p.s. in case you need it…
Orobanche uniflora, a rare parasitic plant (i.e. one who receives all its nutrients from other plants i.e. a great teacher in living in community) that grows near my favorite creek spot.
Yesterday, it was eerily hot.
I made us tea before bed (chamomile, hops, lemongrass) then realized that it was simply too hot outside to drink hot tea. I added ice.
It is dust, everywhere. We haven't had a substantial rain since May. Even tree leaves were parched. It feels impossible that it still hasn't rained. The past three summers have had a drought, and this has been the worst by far.
Yesterday, it felt like the world was ending.
Today, the heat remains.
I don't have answers, and I don't nurture hope.* I remind myself that all we can do is be present for our own experience.
Surely, we are here to learn and grow.
Surely, we have something to offer or we wouldn't be here.
Surely, we must dwell in gratitude when we can and focus on survival when we must.
I don't have answers, but I have a few strategies to offer you. They can help you cope, and to be present. Maybe even present enough to cultivate some joy, or to make art, or to organize and build, or to destroy... it's up to you.
Shake it off
If only we could dance around a fire to a raucous drumbeat, we'd all feel much better. Alas, here's a realistic alternative: shake your entire body.
When you experience a trauma or have anxiety building up in your body, you need to literally let it move through (and thus, leave) your body. The quickest way to do this is shake. Shake your entire body for as long as you can (a minute or so), then take a break and do it again. Do it a few times whenever you feel the anxiety building up.
A high dose of Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Various people had told me to take Skullcap for years. But I never felt effects, and it didn't grow well in my garden (even though it seems to grow easily for others). Thus, I felt mildly rejected and decided it wasn't for me.
Finally, my acupuncturist asked how much I was taking (3-5 droppers, my normal dose) and he said "Oh, I take six droppers at a time."
Six droppers? That's a lot! But, turns out... it works. Fast.
Now, when I'm feeling very tense and stressed, I take six droppers of skullcap tincture. It's amazing. And nearly immediate.
Skullcap is great for letting things "roll off your back," releasing stress from your shoulders, and quelling anger. Basically, it helps you chill out.
It's most potent fresh, so tincture or glycerite of fresh Skullcap (or freeze-dried capsules) is most effective. There are no contraindications, but it may potentiate other central nervous system depressants, so use caution if you take any such pharmaceuticals.
After three years of trying, Skullcap grew in my garden in 2021, so I made a huge batch of fresh tincture, and that's what I take now. I guess we're friends after all.
But, I do tend to forget about it. I forgot yesterday until a friend mentioned it. That's why I'm telling you: you might know about Skullcap, but you also might forget to ask the plants for help when you're really upset.
(also, when in doubt, more chamomile.)
Tend and Befriend
In moments of fear, we think there are three options: fight, flight, or freeze. But there's another option: tend and befriend.
Gathering with and caring for people around you can help you feel better. This is both a short-term coping strategy and a long-term solution.
Community is what keeps us safe, on every level.
Having real relationships with people, especially people who live near you, is an effective way to keep yourself safe.
This doesn't have to mean going to township meetings: it could mean shopping at local businesses, baking treats for your neighbors, or showing up regularly to a poetry group/open mic/farmer's market/choral group/pottery class etc. Find something that's fun, and keep showing up.
(ok, not just people, also plants and the land and unseen beings... but people are very important and I know it can be hard but it's really important so please find a way to weave your tapestry of relationships if you don't have a strong one yet.)
Herbs for Resilience
You can't always control the circumstances you're in. But you can help yourself to be steady amid the turbulence. Herbs are one way to do that. I made this class to teach you how.
Also, for what it's worth, this month's Herbs for Living Class is Herbs for Managing Holiday Stress. If you're feeling extra worried about the holidays, this is for you.
And, if you’re feeling very sad, dive into Herbs for Grieving. Grieving is important. Grieving when something is fresh is most efficient. I realize that's a weird way to put it, but it's true.
*this is what makes me qualified to teach "Herbs for Existential Despair" be on the lookout in April. If we're all still here by then. ... just kidding?