Herbs and Retrogrades

Hi awesome human,

I hope you are good, and that your kith and kin prosper.

The days are getting longer, which, let me tell you is awesome. Lisa and I went adventuring this weekend, and we went medicinal herb searching.

Mainly as the bug I got in Wales is still hanging about a little bit. And my random cough is very annoying. Plus whenever I go out and cough I get death stairs. So, that’s fun.

We went looking for cleavers, nettle, and ground ivy. All of which combined with some local honey and hot water makes for a very medicinal tea.

Just and FYI, I chose to inject herbs that I was familiar with and knew what they did to my system. You should of course never take herbs unless under the supervision of a trained professional.

This got me thinking as we wandered through the ancient woodland, looking for the herbs, is how much have we forgotten about how we interact with the world around us. We evolved using herbs and food to treat aliments. And we completely hand ourselves over to the medical profession. Look, I’m a trained nurse, and I’m 100% behind modern medicine. It’s great, especially, and almost uniquely, for emergency care, and follow up. Like six months after a thing has happened. Save your life and then give you the skills needed to live your life. Think broken bones and surgery. Modern medicine is epic at that. As well as making drugs to treat all kinds of symptoms. But, what about long term? We often prescribe medications that people are on forever. Without pushing the change of behaviour that would negate the need for them. And pushing a pill when out in nature there are herbs and plants that have the same or better effect.

I spend a lot of my time Infront of the computer, and I don’t move enough. And the experience of walking through the woods seeking the herbs that I needed to make the healing tea, was healing in itself. Plus, the tea was delicious.

So, what is this rambling trying to tell you? Well, I feel we need to know how our bodies work, so we can look to how we fuel them with food and how we treat them long term. I will happy take a pain killer for a head ache, and I’m not going to make willow bark decoction for pain. However, with something that is chronic? I’ll try herbal teas that come from plants that grow in the woods right near me. With the knowledge, that unless I’m sure what the plant is I won’t ingest it.

Even local honey is great, as the bees take the pollen from the plants around them, and you. This makes honey that is great for stopping your body reacting with hayfeaver symptoms.

Runic Astro time.

So there is change coming, Odin, the god of the mouth, communication and magic is going wandering this week, from Tuesday, it’s nice that he let us know. This wandering energy will last until June 3rd. When the way-walking god goes adventuring, it’s not a time to be fearful or mistrustful. When Odin wanders he and his ravens go looking for the energies that have been under-utilised, energies that need revisiting. It’s time for you to practice your shape-shifting abilities. Flexibility and patience. If this energy is not your favourite, then maybe some practice. Or just try not to punch anyone.

Now is a great time to reflect and re-centre yourself into the projects and energies you are currently working with, not jumping into a new focus over these next few weeks. Make sure you are ready for the next challenge. But don’t go starting. Make sure that you are secure in your energies. As he is wandering in the runic energy of Ingwaz we may find expansion, growth, and epic deeds a little harder. Especially if they need communication, and magic. Lean more into the prep work, the finishing off other projects and being super clear how you use your words and magic. As confusion about those energies is a right pain. If you must sign stuff, be aware that if you are doing it for personal expansion and growth, you may well benefit with getting someone else to check it for you. Someone who needs you to act in this way or who checks stuff professionally.

Check and re-check the energies, both mundane and esoteric that lead to your growth and expansion. As the chaos of Odin walking the ways can have some profound ripples. Stay frosty and alert. And be ready to shape shift into the you that needs to flow though these challenges.

While his father wanders the ways Thor is focusing his energy through the rune Berkanan. This is new growth and recovery energy, with Thor’s immense power put behind it. This fortune and rejuvenation energy begins a new cycle. With this rejuvenation energy being magnified and then flowing into Ehwaz and Mannaz. It’s time to look to where your luck and regrowth power is to flow with Berkanan magnified cosmic vibration. Don’t be afraid to take risks with how your roots are growing, thor is a protector and will give you a helping hand if you need it. He is also super present in his body, and by making sure you are being right here right now will enhance your recovery and rooting down. This is not a doing, it’s a rooting and uncovering the core you from the darkness. And, please remember the darkness is not yours it’s been thrust on you through the hypnotic world we live in.

Be aware on the 16th when the Manni goes full he is doing it with the energy of Nauthiz the rune of need. Plus the world gets to experience a total lunar eclipse, depending on where you are. The confusions that inhabit the world will be lifted and the need to see and experience life and its emotive contents will be of huge power. All the things that you need, require to live and prosper will be shown in bright glowing light. Get clear on what you need and be specific. Get nosey and get focused. As knowing and acting on where you need to be acting. With Sunnas energy in Ingwaz be aware, along with Odin wandering that personal development on the 15th/16th of May is going to be ‘interesting’. Cake and chocolate may well be the way forward. Don’t worry about online course or starting the new practice. Just do you.


We move Manni the moon wise into a Ageir/Tiwaz and Manni/Nauthiz energy. So get your deep secrets ready to metabolise into deep creative and artistic magic. Add a dollop of Tyr and Nauthiz energy in this mix we’ve got some deep heart centred creativity ready to roll. So have fun this weekend with that.