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Southe
Walk
There’s
constan
and the
should
These v
they ge
to be fi
confuse
east Wise Wome
lking Alon
an awful lot o
ntly inundated
e internet—all
eat, what we s
voices are loud
enerally sugges
xed. It’s easy t
ed under these
en
ng the W
of static in our
by outside vo
telling us who
should wear an
d and strident,
st that we are
to feel overwhe
e circumstance
Wise Wom
world today. W
ices—including
we should be
nd how we sho
and often con
essentially lack
elmed, dissatis
s.
man Path
We’re
g the media
e, what we
ould look.
ntradictory, yet
king and need
sfied and
As wo
challe
pieces
puzzli
and w
of fem
often
being
voices
doing
And t
bytes
OK. St
the ru
the W
whisp
ness o
proba
exerci
respo
and su
Good.
omen, multiple
nging for us to
s of our lives, w
ng health conc
wanting to feel
male beauty th
feel that our n
met. But our
s create a disco
.
here’s that end
and sound bit
top for a mom
uckus. I’d ventu
Wise Woman Tr
er to you. You
of your physica
ably embraced
se, healthy eat
nsible product
upplements—t
. It’s time to go
Wise Wom
demands of d
o find our cent
wishing we had
cerns—our ow
more grounde
at are unrealis
needs for solitu
schedules, our
onnect betwee
dless stream of
tes. But inform
ment. Breathe. T
ure to guess th
radition, you’ve
u have an awar
al, emotional a
some importa
ting habits and
ts. You may use
to support you
o deeper. It’s t
man Ways to Co
daily life can m
ter. We’re jugg
d more energy
wn and those o
ed. We’re pres
tic (and frankly
ude, rest and r
r responsibilitie
en who we are
f information,
ation isn’t nec
There are othe
hat as a woman
e already been
reness of the in
and spiritual he
ant lifestyle cha
d using environ
e herbal allies—
ur wellbeing.
time to remem
onnect
make it especia
gling all the
y, experiencing
of our families—
ented with ide
y, unhealthy). W
restoration are
es and those
and what we’
coming at us i
essarily wisdom
er voices benea
n curious abou
hearing them
nterconnected-
ealth. You’ve
anges such as
nmentally
—tinctures, tea
mber.
2
lly
g
—
eals
We
n’t
re
in
m.
ath
ut
m
-
as
Southe
Those w
grandm
ancient
in the g
selves r
with cu
These a
They sp
them. T
and to
dance o
The Wis
absolut
integrat
the Eart
cultivate
spirit in
“Steppdifficuthe wh
~Maya
east Wise Wome
whispers you’re
mothers, and th
ways that hon
great circle of
reminding us t
riosity and joy
are the voices o
peak softly so t
They encourage
walk our path
our lives.
se Woman Tra
tely practical an
te ourselves in
th that sustain
es her own sh
n the eyes of h
ping onto a branlt than remainin
hole woman.”
a Angelou
en
e hearing are t
heir grandmoth
nor the Earth a
Life. They’re al
o trust our int
y.
of the Wise W
that we will mo
e us to listen d
mindfully and
adition doesn’t
nd intensely pe
our beautiful
s us. The Wise
ining spirit; she
er sisters.
nd-new path is dng in a situation
the voices of o
her’s grandmot
and our bodies
so the voices o
uition and eng
Woman way. Th
ove closer in o
deeply, to obse
reverently. Th
dictate. It isn’t
ersonal—callin
bodies and re
e Woman celeb
e recognizes a
difficult, but not, which is not n
our
thers: the
s and our place
of our child-
gage our world
ey don’t shout
order to hear
erve carefully
hey invite us to
t dogmatic. It’s
ng us to re-
econnect with
brates and
nd honors tha
t more urturing to
e
d
t.
o
s
at
The m
phrase
wisdo
integr
knowi
bodie
suppo
the ab
thems
live.
We ar
share
medic
benef
city an
Walk
very e
Tradit
Many
but w
shiftin
Come
mind/body/spir
e in the media
m. Wellness an
rated part of o
ng; tending ou
s with the who
ort our systems
bundant gifts o
selves to us rig
re in an allianc
our home. Yo
cine or move o
its of this relat
nd still be root
along the path
effective ways f
ion in your eve
are simple exe
will reap wonde
ng your lens so
e closer and list
Wise Wom
it connection t
a has always be
nd healing are
ur lives. This m
ur needs for re
olesome, natur
s; and respond
of the plants a
ght where we l
e with the Eart
u don’t have t
off-grid to a pe
tionship. You c
ted in the Eart
h with me and
for you to cult
eryday life. Som
ercises; others
erful rewards. O
o that you can
ten . . .
man Ways to Co
that has becom
een at the hea
proactive—an
means trusting
est and comfor
ral—even wild—
ding to health
nd herbs that
ive . . . no mat
th and with th
o be an “expe
ermaculture far
can be in the m
h.
we’ll look at s
ivate the Wise
me may alread
require a bit o
Often, it’s simp
see things in
onnect
me a catch
rt of women’s
n ongoing and
our inner
rt; nurturing o
—foods that w
concerns with
present
tter where we
e plants that
rt” in plant
rm to receive t
midst of a busy
some easy and
e Woman
dy be familiar.
of commitmen
ply a matter of
a different way
3
our
will
the
y
d
t,
y.
Southe
What
Our soc
mainstr
sensibil
“The Wknowwritte
A womand acompperso ~ Sus
east Wise Wome
is the Wise
ciety insists on
ream culture, a
ity and New A
Wise Woman Trn on our planet
en or talked abo
man-centered trll her creatures,
passion, simple ron and maintain
sun Weed, Heali
en
Woman Tr
duality. There
and even in mu
Age spirituality.
radition is the ot, yet one that isout.
radition of self- the Wise Wom
ritual and commhealth/wholene
ing Wise
radition All
e’s an either/or
uch of the “alte
ldest tradition os rarely identified
love, respectful an Tradition tel
mon herbs heal tess/holiness.”
About?
r paradigm in
ernative”
of healing d, rarely
of the earth ls us that the whole
It’s all
what
which
woma
intertw
The p
conne
achiev
“highe
us tha
saved
huma
When
config
strivin
divine
In the
sacred
steepe
conce
Still, t
cellula
embra
natura
night,
from y
about the “lig
is mysterious a
remains untam
an, whose body
wined with the
revailing parad
ection to our b
ve a high level
er authority” th
at we are, esse
. It negates so
n beings and a
we move from
guration of botng to transcend
e is something
e Wise Woman
d and we trust
ed in the cult o
ept of wholene
here’s a deep
ar memory of a
aces a spiral thal cycles of our
from dark mo
youth to old a
Wise Wom
ght” and a pred
and “dark.” Tha
med despite a
y and its great
e Earth’s body.
digm tells us th
bodies and to t
of spiritual “p
hat dictates str
ntially, dirty an
many essentia
as women.
m a perspectiv
th light and da
d our bodies; f
outside of us.
Tradition, we
our inner guid
of duality that
ss is difficult to
resonance tha
a way of life an
hat includes bo
r world consta
oon to full moo
ge and death.
man Ways to Co
disposition to
at tends to inc
ll efforts to ma
t mysteries are
hat we need to
the physical pl
purity.” It calls u
rict codes of be
nd flawed; in n
al parts of our
e of either ligh
ark, we move a
from a perspec
understand ou
dance. Often, w
the Wise Wom
o understand o
t many women
nd a belief sys
oth light and d
ntly move thro
on, from winte
onnect
shutting out
clude the Earth
aster her—and
intricately
o overcome ou
ane in order to
us to answer to
ehavior, telling
need of being
experience as
ht or dark, to a
away from this
ctive where the
ur bodies as
we are so
man Tradition
or accept.
n experience—
stem that
dark, just as the
ough day and
er to summer,
4
—
d
ur
o
o a
g
a
e
—a
e
Southe
realizat
women
spiritua
earth’s
sacred t
The Wis
deep no
bodies
go from
purifica
wholen
We hon
our atte
and tow
spiritua
health.
east Wise Wome
ion that in ord
, there needs t
l experiences,
physical form
that is around
se Woman Tra
ourishment an
shifts when we
m perceiving o
tion, to recogn
ess of our bod
nor our natura
ention away fro
ward nourishin
lly, our bodies
en
der for spiritual
to be focus on
in both our ow
of plant and t
us and within
adition embrac
d self-love. Ou
e look through
urselves as unc
nizing the intri
dy and our spir
l cycles—our e
om fixing or re
g ourselves ph
s respond by m
As wise w
Weed rem
planet is a
darkness!
is an unna
the Earth
beings.
Women o
religious t
are comin
l language to t
n the embodimwn physical bo
ree, rock and w
us.
es the Earth, lo
ur relationship
h this Wise Wo
clean and in n
nsic perfection
rit.
ebbs and flows
ejecting our ph
hysically, emoti
moving towards
woman Susun
minds us, our
always half in
Constant light
atural state for
and for all
f various
traditions today
g back to the
truly apply to
ment of our
odies and in th
water--the
ocal plants,
with our
oman lens. We
eed of
n and
s. As we turn
hysical selves
ionally and
s optimal
t
r
y
e
As wo
Woma
alread
heard
them
You m
today,
time,
and e
Yes, a
your d
decad
here.
Not o
invalu
and sp
immed
You m
benef
consid
Listen
part o
It says
omen, we recog
an path is a pr
dy know. We m
our elders spe
from their fore
may wonder ho
, who are deal
energy and res
nriched by som
nd in fact, inco
daily life is far
des, I’ve integra
only are they re
able for many
piritual health
diately; others
might wonder a
it my health to
der a single pla
deeper and y
of you that reco
s, “Trust. This i
Wise Wom
gnize this way
rocess of reme
may recall it as
eak of rituals a
emothers.
ow these pract
ing with unpre
sources. Can o
mething that h
orporating the
easier than yo
ated the simple
elevant in toda
women, in pro
and wellbeing
may be new.
at some of the
o lie on the Ea
ant my “ally”?
ou will hear a
ognizes the int
s a journey we
man Ways to Co
of life as fami
embering much
“folk wisdom.”
and remedies t
ices can apply
ecedented dem
our lives be pro
has been within
Wise Woman
ou might imagi
e practices tha
ay’s world, they
omoting physi
. Some you m
em . . . how co
rth, or talk to
clear voice tha
terconnectedn
e’ve been on a
onnect
iliar; the Wise
h of what we
” We may have
that came to
to women
mands on our
ofoundly altere
n us all along?
Tradition into
ine. Over the
at I’m sharing
y’ve proven
cal, emotional
ay recognize
uld it possibly
a tree, or
at speaks to a
ess of all of Li
ll along . . . ”
5
e
ed
fe.
Southe
Con
Before
focus o
true ho
generat
shipped
capsule
further
neighbo
in their
east Wise Wome
nnecting
the healthcare
on pharmaceut
me remedies t
tions. Before th
d from the oth
es that mimic d
than the plant
oring woods a
salads, soups,
en
g with t
industry took
icals—there wa
that have susta
he craze for ex
er side of the
drug compoun
ts that grew on
nd fields for th
infusions, tinc
the Plan
hold—bringin
as folk medicin
ained and heal
xotic herbs—dr
planet and de
ds—wise wom
n their doorste
he ingredients
ctures, and tea
nts
ng with it a
ne: tried-and-
led for
ried and
livered in
men looked no
eps and in the
that they used
s.
d
Many
weeds
are ab
growi
we do
within
In the
medic
live, w
those
of goi
watch
medic
and liv
As yo
medic
worke
them
when
don’t
expos
exhau
Let’s s
plants
grow
their g
local wild plan
s, have long hi
bundant, free a
ng and thriving
o, they are eve
n the ecosystem
e Wise Woman
cine blur. When
we have the op
plants and the
ing outside, co
ing her throug
cine—as well a
ves.
u begin the pr
cinal plants, a g
ed with Peterso
to be very use
it comes to th
want to be ing
ed to chemica
ust.
start our journe
s that are fairly
right around y
gifts.
Wise Wom
nts, including s
stories of edib
and extremely
g in the same
n better able t
ms where we li
Tradition, the
n we work with
pportunity to d
e Earth, and to
onnecting with
gh the seasons
s her physical
rocess of explo
good field guid
on’s Field Guid
er friendly. You
he area you are
gesting plants
al toxins, includ
ey with five wa
y ubiquitous—c
you—and easy
man Ways to Co
some that are
ble and medici
potent. Becaus
climates and g
to support our
ive.
lines between
h plants that g
develop a relati
o receive the h
a particular p
s, and inviting
medicine—int
oring your loca
de is a vital res
es for many ye
u should also b
e harvesting. Y
from a patch t
ding fertilizers
ays to connect
common plant
ways that you
onnect
considered
nal usage. The
se they are fre
geographies th
r own thriving
n food and
grow where we
ionship with
ealing benefits
lant being,
her energetic
o our bodies
al edible and
source; I have
ears and find
be observant
You certainly
that has been
or automobile
t with some
ts that probabl
u can receive
6
ey
esh,
hat
e
s
ly
Southe
1. Drin
When y
is one o
otherwi
wood n
Barn ne
opposit
soils (so
Wood n
forest s
Nettle o
highest
iron, all
hormon
nettles
when th
Year ro
immers
and allo
you’ll g
dried n
prepari
materia
Drinking
all phas
women
east Wise Wome
nk Nettle In
you want to su
of the best pla
ise known as b
nettle (Laporteaettle resembles
te leaves. It like
o she often gro
nettle has alter
streams.
offers a concen
t chlorophyll le
nourishing fo
nal systems. In
in soup or a s
hey’re dried or
und, you can u
ing one cup o
owing the infu
et some medic
ettles in a teab
ng the herb as
al, steeped for
g a pint a day
ses of life, from
’s hormonal sy
en
nfusion
upport your fem
aces to start. St
barn nettle or E
a canadensis) as a large mint,
es to live near
ows near build
rnate leaves an
ntrated dose o
evels available
r the blood an
early spring, y
auté (don’t wo
r cooked).
use dried nettl
f dried nettle i
sion to sit for
cinal benefit fr
bag, you’ll get
s an infusion, w
an extended b
is a wonderfu
m menarche wh
ystems, throug
male body with
tinging nettle (
English nettle,
are plentiful in
with serrated,
creeks or in m
dings that shelt
nd prefers to s
of nutrients—in
in a plant—mi
nd beneficial fo
you can eat fre
orry, they lose
e to make an
in a quart of b
at least four h
rom by making
exponentially
with a large vo
brewing time.
l ongoing toni
hen it can sup
h menstruating
h herbs, nettle
(Urtica dioica), and her cousin
most areas.
blue-green,
manure rich
ter livestock).
ettle around
ncluding the
nerals, and
or women’s
esh stinging
their sting
infusion by
boiling water
ours. While
g a tea with
more by
olume of plant
ic for women i
port young
g years,
n,
in
pregn
transit
Many
nettle
bodie
Once
yourse
M
12
3
4
A stain thinfus
nancy, birthing,
tion and post-
women find t
infusion: they
s and they nat
you start drink
elf becoming e
Making Nettle
1. Put one cup 2. Fill jar with b
for at least fo3. Strain the liq
days. 4. To drink, reh
summer, youhoney or oth
andard dose is 2e fridge for a fe
sion has turned
Wise Wom
breast-feedin
menopausal su
hat they devel
fall in love wi
turally begin to
king nettle infu
enamored with
Infusion Daily
of dried nettle boiling water anour hours, or ovquid and store in
heat and serve wu might prefer ither flavorings yo
2 cups of nettle ew days, a quicksour. Otherwise
man Ways to Co
g, and into me
upport.
op a strong re
th how it trans
o crave it on a
usion, you too
h this velvety g
Women’s Herb
in a quart jar d allow the infu
vernight. n the refrigerato
warm. Or in the ht chilled. Feel freou enjoy.
infusion per dayk sniff will let youe, drink up!
onnect
enopausal
elationship with
sforms their
regular basis.
may find
green brew.
bal Tonic
sion to sit
or for several
heat of the ee to add
y. If it’s been u know if the
7
h
Southe
2. Use
Found
externa
for trea
easing t
Wise w
because
a planta
poultice
Plantain
varietie
intercha
plantain
and lan
(Plantagwill not
run dow
than sid
into the
on the
The eas
as a “sp
chew u
You’ll fe
east Wise Wome
e Plantain P
nearly everywh
l skin ailments
ating and pullin
the pain, itchin
omen’s kids of
e when they h
ain poultice, af
e on to enhanc
n is easily iden
s that can be u
angeably: broa
n (Plantago mance-leaved plan
go lanceolata).tice parallel vei
wn the leaf, rat
de veins that fe
e mid-rib, mos
back of the lea
siest way to pr
pit poultice,” w
p some of the
eel immediate
en
oultices
here, plantain i
s. Our great gra
ng out infectio
ness and swelli
ften refer to th
ave scrapes an
ffix it with a ba
ce its drawing
tified by its lea
used
ad leaf
ajor), ntain
You
ins that
ther
eed
t visible
af.
repare this plan
which is, indeed
leaf, spit it ou
relief from pa
s a favorite he
andmothers us
ns or splinters
ing of insect b
his as the “ban
nd bites, they k
and-aid and le
properties.
aves. There are
nt for topical m
d, just what it s
ut, and slap it o
in or itching.
erb for most
sed this plant
s, and for
bites.
d-aid plant”
know to make
ave the
e two common
medicinal use i
sounds like:
on!*
n
s
When
poulti
times
*Althouprotect
loved ochoppin
“I brorealizthumwas sforef
“Whealarmstabbmustthat dwithiHave
“Thatwrapto myup, inpullefaith
treating an in
ce on overnigh
during the da
ugh we may think otive enzymes that h
ones) prefer not to ng leaves with a kn
One w
oke a glass dishwzed that not only
mb. I winced as I still very painful. finger. I treated it
en I woke up themed that when I bing pain of beint still be in there!day, to no avail. n my wound. Wo
e my thumb cut o
t night, I made apped it up. In they delight and amn the center of med it out. That wa
in plantain’s dra
Wise Wom
nfection, you’ll
ht, and/or refre
y, in order to m
of saliva as dirty, ithelp with the heali
o use saliva, the poknife or in a blende
woman’s planta
washing, and why was I cut, but I pulled it out withEspecially whent gingerly as I we
e next morning, tpressed my thumng cut inside by t! I tried again witI couldn’t even could I need to goopen?”
spit poultice of e morning, I tendmazement, the shmy wound! I rushas it; no more paawing powers!”
man Ways to Co
probably want
esh and replac
maintain medi
it actually contains ing process. Certai
oultice can also be er, with a bit of wa
ain love story .
en the bleeding still had a shard h tweezers. Half I pressed it agaent about my tas
the pain had submb against the tathe sharp edge oth the tweezers scatch a glimpse oo into the emerg
plantain for my derly removed thhard of glass washed to get the twin, no more glas
onnect
t to leave the
ce it several
cinal potency.
s a large number oinly, if you (or your
prepared by finelyater.
. .
slowed, I of glass in my an hour later, it inst my sks that day. “
bsided--so I was able, I felt the of glass that several times of the glass gency room?
thumb and e poultice, and s now sticking
weezers, and ss. And a lot of
8
of r
y
Southe
3. Mak
Wild pla
and oth
absorb.
years o
wild pla
conside
Making
your ya
Studieproducompomoderdemen The loyears aphytonplants have bresearwith th Wild dhave swhich ~Jo Ro
east Wise Wome
ke a Wild Sa
ants contain co
her nutrients th
Our bodies ev
f our ancestors
ants growing a
ered “weeds” to
your own wild
ard, or a nearby
es published witce is relatively loounds with the prn scourges: canntia.
ss of these beneago, as many asnutrients from osome 10,000 ye
been made posschers to compahe produce in o
dandelions, onceeven times morewe consider a ‘s
obinson, New Yo
en
alad
oncentrated do
hat we are able
volved over hu
s receiving nou
around them—
oday!
d salads is as e
y wild spot wh
hin the past 15 ow in phytonutrpotential to redncer, cardiovasc
eficial nutrients ssume. Unwittinour diet since weears ago and besible by new tecre the phytonutur supermarket
a springtime tree phytonutrientssuperfood.””
ork Times, May
oses of vitamin
e to readily dig
undreds of tho
urishment from
—many of which
easy as steppin
here you like to
years show thatrients, which areuce the risk of fular disease, dia
did not begin 5gly, we have bee stopped foragecame farmers. Tchnology that hatrient content os. The results ar
eat for Native As [ital added] tha
25, 2013
ns, minerals,
gest and
ousands of
m the edible
h are
ng out into
o walk.
t much of our e the four of our abetes and
50 or 100 en stripping
ging for wild These insights as allowed f wild plants re startling.
mericans, an spinach,
Pick o
wild e
found
salad.
Chickw
abund
weath
fall. La
ancest
summ
seaso
If you
wild e
those
bloom
Your w
washi
you to
green
Back i
delicio
wome
*As alw
identify
one mild-tastin
edible herb to
ation of your w
weed is most
dant in the coo
her of the sprin
ambsquarter, a
tor of spinach,
mer. Violet leave
n.*
notice some d
edibles that yo
leaves as well
ming nearby, by
wild salad can
ng or pruning
o gather your e
leaves and br
inside, add you
ous bounty. An
en!
ways, use your field
ying these tasty op
Wise Wom
g,
be the
wild
ol, wet
ng and
a wild
, is prevalent in
es are found t
dandelion leav
u’re familiar w
. If you have v
y all means, ad
be constructe
required. Bring
edible weeds;
reak them into
ur favorite dres
nd remember .
guide and/or the
ptions.
man Ways to Co
n many areas d
hroughout the
ves or other str
ith, add a sma
violet or dande
dd those in as
d entirely outd
g your bowl o
harvest the cle
bite-sized pie
ssing and enjo
. . wild plants
guidance of a tra
onnect
during the
e growing
rong-flavored
ller quantity o
elion blossoms
well.
doors, with no
r basket with
ean, vibrant
eces.
oy the fresh,
make wild
ined herbalist in
9
f
Southea
4. Mak
Dandeli
herb tha
for man
become
Dandeli
liver and
liver is c
dandelio
and gar
time wh
The live
our live
balance
taste, bu
absorbe
the list
the bloo
breastfe
In the fa
below t
few dan
maximu
Making
are thos
commer
ast Wise Women
ke a Dandel
on (Taraxacum at has been use
ny generations,
e detested as a
on is highly no
d, in today’s wo
challenged by e
on offering her
rdens—where s
hen we all could
er is also where
rs is an essentia
. Eaten raw in s
ut one that’s w
ed nutrients: vit
goes on and o
od, stomach an
eeding mothers
all, the leaves d
he ground to it
ndelion roots af
um potency me
your own tinct
se made from f
rcially available
n
lion Root T
m officinale) is an
ed medicinally
but has
weed today.
ourishing for the
orld, everyone’s
environmental t
rself in great ab
he is largely di
d use some live
our hormones
al part of supp
salads, dandelio
worth developin
tamins A to D, c
n. This wholeso
nd kidneys. And
s.
die back, and th
ts roots, to stor
fter a hard frost
dicine to receiv
tures is easy. In
fresh plants in y
tinctures are a
incture
n
e
s
toxins. It’s ironi
bundance in yar
sposed of or ig
er support!
are manufactu
orting female h
on leaves are a
g. They contain
calcium, potass
ome, free food
d it’s a wonderf
he plant sends
re over the win
t is the best tim
ve her benefits
n fact, the stron
your backyard.
actually made fr
c: we have
rds and lawns
gnored—at a
ured; supporting
hormonal
n acquired
n so many easil
sium, iron . . .
also benefits
ul ally for
her energy
nter. Digging a
me to make a
year round.
ngest tinctures
Many
rom dried
g
y
plants
reduce
Step o
and al
potenc
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
1
that have been
es their efficacy
outside your do
ll—and follow t
cy tincture. A fe
Wise Wom
1. Identify and
2. Look throug
3. Do not wash
4. Flowers, berr
leaves and st
chopped wit
5. Fill a jar to th
6. Fill the jar to
7. Label the jar
8. Top off the l
9. Leave your t
10. Strain out th
11. Store the tin
amber bottle
Wise Wom
n stored and sh
y.
oor and harvest
the simple direc
ew drops a day
man Tincture M
harvest the plan
h the plant mat
h any part of the
ries, and most le
talks can be cho
th a knife or ble
he top with the
o the top again,
—eg, Dandelion
iquid level the n
incture brewing
he plant materia
cture in a cabin
e); potency will
man Ways to Con
hipped long dis
t a basketful of
ctions for your
y will have you
Making
nt parts you wa
terial and discar
e plant except ro
eaves can be us
opped coarsely.
nded with the a
plant material, p
with 100-proof
n root, 100 pf vo
next day
g on your counte
l
et out of direct
be retained for
nnect
stances, which
plants—roots
own, high-
glowing!
nt to tincture
d damaged par
oots.
sed whole. Toug
Roots can be
alcohol.
packed tight.
vodka, and cap
odka, 11/3/2014
er for six weeks.
sunlight (or an
at least 3-5 yea
10
ts.
gh
p.
4.
.
rs.
Southea
5. Ally
Like any
getting
amazed
cultivati
ally’s ph
Look ar
and stay
Your all
be over
reclusive
If a plan
how tha
until we
Come to
her. Res
in her c
differen
differen
prepara
help yo
My first
in the s
high, I c
for infus
ast Wise Women
y with a Plan
y good relation
to know a sing
how much you
ng a dedicated
hysical, medicin
ound the garde
y open for a pl
y may be a pla
rflowing with vi
e plant that yo
nt calls to you,
at plant is indic
e’ve worked wit
o know your al
search her attrib
hanging beauty
t parts of the p
t seasons—and
tions and mens
u to receive he
plant ally was
pring for soup
collected the le
sions during th
n
nt for a Yea
ship, investing
gle plant ally ca
u learn about h
d course of stud
al, edible, and
en, yard or plac
ant you feel es
ant that’s in gre
olets or dandel
u feel an intuiti
pay attention. W
cated for us per
th it for some t
ly throughout t
butes and her p
y. In this way, y
plant that tend
d you can also
struums (alcoho
er gifts.
nettle. I started
and as the pla
af stalks—the t
e winter.
ar
the time and a
an reap great re
herbal medicine
dy to working w
energetic aspe
ces where you w
specially drawn
eat abundance;
lions. It may be
ive connection
We often don’t
rsonally in term
ime.
the circle of the
phases. Make s
you can learn a
to reach peak
experiment wit
ol, water, vineg
d collecting the
nt grew to a co
top half of the
attention in
ewards. You’ll b
e through
with your plant
cts.
walk frequently
to.
your yard may
e a more
with.
t realize why or
ms of our health
e year. Observe
sketches of her
bout the
potency in
h various
ar, oil) that can
e young sprouts
ouple of feet
plant—to dry
be
y
y
r
h
e
n
s
When
collect
plants
unexp
After t
I harve
of the
As you
the pla
conve
the nettle wen
ted the seeds a
I had cut back
ected second s
the hard frost, w
ested the roots
nettle root.
u develop the r
ant . . . and hea
rsation—it’s the
Wise Wom
nt to flower and
and made tinctu
k or harvested r
season of tende
when the abov
s and experimen
relationship, yo
aring from the
e Wise Woman
man Ways to Co
d seed in the su
ures. I found th
re-grew in the f
er greens for so
veground portio
nted with medi
u may find you
plant as well. E
n Way.
onnect
ummer, I
hat the nettle
fall and I had a
oup and vinega
on had died ba
icinal preparatio
urself talking to
Engage in this
11
an
ar.
ck,
ons
o
Southea
ConThe Wis
and enc
her gifts
requires
and the
6. Lie
As child
drawn t
the swe
amid th
on the g
reclaim
A large
verified
Earth fo
simply l
woods b
Lie on t
energy.
anger—
flow thr
the hea
ast Wise Women
nnectingse Woman Trad
courages us to
s. Stepping bac
s us to let go o
e creatures that
on the Eart
dren, we were n
to run barefoot
eet summer gra
e autumn leave
ground. It’s tim
that joy.
body of resear
what ancient p
or guidance and
ying quietly in
benefits physica
the Earth, belly
Lie on your ba
—energies that m
rough you into
ling arms of th
n
g with tdition is ground
remember that
ck into right rel
of the concept o
inhabit it.
th
naturally
--to lie in
ss, to play
es, to sit
me to
rch has
people knew ab
d comfort. Even
the park, in yo
al, emotional, a
down, to receiv
ack to release a
may be “stuck”
the soil to be a
e Mother.
the Eartded in the Earth
t with every bre
ationship with
of being “other
bout “earthing”—
n just a few min
our yard or gard
and spiritual he
ve nourishment
nd let go of te
in your body; a
absorbed and t
th
h and her cycle
eath, we receive
our Mother
r” than the land
—lying on the
nutes a day of
den or in the
alth.
t and healing
nsion, grief or
allow them to
transformed in
s
e
d
Much
your m
Even i
walkin
feeling
So go
“Thwillus idamearpluof t
Theproprorad
Thethaturndemof cby
~D
like snuggling
mind and body
f you can’t fully
ng for a while in
g that attachme
on . . . wiggle
he earth’s surfacing and waitingis chock full of fmage, causing oth is meant to bg into to receivethis inflammatio
e earth and humovide oxygen anovides negative icals and togeth
ere is literally not does not positns out, most so-mentia, heart dischronic inflammplugging into th
r. Laura Koniver
Wise Wom
with a beloved
to rest, relax a
y recline, simply
n the grass or s
ent is calming a
your toes.
e is negatively cg for us. As humfree radicals thaour bodies to habe a docking stae a head-to-toe
on.
mans are yin andd we provide caelectrons and wher we live in ne
othing -- from Ptively respond t-called age relatsease, stroke... i
mation. Take awahe earth and wh
r, From the Grou
man Ways to Con
d, laying on the
and receive.
y taking off you
sitting on a roc
and restorative.
charged, full of fan beings everyt cause inflamm
ave a net positivation for us, a poe, inside and out
d yang -- just likarbon dioxide, t
we provide positeutral joyous ha
PMS to jet lag too time spent eated changes likes actually relateay the chronic inhat do you get?
und Up
nnect
Earth allows
ur shoes and
k or log and
.
free electrons y single one of
mation and ve charge. The ort we can t neutralization
ke trees he earth
tive free rmony.
o dementia -- arthing. As it e arthritis,
ed to a lifetime nflammation Healing.”
12
Southea
7. List
The cap
one of t
our min
the wise
new line
you mig
thought
Yes, tha
may be
sense—
As a yo
enthrall
eager to
came th
I started
felt a bi
nearby,
When I
powerfu
weeks, I
minutes
I admire
about th
Soon, I
clarity a
ast Wise Women
en to a Tre
pacity for deep
the great gifts
nds and being p
e woman, this c
es of communic
ght not have pr
t possible.
at includes com
a soft “voice,”
—or images that
ung herbal stud
ed by the conc
o experience di
hrough the ced
d getting a sen
t nervous abou
but keeping so
finally did sit d
ul sense of peac
I was drawn to
s at time, nearly
ed her strength
he questions an
began to receiv
about decisions
n
e
listening is
of quieting
present. For
can open up
cation that
reviously
municating wit
but more often
present thems
dent reading Thcept of engagin
rect communic
ar trees outside
se that they we
ut that, so I bus
ome distance.
down with the t
ce and connect
sit with a parti
y every day. It
h, talked to her
nd confusions o
ve guidance ab
I had been str
th plants. Occas
n it’s a feeling—
selves in your m
The Secret Life ong with plant en
cation. My first
e my home at t
ere, somehow, c
sied myself in t
trees, I received
tion. Over the n
icular cedar tree
was like visitin
about my prob
of my life.
bout some of th
ruggling with. A
sionally, there
—an intuitive
mind’s eye.
of Plants, I was
nergies, and
connection
the time.
calling to me. I
he garden—
d a very
next few of
e for five or ten
g with a friend.
blems, mused
he next steps—
As I look back,
n
.
—
those
the pa
If a pa
start b
Invite
Then c
the po
“. . . Thwhen CdecidedracaeFindingwould lightin And thand outhoughthe de. and fohad gr [Furtheto themkill theplayedcontro ~Susan
decisions were
ath of what eve
articular plant o
by introducing y
her to tell you
clear your mind
ower to hear pl
he whole scientifiCleve Baxter—thed on impulse toena in his office, tg that the plant happen if he thrg a match to the
hat was when somurs. For the planthts! He also discoath of anything, ondly rememberrown and tended
er research showm, they bend shaem. But plants dod to a field of crool fields that rece
n Barber, Ma’at M
Wise Wom
e some of the fi
entually became
or tree whispers
yourself, silently
about herself.
d, open your he
ants talk!
ic uproar about hen America's for attach his polygthen water the pindeed reacted treatened it, and e leaf where the
mething happent didn't wait for hovered that planstrongly disliked
red and extended them.
wed that] plants darply away from o like classical mops, more and heeive no serenades
Magazine: Truth
man Ways to Con
irst steps that d
e my life’s work
s to you, engag
y or aloud. Adm
eart and listen.
plant communicremost lie-detecgraph electrodesplant and see if thto this event, he formed in his mielectrodes were
ned that forever chim to light the mts were aware of
d people who kild their energy o
don't like rock mthe source. Oveusic and jazz. Wh
eavier grain is pros.”
Becomes Clarity
nnect
directed me do
k.
ge her. You can
mire her beauty
You, too, have
ation began in 1tor examiner— to the now-famhe leaves respondecided to see wind the idea of attached.
changed Baxter'smatch. It reactedf each other, moled plants careleut to the people
music. When it's pr a long time, it chen that music isoduced than in
y
13
wn
y.
1966
mous nded. what
s life d to his urned
essly . . e who
played can s
Southea
8. Fee
Cultural
arbitrary
Woman
is more
the “Ear
cycles a
the moo
and the
the year
this, we
our heri
based c
ancestra
We all h
roots, w
America
The sea
experien
sproutin
our own
rebirth.
Just like
to our r
As you
tree, no
spiritual
ast Wise Women
el Into the S
ly, we operate
y. The Wise
n’s sense of tim
closely linked
rth Clock”, the
and rhythms of
on, the seasons
e natural cycle o
r. As we tune in
reconnect with
itage: the earth
cultures of our
al grandmother
have indigenou
whether they we
a . . .
sons have a po
nces. As the pla
ng, growth, frui
n journey throu
e the plants, in
roots; in the sum
watch and are
otice the ways t
l experiences ar
n
eason
on clocks and
e
to
s
of
nto
h
h-
rs.
s
ere in Africa, Ru
owerful way of
ants move thro
tion and death
ugh the cycles o
the wintertime
mmer our atten
in relation with
hat your own p
re mirrored in h
calendars that
ussia, Ireland, N
reflecting wom
ugh their passa
, we can see th
of birth, growth
we’re naturally
ntion turns outw
h your plant ally
physical, emotio
her seasonal ph
are somewhat
North or South
men’s inner
ages of
he reflection of
h, death and
y pulled inward
ward.
y or a particula
onal and
hases.
r
Ackno
year—
oursel
gracef
"Wintcalm Therewinteplain sprinwhen And afor beThis i Wheninnerall argshe isunivedestrneed Winteshouand ogrand
owledging and c
—the solstices an
ves with these
fully. As our for
ter’s woman is aeyes. Winter’s w
e is wisdom in wer’s includes all.
in the dry cold g, summer, fall,
n all seems clear
all seems compeginnings will cis the time of re
n winter comes r self, her deepeguments that shs resting, but sherse within herseroying what shos to thrive.
er women are thld be saved. Theof power. Not fodmother. In her
Wise Wom
celebrating the
nd the equinox
rhythms and to
remothers did,
a still pond, mirrwoman is rooted
winter. Earth seaWhat is invisiblof winter. Fromcan see all thei
r.
lete. There is noome soon enou
est.
to a woman's soest spaces. She rhe should engaghe is more than elf, examining auld not be reviv
hose who bring ey are the deep or nothing did acalm deliberate
man Ways to Con
e natural turning
xes—can help u
o dance with th
all around the
roring the worldd, coiled, full of
ason has its owne in growing tim
m winter, one canr patterns. This
ot yet a call to bugh. This is the f
oul, she withdrarefuses all connege in the world.resting: She is cnd breaking old
ved, feeding in s
into the next cyconservators of
ancient peoples eness, she winte
nnect
g points of the
us re-align
hem more
world.
d from her potential.
n wisdom, but mes becomes n remember is the time
egin again, fallow time.
aws into her ection, refutes She may say
creating a new d patterns, secret what
ycle what f knowledge honor the
ers over truth,
14
Southea
ConSocietal
tremend
shadow
nearly u
place as
have a l
continue
Much o
primal c
daughte
protecto
thread t
Cultivat
ages—a
Traditio
learning
whole. B
more fu
“WompeopleLoves strugg ~Alice
ast Wise Women
nnecting norms shift ve
dous progress i
ws. With strengt
universal oppres
s co-creators of
long way to go
es to be both e
f what sustains
connection of w
ers, sisters, and
ors of Life. It’s p
that joins us wi
ing a deep, sup
and throughout
n. We share ou
g from each oth
By embracing a
ully love and va
manist: committe…Womanist: lothe spirit. Loves
gle. Loves the Fo
e Walker, In Sear
n
g with Yery, very slowly.
in bringing wom
h, perseverance
ssion, women a
f a new paradig
o in a world wh
endemic and in
s us through ou
women through
mothers—the
part of our biol
th every other
pportive relatio
t the ages—is k
ur stories and o
her and contrib
and honoring o
lue ourselves.
ted to the survivoves music. Lovs love and food olk. Loves hersel
rch of Our Mothe
Your Si In the last cen
men’s issues ou
e and non-viole
are reclaiming o
gm of equality.
ere violence ag
nternalized.
ur journey is the
hout the world
unwavering nu
logy; it is our e
woman on the
nship with our
key to the Wise
our skills, teachi
buting our gifts
other women, w
val and wholeneves dance. Lovesand roundness.f. Regardless.”
ers’ Gardens
isters
ntury we’ve see
ut of the
ent resistance t
our rightful
And we still
gainst women
e profound,
in our roles as
urturers and
essence. It is the
planet.
sisters of all
e Woman
ng each other,
to the greater
we come to
ess of an entire s the moon. . Loves
n
o
e
9. Ga
Comin
wome
is nou
done
workin
tendin
the ill
togeth
weavin
and so
Wome
of the
called
It stim
with o
belong
Engag
sacred
us to d
The Re
world,
to em
ImaginA womWho i~Patri
ather with W
ng together wit
n in groups lar
rishing to our s
it since the daw
ng side by side
ng to the family
and the elderly
her: cooking, se
ng. We share se
orrows. We laug
en tend to feel
reason is that
the “love horm
mulates relaxatio
our sisters a prio
ging, providing
ging in women’s
d circle or simp
dissolve the int
ed Tent movem
offers safe, ble
brace our com
ne a woman whman who sits in s reminded of ticia Lynn Reilly,
Wise Wom
Women
h other
rge and small
spirit. We’ve
wn of time—
in the fields,
y—the young,
y. We create
ewing and
ecrets, joys
gh, cry, sing an
better when su
we have high l
mone” which, am
on, trust and alt
ority in our live
us with inspira
s rituals, wheth
ly sitting down
ternal barriers o
ment, which is g
essed space for
monality. It’s ve
ho values the wocircles of wome
the truth about Imagine a Wom
man Ways to Con
nd dance in com
urrounded by o
levels of oxytoc
mong other thi
truism. Making
es galvanizes a
ation and stren
er they involve
for tea and co
of competition
gaining popular
r women of all
ery powerful, in
omen in her life.en. herself when sh
man In Love with
nnect
mmunity.
other women. P
cin, sometimes
ngs, is pro-soc
our relationshi
sense of
gth.
gathering in a
onversation, allo
and separation
rity all around t
ages and stage
ndeed.
.
he forgets. h Herself
15
Part
ial.
ips
ows
n.
the
es
Southea
10. Re
As Wins
helps to
hierarch
sciences
bearing
When w
and the
we reco
celebrat
context
passion
ast Wise Women
ead Her-Sto
ston Churchill s
o clarify both th
hies, and the ph
s and the arts t
and raising ch
we explore the s
e women who a
ognize the com
te our uniquene
and, perhaps, f
s in a way that
n
ory
said, “history is
he antagonistic
hilosophical sub
histor
came
In thi
suppo
devel
Not s
Miller
there
wome
“wom
partic
we al
vision
who
in virt
to spirituality an
ildren.
stories of wom
are at the vangu
monalities in o
ess. We can see
find the inspira
helps to bring
written by the
contests that c
b-text of the pa
rical version of
e to be” in the m
s version, wom
orting players i
lopment of civi
so. As feminist
r and Kate Swif
’s a tendency t
en, neglecting o
men’s lives, deed
cipation in hum
ll stand on the
nary and courag
have made vita
tually every are
nd social cause
en who have g
uard of social c
ur struggles, ev
e ourselves as p
ation to pursue
the human sto
victors.” This
create today’s
atriarchal
“how things
modern world.
men are, at best,
n the
lization.
writers Casey
ft point out,
to “disappear”
or devaluing
ds and
man affairs.” Ye
shoulders of
geous women
al contributions
ena from the
es, often while
one before us
change today,
ven as we
part of a wider
our own
ory forward.
,
t
You may writWith your bitYou may treaBut still, like d
Does my sassWhy are you 'Cause I walkPumping in m
Just like mooWith the certJust like hopeStill I'll rise . .
Does my sexiDoes it comeThat I dance At the meetin
Out of the huI rise Up from a paI rise I'm a black oWelling and s Leaving behiI rise Into a daybreI rise Bringing the I am the dreaI rise I rise I rise. ~Maya Ange
Wise Wom
te me down in htter, twisted liesad me in the verdust, I'll rise.
siness upset youbeset with gloo
k like I've got oilmy living room.
ons and like suntainty of tides, es springing hig .
iness upset youe as a surprise like I've got diang of my thighs
uts of history's s
ast that's rooted
cean, leaping answelling I bear i
nd nights of ter
eak that's wond
gifts that my anam and the hop
elou, “Still I Rise”
man Ways to Con
history , ry dirt
u? om? wells
s,
gh,
?
monds s?
shame
d in pain
nd wide, in the tide.
rror and fear
rously clear
ncestors gave, e of the slave.
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Southea
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h
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ng
ws
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Southea
12. No
adversa
nourishfoods—
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ourish Your
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ch reinforces an
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should
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us subl
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ast Wise Women
el the Dark
sting cultural p
be happy and
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imate “negativ
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nal resources,
ng in unexpect
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for our grief,
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Audre Lorde
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of both light
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e grace and
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et
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ourselve
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women
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ast Wise Women
ake a Moon
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eir moon time
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ive” emotions—
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up emotions o
ars. In our cultu
s “the curse”, s
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ditions of wom
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e clearest ystery of the es, the most ople through rmation that use your moon
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eate our own re
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ense emotions
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to take refuge
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retreat into be
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s gifts.”
ood is Gold: Cele
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nt parts of the
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ed, with the cu
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the opportuni
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bleeding cycles
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urtains drawn.
ngth, because on itself
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ty
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What w
the can
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much d
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ast Wise Women
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that when we
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rtunity for acce
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ging in a cultur
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elp you to re-a
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ral or spiritual
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ase of your life
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reatly diminish
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nd devalues the
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opausal Years: Tear away.” This
ourself and tak
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r internal energ
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men recognize
for self-
e wisdom year
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pausal years,
od swings stor
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have set aside
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21
he
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ast Wise Women
ou are the E
althcare indust
s and healing,
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portant to realiz
stic and treatm
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sis. Among ma
ne, energy hea
nal-physical co
ost important k
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have the most
r body, acknow
te them clearly
of your health
ng ourselves a
allows us to e
wered, cooperat
ed not blindly f
ctives and poss
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ce is always filt
n
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try tends to tak
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e us from our d
ze that althoug
ment tools in W
ly one resourc
any other resou
ling and soma
onnections.
knowledge of a
ng of your own
intimate exper
wledge the sign
y are the most
and healing.
and trusting ou
ngage our hea
tive and synerg
follow doctors
sibilities. All he
r particular bod
tered through
our Body
ke a “heroic” a
or as the centr
disease.
gh there are va
Western medici
e of informatio
urces, including
atic work that a
all is your imm
n body—after a
rience of it. Le
nals it gives to
t valuable tools
ur own underst
alth care provid
gistic manner.
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approach to
ral authority
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arning to listen
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r
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dictate
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o decide which
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gh remaining
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esources and a
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h advice is in a
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sen not to follo
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llies—the best
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accord with you
resonate for y
m, move forwa
allow the heal
ow doctor’s or
and at times e
sibility for this
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providers—one
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rd. If not, don’
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loping a
e in which they
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22
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to
my
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e.
Southea
16. Su
As a tee
that, in
with a f
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You kno
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and the
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Bring in
mind to
and wo
ast Wise Women
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enager, I abso
order to be b
flat belly. Like
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bulimic.
ow what I’m ta
xperienced an
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n society cultiv
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we would be
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n
urself with I
rbed the unrea
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most young w
with my body
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happier and m
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shment is eno
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with images o
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driven message
stick figure thin
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their bodies
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tricia Lynn Reilly
Wise Wom
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n love with her oves her body is hythms and cyc
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own body. enough, just as
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ddess in her
years and her
changes in her
23
hat
e
st
e,
Southea
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change
The dee
your ow
ordinary
your ow
may fin
readily—
Trusting
emotion
and cur
miracul
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deep no
love. It’
Walk pr
the foo
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you, no
ast Wise Women
alk Proudcontinue alon
s in the way yo
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24
Southea
Abo
Corinn
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a Wise W
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