Questions and Answers from Our Readers
This month,
our readers asked...
I had a dream one night that it was my birthday and it wasn’t even coming up soon, and then my boyfriend told me he had a dream the same night about it being my birthday too. We talked about it and it wasn’t the same exact dream but it was close enough to be weird. Why did this happen, and what does it mean?
It often helps to look for the rational before seeking the mystical. It is possible that you may have seen a film, talked about or attended a party which may have stuck with the two of you somehow. Without more details, it difficult to pin-point a more specific answer.
The dream itself, despite having similarities, also has a different meaning for each of you. The real key to understanding the dream state is to uncover the events. Things that usually take place inside a house or building, tend to depict your inner subconscious mind. All the dream participants are a part of you, the good ones and the bad ones.
The fact that it was based around a birthday party indicates that both of you had something joyous about to take place or were anticipating. In some cases, joyous events are also mental wishes our subconscious allows us to live via the sleeping state.
Start keeping a dream log by your bed as this will enable you to uncover more of the inner workings of the subconscious state while in slumber. Often answers to questions also come through via these nocturnal images, so this tool can be quite invaluable over the years.
How can I incorporate earth religion and its rituals into everyday life? The holidays come along and I feel compelled to participate, but that is really as far as it goes. I could use the inspiration on a daily basis.
The Earth religions are centered around the growth and harvest times of the year. The mere act of eating and drinking indicates a form of ritual we must partake in order to survive. Simply recognizing these elements is half the battle for you. Whenever you are bathing, focus on the cleansing and healing elements of the water as it engulfs you. Feel it washing away all the negative energies that bombard us daily.
Here are some other suggestions to hopefully jog your creative thinking.
During the growth part of the cycle, such as Spring, cultivate seedlings for growth in a garden, or if an apartment dweller, in a window box. Take time out to appreciate the wonderous nature around you. Sometimes sitting by a tree in a park to meditate will can often attune us with the nature all around.
Summer months usually indicate the high harvest time where the first fruits of the season come into play. Adding these freshly grown fruits and vegetables to your diet while focusing on the miracle of their growth can help you connect with the Mother as well as provide you with an abundance of anti-oxidants to cleanse your system.
Fall is the last harvest of the year. As such, you may want to make corn husk dollies, assorted wreaths from leaves and twigs or any number of crafts. Before our modern conveniences such as the supermarket, many were home creating jams, jellies and preserved fruits and vegetable to get them through the winter.
Winter is the time when the great Mother is asleep. We await her return through firelight from the hearth or candleglow. Crafts such as candle making in bayberry or pine will not only help to keep the doldrums of the season away, but will provide you with many hours of fragrant meditation.
Hi, I would like to know how I can best use mint leaves for the face? I have some acne forming and I am going on a trip to Mexico soon. I have not seen my family in years. Please help me.
Peppermint is an excellent all natural astringent. You can find the dried leaves at most health food stores in the bulk tea section. One great skin care remedy is an herbal infusion (or tea.) Boil about one cup of water and add to 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves and steep for about 15 minutes. You can use this infusion as an astringent toner after cleansing by applying with a cotton ball, or you can soak a clean washcloth in the infusion and apply to your face as a compress. I do recommend performing a patch test with the peppermint infusion by leaving a small amount on your forearm for 48 hours to be sure that you aren’t allergic to it.
Peppermint is also a great addition to a pore-cleansing facial steam. Boil about 2 cups of water and pour over 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves in a large bowl. Drape a large towel over your head and lean over the bowl, allowing the towel to create a “tent” that will trap the steam. (Just be careful that it isn’t too hot, you don’t want to burn yourself.) You can steam your face for about 10-15 minutes. This is also great for clearing your sinuses!
Good luck, and enjoy the visit with your family!
Keep your questions coming! We are also grateful to hear our readers’ answers. One reader shared with us:
As a migraine sufferer myself, I would like to endorse your advice on herbal teas. I make a cup of camomile tea at the onset of a migraine, and lie down in a darkened room as quietly as possible and put a lavender patch on my forehead (commercial product containing cooling gel with pure Norfolk lavender. Highly recommended). Otherwise, massage temples with lavender oil. I find this works better than any pain killer and will usually help me drift off to sleep. The thought of coffee makes me nauseous when I have a migraine. I am adding this website to my “favourites” file. Many thanks, Frankie.
Frankie, I’m so glad that you are putting my advice to good use!
Helping others is what makes my job worthwhile! And thank you for passing your advice along to me, I’m sure that plenty of my readers will benefit from
your migraine advice!
Special thanks to Ona, another reader, for her helpful remedy:
Dear Witch Hazel – I have a vicious cold remedy that also serves as an excellent hangover tonic and general anti-congestion medication. It blends several remedies I learned from Brazilian friends years ago.
Boil water. In a mug place one thin slice of fresh ginger root, one clove of garlic (peeled and scored with a knife to let the juice out), one tablespoon apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon honey. Pour hot water into mug, let steep five minutes, and drink.
It took a few tries to acquire a taste, but it was worth it. If you can’t stand the garlic or have to be in intimate company soon after, a garlic-free version still provides some relief and has the anti-congestion properties.
Or add a dash of rum and drink right before bed for a “natural Nyquil.”
This sounds perfect for the wintry cold season! Want to ask a question or give us some herbal advice? E-mail me.
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