Psyche's Journey: Ritual Priestessing Skills Workshop

With Sylvan Redbird (and guest facilitators TBA)

Sunday, Jan. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012
12:00-4:30pm at Radiance 

9 W Grant St., Lancaster PA  

We will be exploring the myth of Psyche, focusing on the challenges of her initiatory journey, developing trance techniques and diverse ritual structures to experience this story as we reclaim our own divine selves. 

This workshop is an opportunity to build on the trance and story techniques taught in a Reclaiming Rites of Passage class, but this is not a prerequisite for participation.  Participants should have taken an Elements of Magic or have equivalent experience with basic pagan circle casting/elements understanding.  If you are unsure about your experience, call Sarah at Radiance.

Cost is on a sliding scale: $95 to $75

Call Radiance, 717-290-1517, or stop in to register for this workshop.

Please review the myth of Psyche and Cupid (Hamilton’s Mythology or similar collection is fine), as we will not be working with the entire arch of the story.  Please attend both sessions, and there will be some personal work between dates.  

With his heart and his hands, eyes illuminating with light yet accustomed to the darkness, Sylvan weaves his art-filled life like a Faerie Spider.  In the center of his web, a healing spell of Love; his body a bridge between the Human and the Spirit World (especially the Fey and the Ancestors).  Sylvan, anchored by his daily recovery practices, now drinks deeply of ecstatic worship and quiet solitude, balancing the mundane and Mystery, embracing embodiment.  Originally of the Welsh Tradition, he is a teacher of the Reclaiming Tradition and a Feri initiate.

Rose Body Glitter!

So, there I was, working away in my secret laboratory, making Rose Body Glitter, my slightly seductive shimmery powder.  It's perfect for dusting on your skin for a special date, or a holiday party.  Or attending a fairy festival...

Anyway, there I was, carefully measuring the ingredients into the mortar.  Then I reached in with the pestle to mix the powders and a cloud of shimmering light rose up and enveloped me!  Shimmering light settled all over my hair, clothes and skin.  A fairy kiss...

You can have some of this magical dust, too.  It on my web site.  Rose Body Glitter...

Elderberry Syrup Simmering Today!

About every two weeks, maybe more often in winter, I make a batch of Elderberry syrup.  As the brew begins to simmer, the deep, rich aroma fills the air.  In addition to Elderberries, I include Astragulus root, Ginger root and Cinnamon chips.  Everyone who comes into the shop wants to know what's cooking in the back room...

Elderberry makes such delicious herbal medicine, even small children like the taste.  And yet, it's truly an amazing remedy.

Elderberries have anti-viral properties, so they help us to fight colds and other viruses.  They seem to have the ability to prevent viruses from adhering to us - so that the viruses are unable to take up residence in our respiratory and digestive tracts, and are just carried out of our bodies in the waste stream.

Because Elder helps to strengthen our immune systems, I often add a teaspoon or two of Elderberry syrup to my morning smoothie.  It's a good precautionary measure, because as an herbalist, I come into contact with lots of people who have colds and flu.  I always take some when I travel, too, no matter what time of year it is. 

Elderberry syrup can help to alleviate congestion, too.  It gently opens stuffy air passages, dries up runny noses and makes it easier to breathe.  Elderberry is good for reducing fevers, because it is a diaphoretic, and encourages our bodies to sweat.

Do you have some Elderberry syrup on hand?

Infusing Oil for Boo Boo Balm

This morning I started infusing the oil for making a new batch of Boo Boo Balm.  I'm struck with the beauty of the herbs suspended in the olive oil...

Most herbalists make some sort of basic first aid salve, and this is mine.  I include Comfrey root, which you'll find in most salves for cuts and scrapes, and Lavender flowers to soothe the skin, but I include a number of lesser-known herbs, too.

I add Yarrow to stop bleeding rapidly and heal deep cuts - when I studied with Matt Wood he taught us that Yarrow can heal "cuts to the bone".  Years ago, I got a call from a panic-stricken neighbor who had just sliced the tip of her finger so badly that she was afraid would lose it.  She did get a couple of stitches, but the doctor didn't hold out much hope.  He told her she might still lose the tip of her finger, and that she would certainly never have any feeling in it again. Yipes!  Anyway, when she called me, I ran down the street with a jar of Boo Boo Balm.  She started applying it right away & continued to use it for a few weeks.  Her fingertip completely healed, she has normal feeling in it, and almost no scar!

Another herb I use in this formula is Balm of Gilead - a type of poplar bud.  Sticky with resin, and used in healing ointments for 3000 years, it helps to prevent infection and aids in healing superficial wounds and skin irritations.

And Usnea, one of my plant allies, which is actually a lichen.  Usnea is traditionally thought of as "the lungs of the planet" and grows on trees in the forest.  I gather Usnea on my visits to the Pacific northwest - actually, sometimes I sit on the ground under the trees and it falls into my lap.  Usnea has anti-viral, anti-septic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.  

Firing up the Logwood Dye Pot

Today feels like a good day to dye... silk long underwear with Logwood.  There's a new chill in the air, so layers of clothing are on my mind.  I started a Logwood dye pot last week for our Radiant Artisan Festival, and there's still lots of color in it, so I've restarted it and will be dipping silks all day.  Stop in if you are nearby and I'll let you peek... It's a beautiful purple - one of my favorite dyes.  I expect we'll have the newly dyed pieces available in the shop by the end of the week.

Argan Oil from Morocco

Recently, we've had several requests for Argan Oil.  So, we went searching.  And we found it.  You can find it in our shop in downtown Lancaster, or on our web site. Argan Oil

This is pure, organic Argan oil, sourced from a fair-trade women's collective in Morocco, employing 80 women. Sometimes known as Moroccan Oil, Argan oil is traditionally used for skin care and hair care.  

Argan trees are so important to the dry eco-system in Morocco that they are officially protected by the government.  They have a very deep, penetrating root system and help to stabilize the soil structure, as well as having the ability to draw moisture and nutrients from deep below the surface.

All parts of the fruit are used.  The outer fruit peels are food for livestock animals, the inner shells are used for fuel in homes and community bath houses.  The seeds are then roasted and ground, releasing the oil. 

Making Dragon's Breath or What Is That Stuff??

All through the Autumn and Winter, I keep huge jars of Dragon's Breath brewing in the back room.  I bottle it as we need to for the shop & start another batch.  We go through many gallons each year.  Whenever we allow someone to peer into the workroom, they immediately espy this jar & can't imagine what outrageous brew we might be working on.  Some of the reactions are really quite funny.

Dragon's Breath is a tonic vinegar, most often used as a cold remedy, but I've known several people who used it in cooking - for spicy salad dressing and for a marinade.  It's a very healthy brew, fighting colds and infections, opening up clogged breathing passages, and warming you on a cold night.

Mix a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar in  a mug of hot water, perhaps sweeten with a bit of honey, and sip.  Mmmmmm.  Cold night are coming soon, so it's time to stock up!  http://www.herbsfromthelabyrinth.com/item/Dragons-Breath-Cold-Remedy-14

And here's a sneak peek at some of what actually goes into the brew with raw apple cider vinegar... nothing to be scared of...