Don’t you feel like sometimes you need a little extra boost to get unstuck from a tired routine? I know I certainly do.
It’s so easy to lose track of time and find myself plodding back and forth along the same worn route, eyes only on what’s in front of me, moving out of habit rather than intention. I find that a physical shift can help to break me out of my rut and remind me to look up toward a new horizon again.
To that end, I offer you a recipe (below) for an herbal wash to promote new beginnings; you can use it as wash water around your house, adding soap if you wish. You can also drink it as a tea, put it into a spray bottle and spritz it on yourself or in the air when you need a refresh (keep it in the fridge or add 20%-by-volume of vodka to preserve it), splash it on your face, or pour it over your head outside or in the shower.
To really get things moving, I recommend the following working:
Go outside and stand in the rain, letting yourself get really wet with the pure, cold water. (Make sure to have towels at the ready!)
Take some of the herbal wash and pour it over your head, letting it run down over your body. Try to let it touch every part of you (as much as is feasible).
Do a little dance to shake off the excess and warm yourself up!
Be renewed by the power of your own wild nature and the wild nature of the earth!
New Beginnings Wash
4 Tbs lady’s mantle - tonifying, anti-inflammatory, soothing
4 Tbs meadowsweet - pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, regulating
4 Tbs lemon balm - mood elevating, soothing
2 Tbs red clover blossom - purifying, elevating *avoid if on blood-thinners*
1 Tbs angelica root - cleansing, improves circulation, regulating
1 Tbs hibiscus - cleansing, regulating *will turn the tea red, you may omit this herb if you’re worried about staining*
Mix all herbs together and steep at least 2 Tbs of the mixture in 16 oz. of boiling water, covered, for 10 minutes. If drinking as a tea, sweeten to taste. For other uses, do not sweeten and let it cool first (please don’t burn yourself!).
Will keep up to a week in the fridge; you can preserve with alcohol if you intend to keep it longer, or just make a small batch whenever you feel the need for a little renewal!
by Jenny