Spiral Leaf

New Flower Moon in Aries - Friday 17 April

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:24:36 GMT

New Flower Moon

Slender, slim and silent, white crescent light;

New Moon of Spring flowers, blooming day and night;

Rose buds and blossoms, hues, deep, pale and bright;

Mother Nature's gifts of love, simple treasures of life.

New Flower Moon

Welcome host, Corn Planting, Milk, Hare or Budding one;

Influenced by Chiron, centaur, Wounded Healer of War;

Closing out a cycle, a cosmic clearing from the core;

Let go your past hurts, let your inner light shine more.

New Flower Moon

A stellium of star signs, clustered in one house;

Intensifying Aries, for fire, new life, first out;

Renew your sense of Self, your wellbeing, health;

Step up to a new adventure - ready or not.

New Flower Moon

As flowers open around us, in a cacophony of colour;

Take the lead to show up - for yourself and others;

Take the lead to love all your sisters and brothers;

Take pleasure, to enjoy these early days of Summer,

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Earth's Stone by Sue Cartwright

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:30:02 GMT

Ancients that embody memory and deep connections to the Earth

Smoothe as marble, silken, cool;

Sinuous veins curved in lines, metallic grooves;

Marks in time, as tectonic plates move;

Traces locked in strata, history running through.

Hard as granite, wild weather worn;

Quartz crystal flecks, glisten in the Sun;

Exposed from the depths of Earth, to tower and soar;

In land sculpted mountains, rocky hills and tors.

Cold as slate, thin, foliated, sharp edged;

Made from mudstone, volcanic ash and clay;

Flat, straight, fine grained, styled in layers;

Raindrops drip down from grey roof tiles.

Strong as rock, mega metamorphic stock;

Molton minerals, plasma, dissolving gas, hot;

Volcanic rivers running red, fluid lava, life lost;

Cooling, hardening, eroding into nutrient-rich soil.

Stone carved, engraved, polished, ground;

Stone touched, felt, held, admired;

Stone igeneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, hard;

Crystal energy, spiritual synergy, healing power,

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

[Edited 17 April 2026]

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The Natural Spring Clean

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:30:00 GMT

Everything you need to spring clean your home the natural way

Spring cleaning is a traditional term used for deep cleaning and freshening up a home or working environment after a long, dark cold season and welcoming in the new season of growth, light and abundance. It conjures up a vision of throwing open the windows and doors to let the stale air out and the fresh air and sunlight in. It creates an impression of cobwebs being swept out of corners, washing blowing in a stiff breeze and old rugs being beaten in the yead outside ...

Or maybe not, depending on how old you are, but despite traditional manual-labour housekeeping not being a thing anymore, a good Spring Clean can make any place feel loved. The decluttering and hands-on cleaning elements are in fact theraputic, cathartic even. The process, matched to the effort, matched to the hopefully satisfactory result, adds up to make us feel better all the better for doing it.

But how?

I have gathered together some brilliant natural cleaning tricks and recipes that work incredibly well to keep things clean and fresh. I will share some of the best methods that I use with you (see below) but first, let's understand why switching to natural cleaning products not only saves time and money, it helps to protect your long-term health.

Toxic Convenience

To my mind, there is nothing worse than having to force my hands into a pair of tight rubber gloves to protect myself from unhealthy to downright dangerous, mass-produced, chemical-infused, strongly-perfumed and eyewateringly-expensive cleaning products that line the shelves of supermarkets. In my opinion, their sinister contents should not be allowed to come near a home, let alone a human being.

Most of these cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals that can cause skin irritation, dermatitis, severe burns, eye damage and breathing issues (such as asthma). They can be lethal if consumed accidentally by children and key risks involve inhalation of fumes, skin contact with acidic or caustic substances (such as floor cleaners, oven cleaners and bleach). There is also the problem of unpredictable and dangerous reactions caused when mixing different products.

We are advised to check hazard labels for corrosive, flammable and toxic symbols, we are advised to ensure proper ventilation when in use and yet we still buy it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Traditional is best

There are plenty of traditional cleaning methods using natural ingredients that have been cleaning homes (and people) perfectly well over the centuries and even today in households that honour the old ways of doing things and doing them well.

My late Mum was brought up in a house where she was tasked with blacking the grate and beating those rugs I mentioned in the back yard. She knew how to clean a home from top to bottom, and tasked me with the job of pulling out furniture to make sure that even the dirt that was hiding had no chance of an escape. She made me do the ironing to her exacting standard before I could go out with my friends and even though it was excrutiatingly boring - she made me do it properly and she taught me well.

You would think it might have put me off housekeeping for life but rather the opposite happened. I have always enjoyed cleaning things and it has meant I can keep a clean home without having to pay someone to keep it clean for me.

Natural Ingredients & Combinations

Multi-purpose cleaner = white vinegar + lemon juice
Mix the juice of half a lemon with 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to make a paste and apply to the area. Remove any residue with water and cloth.
Kitchen cleaner = bicarbonate of soda
Mix 4 tablespoons with 450ml warm water and add to a spray bottle to use. To clean stainless steel, dissolve the bicarbonate of soda with some warm water to make a paste. With a soft cloth, rub the surface to remove marks and then buff it with a clean cloth to shine.
Bathroom scrub = bicarbonate of soda + salt
For a dry scrub cleaner that works well in a bathroom to cut through soap residue, mix equal parts bicarbonate of soda and salt into a paste.
Mould remover = white vinegar + table salt
Add white wine vinegar to a spray bottle (recycle one of your old bottles), spray over the mould, leave for 20 mins, then dip an old toothbrush into table salt and scrub away.
Glass cleaner = white vinegar + rubbing alcohol + lemon juice (optional)
Mix 250ml water with 3 tablespoons white vinegar and 60ml rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Use as you would a regular glass cleaner.
Air freshener = house plants
Plants complement indoor air quality efforts by Increasing humidity which soothes dry airways. Houseplants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, reducing airborne toxins in small, enclosed spaces.
Air purifier = essential oils
Essential oils benefit the home by creating a calming or energising atmosphere, enhancing air quality and providing natural, non-toxic alternatives to cleaners and pest control sprays. Used with diffusers, pure essential oils provide aromatherapy to reduce stress and improve sleep, while specific oils like Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Oregano, Clove and Lemongrass, kill airborne bacteria and fungi.

SOURCE: How to clean your home without harmful chemicals - Breast Cancer UK

I hope you enjoy making your own natural cleaning products to use for this year's Spring Clean. You will be pleasantly surprised by the results, so much so that you might like to keep using them for your optimum health and happiness throughout the year.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Things to do in Nature in April

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:30:04 GMT

Ways to experience the beauty of Spring and get closer to Nature in April

Return of the Swallows

The main event to look forward to this month is the return of the Swallows , Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins flying home from the warmer climes of foreign lands.

They are here to raise their young during the Spring and Summer months and inspire us with their aerial acrobatics and displays. Only these beautiful birds can master such sky-high moves and precision as they expertly scoop up water and catch flying insects for their hungry broods.

Woodland Stars

With their white starry flowers, Wood Anemones grow very slowly because their seeds are mostly infertile. This means that they colonise woodlands mainly through their tiny twiggy rhizomes. It is said that it takes a hundred years for them spread six feet which is why they are a good indicator of fertile ground.

Sun-loving and gentle, Wood Anemones are one of the first Spring blooms, arriving to take in the light through the leafless canopy in ancient woodlands.

Beech Leaf Canopies

Green is the colour that soothes us most. It has been shown to help us relax, relieve anxiety and inspire creativity. At this stage of Spring, the young leaves are naturally paler, because they are thinner, softer and contain less chlorophyl.

Beech leaves are well known for their stunning April foliage with softly layered canopies and brilliant lime colour schemes. In the sunshine and a light breeze, their dappled light is mesmerising so take a moment to enjoy this new flourish of life and take in its gentle yet vibrant presence.

Blackbird's Song

One of the great joys of Spring’s golden hour around sunrise and sunset is the supremely relaxed fluting of male Blackbirds coming from high branches and rooftops. Tune into their heartening melody and feel your spirits lift. Listen out for their mellow, fluty and varied phrases, often described as a relaxed melody compared to the faster songs perfected by the Thrush family.

The bright trilling of this beautiful bird is quintessential to Spring. You can spot a Male Blackbirds by its deep inky black feathers, bright orange-yellow beak and yellow eye-ring which makes them stand out from the crowd. Female blackbirds are brown with spots and streaks on their breasts and brown beak. Males sing from high, exposed perches, such as tree tops or chimneys, as they defend their territories and mark the beginning or the end of the day.

Spring Butterflies

Favourite butterflies include the Peacock Butterfly which rouses from months of Winter stillness in March and early April as they search for nectar and a Spring mate. Their eyes detect movement faster than us due to myriad photoreceptor cells in tiny units called ommatidia. Their twin antennae smell the air in stereo and their tactile legs are more sensitive than our fingertips.

Early Spring butterflies are often those that hibernated as adults, emerging on warm April days to feed. Key early species include the Yellow Brimstone , Vivid Peacock , Comma-Marked Comma , and Small Tortoiseshell. Later in the month, you may see Orange-tips, Holly Blue, Green-Veined Whites, Small Whites and Speckled Woods, while Red Admirals start arriving from migration. Watch them dance as they flutter around each other in their fanciful courtship rituals.

Baby Hares

No mammal is more closely connected to Spring than the beautiful and mysterious Brown Hare . April sees in the year’s first baby Leverets so, if you are lucky, you might spot some a few days old, in a field hunkered down in a bed of grass.

HIdden in shallow hollows (or forms) on top of the ground, Hares gives birth to an average of three young Leverets. They are born with fur and open eyes, and are left by their mother shortly afterwards. The female Doe visits and suckles her offspring regularly, but only briefly and a few times a day. In this way, she prevents predators being aware of their location. The young hares are precocial (meaning they are already relatively mature at a young age). They can leave their form at the early age of two or three days old. While waiting for their mother, they crouch in hiding places or nibble on their first green herbs.

Never attempt to 'rescue' a youong hare as they are neither orphaned nor sick. If the animal is not injured or in danger, it must not be taken under any circumstances. Their mother will be close by and will continue to take care of her offspring so leave well alone.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through April for your good health, happiness and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 May 2026.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Full Pink Moon in Libra - Thursday 2 April

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:30:12 GMT

Full Pink Moon

So named for the first pink flowers of Spring;

Lenten Rose, Pink Dawn Viburnum and Cuckooflowers;

Pretty pink Primroses, Magnolias and Bleeding Hearts;

Nature's gifts, petals drifting down from leafy bowers.

Full Pink Moon

April's first Sunday, following the passover's Paschal;

Easter's Egg Moon, when we break out of our shell;

Sprouting Grass, Fish, Frog, Loon or Thundering Moons too.

Say, fling open the shutters, let your heart open and bloom.

Full Pink Moon

Be your most authentic, joyful Self, take flight;

Summer is near, the Sun ever higher, ever bright;

An exciting time for growth, transformation, light;

Spiritual renewal, rebirth, the beginning of new life.

Full Pink Moon

Libra fosters balance, creative love, healing;

Let go of burdens, alchemise hurtful feelings;

Re-energise, restore, prepare for the new season;

Lose yourself in Nature, discover a deeper meaning.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome April (Almanac 2026)

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:30:00 GMT

Dates and seasonal ideas to bring you closer to Nature in April

WELCOME APRIL

The beginning of April brings a freshness and blossoming of new life that lifts the mood and lightens the heart. The extra hour of light is a gift, lengthening the days and lifting the spirit.

Birds will be migrating back to our shores this month so keep an eye out for Cuckoo s, Swallow s, House Martin s, Sand Martin s, Willow Warbler s, Blackcap s, Osprey s , and various Warblers and Flycatchers. Our homeland birds such as the Great Tits will begin nesting, and Robins, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds will be in peak breeding and territorial mode, making them key contributors to the dawn and dusk choruses.

Bats are reappearing from their Winter hibernation and will be looking for places to roost away from their hibernation roosts in hollows, caves and old buildings. In ponds and rivers, the Little Stickleback fish will start the breeding cycle, making it highly active and visible in shallow, weedy waters like ponds, canals and ditches. Look out for the Common Newt darting about in waterways on your Nature walks this month.

One of the most beautiful sights of April has to be the Bluebells Woods, where carpets of this stunning saphhire blue flower spread across woodlands, pathways and grassy verges. It’s well worth visiting a woodland area to see if you can discover this gorgeous scene. On moorlands, healthland and field edges, you will find Gorse, Broom, Ladies Smock, Fern Crosiers, Dog Violet, Yellow Archangel and Greater Stitchwort starting to blossom.

One of my favourite things to discover on a walk in nearby woodland in April is the most beautiful flowers known as ‘Stars’ in the Woods' for their beautiful pure white starry petals with golden yellow centres. They are similar to the Daisies we know and love which are featured as the birth flower of the month (see below). These delicate Wood Anemones grow very slowly because their seeds are mostly infertile which means they colonise woodlands mainly through their tiny twiggy rhizomes. It takes a hundred years for them spread six feet which is why they are a good indicator of nutrient-rich soils found only in ancient woodlands and undisturbed shady places.

Moon phases

Thursday 2 April - FULL PINK MOON in Libra
Friday 17 April - NEW FLOWER MOON in Aries

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Wednesday 1 April - Sunrise (6.51 am) - Sunset (7.49 pm)
Thursday 30 April - Sunrise (5.51 am) - Sunset (8.34 pm)

Zodiac Signs

Aries - March 21 - April 20
Taurus - April 21 - May 21

April's flower - Daisies

There are 30,000 species of this beautiful flower, loved for its brightness and simplicity. The name ' daisy' comes from the Old English ‘daes eage’ meaning ‘day’s eye’. The common English daisy has petals that close around a bright golden centre at night and re-open in the morning. This is a natural response to changes in light and temperature as if waking up every morning to greet the day.

Geoffrey Chaucer called Daisies 'the eye of the day' and ‘fresh as a Daisy’ means to be well-rested, healthy and energetic in spirit. These phrases originated in late 18th-century and refer to the flower's habit of closing its petals at night and reopening at dawn, symbolising a fresh, new start at the beginning of every day.

April's birthstone - Clear Quartz

April’s birthstone is a master healer that comes in the form of stunning clear crystal quartz that enhances energy flow and brings mind, body and soul into balance whether present in your home, carried on your person or worn as jewllery crafted in many different forms.

Renowned for its ability to stimulate positivity, Clear Quartz brings a clarity that seems almost impossible, like frozen ice, captured to enjoy forever more. It is no surprise that for thousands of years, people across the world have woven stories around this luminous crystal gem. From sacred rituals to mystical tools, Clear Quartz has long stood as a symbol of purity, power and spiritual connection.

Ancient and indigenous peoples believed these stones to be alive, and many cultures treasure them as incarnations of the Divine. Today’s healers know that crystals are living beings, incredibly old and wise, here to communicate with us when we are open and ready to receive their calming frequency of energy and love.

April's Folklore

April showers bring May flowers.
March search ye, April try ye.
If the Oak is out before the Ash, then we are in for a splash; if the Ash is out before the Oak, then we are in for a soak.
A cold May and a windy April, a full barn.
When April blows his horn, 'tis good for hay and corn.
If it thunders on All Fool’s Day, it brings good crops of corn and hay.
A cold and moist April fills the cellar and fattens the cow.

April's Quote

Behold, my friends, the Spring is come; the Earth has gladly received the embraces of the Sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love.

Sitting Bull, Hunkpapa Lakota Leader

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through April for your good health, happiness and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 May 2026.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

New Pink Moon in Pisces - Thursday 19 March

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:30:02 GMT

New Pink Moon

FIrst sign of the Paschal Moon, dawn of the Spring Equinox;

Named from flowers blooming in the north, carpets of Pink Phlox;

Given as a symbol of harmony and love - a perfect response;

To the unity of souls, partnerships, love's renaissance.

New Pink Moon

Approaching the end of the cold, time to reflect;

A pause to think of lessons learned, to alchemise regret;

As outer planets shift, this New Moon offer s space to rest;

Aligning us to the next chapter of our lives, to do our best.

New Pink Moon

Take time to tune in, listen to your inner self;

Muse on feelings, let go of tensions deeply held;

Cleanse, soothe, breathe, come out of your shell;

Remind yourself, take comfort, all will be well.

New Pink moon

Pisces closes the circle, ignites a spark, a new reign;

When life begins anew, a fresh start, reminding us to flow again;

To imagine, to be curious, to explore, to glean;

To allow our thoughts to wander, d on't forget to dream .

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Seven Paths by Anasazi Foundation

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:30:00 GMT

A collection of profound inner truths and indigenous wisdom

The Anasazi Foundation was founded in 1988 by renowned wilderness pioneers Larry Olsen and Ezekiel Sanchez (Good Buffalo Eagle) to give young people, adults and families an opportunity for growth through a primitive living experience and a philosophy that invites healing in the hands of Nature. The Seven Paths is one of several books teaching the principles of the Native American tradition that life is a walking, determined by the state of one’s heart toward all that is around us.

According to legend, wise teachers taught that the Creator placed man on the Earth in order for him to learn to walk forward in harmony with mankind and all creation. It rests on the knowledge that we were all born with the Gift of Choice and an inner sense of knowing right from wrong leading us to peace, happiness joy, comfort, knowledge and wisdom. By way of contrast, walking backwards has the opposite effect, leading us towards wrong-doing and the consequences of misery, despair and darkness.

The key message in this book published by the Anasazi Foundation is that there is so much to be learned from Nature and the world around us. The Anasazi, also known as Ancestral Puebloans, were a prehistoric Native American civilization that thrived in the Four Corners region of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico in America from 700 BC to AD 1500. They were skilled farmers and builders, renowned for creating sophisticated, permanent stone dwellings, including cliff-face apartment-like complexes.

These ancient teachers understood well that no man is as wise as Mother Earth. Unfortunately, as we well know, modern man has moved far from Mother Earth . This means maladies have multiplied and no modern precriptions heal the human heart so fully or so well as the prescription of the Ancient Ones. For there is a power in Nature that man has ignored and the result has been heartache and pain.

Elements of Nature

The Anasazi Foundation tell us that, if you let them, the elements of Nature will teach you to open your heart to light, wind, water, stone, plants and animals.

Light

Each morning offers lessons in light, for the morning light teaches us the most basic of truths: Light chases away darkness. When it comes to matters of the heart, darkness within clouds the world without. And so, just as the morning light sweeps away the night, the darkness within me began to be chased away by a dawn in my soul.

Wind

The air that sustains us, like the light that warms us, is a gift of the Creator. There is a legend about the wind that it has a spirit of its own which is why it can move around Mother Earth at will. As it moves around the Earth, the wind carries within it the words uttered by the lips and hearts of every man, woman and child.

Water

Water's mission is not to preserve hurt but to wash it away and not only to clear the Earth of strife but to combine with air and light to grow beauty in its place. The water that cleanses the heart comoes fom the same place as the Sun that lightens it. Water too, is a gift from above to nourish, refresh and cleanse the heart and soul .

Stone

Every stone on the Earth has been here for a very long time. They possess a willingness to support us and a wisdom that teaches us to hear their silence, to warm to the light and cultivate our own sense of humility, patience and peace. Stone reminds us to be aware of the impressions and depressions we leave on the people around us.

Plants

For all those who have a desire to change their walking, Nature displays in abundance the way to do it. The answer grows all around you. The path to forward walking is as clear as the flowers before you. Unfortunately, man sees lack much more readily than abundance. It is when plants are absent that we learn to see them.

Animals

Animals sense our walking and the intentions of our hearts. They know whether our hearts are walking forward or backward as our movements are part of our speaking. Our failure to connect with animals is a mirror of our failure to connect with people (and with ourselves). They give us a chance to see a new wilderness and a new home.

Paying attention

Every plant that is good for food is mimicked by another that will make you ill. Nature teaches us about life because there are many dangerous elements that will try to make themselves appealing in our eyes. Many of these elements are not presented as being dangerous and it may not even occur to us that they are. In fact, they may act in ways that appear to be fun and exciting in their delivery of gratification, and we may mistake them as doing us a service.

However, we must be aware that some Oak is good, other is poison and there are many whose offerings - however enticing - bring strife rather than joy. Counterfeits of Nature can be enticing and intoxicating, for example, poison masquerading as food.

We must pay attention to what we take in and learn to discern the good and evil in life. It is up to us to be aware of these things, just as we need to be aware of the bitter fruits and poisonous plants in Nature that can cause us harm. By the same token, all the creations of Mother Earth provide a service whether it is food, shelter, shade, habitat, support against erosion, and raw material for the construction of tools and preparation of fire.

It is no coincidence that the creations that provide the most help to us, happen to be the most beautiful and bring us the most joy.

We are one

The Seven Paths teaches us that the Creator placed man on the Earth in order for him to learn to walk forward in harmony with man and all creation. According to legend, the Creator made Mother Earth and dressed her with light, wind, water, stone, plants and animals. The Anasazi People or Ancestral Puebloans were placed amongst the Creator's creations to live in harmony and support one another. In this way they have become we meaning as one.

As we know, this harmony did not last and the hearts of the people began to walk backward again creation. Despite the fact that darkness reigned and the harmony was broken, the Creator's love was made to shine through them in ways that could cut through any darkness.

It is the same for us when we enter the darkness or stray into the wilderness, we can look to Nature to bring us back to ourselves and lead us home. The wind teaches us to we are connected; stone teaches us that we continually wield influence on others, inviting them towards peace or towards war; plants remind us of peaceful offerings made between people; animals remind us to be aware of our intentions; water purifies and cleanses us and invites us to be part of the flow of life; light chases away the darkness to reveal the beauty that surrounds us all.

To walk among the hills, the trees, the valleys and the streams is to know in our hearts that independence is a myth, as in the language of the Anasazi people: the 'I' stands connected to other in 'we' - to be alive is to be with others, to be at peace with other is to be 'we'.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

The Seven Paths by Anasazi Foundation - Abe Books (no affiliation)

Anazasi Foundation Library - Recommended Reading

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Things to do in Nature in March

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:30:28 GMT

There are many ways to experience the beauty of Spring in March

Find Nature

There are many places to find Nature somewhere nearby and you never know what you might discover if you safely follow the trail. March is a great time to wrap up and go outside to check out the first signs of Spring which is already well on its way.

Pathways and Bridleways

Find them on your local Ordinance Survey map where you can walk, ride or cycle on public footpaths , byways and bridleways that can be found almost everywhere in the British Isles. They cover over 140,000 miles here and 9,300 miles in Scotland. A good place to find out about Rights of Way and Public Footpaths in your area is through the Open Spaces Society .

Hedgerows and Lanes

Look out for the emergence of plants, buds, fern crosiers, ivy leaves, flowers and wildlife in your lanes and hedgerows through March as they start to come to life again. Take a daytime walk to see what's coming up or step out for a walk to see the Moon and stars shining through the branches of the trees.

Rivers and Streams

The higher you climb, the more you will find small brooks, streams and tributaries running down into ever larger and faster rivers flowing down to the sea . Clear springs can be found on moorland tors and rocky high ground which is an exciting pursuit when you trace your steps upwards, following the fresh water streams and tributaries as you go.

Forests and Woodland

If you have an ancient woodland or forest close to you, now is the time to visit. Leaves on the trees are just starting to bud appear, bursting with energy and life-giving oxygen. Ancient woodlands smell of damp soil with wild plants and fungi thriving as they have done for hundreds and thousands of years. Take in the healing energy, smells and essential oils of Nature's own healing sanctuaries.

Heathland and Moorland

Open heathland and moorland are the best places to feel you are truly out in the wild where the air is fresh and the views are spectacular. Healthland can be seen as 'scrubland' but nothing could be further from the truth, it's like stepping out onto a prairie. Experience the rugged atmosphere and texture of Nature's remote places to connect to the Earth and let your mind can wander in an expanse of imagination and wonder.

Connect with Nature

Walking

If you ever want a walk to seem shorter or if you need to completely wind down and relax, mindful and meditative walking is a great way to lose yourself in time and blend into the calming effect of the natural environment. This is where you focus on your steps and form a rhythm of breathing deeply in and out as you continue on your way.

As you breathe gently in, imagine your body being vitalised by the fresh air; as you breathe gently out, imagine all the stresses and strains leaving you and melting away. I can walk for miles like this, allowing my mind roam free and deal with anything that needs to be processed. A good meditative walk is like a therapy session where the unhelpful is cleared away and replaced with vital natural energy.

Observing

A good way to practice observational sitting is to allocate regular breaks and/or times during the day to simply be still and observe the natural world (or natural things) around you as a focused exercise. Anything made in Nature can provide an interesting focal point for our attention whether it's a bright coloured flower with tiny petals, a ladybird walking on a leaf or a stunning view of rolling hills, hedgerows and fields stretching out into the distance.

Taking time to appreciate Nature is not only very humbling (reminding us we are just a tiny part of the natural world) but also very rewarding. I am always surprised to notice things I haven't noticed before and how much all my senses are engaged - often opening the door to a whole new world ready to explore.

Listening

Nature can be quite loud sometimes and its good to tune in on all the sounds from the urgent-sounding caws of Crows to the tiny microscopic sounds of Beetles foraging through leaf litter or a lone bird chipping away at a fallen hazelnut. When you make a conscious choice to listen, you can hear a symphony of melodic vibrations coming from the air, the vegetation and the earth around you.

A favourite game is to listen to the birds and pick out one to whistle softly back to. This isn't easy for a rubbish whistler but I have experienced some delightful exchanges with songbirds who seemed to wait for my whistle and then reply, gradually making the notes more complicated. I have named the game, play that tune, and when out in the woods, fields and lanes, it always bring a smile to my day.

Watching

This is where it's helpful to have an obsession such as taking photographs or being interested in finding particular things. It is also the best activity to enjoy while sitting doing nothing. Find a comfortable place to sit and wait for something to happen. Before long you will be the sole audience in a dance of activity, busy-ness and the day-to-day life of a small fraction of Mother Nature's community and you can learn a lot.

I remember as a child being entertained for hours in this way. Being so close to the ground, I was drawn into the beautiful and magical miniature world of insects, caterpillars, bugs, beetles, spiders, ladybirds, snails and other extraordinary creatures in neverending variety, all doing very interesting things. We forget how interesting (and mesmerising) watching Nature is, and the first step is to stop and look around you. .

Reading

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked ways that we can get closer to Nature, especially during the daylight hours. Finding a cosy place to sit indoors and read a book about Nature (or finding a cosy place outside to read any kind of book) is the perfect way to escape to places you might never be able to reach on foot.

Reading is the perfect way to relax and sink into the rhythm of Nature whether you are inside or outside, on the move, relaxing or taking a break. It's an ideal activity if you are confined indoors for any reason - giving your imagination the opportunity to delight you and take you somewhere far away.

I hope you enjoy making the most of your time spent in Nature this month and I look forward to sharing more ideas with you in April 2026.

Much love

Sue Xx

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A Healing Mineral (Sea Salt)

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:30:03 GMT

Reasons to fall in love with Sea Salt and why it matters for your optimum health

A Healing Mineral Guide

Sea Salt is the first minteral to feature in my Healing Mineral Guide .

The first thing to understand when talking about salt is the distinguisable difference between Natural Sea Salt extracted from the ocean and refined Table Salt chemically processed as an additive for processed foods or as a staple grocery item sold in various forms in the supermarket.

It is essential to know that Table Salt is highly refined and has a negative nutritional value. Mined from underground deposits rather than the Sea, chemicals are involved in the 'cleaning' process which strips away any natural trace minerals that are beneficial to health. Table Salt often contains anti-caking agents to increase its shelf life and other additives may be included that cause harm in the long term. The main issue is not just the processing, but the quantity of intake when refined salt is 'hidden' in the majority of manufactured and take-away foods. This adds up when you are not aware of the cumulative amount of process salt you are consuming.

Depriving the human body of the natural trace minerals and sodium found in Sea Salt, leads to a deficiency causing all manner of health issues including high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiovascular disease and strokes.

By demonising all salt as a health risk, the food and medical industry have deprived us of a regular, daily intake of natural Sea Salt that every human being needs to maintain homeostatis and live a healthy, active life.

A point of fact

I found all I needed to know about the dangers of Table Salt compared to the vital, life-giving value of Natural Sea Salt in a book I reviewed here in December 2024 called The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD (see below). This is where I learned about the Salt Wars and how we have been duped to believe that all salt is bad for us without mentioning the fact that the multitude of trace minteral compounds found in Sea Salt are required for healing, cleansing, energising and maintaining optimum health.

The truth is, we don't need research to know that salt is an essential part of us. We cry salt, we sweat salt, the cells in our bodies are bathed in salty fluids and we crave saltiness. As a leading cardiovascular research scientist, Dr DiNicholantonio informs tells us that our human bodies need the trace mineral components found in Sea Salt for hydration, muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission, pH balance enzyme production, efficient adrenal and thyroid function, and more.

The amazing thing is that the trace minerals found in Sea Salt carry a positive or negative electric charge when dissolved in bodily fluids and the blood. They are responsible for maintaining a steady heart rhythm and regulating blood pressure. They act like tiny batteries, carrying electrical charges that allow cells to communicate. These electrolytes are excreted naturally from the body in various ways which is why we need to keep ourselves topped up through the consumption of Sea Salt and water (and other minerals I will share here), and as part of a healthy diet and natural lifestyle.

Natural Sea Salt contains from around 60 to over 80 trace minerals including sodium, chloride, phosphate, bicarbonate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, sulfur, silicon, boron, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and more.

With nearly 50 pages of notes and references, The Salt Fix is a comprehensive source of knowledge about the qualities of Sea Salt, how it helps the body to heal and maintain health, and how best to introduce this life-giving mineral (and others that our bodies can't make themselves) into your daily life.

A popular choice

Natural Sea Salt is produced from evaporated ocean water and comes in dozens of varieties defined by region, mineral content, harvesting method and lack of exposure to pollution. It is important to ensure it is minimally processed, unrefined and certified for organic, natural production ( certified for organic input ) rather than simply being labelled organic as Sea Salt is a mineral, not an agricultural product.

Redmond Real Salt
Harvested from an ancient seabed in Redmond, Utah with 60 trace minerals and a high calcium content. Contains iodine and potassium with a sweeter flavour than Pink Himalyayan Salt.
Pink Himalayan Salt
Harvested by hand by skilled workers using traditional methods with little to no pollution. A natural product containing 80+ trace minerals including iron, calcium and potassium which gives it its pink hue.
Celtic Sea Salt
Harvested naturally from the coastal regions of France known for its grey colour and coarse, moist texture. Rich with 82 trace minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium and iodine.
Red Alaea Salt
Havested from the Hawaiian islands with a distinctive red colour obtained from volcanic clay. It is rich in minerals such as iron oxide. It is used widely in Hawaiian cuisine and for its therapeutic properties.
Dead Sea Salt
Harvested from the Dead Sea in the Middle East and known for the high concentration of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. Often used for therapeutic purposes to alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Fleur de Sel
Harvested from salt pans in coastal regions of France, the name of which means the Flower of Salt . It has a delicate flavour and is often used in cooking as a finishing salt for salads, soups and other dishes.
Irish Mineral Sea Salt
Harvested from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland and known for its high mineral content and unique flavour. It is often used in cooking as a finishing salt for meats and vegetables.

A pinch of salt

There is no question that the more Sea Salt we introduce to our lives as a dab with a small glass of water taken at intervals through the day or as a generous sprinkling on savoury foods, the less the craving for sweet things. I rarely feel the need to eat sugar unless it's Maple Syrup on pancakes or Raw Honey in a large slice of homemade cake.

Remember that sweetness was a rare treat for our Hunter Gatherer ancestors and should be for us too. We often only need to make small adjustments to bring about significant results that can make all the difference. Like anything else to do with dietary health, it requires some research to understand what the source of a problem might be and what our body needs to heal and to maintain good health on a day to day basis.

I often talk about removing harmful processed foods from the diet as much as possible so that the true benefits of switching to healthy foods, nutrients and minerals can be experienced. It takes time to realise that supplements are not the answer, we have to give our body the tools it needs to make its own nutrients. Minerals are the key and you can do no harm by remembering to take a dab of Sea Salt with your regular (and small) top ups of filtered water.

All savoury foods tastes bland without Sea Salt so this should be cause for celebration. Sea Salt also helps to reduce bitterness and balance or mask excessive sweetness in desserts and sweet treats. It triggers receptors that make desserts taste richer, more fragrant, and more balanced.

So, no holding back, your body will thank you for it and you will be rewarded with improved hydration, energy and electrolyte balance, good digestion and reduced muscle cramping. Sea Salt has been treasured for its permanence and wisdom over the centuries for a reason, and why it always accompanied prayers to enhance effectiveness.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the healing and life-giving health benefits of Natural Sea Salt as part of a new directory about healing minerals.

I am excited to share these essential nutrients that our bodies cannot produce on their own. I can honestly say that collectively, they have transformed my health in recent years.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book

The Salt Fix - Why the Experts Got it All Wrong and How Eating More Might Save Your Life by Dr James DiNicolantonio

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Read the review

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD by Sue Cartwright

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Full Worm Moon in Virgo - Tuesday 3 March

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:30:01 GMT

Full Worm Moon

As the soil warms and moisture levels rise;

Worms wake from dormancy, beneath the frost line;

Rousing from an inactive state called estivation;

These life-giving creatures, prepare for breeding.

Full Worm Moon

This movement calls to mind a seasonal situation;

The beginning of massive change, creates the foundation;

For change to occur, deep down below the surface;

Reflecting the same feeling that stirs within us.

Full Worm Moon

A lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow moves across Moon;

Causing it to darken in a warm, coppery maroon;

Known as the Blood Moon, on the cusp of new growth;

Light brings transformation, excitement and hope.

Full Worm Moon

Virgo energy is methodical, meaningful, slow;

Perfect conditions for new shoots to grow;

Rising from the ground in a celebration of opening;

Allow yourself to unfold, in a beautiful awakening.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome March (Almanac 2026)

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 07:30:02 GMT

Dates and seasonal ideas to bring you closer to Nature in March

WELCOME MARCH

The beginning of March marks the beginning of the Wheel of the Year which maps the Pagan seasons, holidays and festivals of the solar year, following the cycles of Nature, agriculture and human life. The Wheel of the Year is recognised across the British Isles as a means to create a unified way of honouring the natural cycles and seasons.

March is a pivotal month, leading up to the Ostara , so named after the Goddess Eostre, representing fertility, light and the awakening of Nature, featuring symbols like eggs, hares and spring flowers, This is when the Vernal Equinox takes place on Saturday 21 March, marking the point when day and night are of equal length. This greatly anticipated event is recognised as a celebration of fertility, renewal and the return of the Sun’s warmth on Earth.

Oudoors in fields and pastures, March take us right into the middle of the Hares’ breeding season. This is when male Hares are out looking for female Hares to mate with. A chase ensues but sometimes the females don’t want the attention. That’s when the boxing match begins! When the female has had enough of being chased, she turns around and wallops the male to discourage him. Take that! It looks like they’re boxing because the female and male are on their back legs, hitting each other with their front paws. They even pull out fur! It’s not just boxing that hares are great at. They’re also amazing sprinters! They can reach 40 miles per hour when they run at full pelt. Incredible!

This wonderful description of Hares in Spring was written by The Wildlife Trust - Mad as a March Hare . They are fast becoming extinct which is scandelous considering their ancient history as a treasured archetype . Having declined by more than 80 percent in the past 100 years due to intensive farming, cutting down hedgerows and chemical poisons, there are less safe places for them to live and roam free.

Make the most of their beautiful presence this Spring by finding a place to settle in and quietly watch them do their thing. Nature never disappoints and it's up to us to go out there and enjoy such gifts of life as much as we can.

Moon phases

Tuesday 3 March - FULL WORM MOON in virgo (Lunar Eclipse)
Thursday 19 March - NEW PINK MOON in Pisces

Spring Equinox

Friday 20 March - Vernal Equinox

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Sunday 1 March - Sunrise (6.58 am) - Sunset (5.55 pm)
Tuesday 31 March - Sunrise (6.52 am) - Sunset (7.44 pm)

Zodiac Signs

Pisces - February 19 to 20 March
Aries - March 21 to April 19

March's flower - Daffodils

There are two hundred species of Daffodil and they have a long history, with recorded mentions dating back as far as 300 BC . They were first described by the Greek botanist and philosopher, Theophrastus, in his work Enquiry into Plants. As March's birth flower, the Daffodil symbolises rebirth, new beginnings and joy, marking the bold and bright arrival of Spring.

This vibrant flower is associated with beauty and the Greek myth of Narcissus, where the blooming season of the Daffodil brings messages of hope and prosperity, and, in Wales, is central to the celebration of St David's Day.

March's birthstone - Aquamarine

March's birthstone is Aquamarine whose name comes from the Latin for seawater, represented by the legend of ancient mariners who claimed the gem would calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. Aquamarine was also thought to bring happiness in marriage and protect the wearer against foes in battle and litigation. It was also thought to make the wearer unconquerable and amiable, and to quicken the intellect.

This pretty precioius stone represents courage, loyalty and friendship, and its healing properties have beenn used historically to drive out negative emotions. Aquamarine energy helps to heal emotional trauma, relieve stress and bring calm to the body.

March's Folklore

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb
As many mists in March as there are frosts in May
A dry March and a wet May fill barns and bays with corn and hay
As it rains in March so it rains in June
March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers

March's Quote

March came in that Winter like the meekest and mildest of lambs, bringing days that were crisp and golden and tingling, each followed by a frosty pink twilight which gradually lost itself in an elfland of moonshine.

Lucy Maud Montgomery

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through March for your good health, happiness and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 April 2026.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Lovage)

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:30:01 GMT

An ancient herb treasured for its healing and cleansing properties

A Healing Herb Guide

Lovage is the twenty-first herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide .

The word Lovage originates from the term, love-ache, with ache being a medieval name for Parsley that comes from the same plant family. It is a perineal herb that can grow up to ten feet tall and can be found in meadows and fields in umbrella like clusters that produce bright yellow flowers in mid Summer. The ‘ love ’ part originates from the Latin name, Levisticum , which may be derived from ligusticum , meaning ‘ Of Liguria’ , a place in the north of Italy where Lovage grew in abundance.

Lovage belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes Parsley, Celery and Dill. It has a flavour similar to celery, with a hint of Anise, making it a flavoursome addition to culinary dishes. The leaves and seeds are aromatic and are used in teas. Its roots contain medicinal properties and these are commonly used in herbal medicines, often in tincture form.

Lovage is valued for its healing properties and its ability to support many different systems within the body. The roots are both nutritive and restorative. The plant contains properties that help to cleanse and revitalise organs, and to support the health of the urinary tract. This is why Lovage should be avoided during pregnancy (in medicinal doses) as it acts as an emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and this could increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. Lovage helps to activate the immune and lymphatic system, and is especially helpful during the Winter as it helps to expel mucus from the respiratory tract.

As a culinary herb, Lovage is known as Sea Parsley, where the leaves and stems of the plant add an intense celery-like flavour to soups, stews and stocks, or pork and poultry dishes. The leaves can be eaten raw and are often used for garnishing dishes, making herbal teas or mixing into salads.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Lovage - a medicinal, culinary and aromatic herb that will serve you well in support of your general good health, healing and wellbeing.

Folklore

In medieval times, Lovage was believed to have magical properties that could influence matters of the heart. It was often included in love potions and rituals intended to attract affection, deepen emotional bonds and remove emotional barriers. Lovage's romantic-sounding name made it a favourite in European love charms and rituals where they would bathe in the leaves, believing that the scent would attract new love.

Historically, Lovage was worn by brides during their wedding ceremonies. It was wound into their hair or sprigs were sown into their dresses. It was said to bring good fortune and ensure marital harmony. Lovage was also placed under mattresses and beds to attract positive energies and keep negative influences away.

Some legends even suggested that burying a bundle of Lovage Leaf tied with coloured threads (usually red, green, and white) in the foundations of a home would guarantee lasting love and prosperity for couples living there.

Lovage is thought to be native to Afghanistan and Iran, making its way to Europe and western Asia. In ancient times the herb thrived in the Liguria region of northwest Italy (now the Italian Riviera). Thus it is was often referred to as Ligusticum , the latin for Liguria .

The ancient Greeks used it mostly in cooking, using the seeds, leaves and stems for stocks and flavouring. The ancient Romans brought the plant to their colonies in the Britain Isles where Dr Samuel Johnson recommended it for rheumatism. Like many other herbs, it was grown in Medieval gardens for medicinal purposes, and Queen Victoria was known to carry candied Lovage seeds in her pockets where she even had pockets sewn into her dresses to carry the seedy snack.

In Pagan tradition, Lovage was used to relieve exhaustion. Leaves were placed in the shoes of weary travellers or steeped in baths with aromatic essential oils to soothe tired bones and relieve muscle aches.

Nutrition

Lovage is packed with Vitamin C and various B-complex vitamins. The plant contains good amounts of calcium, potassium and magnesium. This leafy healing herb is also known for having a substantial amount of quercetin , a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, ease skin irritations and serve as a pain reliever.

Lovage also contains iron and potassium which are essential for cardiovascular health. Other natural compounds, such as camphor, eugenol and limonene which are bioactive plant-derived compounds (terpenes/terpenoids) frequently found in essential oils. These compounds contribute to the herb's aroma and healing and antimicrobal properties.

Above all, Lovage is a versatile, aromatic herb with an intense celery-like flavour, accented by hints of Parsley and Anise. Often used sparingly, it is ideal for flavouring soups, stews, broths, potato dishes and poultry.

Remedies

Ancient Greek physicians prescribed lovage for digestive discomfort, referencing its carminative properties. In medieval Europe, chewing the seeds freshened breath during long pilgrimages, and bathing in a lovage infusion was rumored to relieve rheumatism.

Historically, the root acted as a mild diuretic to support kidney health and as an expectorant for bronchial congestion. The herb’s essential oil—containing ligustilide, eugenol, and limonene—was valued for antiseptic qualities and wound cleansing.

Research studies have identified the antioxidant capacity of Lovage leaf extracts, notably in removing free radicals implicated in cardiovascular disease. Preliminary trials indicate antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli, supporting traditional topical uses.

Various parts of the Lovage plant have been used since ancient times in traditional medicine, serving as a herbal remedy for ailments including inflammation, indigestion, joint pain and headaches. It has historically been used as a diuretic, a stimulant and as a treatment for a variety of ailments from jaundice to sore throats, and as a means to regulate menstrual cycles. Lovage can be made into a salve to soothe rashes and psoriasis, and to combat acne.

Like many members of the Apiaceae family, Lovage contains furanocoumarins that may increase photosensitivity when consumed in very large amounts or applied directly to skin. Medicinal doses should be avoided during pregnancy because of its uterine-stimulating effects, though culinary use remains widely regarded as safe.

SOURCE: Lovage - The Fogotten Herb by Survival Garden Seeds

Recipes

Lovage and Lettuce Soup

This simple and delicious recipe is perfect if you grow your own lettuce or have one in the fridge that you don't know what to do with on a cold Winter's day. Lovage is a tasty herb that grows vigorously in gardens, hedgerows and fields. They can be foraged in the wild and their celery like flavour is perfect for both soups and stews.

Lovage leaves are best picked when they are young and fresh in early Spring with seeds gathered in late Summer to dry and store for Winter cooking and healing herbal teas.

Ingredients

1 x Onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 x Clove Garlic, peeled and sliced
1 x medium Potato, peeled and diced (optional)
1 x head of lettuce – about 500g, sliced
1 litre x Chicken or Vegetable Stock
1 x 50g Lovage leaves
1 x 50g Parsley
1 x 25g Organic Butter
Celtic Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper
Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

Heat a small amount of Olive Oil in a large saucepan and gently saute the onion.
Season with Salt and Pepper, cover and cook for about 10 minutes on a low heat until onions are soft.
Add the Garlic, Potato and a good splash of filtered water before covering and cooking gently for another 10 minutes until the Potatoes are nearly cooked through.
Add the Lettuce and stir over a medium heat for a few minutes until the leaves have have wilted, then add the stock.
Bring to a boil and add the Lovage, Parsley and Butter.
Reduce the heat and simmer for one minute before blending until smooth.
Strain through a sieve, sprinkle with cracked Black Pepper, add a few leaves of Lovage for garnish and serve hot with warm crunchy bread and butter.

I hope you enjoyed this post about the healing and health benefits Lovage, one of the oldest known herbs that has brought many benefits to our health, culinary enjoyment and wellbeing over the centuries.

Thank you for following this ongoing series of remarkable herbs. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Healing With Iodine by Dr Mark Sircus

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:30:04 GMT

A clear guide to understanding the missing link to better health

Healing With Iodine is a seminal book that calls out health problems resulting from a chronic deficiency in one of the most ancient and all encompassing nutrients (and natural treatments) essential for human health. Iodine addresses a myriad of illnesses including thyriod disorders, heart disease, cancer and cognitive impairment. It has the ability to release oxygen in the cells and it kills bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi and yeast, none of which anti-biotics can.

Healing with Iodine is another materpiece of truth that will take you back to the days when this natural and essential trace mineral and chemical element was used for treating infections, burns and wounds as a matter of course. It has in fact been used as a topical antiseptic for over 170 years with significant use beginning in the 1830s, to be replaced by over-the-counter antiseptics in the 1950s.

Author, Dr Mark Sircus Ac OMD DM (P) is trained in acupuncture and Asian medicine, and accredits foundational research to five doctors who were the first to recognise that Iodine deficiency may be responsible for the epidemic increase in cancer of the breast, which, according to David Browstein, was affecting one in seven women in America at that time.

This matched findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys which identified an increasing trend of health issues cause by reduced intake of iodised [Sea] Salt along with difficiencies in magnesium, salenium and iodine, the latter being one of the most deficient minerals in human bodies today. [Apart from Copper, as identified by Dr Morley M Robbins in his book [Cu]re Your Fatigue which corroborates with other deficincies mentioned here].

In this short but impactful book, you will learn about the basics of Iodine and why it's a crucial nutrient and medicine for the 21st century. You will learn about the symptoms of Iodine deficiency and how to use it safely through different strengths, doses and applications. You will learn how to use Iodine safely and how it works to support the healthy functioning of your body.

Old school medicine

I am old enough to remember having my deepest wounds and grazes treated with neat Iodine by the nurse at school. It was administered straight into the cut which was wrapped in gauze which quickly became tarnished with a deep brownish-orange stain. I didn't mind because it smelled of damp soil and took away the pain. It was used as a rapid antiseptic for its antimicrobial properties more than for its ability to speed up the healing process.

Dr Sircus states tells us that, Iodine kills 90 percent of bacteria on the skin within 90 seconds. This is why it was used as a go-to treatment for injuries. It was used less as an anti-biotic which is unfortunate considering the harm anti-biotics cause, and when they can only kill bacteria and not viruses, yeast or mould, as Iodine can.

There are many known issues caused by the continuous use of anti-biotics, not least that they trigger yeast infections, disrupt healthy gut flora and cause other allergic reactions, when Iodine improves gut development, enhances the gut barrier function and regulates gut microflora, all of which are crucial for proper digestion, microbial balance and metabolic health.

Hormonial balance

Hormonal balance is critical for sustaining energy, balancing metabolism, enhancing mood and improving overall health.The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck that produces hormones essential for regulating metabolism, energy, growth and heart function.

These hormones require Iodine to function and their release is managed by a negative feedback loop involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland and the blood. Iodine is metabolised through a series of stages essential for human development and health. As Dr Sircus says, It is detected in every organ and tissue in the body and is absolutely necessary for a healthy thyriod, as well as healthy overaries, breatts and prostate.

It follows that Iodine-carrying thyroid hormones are essential for oxygen-based metabolism at a cellular level when red blood cell mass is increased, providing the oxygen our bodies need on a moment to moment basis. For this reason, Iodine is an effective therapy that improves the oxygen function that enhance the body's defenses against cancer. When starved of oxygen, a cancer is unable to establish a foothold in the body which means Iodine provides a safe form of chemotherapy without any side effects at all.

Iodine is utilised by every hormone receiptor in the body and is used to synthesise thyroid hormones. It revives hormonal sensitivity, improves insulin sensitivity and improves glucose metabolism.

Harmful heavy hitters

It is true that we unable to make Iodine ourselves, nor are we able to obtain anywhere near enough natural Iodine from our diet, especially since it was removed from bread and replaced with bromide in the 1980s as a synthetic dough conditioner. This bio-poison is just one of many that are helping to make us universally deficient in a life-giving trace mineral and chemical element our bodies need to function. We are being bomarded with Iodine depleting heavy metals and halogens such as bromide, chloride, chlorine and flouride, the latter being a known thyroid poison.

It's up to us to reduce our exposure to such harmful toxins which continue to be approved as safe and effective by state regulators, government departments and quangos all over the world . It starts with knowing what these harmful toxins are and where they are so that we can remove, avoid or replace them.

It means gradually removing the harmful heavy hitters from our lives and replacing them with a daily combination of pure, essential minerals needed to keep your bodies functioning correctly. Apart from a healthy, balanced diet, we need to replenish ourselves daily with the correct minerals, and if we do, the results soon become apparent.

Biological toxin watch

Harmful heavy hitters are often hidden in trace quantities and non-disclosures which means we have no idea of the harm being caused over periods of time or even a lifetime. By knowing what to watch out for, we can make healthier choices and demand better. The list of trouble-makers is, not surprisingly, numerous and widespread.

Heavy Metals - tap water, sprayed fruits, industrial chemicals, pigments, stabilizers, preservatives, plastics, electronics, batteries, makeup and personal care products.

Mercury - tap water, dental amalgam fillings, some antiseptic creams, skin-lightening creams and soaps, some vaccines.

Bromide - tap water, sprayed on fruits and vegetables, mass-produced baked goods and bread, pharmaceutical drugs, flame retardants, water sanitisers and food additives.

Fluoride - tap water, dental products (toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, varnishes), pharmaceutical antifungals, statins, inhalers and various anesthetics or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Chlorine - tap water, household disinfectants, bleach (sodium hypochlorite), toilet bowl cleaners, laundry detergents. swimming pool chemicals, water pipes, vinyl siding, flooring, cable insulation, blood bags, toys, paper products (bleached), paints, food packaging, clothing textiles, pharmaceutical intermediates, solvents, agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, surgical materials, window frames, automotive parts (car interiors), electronics (computer chips).

In the minerals

I spent many years taking various different supplements which I spent time researching to make sure they were the best quality I could afford, often in different combinations, at different times and for varying lengths of time. I can honestly say that the difference I felt in myself was most likely due to the cleansing nature of my diet, rather than the supplements I tended to use.

My discoveries I have made more recently and the changes I have made from studying the books listed below, tell a different story. I realised I was giving my body nutrients it has every capability of making for itself, providing I give my body the minerals it needs to function effectively - minerals and trace elements it can't make for itself.

It started with Celtic Salt which I take a dab of every morning with a glass of filtered water containing no less than 3 drops of Lugol's 12% Iodine with potassium. I had to build up to this amount over several weeks, starting with a half a drop because I felt it. The incredible liquid swirled like brown ink in the water and smelt of clean damp earth, It immediately set off a chain of oxidating activity in my body that made me feel slightly woozy there for a moment.

Then it moved on to pure Epsom Salts in my bath water every morning for a magnesium soak, followed by a glass of Raw Coconut Milk with a teaspoon of bioavailable copper to turn iron stored in tissues into energy, I also add a tablespoon of pure MSM Sulphur to support my skin, ligaments, bones, blood, muscles joints, hair and nails.

I will talk about diet another time because it all adds up, suffice to say my energy levels have trippled and my health has never been better. When you start including Nature's life-giving esssentials into your routine, you will never look back.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

All the following books have helped in some way, and at different times, to cleanse, heal and discover the perfect organic diet to suit my taste, energy needs and lifestyle.

Healing With Iodine by Dr Mark Sircus - Link to Abe Books (no affiliation)

The Light Doctor by Dr Martin Moore-Ede - Link to Waterstones (no affiliation)
[Cu]re Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbins

Nourishing Traditions by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio

The Magnesium Miracle by Carolyn Dean ND ND

Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan

Everyday Āyurveda by Bhaswati Bhattacharya

Cleanse to Heal by Anthony William

Clicking on the above links will take you to my online bookshop where Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold at no extra cost to you - unless otherwise stated.

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New Worm Moon in Aquarius - Tuesday 17 February

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:30:01 GMT

New Worm Moon

First sign of a long-awaited return to life;

A subtle reminder, early stirrings, new light;

Sense an awakening beneath frost-crusted earth;

Prepare for transformation, movement within the Self.

New Worm Moon

Speaks of bulbs held dormant, frozen, bound;

Before opening, to push shoots up through the ground;

A quietly powerful shift, a miracle quite profound;

The soft, subtle beginning of a new phase coming round.

New Worm Moon

A partial solar eclipse, the very first one;

As the Moon passes between us and the Sun;

Time to embrace radical change, to become;

Part of something meaningful, purposeful, fun.

New Worm Moon

Aquarius encourages us to embrace new beginnings;

To raise our consciousness with radical authenticity;

To free ourselves with a sense of liberation;

A spiritual unfolding with a hint of rebellion.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Feathered Wing

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:30:04 GMT

Feathers are miracles of life sent to us to bring wisdom and joy

Contoured feather on a hollow, slender vine;

Perfect barbs, hooked in parallel lines;

Exquisite symmetry, Nature's finest design;

Form and function, the miracle of wings that fly.

A two way, planar plane, glossy and glistening;

Waterproof, lightweight, precisely positioned;

To rise, to fall, to trap heat through quivering;

Fluffy clusters to sleek wingtips, gifts of Creation.

Famed feathers of every feathered wing;

Wing, contour, semiplume, filoplume, bristle and down;

Tail feathers, flicking, flaring, sounding the alarm;

Carotenoids, melanins, porphyrins, coloured calm.

Find a feather, fallen plumage, take it as a sign;

Indigenous wisdom fluttering down from your spirit guide;

Connecting you to Earth, to Heaven, ancestoral love divine;

Nature's miracles inspire us, to heal and similarly align.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Spice (Cardamom)

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 07:30:01 GMT

An ancient spice prized for its unique sweet flavour and medicinal properties

A Healing Spice Guide

Cardamom is the twelfth spice to feature in my Healing Spice Guide .

The qualities of Cardamom resonate through history with one of its oldest spices, the pods of which were chewed by ancient Egyptians to whiten their teeth and sweeten their breath. It is a member of the Ginger plant family along with Turmeric .

Cardamom is a warm spice with a hint of sweetness, It blends well with chocolate and with caffeine in famous Turkish coffees and it's a key ingredient in Middle Eastern coffee with the addition of Rose Water (see below).

Cardamom is an herbaceous perennial plant with a rhizome. It grows long stems that resemble bamboo stalks with long, lanceolate leaves that grow from each node. The rhizome is situated at the base of the plant from which small stems crawl over the ground, giving rise to flowers and the fruits of green Cardamom.

Cardamom is a spice that brings freshness with notes of camphoraceous, similar to pine sap or eucalyptus with a hint of lemon. Cardamom is a powerful spice and it's the seeds that provide the flavour and taste. The green capsule is a natural wrapper that contains the seeds while they are steeping or during cooking.

I hope you enjoy the healing benefits of Cardamon - a wonderful addition to herbal teas and culinary dishes for your general good health, happiness and wellbeing.

Folklore

Cardamom is a spice native to India, specifically the Kerala region in south-east India, in the mountains of the same name, the Cardamom Mountains. Records of its use date back to 3000 BC. It was introduced to Europe in the early Middle Ages by the Arabs was sold to the Greeks and Romans for making perfume and for use in cooking.

Cardamon was once a key ingredient in ancient Egyptian incense and was often used as a substitute for Cinnamon . It found its way into many a love potion as it was associated it with Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty.

Following Vasco da Gama's arrival on the Malabar coast on May 20, 1498, Cardamom and other spices were exported to Europe. However, Cardamom was was supplanted by Paprika and Ginger , which Europeans preferred. It continued to be valued for its therapeutic virtues and today, with the discovery of new cuisines and spice discoveries, it's has returned to the spotlight.

In pagan times, Cardamom pods were thought to make another fall in love with you which could be due to its aphrodisiac properties, or it could be because it neutraliszes the smell of garlic and other disagreeable odours.

Cardamom has long been known as a symbol of hospitality. It is believed to bring on peaceful thoughts and to relax mind and body. It was considered the perfect ingredient for a refreshing and soothing herbal tea in the middle of a hectic day (see below).

Nutrition

Cardamom is a spice that contains manganese, fiber and iron with antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits. It also contains magnesium, calcium and zinc which are highly effective to aid digestion, reduce blood pressure and promote oral health.

Cardamom pods can be chewed after meals for fresh breath and digestive support. Ground Cardamom can be added to smoothies, lattes and hot chocolate drinks. While Cardamom is generally safe, consumption in excess may cause mild digestive upset so stick to 2-4 pods a day or a quarter to a half teaspoon of ground Cardamom per day.

Remedies

Cardamon provides relief for many ailments including:

Help to heal infections by stimulating the kidneys to remove uric acid, urea, toxins, excess water and other waste products out of the body. This encourages more balanced inner health.
An excellent breath freshener when pods are chewed with the added benefit of counteracting harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Used in Ayurvedic medicine to relive depression as Cardamon has a miraculous way of lifting the spirit and calming the nerves.
Ground Cardamom seeds, administered regularly, have the ability to significantly reduce blood pressure if you are suffering from hypertension.

Fresh Cardamom Tea

Fresh Cardamom Tea is a fragrant, soothing beverage made by boiling a handful of crushed Green Cardamom Pods in filtered water for 5-15 minutes. It can be enjoyed as it is or with fresh Ginger and a spoonful of Raw Honey for added warmth and taste. It is best made with fresh, crushed pods to release the aromatic essential oils.

There are a tremendous amount of benefits to be gained from drinking Fresh Cardamom Tea which is perfectly explained by Firebelly Tea in their excellent article - A Spicy Cup Of Goodness: How Cardamom In Tea Boosts Your Well-Being - which I highly recommend if you are unfamiliar with this exceptional and gentle healing spice.

Recipes

Cardamom & Rose Coffee

Cardamom is a popular spice in the Middle East which is why this recipe, made with high quality organic Coffee, Cardamon Pods and Rose Water, provides a unique twist on your mid-morning coffee. Not only highly flavoursome, this healing drink aids digestion, reduces inflammation calms the nerves and enhances the mood. It's an antioxidant-rich beverage that balances caffeine acidity, promotes heart health and lowers blood pressure.

What you need

4 cups x filtered water
4 tbsp x ground organic coffee
4 x Cardamom Pods, lightly crushed
1 tbsp x organic and pure Rose Water
Sugar to taste

How to make

In a small pot, bring the water to a boil.
Add the coffee and Cardamom pods, reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let the coffee grounds settle to the bottom.
Stir in the rose water and sugar to taste.
Strain your coffee and pour into small cups to serve with a sweet treat.

I hope you enjoyed this post about the healing and health benefits Cardamom, one of the oldest spices that has brought many benefits to our health and wellbeing for centuries.

Thank you for following this ongoing series of remarkable spices and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Things to do in Nature in February

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:30:02 GMT

Ways to get closer to Nature in the cold and crisp month of February

Build a Nesting Box

A wonderful way to show your love for our smallest feathered friends is to provide them with a nesting box ready for the Spring season.

With National Nest Box Week coming up from 14-21 February, you will find lots of inspiration and expert guidance on how to look after birds who are in need of a helping hand during the coldest month of the year.

If have the skills to make your own wooden nesting box (or want to learn how to) there are two different styles to consider for different garden birds as follows:

House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Nuthatches, Pied Flycatchers
Nesting boxes with a small hole (32mm diameter)
Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits
Nesting boxes with a small hole (25-28mm diameter)
Robins, Wrens, Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Wagtails, Blackbirds
Open-fronted Nesting Boxes ( 20–25cm high x 15–20cm wide x 15cm deep)

The Wildlife Trust provide a simple and colourful instruction guide that can be used to make either of the above designs. They tell us that: Nestboxes placed in gardens can make a real difference to the success or failure of a breeding species in an area, especially when accompanied by the regular supply of suitable food and water .

There is no standard, accurate design for a nestbox. Birds do not insist on their nest sites being mathematically precise! What they do require is a nest site which is secure and weatherproof, and as safe as possible from predators. Make the box to suit the materials available and to provide the best camouflage, rather than buying materials to match any given dimensions.

Nest Box Week provides guidance on buying suitable Nesting Boxes - Buying A Nesting Box .

Enjoy a refreshing walk

Some of my favourite places for long leisurely walks in Devon include national forests , ancient woodlands , coastal paths , moorland tors , healthland and rivers .

At this time of year, pathways are cushioned and coloured with fallen leaves and bright green moss, mature ferns and holly tree branches with bright red berries. Mother Nature's palette is rich and to be experienced as Nature sparkles in the cool air, especially after the rain.

Walking is a wonderful way to release tension, tune into the natural rhythm of Nature and feel gratitude for the natural world that sustains us all through the year.

Take in some natural sounds

A Fortuitous Fox

Listen our for the eerie night-time screeches and barks of Foxes in the wild. They are most vocal in Winter as it’s their mating season when sound travels further through the cold air. Their calls can travel a long way to attract a mate or fend off rivals, especially threats related to hunting which involves a complex system of vocalisations, scent marking and body language.

As highly territorial, mostly nocturnal and highly intelligent creatures, Foxes use these methods to alert family members or mates. Such is my love for these sentient creatures, I wronte a poem and video, A Fox Runs , to describe what can only be the horror of the hunt from a Fox's perpective.

A short, explosive scream will tell you it's a male aggressively warning off a rival, while a longer shriek is more often made by a female calling out for a mate. You might hear a series of three or four barks representing contact calls which are often followed by a scream.

A Territorial Bird

If you enjoy the sound of melodic whistles and warbles, and the often high-pitched, complex and crisp songs birds in their bid to advertise and defend their territory.

One of the most appealing is a Robin's clear, confident and high-pitched melodies, at this time of year marking the transition from a quieter Winter tone to a more vigorous Spring song as they begin to establish their breeding territories.

The Robin's song is always worth pausing to listen to. Characterised by delicate yet upbeat warbles and trills, this fiery little bird is one of the few we can listen to all year round as it sings to defend its Winter territory and starts wooing a mate ready for the nesting season. Step into your garden, take a walk in the lane or visit your local woodland to spot one – although you will probably hear it first.

A Nocturnal Owl

The Tawny Owl is one of the most well recognised and haunting sounds of an inky black Winter's night as this beautiful bird of prey calls out to protect its precious territory in advance of nesting which begins later this morth.

All Owls are nocturnal which means you are more likely to hear one than see one late at night. Their calls can be heard from a lofty height high up in the trees with the female making a sharp, high-pitched kee-wick (or ke-wick ) call, followed by the male who responds with a wavering, resonant hoo-hoo-hoo.

Tawny owls are unable to hunt when the ground is covered in snow because their prey tends to scuttle through corridors that run beneath the surface. On a wet and windy night, you may hear the screech and hiss of a Barn Owl flying past in the night sky, otherwise silent as stealthy predators with their excellent precision sight and formidable hearing.

A Winter Forest

Take a walk in ancient woodland or a natural forest to experience the creaking of tree trunks, branches rubbing together in the wind, boots on crunchy ground and dry leaves rusling underfoot.

There is nothing like a cold and crispy day to ampliphy Nature's beauty and enliven the senses with the sights and sounds of Winter. There is no other more healthy way to relax the mind, move the body and invigourate the soul.

I hope you enjoy making the most of your time spent in Nature this month and I look forward to sharing more ideas with you in March 2026.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Welcome February (Almanac 2026)

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:45:00 GMT

Dates and seasonal ideas to bring you closer to Nature in February

WELCOME FEBRUARY

During February, the days are getting longer by over 2 minutes a day, and from 20 February we will be enjoying an extra 3 minutes of sunlight each day. This increase continues steadily so that by February's end, our days will be two hours longer.

Now is the best time to enjoy the peak of the Winter season and perhaps even the first signs of Spring with tiny buds peaking out from the frosty ground. As the month progresses, if you look closely, you might find the green tips of Snowdrops, Crocuses and Daffodils starting to peak out from the ground, bringing the promise of a fresh new season.

Walking through ancient woods or deep into the forest, you will find large Bracket fungi fruits growing on the largest trees in steps updwards; clusters of mushrooms sprouting from tree trunks; crusts and jellies spread out on dead branches and fallen logs; striking Jelly Ears in bright transparent orange with a velvet-like soft skin shaped like ears.

In hedgerows and field edges, February brings the first new shoots of Cow Parsley, Nettles and Hazel Catkins, otherwise known as Lambs Tails in readiness for the lambing season which runs through February, March and April, depending on the region and the breed. Snowdrops appear in their full glory towards the end of the month with golden Calendines splashed across fieds with colourful Crocuses and golden Daffodils on banks and borders. Other wildflowers start making an appearance in an array of buds including Primroses, Sweet Violets and Ox Eye Daisies.

As we continue to help our feathered friends with wild bird food and fresh water, now is the time to venture out to find Badgers trails in the fields. Listen out for Voles and Fieldmice scurrying through the long grass, and look out for Toads, Slow-Worms and Grass Snakes who live unobtrusively in hidden corners. At night, as the sky darkens, step outside to gaze at the stars under the light of the Full Snow Moon.

Moon phases

Sunday 1 February - FULL SNOW MOON in Leo
Tuesday 17 February - NEW WORM MOON in Aquarius

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Sunday 1 February - Sunrise (7.50 am) - Sunset (5.06 pm)
Saturday 28 February - Sunrise (7.01 am) - Sunset (5.54 pm)

Zodiac Signs

Aquarius - January 20 to February 18
Pisces - February 19 to 20 March

February's flower - Violets

There are two hundred species of flower in the Violet family, the scented Sweet Violet being the most common with deep green heart-shaped leaves. Violets are known for their delicate beauty and fragrance

These pretty purple flowers are forever linked with the month of romance through the Roses are red, violets are blue' which dates back to Edmund Spenser's 1590 nursery rhyme, The Faerie Queene.

They have been used to make perfume throughout history and were used to create early household deodorants in medieval Britain. Sweet violets are edible and are often added to salads or candied to decorate cakes, ice creams and desserts.

February's birthstone - Amethyst

February’s birthstone is the exquisitely romantic and instantly recognisable Amethyst crystal stone which was once considered to be as precious as Ruby. It was believed to protect the wearer from negative energies and harm. Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, believed the Anethyst could prevent intoxication.

Medieval soldiers wore Amethyst amulets to keep them safe in battles and during the Renaissance stones were often fashioned into the shape of a bear as another protective charm.

Amethyst is a multidimensional purple quartz gemstone that offers a range of energetic properties. It creates a protective bubble to maintain a clear space for mental clarity and physical vibrancy. It brings calmness, spiritual awareness and purification by connecting the Third Eye to the Crown Chakra. This enhances intuition, facilitates deep meditation or sleep, relieves stress and protects against negativity.

February's Folklore

When the cat lies in the Sun in February, she will creep behind the stove in March.
Of all the months of the year, curse a fair February.
If it thunders in February, it will frost in April.
If February give much snow, fine Summer it doth foreshow.

February's Quote

Every February, when the days grow long enough, the Sun brings hope for new beginnings.

Louise Hay

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through February for your good health, happiness and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 March 2026.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Full Snow Moon in Leo - Sunday 1 February

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Full Snow Moon

Grey skies, bitter cold, frost of the frozen season;

Snow falling, gathering in drifts, rivers race, ice floating;

A brilliant white Moon reminds us - stillness is waiting;

As life is, below ground, before the season of creation.

Full Snow Moon

Toxins filtered from the air, snow replenishes the Earth;

A blanket to protect the ground and all who sleep beneath;

Cooling down our planet, insulating trees;

Express your sense of playfulness on days like these.

Full Snow Moon

As ancient tribes were foraging, trees cracked in the cold;

Shoulder-to-shoulder around the fire to keep themselves warm;

This radiant shining Moon invites us all to slow down;

To honour unseen work that starts within - and so without.

Full Snow Mooning

Blending quiet introspection, with Leo's loving fire;

A perfect time to ponder on all that you desire;

Harness your inner confidence, creativity and style;

Learn to live authentically, led only by your heart.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Light Doctor by Martin Moore-Ede MD PhD

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 07:30:01 GMT

The power of light to boost health, improve sleep and longevity

The Light Doctor by Dr Moore-Ede MD PhD comes with a warning about harmful electric lights being sold to us and provides solutions including healthy and affordable alternatives that I was not aware of. Apart from buying old light bulbs which are far less harmful than modern lights which are promoted with misleading information, there are plenty of things we can do to ensure we get the light we need to stay healthy.

Many of us who are on a journey of discovery to understand how we can best look after ourselves in harmony with the natural world, are aware of the importance of getting enough natural light. Many of us know the best way to wake up in the morning is in the red light of dawn, and the best way to get a good night's sleep is to take in the red light of dusk.

This kind of living with Nature utopia (for me at least) is difficult to achieve when we are forced to live according to an unnatural Gregorian timetable using light bulbs and screens manufactured to emit high-energy blue light that makes it almost impossible to live by your own natural clock and Mother Nature's natural rhythm.

There are things we can do to improve this situation and the first step is to understand the difference artificial and natural light, our relationship with light and why our body needs it to carry out many essential functions. The starting point is to understand which kind of lighting is bad for us (at what time of day) and which kind is good for us (and when).

The Light Doctor explains these things and provides solutions to help create more beneficial lighting situations inside during the day and night - whilst encouraging us to go outside more to take in as much natural light as possible for our good health and wellbeing - something we talk a lot about here on Spiral Leaf.

Circadian rhythm

The word circadian comes from the Latin circa , meaning around, and dies , meaning day. It describes biological processes that recur naturally on a twenty-four hour cycle, even in the absence of light fluctuations.

For many Indigenous peoples, the circadian rhythm is not thought of as a biological mechanism for sleep, rather a holistic, culturally and generationally internalised way of living in harmony with Nature's natural cycles. It represents an intimate connection to the land and the environment, where solar, lunar, planetary and seasons guide every activity and social interaction for the wellbeing of the community.

The Light Doctor provides the science behind our interaction with light, providing us with an understanding of how we process light and use it for essential functions in the body that keep us healthy. It is based on years of research carried out by the Circadian Light Research Centre, founded by Dr Moore-Ede MD PhD, where they identified a narrow band of blue wavelengths in light responsible for synchronising our circadian rhythms during the day but harming our health at night.

It turns out that virtually every cell in our body has its own circadian clock, and these are coordinated by a master pacemaker located in the primitive part of the brain where most of our automated no thought needed systems are found. He says: as long as we lived in the natural 24-hour world order of regular dawns and dusks with bright sunight followed by dim moonlight or stalight, all these millions of clocks operated in harmonic synchrony.'

It sounds like just the kind of world order I would be happy to live with.

Natural light

Dr Moore-Ede's extensive research and development in the field of healthy circadian lighting, led to the design and production of lights that deliver circadian blue-rich light during the day and circadian blue-depleted light at night . Dr Moore-Ede expresses his concern that most people still don't know about the healthy lights and display screens that are now available. And they don't know which blue-blocking glasses are effective and which are merely a placebo.

The concerning problem is that electric light is the tobacco of breast and prostrate cancer. Working all day under bright lights, especially on night shifts, or sleeping with the light on, causes circadian disruption which is linked to many illnesses, metabolic diseases and sleep distruption. This is because light at night is known to suppress the production of the pineal hormone, melatonin, and second, melatonin has powerful effects in suppressing the growth of cancer tumours.

Many of us spend the majority of our time working indoors in a constant twilight of electric light that is typically 1,000 dimmer during the day than natural sunlight and 1,000 times brighter after dusk than even the brightest moonlight.

A research project found that campers who are exposed to much brighter outdoor light levels throughout the day, and with an absence of electric light at night, they all synchronised to the same natural day-night cycle. Living without electric light or devices enables our bodies to remove harmful electricity and helps us to tune into Nature's nourishing natural rhythm.

Healthy light

We all know that the best possible light is Nature's daylight, sunlight and sunshine. Soft natural light and warmth on our skin feels good for a reason. It's good for us and replenishes us. As long as we are sensible to not allow ourselves to burn on a hot sunny day, the more natural daylight we can absorb the better.

Remember that in the old days, fresh air was and sunlight considered an essential part of the healing process. Patients with tuberculosis (TB) were treated in open-air sanatoriums, where fresh air and sunshine were considered essential as most recovered by spending most of the day in fresh air and sunlight. A practice known as heliotherapy .

Ideally, the lights in our homes should be able to dynamically adjust according to the time of day. If this is not an option, Dr Moore-Ede suggests that we choose different lights for different rooms in our homes, depending on the time of day they are occupied. It is also advised to sleep in complete darkness to enable your body's repair and immune processes to be fully effective.

Dynamic carcadian lights are now being introduced to the market that offer the validated spectral recipes required for healthy day, evening and night lighting. which is well worth researching when you understand the concepts detailed in The Light Doctor. We can also make other necessary adjustments to enjoy more daylight and Nature's most beautiful gifts of dawn every morning and dusk every night.

Sleep tight

My favourite advice which provides a reminder that even I need to remove myself from my desk for a 15-20 minute stroll in the garden or a walk round the block to get my body moving. I look up to the sky and wish I could stay outside all day - we love being outside for a reason - it's so healthy and good for us.

Dr Moore-Ede tells us that at a regular time each day, especially in the mornings, and being exposed to natural daylight, is well established as an effective way to keep our circadian rhythms firmly synchronised. Our circadiam rhythms are the most robust when they are tightly synchronised to the natural day-night cycle.

When this is the case, sleep during the night is restorative, mood is improved, alertness and cognitive performance are enhanced, and the immune system's capability to ward off disease is strongest. There are no better reasons to wake up early to greet the dawn or to take time to relax and gaze at a sunset glowing in the sky at the end of a busy day.

It is important to make sure your external lights are as wildlife-friendly as possible as many nocturnal species use the Moon and Stars to navigate and find food. Outside lights are often much brighter than moonlight, introducing an unnatural spectra into the nocturnal landscape.

I hope you enjoy recalibrating your carcadian rhythm by any means possible to enjoy more vitality during the day and a good night's sleep.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

All the following books have helped in some way, and at different times, to cleanse, heal and discover the perfect organic diet to suit my taste, energy needs and lifestyle.

The Light Doctor by Dr Martin Moore-Ede - link to Waterstones (no affiliation)

Healing With Iodine by Dr Mark Sircus - link to ABe books (no affiliation)

[Cu]re Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbins

Nourishing Traditions by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio

Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan

Everyday Āyurveda by Bhaswati Bhattacharya

Cleanse to Heal by Anthony William

Clicking on the above links will take you to my online bookshop where Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold at no extra cost to you - unless otherwise stated.

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A Healing Spice (Saffron)

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 07:30:11 GMT

Saffron is a highly versatile medicinal spice and natural mood booster

A Healing Spice Guide

Saffron is the eleventh spice to feature in my Healing Spice Guide .

Saffron is a powerful symbol of the Sun, representing light, energy and the cycle of dawn and dusk, especially in Hinduism and ancient cultures. Saffron was a symbol for spiritual awakening, purity, sacrifice and the triumph of light over darkness. It was the chosen colour of robes worn by monks and yogis, its vibrancy reflecting the sunrise, signifying new beginnings, divine knowledge, selfless service and unconditional giving.

Saffron comes from the red stigmas ( or threads) of the Crocus Sativus flower. Each flower produces three tiny strands, which must be carefully picked by hand during the A utumn bloom. For centuries, S affron has been used as a culinary spice, a traditional medicine and as a natural dye. You can grow Crocus Sativus bulbs and produce Saffron yourself — authentic and fresh from your own harvest.

Saffron Sativus bulbs are planted in Summer from July through to September. Flowers appear in Autumn from October to November when the three Saffron threads are harvested and dried. With the right soil and a sunny spot, growing Saffron is relatively easy. The bulbs multiply each year to yield a rewarding and sustainable crop.

Saffron has long been known to ease depression , and improve cognitive function and heart health due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds .

I hope you enjoy the healing benefits of Saffron - a wonderful addition for herbal teas and culinary dishes for your general good health, happiness and wellbeing.

Folklore

It is believed that Saffron originated from a Crocus species that grew wild in Greece and was selected and domesticated in Crete during the late Bronze Age.

According to Greek myth, Saffron originated from a tragic romance between the mortal Crocus who fell hopelessly in love with the nymph Smilax. The gods turned him into the crocus flower when his love went unreturned and since then, Saffron has symbolised both passion and longing.

Legend tells us that Cleopatra added Saffron to her milk baths to keep her skin radiant. It was believed to have aphrodisiac effects where a pinch of Saffron was enough to channel her legendary charm.

Around 500 BC, the cultivation of S affron spread from Persia to eastern India where, after Siddhartha Gautama's death, it was decided that the robes of the title class of Buddhist priests should forever be coloured using spices such as Turmeric or Gamboge Resin. This created the same deep yellow to orange hue as Saffron, although this expensive spice was not used for dying clothes.

The resulting saffron robes symbolised a detachment from materialism. The process of dying the cloth that was steeped in dye, dried in the Sun, and dipped repeatedly, sometimes dozens of times, over a period of days, symbolised their slow and deliberate life.

In Medieval times, Saffron was precribed by physicians for ailments from coughs to melanchol y. Simply smelling Saffron was said to lift the spirits, although they warned that too much might make you laugh yourself to death.

Nutrition

Saffron has a distinct flavour that comes from chemical compounds in it such as picrocrocin and safranal . Even though it comes from a flower, its taste is not simply floral, it’s a layered mix of earthy, honey-like sweetness with subtle bitterness and hints of dried fruit, hay, and smoke.

The best quality Saffron contains over 25 different aromatic compounds that contribute to its distinctive profile. This is why it is considered to be a prized ingredient in cuisines from India to Italy as there is no substitute for its distinctive flavour. Saffron also contains a natural carotenoid chemical compound called crocin , responsible for its golden-yellow hue.

Saffron is an excellent source of minerals including copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. The human body uses manganese and copper to release iron which is essential for red blood cell production.

Additionally, it is also rich in many vital vitamins, including vitamin-A, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin-C that is essential for optimum health.

Saffron is incredibly versatile and is used to flavour and colour rice dishes. It pairs well with seafood, legumes and fried fish.

Remedies

Saffron contains several plant-derived chemical compounds known to have antioxidant, disease preventing and health promoting properties.

The flower pistils contain several essential volatile oils, the most important being safranal which gives Saffron its pleasant flavour. Other volatile oils include cineole , phenethenol , pinene , borneol , geraniol , limonene, p-cymene , linalool , terpinen-4-oil and more.

Saffron contains other carotenoids or antioxidants such as zeaxanthin , lycopene and carotenes which help to protect the body from oxidant-induced stress, cancers and infections. It was used for many therapeutic applications in traditional medicines due to its antiseptic, antidepressant, antioxidant, digestive and anti-convulsant properties.

Saffron Herbal Tea

Saffron Herbal tea is easy to make and provides benefits for your physical and mental health.

Take 3-5 threads of whole Saffron (or a pinch of dried) Saffron.
Bring 8oz (1 cup) of filtered water to the boil.
Add a large slice of fresh Ginger (optional) and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Strain and serve into a cup or mug, add a slice of fresh Lemon and Raw Honey to taste.
When you have finished your drink, you can top up with water for another round.

Recipes

Saffron is a versatile spice that pairs well with apples, almonds, Cardamom, honey, poultry, bone broth, milk, cream, ice cream, Cinnamon, lamb, chorizo, seafood, garlic, white wine, apple cider vinegar, rose water, citrus fruits, rice pudding, and cakes flavoured with rosewater or almond.

Saffron enhances many a rice dish including paella, risotto alla Milanese and Indian biryani. It adds flavour and depth to vegetables including potatoes, carrots, fennel, onions, garlic, eggplant and peas.

A wonderfully nostalgic, creamy and warming Saffron dessert is just the thing for a healthy treat on a cold Winter's day.

Saffron & Cardamon Rice Pudding

50 gms x Basmati Rice
2.2 lts x whole Milk (or Raw Milk)
3-5 threads or a pinch x Saffron
1 pod x Green Cardamom
6 tbsp x Soft Light Brown Sugar
15g x Flaked Almonds (toasted)
Finely chopped Nuts to garnish

Directions

Soak the rice in enough water to just cover it for 10 minutes.
Heat the milk with the Saffron threads and crushed Cardamom Seeds in a deep pan and let it come to a boil.
Drain the water from the rice and add the rice to the milk.
On a low heat, cook the rice uncovered for 2-2½ hours at a gentle simmer, stirring regularly to break up the rice and ensure that it doesn’t stick to the bottom. The milk will gradually reduce to about 1/4 of its original volume.
After the rice and the milk have thickened to a thin porridge consistency, add the sugar and the flaked almonds. Continue to cook on a low heat for about 5-10 minutes, stirring often so that no lumps form.
Serve hot or cold scattered with more crushed cardamom, if required.

SOURCE : Olive Magazine - Saffron & Cardamon Rice Pudding

I hope you enjoyed this post about the healing and health benefits Saffron, a spice with so much to give bringing many benefits to our health and wellbeing. Thank you for following this ongoing series of remarkable spices.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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New Snow Moon in Capricorn - Sunday 18 January

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 07:30:04 GMT

New Snow Moon

A new lunar cycle, energetically aligned;

On the cusp of the wax, a new phase in time;

Heartfelt intentions, plant seeds that grow;

On solid foundations, as above, so below.

New Snow Moon

At the peak of Winter's chill, snowflakes bloom;

Hunters haunted by the sliver of a Hunger Moon;

Cubs nestle into Mother-fur, tiny heads down;

Stories of survival, before Spring comes around.

New Snow Moon

Air sparkles as the frost takes hold, inky night sky;

Stars twinkle in a universal orchestra of light;

Breath swirls in clouds, face numb, eyes bright;

Manifesting magic, in a world of loving light.

New Snow Moon

A spiritual time to spend with the 'you' inside;

Reflect on your tenacity, your courage and charm;

Be kind to yourself, embrace your inner child;

Be the wholeness you are, release your power.

New Snow Moon

Planets housed in Capricorn, bring all the strength we need;

To make strategic plans, to step on up and take the lead;

With a deep intuitive knowing, a feeling in the air;

We live life to the full and make a difference while we are here.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Hunter Gatherer

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:30:02 GMT

Gathering Nature's treasures for health, mindfulness and enjoyment

Gathering treasures is good for the soul;

It's in our blood to hunt and roam;

To step out into the great unknown;

Into the wild, Nature's home sweet home.

Ancestral cousins of old, once stood;

On this very earth, blue skies above;

Purveying the landscape for food and wood;

Searching for sustenance and all things good.

Collecting sweet berries, roots and herbs;

Eyes sharp, knowing what to pick and preserve;

Nature's gifts of seeds, nuts, wild grain and flowers;

For nutrition, energy, life-force and power.

I search for feathers, pine cones and moss;

Pebbles with patterns, acorns with hats;

An old branch with lichen, a twisted branch;

Treasures to nurture and never lost.

Foraging is a natural, fun pursuit;

Out in the fresh air, walking on foot;

Dissolving stress, enhancing mood;

Purposeful engagement to feel renewed.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Herb (Tarragon)

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:30:00 GMT

A herb used for pain relief, blood sugar regulation and digestion

A Healing Herb Guide

Tarrogan is the twentieth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

The word tarragon is derived from the Latin word, dracunculus, meaning ' a little dragon' and is thought to be native to Siberia, Mongolia and Eurasia. Tarragon, also known as Dragonswort, Dragon’s Mugwort, Wyrmwort or Little Dragon. It is no surprise that this beautiful and often overlooked herb, with its abundance of slender, smooth-edged, glossy green leaves, at home in a warm climate, is a member of the Sunflower family.

There are three types of Tarragon:

French Tarragon - a perennial that can only be grown through cuttings and dies down in Winter, often disappearing completely to come back to life in Spring; a mild aniseed flavour and a bit sweeter and more flavoursome than Russian Tarragon; has a numbing effect on the tip of the tongue when biting into a leaf.
Russian Tarragon - can be propagated from seed (unlike Franch Tarragon); considered by some to be tasteless and a bit on the bitter side; leaves are harvested when young before the bitter tones start to dominate.
Mexican Tarragon - a perennial also known as Winter Tarragon, Sweet Mace and Sweet Marigold; similar taste to French Tarragon with small, golden yellow flowers appearing at the end of the Summer which turn to seed.

Tarragon was introduced to England in the 15th century when it was grown in royal garden for its powerful medicinal qualities and culinary flavour. In was used as a remedy to treat digestive issues, toothaches, fevers and even rabies. Due to the rise in French and Italian cooking towards the end of the Middle Ages, Tarragon became a popular herb for enhancing meat dishes and savoury sauces. In folklore, the symbolic dragonwort name was linked to warding off evil.

Tarragon is said to have been introduced by the Mongols during invasions during the 10th-13th-centuries as they expanded out of Central Asia. They most likely brought the herb to Europe as they used it for themselves. It then spread around the world via traders and crusaders. Today, it's grown in Eurasia and North America with major cultivation in America, Europe and Australia,

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Tarrogon - a medicinal, culinary and fragrant herb that will serve you well in support of your general good health, healing and wellbeing.

Folklore

Throughout the centuries, Tarragon has been used to ease poor digestion, intestinal problems, nausea, flatulence, hiccups, rheumatism, gout and arthritis. It was also used to soothe the pain of toothaches.

In the Middle Ages, Tarragon was used for the treatment of fevers, colds and digestive issues.T hrough the Georgian era, many believed that Tarragon could heal snake bites and ward off serpents and dragons hence it's Latin name meaning a little dragon. This may have been established because of Tarrogan's gnarled, rather serpentine, roots.

In the 14th century, Tarragon was introduced to France from Italy by St Catherine of Siena. Historical records show it was recorded in medieval writings as a medicinal herb. Catherine popularised the culinary use of Tarragon in an early form of French Cuisine which was blended with recipes and ingredients from her Persian origins.

Traditionally used to ease menstrual tension and assist in labour, Tarragon was considered a women’s herb and was named after the protector of women – the goddess Artemis - as reflected in its botanical name, artemisia dracunculus.

Remedies

The essential oil of Tarragon can be used in remedies for the effective treatment of a variety of ailments. The active ingredients found within Tarragon essential oil degrade quickly so you need to use it quickly and store it correctly.

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses Tarragon to strengthen and protect the liver which means it's ideal for making a Herbal Tea that can be sipped at intervals throughout the day.

French Tarragon Herbal Tea

This simple way to to enjoy a herbal tea that comes with many healing benefits. It helps to ease digestion, stimulate appetite and soothe cramps. It also helps with relaxation, improving sleep, managing blood sugar and easing pain. Adding some fresh Ginger provides an immediate cure for indigestion. You will need:

A few springs x fresh French Tarragon (or 1-2 teaspoons dried)
8 oz of simmering filtered water
A small stick of fresh grated Ginger

Directions

Bring the water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan and pour over fresh leaves.
Steep for five minutes.
Strain into a large up or mug, add raw honey to taste and enjoy.

Recipes

Tarragon Herb Vinegar

This delicious and flavoursome herb vinegar is made by steeping a large handful of the soft tops of French Tarragon to organic apple cidar vinegar for a week. After this time, remove the herbs and strain into a glass bottle. Store in a cool dark place and use for salad dressings, savoury meat dishes and stews, and marinades.

Béarnaise Sauce

A drizzle of this rich creamy sauce enhances any savoury dish and, in particular, an organic steak! Its a smoothe, buttery and glossy classic that comes with a sweet and subtle anise flavour from the fresh Tarragon. It can be made in less than 20 minutes.

Bearnaise Sauce

½ cup x organic, grass-fed Unsalted Butter
½ cup x Tarragon Herb Vinegar (see above)
3 x organic, free-range egg yolks
1 tsp x fresh Lemon Juice
¼ tsp x Celtic Sea Salt
2 large tbs x finely chopped French Tarragon leaves

How to make

Gently melt the butter in a small saucepan.
In a high-speed blender, blend the egg yolks, herb vinegar, lemon juice and salt for 5 seconds until smoothe and combined.
Set the blender speed to medium-high and slowly pour in the hot butter through the top lid cap opening.
Continue blending until all the butter has been added and the mixture has emulsified.
Pour the sauce into a bowl, stir in the finely chopped Tarragon and serve while still warm.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Tarragon which can be grown outside in pots during the Summer and brought inside for protection during the Summer months. Another versatile addition to your fresh herb collection for your good health and wellbeing.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Things to do in Nature in January

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:30:01 GMT

Ways to get closer to Nature in the cold month of January

Feed the birds

One of the most important things we can do is put out plenty of wild food suitable for birds through January. Don't forget to leave fresh filtered water and make sure to clear away any ice so that they can drink freely from bird baths and bowls. With natural food stocks so low, this can be a life-saver for our feathered friends during the colder months.

Birds require high-energy (high quality fat) foods during cold weather to maintain their fat reserves. They need this to survive the frosty nights so make sure you use authentic natural wild bird food without any additives and leave out only high quality bird-friendly food and scraps.

Remove any unwanted food regularly and keep your feeders, water bowls and bird baths clean. Top up bowls and bird baths with fresh filtered water. Remember to break the ice on frosty mornings.

Find further information about what and when to feed your garden birds on the RSPB website - When to Feed Garden Birds .

Enjoy a refreshing walk

Some of my favourite places for long leisurely walks in Devon include national forests , ancient woodlands , coastal paths , moorland tors , healthland and rivers .

Walking is a wonderful way to release tension, tune into the natural rhythm of Nature and feel gratitude for the natural world that sustains us all through the year.

Take in the natural light

To keep our spirits up and allow our body to make Vitimin D naturally during the coldest months of the year, it is important to take in daylight during the day so that our eyes can absorb essential light from the low-lying Sun.

The quality of the light in January is different from any other month of the year, especially on a misty morning . With low lying clouds glowing as the dawn rises with dew on the grass glistening with frost, it is a pleasure to behold. Everything is fresh, cool, clean and bright, the light glows red to white and it's a beautiful way to start the day.

Natural light is essential for eye health. It helps the human body to produce Vitamin D required to regulate calcium absorption, contributing to the development and maintenance of healthy eyesight. We are often deficient in Vitimin D at this time of year so getting enough daylight everyday is important.

All in all, Natural light plays an important role in slowing down the aging process and improving our vision, especially as we admire a far-away landscape, gaze up at the clouds or watch a bird flying high in the sky.

I hope you find some interesting and creative ways to spend time in Nature this month and look forward to sharing more ideas with you for February 2026.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Full Wolf Supermoon in Cancer - Saturday 3 January

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 07:30:02 GMT

Full Wolf Supermoon

Supermoon, biggest, brightest start to the year;

As wild Wolves howl in the Northern Hemisphere;

Connecting with their pack, mobilising hunts for Deer;

At the energetic peak of the cycle, nothing to fear.

Full Wolf Supermoon

Near perigee, closest to its closest point, overt;

On its epic, elliptical orbit around the Earth;

Appearing full for days, for us to relish and observe;

Trust your instincts, set intentions for the New Year.

Full Wolf Supermoon

Symbol of intuition, inner strength and change;

Cancer brings intensity, deeply emotional waves;

Use heightened sensitivity, to creatively engage;

Wrap your comforts around you, a loving embrace.

Full Wolf Supermoon

A time to cleanse, recalibrate and throw away your fears;

Sadness can be alchemised, doubts completely cleared;

Stay grounded, find firm footing, in a bid to be prepared;

For your unfolding transformation, no need to rush ahead.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome January (Almanac 2026)

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Dates and seasonal ideas to bring you closer to Nature in January

WELCOME JANUARY

January is the time to enjoy the beauty of early morning mists, crisp frosts and rainy days, as Nature cleanses the Earth and we welcome in the first month of the year.

This month's Almanac contains key dates and seasonal events to help you stay in sync with Nature's natural cycle with some intersting things that symbolise the season and bring us closer to the natural world around us.

Moon phases

Saturday 3 January - FULL WOLF SUPERMOON in Cancer
Sunday 18 January - NEW SNOW MOON in Capricorn

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Sunday 1 January - Sunrise (8.16 am) - Sunset (4.21 pm)
Friday 31 January - Sunrise (7.52 am) - Sunset (5.05 pm)

Zodiac Signs

Capricorn - December 22 to January 19
Aquarius - January 20 to February 18

January's flower - Snowdrops

The name, Snowdrop, is derived from it genus name, galanthus , which combines the Greek words gala (milk) and anthos (flower) relating to the flower’s pure white appearance. Snowdrops are thought to bring the promise of abundance, or following loss or misfortune, they represent compassion and forgiveness.

This beautiful, delicate flower is often one of the first flowers to appear through the snow in late Winter bringing a fresh energy of optimism and beauty into the world.

January's birthstone - Garnets

Garnet is a beautiful stone with a deep red hue and naturally occuring colours including greens, yellows and blues. It can range in appearance from completely opaque to transparent and, in folkore, it was used to protects its wearer from enemies, illness and bad dreams.

Known for its healing properties, Garnet was viewed as a symbol of love and friendship and as a way to provide protection and enhance healing energy.

January's Folklore

Fog in January brings a wet Spring.
A favourable January brings us a good year.
If grass grows in January, it will grow badly the whole year.
A summerish January, a winterish Spring.
As the day lengthens, the cold strengthens.

January's Quote

January is my favorite month, when the light is plainest, least coloured. And, I like the feeling of beginnings.

Anne Truitt

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through January for your good health, happiness and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 February 2026.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

[Cu]re Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbins

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 01:11:14 GMT

The power of minerals to boost energy and reverse chronic illness

[Cu]re Your Fatigue is another seminal book that speaks the truth due to an author's diligence in digging deep to find 'hidden' (and rigorous) scientific research that, time and time again, goes against the grain of what we have been told by both the medical and food industries throughout our lives. I have listed other such books below and hope that the revelations shared here will give you another perspective on creating optimum health and wellbeing.

[Cu]re Your Fatigue is a facinating, knowlege-based book that uncovers hidden science and treatments that have been supressed by medical giants, health professionals and the food industry for many years and for clearly nefarious purposes.

This book, and all that has been achieved as a result of its findings, stands on mountains of scientific evidence that has been witheld in a bid to continually sell synthetic products, medicines and repeat prescriptions that fail to cure anyone and in many cases perpetuate ill health and dis-ease across the world.

We have all been led to believe that all kinds of illnesses are the natural result of aging but as increasingly younger generations fall ill or suffer some kind of debhilitating health or mental health issues, the time has come to question the belief in consumer-driven 'convenience' lifestyles propped up by allopathic medicine. This is when we turn to authors like Morley to discover how we can cure ourselves and keep ourselves healthy by making the necessary changes required.

Often the most surprising realisation is that what we choose to eat and how we choose to live our lives are the most critical factors when it comes to achieving full health. It means being aware of (and protecting ourselves from) the constant bombardment of invisible toxins and low frequency energies that permeate our bodies and our environment on a daily basis. It means being vigilent and discerning about what we eat and drink - and which products we bring into our homes and our lifestyle - if we want to achieve optimum health and keep it that way.

I will share some of the most telling and helpful insights below and I hope this will inspire you to want to read more. [Cu]re Your Fatigue is another book that hones in on the truth about health in the particular area of natural minerals.

This follows similar books I have reviewed about how the heart and blood work (and how to look after them); why we nead to top up with mineral-rich Sea Salt throughout the day and eliminate refined salt that causes harm (as does refined sugar, refined flour, processed vegetable oils and mass-produced non-foods); and how to adopt a traditionally nourishing and wholesome diet which is a fantastic recipe book that Morley also recommends.

See the end of this post for some of the books that have helped me to improve my health and perfect my diet over the years.

[Don't] follow the money

Morley M Robbins is a the creator and founder of the Root Cause Principle and is affectionately known as Magnesium Man due to his extensive research and understanding of magnesium’s role in the body. Morley was able to decipher the intricate relationship between magnesium, iron, copper and calcium as a way to free ourselves from illness and disease.

Having worked in mainstream medicine as a hospital executive and consultant for 32 years, Morley developed a condition called frozen shoulder for which his family doctor quickly recommended surgery. When friends who owned a health food store encouraged him to try chiropractic care he told them he didn't do witchcraft.

Several months later, the pain was worse and after a couple of weeks of light touch chiropractic care , Morley's shoulder had full range of motion once again. The experience was life-changing and he left the world of hospital administration to learn more.

It took years to study and make connections between hundreds of non-mainstream scientific studies to discover that magnesium deficiency, or insufficiency, caused many common modern illnesses due to its central role in activating 3,751 proteins together with thousands of enzyme systems. Morley also discovered how energy is made at the cellular level, the critical role of copper in [cu]ring fatigue, how excess, unbound iron fuels inflammation, the truth about stress and how to restore balance using the Root Cause Protocol.

This represents a holistic approach to health that takes into account how all the elements of the body work together, rather than limiting the focus to isolated nutrients or conditions. It works by restoring the body's balance of magnesium, copper and iron so that they can work together to optimise energy, improve health and increase vitality.

Much of this protocol involves eating the right food, not eating convenient yet harmful food substitues and living a healthy lifestyle. Looking back on the start of his education at the University of Texas Health Science Centre in Houston, Morley realised he had only received about one to two hours of nutrition training during his entire four years at medical school. He remembered that the treatment recommended by the cardiologist putting slides up on the board showing a reversal of coronary artery disease, was not statins or beta blockers, it was nutrition.

Morley went on to realise that, we physicians have reached a plateau in our ability to manage chronic disease and get results using the convential tools of our trade. More than that, his change of course was driven by the fact that there had to be something more to healthcare than symptom management using pharmaceautical drugs . [Cu]re Your Fatigue is testament to the fact that there is, and he was absolutely right.

Joining the dots

Morley is clear to state that his discoveries do not imply that he first discovered the scientific findings, rather his discovery of medical literature over the last hundred years whose findings have been ignored by mainstream medical science. The sheer weight of his discoveries revealed the result of ongoing human errors and worse, the result of a more nefarious agenda, one designed to prevent us from achieving the optimal health and abundant energy we all deserve.

The first part of the clue revealed that prior to this time, Earth's atmosphere was a reducing atmosphere in which oxidation (or rusting) was prevented by natural mechanisms that remove oxygen, the primary one being iron oxides in the land and the oceans. Over a billion years ago, this caused the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) which caused 99 percent of species to die out.

The second part of the clue revealed that it was copper that saved the day and enabled life to continue because of it's unique ability to turn one molecule of exygen into two molecules of water without producing any oxidative exhaust. Today, the Earth's atmosphere is composed of nearly 21 percent oxygen which makes copper essential as all life on this planet must have copper to survive.

This translates into the need for us to take in a sufficient amount of cooper to mobilise and circulate the iron in our body so that it can carry oxygen to our organs, tissues, cells and the microchondria that produces energy . Without copper, iron becomes immobilised and stuck in the tissue which causes a rise in oxidative stress from failed energy production and failed oxidant elimination.

A huge problem is that tests carried out by the health service only measure iron levels in the blood - not excess iron stored in the tissues. This invariably leads to a recommendation of increassing iron uptake through foods, oral supplements and/or intrevenous iron transfusions. The real issue, however, is a lack of bioavailable copper, not a lack of iron, because copper is essential to activate ferroportin, the only known exporter of iron from cells to the blood.

You can see the detail that this book goes into and this is the tip of the iceburg as Morley goes on to explain the keys to having more energy which include cellular respiration, the vital function of mitochondria, copper as the ultimate engine, the importance of magnesium to make cells work properly, the need for us to take in plenty of sunlight and the critical role of cholesterol as a govenor to regulate how much oxygen passes through the cell membranes into the cells.

As a sidenote, the many notations I made in the margins of this book repeati the words: the beauty and perfection of Nature. These notes represent the dots (or clues) that Morley found and joined together, one by one, to reveal the most remarkable synchronicity of workings being coordinated every moment of our lives in our own human body.

Stops and starts

It comes as a relief to know the truth about how things work inside us and to understand how we can facilitate the natural workings of our body rather than cause blockages and harm that can be prevented. The beauty of improving your diet and creating amore healthy lifestyle is that it doesn't have to be expensive. It takes time to unlearn what we have learned, learn what we need to know and make changes accordingly.

This is where [Cu]re Your Fatigue is so helpful (and generous) in providing both indepth knowledge and practical solutions. Morley provides comprehensive lists of things to STOP taking, including synthetic supplements or food additives including iron, vitimin D3 and C, calcium, zinc, molybdenum and others that cause more harm than good.

Other items to eliminate from your diet are the usual mass-produced culprits including refined wholefoods, corn syrups, sugar and artificial sweeterners, vegetable oils, flouride (in water and toothpaste), colloidal silver and heavily processed low fat foods.

Then there are the STARTS which start with basic foundations and alternatives, traditional and nutritious organic wholefoods and wholefood supplements that support the healthy functioning of the body the importance of eating copper and vitimin-rich rich foods such as grass-fed liver and beef, organic eggs, raw milk, grass-fed butter, organic bee pollen and organic cod liver oil.

Daily schedules for each phase are provided with extra chapters on the dangers of synthetic vitimins, how vitimin D is actually made and how certain nutrients need to be taken together (and when) for best effect.

Ways to banish stress

My favourite section comes under the importance of managing stress which is one of the most beneficial things you can do to maintain good health. It ties in with many things we have talked about on Spiral Leaf so here is a brief recap:

Take a walk - a most effective way to excerice, take in the natural light and create space for creativity
Smile - when we smile our brain's happiness circuitry is immediately activated which lifts our mood
Meditate - being still lowers heart/respiration rates and removes harmful stress hormones like cortisol
Laugh - genuine laughter reduces stress and stress-related hormones while boosting immune function
Breathe - take ten deep breaths, inhale and exhale through the nose to keep stress at bay
Take a break - stand up to stretch or step out for fresh air and natural light to increase energy levels
Spend time with loved ones - those with strong social connections live longer so reach out to a loved one today

I hope you enjoyed learning about the remarkable functioning of the human body and what you need to do to return to good health and stay healthy. I highly recommend this book having incorporated some of the protocols to great effect.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

All the following books have helped in some way, and at different times, to cleanse, heal and discover the perfect organic diet to suit my taste, envergy needs and lifestyle.

[Cu]re Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbins

Nourishing Traditions by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio

Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan

Everyday Āyurveda by Bhaswati Bhattacharya

Cleanse to Heal by Anthony William

Clicking on any of the above links will take you to my online bookshop where Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold at no extra cost to you.

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A Healing Spice (Star Anise)

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:28:21 GMT

Star Anise relieves colds, upset digestion and respiratory conditions

A Healing Spice Guide

Star Anise is the tenth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Star Anise is a spice that grows as a small fruit from an evergreen tree originating from Southern China and Vietnam since ancient times. This elegant star-shaped spice with its bold licorice-like aroma holds a special place in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and is used to flavour European liqueurs or add flourish to fusion cuisine that blends different culinary traditions, ingredients and techniques to create unique dishes enjoyed across the world.

In the 17th century, Star Anise became popular in Europe where it was transported via Portuguese and Dutch trade routes. Initially, it was used for its medicinal properties in herbal remedies for colic, coughs and indigestion, in tonics and tinctures, and as an essential oil used for healing balms and perfumes.

Star Anise is a tree related to the Magnolia family with fruits harvested and dried for their scent, flavour and medicinal qualities. These are fast-growing evergreen trees with a ten foot spread. The leaves are lance-shaped in a pale olive green colour with cup-shaped, soft yellow blooms. The fruits are star-shaped and green when under-ripe, or brown and woody when ripe. Each is composed of six to eight carpels, within which lies a seed.

Star Anise makes an excellent hedge or stand-alone plant, although it has no tolerance for frost and cannot be grown in the colder climates. However, if you have a spot that enjoys full Sun to partial shade during the day in a warmer climate, you will have no problems, and it can be grown in full shade.

Star Anise is a culinary spice used to flavour meat and poultry dishes as well as sweet confections. It is one of the main ingredients in the traditional Chinese seasoning, Five-Spice. Its sweet scent is a perfect pairing for rich duck recipes, pork dishes and currey.

Said to be ten times sweeter than sugar due to the presence of the compound anethole , the flavour can be compared to licorice with a hint of Cinnamon and Clove . This makes it excellent for breads, cakes and pastries including the traditional Czechoslovakian bread, Vanocka , which is made around Easter and Christmas time.

I hope you enjoy the healing and immunity boosting benefits of Star Anise - a wonderful addition to natural remedies, hot drinks and herbal teas for your general good health, happiness and wellbeing.

Folklore

Star Anise when dried is the perfect shape and size for a protection amulet. It was used to take away bad energies and negative influences, to eliminate obstacles and open the way to new paths. This striking spice was said to remove the Evil Eye and take away nightmares, and served as a watertight energy cleaner.

The distinct aroma of the Star Anise was said to increase inner strength and bring out psychic powers. Its essential oils and scent made it easier to reach a state of calm meditation. Each star-shaped pod holds a narrative of healing, discovery and innovation, forming a bridge between the ancient and modern, the East and the West.

In spiritual practices, Star Anise was (and still is) used to deepen meditation and connection with the divine. The starry shape with shiny seeds nestled in their perfect pods form a symbol of divination, used to awaken intuitive gifts, enhance dreamwork and facilitate high states of consciousness and connection with high frequency guides.

Star Anise is a spice with deep roots in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. It has been used for thousands of years not only for flavouring food but also for its healing benefits. Originally from Vietnam and China as a key ingredient for soup broths, spice blends and health remedies, Star Anise continues to be a versatile and valuable ingredient in kitchens and medicine cabinets across the globe.

Nutrition

Star Anise is l oaded with natural antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols which help protect cells from everyday damage caused by stress, pollution, and aging.

Although not considered to be a significant source of food, Star Anise is rich in medicinal compounds such as shikimic acid (used to combat flu), anethole and linalool , plus antioxidants, flavonoids and minerals ( iron, calcium, magnesium and copper ) with antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Star Anise should be used cautiously due to its potential toxicity in high doses. Always use as directed and make sure to seek advice or do you own research when using for healing purposes.

Star Anise can be confused with Anise Seed as they have a similar flavour. They come from different plants and are used for different purposes. Anise Seed is smaller and more commonly used in European and Middle Eastern cooking.

Remedies

Star Anise is widely used in aromatherapy for its calming and soothing properties. When combined with a pure and natural carrier oil such as Jojoba Oil, it is used externally to relax the body, soothe the skin, reduce stress, promote relaxation and relieve muscle tension.

The essential oils in Star Anise provide antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects which help to improve skin health and vitality. It is also known to support healthier, youthful-looking skin by reducing inflammation and encouraging cellular renewal. You can make your own exterior skin balm by the following receipe.

Star Anise Massage Oil

Gather your ingredients, equipment and glass storage jar:

Star Anise Pods - 5-10 whole star anise pods (fresh or dried)
Organic Carrier Oil - 1 cup (coconut oil, cold-pressed virgin olive oil or jojoba oil work well)
Sterlised Glass Jar with lid - Thoroughly wash jar and lid in hot soapy water and rinse well before gently drying in a pre-heated oven (140°C (275°F) or Gas Mark 1) on a baking tray for about 15-20 minutes.
Strainer or cheesecloth - To filter out the pods from your oil before storing.
Funnel - to transfer oil into your sterlised glass jar.

Follow these five steps to make and store your oil:

Crush the Star Anise Pods
Use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to crush the pods and release the aromatic compounds.
Heat the Carrier Oil
Heat the oil in a small saucepan or Bain Marie (double boiler) over low heat to extract the essential oil for about 5-10 minutes, Don't let it get too hot, as overheating will damage the beneficial properties.
Infuse the Oil
Add the crushed Star Anise pods to the warm oil and continue to simmer on a low heat for a further 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the essential oils are fully absorbed by the carrier oil. If you want a stronger scent, you can keep the mixture on low heat for up to an hour.
Strain the Oil
Remove from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes before straining the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into your clean glass jar. This will remove the pods and solid pieces of Star Anise to give you a pure aromatic oil.
Store the Oil
Store your homemade oil in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency. The oil can last for several months when stored properly.

I hope you enjoyed this post about the healing and health benefits of Star Anise. Thank you for following this ongoing series with lots more remarkable spices to add the the directory in 2026.

I wish you a very Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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New Wolf Moon in Sagittarius - Saturday 20 December

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:30:02 GMT

New Wolf Moon

Pearlescent, silver crescent Moon, illuminate the lakes;

As a wild, silver-haired Wolf, searches for his mate;

Head back, calling out a lonesome howl, never too late;

Standing tall, on a rugged crest of rocks, at one with fate.

New Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon frequency, evokes our joy, friends, children, family;

Joining together with love, affection, sharing, kindness, loyalty;

We must adapt, dear ones, to bring our dreams into reality;

Embrace preparation, not stagnation, ignite your soul vitality.

New Wolf Moon

On this last lunation, cusp of the Winter Solstice, universally;

Closing a year of planetary challenges, intensity, uncertainty;

Ending the Year of the Snake, clearing out, shedding adversity;

Blending into the Year of the Horse, freedom, intuition, sovereignty.

New Wolf Moon

Sagittarian fire, powerful strengthening of faith, integrity;

Know your potential, follow your own path, raise your energy;

Calibrate your inner compass towards joy, adventure, synergy;

Serve your highest good with truth, honour, humility.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Herb (St John's Wort)

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 21:17:55 GMT

Relieving depression, reducing inflammation and healing the skin

A Healing Herb Guide

St John's Wort is the nineteenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

St John's Wort is a herbaceous plant which is a non-woody plant with soft, green stems that usually die back to the ground each year. With characteristic displays of golden yellow flowers with spectacular stamens, the leaves are elongated ovals that decrease in size to the smallest at the top. They have a kind of perforation which are translucent glands that gave rise to its botanical name which is hypericum perforatum .

Both the flowers and leaves of St. John's Wort have active healing ingredients such as hyperforin . This particular compound acts as a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor which boosts serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels producing a calming effect. It is thought to play a major role in controlling nerve cell hyperactivity associated with anxiety, stress and fear, making it effective for relieving mild depression, anxiety, and low mood by lifting spirits and improving sleep.

Beyond mood, hyperforin has been found to contain antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, making it a powerful healing herbal tea or a tincture or oil to place on the skin.

Making your own teas, tinctures and oils (see below) from fresh flowers picked in the Summer, is the best way to enjoy the full benefits of this incredible medicinal herb.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of St John's Wort - an uplifting herb that will serve you well in support of your general good health, healing and wellbeing.

Folklore

According to indigenous tradition, the herbs and flowers were always collected by the women and the number would be an odd number. Traditionally, only the petals or the entire corolla of St John's Wort would be used and not the stems. It has always been a common garden plant grown by Cherokee Indians to attend things like snakebites, fevers, nosebleeds, menstral disorders and bowel complaints.

One of the most enduring legends is that the plant rose from the blood of St. John the Baptist when he was beheaded, imbuing it with his protective spirit. When rubbed together, the golden yellow petals gradually release a bright red liquid, thought to be the same hue as blood. St. John's Wort was also said to bloom on his birthday which was on the twenty fourth of June.

In Pagen times, as the St John's Wort blooms explode in a haze of petals and stamens around the time of the Summer Solstice, and because they were so revered for their healing properties, various rituals were performed on Midsummer Eve, a time traditionally associated with magic and the supernatural.

St. John's Wort was believed by many to have the power to ward off evil spirits and protect against the evil eye. The flowers were gathered on St. John's Eve to adorn homes for protection. The plants were considered to reveal secrets and provide guidance from spiritual realms, bridging a connection between the natural world and the divine.

With its enchanting folklore and wisdom, it invites us to embrace the sacred in our everyday lives. Whether used for its healing properties or mystical associations, St. John's Wort is a symbol of the interconnection between nature, health, and spirituality.

A vibrant plant like St. John’s Wort, collected and dried at the height of Summer, or made into a healing oil (see below), provides a perfect antidote to the Winter blues or those who suffer from Syndrome of Symptomatic Adult Acetabular Dysplasia (SAD).

Remedies

St. John's Wort flowers make brilliant and beautiful red medicine. They are used to make tea, whole supplements, natural oils and salves. These can be used to relieve a number of symptoms:

Relief for nerve damage and pain
Healing of skin damage and inflammation
Healing of general wounds, cuts and bruises
Relaxing of tense and sore muscles
Relief for depression, low energy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms
Easing of premenstrual syndrome and menopause symptoms

St John's Wort Herbal Tea

The benefits of drinking herbal tea made from St John's Wort flowers include mood enhancement, reduced anxiety, better sleep, reduced inflammation, improved digestive health, reduction in hot flushes during menopause, relief from pre-menstural tension (PMT) and antioxidant protection for cells from damage caused by free radicals.

2-4 tsp (4-8 gms) x fresh St John's Wort flowers (or 1-2 tsp dried)
8 ounces x fresh filtered water
1 tsp x Raw Honey (to taste)

How to make your tea

Bring water to gentle rolling boil in a glass or stainless steel saucepan.
Add the flowers to steep for for 3 to 10 minutes.
For a less bitter infusion, steep for the short time - and add Raw Honey to taste.
For a more effective medicinal brew, steep for longer by reducing to a gentle simmer and covering with a lid to help the tea release its full potential.
Remove the flowers from the water, pour into a cup or mug, add honey and enjoy.

NOTE: You can drink up to 2 to 3 cups a day after meals. You can also use the tea to make compresses and dressings for healing or soothing the skin externally.

Recipes

St John's Wort Oil

The best time to pick St. John’s Wort flowers is on a bright midsummer's day when they at the peak of their bloom. Make sure to avoid roadsides and polluted areas, and only take what you need if the top flowers.

Collect in a basket or large paper bag to use as fresh as soon as possible for the most potent oil.

1 x large glass jar with an airtight lid
1 x large square of straining material - cheese cloth or clean gauze
1 x dark coloured glass storage bottle
1 x cup (30 gms) St. John's Wort - flowers and stamens
1.5 x cup (125 gms) organic carrier oil - cold -ressed virgin olive oi l
Smaller dark glass jars or bottles with lids - add label with ingredients and date

How to make your oil

Dry fresh and cleaned flowers in a shallow bowl. Make sure to check for any hidden bugs. If you leave the bowl in the Sun for 30 minutes, they will naturally crawl out.
Sterililse the glass jar by washing it thoroughly and placing in a preheated oven at 140°C for 15–20 minutes.
When the jar has cooled, fill it ¾ with flowers before pouring in the olive oil.
Press the flowers down gently into the jar to release any air bubbles in the oil.
Seal the jar and place in a warm, sunny spot for 4–6 weeks (traditionally 40 days). The sunlight helps draw out the hypericin, giving the oil its rich ruby-red color.
Check the jar every so often and stir gently. To prevent mould, top up with more oil if the flowers appear above the surface.
After 40 days, when the oil has a deep ruby red color, strain it through the cloth to pour into smaller clean jars or bottles (and lids). Make sure the lids are tightened well.
Store jars or bottles in a cool, dark and dry place. Properly stored, the oil can last up to 1–2 years.

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden, in pots - or found growing in the wild - free to discover and free to forage for your good health.

I hope you enjoy adding St John's Wort to your garden for its abundant displays of golden petals and starry stamens in the Summer, and for all the healing benefits they bring.

Much love

Sue Xx

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The Revenge of Analog by David Sax

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:08:59 GMT

The importance of real things and why they will always matter to us

The Revenge of Analog written by Canadian journalist, David Sax, is a book that explores the growing demand for analogue goods including vinyl records, paper and pen, printed materials, books, film reels and board games in an increasingly digital world. Published in 2017, this book is as relevant today as it was nearly a decade ago, and, rather heartwarmingly, our craving for the tangible and tactile experience of analogue items continues to rise.

Apart from providing fascinating insights into the way analog products are produced and how these old ways of doing things have been revived, I was particularly interested to learn about the health benefits of going analogue and how the use of such items brings us back to Nature and the simple pleasures in life that we have always enjoyed.

Many of us are keenly aware of the fact that s creen time on digital devices encroaches on time that could be spent outdoors enjoying physical experiences in Nature or doing things together, communicating in person and building a sense of community. This disconnection from the real world has been proven to reduce environmental literacy and spatial awareness.

More alarmingly, digital products and services require massive amounts of energy to power devices, networks and data centers, driving emissions, huge water usage for cooling that puts a devastating strain on local supplies, land use with widespread habitat destruction and polluting electronic waste. More recently, this has been exasperated by the move towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) which has led to even greater increases in demands for electricity, water, air and noise pollution and the mining of minerals for components.

Analogue investment

Reasons for investing in analogue experiences are increasingly pertinent as they connect us to Nature in ways we are not perhaps aware of. These include:

Tangible, multi-sensory interactions that encourage mindfulness, presence and a slower pace of life.
Engaging a broader range of senses such as reading a physical book, listening to a vinyl record or handling soil while gardening, provides a rich sensory experience that strengthens our connection to the physical world.
Using a film camera, playing an instrument and spending time in Nature demand our full attention and help us to focus on the present moment providing reprieve from the constant distractions and notifications of digital life.
The deliberate slowness of the analogue experience aligns with the natural rhythms of life and offers an antidote to digital overload and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
The unique imperfections of analogue such as the grain of a film photo or the background noise of a vinyl record, provide textures that feel more real and human than the flawless, sterile outputs of digital technology
Analog interactions generally involve face-to-face engagement, such as playing board games or having a conversation without phones present. This enhances our sense of community and belonging, which is a fundamental aspect of the human experience within the natural world.

One of the most interesting resurgences is that of board games In the British Isles and America, fueled by Board Game Cafés, specialty stores and major events that prove there is an increasing desire for social connection, memorable experiences and a desire for face-to-face interactions.

As David says, playng a board game in a netural environment, transforms the way its players relate to one another. They engage, They speak, They laugh. They embrace vulnerability. This is cruicial because, once we remove ourselves from the flow of physical, messy, untidy life, we become less willing to get out there and take a chance.

Analogue resurgence

The resurgence of analogue over the last ten years represents a cultural shift towards more physical, non-screen-based experiences. This is driven by nostalgia, individual choice, a desire for tactile connection and a pushback against digital saturation which David explores in terms of the booming demand for vinyl records, paper notebooks, film photography, board games and more.

At the time The Revenge of Analog was published, record stores were not only back, but were actually thriving. In fact , v inyl records have seen over sixteen consecutive years of growth in the British Isles alone with Gen Z customers being a significant driver of sales. Over the last decade, the number of vinyl record manufacturers has grown from under 100 plants worldwide in the early 2000s to potentially over 200 today, with America seeing numbers rise from around 15 to 40 plants in the same period.

Younger generations are setting the trend in their natural desire to seek authenticity, a sense of personal identity, ritual, and a deeper, more meaningful way to consume art and media. This does not mean a rejection of technology and the need for smartphones, it's more about rebalancing digital and physical aspects of life where the analogue experience offers more tangible art, a deeper focus and memorable experiences that can be shared.

For those with an interest, The Return of Analog provides detailed insights into the difficulties of rediscovering old plants, reclaiming and repairing equipment. The highly variable nature of the process requires a heavy human touch. To invest so much time, money and energy in the production of vinyl records (and old fashiioned film), requires a certain passion that requires an appreciation for authenticity and the knowledge that such items provide consumers with a genuine sense of ownership over the music which translates into pride.

Ignite your analogue

One of the most interesting revelations of The Revenge of Analog is that the digital world values analog more than anyone where those who work in digital technology harbour a deep passion for analog things .

On futher investigation, David found that Silicon Valley was awash with analogue interventions including meditation as a personal growth activity, open office floor plans to increase real-time conversations, writing on whiteboards to bring engineers out from behind their screens, and a proliferation of Moleskine diaries, limited-edition notebooks and high quality business cards that provide a tangible way to exchange contact details and make a lasting impression.

There is an irony here that cannot be overlooked. The fact that every digital innovtation starts on paper, often as a rough sketch that can be produced far quicker than opening up a laptop or a computer sketch pad that takes a long time to learn how to use. The fact is that digital corporations are not embracing analog because it's cool, they are doing it because analog proves the most efficient, productive way to conduct business.

So, if you can see the sense in reverting back to a more analogue existence, here are just a few ways you can redress the balance:

Use a classic alarmoclock and analogue wrist watch.
Establish screen-free areas/times in the home such as bedrooms, dining areas and living rooms.
Carry a book to read and a journal or notebook with a favourite pen or fountain pen.
Read physical books and magazines for the tactile experience of turning pages to improve comprehension and focus.
Write with pen to paper, send hand-written letters or postcards to friends, clients and family members.
Take up an analogue hobby such as such as gardening, drawing, painting, knitting, crocheting or woodworking.
Invite friends round for a board game party or find your local Board Game Café.
Spend more time in Nature.
Cook something from raw and wholesome ingredients (remember that organic is always best ).
Listen to music on a vinyl record or snap some pictures on an analogue camera to see what might transpire.

I hope you enjoy becoming more analogue for all the benefits it brings and I look forward to seeing you next time.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Revenge of Analog by David Sax

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Full Cold Supermoon in Gemini - Thursday 4 December

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:30:01 GMT

Full Cold Supermoon

Shining down on frozen ground, stillness illuminated;

Frost glistening on leafpiles, coloured pigments luminous;

As the Cold Supermoon looms large, the Earth in parity;

The night is long for seeking inner truth and clarity.

Full Cold Supermoon

Cold weather brings friendship and reflection;

Energy infused, a desire for deeper connections;

Grateful for our blessings, comfort, food and safety;

Sink into your emotions, let the flood gates open.

Full Cold Supermoon

Harbinger of light and truth, expectancy, excitement;

Manifesting dreamtime, the dreaming of abundance;

Energise your innate power of innocence, vulnerability;

Be true to yourself and treat all others with humility.

Full Cold Supermoon

Gemini brings curiosity, quick wit, flashes of insight;

Sagittarius, the urge to think, to reach out and communicate;

It's time to pause, release old patterns, set the best intensions;

Greet all that rises up with understanding and affection.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome December (Almanac 2025)

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:30:05 GMT

Dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in December

WELCOME DECEMBER

At the start of December, we can already feel the cold setting in. I love this time of year on sunny days with clear blue skies, not quite chilly enough for gloves and scarves but chilly enough for an extra jumper and a warm coat. Breathing in the fresh air and feeling it permeate your body is like an inner cleanse and we should all endeavour to spend time outside for the goodness these natural elements provide for us.

From 21st December on the Winter Solstice, days will start to lengthen by a few seconds each day. This will steadily increase until hours of daylight extends by 3 minutes each day from March.

The emergence of the Cold Moon in December occurs just less than a week before the Winter Solstice. This marks the longest night of the year when we can gaze at the stars and take time to be still so that we can reflect on the year behind us and allow our hearts to reveal our true purpose for the coming year.

Now is a good time to look out for Long Tailed Tits who roost together for warmth on tree branches or pack themselves snuggly into nests built in hedges, bushes, brambles patches or thickets. They have the softest and light twittering and trilling with high-pitched contact calls in between. Despite being one of the smallest garden birds in the British Isles, they have beautifully long tails for their size and a small round body of fine, fluffy feathers.

Like so many birds in Winter, our provision of Wild Bird Food and Wild Bird Cakes (see below). Remember to at least provide fresh filtered water as this plays an essential role in protecting our feathered friends through the coldest months.

In the undergrowth, you may spot a Water Vole, Field Mouse or Shrew darting along their hidden tracks, still very active collecting food for the Winter and making their burrows below ground snug and comfortable. Or you may see a Fox trotting across the bleak landscape in the countryside, curcuiting his territory, hunting for food for cubs waiting for them in dens made in thick cover, hollow logs or rocky crevices.

The Fox is a quintissential character of the English countryside, known for swiftness of thought and action, playfulness and resistence. I wrote a poem called A Fox Runs (by a Fox) that speaks of the dreaded hunt and Hounds who fair no better, exploited for fun by those who consider this to be an essential part of their festive season.

My last poem for the year - Welcome December - speaks of a still and peaceful time of year when we hunker down as the Cold Moon shimmers in the night sky - and when bare trees make shadows on icy fields and Robins hop from branch to branch - ever cheerful, ever strong.

This last Almanac of the year contains key dates and seasonal events to note for the month so that you can stay in sync with Nature's natural cycles with suggestions for ways to benefit from the natural world around you.

Moon Phases

Thursday 4 December - FULL COLD SUPERMOON in Gemini
Wednesday 20 December - NEW WOLF MOON in Sagittarius

Winter Solstice

Sunday 21 December - Northern Hemisphere

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Monday 1 December - Sunrise (7.54am) - Sunset (4.11am)
Wednesday 31 December - Sunrise (8.16am) - Sunset (4.18pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden, especially in preparation for the first frosts which could be as soon as early November for households in places like Edinburgh and Bournemouth, and the beginning of December for those of us living in Devon.

Tend the roses - prune down tall growing bushes by about half to reduce the risk of wind damage to the roots and stems; shorten the branches of standard roses with sharp clean secateurs; plant bare-rooted bushes this month.

Tend to your pots - m ake sure your Winter containers are in a position of full Sun in the garden; keep watering your Winter flowering displays and any evergreen shrubs.

Winter pruning - trim down dormant perennial plants and herbs to a few inches to improve their growth and seed production next season.

Frost-sensitive plants - these can be left in the ground even if they are going to die down as they serve as important sources of food and shelter for Winter-born insects and small wild animals through the Winter.

Frost protection - I use the wonderfully soft and pure wool packaging used in deliveries from my local organic farm , perfect to cut into circles and place around the stems of plants in pots, especially my collection of Roses.

Tidying the garden - it seems like a job that can never be done so enjoy it and relish the exercise in the open air, clear fallen leaves (but make sure to leave some in certain places for creatures to bed down in during the Winter).

Make a Bird Cake

The beauty of making your own cakes for birds that visit your garden during the Winter, is that you have full control over using ingredients that you know to be beneficial - and what to avoid.

Ingredients to avoid

Uncooked Rice
Salted Nuts or any processed foods
Whole Nuts or Fruit (which might choke)
Avocados
Bread or Breadcrumbs
Caffeine
Chocolate
Cookies or Cake (homemade or otherwise)
Dried beans
Vegetable Oils, Butter and Processed Fats
Garlic
Honey
Milk
Mushrooms
Onions
Potato Chips
Raw Meat
Salt
Spoiled Seeds
Cooked Rice
Table Scraps
Xylitol or any other chemical compound (or food sprayed with the same)
Fillers, Preservatives, Colourings, Flavouring and any other additive

Make sure you check sources of ingredients as those above can be highly toxic for birds and should be avoided at all costs.

Ingredients to use

Hard Animal Fat - Tallow, Lard or Suet (at room temperature)
Mixes of Bird Seed
Sunflower Hearts
Shelled Whole Peanuts - or chopped into tiny pieces
Dried fruit cut into tiny pieces (and only a small amount) - softened with water

How to make

Combine an equal amount of your chosen ingredients (and the fruit) in a large bowl with the softened tallow, lard or suet.
Mix into a firm paste using your hands and get the kids involved, even if gets a bit messy!
Pierce the bottom of a clean pot or empty coconut shell and make a hole in the bottom to thread a length of string.
Knot securely on the inside of the pot so that it hangs upside down like a bell.
You can also use large Pine Cones that have fallen to the floor and press your mixture into the spaces between the scales.
Fill with the fat mixture and hang outside.

Go on a Winter Nature Hunt

This is the perfect time of year to wrap up warm and go for a long meandering walk in Nature where you are on the lookout for things to gather treasures from the ground and surrounding branches to take home with you.

I have a special glass jar for a natural collection of things found on my walks and I like to place things on certain windowsills as ornaments to make me feel close to Nature and bring the outside in.

You would be surprised how many things you can find. Children are particularly good at this and love to go on a trail to find things and collect them in a strong paper bag that can be provided for such endeavours. Here are some ideas, most of which I have obtained in different locations through the seasons:

Pine Cones
Shrivelled Berries (often still red)
Dried Flowers (or nearly dry to finish drying at home)
Milkweed and other Seed Pods
Dried Rose Hips
Dried Leaves (all shapes and colours)
Pine cones
Catkin Tails
Feathers
Patterned Stones
Empty Beech Nut shells and Acorns (in their shells)
Long Grasses and Tall Dried Plants
Dead Branches (good for hanging Christmas decorations)
Dried Lichen (a small amount for effect)

You could also collect some evergreen plants and berries to use as Christmas decorations such as:

Holly Leaves with Red Berries
Trailing Ivy Leaves and Dried Vines
Fir Tree Branches and Pine Cones
Mistletoe
Rosemary (for its heavenly scent)

If you want to plan for a family Nature Study where you find the best places to visit and make a record of findings, check out my Planning a Field Trip guide with free PDF printables.

Check your Picking Limits for wild plants growing as defined by the Foraging Code over at Wild Food UK, and happy exploring!

I hope you have enjoyed making the most of Nature and the seasons through the year and look forward to welcoming in the months ahead with you from 1 January 2026.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

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A Healing Fungi (Hen of the Woods)

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:07:34 GMT

A nutrient-rich and tasty wild mushroom with powerful healing properties

A Healing Fungi Guide

Hen of the Woods is the third fungi to feature in my Healing Fungi Guide .

Hen of the Woods is one of the finest of edible wild mushrooms found growing in ancient woodlands across the British Isles. It is so named because it is said to resemble the silhouette of a chicken sitting under the tree. You might recognise the shape if you see a cluster tucked into the base of a large Oak tree where the soil is rich and undisturbed.

In Japan, Hen of the Woods is known as Maitake and is one of the most popular mushrooms due to their large size and availability, earning them the title of King of Mushrooms in these parts of the world.

Hen of the Woods belongs to the family of giant polypores. It has silky smooth fruiting bodies that sprout in folds of leaves which are a creamy ivory brown colour. The fruiting bodies grow in a bouquet and have a fleshy consistency. When cooked, they are very tasty and make for a hearty and nutritious meal.

This subterranean mycelium sends up a fruiting body to release spores every year. This substantial fruiting body can be harvested without harming the mycelium underground which means Hen of the Woods can often be found year after year growing in the same location.

Once foraged (or purchased from an organic mushroom farm - see below) and thoroughly cleaned, Hen of the Woods can be cooked and preserved in a number of ways. It can be eaten raw although it is best cooked for its delicious flavour which can be experienced by simply saut éing in butter with Sea Salt and Black Pepper (see below).

I hope you enjoy discovering the poweful medicial, cleansing and nutritional benefits of Hen of the Woods - a wonderfully tasty healing ingredient for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Hen of the Woods has been an essential medicinal ingredient over the centuries in Japan and China where it is known as Maitake. Traditionally, it has been treasured as a rich source of valuable organic vital substances and promoter of vital energy or Chi .

In Asia, the Maitake has long been considered a delicacy and is often referred to as sheep’s head, due to its unusual shape. It was first cited in writing in a Japanese tale from the 11th century where the term maitake translates as dancing mushroom .

This is embellished in a story about a group of Nuns who got lost in a forest and and were close to starvation. They discovered the Maitake growing under some trees. After enjoying their mushroom feast, the Nuns danced exuberantly with some passing Woodcutters, to celebrate their good fortune - hence the dancing mushroom was named.

Another version of the legend recalls the Emperor of Japan who valued the mushroom so highly, he would pay its weight in silver - a reward so great that its discovery warranted a celebratory dance.

Nutrition

Hen of the Woods has been used in traditional eastern medicine for thousands of years with the earliest known record found in a Chinese Herbal scripture dating back to 200 BC. Certain compounds have long been known to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.

Modern biochemical studies have revealed an array of active constituents and compounds that help the human body to maintenance overall good health and support healing processes.

In terms of nutrition, Hen in the Woods contains protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates, fibre, B vitamins, niacin, riboflavin and pentheonic acid, with a high concentration of potassium.

Studies have shown Hen of the Woods' ability to modulate glucose levels, which can be especially important for limiting the development of Type 2 diabetes. It has also been widely researched for its effects on the repair system and various cancers. It is thought that its rich array of polysaccharides can be effective in boosting immunity, and increasing the potential to kill and consume lung and breast cancer cells.

Hen of the Woods contains L-glutamate which is a natural flavour-enhancer full of umami . This natural compound stimulates the flavour receptors in your mouth and makes the mushroom, and anything it is served with, taste even more delicious.

SOURCE: Hen of the Woods - Wild Food UK

Recipes

I buy my Hen of the Woods from Dart Valley Fungi who distribute their wonderful produce through Riverford Farm who say that this e arthy, sweet and distinctly truffle-like tasting fungi is grown completely peat-free , using an organic substrate block made from sawdust and rye. If you use my Riverford Farm affiliate link for your first order, you will receive a £15 discount.

For this simple, tasty dish, use wild and fresh Hen in the Woods with the fungi peeled into leaves and cleaned by lightly shaking in water to remove any debris that may be lodged between the folds. You can use the whole fruit including the central stem (if not too woody) and you can cut into slices if it is a particularly large size.

Hen of the Woods Sauté

Equipment

Large stainless steel frying pan
Chopping Board and Sharp Knife
Serving dish or side dishes

Ingredients

1 x Hen of the Woods Fungi
50 gms x Organic Grass-Fed Butter (or half the amount of pure organic Ghee)
3 tbs x Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil (check labels carefully for authenicity)
¼ tsp x Celtic Sea Salt
1 tsp x Thyme , Rosemary or Sage (fresh and finely chopped)
Cracked Black Pepper (to taste)
2-3 x Garlic Cloves (peeled and crushed with a knife)

How to make

Add the Olive Oil and real butter (or Ghee) to a frying pan and gently heat until the butter is melted.
Add separated leaves of your Hen of the Woods fungi (you can add other fresh mushrooms if you wish).
When the fungi is saturated with butter and gently sizzling, add your herbs, Sea Salt and cracked Black Pepper.
Gently saut é until the mustrooms turn golden brown and look almost too good to eat.
Serve on their own with a slice of warm crunchy bread or as an accompaniment for grilled organic meat and other savoury dishes.

I hope you enjoy this new series of posts about the healing benefits of fungi (and mushrooms) that have been relied upon for centuries to provide a myriad of health and nutritional benefits. Make sure you know what to look out for when foraging in the wild.

Thank you for joining me on this evolving journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Fungi (Candlesnuff)

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 22:41:50 GMT

A powerful fungus that is both anti-viral and active against tumours

A Healing Fungi Guide

Candlesnuff is the second fungi to feature in my Healing Fungi Guide .

Candlesnuff Fungi is said to look like a snuffed-out candle wick due to its black base, grey downy mid-section and white tips. It is a saprophytic fungus which means it feeds off other organisms such as dead wood and helps to progress the decaying process. It is also known as Stag's Horn because of its erect and shapely fruits that resemble antlers.

This is different from mycorrhizal fungi which form a relationship with the roots of trees to not only exchange nutrients and help the trees absorb water more efficiently, but also to warn each other of potential threats such as insect attacks or the onset of disease. This triage of trees, plants and fungi helps each to defend themselves and collectively support any neighbours who might be in need.

When the Candlesnuff Fungi has grown, the wood around it becomes soft enough for the Candlesnuff to feed on chemicals called polysaccharides which bind the wood together. In this way, the Candlesnuff becomes instrumental in breaking the wood down into a soft mushy meal that tiny insects and other small creatures can feed on.

Candlesnuff Fungi is bioluminescent which means it produces and emits light in the darkness. This is very faint and hardly visible to the human eye. It grows throughout the year and can be found in ancient woodlands and forests across the British Isles, mainland Europe and North America.

Candlesnuff Fungi are not poisonous but are considered inedible due to being tough, woody and unpalatable. It is not not recommended for consumption although I should imagine, lighly battered and gently fried in butter (or Ghee) with fresh Garlic, Celtic Sea Salt and cracked Black Pepper, they would be very tasty. I will certainly try this following my next forage .

I hope you enjoy discovering the poweful medicial, cleansing and healing benefits of Candlesnuff - an edible and powerful healing remedy as a herbal tea for your general good health, wellness and wellbeing.

Folklore

You need to be in a dark, damp forest at night where you know you might find Candlesnuff Fungi growing on decaying wood. The glow is a natural phenomenon caused by a chemical reaction called foxfire or fairy fire which can sometimes be strong enough to see in the dark.

This is the best time to carefully open up a piece of the decaying wood to see the light produced by the mycellium where it is brighter. This magical phenomenum may explain why Candlesnuff Fungi - and the Fungi Kingdom in general - has long been associated with spiritual beliefs, fairy tales and the deep mysteries of the Fae.

The faint, ghostly greenish glow produced by the mycelium in the inky-black darkness has been the stuff of myths in the mysterious, unseen, underworld Fungi Kingdom, and has been explicitly connected to sprites in folklore.

Nutrition

Candlesnuff is a too tough and not recommended to eat, however, it represents a prize find due to it being a powerful tumour-fighter.

Candlesnuff Fungi may be small but it's a medical force to be reckoned with. These pale and petite, antler-shaped creations contain both anti-viral properties and anti-inflammatory compounds that work actively against some human carcinomas.

Candlesnuff Fungi contains a variety of chemical compounds, some of which exhibit cytotoxic and anti-tumour properties. This includes xylarial A and B to pyrone derivatives and cytochalasins which means it presents a wealth of chemical complexity with potential medicinal implications.

SOURCE: Candlesnuff Fungus - Totally Wild UK

Remedies

While I have not (so far) been able to find any published recipes for Candlesnuff Herbal Tea, I would suggest that as it is non-poisonous and non-toxic, the best way to benefit would be to make a brew in the same way you would make my Turkey Tail Herbal Tea .

A small handful of Candlesnuff Fungi goes a long way and I would start by gently simmering a small amount (similar size and weight to my freshly dried Turkey Tail pieces - see link above) for 1-2 hours in a medium pan of filered water.

Pour out a cup (adding honey and fresh Lemon juice to taste) and top the pan back up with the same amount of water so that you can re-simmer and drink over a period of days.

You can drink 1-2 cups (8 oz) a day of this powerful cleansing and healing herbal tea daily (am and pm) for general wellness and to benefit from its anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties.

As with any natural remedies you make yourself, be cautious, do your research and start with small amounts to make sure your system can handle it. It will get to work quickly, so if you have a lot of stored toxins and waste to clear from your body after years of neglect, it's always advisable to seek the right help - ideally someone who is a qualified natural healer, homeopath or nutritionalist.

I hope you enjoy this new series of posts about the healing benefits of fungi (and mushrooms) which have been relied upon for centuries to provide a myriad of health and nutritional benefits. Make sure you know what to look out for when foraging in the wild and that you know how to clean and prepare your finds appropriately.

Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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New Cold Moon in Scorpio - Thursday 20 November

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 07:30:04 GMT

New Cold Moon

As colder winds begin to blow, change comes breezing in;

In this transformational energy, a new season begins;

Poised on a fresh six month lunar cycle, listen within;

Rebirth and renewal, inner whispers to believe in.

New Cold Moon

Bright crescent light so pure, a glimpse of the ending year;

When we contemplate, how we loved, acted and persevered;

When we realise our younger selves once needed us to be there;

And we allow them to show us, who we were before the fear.

New Cold Moon

So crystal clear and cooling, to fan the inner flames;

Heighten your awareness, sit in stillness, calmness reigns;

Let your higher mind assimilate, where wisdom is attained;

Connect to Source, where infinite abundance is obtained.

New Cold Moon

Scorpio for realism, profound and meaningful change;

Imagine your best life, feel it, make it real, engage;

Tune into the power you have within you to create;

Embrace each transformation, feel gratitude with grace.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Fungi (Turkey Tail)

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:26:12 GMT

Turkey Tail is a powerful and precious fungi for its medicinal compounds

A Healing Fungi Guide

Turkey Tail is the first fungi to feature in my Healing Fungi Guide .

According to Mogo Farm, who sell a wide range of fungi/mMushroom products (and with whom I have no affiliation), in a recent article - Why is Turkey Tail being banned in the UK? - it is great shame that In recent months, Turkey Tail has quietly vanished from the shelves of many wellness businesses in this country, not due to a safety scare, nor a shift in public interest, but because of a regulatory framework that is critically misaligned with both tradition and emerging science.

This represents the loss of a powerfully beneficial medicinal medicine that is native to the British Isles. Turkey Tail is classed as a type of Bracket Fungus or a mushroom because of its fruiting body. This is now being denied to us, despite being long used in traditional herbalism here and across the globe.

This means that if you find a well stocked patch of Turkey Tail in the wild, you have discovered a rare treasure so please be respectful, do not strip it bare - feel duty bound to keep it a secret - and remember that a little goes a long way. This video by Feral Foraging - How to Identify Turkey Tail - will help you to clearly identify what you are looking for.

As the good folks at Mogo Farm rightly say in their article: We share closer ancestry with fungi than we do with plants. Turkey Tail is genetically closer to us than it is to a Daisy. It produces bioactive compounds that communicate with our immune systems - sometimes in astonishing ways.

If something so interwoven with Nature, so biologically compatible with our own systems, can be denied recognition as food, what else might we be overlooking - or silencing?

I hope you enjoy discovering the poweful medicial, cleansing and nutritional benefits of Turkey Tail - a wonderful healing remedy as a herbal tea and your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Turkey Tail symbolises longevity and health in many Asian cultures and has been used for centuries by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM.

Known as Coriolus and Polyporus Versicolors , Turkey Tail is a multi-coloured polypore fungus that eats dead and decaying wood. This means it contains a rich source of health boosting minerals, organic compounds and trace elements that help to clear out unwanted toxins, protect our DNA and strengthen our immunity.

Turkey Tail is so named because of its striking concentric rings in various earthy colours including brown, tan, creamy white and grey which strongly resemble the splayed tail feathers of a Wild Turkey. It is one of the most ancient compounds used to maintain human health.

Turkey Tail has been a treasured ingredient for thousands of years in TCM, in particular, Yunzhi which is responsible for activating key immune cells, creating a more robust and balanced defense mechanism. Turkey Tail has always been highly valued by Indigenous Peoples across the Americas.

Turkey Tail thrives in ancient woodlands and forgotten pathways across the British Isles (and overseas). It grows symbiotically on fallen trees and is known for its resilience and regenerative role in Nature. There are a few different types but the good news for foragers - old and new - is that there are no poisonous variations.

Nutrition

Real Mushrooms state that: Traditional medicine practitioners, particularly those in Asia, have used Turkey Tail for millennia and that it provides health and long life benefits if consumed regularly. Key benefits include:

Adaptogenic properties - helping the body adapt to stressors - physical, biological, or chemical
Supports repair system - potent immunostimulatory effects to enhance innate and adaptive immune responses
Healthy Inflammation Response - help to protect the brain as it ages
Protects DNA from Damage - removal of free radicals that can be harmful to DNA
Supports Gut Health - beta-glucans contribute to the health and composition of the gut microbiome
Supports Liver Health - powerful antioxidant activities support liver health
Improves Athletic Performance - lowers blood lactate and ammonia after exercise, delays onset of fatigue
Blood Sugar Balance - lowers blood sugar by escorting it out of the blood and to the cells where glucagon raises blood sugar by prompting the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose

NOTE: Medicinal mushrooms can be used for pets as various extracts which are not beneficial for humans can specifically benefit our canine or feline companions. Find out more here .

Remedies

The best way to benefit from Turkey Tail is to make a brew in the form of a herbal tea and keep topping it up with water so that you can drink it over a longer period of time (see below).

Turkey Tail supports the health of underactive or overactive repair systems (or immunity), and is unique and long-valued among physicians of traditional medicine. as an immunomodulator that supports repair system function and helps to fight infections.

The best way to bring Turkey Tail into your life is to go looking for it and do some foraging (see video above). It's a great way to enjoy the fresh air and this remarkable treasure is easy to spot on the branches and trunks of ancient decaying trees, Turkey Tail Fungi is gathered in late Winter before it dries out and is still soft and plump to the touch. It can be used in teas or tinctures for its exceptional medicinal abilities (see below).

Depending on the breadth of the patch you find (usually on very old and partially rotting wood), always leave more than you take away. I use a sharp knife to ensure the least damage to the fruit and whatever it is clingling onto so steadfastly. Remember that this is home to millions of tiny creatures so try to be as gentle as you can. I have explained the process of drying and storing your foraged treasure above.

Recipes

Turkey Tail Cleansing Tea

Ingredients

1 x small handful of fresh dried Turkey Tail (3-4 grams dried) - see above

1 x small saucepan of fresh filtered water

1 x large spoon Organic Raw Honey

1 x tbs fresh Lemon Juice (optional)

Making Your Tea

1) Add the Turkey Tail to the pan of water.

2) Gently bring to the boil and immediately simmer for 15-20 minutes

3) Pour through a fine-grade sieve into a cup, mug or container (for storing in the fridge)

4) Add honey and lemon if required, stir and drink.

5) Keep the Turkey Tail pieces and some of the tea so that you can top up with fresh filtered water and re-heat over several days. This will yield 2-3 strong infusions which is why a little goes a long way.

NOTE: Turkey Tail Tea can be used as an immunity boost on cold days or can be taken as a remedy every morning over the course of 12 weeks to completely clear toxins from the body and work it's magic on your repair system.

Thank you for joining me on this evolving journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Hibernators

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Surviving the hard conditions and scarcity of food in the Winter

Black Bears, Brown Bears, Grizzly Bears, all;

Bedded down snugly in terra firma soil;

Cosy dens deep, dug with claw-like nails;

A hollow for sleep, as the Earth exhales.

Hedgehogs, Hazel Dormice, Deer Mice, Snails;

Ladybugs, Bumblebees, Snakes and Squirrels;

Curled up in tunnels, in crevices and holes;

Mother Nature's dormitory, as silent as stone.

Brown Long Earred Bats, Horseshoes and Pips;

Heart rates slowed to torpor, the fewest of beats;

One breath every pair of hours, a miraculous feat;

Essential for life on Earth, masters of true flight.

Badgers hunker down in setts, foraging on occasion;

Reptiles and amphibians, in dormancy or brumation;

Slipping into sheltered spots, hibernacula for protection;

All is calm and all is still for the duration of the Winter.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Full Beaver Supermoon in Taurus - Wednesday 5 November

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:30:01 GMT

Full Beaver Supermoon

Perigee, Supermoon, come close, come near;

So much bigger and brighter, radiant and clear;

Illuminate my path, free of doubt and fear;

Only gratitude and thanks, for another great year.

Full Beaver Supermoon

As Beavers make homes, we begin our preparations;

We say goodbye to Autumn days, welcome the cold season;

We wrap up warm and light the fire, as darkness deepens;

Traditions, thoughts of ones we love, those gently sleeping.

Full Beaver Supermoon

Feel the light, step into self-reflection, tranquillity:

Move into a cycle full of joy, love and stability;

Express your values with authentic sensibility;

Find your inner peace and calm, your desirability.

Full Beaver Supermoon

Strong, sure and grounded, Taurus brings safety;

As we celebrate our gifts, gracefully, humanely;

Reaching out to those we love, or not seen lately;

To feel the love of life, to engage with our senses.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome November (Almanac 2025)

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in November

WELCOME NOVEMBER

At the start of November, leaves are falling and gathering on riverbanks, pathways and field edges to begin their slow mergement with the Earth from which the seeds of the trees are born.

In Pagan times, the first of the month was celebrated with the Samhain festival to prepare for the onset of Winter with home fires and a giant bonfire in the village. Meads, ciders, fruits and other bounty from the late harvests accompanied much dancing, singing and acting out stories of bounty, seasonal highlights and survival.

The fifth of November is known as Guy Fawkes Day which is today celebrated with bonfires, fireworks and the carrying of effigies of ' guys ' through the streets to place on top of the largest bonfires. Traditionally, this was to commemorate the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when 36 barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden behind a pile of firewood in a storeroom beneath the Palace of Westminster.

As the season turns towards Winter, leaves delight us with their beautiful arrays of colour and texure. If you sit down somewhere in Nature quietyly, you will hear wild creatures rummaging in the undergrowth looking for places to hibernate and for foods to feast on now and store for the colder months.

As the first frosts cover the ground, Mother Nature begins her cleanse to purify the soil. A long walk outside in Nature provides the perfect opportunity to breathe in that same cleansing essence in the air and allow it to flow through you. This will help your mind, body and soul adjust to the cooling temperature, keep your circulation moving and your eyes focused on a stunning landscape and your heart connected to Nature's treasures closer to hand.

A poem - Welcome November - speaks of early morning mists and fields glistening with cobwebs in the etheral light and the turning of the season on the last of the three harvest festivals.

This month's Almanac contains key dates and seasonal events to note for the month so that you can stay in sync with Nature's natural cycles with suggestions for ways to benefit from the natural world around you.

Moon Phases

Wednesday 5 November - FULL BEAVER SUPERMOON in Traurus
Thursday 20 November - NEW COLD MOON in Scorpio

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Wednesday 1 November - Sunrise (7.06am) - Sunset (4.49m)
Friday 31 November - Sunrise (7.53am) - Sunset (4.13pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

Cutting back herbs - cut heavily to hang to dry or compost and note that many herbs (excluding Basil) will survive some frost but will soon slow down their production or die back for the Winter.

Collecting seeds - if you haven't already collected seeds from your favourite annual flowers and herbs, the time to do so is now - make sure they are completely dry and store in glass containers in a dark place until ready to propogate.

Help a Hedgehog

November is a really good time to spot mammals gathering food and plumping themselves up with the remaining harvest to survive the colder months or to prepare for going into hibernation. Hedgehogs especially will be scurrying around trying to find food and a suitable place to hunker down for the Winter.

According to the Natural History Museum's State of Britain’s Hedgehogs Report , three quarters of all of Britain's rural Hedgehogs have been lost. Due to the increasing decline of one of our most treasured small mammals, we need to do everything we can to a) allow them access to our gardens and land, b) to protect them as best we can, c) to leave filtered water out for them together with the correct food.

As opportunistic eaters, Hedgehogs will consume food left out in your garden but do not leave out bread and milk as this causes problems for them. The best Hedgehog-friendly foods are:

natural (if at all possible) meat-based cat or dog food - with no additives
specially-made hedgehog food - see below
natural (if at all possible) cat biscuits - with no additives - always leave with a bowl of water

I found what looks like a good resource for a range of specialist Hedgehog food on Ark Wildlife (no affiliation) which includes a wooden feeding station. Do your own research and make sure the food you buy is natural as most supermarket pet food brands are full of unnatural ingredients that are no good for anyone, let alone the smallest of our wild creatures.

Hedgehogs are particularly fond of wood or leaf piles to rest in and they provide some of the best habitats for wildlife. Some are made intentionally for this purpose in woods, parks and gardens. This is just the right time to find them resting in such places, so p lease remember to check your bonfires this firework season before lighting them .

Watch and Report a Starling Murmuration

If you are lucky enough, you may see one of the most spectacular natural events during the month of November. Last year, I watched a Starling murmuration from Teignmouth Pier and it was totally mesmerised. So beautiful that everyone there stopped to take it in - it was spectacular.

A murmuration consists of thousands and thousands of birds flying in unison in the sky. It’s breathtaking to see a transforming mass of Starlings make the most incredible patterns in absolute unison. They become one unit - magnificently pulsating, shifting and changing in shynchronised swoops and dives.

November is the time to spot such an event as resident Starlings prepare to be joined by other migrant birds to start their long flight to sunnier climes.

Murmurations usually occur over communal roosting sites situated across the British Isles. You can check the Starling Murmuration Location Map provided by Starlings in the UK to find out where these locations are. It may be best to do your own research using the information provided as, apparently, the most popular sighting spots can get very busy throughout the month of November.

If you do spot a murmuration (of any size), Starlings in the UK need your help to capture this data so that they can keep a track of numbers. You can fill in a form on their website to do this.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through November for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the last Almanac for the year in this format on 1 December 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

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Life of a Chalkstream by Simon Cooper

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 06:30:00 GMT

A wonderful book for anyone who loves rivers, wildlife and fish

This book was a delight to read and a lesson in the character and intelligence of the homely Brown Trout compared to its far distance travelling companion - and champion of the ocean and freshwater streams - the stalwart Salmon. I was fascinated by the way Simon approached the renovation of an abandoned stretch of an original chalkstream and how it was transformed into a permanent spawning ground for fish and an abundant ecosystem of wildlife.

Life of a Chalkstream was written by Simon Cooper who is recognised as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced chalkstream conservationists in the British Isles. He runs a company called Fishing Breaks , hosting fishing courses and tours from April to October at Nether Wallop Mill in the heart of Hampshire. This is home to a thatched cabin overlooking a clear Trout Lake making it the perfect setting for fly fishermen and Nature enthusiasts.

Simon's book is a testament to what can be done to restore and rejuvinate untamed wild places, and create the perfect conditions for an abundance of wildlife, birds, marine animals, fish, wildflowers, trees and vegetation that thrives alongside grazing farm animals in their natural environment. Most interestingly, Life of a Chalkstream provides a lens into the life of a Brown Trout which I found endearing, and the life of a Salmon, which I found breathtaking.

Lay of the land

Life of a Chalkstream tells the story of a neglected English chalkstream and carrier stream of the RIver Evitt that had long stood dry. It was part of an abandoned area called Gravelwood, encompassing the land, the river, side streams brook and water meadows, taking its name from a wood that makes up part of this tiny, forgotten part of England.

On acquiring the land, Simon set out to mark the territory and assess the conditions. He followed paths made by grazing animals, knowing they would avoid the boggy and marshy areas. He waded up the river until the geography of the river and the meadows was starting to make some sense. It was a joy to do this in the presence of Kingfishers, Water Voles and other such birds and creatures enjoying the freedom and the abundant wild landscape they occupied.

A mighty challenge

Simon took on the mighty challenge of bringing the river, side streams, water meadows and wooded land back to life. It took a lot of skillful planning and often back-breaking work to clear the river and bring back the crystal clear, oxygenated, free-flowing waters running over gently undulating gravel beds. Mountains of weeds, overgrown bushes and Nettles were trimmed and left to feed Nitrogen back into the soil.

The river bank was carefully repaired so that it could be left to recover after being trampled by the hooves of heavy cattle left to wander up to the water's edge over long periods of time, causing problems for the Water Voles who live there. Diggers were used to clear the reeds at the end of (and during) the Summer season to make sure the fish had room to swim close to the banks in hiding and the river could continue to run clean.

It is a story of sheer determination and month's of hard work for Simon and those he engaged to help him with the project. I can hardly imagine the feeling of seeing everything come to fruition, including the return of the fishermen and their messages of delight when they spot their first fish of the season. The essential thing is that these good people brought back balance and harmony to a beautiful landscape and life-force to a river.

Decline and restoration

The second chapter uncovers the history of the River Evitt which flowed through Gravelwood in Sevenoaks, Middle Mill in Surrey and Cams Point in Cambridge into the English Channel. This includes a side stream (or bourne) that flows away from the river along Gravel Wood before joining it again further down, creating a reed bed between the meadow drains and the river with surrounding meadows.

Where the bourne begins at Portland Watchers, there is an old Drowners Hut which was a form of shelter used by drowners employed by farmers as early as the 1700s. These were skilled and professional men with the responsibility for drowning the water meadows for set periods of time and during certain seasons of the year. This ensured that the water meadows provided a rich source of grassland along a river that was irrigated to produce a rich hay crop and lush grazing early in the year for cattle.

Fishing was very popular in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially at the time when Queen Victoria took the throne in 1837 and the wet fly was introduced. This was a new technology that brought innovtions to the fishing community . The rivers were well maintained during this period when the fishing craze caught on amonst the landed gentry, and the rivers became much more than farmland irrigators and power sources for mills.

Today, many of our rivers suffer from the constant threat of being poisoned by the run-off of chemicals used for mono-crop agriculture so it is particularly heartening to see how a beautiful stretch of natural chalkstream has been restored to perfection in such a short space of time. This followed the gradual decline of the watermeadows, watermills and fly-fishing enjoyed by so many in the past when no longer were the myriad carriers and streams of any use, so they were left to atrophy.

The traveller and the trout

The most delightful part of Life of a Chalkstream is the way SImon describes the details and antics of the wildlife he finds himself surrounded by on a day to day basis. As a highly knowledgeable naturalist (who has created a detailed index that any author would be proud of), Simon brings to life the scientific facts as well as the personalities of his subjects, in particular, two very similar fish with very different lives (and lifestyles).

The Brown Trout, I found to be rather clever and endearing, the Salmon, quite breathtaking in its ability to travel thousands of miles by sea, then hundreds of miles by fresh water and (upstream) to return to its original spawning ground.

By comparison, in lives that will span five to seven years some Brown Trout will travel no more than a few hundred yards from their birthplace, whereas the Salmon has a round trip of some 4,000 miles to complete its life cycle.

A treasure trove

Life of a Chalkstream provides a rich tapestry of information that encompasses history, geology, potamology (the study of rivers), botany and the wonders of the natural world.

You will learn about the Mayfly’s precise lifecycle and how a Pike operates; the phases of the spawning process and the art of spotting Redds from the riverbank; the philosophy of the Brown Trout to achieve the most reward (passing food) by utilising the least effort (lurking in gravel pits); the needs of cattle and how to manage them in a way that helps to regenerate the soil, the river and the land; the day-to-day activities of Kingfishers, Water Voles, Eels, Geece, Bats and a host of other creatures, wild animals and birds - all of which occupy this diverse range of habitat along the river and beyond.

It is the perfect time of year to draw the curtains and settle down with a hot cup of tea to enjoy a book that will take you on an exciting journey, inform you of lots of interesting things and bring you closer to the natural world you love.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Life of a Chalkstream by Simon Cooper

Purchase a copy of this wonderful book by clicking on the above link to my affiliate bookshop. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

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New Beaver Moon in Libra - Tuesday 21 October

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:06:20 GMT

New Beaver Moon

Light, Frost Moon, rivers and woodland beds;

Wind rustling leaves, yellows, oranges, reds;

As Beavers toil, with such swiftness and grace;

Strong webbed hind feet, paddle-shaped tail.

New Beaver Moon

Darkness approaches, heading home, inside;

A last look up, towards a beautiful clear sky;

Stars and planets, crescent New Moon, shy;

Such universal silence, brings peace to our lives.

New Beaver Moon

Beavers build lodges, underwater doors, safe;

Dams to store food for the cold months ahead;

As we welcome the frost, it's a different world;

Time to settle down, for our wellbeing and health.

New Beaver Moon

With the Sun in Libra, it’s good to step out;

Enjoy the balance of power within you now;

Stop playing small - just to keep the peace;

Choose your own destiny, how you want to live.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Spice (Mace)

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Mace is a colourful, delicate spice with many culinary and healing benefits

A Healing Spice Guide

Mace is the ninth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Mace has a mysterious and rich history centring around global trade. Unlike its more famous counterpart Nutmeg, Mace has a more delicate yet distinctly piquant flavour with subtle hints of Black Pepper , pine, citrus and wood. It makes it an exceptional choice for a variety of dishes, adding a subtle spiciness that is both warming and comforting.

Mace is a delicate, aromatic and versatile spice that grows on the tropical Nutmeg tree (Myristica Fragrans). This fragrant evergreen tree produces two spices from its fruits: Mace and Nutmeg. For this reason, Mace is often called Nutmeg’s sister spice, as they come from the same fruit. Mace can also be considered to be Nutmeg’s protector, due to its tough, bright red, web-like coating (called the aril ) which encases the Nutmeg, shielding it from harm.

Mace is native to the Moluccas Islands or Spice Islands of Indonesia where it is mainly grown. It is also grown in the West Indies, China and Sri Lanka. If the blades of Mace are orangey-red, they tend to be from Indonesia, if they have a more orange-yellow colour, they are more likely to be Grenadian Mace blades.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Mace - a wonderful addition to culinary dishes and healing remedies for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Mace was originally traded along the Spice Route and was used as a currency in many parts of the world. It was one of the most valuable spices during the Middle Ages and worth its weight in gold. During the Renaissance period, Mace became popular in Europe when it was used to flavour food and wine.

Mace was frequently mentioned in the oldest scriptures of Hinduism in India, the Vedas , composed between 1500 and 1000 BCE. It was particularly treasured during the Age of Exploration, when European colonialists battled fiercely for control of the remote Banda Islands in present-day Indonesia which the world's only source of Nutmeg and Mace at the time.

The fine flavour of Mace together with its vibrant colour made it more valuable in some markets as it was used in perfumes, liqueurs and royal kitchens. When ground, Mace becomes a versatile spice that balances its floral sweetness with just enough spice to elevate food without being overpowering.

Nutrition

Mace is rich in antioxidants and has some potential health benefits such as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Mace contains high levels of some essential oils, vitamins, and minerals (more than its sister spice, Nutmeg) including vitamin A, calcium and iron.

The health benefits of Mace also known as Javitri are numerous. It is a powerhouse, rich in nutrients that can help with digestion, heart health, stress reduction and immunity improvement.

Mace is the perfect spice to add to soups, stews and curries. It can be used in baking or added to your green tea or coffee in the morning.

Mace can also be inhaled to have a refreshing day break’s fragrance.

Remedies

Mace extraction has been employed in Chinese and Indian traditional medicines for the treatment of illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems.

The compounds in Mace such as myristicin and elemicin have been found to have soothing as well as stimulant properties on the brain.

Mace Essential Oil contain eugenol , which has been used in dentistry for toothache relief.

A few drops of Mace Essential Oil in a natural oil carrier can be used as a local massage to reduce muscular pain and rheumatic pain of joints.

A freshly prepared Mace-decoction, made by simmering a mixture of water and Mace with honey added for flavour, has been employed to get relief from nausea, gastritis and indigestion ailments.

Recipes

Mace pairs well with tart berries and honey-sweet stone fruits or sweetened potato or pumpkin pie (see below). Add a teaspoon of freshly-ground Mace into a crumble or crisp topping to give a bit of an edge to Cinnamon and brown sugar.

You can add a teaspoon of freshly ground Mace to carrot cake batter, quickbread dough or pie fillings to bring out the flavour of roasted root vegetables, soups and squash dishes .

Sweet Pumpkin Pie with Nutmeg and Mace

You will need a large round baking dish lined with sweetened short-crust pastry which is pre-baked for about 15 mins in a preheated oven at 425°F, 220°C or Gas Mark 7. Remove baking beans and parchment paper (if used) and bake for a further 5 minutes to dry out the pastry base. Allow to cool and then put in the fridge while you make your pie mixture as follows:

1 ½ cups x peeled, cooked and mashed fresh Pumpkin
3 x organic fresh Eggs
1 ½ cups x fresh organic Double Cream
¾ cup x Soft Brown Sugar
½ tsp x Sea Salt
1 tsp x Dried Mace
½ tsp x Ground Nutmeg
½ tsp x Ground Ginger

Mix everything in a large bowl to combine the cooked and mashed pumpkin with the eggs, cream, sugar, salt and spices. Blend well.
Remove the pastry dish from the fridge and pour in the pumpkin mixture. Level out with a palette knife.
Bake in a hot oven (see above) for about 15 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, 180°C or Gas Mark 4 and bake for another 50-65 minutes.
Take out of the oven when you can insert a knife into the centre and it comes out clean.
Chill before serving with a generous spoonful of fresh cream dusted with a fine coating of Ground Nutmeg.

.
This delicious and heart-warming pie will serve 8-12 people depending on portion size - Happy Halloween!

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices that make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Spice (Nutmeg)

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Nutmeg packs a punch with many nutritional, healing and culinary benefits

A Healing Spice Guide

Nutmeg is the eighth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Nutmeg is a large seed which grows inside the fruit of a tropical evergreen tree of the Myristicaceae family called Myristica Fragrans. The tree is native to the Moluccas or Spice Islands of Indonesia where it is mainly cultivated as well as in the West Indies. The fleshy arils surrounding the Nutmeg seed are known as the spice Mace.

The fruits of the Nutmeg tree grow into pendulous drupes which look similar to an Apricot. When fully mature, the fruit splits in two, exposing a bright red-colored aril (Mace) which surrounds a single shiny brown seed, the Nutmeg. The pulp of the fruit is eaten locally in the form of a refreshingly fragrant juice.

The harvested Nutmegs are dried naturally in the Sun and are turned twice daily over a period of six to eight weeks. As the Nutmeg shrinks away from its hard coating, the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. The shell is then broken with a wooden truncheon and the Nutmegs are picked out. Dried Nutmegs are grayish brown in colour in an oval shape with furrowed surfaces.

Nutmeg has been highly valued over the centuries for its warm nutty flavour and subtle earthy aroma. It has been used to enhance many culinary dishes, especially for baking, and it is also used in fragrances. Nutmeg contains benefitical medicinal properties and continues to be used in various health remedies.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Nutmeg - a wonderful addition to culinary dishes and healing remedies for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Nutmeg has a long and fascinating history with many cultural and symbolic meanings collected from around the world. Nutmeg features in literature, folklore and many different cultures, highlighting its deep-rooted significance.

Folklore often attributes magical properties to this rare and treasured spice. It was used to ward off evil and ensure safety and success. Travelling merchants were particularly fond of Nutmeg which they carried to protect their good fortune.

All forms of Nutmeg were considered useful for money spells where the oil was used as a common ingredient in what were known as M oney Oils , while powdered Nutmeg was carried in sachets to be used as a sprinkling powder.

As Nutmeg was native to such a small geographic area, many lives were lost in obtaining it, cultivating it and keeping others from getting a hold of it. The Dutch tortured and killed the native people of Indonesia and did their utmost to keep the English and French from taking it out of the country. This was done by dipping the Nutmegs in lime to prevent them from sprouting.

Nutrition

Nutmeg provides a small amount of vitamin A, folate, choline and vitamin C with small amounts of calcium phosphorus, magnesium and potassium with smaller amounts of sodium and manganese.

When used correctly, Nutmeg has been praised for its anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, pain-relieving, liver-protecting and cancer-preventative properties. Nutmeg also has anti-phenolic compounds and plant pigments which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects known to reduce inflammation and protect the body from cell damage.

Nutmeg is a hallucinogen because of a compound known as myristicin . You would have to consume about 10 grams (two or more teaspoons) to feel any effect, at which point you may put yourself at risk of Nutmeg poisoning which is not lethal but not pleasant, so always use the allocated amount to avoid triggering symptoms of toxicity.

Remedies

Nutmeg contains essential oils which includes pinene , camphene and dipentene . The oil is used to scent soaps and perfumes. An ointment of Nutmeg butter is used as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism.

One old remedy for rheumatism involved boiling Nutmegs and cooling the resulting liquid. As natural fats rose to the surface and cooled, it formed a solid layer. This was skimmed off and used as a topical balm. Nutmeg is a warming spice which is why it was used to stimulate circulation and relieve pain caused by cold weather.

Drinking warm milk flavoured with honey and dusted with Nutmeg is be a pleasant way to warm up the body and help you to relax before settling down to some meditative, creative or journeying work.

When consumed in large amounts (see above), Nutmeg can have psychoactive effects, making it a deliriant and hallucinogen. Nutmeg poisoning is rarely fatal but can cause convulsions, palpitations, and pain so be careful with the amounts used.

Recipes

Baked Egg Custard with Nutmeg

A classic dessert, lightly spiced with Nutmeg is made with natural ingredients and is delicious served with fresh or stewed fruit.

300ml (½ pint) x Organic or Raw Whole Milk
2 x medium Eggs
25g (1oz) x Caster Sugar
Few drops of Vanilla Extract
Freshly grated Nutmeg, to taste

Preheat oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3.
Add milk to a saucepan and heat gently until hot but do not boil. Remove from heat.
Lightly whisk together the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract in a heatproof bowl.
Pour on the hot milk, stirring continuously.
Strain mixture through a sieve into a 600ml (1 pint) ovenproof dish or individual ramekin dishes.
Sprinkle a dusting of Nutmeg on top.
Bake in oven for about 45 minutes or until set.
Serve hot, cold or chilled with canned, stewed or fresh fruit.
If serving hot, let the baked pudding stand for 20 minutes or so before serving.

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices that make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Birds of Prey

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:30:03 GMT

A poem about the powerful architypal energy of birds of prey

Golden Eagle, magnificent lone sentry of the sky;

Sea Eagle of Zeus in Jupiter, victorious, divine;

A single White Tailed Eagle on a rock, a symbol, a sign;

A warning from the Gaelic Eagle with the sunlit eye.

Stealthy wings, swift, elegant, distinct, compelling;

Broad strokes, dynamic speeds, driving momentum;

Rising high to glide on air, climbing in a continuum;

Razor-like eyes, swooping down, talons out, decending.

Falcons of the genus Falco, of the Sun God, Ra,

Long, pointed wings for agility, rapidity, thrust, drag;

Harbingers of vision, spiritual connection, universal power;

Revered by the Indigenous, spirit guides delivering prayer.

Red Kites, Ospreys, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels;

Goshawks, Tawny Owls, Barn Owls, Little Owls, Harriers;

Sharp sighted, soaring high, breaking all barriers,

Teaching us freedom, strength, inner peace and intuition.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Full Hunter's Moon in Aries - Tuesday 7 October

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:30:03 GMT

Full Hunter's Moon

A beacon of light in the darkness of a Hunter's night;

A time for spiritual transformation and deepening insight;

As the Moon illuminates the mysteries of Universal light;

Ushering energies in a powerful cumulous of might.

Full Hunter's Moon

The beginning of a natural cycle draws us in;

We welcome darkness with open arms, we begin;

To tune into the frequencies of change we feel within;

To harmonise with the crisp and cold of the coming season.

Full Hunter's Moon

Aries comes with the drive of the very first sign;

A lunation to dissolve hidden pains ignored 'til now;

We need to recognise how beautiful we are;

To heal past wounds and follow our shining star.

Full Hunter's Moon

As tender weaknesses tend to be exposed;

We need to help others as this helps us to help ourselves;

We need to lift our spirits to a higher level of Self;

Drink in the power of the Hunter's Moon tonight.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Spice (Tumeric)

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:31:46 GMT

Turmeric has been used for reducing inflammation for nearly 4,000 years

A Healing Spice Guide

Tumeric is the seventh spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Tumeric is a member of the Ginger family with rhizomes (or roots) that appear similar to the rhizomes of Ginger.

Fresh Tumeric Root has a deep orange colour and an earthy, warm, musky flavour with a peppery aftertaste carrying notes of citrus and Ginger. Dried Ground Turmeric has a more intense, concentrated flavour that blends well in hot dishes such as curries and hearty casseroles.

According to a wonderful article written by the Gardens Trust, Journeys of an Empire: Tumeric from South India , Turmeric Root became a familiar sight in Britain in the 1730s when the Scottish amateur botanist and illustrator, Elizabeth Blackwell, included 'Turmerick' in her book, A Curious Herbal, with 500 illustrations of medicinal plants that she drew, engraved and coloured by hand.

The story of Turmeric, including its history and worldwide reach, is a fascinating one. Since traders began carrying this highly valued spice along the Silk Road in 700AD, introducing it to Middle Eastern and North African cultures, it has been sought after for its prized culinary and medicinal properties, Tumeric's golden hue also made it a valuable natural dye for textiles which is why it became a symbol of luxury.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Tumeric - a wonderful addition to culinary dishes and healing remedies for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Tumeric has been grown for over 4,000 years in India and has been adopted by Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, China, Japan, Korea, the South Pacific Islands, East and West Africa, Madagascar, the Caribbean islands and Central America.

Turmeric was used in sacred anointments in India and was a valued healing spice which is explained in Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya's book, Everyday Ayurveda , telling us that: Ayurveda spoke of Turmeric's anti inflammatory and antibiotic properties centuries ago. It was used to marinate meat in order to get rid of bacterial traces and to give the dish a lovely yellow tinge. In South Asia, we have always consumed Turmeric in all possible forms including raw, pickled and powdered.

Tumeric was used by brides and grooms during the pre-wedding Haldi Ceremony in Indian culture, by girls entering puberty and for the bodies of the diceased.

Turmeric was used for purification purposes in folklore to ward off malevolent spirits, particularly the angry dead who, it was believed, were sent away by the smell of Turmeric. It was also known for its healing properties, and for bringing about strength and vitality, making it a treasured and potent medicinal spice as well as a general tonic.

Turmeric’s deep golden hue was used in colour magic, as yellow was associated with abundance and happiness, while gold was associated with the energy of the Sun, and with prosperity, success and healing.

Nutrition

Tumeric contains natural and beneficial steroidal compounds derived from curcumin as well as other aspects that are critical to calm down inflammation, especially in response to pathogens. Tumeric can be used for anything in the body that is inflamed and causing pain, from nerves to joints to the brain.

Turmeric contains a high level of manganese which, combined with its curcumin, makes it ideal for supporting the cardiovascular system. It raises good cholesterol, helps to inhibit tumours and cysts, and can help to prevent virtually any type of cancer, especially skin cancers.

Tumeric also contains manganese which activates curcumin’s ability to extract toxic heavy metals from your system.

Remedies

Tumeric is a powerful medicinal spice that has been used for thousands of years to ease painful conditions related to inflammation. This could be anything from an arthritic condition such as psoriasis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, sciatica and headaches to enhancing recovery from an injury and improving sleep.

Turmeric Paste provides a natural and safe alternative to common medications and can be used an important natural alternative that provides short term release while aiding long term recovery.

Active Tumeric Paste

One cup x filtered water
Half cup x filtered water in reserve (you may need this to reduce your blend at the end)
Half cup x Organic Turmeric Powder
Third cup x Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil or Organic Raw Coconut Oil
1.5 tsp x ground Black Pepper
Large sterilised jar (for storage)

Add the cup of water to a small saucepan and heat it up to near boiling point.
Gradually add the Turmeric powder, stirring until it thickens.
Add tiny amounts of extra water to reduce slightly if needed.
Keep stirring for 6-7 minutes until you have a thick, creamy paste - not completely solid.
Add the ground Black Pepper, and the third cup of Olive Oil.
Blend by gently stirring and allow to cool.
Pour into the sterilised jar to keep in the fridge for up to two weeks to use as required.

Suggested useage:

Start by adding a quarter of a teaspoon to water or a smoothie with an extra spoonful of Raw Honey or Maple Syrup if required. Do this 3 times a day and gradually increase to a teaspoon over a period of 4-6 weeks as the ingredients begin to work their magic on healing disease and reducing inflammation.

You can also add your paste to culinary dishes such as dips, curries, soups and broths to add flavour and nutritional goodness. You can even use it as a topical agent for skin wounds, insect bites and cuts, to help them heal faster.

SOURCE: The Best Way to Use Tumeric for Relieving Pain and Inflammation by Spine Central

Recipes

Tumeric is a highly versitile spice with an earthy flavour that adds a depth of flavour and a pleasing colour to many Thai and Asian dishes and curries, as well as stews and Chili dishes. It is said to be surprisingly flavoursome when added to chicken soup. Buy the whole Tumeric Root and you can put your spare pieces in freezer bags and freeze them to keep them fresh for up to six months.

Otherwise known as Golden Milk , the following recipe is a soothing medicinal drink that has many benefits due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the ingredients. It is known to lower inflammation, provide short-term pain relief for arthyhritis and to help to reduce the risk of chronic disease over time.

Spiced Tumeric Latte

An easy recipe for a heart-warming and healthy warm drink that will take your chills away.

Fresh Turmeric Root (3cm or 3/4 tsp Turmeric Powder)
Fresh Ginger Root (2cm or ¼ tsp Ground Ginger)
Ground Cinnamon (¾ tsp)
1 tbs Organic Raw Honey (or Maple Syrup)
1½ cups Organic Whole Milk (or Raw Milk)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract or Essence
Pinch Sea Salt and/or Ground Black Pepper

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy.
Warm in a small saucepan and pour into large mugs.
Dust with Ground Cinnamon to serve.

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices that make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome October (Almanac 2025)

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:19:17 GMT

Dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in October

WELCOME OCTOBER

At the start of October, we begin a phase of transition leading us towards the Winter season with the clocks going back an hour the clocks in the UK will go back by one hour on Sunday 26 October.

This is the perfect month to enjoy long walks in the slightly chillier weather to catch the morning frosts or enjoy the colourful leaves and tranquil ambience of evenings as the nights draw in. Bonfires and campfires area great way to enjoy time spent with friends and family to tell stories, roast marshmallows, sing songs and marvel at the night sky by observing constellations, planets and shooting stars.

As leaves fall on gardens, field edges and pathways, they create a soft padded cushion underfoot. In woodlands you will find the emergence of all manner of Fungi and Lichen thriving on ancient trees. All manner of birds and small creatures are busy collecting fallen nuts, acorns and seeds to store in their secret hiding places for the Winter.

We remember that on 1 October 2022, legislation was changed to protect wild-living beavers in England, making them a European Protected Species and classifying them as a native animal. Beavers are now protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 which means it is an offence to deliberately capture, injure, kill or disturb these treasured creatures, or to damage and destroy their breeding sites or resting places without a wildlife management license from Natural England.

We also remember our pagan ancestors who, during the month of October, celebrated Samhain when communities came together to honour and communicate with their ancestors who were never forgotten. It falls at the end of October and spills into early November, halfway between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice .

A poem - Welcome October - speaks of colourful Autumn colours through the last days before daylight saving as we celebrating the Samhain season, old Gaelic for Summer's grand finale.

Moon Phases

Tuesday 7 October - FULL HUNTER'S MOON in Aries
Tuesday 21 October - NEW BEAVER MOON in Libra

Daylight Saving

Sunday 26 October - clocks go back one hour at 2pm

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Wednesday 1 October - Sunrise (7.15am) - Sunset (6.52m)
Friday 31 October - Sunrise (7.05am) - Sunset (4.51pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden, especially as leaves continue to fall and the garden begins to die down for the Winter period.

Fruit & Gourd Picking - this is the perfect month for picking the last of the fruits and every variety of gourd

Bird Boxes - thoroughly clean bird boxes and water containers with a soapy hot water.

Composting - empty spent summer pots and hanging baskets to compost the contents and gather fallen garden leaves to make Leaf Mould (see below).

Collecting Seeds - these can be wild seeds gathered from field edges or hedgerows, or seeds gathered from hardy perennials, such as Astrantia, Achillea and Red Valerian which can be sown straight away.

Planting Bulbs - now is the time to plant drifts of bulbs to brighten your garden in early Spring including Crocuses, Daffodils, Lily of the Valley, Snowdrops and Fritillaries.

Garden Maintenance - clear and tidy the greenhouse and clear fallen leaves and debris from garden edges and guttering.

Pumpkin Gathering and Apple Picking

Visiting a pumpkin patch or apple orchard is a traditional outdoor activity to enjoy in October, especially at half-term when you can pick your own gourds or apples together, creating a great opportunity for families and friends to connect with Nature and create lasting memories.

At the Pumpkin Patch in Paignton and Newton Abbot in Devon, you can pick your own pumpkin with 20 different varieties to choose from. Every day at both pumpkin patches, five golden pumpkins are hidden and if you are lucky enough to find one you get to win any pumpkin you choose for FREE!

the National Trust Killerton in Exeter in Devon are hosting an apple picking day on Sunday 5 October, where you can pick apples from their Sparrow Park Orchard. These delicious apples are used for Apple Juice and Cider production. On arrival you receive a bucket, some instructions and then you can pick apples for as long or as little as you’d like! This is a fun event for all ages.

Why not search for similar activities in your area to enjoy a fun day out with nutritious benefits attached?

Make Leaf Compost

Making your own compost is a great way to recycle fallen garden leaves, to get some outdoor exercise and have fun creating something that will nourish and protect your garden through the Winter months.

You can make a special compost using only leaves which is called Leaf Mould which can be used next year to improve soil quality or act as a protective mulch to keep weeds and frost out.

You will need the following:

4 bamboo canes, around 1.5m high
Measuring sticks
4.5m biodegradable plastic netting or windbreak netting
Thin garden wire, cut into 10 pieces each 8-10cm long

What to do:

Push the first corner cane firmly into the ground.
Using the measuring sticks, form a 1 x 1m square from the first cane and firmly push the other three canes into position.
Unroll the netting and slowly walk around the four canes, so that the two ends meet and the four canes are enclosed.
Fix the netting to the canes, by passing the wire through the net and twisting the two ends together tightly around the cane. Apply at least two pieces of wire per cane, spaced at the top and bottom.
On the last cane, the netting should overlap and the wire should feed through both layers. The loose ends of the netting can either be cut off or attached to the other piece of netting with another piece of wire. This will form an enclosed bin ready for lots of leaves.
Once the leaves start falling, collect the leaves and start to fill your bin.
Water in the layers as you go, as this helps to rot the leaves down. It may take up to a year before the leaf mould is ready to dig in to improve the soil or use as mulch.

SOURCE: How to Make Leaf Compost - RHS

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through October for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 November 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

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The Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants by Andy Cole

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 23:00:01 GMT

Design your own healing garden guided by the aura of plants and herbs

This wonderful book brings together the horticultural, spiritual and healing aspects of creating a garden that is pleasing to spend time in while being deeply healing and soothing for the soul. No matter how large or small, different outside spaces can be designed to create the most appealing layout, taking into account energy flow and the placement of trees, plants and herbs with certain healing benefits that bring mind, body and soul into a state of calm.

The Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants is written by Andy Cole LCHI who grew up on a family dairy farm, cultivating an interest in nature and natural wildlife in the surrounding area. With farming and market gardening being a generational family tradition, it was a natural progression for Andy to feel drawn to the healing energy of plants and herbs since starting his spiritual journey at the age of 20.

It turned out to be no coincidence that Andy had always been drawn to Roses and Foxgloves, not realising that these plants are of and for the heart. With heart disease being prevalent in the family, and following a stress-related scare, Andy made the connection between his attraction for the flowers and his heart-related condition.

The question was, had the energies from these plants helped Andy to recover and could this type of gentle healing help others?

We know that plants, leaves, roots, flowers and herbs have been used for centuries for their healing, nourishing and cleansing properties. I was interested to learn that a lost civilisation known as the Lemurias lived in harmony with Nature around 500,000 years ago. So much so that they did not need to ingest plant essences or remedies for healing, they only needed to be in the presence of the plant to receive its healing effects.

I know that when I walk in Nature, all my senses come into play to take in the sights, smells, textures, tastes and sounds around me. I always feel better from it and it makes me feel good. As Andy says, spiritual or sensory gardens are designed to stimulate our innate sixth sense that brings us into an overall sense of calm. It's a feeling that all is well, resulting in a relaxing experience and a beautiful memory that can be returned to again and again.

I have selected just a few of the ideas from this remarkable book to share with you here. It will be my go-to reference when I am ready to create my own spiritual healing garden .

Designing a sacred space

It is so helpful to find all the different aspects of a healing garden brought together in one place so that you can design a beautiful spiritual space to spend time in - however large or small.

It starts by establishing any natural energy lines that you can take advantage of by positioning paths and other features on, around or leading to these essential sources of lifeforce beneath your feet. It is helpful to find out all you can about existing trees and plants so that you can use them as features or to provide borders for different areas.

You need to decide where the sitting areas will be and for what purpose, where to install a moving water feature for ultimate meditative relaxation, where to install an archway, a wall or other permanent features that will bring pleasure all year round.

There are many things to consider and Andy provides wonderful examples with guidance on each depending on what your ideal outcome or usage will be. Items include:

Soil and compost
Trees and large shrubs
Garden threshold or entrance
Gates and doors
Pathways
Ponds, pools and water features
Archways
Functional and ornamental bridges
Benches and seals
Statues and ornaments

In summary, each design has to be especially created to be simple but effective. The simplicity of the garden will help in the relaxation of those who use it.

Plant directory

A tremendous amount of research, study and practical experience lies behind the pages of Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants including the actual aura of some of the most popular herbs which were captured on a special camera.

We learn that plants, flowers and herbs contain ancient symbolic meanings and provide the opportunity for us to connect with spirit through the varying frequencies maintained by different flora of the natural world.

Andy brings these ancient traditions forward to the present day where certain plants (and trees) offer physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. especially when they are treated with reverence and respect.

Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants describes more than 120 different trees, plants, herbs and flowers in terms of horticultural information, preferred soil type, PH value, aspect for planting, flowering periods and size. Information is also provided on culinary, medicinal and spiritual properties.

Herb directory

There is a good selection of herbs in Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants , one of which is a favourite of mine which I wanted to share with you here. I love Lavender for many reasons and Andy has opened up another level of understanding as to what this means. This is just a taste of what you can learn about your favourites:

A general description of the foliage and flowers for Lavandula Augustifolia (English Lavender Hidcote ). Preferred habitat and soil, exposure, flowering period, height and spread, how to plant and prune and when. The many different culinary uses of Lavender surprised me with so many ideas and a warning not to eat flowers from Lavender purchased in florists, nurseries or garden centres as it is not considered a food crop and so they have usually been treated with herbicides and pesticides.

Medicinally, Lavender is used in herbal tea (sparingly), creams, tinctures and natural massage oils for a long list of ailments. Cosmetically, we know that Lavender has cleansing and anticeptic properties making it an ideal ingredient for handmade soaps, skin creams and bath oils.

Herbs are described in the first section of the book, followed by the Spiritual Properties of Plants , At the back of the book you will find lists of plants and herbs used for different purposes such as Relaxation, Working with Angels, Protection and Grounding, Spiritual Development, Depression, Meditation, Bereavement and Fertility. There is also an index so that you find the particular item you are looking for.

The healing garden

Simply reading Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants will fill your mind with ideas and take you on a journey through a quintessential healing garden where you will learn about its features, plants and herbs.

I imagine a curving pathway edged with each of the colours of the chakras where you can gently tune your inner self to the hidden healing aura of plants and herbs. I imagine breathing in the healing compounds continually being released into the air and certain essential oils that can be released by gently brushing the flowers or squeezing a leaf.

I am led to imagine beautiful colours appearing at different times of the year, the sight of features softened with climbing or hanging plants, the relaxing sound of water trickling into a pond and garden birds singing their songs all around. Then I notice all manner of wildlife that bring the garden alive such as butterflies, bees, spiders, beetles and ladybirds and another wave of wellbeing floods over me.

Andy's book shows us how we can create an outdoor space that provides sanctuary, calm and healing for mind, body and soul. It shows how every investment in Nature brings back invaluable returns and how easy it is to tune in and live in harmony with Nature without having to travel too far to do so.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

To purchase your own copy of The Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants, please contact Andy Cole or Michele Hounsell at info@thetherapygarden.co.uk. Find out more about The Potting Shed in Middlemarsh, Sherborne, Dorset and how to visit as detailed on the National Garden Scheme website.

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New Hunter's Moon - Sunday 21 September

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 06:30:00 GMT

New Hunters Moon

When tribes prepared for the rigours of hunting:

Animals gave their lives for our human survival;

A reciprocal exchange of respect, care and giving;

In a world where Natural Law was integral to living.

New Hunters Moon

Time for spiritual insight and self-reflection;

For reading, thinking and introspection;

For thoughts of beginnings, setting intentions;

Build on your growth following the Harvest season.

New Hunters Moon

Aligned with a Solar Eclipse, partial in Virgo;

A sign ruled by planet Mercury, positioned in Libra;

This transit brings meaning, have love in your heart;

Make room for romance, and practice your art.

New Hunters Moon

Order and reason, bring certainty and calm;

Bring stillness to chaos, with warmth and charm;

Be tolerant and accepting, to yourself and your own;

Life is what you make it, know this deep down.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Herb (Dill)

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

An aromatic herb with a mild aniseed flavour and medicinal properties

A Healing Herb Guide

Dill is the eighteenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Dill was first discovered in the Mediterranean region about 5,000 years ago and was used in Scandinavia by the Norsemen (see below). The word means to calm or to soothe and as Nicholas Culpeper, a famous 17th century physician, medical astrologist and herbalist, stated: Dill strengthens the brain and stays the hiccough when boiled in wine and smelled unto being tied in a cloth.

Dill is a popular culinary herb with ornate, feathery leaves which have a mild aniseed flavour. Dill Seeds have a similar flavour to Fennel but are more subtle. Delicate clusters of tiny yellow flowers appear between June and September, and they are a magnet for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Dill is also a host plant for the caterpillars of Black Swallowtail Butterflies.

Dill can be grown in flower borders, herb beds, vegetable plots and containers with just a few weeks of harvest harvests last only a few weeks, if you sow seeds repeatedly in small batches, you can have fresh leaves to pick all Summer. The leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible.

Dill is a two-in-one herb (the same as Coriander ) and is unique because both its leaves (also known as Dill Weed) and its seeds are edible, nutritious, medicinal and flavourful. The leaves have a fresh, grassy taste while the seeds are stronger and spicier.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Dill - an uplifting herb that will serve you well in support of your general good health, healing and wellbeing.

Folklore

Dill has always been seen as a treasured herb symbolising good cheer and good luck.

In the Middle Ages, hanging Dill Weed by your door prevented anyone entering who might mean harm. Sprigs of Dill were also hung on cradles to protect sleeping babies and young children.

The name Dill originates from the Old Norse term dilla which means to lull and it was used to induce sleep. The ancient Greeks called it Hermes’s Semen , as it is a herb of Mercury associated with fertility and abundance. This is because of the large amount of seeds produced by each umbel in late Summer. Dill Seeds are categorised as a spice.

Roman gladiators used to rub Dill over their bodies prior to engaging in mortal combat and Dill Essential Oil was mixed into food as a fortifying tonic.

Early settlers in North America called Dill the meetin' seed because it was given to children to chew on to keep them quiet during sermons.

In the British Isles, Dill was renowned by medieval magicians to counter spells and clear the home of unwanted spirits. It was also burned in the rooms of sick people to encourage healing and carrying Dill Seeds over the heart was said to combat the Evil Eye.

In some cultures, Dill was used in love potions as it was thought to symbolise fidelity, devotion and good fortune.

Nutrition

Dill is an annual herb which is part of the celery family known as Apiaceae .

Dill provides a good source of vitamins A and C, magnesium, calcium, iron and foliate. All of these essential nutrients contribute to general health and various bodily functions, from repair system support to strong bones and teeth.

Dill leaves and Dill Seeds have been found to be rich in several plant compounds such as antioxidants including flavonoids. These plant compounds have been found to assist in reducing the risk of heart disease, strokes and some forms of cancer.

Remedies

Dill's medicinal properties include a compound called limoneno which has been used to kill harmful intestinal bacteria such as E. Coli. As Nicholas Culpeper suggests (see above), Dill contains healing properties that benefit the digestive system.

In my childhood, Dill Water, known as Gripe Water, was given to babies and young children to ease an upset stomach. In Roman times, Dill Oil was provided at banquests and dinner parties to reduce the gaseous emissions from guests.

Dill Water or Dill Herbal Tea can be made by placing a handful fresh Dill into a cup of just-boiled filtered water, steep for at least 5 minutes, strain and sip throughout the day.

Dill also contains an Essential Oil called eugenol which has been therapeutically used as a local anesthetic and antiseptic. In ancient times, Dill leaves were often crushed and applied to wounds to disinfect them and speed up healing time.

Eugenol is used to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics and Dill Seeds are very beneficial as they have sedative, anti-spasmodic and digestive health properties. Chewing on a few seeds freshens the breath and eases digestion after a heavy meal - they taste similar to Caraway Seeds

Recipes

Dill leaves are traditionally used to flavour chicken, fish and egg dishes, and are used as the main ingredient in Dill Pickles. They can be chopped into soups and salads while the more flavoursome Dill Seeds can be used in baking and many other savoury dishes.

Fresh Dill Yogurt Dressing

This is a very simple recipe for a refreshing dressing to accompany fish dishes, salads, roasted vegetables or grilled grass-fed beef and other fresh meats. It can also be used as a dip.

2 x cups Fresh Dill (finely chopped)

2 x cups Natural Yogurt, Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream

1 x cup Homemade Mayonnaise

1.5 x cup Fresh Spring Onions (finely chopped)

1 x juice of half a Lemon

Gently mix all the ingredients together and serve.

I hope you enjoy adding Dill to your garden and to your diet so that you can benefit from its delicious flavour and gentle healing properties.

Much love

Sue Xx

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A Healing Herb (Coriander)

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 06:30:00 GMT

A distinctive herb that contributes to enhancing overall well-being

A Healing Herb Guide

Coriander is the seventeenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Coriander has been used as a herb and as a medicine since ancient times with archaeologicsts finding evidence of Coriander Seeds in caves in Israel dating back 8,000 years.

Also known as Chinese Parsley or Cilantro (in Spanish), Coriander is an annual herb belonging to the Celery family. Thought to be native to Iran, Coriander grows across wide areas of North Africa, Southern Europe and South-West Asia, including herb gardens across the British Isles.

All parts of the Coriander plant are edible with it being recorded as a foodstuff in a Japanese text dating back to the 10th century AD. Spanish Conquistadors are said to have introduced the flavourful herb to Mexico and Peru.

Coriander was introduced to the British Isles by late Bronze Age invaders who used the herb to add flavour to their Barley gruel. It was also mixed with Cumin and Vinegar to preserve meat and became an integral ingredient in Chili and other savouroy dishes. Coriander is particularly prevelent in Mexican food.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Corainder - a dynamic healing herb that will serve you well in support of your general good health, healing and wellbeing.

Folklore

Coriander has been cultivated and used since ancient times. It is mentioned in Sanskrit literature as far back as 5000 BC and in the Eber Papyrus ( an Egyptian medical Papyrus of herbal knowledge) dating back to 1550 BC.

Corainder Seeds were prized by the Egyptians as they have been found in the tombs of the 21st Dynasty following the reign of Ramesses III who was the second Pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty in Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians called them the spice of happiness because it was known to have aphrodisiac qualities.

The Greek physician known as the father of medicine, Hippocrates [480 – [370BC], and other Greek physicians used Coriander in ointments to relieve arthritis and rheumatism. It was also used in herbal tea as an aid for digestion.

Unfortunately, to the Greeks, crushed unripe Coriander Seeds and leaves smelled like crushed bedbugs which is where its name came from. Coriander comes from the Greek word Koriannon representing a combination of koris, meaning stinking bug, and annon, meaning fragrant anise . Fortunately, apart from having a pungent smell, Coriander presents a delightful mix of flavours - fresh citrusy leaves with a slightly bitter taste and seeds with a pleasingly nutty, spicy and earthy flavour containing hints of citrus peel.

Nutrition

Coriander is anti-hyperglycemic which means decreases the glucose levels in the blood. This is especially helpful for those suffering from diabetes. Coriander is also anti-hyperlipidemic (lowers triglyceride and bad lipid levels), anti-proliferative (inhibits proliferation of cell growth) and hypotensive (lowers blood pressure to counteract hypertension).

It is a digestive stimulant with the leaves providing an excellent source of antioxidant flavonoids. Coriander is a diuretic that helps to flush excess sodium from the body contained in refined table salt.

For an aromatic tea, Coriander Seeds can be infused in filtered near-boiling water for about 5 minutes before straining. This healthy herbal tea helps to control blood sugar levels, provides a cure for food-borne bacterial infections and helps to relieve flu symptoms, sore throats and colds.

A blend of crushed Coriander leaves in buttermilk promotes healthy digestion.

Remedies

Corander Seed Detox

Coriander Seed is classified as a spice and is used in Ayurveda to remove gar visha from the body. These are toxins that we take in from air pollution, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, skin care products, heavy metals and synthetic nutraceuticals. Coriander Seed has the ability to bind such toxins and remove them safely from the body. Considered the most cooling spice, it is the best to use for deep detoxification in the modern age.

Bring one litre of filtered water to the boil and pur into in a stainless steel thermos.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of whole Coriander Seeds to the thermos.
Let it steep 20 minutes before pouring into a cup or glass and sipping it.
Keep sipping for 4 hours.
After this time the tea will lose its effectiveness, so throw out the remainder.
Repeat for the next three months on a daily basis.
If you get any symptoms as the toxins come out, such as a rash or digestive upset, cut back on the amount of the Coriander Seed. A pinch of the seeds will do which is less than an eighth of a teaspoon.

SOURCE (includes video) : Coriander - The Best Spice for a Detox - Dr Marianne Teitelbaum

Recipes

Coriander Butter

This easy to make recipe packs a real punch, adding a spectacular flavour to an organic grass-fed steak or similar meat dish.

2 x tablespoons Coriander (chopped)
1 x 50g Unsalted Butter (softened)
1 x fresh Lemon (zested)
Sea Salt and ground Black Pepper (to taste)

All you have to do is wash and finely chop the fresh Corainder leaves, blend into the butter and season to taste with Sea Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper . Roll into a sausage shape, wrap with compostable clingfilm and chill until ready to use.

I hope you enjoy adding Coriander to your diet to benefit from its cleansing, flavouring and nutritional properties.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 23:27:42 GMT

How to protect our individuality, moral purpose and consciousness

Exceptional authors tend to appear when you are on a particular path and are ready for the knowledge they can impart to you. Many of us can list books that have had the most influence on our way of thinking or way of life. My list now includes Ayn Rand, a reclaimed author who wrote both fictional and theoretical books that, in the same frame as George Orwell, warned of the danger of not thinking for ourselves and living our lives according to the whims of others.

Ayn Rand thought that one should study philosophy in self-protection and in defense of truth, justice, freedom and any value you ever held or may ever hold. Her philosophy known as Objectivism is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity and reason as his only absolute .

As stated by the Ayn Rand Institute : Ayn's philosophy is not an esoteric subject but a daily force shaping individual lives and human history. You must have some view of the kind of world you live in, of how best to understand and deal with it, and of what to aim at in life. Your only choice is whether your philosophical premises are acquired by your own independent thinking or absorbed unquestioningly from those around you.

Ayn Rand opposed philosophies such as Collectivism and Statism , which she considered to include different forms of government that embrace Communism , Fascism , Socialism , Meritocracy , Democracy and the Welfare State . Her ideal form of government exists solely to uphold man's individual rights and protect him from physical violence with its only authority being the consent of the governed. It is therefore not the ruler, but the servant or agent of the citizens with no rights except the rights delegated to it by the citizens for a specific purpose.

George Orwell who wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm was a socialist warning of the dangers of To talitarianism (brought about by Collectivism and Altruism) and corruption (brought about by favouritism, unearned privilege and the taking away of a man's right to live freely and think for himself).

From her dedication to the universal truths of Aristotle , the moral justification of Capitalism (where man is free to exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor others to himself (as determined by Natural Law ), and the recognition that every man is an end to himself (not a means to the ends of others), to the critical analysis (and philosophical detectivism) of flawed philosophies (mostly unknown to us) that have led to the situation we find ourselves in today.

For all these reasons, Philosophy: Who Needs It, is a critical book that carries an important message as relevant today as it is was in 1982.

Authors of note

Ayn Rand [1934-1982] was a Russian-born American writer and philosopher, noted for her acclaimed fiction writing (including Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged) which was underpinned by her own philosophical system of Objectivism encompassing Capitalism as a social construct based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights in which all property is privately owned and everyone has the right to own their own property.

For each one of us to live a harmonious and prosperous life on Earth, Ayn suggests we need to:

Follow reason, not whims or faith
Work hard to achieve a life of purpose and productiveness
Earn genuine self-esteem
Pursue our own happiness as our highest moral aim
Prosper by treating others as individuals, trading value for value

This aligns with some of my favourite philosophers including Erich Fromm , Carl Jung , Abraham Maslow and my late Dad, Jeff Cartwright , who have uncovered fundamental truths about human nature, our connection to each other and our existence in the wider Universe as a basis on which to design the building blocks needed to create living environments that focus on every individual's right to thrive and grow.

Philosophy by design

It is clear to see that Ayn Rand created her own philosophy based on fundemental truth. This was necessary (particularly in her novels) to demonstrate how we can create a better world by reasoning with our minds and connecting to our inner consciousness. It was also necessary to highlight the outrageous irrationality of silo scientists and academics who are bought and paid for by governments, conglomerates and global non-profit entities, while being promoted preferentially on mainstream media.

It is no wonder the concepts of individual independence and freedom are so vehemently opposed by those who seek the good life for themselves to the detriment of anyone not like them - and why they prefer us not to think about it.

Ayn's writings, lectures and books confirm that positive change is possible and that such tyranny can be countered, quietly, by contesting unfounded, irrational claims as we come across them. It means being prepared to think for ourselves and to speak out, rather than being told what to think and accepting the untruth that our ideas, rights and desires are not important.

Choosing the kind of world we want to live in is in our hands and we need to take note, because, as Ayn said in 1982 when her book was published: The brutes are winning by default.

It is prudent for us to be able to recognise rational philosophies that have our best interests at heart, compared to dogmatic pseudo-philosophies based on whim that force change onto us without our knowledge, consent or favour.

The beauty of Ayn Rand is that she shows us how to counter such falsities and stand up to our own truth.

Indigenous philosophy

It was no surprise to discover that philosophy has been instrumental in the creation and sustainable growth of indigenous communities through the ages. It has enabled them to live according to their own principles in harmony with Nature, strengthened by the extraordinarily brave measures taken to protect the legacy of their ancestors and the lives of their children into the future.

Miguel van der Velden, who traces his roots to the Wayuu, Añú and Cuiba tribes of Venezuela, and to Dutch and Spanish travellers, understands how Indigenous Philosophies help Indigenous Peoples regain their cultural integrity, and how this can help to steer humanity off the path of destruction and the spiritual estrangement felt by so many today. He says:

One of the main goals of philosophy is to ask why we have this life and how we are meant to live it. As such, it has been the backbone of many cultures throughout the world and history. It has influenced entire nations. One could argue that in everything we do, there is a philosophy underlying the action. This raises great concern: if this is true, and philosophy plays such a fundamental role in society, then what great flaw in the philosophy of the modern world is causing us to destroy the environment, turn a blind eye to oppression and subject ourselves to a political-economic system that for many of us simply does not fit.

This ties in perfectly with Ayn Rand's warning that we must call out the wicked and flawed philosophies that have been enabled to permeate society, funded by those who increasingly try to prevent us from thinking for ourselves and using our intuition to understand the world we live in. While doing our inner work to understand who we are is essential, so is using our minds to think logically and rationally about the future we want to create for ourselves.

It means we must protect ourselves from believing things we are told at face value. It means questioning everything we are told until it makes sense in our own mind and feels right in our soul . Only then can we be sure that the knowledge we are taking on board is grounded in truth and supports our rights as individuals.

Using common sense

Ayn Rand is quite clear about the fact that man is neither to be obeyed or commanded and provides knowledge and tools to counter ridiculous statements, nonsensical catch phrases or throwaway quips which are designed to evade the truth with aplomb and flounder you.

These slogans are rife and are used by those politicians who have been taught to deny everything and lie with impunity as and when required. Each one of us needs to apply our common sense, moral code and reasoning when subjected to unproven metaphors, fictional straw men, questions left unanswered, autoritarian dogmatic absolutes, and so on.

As Ayn says, we need our own philosophy to back us up and give us a consistent case when dealing with specific issues. This is not as difficult as it sounds when you know the battle is primarily intellectual or philosophical rather than political. It's a question of bringing order to our ideas and integrating them into our lives and our conversations as a matter of course, and not allowing ourselves to be dictated to by others.

In Ayn's words, it means developing an active mind as a permanent attribute with a profound conviction that ideas are important to you and your life as you insist on the use of reason in all of your personal dealings which will lead to many opportunities to enlighten others.

Philosophical detectivism

In your role as a philosophical detective, your mission is to pick up on catch phrases used as handy means of Rationalisation which Ayn describes as the hatred of reality , the notion that reason is unable to perceive reality, and proclaims the supremecy of emotions, in an uncomprehensible world. For example:

Nobody can be certain of anything is a rationalisation for a feeling of envy and hatred toward those who ARE certain
Nobody is perfect in this world is a rationalisation for the desire to continue indulging in one's imperfections and to escape reality
Nobody can help anything he does is a rationalisation for the escape from commitment and moral responsibility

The key is to take whatever is being said as read and to question the logic. By answering (to any of the above): So tell me, why not? will probably be enough to end the conversation, you will have caught them by surprise and deflated them, thus reducing their confidence - ever so slightly - the next time they choose to spout such nonsense.

If someone says to you, it may be true for you but it's not true for me (which tries to deny the Law of Identity ), you could point out that something can't be true and untrue at the same time so which is it?

If someone says to you, this may be good in theory, but it doesn't work in practice ( which tries to detach theory from reality), you could say that it is the theory that underpins the practice identifying principles that can be used as guidelines for man's actions.

If someone says to you, it's logical but logic has nothing to do with reality ( which tries to assume that things are not really as they are), you could point out that logic is the art of non-contradictory identification which is ruled by the Law of Identity where each thing is identical with itself. Mention that this is underpinned by the Law of Logic (or logical reasoning) which ensures terms and subjects remain consistent within an argument.

The question is, are we going to continue to pander to the whims of individuals, corporations and governments that deem to control us by erasing our identity and denegrating our minds using underhand tactics? Or, are we going to think for ourselves and use our intelligence and common sense to burst their bubbles of untruth and stop the madness?

The dangers of altruism

Thanks to Ayn Rand, I can at last say that I understand the pros of Capitalism, Objectivism and Individualism (representing freedom) and the cons of Communism, Collectivism and Altruism (representing dictatorship).

These are highly complex subjects which I have been afraid to delve into with my limited intellectual skills and lack of formal academic training. Having read Philosophy: Who Needs It ( Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal is on order), it has been a revelation to be able to consolidate my thinking, substantiate my philosophy for a beautiful life on Earth for all people (incorporating my Dad's legacy) and to know how to counter those who are likely to attack such beautiful work in ignorance or fear, if given the opportunity to do so.

I will write further on this as understanding what philosophy is, where it comes from and how it impacts on our daily lives is vitally important if we are to have control over the lives we want lead - rather than allowing ourselves to be coralled into oblivion as a collective mass of nonsensical average individuals with no personal rights to anything .

By believing we are an insignificant part of the collective with a duty to sacrifice ourselves to an unspecified and constantly changing greater good based on the insecurities of those who have no interest in us as individuals at all, we are sleep-walking into a dictatorship.

It helps to understand that the idea of self-sacrifice comes from the Philosophy of A ltruism which, far from being an important moral value (as promoted by many cultures and religions) , is actually an insult to our intelligence. This is because it steadily sucks the life out of everything we hold dear and plays on our good intentions, especially when it comes to our innate generosity, our appreciation for reciprocal giving and receiving, our wish to support each other, our desire to work creatively and to enjoy being recognised and rewarded for our efforts - as we should.

Such common rights and simple pleasures in life that we appreciate are being threatened by the idea that we should sacrifice everything we own - including our minds - to the unconscious and irrational notions of others.

What we can do

There is no question that we have been remiss in allowing (or consenting to) the creation of man-made rules and unlawful legistlations that not only hold us back but are designed to work against us. All we want is the freedom to live the lives we choose in comfort and safety with respect shown for each other and the natural world.

We know this means taking responsibility and holding ourselves accountable for our actions, given the opportunity to follow our own path and build a future that we can look forward to.

The question we need to ask is: Why do we feel so far away from living a simple life that we can enjoy in peace? The answer is that we expected our governments to support us and provide for us, we went along with their stories because they made it sound so enticing without revealing their true agenda.

More of us are realising it is time for us to raise our heads above the parapet to come together to find a way forward that makes sense, and that we can all agree upon because it works for everyone. Ayn makes it clear by saying:

As a human being, you have no choice about the fact that you need a philosophy. Your only choice is whether you define your philosophy by a conscious, rational, disciplined process of thought and scrupulously logical deliberation - or let your subsconscious accumulate a junk heap of unwarranted conclusions, false generalisations, undefined contradictions, undigested slogans, unidentified wishes, doubts and fears, thrown together by chance, but integrated by your subconscious into a kind of mongrel philosophy and fused into a single, solid weight: self doubt, like a ball and chain in the place where your mind's wings should have grown.

This concludes my overview of an incredibly informative and supremely helpful book which was written for people like you and me who want to bring positive change into this world.

I will be back to share more but for now, I hope this has given you food for thought, and the incentive to apply your little grey cells to understanding your philosophy . As Agatha Christie's Poirot put it , the true art of logic and reason is to develop a unique style of detection comprising a combination of logical deduction, hands-on investigation and intuition.

Thank you for reading my longest post to date, I hope it has been helpful and I look forward to seeing you next time.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand (1961)

The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand (1961)

Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand (1967)

The Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand (1975)

The New Left by Ayn Rand (1975)

Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand (1982)

Philosophy: Who Needs it by Ayn Rand (1982)

Non-fiction books (above) are no longer in print but you can search for them online. I use Abe Books who stock old and new books with delivery to the British Isles (no affiliation).

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

We The Living by Ayn Rand

Fictional books (above) are available from my Spiral Leaf bookshop where a small commission may be earned on books sold via these links at no extra cost to you!

Learn more!

To find out more about Ayn's work, lectures and books, visit the Ayn Rand Insistute who offer a free copy of Atlas Shrugged to students who want to learn about Ayn's philosophy of Objectivism.

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Full Harvest Moon in Pisces - Sunday 7 September

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Full Harvest Moon

A tribute to the last harvest of the year;

To see all we have sown, all that has brought us here;

Fruits born of intentions, dreams made real;

Manifesting futures, through the feelings we feel.

Full Harvest Moon

Total Lunar Eclipse, the Blood Moon returns;

Magnifing the magic of the Full Moon on Earth;

Powerful energy, transformation, rebirth;

Bringing balance and peace to all we observe.

Full Harvest Moon

Poised at the peak, full phase of the lunar cycle;

An exquisite month of culmination, maturation;

When we celebrate our harvest, share things with others;

When we let go all the things that no longer serves us.

Full Harvest Moon

Piscean influence, in flow, harmony, daydreaming;

In consciousness, awareness, kindness, introspection;

Take good care of your emotional and spiritual wellbeing;

Engage in creative pursuits, entertain your imagination.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Herb (Chamomile)

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:00:01 GMT

A herb that teaches gentleness and brings about a sense of calm

A Healing Herb Guide

Chamomile is the sixteenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Camomile is possibly one of my most favourite herbs. The flowers bring their stunning centres of golden yellow seranaded by gently sloping petals in swirls of brilliant white. They remind me of ballerinas, dancing in synchronicity whenever the breeze stirs, bringing their gifts of calm and tender healing for human beings and a colourful lift to grasslands, waste ground, coastal paths, roadsides, paths, gardens.

Chamomile is a mat-forming, aromatic herb with finely divided, green leaves and pure white, daisy-like flowers springing from a bright yellow centre. This charming, ground-hugging herb releases a refreshing apple-like scent when crushed. English botanist, herbalist and physician, Nicholas Culpeper [1616 - 1654] attributed Chamomile to the Sun, and spoke of the leaves being pleasantly fragrant, hence its use as a lawn plant, but also in aromatherapy.

The word Chamomile comes from the Greek words khamai meaning on the ground , and melon meaning apple . This relates to its low-growing nature and apple-scented fragrance. The use of Chamomile dates back to ancient civilizations with its beautiful flowers revered for their soothing properties and pleasant aroma.

Chamomile has been used for its calming and relaxing effects for centuries and is today connected with self-care, mindfulness and holistic treatments. It is a popular ingredient in herbal teas, skincare routines and aromatherapy practices. It is a cherished and beloved flower, embraced for its healing qualities and ability to promote a sense of serenity in our fast-paced world.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Chamomile - a gentle healing herb that will serve you well in support of your general good health, healing and wellbeing.

Folklore

Chamomile has been associated with various cultural beliefs, myths, folk remedies and traditions throughout history.

In ancient Egypt, it was offered to the Sun God (Ra) as a symbol of healing and protection. In Norse mythology, it was associated with Goddess Frigg, mother of marriage, motherhood and foresight, to whom Chamomile symbolised peace, domestic harmony and soothing comfort. In Greek mythology, and Apollo considered Chamomile to be a symbol of patience and endurance. Other mythical connections demonstrating its significance in different cultures throughout history.

There is also Wild Chamomile known as Pineapple Weed which has a fruity, pineapple-like aroma. In folk medicine, Pineapple Weed has been used for centuries to aid digestion, promote relaxation and bring about sleepiness. It was also used as a mild pain reliever. You may have noticed it growing on your lawn, in hedgerows or on pavement edges. Pineapple Weed is not as therapeutic as Chamomile but is a good alternative.

Chamomile is similar to the herb, St John’s Wort, due to its association with Midsummer's Day. Chamomile wreaths were added to doors on June 24 in Pagan times to ward off misfortune in the months ahead. In Germany, farmers’ wives hung Chamomile indoors as it was believed to sway, if a visitor's true thoughts were not to be trusted. In Tudor England, Chamomile was planted liberally as it symbolised patience, humility and resilience. It was also used in spells to help a person bounce back from rejection.

If you want to plant your own Chamomile or take on the challenge of creating your own Chamomile Lawn, you can choose between self-seeding German Chamomile or hardy perennials, Roman or English Chamomile. The latter are better for creating lawns as they provide the best ground cover and tolerate light foot traffic more easily.

Nutrition

All parts of the Chamomile plant (flowers, stems and leaves) can be eaten raw and contain many beneficial antioxidants. The flowers have a mild, sweet, herbal flavour that can enhance many fresh food and cooked recipe applications.

Chamomile contains macro-nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fats and fibre together with vitamin C, calcium, copper, zinc and iron - all of which are essential to keep the body healthy. The Chamomile flowers contain active chemical compounds such as chamazulene, apigenin, luteolin, beta-carotene and bisabolol, together with phenolic compounds including tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids and natural steroids.

All the benefits of this delightful herb can be enjoyed by making Chamomile Herbal Tea (see below) or by blending a few drops of organic Chamomile Essential Oil into a pure carrier oil to massage onto your skin (see below).

Remedies

Chamomile is rich in a compound called azulene which is an aromatic Essential Oil that has been used in herbal remedies, beauty products and therapeutic treatments throughout history.

As many experiments have revealed over time, simply soaking the fragrant flowers of Chamomile in hot water, pure carrier oils or alcohol-based produces, creates an elixir that has the ability to calm the body, relax the muscles and soothe digestive issues over time. This is because Chamomile has antispasmodic and carminative properties that can also help to soothe cramps in the gastrointestinal tract, remove excess gas and improve overall digestion.

Chamomile is known as the gentlest of herbs because of its dual affinity with the nervous and digestive systems making it perfect for times when the effects of momentary nervousness or anxiety are felt in the mind or body. This is why Chamomile is very helpful in calming nerves, relieving nausea and removing motion sickness. It is why it Chamomile is used as an effective and gentle treament for colic, croup and fevers in children.

Chamomile is a nervine which is described as a plant remedy that has a beneficial effect upon the nervous system in some way . It is also a mild herbal sedative which is why a cup of Chamonile Herbal Tea with added fresh herbs such as L emon Verbena , Mint and Lemon Balm (see below) is a comforting bedtime companion that will ease restlessness and bring about restful sleep.

Recipes

The entire Chamomile flower is edible, including the petals and the yellow centers. The blooms can be lightly torn and tossed into green salads or used as an edible garnish for roasted meats. You can sprinkle the flowers on salads or use them to flavour soups, baked recipes, jams, candies and salad dressings. They are also used to flavour ice cream and cocktails or to create a decorative garnish.

Dried flowers from German Chamomile are commonly used in teas. Roman Chamomile is more often used as a mild flavoring in beverages and foods.

Fresh Chamomile Tea (internal application)

The beauty of a herbal tea is that it can be made quickly using fresh or dried Camomile flowers. All you have to do is pour just-boiled filtered water over fresh Chamomile flowers with a few sprigs of Mint before steeping for 5-7 minutes. To serve, pour into a teacup, using a fine mesh strainer if needed.

3-4 x tablespoons of fresh Chamomile flowers or 1-2 teaspoons of dried Chamomile flowers
1-2 x fresh sprigs of Mint
1 x 8oz just-boiled filtered water (cup or mug)

NOTE: Take into consideration your cup or mug size whereby a 1/4 cup of fresh Chamomile in a small cup might be too much.

Fresh Chamomile Oil (external application)

Chamomile Oil is a perfectly natural and gentle treament for irritated, inflamed, dry or tired skin. Remember that fresh plants have a higher water content than dried ones so bear this is mind when making your infused oil.

Pick a bunch of fresh Chamomile flowers.
Place in a single layer on a paper towel or tea towel and leave to wilt over night.
The next day, heat the flowers in 250ml of light carrier oil such as Algan, Almond or Johoba Oil. Use a double boiler and heat very gently for 20 minutes. This is now ready to use.
Alternatively, place the flowers directly into the base oil and allow to infuse in a cool, dark place for over 3 weeks.
Strain into a dark glass container, label with the date and use as required.

NOTE: If you don't have access to wild or dried Chamomile, add a few drops of organic Chamomile Essential Oil instead.

I hope you enjoy adding Chamomile to your herbal teas, baths, skin care routines and baking recipes where you can benefit from its calming, relaxing, healing and decorative properties.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Welcome September (Almanac 2025)

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in September

WELCOME SEPTEMBER

At the start of September, Nature begins to transition from the warm days of the Summer Season to cooler days leading up to the Autumn Equinox on the 22nd of the month.

The Swifts have now departed for sunnier climes leaving the last of the season's migrational birds such as Swallows, ChiffChaffs and Wheatears feeding on the abundance of wild berries and fruits before their long flights overseas. During this time, we welcome birds that come to stay with us during the Winter months such as the Pink Footed Goose, Wigeon and Teal.

September is a great month for foraging Nature's fruits and nuts such as Hazelnuts, Beech Nuts and Sweet Chestnuts. This is when you will see Squirrels particularly busy, burying food in their secret hiding places before the first freeze. This is a great foraging opportunity for human beings too with hedgerows and field edges loaded with the red and purple berries of Rose Hips , Elderberries, Sloes and Blackberries.

Woodland walks will reveal the emergence of all manner of wild fungi fruits , especially on decaying tree stumps and moist areas on the woodland floor. Liberty Caps sprout from crusty cow pats and in ancient woodlands you will find the Fly Agaric (highly poisonous), Amethyst Deceiver, Deer Shield, Shaggy Ink Cap, Honey Fungus, Common Earthball, Wood Blewit, Shaggy Parasol, Beefsteak Fungus, Sulphur Tuft and Jelly Ear. Always make sure that any mushrooms you forage to take home are safe to eat .

A poem - Welcome September - speaks of the Autumn Equinox or Mabon, and the transition to the darkening of Winter when loved ones come together for sumptuous feasts and togetherness, adorned in the rich hues of Autumn that glow in the firelight - golden yellows, oranges, coppers and deep reds.

Moon Phases

Sunday 7 September - FULL HARVEST MOON in Pisces
Sunday 21 September - NEW HUNTER'S MOON in Virgo

Lunar Eclipse & Autumn Equinox

Sunday 7 September - Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon)
Monday 22 September - Autumn Equinox

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Monday 1 September - Sunrise (6.29am) - Sunset (7.59m)
Tuesday 30 September - Sunrise (7.14am) - Sunset (6.54pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden, especially at the onset of Autumn when the garden starts slowing down. Some perennials and annuals will have stopped growin flowers and others such as Roses, Sweet Peas, Geraniums, Herbs and Lavender should still be in bloom bringing lots of colour to the garden for everyone to enjoy.

Fruit Picking - make the most of Autumn fruits to eat now, bake for supper or preserve for the Winter including Blackberries, Bilberries, Loganberries and Gooseberries.

Trimming Lavender - lightly trim to create a compact shape as if pruning is left until Spring it runs the risk of cutting into new growth. Lavender should be pruned lightly, avoiding the woody stems because they will not easily regenerate. Keep any flowers still intact, tie them into bunches, hang and dry to use around the house as a natural and relaxing fragrance.

Taking Cuttings - take cuttings of plants to propogate for planting during the Full Harvest Moon phase at the beginning of the month.

Planting Bulbs - plant plenty of colourful and beautifully scented flower bulbs for Christmas such as Daffodils, Hyacinths and Paperwhites (Narcissus Papyraceus).

Garden Maintenance - draw up soil around any exposed roots or base stems to bed them in and protect them from frost later on. This may also be advisable after heavy rains and storms. Trim or cut back plants that are looking a bit tired such as Hosta, Crocosmia and Delphinium. Leave in place those which add shape and colour to borders, flower beds, containers and pots.

Make Rosehip Jelly

Rose Hips are ripening in earnest on the wild bushes along lanes, field edges and riverbanks. There are many species which are hard to tell apart but they all provide a rich source of food for birds and for small mammals such as Voles, Field Mice and Squirrels.

Rose Hips contain a high level of vitamin C and so they were gathered extensively during World War II as an alternative to Oranges. They were made into syrups which were especially given daily to young children. The whole country rallied to collect them and care was taken to strain out the hairy seeds which irritate the gut and skin. This is why they were once ground up by children to use as itching powder!

I collected a vast amount of Rose Hips last year to make Sweet and Wild Rose Hip Syrup for the first time. It took ages to scrape out all the insides resulting in a wonderfully clear and soft rose blush coloured syrup. It was delicious so I will be going out again this year to make some more. I have since realised that you don't have to scrape out the insides before cooking as long as the original mixture is well seived and strained - this will save a lot of time.

Plant a Tree

This is the perfect time of year to plant a tree that will bring foliage, colour and life to any outdoor space. Trees provide a wonderful focal point in a garden. They are dormant in the Autumn and therefore less likely to suffer damage.

Native species such as Holly, Hawthorn and Rowan are suited to small spaces providing vital food and shelter for birds, insects and small mammals through the colder months. Choose carefully and you can enjoy other benefits such as flambouyant displays of blossom in the Spring or fiery red leaves in the Autumn.

This is also an excellent time to plant evergreens. These striking trees and shrubs display green leaves or pine needles all year round, providing colour, depth and interest to any outdoor space. Planted now, even in the coolest season, gives them time to establish their roots before the Sun returns the following year.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) provide an eight step guide on How to Plant a Tree with lots of helpful information including tips on aftercare.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through September for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 October 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

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Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon with Mary G Enig PhD

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:30:00 GMT

A treasure trove of knowledge for cooking, healing and health

This unique and informative cookbook contains traditional recipes using wholesome ingredients that have served human beings very well since the beginning of time. This was until the introduction of ultra processed foods, harmful additives and the controversial Food Pyramid that calls for a diet heavily dependent on refined grains, fruits and vegetables with only a small amount of essential proteins, animal fats, dairy products, salt and sugar.

While we can agree that the reduction of refined sugar, table salt and processed vegetable oils is highly advantageous, removing or reducing natural Sea Salt , extra virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil, whole organic pasture-fed meat, animal protein and dairy products from our daily diet is proving to be problematic as these things contain compounds that are essential for human beings to achieve optimum health.

The controversial Food Pyramid was made even worse in 2011 when it was reduced to a plate with only 4 food groups: vegetables, fruits, protein and grains. MyPlate mixes mainstream, corporate-funded research with influencial and powerful agricultural interests, which, according to Walter Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, is not the recipe for healthy eating.

This is because we are essentially carnivores due to the fact that our energy metabolism is adapted to a diet in which lipids and proteins contribute most of the energy supply, rather than carbohydrates. It is a truism that all essential nutrients can be found in animal sourced foods but not all essential nutrients can be found in plants. Dr William Kiltz cited in his extensive article Are Humans Carnivors , the true health crusader, Barry Groves, who says: Civilized man is the only animal clever enough to manufacture its own food, and the only animal stupid enough to eat it .

Indigenous wisdom

Knowing that we need to eat quality meat and animal products can be difficult for vegans and vegetarians to take on board. It takes a lot of effort to make the right substitutions, and if you rely on processed foods as replacements, it is well worth looking into why you feel hungry all the time, why your skin, nails and hair feel dull or unhealthy, why you feel bloated, depleated or tired as these are all clear signs of excesses or deficiencies of some kind .

I was mainly a vegetarian for many years before reading Nourishing Traditions Sally Fallon and Mary G. I am so grateful as it explained my cravings for quality meat, dairy products and animal fat. It made me completely rethink my diet and return to the healthy home traditions I was brought up with. I have lost weight naturally since making the switch and its good to support local growers and farmers who care for their animals to produce the best quality food.

I realised that from an indigenous point of view, animals (fish and fowl) are the main part of a wholesome diet with all parts of the carefully selected creature/s used for other purposes. In some cases, animals or fish are the only source of food such as for the supremely healthy Inuits of the Arctic regions and other such remote places.

We can learn from the approach of Indigenous Peoples who have always hunted and eaten animals in the most respectful and reciprocal way with careful stewardship of natural resources in mind. In turn, we should respect all organic farmers who love their animals and want the best for them, their land, Nature (and us) in the long run.

This is why I do everything I can to avoid manufactured, processed, supermarket, pre-prepared, takeaway or packaged food. It pays to avoid using plastic and tin foil as much as possible as well. When your body is healthy and functioning to full capacity, it's okay to deviate now and then when you are eating the right amount of nourishing foods every day with plenty of real sea salt and filtered water. Your body needs to be well enough and functioning properly to be able to dispose of any manmade ingredients, additives and toxins introduced.

Soon enough, fake food and drink and throw-away synthetic products lose their appeal which is a good thing for us, our pets, our gardens and our beautiful planet Earth. There are plenty of organic farms, farm shops and markets selling quality food in a town near you, and you can search online for local providers who deliver to your door. This is where a future of healthy food lies and we need to support them.

Politically correct nutrition

National measures put in place in the west to stop smoking, eat more vegetables, reduce salt intake and cut back on red meats and animal fats, have not made a dent in the ever-increasing toll of degenerative disease. As Sally says, we buy foods labelled low-fat, no cholesterol, reduced sodium, thinking they are good for us - so why then are we so sick?

Much of this is due to several dangerous errors built into the edifice of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Pyramid and the new MyPlate model. The main suggested staple is grains which are proving to be harmful in the long term and do not agree with a good many people. Then there's the call for reduced fats without addressing the dangers of low-fat diets, and perpetuates the myth that fats, carbohydrates and proteins have equal nutritional properties no matter how much or how little they are processed.

As Sally goes on to say, even more problematic: No distinctions are made between whole foods and refined, between foods grown organically and those grown with pesticides and commercial fertilizers, between unprocessed dairy products from pasture-fed animals and pasteurised dairy products from confined animals raised on processed feed, between fresh and rancid fats, between traditional fresh fruits and vegetables and those that have been irradiated or genetically altered, between range-fed meats and those from animals raised in crowded pens; between natural and battery-produced eggs; in short, between the traditional foods that nourished our ancestors and newfangled products now dominating the modern marketplace.

It is a sad fact that food processing is the largest manufacturing industry in America (and elsewhere) which means it is one of the most powerful. As Sally confirms: This industry naturally uses its financial clout to influence the slant of university research and the dictates that come from government agencies.

What to avoid (save money)

The first thing to do is reduce or ideally stop consuming refined and ultra processed foods. This alone will make you feel better in a short space of time. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that comes in a packet with more than 5 ingredients listed or with ingredients you don't recognise the name of.

A good rule of thumb is to always buy foods that are as close to their natural and/or organic state as possible. Take time to find traditionally made alternatives and learn how to create tasty meals and snacks for yourself from scratch. Remember that going organic is a journey - be patient, do your homework and enjoy allowing things to unfold gradually.

In summary, the most important things to avoid (and remember they are found in most packaged foods) are: Peanut, Seseme, Safflower, Corn, Sunflower, Soybean, Cotton Seed, Canola and Flax Seed Oils; vegetables high in oxolates (Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Spinach, Potatoes, Beets, Brocolli); refined table salt, sugar, refined flour and grains; processed meat, cheese or milk containing antibiotics and other non-disclosed treatments; alcohol, alcohol-free or energy drinks with artificial sweeteners and colourings; concentrated fruit juice; packaged sweets, crisps, puddings, cake mix, biscuits, sauces (sweet and savoury), cakes, crisps, soda and so on.

The savings made on these costly packaged foods gives you more to spend more on organic, quality and preferrably locally sourced food - and most of the processed things you love, you can learn how to make for yourself.

What to introduce (stay healthy)

Nourishing Traditions provides a recommended guide to all the essesntial foods you need to include in a healthy diet as follows:

PROTEINS - fresh, organic, pasture-raised meat and organ meat (free from antibiotics and the new Bovaer injection designed to reduce methane emissions in cows); seafood of all types from deep sea waters; fresh shellfish in season; fresh organic eggs from pastured poultry; organic fermented non-GMO soy products in small amounts.

FATS - fresh organic butter and cream from organic, pasture-raised cows and goats (preferrably raw and cultured); lard and beef, lamb, goose and duck fat from organic, pasture-raised animals; extra cold-pressed virgin olive oil; unrefined coconut or advocado oil in small amounts.

DAIRY - raw, whole milk and cultured dairy products including yoghurt, piima milk, kefir and raw cheeses, from traditional breeds of organic, pasture-raised cows and goats.

CARBOHYRATES - organic whole grain products properly treated for the removal of phytates (sourdough, sprouted grain bread or sprouted cereal grains); soaked and fermented legumes including lentils, beans and chickpeas; sprouted or soaked seeds and nuts; fresh fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked; fermented vegetables.

I avoid vegetables that are high in oxolates such as Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Spinach, Potatoes, Beets, Chard, Green Beans, Leeks and Broccoli, having learned that they contain antinutrients including phytates, lectins and tannins, which bind to essential minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium, preventing the body from absorbing them. This is not good for our cells and can lead to a build up causing kidney stones.

BEVERAGES - filtered, high-mineral water; lacto fermented drinks made from untreated whole grains or fruit; meat stock or bone broth from organic, pasture-raised cows; organic vegetable broth.

CONDIMENTS - Unrefined sea salt; raw or organic cider vinegar; spices in moderation; fresh herbs; naturally fermented organic soy suace and fish sauce; sauerkraut made with different cabbages and unrefined sea salt.

What to learn (back to basics)

Nourishing Traditions is an invaluable resource that provides comprehensive guidance on how to master the basics of nutrition and food preparation with indepth nutritional information on every food type and beverage. Whole chapters are dedicated to fats, oils, carbohydrates, proteins, milk and milk products, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, salt, spices and additives, and beverages, so that you can feel well informed on the food choices you make going forward.

There are also chapters dedicated to food allergies and special diets, food selection, equipment, kitchen tips and hints with many pages of references for further research.

Mastering the basics includes guidance with recipes for cultured and fermented dairy products; fermented vegetables and fruits; sprouted grains, nuts and seeds; stock; salad dressings; sauces, marinades and condiments; hor d'oeuvres and dips; vegetable salads; soups; raw meat and fish appetisers; gourmet appetisers; fish; poultry; organ meats; game; beef and lamb; ground meats; a catelogue of vegetables; luncheon and supper foods; meat salads; south of the border foods; eggs; sandwich suggestions; whole grains; baking with alternative grains; breads and flour products; legumes; snacks and finger foods; natural sweetners; cakes, pies, biscuits and puddings; beverages; natural tonics and superfoods.

With over 700 delicious recipes and invaluable guidance supported by research-backed information on all the ingredients used, Nourishing Traditions represents a health investment that cannot be matched in terms of holistic knowledge, practical guidance and good old common sense.

Sue Cartwright

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Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon with Mary G Enig PhD

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New Harvest Moon in Virgo - Saturday 23 August

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 06:30:00 GMT

New Harvest Moon

Crescent moon, rising soon after sunset;

A sliver of bright light, up in the distance;

Wane to wax, leading up to Autumn harvest;

As days start to shorten and nights draw in.

New Harvest Moon

Comfort can be found in order and clarity;

In being organised, smoothing irregularities;

In being tolerant of imperfections felt in life;

Knowing all is well, trusting your inner Self.

New Harvest Moon

At the close of the first half year cycle;

A fluid, calming energy brings innovation, miracles;

Speak dreams into material, ethereal, beautiful;

Live the life you want to live, make fear immaterial.

New Harvest Moon

Tune into Virgo's energy for earthy mindfulness;

Focus on reflection and higher consciousness;

Celebrate your best traits, your loving personality;

Acknowledge your essence of unique originality.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Spice (Cayenne)

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:30:01 GMT

Cayenne Pepper is a hot flavoursome spice with medicinal properties

A Healing Spice Guide

Cayenne Pepper is the sixth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Cayenne Pepper is a member of the Capsicum family, named after a small town in French Guiana where it is known as Guinea Spice. Cayenne Pepper has been grown for over 7,000 years in Central and South America, and in the West Indies although it was relatively unknown to the rest of the world until the 15th century.

Cayenne Pepper is a thin chili pepper, green to red in colour that grows from 2 to 5 inches long with a slightly rippled skin. Cayenne Pepper is a culinary and medicinal spice made from ground down Cayenne Peppers.

Cayenne Pepper is moderately hot pepper which is used whole or in the form of a finely milled powder. This flavoursome spice is found in a wide variety of cuisines including Creole, Asian, Indian, Thai, Chinese and Korean. Be careful when you are using ground Cayenne Pepper in the place of Chili Powder as you may end up with a much hotter meal than you planned for. It is however, less spicy than some of the hottest Chili Peppers like Habaneros or Ghost Peppers.

In traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, Cayenne Pepper has long been used to aid digestion, improve circulation and relieve inflammation and pain. Western herbalists use Cayenne Pepper for its ability to stimulate metabolism and enhance cardiovascular health.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Cayenne Pepper - a wonderful addition to culinary dishes and healing remedies for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Cayenne Pepper was considered to be a powerful spice which has been used in magic, folk medicine and ceremonial traditions over the centuries. It is associated with the element of fire, or in some traditions it was recognised as a grounding earth element bringing connection through its physical form. This made Cayenne Pepper particularly helpful for stimulating action, setting boundaries and reviving a stagnant environment or state of being.

For the Mayan, Aztec and other Mesoamerican civilizations, Cayenne Pepper was used in cuisine and was vital for preserving and flavouring food. Medicinally, it was used to treat ailments ranging from stomach issues to respiratory problems due to the capsaicin , a compound that provides both heat and powerful healing properties.

Cayenne Pepper once held significant spiritual and ritualistic significance. It was used in offerings, cleansing rituals, and even warfare, where pepper smoke was sometimes used to disorient enemies. Ancient people of the Americas understood what modern science now confirms — these fiery fruits were powerful in more ways than one.

In folklore remedies and spells, Cayenne Pepper's fiery heat was used to stimulate energy and passion, acting like a spiritual jolt to awaken inner potential and clear stale energies. It was believed to be a powerful protector that would ward off negative energy and unwanted entities. It was also used to deflect ill will and dispel energetic blockages.

Cayenne Pepper was known for its magical properties to act as a shield to fiercely guard a sacred space. It was a go-to ingredient for adding potency and power to almost any spell.

Nutrition

Cayenne Pepper contains beta carotene, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E and K, together with folate and minerals including magnesium.

Cayenne Pepper has a high nutritional value providing essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. When comparing the powder to a fresh pepper, both forms provide some nutritional benefits. The amounts to use differ depending on how hot you want your dish to be.

When using Cayenne Pepper it is best to start with a small amount to recipes before adding more. Wash your hands after handling Cayenne Pepper and avoid touching your face and eyes as the oils can irritate the skin and eyes.

Remedies

Cayenne Pepper is used in many homeopathic wellbeing remedies. For thousands of years it has been used for its phytochemicals including flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. One of these known as capsaicin , is an antioxidant that helps to protect cells from cellular oxidation.

Plant-based compounds provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, reversing bacterial growth. These compounds together with antioxidants, nutrients and minerals can be beneficial for overall physical health.

Emerging evidence suggests that polyphenol-rich foods such as spices function as a prebiotic which positively impacts the growth of good bacteria in our gut’s bacterial community.

A Cayenne Pepper compress is made by mixing the powdered spice with a pure carrier oil and adding to a piece of cloth contained in a cling wrap. This method helps with conditions like cold feet, lack of sensation in the hands and feet, and even symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis. This simple remedy applies heat to the affected area and is used to improve circulation, relieve pain and address peripheral neuropathy when nerves in the body's extremities, such as the hands, feet and arms, are damaged.

According to Dr Richard Shulze, ND MH: Cayenne should be a herb which everyone has in the kitchen, the bathroom and in the trunk of your car because there is no other herb that moves the blood faster to the brain than Cayenne. It relieves the pain of angina pectoris by helping to get more blood to the heart muscle itself. And if a person has a heart attack, Cayenne is the surest first-aid remedy. I have had almost a hundred patients actually save their lives by using a tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper in a glass of warm water and drinking it down fast.

Recipes

Cayenne Pepper can be used in various sweet or savory recipes. Here are a few ways to incorporate this fiery spice into your diet.

Add a dash of Cayenne Pepper and Cinnamon to a hot chocolate drink.
Make a homemade spicy butter by adding powdered Cayenne Pepper to softened real butter.
Mix powdered Cayenne Pepper into chocolate cake batter for a sweet and spicy flavour.
Sprinkle a small amount on egg dishes such as frittatas and omelettes.
Add powdered or finely chopped fresh Cayenne Pepper to curries, dressings, marinades, sauces and stir-fries.

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices that make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Spice (Paprika)

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Paprika is a treasured spice that adds pop and flavour to any savoury dish

A Healing Spice Guide

Paprika is the fifth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Paprika originates from South America in the regions of Bolivia and Peru. It was brought to Europe by Columbus in 1493, and from there it spread throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. In the 16th century, Paprika was being grown all over the world.

Paprika is a sweet pepper because it contains less capsaicin , the chemical responsible for the spicy heat of the Chili Pepper, giving it a more mild, sweet flavour. Perfect for enriching tomato dishes, stews and recipes with grilled cheese toppings, Smoked Paprika, made from ground, dried peppers smoked over wood fires, adds a distinctly rich colour and flavour.

Long before European explorers set foot in the New World, Indigenous Peoples in present-day Mexico and Central America were growing and using peppers. These were not only used for flavouring dishes, they were seen as an essential healing ingredient, especially for aiding digestion and treating various ailments.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Paprika - a wonderful addition to culinary dishes as a mild spice or raw in salads for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

One of the earliest known cultivators of Paprika was located in Europe. They were the Jeronimos Monks at Yuste Monastery, situated in southwestern Spain who began drying and grinding the peppers, creating some of the first European-made Paprika for local use.

Paprika is well known as the national culinary spice of Hungary. It was first introduced by the Turkish in 1569 and Hungarian Paprika is available in eight different varieties ranging in colour and strength of flavour. In 1937, the Hungarian chemist, Albert Szent-György, won the Nobel Prize for research on the vitamin content of Paprika. Early Spanish explorers took the pepper seeds back to Europe, where the plant gradually lost its pungent taste and became Sweet Paprika . McCormick Science Institute - Paprika

The hotness of traditional Hungarian Paprika is preserved in the world-famous Erős Pista, a popular chili sauce in Hungary, made from coarsely ground Hot Paprika and Sea Salt.

In 1493, during his second voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus discovered the Paprika plant and brought it back to Spain where it was used as a medicinal plant. The brightly coloured peppers soon found their way into Spanish kitchens where they remain to this day, revered for their colour, flavour and versatility.

Over the centuries, Paprika has become a familiar spice in kitchen cupboards all over the world. It transforms many traditional dishes from a Spanish Chorizo with Deviled Eggs, to Cheese Omelettes, Indian Curries, Moroccan Hotpots and smoky barbeque dishes. Paprika's ability to enhance colour, aroma and depth of flavour is second to none.

Nutrition

The essential compound in Paprika is called capsaicin which is found in peppers and has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits.

Paprika has powerful antioxidant properties which can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. These properies help to cleanse the body and improve immunity, alleviating built-up gas.

Capsaicin has been shown to have analgesic effects which is why it is used therapeutically for pain management. Some topical pain treatment remedies include capsaicin as an essential ingredient.

Paprika is rich in calcium, potassium and phosphorus all of which are needed to build strong teeth, bones and muscle. Paprika is also a source of folate, vitimin B6, E and K, choline (needed by the brain and nervous system to regulate memory, mood, muscle control and other functions) and niacin (needed to turn food into energy and keep the nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy).

Remedies

A few drops of Paprika Essential Oil in an organic carrier oil is used in massage for warming and relaxing the body. This helps to reduce stress and pain in muscles and joints due to its analgesic qualities.

Paprika Essential Oil is known to improve circulation and help with the removal of toxins.

The soothing scent of Paprika Essential Oil is refreshing to the mind and can help to maintain focus and increases energy levels when feeling tired or run down.

When Paprika Essential Oil in an organic carrier oil is massaged ino the abdomen, this will relieve a sluggish digestive system and soothe digestive spasms. It is strongly detoxifying and helps to stimulates liver function.

Recipes

Paprika is regarded as the national spice of Hungary. It is also very popular in Spain where it is used in Paella and Sofrito (a fried spicy mix used as a base for many Spanish dishes). The practice in Spain is to smoke the Paprika which adds a lovely depth of flavour to many dishes. In Moroccan cuisine, Paprika (or Tamira) is added to a small amount of Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil to use as a dressing.

Creamy Smoked Paprika Sauce

This is a rich and creamy sauce with a delicious smokiness from the Smoked Paprika and a tasty tang from the tomato paste and sour cream.

2 x tablespoons Unsalted Real Butter
½ x Onion (finely chopped)
2 x teaspoons Smoked Paprika
¾ x cup homemade Organic Chicken, Bone or Vegetable Broth
1 ½ x tablespoons Tomato Paste
¼ x cup fresh Double Cream
2 x tablespoons full-fat Sour Cream
2 x tablespoons finely chopped fresh Coriander

Simple to make following these steps:

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the onion and saute until soft and translucent.
Add the finely chopped onion and the Paprika.
Add the broth. Bring to a boil and simmer while gently stirring for 5 minutes.
Take off the heat and stir in the Tomato Paste, Double Cream and Sour Cream.
Garnish with Coriander and serve with raw vegetable sticks and freshly sliced crunchy bread.

SOURCE: The Spice Train - Paprika Sauce

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices that make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a traditional recipe to add colour, aroma and taste.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Spice (Black Pepper)

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 10:02:11 GMT

In ancient times, Black Pepper was much more than a culinary spice

A Healing Spice Guide

Black Pepper is the fourth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Black Pepper is said to have originated in India thousands of years ago. It is native to Malabar, a tropical region on the Western Coast of Southern India.

Black Pepper fruits, or peppercorns, begin life as clusters of green kernels, hanging down from stems like strings of tiny pearls. The fruits mature and ripen naturally in tropical climates on a flowering vine called Piper Nigrum, a member of the Piperaceae family. These wide-leaf vines are grown in nearly every tropical region including India, Vietnam, Brazil, China and Indonesia.

Black Pepper was once known as Black Gold - a commodity of great value, bought and sold along ancient trade routes and the Silk Road. It was as much prized for its cleansing and food preservation qualities as it was for its culinary flavouring and healing properties recorded in folklore medicine. It is recognised as a good source of manganese , a mineral known to support bone health, wound healing and metabolism.

Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, enjoys a climate that was (and still is) optimal for plant growth. A twin monsoon washes the vine and pollinates the plants, encouraging high-quality fruit to flourish. The tenacious vines wind their way up to the sky in search for sunlight, climbing whichever tree or stick that gets them closer. The best of the fruits are typically at great heights, and thus, Black Pepper is only harvested by men in Kerala. Iona Brannon - The Spice that Changed the World .

In tandem with Sea Salt , which contains minerals that enhance the flavour of food, Black Pepper changes the flavour of food, adding depth with a subtle bite of spice. The best way to enjoy this sensational flavour is to use a good quality Pepper Mill that cracks whole peppercorns to release all the flavour as a garnish on your food. The taste of freshly cracked Black Pepper is more vibrant and powerful than pre-ground or finely ground pepper.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Black Pepper - a wonderful addition to healing herbal teas, remedies and culinary dishes for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Over the centuries, Black Pepper has been instrumental in changing the culinary world. Its earthy and mild spicy flavour comes from a crystalline alkaloid ingredient called piperine,

In medieval Europe, Black Pepper was used as a form of currency and was a status symbol for the wealthy. It was often given as a gift or served at banquets with storehouses in Venice and Genoa stocked to the eaves to accommodate global trade and local consumption. Dried peppercorns were stored with great care to preserve their quality and flavour with merchants using tight rods , crates and spice boxes to protect them during storage and transport.

In folklore, Black Pepper was used to protect against the evil eye and wearing a peppercorn was said to free one of jealous thoughts . In spells and charms, Black Pepper was used to banish negativity and provide protection.

Black Pepper was burned before smudging the home with Sage and this is still practised today to remove negative energies and increase the frequency of the environment. The Black Pepper makes way for the Sage to soothe and deeply cleanse the environment. In the 1840s, the word pepper related to spirit or energy which became the slang word, pep, meaning a person full of spirit and energy.

Black Pepper Essential Oil has been used for centuries in massage oils to cleanse the skin and calm the body. This served to increase endurance, stamina and flexibility. In tropical areas, Ground Peppercorns were added to tobacco and smoked to ease pain caused by throat inflammation.

Nutrition

Black Pepper stimulates the taste buds, sending a message to the stomach to increase the release of hydrochloric acid which improves the digestion of proteins and other food components. By increasing digestive activity, the ingredients in Black Pepper ensure that food is properly broken down before arriving in the intestines. This is important because any undigested food can cause unwanted bacterial growth leading to constipation or diarrhea.

Black Pepper provides a heathy addition to every meal as it helps to stimulate the breakdown of fat cells and prevent atherosclerosis which is when a buildup of plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. Or, when plaque is allowed to build up, it can burst, creating a blood clot.

The essential ingredient in Black Pepper is piperine which is known to increase the absorption of selenium, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, curcumin and other nutritional compounds. Levels of selenium, B6 and beta-carotene are significantly increased in the blood by almost sixty percent while using Black Pepper. This improves the body’s ability to hold onto, and make better use of, important compounds for improving immunity and overall health.

The potassium in Black Pepper aids digestion and the outer layer of the peppercorns aids the break-down of fat cells.

Remedies

The word pepper is dervied from the South Asian word pippali meaning long pepper . It is a famous herb in the 2,000 year old Indian tradition of Ayurveda , a beloved kitchen spice that stokes digestive fire or agni and melts away sluggishness. The sharp, pungent taste makes it a cardiac stimulant - increasing heart rate and warming the body. It also improves circulation by widening blood vessels due to the relaxation of the blood vessel's muscular walls.

The spiciness of pepper is due to the constituent piperine . Once the berries are dried, Pepper Spirit and Essesntial Oil are extracted from the berries by crushing them. Pepper Spirit is used medicinally and in beauty products. Pepper Essential Oil is used in Ayurvedic Medicine as a massage oil. It was one of a few medicines a Buddhist monk was allowed to carry.

A few drops of Black Pepper Essential Oil combined with organic carrier oil, has a warming effect on the skin which makes it ideal for arthritis, cramps and muscle ache. This also helps to relieve sore, tired muscles by relaxing and soothing them. The warming effect of this massage oil helps to ease cramps, sprains and pulled muscles.

Black Pepper Essential Oil contains both vitamin A and K, making it an ideal choice for adding to organic carrier oils to treat fine lines or wrinkles. This can also be used to improve circulation and to effectively reduce visible cellulite.

Recipes

Black Pepper is extremely versatile and easy to add to everyday home cooking. Freshly cracked peppercorns come in various colours and flavours to enhance many a dish (sweet and savoury). The earthy kick from the pipeines and terpenes that stimulate tastes buds and saliva production, contrasts exceptionally well with egg dishes, heavy cream-based sauces and practically any savoury dish you can think of.

Simple Pasta

Enjoy freshly cooked pasta (preferably homemade) by coating in organic cold pressed virgin Olive Oil and fresh Lemon juice with a generous layer of Italian Parmesan Cheese sprinked with real Sea Salt and freshly cracked Black Pepper.

Morning Coffee

Add a pinch of cracked Black Pepper to a golden Milk Latte with Tumeric for a spicy drink with health benefits. Enjoy hot or iced. Try a recipe for a Tumeric Latte published by Eating Well.

Spicy Salad

Black Pepper (together with real Sea Salt) is a perfect addition to bring out the flavour of leafy greens and salad vegetables. Especially good for recipes like Caesar salad served with Parmesan Cheese or Wild Salmon served with Hollandaise Sauce and fresh Dill, where the bold, earthy flavour of the Black Pepper, pairs perfectly with the creamy dressings.

SOURCE: Eating Well - What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Black Pepper Every Day

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices that make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of discovery and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius - Saturday 9 August

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Full Sturgeon Moon

Moon shine on great lakes, home to freshwater fish;

Life resource for the indigenous, a most nutritious dish;

Given freely by Nature, harvest of mutual respect;

Caring deeply, landscape of abundance, sadly rare today.

Full Sturgeon Moon

Native American wisdom, expressed with gratitude and love;

Reflect on all you have achieved, congratulate yourself;

Consider how far you have come, connect with ancestral roots;

On this 200 million year journey, we have learned so much.

Full Sturgeon Moon

Sturgeons rise from the deepest, darkness depths;

Bringing energy, abundance and life to the surface;

Dive within yourself, meet emotions to embrace;

Dismiss thoughts of harm, fear, anguish or disgrace.

Full Sturgeon Moon

A Full Moon in Aquarius offers quiet introspection;

A time of giving in relationships, showing care and affection;

Remember we always contribute as much as we absorb;

Bringing our unique perspective to the world in which we live.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Lion's Gate

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:57:05 GMT

A poem about the energy of a powerful planetary alignment

Lion's Gate, the eighth of the eighth;

Duality in balance, alignment, universal grace;

Angel blessings, abundance, inner strength,

Preparing us for change, at the dawn of a new age.

The Sun in Leo mirrors the full Sturgeon Moon;

Aligning with Sirius, binary, brightest star of two;

Home to ancient wise ones, guides and teachers too,

Leading lights, a remembering of our cosmic roots.

Bathe in the ocean of healing planetary energy;

As Grand Trines and configurations are activated;

Visualise and feel the life you want to manifest;

Be brave, roar from the heart, love at your finest.

Sacred space within, connect, there are no limits;

Micro of the Universe, never give your power away;

Part of the whole, so treasured, keeps the fear at bay;

Step through the gate, to the place you want to be.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Everyday Āyurveda by Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:30:00 GMT

A holistic and practical approach to living a naturally healthy life

Āyurveda is a holistic system of natural medicine that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. The word means the study of life and understanding the human body in terms of certain life forces known as doshas. It also encompasses connection to our senses, inner self and the Universe. This whole-body approach involves nutrition, lifestyle routines and natural treatments that are used to support balance and a return to overall health.

Everyday Āyurveda is an enlightening book written by licensed physician, Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, who integrates required (or good) medicine with the practice of Āyurveda. This ancient holistic approach focuses on healthy living with treatments personalised to the individual to help them heal their body and eradicate disease. This follows the principle of natural healing where remedies focus on addressing the cause of issues rather than treating symptoms in never-ending prescriptions of harmful pharmaceutical drugs.

Everyday Āyurveda is a beautifully written practical guide to practising Āyurveda as part of a busy lifestyle. Dr Bhaswati explains the research behind certain approaches and sound reasoning for introducing beneficial and nourishing daily habits into our lives. Dr Bhaswati shares how she incorporates healthy routines into her busy day and especially when travelling around the world.

The family way

Everyday Āyurveda is interlaced with many childhood memories and endearing accounts of Dr Bhaswati's elderly father (affectionately known as Babi) who continues to enrich his days with sacred protocols such as bathing, cleansing, stretching, appreciating and praying.

Whole chapters are dedicated to Morning Ablutions, Washing Hands, Washing the Face and its Orifices, Cleaning the Teeth, Cleaning the Tongue and Water in the Morning. These might seem to be too personal for us westerners to discuss in public, when in actual fact, as Dr Bhaswati says: a large advance in public health and hygiene occurred in the western world when they recognised the importance of hand washing in the early 1900s.

This discovery of basic hygiene transformed lives in the west and it is most unfortunate that in modern times, hygiene practices are less about natural daily cleansing with plain soap and water, and more about using costly chemical laiden cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, skin creams, hand sanitizers, alcohol sprays, mouthwashes, wet wipes, plastic ear buds, paper towels and so on. All of these products contain harmful trace elements that when combined and used regularly have a long-term detremental impact on our skin, our general health and the health of the environment.

The healthy ritual

I was lucky to have parents who taught me (often under duress) the importance of daily routines to get the basic chores in life done with the minimum amount of fuss or bother. My Dad used to say to me: When you turn a chore into a healthy habit, it stops being a chore . It was great advice and he taught me how to enjoy the process (from preparation to completion) of things like washing up the dishes, cleaning my shoes and tidying up my things.

In terms of keeping ourselves clean - naturally and consistently - Everyday Āyurveda provides answers in detail which are supported by reasoning, research and common sense. Dr Bhaswati shows how healthy daily rituals not only serve to keep every part of our body clean, they also provide a way for us to connect with our inner self and appreciate the world and the Universe around us.

This bodes well for our longevity, for as long as we invest in looking after our bodies, the longer we can enjoy the gift of an active mind and a serene soul. This is perfectly reflected in the daily routine of Babi who: After the morning cup of tea, watching the sunrise and sharing brief words, asks for today's agenda. Sensing my mother is awake, he begins his journey upstairs to start his daily bath routine.

As Dr Bhaswati says: Though it is a big risk to let him bathe alone, we know that this ritual is one of his only ways of proving to himself that he is still his own person, responsible for his own body.

The holistic approach

It is suggested that adopting an early morning routine aligned with Āyurveda principles help to prevent disease and eliminate its root cause. In addition to the rituals of cleansing, other aspects of self care and mental focus are incorporated.

It starts with rising early to catch the light of dawn which provides the body with a start-of-day serotonin boost that enhances mood and wellbeing. Natural light also helps the body to convert cholesterol into vitamin D which is crucial for immunity and bone health. Morning light naturally boosts cognitive performance and focus by informing our inner circadian clock what time of day it is.

After bathing and cleansing, time is taken to gently stimulate each of the senses as follows:

Appreciate objects that hold meaning, reflect on photographs of loved ones that make the heart warm.
Light a candle or gaze at the early morning light while meditating to connect with inner stillness.
Burn incense or take in the scent of fresh flowers such as Rose, Lavender or Jasmine.
Say an inspiring prayer, give thanks for all good things and tune into the abundance of life.
Hum a mantra or a favourite tune that brings about good feelings or fond memories.
Appreciate the flavour of a fresh Mint leaf or a slice of Lemon to waken the taste buds.
Look in the mirror to appreciate who you are and how happy you are to be YOU!

The whole self

Many of us have developed healthy routines and rituals over the years and for me, this is always a work in progress as I learn new things and my needs and preferences change over time. It helps to keep an open mind about these things so that we can make amendments, try new things and switch things up to avoid the problem of too much repetition becoming unhealthy in the long term.

It is certainly interesting to learn about ancient and (therefore) wise customs that have stood the test of time. Such traditions are passed down through generations - just like in Dr Bhaswati's family. Her belief in such family rituals, customs and health practices, enables her to offer her patients preventative natural healing where she always treats the individual person and the real causes of disease. In many cases, the elimination of toxins and the introduction of healthy routines, nutritious food and a more spiritual lifestyle are enough to bring patients back to full health.

Everyday Āyurveda brings hope and promise that basic hygiene and self-care routines are not only simple and affordable but extremely beneficial to our whole being. It gives us the opportunity to choose which of the Āyurveda principles might be most helpful and how to incorporate them into our daily routines.

We can also learn about how natural herbs and spices can be used to support our health and the importance of spending time in Nature . As Dr Bhaswati says: Āyurveda is alive. Not through books or writings, but through the knowledge that lives deeply within the plants and the way they live together harmoniously in their eco-system.

The Nature fix

Books like Everyday Āyurveda are a wonderful discovery for those of us who are interested in eastern culture and the more natural, sensual and spiritual aspects of maintaining good health.

It is interesting (and healthy) to keep seeking out ways stimulate, appreciate and nourish our whole Self as we mature and grow on our life journey.

Remember that we have a perfect, willing and able friend to help us in this endeavour. Spending time steeped in Nature does more good than we realise - without even having to think about it.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

All the following books have helped in some way, and at different times, to cleanse, heal and discover the perfect organic diet to suit my taste, envergy needs and lifestyle.

Everyday Āyurveda by Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Cure Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbins

Nourishing Traditions by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio

Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by

Cleanse to Heal by Anthony William

Clicking on any of the above links will take you to my online bookshop where Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold at no extra cost to you.

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Welcome August (Almanac 2025)

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:35:48 GMT

Dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in August

WELCOME AUGUST

At the beginning of August, Nature continues to flourish with Lammas Day celebrated on the first of the month when cattle are traditionally returned to the fields to graze after the hay harvest.

You may noticed that many of the Swifts have flown back to the sunny climes of sub-Sahara Africe after their brief stay in the British Isles to raise their young. Swifts leave before the Swallows who are busily collecting food for their second brood.

Swallows produce two or three clutches of up to four eggs every season and you can see them flying in and out of their beautifully made cup-like nests secured on the sheltered wooden ledges, beams and joists of traditional style houses, thatched cottages, sheds and outbuildings. Each nest is exquisitely constructed from mud interwoven with grasses that are reused season after season.

Now is the time to relax and watch butterflies dance as the breeze blows Thistledown seeds up into the air on the slightest breeze. They have the same feathery appearance as Dandelion seeds, exploding naturally from their bright purple flowers as grasshoppers, crickets and other tiny creatures forage for food in the long grass beneath, and bees hum in the warmth of the late afternoon Sun.

August is abundant with ripened fruits and berries where swarms of tiny fruit flies can be found making the most of the sweet harvest. It's a great time for gathering creamy white Elderflowers as Hawthorn and Blackthorn bushes become weighed down with inky-black berries and sloes. Meanwhile, at the end of the month, Blackberries are gathered from field edges and hedgerows for preserving or adding to sweet desserts, pies, ice creams, fruit salads and pastries.

A poem - Welcome August - speaks of strength and protection under the influence of Leo and the Lion's Gate on the 8th of the month. This is the Pagan season of Lughnasadh, dedicated to the gathering of corn, the harvesting of straw for thatching, the clearing of orchards, the storing of wood, nuts and berries, and mead-making in preparation for the colder months ahead.

Moon Phases

Saturday 9 August - FULL STURGEON MOON in Aquarius
Saturday 23 August - NEW HARVEST MOON in Virgo

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Friday 1 August - Sunrise (5.41am) - Sunset (8.58m)
Sunday 31 August - Sunrise (6.26am) - Sunset (8.00pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at this time of year and no better time to enjoy the fruits of your labours in this most beautiful season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Spend as much time as you can outside in the fresh air and sunshine to allow your body to stock up on vitamin D, and enjoy pottering in the garden to your heart's content.

Picking Flowers - harvest flowers a little and often as flowers come into full bloom

Drying Flowers - pick bunches of flowers and herbs to dry - the best ones include Lavender , A nise Hyssop, Calendula, Chamomile, Lemon Balm , Mint , Oregano , Rosemary , Sage and Thyme

Plant Trimming - t rim back your lavender once it has finished flowering, to stop it growing too woody and leggy

Plant Feeding - add natural garden compost or manure which is especially good for bedding down roses

Gathering Seeds - collect seed pods for plants you want to reseed, and those that you don’t want to reseed themselves

Plant Watering - watering is key at this time of year so keep on top of this by watering plants every day. The best times are in the morning or late afternoon-evening to prevent the heat evaporating all the water before it reaches the plant roots.

Fruit Picking - make the most of soft fruits and berries by harvesting them daily, keep an eye on harder fruits such as apples, pears and plums so that they can be plucked at their most perfect time of ripeness.

Drying Flowers in Bunches

One of the best and most simple ways to dry bunches of flowers and herbs to retain their colour, essential oil and flavour is natural air drying.

This is very easy to do and does not require any special equipment - just follow these steps:

Pick bunches of flowers and/or herbs when they are coming into flower and are at their most potent.
Shake to remove any creatures that might be lurking in the foliage and wash very gently to remove any dirt.
Give them a spin in a salad spinner or pat them gently with a towel to dry.
Remove lower leaves from the stems to create a couple of inches of bare stem at the bottom of each sprig.
Gather into bunches and tie securely with string or natural garden twine around the bare stems.
Hang upsidedown from a high shelf or washing line or place on a drying rack where they can be kept cool, dry and dark and left to dry naturally.
Make sure each sprig is completely dry before storing or used to decorate/freshen your home.

Blackberry Picking

August is the ideal time to forage for Blackberries which can be frozen for the Winter, preserved in jams and jellies, or eaten straight away on their own, in a mixed fruit salad or as part of sweet pies, iden creams and desserts.

Balckberries are super-nutritious as they are packed with vitamins C, E, A and K, together with minerals (magnesium, potassium and manganese) and antioxidants. The anthocyanins in Blackberries create their dark colour and their fibre content promotes healthy digestion, assimilation and bowel regularity which makes them a great part of any healthy diet.

When foraging for Blackberries, watch out for the plentiful thorns and choose fruits that have a deep, rich colour, and fall easily off the stem. While the Bramble shrub can be a bit aggressive, don't forget that they are a vital resource for wildlife and the natural ecosystem. The berries provide a delicious treat for birds, animals and wildlife during the Autumn months. Pretty pink and white flowers in early Spring provide nectar for butterflies and other pollinators. The rough and tangled spiky stems provide perfect protection for hedgehogs and dormice.

Blackberries are delicious treats – for people and wildlife - so when you go Blackberry picking, choose areas of abundance and remember to leave some for the birds, animals and wildlife that depend on them.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN AUGUST

Watching Dolphins (Devon & Cornwall)

Common Dolphins are a familiar site along the coastline of Cornwall and with 400 miles of unspoilt coastline, it’s the best place to experience a myriad of marine life. It's always magical to watch the acrobatic displays of Dolphins, known as bow-riding which is a delight to see.

These highly social animals swim together in pods and have been known to form superpods of thousands. The best time to see them is between April and September and you can find out the best spots in Cornwall to spot Dolphins on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website.

You can also find Common Dolphins swimming the seas along the Devon Coast. These beautiful creatures are streamlined and shaped a bit like a torpedo. They are particularly playful and generally travel around in groups of fifty to a hundred. They can be seen all year in the seas around Devon as imagined in a poem I wrote about The Dolphins to celebrate their joyful presence so close to our hearts and our shores.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through August for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 September 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

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The Dolphins

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:36:02 GMT

A poem about swimming with our most playful and curious marine friends

Lulled into the lull of deepness, blissful sleep;

At one with the Universe, where mind and soul meet;

Drifting, an oceanic paradise of inner peace;

Swimming with the Dolphins, in perfect ease.

Sensing intelligence ... will you stay a while? ;

Mesmerising symphony of clicks, whistles, smiles;

Powerful momentum, in distances of miles;

Closest marine friends, self-aware, divine.

Fit and fibrous, streamlined blubber, lean;

Long, ballistic jumps, arching backs, top speed;

Delphinidae mammals, aquatic masters of the Sea;

Feel the joy, my imagination runs away with me.

Playfulness in friendship, a love for living life;

Bringing out my inner child, innocent and wild;

Feeling curious, creative, sociable and kind;

In the spirit of the Dolphins, masterful and wise.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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New Sturgeon Moon in Leo - Thursday 24 July

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 06:30:00 GMT

New Sturgeon Moon

In honour of antiquity, endangered indigenous species;

Nomadic survivor, caviar harvested from the deepest seas;

Rise on the eighth, through Lion's Gate, portal between worlds;

The Sun in Leo, Earth and Sirius align, waking energies unfurl.

New Sturgeon Moon

Embued in Native American culture for innumerable centuries;

This magnificent fish, symbol of endurance, strength, integrity:

Draw on its gentle nature, connect with your inky depths;

Find your inner place of peace, know bliss in every breath.

New Sturgeon Moon

A phase of plenty, leading up to the Harvest Moon;

Preserving food for Winter, on a sunny afternoon;

Now is time to savour, all things that bring you joy;

Warm skin, sunshine, laughter - freedom, freewill, choice.

New Sturgeon Moon

Look out for a silver slither, gleaming in the sky;

Minute to the eye, yet mighty in the cosmos way up high;

Listen to its message - stay true, stay well, stay strong;

For countless millennia, the Sturgeons sing this song.

New Sturgeon Moon

Sink into self-reflection, observe your inner Self;

Let your love and creativity, shine light into the world;

Feel the soulful vibes of this radiant New Moon;

Feel passion, feel abundance, for all is due to you.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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A Healing Herb (Lavender)

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Magical properties for stimulating, calming, uplifting, cleansing and relaxing

A Healing Herb Guide

Lavender is the fifteenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Lavender is a widely known herb, originating from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and India, around 2500 years ago. Prior to this, the Egyptians were known to make perfumes with Lavender Oil and used it for mummification. When Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened, traces of Lavender were found with its scent still intact.

The ancient Greeks used Lavender to help cure insomnia and to calm aches and pains. The Romans scented their public bathhouses with Lavender as the name is derived from the Latin verb lavare which means to wash . It was believed to have healing qualities, and appears in many historical recipes for antiseptics, ointments and remedy for the plague, as well as for aiding sleep.

Lavender plants are small evergreen shrubs with branching stems, long grey-green leaves and tall flowering shoots. The leaves can be simple or pinnate, and the flowers can be lilac or blue in colour. It belongs to the Mint family and its strong scent is derived from oil glands on the trichomes (hairs) on the flowers, leaves and stems of the plants.

Like many medicinal plants affecting the nervous system, Lavender is ruled by the planet Mercury. It is associated the Greek goddess Persephone, the Goddess of Spring Growth. In folklore, Lavender was believed to protect against the evil eye, inspire divinatory dreams, and afford the wearer the opportunity to see a ghost.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Lavender - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

It is no surprise that the Latin word, lavendula, means to wash , explaining the ancient purpose of this remarkable aromatic herb.

The Greeks, Romans and Carthaginians used Lavender in their bath water for its strong heavenly scent and therapeutic properties. In the early Middle Ages, washer-women were known as L avenders , due to their practice of spreading clothes to dry on lavender bushes so that the flowers would scent the clean clothes as they dried in the sunshine. Dried Lavender flowers were also used for storing clothes and deterring pests.

The strong fragrance and anticeptic insect deterring properties makes Lavender a popular household herb to this day. Throughout the Middle Ages it was a common strewing herb with flowers scattered onto floors to perfume the air and keep down dust and pests.

Many cultures associate Lavender with the divine feminine. In Greek mythology, it is believed to represent a gift from Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, thus symbolising purity, protection and transformation of the soul.

Nutrition

While there is not much to say about the nutritional value of Lavender, there is much to say about it's healing and health benefits as an Essential Oil (see next section).

Lavender is fairly high in Vitamin A, calcium and iron, and is renowned for its calming properties. This makes it a popular choice for reducing anxiety and stress. Drinking Lavender Herbal Tea with its inifused natural fragrant can help promote relaxation and improve overall mood.

Lavender extract adds colour and flavour to baking recipes, desserts, sorberts and ice creams. The flowers can be crystallised for a special decorative garnish (see below).

Remedies

For a restful night's sleep

Lavender is known for its calming scent and the benefits of using Lavender-infused essential oil before going to bed in the form of aromatherapy or natural oil body massage. Lavender has been proven to improve melatonin levels, supporting a more restful night’s rest.

For a more uplifting mood

Lavender is known for its ability to calm your nervous system, lift your mood and lower blood pressure. This can be done by simply breathing in the scent or by using an essential oil diffuser to disperse it around the room. Lavender Essential Oil contains important compounds such as linalool, which help to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.

For a clean environment

Lavender can be used as a natural cleaner as it contains natural antiseptic. It was once used to clean hospital wards and is still used for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Combine a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and clean water.
Add 30-40 drops of Lavender Essential Oil to the solution.
Pour into a spray bottle to use on any surface.
Try adding other powerful cleansing oils such as Eucalyptus, Cinnamon , Rosemary , Peppermint , Lemon and Thyme to create your own recipe and preferred scent.

Recipes

Crystallised Lavender Flowers

Lavender can be used as a natural cleaner as it contains natural antiseptic. It was once used to clean hospital wards and is still used for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

1 large egg white
1/4 teaspoon filtered cold water
1 cup of Lavender flowers (on their stem)
1 cup Superfine icing sugar or cane sugar finely ground in a blender

Cover a wire rack with parchment paper.
Whisk the egg white and water until it starts to foam.
Hold a stem of flowers and gently coat each flower with the egg white mixture.
Dust with sugar and place on the paper-lined rack.
Set the flowers aside at dry at room temperature for 12 to 36 hours.
Gently break the flowers from their stems to sprinkle on cakes, desserts and ice creams.
Store in a single layer in an airtight container where it is cool and dry for up to several months.

I hope you enjoy adding Lavender to your herbal teas, baths, skin care routines and baking recipes where you can benefit from its calming, healing and decorative properties.

Much love

Sue Xx

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The Undiscovered Self by Carl Jung

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 00:29:31 GMT

Individuals are the infintesimal units on whom the world depends

The Undiscovered Self was published in 1956 by Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Carl Jung, at the age of 81. It is a book that helps us to understand ourselves as individuals in relation to the society we find ourselves in. It is as relevant today as it was then, especially as the situation has worsened over the years, in step with an increasing decline in the health, creativity and happiness of populations across the world.

The Undiscovered Self is a fascinating book because it examines and compares the relationship between the psychological health of the individual to the psychological health of the collective, described as the mass, masses or mass consciousness. Jung noted that the conflagration that broke out in Germany was the outcome of psychic conditions that are universal. Social conditions that continue to persist to this day.

Carl Jung takes such social and political conditions into account as influential factors that have led modern individuals to be aliented and cut-off from their psychological roots - as we have been cut-off from Nature, the true nature of the Universe and our part in the cosmic play. In the name of scientism, consumerism and religion, we have been denied our brithright to experience life in freedom, safety and abundance through a lifetime of individual experience and self-discovery.

This has created an imbalance that is now being corrected because in times of physical, political, economic and spiritual distress, man's eyes turn with anxious hope to the future. The Undiscovered Self explains why this was (and still is) the case and why it's up to each one of us as individuals to wake up to discover our consciousness so that we can play a part in co-creating the world we most want to see, rather than contributing to its downfall.

The need for truth

It is important to remember that the word apocalypse does not necessarily mean total collapse. It can mean a significant revelation or unveiling of hidden knowledge .

Carl Jung predicted that, as we move from the astrological aion of Pisces to the aion of Aquarius, we would experience an apocalyptism in the modern era. This turned out to be true when we consider the word stems from the Greek word apokálypsis , meaning unveiling or revelation as ever more deeply hidden truths come to light.

We have moved into the age of Aquarius (67 years later), and we are experiencing tremendous social, technological and cultural change. This is naturally being balanced by an increasing number of individuals inducing deeper transformation and higher frequency through increasing self-awareness both spiritually and philosophically.

It was clear to Carl Jung that there was nothing to stop the spread of apocalyptic ideas except the critical reason of a single, fairly intelligent, mentally stable stratum of the population as the gift of reason and critical self-reflection is not one of man's outstanding peculiarities. Wavering and inconsistent, the mass crushes out the insight and reflection that are still possible with the individual, and this necesarrily leads to doctinaire and authoritarian tyranny.

As education and scientism continue to contort and hide the truth from the masses, imparting only unrealistic, abstract knowledge to the world, we realise that individuals are seen merely as a marginal phenomenon . When the individual is, in fact, the true and authentic carrier of reality - if only we could believe this of ourselves.

The need for community

Carl Jung explains that to be adherent of a creed that gives expression to a definite collective belief does nothing to give the individual any foundation. It means that for support, the individual must come to depend exclusively on a reliance on authority.

Alternatively, community becomes an indispensable aid in the organisation of the masses, the value of which depends on the spiritual and moral stature of the individuals who are composing it. This is realised when unconscious belief comes into collision with (truthful) knowledge and we are awakened to the fact that we have a duty to take responsibility for ourselves. We realise there is no substitute for inner experience and being true to ourselves.

Anyone who has learned to submit absolutely to a collective belief, renounces their eternal right to freedom and the equally eternal duty of individual responsibility . This is where communities that respect the individual's right to exist, can protect us from the danger of being cut-off and cut short by collective prejudice .

The need for individualism

Back in 1956, as now and increasingly so, the psychic situation of the individual continues to be menaced by advertisement, propaganda and other more or less well-meant advice. The purpose is to make individuals morally and spiritually inferior in the mass. It reduces individuals to a condition of diminished responsibility instead of raising them out of the torpid, mindless mass and making clear to him/herself that he/she is the one most important factor.

It is true that nothing has a more divisive and alientating effect on humanity than moral complacency and lack of responsibility . Carl Jung points out that corrective action requires self-criticism to recognise our prejudices and illusions, and that we must compare them with objective truth or fact, as only the fool can permanently neglect the conditions of his own nature.

The deciding factor lies with the individual where a human relationship is not based on differentiation and perfection, rather on imperfection where the free society bonds effecively in the spirit of love thy neighbour - remembering the truism that where love stops, power begins ... and violence and terror.

Carl Jung recognised that self-awareness and acceptance set us free as individuals and that the modern man can know himself only in so far as he can become conscious of himself.

The need for self-awareness

Carl Jung describes the individual as a microcosm - a reflection of the great cosmos in miniature.

However, as individuals, we have been wilfully separated from our instinctual nature which has plunged us into conflict where we cling onto outward objects and make them exclusively responsible. Carl Jung identified that the more power man had over Nature, the more his knowledge and skill went to his head, and the deeper became his contempt for the merely natural and accidental.

We know better now, the truth has been revealed. We know we are as important as individuals as we are a part of the mass. We know that we have the power to influence the mass which is why we each need to heighten our awareness and raise our consciousness to a higher frequency where peace prevails.

In the end, Carl Jung says that happiness and contentment, equitably of soul and meaningulness of life, can be experienced only by the individual and not by the state which continually threatens to paralyse and suppress the individual.

Take comfort in the fact that you are the infintesimal unit on whom the world depends, and in whom even God seeks his goal.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Undiscovered Self - by Carl Jung

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A Healing Herb (Marjoram)

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 13:34:58 GMT

Marjoram imparts a warm, aromatic, slightly sharp and bitterish flavour

A Healing Herb Guide

Marjoram is the thirteenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

This aromatic herb is indigenous to Cyprus in the the Mediterranean and spread across the world to become a popular addition to all manner of dishes for its robust flavouring. It was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness, and is believed to have spread to the British Isles during the Middle Ages.

Marjoram is seen as a milder and sweeter alternative to Oregano with its sweet floral scent and slightly sharp woody, balsamic flavour that adds a tasty layer of seasoning to savoury dishes, soups and salads. Its sweetness brings life to salad dressings, herbal teas and lighter dishes made with fish and poultry.

A bushy herbaceous plant, Marjoram has square branching stems, densely covered with hairy ovate leaves, arranged oppositely in pairs. Its pretty pale two-lipped flowers blossom into tiny spikes in star-like clusters. Marjoram contains about two percent essential oil, the principal components of which are terpinene and terpineol.

Terpinene helps to give plants their unique aroma and flavour while terpenes help them to fight diseases, attract pollinators and keep predators away. Terpenes have a beneficial effect on human health as they possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, antioxidant and mild sedative properties.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Marjoram - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Marjoram has an exceedingly long and ancient history. It was first cultivated by the Egyptians over 3,000 years ago and was used by the father of medicine, Hippocrates, as an anticeptic.

In ancient Greece, Marjoram was considered a symbol of happiness and was held in high regard for its healing properties. It was used to make wreaths for wedding ceremonies and to decorate tombs.

According to Roman legend, the Goddess of Love, Venus, gave the plant its scent to remind mortals of her beauty . A similar legend surrounds Aphrodite, Venus’s counterpart in Greek mythology, who is said to have created Sweet Marjoram and planted it all over Mount Olympus.

In folklore, Marjoram was known as Sweet Marjoram , P ot Marjoram and Knotted Marjoram. As a perannial hardy herb, it was believed to draw its energy from Mercury and the element of Air. Influenced by Venus and Aphrodite, Marjoram was believed to bring powers of protection, love, happiness, health and wealth.

Marjoram was once used in spells to strengthen love with a name that means blushing in flower language, It was grown in gardens to shield the home from evil spirits and was often interlaced with Violets to wear during the colder months as an amulet against colds, and for comfort in times of sadness and grief.

Nutrition

Marjoram is analgesic, antibacterial, antiseptic, carminative and diuretic. It can be used to make a pleasant herbal tea that supports digestion, relieves gas and soothes the nerves. This is also useful during the cold season as it helps to sooth the throat and break up congestion while encouraging a good night's sleep.

Drinking Marjoram Herbal Tea everyday (see below) is known to help regulate female hormonal cycles. Massaging the abdomen with an organic natural oil containing a few drops of Marjoram, Sage and Lavender has been known to help with painful menstruation.

Marjoram contains carbohydrates, proteins, fibre and minerals including iron, calcium, and magnesium, together with vitamins A, C and D and various antioxidants. It offers several health benefits including pain relief, cardiovascular support and hormone regulation.

Marjoram is known for its calming and relaxing effects, and can be used to support digestive health.

Remedies

Marjoram added to the bath water or to massage oil helps relieve joint and muscle pain.

Inhaling the fragrance of Marjoram Essential Oil can help to break up congestion. The fragrance is also calming and can help the restless cold sufferer to get some sleep. Try a few drops of the Marjoram Essential Oil on a pillow or a handkerchief or steep some fresh Marjoram leaves in your warm bath just before bed.

A few drops of Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil added to a natural massage oil helps to balance the body and can be extremely useful in relieving grief, anxiety and stress. Relaxing and warming, the essence of Marjoram is renowned for its ability to soothe away aches and pains, making it a great for dilution for a nurturing massage oil or bath oil.

This beautifully scented herbal oil also has a beneficial action on the respiratory system as well as a strong sedative effect. Diffusion in an aromatherapy oil burner in the bedroom can be very helpful if sleep is being disrupted do to congestion, coughs, colds or asthma.

SOURCE: Indego Herbs - Marjoram Benefits

Recipes

Marjoram Herbal Tea

All you need for this simple, healthy recipe is one cup or mug of filtered (nearly boiled) water, a handful of fresh Marjoram leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried) and a teaspoon of raw honey, to taste.

Gather and wash your ingredients.
Boil your water in a small saucepan and reduce to a simmer.
Add your fresh or dried Marjoram leaves. Turn off the heat and let the mixture steep for 3 minutes or until fragrant.
Place a small strainer over your cup or mug and pour the mixture to strain the leaves.
Add your honey, if desired, and stir to dissolve.
Serve hot and enjoy.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Sweet Marjoram to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Full Buck Moon in Capricorn - Thursday 10 July

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:34:06 GMT

Full Buck Moon

All hail, the first showing of the antlers of the Deer;

Marking change, growth, transcendence, life's cheer;

Indigenous symbols of strength as velvet-covered bones appear;

Time to connect with Nature, time to overcome our fears.

Full Buck Moon

Breathe in the energy of this beautiful Full Moon;

On a balmy night with the subtle scents of flowers in bloom;

Draw in the beauty of this season's heady perfume;

Dwell on daydreams and intentions, not a moment too soon.

Full Buck Moon

Now is not the time for procrastination or vague assumption;

Now is the time for decision, action and manifestation;

Avoid distraction, focus on living life and creation;

Prioritise intention, accomplishment and completion.

Full Buck Moon

Embrace the energy of Capricorn, ruled by Saturn;

Open up a direct route to Source and all that matters;

Go within to alchemise any old unwanted patterms;

Feel the essence of your soul, love, joy and passion.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Forest Sanctuary

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:44:05 GMT

Walking through a forest after the rain brings sanctuary to the soul

I walk deeper into the forest on an open path that stretches out before me in a gently curving line. The glint of vegetation catches my eye, everywhere sparkling with raindrops following a recent shower. I tilt my head upwards to take in the magnificence of all manner of trees towering above me and surrounding me like a citadel - a stronghold of Nature where I feel at once safe and at peace. My heartbeat slows to a steady pace and all traces of the outside world fade away and disappear, leaving only the experience of each moment, rich in beauty and brilliance that cannot be compared.

I am alone in the forest where the sound of silence and the murmurings of Nature are amplified. A natural symphony of birds chirping from high branches, creatures rustling in the undergrowth, water droplets dripping from branches and leaves, an occasional breeze rippling through tall grasses and plant life nestled on the woodland floor. I tune into my breath, accompanied by the sound of my sturdy boots, crunching softly on the gravel path beneath me.

I take a deep breath to feel the cool air fill my lungs with energy as my nose takes in the heady scent of pine oils, resin sap and the earthy undertones of soil, heightened by the distinct aroma of moisture suspended in the air. I reach out my hand to gently brush a profusion of ferns springing from the base of the steep bank adjacent to the path. Their perfect fronds feel like feathers, so soft and delicate against my skin, sending minute electrical pulses through my fingers to my body in exquisite waves of joy.

I pause a moment to sink my hands into a bed of thick moss at the base of a gigantic tree. Like a deep velvety cushion or the softest sponge, water oozes between my fingers and is cool to the touch. I imagine the diverse range of healthy bacteria being absorbed into my skin's microbiome and I thank Mother Nature for her gifts of life. The wonders of moss are far-reaching for Nature and no less wonderful for human health and wellbeing.

As my mind, body and soul harmonise with the gentle rhythm of the forest, I hear the masterful croak of a Raven as it glides high above the trees. The tribal croaking sound brings a message that says: W elcome to the forest , and with it a message of love from ancestors who once lived in these heavily forested lands. In the quiet tranquility, I can hear the slow swoosh of its spectacular black wings, accompanied by a distinct gurgling croak and a high-pitched musical squeaking - a whistling noise that finally fades as this beautiful, mystical bird flies on to peruse the extent of the forest from its giddy vantage point above the trees.

A myriad of colours unique to Nature's natural palette, in a vast array of greens, russets, golds and browns, bring comfort to my eyes and soothe my soul. Our human vision is naturally sensitive to green wavelengths which is why we see so much of this beautiful, restful colour surrounding us in Nature. It acts as a comfort blanket that we can wrap around us whenever we choose to spend time in the natural world. It is no wonder we feel so relaxed and energised when we do.

A forest path is a gateway to Nature where an exhibition of life's vital energy unfolds. It's an experience that can be felt and appreciated through the seasons where Mother Nature brings infinite variety and no walk is ever the same. A forest is a playground for the senses, conjouring a sense of adventure and discovery that brings sanctuary to the heart, mind, body and soul.

Oh, such beautiful pathways, lead me to wander and to wonder in awe.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome July (Almanac 2025)

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Seasonal dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in July

WELCOME JULY

July is a spectacular month where Nature is at it's most beautiful and abundant, rich with every shade of green, colourful flowers, trees with cascading canopies of leaves and dappled sunlight. As human beings, we love this time of year as we naturally respond positively to plants and Nature, as we do with all forms of life.

Admiring and absorbing Nature's greenery and brightly coloured flowers makes us feel more relaxed and calm, which in turn, raises our frequency and boosts our mood. Remember to take some mindful moments to treat your senses to the scents and subtleties of Mother Nature's gifts and to admire the beauty that surrounds you. If you do this everyday, your mind, body, spirit, soul and whole being will feel all the better for it.

Making sure we get plently of sunlight through the Summer months is imperative to our overall health. Despite what they say about cholesterol, this is a vital component esssential for our bodies to produce and store Vitamin D. The problem with sun creams, despite the chemical content, is that they block the skin from receiving one of Mother Nature's most powerful healing energies.

A poem - Welcome July - speaks of the energy of the Buck Moon, named Thunder by the Western Abenaki Tribe, marking a time of growth and renewal. This reflects stunning antlers proudly matured at the height of Summer before the male Deer Bucks shed them at the end of the season to make way for new velvet-covered bone. This is a metaphor for life, reflecting the way we shed old patterns and beliefs to evolve and make way for the new.

Moon Phases

Thursday 10 July - FULL BUCK MOON in Capricorn
Thursday 24 July - NEW STURGEON MOON in Leo

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Tuesday 1 July - Sunrise (5.06am) - Sunset (9.31m)
Wednesday 30 July - Sunrise (5.40am) - Sunset (9.01pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year and Summer is no exception. On the hottest days, take it easy and make sure you are suitably protected when the Sun is high in the sky. Pop on a hat and a light loose long-sleeved shirt so that you can potter to the tune of humming bees and wildlife. Spend as much time as you can soaking in the rays, relaxing, reading and eating wild ripened fruits in your haven of happiness.

Deadheading Flowers - removing expired flower heads from bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering, a great addition to any compost heap.

Pond Clearing - clearing algae, blanket weeds and debris from pools and ponds, topping up with fresh water.

Fruit & Vegetable Picking - harvest ripe fruit and vegetables regularly to improve yields. Zucchini plants, for example, will keep bearing throughout the Summer if the young fruits are harvested on a regular basis.

Composting - save all grass cuttings, leafy garden waste, vegetables. spent plants (and trimmings) and dead flower heads to put on the compost heap or in the compost bin. Compost started at this time of year will normally be fit for use by the Autumn due to the relatively warm conditions.

Seeds & Propogation - propagation using cuttings can be done any time in July as well as collecting and saving seeds, ready for sowing later in the month.

Weeding - keep on top of unwanted weeds and expired wildflowers by gently hoeing in dry conditions to loosen the roots leaving any unwanted weeds to dry out in the heat of the sun.

Weed Tea Fertiliser - add weeds with water to cover in a large bucket. Soak for about four weeks, stirring weekly. Strain out the plant material and add to your compost heap or spread directly onto your flower beds or vegetable patch as you would a rich, nutrient-filled liquid fertiliser. Dosage: Use about 8 cups to fertilise 1 pound of weeds.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN JULY

Walk on the beach

There are many benefits to talking a stroll on a sandy or pebbled beach in bare feet on a warm, sunny day.

To begin with, walking in sand requires greater effort than walking on a hard surface, meaning your muscles and tendons have to work harder, which in turn strengthens your feet, toes, ankles and calves.

Walking in sunshine helps your body to utilise cholesterol to synthesise and store vitamin D. This essential nutrient regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body, keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Feeling the sand on bare feet may also create a sense of feeling grounded . It brings all the benefits of walking on the Earth in bare feet - known as grounding or earthing - which removes static electricity and extraneous charges inside you. You also receive a charge of energy from free electrons that help the body synchronise with the Earth's natural frequencies. Grounding and earthing increases serotonin - a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite and digestion.

Walking on the beach is a great stress reliever as you breathe in negative ions naturally created by the ocean waves, sea air, sunlight and Earth's natural radiation. This negates the impact of positive ions generated by electronic devices and things like fluorescent lighting, confined indoor spaces and air pollution.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN JULY

Make a bee hotel

Any solitary bees that like to nest in hollow plant stems could be potential customers for your bee hotel. There are several groups of this type of bee who adopt the same nesting behaviour. These include Anthidium, Chelostoma, Heriades, Hoplitis, Hylaeus, Megachile and Osmia. The type of solitary bee depends on your location and flowers growing in the surrounding area. Some species prefer the particular pollen sources of different flowers.

A bee hotel provides long-stay accommodation where a bee lives from the time it is laid as an egg, until it is ready to emerge as a fully grown adult.

Bee hotels are made out of hollow canes where the cane is cut to length leaving a clean opening.
Cut enough canes to fill a pot with the cane length just under the height of the pot.
Fill any gaps with leftover sections until the canes are tightly packed.
Find a sheltered, sunny spot and make a sturdy base for the pot with stones.
Place the pot slightly downwards to allow rainwater to escape.
Your bee hotel is now ready for guests to move in.

A single tube will house a few developing bees. Solitary bees lay single eggs in a cell and separate them by building walls out of mud or plant material. The number of cells will depend on the length of the tube.

SOURCE: Natural History Museum: How to Make a Bee Hotel

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through July for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 August 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

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New Buck Moon in Cancer - Wednesday 25 June

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 06:30:00 GMT

New Buck Moon

Hail, magnificent antlers of the male Deer buck;

Displayed in full splendor from dawn to dusk;

As we focus on the lives we are dreaming of;

Bringing intentions to fruition with heartfelt love.

New Buck Moon

It's time to shed light on our inner self;

As we become enlightened versions of ourselves;

Our spiritual purpose is our path to full health;

Each moment a measure of our emotional wealth.

New Buck Moon

In the fullness of the season we count our blessings;

Before shedding old ways to invite new beginnings;

Growing stronger and more beautiful, the joy of living;

Building on truth, receiving with gratitude and giving.

New Buck Moon

This first Moon of Summer is full of energy;

Balancing emotions, relationships, bringing synergy;

Differences are highlighted so live and let live in harmony;

Be true to yourself, conect with your own sacred divinity.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Oregano)

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:10:08 GMT

Oregano is a cherished ancient herb with many healing properties

A Healing Herb Guide

Marjoram is the fourteenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Oregano is an ancient medicinal and culinary herb that contains some of the highest antioxidant properties in the plant kingdom. It's an easy herb to grow outside in pots during the Summer or indoors during the Winter.

Oregano is an a romatic perennial herb of the Mint family known for its flavoursome leaves and flowering tips in the Summer months. Native to the hills of Mediterranean countries and western Asia, Oregano is known as Joy of the Mountains and has spread to naturalise in parts of Mexico and America.

Oregano is a small evergreen subshrub grown in mild climates. It has branched woody stems with opposite oval leaves that are connected to the stem by a tiny stalk (petiolate). With creeping roots, its young stems are typically square and hairy, becoming woody with age. The flowers are small and grow in clusters in white, pink or pale purple, attracting many different pollinators during the Summer months.

Commonly used across the world, Oregano is a staple ingredient in many cultures which is why it is sometimes referred to as The Prince of Herbs . It is generally associated with Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, where the aromatic leaves are used to flavour an abundance of tomato based sauces and dishes.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Oregano - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Oregano has graced planet Earth for a very long time. It was first known to be used by the Assyrians in 3,000 BC. The name comes from the Greek word oros meaning mountain, and ganos meaning joyful brilliance which translates as Joy of the Mountains.

Native to the mountainsides of Greece, Italy and other Mediterranean countries, Oregano is a treasured herb which has been used generously to flavour many a savoury dish through the generations.

Oregano was once used in spells to bring happiness, protection, joy and the deepening of love. It was believed that sleeping with Oregano in a sachet under the pillow would bring about psychic dreams. In Pagan times, Orgegano was placed on graves to help the deceased find happiness in the next life. If it was found growing wild on a grave, it was considered a message from beyond that the deceased were happy and well.

Oregano was considered a source of great healing to the ancient Greeks. It was used by Hippocrates who applied Oregano Essential Oil to treat skin infections including psoriasis and cuts, and to cure stomach aches.

Nutrition

Oregano contains a extensive range of antioxidants including tryptophan, lysine and valine. A valuable source of vitimins C, A, E and B-complex, Oregano also contains potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium.

Oregano can help to strengthen the digestive tract and expel trapped gas from the intestines, easing the effects of bloating and abdominal discomfort. It is also known to help balance the metabolism and strengthen core organs of the body.

Eating fresh Oregano leaves can help to maintain optimal levels of manganese in the body which is necessary for immune function, bone formation and blood clotting. It is high in iron, a mineral that is essential for healthy blood, energy production, hormone synthesis and neurological development.

Oregano also contains powerful compounds called flavonoids and phenolic acids that have numerous health benefits.

Remedies

Oregano has powerful anti-viral abilities which have been shown in a laboratory to produce a 99 percent kill rate against Streptococcus Pneumoniate which can cause many kinds of lung and throat infections.

Oregano Essential Oil is used for its antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. A few drops in a natural organic carrier oil provides gentle healing and can play a beneficial role in weight management and infection treatments.

Oregano Essential Oil benefits extend beyond controlling infections. Common examples of conditions it can help to manage include athlete’s foot or toenail fungus, common colds, gingivitis, earaches or toothaches, and digestive problems.

Oregano Essential Oil is one of the most potent antimicrobial oils and does an incredible job at disinfecting your home and office air. Place a few drops in a aromatherapy diffuser to help protect yourself from contagious cold and viral infections.

Oregano Essential Oil is an excellent toothache remedy and can be added to your bath water as it is highly beneficial to the skin and can help to treat rheumatic pains as well as skin infections.

Oregano Herbal Tea is made in the same way as Marjoram Herbal Tea and can be made into a tincture to relieve symptoms of mild, spasmodic gastrointestinal complaints including bloating and flatulence.

Oregano Herbal Tea supports healthy digestion and the effective assimilation of nutrients. Due to its antispasmodic properties, it is also helpful for intestinal cramping.

Recipes

Fresh Oregano & Parmesan Salad

A simple and delicious salad that contains all the goodness of fresh Oregano leaves, onion, garlic, virgin oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, sea salt and ground black pepper.

3 cups x fresh Oregano leaves - roughly chopped

1 x medium Red Onion - finely chopped

I x large Garlic Clove - finely chopped

¼ x cup Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil

½ x cup Lemon juice - freshly squeezed

Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan Cheese

- Thoroughly wash the Oregano leaves while still on the stem before gently patting dry.

- Remove the leaves and roughly chop being careful not to make them too fine.

- Add the leaves to a bowl and stir in the finely chopped onion and garlic.

- Stir in the olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

- Garnish with a generous helping of grated Parmesan Cheese.

- Finish with a generous sprinkling of sea salt and ground black pepper.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Oregano to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

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Full Strawberry Moon in Sagittarius - Wednesday 11 June

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:21:39 GMT

Full Strawberry Moon

As fruits ripen and swell into gems of delicious taste and sweetness;

It's time to celebrate as Nature blooms into fountains of fruitfulness;

This Full Moon is the lowest in the sky for nearly two decades;

A major lunar standstill that won't occur again until 2043.

Full Strawberry Moon

Named by the Native American Algonquin tribes, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota;

The Strawberry Moon honours growth, connection and abundance;

A time when we naturally feel more energy from the Sun:

Enjoying organic foods grown lovingly and closer to home.

Full Strawberry Moon

The rising Summer energy is powerful for acting on our intentions;

To make things happen, growing creative projects into culmination;

Strengthening relationships and self-love with harmonising practices;

Rewarding wins to date and making room for new opportunities.

Full Strawberry Moon

Sagittarius, ruled by Juniper, the planet of abundance;

Brings a desire for change, as we breathe in this new-found energy;

Value your independence and manifest in openness;

With a profound love for life, creation, inspiration and wholesomeness.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Dancing with Water by M J Pangman MS and Melanie Evans

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:13:07 GMT

Envigorate your health with the healing energy of living water

Understanding the unique qualities and powerful energy of living water helps us to appreciate the forces contained within us. The spiritual dance of water is replicated in the water, blood and other fluids that circulate within us. The vortices, vibrations and frequencies that energise and sustain us are the essence of life itself.

This wonderful, enlightening book was written by M J Pangman, who is a writer and natural scientist, and Melanie Evans, who is an intuitive and healer whose earliest memories are of connecting with the Earth. This partnership of perspectives brings together the scientific and spiritual aspects of one our most precious resources, together with practical guidance on how to cleanse, structure and enliven our water for optimum health.

Dancing with Water is written as a two-part guide to enlighten the reader about the magnificent properties of water backed by scientific research. Part one explains in layman's terms the foundation and scientific basis, focusing on water's unique qualities. Part two provides instructions so that anyone can treat, structure, enhance and revitalise their water in the most natural ways.

This book opened my eyes to the profound and moving dance of water and has strengthened my relationship to become a partnership where my respect and gratitude for this life-giving substance knows no bounds.

The nature of water

The underlying focus for Dancing with Water is a concept described by Charles Eisenstein in his book, The Ascent of Humanity where he states that we have entered the Age of Water . This is when we join hands with Nature and work together as we return to the garden where we were born. This springs from a growing awareness that we can no longer live in a throw-away society.

The true nature of water was recognised by Viktor Schauberger [1885 - 1958] who was unschooled in traditional scientific dogma, relying on insights which came from his observation of Nature in the Austrain forest. Viktor's theories revolved around the concept of implosion, centripetal force and inward spiralling which he recognised as a more effective and sustainable way to capture energy, compared to explosion, centrifugal force and outward expansion.

One of the most wonderful descriptions of water is mentioned in the beginning of the book which centres on movement where we are encouraged to think of the words used to describe water in Nature. The words imply not just movement but freedom such as: dancing, splashing, laughing, rippling, gurgling, frolicking, etc.

This makes sense because water becomes stagnent without movement which means harmful microbes and waste elements accumulate - in the same way we become sluggish without fresh, clean water, nutritious food and exercise. Movement in water provides the ability to exchange oxygen and other gasses which helps to remove waste. Movement also helps to ionize (or energise) the minterals in water which makes it nutritionally good for us and much more than a liquid that quenches our thirst.

The science of water

Dancing with Water contains many references to naturalists and scientists who have made ground-breaking discoveries over the centuries, many of which have been hidden from us. This is because the best water for us to drink is clean spring water rather than treated water or water contained in plastic bottles which are detremental to our health and Planet Earth with billions of non-degradable bottles being thrown into landfills every month.

Viktor Schauberger [1885-1958], through his observations about water, identified the polarity of Nature's engine, and the power of polarised forces whereby he invented a water turbine that harnessed vortices and spirals to generate energy.

Even earlier, German Astrologer, James Kepler [1571 - 1630] measured movement inside vortices of water where he observed the natural pulsation of contraction and expansion. He noted that this process gathers energy from the Universe as it is pulled by the force of gravity to draw contents upwards and outwards. This is how mineral-rich sediment from the bottom of the ocean and rivers is brought to the surface and recycled. This is also how sap is drawn upwards in a spiralling motion in the tallest trees.

Hungarian biochemist, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi [1893 - 1986] won the Nobel Prize in 1937 for his work on biological functions consisting of the building and destruction of water structures . He stated that water is part and parcel of the living machinery and is the very essence of the living state . Albert identified water’s role in the assembly, activation, functioning, maintenance and recycling of biological structures such as proteins, DNA and membranes.

Albert also identified that hydogen and oxygen interact in a delicate balance of liberating and delivering energy to the cells where the combustion of hydrogen is made possible by oxygen. This is the real energy-supplying reaction that provides our bodies with fuel whereby hydrogen and oxygen interact in a delicate balance liberating energy and delivering it to cells in tiny portions.

The union of salt and water

The research of French scientist, René Quinton [1866 - 1925] verified the striking similarity between the ocean and the composition of human bodily fluids. After years of investigation, René proved that an organism's survival depends on maintaining its own internal ocean .

This is because salts give water the ability to conduct energy and transmit or store information. Salts help to structure water and hold it in its crystalline form. In Nature, alkeline materials including calcium, magnesium and potassium balance the sodium content. This is why it is important for us to make sure we are consuming the right kind of salt such as Celtic Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt or Redmond's Real Salt which contain up to around 84 different minerals which are essential for health.

By comparison, refined Table Salt is harmful to us because it contains 97 to 99 percent sodium chloride with anticaking agents which over time can cause blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and kidney problems. This is why we are advised by the food industry to reduce our salt intake which bypasses the need for us to consume plenty of real salt on a daily basis.

You can find more information about the importance of real salt in my book review for The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio .

The complete water cycle

All our water has been on a long journey of which its time spent underground is of critical importance. This is something omitted from school text books where students are taught that the water cycle involves evaporation from lakes, rivers and oceans ... and is cleansed as it condenses through clouds.

Viktor Schauberger determined that unless water is allowed to complete the underground part of the water cycle (which includes rising to the surface on its own), the water is not mature or ripe and is therefore incapable of sustaining the hightest quality of life.

As stated in the book: this part of water's process can take hundreds, thousands or even millions of years. The longer the journey, the more life force water brings with it to the surface. This is why most natural spring water is crystal clear. It constitutes full-spectrum, living water that carries many of the Earth's resonant frequencies that bring balance to the human body.

The return of energisied water

Municipal water (and water stored in plastic bottles) has been stripped of its crystalline structure and its life force. It is stripped of its energy as it travels through pressurised pipes or during treatment where chemicals are used and unhealthy substances are incorporated .

Dancing with Water is therefore imperative in helping us to create our own full spectrum, living water which is a coherent, living, liquid crystal, capable of supplying life force for all of creation. Many of us are waking up to the realisation that depite the situation, we can take steps to return life to water and not just to the water we drink.

There are many suggested ways to treat water to bring it back to its original blue-print of life-giving energy and nourishment in the second half of the book. From this wealth of information, I now pour my filtered water into a large glass bottle where I have placed a non-irradiated Blue Topaz crystal which carries the blueprint for water's original life-sustaining patterns. I then sit the bottle on a beautifully handmade Copper Triskelion which adds piezoelectric and magnetic energy. This helps to erase dense vibrations and raises the water's overall frequency.

As the authors clearly state, it is our responsibility and our stewardship to not only revitalise the water we drink but to communicate with all the water on our beautiful Planet Earth. As I said in a previous post, The Healing Energy of Water , water has a memory and the way we treat it, the words we say and the intentions we partake when we are close to water for whatever reason, are carried out in ripples across the world.

Just as our thoughts send out low or high frequency vibrations, it is the same with water. Remember this the next time you drink a glass of pure energy, take a shower or dip your toes in the ocean waves. Infuse this living miracle of life with words of love and be a positive force for good.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Dancing with Water by M J Pangman MS and Melanie Evans

You can find the first edition of this book in secondhand bookshops online. I bought my copy from Abe Books who deliver to the British Isles (no affiliation). To find out more about the 2nd Edition of Dancing With Water and where it can be purchased, please visit Dancing With Water (Book) .

The Ascent of Humanity: Civilization and the Human Sense of Self by Charles Eisenstein

The Salt Fix: Why the Experts Got it All Wrong and How Eating More Might Save Your Life by Dr James DiNicolantonio

Purchase a copy of these enlightening books by clicking the above links to my affiliate bookshop. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

Welcome June (Almanac 2025)

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:44:44 GMT

Seasonal dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in June

WELCOME JUNE

June is a special month as it marks the beginning of the Summer Season when Mother Nature bursts in the warmth of the Sun as all manner of flora come into full fruition with gifts of flowers, early fruits and abundance in our gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and wild places.

As the Sun rises to its most highest point in the sky, we can enjoy the sunshine for 16 hours of the day. Be sure to make the most of feeling the light and warmth on your skin. This is critical for your body to produce (and store) vitimin D using stored cholesterol which is not a generally known fact of life. Be careful not to burn and avoid mass-produce sunscreens as much as possible as they are very often full of harmful trace chemicals that enter your bloodstream directly through your skin. It's much better to sit in the shade, moisten with organic natural oils or lightly cover yourself if in the direct Sun.

One of my favourite things to do in June, is to walk through the woods to enjoy the cooling shade as sunlight filters through showers of green leaves creating beautiful canopies of dappled light. Bright green Birch leaves are stunning with their silky soft downy edges sparkling in the light. Other leafy favourites dance at the slightest hint of a breeze, bringing freshness and cheer to every woodland scene.

Good places to find wildflowers, herbs, ferns and Nature's pollinators are hedgerows, riverbanks, field edges, forests, moorland and heathland. Look out for clusters of cream flower buds draping over walls or hanging down from above. Gather Elderflowers for making herbal teas and cordials. Often entwined with Honeysuckle with its golden, cream, yellow and ruby-red tinged petals emerging in floral swirls, Tall thistles brighten fields with bursts of magnificent purple flowers which are big enough for the Bees to dive in to enjoy its delicious nectar.

In the middle of the month of June, the Summer Solstice falls on the longest day of the year (see below). Make sure Midsummer is a joyous time with lots of time spent outdoors. This glorious event has been celebrated for thousands of years by Pagas who used to light bonfires and dance on Midsummer’s Eve with thankful prayers for Mother Nature's abundance - as pronounced by the Druids. Customs included bonfire-jumping where the highest jump was believed to predict the height of the coming year’s crop.

A poem - Welcome June - speaks of a precious time of growth leading up up to the Summer Solstice on the longest day and shortest night of the year when the Sun shines down from the highest point in the sky. It speaks of the daughter of Saturn, revered for her unwavering loyalty and her message for us to strengthen our relationships and partnerships with understanding, support, deep love, romance and intimacy.

Moon Phases

Wednesday 11 June - FULL STRAWBERRY MOON in Sagittarius
Wednesday 25 June - NEW BUCK MOON in Cancer

Summer Solstice

Saturday 21 June - the Sun at its highest position in the sky - Summer begins

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Sunday 1 June - Sunrise (5.07am) - Sunset (9.19pm)
Monday 30 June - Sunrise (5.05am) - Sunset (9.31pm)

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year and get ready for the blossoming of Summer as the days unfold. This is the perfect time to enjoy the fruits of your labour in the garden so make sure to spend plenty of time relaxing, pottering and eating wild fruits in you haven of happiness.

Sowing - Plant out seedlings and young plants that grow above ground.

Flower Planting - Direct sow seeds now to bloom in late summer such as Calendula, Candytuft and Nigella. Plant Nasturtiums which germinate easily and grow quickly with edible flowers. Last call to plant Sunflowers from seeds.

Vegetable Planting - French and runner beans, peas, squash, sweetcorn, tomatoes and outdoor cucumbers can be planted directly into prepared beds outside.

Potato Earthing - Now is the time to earth-up potatoes by drawing up soil around the stems as they grow to ensure the developing potatoes aren't exposed to light, which turns them green and inedible.

Plant Protection - Keep an eye out for pests and larvae, cover susceptible vegetables and fruits with environmentally friendly netting or root collars.

Dead Heading & Pruning - Keep on top of unwanted weeds by gently hoeing regularly in dry conditions to loosen the roots leaving any unwanted weeds to dry out in the heat of the sun.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN JUNE

Make a wildflower bouquet

The best time to collect wildflowers is in the early morning when their stems are fully filled with water. It is also cooler at this time when picking during warm and sunny conditions may leave plants water-stressed.

Most flowers are best picked when they are just starting to show colour. Those in full bloom will go over more quickly. However, the flowers of some plants such as Roses and Dahlias, may not fully develop if picked as a tight bud.

Place the stems straight into a bucket of water or as soon as possible after cutting. Arrange as required in a large glass vase, tall coloured bottle or rustic container for a natural authentic effect.

Best wildflowers to include in a bouquet include:

Honeysuckle
Lavender
Wild iris
Cornflower
Midsummer orchid
Lily of the valley
Bluebells
Oxeye Daisier
Poppies
Forget-Me-Nots

Enjoy eating outside al fresco

The English definition of al fresco is to be: done or eaten in the open air . In Italian, it means in the chill or in the cool. Despite this difference in meaning, the purpose is the same - to enjoy an outdoor meal in the fresh air under a blue sky as you relax with friends and family in a natural environment - whether that's in your own garden or somewhere more secluded and wild.

There are many proven health benefits for dining outside in Nature. Eating breakfast or lunch outdoors helps to restore vitality and remove lingering fatigue. Eating supper outside helps to ease your body and mind into a state of rest and watching the orange/red glow of a sunset is extremely good for us.

When we absorb Nature's natural parting glow of deep red sunset, this helps our body to create melatonin to regulate our sleep and shift the body's natural circadian rhythm towards night time.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through June for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 July 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

New Strawberry Moon in Gemini - Tuesday 27 May

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:30:01 GMT

New Strawberry Moon

Soft and juicy, fruits begin to ripen in North America;

Cheeks blush with the kiss of romance in the air;

Nature's garden blossoms before early fruits start to appear;

Tune into the abundance of the first New Moon of Summer's cheer.

New Strawberry Moon

Reflect on the ripeness of Strawberries, a food of love;

Revered by Goddess Freya, to nourish relationships and bring good luck;

Connect with the blossoming magic of growth, feel the fullness of life;

Cleanse your body, prepare for the season of fruitfulness and mirth.

New Strawberry Moon

This is the time to bring all that is hidden into the light;

To start afresh and focus on your spiritual and personal growth;

Time to set intentions clearly, evaluate your goals;

Be explicit about your desires, tell the Universe what you want.

New Strawberry Moon

Above all, be grateful for the joys of life ;

Bask in the warmth of blue-sky days and natural sunlight;

Feel the surge of energy around you, relax and let go the past;

Open your heart and mind to new adventures, practice being calm.

New Strawberry Moon

Draw on Gemini's energy to communicate clearly and empathically;

Reflect on how best to share your thoughts and ideas with sincerity;

Attract new opportunities by expressing your whole Self with authenticity;

Focus on the fruition of your happiness, health and creativity.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Red Clover)

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Red Clover has a generosity of spirit that cares about those who consume it

A Healing Herb Guide

Red Clover is the twelfth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Traditionally, Red clover is known for being a common cattle fodder crop since antiquity. The idea of Living in Clover was first muted in 1773 by Samuel Johnson who stated: Clover being extremely delicious and fattening to cattle. This is because the protein-rich Red Clover is one of the most important animal food plants in agricultural history. It is vigorous and abundant, and easily able to withstand being cut or eaten several times a year.

Medicinally, Red Clover has been used as a remedy for various conditions including a treatment for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Red Clover extract has been used to relieve coughs and skin disorders, and for supporting the lymphatic system.

Like other Clovers, the leaves of Red Clover have the familiar trefoil look with three green leaflets each bearing a white V-shaped marking. The pinky-red flowers are shaped in rounded heads and the nectar-rich flowers are a favourite of many species of bee, including the Common Carder Bee, Honeybee and Red-Tailed Bumblebee..

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Red Clover - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Red Clover was revered by many ancient cultures and was used as a symbol for protection. The Red Clover flower was worn to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. The ancient Greeks held Red Clover in high esteem, associating it with the Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite.

In Pagan folklore, Clovers were said to be much loved by the Fairy Folk. The story goes that once a milkmaid accidentally picked a four-leaf Clover with the grass she used to custion the weight of the milk pail on her head. The next thing she knew, her cow was being milked by dozens of Fairies. This led to a salve of the four-leaf Clover being used to allow a human being to see Fairies and Spirits.

In Cornwall, a four-leaf Clover is said to bring back a child if they have been stolen by Pixies.

St Patrick used the three-fold Clover leaf to explain the three in one nature of the Holy Trinity. In Chrtistian lore, Eve took some four-leaf Clover with her when she was banished from the Garden of Eden as a reminder of her happy time in paradise.

Nutrition

Red Clover has a generosity of spirit and a sympathetic energy because it is gentle and effective, providing what is needed as if this beautiful plant cares about the individual (human or animal) who is consuming it.

Red Clover is the most powerful herb of all to support the lymphatic system and cleanse lymph fluid which means it can be a helpful cancer preventative. Using both the flowers and the leaves, Red Clover is a diuretic and a blood builder for those with virtually any type of blood disorder or disease, including those with toxic blood caused by the pancreas or liver not functioning properly.

Loaded with nutrients and disease-fighting alkaloids, Red Clover is perfect for remineralisation and for replenishment of essential compounds including molybdenum, manganese, selenium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, B vitamins, cofactors of vitamins (phytonutrients that are not yet on the radar of medical research) and more.

Red Clover’s alkaloids work hand in hand with its amino acids to break up and reduce stored-up, unnecessary fat, so it can be flushed out of the body. It’s one of the ultimate drivers of weight loss of our time.

Red Clover has an energising effect, making it a stellar herb for someone who is feeling exhausted, fatigued, or depleted. It also helps to cleanse toxic heavy metals and pesticides such as DDT.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Red Clover

Red Clover produces wonderfully brightly coloured flowers which contain many nutrients, including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, zinc and vitamin C and A, and some B vitamins. It also provides a rich source of isoflavones which are compounds that act as phytoestrogens - plant chemicals similar to the female hormone estgrogen.

Remedies

Red Clover is used in herbal medicine as a blood cleanser, for balancing estrogen levels, to treat whooping cough, and to soothe skin inflammation such as eczema. This remarkable gift of Nature is also used in anti-cancer herbal preparations due to the isoflavones being found to potentially stop cancer cells from growing and killing cancer cells in test tubes.

Red Clover Herbal Tea

This simple and refreshing herbal tea with added ingredients is highly beneficial. An optional addition is organic Propolis Tincture which helps to relive Hayfever when used daily. You will need:

2 x handfuls of Red Clover flowers (stalks and leaves included)

1 x juice of half a Lemon

1 x chopped rind of half a Lemon (preferably frozen)

1 x several slices of thinly sliced fresh Ginger

1 x cup of filtered water (just off the boil)

1 x tablespoon of Raw Honey

9 x drops of Propolis Tincture

Wash and prepare the above ingredients (leaving out the Raw Honey and Propolis) and put them into a teacup or teapot i(f you want to enjoy further cups of this refreshing herbal tea during the day).
Fill up your teacup or teapot with just off the boil filtered water and steep for 15-20 minutes.
Strain if desired before adding Raw Honey to taste and the Propolis tincture while still warm - relax, savour and enjoy.

Recipes

Wild Clover Tabbouleh

A delicious family recipe shared by Christelle on Perma Crafter in her beautiful article about Red Clover (see link below). A recipe I will try and share with you in the coming weeks. You will need:

1 x large handful of Red Clover Leaves

1 x handful of Red Clover flowers

Prepared couscous, 4 tablespoons

¼ x Red Pepper, chopped

½ x Red Onion, chopped finely

2 x Garlic Cloves, chopped finely

Juice from ½ lemon

Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

1 tbsp x Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil

Mix the Garlic, Lemon Juice, Olive Oil and Salt together in a glass. Stir well.
Rinse and finely chop the Red Clover leaves and Red Clover flowers.
In a large bowl, mix the Red Clover leaves and flowers with prepared Couscous, Red Pepper and Red Onion.
Add the Garlic, Lemon Jioce, Salt, Olive Oil. and stir well.
Rest for 15 minutes for all the flavours to be absorbed before serving.

SOURCE: Fora ged Red Clover Recipe: Wild Tabbouleh

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Red Clover to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

Live Life

Sat, 17 May 2025 06:30:01 GMT

A poem about what it means to surrender and live life to the full

Surrender to the Universe, to Mother Nature's arms,

Feel the rosy balm of Venus, embrace your inner calm,

Envisage soul-light threads, that lead you to your home,

Connect your Soul to Source, your bridge between worlds.

We are Nature, we are crystal light, pure energy,

Born to grow in peace, where love comes naturally,

We are seeds and buds of life, unfolding gradually,

We are mystic spirits, navigating life quite masterfully.

Sisters, life-givers, share your feminine awareness,

Brothers, honour your masculine strength, belief in fairness,

Unite in earnest, meeting minds in synergy and warm caress,

A powerhouse of zest - in truth, meaning and togetherness.

For all of us, connect with Self for meaningful expression,

Return to authenticity, guided by your heart-felt wisdom,

Live life according to your values, dreams and higher mission,

Feel alive, create good things and live well through the seasons.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

The Joy of Living

Wed, 14 May 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Experiencing life in the moment and living life to the full

I recently wrote about the Joy of Beginning and how cultivating a Beginner's Mind is a wonderful way to reconnect ourselves with the present moment, rekindle our sense of curiosity and see the world as if for the first time through the eyes of our inner child . Learning the art of being takes ongoing practice and made me realise that bringing our consciousness to this level of awareness is key to experiencing the joy of living and living life to the full.

The aim of Beginner's Mind (or Zen Mind) is to clear the mind of troublesome thoughts and let them go without thinking about them or reacting to them. This is because thinking about things (past and present) takes us away from being present in the now which prevents us from enjoying life in the moment or making space to think things through calmly and rationally, if we need to.

Taming such thoughts when our brains are designed to solve problems and bring things to our attention, is not easy. The good news is that it can be done. You can learn how to stop the chatter, identify issues buried deep that need to be resolved, make friends with your ego and bring yourself back to a state of peace.

When we allow ourselves to keep going over what could or should have happened in the past or what might or might not happen in the future, we are not fully aware of what is happening in the moment and the simple joys in life can easily pass us by. Only when we make a conscious effort to live in the present can we become truly conscious of our true Self and what is going on around us.

Paying attention

Living in the present requires us to pay attention. It means noticing what we are thinking so that at any time we can clear the mind of unhelpful thoughts and tune into our senses . Only then can we become fully aware of the goodness in life - from a delicious aroma wafting through the air; to petals on a tiny flower; to sunshine streaming through the trees; to a kindly spoken word.

And then we realise these are the things that matter to us most. And that there are many (many) gifts in life we can feel grateful for. We also know that when we appreciate and enjoy such treasures in life, this is when we feel most alive.

Sensing perception

On the matter of connecting with our senses, I recently found out that research has identified 20 or more other senses in the human body. These are in addition to the basic five that detect stimuli from the external world. They include proprioception (sense of body position), vestibular sense (balance) and interoception that allows us to perceive and interpret signals from within our body (internal sensations).

There is no question that heightened awareness is key in helping us to feel the joy of living. We know this simply by imagining the delicious tingle felt at the slightest tender touch; the thrill of anticipation as the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end; the pleasure of savouring the taste of exquisite food or the feeling of awe and wonder when something that strikes you as beautiful brings tears to our eyes.

Treasuring meaningfulness

In the Oxford Dictionary of English (Second Edition 2003), the primary definition for the word living is: an income sufficient to live on or the means of earning it. Secondary to this is: a type of living (with the example of a victor or rector provided). Then, lifestyle gets a mention with: t he pursuit of a lifestyle of the specified type. Finally, we are given the example of living in the context of: Flowers were for the living - which hardly makes any sense at all.

As you can see, there is no mention of what it means to feel alive as a human being with over 20 different senses to connect us with our environment on a daily basis. In the shadow of untamed thoughts and unaddressed fears, this miraculous ability for us to experience the minutae (and the extremes) of being human are easily overlooked and unappreciated, meaning the joy of living slowly drains away.

Practising gratefulness

Despite the fact that dictionaries provide little insight into what living is, as a human experience, we know that living life is in fact a multi-faceted experience encompassing our body, mind, spirit and soul - represented by our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and sensual aspects of Self.

Taking time to think about things that trigger our emotions - the things that bring us joy, sadness or pain, is the best way to learn about yourself, heal yourself and bring more meaningfulness into your life. Noticing the small things and feeling grateful for them is the perfect start - and a highly effective daily practice .

Cultivating a Zen Mind, a Beginner's Mind and a more childlife approach to life, is a great way to live. And it's fun too! We are all here to learn and grow so why not make it an enjoyable and integral part of life rather than a chore. This is a sure way to experience the joy of living life and living life to the full.

Cultivating joyfulness

We have said that it is generally the simple things in our day-to-day lives that bring the most joy. When we tune into our awareness, we can find joy hiding in the first Strawberry of the season, in a song note trilled by a Blackbird or even a favourite pair of comfortable walking boots.

These things are easily missed when we are stressed or feeling down, and its up to us to calm ourselves, find our inner stillness and coax these small moments of joy back into our awareness as a matter of course.

I thought of some easy, interesting and fun ways to cultivate joyfulness to which I hope you will add your own:

Embrace the moment
Practice being still
Tune into your senses
Spend time in Nature
Go for a long walk
Play music and dance
Sing your favourite song
Breathe in the scent of a Rose
Take time to pamper yourself
Get a good night's sleep
Make time for others
Have fun with loved ones
Make a child laugh
Send a letter to a friend
Smile at a passer-by
Do something different
Write a Gratitude Journal

There are so many ways we can tune in to appreciate ourselves and others, and the world around us. I believe this is what we are here for - to enjoy life. Why else would we have been given everything we need to feel so many different emotions and to express ourselves in so many different ways through them?

We were certainly not born to dismiss or disregard our feelings nor were we born to merely grind ourselves into the dust to earn a living. So, why not celebrate our given gifts - both within us and around us? By doing so, we not only make ouselves feel better, we help to make this world more joyful for everyone.

Savouring lifefulness

There is a word for living life to the full and experiencing the joy of living which is lifeful .

This is a more accurate definition for living because it means full of life , lively and animated . It means being full of or giving vitality which perfectly describes being alive because when we experience and appreciate the joy of living , we resonate at a much higher frequency .

The joy of living is the experience of connecting with life in the present moment and allowing ourselves to absorb and savour things that perhaps previously, we didn't make time for. When we feel gratitude for those things and enjoy them, this is what makes us feel good and enables us to express ourselves in the fullness of our true Self.

I hope you find lots of new ways to treasure meaningfulness , cultivate joyfulness and savour lifefulness . It will help to take the blues away and rekindle your sense of beginningness where life is an adventure and living life is a joy.

Thank you for the joy you bring and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Full Flower Moon in Scorpio - Monday 12 May

Mon, 12 May 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Full Flower Moon

The time of year when plants and flowers bloom;

Lit up under the largest of all Full Moons;

As daylight lengthens, marking warmer days to come;

Make the most of Nature's flourish while you can.

Full Flower Moon

Shake off the last of Winter's hidden sleep;

Draw energy from the skies and oceans deep;

Take a pause, a moment to appreciate;

All your blessings, all you have achieved to date.

Full Flower Moon

Tune into life, togetherness and love;

Smile with the flowers, dance under the radiant Moon above;

Run through a meadow, splash your face with dew;

Feel the abundance, ready and waiting for you.

Full Flower Moon

When young men leapt over bonfires' highest flames;

When cattle dressed in flowers, returned to pasture again;

When people nurtured friendships, all the simple things;

That to this day we cherish for the joy they bring.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Chives)

Sat, 10 May 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Chives are full of nutrients and are easy grow for their mild onion flavour

A Healing Herb Guide

Chives are the eleventh herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide.

Chives are one of the most abundant and generous herbal plants to grace our woodlands and fields in early Spring and can act as a natural insect repellent, particularly for aphids and other pests like snails, slugs and Japanese beetles. Chives also attract beneficial insects such as Bees, Butterflies and Ladybirds who help control aphid populations and support garden productivity.

It is important to note that Chives are toxic to cats and dogs in high doses so keep an eye out for any nibbled leaves and caution them off or move them to a safer place if necessary.

Chives are a hardy and versatile herb offering a host of culinary and medicinal benefits. Perennial by nature, they bounce back each Spring and flourish in sun-kissed spots with well-drained soil. Chives are a valuable addition to both kitchen and garden with their mild onion-like flavour that enhances countless dishes while providing substantial nutritional value.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Chives - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Chives have been a favourite herb to grow in all manner of kitchen gardens for over 5,000 years. They have played a part in the diet of many ancient civilisations with both practical and mystical significance. Native to both Asia and Europe, these hardy and nutritious herbs with beautiful edible flowers were among the first plants cultivated by early societies.

In the 13th century, Marco Polo documented finding Chives during his Asian travels, noting their widespread use across China. The Romans introduced chives throughout their empire believing them to have mystical powers. They were hung in dried bundles to ward off evil spirits.

While Chinese gardeners planted Chives along pathways for protection, medieval Europeans positioned them along garden borders to repel unwanted insects, aphids and other garden invaders.

The hardy nature of Chives made them an essential food source during long and cold winters, leading to them being cultivated in monastery gardens. Many believed their purple blossoms brought good fortune, while traditional healers used them for their perceived ability to boost vitality and ward off illness.

In Dutch folklore, Chives were planted along footpaths to welcome prosperity – a practice that continued well into the 19th century.

SOURCE: Wildcraftier - Chives

Nutrition

Chives contain nutritional compounds that are vital for bone and neurological health and have been known to help in the prevention of osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Chives contain an exceptional amount of vitamin A and other antioxidants such as carotenes and lutein which help to protect the body from a variety of cancers. Chives contain a healing compound called allicin - the same found in Wild Garlic - which has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

Allicin also helps to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke.

The sulfur-containing oil in Chives provides powerful antiseptic abilities without any of the digestion-disturbing tendencies that the rest of the Onion family can create. Chives are also known to help build the repair system, fight intestinal fermentation and stimulate both stomach and liver function.

Chives are also an excellent source of folate which is essential for woman before and during pregnancy.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Chives

Remedies

The wonderful health benefits of Chives are best realised through eating the leaves and flowers fresh in a myriad of different ways. Here are a couple of ideas for preserving Chives in vinegar and oil that enhance the mild onion flavour.

Chive Flower Oil

Add freshley chopped Chives and Chive Flowers to a clean jar.
Pour over the oil, preferrably high quality organic cold-pressed virgin Olive Oil.
Cap and allow to infuse in a cool dark cabinet for a few weeks.
Use as required to make delicious salad dressings and to use for cooking savoury dishes.

Chive Flowers in Vinegar

The goodness of Chive flowers can be preserved in vinegar.

Place the blossoms into a clean a jar, cover with White Wine or Champagne VInegar.
Pour vinegar into the jar until the flowers are covered or fill the jar.
Shake gently and again every few days during the steeping period.
After several weeks stored in a cool dark cabinet, strain out the flowers and keep the vinegar for cooking or making sauces and dressings.

Recipes

Here are some creative and tasty ways to use fresh Chive leaves and flowers:

Eggs

Add freshly chopped Chives to cheese omelets, scrambled eggs, quiches and other egg dishes or sprinkle on top for a garnish.

Dips

Mix freshly chopped Chives into homemade mayonnaise, creme fresh or soft goat 'scheese. Sprinkle on raw vegetables such as celery stalks filled with cream cheese or hummus for a mouthwatering appetiser.

Soups and Salads

Sprinkle freshly chopped Chives onto soups and salads as a healthy garnish. Add slightly crushed flowers to bring out the beauty of the blossoms as well as the flavour.

Baked Potatoes

Top a baked potato with Chives, organic butter, fresh crumbled organic bacon and plain, full-fat Greek yogurt for a simple, tasty and nutritional meal.

Chive Butter

Add freshly chopped Chives to a pack of softened butter and refrigerate in small ramekin dishes. These can be used straight away or frozen to use later.

SOURCE: Herbal Health Benefits: Growing and Eating Chives

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Chives to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

A Healing Herb (Wild Garlic)

Thu, 08 May 2025 10:46:29 GMT

Wild Garlic is one of the most abundant and nutritious herbal plants

A Healing Herb Guide

Wild Garlic is the tenth herb to feature in my Healing Herb Guide .

This is one of the most abundant and generous herbal plants to grace our woodlands and fields in early Spring. Known as ramsons, every part of the Wild Garlic plant can be used for culinary and medicinal uses.

Find them grow in shady woods where they create ripples of green waves with star-like white flowers across the woodland floor and anywhere where the soil is undisturbed and rich in nutrients. Millions of bulbs may exist in one wood, revealing themselves in swathes of the white, starry carpets bringing a strong hint of Garlic into the air.

No surprise that Wild garlic attracts the attention of plenty of pollinating insects, including hoverflies, butterflies and longhorn beetles.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Wild Garlic - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Until about 1500 years ago, woodlands and forests across the British Isles were populated with Brown bears, Wolves and Lynx when Pagan communities celebrated these archetypal animals with their own seasonal rituals.

On emerging from Winter hibernation, Brown Bears would head straight for swathes of Wild Garlic that emerge in the Spring to snack on the opening bulbs. Animals know where to find good food and Wild Garlic is no exception, rich in healing and detoxing properties, they are a perfect antidote for any aches and ailments accrued during the cold season's slumber.

The use of Wild Garlic for medicinal purposes goes back further than recorded history. It has been found in Egyptian pyramids, ancient Greek temples and other remains dating back to Pagan times. Wild Garlic was used for a wide variety of ailments and infections as well as being a staple in diets across the world.

In his book, Ireland's Wild Plants; Myths, Legends and Folklore , Niall Mac Coitir talks about penalties imposed under Brehon Law for removing this precious herb from private property without permission. However, if the plant was being gathered to treat a person who was ill, the penalty of two and a half milch cows could be avoided.

Wild Garlic has long been associated with protective properties, used to ward off evil spirits, negative energies and physical ailments. Some practitioners would hang bundles of Wild Garlic in doorways or windows to keep unwanted influences away from their homes. It was also widely used for purification and cleansing purposes.

Nutrition

Wild Garlic contains many nutritional healing properties. The antimicrobial properties of allicin helps to fight against bacteria, viruses and fungi, reducing the risk of infections. Anti-inflammatory properties are known to relieve arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular diseases. Powerful antioxidants including flavonoids and phenolic compounds help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body.

And that's not all, other compounds and prebiotic properties found in Wild Garlic help to promote healthy digestion, support gut microbiota balance and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

Wild Garlic is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus and copper. It also contains organosulphur compounds that improve cardiovascular health and inhibit carcinogenesis; phenolic compounds that inhibit enzymes associated with the development of human diseases; steroidal glycosides that strengthen the heart muscle; lectins that slow down the absorption of food which can be helpful in stabilising blood sugars, especially for diabetics, and a variety of essential amino acids that are highly beneficial to health.

Remedies

The best way to enjoy the healing benefits of Wild Garlic is by being creative with different recipes and including them as part of a healthy diet. Here are some ways to preserve Wild Garlic so that it can be enjoyed beyond the Spring season.

Freezing

The leaves of Wild Garlic are best for freezing and this is the quickest way of preserving this nutritious herb. The leaves will lose their aroma when frozen without losing their flavour.

Wash and carefully pat the leaves dry with a paper towel.
Place them in freezer bags or sealed containers before putting them into the freezer.
Keep for up to 3-4 months.

Preserving

A great way to preserve Wild Garlic is to make an infusion with Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil or Organic CIder Vinegar.

Make Wild Garlic OIl by blending Wild Garlic leaves with just enough oil to create a firm mixture. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
Make Wild Garlic Vinegar by chopping the leaves into a clean glass jar. Add the vinegar so that it completely covers the leaves and press down with a wooden spoon to remove air bubbles.
Put a lid on the jar and set it aside for a week for the flavour to be drawn out of the leaves and into the vinegar itself. Strain out the solids in a sieve and decant the flavoured vinegar into a sterilised bottle.

Recipes

Wild Garlic Pesto and Pecan Nuts

A tasty recipe full of healthy goodness using the leaves, flowers and buds with the added flavour of toasted Pecan Nuts.

Wild Garlic Butter

For this recipe, you will need 200 g soft butter (salted or unsalted), 50 g Wild Garlic leaves washed and drained with ground Sea Salt to taste.

Beat the soft butter with a plastic spatula until smooth.
Chop the leaves, roughly or finely as preferred, then stir into the butter and beat again until thoroughly combined.
Add salt to taste with less if using salted butter.
Pile the butter onto a piece of baking paper or greaseproof paper and shape into a rough cylinder.
Fold the paper over the butter and roll into a smooth log, twisting the ends like a cracker to secure it.
Put in the fridge to firm up.
Use within 3-4 days or can be frozen either as one log or sliced into portions.

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding WIld Garlic to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

Heart Intelligence by HeartMath Inc

Mon, 05 May 2025 16:01:19 GMT

Connecting with our heart's intuitive guidance and wisdom

Heart Intelligence is a book written by the founder of HeartMath®, Doc Childre and colleagues who work together to develop a system of effective tools and technologies that bridge the intuitive connection between heart and mind and deepen our connection with the hearts of others.

I first became interested in Heart Intelligence by listening to a presentation by Deborah Rozman, one of the authors of Heart Intelligence, sharing findings of academic research carried out at the HeartMath Institute into Heart Rate Variability and Coherence . The work underpins a model that enables people to align their heart, brain and intuition to achieve higher potential without necessarily using spiritual language.

I wrote about the presentation in a previous post The Intelligent Heart and have more recently read the book. I wanted to share some of the things I learned in Heart Intelligence following my review of Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan MD who demonstrates that the heart is not merely a pump, rather a hydraulic ram that plays an critical role in regulating our highly intelligent circulatory system.

HeartMath® Institute

The HeartMath Institute was founded in 1991 by Doc Childre who is the originator of the HeartMath® System. This is a set of practical, heart-based technologies and tools that all people can use to reduce stress, improve performance, and enhance health and well-being.

Heart Intelligence contains the story behind the HeartMath® system together with supporting evidence such as provided by pioneering, neuro-cardologist, Dr J Andrew Armour, who introduced the term Heart Brain. His research reveals that the heart sends it's own messages to the brain using its own complex instrinsic nervous system that acts as a brain in the head. This heart-brain has been shown to sense, process and encode information internally.

According to HearthMath Inc, understanding and developing Heart Intelligence helps us to move from old habits of separation to increased love and new connections; it provides a roadmap for connecting with our heart's compassionate care and kindness; it shows us how to respond to inner promptings so that we can make more effective choices in life, and provides practical tools for following our own heart's intelligence and intuitive guidance to become our true selves.

This correlates very well with my understanding of the heart and it's central place in our lives when we know that when we think, speak, act or behave from our heart, it makes us feel good. This tells us that we have chosen to do the right thing which brings immeasurable rewards in the long run.

A book of chapters

The introduction, written by Doc Childre, talks about the understandable stress caused by uncertainty being felt on a global scale. He reminds us that despite the struggles, most retain a positive outlook and more of us are reimagining our future for the better.

This is expanded upon in further chapters written by Doc including Heart-Based Living, Raising Our Vibration, Moving in a State of Ease, Becoming Our True Self, Compassion (the need of the times) and Broadcasting Love.

Other chapters include Attributes of Heart Intelligence and Global Coherance: The Planetary Potential (Deborah Rozman); It's Heart-Time and Social Coherance: Learning to Get Along (Martin Howard); and, The Intuitive Heart and Heart Coherance : Access to Heart Intellligence ( Rollin McCraty).

Each chapter contains research findings that corroborate the key revelation that the heart has its own brain which manages a fully functioning nervous system sending messages from our higher consciousness to our brain first. The key message is that when we endeavour to tune into our heart's steady beat and intuitive flow of heart-felt wisdom , it becomes second nature and this brings untold benefits to our lives.

Heart-based living

Heart-based living is described as a natural self-maintenance, self-transformational practice. It is described as a basis for learning how to get along with each other and work together in harmony. This is done by increasing our care and cooperation for the best outcome for everyone and the beautiful planet we call home . When recent years have taught us that we are all connected, we can see that caring for ourselves and others is caring for the whole.

Doc Childre believes, as I do, that we are in a transitional period where more of us are deciding to open our hearts to compassionate care so that we can create a different world from the one that has been created so far.

It is where we start the healing of separation which is essential for a shift into the next level of intelligence for humanity - and many people are feeling that life is shaking us awake to this requirement.

Enlightening research

Deborah Rozman points out that indepth research into the physiology of heart-brain communication began in the second half of the twentieth century.

This started with pioneery physiologists, John and Beatice Lacey, who conducted research that showed the heart actually communicates with the brain in ways that greatly affect how we perceive and react to the world around us.

Having discovered that the heart possessed its own nervous system and brain, Dr J Andrew Armour went on to find evidence that the heart's brain possesses a capacity to learn, and even has short- and long-term memory and neural plasticity.

This proves that the heart is intimately involved in how we think, feel and respond to the world with further resarch showing that ascending neurological signals sent from the heart to the brain continuously interact with and modify the activity in the brain's higher cognitive and emotional centres.

Heart-felt frequency

Many of us know that every day we process countless frequencies through our mind, brain and heart which materialise through our thoughts, feelings, emotions and actions.

Doc Childre dedicates a chapter to this important aspect of who we are when our thoughts, feelings, emotions and intentions are energetic frequencies influenced by beliefs, memories, choices, environmental stimuli and more.

He says that sometimes we operate in a higher vibration and sometimes a lower one and that we can better manage these variations in energy when we learn how to consciously intervene, reset and lift our attitudinal vibration to handle whatever comes up more cost-effectively.

The rewards for getting into the habit of connecting and communicating with our heart's intelligence are numerous. As Doc Childre says: W hen our vibrations are up, our heart energy flows through our interactions. We naturally generate uplifting feelings from a more empowered demeanour. We are kinder, more gracious and we genuinely connect with other. We respond to stressful situations with soundness and clearer discernment. We are less vulnerable to frustration, impatience, anger or anxiety, and we feel more self-secure and less critical of others.

And my favourite: we are drawn to notice Nature, flowers and trees that we usually sleep-walk past, as our preoccupations rob us of this gift of conscious connection.

Ultimately, the calm yet vibrant state of being we experience when we are tuned into our heart-space, has a profound and positive impact on our health, our relationships and our quality of life - for ourselves but for humanity as a whole.

Heart-felt change

We are reminded to spread a little kindness on a day which has been allocated for such an endeavour. These are Kindness Day UK and World Kindness Day which are held on 13 November every year. However, this does little to help us transition to a higher level of consciousness where unconditional love, compassion, humility and kindness are a given.

Let's not wait until this far away day which will come and go in a flash as people revert back to their old ways. Instead, practice radiating or sending love while sitting in stillness with your heart. Give as much love to yourself as you would any of your loved ones by feeling appreciation and gratitude for all you have known, all you have felt and all that you have ever done.

We are reminded of The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm who says the same as Doc Childre: Love is an action word for achieving our next awareness level of collective intelligence.

Let each of us take the action required to love ourselves and each other from our hearts so that we can bring heart-felt change to this world. As always, thank you for being here and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Heart Intelligence: Connecting with the heart's intuitive guidance for effective choices and solutions by Doc Childre, Howard Martin, Deborah Rozman and Rollin McCraty

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Welcome May (Almanac 2025)

Thu, 01 May 2025 23:59:43 GMT

Seasonal dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in May

WELCOME MAY

May is one of the most fertile times of the year. Every branch is bursting with new leaves and every flower is starting to bud with the pure intention of attracting bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other pollinating insects to ensure a healthy harvest of fruit later in the year.

Every bird is busy establishing their territory, attracting a mate and building their nest ready for the breeding season. Every piece of bare ground is alive with emerging shoots, unfolding petals and lengthening leaves, all reaching up to greet the sunlight in a breathtaking array of transformation and beauty.

In the hedgerows, verges and field edges, wild herbs, wildflowers, ferns, ivy and all manner of new life, explodes in gorgeous swathes of pale greens, emerald greens and lime, primrose, pinks, purples, blues and whites. All of a sudden, you notice the buzz of a bee, the hum of hoverfly or the flitting about of the first butterflies as they perform their elegant dance. Suddenly you notice the warmth of the Sun on your face and the lightness of the breeze in the air.

A poem - Welcome May - speaks of Pagan processions in the villages, the Gaelic festival of the Fires of Bel, the bonfires of Beltane, and the tradition of returning the livestock to pasture to roam free again when children would run across the fields in bare feet, quick and nimble like mini-hurricanes.

Moon Phases

Monday 12 May - FULL FLOWER MOON in Scorpio
Tuesday 27 May - NEW STRAWBERRY MOON in Sagittarius

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Thursday 1 May - Sunrise (5.48am) - Sunset (8.36pm)
Saturday 31 May - Sunrise (5.07am) - Sunset (9.18pm)

Recipe of the month

A delicious recipe for Wild Garlic & Pecan Pesto which is packed with nutritional goodness from the fresh leaves, stems and flower buds of this abundant wild plant, and with nuts providing a good source of healthy fats, fibre and various vitamins and minerals.

Traditionally made with Manchego, a cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain from the milk of sheep of the Manchega breed, you can use other tasty cheeses including Parmesan, Iberico, Gruyere, Meseta, Pecorino, Gouda, Asiago, or even mature Cheddar.

COMING SOON!

FRESH FOOD IN SEASON

Foraging for wild food

If you are foraging for wild food, remember to always follow the Foraging Code (WildFoodUK), respect the land, animals, birds and other creatures who depend on wild food and undisturbed habitats to survive.

I have written about the benefits of foraging and where to start in The Wonders of Wild Food and Foraging for Nature's Bounty .

In the fields and hedgerows - Alexanders, Beech Leaves, Bistort, Burdock, Chickweed, Comfrey Leaves, Dandelion, Fat Hen, Good-king-henry, Hawtorn Tips, Hop Tips, Nettle Tips, Orache, Rampion, Salad Burner, Sea Beet, Sorrel, Tansy, Watercress, Wintercress, Wood Sorrel

Wild Herbs - Cleavers, Hairy Bittercress, Hedge Garlic, Lemon Balm, Wild Marjoram, Spearmint, Sweet Cicely, Wild Thyme, Wild Fennel

Edible Wild Flowers - Dandelion , Daisies, Nasturtiums, Broom, Borage, Elderflower, Chamomile, Hawthorn, Marigold, Pansy, Violet, Wild Rose

Local Vegetables - Asparagus, Broad Beans, Baby Globe Artichokes, Peas, Radishes, Wild Rocket, Beetroot, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Chard, Endive, Green Garlic, Lettuce, Spring Onions, Spinach, Spring Greens, Turnips, Sorrel, Gooseberry

Garden & Wild Herbs - Chives and Chive Flowers, Parsley , Chervil, Basil , Rosemary , Sage , Thyme , Mint , Lemon Balm , Lemon Verbena , Coriander, Dill

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year and get ready for the blossoming of Spring as the days unfold. This is the perfect time to plant young seedlings outside in pots and in the garden. Expect lots of growth with a profusion of early buds as an abundance of flowers start to emerge.

No mowing in May - native wildflowers will soon shoot up on an unmown lawn which encourages pollinators to visit your garden. Always leave part of your lawn unmown to provide sanctuary for Nature's tiny beings

Propogate cuttings - all fresh herbs are great plants to propagate by taking a branch from the main stem. If it is soft like Basil, leave the stem in water and wait for roots to appear, or dip the stem in rooting powder and place it straight into a pot filled with compost.

Vegetable Planting - plant out tender vegetable plants such as Winter Squash, Courgettes and Tomatoes

Hanging Baskets - create colourful displays in hanging baskets or pots with small bedding plants from local markets and farm shops that can be grouped together. Strawberries love to grow in large hanging baskets on their own.

Frost Protection - Beware of late frosts and be prepared to protect newly planted plants with fleece or newspaper (or bring inside) if necessary.

Weeding (and not weeding) - keep on top of unwanted, non-native weeds, get among your plants and do a good weed now, nipping problems in the bud which is always easier after wet weather. Make sure to leave patches of Nettles, wildflowers and wild herbs that may look like weeds but are more nutritious than supermarket vegetables.

Make your own Weed Fertiliser - keep on top of unwanted weeds, get among your plants and do a good weed now, nipping any problems in the bud, weeding is always easier after wet weather.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket with water.
Pop in your weeds,
Let them stew for a few weeks.
Stir every so often
Strain out the stinky weed liquid for a rich natural weed juice.
Dilute 1 part juice into 9 parts water.
Use to water your garden and pots when they need a feed.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN MAY

Bat Watching

Bats hunt at night and depend on their hearing to move around. They have their very own radar system and emit a high frequency noise that bounces off objects and potential prey. This allows them to 'see' their surroundings in their mind.

We have 18 species of Bats in the British Isles and some can be seen flying in our gardens. The Common Pipistrelle is the most common but sadly, they are an endangered species due to reduced numbers of insects and a lack of safe and clean places to roost.

Bats begin to emerge from their hibernation at the end of April. so go outside at dusk to watch them foraging for food as they swoop around you and above you. They can often be found near ponds and lakes where you can see them skimming the surface for a flying insects. They will never bump into you and are magical to watch in the dusky light.

No Mow May

Every garden, balcony, yard and open space is a potential haven for wildlife.

Allow your lawn to grow wild this May as part of Plantlife: saving wild plants annual movement. Watch your garden transform into an oasis for wildlife where patches of long grass encourage different plant species to grow. Help insects to thrive and create feeding opportunities for birds and small mammals.

Think about sharing your garden and outside space with Nature more this year and you won't be disappointed.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through May for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 June 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

New Flower Moon in Taurus - Sunday 27 April

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 11:56:35 GMT

New Flower Moon

For the joy of flowers blossoming as leaves uncoil;

All starting out as seeds buried deep within the soil,

Where darkness serves a purpose for this earthly toil;

Before emerging to the light as each new flower is born.

New Flower Moon

A time to be more vulnerable - to cosy in and nest;

As this gentle ebb of energy encourages us to rest;

Let go of thoughts that no longer serve you for the best;

Before you step into your brightest and more abundant self.

New Flower Moon

A time to think of partnerships and clearing the air;

Get to the heart of things about which you truly care;

Dive in, embrace the facts and lay the truth bare;

To deepen bonds and friendships, to be more aware.

New Flower Moon

Look towards your future as the Moon rises higher;

Set intentions, ask the Universe for whatever you desire;

Embrace your own prosperity and improved lifestyle;

Be specific about what this is for it to materialise.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Wild Garlic Pesto and Pecan Nuts

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:15:19 GMT

A delicious way to enjoy the super-healthy goodness of Wild Garlic

Wild Garlic is a joy to gather in woodlands, hedgerows, damp meadows and field edges at this time of the year providing a multitude of health benefits due to its unique composition of bioactive compounds. You will recognise the mild scent of Garlic in the air. Pinch the leaves to emit a more pungent odour and eat the buds to experience a delicious flavour of the herb with an underlaying taste of sweet green peas.

Once harvested, Wild Garlic leaves can be used in a variety of culinary dishes, including soups, salads, pesto, and sauces, adding a deliciously fresh and garlicky flavour to recipes. In making this tasty pesto, I used the leaves, buds and flowers because why waste any part of this incredibly generous and nutritious gift of Nature?

Wild Garlic contains many nutritional healing properties. The antimicrobial properties of allicin helps to fight against bacteria, viruses and fungi, potentially reducing the risk of infections. Anit-inflammatory properties are known to relieve arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular diseases. Powerful antioxidants including flavonoids and phenolic compounds help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body.

And that's not all, compounds and prebiotic properties found in Wild Garlic help to promote healthy digestion, support gut microbiota balance and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

Wild Garlic can be frozen by washing the leaves thoroughly and patting them dry with paper towels before popping them into a container for freezing. You can freeze this recipe too.

Essential ingredients

4 cups x chopped Wild Garlic Leaves, Flowers and Buds

1 x half Lemon (juice only)

40gms x Peacan Nuts (toasted for extra flavour)

1 cup x Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil

2 tsp x Celtic Sea Salt (organic)

Ground Black Pepper (to taste)

2-4 crusty rolls - made with stone ground flour with no additives

Real Butter (unsalted) for rolls

How to prepare

Wash Wild Garlic leaves, flowers and buds and roughly chop into a large mixing bowl.
Add all the other ingredients (only 1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt) - the rest is for final garnish.
Bland gently with a pulsing motion using a hand blender or add to a large blender. Blend to your liking either to leave some texture or to create a creamy paste.
Pour into a glass jar (for serving) and put any remaining mixture into a container for freezing.
Prepare some artisan crusty rolls and spread with real unsalted butter.
Add pesto and top with grated Italian Parmesan Cheese, a drizzle of Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil, a sprinkle of Celtic Sea Salt and ground Black Pepper.
Serve of a large plate with sweetened Vine Tomatoes or a freshly made side salad.

Nutritious ingredients

Vine Tomatoes

A great source of vitamin E with vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, phosphorus and copper along with potassium, vitamin A, C and K - all of which support heart health with potassium and folate promoting proper cell function.

Wild Garlic

Fresh Flat Leaved Parsley

Parsley is one of the richest sources of vitamin C with a high level of bone-strengthening vitamin K. Parsley also contains good levels of vitamins A and C with flavonoid compounds such as luteolin and apigenin. All of these essential elements have a powerful aklalining and antioxidant effect on the body, removing acidity and free radicals that would otherwise cause oxidative damage to the cells. Flat Leaved Parsley contains a greater concentration of nutrients than Curly Leaf Parsley although the latter is still a very healthy option if you have no alterative.

Pecan Nuts (toasted or untoasted)

Pecan Nuts are a nutritious nut rich in healthy fats, fiber and various vitamins and minerals. They are also an excellent source of plant-based protein with magnesium to help regulate muscle function and support healthy bones. Zinc provides an essential support for the repair system and helps with effective wound healing. With so many nutritious elements, incorporating Pecan Nuts into your diet helps to protect cells and reduce the risk of chronic diseases taking hold such as cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil

The main type of fat in traditionally produced organic Olive Oil is monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Omega 3 fatty acids possess strong anti-inflammatory properties which lower the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's and vision loss. Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil also contains vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that supports cellular repair function while vitamin K plays a key role in blood and bone health.

Italian Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is considered a helpful food because it contains biologically active ingredients that benefit your body and general health. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese which is considered a particularly healthy type of cheese because it is easy to digest and is full of essential cell and bone-building nutrients such as calcium and protein.

Sartori's Sarvecchio Parmesan is said to be the best with Parmigiano Reggiano the most popular. Both are expensive compared to normal cheese and have a wonderful strong flavour. For authenticity, look out for the hallmarks on the rind.

Lemon Juice

Rich in vitamins C and B-complex and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, copper, and potassium. Considered to be a wonderful tonic that can help to cleanse and detoxify the entire body with exceptional antibiotic, antiseptic and anti-cancer properties.

Celtic Sea Salt

This high-quality naturally harvested Sea Salt has 84 trace minerals that nourish and strengthen the body. You can also use Real Salt, or Pink Hymalayan Salt) - or a mixture as they each contain a few different essential minerals that are all needed for optimum health.

Black Pepper

Ground Black Pepper contains piperine which is a plant compound containing strong antioxidant properties.

I hope you enjoy making and savouring this supremely delicious and wholesome snack full of wholesome goodness and essential nutrients drawn from the soils of ancient woodlands where Wild Garlic thrives.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

More tasty recipies

Mediterranean Power Snack Sensation by Sue Cartwright, Spiral Leaf

Mediterranean Parsley and Pine Nut Pesto - by Sue Cartwright

A Healing Spice (Ginger)

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Ginger contains powerful components for cleansing and gentle healing

A Healing Spice Guide

Ginger is the third spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

Ginger is not a root, it is a rhizome that grows underground in a similar way to a Potato. This herbaceous tropical perennial resembes Turmeric with it's gnarled stems and fleshy underground part. The oval lanceolate evergreen leaves are long and very fragrant with spiky tips.

Ginger leaves are considered to be a herb. They can be dried to use as a topping or infused into syrups and fillings for baking for a light, herbal flavour in desserts. Ginger loves a warm climate and flourishes in tropical weather in places like India, China, Fiji, Indonesia and Peru.

Ginger’s generic name, zingiber , comes from the Greek word, zingiberis , which comes from the Sanskrit name of the spice S ingabera which means horn-shaped or antler-shaped . Ginger is part of the zingiberaceae family which includes other spices including Turmeric, Galangal and Cardamom.

Ginger is a fiery spice that has been recognised as a symbol of power, protection and vitality for thousands of years. Ginger’s long history is woven into mythology, folklore and cultural traditions worldwide.

Ginger contains gingerol which is a natural component of the Ginger rhizome. This supports gastrointestinal motility which is the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating Ginger encourages efficient digestion as it prevents food lingering in the gut.

Ginger has many health benefits which include helping to reduce nausea, manage weight loss, protect nerve function and reduce the risk of cancer.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Ginger - a wonderful addition to your healing herbal teas with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

In ancient times, Ginger was highly regarded as a spiritual cleanser and was used before and during holy days as a way to awaken and purify the body, mind and spirit.

Equally delicious and spicy in sweet or savoury dishes, served hot or cold, or used dried or fresh, Ginger is a prized spice that has earned its grand reputation from its use as a medicine, confection, mystery ingredient, condiment, flavouring, stimulant, fragrance and drink.

This tropical, fiery rhyizome, once named ‘ the horned thing ’ and ‘ the antlered thing ’ in ancient Sanskrit, is native to Oceanic Southeast Asia, although its precise origins remain a mystery, Ginger was one of the first cargoes to travel the early global trade routes.

As Ginger was thought to prevent sea-sickness, it was a friend to Chinese sailors and was widely used in Ancient China to relieve arthritis and kidney problems. Ginger appears in China's first herbal, the Pen Tsao Ching (Classic of Herbs), where it is suggested that: Ginger eliminates body odour and puts a person in touch with the spiritual realm. SOURCE: Richard Whelan - Medical Herbalist .

An old Indian proverb says: Every good quality is contained in Ginger. For the ancient Indians, Ginger is used liberally for both cooking and making healing remedies.

Ancient Greeks would wrap some bread around a piece of Ginger and eat it after a heavy meal to aid indigestion. This led to the creation of Gingerbread which has become a familiar family favourite all throughout Europe.

Gingerbread became a popular treat sold at medieval European festivals and fairs, and some were dedicated Gingerbread fairs. Gingerbread biscuits date back to the 16th century when they were sold in monasteries, pharmacies and town square Farmers' Markets.

Nutrition

Ginger contains trace amounts of many different vitamins and minerals. It is a good source of antioxidant plant compounds such as gingerol and shogaol which help to reduce inflammation amongst other health benefits.

Ginger also contains magnesium and potassium which are essential minerals that support overall health. Magnesium supports essential muscle and heart functioning while potassium benefits heart functioning by helping to control the activity of the heart muscle.

Ginger is well known for aiding digestion and is widely regarded to help prevent colds, flu, motion sickness and vertigo. Ginger can also help to alleviate menstrual cramps, nausea, heart burn, migraines, sore throats, exhaustion, fatigue, and constipation and it is great in providing relief from the stomach flu and food poisoning.

Ginger can easily be incorporated into your meals and Herbal Teas (see below) for daily cleansing, balancing and digestive system support. You can buy fresh Ginger, Ginger Paste and Ginger Powders but remember that fresh is always best. Why not try making your own Crystalised Ginger (see below) for a delicious sweet treat with a kick - perfect for keeping nausea at bay through the day or for gift-giving and special occasions.

Remedies

Ginger is primarily used in healing remedies as an anti-emetic to prevent or control all kinds of nausea, including motion sickness, morning sickness and vertigo. It is safe in moderate doses and has a warming effect on the body which makes it helpful as an anti-inflammatory for arthritic joint and rheaumatic pain.

Ginger Herbal Tea

For an easy anti-nausea remedy, peel and thinly slice a 2cm piece of freshly peeled Ginger into a cup and pour over just-boiled filtered water. Add Raw Honey to sweeten with a slice of Lemon. Leave to infuse for about 8 minutes before drinking.

Or you could try my deluxe Herbal Tea with additional herbs with many other healing benefits. I make this refreshing drink first thing in the morning using herbs for an inner cleanse and last thing at night with herbs to aid sleep.

My Lemon Herbal Cleanse recipe provides nutritional information on all the ingredients.

Recipes

Crystallised Ginger

A safe and effective treatment for morning and travel sickness. Store slices in a jar to keep handy to chew on when you are feeling queezy. You will need 350 grams of fresh Ginger and enough Castor Sugar to match weight of cooked Ginger.

Peel the Ginger carefully and cut into thin slices.
Place in a saucepan and cover with filtered water.
Bring to the boil and partly cover with lid to simmer for 1 hour.
Drain and weigh the cooked Ginger, then weigh the equivalent amount of Castor Sugar.
Return to saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of filtered water.
Bring to the boil again and simmer while stirring with a wooden spoon for 20 minutes.
When Ginger is transparent, reduce the heat and keep stirring until the sugar starts to crystallise.
Take a large, deep, baking tray and sprinkle with some extra sugar.
Coat the cooked Ginger slices with the sugar before cooling and storing in a sterilised glass jar.

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices which make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of spicy delights and discovery. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan MD

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:30:00 GMT

A life-changing book that reveals the true nature of the heart

There are few books written with such integrity and honesty than those presenting hitherto unpublicised scientific research and findings that go against the grain. In this case, the assumption that the heart is a pump. When we are told there is a consensus on certain scientific matters, it means it is only a generally agreed-upon understanding. Real science, however, is a constantly evolving body of study, discovery and comparison building on fundamental truths that cannot be disputed. Human Heart, Cosmic Heart is a testament to the fact that such truths are out there waiting to be discovered and will always eventually come to light.

Thomas Cowan started out in life with a curious mind that became more curious the older he grew, he says: It came to me early that adult explanations often make no sense. This is often the case for many children who are dismissed with their persisent why's . I was always looking for answers and it resonates with me when Thomas says: I couldn't make sense in my mind of the way American history had unfolded, driven as it so often was, and is, by greed over money, land, possessions and power - all in the context of liberty and justice for all.

As a young man, Thomas was not convinced with what he was being taught about the heart through his medical training nor, as a qualified medical doctor, with contradictions he found in his practical experience. This dichotomy became the focal point for a journey of discovery that unfolded over time with the help of further study and practice in nutrition, homeopathy, anthro-posophical medicine and herbal medicine.

Thomas set out to uncover bona fide scientific research (and carry out his own) on the workings of the heart and he found a great deal that goes against mainstream consensus. He knew that proper science is founded on systematic observation, measurement (against a control) and fastidious experiment, and that it must record the process of formulation, testing and modification used to reach findings. The resulting hypotheses can then be carried forward until it is discredited, improved, superceded or confirmed and incorporated as a fundamental truth in itself or as part of a bigger whole.

This is not the same as Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) which is used by the pharmaceuticals to sell the efficacy of their products. EBM is described as: the best available science combined with the healthcare professional's clinical experience and the patient's values to arrive at the best medical decision for the patient. The issue here is that using only the best available science means that by definition, it is selective - ie, chosen to be the best available as it confirms the current consensus. This is measured on a Hierarchy of Evidence determined by a collaboration of methodologists, guideline developers, biostatisticians, clinicians, public health scientists and other interested members.

When it comes to matters of the heart, it is a travesty that we have been sold another lie - similar to those sold to us about salt , sugar, low-fat diets, vegetable oils, the food pyramind, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes and so many other mass-produced goods that are creepingly harmful to us. We have gone along with the consensus that the heart is a pump and that heart attacks are caused by blocked arteries and so on. This is based on a hypothesis from research carried out a long time ago which has never been openly questioned and which can now be fully discredited.

Try to imagine your heart having the power to pump your blood hard enough to travel through all your arteries, veins and capillaries three times every minute - that's all the way down to your fingers and toes and back again. It becomes obvious that there must be other powers at play. Our blood travels seamlessly through our bodies covering a distance of 12,000 miles a day - so what is really going on?

A journey of discovery

There is no doubt that this book is written by someone who for their entire life, as Thomas says: have been in awe of the heart, both in the medical, physical and anatomical sense and in the broader, spiritual and sacred sense. Driven by the knowledge that the heart can be as much a wellspring of health as a source of disease, Thomas strives to find a deeper and more accurate understanding of what makes the heart tick.

The journey starts with the mainstream view, based on the work of an English physician, William Harvey, published in 1628, describing the heart as a pump. This was considered a seminal work in the field of cardiology which dealt, as Thomas says: a deathblow to the theory of vitalism.

It was Rudolf Steiner who convinced Thomas that the heart is not a pump, as in 1920, he pointed out in lectures to medical doctors that the heart did not force inert blood to move with pressure but that the blood was propelled with its own biological momentum. He also stated that the pressure does not cause the blood to circulate but is caused by interrupting the circulation.

This idea intrigued Thomas for decades and drove him to question everything he had learned about the heart and the circulation of the blood through the body. As mainstream scientists continued to reject any suggestion of other forces at play, Thomas was only just getting started.

The heart is not a pump

The only way to fully understand and appreciate the intricacies of the heart research and observations written so beautifully and carefully in Human Heart, Cosmic Heart, is to read the book. In just 139 pages, it packs a punch and could be a life-changing read for you or someone in your family.

I wanted to share something I found remarkable to give you an idea of what awaits you. It's incredible how we have allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked for so long, especially as the treatments and pharmaceuticals continue to make matters worse in increasing prescriptions of harmful cocktails of Evidence Based Medicine.

In brief, when you measure the relative velocity of the blood at various stages of circulation, the blood moves the fastest in the largest arteries and veins, and it moves slowest in the capillaries. It makes sense because this can be compared to how water moves in a river. It is fastest when the river is narrow, slower when it flows out into tributaries and slowest when it flows out into a wetland area.

As Thomas says, what's amazing is that the blood actually stops moving in the capillaries, which is necessary for the efficient exchange of gases, nutrients and waste products. After the blood stops moving, it oscillates slightly, and then begins to flow again as it enters the veins.

I don't know about you but that gives me tingles. It is as if the blood has a mind of it's own and I am not far wrong. Everything works together intelligently to get the job done and the heart is an essential part of that. The way it is designed is mesmerising and the role it plays in creating vortices and spirals - the same to be found in rivers - is further confirmation that everything is connected and that Nature is exquisite in every way.

Real causes of disease

I often write about the problems with manufactured, mass-produced foods that introduce unhelpful and unwanted toxic chemicals and trace elements into our system. A constant bombardment of this harmful non-food and unfiltered water, which are both devoid of any nutritional value, means our bodies have to continually work on filtering, cleaning things out and making allowances for the nutrients we are failing to provide on a daily basis.

The build-up of harmful things inside us that our bodies are unable to process, coupled with the lack of nutrients required to do the cleaning efficiently, is a double-edged sword that over time results in all kinds of disease. The pharmaceutical companies jump on the symptoms and design medicine that suppresses the very warning signs needed to get to the cause of the problem.

As with any health condition, there is no one size fits all and we know by now that a symptom is the body telling us something has to change. This is not something to be falsely removed, suppressed or disregarded. For Thomas, the symptoms are a starting point for further investigation together with an understanding of medical history, diet, living and work environments, personal experience and so on.

In every case, disease can be traced back to the cause which ultimately stems from unquestioned beliefs, unresolved trauma, unhealthy lifestyle and incorrect information that has been accepted in good faith but has never materialised into a healthy solution. Thomas provides evidence that disease can be healed from source when we understand the true cause of the problem.

Care for your heart

In the Appendix there is an entire programme with principles for maintaining a healthy heart and healthy blood circulation which ties in exactly with all we have been talking about here on Spiral Leaf, especially in my post Going Organic is a Journey .

I have summarised some tips which include being in Nature and experiencing the world through our sense and sensitivity , with touch being so important to keep our bodies charged, grounded and vital.

Nutritional quality matters - make sure your food and water are as fresh, organic and as nutritious as possible

Eat more vegetables and fruit - learn how to prepare and cook vegetables (and fruit) so that they taste delicious

Fast intermittently - learn how to give your digestive system a break and how to do it safely

Start a balanced diet - ditch the food pyramid and learn what your body really needs to protect you and thrive

Drink filtered water - drink filtered (and structured) water (little and often) with a pinch of Sea Salt through the day

Trust your instincts - connect with your heart as it will be the first to tell you what you need to know

Sample recipes are provided so that you can start nourishing your heart, mind and body in the best ways for your ongoing heart health and overall wellbeing.

Listen to your heart

I have barely touched on the significance of this remarkable book that deserves our attention. I have not mentioned anything about the Cosmic Heart aspect which I will talk about in a future post. This correlates with findings included in my review of Intelligent Heart by the team at HearthMath Inc, and the synchronicities are profound.

In addition to understanding the true nature of the heart as part of an intelligent and interconnecting circulatory system and how best to care for it, we need to also understand the nature of any external factors that are often the real cause.

As Thomas says: If we are to revise our undersanding of why and how the heart gets sick and how to heal an ailing heart , w e need to do this in the context of society and its injustices, and our ecosystems and the damage we have done to them, in much the same way we must treat the heart, not in isolation, but within the context of the body.

I hope you enjoy delving deeper into the exquisite human (and cosmic) aspects of your heart and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan MD

Heart Intelligence by HeathMath Inc

Purchase a copy of this life-changing book from my affiliate bookshop and support independent book sellers by using the link above. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

Full Pink Moon in Libra - Sunday 13 April

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 06:30:00 GMT

New Flower Moon

For the joy of flowers blossoming as leaves uncoil;

All starting out as seeds buried deep within the soil,

Where darkness serves a purpose for this earthly toil;

Before emerging into light as each new flower is born.

New Flower Moon

A time to be more vulnerable - to cosy in and nest;

As this gentle ebb of energy encourages us to rest;

Let go of any thoughts that do not serve you for the best;

As you step into your brightest and more abundant self.

New Flower Moon

A time to think of partnerships and clearing the air;

Get to the heart of things about which you truly care;

Dive in, embrace the facts and lay the truth bare;

To deepen bonds and friendships, to be more aware.

New Flower Moon

Look towards your future as the New Moon rises higher;

Set intentions, ask the Universe for whatever you desire;

Embrace your own prosperity and improved lifestyle;

Be specific about everything you wish to materialise.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Spice (Cloves)

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:01:21 GMT

Cloves contain healing antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

A Healing Spice Guide

Cloves are the second spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide.

Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the Clove Tree which is native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. They are grown in other parts of Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The flower buds are hand picked and dried in the sun to bring out and preserve their healing and aromatic properties.

Cloves have long been revered as a medicinal spice used for centuries to treat digestive and respiratory ailments. Use in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. You can gain the benefits by integrating a few servings a week into your meals. You can incorporate ground Cloves into many dishes to bring a warm, distinctive flavour to desserts, curries and chutneys, or you can simmer whole Cloves in filtered water for 5–10 minutes to make a soothing tea (see below).

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Cloves. They are a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Clove is a highly prized spice originating from the Moluccas Islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. This is where parents planted a Clove Tree for every child was born. When the Clove Forests were first discovered, all were enchanted with the fragrance and beauty of this tropical evergreen tree which must always see the sea in order to thrive.

Cloves were used as incense in ancient times as this was believed to bring good luck together with a positive energy to the mind and the surrounding environment. Cloves were burnt to chase away bad energy and rise low frequencies.

Cloves are historically linked to healing and protection from illness. Clove Essential Oil has been used for centuries to treat all kinds of ailments and is especially used for dental relief as it is a natural antiseptic. The Chinese would chew cloves before meeting with the Emperor or other royal figures to ensure their breath was pleasant.

One of its most famous traditional uses for Cloves is in the pomander ball or pomme d'ambre which means apple of amber . Pomanders were made from different perfumes that were worn or carried in a vase for protection against infection and unpleasant odours.

Nutrition

Cloves have been used for centuries to treat digestive and respiratory ailments. They contain good amounts of vitamins A, C, K and B-complex as well as minerals such as manganese, iron, selenium, potassium and magnesium. They also contain powerful antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties making them tremendously useful in helping to heal a wide variety of illnesses and health conditions.

Cloves are particularly beneficial for the digestive tract and are great for indigestion, gas, constipation, bloating, nausea and countering the effects of heavy, rich food. They are excellent for relieving muscle spasms, headaches and nerve pain. They are also used to disinfect gums, teeth, kidneys, liver, skin and bronchi.

Clove oil contains eugenol which is a powerful anesthetic and natural pain reliever and is commonly used to help relieve toothaches and to numb gums in dentistry. Clove oil is also beneficial for the circulatory system and is a potent platelet inhibitor which prevents blood clots. Clove oil is also excellent for athletes foot and for healing cuts, bruises, burns, rashes and psoriasis.

Clove Essential Oil is an effective decongestant when used in a vaporiser, humidifier or aromatherapy machine to help disinfect the air and to improve respiratory conditions such as sinusitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, colds and coughs.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Cloves

Remedies

Clove Oil Humidifier

Clove Essential Oil is an effective decongestant when the recommended amount is used in a vaporiser, humidifier or aromatherapy machine. This will help to disinfect the surrounding air and improve respiratory conditions such as sinusitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, colds and coughs.

Clove Detoxifing Herbal Tea

Clove Tea made from the whole spice is helpful for strengthening the immune system and detoxifying the body.

Drink Clover Herbal Tea in the morning to boost your energy and increase focus. Eugenol in Cloves improves blood flow and brain function, making it a great start to a day. Alternatively, drink Clove Herbal Tea after a heavy meal to improve digestion and reduce bloating.

Steep 2 tsp of whole Cloves in 2 cups of hot filtered water for at least 10 minutes.
Sweeten with Raw Honey if desired before serving - ideally after a meal.
Store any excess in the fridge to sip during the day.

Recipes

Cloves are often combined with other herbs to create seasonings such as Curry Powder and Garam Masala (India), Chinese Five Spice (China) and Worcester Sauce in (British Isles).

Homemade Pickling Spice

Add all the following dried ingredients to a clean, air-tight jar and store in a cool, dark place for up to one month to use as required.

2 tbs x whole mustard seeds
1 tbs x whole allspice berries
2 tsp x whole coriander seeds
1 tsp x red pepper flakes, or more to taste
1 tsp x ground ginger
2 x bay leaves, crumbled
2 x Cinnamon Sticks, broken in half
6 x whole Cloves

For pickling, you generally need about 1 tablespoon of the above Pickling Spice per one litre jar. This amount provides a good balance of flavour and can be adjusted to your liking, using more or less depending on how spicey you want your pickles to be.

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices which make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe or herbal tea.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of spicy delights and discovery. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Spice (Cinnamon)

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:15:04 GMT

Cinnamon is loved for its warming, healing and cleansing properties

A Healing Spice Guide

Cinnamon is the first spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide .

This luxurious and warming spice was first recorded as being consumed around 2000 BC, where its use in ancient Egypt were for both culinary and medicinal purposes. An ancient Greek inscription describes Cinnamon and Cassia as gifts donated to Apollo at the temple of Miletus.

Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar. It is also cultivated in South America and the West Indies. It is an evergreen tree characterised by oval-shaped leaves, a thick bark and a berry fruit. When harvesting, the bark and leaves are the primary parts of the plant used.

To harvest Cinnamon, two to five-year-old trees are cut back to a stump which causes them to start growing like a bush and producing new shoots. These are harvested and the outer bark is removed leaving the inner bark which is polished, stretched, layered and hand-rolled into quills that are trimmed and dried.

Cinnamon is a very versatile spice that can be used to make warming herbal teas (see below) and for baking. You can add ground Cinnamon to steamed rice during cooking for a delightfully warming dish or try sprinkling onto your coffee or hot chocolate. The perfect partner for apple and pumpkin pies, cakes, biscuits and pastries, and delicious dusted over hot buttered toast or porridge.

I hope you enjoy discovering the warming and healing benefits of Cinnamon - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Cinnamon is embedded in, and embodies, many cultures and people. It tells the story of cold Winter nights soothed with warm mulled wine, of sumptuous Danish baked goods, of hot chocolate drinks by the fire and pumpkin pies.

Cinnamon has appeared in ancient Egyptian texts (as a gift from the Gods) and also in the Bible. It was a precious commodity traded across the globe for centuries and was considered a rarity. It was often very expensive to purchase, creating a status symbol of wealth and divine favour.

Cinnamon is renowned for its cleansing and protective properties and in Pagan times was often used to protect against evil spirits and negative energies. The warm, invigorating scent is said to create a barrier against harm, shielding the user from spiritual attacks or unwanted influences.

Today, it is used in protective magic with the burning of Cinnamon sticks, where the smoke is used to cleanse a space and create a spiritual shield.

Nutrition

Cinnamon is a highly prized spice that has been used since ancient times for its medicinal and healing properties. It has the highest antioxidant strength of all the food sources and is several hundreds more potent than any fruit or vegetable.

Cinnamon is a great source of vitamins A and B-complex and minerals such as chromium, iron, zinc and calcium. It is particularly good for helping to ease diarrhea, nausea, sickness, indigestion, flatulence and arthritis.

Cinnamon is known to help prevent and shorten the duration of the flu as it helps to eliminate congestion and mucus from the body. It is also beneficial for lowering cholesterol and helping to regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon is known to help increase circulation and contains anti-clotting compounds which makes it highly beneficial for helping to prevent strokes and coronary artery disease.

Cinnamon is very good for reducing inflammation and has the amazing ability to stop yeast infections, candida and menstrual cramps. It helps to boost memory and cognitive function, and simply smelling Cinnamon or its essential oil can make you feel more alert and focused.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Cinnamon

Remedies

Cinnamon and Ginger Herbal Tea

Cinnamon combines especially well with Ginger to make a powerful herbal tea that will provide instant relief and gentle healing at the onset of a cold, chest or upper respiratory infection.

Add 3 x Cinnamon sticks and a few slices of Fresh Ginger to a pan of filtered water.
Bring up to the boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly and strain into a cup, mug or larger glass container to store in the fridge.
Add Raw Honey and fresh Lemon juice to taste before serving.

Cinnamon Morning Boost

Cinnamon helps to boost memory and cognitive function, just smelling Cinnamon or its essential oil can help make you more alert and focused.

Try adding a dusting of Cinnamon to your morning coffee or add a pinch or two to your mid-morning smoothie or freshly squeezed fruit juice.

Recipes

Banana and Date Cinnamon Cake

A soft and tasty cake with no sugar added as all the sweetness comes from natural ingredients including Bananas, Raisins and Dates. A wonderful rich flavour when paired with cream cheese, apple sauce (see below) and oat flakes.

COMING SOON!

Cinnamon Apple Sauce

Try making this simple cleansing and mood boosting recipe by placing the following ingredients in a food processor and blending until smooth for a fresh and nutritious fruit sauce.

2 x large Cooking Apples (peeled and poached until soft)
3 x Medjool Dates
A few pinches of Cinnamon (to taste)
Drizzle of Maple Syrup (to sweeten)

I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices which make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of spicy delights and discovery. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Welcome April (Almanac 2025)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Seasonal dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in April

WELCOME APRIL

April continues to bring new leaves unfolding on bare branches and bulbs bursting into colourful arrays of flowers that brighten the day. It is one of the most exciting months for watching garden birds and looking out for migrant birds returning from their long journeys overseas.

Migrating birds include Swallows, Warblers, House Martins, Yellow Wagtails, Cuckoos, Nightjars, Ospreys, Turtle Doves, Nightingales and Redstarts. Watch out for birds carrying twigs, feathers, moss, feathers and other materials they find to repair or build their nests ready for the breeding season.

In the hedgerows, you will see birds such as Chaffinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits and Robins building their nests. Find a quiet spot to sit and you will see them seeking out their new homes, especially in the hedgerows before they come into leaf. Birds choose the best places to build nests in trees, hedgerows, eaves and bushes. As they set-up home, try to disturb them as little as possible. Protect them from pets and keep your bird feeders and water bowls clean and full to help them along the way.

April brings two bank holidays on Friday 18 April and Monday 21 April so it's a good time to plan for days spent outside in Nature or even a field study trip which is a fun and educational way for children to enjoy being in Nature.

A poem - Welcome April - talks about the meaning of the word April or Aperto which means it’s time to open up. It is the month ruled by Aphrodite who melts the cold in our fertile soils as g rowth quickens and Nature continues to awaken and unfold.

Moon Phases

Sunday 13 April - FULL PINK MOON in Libra
Sunday 27 April - NEW FLOWER MOON in Taurus

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Tuesday 1 April - Sunrise (6.50am) - Sunset (7.47pm)
Wednesday 30 April - Sunrise (5.50am) - Sunset (8.54pm)

Recipe of the month

A delicious recipe for Parsley Tabbouleh which is packed with goodness from juicy cherry tomatoes, red onions, almonds, Parsley and Mint .

This nutritous and tasty salad is the perfect addition to a main meal as a side salad. It pairs perfectly with hummus or roasted cauliflower. Traditionally, tabbouleh is eaten inside tender lettuce leaves served it in a large bowl for everyone to enjoy.

COMING SOON!

FRESH FOOD IN SEASON

Foraging for wild food

I have written about the benefits of foraging and where to start in The Wonders of Wild Food and Foraging for Nature's Bounty .

In the fields and hedgerows

Alexanders, Beech Leaves, Bistort, Burdock, Chickweed, Comfrey Leaves, Dandelion, Fat Hen, Good-king-henry, Hawtorn Tips, Hop Tips, Nettle Tips, Orache, Rampion, Salad Burner, Sea Beet, Sorrel, Tansy, Watercress, Wintercress, Wood Sorrel

Edible Wild Flowers

Cowslips, Violets, Broom, Dandelions, Wild Garlic

At your local market or farm shop

Vegetables - Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Turnips, Beetroot, Spinach, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Chard, Lettuce, Chicory, Endive, Cauliflower, Cabbages, Celeriac, Swede, Leeks, Forced Rhubarb

Fresh Herbs - Winter Savory, Parsley , Chervil, Coriander, Rosemary , Bay , Sage

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year and get ready for a busy time as Spring unfolds. Work with the longer days to gradually increase your range of gardening tasks. This is the perfect time to prepare seed beds and sow your seeds. It is also your last chance to prune your Roses.

Tidying - leave the lawn to grow, trim the edges, remove invasive weeds, re-organise potting shed and greenhouse

Flower Beds - prepare beds for the growing season by removing any invasive weeds and digging in a 5cm (or more) layer of compost or well-rotted manure. You can also add general-purpose fertiliser such as organic fish, blood and bone.

Planting - sow seeds outdoors for Sweet Peas and for vegetables including Beetroot, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Summer Cauliflower, Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Radish, Turnip, Spring and Pickling Onions, Peas and Perpetual Spinach

Herb Garden - many herbs can be planted out in April including Basil , Coriander, Chives, Dill, Lemon Balm , Mint , Oregano, Parsley , Rosemary , Sage , Sorrel and Thyme .

Potatoes - plant potatoes at the bottom of a trench, mound soil over them and continue to mound them up as further growth appears - this encourages the most potatoes to form

Bird Feeders and Nesting Boxes - keep bird feeders, nesting boxes and bird baths clean to continue supporting birds as they prepare for the breeding season.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN APRIL

Return of the Swallows

The main event to look forward to this month is the return of the Swallows , Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins flying home from the warmer climes of foreign lands.

Woodland Stars

Sun-loving and gentle, Wood Anemones are one of the first Spring blooms, arriving to take in the light through the leafless canopy in ancient woodlands.

Badger Watching

Now is the time to venture out in the evening to watch out for Badgers and their young cubs. Badgers are omnivores who eat fruit and nuts, and insects, earthworms, slugs, snails and small mammals.

The best way to spot Badgers is to locate their sett in the daytime, often in woodlands or on the edges of fields. These nocturnal creatures have poor eyesight but a great sense of smell so when you return before dusk, remain downwind and position yourself against a tree or thick bushes to hide your silhouette.

Stay as still as possible and prepare to be patient. You’ll be in for a wait but rewarded with a glimpse of these special woodland animals.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through April for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 May 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

New Pink Moon in Aries - Saturday 29 March

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 22:53:07 GMT

New Pink Moon

Reflections, creeping Moss Phlox, a wildflower that blooms;

On the hills of North America under a crescent Pink Moon;

Cushioning valleys in swathes of star-like petals and plumes;

The scent of hay and cloves swoons like a heady perfume.

New Pink Moon

On the cusp of the Vernal Equinox, equal day and night;

When Spring begins her most abundant phase of life;

Nature calls us to our nature in the growing light;

To pause, reflect and set intentions, free of strife.

New Pink Moon

Feel the crescent energy beaming down on you;

Fill your heart with love, let Earth's frequency ground you;

Sweep away those thoughts you know are no longer true;

Imagine new beginnings and all the things you want to do.

New Pink Moon

Go within to balance frequencies with Nature's drive;

Tune into Aries, fiery planet of action where passion thrives;

Imagine being at your best, being your most alive;

As you realise your dreams and all your heartfelt desires.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Mediterranean Parsley and Pine Nut Pesto

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:11:44 GMT

An utterly delicious mini-meal packed with healthy goodness

This filling, healthy and utterly delicious snack is a winner for lunch, as a dip or a mini-meal at any time of day. It's a wonderful combination of Mediterranean-style natural ingredients and herbs, garnished with Celtic Sea Salt and ground Black Pepper, topped with grated Italian Parmesan Cheese and served on slices of crunchy toast and real butter with the sweetest Vine Tomatoes - it's a super-healthy taste sensation.

There is nothing like a simple receipe made from superlative ingredients to boost your energy levels and your mood during the day. Providing your body with the nutrients it requires to keep you healthy on the inside and the outside, is the best thing you can do to help out and for your own pleasure too.

We all know how the Mediterranean diet is recognised as the secret behind raising healthy children, keeping workers fit in the fields and nurturing relatives in their later years tso that their minds remain as sharp as the grandchildren they are assigned to look after. Such traditional family values revolve around the growing, gathering, preparation, cooking and eating of simple fine foods that are transformed with the sensational flavourings of Wild Herbs, fresh Garic and Lemon juice and lashings of Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil.

Thye beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and its ability to be frozen in small containers or ice cube trays for up to 6 months. I love my Parley and Pine Nut Pesto on toast as desribed below but feel free to add it to soups, sandwiches, pasta and organic grass-fed beef recipes or as a dip with raw vegetable sticks.

Alternatively, you could just keep dipping your fingers in until it's all gone. Whatever way you choose, your body and mind will thank you for it.

Essential ingredients

4 cups x chopped Flat Leaf Parsley

Handful x Fresh Wild Garlic Leaves (optional)

1-2 cloves x Garlic

1 x half Lemon (juice only)

40gms x Pine Nuts (not toasted)

1 cup x Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil

2 tsp x Celtic Sea Salt (organic)

Ground Black Pepper (to taste)

2-4 slices - stone ground or artisan crusty bread

Real Butter (unsalted) for toast

How to prepare

Wash Parsley and roughly chop before adding to a large mixing bowl.
Add all the other ingredients (only 1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt) - the rest is for final garnish.
Bland gently with a pulsing motion using a hand blender or add to a large blender. Blend to your liking either to leave some texture or to create a creamy paste.
Pour into a glass jar (for serving) and put any remaining mixture into a container for freezing.
Toast sliced bread, butter the toast.
Add pesto and top with grated Italian Parmesan Cheese, a drizzle of Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil, a sprinkle of Celtic Sea Salt and ground Black Pepper.
Serve of a large plate with sweetened Vine Tomatoes and a sprig of Parsley to garnish.

Nutritious ingredients

Vine Tomatoes

Raw Garlic

A magnificent natural healer and cleaner with amazingly high levels of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and B6. Also includes minerals including selenium, calcium and iron. Garlic contains very strong antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer and anti-viral properties keeping us well protected from illness and cleansed throughout.

Fresh Flat Leaved Parsley

Pine Nuts (untoasted)

Pine Nuts are rich in magnesium, iron, antioxidants, zinc and protein, all of which help with diabetes management, heart health and brain health. Other essential nutrients include phosphorus and vitamin K. Pine Nuts are known to improve lipid profiles, reduce appetite and enhance brain function and performance, making them a valuable addition to a healthy diet.

Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil

Italian Parmesan Cheese

Lemon Juice

Celtic Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Ground Black Pepper contains piperine which is a plant compound containing strong antioxidant properties.

I hope you enjoy making and savouring this supremely delicious and wholesome snack that will transport you to the delights of eating el fresco as you look out over the Mediterranean on a beautiful sunny day.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

More tasty recipies

Mediterranean Power Snack Sensation by Sue Cartwright, Spiral Leaf

Wild Garlic and Pecan Nut Pesto by Sue Cartwright

A Healing Herb (Sage)

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Sage is an aromatic herb used for centuries for healing and flavouring

A Healing Herb Guide

Sage is the ninth herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide.

Sage, also known as Common Sage, Garden Sage, Purple Garden Sage, Tricolor Garden Sage, Golden Sage and Berggarten Sage which has no bloom, only soft, silvery green leaves.

Sage is a green leafy herb with bushy soft-colored foliage that bursts into a profusion of purple-blue spikes in early mid-Summer. Sage flowers are adored by bees and butterflies, and with their aromic scent, make a beautiful addition to any garden.

Sage has long stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves that grow upwards on pale sweeping stems. Mature leaves can be characterised by their greyish green colour and their fuzzy texture with a soft silvery bloom. Some young leaves have a purple tint and all leaves have a musky, camphor aroma that deters mosquitos by upsetting their sensory receptors. Sage has an earthy, peppery flavour which becomes more intense when leaves are dried.

Sage has long been used for cleansing one’s inner spirit and outer surroundings. Smudge Sticks (see below) are made of dried Sage leaves and are popular for clearing work spaces and homes. Sage has earned respect for being a wise and powerfully healing herb - it is a true gift that should be used every day and celebrated.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Sage - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Sage's Latin name, Salvia , means to save or to heal, and refers to the herb's many healing properties. It is a long-held view that this special plant can heal all ailments. The Romans regarded sage as a holy herb and used it to whiten their teeth. They believed it aided memory function, and Romans and the Egyptians used Sage to preserve meat and to help with fertility.

In Pagan times, Sage was used as general medicine. It was an old English practice to eat Sage every day in May as this was thought to grant immortality. Today, Sage is used to stimulate cell renewal and is known to increase blood circulation. It is rich in calcium and vitamin A, both of which are needed for daily cell regeneration. This renewal process is known to minimise and delay the onset of facial aging.

Sage has long been associated with wisdom, with the plant name even applied to those we consider to be wise. Sage was said to have the most potency just before flowering and the ancients apparently used Sage to soothe their nerves. It was advised to plant something alongside Sage such as Tomato plants as it attracts beneficial insects and grows well with other herbs such as Lavender, Lemon Balm , Lemon Thyme , Lovage, Oregano, and Parsley ,

Nicholas Culpeper noted the value of Sage for the memory, which is borne out by modern medicine. Sage prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine which the brain needs to store memory.

Nutrition

The herbal component of Sage includes many notable plant-derived chemical compounds, essential oils, minerals, and vitamins that are known to have phenominal disease-preventing, and health-promoting properties.

Sage contains rosmarinic acid which is a potent anti-inflammatory compound that can help reduce swelling and inflammation. It is considered highly beneficial for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, asthma and atherosclerosis. Sage has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties and is an excellent natural remedy for fungal, viral and bacterial infections.

A simple Sage infusion (see below) has the ability to provide relief from acidity and to aid the digestion of fatty and hard to digest foods. Sage is known as the thinker’s herb as it has an outstanding ability to enhance attention span, support concentration and improve sensitivity while providing support when dealing with grief and depression.

Sage can help to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent excessive sweating in woman after menopause. Sage has the ability to neutralise free radicals with significant anti-aging and longevity benefits. It also contains antiseptic properties and is widely found in natural creams, lotions and salves to speed the healing of cuts and wounds and to clear up most skin diseases and infections.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Sage

Remedies

Healing Sage Infusion

You will need 3/4 cup dried Garden Sage leaves or 2 handfuls of fresh leaves with optional Raw Honey and Fresh Lemon Juice to taste (and for added nutrients).

Place Sage leaves into a large teapot. Pour near-to-the-boil filtered water over the leaves and fill to the top of the pot. Pop on the lid and steep for 2 hours.
Pour off the infusion, squeeze out the leaves (to compost). Gently re-heat the infusion on the stove and add Raw Honey and/or Lemon Juice to taste.
Pour into a container or glass to sip throughout the day. It works quickly to soothe a raw, inflamed throat and Sage’s antiseptic oils also help to heal infection.
This is not for nursing mothers, as Sage infusion is effective for drying up breast milk. In fact, it is often used for that when a woman is ready to stop nursing.

SOURCE: The Power of Making Your Own Sage Remedy - Robin Rose Bennett

Recipes

Butter and Sage Sauce

A browned butter and sage sauce goes perfectly with gnocchi or your favorite pasta.

6 tbs x Butter
10 x large Sage leaves, finely chopped
Juice of half a Lemon
1/3 cup x grated Parmesan Cheese, plus more to garnish (35 g)

How to make

While cooking pasta to serve with your sauce, melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Saute until light golden brown in colour, add the Sage leaves and remove from heat.
Add Lemon juice and set aside.
Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Add the pasta to the pan and return to heat.
Add a little of the cooking liquid, then the cheese, toss to coat and serve immediately. Garnish with additional parmesan and enjoy!

SOURCE: Elle Republic - Sage: The Holy Herb

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Sage to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

A Healing Herb (Bay)

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:51:24 GMT

Bay has been used for centuries for sesasoning and medicinal remedies

A Healing Herb Guide

Bay is the eighth herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

Bay is also known as Sweet Bay, Grecian Laurel or Bay Laurel. It's an evergreen shrub or tree with striking dark green, glossy leaves. With male and female flowers on separate plants, each flower is pale yellow-green, borne in pairs beside a leaf. The leaves are glabrous, meaning they are broad, with an entire (untoothed) margin.

The Bay Tree’s pale yellow flowers blossom in Spring and are wonderful for wildlife and especially loved by bees and butterflies. Berries are round and red, ripening to black in September. the seed within the berry is poisonous. Picking Bay in the wild is not recommended, as all Laurel hedging varieties are highly poisonous.

Bay Leaves have long been used in cooking. They are a key ingredient in the compulsory French seasoning, the Bouquet Garni (see below). Bay Leaves are used to flavour various pickling recipes, as well as savoury dishes that involve simmering a liquid for long enough to bring out the flavour of this delicately fragrant herb.

As with any other herb, remember that fresh is best. Dried green herbs will last for six months to three years, depending on how well they are dried and how they are stored. Fading colour is a good sign that the flavour is fading too, so use this as a guide. Store dried herbs away from direct light and the stove as continuous exposure to light, heat and moisture will make them lose their flavour much quicker.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Bay - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different recipes for your general good health, relaxation and wellbeing.

Folklore

The Bay Leaf gets its name from its tree, the Bay Tree, which in turn gets its name from its berries as bay comes from an Old English word meaning berry.

Bay leaves have been used over the ages to dispel negative energy and for its calming properties, a single leaf was placed in the corner of every room for protection. Drought tolerant and aromatic, Bay Leaves were also woven into wreaths or dried and wrapped in incense bundles or in a smudge stick for cleansing.

Bay Laurel was considered to be a symbol of wisdom, both acquired and intuitive. It is believed to derive from the Celtic word laur meaning green and the Latin nobilis signifying noble. Baccalaureate is from the Latin for Laurel Berries, which were given to Greek students of the classical period. It is said that Bay was used as a narcotic and stimulant, and was an important part of the Delphic rites.

The three best known Delphic maxims are: know thyself, nothing in excess, and give surety, bring trouble or give a pledge and trouble is at hand, the latter later interpreted as: trouble attends him who affirms anything in strong terms and confidently.

Apollo’s priestesses chewed Bay leaves before prophesying. And even today, Bay leaves are placed beneath pillows to encourage prescient dreams and wise knowledge to come forth.

SOURCE: Bay: From Legend and Lore to Fragrance and Flavour

Nutrition

Bay Leaves contains many important plant-derived chemical compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

With many volatile active components such as a-pinene, ß-pinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, a-terpineol, geranyl acetate, eugenol and chavicol, Bay Leaves provide antiseptic, antioxidant and digestive support and are thought to have anti-cancer properties.

Fresh leaves are a very rich source of vitamin C and powerful natural antioxidants that help remove harmful free radicals from the body. As a rich source of ascorbic acid, Bay Leaves boost immunity and help to speed up wound healing with its antiviral effects. An excellent source of vitamin A which is a natural antioxidant and essential for normal eyesight. It is also required for maintaining mucosa and skin health.

Bay Leaves contain folic acid which is important in DNA synthesis, and when given during the peri-conception period, they can help to prevent neural tube defects in the newborn baby. They also contain niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and riboflavin which help in enzyme synthesis, nervous system function and regulating body metabolism.

In addition, Bay Leaves contain essential minerals such as copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cells and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese and copper are used by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidase enzymes.

SOURCE: Nutrition and You - 10 Impressive Bay Leaf Nutrition Facts

Remedies

Bay leaves are warming with a slight peppery taste which is why they are perfect for colder months. The leaves are added to soups and stews to aid digestion and can also be made into a herbal tea for the same purpose (see below).

For colds and flu, the leaves can be used in a steam-inhalation or a Bay-infused Olive Oil can be used as a chest rub for congestion relief. This combines well with Eucalyptus, Rosemary , or Sage, as well as Citrus.

Hair Rinse and Scalp Conditioner

Bay can be used as a natural hair conditioner or hair rinse for added shine and freshness. It is anti-fungal which means it can remove dandruff and soothe scalp conditions. Rosemary can be added to stimulate blood circulation and promote hair growth.

1) Heat a pan of water on low heat.

2) Add a handful of Bay Leaves (dry or fresh) and the same amount of Rosemary.

3) Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes and strain into a glass jar or storay container.

4) Store in the fridge for up to 7 days.

5) Spray the roots and hair, and massage into the scalp. Do this 3 times a week for full benefit.

Recipes

Bay Leaf Herbal Tea with Cloves and Cinnamon

1) Bring four cups of filtered water to a rolling boil in a small pot.

2) Add 5-6 Bay Leaves, several Cloves and a Cinnamon stick to the hot water.

3) Simmer for about 5-10 minutes.

4) Remove from the heat and cover the pan. Leave the tea to steep while covered for another 5 minutes.

5) Strain and sweeten with Raw Honey to taste before serving.

Fragrant Roast Tomatoes with Bay

A delicious and tangy flavour of sweet tomatoes combined with the intense fragrance of Bay.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Mix 200 mls x Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil, 1 tbsp x Balsamic Vinegar and 1 x Lemon (juice) with a large pinch of Celtic Salt and Ground Pepper
Place 20 x Bay Leaves under a grill until slightly blackened. This will happen very quickly so keep an eye on them.
Place the Bay Leaves in a food processor with the oil mixture and blend for a good 10 minutes.
Add Cherry Vine Tomatoes to the oil and toss to coat before laying out on a roasting dish.
Add a clove or two of Garlic to the roasting pan before pouring over some extra oil.
Roast for about 30 to 35 minutes until until tender, slightly blistered and caramelised.

Bouquet Garni

This traditional recipe made from fresh herbs includes 3 sprigs of Parsley , 2 sprigs of Thyme and one Bay Leaf.

Depending on what you are flavouring, add 2 sprigs Rosemary (lamb) or 3 sprigs Marjoram (meat and sausage dishes) or 2 sprigs Tarragon (chicken dishes) or 3 sprigs of Dill (fish). Tie all the herbs together and place in a section of the green part of a Leek to form an envelope around the herbs. Secure in place and its ready to use.

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Basil to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

Full Worm Moon in Virgo - Friday 14 March

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:58:24 GMT

Full Worm Moon

Cycles of the seasons and lessons learned;

Waking from our Winter's sleep as Nature's buds emerge;

Weather changing from the Winter cold to much warmer days,

We herald in the Spring, new life, our most abundant phase.

Full Worm Moon

Time to reflect on the continuum of life as we evolve;

Honouring the Earthworms that produce our healthy soil;

Respecting Earth's magnificence as part of the whole;

Vital to our health and our traditions of old.

Full Worm Moon

A time of completion when we let the past go;

Creating space for new ideas and fresh creative flow;

Bringing harmony and balance to our highs and to our lows;

Giving and receiving, as above and so below.

Full Worm Moon

Moving into Virgo, the Zodiac's grounding stage;

Deep rooted, ever practical, old souls who never age;

Tuning into feelings, as emotions come and go;

Releasing all that holds us back, preventing us to grow.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

The Joy of Beginning

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:39:46 GMT

The secret to experiencing life as a continuous flow of beginnings

Nature always lives in the moment with no distractions and no other option but to be what it is meant to be at any given time. Nature grows and evolves on a continuum that moves perpetually forward in harmony with the cycles of the seasons.

There is so much we can learn from Mother Nature's beautiful expression of forward moving motion - in birth, growth, decomposition and evolution. Every living thing (or being) is designed to thrive in its natural environment where it slips into the same ease of flow that makes each moment a beginning full of promise and every ending a prerequisite for change or for creating something new.

This means that for Nature, there is no conscious recollection of the past and no deliberation about the future, there is only what needs to be done in the present moment. However, this does not mean that creatures, birds and animals do not have any sense of what has gone before or what might lay ahead.

A report, Do Animals Live In the Present , published in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science Journal in 2008, concludes: There is no doubt that many types of animals live in the present to an extent which is hard for a human being to conceive. But, even so, many animals not only remember the past but fear the future, at least to some degree.

Due to continuing research on animal consciousness, we know now that an increasing amount of mammals and birds use their brain to think things through rather than relying purely on hard-wired instinct to respond in this world.

Either way, in the animal world, there is only what needs to be done now where past experience informs the action and provides guidance in terms of what to avoid, when to hide, when to run away, when to defend or attack, where to find things, how to do things, what to eat, where to find water, and so on.

The nature of beginning

Beginning is described in the dictionary as the point in time or space at which something begins or the first part or earliest stage of something or the background or origins of a person or organisation.

These subtle nuances describe a beginning as marking a particular moment or phase in time or for stating when something was first originated. The standard definition does not consider the possibility that every moment in time is - by definition - a new beginning, as in each moment we are stepping into a moment that did not exist before.

Experiencing life as a continuous flow of beginnings is not easy for human beings when we are constantly afflicted with unconscious thoughts that keep going over the past or keep us in a state of fear about what might happen in the future.

This is where the Buddhist tradition of developing a Beginner’s Mind can be very helpful. It is a practice known as Shoshin which I mentioned in a previous post - The Nature of Curiosity . It is where being curious engenders a natural state of being open and accepting towards ourselves and others.

The nature of beginner's mind

This inspired me to read a book about the teachings of Shunryū Suzuki [1904-1971] which are recorded in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind . Shunryū Suzuki was recognised as a founding father of Zen in America. He was also known as Suzuki-Rōshi, the latter title described in the Encyclopedia of Buddhism as old teacher or old master which is the honorific title of a senior Buddhist teacher or monk in Japanese Buddhism.

I have summarised the concept of acquiring a Zen Mind or Beginner's Mind in my review of this beautiful book where we are introduced to an ideal state of being where the mind is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt and open to all possibilities.

It centres around the practice of Zazen Meditation or Sitting Meditation where the aim is to let go of judgemenal thoughts and distractions, and to allow any sensations or feelings that arise to pass by thus deepening our insight into the true nature of our being.

This is the starting point for cultivating a mind that can see things as they are in the reality of the present moment. It is an ancient way of teaching as it relates to everyday life where students teach themselves about the nature of their true self.

The nature of daily practice

Often, what we perceive to be an obstacle to becoming self aware and connecting with our inner place of calm in any eventuality is hard work. We are quick to assume that challenges are beyond us or that things that happen to us are someone or something else's fault. This can make us reluctant to learn new things or make the effort to learn more about ourselves.

It takes daily practice to still the mind and to be able to do this when we are in the midst of a problem. It is even harder to adopt a Beginner's Mind as a way of life but it can be done. Suzuki-Rōshi teaches us that the best way to relieve mental suffering is to sit in Zazen as no other activity can appease suffering in the same way. He says: When you feel disagreeable, it is better for you to sit. There is no other way to accept your problem and work on it.

As with most things that require hard work to accomplish, cultivating a Beginner's Mind brings unfathomable rewards. When our minds are clear, we are able to access profound levels of understanding and knowledge (about ourselves and the situations we find ourselves in) that are otherwise unavailable to us. Whether we think we have problems or not depends to a large degree on our understanding and attitude towards our true nature and towards life itself.

Guidance on these indepth aspects of self-awareness is provided in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind which I highly recommend as a starting point or as a means to enhance your meditative experience and spiritual understanding.

Taking the first step

We make progress by taking the first step and by focusing our attention on one thing at a time. Only then can we full enjoy and appreciate the benefits of living in the present moment and experiencing life through the eyes of a beginner (and our inner child) where life is full of wonder and where our true freedom lies.

Keep trying new things and revisit things you thought you already knew. Life is an unfolding journey of discovery and when we treat it this way, we can learn to experience the joy of beginning in every moment and at the beginning of each new day.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Zen Mind, Beginnger's Mind - Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice by Shunryū Suzuki

Purchase a copy of this remarkable book from my affiliate bookshop by clicking on the link above. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryū Suzuki

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:30:00 GMT

The non dualistic nature and practice of Zazen meditation

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is not a book about the philosophy of Buddhism, it is a guide to the practice of Zen, Zen life and the attitudes and understanding that make Zen practice possible. The purpose of all Zen teaching is to make us wonder about our mind and being as an expression of our true nature, and how to realise our Zen Mind .

First written in 1970, this book is a record of the remarkable and spirited teachings of Shunryū Suzuki [1904-1971] who was recognised as a founding father of Zen in America. Initiated and edited by two of his close disciples, this book faithfully relates the deeper meaning of Suzuki Rōshi's teachings accrued over a twelve year period at the San Francisco Zen Centre and the Tassajara Zen Mountain Centre in Los Padres National Forest.

Zen Mind is the practice of Beginner's Mind where the mind is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt and open to all possibilities. It's about cultivating a mind that can see things as they are in the reality of the present moment. It is an ancient way of teaching as it relates to everyday life whereby the student teaches themself about the nature of their true self.

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is divided into three sections that emphasise Right Practice (body), Right Attitude (feeling) and Right Understanding (mind). It centres around the practice of Zazen or sitting meditation where the aim is to let go of judgement and goals and allow any sensations and thoughts that arise to pass by thus deepening our insight into the true nature of our being.

Shunryū Suzuki was a Rōshi which is a title given to old masters of Zen Buddhism. HIs life represented the Soto Way, a down-to-earth practice of self awareness that resulted in an extraordinary quality of life lived in the reality of the present. This was evident in the personality of Suzuki Rōshi which was described as being full of buoyancy, vigour, straightforwardness, simplicity, humility, serenity, joyousness, uncanny perspicacity and unfathomable compassion.

Cultivate a beginner's mind

In Japan there is phrase shoshin which means Beginner's Mind. This is the practice of keeping the mind pure and free from dualism which assumes a universe where there are only two contrasting, mutually exclusive choices or realities such as good/bad or positive/negative.

A pure mind is referred to as a boundless original mind that includes everything within itself, meaning it is always rich and sufficient within itself. It is a self-sufficient state of mind that requires cultivating an empty mind without closing the mind so that we are always ready for anything and open to everything that comes our way.

It means learning not to discriminate and not to long for things or want to attain them which can lead to violating our moral precepts with self-centred thoughts and actions that limit our vast potential. The key is to obtain perfect calmness by letting thoughts and feelings come and go without paying them any attention.

It requires daily practice to be able to still the mind, especially when we are in the midst of a problem.

Shunryū teaches us that the best way to relieve mental suffering is to sit in Zazen as no other activity can appease suffering in the same way. He says: When you feel disagreeable it is better for you to sit. There is no other way to accept your problem and work on it.

Obtain the right state of mind

There is a special reason why the lotus position is adopted in Zazan meditation where your left foot is on your right thigh, and your right foot is on your left thigh. The position expresses the oneness of duality where the right leg and the left leg have become one.

Shunryū says: This is the most important teaching: not two, and not one. Our body and mind are not two and not one ... Our body and mind are both two and one. This is the same in life as our life is not only plural, but also singular. Each one of us is both dependent and independent.

The most important thing in Zazen posture is to keep your spine straight. Your ears and your shoulders should be on one line with shoulders relaxed and the chin pulled in. Your hands should form the cosmic mundra with your left hand on top of your right, middle joints of your middle fingers together and thumbs touching lightly together. Hands should be held against your body, with thumbs at the height of your navel.

If you imagine you are holding an egg gently under each arm and you are supporting the sky with your head, this is the key point of Buddhism and to take this posture itself is the purpose of your practice.If you slump, you will lose your self suggesting your mind is wandering, taking you out of your body.

The key is to try to always keep this posture during all activities as the state of mind that exists when you adopt the right posture is itself enlightenment.

Concentrate on your breath

Being aware of our breathing is an important part of Zazen meditation as when we inhale, the air comes into the inner world and when we exhale, the air goes out to the outer world. Both worlds are limitless as there is just one whole world.

Shunryū teaches us to think of our throat as a swinging door with air passing in and out as we breathe. All that exists is the movement of the breath and being aware of the movement means you are aware of your universal nature in the form of you.

When you practice Zazen meditation, there is no idea of time or space. You are simply sitting and being aware of the universal activity, the door opening in one direction and then the next. This is so important because we are usually one-sided in our dualistic understanding of life (you and I, this and that, good and bad) when you and I are just swinging doors.

In life itself, time and space are one where you may say: must do something this afternoon but in reality there is no 'this afternoon' - we do things one after the other.When we become a swinging door, we are purely independent of, and at the same time, dependent on everything.

Be prepared to bow

Bowing is a very serious practice as it means we are giving up ourselves. This is different from bowing to pay respect to something which we believe is more worthy of respect than ourselves because when you forget all your dualistic ideas, everything becomes your teacher, and everything can be the object of worship.

The key is to accept everything as it is because when you are just yourself, you bow to yourself in its true sense, and you are at one with everything. As Shunryū says: Only when you are you yourself can you bow to everything in its true self.

Bowing helps to eliminate our self-centred ideas which are difficult to get rid of. The result is not the point; it is the effort to improve ourselves which is so valuable and there is no end to this practice.

Adopt right attitude and right understanding

Spending so much time explaining the practical aspects of Right Practice has left little room to cover the remaining sections on Right Attitude and Right Understanding which are of course equally as important as the first section on Right Practice.

This is because being specific about the aspects of sitting, posture, breathing and bowing, provides the basis for getting started in the right way which I hope is helpful.

Right Attitude includes things like repetition, right effort, no trace, mistakes in practice, limiting your activity, studying yourself, constancy and communication. Right Understanding includes things like tradition, transiency, the quality of being, naturalness, calmness and experience not philosophy.

These are all the things we need to take on board if we are to acquire true self awareness and the ability to find our inner place of calm in any eventuality. I hope you enjoy discovering the gentle and wise nature of Suzuki Rōshi's teachings which resonate with the joy of insight from the first to the last page.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Zen Mind, Beginnger's Mind - Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice by Shunryū Suzuki

Purchase a copy of this remarkable book from my affiliate bookshop by clicking on the link above. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

A Healing Herb (Basil)

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Basil is known for its robust flavour and multiple health benefits

A Healing Herb Guide

Basil is the seventh herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

Basil is an annual herbaceous plant and member of the Mint family. This beautifully aromatic herb has square stems with leaves that grow on opposite sides. The leaves are rounded, slightly cupped and curve to form at point at the tip.

Sweet Basil has a fragrant, sweet smell with a peppery taste that comes with a hint of Mint . Larger leaves have a more pronounced flavour and a mild spiciness. The taste and potency of Basil will depend on the variety, some of which have undertones of citrus or other spices.

There are 60 different types of Basil, each with its own distinctive flavour. The most widely used variety is Genovese Basil . Others include Sweet Basil, Osmin Purple Basil, CInnamon Basil, Lemon Basil, Thai Sweet Basil, Greek Basil, Dark Opal Basil, Christmas Basil, Cardinal Basil, Globe Basil, Holy Basil, African Blue Basil, French Basil, Napoletano Basil, Lime Basil and Green Ruffles Basil.

Basil is an absolute essential in Italian cooking and is used in other types of cuisine including Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese. It is known for being the main ingredient in traditional pesto and is also a favourite seasoning in tomato-based pasta sauces. As well as being so flavoursome, Basil brings many heath benefits too.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Basil - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different recipes for your general good health, relaxation and wellbeing.

Folklore

Basil is an ancient medicinal plant found in apothecary cupboards worldwide as well as in almost every herbal Materia Medica published now and throughout history. Native to India and Asia, also known as Tulsi or Holy Basil, it is a sacred plant in the Hindu tradition.

Basil was associated with love and death, and is still referred to as the plant of love washed with tears . In Mediterranean ritual, Basil is placed the hands of the dead to protect them on their journey to the otherworld.

In Greece today, Basil is used in certain religious rituals as a symbol of fertility.

In Greek mythology, Basil was used to ward off the look and bite of Basilisk, the King of Serpents. This could be due to Basil being considered a medicinal cure for venomous bites, although it has not been documented as an actual cure for Snake bite.

The Greeks and Romans believed the most potent Basil could only be grown if one sowed the seed while ranting and swearing. This is confirmed by the French as Semer le Baslic (sowing basil) means to rant. The Victorian language of flowers has two meaning for Basil where Common Basil signifies ill-feelings and Sweet Basil conveys the sender's best wishes.

Nutrition

Basil is a herbal antibiotic, antiseptic, carminative and appetiser being of particular benefit to the stomach during digestion. Basil provides immediate relief from gas, stomach cramps and nausea. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Basil is highly antibacterial and antiviral making it effective against bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, colds, flu, mono, shingles and herpes. It provides a rich source of magnesium which relaxes muscles and blood vessels and supports cardiovascular health.

The essential oil of Basil contains eugenol which helps to decrease swelling in joints and tissues, providing relief from arthritis and fibromyalgia. Basil’s fungicidal properties help to heal wounds, skin rashes, warts and insect bites using a homemade compress (see below).

Consider making fresh Basil a staple in your diet by adding regularly to salads, homemade pesto, guacamole, green smoothies and even fruits like Strawberries and Bananas, the health properties are not to be missed.

Source: Medical Medium - Basil

Remedies

Basil Anti-Fungal Compress

A simple compress made from fresh Basil leaves can be used to heal wounds, skin rashes, warts and insect bites.

Crush fresh Basil leaves in a small amount of Organic Raw Virgin Coconut Oil.
Apply to the skin and wrap with a fresh bandage daily.

Basil Purification Spray

A simple spray that can be used to clean objects and surfaces in the home and work environment.

Add a roughly cut Lemon with a handful of fresh Basil to a pan of water.
Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
When cool, add to a spray bottle to use on general objects and surfaces.

Basil All-Purpose Home Cleaner

Basil contains essential oils with strong antimicrobial properties, making it effective against bacteria and fungi. It can also be used as an insect repellent. The citric acid in Lemons is antibacterial and antiseptic which means it can kill bacteria, remove mould and mildew and even, if done properly, remove rust. The oils in the peel (or rinds) of the Lemon help to cut through grease and staining, leaving objects and surfaces clean and shining. Vinegar makes an excellent replacement for all purpose surface cleaners as it naturally disinfects and polishes. You will need:

2 large jars with lids
Rinds of 4-6 Lemons
8-10 sprigs of Basil
2 litres distilled White Vinegar

Place the Lemon rinds and Basil into the jars, then add Vinegar to fill the jars.
Close the jars and shake well. Store out of direct sunlight.
Allow to infuse for at least 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks before using. The longer it infuses the better!
Strain and place into a spray bottle to use.
The strained mixture will last for about 6 months.

Recipes

Mediterranean Power Snack Sensation

This Mediterranean style snack packs a punch when it comes to flavour and healthy goodness. It's the perfect topping for crackers, bread or toast and can be used as a side salad. The delicious flavour will take your mind to a warm terrace overlooking the sea in the heat of the hot Mediterranean sun. Easy to make, tasty to enjoy and fabulous to share!

Zesty Basil Vinaigrette

For this recipe, all you need to do is put the following ingredients into a blender and blend.

1 large Shallot, 1 large clove of Garlic, juice of a whole Lime, 2 tbsp White Wine Vinegar, ½ cup Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 2 cups of fresh Basil leaves, ½ tsp Celtic Salt, Ground Black Pepper (to taste) and ½ tsp of Red Pepper Flakes (optional).

To retain a fresh bright green colour, blanch your Basil leaves before blending. (see below)

COMING SOON!

Blanching Basil

Basil, whether in homemade pesto or other sauces, can quickly turn into a dingy green colour and lose it's vibrant green colour when blended.

This happens because of oxidation which occurs when it is exposed to the air. To retain the vibrant green Basil colour in vinaigrettes, pestos and other sauces, blanch your Basil leaves first as this kills off the decomposing enzymes that take away the green colour.

Prepare a pot of boiling water and a bowl filled with ice and water.
Place the Basil leaves into the boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds, then quickly transfer to the ice bath with a slotted spoon or a pair of tongs.
Before use, remove excess moisture gently using some paper towels.

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Basil to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

Wild Fell by Lee Schofield

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:54:21 GMT

A quest to reintroduce Nature to a Lake District Hill Farm

British ecologist and naturalist, Lee Schofield, was site manager for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at Haweswater in the Lake District National Park for over ten years where he oversaw pioneering conservation work across an upland mosaic of woodland, bog, mountain and meadow. Wild Fell details the challenges involved in working on the front line of Nature conservation in the uplands.

This wonderful book has delightful illustrations of native plants throughout with reference to local fauna and botanical treasures on every page. It records Lee's discovery of England's rarest mountain flower, the Pyramidal Bugle, a semi-evergreen perennial and member of the Mint family, found growing wild only in the higher altitudes.

In three parts from Imperfection to Inspiration to Intervention, Wild Fell charts a remarkable quest to breathe life back into two hill farms and thirty square kilometres of sprawling upland habitat. The farms sit at the edge of the region's largest reservoir with a history that has been turbulent for both its people and its wildlife, leaving the various habitats depleted and bereft of wildlife.

Lee's ultimate goal was to see the return of the Golden Eagle following the death of England's last and loneliest accipitridae who died in an unmarked spot among the remote eastern fells of the Lake District in 2015. It was a tragic day for the nation's wildlife, but the fight to restore the landscape had already begun.

Imperfection

One of the most striking revelations in Wild Fell is the fact that sheep are not a native species to the British Isles. Their wild ancestors came from Mesopotamia and have been domesticated here for at least 6,000 years. As Lee says, There were no sheep in the pre-human countryside. This is nothing in evolutionary time which means our native flora has not adapted to cope with the particular way that these species graze and browse.

As Lee explains: Sheep have small mouths that allow them to pick out sweeter, more delicate species, ignoring courser, less palatable ones, which end up dominating. He goes on to say: This is why, in addition to their often excessive numbers, sheep have had such a serious impact on our ecology compared to other grazers, and why our aim of improving the state of Haweswater's ecology while keeping sheep is such a challenge.

During a three week visit to Fidjadalen in South West Norway - an area very similar to the Lake District which is rich, vibrant and productive - Lee discovered that the Norweigian farming delegation have a very different approach to sheep grazing. Their average density is about one ewe to five hectares for four months a year compared to one ewe per hectare in the Lake District with sheep grazing the fells for much longer periods.

As Lee says: Norways' national flock numbers a little over two million, a figure that satisfies Norway's national demand - imports and exports are a tiny part of the market. The UK has over 23 million sheep, many of which are exported. There are nearly as many sheep in Cumbria as there are in the whole of Norway. Lee realised that moving towards a lower density of sheep and adopting Norweigian farming methods might be a good way to restore the Lake District's upland habitats while maintaining the cultural heritage and traditions of hill farming.

Presenting this to Lake District farmers who have been rearing sheep with substantial government funding over many years was not received well. Lee earned the title of sheep-hater and it took many years to gradually bring about the required change. Acutely aware of the fact that nobody wants to hear an outsider suggesting that their way of life needs to change , Lee started talking to farmers to understand their arguments and fears, knowing that change could only happen when farmers chose to bring it about themselves.

Inspiration

On his trip to Norway, Lee learned a great deal about how to manage the depleted land in his care and how to bring it back to its former glory. He was inspired to see how a farming system with sheep could work hand in glove with a rich natural upland environment.

One thing he didn't see growing in Fidjadalen was Bracken which is a big issue in the British Isles. As Lee says: It is most problematic in the hills and is considered dominant across more than 4 per cent of the entire upland area. At its most dense, bracken casts almost complete shade, so that few other plants can grow below it. Unfortunately, sheep don't like Bracken and can easily get lost inside a large bed which is a major problem for farming, just as it is for Nature and for access.

By carefully managing sheep grazing and introducing more outdoor cattle grazing, this problem is being resolved. The regular trampling of cattle and ponies seriously weakens the Bracken, allowing young Alders to pop up along the edges of streams, and Birch and Hazel to spread out of the woodland. This also enhances water quality by helping to rough up the land thus promoting the regeneration of trees and scrub, creating a more diverse landscape which works as a better filter for water.

As a sidenote, it seems to me that the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England, would do well to follow the footsteps of Lee's endeavours. It's desolate landscape, as beautiful as it is with its expansive views and sense of remoteness and tranquillity, is being gradually eroded by the overgrazing of sheep and the annual burning of great swathes of Bracken, a traditional practice known as swaling which destroys habitats, stops scrub and trees from growing and damages peat beds.

The overgrazing of sheep left to graze freely throughout the year is particularly problematic as they nibble away at new Heather and Bilberry shoots which start to appear in late Winter. As a result, the Heather condition is progressively weakened and what was once a species-rich heath progressively becomes species-poor grassland.

Intervention

A key part of the rewilding project at Haweswater involved a partnership between RSPB and United Utilities to improve water catchment resilience. The aim was to improve the water quality of the most important drinking water source in north-west England.

Significant river restoration and peat bog restoration achieved through grip blocking more than 40 miles of moorland drains has created natural river bends that slow down the flow of water. This not only reduces flood risk but also creates gravelly shallows, ripples and ruffles that draw oxygen into the water's flow. The resulting riffles, bars, pools and islands provide a constantly changing habitat for a massive range of wildlife.

Tree planting has also been a major part of the restoration process with more than half a million trees planted by an army of volunteers over a fifteen year period. This has also helped to prevent flooding and keep insurance premiums down which as been a popular outcome for local residents.

The Haweswater Tree Nursery has created a load of brilliant opportunities for people with different skills to give something of themselves back to Nature and to build a lasting connection to a place. Using the seeds of native trees collected locally, the nursery produces thousands of Juniper, Hazel, Rowan, Wych Elm, Holly, Oak, Hawthorn, Birch, Aspen and Willow saplings every year.

Return of the Golden Eagle

In the last chapter, Future, Lee imagines returning to Haweswater a few weeks before his retirement on a perfect late May morning. The first Spring flowers are showing and there's a good growth of grass, thanks to the months of rest that these lambing fields have had over the Winter months.

To his delight, he encounters Red Squirrels, Badgers, an Osprey, a Pine Martin, a Red-Backed Shrike, a Water Vole, a Red Kite, Black Grouse, Barn Owls and Beavers along the way. Peat bogs have a decent covering of trees with a lush carpet of Bilberry, Cowberry and Crowberry growing below. Bluethroats are drawn to the Downy Willows planted twenty-five years ago as Green Hairsteaks are busy in the Bilberry and the ubiquitous Orange Tips are making the most of the last of the Cuckooflower.

Having coaxed Nature back, helping the landscape to function again, a beautiful Golden Eagle casts a shadow on the hill. She circles and fixes an eye on me, head tilted, before flying off over the wild landscape that she rules again.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Wild Fell - Fighting for Nature on Lake District Farm by Lee Schofield

Purchase a copy of this wonderful book from my affiliate bookshop by clicking on the link above. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

Welcome March (Almanac 2025)

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Seasonal dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in March

WELCOME MARCH

As temperatures start to rise and soils warm after their long freeze, March emerges with the promise of new growth and the increasing light of longer days. We look forward to bright, blue-sky days, rain showers and storms, and Mother Nature's magical enchantment at every turn. Named after celestial Agricultural Guardian, Mars, March brings many cultural celebrations and the promise of warmer days to come.

A poem - Welcome March - celebrates the start of a new season, the Spring Equinox on 20 March and the welcoming sight of b uds appearing, spiral fronds unfurling and birds looking for and defending their breeding territories where they will attract new mates, build their nests and rear their young throughout the Spring/Summer seasons.

It is a delight to listen to the birds during the Dawn Chorus which builds to a crescendo in mid May. The break of dawn may seem like the middle of the night to us, but for birds perched high up in their trees, they can see the Sun rising before anyone else and this beautiful soft light triggers them to start singing in a symphony of sound.

Moon phases & Eclipses

Friday 14 March - FULL WORM MOON in Virgo
Saturday 29 March - Lunar Eclipse (Total) in Virgo
Saturday 29 March - NEW PINK MOON in Aries
Saturday 29 March - Solar Eclipse (Partial S) in Aries

Spring Equinox

Sunday 30 March - clocks go forward

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Saturday 1 March - Sunrise (6.58am) - Sunset (5.56pm)
Monday 31 March - Sunrise (6.52am) - Sunset (7.46pm)

Recipe of the month

A delicious recipe for Parsley and Pine Nut Pesto which is packed with flavour and nutritional goodness.

It takes only a few minutes to prepare and can be used in so many ways to accompany pasta and savoury dishes, to drizzle on salads and sandwiches, or to use as a dip.

FRESH FOOD IN SEASON

Foraging for wild food

I have written about the benefits of foraging and where to start in The Wonders of Wild Food and Foraging for Nature's Bounty .

In the fields and hedgerows

Alexanders, Bistort, Burdock, Chickweed, Comfrey Leaves, Dandelion, Fat Hen, Good-king-henry, Hawthorn Tips, Hop Tips, Nettle Tips, Orache, Rampion, Salad Burnet, Sea Beet, Sorrel, Tansy, Watercress, Wild Garlic, Wintercress, Wood Sorrel

Edible Wild Flowers

Primulas, Cowslips, Chickweed, Violets, Dandelions, Wild Garlic

At your local market or farm shop

Vegetables - Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Chicory, Kale, Onions, Radishes, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Chard, Endive, Lettuce, Spinach, Turnips, Force Rhubarb

Fresh Herbs - Bergamot, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Dill, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm , Lovage, Marjoram, Mint , Oregano, Parsley , Rosemary , Sage, Thyme .

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year and get ready for a busy time leading up to Spring. Work with the longer days to gradually increase your range of gardening tasks. This is the perfect time to prepare seed beds and sow your seeds. It is also your last chance to prune your Roses.

Preparing - building your growing beds, preparing and enriching the soil naturally ready for new seedlings and plants.

Feeding - enriching the soil with natural manure, homemade organic fertilisers or 100% organic balanced natural fertiliser where needed.

Pruning, Staking and Tying - pruning perennials and Roses, staking and tying tall plants and fruit bushes to encourage greater flowering and fruiting through the year.

Propogation - germinating seeds and planting indoors or in a greenhouse before transferring to pots and garden beds when the soil is warm enough and the frosts have abated.

Root Spices - sprouting rooting herbs indoors such as Garlic, Ginger and Turmeric so that they can be planted out in small pots before transferring later to garden beds or larger pot outside.

Hedgehog Gaps - making sure there are planty of gaps in your garden fence to allow Hedgehogs to migrate from garden to garden to find food and rear their young

Bird Feeders and Nesting Boxes - thoroughly cleaning bird feeders and nesting boxes to continue supporting birds while its cold and while everything in Nature is only just starting to bud. Prepare for the breeding season by providing clean and safe places for our feathered friends to mate and rear their young.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN MARCH

Exploring rivers and ponds

March is a perfect time to go on a hunt in watery places to find Frog and Toad spawn in ponds and pools. This is the month when amphibians are at the height of their breeding season which began in mid February.

There are only a few species native to the British Isles including the Common Frog and Pool Frog, the Common Toad and Natterjack Toad, and the Great Crested, Smooth and Palmate Newt.

Toads cover long distances as far as two kilometres to return to their breeding ponds and find a partner. Frogs return to the ponds they were born in to breed, and the males make themselves know to the females by croaking loudly. Male Newts attract a mate by performing elaborate displays with their tails, and when they are ready, the females lay their eggs in underwater vegetation.

If you keep your eyes open, you can't fail to miss large clumps of jelly and Toad spawn clinging together on the surface of the water and in vegetation in a string-like pattern and structure.

Walking in the rain

Rainfall in the British Isles though March can vary widely in different places, and Spring showers are often lighter than you might expect, passing quickly and leaving behind a glossy and sparkling landscape that is a beautiful sight to see.

The weather might be unpredictable but is often pleasant so don't let grey skies put you off from wraping up and going outside to explore. Very often, there is a cosy cafe or vibrant pub is never far away, perhaps even with an open fire to dry you off suitably after a shower.

The best way to enjoy any walking experience is to wear layers of warm clothes in natural fibres (to allow your skin to breathe) with a hooded waterproof jacket on top. Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes will keep your feet warm and dry, and will enable you to traverse uneven ground in safety.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through March for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 April 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

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New Worm Moon in Pisces - Friday 28 February

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Tune into the New Snow Moon for dreamtime and inner reflection

New Worm Moon

As Earthworms emerge from deepest soils;

The Earth warms with the Sun higher at every noon;

Anticipation as Nature's buds start to bloom;

The ground cleansed as the joy of Spring looms.

New Worm Moon

Connecting us to Mother Nature's heart;

Preparing us for this new Season's art;

A Spring Solistice that brings a fresh start;

With three minutes every day of extra light;

New Worm Moon

Bringing hope, the promise of new life, new joy;

The stirring of abudance and healthy growth;

Appreciating Mother Earth, honouring her story;

Birthing new ideas, making room for creativity.

New Worm Moon

Wrap up warm and take yourself outside tonight;

Gaze at the galaxy and the crescent light;

Meditate on the gentle stirring of early life;

Wonder at the magic of the grand design.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Lemon Verbena)

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:34:57 GMT

Lemon Verbena is known for its calming effect on body and mind

A Healing Herb Guide

Lemon Verbena is the sixth herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

Lemon Verbena (or Vervain), is one of the most strongly scented and intense of the lemon scented plants. It's delicious and strong lemony flavour comes with a hint of Ginger which is why it is often used as a flavouring in baking. Perfect when combined with Summer fruits such as Watermelon or Peaches, it adds a subtle flavour when used in stuffings or roast dishes, and makes a fine lemony addition (when grinded) for cream toppings and custard.

This hardy herb has narrow, bright green leaves with a rough texture. It grows quickly from branches rising from the base of the plant in elegant curves. Snipping back keeps the plant more compact and bushier, bringing you a healthy harvest through the warmer months that can be used fresh or dried for storage. Grown inside or outside with tiny white flowers that appear in clusters in June.

Lemon Verbena is also known as the Enchanter's Herb for its magical qualities. It was used in spiritual practices by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and pagan Druids.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Lemon Verbena - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different recipes for your general good health, relaxation and wellbeing.

Folklore

Lemon Verbena has been cultivated in Europe since the 17th century.

Native to the Andes Mountains in South America, it has been used as an ingredient for cooking and folk medicine since ancient times. The Inca boiled the leafy stems to make a medicinal tea as a trusted botanical for reducing fevers and treating a variety of digestive disorders. In Argentina lemon verbena tea is used as an antidote for the bites of poisonous animals.

In Pagan times, Lemon Verbena was placed under one’s pillow to keep away bad dreams. It was a traditional herb used for bringing luck as it was said to convert misfortune to good luck. It was also used for cleansing, protecting, uncrossing and for attracting love. It was also used as a strengthening herb, adding potency to anything to which it is added for a positive effect.

Lemon Verbena is yet another cleansing and protecting herb that crosses over into a natural pest repellent. It can be grown and used to keep mosquitoes away due to its strong, lemony aroma covering up the human scent detected by female mosquitoes.

Nutrition

Lemon Verbena provides a rich source of vitamin C and has a variety of health benefits. It is known to lower oxidative stress, enhance sleep and help with weight reduction as it has been shown to burn fat, break down cellulite and regulate the metabolism.

Lemon verbena is highly beneficial for any stress related disorders due to its calming properties. It also a mild antiseptic with anti-inflammatory, expectorant and powerful anti-fungal properties. Lemon Verbena is particularly good for the nervous system as it helps to relax the nerves and muscles, calm the mind, alleviate depression, ease anxiety and provide a general overall feeling of peace.

Lemon Verbena is effective at clearning the lungs and sinus passages and can help to provide relief from the symptoms of colds, coughs, flu, asthma, and sinus and respiratory infections. It is also helpful in reducing fever in the body and helping women to help regulate their menstrual cycle and reduce the pre-menstrual symptoms.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Lemon Verbena

Remedies

Lemon Verbena's healing properties bring health benefits to the skin. The leaves can be applied as a topical poultice where its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties can help in healing varicose veins, acne, boils and external hemorrhoids.

To make a poultice, take a handful of Lemon Verbena, chop them into small pieces on a cutting board and transfer to a mortar and pestle to crush to a pulp. As you chop and mash or blend, the herbs will release their natural juices so that the leaves become softer. Spread the crushed herbs onto the desired area of the skin or wrap the area with a layer of gauze or muslin to hold the paste in place. You can also apply a layer of plastic wrap to the outside of the finished poultice to prevent the juices from leaking.

Lemon Verbena Potpourri is another way to enjoy the fresh fragrance of Lemon Verbena in the home. Mix together the dried peel of 1 lemon, 2 cups dried lemon verbena leaves, 1 cup dried chamomile flowers, 6 inches of cinnamon stick

and 2 to 3 drops of Lemon Verbena Essential Oil of lemon verbena

Place in a bowl to scent the room (cover when not in use to retain the scent) or place in a drawstring bag to hang in your wardrobe.

Lemon Verbena Essential Oil can also be added to natural Jojoba Oil or Cocoa Butter to nourish the skin. A few drops can be made into an aromatic hydrosol that creates a light mist to refresh the face and skin with its antibacterial and astringent properties.

Recipes

Lemon Verbena and Mint Herbal Tea

Fresh (or dried) Lemon Verbena combined with Mint makes a deliciously refreshing healing herbal tea. This herbal tea works as detoxifier, cleansing the body and boosting immunity. The combination of lemon and mint also very useful in helping to relieve headaches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Ideally, steep a handful of fresh Lemon Verbena and Mint leaves in hot filtered water for at least 10 minutes or soak overnight in a pitcher of filtered water to sip throughout the following day.

Add organic Raw Honey and fresh Lemon juice for added nutrients, sweetness and flavour.

Lemon Verbena Sponge Cake

Add 3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh Lemon Verbena to any light sponge cake mixture for a moist and tender cake with a deliciously tangy lemon and fresh floral flavour.

COMING SOON!

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Lemon Verbena to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

A Healing Herb (Lemon Balm)

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 19:30:00 GMT

Lemon Balm is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety

A Healing Herb Guide

Lemon Balm is the fifth herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

Lemon Balm is well known for calming the nerves. Fresh leaves are used to make a delicately flavoured herbal tea that works wonders in relieving stress and inner unrest which is why it makes a perfect bedtime drink to aid sleeping.

Introduced from Europe, Lemon Balm can thrive in poor soil, in direct light or shade. It is perennial with erect square stems that grow to about two feet tall. The whole plant is covered with a soft downy hair which, when touched, release the abundant sweet lemon fragrance this hardy plant is famous for.

The creamy-white or pale purple flowers of Lemon Balm are a magnet for bees so it is a delight to grow in any garden. Symbolising devotion, respect, wisdom and abundance it is a plant with profound symbolic value.

Folklore

Lemon Balm appears in magical workings for uplifting the mood, healing and attracting love. It makes a gentle and compassionate partner as simply growing and tending Lemon Balm brings healing and love being placed under the rulership of Venus.

Lemon balm thrives in poor soil in both sun or shade. The whole plant is covered in a soft down and when the foliage is touched, even when it is just emerging in Spring, it bursts with an abundance of the sweet lemon fragrance it is famous for.

The flowers are a magnet for bees as reflected in its name, ‘Melissa OIfficinalis’ which comes from the Greek word ‘Melissa‘, which literally means ‘bee‘.

According to Nicholas Culpeper: It is an herb of Jupiter, and under Cancer, and strengthens Nature much in all its actions. Let a syrup made of the juice of it and sugar be kept in every gentlewoman’s house, to relieve the weak stomachs and sick bodies of their poor sickly neighbours: as also the herb kept dry in the house, that so with other convenient simples, you may make it into an electuary with honey.

Nutrition

Lemon Balm helps countless health problems making a high contribution to almost every part of the body. It is extremely high in trace minerals such as boron, manganese, copper, chromium, molybdenum, selenium and iron with large amounts of the macromineral silica.

Lemon Balm is a B12-conserving herb—which means it monitors stores of this vitamin and keeps your body from using it all up. It is anti-parasitic, antiviral and antibacterial throughout the body, helping to fight the Epstein-Barr virus, shingles and other herpetic bugs such as HHV-6, which are behind countless chronic illnesses, symptoms, and conditions. It is an amazing herb for tonsillitisn which is inflammation caused by strep bacteria.

Lemon Balm detoxifies the liver, spleen and kidneys, and helps reduce bladder inflammation, which makes it a star for helping to alleviate interstitial cystitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a good source of vitamin C and contains smaller amounts of vitamins A, E, and K. It provides several minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Lemon Balm contains various phytochemicals including volatile oils such as citronellal, citral and geraniol which contribute to its characteristic aroma and general health benefits.

Remedies

Many people enjoy using Lemon Balm in herbal tea (see below) or as an Essential Oil for aromatherapy to achieve a sense of calm.

Lemon Balm is used to support digestive health and to alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, gas and stomach discomfort while gently stimulating the appetite and aiding digestion.

Lemon Balm has antiviral properties with certain compounds that have shown activity against viruses, particularly the herpes simplex virus responsible for cold sores.

Infuse lemon balm in the home to lift the mood of those with psychological stress
Add lemon balm to floor washes to help cleanse rooms after illness or upheaval
Drink Lemon Balm tea during a sleepless night to bring on drowsiness
Ideal for children with insomnia in a herbal tea with a combined dose of Valerian and Lemon Balm

Recipes

LEMON BALM HERBAL TEA

Bring 1 pint of filtered water to the boil with Lemon Balm and infuse for fifteen minutes. Infuse one ounce of Lemon Balm for every pint of water.

Add raw honey and lemon peel (or juice), allow to cool, strain and to drink straight away or store in the fridge.

This simple herbal tea helps to relieve stress, lower anxiety, reduce nervousness and induce relaxation before sleep. Lemon Balm extract helps to lift the mood and increase attention when taken during the day.

SLEEP TIME HERBAL SYRUP

Place 1 x cup Lemon Balm leaves into a small pot and add enough filtered water to just cover the leaves.

Simmer gently until the liquid is reduced in half. Strain out and compost the leaves.

While still quite warm, measure out about 1/2 cup of the concentrated tea and stir 1/4 cup raw honey into it. Add more honey to taste, if you wish.

Store in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

Dose by the spoonful at night to help calm and relax. (Honey should not be used with children under 1 year old.)

Note: Make larger or smaller batches – keeping a ratio of about 2 parts lemon balm infusion to 1 part honey.

I hope you are enjoying this ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope you enjoy adding Lemon Balm to your herbal teas and recipes.

Much love

Sue Xx

Kaizen for Transforming Habits by Sarah Harvey

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Transforming our intentions and daily habits one step at a time

Kaizen is a compound of two Japanese words that together translate as good change or improvement . It is a process of action-oriented doing rather than results-oriented thinking and was used by the Japanese after World War II as part of a worker-participation initiative called The Toyota Way. The aim was to instill a culture of continuous improvement with a built-in strategy for learning and growing that had everyone's best interests in mind.

Kaizen, The Japanese Method for Transforming Habits One Small Step At A Time is a helpful and beautifully presented book that sets out the core principles of Kaizen and how it can be applied to gradually improve all aspects of life from Health, Work, Finances, Home and Relationships to Habits and Challenges. It concludes with advice on how to deal with stumbling blocks on the journey of making changes for the good.

The author, Sarah Harvey, talks about her experience of discovering Kaizen, its roots and history, how it was used as an organisational theory, and how it is used for personal development, sport and cultural transformation. With artistic images and steps highlighted in coloured boxes thoughout, Kaizen provides a wonderful checklist with tips for reviewing where you are so that you can start to make small changes that will have a big impact over time.

Sarah was living in Tokyo working as a freelancer and publishing consultant when she fell in love with Japanese culture and started to experience the benefits of adopting Kaizen methods. Now living in London, Sarah shares all she has learned to help others transform our habits so that they are working for rather than against us, and that will accommodate life's changes and challenges along the way.

Kaizen for health

The Japanese have a phrase - shinshin ichiny - which means body and mind as one. It describes the process of developing a deep innerconnection with our body, mind and spirituality based on the practice of self-love . It is where negative self-talk is banished and we feel more resilient when challenges come our way.

Using Kaizen for health is about finding time to be by ourselves and enjoy quiet time away from the high tech, low frequencies of the material world. Kaizen is used as a motivator to become our most healthy and vibrant selves by doing things like eating a little better, exercising a little more and spending more time outside in Nature.

Sarah talks about starting with small steps and working towards short-term goals to establish a sense of continuity until new habits are formed. This includes things like preparing for a good night's sleep, meal planning, mindful eating, drinking water throughout the day, breathing deeply, exercising and establishing pleasant morning and bedtime routines.

Expecting big results too soon causes us to over-exert ourselves and we run out of steam more quickly. Sarah provides guidance on how to incoroprate gradual and beneficial change into our daily lives and how to explore possibilities that give us new ways to improve various aspects of our lifestyle - one step at a time.

Kaizen for creativity

It is a sad truth that we work such long longer hours for more years with less time for creative pursuits, rest and reflection. We need these things to stay productive, alert and motivated over the long term. The less time we book out for proper relaxation, daydreaming and down-time, the more this will have a detremental effect on our creativity, health and general wellbeing.

Feeling tired and drained all the time, weakens our immunity and makes us more susceptible to illness and burning ourselves out. When we don't get enough rest and restorative sleep, our minds become clouded and our bodies automatically go into overdrive to compensate and keep things in balance. This constant state of fight or flight takes away vital energy needed to keep us in a vibrant state of health.

We know by now that depriving ourselves of loving self-care and quality nutrition while bombarding ourselves with unhealthy non-foods, pharmaceuticals, stress and other invisible toxins that cause harm over the course of time, is not going to result in optimum health and fitness. Kaizen provides an ideal way to gradually replace things that are bad for us with natural things that cleanse, sustain and heal our bodies, and keep us in good health.

The Kaizen way

Kaizen is about making changes for the good. It's about adopting the philosophy of continuous improvement when we are open to reviewing our performance, acquiring new skills, learning new things and letting go things that no longer serve us well.

Being mindful of our energy levels, thoughts and behaviours is the only way to identify where beneficial changes need to be made and how best to approach them. We need to be kind to ourselves as well. We live in a culture of fast service, digital convenience and immediate results so it can be hard to slow down and take a longer term perspective.

While Kaizen helps us to up our game by tracking our habits, stepping out of monotonous routines and working out what we need and what might best work for us at any given time, it also reminds us to take a breath, take things steady and enjoy the journey.

Let your natural curiosity lead you so that each day is a new beginning and each moment an opportunity to discover something new on your unfolding journey.

Thank you for being Kaizen and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Kaizen - A Japanese Method for Transforming Habits One Step at a Time by Sarah Harvey

Full Snow Moon in Leo - Monday 12 February

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Tune into the Full Snow Moon and connect with your inner desires

Full Snow Moon of the second Winter phase;

Snowfalls, Nature freezing, protecting the Earth;

Hard frosts crack dormant seeds to help them germinate;

Nature's calm before for the start of the coming Spring.

Full Snow Moon in Leo, connects us to our heart's desires;

Where creative juices flow in harmony with life;

Where our needs reflect those of our spiritual Self;

As we see the bigger picture in this luminous lunar phase.

Full Snow Moon lulls as we take a poignant pause;

Avoiding too much planning, spending time alone;

Finding space to dream about the future and let things go;

Forgiving all that held us back, to open the way for the new.

Full Snow Moon with Leo's self-expression, childlike joy;

A mighty Lion's roar to compliment the energy of the Sun.

A time to clarify our wishes and what we need to learn;

To actualise our purpose, a life of happiness and love.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

The Nature of Curiosity

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:32:53 GMT

Seeking out new information, experiences and challenges is good for us

Curiosity is a welcoming attribute that signifies one has an open mind and a genuine desire to discover new things in a spirit of acceptance, surrender and wonderment. Being curious in our everyday lives brings enlightenment, builds trust in oneself and increases confidence in our ability to learn and grow.

Curiosity has not only been essential to our survival from an evolutionary perspective, it is crucial for us to understand who we are and how best to live and grow through our lives. It provides the incentive we need to master the skills, experiences and knowledge we need to realise our dreams and navigate the world around us.

The word curiosity dates back to the Modern Day English word for cure and even further back to the Latin etymon cura which means a sense of care and wanting to know more . This innate desire to seek out new information, experiences and challenges is a fundamental human trait that has driven exploration and discovery throughout history and is the driving force behind continuous learning, life experience and personal growth.

Curiosity leads us to ask pertinent questions, explore new ideas, express our creativity and seek out new life experiences and adventures. Without it, we would have no desire to learn and evolve as individuals. When we feel curious, we feel motivated to discover and understand things that we didn’t know or understand before. When we are genuinely curious, we are more likely to want to try things out, take risks and move ourselves out of our comfort zone.

For these reasons and with the right intentions, curiosity can lead to many positive outcomes such as heightened creativity, successful problem-solving, improved communication, lots of fun and high levels of personal achievement.

Curiosity and Buddhism

In the Buddhist tradition, the concept of curiosity is encapsulated in the idea of developing a Beginner’s Mind so that we are always in a state of being open, curious and accepting towards ourselves, others and our lives. This is a practice known as Shoshin . It encourages us to lower our expectations and remove preconceived ideas so that we can see things with an open mind, fresh eyes and simple acceptance – just like a beginner.

It is true that those who are the most present and content in life have worked hard to achieve a balance between knowing and not knowing . They have accepted that wisdom is transient amd cumulative, shaped and informed by our entire and ongoing life experience. It means they have accepted that what they knew yesterday might no longer be relevant today or what they thought to be true might no longer true anymore. For these reasons alone, they are forever curious.

Curiosity is the mechanism that helps us to tune into our intuition and ask questions that help us to work things out, to change and grow. Igniting our sense of curiosity means treating every day as a new beginning and every moment as an opportunity to learn . It brings to mind what we need to focus on and what we need to let go. It reminds me of the Serenity Prayer : God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Our natural curiosity and interest in things as we journey through life drives us to learn the things we need to learn and deal with situations and challenges in a way that helps us to move forward. Curiosity opens the door to new ways of thinking and when we are willing to listen to and explore different ideas, experiences and knowledge, curiosity becomes a means for us to learn from each other.

The practice of Shoshin means being open to embracing our curiosity and being comfortable with not knowing. This is because the state of not knowing is the precursor to knowing something we didn't know before. It is an essential step in our learning journey. There is always so much we can learn which is why not knowing is seen as a strength rather than a weakness. The following metaphor describes this perfectly:

If the cup is already filled with water, then no matter how much water we pour into it, the cup cannot be filled any further. Water will overflow and it will be a waste. If we want the cup to retain or hold water, then we must empty the cup first. In the same way, if our mind is already filled with preoccupations, such as unnecessary rigid notions, opinions, stories, ideas, and the like, then no matter how much we hear, it will be a waste.

To incorporate curiosity into our daily lives there are some simple techniques we can use to encourage a Beginner’s Mind approach to life and living:

Practice curiosity - open yourself up to seeing and learning more
Notice your expectations - lower expectations and accept outcomes with curiosity and openness
Be fully present - take a deep breath to fully experience the moment in the here and now
Seek newness - awaken the senses by seeing things with a fresh set of eyes, ears and perspectives

Curiosity and Nature

Curiosity plays an important role in our relationship with Nature when we allow ourselves to tap into our innate sense of wonder. Opening ourselves up to new ways of being and actively seeking insights, fuels our curiosity for the natural world and means we are more likely to seek out opportunities to learn and explore new things in all sorts of other ways. In addition to expanding our knowledge and appreciation of the natural world that sustains, delights and entertains us, curiosity enables us to engage with our inner self ever more deeply.

For this to happen, we need to approach Nature with a willingness to experience it and learn more about it. This draws us towards healthy activities such as walking, hiking, camping, gardening and birdwatching. It also encourages us to read books and articles about Nature, to watch videos about Nature and to bring friends and family together for outings and outdoor get togethers. Curiosity also inspires us to attend workshops or simply spend more time observing and appreciating the beauty of natural things.

When we show interest, we motivate ourselves to observe and take in the complexity and beauty of Nature. We feel inspired to delve deeper, tune into each of our senses and feel the interconnectedness of all living things. Being fascinated is energising, and only when we immerse ourselves fully into an experience do we get to enjoy the wonders first-hand.

Curiosity and Nature are a powerful combination creating a synergy that enhances life in a myriad of ways. When we pay attention to Nature - to landscapes that delight, plants that grow, flowers that bloom, birds that sing - our imagination is triggered, our creativity gets a boost and we feel compelled to know more.

Nature is so perfect and magnificent, it inspires us to appreciate the complexity and beauty of the world. It makes us want to look after it so that our sense of awe and wonder is preserved for ourselves and others into the future. It is this sense of awe that brings so much joy, it drives our curiosity, piques our imagination and leads us to a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.

Curiosity and Health

The physical, mental, spiritual and sensual stimulations and sensations that come from being curious and seeing every moment in life as a new beginning result in untold benefits to our health, happiness and well-being. Here are just a few ways that connecting with Nature while being curious can help to improve our lives:

Boosts creativity

Consciously tuning into Nature naturally stimulates our senses, our creativity and our imagination - all at the same time. It’s a wonderful way to relax and clear the mind so that creativity can take place naturally. Being curious involves discovering, learning and taking in new sights, smells, sounds, textures and sensations. This not only keeps us mentally focused and aware, it’s a fun thing to do too.

Reduces anxiety

Connecting with Nature is well known for reducing stress levels and promoting feelings of calm and relaxation. Make an investment to spend more time in Nature and practice being curious about your surroundings. This gentle and rewarding activity reduces the heartbeat and lowers stress levels which improves our overall well-being.

Increases activity

Ideally, exploring Nature requires going outside to experience the elements and enjoy close contact with fresh air, natural light and the energy of living things. Walking in Nature and looking after a garden are great ways to get some daily exercise, stay active, move the body and keep bones and muscles strong and healthy.

Walking not only improves mental health, it also satisfies curiosity which releases the brain's positive reward chemical known as dopamine. Those ah-ha moments when something suddenly makes sense or when we find the answers to a question, generate good feelings that give us the perfect incentive to keep our curiosity alive.

Enhanced learning

Being curious about the natural world, helps us to learn new things about the environment in which we live and all the animals and creatures that inhabit this beautiful planet Earth with us. Enhancing our knowledge and understanding of the world around us is crucial if we want to create the most harmonious and healthy living environments for ourselves and every other living being.

Curiosity and You

We can read about the importance of curiosity and adventure in Alice in Wonderland. It was written to remind us that we each have an insatiable curiosity that leads us on a journey of self-discovery and growth . It is a clear reminder that our willingness to explore new ideas and experiences helps us to break free from the constraints of everyday life and discover worlds of wonder and possibility.

Curiosity and adventure help us to break free from monotonous routines that are no longer serving us well so that we can find new passions and interests. By being open-minded, meeting new people and doing new things, we expand our horizons and discover new aspects of ourselves.

The best way is to try to maintain a balance of curiosity and adventure with a sense of responsibility and caution. While it is always a good idea to consider potential risks and consequences, we do not want to lose our sense of sponteneity and fun.

Now that so many of us spend the majority of our time indoors, we do well to remember how much this disconnects us from the natural world and our natural rhythm. This can have a detrimental affect as every day we need to stimulate our senses, expose our bodies to daylight, breathe in the fresh air and focus on things that bring us pleasure, reward us and make us feel well.

Mindful walking is an ideal way to spend time outside and cultivate a sense of curiosity and connection with Nature. It helps us to clear the mind and engage in the moment which provides the incentive needed to keep being curious, keep wanting to learn and keep experiencing the joy of life in each given moment.

Stay forever curious and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

A Healing Herb (Mint)

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Mint is a great source of menthol, vitamin A and cleansing antioxidants

A Healing Herb Guide

Mint is the fourth herb to feature in the Healing HerbGuide set out in a directory format with the same information for each herb included in the library.

Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial herbs. They have wide-spreading underground and overground stolons (or root runners) and strong, upright, square-shaped, branching stems. The fragrance of Mint is quite heavenly and is the essence of freshness. Cool, breezy and clean, Mint mingles in our fragrances for a pop of peppery energy and lives on like a breath of fresh air.

The scent of Peppermint in particular stimulates our Olfactory system, allowing the brain to release chemicals to make us feel relaxed. For this reason, Peppermint Oil is often used to treat stress, anxiety and restlessness.

Common types of Mint include Spearmint with its distinctive fresh taste used in toothpaste and for cooking, and Peppermint which is used medicinally ro relieve digestive issues, colds, bacterial infections and nausea. Peppermint Oil is applied to the skin in a carrier such as Jojoba Oil to treat headaches, muscle aches, joint pain and skin irritation.

There are over 7,500 varieties of Mint due to it being a species that regularly hybridises, naturally creating different species. It has been bred intensely to bring out certain traits, and imbue the plant with specific flavours.

Wild Mint is a native perennial plant of the British Isles that can be found growing on farmland, woodland margins and waste ground. It is a tall, hairy, branched plant with oppositely-paired oval leaves.

Mint was used to bring unity to gatherings in Pagan times and for undoing magic, breaking hexes, curses and spells, and for unwinding oneself from a tricky situation or a commitment unwittingly made.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Mint as part of a healthy diet for your good health and wellbeing.

Folklore

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and will in fact take over your garden if not kept carefully contained. Fortunately, it’s also one of the most versatile edible plants in our repertoire, with uses that range from the ritual to the medicinal, as well as playing a key role in cuisines around the world.

Mint was often used to scent banqueting and dining rooms in Egypt, Greece and Rome, where it was believed to lift the spirits and reduce aggression as well as provide a generally hospitable atmosphere for guests.

This sacred healing herb has been used for centuries in traditional medicine including human and veterinary medicine, as insecticides or insect repellents, and as antifungal or antibacterial protection for crop plants.

Nutrition

Spearmint is a sweet, mild herb packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants including vitamin A, C, B-complex, beta carotene, iron, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and potassium.

Spearmint in particular is wonderful for digestive ailments such as nausea, indigestion, ulcers, halitosis and flatulence. It provides relief from headaches, sinus congestion, sore throats, fatigue, stress and anxiety.

Spearmint helps to promote blood circulation and improves metabolism making it an excellent choice for cleansing and weight loss. Spearmint supports respiratory issues such as bronchitis, asthma and respiratory inflammation.

All mints have medicinal, culinary and cosmetic properties that relax and cleanse the body, invigorate and sharpen the brain's function and clean and refresh the skin.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - S pearmint

Remedies

Mint is a source of menthol which is a cooling and relaxing agent providing relief from discomfort from skin burns and irritations. This makes it useful for relieving respiratory difficulties.

Mint is good at relaxing the muscles in your body which is why it is used to treat stomach and chest pains. Most notably, it has been used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome because it relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract.

Peppermint Oil has been known to alleviate IBS symptoms as the menthol properties relax muscles in the digestive system. In turn, this helps to improve digestion and reduce stomach pain.

A simple Mint Tea (see below) can provide relief and boost brain function. Enjoy this as a post-meal treat to aid digestion, in the afternoon to boost your energy levels or before bed to help you relax.

Eating fresh or dried leaves is an excellent way to treat bad breath while inhaling essential oils in steam (a few drops added to hot water) helps to improve brain function and cold symptoms.

Peppermint Essential Oil provides a refreshing and cooling sensation when mixed with Jojoba Oil and applied to the skin. It makes an excellent choice for an invigorating and refreshing massage blend. The cool aroma of peppermint helps to uplift the senses and promote relaxation.

Recipes

Fresh Mint Tea

Fresh (or dried) Mint (any kind) makes a powerful healing herbal tea and a perfect refresher for clarity and focus.

Ideally, steep a handful of fresh sprigs in hot filtered water for at least 10 minutes or soak overnight in a pitcher of filtered water to sip throughout the day.

Add organic Raw Honey and fresh Lemon juice for added nutrients, sweetness and flavour.

Linguine with Peas and Mint Pesto

A fresh-flavoured pasta dish which is super quick and easy to make. The perfect treat to bring together with fresh ingredients and nutritious Pine Nuts that add a welcome crunch to the dish.

COMING SOON!

Other healing herbs in the collection ...

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed learning about some of the wonders of Mint, all kinds of which can easily be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too.

There are lots of different varities of Mint you can try including Wild Mint, Pineapple Mint, Apple Mint, Orange Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint and many more. Add different mints to your Fresh Mint Tea (above) for subtle variations in flavour and feel the benefits of its fresh cleansing energy.

Mint is a wonderful companion for the next two herbs to feature this month - Lemon Balm and Lemon Verbena - so stay tuned!

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Much love

Sue Xx

Welcome February (Almanac 2025)

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Key dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in February

WELCOME FEBRUARY

A poem - Welcome February - as early Bees start to appear from their hidden Winter havens and morning fogs means frost in May, we welcome in the second month of the year.

Moon phases

Monday 12 February - FULL SNOW MOON in Leo
Friday 28 February - NEW WORM MOON in Pisces

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Saturday 1 February - Sunrise (7.50 am) - Sunset (5.07 pm)
Friday 28 February - Sunrise (7.00am) - Sunset (5.54 pm)

Recipe of the month

Try my new recipe for Crunchy Coleslaw with Whole Grain Mustard - a white cabbage, carrot, red onion, pumpkin seed and apple soaked in lemon sensation. It is all brought together with organic Greek Yogurt (or plant yogurt) and whole grain seeded mustard - a valuable source of several bioactive compounds including antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

This nutritious coleslaw with a piquant hint of mustard in every bite can be served on its own with fresh crusty bread or as a side salad, a sandwich filling or topping on baked potatoes, homemade culinary delights and party foods.

COMING SOON!

FRESH FOOD IN SEASON

In the hedgerows

Learning to forage is a fun thing to do as it puts you in touch with both the culinary and medicinal benefits of different wild plants, fruits, fungi, berries and herbs that you can find and collect locally for nutritional health and healing. Remember to always follow the Foraging Code (WildFoodUK), respect the land, animals, birds and other creatures who depend on wild food to survive.

I have written about the benefits of foraging and where to start in The Wonders of Wild Food and Foraging for Nature's Bounty .

Food to Forage

Chickweed, Hairy Bittercress, Dandelion Leaves, Sow Thistle, Wintercress, Edible Roots such as Dandelion and Wild Garlic, Nettle Tips

Nettles often start to grow new leaves in early February, pick only the new leaf tips as they are tender and give the best flavour in soups, casseroles and pestos.

At your local market or farm shop

Fresh Herbs - Winter Savory, Parsley , Chervil, Thyme , Coriander, Rosemary , Bay, Sage

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year. Use this quiet time to go outside into the fresh air and daylight, tidying and pottering in preparation for the Spring season ahead.

Weeding - gently sort through seedbeds to remove invasive weeds and large stones in preparation for direct sowing and planting

Planting - bed in seedlings under the cover of cloches to keep them warm and protected from the frost, prepare Rose seeds in trays of soil to go through a period of cold moist storage in a sheltered place outside or in the refrigerator for the next 10-12 weeks. This stratification process breaks seed dormancy and promotes germination before the seeds will sprout.

Repairing - rake loose leaves, create bug hotels and homes for small creatures by stacking cleared twigs and clippings in nooks and grannies, make sure there are gaps in fences and hedgerows for Hedgehogs to get through and turn coppiced Hazel twigs into supports for fast growing Spring plants, fruits and vegetables

Garden Ponds - maintaining a healthy environment for water plants and creatures is paramount so invest time in carefully cleaning out excess pond weeds before topping up with fresh water to increase oxygen levels.

If necessary, use a rake or net to remove leaves, mud and other debris from the bottom of the pond. If the debris is thick, you may need to use a pond vacuum to suck up the sediment. Clean the surfaces, and scrub the sides and bottom of the pond with a brush to remove algae and any remaining dirt.

Watering - don't forget to water any plants and trees - specially pot plants - that might be thirsty if they are shaded by buildings, walls or larger vegetation that means they have less access to rain.

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE

Feed the Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs can become very ill if they are given the wrong foods and will suffer from this when they are hungry and have little alternative. Never leave bread, milk or processed food as they are bad for our shy and solitary animal friends – the milk upsets their tummy and causes diarrhoea which leads to dehydration, while the bread fills them up without providing them with any nutrients.

Leave out filtered water and high quality meat-based dog or cat food or crushed meat-based cat or high quality dry dog biscuits without any additives. It's a good idea to soak the biscuits first to accommodate young hedgehogs and make sure your water bowl is set low so that they can access it easily. You can buy specialist high quality meaty food made for Hedgehogs but make sure this is from a reputable wildlife food supplier.

Make sure there are plenty of gaps or holes in the hedges and fences in your garden to enable hedgehogs to wander and be where they need to be for warmth and safetly. If you sit outside at night quietly with a candle or low light next to their food and water, you might find you are honoured to enjoy a visit

Listen to woodland birds

This is the month for listenening out for Tawny Owls through the dark evenings as they call to each other. The males gently ' hoot ' back and forth to each other vying for territory. The females make a sharp ' ke-wick ' (tewit) sound which the males respond to with a wavering ' hoo-hoo ' (twoo).

This is the best time to go for long walks in woodlands and forests where the aroma of the rich damp soil permeates through the air. Rich earthy colours are accentuated by the glimmer of damp from recent rains. This is the best time to discover unusual and bright coloured Fungi such as velvety soft Scarlet Elf Cups growing on decaying branches and fallen logs on the woodland floor.

Tune in to hear the woodland birds singing brightly in the cool air. Listen out for the 'tsip calls' of the Song Thrushes. As the month progresses, more voices will join in as we lead up to the Dawn Chorus as Blackbirds sing melodic notes that dance along a wider scale - one of the loveliest signs that Spring is on its way.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through February for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 March 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!

A Healing Herb (Rosemary)

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Rosemary is an aromatic herb with many healing properties

A Healing Herb Guide

Rosemary is the third herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean. It is used as a culinary condiment, an ingredient in perfumes, as a cleanser and for many health benefits. Rosemary is a member of the Mint family just like Oregano, Thyme, Basil and Lavender.

Rosemary has shapely, leathery leaves that resemble pine needles which have a dark green upper surface and powdery white, hairy underside. The small, pale blue, pink or white flowers grow in clusters of two or three along the branches and provide an important early nectar source for emerging Spring bees, like Bumbles and Masons

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Rosemary as part of a healthy diet for your good health and wellbeing.

Folklore

Rosemary is associated with Aphrodite as Greek artwork often depicts the Goddess of Love with images of a plant thought to be Rosemary. This highly valued herb became the subject of many poems and is mentioned in five of Shakespeare’s plays.

For centuries, Rosemary has been dried to make herb bundles that, to this day, are burned to keep harmful and negative energy from making their way into the home. The practice of smudging is used for purification and for creating a sacred space.

Rosemary Wood was once used in Pagan rituals. It was made into an ointment used to purify the hands of priests or to use as an incense. In Medieval times it was used to make talismans against poisoning and was revered as a sacred plant in which Fairies were known to hide or make their home.

Nutrition

Rosemary can be used as an antiseptic, antidepressant, analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, aphrodisiac and expectorant. It is also used to condition the scalp and skin.

This remarkable herb has earned praise for alleviating nerve-related conditions, boosting the repair system, fighting off infections, aiding respiratory ailments, strengthening digestion and improving circulation.

Rosemary has the ability to stimulate memory, improve concentration and help overcome mental fatigue by increasing the blood flow to the head and brain. It is also known to alleviate depression and sadness and can decrease anxiety brought on by stress.

Rosemary is also high in manganese, an essential nutrient for metabolic health. Manganese helps the body to form blood clots that enable injuries to heal faster. Rosemary also contains carnosic acid, a compound known for its powerful antioxidant properties.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Rosemary

Remedies

Rosemary is a potent and effective herb that has provided a myriad of health benefits through the centuries.

Rosemary Essential Oil is a natural conditioner with the ability to cleanse and nourish the scalp, and to heal, nourish and repair the skin. Make your own skin moisturiser and hair treatment by mixing 1 part x Cold-Pressed Castor Oil, 2 parts x Johoba Oil and several drops of Rosemary Essential Oil.

Rosemary Essential Oil can be added to your bathwater to help your body relax and to clear your mind. It can be used in steam vaporisers to disinfect the air in homes, habitats and work places. Rosemary's cleansing and antimicrobial properties are especially beneficial to ward off colds in the Winter Season.

Fresh or dried, Rosemary makes a powerful and gentle healing herbal tea (see below). It is often consumed during the day tas an alternative to tea and coffe, as it improves mental cognition, focus and clarity. It makes a healthy addition to home cooked meals, roasts and salads.

Recipes

Italian Parsley Pesto

A simple recipe with prize ingredients that can be made in just few minutes.

Used in a variety of ways such as adding to pasta, salads, sandwiches and on its own as a tasty dip. A great way to add delicious flavour and essential nutrients to your meals and snacks.

COMING SOON!

Parsley Tabbouleh

A perfectly nutritious mixed salad that pairs well with organic Hummus and slices of crisp, roasted Cauliflower

COMING SOON!

Featured healing herbs to start the collection ...

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the first in an ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

There is much more to come with three new herbs to be published on the directory each month and three introductory blog posts like this one. I will update the directory content with new features going forward such as trusted suppliers who deliver quality organic produce according to ethical standards.

Trusted suppliers are providers who I buy from on a regular basis and can personally recommend. Doing our best to support reputable suppliers, growers, artisans and ethical small enterprises, especially in our local communities, is a great investment for our ongoing health and future wellbeing - so stay tuned!

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope it will become a helpful resource that you can rely on for well-researched information and as a starting point for further learning.

It's another wonderful year for Nature lovers to enjoy and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Much love

Sue Xx

New Snow Moon in Aquarius - Wednesday 29 January

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Gaze at the New Snow Moon for dreamtime and inner connection

When days and nights are cold and dark, look to the crescent Moon;

Surrender to your inner flow and rest, pause to bring in the new;

Feel the stillness, as a magical calmness covers the frozen Earth;

Breathe in the energy of this gift of universal energy and light.

Reach out to connect with friends, family and community;

Reflect on the value of friendships and the power of unity;

Take a step back to recognise influences no longer true to you;

Clear the way to embrace things that mean the most to you.

Start routines that will nourish your body, mind and soul;

Bring clarity to your vision for yourself and the greater whole;

Daydream and spend time making plans that matter;

Think of ways to discover and nurture your own unique talent.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Thyme)

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:32:52 GMT

Thyme is a powerful aromatic herb with many healing properties

A Healing Herb Guide

Thyme is the second herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

Thyme has an instantly recognisable fragrance that is bright, sweet and earthy with notes of Pepper, Mint, Pine and Eucalyptus. Lemon Thyme has a pronounced citrus flavour and other varieties of Thyme mimic the flavours that they are named after.

Thyme belongs to the Mint family and is a relative to Oregano with similar shaped oval lanceolate leaves with rolled edges. Thyme is a classic garden herb that thrives as well in a pot on a windowsill as it does in a garden flower bed. Thyme is an evergreen herb used for medicinal, cleansing, culinary and ornamental purposes.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Thyme as part of a healthy lifestyle and diet for your good health and wellbeing.

Folklore

Thyme originates from the Mediterranean where it has always been an important addition to the Winter kitchen when other herbs are less readily available.

Thyme once provided an entrance into the Fairiy Realm. It was the key ingredient in a potion the Fairies made to enable the user to see them, especially when taken during the Summer Solstice on Midsummer's night.

The aromatic scent of Thyme was known to have cleansing properties, both physically and spiritually. It was used to purify the air in homes and places of worship across the land.

Thyme has long been associated with Bees, especially some of the more solitary ones like the Blue Mason Bee. No Bee-friendly garden should be without Thyme which flowers from June through to October.

Nutrition

Thyme provides a rich source of essential vitamins such as A, E, C, K, B-complex and folate. It is also one of the best sources of calcium, iron, manganese, selenium and potassium.

Thyme contains antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, carminative, diaphoretic and expectorant properties which support healing throughout the entire body.

Thyme is a good source of pyridoxine which is known to play an important role in manufacturing GABA levels in the brain, aid in regulating sleep patterns, and benefit neurotransmitter function and mental function. GABA is an active ingredient and one of the best natural defenses against stress damage.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Thyme

Remedies

Thyme aids digestion by helping to break down fatty foods often eaten more frequently in the colder months when other herbs are not so readily available.

Thyme is a key component of Bouquet Garni which, together with Sage, Bay and Parsley, is tied into bundles to add to casseroles and soups, adding flavour and helping with digestion.

Thyme has strong antiseptic properties and makes a powerful herbal tea (see below) for inner cleansing and to ease a sore throat.

Thyme placed under the pillow ensures a restful night’s sleep and burning Thyme helps to purify rooms and buildings. Bathing in bathwater infused with Thyme helps to relieve sadness, anxiety and tension.

SOURCE: Herbal Haven - Thyme

Recipes

Rosemary Herbal Tea

Fresh (or dried) Rosemary makes a powerful healing herbal tea and a perfect pick-me-up if you are feeling tired or unable to focus.

Ideally, steep a handful of fresh sprigs in hot filtered water for at least 10 minutes or soak overnight in a pitcher of filtered water to sip throughout the day.

Add organic Raw Honey and fresh Lemon juice for added nutrients, sweetness and flavour.

Rosemary Roasted Vegetables

A delicious main meal or side dish made with carrots, parsnips, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, onions and bundles of fresh Rosemary.

COMING SOON!

Featured healing herbs to start the collection ...

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the first in an ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

There is much more to come with three new herbs to be published on the directory every month with three introductory blog posts like this one.

It's another wonderful year for Nature lovers to enjoy and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Much love

Sue Xx

Full Wolf Moon in Cancer - Monday 13 January

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Tune into the Full Wolf Moon for inner guidance and transformation

Wild wolves howl under the Moon, defining their territory;

Locating pack members, reinforcing bonds, working together;

Wolf Moon energy evokes our deepest emotions, loving ties;

Where the joy of affection and being with each other lies.

Gaze up at the Wolf Moon, focus on deep introspection;

Brighten the dark of night by shining a light within;

Let go of things no longer required, start a new beginning;

Draw on the strength, love and integrity of your inner Self, as given.

Hone in on your heart, feel glad to be alive, trust your intuition;

Align with your highest moral compass, compassion and inner wisdom;

Build up reserves for the year ahead, a personal transformation;

Value all that is true to you and bring all you desire to fruition.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

A Healing Herb (Parsley)

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 19:38:17 GMT

Parsley is known as the jewel of herbs for many a good reason

A Healing Herb Guide

Parley is the first herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide .

This is where I share information and experience I have gathered over the years about herbs of all kinds to include folklore, nutritional value, natural remedies and healthy recipes for you to try and include in your daily health and cleansing routines. This is because herbs are the most efficient way to cleanse our blood and internal organs, and our surroundings, to keep our mind and body in optimum health.

Using herbs to cleanse is a gentle way to rid the body of unwanted toxins that may have been stored away for a long time. This is why we need to reduce and eventually eliminate our intake of highly processed foods that add to our toxic-load including refined sugar, refined salt , wheat, fillers and additives. These mass-produced items are not easy to digest or remove from the body so they build up and clog the system, especially if consumed in quantity or on a daily basis.

Care must be taken if you have not thoroughly cleansed before, with steps taken to ensure this is done safely while gradually transitioning to a more healthy, organic diet with daily exercise and movement included.

New herbs will be added here every month so stay tuned. I hope this builds into a helpful collection to encourage you to enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of herbs and their many culinary, cosmetic, lifestyle and medicinal uses.

 Folklore 

The people of old England had their own set of parables and folklore surrounding Parsley with different regions of England adopting their own versions of its history and folklore.

In Devon, it was believed that anyone who transplanted Parsley would offend the ‘Guardian Genius’ who presides over the highly valued Parsley beds and that they would be punished within a year.

In Suffolk, it was thought that sowing Parsley seeds on Good Friday would ensure the herb coming up double .

Source: Our Herb Garden - Parsley

Nutrition

Parsley is a phenominal herb because of its ability to alkalise each of our body systems. It helps to balance acidity and alkalinity which is important because if our body becomes too acidic, disease can occur.

Mineral salts give Parsley its alkalising power as specialised mineral salts bind onto unproductive acids in the body to drive them out. This alkalising skill makes Parsley helpful for preventing and battling every type of cancer.

Parsley is full of nutrition with B vitamins such as folic acid, traces of B12 co-enzymes and vitamins A, C and K. It is also a highly remineralising herb providing magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, selenium, iodine, and calcium.

Source: Medical Medium - Healing Power of Parsley

Remedies

Prepare Parsley with Celery in a juicer to combine mineral salts that work in tandem to bind onto harmful acids such as lactic acid and drive them out of the body. Celery’s salts bind onto other sorts of toxins so its a great combination for inner cleansing first thing in the morning.

Make Parsley Tea using the herb fresh or dried (though preferably fresh). The infusion process is a great way to extract the maximum amount of trace minerals and phytochemicals hidden deep within Parsley, so that your body can absorb the nutrients.

Use fresh and organic flat-leaf Parsley as much as possible for maximum benefits and get into the habit of adding Parsley to your food (hot and cold). You can add freshly chopped Parley to soups, salads and sandwiches or blend into a green smoothie.

Source: Medical Medium - Healing Power of Parsley

Recipes

Mediterranean Parsley and Pine Nut Pesto

A simple recipe with prize ingredients that can be made in just few minutes. This super healthy pesto can be added to pasta dishes, salads, toast and sandwiches or used on its own as a tasty dip with raw vegetable sticks. A great way to add delicious flavour and essential nutrients to your meals and snacks.

Parsley Tabbouleh

A perfectly nutritious mixed salad that pairs well with organic Hummus and slices of crisp, roasted Cauliflower

COMING SOON!

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the first in an ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

It's another wonderful year for Nature lovers to enjoy and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Much love

Sue Xx

Welcome January (Almanac 2025)

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Key dates and inspiration for things to see and do in Nature in January

WELCOME JANUARY

A poem - Welcome January - celebrates the coolest season of morning mists, crisp frosts and cold rainy days as Nature cleanses the Earth and we welcome in the first month of the year.

Moon phases

Monday 13 January - FULL WOLF MOON in Cancer
Wednesday 29 January - NEW SNOW MOON in Aquarius

Sunrise and sunset (Devon, British Isles)

Sunday 1 January - Sunrise (8.16 am) - Sunset (4.20 pm)
Friday 31 January - Sunrise (7.51am) - Sunset (5.05 pm)

Recipe of the month

Try my tried and trusted recipe for Sweet and Salty Crunchy Nut Biscuits - a simple to make sweet treat with a salty twist made with wholesome ingredients that the whole family can enjoy.

This buttery short and crunchy biscuit can be made without nuts or finished with a topping of peanuts, flaked almonds or pecan nuts.

FRESH FOOD IN SEASON

In the hedgerows

I have written about the benefits of foraging and where to start in The Wonders of Wild Food and Foraging for Nature's Bounty .

Food to Forage

Chickweed, Hairy Bittercress, Dandelion Leaves, Sow Thistle and WIld Wintercress

At the local market or farm shop

Herbs - Winter Savory, Parsley , Chervil, Thyme , Coriander, Rosemary , Bay, Sage

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year. Use this quiet time to go outside into the fresh air and daylight, tidying and pottering in preparation for the Spring season ahead.

Seeds - collect, dry and germinate your own seeds from organic plants, fruits and vegetables

Planting - pot newly sprouted seeds indoors or in a greenhouse, cover to begin with if stored in a cold room

Gardening - leave old growth where it is for now to provide shelter for many creatures hunkering down for Winter

Tidying - clean pots, dig, spread manure, compost, repair, and adjust or replace plant ties and wires

Feeding - keep feeders clean and filled with wild bird food and fat balls with a fresh bowl of filtered water nearby

Planning - take time to take stock and think about things to grow in the new Spring season

Vegetables - only the hardiest of vegetables can be planted outside but plenty can be sown indoors this month

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE

Feed the birds

Remove any unwanted food regularly and keep your feeders, water bowls and bird baths clean. Top up bowls and bird baths with fresh filtered water. Remember to break the ice on frosty mornings.

Find further information about what and when to feed your garden birds on the RSPB website - When to Feed Garden Birds .

Go for a leisurely walk

Some of my favourite places for long leisurely walks in Devon include national forests , ancient woodlands , coastal paths , moorland tors , healthland and rivers . At this time of year, pathways are cushioned and coloured with fallen leaves and bright green moss, mature ferns and holly tree branches with bright red berries. Mother Nature's palette is rich and to be experienced as Nature sparkles in the cool air, especially after the rain.

Many of these areas are deserted during the Winter months so you can experience the feeling of being far from the maddening crowds to enjoy an invigorating walk exposed to the elements surrounded by the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Walking is a wonderful way to release tension, tune into the natural rhythm of Nature and feel gratitude for the natural world that sustains us all through the year.

Take in some daylight

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through January for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 February 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold only by independent book sellers with no extra cost to you!

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Ocean Whale

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 23:47:58 GMT

A poem about the intelligence, grace and gentle nature of Whales

Spirit of the deep, in a salty, saline world;

Propelling through water, in powerful, graceful curves;

A skeletal body built for speed and motion, honoured and revered;

Intelligence with a gentle nature, beautiful, mysterious Whale.

The Māori , close friends of the Ika Moana ;

Guardians of Ancestors’ canoeing to Aotearoa ; (ahr-tea-roa)

Gods of the land of the Long White Cloud ; in the Pacific Ocean;

Swimming with the Waka , guiding the way to safety, as in legend.

The Orcas, Killer Whales, Guardians of the Sea;

Protecting those who travel far, to lead them home again;

Some stay faithful to their Pods their lifetime through;

Each raising their Calfs with care, as other mammals do.

Whales remind Dreamers to explore their depths of Self;

To connect with inner feelings, to dive deep and delve;

To know we are all safe in a sea of consciousness and love;

In unity with all that is, where all our living souls dwell.

Like us, Whales thrive on water with salt electrolytes;

As kidneys filter and retain the fluids needed for life;

Whales eat foods for extra salt and nutrients therein;

To maintain an inner balance, as with every living being.

Whales roam expansive oceans, masters of the Sea;

Singing out in complex sounds, a haunting harmony;

Breathing air above, from the deepest depths below;

Connecting Earth and Universe, in one eternal flow.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

[Edited on 7 February 2025]

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:44:55 GMT

A life-changing book that will make you fall in love with salt again

Did you know that all we are told about salt is untrue; that a low-salt diet is harmful to you; that salt is blamed for the damage sugar can do; read this book of truth and make REAL salt your new go-to.

There is no doubt we have been brainwashed into accepting spurious nutritional information which is completely out of whack with our actual bodily needs. Understanding this shocking truth is the first step towards seeking out a diet that is good for you and this is paramount if you want to eliminate chronic sickness and disease in the future.

The salt deception

Jane recommended The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD and I bought it straight away. James is a cardiovascular research scientist and doctor of pharmacy at Saint Luke’s Mid American Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a well respected and internationally known scientist and expert of health and nutrition.

Dr DiNicolantonio is, however, labelled by rationalwiki as a conspiracy theorist best known for his view that salt has been unfairly demonised by the medical community and that eating more of it will save lives . For this reason alone, I trust Dr DiNicolantonio, as like many so-called conspiracy theories of this nature, when you discover the truth, in this case, backed by scientific studies that have taken place and been buried along the way, you can see the conspiracy as clear as day.

In terms of our salt requirements, we have been, and continue to be lied to. This makes sense when you know that the food industry turned the natural food pyramid upside down in order to sell greater quantities of everything that is bad for us and reduce our intake of things like proteins, herbs, real fats, salt and fresh foods that are essential for our growth and good health. They replaced real salt with a mass-produced condiment that contains only 2 of up to 84 minerals found in natural salt with iodine added in some cases.

This is how salt has been craftily demonised when a lack of salt in our diet causes a host of health problems that are more likely caused by an over consumption of sugar. Here we have a double-whammy, our bodies are depleted in salt required to function optimally while having to cope with a daily bombardment of mass-produced dietary and synthetic products containing harmful additives, colourings, preservatives, vegetable oils and high levels of sugar.

It’s a recipe for disaster and our bodies can’t keep up. Here are some key observations for you to consider in this review.

Eat MORE salt

Dr DiNicolantonio begins by reminding us that we are essentially salty people. That we cry and sweat salt, and that all the cells in our bodies are bathed in salty fluids.

Salt is essential because it is needed to maintain the optimal amount of blood in our bodies. It is needed by the heart to pump blood through our organs. It is essential for healthy digestion, cell-to-cell communication, bone formation and strength, and for the prevention of dehydration which on its own can cause all manner of health issues.

Sodium is also critical for healthy reproduction, pregnancy, the proper functioning of cells and muscles, and the optimal transmission of nerve impulses to and from organs such as the heart and brain.

Contained within real salt crystals are elements called electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. These carry electrical impulses in our bodily fluids, controlling many of our bodies’ functions. Another trace mineral found in natural salt is iodine, the main building block for healthy thyroid hormones and functionality, and for entire bodily health.

Without an adequate sodium intake, our blood volume goes down, which can lead to the shutting down of certain organs such as the brain and the kidneys.

You can’t overdo it

The water and sodium levels in our body are constantly balancing each other out through a process called osmoregulation. This means that whenever there is an increase in sodium concentration in the blood, the kidneys simply reabsorb less sodium with any excess excreted through our urine. This maintains a normal serum sodium level in the blood and helps to prevent cellular damage from fluid shifting in and out of the cells.

If blood sodium levels drop too low, water from the blood will go into our tissue cells in order to increase the level of sodium in the blood back to normal, but this fluid shift can cause cellular shrinkage. Both cellular expansion and cellular shrinkage can be extremely harmful over time.

Rather than making our bodies fight to preserve and extract sodium, doing anything it can to keep a normal sodium level in the blood, the best thing we can do is make sure we consume plenty of natural salt throughout the day so that it can be used and expelled correctly.

Our salt balance is also regulated by adrenal hormones called aldosterrone (salt storer) and coretisol (salt releaser) which means our bodies are well equipped to utilise the full benefits of natural salt intake to maintain optimum health.

What is REAL salt

There are various types of real or natural salt that you can buy from reputable suppliers who can guarantee the quality of their products. Here is a quick run down as a starting point for your own research:

Redmond Real Salt (least contaminated as mined from an ancient seabed in Redmond, Utah) containing 60 minerals including copper and zinc and other trace elements with the most calcium compared to other salts.

Celtic Sea Salt (best when taken from the deep sea, 2,000 foot beneath the surface) containing 80 minerals and other trace elements with the most magnesium compared to other salts.

Pink Himalayan Salt (mined by hand and hand-washed after being collected from unspoiled underground sources) containing 84 minerals and other trace elements with the most potassium compared to other salts.

Artisan Salts such as Cornish Sea Salt (original methods of harvesting the goodness of the ocean referencing century old techniques) containing more than 60 minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Remember to increase your dialy salt intake by enjoying naturally salty or preserved salty foods that are much better for you than nutritionally bereft, empty-calory sugars and carbohydrates, or highly processed foods, drinks and takeaways full of harmful vegetable fats, sugar and other additives.

Eat LESS sugar

When you understand the amount of harm caused by sugar, you will, I hope, start to demonise this non-food rather than continue to demonise the proper use of natural salt that encourage you to eat more wholesome foods required for optimum health.

Our love-affair with sugar started in 1776 in America when the average of one teaspoon of sugar per day (4 pounds per person per year) skyrocketed to the equivalent of four frosted cupcakes per day (76 pounds of sugar per person per year) by 1913. In England, there was a twenty-five fold increase to 100 pounds per person per year by 1950.

Interestingly, when you look at health statistics for this period, the astronomical increase in refined sugar intake matched a parallel increase in chronic diseases in America and Europe that shows little sign of abating today. American has seen a thirtyfold increase from 1776 to 2002 with corresponding rises in chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and kidney disease.

If you follow the money, you will find that in 2012, the global sugar manufacturing industry was valued at over 113 billion US dollars, compared to 62 billion in 2019 and a forecast value of around 78.1 billion for 2023. Meanwhile, in 2022 in England, wholesalers selling sugar, sugar confectionery and chocolate made over 8.5 billion British pounds in sales.

This is alarming news when there are 22 ways sugar can cause salt depletion leading to all manner of health issues. Eating more than 4 teaspoons of sugar a day causes a reduction in salt retention to an otherwise already depleted body through lack of a daily intake of natural salt.

As well as recommending a significant decrease in sugar consumption, Dr DiNicolantonio provides indepth information on how salt can help with specific issues such as kidney disease, inflammatory bowl disease, low-carb cramps, low-carbohydrate diets, iodine deficiency, general infections and skin conditions, symptoms caused by autism, excess caffeine, salt-depleting pharmaceuticals and other salt-wasting conditions.

A New Year’s resolution

Make this year the year you bring the saltiness back into your life and the salt back into your body on a daily basis. Eat more wholesome vegetables and quality homemade foods flavoured with natural salt. Ditch the sugar by replacing it with fresh fruits, Raw Artisan Honey, Maple Syrup and vitimin-rich Wild Rose Hip Syrup.

Do your research to find reputable suppliers and buy your organic salt crystals in bulk so that you can use it generously for flavouring cooked food, adding to recipes and even dissolving in a glass of clean filtered water at the beginning and end of the day.

Include more organic salt-rich foods in your diet and enjoy the flavours knowing your body has everything in place to enrich itself with the salt you provide and safely dispose of any excess.

Read The Salt Fix (see below) so that you are clear on all the details and, most importantly, clear about exactly how we have been lied to in the same way the Tobacco Industry lied to us about the safety of cigarettes. It’s another example of how company profits are pursued at the expense of our health, our lifestyle, our wellbeing and the beautiful planet we call home.

I hope you will agree that the information contained in this book is potentially life-changing. I hope you will swap your mass-produced Table Salt with any of the REAL salt options noted above. I hope you begin to savour the flavour of salt again and that you experience a gradual and positive improvement in your general health by doing so.

Above all, make this the year you cleanse to heal and go organic in a bid to add years to your life rather than slowly taking them away.

Thank you for being here and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD

Sweet and Salty Crunchy Nut Biscuits

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 22:42:14 GMT

A short and sweet biscuit with a perfect crunch - with or without nuts

This is one of those recipes that you come to treasure and carry with you because it’s a decided winner when it comes to teasing the taste buds and providing a sweet and salty treat for precious quiet moments, relaxing energy breaks and other special occasions.

The beauty of this wholesome biscuit is that there are no nuts in the biscuit mixture itself. Nuts are placed on top before baking, so you can mix them up with different nut toppings or leave the topping out completely - all in one batch. The addition of real Salt Crystals and Ground Cinnamon make for a festive flavour that delights at any time of year.

For this tried and trusted recipe, I tested out the option of melting the butter in a glass bowl over boiling water before mixing it into the sugar.

It feels a bit like cheating but when my butter is rock solid from being in the fridge, if I haven’t thought ahead and taken it out the night before, this work around is a lifesaver.

I discovered the trick is that when you have melted the butter, LET IT COOL before mixing it into the sugar. Then you can then easily whip up the mixture with either a small electric mixer or a large wooden spoon. It’s a pleasure making it turn so silky, pale and smooth. Being light with air, it produces an even shorter biscuit crunch.

I will take you through the entire process - step by step - with options for using softened or melted butter so that you can perfect your biscuit baking technique for all to enjoy.

Wholesome Ingredients

4 oz (500 gms) x Organic Butter
2 oz (50 gms) x Raw Cane Sugar
6 oz (150 gms) x Traditionally Milled or Wholegrain Spelt Flour (plain)
2-3 tsp x Celtic Grey Salt Crystals (or equivalent)
150 gms x Raw Coconut Milk
2 oz (50 gms) x Peanuts (plain roasted), Pecans or Flaked Almonds

Note: Add more nuts as required to fully cover the biscuit mixture surface or arrange as desired before brushing with Raw Coconut Milk.

Useful equipment

1 x large mixing bowl
1 x set of scales
1 x bread board or pastry board (large)
1 x large wooden spoon, large mixing spoon (or knife) and palette knife
1 x rolling pin
1 x pastry cutter (small)
1 x small electric hand mixer (optional)
1 x medium baking tray (plus another for extra mixture)
1 x wire cooling rack
Items for presenting biscuits as gifts and for storage (see below)

Note about using REAL Salt Crystals

Do not use TABLE SALT for this recipe. It contains only 2 ingredients and has no flavour and hardly any nutritional value. Use only REAl Salt Crystals because this results in wonderful and occasional salty surprises in every biscuit. This is a MUST for making this recipe special and a delight for others to enjoy.

Use Celtic Grey Salt Crystals, Pink Himalayan Salt (semi-ground from larger crystals), Redmond Real Salt Crystals (the purest of all) supplied by reputable sources. You can also use Organic Sea Salt Crystals in granular form.

REAL Salt Crystals not only deliver delicious bursts of flavour in every biscuit, they also provide the most amount of essential minerals in varying amounts including iodine, potassium, magnesium and calcium.

How to mix and bake

Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes | Oven Temperature: 180C, 350F, Gas Mark 4

1) Turn on the oven to heat it up to temperature.

2) Add butter to a glass bowl and transfer to a small saucepan of boiling water until fully melted (Melted Butter Method).

3) ALLOW BUTTER TO COOL and start solidifying again before adding to the sugar in a large mixing bowl. (Melted Butter Method)

4) Alternatively, add pre-softened butter with sugar in a large mixing bowl and break down with the wooden spoon before mixing. (Soft Butter Method)

5) Mix butter and sugar together and for a good 10 minutes with the wooden spoon or use a small electric hand mixer to create a rich, smooth and creamy mixture.

6) Gently fold in the flour, Celtic Salt Crystals and Cinnamon with a large mixing spoon (or knife) and add a splash of Raw Coconut Milk (if needed) to create a soft and stiff dough.

7) Knead into a ball and flatten onto a lightly floured bread or pastry board sprinkled with flour before rolling into a circle which is just over a quarter of an inch thick (6 mm).

8) Cover the surface with nuts and gently press them into the biscuit mixture before brushing with Raw Coconut Milk.

9) Cut into circles with a small pastry cutter (the perfect size for gift giving) and transfer them to a baking tray.

You can roll up any remaining pieces into a ball and roll out into a large biscuit placed on a separate baking tray. The nuts will now be contained in the mixture so you might want to add some extra nuts and a brushing of milk before baking.

Note: You can bake the biscuits without nuts or mix them up with a variety of different nut or plain toppings. All will be as short and crunchy with or without a nut topping.

10) Arrange your biscuits on a baking tray with a palette knige so that they are about 1 in (15 mm) apart before placing in the oven.

11) Bake for 10-12 minutes or slightly longer if required until the biscuits turn golden brown.

12) Take out of the oven, allow to cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire tray with your palette knife for cooling.

13) When cool, transfer into airtight containers, serve straight away or prepare to give as a gift. I have made a few suggestions on how to make the most of your cookies below.

Note: Store any biscuits not being eaten straight away or that day in airtight containers lined with a kitchen towel or paper napkin to preserve their crispy crunch.

It's a wrap

Homemade biscuits, cakes, preserves and other treats made with love and quality ingredients make wonderful presents at any time of year for family, friends, community get togethers, tea parties and other special occasions.

You can present your smaller-sized biscuits in different ways to give as presents or to become part of a festive table display. Here are some ideas:

Wrap 1-4 biscuits in a festive napkin and tie with natural string or twine (add a homemade tag made with a piece of brown paper or card)
Line a plain box with festive paper or a napkin and layer your biscuits inside. The bigger to box, the more cookies you can add. Wrap with a piece of colourful raffia string and add a label - as above.
Layer biscuits in a glass jar so that they can be seen and admired. Write a sticky label to record what they are with a warning about nut content and date of baking.
Add a couple of festive napkins to a bread board (or basket) and layer biscuits on top as a colourful centre-piece for the afternoon tea table.

I hope you feel inspired to enjoy creating, baking and presenting these sweet and salty, Cruncy Nut Biscuits which are sure to be gratefully received.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

More recipes!

Beautifully illustrated cookbooks with wholesome recipes made with natural ingredients and foraged food.

The Hedgerow Handbook - Recipes, Remedies and Rituals by Adele Nozedar

The Hedgerow Cookbook by Caro Willson and Ginne Knox

Cranks Recipe Book by David Canter

The Cranks Bible - A Timeless Collection of Vegetarian Recipes by Nadine Abensur

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Welcome December (Almanac 2024)

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 08:54:04 GMT

Inspiration for things to see and do in Nature during the festive season

The month of December marks the end of the longest nights as we step towards the Winter Solstice when the days begin to lengthen. This is just a matter of a few more seconds a day, and this will steadily grow until daily daylight expands by three daily minutes per day in March.

The emergence of the Cold Moon in December occurs just less than a week before the Winter Solstice. The Cold Moon represents the longest nights of the year providing the perfect opportunity to snuggle down and explore the shadows. These deep places within us often remain unexamined so this is a good time to be still and take a closer look at what lies beneath the seemingly cold and frozen surface.

December's clear skies lend themselves to bird-watching and you will find no less pleasure from Long Tailed Tits who roost together to reduce heat loss and pack themselves snuggly into a nestbox or roosting pouch. Despite one of the smallest garden birds in the British Isles, they have exceptionally long tails for their size with a fluffy appearance.

Long Tailed Tits are often seen bossing smaller birds around at the bird feeders. This confidence has been born from surviving many Winters due to the generosity of human intervention. Like so many other birds in Winter, our provision of wild bird food, wild bird fats and fresh water plays and essential role in protecting our feathered friends.

In the undergrowth, you may spot a water vole, field mouse or shrew darting along their hidden tracks, still very active collecting food for the Winter and making their burrows below ground snug and comfortable.

This is a time when you may see a fox trotting across the bleak landscape in the countryside, curcuiting his territory, hunting for food for cubs waiting for them in dens made in thick cover, hollow logs or rocky crevices. The Fox is a quintissential character of the English countryside, known for swiftness of thought and actio, playfulness and resistence. Spare a thought for every Fox (and Hound) due to be exploited this festive season. These are beautiful creatures used for entertainment and very often barbarically killed for no reason. I live for the day when cruel activities like these are banned once and for all and thereafter forbidden.

For those who love working with Nature, you will find gardening tips, vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts in season together with wild things to forage in my Almanac for December (2023) .

Poem for the month

Read or listen to my poem - Welcome December - a celebration of Nature's beauty as we approach the longest night of the year and the beginning of longer days on the cusp of the Winter Solstice .

Recipe for the month

I made a beautiful syrup from foraged Rose HIps for myself and to give away as gifts this festive season. It's a deliciously sweet Rose Hip Syrup with a fresh Lemon tang and it's packed full of goodness. Rose Hips contain twenty times more Vitamin C than Oranges which is why it is well worth making for a daily dose of sunshine through the colder months.

It is also why Rose Hips are so popular with birds and wildlife although despite this, wild Rose Hips can often be found late into the Winter season.

Dates for Moon phases

Cold New Moon - Wednesday 4 December

Cold Full Moon - Sunday 15 December

Times for Sunrise & Sunset (Devon)

First Dawn - 7.55 am

First Sunset - 4.12 pm

Last Dawn - 8.17 am

Last Sunset - 4.19 pm

Things to do, create and give in hamony with Nature in December.

1) Forage for natural decorations

The best places to find wintry materials are in gardens, woods, hedgerows, verges and field edges. Make sure you have the permission of the landowner if you are walking on private ground and follow responsible Foraging Guidelines recommended by the Woodland Trust.

Things to collect and create include:

Ivy with flowers and leaves
Holly with red barries
Mistletoe (if you are fortunate as they grow high up in the trees)
Tall twisted sticks to hang baubles on
Fir cones and sprays of Christmas Tree or Norway Spruce for table decorations
Colourful leaves and twigs with dried berries for gift wrapping
Baskets Pine Cones dried out by the fire make fantastic firelighters
Dried pressed leaves and flowers for handmade cards and table placements
hotograph taken in Nature mounted and framed

2) Make nutritious preserves to give away

There are so many traditional berries and wild fruits in season that you can gather in your local area, out in the countryside or from Greengrocers or Farm Shops that stock organic foods and wild produce. Here are some ideas which I hope will inspire you to make something special for you and your family, or for friends as a festive gift:

Rose Hip Syrup
Cranberry Sauce
Orange or Lemon Marmalade
Quince Jelly
Sloe Gin

3) Write a letter to someone special

In a day and age when we are sending less and less on commercial cards, preferring perhaps to give someone a call, pay them a visit or make them a card of your own, writing a letter can really stand out and provide more joy to the receipient than you might imagine.

I always remember waiting in antipipation of receiving a letter in the post or they would arrive out of the blue and make my day. New research suggests that writing by hand, as opposed to using a keyboard, enhances learning and memory.

This is because brain connectivity patterns during handwriting are more elaborate and crucial for memory formation and encoding new information. Despite these benefits, writing to someone is a very personal experience which can bring much joy to writer and the recipient

5) Start a Gratutude Journal

This is the time of year to reflect on all that has happened during the year - what was good, what not so good and what we can learn to help us enjoy more and achieve more in the New Year. This starts at the Winter Solstice on 21 December - a more uplifting period when we can enjoy taking some time for ourselves before the holidays begin.

I wrote about Gratitude as a way of being earlier this year and how beneficial it is for us to appreciate those we love, the things we have achieved and all the things we are privileged to call our own. I also created a Daily Gratitude printable that you can download and use every day instead of buying a dedicated journal.

I hope you find lots of ways to get creative through the festive season. Above all, take time out to go outside for long and gentle walks to enjoy Nature at this most beautiful time of year.

I look forward to seeing you here for a new Almanac series on 1 January 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Welcome December

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 07:30:00 GMT

A poem to welcome in the Winter Solstice and the festive season

Welcome December

The first day leading to the shortest of the year;

When we are born again and a new life cycle begins.

Waiting for the light, we commemorate the hope it brings.

Welcome December

A peaceful time as Nature's creatures hunker down;

Starling murmations, mesmerising in the sky;

A Cold Moon shimmers with star clusters, way up high.

Welcome December

Bare trees, trellised in patterns on icy fields;

Robins hop from branch to branch, singing their song;

Nature's landscapes, etherically beautiful, quiet, surreal.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

The Joy of Reciprocal Giving

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 02:54:22 GMT

Engaging in the flow of giving with love and being grateful for everything received brings joy to the heart

As we approach the end the year and the beginning of nights shortening on the turn of the Winter Solstice, there is no better time to reflect on the gift of giving and what it means to us during the festive season.

With more of us choosing to live a natural way of life, free from harmful materialism, we find ourselves looking for creative ways to give meaningfully from the heart. This is when we realise that each gesture of thoughtfulness, kindness and friendship given with good intention or received with gratitude is worth its weight in gold.

The true meaning of giving

I was surprised by the general Oxford Dictionary definition of giving that came up first in search and felt uplifted by its singularity and simplicity: providing love or other emotional support, caring.

This, in contrast to the Cambridge Dictionary definition further down the page which says nothing about love, emotional support or caring, rather: the act of providing money for something, especially to a charity or other good cause.

Once again, the true meaning of a beautiful word has been amended for commercial purposes - the results of which we experience on every calendar holiday in the form of costly wish lists and shopping lists that get longer every year.

My late Mum's Encyclopedic World Dictionary published by Hamlyn in 1971, has no less than twenty-six definitions for give, given and giving, not one of which contains any mention of money or charity. It proves that the true meaning has always meant to deliver freely, bestow, hand over or give someone a present.

I hope that this year we can breathe life into the spirit of giving in its true sense and think about what we can do for each other freely with love in our hearts.

As we approach the festive season, the spirit of giving can be experienced by giving gifts of ourselves that are worth their weight in gold because they are given with the recipient's best interests and happiness clearly in mind.

The joy of reciprocal giving

The joy of giving brings to mind the beautiful second chapter in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - The Gift of Wild Strawberries - which is dedicated to the concept of giving. She tells the story of gathering Wild Strawberries as a child and helping her Mother to make Strawberry Shortcake for her Dad on Father's Day.

To conclude the chapter, The Gift of Wild Strawberries, Robin talks about gift exchange being the culture of choice, and when we see the world as a gift, we can form reciprocal relationships with each other and with Mother Nature. As Robin says: A gift relationship with Nature is a formal give-and-take that acknowledges our participation in, and dependence upon, natural increase.

Robin introduces the importance of intention and reciprocity in what could be called the art of giving and receiving . The high energy and joy that comes from generously giving and gratefully receiving is something we can all relate to.

Robin expresses this so well: Gifts from the Earth or from each other establish a particular relationship, an obligation of sorts to give, to receive and to reciprocate. The field gave to us, we gave to my Dad, and we tried to give back to the Strawberries.

There are a few things to consider when thinking about the concept of reciprocal giving and receiving. For some Indigenous Peoples, it stems from the knowledge that Sweetgrass belongs to Mother Earth. This is why pickers collect properly and respectfully, for their own use and the needs of their community. The Sweetgrass is woven into braids to give as gifts, to honour and to say thank you. Their value increases with their passage until they are returned as a gift to the Earth .

The reciprocal act of harvesting, preparing and braiding Sweetgrass is likened to the act of braiding someone's hair. It is a personal exchange of love and care between two people, a shared experience where giving and receiving brings joy to both parties.

Ways to give freely

When we know that the true meaning of giving is to provide love, emotional support and caring, the next step is to think about what we could give of ourselves in ways that would be most appreciated and beneficial to another.

It turns out there are a lot of things we could give to another human being, made better by understanding what might be most wanted or needed, and when and how it might best be given or received.

Time and Space
Truth and Love
Appreciation and Praise
Recognition and Reward
Encouragement or Empathy
Support and Helpfulness
Kindness and Courtesy
Patience and Tolerance
Handmade Gifts

I am sure you can think of more. It was interesting working through this list, jotting down ideas for those who might appreciate a few drops of loving kindness, company and consideration at this moment in time.

The gifts of time and space, for example, might mean giving someone time to adapt, adjust or heal; it might mean being patient and listening for as long as it takes someone to tell their story; it might mean staying a bit longer or leaving someone to be on their own, or it might mean taking someone out into Nature to feel the light on their face and the wind in their hair.

The beauty is that none of these things cost very much and most can be freely given from the heart. Personalised gifts can be created from things found or foraged in Nature. Meaningful gifts can be exchanged or handed-down. It could be as simple as a smile given generously to brighen someone's day or words of encouragement given to help someone take an important step in their lives.

Give something good

One thing is for sure, human beings are programmed to give and research tells us we are biologically hard-wired to be generous. We know that feeling a sense of gratitude is incredibly good for us which means, scientifically speaking, we get real mental and physical benefits from sharing with others.

Back in 2017, Jenny Santi, author of The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving , said that we had entered an era where it's cool to give . Dr. Beth McQuiston, a board-certified neurologist, said at the time: It's not about giving money; it's about care-giving and helping others.

While we have been distracted during recent years and purposefully separated from each other, the spirit of giving for the sake of giving, and being grateful for everything we receive, has perhaps been overshadowed by dramas on the world stage and the continuous hyper-marketing of throw-away goods and wasteful consumerism.

However, nothing ever stays the same as we return to those things that bring us the most joy. I heard a rumour that young people are making retro phones cool again which means less smart phones on festive wish lists this year.

And it might turn out to be true that an impromptu phone call or a visit for a chat and a cup of tea might just top the charts of gifts to be treasured and gifts to be thankful for as we approach the end of 2024.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

BUY A BOOK!

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Sweet and Wild Rose Hip Syrup

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 20:20:42 GMT

A sweet and wild vitimin-rich syrup with a tangy lemon twist

Many years ago, during the war, Rose Hips were known to contain twenty times more Vitamin C - weight for weight - than Oranges. This is why Rose Hip Syrup was introduced as a requirement for children who began receiving a daily dose.

According to the Woodland Trust , during the second World War, a national week for the collection of Rose Hips was established where Scouts, Guides and other groups would head out to harvest the nation’s hedgerows. In 1941, this produced a 200 tonne haul which made 600,000 bottles of commercially produced syrup.

As we increase our interest in foraging, Rose Hip Syrup is making a welcome comeback. Collecting Rose Hips can be enjoyed by anyone as they can be found all over the countryside and elsewhere in great quantities during the late Autumn months leading up to the Winter Solstice (if the birds don’t find them before you). Add the many healthy, healing and nutritious properties of Rose Hips, and it makes absolute sense to make our own.

I chose to go through the tricky and lengthy task of de-seeding all my Rose Hips before making the syrup so that I would have them on hand to make skin remedies and to plant out in my garden during the Autumn months. There is no need to do this to make this recipe and you will make more syrup as a result. I have included how to do the de-seeding and how to make the recipe using whole Rose Hips below.

I hope you enjoy your Rose Hip experience. With everything involved, you are sure to feel all the better for it.

Equipment required

Large Saucepan

Wooden Spoon

2 x Fine Muslin or a Cotton Tea Towl for straining

Jam Jars with labels and decoration as required

Note: To sterilise Jam Jars, wash in soapy water, remove previous labels with Lighter Fluid, wash again and place wet jars and lids in a preheated oven at 160-180ºC for about 15 mins.

Natural ingredients

500 gms - Fresh Wild Rose Hips

Juice of half a Lemon

1 lt x pure filtered Water

Note: If de-seeding, Rose Hips needs to be ripe and firm. Seeds take up about two-thirds of the weight of the Rose Hips making less sysrup than when you use the whole Rose Hip. More ripe and soft Rose Hips are suitable to use when not de-seeding.

Preparing your Rose Hips (taking out the seeds)

1) Trim and wash Rose Hips thoroughly, remove any bits picked up while picking.

2) Set yourself up with a small sharp knift or scalple with various bowls for your Rose Hips, de-seeded Rose Hip shells, Rose Hip seeds and bits acrrued from topping and tailing.

3) Cut along one side of the Rose Hip and split apart to reveal seeds and a soft hairy filling.

4) Scrape out the seeds and filling into an empty bowl.

5) Spread out the seeds and filling on a piece of towelling paper to dry in a warm place.

6) When thoroughly dry, store in a cool, dark place in a air-sealed container ready for future use.

Preparing your Rose Hips (whole)

1) Trim and wash Rose Hips thoroughly, remove any bits picked up while picking.

2) Place in a blender and blend roughly before adding to the saucepan for cooking.

Making your Rose Hip Syrup

1) Add the Rose Hip shells or blended Rose Hips to a litre of hot water, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.

2) Strain the mixture through a large piece of muslin or a clean tea towel into a large clean container.

3) Leave to strain naturally overnight so that the juice runs clear. If you try to force it through the musliin it will be more cloudy.

4) Throw away the left-over mixture for composting or keep in a jar in the refrigerator to add fibre and remaining flavour/nutrients to your fruit smoothies.

5) Pour all the strained juice to the saucepan with the last litre of water and bring to the boil.

6) Add the Lemon Juice and stir through the mixture.

7) Simmer and stir for as long as it takes for the mixture to turn into a thick syrupy consistency.

8) Pour into the prepared warm Jam Jars (see above) and cool before adding the lids and lid decorations.

9) Store in a dark, cool place until ready to use or give away and keep in the fridge after opening.

Health & Healing Benefits

WIld Rose Hips

According to Anthony Williams, Medical Medium , Rose Hips are an exceptional healing fruit that grow abundantly in the wild and in home gardens. They are packed with Vitamin C, E, and K and are used to help prevent and treat infections such as bladder, kidney, respiratory, and sinus infections as well as colds and flus.

Rose hips aid in reducing inflammation associated with auto-immune conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. They also ease the digestive tract, provide a laxative effect on the colon, and help to prevent fluid retention and bloating. Rose hips have also been to known to prevent dizziness and the effects of vertigo.

Rose Hips have an affinity for women’s reproductive health aiding in regulating menstrual flow, easing uterine cramps, and preventing breast disorders. They help to purify and nourish the blood and lymphatic system which aids in preventing stress related illnesses. They are wonderful for strengthening the circulatory, respiratory and digestive system. Rose Hips also support the thymus gland which is a specialised organ that helps your immune system to function optimally.

Wild Rose Hip Seeds

Rosehip Oil made from infused Wild Rose Hip Seeds provides a rich source of fatty acids, which can help to keep skin feeling hydrated. It also contains a number of antioxidants – including vitamin C – that can support skin health.

I hope you enjoy making this delicious recipe for your own good health or as the perfect gift to give or serve throughout the festive season.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

More recipes!

The above recipe is included in The Hedgerow Handbook below and The Hedgerow Cookbook is another beautifully illustrated book with wonderful receipes made with foraged food.

The Hedgerow Handbook - Recipes, Remedies and Rituals by Adele Nozedar

The Hedgerow Cookbook by Caro Willson and Ginne Knox

Clicking on the above links takes you through to my affiliate bookshop. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold at no extra cost to you!

The Hedgerow Handbook by Adele Nozedar

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 22:07:22 GMT

A beautifully presented collection of natural recipes, remedies and rituals

As the nights start to draw in and we approach the Winter Solstice, there is no better time to think about what can still be foraged in the wild such as the last of the Rose Hips, Hazelnuts and Sloes. Aternatively, you can source wild and organic fruits, herbs and nuts from reputable suppliers to make your own jams, jellies and pies for the festive season.

The Hedgerow Handbook by Adele Nozedar is beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings in watercolour. It contains a rich source of information about various plants, nuts, flowers, roots and fruits that can be foraged freely in the British countryside throughout the seasons.

You can tell the author of this book is highly knowledgeable and has a love for Nature that knows no bounds. On its tenth anniversary, The Hedgerow Handbook is a credit to Adele's observations and skills. You can feel her passion for foraging as she says: It's not the having, it's the getting.

Adele provides advice, knowledge and historical context for each of the wild foods found in her book. Each has a dedicated chapter including indepth information, folklore, interesting tips and guidance on both medicinal and culinary uses. This is followed by a selection of traditional recipes you can try out for yourseslf.

I love the detail provided for things we can easily recognise such as Beech, Ash, Chamomile, Chicory, Dandelion, Honeysuckle, Nettles, Red Clover, Wild Strawberry, Wild Garlic and many more. There are over 40 items, each with their own chapter, so there is much to learn and discover. At the end of the book, there is an Index of Ailments which refers to various recipes and remedies that might provide relief or a cure.

My favourite recipe, and one I have tried myself, is the sweet and delicious Rose Hip Syrup which only requires the addition of sugar to make in the old-fashioned way. I made an extra batch of jars to give away during the festive season. To these, I added labels and pretty cloth covers to the lids to show off the rosy-pink syrup. There's nothing like creating a gift from Nature made with love for somone special and this recipe is perfect for it.

Just to note that I added the juice of half a lemon to the above recipe to create a beautifully refreshing tang which cuts through the sweetness and adds even more nutritional value. I chose to take out all the seeds which you do not have to do. It was a labour of love as I wanted to use the dried seeds to make a Rose Hip Seed Oil for the skin and also to plant out in my garden.

Next Summer, I will be trying out Adele's recipes for Rose Petals of which there are several including Rose Petal Yoghurt, Rose Water, Rose Petal Sorbet, Rose Petal Jam Rose Turkish Delight and Gulkand made in India as a delicious grainy syrup added to sundaes and sorbets.

All can be summarised in the Author's Note which says: The truth is that, if you are human, then you're a forager anyway. All you have to do is remember what you already know. This is much simpler than you might think, and I'm very grateful that this little book is doing its work; to allow you to see, clearly, the beauty of the natural world, of which we are all a part.

This book would make a perfect gift for someone who loves Nature and natural health, and who enjoys being creative.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

Purchase a copy of this wonderful book by clicking through to my affiliate bookshop below. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission for books sold at no extra cost to you!

The Hedgerow Handbook - Recipes, Remedies and Rituals by Adele Nozedar

The Hedgerow Cookbook by Caro Willson and Ginne Knox

The Wonders of Wild Food

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:02:38 GMT

Discovering the wonders of wild food and how to forage for them

Discovering, collecting and preparing wild foraged food is a process that teaches us how to connect more closely with Nature and how to enjoy her abundance through the seasons. There is something about gathering, cleaning, storing, preparing, cooking and eating wild food that brings so much joy and many benefits.

The process of going organic requires us to revisit, reshape and adapt our way of living to accommodate a more holistic approach to life. It takes time to learn so that we understand how best we can cleanse and nourish our body, and which foods we need to consume to support the healing and maintenance activities it is designed to perform.

Sourcing organic food is an essential part of the process and foraging for wild food is a natural next step. It’s not going to replace your everyday diet unless you live off-grid perhaps, but I am continually amazed to find so many wild plants, flowers and fungi that we can eat compared to the comparably few poisonous plants and poisonous fungi we need to watch out for.

Every edible variety of tree, plant, flower and fungi, grown in rich soil in a natural, chemical-free environment, provides invaluable trace nutrients, minerals and healing agents that very often cannot be found anywhere else.

Wild foods are so robust they can be found growing in towns and cities in parks, fields, lanes, verges, wooded or green areas, churchyards, ancient buildings and old abandoned ground.

There are precautions to be aware of, especially in terms of avoiding private and potentially hazardous areas. It is important to take extra care when cleaning your harvest thoroughly when you get home. Generally speaking, you will be amazed to find Nature flourishing in the most unlikely places.

Wild food is highly nutritious

I recently wrote about foraging for Nature's bounty earlier this year at the onset of Spring and its good to know that you can find things to forage throughout the seasons.

I have increased my efforts this year to learn more about different wild foods and fungi, some of which I have added to my list of sesonal favourites. I love to try different recipes and storing methods so that I can make the most of any wild food and seeds I find.

The most favourite recipe I have perfected this year is my sweet and lemon-tangy Rose Hip Syrup which looked beautiful in jars decorated with labels and a pretty lid cover. Weight for weight, Rose Hips have over 20 times more Vitamin C of oranges so a homemade rory-hued syrup is a perfect recipe to make for someone special.

It's good to note that wild food found in natural environments (far away from fields sprayed with pesticides, etc) are being recognised as some of the most nutritious and nourishing of plants, fruits, berries, herbs, fungi, flowers, leaves and other edibles. They haven’t been saught after by chefs and restauranteurs over the years without reason.

Wild food is highly complimentary

Wild foods are the perfect companion to compliment and enhance nutrients found in organic food, and especially to make up for the lack of high quality nutrients in non-organic and mass-produced food. Wild foods provide vital minerals, trace elements and beneficial micro-organisms as they generally grow in undisturbed soil and can always be found growing abundantly in many different environments.

The highest quality foraged food grows naturally on ancient ground where there is rich soil and clean air. Look out for Lichen on the trees to confirm this as it can only survive when the air is pure.

Natural vitimins, minerals, micro-organisms and other trace elements are drawn up into the plant or fungi fruit, and it’s these trace nutrients that help to keep our mind and body cleansed, nourished and healthy.

All fresh organic food provides maximum benefits when prepared and eaten as close to its natural state as possible. It's fun to discover recipes in cookbooks (some of my faviourites are listed below) and I love the recipes provided by * Riverford Farm for ideas on all sorts of wild food and organic produce delivered through the season.

*An affiliate link for anyone living in the British Isles with £15 off your first order and the same for me!

Wild food is worth it

How we collect, wash, prepare and cook natural food is a skill that can be learned step by step. The first time your Nettle Soup tastes delicious is priceless because it takes effort and practice. When you get it just right it feels great and your body will certainly thank you for it. Nettles alone are more nutritious than spinach, kale and asparagus so it’s well worth adding certain wild foods to your regular diet.

I always take time to do plenty of research, finding out as much as I can about wild foods before using them. I especially look up their significance in pagan times, what nutrients they contain, how to prepare them and use them for medicinal, cosmetic and culinary purposes. Each plant often has many uses and you can dry the seeds to grow your own the following season.

Experiencing the infinite wonders of wild food and going for walks to find and gather Nature’s gifts is a journey and a highly fulfilling learning curve that keeps getting better as you feel the physical and spiritual benefits of consuming Mother Nature’s food.

Foraging for wild food is a process

Taking the time to prepare, cook and enjoy food in a relaxed state of mind and body helps us to appreciate and properly digest our food that much more. It assists our body in absorbing the nutrients so that we benefit more from the things we eat.

In a relaxed state, our heartbeat slows down, and we take our time to savour the experience. Combine this with a few sips of filtered water before and after eating to help the food go down and your body will thank you for it in the long run.

Recipes for foraged food

I wrote a review here a while ago about The Hedgerow Cookbook and more recently, The Hedgerow Handbook which I highly recommend for beautiful illustrations and excellent recipes for foraged food. I also recommend Food for Free for identifying edible foods and for helpful useage tips and recipes.

Foraging books and cookbooks contain information and recipes for Flowers and Hips, Leaves, Berries, Fruits with Stones, Fruit with Pips, Seeds, Nuts, Seadweed and Fungi (the list goes on) and who could resist creations so temptingly named Sweet Onion and Wild Garlic Tart, Wild Garlic Pesto, Creamy Nettle Soup, Crab Apple Cordial, Old Fasioned Bramble Pudding, Chocolate Chestnut Terrine, Wild Rose Turkish Delight and Wild Rose Hip Syrup ?

Combining gentle walks in places where you know Nature grows, slowing down to observe and identify editble wonders, while referring to your favourite books and notes made from various reading materials and channels, then working out how best to preserve and use all that you have gathered (phew), is a complete hobby in itself.

As you learn, experiment and improve, foraging becomes so much more than a hobby. It becomes part of life itself because now you know that a Dandelion (just like a Nettle) is one of the most nutritionally dense greens you can eat — outstripping even Kale or Spinach.

And when you know you know , you can’t not know it any more. Start small with a few select projects, do some research, then collect something, cook something, bottle something and freeze something. Before long you will see that you are onto a winner for your happiness, health and general wellbeing.

Happy foraging!

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

[Edited on 25 November 2024]

Golden Leaves

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:54:59 GMT

A poem celebrating a walk under golden leaves in glorious sunshine

Light beckons as the path winds round to greet the lowering Sun;

Illuminating ragged trees losing their leaves, their work now done;

Soft padded steps, the rustle of fallen debris scattered underfoot;

Breathing in the cool, clean air as I slowly approach the wood.

The path widens, its edge dipping down to the river;

Ancient roots line trenches filled with leaf litter;

Sunlight shines through crowns of leaves like golden glitter;

Birds sing as the water glides in waves that shimmer.

I find a place to sit on the bank, warmed by the Sun, unspoiled;

I feel the ground beneath me, hands splayed out on the soil;

I listen and relax to the gentle sounds of the river’s flow;

I feel Mother Nature's heart, allowing her to bring me home.

Admiring the leaves, playing their part in life on Earth;

Cleaning the air, feeding trees in cycles of death and birth;

Giving us shade, making every season the joy it is to see;

Foliage as beautiful now as ever it was or will be.

A splendour of treedom, resplendent and free;

Handsome Beech Tree, full of life-giving energy;

I know you were here, living, long, long before me;

Tell me your tales of wisdom, show me the way to be.

Ancient trees, so much more than trunks and leaves;

Roots travelling deep to the depths of the Earth beneath;

Breaking free above ground where they twist and turn;

Weaving a trellis of woodwork along the water's edge.

I leaned back on the bank where I was sitting;

Tilting my head to enjoy the golden leaves above me, smitten;

Mesmerised by the light, the colours, a beautiful, brilliant, heaven;

Such moments in Nature touch my heart and soul, no question.

Beech leaves, thin as paper, in all shades of brown;

Splayed out like fans on branches layering down;

Creating canopies, filtering a dappled light;

Casting shadows on the bark and flashes of white.

Beech trees live through centuries of time;

Gnarled and knotted habitats for so many a wild thing;

Here, hole-nesting birds and wood-boring insects can be found;

Its trunk, home to fungi, mosses, lichens and wildflowers.

I wonder at the beauty of this time of year;

As Nature fades in a blaze of fanfare and cheer;

Gifts of colour enrich the eyes, made crystal clear;

In the golden yellows, rusts and reds, we all hold dear.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Welcome November

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:15:44 GMT

A poem to welcome in the misty mornings of the Winter season

Welcome November

The first of the year in Pagan times;

Bonfires, end of harvest rituals and divinations;

The last of the three harvest festivals.

Welcome November

Cool air and damp ground after the rain;

Temperatures tumble in Autumn's last phase;

The Sun shines white in ethereal rays.

Welcome November

Early morning mists rise from the ground;

Cold air meets warm vapour in low-lying clouds;

Winter fast approaching as Nature slows, dying down.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Welcome November (Almanac 2024)

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 21:49:07 GMT

Inspiration for things to enjoy in Nature at the start of the Winter Season

The first of November in Pagan times was celebrated by the Samhain festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of Winter or the darker side of the year. This was the time to put out the home fires and light one giant bonfire in the village with much dancing, singing and acting out stories of death, regeneration and survival.

The fifth of November is known as Guy Fawkes Day which is also celebrated with bonfires with the addition of fireworks and the carrying of ' guys ' through the streets. This goes back to 1605 when 36 barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden behind a pile of firewood in a storeroom beneath the Palace of Westminster.

Mother Nature continues to slow down this month, Dying down in a beautiful array of colour and texure with a flurry of activity as wild creatures prepare for the colder months ahead. It's a lovely time of year with the cooling fresh air, stunning morning mists and grasses laiden with dew not yet cold enough to turn to frost.

Later in the month as the temperature drops, the landscape is transformed into a black and white monochrome sillouette of leafless trees and stark branches. Frost spreads across the land revealing another level of beauty as icicles glisten and drip, grass crunches with frozen dew and the breath billows in misty clouds around you.

As the ground cools and freezes, Mother Nature cleans and purifies the ground, the soil and the air so breathe deeply and feel the same essence of healing flow through you. Our bodies love a challenge and the cooler weather piques our senses and gets our body pumping and moving.

You can find gardening tips. vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts in season, and things to forage, in my Almanac for November (2023) .

Have a great time making the most of this most beautiful time of year.

Poem for the month

Read or listen to my first poem - Welcome November - a celebration of Nature's 'dying down' at the end of the Autumn season in a final burst of colour, beauty and purposeful activity.

Recipe for the month

I made the most delicious recipe and had to share it with you!. It's a deliciously tasty and superbly healthy Red Potato, Leek and Onion Pie with a creamy Oak Milk Sauce and crispy Cheese and Smoken Paprika topping. Make sure your vegetables are well cooked, top up with additional Oak Milk during baking to keep your pie nice and moist and increase the heat for the last quarter of an hour to crisp up the topping.

This super-simple recipe made with organic vegetables can be served as a dish on it's own, as a side dish or frozen to bake later on. I hope you enjoy.

Dates for Moon phases

Beaver New Moon - Friday 1 November

Beaver Moon - Friday 15 November

Times for Sunrise & Sunset (Devon)

First Dawn - 7.07 am

First Sunset - 4.49 pm

Last Dawn - 7.54 am

Last Sunset - 4.13 pm

Things to watch out for and do in Nature in November.

1) Listen to the Spiders at dawn

This might seem like an unusual thing to do but there is nothing quite like the sounds you can hear in the silence of an early morning in Nature. As the warm air of the rising Sun hits cold air rising from the ground, low-lying clouds of mist form and the white light of the Sun makes the dew glisten and the cobwebs sparkle.

Go early to 'hear' the Spiders making their nests at dawn. Watch out for large black glossy beetles scurring across the path as they hurry to find their breakfast. You can watch the cobsebs being made from branch to branch, from tree to tree, and I swear you can hear them if you stop still enough to listen.

The beautiful sight of a field, hedgrow or woodland copse lit up with dew, Spiders' webs and the early morning Sun is quite breathtaking and a wonderful way to start the day.

2) Collect Nature's treasures for Winter Craft Projects

There are lots of things to look for and discover on a Nature walk at this time of year. Mother Nature is discarding all kinds of leaves, nuts, seed cases, fir cones, twigs, sticks, feathers, old berries and other things you can find on the woodland floor or edges of fields, lanes and pathways.

I like to keep a basket or clear glass collection jar during the Winter months where I place anything I find of a walk that catches my eye. It makes for a pretty collage and when dried thoroughly, your best finds can be used to make cards, pictures, Herboriums (post coming soon) and other gifts to give away during the Winter season.

3) Enjoy a festive outdoor Autumn/Winter picnics

This is eactly the same as a picnic enjoyed during the Summer months with a twist. Being wrapped up well with a nice warm water-proof blanket or picnic chairs to sit on, are about all you need to enjoy an outdoor picnic at this time of year with it being so mild.

Use your imagination and creativity to come up with some seasonal food ideas such as a Winter Hotpot with Crusty Bread followed by Pumpkin Pie and Custard or Bonfire Toffee - you get the picture. YMake sure to decorate your picnic area with Pumpkin Candles and other low-lights around the bonfire. Make it yours to celebrate the great outdoors on any warm evening leading up to Christmas. Enjoy!

Above all, wrap up warmly, prepare well and go outside to enjoy Nature's blessings, it will be worth every moment.

I hope you find many ways to enjoy being outside in Nature through November, and look forward to seeing you here for my next Almanac on 1 December 2024.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Healthy and Tasty Red Potato, Leek and Onion Pie

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 20:24:30 GMT

A savoury pie baked with root vegetables in a creamy oat mik sauce

A fulfilling meal or substantial side-dish

I love making this dish when I am busy with work and need a quick, tasty boost that I can devour in slices or serve with steamed vegetables for a delicious and hearty supper.

I make this versitille, one hundred per cent healthy, vegetable pie in a large batch split between two glass pirex dishes - one for today and one in the fridge for tomorrow or the next day.

The key is to slice everything nice and thin to create fine layers using all the vegetables you desire. The ones I use are included in the recipe below and together with how to prepare them.

For best results, I always recommend using organic vegetables and ingredients to ensure full nutritional value, and to avoid anything with man-made additives, preservatives, colourings, sweeteners, fillers or sythetic flavours.

Buying organic makes you want to learn how to prerpare, store and cook your vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, beans and fruits in creative ways. It doesn’t exclude organic meat and fish either. I just prefer to stick to vegetables and some choice dairy like local Cheddar Cheese.

Enjoy taking time to experiment to create tasty meals you can rely on, you will savour them all the more.

Find out how to prepare, make and serve this wonderful pie and learn more about the natural health benefits below.

FRESH INGREDIENTS

Select organic ingredients where possible for freshness and highest nutritional value.

4-5 x Red Potatoes (thinly sliced)

2-3 x Red Onions (thinnly sliced)

2 x Carrots (wafer-thinly sliced)

1-2 x Leeks (thinly sliced)

4 x Garlic Cloves (chopped)

1 x 150 mls - Raw Oat Milk (or Raw Coconut Milk)

1 x Large bunch of Flat Leaved Parsley

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Ground or Flaked Sea Salt

1 x 250 gms Mature Cheddar Cheese (grated)

1-2 x 1 tsp Smoked Paprika

[The above measurements are approximate to fill one or two round Glass Pirex Baking Dishes, or whatever dishes you are using. All ingredients can be increased for larger casserole dishes or for extra smaller dishes made to freeze and bake later].

YOU WILL NEED

1-2 x 8 inch Glass Pirex Cooking Dishes

Tin foil to cover Pirex Dishes for half the cooking time.

Grater with large and regular grating size options

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PIE

Prepare ingredients and vegetables before cooking.

1) Wash and peel all vegetables ready to slice whole and thinly.

2) Grate the carrots in wafer-thin slices with a large grater - take care doing this to avoid cutting your fingers.

3) Peel and finely chop the Garlic.

4) Layer each of your glass pirex over-wear dishes with half the potato, all the red onion and sprinkle with the chopped garlic (to taste).

5) Add layers of carrot and leeks with the last layer being the other half of the potato.

5) Add ground salt and black pepper (to taste).

6) Add Raw Oat Milk to cover the base of each dish by a 1/4 to 1/3 (depending on how moist you want it to be). The moister the better in my experience.

7) Grate the Cheddar Cheese to pile on top of the potato with a generous sprinkling of Smoked Paprika Peper.

[NOTE: If you want a less cripsy and more moist topping, cover with tin foil for the first half of the cooking time and add the cheese and paprika towards the end of the cooking time with the tin foil removed].

HOW TO COOK

Oven Temperature, Cooking Time and Serving.

1) Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees C - boost to 180 degrees C for the last 15 minutes for a crisper cheese topping.

2) Put both glass pirex dishes (or one with the other in the fridge to cook within the next few days) and bake for 45 minutes (or until all the vegetables are soft when you test with a knife) at 15 degrees C. Add more Raw Oat Milk and a lid of tin foil to prevent the potatoes and/or cheese topping from burning or drying out during the cooking time.

3) Take out of the oven and remove the foil. Add the grated cheese and a good sprinkling of Smoked Paprika.

4) Return to oven and cook for a further 15-20 minutes at 180 degrees C depending on how crispy you like your topping.

5) Serve hot with chooped parsley on its own or as a side-dish.

Bon appetite!

Other Healthy Soup Recipes

Hearty Beetroot and Coconut Soup

Nutritious Butternut Soup Boost

Nature's Way

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:21:39 GMT

A poem about how Mother Nature looks after us every step of the way

Mother Nature nurtures us in a myriad of ways;

Through every stage of growth, through every night, through every day;

Without a thought from us, not in any conscious way;

As Mother Nature gives us all we need and never strays.

As an unborn, growing in the warmth of Mother’s womb;

An exquisite work of art, a seed inside a warm cocoon;

Mother Nature nourishes, protecting us from harm;

There to stimulate, to soothe, to cosset and to calm.

As an infant, vulnerable, in need of tender loving care;

Mother Nature lulls and pulses life through every cell;

Growing bones for movement, neurons for awareness of the world;

A baby learns at speed, deciphering life as it unfurls.

As a toddler, beaming light with untamed boundless energy;

Full of wonder, awe, excitement, curiosity and empathy;

Mother Nature is a stage for making real-life magical fantasies;

Rich ground for our imagining, discovering and learning to be free.

As a child through youth, life’s twists and turns come rapidly;

So many paths to knowing who we are and who we want to be;

Mother Nature gives us space to see things as they are with clarity;

Grounding us in truth to help us live our lives in unity.

[Final Edit on 1 January 2025]

The Wise Owl

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:29:25 GMT

A poem about the beauty of our most treasured noctural bird of prey

Owls are known for their inner light,

For the Ancient Greeks, birds of power and might;

Revered for their ability to see at night;

Navigating through the dark, out of sight.

With beautiful, binocular-focused eyes;

It’s easy to see why they are thought to be wise;

Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, Olympian style;

Often seen with an Owl by her side.

Gifted with exceptional sensory ability;

Unique and striking, physical agility;

The Owl holds traditional cultural significance;

Night hunters, birds of prey, nocturnal brilliance.

A treasured yet endangered species in Britain;

The Tawnies, tu’wit and to’woo, almost in unison;

Barn Owls purr or screech quite suddenly;

Little Owls shrill with a low-pitched mewing.

Short-Earred Owls have long-span wings;

Long-Earred Owls are tall and thin;

Find them on lowland, moorland, meadow and glen;

A delight to see and hear through each of the seasons.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Be The Flow

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 19:29:41 GMT

A poem about being the flow rather than going with the flow

Along the river's edge, on a leafy path lit gold;

Falling in with the beat of the water's natural flow;

As the Sun dips into dusk, sparkling reflections glow;

The wonder of the beauty frees my soul, my heart slows.

Be the flow.

A fish splashes the surface, disappearing like lightening;

Swift and certain, quick, determined, scales flashing, glinting;

Swimming nimbly, tail swishing, fins fanned for gliding;

The divine beauty of perfect motion, graceful, mesmerising.

Be the flow.

All around us, from the salty air to the ground below;

Nature's rhythm nurtures, as it quickens, as it slows;

Evolving cycles, spiralling, we feel, we breathe, we know;

The more aware, the more we savour life, the more we grow.

Be the flow.

At the crown of a tree, a Robin shares a melody, singing;

Wistful notes dance and blend in subtle waves, no end, no beginning;

Pause to listen, for this perfect moment Nature has so generously given;

Never forgotten, always lifting us to a higher level of conscious living.

Be the flow.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Learning to Grow with Mother Nature

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 15:53:33 GMT

Nurturing and facilitating reciprocal relationships with Mother Nature from infancy through childhood to adulthood and beyond

I love finding ways to correlate our needs and desires as Human Beings with how we can enhance our lives by connecting with Mother Nature. I have been working on a correlation these last few weeks which is now ready to share. It details how Nature supports us and nourishes us through all phases of life and through each stage of development.

I realised that at every stage of our growth, Nature provides all the essential and beneficial things needed for our ultimate health, nurture and learning experience. When I wrote these down, it turned out to be quite a remarkable list of provisions.

I made a table with the different phases of growth from Embryo to Youth and listed all the things Mother Nature provides during each stage of our growth. You will see that this is culmulative and peaks as we become teenagers. It means that growing up in Nature’s loving embrace helps us to become the healthy, happy and enlightened souls we were designed to be.

I will explain each stage of growth and what Nature provides for us below. This is summarised in the chart below which is free to download from here on my website.

‘I’ the Embryo

As soon as we are conceived, through nine months of growth in our Mother’s womb, Mother Nature is there to provide for us.

Mother Nature plays her part by providing a comforting and nurturing womb for us to grow in; a steady flow of water and nuritional sustenance; intricately balanced immunity protection; the security and safety of a secure, watery cacoon in a perfectly warm, cosy, translucent darkness; the pulsing lull and quickening sychronicity of two consistent and complimentary heart beats …

And all the while, as our cells are multiplying and forming in a miraculous symphony of events, our whole self is gently and continuously being soothed and stimulated by sounds, words, vibrations and sensations radiating from the caring, comforting soul who bears us and the brand new world outside that awaits us.

For the Embryo, Nature provides: Comfort and Nurture, Nutrition and Health, Immunity and Safety, Sensory Experience.

[I bought the above picture of these tiny miracles of creation resting in a composite of a nest that was built with precision and skill to provide a home for a new family].

‘I’ the Infant

It is no coincidence that from new borns to little ones in the toddler phase and beyond, Nature is a friend to us all. Indigenous traditions and stories speak of Nature being employed as a babysitter for many a new born.

It’s always lovely to see a tiny baby lying in the grass kicking their legs and arms gleefully, reaching out to touch tiny bugs and butterflies flying by, cooing and giggling in soft baby tones and being mesmerised by sunlight dappling through the trees .

These wonderful first experiences are never forgotton (by us or them) and our connection with Nature is never broken. It is just as the Thirteen Grandmothers say about this stage in our growth which is related to EARTH:

When we are laid down on the Earth as a baby, we are connected to Mother Earth for the first time. When we sit up for the first time, we experience the strength in our backbone before we are helped to stand on our own two feet when we experience balance and connection with the ground.

These connections and experiences never leave us, they sustain us and forever we know that Nature is there for us to provide sustenance, nutrients, healing, space, freedom, calm, comfort, inspiration and so on. It is ingrained into us that Nature is a constant in our lives that provides for all our needs and never fails us.

This is why it is so important for new borns and infants to experience Nature in safe, warm and stimulating natural environments. It’s a wonderful thing to do because it will instil a love and appreciation in them for Mother Nature that will last a lifetime.

For the Infant, Nature provides: Comfort and Nurture, Nutrition and Health, Immunity and Safety, Sensory Experience; Stimulation and Focus, Wonder and Awe, Laughter and Joy.

[I bought the above picture of this perfect row of tiny fluffy Swallow babies featuring an inquisitive one leaning forward with head tilted to one side to see what's up. It portrays the exhuberant innocence and curiosity of the infant/toddler very well and always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling].

‘I’ the Toddler

We all know how much toddlers love being in Nature - splish, splash, splosh!

From taking their first tentative steps to splashing in their first puddle and running round in cirlcles for the pure pleasure of running round in circles, enter the toddler. A big personality with a growing sense of self representing a real-live manifestation of lightening-quick movement, high energy and insatiable curiousity.

I like to remember or imagine what that sense of freedom felt like at such an early age. That sense of life being so fresh and fascinating, the constant amazement and wonder when every waking moment is an exciting opportunity to explore and experience something new.

I wrote about infants and toddlers having a lantern consciousness in a previous post - Seeing Nature Through A Child's Eyes - which they use to explore the world. As American Professor of Psychology and Affiliate Professor of Philosophy at the University of California and author of The Philosophical Baby , Alison Gopnik, explains:

They take in everything around them like a lantern casting light in all directions. They have the ability to flit from one thing to another as they make sense of things such as Nature's treasures, social encounters and the dynamics of sitting, standing and walking as they continue to grow.

A toddler’s world of magic and awe lasts until perhaps the age of five which is plenty of time to facilitate lots and lots of fun times and learning experiences in the loving arms of Mother Nature.

Keeping a firecracker of a toddler entertained, stimulated and naturally worn out at the end of the day (hopefully) is always a challenge. I have no children of my own sadly, but I have been a Nanny (oversesas) for four young children and an Aunty to two until they grew up, so I do understand. In my experience, finding things to do in Nature and engaging in advantures of discovery is a great way to keep little ones entertained.

I think we all like to spend time with a child in Nature . It gives us the opportunity to be a kid again and see life through the fresh and untarnished eyes of the innocent. Engaging children in activities that involve Nature is the perfect way to create fun learning environments that help everyone involved to learn and grow.

For the Toddler, Nature provides: Comfort and Nurture, Nutrition and Health, Immunity and Safety, Sensory Experience; Stimulation and Focus, Wonder and Awe, Laughter and Joy, Space and Freedom, Imagination and Creativity, Exploring and Questioning.

[I took the above picture of this serene Mother Duck with her babies on the canal where one especially adventurous Duckling kept paddling on ahead and getting lost until Mum gracefully rounded him (or her) back in to continue on their way as a family].

‘I’ the Child/Youth

The gap between toddler and young child or teenager has decreased alarmingly over the years as children have been weaponised for marketing purposes and lured into an often stressful and competitive premature adulthood.

I have tremendous respect for young people who have had a hard time of it in recent years. Too young children are being made to make their own decisions while older children are not given the support they need to realise their full and beautiful potential.

We can learn so much about ourselves by observing, listening to and supporting children of all ages. It is up to us to understand their needs and desires, especially in the early years, and facilitate them to learn safely and in a way that is helpful to them throughout their lives.

There is no doubt that, at any age, being in Nature and developing reciprocal, caring relationships with all living things, helps to equip a young person with practical knowledge, awareness and skills that can be applied to real life situations and used to enhance their quality of life. I will be sharing practical ways to do exactly this in furture posts.

Providing healthy learning and growing environments for children outside the ‘corporate’ system designed to work completely against our best interests is essential and Nature provides the means to do this.

It is so important to know that the Gregorian Calender interupts our connection with Nature and was designed to keep us trapped in the old, outdated, repetative and low frequency levels of POWER v ETHICS for our entire lifetime. This prevents us from realising the power of our own higher consciousness where we consciously co-create the world we want to live in where ethics is a given and living peacefully together in harmony with Nature is the norm.

With this information available to us, we realise that those of us who are aware are already operatiing at this much higher level of consciousness in alignment with the Universe. It means that many of us are already consciously co-creating the world we want to see .

This must increasingly include facilitating, teaching and supporting infants, children and young people to enhance their connection with Nature as a means to realising their own co-creating potential. It means learning how to live together in harmony according to Natural Law .

It is heartening that to do no harm as the answer to the world’s problems is a given for the majority of young people (a recent conversation with a bright and highly intelligent five year old confirmed this to me). While we are ‘umming’ and ‘arring’ about what it means and how it might impact on us, it makes perfect sense to an innocent mind and it’s time for the adults to catch up.

When we teach each other and support young people to grasp this concept, we can work together with them to achieve Unity Consciousness together. We all have gifts to share and right now, it is up to the grown ups to focus on what matters and find the most practical and beneficial ways to make it happen.

For the Child and Youth (Teenager), Nature provides: Comfort and Nurture, Nutrition and Health, Immunity and Safety, Sensory Experience; Stimulation and Focus, Wonder and Awe, Laughter and Joy, Space and Freedom, Imagination and Creativity, Exploring and Questioning, Learning and Retention, Problem Solving and Rationale, Resourcefulness and Skills, Teamwork and Sharing, Adventrure and Stories, Excitement and Danger, Helpfulness and Caring, Gratitude and Friendship, Trust and Love.

Learning to grow in reciprocity with Nature

I chose the above picture from my library because of the alert and questioning expression of this beautiful animal which reminds me how important it is for us to stand tall, engage energetically, listen inquisitively and communicate playfully with each other, with our young, with our elders and with Nature, as we all know we can.

We each have a delightfully unique personality to share, a spiritual connection that binds us together and the sovereign right to be ourselves and live peacefully on this beautiful planet Earth. We all have a place here and we all have the right to grow in harmony with each other and with Nature, in tandem with the spiritual evolution of the high frequency energies of the Unvierse.

There is no question that Nature was designed to provide for our needs and desires as we evolve but it is a choice for us to participate and it’s a two way street.

To live in harmony with Nature, we have to learn to reciprocate with the natural world and build healthy relationships. As Robin Wall Kimmerer so beautifully explains in her book Braiding Sweetgrass :

A species and a culture that treat the natural world with respect and reciprocity will surely pass on genes to ensuing generations with a higher frequency than the people who destroy it.

We all deserve to learn what we need to learn so that we can evolve naturally, fruitfully and joyously through life. We all deserve to be ouselves and express ourselves freely.

Collectively, we have more than enough knowledge and capability to create a way of life for ourselves that benefits everyone. We have all the skills, resources and abilities we need to create a beautiful world that fulfils everyone’s potential and that of Nature too! So let’s endeavour to join together in friendly, caring and creative ways to make it happen for us, in the here and now, and for future generations.

In my next post, I will talk about how the above correlates with the Evolution of Consciousness as it aligns to the Mayan Calendar.

It will provide further evidence that we are evolving to a higher consciousness regardless and hanging onto (or fighting against) lower frequency energies and old ways of doing things only serves to slow our progress and hold us back.

I hope this post shows how much Mother Nature provides for us throughout our lives and how building reciprocal relationships with the natural world helps us to grow in happiness and health as Nature always intended.

Thank you for being here, a warm welcome to so many wonderful new subscribers - I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

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Welcome October (Almanac 2024)

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:26:12 GMT

Inspiration for things to enjoy in Nature at the end of the Autumn Season

The beginning of October is a transformative phase of transition into the depths of Autumn at the onset of the Winter season. We have another clock change with time going back an hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October. Don't let this separate you from Nature natural cycles when it's exciting to enjoy some early, slightly chillier mornings to watch the Sun rise or spending time outside taking in the warm glow of a sunset.

Signs of Autumn showcasing its last treasures before everything falls to the ground in Winter are everywhere. The most noticeable being the blaze of colour with ruby reds, pupkin oranges, copper leaves, conkers and berries bursting from every hedgerow, on moorland, in woodlands, along rivers and all other wild places.

Leaves are beginning to fall on pathways creating a soft padded cushion underfoot. Fungi and Lichen are thriving in ancient woods with all manner of birds and small creatures busy collecting fallen nuts, acorns, seeds and other foodstuffs to store in their secret hiding places.

Every living thing is preparing for the coming Winter and we can take pleasure in observing them as we enjoy walking in the slightly cooler air, taking in the sultry light at the end of the day before the nights become lighter again and feeling the delightful presence of Nature around us.

Remembering our pagan ancestors, the month of October was the time to celebrate Samhain when communities gathered together to honour and communicate with ancestors who have passed away and are never forgotten. It falls at the end of October and spills into early November, halfway between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.

You can find gardening tips. vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts in season, and things to forage, in my Almanac for October (2023) .

Poem for the month

Read or listen to my first poem - Welcome October - a celebration of Nature's 'dying down' at the end of the Autumn season in a final burst of colour, beauty and purposeful activity.

Recipe for the month

I do not having a new recipe at this present time although I am working on some new, simple and seasonal, super-nutritious and healthy recipes to share with you in the coming months.

Dates for Moon phases

Hunter's New Moon - Wednesday 2 October

Hunter's Super Moon - Thursday 17 October

Daylight Saving

Clocks go back on Sunday 27 October at 2am

Times for Sunrise & Sunset (Devon)

First Dawn - 7.15 am

First Sunset - 6.52 pm

Last Dawn - 7.05 am

Last Sunset - 4.50 pm

Things to watch out for and do in Nature in September.

1) Plan a field trip for the whole family or group of friends

Field Trips are a great way to experience the natural world more closely and gather information about different species, environments and natural habitiats. The best sites are those where Nature is free to do its own thing out of harm's way and where we can hone in on wildlife activities as they change through the seasons.

More info: Get the low down on Planning a Field Trip here on my blog which comes with a free planning kit download.

2) Find a special place to read a book or do some sketching

There are more benefits to reading books or sketching images which are inspired by Nature than we might imagine. It requires spending relaxing quiet time on our own when we can slow down, reflect, ponder, absorb, imagine and create new images and stories in our mind.

There are many worthwhile reasons to read books, not only for our general health and cognitive development but also to help us find our own truth and make up our own minds about things in life that are important to us.

More info: Learn more about Reading for Health here on my blog which comes with a free reading list and review kit download.

3) Create a work of art with things found on walks and adventures

Creativity is one of the most treasured aspects of being human and yet it is easy to deny ourselves the joy of being creative with so many distractions and the busy-ness of modern day lives. Spending time in Nature is immeasurably beneficial to our health so why not take the opportunity to get creative?

There are so many ways to get creative in Nature, especially at this time of year. Keep a look out for things that have fallen or been discarded as the long days and sunshine start to wain and collect them to make works of art from them.

More info: Feel inspired and get motivated with ideas by reading Natural Pursuits here on my blog!

Above all, wrap up warmly, prepare for rain and go outside to enjoy Nature's gifts through October, it will be worth every moment.

I hope you find many ways to enjoy being outside in Nature through October, and look forward to seeing you here for my next Almanac on 1 November 2024.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Welcome October

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:30:24 GMT

Enjoying cooler days and cosier nights as we approach the Winter season

Welcome October

A blaze of colour, flamboyant flames of oranges, reds and yellows;

Woodlands garnished with glossy chestnuts and burnished copper hallows;

Temperatures cool and light glows beneath sunny, cloudless skies.

Welcome October

As Autumn fades away, leaves falling, wild annuals diminishing;

Last days before daylight saving, mornings bright at seven, dawn rising;

Celebrating the Samhain season, old Gaelic for Summer's grand finishing.

Welcome October

A busy time of year for Nature's hibernating creatures;

Small mammals, mice and birds are busy storing food for Winter;

We build fires to celebrate the season, honouring those who have gone before us.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

The Mayan Calendar by Carl Johan Calleman PhD

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 23:34:26 GMT

A metaphysical map tracing the spiral evolution of consciousness towards enlightenment since the beginning of life on Earth

There is so much more to the Mayan Calendar than meets the eye. It has a wide-ranging reach in terms of what it reveals to us about ourselves and what it can teach us about our future. This awe-inspiring book by Carl Johan Calleman published in 2004, suggests we use this knowledge to clarify our position in the cosmic scheme of things so that we can move forward with confidence knowing we are on the right track.

The Mayan Calendar and the Evolution of Consciousness begins with an excellent preface and chapters explaining the Legacy of the Maya, the Thirteen Heavens, the World Tree, God and the Historical Religions, the Nine Underworlds, the History of the Human Mind and the Completion of the Cosmic Plan.

There are many charts and tables with calendar dates, numbers, symbols and cycles. Of particular interest, are the charts mapping key events through history such as the Industrial Revolution and those mapping key developments such as Writing and Technology through each of the nine levels of consciousness (or Underworlds). The Appendix shares practical uses for the calendar and how to calculate your Tuniversary and Tzolkin Day.

Your Mayan Sign

For my birthdate reading and to check on readings for the day, I use the My Mayan Sign Calculator created by Fatih Keçelioğlu where you can obtain an overview consisting of your Day Sign (spirit animal and personality) , your Tone (energetic number), your Trecana Sign (dominant characteristics), and the nine signs and numbers associated with your Tree of Life reading. You can purchase a full reading but I have not done this so cannot recommend it although it will be extensive with so many signs included in one reading.

Finding out your Mayan Sign is a beneficial exercise as it adds more depth and scope to the Astrology Readings we are used to. The latter focus on a fixed rotation of planetary influence rather than taking into account the steady spiralling advancement of consciousness as depicted by the Mayan Long Count Calendar.

I talk about this in more detail in my previous post The Mayan Calendar and the Evolution of Consciousness and I have created a chart showing the nine Long Count levels of Consciousness (and their continuation) to show how far we have come and where we are now. You can download this for free in PDF format here on my website.

The purpose of this post is to provide an overview of Carl's book and to summarise key insights in terms of why the Mayan Calendar is such a remarkable legacy and how it can help us today.

[The above chart extends to 11 levels including the Era of Consciousness we are in now at the beginning of a new Bak’tun. This I have named UNITY (for Unity Consciousness) represented by a fundamental equation for life which includes the previous two eras of Truth and Love to give us - LOVE (High Frequency) + TRUTH (Natural Law) = BEAUTY (Unity Consciousness). The Love + Truth = Beauty equation was originated by my late Dad, Jeff Cartwright in 1979].

Legacy of the Maya

The Maya developed their language, mathematics, astrology and calendars from the findings of those who came before them.

Carl notes that: The Aztecs had an awareness, expressed through their calendar, of the basic patterns of seven Days and six Nights of creation, and both the Mayans and the Aztecs described a Universe of Thirteen Heavens and Nine Underworlds.

The Nine Underworlds are represented by the nine levels of consciousness of the Mayan Calendar. The following aspects represent the various counts and levels:

Tzolkin Count - a 260-day cycle in time units based entirely on metaphysical cycles where each one of the days has a unique energy combination.

Uinal Count - a 20-day cycle in the Tzolkin with a different Day Sign for each day including Crocodile, Wind, Night, Seed, Serpent, Death, Deer, Rabbit, Water, Dog, Monkey, Road, Cane, Jaguar, Eagle, Owl, Earth, Knife, Storm and Light.

Trecena Count - a 13-day cycle in the Tzolkin represented by 13 numbers which are each aligned to a unique vibration. There are 20 Trecana Cycles in the 260-day Mayan Calendar. We each have our own Trecana Number which gives us the tone of our birth and where we stand in the bigger picture.

Long Count - a five place notation system of ascending cycles - Kins (days), Winals (20-day months), Tuns (360 days), K'atuns (20 tuns = 7,200 days) and Bak'tuns (20 k'atuns = 144,000 days).

The Long Count Calendar starts in 3114 BCE and ends in 2012 CE at the end of the 13th Bak'tun . However, it doesn’t end there for us nor for the Maya. It turns out that in more recent archeological findings calendar calculations encompass much larger units of time than the Bak'tun with only 5 of a total of 24 units of time incorporated into the calendar we have come to know.

This means we continue to live in a period of increasingly rapid change in 2024 as we learn how to leg go of the restrictions of the old cycles and transition into the beginning of another new era in world history - this being the era of Unity Consciousness .

Tree of Life - reaching out to eight directions with four main directions and another four in between, the Tree of Life represents the balancing of masculine and feminine energies within the self with a Core Sign located at the centre.

Without understanding the ins and outs of this complex system to begin with, we can immediately see how phenomenal it is. It is a legacy of holistic thinking written in cycles, symbols and numbers, each with their own meaning, positioning and vibrational energy.

Where else are we to find such an accurate record of history depicting how life has evolved through time?

The key premise

Contrary to mainstream belief, the Mayan Calendar did not come to an end in 2012, rather, it marked the end of a cycle of 13 Bak'tuns - the era of Conscious Co-Creation . This makes sense because during this period of time many of us have become increasingly enlightened and aware of our ability to make beneficial changes in our lives. More of us are joining together to talk to each other and become valued members of our local community .

We now stand at the beginning of a new Bak’tun era leading us to an even higher level of consciousness which is Unity Consciousness . This is where we come together to create a world we want to live in and be a valued part of. It is up to each one of us to choose whether we want to participate which means doing all we can to achieve this higher level of consciousness within ourselves.

In terms of how this affects us, Carl explains: As we apply the Mayan chronology to human history, we can see a significant wave pattern known as 'Winds of History' that brought in the emergence of religions, written communication and the ups and downs of the word economy.

As the contours of the Cosmic Plan become clearer, human beings are presented with a choice as to whether to attempt the climb of the cosmic pyramid. Each one of us has to make this choice individually, and it may require of us that we turn many of our most cherished notions upside down.

The kind of choices that humanity makes, collectively speaking, will determine the outcome of creation on this planet.

Up until now, this information has been unknown to us which means we have been unaware of how human consciousness has evolved in tandem with the Cosmic Plan leading us to where we are now.

Beyond power and ethics

It is no coincidence that the wisdom of the Mayan Calendar has been purposefully hidden from us. This has been deliberate to prevent us from evolving to a higher level of consciousness where we realise that we are more than capable of doing things for ourselves.

The Mayan Calendar helps to put this into perspective where it is clear to see that individuals clinging to POWER and CONTROL are reluctant to let go and evolve to a higher level of consciousness. It is the same with individuals clinging to ETHICS and EQUALITY as a remedy for the old power and control systems. They too are reluctant to let go and evolve to the higher levels of Conscious Co-Creation and Unity Consciousness .

This is when we come together to create the world we wish to create. It is a world where power is no longer about hierarchy and control but rather, em- power -ment, and where ethics is no longer about law and punishment, rather, a given as we learn how to live our lives with respect for one another, with responsibly for ourselves and those in our care, and in reciprocity with Nature, the Universe and Natural Law .

Our time is now

As I mentioned in my previous post , many of us are actively working to align with cosmic energies, heal past traumas, and detach ourselves from the old POWER and ETHICS paradigms so that we can consciously create healthier and more fulfilling lives for ourselves and those around us. This is because we choose not to be dictated to by those operating at a much lower level of consciousness.

Learning about the Mayan Calendar and using the calculator mentioned above, is a practical way to put things into perspective and tune into the various energies of the day. This helps us to become more sensitive to the energies of the calendar and the natural cycles of life.

In another book published in 2017 which I have yet to read, Carl talks about The Nine Waves of Creation (see below) explaining the quantum physics behind the W inds of History depicted by the Mayan Calendar system and how this allows us to understand the shifting eras on Earth as well as possibilities of the future.

At the end of 2011, the thirteenth ninth wave was activated, as Carl says, bringing with it an accelerated push for a more egalitarian world, a rising awareness of Unity Consciousness and access to the full power of all Nine Waves of Creation.

It is our destiny to co-create a peaceful life on Earth in harmony with Nature and the Universe. To do this means seeing each other as ourselves and coming to terms with the fact that we are all one . It means being aware that every thought, word, feeling and action has an impact on the greater whole. It means creating our own reality in Unity Consciousness where there is no separation and no such thing as us and them .

I hope this helps to bring things into perspective and give you the confidence to continue on your own path of conscious creation and co-creation for all the goodness this brings.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

The Mayan Calendar and the Evolution of Consciousness

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:00:50 GMT

The consciousness of the Universe has already evolved to the level of Conscious Co-Creation which we were designed to be a part of

I have always been fascinated by the Mayan Calendar and was thrilled to find a lecture which was posted online 12 years ago by Ian Lungold. It was filmed at The White Horse in the Yukon Territory of Canada on June 22 2004, a year before Ian sadly died.

This post shares key insights in Ian’s presentation with information and quotes taken from a book by Carl Johan Calleman which I have just finished reading about the Mayan Calendar as it relates to the evolution of consciousness since the beginning of life of Earth. I highly recommend watching the video to understand Ian’s work and its implications for humanity. I have included links to this and the book at the end of this post.

I created a chart showing each of the nine Levels of Consciousness (and their continuation) so that you can see this in perspective before we talk about it in more detail. You can download this for free in A4 landscape PDF format.

A thriving tradition

The purpose of the Mayan Calendar is to track the evolution of consciousness from the beginning of life of Earth. Ian explains this very well and how this has affected us over time. Having been misinterpreted and discredited as a doomsday prophesy that never came to pass, the scientific accuracy and spiritual wisdom of the interlocking Mayan Calendar have long been hidden from us.

The Mayan culture and traditions continue to thrive today with more than seven million Maya living in their original homelands in Mesoamerica and countries all over the world. They are carrying forward the legacy of their ancestors who mapped the trajectory of existence on Earth from the dawning of time.

I believe that the reason this knowledge is coming to light is because we haven't been ready to take it on board as a collective until now. The right knowledge always comes to us when we need it most.

A meaningful timeline

The Mayan Empire populated the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reaching its peak of power and influence around the sixth century AD. The Maya excelled in agriculture, pottery, writing, astronomy, art and mathematics, leaving behind a stunning array of pyramids, buildings, calendars, symbolic artwork and artifacts on each one of their different sites.

Two thousand years ago, the ancient Maya became one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. It has taken a long time for us to understand their symbols and language. We owe our thanks to those who continue to study the beautiful buildings, artwork and stone carvings the Maya left behind. They knew the truth about where we come from and where we are going, and we can use this as a guide just as they did to learn, grow and evolve naturally.

It was Ian's passion to present this knowledge as it relates to our journey of human consciousness and how it can help. Now that he has gone and it's twenty years later, we need to take heed of his message for humanity to leave the past behind and connect with a higher level of consciousness now available to us .

A gift for humanity

We need to realise we are part of a natural progression of change and growth and there is no use trying to hang onto the lower frequency energies of the past or to resist the incoming higher frequencies of the future.

We know this now due to the Mayan Calendar which is an extraordinary body of work written in a meaningful language that was ingeniously carved into limestone rock thousands of years ago.

It is a gift bestowed on us by the Maya (past and present) through a series of stories and interlocking calendars that chart the course of different cycles through time. Knowing this information helps us to put our lives into perspective so that we can grow in sync with natural cycles and stay in harmony with the energies of the Universe.

The reason the calendar ended in December 2012 is perhaps because when it reached the ninth level of Conscious Co-Creation and Unity at the top of the pyramid, no more external guidance would be needed.

The Gregorian Calendar

The Gregorian Calendar was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII to keep us at a particular level of consciousness and prevent us from being part of the evolving consciousness of the Universe.

This continues as the old system does its best to keep the populace distracted, divided, sick and overwhelmed. The aim is to prevent us from waking up so that we stay on the treadmill to perpetuate the lower frequency levels of POWER and ETHICS in an endless non-ascending repetitive cycle of perceived crisis, scarcity and fear.

Even though these energy levels have had their day, they still hold many people dependent, confused and enthralled as they battle things out with each other to the bitter end.

The Mayan Calendar, on the other hand, provides a much healthier alternative for us to focus our energies on. It encourages us to experience life at a much higher level of consciousness. It shows us that this is available to us whenever we choose to recognise it. It tells us that we have within us the innate need and desire to join hands and co-create the world we want to see together - this is our true purpose and where our true fulfilment lies.

Discarding old levels of consciousness

The problem we have is that every computer, system and event in the world operates within the constraints of the Gregorian Calendar. The intention is to keep us separated from our higher consciousness and from Nature; to trap us in a never ending loop of false hope and broken promises. Thankfully, we are finding more and more ways to detatch from that and we are getting better at it.

This takeover was catastrophic for Indigenous Peoples who were conquered to be told what day and what time it was. Millions of people had their lives and communities destroyed, diminished or compromised because of this insidious tool. As Ian noted: It pinned our civilisation's consciousness to physical evidence only. The physical movement of physical objects moving through space.

By way of contrast, the Mayan Calendar follows a gently unfolding spiral of evolution that aligns us to cosmic energies.

It confirms that we are part of a natural progression of continuous change, improvement and enlightenment which means all we have to do is learn how to surf the wave, tune in and enjoy the ride.

Embracing a new level of consciousness

Having listened to Ian's video, I read a book he mentioned written by Biologist, Carl Johan Calleman PhD . It’s a fascinating book that verifies Ian's calculations and provides scientific evidence on the validity of the Mayan Calendar system as an empirically provable Divine Cosmic Plan .

The book is called The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness [2004]. I will write a review as I made notes on every page with some quotes shared here. Carl's work is as relevant today as it ever was before.

I am only too pleased to bring this truth to the fore and to highlight key findings so that we can use them as a guide going forward. By knowing this information, there is little room for fear as the past is the past and we can look forward to moving on.

Carl's work on the advancement of the Mayan Calendar system continues with a recent update on The Activation of a New Positive Trecena of the 8th Wave where he says:

The world as a whole may not be able to undergo a shift to Unity Consciousness immediately, but there will be an increased clarity of the direction in which things are meant to go already in this upcoming Trecena. We are moving in the right direction. 21 August 2024, marks the beginning of a new Sacred Calendar round of 260 days, making it a good time for setting intentions and celebrating with a large-scale vision towards the future of humanity and your place in it .

Measuring the evolution of consciousness

There are two main calendars at the centre of the Maya civilization.

1) The Tzolk'in - the count of days

This calendar is 260 days long. It is the astrological and personal calendar of the Maya consisting of 13 intentions of the creation multiplied by 20 different aspects of creation . This rotates alongside a smaller wheel marked by numbers one to thirteen.

The Mayans read the different combinations every day to align with cosmic energies and advance their knowledge and awareness.

2) The Long Count - levels of consciousness

This is the calendar that marked the progression of eras through the nine levels (see my diagram at the beginning of this post). At the end of an era, before transitioning to a higher level of consciousness, pyramids would be built to honour and record the past cycle.

Interestingly, pyramids were built on top of the previous era’s pyramid, each with their own record of events and lessons learned through the previous period. The calendar told the Maya when it was time to move on and focus on the new era ahead.

The Long Count Calendar rotated alongside the Tzolk'in so that the Mayans knew when each transition of consciousness would begin. Each level consists of 13 buktuns which are periods of 400 tuns (360 days). One buktun is therefore 400 x 360 = 144,000 days = 394.3 solar years.

NOTE: Maths is not my strong point so I have taken these figures as read and hope I have relayed them accurately.

WE ARE HERE!

It is no coincidence that it‘s taken billions of years for human beings to evolve from their cellular beginnings through all the ages of learning and awakening to arrive at the current level of Conscious Co-Creation.

Many of us are learning how to become responsible Conscious Creators already and this is a very good thing. The next step is to join hands so that we can learn how to become Conscious Co-Creators together.

It makes sense that when we are operating at our highest level of consciousness (or highest frequency) and we pool our vast range of knowledge, experience and skills to get things done the way we want them to be done, we will soon realise we have everything we need to create something we can be proud of. For certain, we will be amazed by the results and astounded by what we are capable of. For the first time, we will have the energy and the freedom to do things responsibly and conscientiously for the benefit of all.

You can have fun with the Mayan Calendar by cross-referencing key historical dates, environmental events, mass migrations, wars and so on to see how far we have come. When you see this in perspective, you realise that it has all been necessary for us to learn, evolve and grow to our fullest potential.

Go create!

Knowing this and seeing the evidence for ourselves tells us there is nothing to fear and nothing to stop us. All we have to do is tune into the energy and go with it.

I hope this has piqued your interest to learn more and has strengthened your confidence to keep consciously creating the world you most want to see.

Next time, I will share how the nine levels of consciousness apply to our life journey as human beings so stay tuned and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Further Listening and Books

The Mayan Calendar Comes North - A presentation by Ian Xel Lungold

The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness by Carl Johan Calleman PhD

The Nine Waves of Consciousness - Quantum Physics, Holographic Evolution and the Destiny of Humanity by Carl Johan Calleman PhD

Only the third link above is an affiliate link to my bookshop where Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Seeing Nature Through a Child's Eyes

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:18:59 GMT

Childhood bonds with Mother Nature never leave us so we can tap into those feelings of innocence, curiosity and wonder anytime

I adore spending time in Nature and sometimes as I am ambling along a leafy lane, adventuring along a hidden path or lying in a wildflower meadow on a sunny day, my thoughts drift back towards childhood memories and how it felt to be completely at peace and at one with this beautiful world.

Such comforting thoughts come to mind spontaneously and more recently I have been thinking about what the natural world meant to me as a child and what it was like to experience Nature through a child's eyes.

By consciously melding myself into those magical moments of innocence, curiosity and wonder, it occurred to me that these experiences are always there within us to tap into and enjoy whenever we wish to do so.

Childhood moments

Without having children of my own, I treasure every opportunity to spend time with a child, especially out and about in Nature where we can lose ourselves in their world of magic with excitement and enthusiasm for all things wild and free.

Only recently, such an opportunity arose when a friend arranged for us to spend an afternoon on a woodland trail with a friend who is a homeschooling Mum and her bright and Nature loving five year old son. While the adults were walking together and chatting along the trail, we were on a mission to collect things for making a big spiral on the ground so that I could take a picture for my website (see above).

As we looked for fallen treasures of Autumn leaves, twigs, branches, ferns, spent nut shells and stones, I was drawn into the innocent and magical world of a very bright, caring and inquisitive child. Every treasure we found was a delight and every step along the way was full of curious wonder, joy and laughter. We quickly created a natural and friendly reciprocity of give and take in an oasis of listening, learning, discovering and sharing things together.

It was a day to remember and our spiral picture made for a lovely keepsake. It brought to mind the fact that children need only the slightest encouragement and support to bring out their inner light and the untarnished universal knowledge they bring into this world.

As my young friend said so matter-of-a-factly: I’d learn it as a kid and then when I’m an adult I’d already know it . Isn’t that wonderful, it shows that we really do make a difference to young lives when we engage with them in their world. I’m not sure who benefits the most, ourselves or the children in our care - it’s a wonder for everyone concerned.

This is the reason I started Learning to Grow as a project centred around homeschooling and natural learning so that we can discover how best to support and enrich learning experiences for children, and strengthen our relationships with children of all ages, including our own inner child.

Childhood learning

The natural world is brimming with rich sensory inputs and all the tiny details that create a stimulating learning environment for even the youngest children.

From the first time a baby sits on a carpet of grass or lays in a pram surrounded by dappled light and shadows, to when a toddler is startled by the loud cawing of Crows, through to camping out as a teenager, Mother Nature provides an endless stream of special moments for a child to enjoy.

I wrote about the first experiences of a child as they relate to Nature and the First Foundations of Life in Planting Seeds for the Next Seven Generations - Learning from the Original Indigenous Teachings of the Thirteen Grandmothers.

The cumulative combinations of these wonder-filled firsts and exciting moments of discovery create magical experiences that we never forget. Our early memories of exploring, experiencing, connecting and learning from Nature stay with us which means we can tap into them anytime.

As a child, without any preconceived knowledge of the physical world, every new encounter brings a sense of awe as we are born with an innate desire to touch, taste, smell, hear and see things in their most intricate and microscopic detail. I love to see tiny fingers pointing, stroking, clasping, squeezing or gently holding things discovered in Nature. It’s as if every connection being made is of great importance requiring absolute focus in the present moment which we know is the best place to be.

We are born to be natural investigators with an innate curiosity where we use our senses to learn about the world . Our innocent souls are designed to notice and experience details through each of our senses and this is something we should continue to nurture throughout our lives.

Childhood psychology

In her book, The Philosophical Baby (which I have just ordered), American Professor of Psychology and Affiliate Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Alison Gopnik, tells us that scientists and philosophers are discovering that babies learn more, create more, care more, and experience more than we could ever have imagined. And there is good reason to believe that babies are actually smarter, more thoughtful, and even more conscious than adults.

Alison describes infants and toddlers as having a lantern consciousness with which they explore their world. As they take in everything around them, they are like a lantern casting light in all directions with an ability to flit from one thing to another as they make sense of things such as Nature's treasures, social encounters and the dynamics of sitting, standing and walking as they continue to grow.

Alison notes that adults have a spotlight consciousness where we are really good at zeroing in on a task at hand but often at the expense of missing out on interesting things going on around us. This is why it is so beneficial to lose ourselves in the magical microcosm of the brand new world of a child and notice things as if for the first time, feeling moved and enthralled by all the intricate details presented to us.

Our connection to Nature from the earliest age is key in helping us to feel safe, free and stimulated throughout our lives. I am seeing a pattern where infants, children and young people develop an increasingly reciprocal relationship with Nature as they grow. This can be presented in a table which can guide us to teach, learn and grow in Mother Nature's embrace. I will talk about this in my next post - Learning to Grow in Nature's Loving Embrace .

It is well proven that children develop a full range of skills outdoors when they are fully supported and facilitated to explore and learn about things that interest them. Some are unique to being outdoors and all children benefit greatly from spending time playing and learning in safe, Nature-rich environments.

Childhood memories

While we may not remember our experiences in Nature as an infant, the stories we hear from family and friends can often fill in the gaps and transport us back to a time when we were making our first connections with the world around us.

My Mum used to tell the story of how she would take me to the local park in my pram whenever she couldn’t get me to go to sleep. I had an old fashioned pram which meant I was laid on my back with a clear view of everything visible above me such as trees, hedges, birds and white clouds floating in the sky.

Even if I can’t remember those early trips to the park, I can imagine that the combination of movement, fresh air and sunlight sparkling through dappled leaves were the perfect combination to lull me off to sleep. My Mum was clever in knowing what was best for me and now that I am older, I am forever grateful for this early introduction to Nature's beauty and comforting charm.

I was also blessed with a Dad who loved gardening, reading books to me (a favourite being Wind in the Willows ) and taking me for walks in Nature. My Dad instilled a heartfelt appreciation and love for the natural world that has never left me. My adoration, in particular for trees, leaves, hedgerows, sunshine, gardens and Rose Petals, is due to connections made before I knew how to walk or talk, and the way those things make me feel now, bring comfort to my entire being.

Childhood experience

Being out and about in Nature is the best time to hone in on our childhood experiences and fond memories of splashing in puddles, kicking showers of dead leaves, inspecting snails’ shells or paddling in the river. This is when we can submerge ourselves into a sparkling world with fresh eyes where everything is new, interesting and awe inspiring.

There is so much pleasure to be gained from being curious about details such as the tributary veins on a leaf, petal formations on a flower, seed patterns in a pod, intricate Spiders’ webs glistening with dew, tiny moss formations or spiralling fronds and ferns. This is when I find myself imagining tiny fingers investigating, little mouths 'ooohing' and small feet jumping up and down in delight.

Before I go, I would like to share a list of ways we can experience Nature through a child's eyes. I am sure you can think of many more and hope you will give it a try - whether you are on your own or in the company of children.

Practice curiosity and observation as if everything you see is for the first time and everything is deserving of closer examination.

Engage all your senses as you explore the natural world around you by touching, tasting, smelling, listening and feeling Nature's abundant presence.

Embrace play and imagination by making up games, looking for things and creating art (like the spiral above made from things lying on the woodland floor)

Let go of preconceptions by looking at things with fresh eyes without any assumptions about how things should be or how you might want them to be. Appreciate things for the way they are and for how they make you feel.

Find wonder and awe in the tiniest and most simple things that are easy to take for granted when we cease to notice them. Mother Nature never disappoints in this regard and will reward you with new treasures through the seasons.

Remain in the present moment so that you can relax into the feeling of being invigorated, inspired, free and at one with the world around you.

Thank you for reading, I hope it has been helpful and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Futher Reading

The Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us about Truth, Love & the Meaning of Life by Alison Gopnik

The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik

Wind in the Willows by Grahame Kenneth

If you click on any of the links above, you can purchase books from my affiliate bookshop in support of independent sellers and bookshops. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you!