Dear Friends, ­­

It’s been a slow fall into fall. The weedy herbs that typically grow in early spring are back for an encore, thanks to September rains. The weather is moody, as if the sky can’t decide whether to weep, to spit and hiss, or to divulge a blue so blue it wobbles on the eye, and thick light that unfurls like a flower in the late afternoon. The trees are still mostly green and full, with flushes of color that materialize overnight, like apparitions.

September, I love you.

And yet, what times we’re living in, no? For every papery leaf that makes it’s way back to the earth, it’s as if there are ten new and stressful things to pay attention to in the news. I’ve really had to make an effort not to spin out, to stay grounded, and to keep my nervous system from spiking all over the place. Yoga classes, long walks through the trees, cooking simple and nourishing meals, and getting enough sleep are all ways I’ve been practicing self care. I’ve also been taking my Modern Earthling tincture everyday, working with a flower essence formula I made myself, and drinking a LOT of tea.

I’ve been particularly enjoying my Smoky’s Blend tea, a formula I originally created to moisten, nourish, and protect the respiratory tracts of those living near wildfires. But the tea can be used by anyone to soothe the throat and lungs, and to invite the breath more deeply into the body.

In addition to respiratory go-to’s Marshmallow root, Peppermint, Anise Hyssop, and Licorice, Smoky’s Blend also contains Holy Basil, one of my absolute favorite herbs for the nervous system. Holy Basil is what’s called an adaptogen, which means it literally helps our body “adapt” to stress. The more we work with adaptogens, the more our stress resiliency grows, and the more gracefully we transition between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system states. Holy Basil has also traditionally been used to modulate and support the immune system, among many, many other common uses (to support cognitive function and mental clarity is another way I love working with it).

Soon I’ll be changing the name of Smoky’s Blend to something that more eloquently describes the poetry of the formula. But for now, my ENTIRE online shop is on sale to make way for some new and exciting changes. If you typically find yourself feeling dry and brittle this time of year, you’re prone to catching the common cold, or your nerves are feeling frayed, Smoky’s Blend might be the tea for you. (As always, if you’re on medications, have a diagnosed medical condition, or are pregnant/nursing/trying to conceive, it’s best to talk to your doctor before using herbs.)

Working with herbs is a wonderful way to practice holistic preventative health, to fortify your immune system, and to connect more deeply with your own body. Along with commonsense practices like avoiding sugar (in general, but especially when you’re getting sick), drinking enough water, eating whole + nourishing foods, and sleeping enough, herbs may be just what you need to navigate the coming seasonal changes.

I’m currently accepting new herbal clients for the fall and winter. My one-on-one Holistic Wellness Consultations are what I consider to be a creative collaboration between the herbalist (me!), the client, and the plants themselves, during which we work together to come up with a personalized wellness plan to support you, both physically and energetically. In addition to addressing your specific health and wellness related concerns, the goal of each consultation is for you to:

• Learn how herbal medicine can support your overall health and vitality;

• Explore holistic ways to manage stress, improve digestion, deepen sleep, and much more;

• Incorporate simple nutritional and lifestyle changes into your daily routines;

• And connect with yourself and the world around you in more grounded and embodied ways.

If you’re interested, please reach out! You can read all about what to expect here and here and here. You can book a consultation here or purchase a discounted consultation package here. You also can also schedule a free 20-minute phone call to see if I’m a good fit for you. (In case you don’t know, a lot of my clients are distance clients and we meet over the phone.)

And finally, I’ve officially been in business for a year now, and wow, what a year it’s been! This whole thing still feels like a dance, unfolding in new and unexpected ways every day. And I’m not just talking about my day-to-day work. I’ve had to work through some very real fears and feelings around money and purpose and taking up space and being seen and self-doubt and imposter syndrome and the list goes on and on and on.

At the same time, the last year has also been incredibly creatively fulfilling and nourishing, and it’s a HUGE privilege to get to spend my time doing something I find so rewarding. This is all just to say THANK YOU, hands on my heart and a bow to you and to everyone who has supported me in big and small ways. Whether you’ve purchased a product, have been my client, or just read this newsletter, it all means so much to me.

Sending lots of love your way and don’t forget: my entire shop is on sale!

Clare

Client Spotlight

Every now and then I include a “client spotlight” in my newsletters. These little blurbs are completely anonymous and shared with permission. They are meant to help my community better understand my work with clients, some of the reasons one might work with an herbalist, what a typical protocol looks like, etc.

This client originally came to me because they just “felt off” and wanted to work on basic vitality. They felt sluggish and bloated, irritable, distracted, and moody. They wanted to try using herbs to help them manage their high stress lifestyle, as well as to address some menstrual symptoms. Our initial protocol focused on using herbs for stress management, creating a routine of self-care, and a simple elimination diet. After about two months of this protocol, this client reported feeling “amazing”, less bloated, more present, and much more vital overall. Many of their reproductive symptoms were resolved as well.

Later in our work together, they were less strict about dietary changes but felt as if they had a deeper understanding of their body and how best to support it, and felt empowered to re-incorporate their new dietary tools should they feel the need. With a more consistent self-care routine, they were better able to manage their stress to the point where they had much more clarity around where to direct their energy, both personally and professionally. Throughout our time working together (about one year), we continued to work with herbs that support the nervous system, stress resiliency, and cognitive function.

What this person said about our work together:

"Working with Clare has brought a new level of calm and centered energy into my life. She’s offered practical suggestions that have brought me clarity and peace during a particularly hectic year. These are things anyone can (and should!) consider - taking a few vitamins, drinking this incredible herbal tea she designed for me based on a few conversations, taking one night a week just for me, etc. 

Beyond just the practical suggestions I’ve found it incredibly comforting to know there is someone who is unequivocally on my side, available to offer support and guidance, and to provide expert insights into how to improve my self, my health and my relationships.”

Get Your Winter’s Sister Herbs in Bulk

Is there a Winter’s Sister product you love and want more of? Do you work in an office and think your co-workers would benefit from a tea or tincture I make? What about your housemates? If so, would you be interested in purchasing a larger amount with discounted pricing? Please reach out! I’m happy to offer my teas and tinctures in bulk.

And if you’re curious about herbs but don’t want to do a full consultation, I also offer custom formulation. You just pay a small fee and the price of the herbs.

Happy Libra Season!

“As individuals we may feel vulnerable and doubtful of our ability to change anything. The seemingly overwhelming images of disaster we are confronted with can freeze us like rabbits in the headlights. As we feel our collective energy go down the psychic plughole, I am reminded of someone at a conference asking Gary Snyder why bother to save the planet. He replied with a grin, “Because it’s a matter of character and a matter of style!”

(Spoken like a true Libra moon! Gary Snyder that is. The rest of the quote is Martin Shaw.)

It’s Libra Season and this weekend was the new moon, an opportunity to align ourselves with magic and mystery, and to plant seeds and set intentions that will now grow with the waxing light. Today the moon is just starting to reappear again in the western evening sky. It will look like a tiny little sliver. I don’t know about you, but I personally always feel relieved when it’s back.

How are you feeling in your body? How are you feeling in your relationships? How are you feeling in relationship to the world around you? And your work? Was this past weekend a little all over the place? Yeah, me too.

There is a profound level of depth to the next few weeks that won’t always feel easy. No matter how you’re personally experiencing Libra Season (depending on your birth chart, different areas of your life will be most impacted), this moment in time is edgy, intense, and poignant…and all Libra wants is some balance and for everyone to get along. Sending you love as you navigate whatever comes up (or churns below the surface) in your own life, and as we cast collective spells of connection, justice, beauty, and healing.

Curious about your personal birth chart and how to make the most of the season? Read about my astrology offerings here.

This month, I’ll again be offering mini astrology readings for the full moon, this time in Aries. Read more about my 13Moons offering here and keep an eye on Instagram for details.

*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 if you have a diagnosed medical condition, are on medication, during pregnancy, nursing, or while trying to conceive. The information provided by this email, website and company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with your physician, and should not be construed as individual medical advice.