Dear friends,

It’s spring! And it’s also been three months since I last wrote you. I wish I could say how time flies, but the reality is that this winter felt slow and scattered. I’ve had my moments of productivity and inspiration, but it’s been a little wonky. Maybe you can relate to the touch and go vibes of the last few months. Though I’m sure wisdom will come as time passes (the way it always seems to do), for now all I can say is that I’m grateful for the rush of early spring—winter’s capricious and welcomed sister.

In astrology, the Spring Equinox is the beginning of a new astrological year. There’s a palpable energetic shift as we move from Pisces into Aries: buds on the trees are pulsing, early spring blooms are popping, creaky humans are emerging from their winter hideouts. The world is waking up! It’s a potent time for tracking where it is you’re directing your energy, and chances are you have a lot of it and it’s going all over the place. I know that I can feel a little flustered this time of year, like a bear just waking up from hibernation.

As an herbalist, a large part of my work with clients is facilitating a process of observation and reflection. An essential aspect of this process is to observe the dynamic relationship between our bodies and our actions. We then reflect back to ourselves whether that relationship is supporting our innate vitality or creating imbalance. Are they helping each other out, or hurting each other? And we find ways to bring our bodies and actions into a more graceful alignment with one another.

In honor of Spring (and Aries, the sign that rules pure energy, action, and vitality), I invite you to take a moment to observe where and how you’ve been directing your energy via your actions (and/or how your actions affect your energy). Ask yourself if it feels good or not, and find ways to redirect as needed.

Some questions I’ve been mulling over:

What has been growing in my life over the past year? What did I intentionally plant, and what just showed up? What has grown hardy and strong? What didn’t make it through the winter? What is pushing up through the earth, green and eager, ready for a new cycle and season of growth?

As you likely know, Mercury technically stations direct today, but for all intents and purposes, the planet that rules our mind, perception, and communication is still energetically paused. Right now it’s sitting basically at a standstill at 16 degrees Pisces conjunct the planet Neptune, where it has been since last Saturday and will continue to be until April 2nd.

If you’re feeling like “I have so much energy but I can’t direct it outwards” or “my mind is racing around my feelings” or “nothing feels real right now” you’re not alone. These are strange times. Even Mercury is acting funny and spending ten days hanging out on the same degree (normally it passes through a degree in 1-2 days). There is something big we’re being asked to observe, and it has to do with how we perceive of reality (and unreality). How we dream reality, for better or worse. Questions around how we, and our thoughts and lives, feel real (or not). It can be disorienting. So even though it’s spring and the world around us is awakening into life and action, don’t worry if you’re still sorting through some things like a groggy bear, you’re supposed to be.

Happy Spring, everyone! May you find joy and vitality in the chaotic rush of it all. Thank you for reading, and please continue on for a big announcement.

Love,

Clare

I’m pleased to introduce the new Winter’s Sister Herbals tea and tincture line!

I’ve put a lot of thought and love into each product I’ve created and I’m so grateful to be able to share them with you. My wish for this small line of medicinal goods is to weave simple healing remedies and rituals, like drinking a cup of tea or taking a tincture, into the everyday lives of my community.

Every time I stock inventory, I sit with the bags of tea and little bottles of tincture and thank the plants for their medicine. I tell them that they’re going to be sent out into the world in partnership with this business, and I ask them for their help, guidance, and collaboration. I ask that together we go about our work with the best of intentions, supporting the health and vitality of everyone we meet. I hope that when you drink a cup of Winter’s Sister tea or work with a tincture, that intention comes through.   

My loose leaf tea line is based on the formulas I’ve noticed I repeatedly recommend to the people in my life. These are the herbs I know and love best, and have been sharing them with my friends, family, and clients for several years. And now I hope to share them more widely!

All of the herbs in the teas are certified organic and/or grown without the use of chemicals. All but four of the plants were sourced from small farms in the Pacific Northwest.

I also offer three different tincture formulas. Each one supports the health of the nervous system in a different way, and are based on formulas I myself have been using and recommending for years.

Modern Earthling is a daily tonic that supports the overall health of the nervous system. Like A Mountain supports stress resiliency and mental clarity. And Drifting is my go-to sleep formula. The herbs used in these tinctures were either hand-picked by me at local organic farms, homegrown in my own yard, or lovingly and ethically wildcrafted.

Thank you for your support! And don’t forget to use the discount code SPRINGBLOOMS for 20% off.

Feeling ungrounded or unfocused?

Working intentionally with herbs is an embodied way to move with the rhythm of the seasons, redirect your energy, and support your body as it transitions from winter to spring.

Curious what it’s like to work one-on-one with an herbalist? Read about my approach to clinical herbalism here.

Please Note: Statements made in this email have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products offered by this company are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any illness or condition. Seek expert advice before using herbs during pregnancy, while trying to conceive or nursing. The information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with you physician, and should not be construed as individual medical advice.