I woke on the day you were to be born, with an intense need for fresh air. I felt stifled and suffocated by negative energy sourcesin our home that had not let up in some time. Usually opting for flower essences, this day I needed a more. I spotted the bundles in a basket near the door. I grabbed the creosote and set it aflame with the past, with all my anxiety, fear, and anger at the negativity that insisted upon crowding my home in the weeks leading up to your birth. I danced in the smoke. I sang. I cried. Desperately wanting to greet you at home, I was nearing the ‘deadline’ for requiring hospital admission, and this added to my anxiety. I called upon the centuries of wise women circling me and together we spoke with you, and gave you a promise. We  let you know that it was time to make your Earthly debut and that if you did so, you would be welcomed into this world in a fog of love and positive energy. You arrived that evening…

I’ve just burned another creosote bundle I made just before Sage was born. The sweet smell of the desert lingers in my home as I write these words.  The scent of earthy clay encourages me to be gentle with myself and not be embarrassed at their unedited rawness as I wander into the memories of that day. TI am reminded to love myself, the dark and the light, the well-said and the stream of consciousness. They are the first words of any kind I’ve written about her birth.  I’m beginning the work of writing her story.  Beginning  by clearing and releasing any negative energy, unmet expectations, and disjointed memories.  I promised.And it’s working. The ritual of creating the smolder, the dance of spreading the smoke, the resinous delight of the sweet smelling herb swirling its way into my soul calming me to my core. The linger of the smudge bringing me back to that day. I breathe in the memory of her birth. I begin. 

Breathe in relaxation, peace, and love. Breathe out anxiety, fear, and stress. 

It’s not hard to make your own smudges. Simply gather the fresh herb while it is still resinous, bundle them tightly and wrap with an untreated cotton string. Set it, out of direct sun, until it is dry. To burn, simply light the end, allow it to catch fire and gently blow out the flame offering some additional breath to encourage the smolder. Clear the energy by dancing the smoke around the room, singing a song, or saying a prayer. Then safely lay the smudge down and just sit with it.

I’m sorta playing along with August Break. I’m going to try to share an image from every day. It’s hard for me to push ‘post’ for some reason with my words, but images seem to come easily these days. So I will try to post one each day to tell our August story.