This episode is an introduction into foraging and herbal medicine.

An introduction from someone who is still humbly learning what she can from her grandparents, from elders, authors, teachers, peers and from the plants themselves.

There is so much life at our feet. So many wild, edible things to nibble on in the woods. And so much to be curious about. Medicine. Stories. Medicine stories.

Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses.

a note of care…

…this episode contains a reference to some of the dangers of being out in the woods alone, for some more than others of us. It comes with a content note, because there are stories of sexual assault and racism…

and a wee blessing…

Capacitar is a collection of movement, breathing and acupressure practices that aim to reconnect people with their own wisdom and capacity. It is designed to help people heal from trauma and to find the courage to challenge oppressive systems and come together in a spirit of empowerment.

I want to acknowledge all the traditions and teachers that have contributed to the development of Capacitar. May these practices continue to help those who have become disconnected to their bodies and breath to reconnect to the wisdom and medicine in the land and culture from which they come from.

Water is sacred. Water is life. Water sustains us. What if we gave our lives to the life-giving source that sustains us? What if we gave our blood, sweat and tears to protect our rivers, lakes and oceans?

Many people have a relationship with water that somehow sustains, soothes, renews and rejuvenates. For many people, their love of ocean, river, lake and even rain can also be a powerful reason to act to protect that source of life.

Look for traditions from your culture and land to honour water or co-create new rituals with friends. Get playful, go with the flow, enjoy the journey.

If you need some inspiration for how to honour water as sacred, water as life, you can try this very short and very sweet water ritual shared generously with permission to share again here by Lakota elder, Tiokasin Ghosthorse.

This is a short practice to help you create a sacred space that is somehow meaningful to you. An altar that does not appropriate other cultures but acknowledges the lineages from which practices, plants and objects come. A place to support your journey of rest, recovery, solidarity and resistance.

We have been dreamed into being by our mothers and fathers and in many ways we live lives beyond the wildest dreams of our not-so-distant ancestors.

And so, whatever it is that calls you to come into relationship with the dream realm, individual and collective, this practice episode is an invitation to dip your toes into dreams.

In societal contexts that can dissociate us from our bodies, and try to sell us what it means to be beautiful, it is radical to show ourselves, our bodies and our friends, lovers and communities attention, care and love. And when the media narrows the definition of beauty to exclude so many bodies – in racist, ageist, sexist ways – practicing and sharing radical body-love is an act of resistance.

This practice can be done after a shower or bath or just before bed. If you are in the grips of self-loathing or hatred about your body, doing one thing to come into relationship in a caring way can be the start of a journey of recovery to connect with pleasure and self-love. Orient to enjoyment.

If you like writing letters, like I do, then you will love this practice of writing love letters to yourself every full moon.

If I had to choose to share only one practice from all the practices that have helped me recover from despair and depression, writing letters to my future self would be it.

https://www.sustenanceradio.com/love-letters/