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In Bloom: Floral Tea Recipe for the Full Moon

For those who pay special attention to the lunar cycles, the Full Moon is commonly recognized as a time for manifestation and fruition. If the New Moon is auspicious for intention setting, rest, and reflection, the Full Moon is the time when our intentions and dreams flower into full form. As author and astrologer, Demetra George (1992) elegantly describes, “This is the peak of the light and total illumination of the vision…The symbolic seed flowers (p. 67). Lunar cycles can impact our sleep, energy levels, and creativity cycles. In addition, the phases of the Moon influence the growth cycles of plants. By tracking the phases of the Moon and how we and our plant friends respond, we can become more attuned to subtle energy shifts and can learn to work with ourselves and our plant allies in increasing harmony.

Energy Of The Full Moon

The Full Moon is often thought of as a time of heightened energy and is even associated with mythical and supernatural occurrences—the activities of werewolves and the like. However, there may be a reason behind the lore. Surfers learn to track the ocean tides by the phases of the Moon because they know that the Moon’s cycles have an observable influence in this respect (Elenbaas, n.d.). The Moon’s gravitational pull on Earth causes the waters of the ocean to bulge on the side of the Earth that is closest to the Moon at any particular moment. This results in higher tides, called spring tides, during the New Moon and Full Moon and lower tides, called neap tides, during the quarter moons (NASA, 2021).

Furthermore, our bodies as well as plant bodies are made mostly of water. When there is a heightened gravitational pull—such as during the Full Moon—the tides of the oceans rise, and this affects the water in our bodies as well. Extending this metaphorically, our emotions are linked to the water element. Thus, during the Full Moon, our emotions may also feel more full and heightened (Elenbaas, n.d.).

Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog: In Bloom: Floral Tea Recipe for the Full Moon.

Supporting Creativity and Activity: Herbs for the Waxing Moon

If the New Moon is the time for planting seeds and intentions, the Waxing Moon is the time when we move from intention-setting to bringing our hopes, dreams, visions, and goals into form and action. The waxing phase of the Moon is a time characterized by heightened extroversion, activity, and creativity. During this time, we may feel a stronger desire to socialize, create, and get out and about more. While this is an important aspect of the energy cycle, it is also a good idea to assist this increased energy output with herbs that support a sense of calm, clarity, and upliftment. This article features an herbal blend custom-designed to support balance during the Waxing Moon phase.

Herbs for the Waxing Moon

Given the active, extroverted energy of the Waxing Moon phase, you may want to focus on herbs that support a calm, clear mind so that you can engage in your perhaps busier schedule with adequate mental and physical energy and a sense of equanimity. It may be important to not let your nervous system become overstimulated during this time, especially as the Moon moves into the later Gibbous Phase and into the Full Moon. However, what is life if not lived fully?! You may be inspired to get more accomplished or to be more social during the Waxing Phase of the Moon—and there’s nothing wrong with that! This infusion blend features herbs that will support this time of increased activity with a sense of ease and balance. First, let’s flesh out the ingredients in this Waxing Moon infusion…Read the full article, Supporting Creativity and Activity: Herbs for the Waxing Moon on the Herbal Academy blog.

New Moon Herbal Mix Recipe for New Beginnings

The New Moon, the time in which the moon is occluded from our earthly vision due to its position in the sky between the Sun and Earth, is commonly understood as a time for new beginnings. If the Full Moon is a time for fruition and manifestation, the New Moon is the time to light a candle of intention in the dark. It is a time for rest, reflection, and intention-setting. Just as plants have growth cycles and the tides ebb and flow, our energy levels also have a cyclic quality. This article will discuss the energy of the New Moon and how to support yourself with herbs during this internal time in the lunar cycle.

Energy of the New Moon

In order to understand how to support the energies of the New Moon, it is helpful to first flesh out the qualities of the New Moon phase. Though the New Moon is the time during the monthly lunar cycle in which the moon is not visible to our eyes, the New Moon phase can include a time frame within 3 1/2 days after the official New Moon. Also, for our purposes of discussing the energies at this time, we can also include the time just prior to the New Moon—the Balsamic Phase, which may be considered the “Depth of Dark” (George, 1992). Here are a few words to describe this potent, dark time that is ideal for turning inward:

“At the Balsamic Phase, the life impulse distills and concentrates the wisdom of the entire cycle into a capsule of seed ideas for future visions” (George, 1992, p. 67).

“At the New Phase, the flow of solar-lunar energy emerges, initiates and projects the seed impulse…that will fulfill and complete a purpose as the remaining cycle unfolds” (George, 1992, p. 66).

Read the full article and get the recipes here: New Moon Herbal Mix Recipe for New Beginnings on the Herbal Academy blog.

Top Supports for Anxiety: Herbs, Lifestyle, and Traditional Wisdom

On the rare occasion when I meet someone who reports that they never get stressed or anxious, I typically raise an eyebrow. Some level of stress, worry, and even fearfulness is a natural and normal part of life. We have evolved to have a negativity bias as a means of survival, meaning we scan our environment for potential threats. However, when fear and worry become persistent and chronic and interfere with one’s ability to sleep, eat, think clearly, and/or simply enjoy life, it is certainly worth addressing. In this article, we will explore herbal and lifestyle supports for anxiety. The intention of the information and perspectives offered in this article is not to replace important mental health care but rather to offer general, holistic tools for addressing stress, especially when it becomes persistent or heightened.

First of all, if you or someone you love experiences anxiety, it’s helpful to take a 360 degree view of your day-to-day living and also to understand how prolonged stress and worry affect you personally. Before reaching for a solution, it’s always a good idea to identify the problem.

Read the full post, Top Supports for Anxiety: Herbs, Lifestyle, and Traditional Wisdom on the Herbal Academy blog.

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