaving what we will encounter in the future…maintain balance between past and future.

There are also a couple of yellow garden spiders around…

I am still slightly “afraid” of spiders.  When I was younger,…ok…not that long ago, I would squeal and “call for help” when seeing a spider.  I’m learning to embrace the beauty, take in the symbolism, and apply the medicine.

 

It’s SAD to know that Autumn will be leaving, soon and Winter blowing in.  Resisting the urge to hibernate is a struggle, for me. The struggle is real.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to the changes in seasons.  For me, it creates a tiredness/low energy/oversleeping/feeling sluggish/agitated/craving carbs/weight gain…all of these symptoms lead to mild sense of hopelessness.

Although, there are a few modern medicine approaches to combat, SAD, I battle mine with St John’s Wort.

 

…DID YOU KNOW…there are scientific studies that suggest St John’s Wort is helpful in treating mild depression.  St John’s Wort is a plant with yellow flowers.  In some parts of the United States it is thought of  as a weed.  It has been used for medical purposes in other parts of the world for thousands of years.  It is most often taken in liquid or capsule form.  You can also use the dried herb as a tea…most common dose used in studies has been 300mg, three times a day, as an extract.  Of course if drinking tea or making your own tincture, use 3 times a day…the tincture recipe I use=

Collect/harvest or obtain St John’s Wort, usually found in Spring or early Summer… 

1.  Chop the flowers as small as possible, the more surface area exposed the stronger the medicine will be.

2.  For the “solvent” I use 95 proof/grain free, potato vodka …some folks use brandy…if you prefer not to use alcohol Apple Cider Vinegar is a substitute, traditionally some form of alcohol is used.

3.  Fill a glass jar all the way to the top with the herbs and cover with your solvent, 1:2 fresh herb ratio

4.  Let the herbs macerate/marinate for about 1 month, shaking everyday.

5.  Strain out the flowers and cap tightly

When using a dropper …take about 15-20 drops three times a day. 

(Again, barring any allergies or medical contraindications.  Sharing herbal remedies that I use and have worked for me)

As most spiders die with the first freeze, and mother earth goes into “hibernation”…I must rise to the challenge…Battling SAD and maintaining the balance between the past and future, using tools I already have. It is a change not to succumb to SAD and hibernate, it is also a change in the season.  Perhaps this is the change the wind speaks of??… Calling on my resilience/resourcefulness, I look forward to the challenge!

When Autumn is so delicious, you just want to eat it up…or at least the corn husks…Haha

…Thank you to all our followers, for your support and encouragement..I look forward to your thoughts, please comment below…

 

Credit for Spider “DID YOU KNOW” SEGMENT ; Animal-Speak,  Ted Andrews