Welcome to Tephyr's Garden!
Dedicated to The Devic and Nature Spirit Realm, Co-Creative/Co-Partnership Gardening,
Medicinal and Metaphysical (Magical) Herbalism and
more. Copyright: 1994 - 2012 S. Tephyr Burgess.
Tephyr passed from this world in 2015 after a 13 year struggle with LMS: Leiomayosarcoma.
She encouraged me to start Alternative Nature Online Herbal in 1997 and contributed as long as her health allowed.
Conscious Preparation of Medicinal Plants
Copyright: 1994, 2012 S. Tephyr Burgess
Please read Conscious Harvesting before you read this article. Thanks.
After I bring the plants in I center myself and attune with the plant's Spirit again. I say a Thanksgiving again, often lighting a candle to help me to focus my intent. I have all the tools and equipment I will need around me to prepare the plants for whatever purpose I intend.
If I am preparing them for cooking and eating I keep in mind the great gift I am receiving for myself and my family. I am aware of not only the physical sustenance we are receiving from all the minerals, vitamins and fibers but also of the Energetic and Spiritual substances we will be ingesting and taking into ourselves.?
It is my belief that even the mistreated fruits and vegetable from the market can be revitalized by connecting with the Nature Spirit and Devas of the plants I am working with.
When preparing plants for Medicinal purposes I center myself and connect in the same way. If the preparations are for a specific person I will keep them and their needs in my mind's focus. If it is a preparation I am making for just general purposes I still bring in the intent and focus of healing energies.?
Like in cooking with purchased ingredients I still do this as I believe it will help to re-energize and enhance the plants properties.
Again, for Metaphysical purposes, like making Incense or Smudge it is the same procedure. Focusing my (or another's) needs and intentions into the preparation.
This Ritual of focusing your intentions and needs can be as simple or complicated at you wish. To simply say a prayer of Thanks, to light a candle and meditate on what you wish to use the plants for, to a full blown Ceremony; it is your choice; your need, based on your belief system.
I use these techniques for drying herbs for future use, while I am making Smudge Sticks and Incense, while making Tinctures, Oils, even a simple cup of tea. I believe that even with a simple Thanks and acknowledgment of the Nature Spirits and Devic's presence, you will find your Preparations enhanced.