HOME SWEET HOME…..

AT LAST!

Yes, this newsletter is about a month late, but I finally moved in to the new place at the end of April and am now almost out from under the boxes! My new place is great and has already been identified by the townsfolk as ‘The Green House’- the outside has been finished in green stucco and the inside is also done in varying shades of green. The space is perfect for the dogs, the business and me, however, there will definitely be some serious landscaping projects ahead. I will post a current picture on the web site soon. Many thanks to the builder, Len Kuipers, I just love it, feels like home already!

The move was typically eventful, the truck broke down in the driveway and of course the only ‘sort of’ level entrance available was through the garage. I am quite sure the moving men had a few aches and pains at the end of that day. I sent them each home with a bottle of herbal liniment! Promote, promote, promote-even in the face of pain! On the brighter side, it was a beautiful spring day with no rain and one of my new neighbours thoughtfully brought over some wonderful carrot ginger soup and homemade bread-a real ‘rescue remedy’ for moving day.

The dogs, Hershey and Bailey, are totally enjoying the new pond, however, wet dogs do not mix well with topsoil, sand and new flooring, so they are getting really use to spending a lot of time outside. Being located so close to Presqu’ile Park, I have been fortunate enough to attract a pair of Blue Winged Teal Ducks who are nesting in the pond area. Believe it or not, the resident Grouse has survived the building process and is still chasing us around. She does not even seem bothered by the dogs….she is definitely ‘in charge’. Some of the construction workers brought their children out skating on the pond this past winter and the Grouse was apparently chasing them around the ice…. think she might be short a feather or two…. certainly entertaining! There is also a Rooster nearby that has composed its own version of Alan Jackson’s song, ‘It’s 5 a.m. Somewhere’, doesn’t seem to matter what time of day it is, whenever the mood strikes, it starts ‘cockle-do-a-doing’.

(Must be something the air down here!)

Really happy to be settled again!

Smudging

A Spring Cleaning for the Spirit!

Smudging is the common name given to the burning of sacred herbs and grasses, a powerful technique derived from the Native tradition. However, the burning of herbs for emotional, psychic, healing and spiritual cleaning is common in many religious, healing and spiritual traditions. It is a ritualistic way to achieve balance and cleanse a person, place or an object of negative energies or influences. The theory behind smudging is that the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as it clears it takes the negative energy with it releasing it into another space to be regenerated back into positive energy.

Smudging is very effective when you or someone else’s spirits are low, for depression or sickness, for feelings of resentment or after an argument. It is also commonly used for pets and other animals during illness or upon death. Other uses include meditation and prayer. It is also great to smudge yourself, the space and all guests or participants before a ritual or ceremony or celebration. You can smudge your home or work space as part of a general ‘spiritual housecleaning’ and you can cleanse crystals or other objects of any negative energy with a smudging ritual.

Purposes of Smudging are:

Ceremony/Ritual Cleaning/Purification Clearing/Freeing/Releasing

What you Smudge:

Yourself/Others/Pets Personal Objects Home/Office/Healing Space

How to Smudge:

As with any action, when done with intention and belief it can become a powerful and uplifting ritual so consider your intention before you smudge and hold it clearly in your mind.

In a clay bowl mix one or many of the smudging herbs listed below or use a smudge stick-use the clay bowl to rest it in, you may also add any other dried herbs of your preference. Light mixture with only a match or a candle, not a lighter. Once there’s a flame, blow out gently or if using the smudging stick/wand gently snub out the burning end so that the mixture is just smoldering, not burning. Fan the smudge until smoldering preferably with a wild feather or your hand.

Persons/pets/objects: First remove all jewelry and glasses. Start by running your feather or hand through the smoke to cleanse it. Bring the smoke using your hand/feather over your head and then swirl the smoke around your body from head to toe, all the while imagining that the smoke is lifting away all the negative thoughts, emotions and energies that have attached themselves to you. When smudging others fan the smoke over the person/pet/object as you would do to yourself.

Homes/Barns/Offices/Rooms: First offer the smudge smoke to the four directions outside the building. Then take the smudge and go through the inside, making sure the smoke penetrates every nook and cranny of the intended space. Then finally, run through the house with a well protected white candle-to ‘light up’ the house.

*Careful not to burn the place down when you do it!!!!!

Popular Smudging Herbs:

White Sage (Salvia apiana)-cleansing, clears negative energy

Garden Sage(Salvia officinalis)-cleansing, clears negative energy

Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)-positive energy, welcoming

Cedar-(Cedrus sp.)-purifying, healing

Juniper-(Juniperus comunis)-purifying, protection

Rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis)-protection, clarity, healing

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)-balance, peace

Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris)-stimulates mind

Euclyptus (Eucalyptus globules)-cleansing, clearing

Making your own Smudge Sticks/Wands

Making your own smudge sticks can be a healing and spiritual experience. You will be amazed at the difference between your own and store bought and the sticks can also be customized to your desire use. They have become commonplace in my life and I use them on my pets and myself regularly, especially after a stressful day as they have an instantaneous uplifting effect.

Materials:

Fresh bunches of herbs

Embroidery floss/string/jute

Scissors

Instructions:

Gather fresh (not dried) bunches or branches of herbs, if cutting branches, cut to desired length approx. 4 to 7 inches.
Select a number of branches or bunches* to your desired thickness-approx 1 to 1 ½ inches, squeezing them together to estimate the thickness of the finished product. Herbs will shrink on drying.
Holding the bunch of branches/bunches together wrap floss around the bottom of the bunch approx. 5 times, leaving enough of the floss end to tie later.
Continue wrapping towards the end of the bunch using wider wraps.
Continue wrapping back towards the bottom crossing over the previous wraps creating a criss-cross pattern.
Wrap around the bottom 2 or 3 more times and tie ends together.
Trim the bottom of the bunch evenly below the wrap and trim any stray pieces sticking out.
Hang or set in a warm shaded dry place with good air circulation to dry. If bunches are placed flat turn them over regularly to ensure even drying.
Depending on drying conditions and size of stick, your smudge stick should be dry and ready for use in 7 to 14 days-herb leaves will be crisp and crumple easily when dry.

*Try combining different herbs in one bunch to obtain ‘signature sticks’ for your specific uses!

So what’s happening at Kettleby Herb Farms?

· Thank you for your patience over the past while, your loyalty is greatly appreciated. It was so nice to receive so many Christmas cards, calls, letters and e-mails, thanks for your thoughtfulness.

· On a personal note, congratulations to Kim (my daughter) and Richard on their recent marriage. Wishing you both all the best on your future together.

· If it is convenient for you, orders can now be picked up by ‘appointment only’, at the new location, call Toll free :1-877-727-8344 or E-mail to arrange. ***Please note-we do not have a retail outlet here….. but I can recommend a couple of great lunch places nearby!

· I am currently working on changes to the web site-www.kettlebyherbfarms.com, to allow for easier, more frequent updates, better pictures of the ‘supplies’, along with an improved, streamlined ordering form. Hopefully, to be completed by end of summer.

· Due to the increasing costs of printing and postage, along with broader access to the Internet, this will be the last newsletter that is mailed out. All future newsletters will be sent using our e-mail list or be available on the web site. If you are not already on our e-mail list and would like to be added, just send an e-mail to info@kettlebyherbfarms.com

Happy Gardening & Have a Great Summer!

Sue