Wisdom
Welcome to our blog, where ancient wisdom meets modern spirit. Here you’ll find articles written by herbalists, healers, witches, holistic health practitioners, astrologists, and experts in many other fields of healing. We hope to present a collection of wisdom that is multi-faceted, multi-cultural, and intergenerational. Enjoy your exploration!
Recommended Readings
5 Herbs With Antiviral Properties
For as long as humans have been around, we’ve used plants as natural remedies for illness and as antivirals to combat infection. According to The Herbal Academy, “The first written record of medicinal plants was transcribed on clay tablets over 5000 years ago by the Sumerians, in ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq).” All ancient cultures have proof
Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
Many of you might be feeling nervous or overwhelmed with all of the information about coronavirus out there. One thing that is a known preventative measure is washing hands for at least 20 seconds, as well as using hand sanitizer. Many places are all out of big brands such as Purell, but the good news
Coronavirus: Take Preventative Action with Herbal Allies
Unquestionably, the coronavirus, named Covid-19, an infectious flu has become an alarming issue of global concern and uncertainty. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. For the Coronavirus the number of cases have reached 88,000
Recent Knowledge
Horoscopes for the Flower Moon
Check out these beautiful horoscopes written by Yarusha Jimenez, resident astrologer for The Freehand Hotels. She and her sister Roshina will be hosting a Full Moon in Scorpio Ceremony on May 7th. Sign up here! The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 7th is known as The Flower Moon. This full moon is here to aid
Rhodiola: The Golden Root
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), also referred to as “rose root” or “golden root” is an herbal adaptogen which acts as an endurance enhancer, stress reliever, and energy tonic. The Russian army as well as Russian Olympic athletes and astronauts were all given extract in the 60s and 70s to increase performance under extreme levels of stress.
Mullein: Our Favorite Respiratory Herbal Ally
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), is one of our most abundant herbs here in the Northern Hemisphere. A prolific weedy plant, it grows nearly everywhere, from urban wastelands to pristine wilderness to cultivated gardens. Because of this ubiquitousness, it’s often one of the first and friendliest herbs to be identified by fledgling botanists and herbalists. Mullein’s uses
Five Questions with Stephanie Flor
We virtually chatted with Stephanie Flor, founder of Around the World Beauty and a NYC based celebrity makeup artist who works regularly with industry leaders! Her clients include Mariah Carey, Eve, Sting, Kathy Griffin, and politicians Mexican President Felipe Calderon, and the Israeli president Shimon Peres, among many others. This Sunday, May 3rd, Stephanie will
Four Herbs to Feel Grounded
Uncertainty can feel like many things: a sense of hopelessness or depression, overwhelming fear or panic, or a low-grade nervousness or trembling. There are many strategies that can help us to be present for these feelings, such as meditation, which allows us to ‘watch’ the uncertainty; journaling, which allows us to ‘track’ it; and dance
Meet the Maker: Hudson Seed co.
As spring rolls around, we are thinking about planting, gardening, and seed sourcing. This week, we virtually chatted with Jack Whettam, Sales and Marketing Manager at Hudson Valley Seed co.! Jack is also the co-owner and farmer of Hidden Acre Farm in Orange County, NY, which he and his wife Melissa started last year. Jack
Celebrating 4/20 at Home
As 4/20 arrives this week, celebrating might look a little different than last year. Maybe you’re planning on smoking a bowl alone and spending an evening going inward, or maybe you’ve already been invited to a Zoom magic brownie baking session with friends. Perhaps you just want a really good night of rest! Below, we’ll
The Trouble with Cannabis Testing (and What You Can Do About It)
A few years ago in Southern California, before the state legalized adult recreational use, there was a rumor going around that if you asked to see test results for cannabis products and a dispensary didn’t have or want to provide them (which was against the law), you could be refused service and unceremoniously ejected. This
CBD and Sexual Healing
CBD and sexual healing is not a new concept. Before its criminalization, cannabis was often prescribed by doctors for relief from gynecological issues. Traditional cannabis recipes were for oral, vaginal, intranasal, anal, and topical application, instead of for being smoked. And now CBD oil is commonly used for various applications. As Foria Wellness explains: The
Five Questions with Green Witch Robin Rose Bennett
This week, we were lucky enough to virtually chat with Robin Rose Bennett, a story-teller, writer, and herbalist. She has been offering classes in Wisewoman Healing Ways: Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986 – at herb conferences, festivals, clinics, medical and nursing schools, and most joyously, outside with the plants. Robin Rose shares herbal medicine
Exploring Red Clover: The Powerfully Nourishing Pink Flower
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a darling little herb that grows in cultivated and wild fields throughout much of the world. Native to much of Europe and Asia, Red Clover has been naturalized globally. When cultivated, it is often used as a cover crop for its nitrogen fixing properties and the forage it provides for
Mugwort: Wise Dreamweaver
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is an herb of the world! Native to Europe and Asia, but with a naturalized domain widespread enough to include every continent, Mugwort grows wild and abundantly in sunny places with disturbed soil—no stranger to cracks in city sidewalks, fields, forests, coastal habitats, and gardens. Mugwort’s adaptability is mirrored by the myriad
Meet the Maker: Quicksilver Scientific
This week we got to know Christopher Shade, PhD, Founder & CEO of Quicksilver Scientific, a company which combines nature’s nutrients with the power of science and medicine. Their supplements are rooted in the philosophy that you deserve the ability to maintain a healthy mind and body for life. As noted on the company’s website,
Five Questions with Victoria Libertore
Victoria Libertore has been giving one-on-one intuitive, spiritual and energetic readings to people throughout the U.S. and around the world for 15 years. She has taught spirituality, intuition, guide, chakra, reincarnation, Reiki and creativity workshops at venues such as The Alchemist’s Kitchen, The Assemblage, BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Bust Craftacular, House of Intuition, Hastings College and
Meet the Maker: Veles
@velesofficial CEO & Co-founder Amanda Weeks’ experience growing up in NYC, near what was formerly the largest landfill in the world, inspired her from an early age to find a better way to dispose of and process waste. After learning that food is the single largest component of municipal solid waste going to landfills –
Gemini New Moon: Heartfelt Connections + Meaningful Connections
Andy Kehoe May 22, 2020 — The Gemini New Moon arrives on Friday, at 10:38am Pacific Time, sparking a swell of Gemini energy. The Moon is beckoning us to consider our thoughts, while opening to meaningful, heartfelt dialogues and exchanges. At the same time, Venus, planet of love, is retrograding conjunct Mercury, while square to
New Moon in Gemini Horoscopes
Talented intuitive Yarusha Jimenez @sisters_of_eastwick @yarusha1111 has some beautiful insight for what this New Moon in Gemini brings. To book an astrology or tarot reading with Yarusha visit her at: www.sistersofeastwick.com. Yarusha will be part of a Virtual Divination for the New Moon on May 22nd. Sign up here on our virtual learning center! The new
Scorpio Full Moon: Phosphorescent Waves
Nicholas Pfeiffer May 7, 2020 — The Scorpio Full Moon arrives on Wednesday, at 3:45am Pacific Time, eliciting our passions and profundity. Luckily, the Moon is supported by gentle, dreamy Neptune. We might feel extra attuned to our psychic abilities as truth is revealed, and we are able to love ourselves more. As we face
Create Your Altar
Spring has come and with its return, the dance between day and night begins to balance out. As daytime grows longer, the earth receives the light it needs to initiate its next cycle of emergence. In many traditions, springtime heralds the New Year. With the Spirit of Aries, the Ram, whose strong will and vitality
Menstrual Magick
Menstruation, or the periodical shedding of the lining of the uterus, still remains very much a mystery to most. As menstrual periods typically occur at intervals of one lunar month from puberty until menopause, they are often referred to as “moon cycles.” Like the moon – magnetic, sovereign, and wavering – vaginal bleeding has been
The Lover and the Loved Spell
The goal of this love spell is to release any fear and pain held within the body and heart, and ultimately to open up your life and heart to love through renewed passion, vision, and positive, fulfilling relationships (in the form of both friends and lovers,) all in the highest good for you and your
Spring Equinox Celebrations and Rituals
As leaves unfurl and newborn animals venture into the world for the first time, we are reminded that life begins over and over again. Every day, month, season, year, decade and so on are cycles that bring us closer to the nature of all things. There is something special about the spring cycle though. It
Season of Alchemy Crystal Guide
This season, as we consider practices to connect to our ability to manifest and create change, we might go towards ritual, such as spells, prayer, or working with crystals. Crystals can offer a tangible and visible reminder of alchemy, plus, they’re absolutely beautiful to keep around the home. Below, Katherine Stanbury— a modern mystic, yogi,
4 Ways to Ground Your Magic Practice into Ancestral Roots
My magic practice is deeply rooted in personal ancestry. My ancestors are primarily Swedish and Irish, and I work primarily within those folk traditions. I believe this is important, and in this blog I will explain a few ways you can start to invite that energy into your own magic practice. I do this for
