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"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"
(edith wharton)


Monday 28 April 2008

pondering, wishing and healing.


I have been away. I went to the gypsy caravan over the past weekend and feel refreshed and less exhausted and I have changed.

I have been pondering and to be truthful, sometimes my thoughts astound me. I have been taking time to mark the changing of the seasons ~ the leaves here at the moment are breathtakingly divine.. sometimes I gasp at the colour! the air is crisp and sometimes, I can smell woodfire smoke.. I love it! The first snow drop has burst from the ground...this sign always heralds the start of my cold weather. Today dawned really cold, with a gale wind coming of snow. I lit my fire, just thinking of my ancestors doing the same many years ago.

I have been reading a book that has helped me in a way that I didn't think would happen ~ about a young girl during the plague of the 16th century, she helped to heal with herbs and was a village wise woman... when the plague broke out she scrubbed her home, cleaning it just like I do mine.. she placed rosemary and lavender around her home to purify it and talked of many different herbs and potions and I thought to myself 'that could have been me'. The book helped me to realize that scrubbing my home is ok. You see, many have made fun of my obsession with cleaning my home. I love it to sparkle and have always had a routine but always felt a little odd being like this but to read that centuries ago, a girl like me may have scrubbed like I do.... well, it just helped me alot. Today, I scrub my bathrooms with a new energy, and then I will cut myself some rosemary and lavender and hang it over the bath, to infuse the hot water when the taps are turned on.

I have realized that now is important not the past or the future... the past has made me who I am and the future...well we shall see. I realized that I am an earth healer, maybe an alchemist... and all those workshops that I have done over the past years, all the walking that I do, all the gardening and composting... is healing our earth with my energy. And I am happy that I can do my little bit to help. we must.
the perfume that I mentioned is still here. The most exquisite, un-earthyly smell. Is it Daisy? Is it my ancestors? Mary Magdalene? I guess I will never know, but each time I smell it, I just say a quiet thankyou, knowing that I am not alone.

I decided to stop fighting where I live. To stop wishing I lived in the UK. My homeland here is a gorgeous ancient land and for me to grow, I need to embrace it with both hands, my heart and my soul... and I know that I can do this and I will most probably uncover the mystery of why I am here.

I have decided to work on my own health, using tinctures and decoctions, salves and poultices. Using my own herbs. But to do this, I must research a little. I don't want to go and get a degree in herb science. I don't want to do biology. I want to heal with herbs as I did many lifetimes ago. Simply. No degrees, no tests, just learning with delight. So I am going to put it out there and believe that my ancestors will guide me to the right person who can help me with this.

Tonight I begin a six week art workshop ~ called 'Paint your canvas' - a group of women will get together and share their journey through art... I cannot wait.. this is something that I have been wishing for, for along time.

so here I am dear friends, back to blogging - different but the same.

24 comments:

Sorrow said...

May you find the wisdom in your heart and in your art.
May you have fun with the plants and trees, and may the land embrace you as you embrace it!
You have been missed...
(((HUGS)))

Patty said...

Welcome back, I missed your post while you were gone

gma said...

So glad you are back Robyn. Have been thinking of you. The break must've been lovely. You seem relaxed and happy. How is Harry?
Sending my love
xx

Anonymous said...

It's good to hear from you again, Robyn - you sound rejuvenated and serene. I'm glad all is going well for you. I love the idea of hanging rosemary and lavender in the bath - used to do that with lemon balm, but haven't for ages now. Thanks for the idea~XOXO

Tina said...

Glad to read your news. I am sure you are on the right path. Don’t worry about things you can’t change, just live and be grateful with what you have… hugs from old Europe going out to you!

amelia said...

I'm happy you are back but take it easy and don't push yourself. Do what feels right...

Everydaythings said...

Robyn...I think the break has done you a power of good.... and I'm sooo glad youre back with us here!!!

Angela said...

It's so cool to read about you entering the fall season while here in the Northern Hemisphere we're firmly planted in spring. I agree with you. You are healing yourself and the earth with the sacred work that you do. Have fun at the workshop!

Suzie Ridler said...

I am just so happen to see you back and to hear you so refreshed and a new healing tone in your writing voice...it's wonderful Robyn. Isn't seeing our spirits reflected in another's story incredibly comforting? I know what you mean about wanting to make peace with where you are, I wish I could get there but I'm not so mature. I'm so home sick. I want to learn more about herbs and find a way to incorporate them into my jewellery making. It's been a fascinating journey! I can't wait to hear more about yours, you beautiful wise woman.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you're in a good space! Look forward to hearing more about you're adventure!

laoi gaul~williams said...

oh robyn welcome back lovely :)

with lovely, inspiring words as well~thank you
xoxoxo

laoi gaul~williams said...

did my comment come through???!

Ruth said...

This sounds wonderfully grounded, as if you have finally accepted who you really are - a Wise Woman.

Leanne said...

welcome back Robyn, sounds like you looked inside yourself, and found the path to follow.sometimes we do need to do that. i wish you luck with it! the art course sounds intersting, let us know how you get on!
leanne x

peppylady (Dora) said...

Welcome back.

Sounds like you learn a lot about your self and at this time.
I'm going though a learning time now or maybe I should say a discovery place in my life.

I'm waiting for leaves here to come on.

Tracy said...

Welcome back, Robyn! :)

Kathryn Knoll said...

how lovely! Welcome back!

Anonymous said...

Hi Robyn, so glad to see you are back. I have popped in now and then to have a look see if you were in, but today I was pleasantly surprised. I would love to know which book you are reading. It sounds fantastic !!!
Herbs are great and it is healing to work with them !! I did a little course and have read a lot and am still reading a lot about them it stays in my interest !!!
Well I'm off to watch the movie Pan's Labyrinth, which is said to be a very good movie.
Great to have you back.

Cat said...

First time coming by to visit, but it sounds like we have things in common.

Bimbimbie said...

Your away time has given you the gift of being settled and happy with yourself in the now ... enjoy every learning, creative moment.
Rainbow Smiles to you *!*

Annie Jeffries said...

Sounds like you may be reading Year of Wonders. If so, yes, a wonderful book. I was happy to read that you've just been going around and enjoying things and that your have resurrected an appreciation of your corner of the world. yes, go visit Cornwall - but home is home.

linda may said...

G'Day,
You are on a journey and working it all out along the way. Pleased to hear you are working on the whys and where fores of being where you are in this country. But really Rob, just look at what you have created with your family and especially your grand children carrying on your genes and ideals. They are a continuing part of you and learn from you.

A bird in the hand said...

Welcome back! A retreat now and then does the soul good. xoxo

Caroline said...

Have you learnt how to do self-testing or to dowse? You may well find those are ways to connect to your innate (or past) knowledge and then you'll teach yourself.

Its what I do...