Build self-trust via the natural world
The most common, question people ask me when they come and check out my foraged herbal offerings is a fair one: “What does this one do?'“
And while I have done the basic research to open the conversation, the folk medicine truth is this: You have to try it for your Self and report back.
My individual journeys with essences and tinctures are usually different from the experiences of my clients, peers, or friends. The natural world has a way of honoring our unique bodily and spiritual needs, My belief is that it’s not really prescriptive.
I’m less concerned with what constituents a plant possesses, or the 40+ benefits they boast. I am more interested in opening the door for you to walk your unique plant path and discovering the magic in your own right.
When I frame the work this way, foraging in the forest is not a conquest for nettle, or turkey tail, or vervain (the only time I found blue vervain is when my 1989 Bronco broke down on the hottest day of the year and I had to wait for a tow truck for 3 hours so I took a walk).
When I frame the foraging work as a commune with nature and an exercise in building self-trust,
And I find myself less afraid.
How do I build trust with nature?
Like all good things in life — it takes a bit of time.
Usually when I tell people about walking and wading the creek behind my house, they kind of wince. Creeks are less romantic than rivers. Dirtier than streams. And any body of water seemingly pales in comparison to the ocean.
Even locals have asked me if I wade in the creek with my shoes on. “There’s glass down there!”
When I first moved here, I didn’t get in at all. Over the next few months, I literally dipped my toe in. Then I started walking through it my work boots. Then wading in rain boots. And now, I’m collecting water and soil samples for fun in my bare feet, and swimming on the weekends.
I pick up snakes, bugs, dead birds. I collect snake skin, feathers (was anyone else told this was dangerous, as a kid?), and algae to use in spells. I eat mushrooms that I find on the trees, and make medicine out of them.
But this confidence, and trust I have in the natural world has been built over time and with consistent visits. Anyone can build this relationship with the right amount of discipline and respect. And I’d argue that now is a crucial time we all start doing so.
Building a relationship with nature is not just about appreciating the flowers, the butterflies, and the sun. It’s about looking beyond the first and approachable dimension of nature and venturing deeper into the murky waters.
This isn’t solely literal, nor is solely a metaphor.
It’s symbolic. It’s ritual. And it’s one highly effective way to communicate to your subconscious mind.
And the thing about communicating to the subconscious mind is that you don’t even have to do anything consciously or fancy. You just have to go outside.
