Love Letter ~ Join me for a cuppa...

How's your day been? Do join me for a cup of tea, make yourself comfy and let's catch up...

A reviving cuppa and restorative time out

I love trying out new tea infusions. Lately I have been enjoying freshly picked sweet cicely and hawthorn tops tea with my Tuesday evening foraging group, and treated myself to some me time and a pot of orange blossom oolong at a local cafe. What are your favourite brews just now?

It's felt extra important for me lately to get good quality time out as there's lots going on in my world just now. Alongside my wonderful clinic space at Neal's Yard Remedies in Edinburgh's city centre, I've recently started a new Friday clinic and have upcoming herbal workshops at The Salisbury Centre, a meditation and holistic centre in Edinburgh's south side, looking out to a beautiful garden.

I'm very much looking forward to the Sacred Self Care Day Retreat that I will be hosting there this weekend on Sat 23rd May. We will be connecting with and contemplating nature, exploring healing rituals for self care from around the world, making nature art and natural remedies. There are still spaces so do get in touch if you'd like to join us. I'd love to see you there.

Foraging for Herbs and Nature Art Medicine

It's very well timed for another lovely event that I'm looking forward to attending myself, a Nepal Benefit Cacao Prayer Ceremony and fundraiser for the recent catastrophes in Nepal that will take place in the evening also at The Salisbury Centre after the herbal retreat day.

There are a couple more herbal events also happening this weekend that I am offering for free on Sunday at Spa in The City on 'Herbal Travel Self Care' and a 'DIY Natural Beauty Retreat', with more events in the planning for the summer. Visit my events page and upcoming love letters for more info on these. I am working on a couple of other exciting new offerings too which I will be revealing more about in a few weeks...

In other news, I was honoured to be asked to feature alongside an amazing and inspiring line up for a free online series of interviews by Faith Canter, celebrating the release of her upcoming book. My interview is this Friday 22nd May, so I hope you get a chance to watch it! Here's the link if you would like to sign up.

Merry Marigolds Celebrating 

The Secret Herb Garden's 1st Year Anniversary

I am so grateful to be working with nature. It really grounds me, especially when I have many projects and events happening in a short space of time. With the flurry of goings on, I have to create opportunities to unwind and keep in balance. For me, going on relaxing non-work related outings outdoors and planning trips away from home is essential to keep my spirits high, keep my perspectives in check, and to have things to look forward to.

I recently enjoyed a visit to The Secret Herb Garden with my hubby for their 1st birthday bash. They served fabulous food and drinks infused with and inspired by herbs. I caught up with one of my herbal tutors from university, David Pirie, and joined the herb walk he was leading around their wonderful plant nursery, green houses and fields of vibrant herbs.

So what do you do to get grounded and back in balance when you have lots going on? Do you make the time for your body and mind to unwind when life gets hectic? Let me know about your self care rituals. I'd love to hear from you.

I look forward to connecting with you further on my latest blogs, upcoming events and clinics that you can find further information about in the links below. Any feedback and suggestions for future blog posts and love letter features are warmly welcomed.

Take great care of yourself,

Fiona Morris

MA BSc (Hons) Dip SBM MNIMH

Medical Herbalist, Massage Therapist 

& AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks 

Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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Love Letter ~ Cherry Blossoms & Healing Journeys

 

Dear Flourishing Friend,

Here in Edinburgh we have had the most amazing spell of springtime sunshine. The dandelions have been loving it, shining their vibrant yellow blooms for all to see and luring me outside to play with them on a daily basis. I have been hanging out with these dandy dudes, picking their flower heads to make nourishing nature mandalas, solar infused oil, and liver detox teas.

The evenings are getting longer here in Edinburgh which is such a luxury when the weather is so fine. I have been outside feeling my bare feet on the grass, reading my book on a cosy rug with a flask of tea under the trees in the park nearby.

I am surprised at times to see so few people enjoying their evenings outdoors, especially when the sun is still shining. The only folk who seem to be out and about are those being walked by their dogs. I am reminded of my daily outings with my dear companion Whisky dog, who I lost to cancer a year and a half ago.

As much as I love the outdoors, I venture out a lot less than when she was with me. In caring for her needs, I was inadvertently nurturing my own, being nourished by spending healing time in nature. Now that she is gone, I have become aware how important that time spent outside is for my body and soul.

I started to resist going out daily. In a way, walking those familiar paths would remind me of her. It still gave me an ache in my heart to know she wasn't going to pop out from behind the bushes where she might be sniffing around.

I am grateful for my knowledge of healing herbs and plants to be leading walks outdoors as part of my work, but in between these times I noticed that my 'to dos' would usually get the better of me and apart from occasionally cycling to and from clinics, getting outside seemed to be pushed further and further down my priority list.

My hips and back started noticing my reduction in hill walking. My bicycle seat was at slightly awkward angle and I kept forgetting to ask my hubby to help fix it for me. I started to feel tingles and mild sciatica on one side, a general gradual stiffening in the lower back over many months which became acute after being struck down with a particularly nasty virus last November. After a week in bed and constant coughing, my back went into a spasm for about 3 weeks.

My usually flexible and agile body was transformed into that of a 90 year old, bent double, leaning on radiators and drawers to hobble around. I was in tears on a couple of nights and in a panic as I couldn't get out of bed to go to the toilet without excruciating pain.

People often say to me, "You must never get sick as a herbalist!" Well, I assure you I am subject to illness, accidents, stress and misfortune as all human beings are even with the vast array of healing herbal remedies at my fingertips!
 

I was doing a lot of emotional healing work and shifting last year which I am aware was also tied in with my physical aches and pains. I had been ignoring the subtle whispers of my body to take better care of myself, until it started to shout and finally scream in agony.

Finally I listened. I had no choice, I could hardly move. I was emotionally and physically exhausted after a personally challenging few years. I had been made redundant, changed work places several times, lost my beloved canine companion, endured a vicious personal attack over several months, keptafloat to support friends, family and clients going through their own personal challenges, organised a wedding, experienced a lot of upheavals, ups and downs...

Eventually, it all got too much. I needed to STOP... Slow... Right... Down...

So this racing hare transformed into a stiff old tortoise. Through my body being thrown out of balance, I found myself exactly where I needed to be. In a still, quiet, space, to heal my body, mind and spirit. I have been on a journey of self-love and empowerment, working through frustrations and pain to listen to my wise higher self, tune in to my creative flow and intuition, growing stronger roots to serve my community from a more grounded place, regaining my strength with the help of loving support networks and easing myself into a greater sense of flow, fun and playfulness.

I have rekindled my relationship with nature by discovering a passion for creating nature art and flower mandalas. It helps me get into a meditative healing space and deepens my connection with the plants that cross my path. I now cannot wait to get outside and see which plants will present themselves to play with me. I am fascinated by the shapes and colours that form out of the foliage I forage for art, contemplation, eating, drinking and remedy making.
 

So how about you? Do you find the space and time to tune into your body's whispers? How are you nurturing your body, mind and spirit? How is nature speaking to you? What could you do to nurture that relationship more?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and welcome you to explore in your own journal, or share with me in the comments, or via your favourite form of social media. If you wish, you can join me at my online playgrounds on any of the links below.

I look forward to connecting with you further on my latest blogs, some exciting upcoming herbal events, my clinics, especially my new clinic space on Fridays in the Garden Room at The Salisbury Centre, and my latest complimentary new moon readings here on my blog.

Spring blossom bliss and blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & Holistic Therapist

PS This blog is one of my love letters sent out to my subscribers along with my latest upcoming creative holistic herbal healing events, walks and clinic offers. 

If you would like my love letters sent directly to your email inbox, I invite you to sign up for my Nourish and Flourish Love Letters and look forward to receiving these loving updates from me to you.

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Natural Healing with Dandelion Wild Edible & Herbal Remedy

I love this humble, hardy little plant. The dandelion is the bane of many gardeners with its tenacious roots and resolve to bounce back despite any efforts to destroy it. That's part of its character that I love so much, its strength and resilience.

I also love its vibrant yellow colour blooming even brighter in the sunshine, but also cheery on more overcast days. It tends to close up however as evening approaches and when it senses wet weather is on the way. To gaze on its bright blossoms is uplifting for stress and moods, extracts of the flowers also add this warming colour to healing skin applications.

The whole plant is nutrient and cleansing so great for supporting our organs of detoxification, kidneys, liver and gall bladder. It's rich in potassium, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium, vitamins A, B, C, K and more.

The bitter root has a stronger action on the liver and gall bladder, as a cholegogue, increases flow of bile, which improves a sluggish digestion, a great and gentle remedy for constipation, even suitable in pregnancy, compared to some of the stronger and more laxative herbal remedies.

The leaf is also bitter, but a bit gentler so more suitable for kidney cleansing, an effective diuretic, which is rich in potassium unlike pharmaceutical diuretics which depletes this mineral. It's a great aid for water retention and swelling. A herbalist who I used to work with when I was at Napier's Clinics, Dee Atkinson says she uses it as part of a blend to support swollen feet and ankles on long haul flights.

Its name in French 'Pissenlit', literally means to piss in the bed, so be aware that it does flush the system and increase urinary output. Perhaps don't take it just before bedtime!

The latex from the stem has been used as a traditional remedy to apply to warts, and also used to help heal burns and stings. Natural and wild first aid at its best!

The flower pollen also has anti infective benefits. Its flower is also rich in vitamins and minerals, so good to help heal skin irritations, strengthen skin quality and detox tissues to aid muscle and joint aches and pain. You can apply the oil directly on, or make into creams or balms for external use, use internally blended with salad dressings for a nutritious cleansing edible.

Someone on my facebook page said she thought she remembered someone making a wash for the skin and the eyes with the flowers too, and wondered if people thought its properties similar to calendula. I haven't come across any specific comparisons between dandelion and calendula as yet, but certainly with their yellow-orange colour they are rich in carotenes, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, which convert to Vitamin A in the body, beneficial to eye and skin health.

The flowers are both rich in nutrients soothing to skin irritations applied as an infused oil. I would think of calendula as having more anti fungal benefits and better for skin granulation and healing, so better for cuts & grazes though dandelion flowers also would be beneficial. Certainly a lot more freely available growing everywhere, such a generous plant! Why not give it a go? Click here for the recipe.

For edible use the flower have a delicate, light floral taste, lovely to sprinkle the petals as a salad or meal garnish. The green bases add a little bitterness when infusing into an oil which promote detoxification but can be removed if for edible use and a less bitter flavour is preferred. I like to leave a bit of green myself for the cleansing effects.

You could also add in leaves to the mix to increase bitterness for a stronger detox effect, as it's good for generalised water retention and excess swelling, promoting anti inflammatory action. Be cautious of this if you have diagnosed health conditions, on medicines. Consult your GP and herbalist for guidance.

In Western countries, the leaves are gathered for spring salads or to use as a wilted bitter green in side dishes. The roots are more popularly eaten as a vegetable in Eastern countries like Japan.

The roots are well known roasted as a coffee substitute, although coffee lovers should be warned it doesn't really taste like coffee. It is however an extremely nutritious hot drink, which is more supportive to the bowels and less irritant to the kidneys compared to coffee, so certainly helpful if you are considering reducing coffee consumption. I like to mix roasted dandelion root with chai spices for an invigorating digestive drink, that blends well with nut and seed milks for a healthy milky hot drink alternative.

As a tea the flowers and leaves can be infused fresh or dried, and the dried roots boiled (decocted) for a detoxifying drink. Quite helpful for headaches linked with liver congestion and poor diet, or taken regularly when embarking on a period of cleansing and detoxification.

The seed heads are also fun for making wishes and therapeutic to play with. I spotted this video on Youtube recently which highlights one of the many fun things you can do with dandelion with kids and adults alike. Brought a big smile to my face :)

I have recently connected with Christine Argo, a naturopathic herbalist and high priestess of the Church of Nature, a non-denomination spiritual centre inspired by the healing power of nature. It's a beautiful concept, and right up my alley with my own passion for creative healing, nature and more spiritual approach to healthcare.

If that sounds like your kind of thing too, I'd invite you to check out her soulful natural healing work, particularly her recent radio show exploring the many uses and energy of our beloved Dandelion plant. You can listen in on this link to access the recording in the Nature's Channel FM archives, at her Power of Flowers to Heal show.

While listening in myself, I discovered that dandelion as a flower essence is absolutely perfect for me just now. These sunny, vibrant, social, generous little plants can be personified as folk who love life so much to the point of getting overwhelmed through wanting to do too much! Definitely a tendency I have. No wonder these lovely lion flowers are speaking to me so strongly at the moment!

I will make the flower remedy and try it out on myself, it's exactly what I feel I need. I also made a detoxing tea from the fresh flowers, which is an ideal complement to the reflexology and acupuncture treatments to support my flow and mobility which I am receiving from my wonderful friends and experienced colleagues Sue and Paul of The Natural Health Clinic, based at Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh not far from me. 

I intend to use the root more to feel grounded and improve my core and digestive processes which can get out of balance when I get all over-excited mentally and my head becomes top heavy just like dandelion's big round head on its thin little stem body! I had a lot of trouble with this especially when I was studying at university for my MA Philosophy and BSc Herbal Medicine honours degrees.

Eight years collectively of heavy duty mental focus, I'm still getting back into balance after all that! That's why I love hanging out with nature so much. I find it truly healing on every level.

I could go on waxing lyrical about my dandelion buddies, but I shall leave you with that for now. No doubt they will make a reappearance on my blog again in the future. If you want to try making your own remedy, here's the link for a simple dandelion remedy recipe.

I was also interviewed by the lovely Natasha of Forage Botanicals on the medicinal uses of dandelion, check out her podcast to hear more about our sunny leonine friends: http://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/listen-podcast//e05-dandelion

I'd love to hear about your experiences and uses of dandelion, or reflections on what I've mentioned here in the blog. If you fancy it, I'd love to hear from you in the comments or on any of the social media links below.

Have a doodle dandy day!

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & Holistic Therapist

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks

Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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My Shiny Life + Biz Secrets - Part 1

At the start of 2014, I closed my eyes and reflected on what I would choose to focus on as my word of the year. The word that bubbled up from within was SHINE.

It had been a tumultuous few years... decades... lifetime... An ongoing roller coaster of highs and lows, experiencing grief over sad losses, great joy over personal achievements, family reunions, new additions to the family, heart ache, confusion, mixed emotions over friends who have come and gone, and blissful celebrations.

I felt fortunate already to have created the conditions to share my passion for natural herbal health and holistic medicine with my community through workshops, wild remedy walks and holistic clinic sessions, but was still feeling the limitations of playing a smaller version of myself than I know in my heart is my potential. 

At the start of January 2014, I was feeling so ready for transformation, grateful for how far I'd come in recent years, ready to transition even more into alignment with expressing and sharing my true voice with the world. I wanted to say "YES" to a higher, brighter, more courageous, loving and generous version of myself, to let my heart shine. 

I am amazed at the incredible events, groups and people that have manifested to help me do exactly this! I'd love to share my secrets with you in this series of blog posts, some lessons I've learned, and to introduce you to some key members of my dream team who support me to shine my light.

I received a facebook message not too long ago from a friend which read: "Hi Fiona. How are you? Looks like you're a flourishing on FB :)" I thanked her for her kind message. What she didn't know was that I had been derailed that morning and feeling emotional after an angry attack from a person I had once considered a friend. I replied in appreciation of her support.

She went on to assure and encourage me: "Your happy inspiring time is shining through. I love your work, you are amazing and an inspiration. Shine on."

Well, that was truly confirmation that my word of the year had been an inspired choice, as you will see in the synchronicity that follows in the secrets I have to share!

So what about the secrets? I hear you wonder...

I will be sharing them one by one over the coming weeks. Here's number one to start off with...

Secret No. 1 ~ Follow Your Heart

Many years of listening to my inner and outer critics' voices had forced my inner child and true heart's desires into hiding. It felt wrong to have desires at all, my head full of shoulds and shouldn'ts, feeling powerless and paralysed.

As a teenager and young adult I felt intensely cynical, distrustful and lonely. I lacked any real purpose and direction. If someone had suggested I followed my heart back then, I'd have had to breakthrough the barbed wire fence I had encased it in. Not an easy feat!

I experienced betrayal, confusion, pain and despair. I found it hard to open up or trust others, especially those closest to me. Although I did have good friends who I hid most of my dark feelings from, I didn't feel safe to share these with them, I craved for and felt safer in my own company.

I have been blessed to have had various encounters in my life over the years. Encounters with people and events I now perceive to be my soul guides and angels, that planted seeds of self-worth and encouragement in my heart. Gradually the layers of protection around my heart started to melt away.

More and more I have been guided to listen to my heart and nurture these fragile seeds to take root and grow, to give them love, attention, and light to flourish, to bear fruit and spread these seeds of love to the hearts of others.

I followed my heart to give up my place on a Business Studies and Languages degree course against the wishes of my parents. I took a year out to work and travel, before taking my first degree, an MA in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.

For me, the practical business & languages degree I had originally signed up for out of 'should' grated against my heart's pull. Back then, I felt that money and job security was the enemy of wisdom and a life of freedom and adventure. "How will you get a job with a degree in Philosophy!", my critics would say, but my heart's calling was so strong, I ignored them and did it anyway.

As a idealistic young lady, I took the word Philosophy literally, Philo, ancient greek for 'Love of' & Sophos, meaning 'Wisdom'. Love of Wisdom - what learning could surpass that! My romantic notion of Philosophy was short lived.

My course was based firmly on western ancient and modern philosophy, rational mental analysis, logic and science. Although a interesting dive into the history and method of modern day thinking, there was not even a nod to asian philosophies, world cultures and religions, which I would become increasingly drawn to.

The only female philosopher we studied explored heavy themes such as violence against women. Could women philosophers have anything to say other than defend themselves against their male oppressors, I wondered? 

To me, Philosophy felt limited, exclusive, male dominated, heady, top heavy, out of balance, and little space for the heart to speak. Perhaps this was a mirror of what we consider to be wisdom in the modern world? I didn't like what I saw. 

Today, however, I have no regrets. My heart's calling helped guide me to where I ultimately needed to go. Perhaps to the detriment of my university studies but to the flourishing of my heart, I had valuable time to discover the wisdom teachings of symbolism, mythology, world cultures, traditional herbal medicine, tarot and astrology through my extracurricular personal explorations. I overcame my aversion to the colour pink and painted my bedroom the colour of love.

During this time, I met my first buddhist teacher and learned to meditate, start to develop a mind of love, effort and concentration, to allow thoughts to come and go without strong attachment or judgment. He happened to have trained in philosophy and psychology in his pre-buddhist days, so was able to teach me in a language I understood. I discovered a very different experience of love and wisdom than I had encountered in my academic learning.

My mind shifted and my heart softened. My rigid beliefs became more relaxed. As a lifelong devout atheist, I learned loving-kindness, compassion for others, and a tolerance to religious and spiritual expression that has transformed my outlook completely.

Since then I have continued to experience a heart opening that blesses and supports my journey through life, especially when I nurture it with love and attention. I've discovered that the best way to move forward is to notice when I am overcome by mental chatter, and distracted by voices in my head that are not my own. Then I create the space to drop into my heart, my spiritual guide, and listen to what she has to say.

Habits of lifetimes can be hard to break. I'm still on a eternal but now more conscious journey of returning back to my heart. I now know that when I do, I can trust wholeheartedly that I'm on the right path. Every encounter and obstacle become part of my spiritual development and empowered life journey.

If I had not allowed myself to listen to those early heart whispers and dared to follow them, my story could have been quite different. I would not be where I am today, having travelled to so many parts of the world to learn and work, becoming a herbalist and holistic health practitioner, on a life adventure married to my soul mate. I've met so many inspiring fellow travellers on the way, and supported by an incredible network of friends and mentors who encourage me to live my highest potential.

My life has been an amazing dream, a journey of awakening, growth and development. I'm so grateful for every part of it. Out of the tragedy, trauma and challenges that is an inevitable part of life, like yin & yang, cycles of transformation continue to occur giving way to incredibly magical celebrations, beauty, serendipity, and synchronicity.

Do you listen to and nurture your heart often? Do you have examples of times you have followed your heart whole-heartedly?

Go back there in your mind for a moment... What did you do? How were you feeling? What was the outcome? Is this how you are feeling now?

If not, what do you need to do to realign with your heart's purpose to recreate those same feelings? Who or what do you need to bring into your life to help you move forward and bring you back on track?

Remember that you can tune into and fully trust your heart of love and wisdom anytime to ask for and receive guidance. Following your pure heart never fails.

Here are some questions you can ask your heart to help break the ice and get the conversation flowing...

What are my true heart's desires? What can I do this week to bring one of them to life?

What's on my bucket list of 100 things to do before I die? Is it time to create one? 

Who did I want to be when I grew up? How can I integrate similar activities into my own life today?

What are the skills and qualities of the people I most admire? How can I cultivate these in my own life?

What dreams and passions have I put on the shelf, labelled, 'one day'? Could 'one day' be today?

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings. Feel free to share any thoughts and insights in the comments below. 

For an update of my next Shiny Life Secret hot off the press, and other nourishing news, you are welcome to sign up for my Nourish and Flourish Love Letters, subscribe to my blog, or bookmark my page to check in as your heart desires.

From my shining heart to yours,

Fiona Morris 

Medical Herbalist, 

Massage Therapist 

& AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks 

Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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Click here to receive your Nourish & Flourish Love Letters 

Welcome to share with anyone who might appreciate it!

Healing with Hibiscus

This is a Hibiscus flower, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, of the Malvaceae or Mallow family, one of an abundance growing near my parents' home in Penang, Malaysia, where it is loved as the national flower.

Its five petals represent the five Malaysian principles, and the red colour symbolising courage. They remind me of the billowing, twirling, flamenco dancer's skirt, with the red hot colour of passion to match.

Hibiscus grows widely in tropical and warm temperate countries all over the world. So different to the wild flowers I have growing around my home in Edinburgh, these are not only gorgeously beautiful but also edible. The flower is used as a garnish and ingredient in many Pacific Islanders' salads and cocktails.

I used to pick these as a child and suck the nectar out from where the flower meets the stem, honey sweet, in the same way I show folk to do with white deadnettle flowers in Scotland, although hibiscus nectar is sweeter.

If you find these growing plentifully near you, pick and collect them to dry or use fresh, foraging with consideration for the environment, aiming for less than 10% per plant to ensure plenty left for the plant to thrive and wildlife. To dry, hang them upside down in a dry shady place for a few days (depends on humidity) when crisp to touch, store in airtight container in cool, dark place.

It makes a lovely uplifting iced tea with honey when in hot countries or on a hot summer's day, with its tart taste and vibrant red colour. As a student, I used to work in a Sudanese cafe called The Nile Valley who serve hibiscus tea hot or cold, called Karkaday. It's a popular refreshment in North African countries.

As a healing herbal remedy, the leaf, flower and bud is used traditionally in many Asian, Ayurvedic and Chinese Traditional Medicine formulations. This flower is rich in Vitamin C with its well known benefits on boosting immunity, skin health and organ repair. 

Its astringent properties are helpful for women's health, excessive menstruation, some gynaecological issues and menopausal symptoms, such as sweats and flushing. 

Hibiscus has been shown to have high antioxidant value, benefits on reducing high cholesterol, supporting the liver and cardiovascular systems, and even anti-depressant properties in research studies. 

The leaves and flowers infused in oil, rich in hyaluronic and linoleic acids, are used as a nourishing hair and scalp tonic, particularly with coconut oil in Ayurvedic herbal practice.

When I make up herbal blends for my Herbal Medicine and AstroTarot clients, I consider not just the nutrient properties and therapeutic actions, but also the effect of the colour and taste on the mind and more subtle body. 

Red is indicated where a root chakra imbalance and related emotional issues are manifesting, such as lack of grounding or security, feeling unstable, lacking firm roots, a sense of fear and anxiety due to lack of safety.

Hibiscus flowers are offered regularly in the spiritual practices of India and Hindu communities, particularly sacred to Lord Ganesh, the elephant headed deity, remover of obstacles, as his favourite flower.

There are also surprising practical uses of Hibiscus. Nicknamed Shoe Flower, its petals have a moist texture that are used by some to shine their shoes.

To me, simply gazing at a hibiscus flower, or the instant exotic glamour of wearing one tucked behind the ear, is a magnificent to uplift the spirits. 

Do you have any hibiscus tips, stories or memories to share? I'd love to hear them in the comments below :)

Hibiscus blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Medical Herbalist, 

Massage Therapist 

& AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks 

Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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Click here to receive your Nourish & Flourish Love Letters 

Welcome to share with anyone who might appreciate it!

Herbal Tarot Reading ~ New Moon in Aquarius, Tues 20th Jan 2015

Welcome to your New Moon in Aquarius Herbal Astro Tarot Reading! This month your gift is coming to you from sunny Penang Island in Malaysia, where I am enjoying a visit with my dear parents who retired here almost 13 years ago.

This is the third New Moon reading I have enjoyed offering on this blog and loving the feedback I have been receiving, so this year I intend to offer these every new moon for the year ahead.

The New Moon invites us to set new intentions for the cycle ahead. When it falls in Aquarius, the emphasis is particularly in trying out something new, innovative and out of the ordinary.

As Aquarius is an air sign, it's a good time to explore our mental realms and make a stand for your own unique version of self expression. It's a fantastic inspirational challenge while we are still basking in the refreshing newness of 2015, with a brand new year on our doorstep.

If you have taken part in my earlier readings you will know that I combine my holistic herbal practice into the readings so you can also look forward to some natural health and wellness tips to support whatever card reading you intuitively choose.

In today's reading I am using the Shadowscape Tarot that were gifted to me by a wonderful friend and herbalist tarot reader friend, Elly.

So now onto your reading...

********

Take a moment to relax and 

sit comfortably where you are...

Inhale a few deep breaths into 

your heart, closing your eyes...

Allow your intention for the

next lunar cycle to come to mind...

Ask for any guidance that would be 

supportive for you to receive right now...

When you're ready, open your eyes...

Choose a card, then click on the number of the card you feel most drawn to:

Card 1   Card 2   Card 3

Love and blessings,

Fiona Morris - Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

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PLEASE NOTE!
If you are reading this on the main home page of my blog, **Stop scrolling down now** to avoid spoilers of your card reading in the blogs posts below.

New Moon Aquarius Herbal Tarot ~ Card no 1

New Moon in Aquarius Herbal Tarot Reading

You chose card no 1 ~ The Chariot

The Chariot shows a woman standing upright dressed in protective armour in a winged chariot drawn by two white unicorns. They have already come far on their journey from the ethereal kingdom in the clouds down to sea level where they are poised ready to enter a new stage in their journey, from the realm of air into the ocean.

Under the water is a crab resting on a moon disc, the guardian of a shin golden orb of energy deep in the watery depths. Five ancient wise turtles circle around the crab and orb as their wise protectors.

This card often appears when you are already well on your way of a magical adventure of discovery whose origins began in a moment of inspiration. It encourages a moment to take stock of the journey so far. To prepare to reach your goal you have previously had to get organised and planned out the various stages, knowing that there may be hidden obstacles and unknowns to contend with.

Now is the time brace yourself for here for a new stage in your journey. This requires you to summon the warrior courage, confidence and energy to embark on what is to come, taking a moment for some deep breaths and reflection on the lessons of previous successes and challenges that may be brought to this present moment. 

You're readying yourself before you forge forward again, plunging into uncharted waters and new depths. Remember that you can always draw on the support of your guides, protectors and companions whenever you may veer unexpectedly off course. Take time to rest up and repair to resource yourself for your current mission and get back on track with renewed vigour and optimism.

A Natural Remedy Tip 

for Weary Travellers to Get Back on Track

Ginger is a fantastic re-energising remedy to help you get back in balance while on your travels, whether taken boiled up fresh as a tea, drops of herbal tincture diluted in water, chewed raw in slices, as crystallised chewy or hard sweets. 

Ginger is a classic remedy to aid digestion, relieving nausea from indigestion, sea sickness, travel sickness, morning sickness, or dizziness. It's a gently warming circulatory stimulant that helps settle the stomach, energise, and steel the nerves to continue moving forward towards your destination. 

Try buying some fresh ginger to add to curries and stir fries. I also love cutting long raw slices and adding it to infuse with a bottle or jug of water to sip on throughout the day as a reviving pick-me-up.

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I hope you have enjoyed your reading and you find it supportive to you moving forward into the cycle ahead. I'd love to hear how this resonates with you and welcome you to leave a comment below or on my Nourish and Flourish FB page.

If you have friends you think might appreciate it, please do share :)

For occasional updates of upcoming new moon readings, soulful self care tips, herbal wellness blog adventures, holistic clinics and events, I invite you to click here to sign up for your free Nourish and Flourish Love Letters delivered by email directly to your inbox. 

Healing blessings,

Fiona Morris - Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks
Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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New Moon Aquarius Herbal Tarot ~ Card no 2

New Moon in Aquarius Herbal Tarot Reading

You chose card no 2 ~ Two of Pentacles

The Two of Pentacles shows a dancing juggler playing with two large golden coins, perfectly balanced on a precipice overlooking high mountain peaks. He's perfectly calm and nimble in his flowing movements surrounded by his flying faerie friends. His monkey companion is sitting peacefully at his feet, so still that a golden butterfly perches on his nose.

When a pentacle card appears in a reading, this encourages you to pay attention to earthly matters, such as money and security. While this can be a heavy and difficult area for many, the character shows that getting into balance in this area can also be light and fun if you intend it to be so and focus your attention here. 

Allow your relationship with money and stability to become a dance of flowing energy that feels joyful and uplifting. Remember that we have guides and helpers around us that we can tune into and get in touch with to support us when our flow becomes blocked. The high peaks suggest a fresh perspective that can bring light and healing to any issues in this areas.

The monkey, usually symbolic of hyperactive physical and mental actions, is sitting quietly demonstrating that even the wildest of minds can be trained and simply by being calm, delightful gifts and abundance can come almost without effort, manifesting in joyful and magical ways.

You may find opportunities to take a lighter, more playful approaches to finances and stability arise easily just now. Try out some meditative sitting or movement to shift any stuck thinking in these areas. You might end up surprising yourself and inspiring others in turn.

A Natural Remedy Tip

for Meditation, Calm and Flexibility

Frankincense is a precious tree sap resin and remedy with many benefits. The scent of Frankincense alone as incense or essential oil helps to calm the mind and deepen breathing, a perfect complement to enhance a meditative state. 

Taken internally as capsules or diluted in water as a water tincture, it can help not only help promote a more relaxed state, but it is also used in traditional herbal medicine as an anti inflammatory to joints and muscle tissue, and tonic to the respiratory system. Frankincense can encourage increased strength, flexibility and easier breathing. 

As a well known sacred herb and gift from one of the three wise men on the occasion of Jesus' birth, this golden coloured plant extract also has energetic connections with giving, receiving and abundance.

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I hope you have enjoyed your reading and you find it supportive to you moving forward into the cycle ahead. 

I'd love to hear how this resonates with you and welcome you to leave a comment below or on my Nourish and Flourish FB page.

If you have friends you think might appreciate it, please do share :)

For occasional updates of upcoming new moon readings, soulful self care tips, herbal wellness blog adventures, holistic clinics and events, I invite you to click here to sign up for your free Nourish and Flourish Love Letters delivered by email directly to your inbox. 

Healing blessings,

Fiona Morris - Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks
Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

Let's connect: Facebook l Twitter l Blog l Instagram l Pinterest
Click here to receive your Nourish & Flourish Love Letters