Lichenwood Rambles

Learning and Exploring

2011-08-05T08:01:05-07:00

The bees are busy with their summer harvest. Their instinct tells them how to gather and process the ingredients they need for their survival and luckily for us the byproducts of their work are the pollination that allows fruit to set and seeds to be created, and also the wonderful honey, wax, royal jelly, pollen and propolis.

Humans have their instinctual gathering skills also. Long ago our ancestors were keenly attuned to the environment. It was key to their survival. There were no distractions from the sights, smells and vibrational awareness of each unique ecosystem. Today humans rely less on themselves and more on television, radio, internet, and cell phone and they have given up their own empowerment for choice to corporations, supermarkets, big food, big pharma, and the list goes on.

You can reclaim your power by knowing and understanding the wild plants, the medicinal garden plants and flowers of your bioregion. You can learn how to make better choices for your table by shopping local at your farmer's market and choosing ethically, organically raised fruits, vegetables meat and dairy. You can also learn how to harvest your local plants and create your own medicines, medicinal extracts and oils, salves, lotions, and creams. You can experience the transformational magick of flower essences to move forward on your path as you resolve old troublesome psychological and emotional issues.

All the particulars (dates, times, cost, etc.) for Lichenwood's 2012 Herbal Mentorship program and Flower Essence Practitioner Training have been posted at Lichenwood Herbals . Each year the journey is exciting and rewarding for both the teacher and the students as we talk, learn, explore and grow in knowledge and experience. You will have lots of hands-on experience in either program. If you have been longing to know how to go forward on the path of herbalism or how to experience the vibrational healing of flowers, consider gifting yourself with either or both of these programs.

Student groups are often an eclectic mix, from the complete plant world novice, to graduates of other programs who are eager to hone their skills under guidance. Payment plans are always an option. Please contact me at christine@lichenwood.com with all your questions. I would like to invite you for a visit to Lichenwood so that you can decide if either of these programs is right for you in 2012.

Daylily Days

2011-07-31T09:43:16-07:00

We finally took a short road trip on Saturday to visit Birchwood Farm in Dover. The month of July is the absolute best time for daylily viewing everywhere in New England, but a trip to Birchwood Farm is just spectacular if you love Hemerocallis like we do! Anna Kay is the very welcoming owner and gardener.

We walked through rows and rows of colorful well-tended blooms. In every row we woul find a cultivar that seemed really special or a must-have for our own daylily spiral.

Ultimately we selected just one: Persian Ruby. We are on a quest to add more reds to our spiral of orange, yellow, peach, and purple.

Our own spiral has some beautiful flowers that decorate the days from mid June through September. Below is a sampling of Lichenwood's daylily display:

Harvest in the Heat

2011-07-22T09:02:55-07:00

We are in the midst of a serious heat wave, but some harvests cannot wait. Here's the beautiful bounty that I gathered in just about 45 minutes of outside work. I had to work very carefully to avoid all the pollinators! The flowers of Mondarda fistulosa especially were filled with bees. I ended up not harvesting as much as I had planned simply because the hungry bees seemed to need the flowers more than I do, at least for today.

This planting of Monarda fistulosa is as tall as I am.

If you look closely, you will see some of the bees. They clung to the flowers even after I cut the stems and placed them in the harvest basket. Indeed, more pollinators were attracted to the cut blossoms. I had to bring the basket back outside and shake it a little to encourage the bees to leave. I would walk by the basket and hear the little buzz! Hopefully I have shooed them all back outside to the garden.

This is an overview of the raised bed gardens. We are eating from the garden every day- Regular Broccoli and Broccoli rappi, Kale, Rainbow Chard, Basil, Parsley, Purslane (Yes, we planted it! The wild kind is growing too, but Daryl wanted to insure his plant based Omega 3 supply), Zucchini, Cukes, etc. with more to come.

Unfolding Surprises

2011-07-20T06:43:23-07:00

Mama Deer has become a regular at Lichenwood's Whitetail Cafe. We've had to have a few talks with her about what is and is NOT acceptable fare. Surprisingly the doe will allow us to speak to her in a normal tone of voice from the deck or balconies. If we clap and scold when begins to munch a baby fruit tree, she will move away and resume eating clover!

By the end of June we had discovered that this Mama had twin fawns. She had been hiding each baby in a different spot to maximize chances of survival. We have observed the twins many times, traveling alone throughout the yard and with Mama. She is never far away. I once startled the twins (and myself) as I came around the side of the garage on my way to shade garden where they were happily munching away. Off they bounded in a hurry to the pond's edge and then I heard their mother call them into the pinewoods.

This morning I noticed the little family was in the front yard. How many babies can you see in this picture? Yet another surprise from Mama Deer! She has triplets! I was taking pictures from the balcony like crazy trying to get all of them into the photo. Eventually the doe tired of my attention to her little brood. Paparazzi! She left in hurry out the driveway with her three beautiful fawns quickly following.

The Fawn

2011-06-06T13:11:04-07:00

A few days ago I was busily packing up orders when a plaintive meow alerted me that Buffy wanted to go out. As I opened the door to the front porch, my eyes automatically scanned the yard and this is what I saw: the most beautiful little fawn standing in the shelter of a large tree. I grabbed my camera and went out to record the event. I was surprised how close the baby let me get. He/She was well trained to stand still in an attempt at camouflage. Eventually I got just a bit too close and the fawn bounded off into the pine forest, little whitetail flag flying.

I thought that was the end of fawn encounters and felt a little guilty for scaring the sweet little thing. I was excited to share my pictures with Daryl when he got home. After dinner I went out to put vegetable peelings in the compost and what did I spy?

The mama deer had put her baby to bed right next to our raised bed gardens! We later saw the doe visit with the fawn and then she was gone for the night. In the morning, the little one was still right where the mother had left it. I began to worry and made a call to a wildlife rescue center. Remarkably it turns out new fawns need only nurse once a day! Throughout the day we visited, keeping a respectful distance.

Finally, after suppertime, mother and baby reunited and moved away from the backyard, across Peary Brook, and up the hill toward Coot Farm, pausing long enough for the fawn to nurse. We thought we might not get to see the little bambi again.

That was 48 hours ago. This morning we decided to weed our daylily spiral. We decided to walk the spiral first since Daryl had mown the path the day before. There, tucked in amongst the daylilies was our little friend! Needless to say, we did not weed the spiral today!

It's wonderful that the deer know they are safe and protected here. We have observed fawns at Lichenwood every springtime, but this is the most precious encounter yet!

I love to share the magickal energy of this space by offering classes here throughout the year. Our next offering will take place on Monday evening, June 20th, from 7-9 pm.

Create a Money Honey Jar with Raven Sayres
Hoodoo is a folk magic that has been practiced for many years by a variety of people from many different backgrounds. It is not a religion, it is the practice of conjure. Come learn a little of that old time hoodoo conjure and create a Money Honey Jar with Raven. With today’s economy being what it is, who couldn’t use a little extra cash in their pockets and a extra little sweetening in their life. Cost $25.00 plus a $10.00 material fee.

Contact me at christine@lichenwood.com for information on how to register for this event.

Plant Spirits of Stonehouse Pond

2011-05-26T11:31:19-07:00

After so many days of rain, I have had the pleasure of hiking Stonehouse Pond twice this week. The Spring ephemerals are blooming along the trails and it is thrilling to encounter them in this very special wild land. Painted Trillium is a standout in the speckled light of the newly leafed out forest floor. I had never seen this flower in the wild before so this was a very special experience!

Clintonia, or Blue Bead Lily is another Spring flower that I have been yearning to see in a wild environment. There are quite large colonies of Clintonia along the path to the top of the stone cliff, nestled in amongst plants that are more familiar to me, such as Goldthread,Trailing Arbutus, and the beautiful Lady Slipper.

When my hiking companion Lynn and I reached the top of the stone cliff, we spent time admiring the view and searching for the Sassafras that seemed to disappear from view when I brought my friend Deb for a hike on Tuesday. Indeed, the leaves of Sassafras were unfurling today and Lynn and I had no problem finding them.

The Chokeberry was blooming more intensely than just a few days prior also.

But the most special find of all was this tight colony of Lady Slippers nestled next to a tiny Hemlock and viewable from a seat on a horizontal Jack Pine limb. Note the seed pods on the plant.

My admiration for Lady Slipper must have showed. I talked to her and took many more photos.

When I took the last photo, a strange thing happened.

I choose to believe this orb was the plant spirit letting me know that she was there and felt the love I was sending.

Positive Changes in the Lichenwood Landscape

2011-05-13T05:58:04-07:00

Changes are happening quickly in the Lichenwood landscape. We are beginning to see the results of our planting efforts. Last fall I planted these daffodils around the pergola and how rewarding it has been to watch this naturalizing blend bloom and provide a changing display of one of my favorite flower species. The wisteria vine is healthy and happy and we are keeping our fingers crossed for flowers as the leaves unfurl.

The Greenman greets visitors in the garden at the entryway. Efforts are being made to consolidate all the violets that pop up here and there throughout the gardens. We have plans to transform the front steps sometime this season, so look for updates on that project. There are many wonderful green friends occupying this particular garden space including Bleeding Heart, Wolfsbane, lamb's ears, and Blaze Improved Rambling Rose.

Daryl is adding a huge new raised bed to the backyard. This will allow us to produce more of our own food and medicine. I have promised to grow twice as much Calendula as in years past to supply not only my own needs, but the needs of several herbalists in the region. Lichenwood Calendula is rich and resinous and creates wonderful oils, extracts, and teas.

The raised bed herb gardens at the side of the house have been greatly improved with new deeper sides. We also planted 3 little Apple trees and look forward to the day when we will harvest the first fruits! In the back yard we have planted two tiny peach trees and a pear.

So much beauty and so much promise! There will be many opportunities for flower essence co-creation and the harvesting of medicine, but for right now we are happy with the simple harvest of beauty!

Welcome to 2011!

2011-01-02T12:08:52-08:00

Welcome to 2011! At this time of year, Lichenwood should be resting under chilly blanket of snow. Instead our one snowfall of the season is currently melting during a very early January thaw. Not even Lichenwood pond is frozen! We will have to wait and see what the rest of the Winter season will bring.

2010 was quite a year. Personally things ended on a very positive note. Daryl's close call with an unexpected heart attack on the Spring Equinox transformed our lives. Daryl tweaked an already healthy lifestyle into one that has somehow erased all evidence of any heart damage. The latest stress test and echocardiogram show no damage at all, much to the surprise of the cardiologist who had told us that while Daryl's heart could learn to compensate, the damage could never reverse. Healing is always possible! The cardiologist said that Daryl must be immortal!

I traveled across the country and had the time of my life at the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference in New Mexico. I can't recommend it highly enough. I have already got my ticket for the 2011 conference. Maybe we can meet up there?

The Herbal Mentorship of 2010 was very satisfying. It is wonderful to see students expand their knowledge and create materia medica that I hope will further inspire them. I love to walk with students and introduce them to the plants, helping them to use all their senses as they interact. Of course, I always learn a new plant or two from the students or from friends that come to walk with me.

Flower Essence Practitioner Training was equally fulfilling. Every time I teach this class, it reinvigorates me to do deeper essence work, both in co-creation and exploration. Currently some graduates of my past training programs are involved in the Lunar Cycle Flower Essence Project which is revealing the properties of some essences that I have not yet listed on the website.

If you are thinking about enrolling in the Herbal Mentorship or Flower Essence Practitioner class, please send in your application as soon as possible. Space is limited, but there are still spots available. The Herbal Mentorship begins on March 7th. The first meeting of the Flower Essence Practitioner Training is April 25th.

2011 classes have all been moved to Mondays. You will find the dates, times and other details listed on the website. New workshops are up too as I continue to offer Magickal Mondays, and our first Magickal Monday Evening. Kate Leigh will be the guest teacher for Magickal Monday Evening. In this interactive presentation, Kate will assist each participant in ultimately creating an aromacharacteristic essential oil blend, which is a reflection of some of the individual's key elements as displayed in their birth chart. We will begin with some basics about astrology, which will necessarily have to be abbreviated, but will include a discussion of how the chart shows the layers of the personal make-up. Then we will explore the handouts, which are keynote sheets, guiding each participant to their dominant elements and planets, and suggesting essential oils and fragrances that have correspondences to these features of the chart. Then each person will have a chance to smell these oils and fragrances, to use their inner guidance system, the nose, to help them select ingredients for their blend. Next, Kate will help each person arrange the blend, with appropriate ratios of the scents to be used together. Details on Kate's class and other workshops can be found on the workshops page of the website.

I continue to offer herbal and flower essence consultations on Wednesdays through Fridays and occassional Saturday mornings. There is also a complete herbal apothecary (herbs, extracts, flower essences, essential oils, etc.) at Lichenwood. Flower essences and essential oils are listed on the website. Herbs, extracts and other products are available. Just give me a call or send an email to let me know what you are looking for and I'll let you know about pricing and availability. You can pick up your order or I can mail it out.

Other plans are in the works and when these possibilities become certainties, I'll be sure to let you know.

Planting Seeds for 2011 Programs at Lichenwood

2010-11-08T14:17:14-08:00

The green season has come to an end. The Herbal Mentorship and Flower Essence Practitioner Training students have finished their classes for 2010. I have a lot of fun teaching these programs and every year I learn a lot from my students. I make adjustments and strive to improve each program.

During this new moon I am planting seeds for the 2011 programs. One change is that all my teaching will be done on Mondays next year, freeing more of my weekends for family. If attending Monday classes can be compatible with your work schedule, and you are interested in learning more about herbalism or flower essences (or both), please read about the Herbal Mentorship and Flower Essence Practitioner Training programs. Contact me by email or phone for more information, or to arrange a visit.

As we spiral into the darkness of the late fall and winter, plant some seeds for yourself!

New Projects: Magickal Mondays

2010-10-14T08:06:10-07:00

As the Herbal Mentorship and Flower Essence Intensives are coming to an end for 2010, I have had requests to continue classes through the dark half of the year. To that end I have created the first three "Magickal Mondays" which will take us on a journey to understand the basic concepts of Witchcraft through study and experience of the beautiful divination decks designed by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor, and illustrated by Mickie Mueller.

Once a month I welcome you to experience a Magickal Monday at Lichenwood. Each of these unique classes will begin with a discussion of several cards from the Well Worn Path Deck or Hidden Path Deck, followed by a potluck lunch and a short class, complete with handout, on a metaphysical subject. Each class costs $25 payable at the door, but you must preregister a week ahead of time. At least 3 students must register for class to be held. Class begins at 9am, potluck lunch from 12-1pm, class ends at 3pm.

Please purchase the two divination decks by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor, illustrated by Mickie Mueller, “The Well Worn Path” and “The Hidden Path”. It is certainly acceptable to come to class without them, but you will get more from your experience if you own these decks. These decks are available at many local occult shops or can be purchased online at Raven's Loft.

You may opt in and opt out. These are stand alone classes. If you miss one, you will still enjoy the classes you attend. Any classes canceled due to bad weather will be rescheduled.
Dates and topics will be announced in advance. Below are the dates and topics for our first three Magickal Mondays:

Magickal Monday, November 15, 2010

Today we will discuss the following cards: Wheel of the Year (WWP)Maiden (WWP)Mother (WWP)Crone (WWP)Book of Shadows (WWP)Samhain (HP)Triformis (HP)

Potluck lunch

Class: Wheel of the Year~ What are the myths and cycles that turn the Wheel?

Magickal Monday, December 6, 2010

Today we will discuss the following cards:
The Rede (WWP)Law of Three (WWP)As Above, So Below (WWP)Eight Fold Path (WWP)Words of the Magus (WWP)Hearth (WWP)Yule (HP)Oak King (HP)Tree in Winter (HP)

Potluck lunch

Class: Techniques of Candle Magick

Magickal Monday, January 10, 2010

Today we will discuss the following cards:
Handfasting (WWP)Broom (WWP)The Key (WWP)The Moon (WWP)The Crescent Crowned Goddess (WWP)The Sun (WWP)The Stag Horned God (WWP)The Priestess and Priest (HP)Drawing Down the Moon (HP)

Potluck Lunch

Class: Elements of Ritual

Please contact me directly at christine@lichenwood.com or call me at 603-664-3393 with your questions or to enroll in any Magickal Monday.

I will also be offering some classes at Sun Moon Stars in Rollinsford, NH in the weeks ahead:

Make Your Own Herbal Incense, Sunday October 17, 1-3pm

Learn how to create your own incense at home with herbs, resins, and essential oils. You will take home an instructional booklet for future reference. We will make loose incense together as a class and you will leave with a small jar for your use. Presented by Christine Tolf of Lichenwood Herbals.
$30, includes booklet and jar of incense

Wheel of the Year, Saturday November 6, 1-2:30 pm

The eight Sabbats of the neo-pagan year make up the Wheel of the Year. When do these celebrations occur? What are we celebrating? What are the myths that turn the Wheel? Christine Tolf of Lichenwood Herbals will explain the themes and the herbal correspondences of the eight holidays. You will receive a detailed handout.
$20, includes handout

Contact Dawn Evans of Sun Moon Stars Herbals to reserve your space. All classes have minimum and maximum enrollment requirements.