foraging
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EVENING PRIMROSE, THE LUNAR FLOWER OF SUMMER SOLSTICE
By Veronica Smith Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is not part of our traditional European plant lore because it was introduced from North America during colonial times. That said, I believe that this lady deserves a place in our modern Shamanic… Continue reading
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ALEXANDERS: ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERBAL HISTORY by Veronica Smith
In 2003, I wrote a piece for the Irish Garden Plant Society (newsletter No: 87) entitled “Alexanders and Archaeology?” It was prompted by articles published in “Archaeology Ireland” (issue nos: 53 & 54) in which experts argued that viable plant… Continue reading
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BRAMBLE-BERRY PLANT LORE By Veronica Smith
Every Celtic festival has at least one Sacred Plant linked to it. For Autumn Equinox, the Druids chose the BRAMBLE, with its Black Berries. In Shamanic traditions, Bramble is associated with Brigantia, Brighid, the Sidhe, various Harvest Goddesses and the… Continue reading
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ELECAMPANE – A FORGOTTEN MID-SUMMER HERB
By Veronica Smith Like so many other useful and once-popular herbs, Elecampane has been ignored by the modern media and commercialism, being relegated to a “back of herbaceous border” garden curiosity. It is only when you delve in to its… Continue reading
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ST JOHN’S WORT: MID-SUMMER MADNESS OR MIRACULOUS MEDICINE? by Veronica Smith
Growing on the edge of our woods is an inconspicuous little plant, only 3 foot high (1 meter) at the most. You only really notice it when the small, lemon-scented yellow flowers appear in summer. Its botanical name is HYPERICUM… Continue reading
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MAKING FRUIT VINEGARS FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES by Veronica Smith
My family started making wine years ago, to use up surpluses of fruit from our suburban garden. Then, when we moved to the country, we had surplus vegetables too and vinegar became another alternative to wine-making. What better way to… Continue reading
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RESPECTING ONE’S ELDERS by Veronica Smith
In ancient Ireland, the Elder (Sambucus nigra) was part of a trio of Sacred Trees revered by the Celts as Herbal Healers. Hawthorn was “Father”, working with the heart and circulatory system; Elder was “Mother”, working with the respiratory system… Continue reading
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REMARKABLE RHUBARB! by Veronica Smith
Whether you love it or hate it, Rhubarb (Rheum Palmatum / Rhabarbarum) is one of the earliest edible garden plants ready in the spring! Depending on your geographical position, you can start picking rhubarb stalks from March right up until… Continue reading
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HAWTHORN: HEARTS AND HEDGEROWS by Veronica Smith
The flowering of the Hawthorn in May has always heralded the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. May Day / Labour Day on the 1st May is merely the modern name for the ancient Celtic Fire Festival of Bealtaine… Continue reading
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MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF BRAMBLE LEAVES IN SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER
by Veronica Smith Bealtaine (1st May) is the perfect time to pick BRAMBLE LEAVES for drying. It is the sappy young leaves at the top of the vine that you want because they are full of vitamins and minerals. The… Continue reading
