Nourishing Herbal Love!

Eeee!  I have been raving about my newfound connection to the natural world around me...coming into new relationships with plants has been very alive for me recently.  This began with my experience at the Midwest Women's Herbal Conference last June where I was honored to present on Sacred Sexuality and share my workshop on How Boundaries Support Freedom.  Honoring that we are all beautiful divine beings that can connect with our health and wholeness from within!

What bloomed open for me was a shift in my awareness of herbs and what I used to call "weeds" in my yard.  I've begun a regular practice of eating wild edibles right from my backyard...starting with a leaf a day,  now often more.  I started noticing which plants were flirting with me...and opened up to learning about them. Like Lamb's Quarters, and Lady's Thumb...both profuse in my back yard, yet little did I know how supportive for me they would become!  I think I ended up identifying and eating (or making medicines with) over 10 wild edibles that had just shown up in my yard this season!!  This doesn't even count the plants I intentionally planted for food, like tomatoes and oregano.  The plants that grow near us, live and flourish in the same environment we do.  So they are working with the same building blocks, as well as toxins that we are most exposed to.  By eating the wild plants near me, I receive a great gift of new ways to work with the world around me in my body.  A longer story for another time.

I love the soothing, golden, yin yumminess of Linden!

For now I wanted to share another practice that is nourishing me, inspired by Susun Weed and her teachings.  Almost daily, (about 5-6 times per week) I drink a quart of nourishing herbal infusion to support my health, and I share this with my family as well!  This feels so good for my body, it's really about accessing the rich nutrients of the plant...things like calcium and protein and other minerals....these are heavy constituents.  Think about it...minerals are rocks!  So a quick steep of a tea with a tiny amount of herb is not going to access these nourishing constituents.  Teas have their own amazing properties too, don't get me wrong.  They are providing medicinal components and taste.  Yet they just don't carry the nourishment boost that these infusions do.

Nettle infusion starting to steep for the night! 

It also resonated with me, that taking a pill or a capsule (supplements) is also not supporting the body in the same way.  It's skipping past the "coming into relationship" process of taste, and connection with the tongue and tissues in the mouth that allow the body to telegraph to the rest of our system what's coming, so as to really invite it in for nourishment...rather than quickly process it right out of our system through elimination.

Drinking these feels amazing, and my body is quite happy with the changes I am feeling as I support myself in this new way.

I found myself so often sharing links and resources with people that I decided to create this post!

Here’s a link to information about nourishing herbal infusions and how to make them:

http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm

Red clover I harvested from wild in Detroit
and dried over several weeks...

And more about how they support our health (for all men and women, even if we are not women in menopause):

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Article-healthy.htm

I have been alternating between nettle, oat straw, red clover, and linden flower (for linden I only use 1/2 oz dried herb instead of 1 oz for the others, I also usually only use 3/4 oz for nettle and clover).  Susun also talks about Comfrey leaf, although that hasn't resonated yet for me.

Drinking the beautiful infusion I
made with the clover I harvested!

I even harvested and dried my own red clover!  It was enough to make one batch of infusion, and it was a lot of fun.  For me what's a bit more accessible and sustainable right now is buying my herbs in bulk.

You can buy bulk herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs, or Pacific Botanicals (wow am I impressed with the quality of their nettle!) online, or there’s a great local resource here in southeast Michigan called Nature’s Products on Conant near 8 mile in Detroit.

Enjoy!

PS.  Note that oatstraw is great for supporting libido!  Yay, sexual yumminess!

Sending love and light to you all!

Mmm!  Dandelion flowers and a
linden herbal infusion snack!

Leslie
Light Bearer

New Sacred Sexuality classes and Apprenticeship: August 2013 Newsletter Excerpt

Eeee!  It's time!  So excited to announce the 2013/2014 Fall/Winter/Spring classes and Sacred Sexuality Shamanic Apprenticeship at Mystery School of the Temple Arts!

For those looking to explore a group class to begin or continue your journey of Sacred Sexuality, I recommend considering one of the following:

2013: 

Oct 5/6 - Four class offerings or the option of a weekendexperience that includes all 4 classes:

• One Love: Sacred Sexual Healing"Workshop
•  "Learning to Let Go!" Self-Exploration Playshop for Women

• "Female Orgasm & Female Ejaculation - Awareness and Empowerment!" Presentation/ Discussion
• "Polyamory & Alternative Relationships" Presentation/ Discussion

This is a great way to begin!  See below, or at the website, for more details.  Register by Oct 2nd.  Details>>

2014:

Feb 22/23 - New! The "Sacred Sexuality Weekend Workshop - Creating Your Blissful Life", a new offering that explores these teachings through a connected weekend journey.  Women, men, singles or couples of any sexual and gender identity are welcome and encouraged. A great place to begin, or continue your journey. Details>> 

Mar 22/23 - New! The Sacred Sexuality/Tantra Weekend Playshop for Couples, building a foundation and deepening with your partner. Details>>

And for those who already have experience with this path and are looking for a way to expand and deepen their practice:

Apr 5/6 - New! Deepening Your Tantric Practice - New advanced weekend experience by popular request!! Details>>

And a special deepening opportunity. If you have been seeking a way to deepen your own practice, learn more about connecting with and sharing your own authentic gift with the world, and/or teach in the realm of Sacred Sexuality, and if you are ready to be present and accept the responsibility of looking deeply within, this apprenticeship is for you!  

Nov 2013- Feb 2014 Sacred Sexuality Shamanic Apprenticeship Details>>

Last year, I had an inspirational experience at my vision quest that unlocked a few keys that were waiting to come together for me to share training for teachers in the realm of Sacred Sexuality. Last year 12 people felt the call and entered the circle, it was amazing...are you ready to be one of the Sacred Circle for the 2013/2014 session? I've been sitting with the land a day each week over the last year, receiving guidance and feeling the call to share a new level of deep medicine. It's time!! This will include new teachings that I have not yet shared. 

Photo by Miguel

If this path calls to you, possibly as weaving into your teachings, or for deepening in your own journey (you don't have to be a teacher or plan to teach to join in!), I invite you to read through the program details to see if it calls to you!  Please reach out for a discussion about how it may fit for you, or if you have any questions!  Register by Sept 27th.

Summer stillness in Michigan

And don't forget I offer Private Sessions as well, so if you'd like to explore this work but the idea of coming to a group class doesn't resonate for you, consider a private setting (Individuals, Couples, Multiple Partners).  Please do check out the FAQ'sat my website and reach out, I would love to hear from you!

Love and light to you all!   

Namaste,

Leslie  

Light Bearer

Eeee!  We're excited about our new fliers!  Grab a few at the next Temple Gathering and help spread the word

PS. To subscribe to get these Newsletters directly in your email in their original, full format, click Here 

Herbal Inspirations, Wisdom of the Body - June 2013 Newsletter Excerpt

WOWSERS!  So much shifting and emerging!  I am feeling a deep inspiration of coming into relationship...with myself, my sexuality, the Earth and her beings, Spirit, and others in my life.  Part of this inspiration stems from new relationships with my self, my daughter and my fellow powerful Goddesses at the recent Midwest Women's Herbal Conference.  I am living a whole new way of seeing and coming into relationship with the plants all around me...noticing when they flirt with me or call for my attention.  Sitting with what medicine they have to share with me, listening, feeling.   Another part of the inspiration emerges from a powerful weekend of deepening with one of my teachers into the sweet ocean tide of my own internal cranio-sacral rhythms, and coming into relationship with those of others with whom I was honored to be sharing. All of this is expanding my awareness...of my own body, of the Earth, plants, trees and animals around me, of the energies moving through me each day.  As well as in the deep powerful connection with my Love, as we share our bodies and connect in lovemaking, feeling new beginnings and new possibilities emerge each time we slow down into that space together.  I had no idea that in the calling to cranio-sacral work I may find a tidal rhythm in my own body that empowers and supports a new level of letting go into the Divine blessing of female ejaculation and bliss with my lover. I recently shared much more about deepening into Body Wisdom in my recent radio episodes which can be listened to or downloaded from the archives at my website:   Exploring the Felt Sense in our Sexuality, and  Coming Into Relationship...with Self, Sexuality, Spirit and our partners. And I am excited to share two tools you can take with you in your practice in the most recent (June 18th) episode!  Listen for these practices:   Eye Gazing as Energy Transition   Self Pleasure homework (homeplay!)  Explore with me live by radio... I invite you to listen and/or call in from anywhere in the world to the next "Sacred Sexuality with Leslie Blackburn" Radio Show on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.  And don't forget I offer Private Sessions as well, so if you'd like to explore this work but the idea of coming to a group class doesn't resonate for you, consider a private setting (Individuals, Couples, Multiple Partners).  Please do check out the FAQ's at my website and reach out, I would love to hear from you! Love and light to you all!    Namaste, Leslie   Light Bearer PS. To subscribe to get these Newsletters directly in your email in their original, full format, click Here

Sacred Sexuality Classes! January 2013 Newsletter Excerpt

   

Leslie and Jess sharing Thai yoga massage, Photo by Tanya Thunberg

I am feeling deep inspiration from a recent Thai yoga massage weekend immersion retreat.  I am enjoying the lush experience of meditative, centering, deep inquiry into my own essence, while being supported by others. The feeling of deep familiarity, ancient memory rekindled... present, aware touch; slowed down breath; conscious movement from the core of my very being. Inspiration flows as I connect the dots: this foundational physical reality of breath, sound, movement, touch, and visualization is a Divine spider web, illuminating a path of self-realization.
Sacred Sexuality is an energetic healing path of authenticity which seeks to unwind distortions and uncover Truth through the wisdom encoded in our own bodies. These teachings have turned out to be my most authentic gift and passion to share with the world. The essence of working with energy in the body is about balance, and finding healing in both the feminine and masculine aspects of ourselves. Integrating them together creates wholeness in our body, which projects outwardly into our lives. This method of healing and self-knowledge is a powerful potential for emotional release; improving our health; creating richer and more meaningful relationships with others; manifesting our heart's desires; and for walking a path of connection with Ultimate Bliss, Enlightenment, and the Divine. It is a lifestyle and calling, and it is an honor to share... 

Registration is now open!  The Winter/Spring 2013 Semester of Sacred Sexuality classes are Feb 9, 10, Mar 23, 24, Apr 20,21, specific classes, days and times are below and at the website under Offerings!  And notice the new offerings and weekend long experiences!  For those of you who have already attended some of my classes or worked with me privately, notice the new "Tantric Energy Merging" a more advanced exploration that you may find resonant.   And if you've considered working with me privately but weren't sure if you wanted to start, I recommend beginning with the "One Love:Sacred Sexual Healing workshop", we cover much of the foundational work I share in Introductory sessions thereby supporting a deeper private session experience should you choose to explore that path.

Our deepening continues with the Sacred Sexuality Shamanic Apprenticeship, our circle nears its formal close, and we together feel the call for co-creating the ongoing integration. I am very honored and grateful for how Spirit guided this group together. Sharing the deep medicine, fills me with gratitude, awe and wonder.

We had a record number of live listeners on my January radio show exploring "Polyamory - what it is, what it is not" and more!  Such gratitude for those of you listening in and reaching out with questions!  You can listen now to the archive of this and other episodes from my website. The February show will beTues the 19th, join me live! See below for details.

And I am so excited and honored to share about my Love's new CD!   Explore deepening in your own transformational journey, guided by Dixon's Violin!  Announcing the new CD, Jade Dragon! Listen or buy on-line, or we have CD's in-stock here at the Temple!  

Reminder, please join us Sunday Feb 10thto continue to explore at the next Temple Community Gathering at Mystery School of the Temple Arts in Michigan (5-7pm)! And listen in from anywhere in the world to the next "Sacred Sexuality with Leslie Blackburn" Radio Show on Tuesday Feb 19th.  And don't forget I offer Private Sessions as well, so if you'd like to explore this work but the idea of coming to a group class doesn't resonate for you, consider a private setting (Individuals, Couples, Multiple Partners).  Please do check out the FAQ's at my website and reach out, I would love to hear from you!

Love and light to you all!   

Namaste,

Leslie  

Light Bearer

PS. To subscribe to get these Newsletters directly in your email in their original, full format, click Here