EarthSounds Yurt
I have finally created a new space for Group, Individuals, workshops, drumming groups and other wellness practitioners to use. It has taken 15 years to see my dream come true. The seed was planted in 2011 when I finish my Diploma studies. I have been working out of a wee cottage and taking my instruments to halls for groups, which has been okay but always stressful. But now my wonderful sound instruments and I have a home. Welcome to EarthSounds. You can find me on FB as well. That is where I will post upcoming sessions and Events. The yurt still has a bit of outside work to be done eg. a fence to shelter it from the prevailing westerly wind, a sheltered area just outside the door for shoes and a bathroom for comfort.
But look at the wonderful inside!!!!
Slowdown and then you may notice the smallest of beauties
My Earth Cloak
My daughter made this cloak for me, it took her a year and she felt it represented my inner nature, as in Nature/Earth/Gaia. I use it for ritual and ceremony but I do not need to wear it to feel the Mother protecting, guiding, having fun with, weeping, laughing, sleeping, feeling joy and sadness, and honestly, the hard work that goes into living with an Ecoself. Up until now I never knew there was an actual name for how I lived my life, so I feel uncomfortable using the word Ecoself. It is just how I roll as they say.
From the age of about seven when I sat on a large boulder and felt the natural world come together in my heart I have always worked and lived, in and on the land.
My father owned an industrial business in Napier, but we lived on the outskirts in a rural setting. Fields, trees, creeks, gardens, livestock and quiet were the norm. From there I always worked on farms in Hastings, Dannevirke, Gisborne, UK and eventually, Taumarunui. I did have a business in Wellington before I moved to Taumarunui but I have never done cities well, I find it hard to breathe. While I was there, I spent as much time as I could, not having coffees in town but seeking out places to be in the country, away from the city. My Ecoself or Earth Cloak was becoming very heavy and scratchy there….and very loud!
She was saying “it’s all very well loving nature but you have to ‘practice’ being with me. Practice immersing yourself fully in loving nature in ALL my aspects, when I am throwing rain, snow, wind or drought at you or sunshine and beautiful days. Learn the spiritual qualities of plants, trees, and herbs. Practice formal ceremony and ritual as well as the informal i.e. walking with intent, bathing in the river with gratitude. Practice paying attention to the smallest as well as the largest, the inert as well as the living. Be with me everyday and night”.
And I have. Over the years I have walked the hills, put bare feet on frosty grass, bathed with reverence in the river, created gardens, eaten the organic fruit and vegetables from my garden with thanks, nurtured children, animals, plants, rocks, streams, and rivers. I have observed changes on the land and in myself, witnessed deaths, created many, many rituals, and ceremonies, sang songs, felt vibrations, and drummed this land into being. I am part of her, and she is a part of me.
About Druidry
I am a Druid but my work is with the Ovate grade and The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids is the community I belong to http://www.druidry.org and as it says on their website “DRUIDRY IS A VITAL AND DYNAMIC NATURE SPIRITUALITY
THAT IS FLOURISHING ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT UNITES OUR LOVE OF THE EARTH WITH OUR LOVE OF CREATIVITY
AND THE ARTS”
Druidry is a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom. Through druidry I have come to work with all aspects of Mother Earth from vibrations and dowsing to knowledge of the spiritual qualities of herbs and trees. The journey along the way has opened a world of ancestors and ritual, storytelling and creative arts, and, along with so many other streams of knowledge, came a deeper connection to nature. Before druidry I just had a garden which I worked in. Practicing druidry every day gives me a sense of belonging to my plants, and they in turn are part of me. My garden IS me!
We are not weird or scary, just modern-day Eco-Warriors. If you wish to know more about Druidry then go to http://www.druidry.org
Earth Create Heal Video
A video created by Earth Create Heal about our wonderful Residential experiences in New Zealand and Australia. Here is the You Tube link….. https://youtu.be/Kr_FRJszqkE
Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria
Common names – Meadowsweet has also been referred to as queen of the meadow, pride of the meadow, meadow-wort, meadow queen, lady of the meadow, dollof, meadsweet, and bridewort.
The stems are 1–2 m tall, erect and furrowed, reddish to sometimes purple. The leaves are dark-green on the upper side and whitish and downy underneath, much divided, interruptedly pinnate, having a few large serrate leaflets and small intermediate ones. It has delicate, graceful, creamy-white flowers clustered close together in irregularly branched cymes, having a very strong, sweet smell. They flower from early summer to early autumn. Meadowsweet loves to grow in damp meadows and banks.
Good companions – Nil Bad companions – Nil
Gender – Female Planet – Moon Element – Air
Spiritual Qualities – Soft, vulnerable, feelings, intuition, emotions, purity, virginity, youth, virtue in looks.
Uses: Summing up the health benefits of meadowsweet quickly, you could say that it is a cooling, aromatic and astringent herb that relieves pain. Ulcers, Diarrhea, Pain, Nausea, Headaches, Rheumatism, Stomach Aches and Acid Reflux, Fevers, Gout, and Cervical Dysplasia.
Used to flavour wine, beer, mead and many vinegars. The flowers can be added to stewed fruit and jams, giving them a subtle almond flavor.
Interesting facts: Meadowsweet was one of the three most sacred herbs used by ancient Celtic Druid priests. In Welsh mythology, Gwydion and Math created a woman out of oak blossom, broom, and meadowsweet and named her Blodeuwedd (“flower face”).
In the 16th century, when it was customary to strew floors with rushes and herbs (both to give warmth underfoot and to overcome smells and infections), it was a favorite of Elizabeth I of England. She desired it above all other herbs in her chambers.
Name – Brideswort, possibly because it was used as a strewing herb and as a bridal garland at weddings. It has a deep heady scent that is loved by many. (Also, strong smelling plants are useful in a crowded room of people, especially before modern-day hygiene practices.)
GOTU KOLA
History: Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has been used to treat many conditions for thousands of years in India, China, and Indonesia. It was used to heal wounds, improve mental clarity, and treat skin conditions such as leprosy and psoriasis. Some people use it to treat respiratory infections, such as colds, and in the past it was used for that in China. It has been called “the fountain of life” because legend has it that an ancient Chinese herbalist lived for more than 200 years as a result of taking gotu kola. Gotu kola has also been used to treat syphilis, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, mental fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhea, fever, and asthma. Today, in the U.S. and Europe gotu kola is most often used to treat varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where blood pools in the legs. It is also used in ointments to treat psoriasis and help heal minor wounds Health Benefits of Gotu Kola
Uses of Gotu Kola:
Wound Healing: Gotu kola leaves and salves have long been used in the topical treatment of the skin. The saponins and other organic compounds found in the plant stimulate the healing process at the site of wounds. By stimulating blood flow to the cells and protecting against infections, it can speed the healing process.
Skin Health: In a related benefit, the saponins in gotu kola are particularly adept at improving the appearance of the skin. many cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies are interested in it because of its ability to reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and other blemishes. In particular, iy inhibits the accumulation of scar tissue, which helps to keep your skin beautiful, even after an injury or surgery. This antioxidant activity to reduce signs of aging is one of the reasons gotu kola is becoming so popular in the west.
Cognition: Studies have directly connected gotu kola consumption to increased cognitive abilities. The main explanation for this is the positive impact gotu kola extract can have on the circulatory system, thereby oxygenating more of the brain and allowing cognition to improve. The antioxidant effects of gotu kola are also somewhat responsible, as they can stimulate neural pathways by eliminating plaque and free radicals in the brain. This has also made it a popular supplement for aging populations, as there is some evidence to suggest that it can slow down the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Gastrointestinal System: Traditional medicine used gotu kola leaves to treat severe pain in the stomach, which we now link to gastric ulcers. This treatment is still considered viable, and the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the leaves, can clearly affect the comfort and health of the gut and colon.
Circulatory System: Gotu kola actually plays two important roles in the circulatory system, both of which benefit our bodies. Firstly, gotu kola extract can strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, which prevents blood leakage and optimizes your circulatory system. Secondly, it stimulates the flow of blood, which increases oxygenation of different parts of the body and important organ systems, thereby keeping their function high and efficient.
Anxiety: Although the exact chemical pathways are still being studied, there is significant evidence that gotu kola can have a positive effect on anxiety issues for a broad range of patients. Research has revealed that it decreased the frequency and severity of anxiety attacks and episodes in a group of subjects who all suffered from some form of GAD (general anxiety disorder).
Detoxify the Body: Gotu kola has long been known as a mild diuretic and can therefore stimulate the release of excess toxins, salts, water, and even fat from the body through urination. This release helps to ease tension on the kidneys and generally remove toxins quickly, while keeping our energy up and our fluid balances even.
Blood Pressure: Studies have linked gotu kola with a decrease in many diseases, including congestive heart failure, and one of the positive associations with the herb was blood pressure. By relieving tension and anxiety in the arteries and blood vessels, it is able to regulate blood pressure and reduce strain on the cardiovascular system. This lengthens the “life cycle” of the heart and prevents things like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes from occurring.
Nervous Disorders: The calming effects of gotu kola that can reduce stress and stimulate healthy sleep can also calm the nervous system directly. For those who suffer from disorders like epilepsy or premature aging, it can have a powerful effect on the quality of life and the severity of the conditions if taken regularly.
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