Finding Peace in the Flowers of Spring
The blog will be shorter this Moonth. I have dropped the usual archaeology and herbalism links because my amazing web mistress Mischa has found a “real job” and no longer has time to assist. Meanwhile, I will continue to post seasonal tidbits and news.
I recently submitted a book on the sacred herbs of Yule and Christmas which was accepted by Inner Traditions Bear and Company (no pub date yet). Being me, I am already nearly finished with the next oeuvre which will be a guide to Celtic Druidism.
I know that spring is here because my local garden shop has a wide selection of pansies on display. I always have a planter full of the little gems by the front door when spring arrives. In the last week I have uncovered the flower beds, laid down lime to counter the acid soil of the oak forest where I live, and raked away the last of the fallen leaves and broken branches left by winter storms. The garden is bare except for the courageous little crocuses and there is a loud chorus of bird song each time I step outside. The buds on the daffodils are swelling as these flowers prepare to make their entrance. And the Maple trees are already dropping their little red flowers.
Next up in the back garden will be Sanguinaria (Blood Root), useful for fungus infections and lung complaints. The season is turning quickly now, and carrying with it new hope for better days to come.
I live in rural western Massachusetts and I attended a small peace vigil on the town common yesterday afternoon. I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about “peace” these days. I sang along with “All we are saying – is give peace a chance” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono (who were not mentioned by the mistress of ceremonies), I saw letters that everyone could sign urging Putin, Zelensky and Biden to choose peace. But it looks to me like nothing will end the conflict until Putin stops his murderous and egotistical land grab in Ukraine. And, sadly, I don’t think petitions will stop him.
The best we can hope for is to carry peace in our hearts, towards all people and nations.
A teenager from the local High School spoke saying how dismayed he was that his fellow students don’t seem to care about the war and even make jokes about it. I told him it was a failure of imagination. That they had never lived through Russian aggression like the invasions of Poland and Czechoslovakia and eastern Germany and so they couldn’t imagine it. I told him that the way to remedy that is through art – music, painting, theater.
I remember how in the Vietnam years we communicated through our choices of music. I was living in Germany with my parents but I was in full sync with American and British youth because we all listened to the same music and we had the same psychedelic posters on our walls. Somehow we stayed in touch; by telephone, paper fliers and pure instinct. Without smart phones, internet or mass media, we met in giant shoals at Woodstock, Isle of Wight and at Rainbow Gatherings.
Yesterday, in Paris, a new Banksy mural appeared.
The committee that oversees the lighting of the town Christmas tree decided to light it up again, as a beacon of hope in a dark time. They also strung it with yellow ribbons and sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine.
Sitting here in the States, comfortably surrounded by vast oceans and friendly nations to the north and south of us, it’s easy to forget how fortunate we are. There are small things we can all do to help in the war effort. The very first place I donated funds to, to help the refugees, was World Central Kitchen. They are feeding tens of thousands at the Poland border every day.
Donate to World Central Kitchen here: https://donate.wck.org/give/396273/?fbclid=IwAR2631L9ivRquJSs3nCOgn9gbUZjKLU8Av-wYE27bAdEiZHFAQRIYvrCldw#!/donation/checkout
The second place I donated to was the IRC – International Rescue Committee – they always go into armed conflicts and provide doctors and medicines. Donate to IRC here: https://www.rescue.org/
UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
April 21, 2022
4 pm Eastern – a Zoom talk
The Sacred Herbs of Spring; magical and medicinal uses
For details click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversation-club-sacred-herbs-of-spring-magical-healing-edible-plants-tickets-235436074637
July 15, 2022 @ 12:00 pm
WitchsFest 2022
WitchsFest 2022 will be held July 15th through July 17th with Virtual days on Friday and Sunday and live classes in-person in New York City’s Astor place on Saturday, July 16th. Ellen will be offering on line talks via Zoom on Friday and Sunday Click here for more info: http://www.witchsfestusa.org/
July 21, 2022
4pm Eastern time
A Zoom talk
Secret Medicines from Your Garden
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversation-club-secret-medicines-from-your-garden-tickets-235444489807
October 20, 2022
4 PM Eastern
A Zoom talk
The Sacred Herbs of Samhain; magical and medicinal uses
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversation-club-the-sacred-herbs-of-samhain-tickets-235465472567
BOOK NEWS
At the time of Spring Equinox and of Easter, the new children’s book “Once Around the Sun” comes out just in time to celebrate with herbal egg dyes, a wild herbs soup recipe, and a spring story. Here is an excerpt;
“….The path through the forest stretched before them, easily visible in the bright moonlight. Oma had taught them to be very quiet in the dark woods and to talk in whispers, and only when it was absolutely necessary. They were so quiet that they could hear owls conversing overhead while mice rustled in the leaves at their feet. A deer crossed the path right in front of them and didn’t even notice they were there!
Soon they came to a large open heath, where the spring grasses and heather were already thick and long. Moonlight glistened on the damp meadow. “We can sit down here,” Oma whispered.
They hunkered down and were very still. Any person or animal walking by would have thought they were just three large rocks in the middle of the field. They waited for a while, enjoying the stars and the soft spring breeze.
Suddenly there was a flurry of movement at the far end of the field. And it—whatever it was—was coming closer!
“What could that be?” wondered Henrik in a loud whisper. He was scared he might have to defend his grandmother and sister from a bear or a wolf. Annemie slid closer to Oma so they would look like a bigger lump to whatever was coming toward them.
Then the grass seemed to part and the thing—whatever it was—was right in front of them….”
Read the rest of the story to find out what happens next!
My new children’s book was written in the depths of the pandemic. The whole book, including the wonderful foreword by master folklorist and story weaver Jane Yolen, speaks of hope. Adults have told me they are keeping the book by their bedside as a soothing and enjoyable read. “Once Around the Sun: Stories, Crafts and Recipes to Celebrate the Sacred Earth Year” will be on sale April 19, 2022 in the U.S. The UK on-sale date is about 6 weeks later. It is available for pre-order at https://www.innertraditions.com/books/once-around-the-sun and other retailers worldwide here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Once-Around-the-Sun/Ellen-Evert-Hopman/9781644114148
NEWS YOU CAN USE
There is a good book by Scott called “Invasive Plant Medicine”. For each “Illegal alien” plant he describes exactly why it’s there and what it is doing in the ecosystem where it flourishes. A real eye opener. Invasives thrive in areas that are degraded and they are usually trying to remediate.
A very moving video from a Russian man (watch to the end) about the current situation:
May our hearts carry peace like the flowers, ever open to the Sun.
*Reminder – you can purchase all my books from this website
www.elleneverthopman.com <http://www.elleneverthopman.com> – and get a
signed copy with a personal note! The books are available in all the other
usual places as well.*