Spring: Herbalism for Enchantment, Detox, and Revelry
Spring is… newness. An inhale. I wake up, now, to birds chirping outside my window. The sun drips warmth, and the flowers wink, spreading their petals in response.
Spring is the energy of blossoming, fertility, of the “too much to contain” giddiness. Awakening. Childlike wonder at the yearly reminder of the light that comes after darkness. When the neon greens sprout from winter-wettened ground. cleansing stagnancy and heaviness of the colder, heavier, months. Reminders to cleanse the stagnancy of the colder, heavier months.
The air quickens and flirts, the earth is pregnant. Myths and stories of spring dance through every mythology. Spring is a time of celebration, of revelry, a praise of life and sunshine, beauty and beginnings.
Herbalism, the practice and art of everything, holds in it the seasons within and without. The seasonal plants guide us to what our bodies might need. Open yourself the cycles, and you’ll find yourself dancing in rhythm with life, instead of chaining yourself to rigidity, wondering why nothing ever feels quite right.
After winter, the ground softens and we notice flowers blooming and plants sprouting. So many of the plants are our bitters, our lymphatics, and diuretics. These herbal actions describe plants that are our star spring cleansers. They support liver detox and drain stagnancy throughout the body. Follow nature’s cues, and lean into cleansing out winter stagnancy with herbs that get things moving!
Tap into the Springtime magic with the rituals and celebrations of spring:
March 19th: Ostera, the spring Equinox. The day and the night are equal lengths, this is the astrological New Year, the first day of Spring!
April 28: Floralia, the celebration of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. Adorn yourself with flowers and sweetness, celebrate beauty, sensuality, creativity, and the simple magic of wonder. This festival used to last 6 days, as people danced away the darkness of winter.
May 1: Beltane. Spring at her peak, and beckoning summer. This is a Celtic celebration of fertility, revelry. Celebrated with bonfires and dancing, offerings and fairies, blessing the earth with sex and flowers, food and love.
Some medicinal herbs that are coming up right now:
Horsetail: you’ll find this ancient herb growing most anywhere there is water. It’s a fabulous diuretic and it’s collagen synthesizing properties make it a go-to for hair-skin-nail support.
Dandelion: you know her, popping her sunny head in every lawn, dancing her way between sidewalk cracks! The leaves are fabulous bitter greens and diuretics that replenish, rather than deplete, minerals. Eat in salads, omelets, infuse leaves and flowers into vinegar… learn to love these resilient bursts of sunshine if you don’t already!
Violets: Violets bloom beneath the snow and their heart-shaped flowers and leaves moisten and soothe dry, inflamed tissue. They make a lovely tea for draining stagnancy in the lymph, helping your body access and transport nutrients. And, they’re such darling, lovely little flowers, they make you want to dance <3
Cleavers: These sticky stalks cling to passerbys, hence their name. They are fabulous plants for draining and cleansing the body, helping you feel light and bright after winter’s heaviness.
Nettles: Nettles are gently diuretic, iron-rich and astoundingly nutritious. Packed with vitamins and minerals, they are perhaps best known as nature’s multi-vitamin. Her sting is a reminder of tough love and handling with care.
Springtime herbal vinegar:
Nettles
Calendula flowers
Cleavers
Horsetail
Violet flowers
Rosemary
Apple cider vinegar
Raw honey
Fill a jar with herbs, pour vinegar and honey over, and let it sit for a few weeks. Strain and enjoy on foraged miner’s lettuce and nasturtium leaf salad–or however else you love to use delicious vinegars! <3
Rosemary floor wash:
Brew a strong pot of rosemary tea to wash your floors. Offer a spell of protection set intentions for fresh energy, inviting in all that is beautiful and enchanted.
Spring altar making:
Choose a spot that’s visible and special to you. This could be a counter, a ledge, a spot on the floor or garden, or a table. Adorn it with fresh flowers and magical finds. Allow your child-like wonder to guide you through the forests as you gather offerings and invite spring into your home. Let it be a reminder each day to invite curiosity and awaken into sensuality.
Wishing you all a very lovely spring!
<3
Mercy
