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Sprouting Spring Surprises

You always take me by surprise, Spring. And it is always Elderberry who is the first to catch my breath with your announcement: pair of fresh, day-glow green leaves bursting forth from a gray skeleton of a shrub.

In the moment it seems so unexpected. Weren’t we just playing in the snow up on the mountain? Aren’t we still in get-cozy-and-hibernate mode? Half of my being shouts “Wait! Slow down. I’m not ready!” while the other is tugged joyfully towards garden daydreams.

Red-flowering currant springing to life

If you are feeling the energy of this in-between time as well, then you are right on schedule. The halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox falls on (roughly) February 1st.

Getting Ready

In the ancient Celtic or Gaelic tradition of Imbolc, which begins sundown on the first of February and ends at sundown on the second, it is customary to welcome the first signs of Spring by clearing out the last bits of winter from your home.

Gather any remaining evergreen bits that adorned your home for the Winter holidays and toss them in your fire or compost. Recycle the flurry of paper snowflakes that may still cling to your windows. Wind up the twinkle lights. And, if your home is like ours, clear out the cache of Hanukkah gelt that your kids have tucked away like little squirrels. Spring is a rising tide that will soon carry us to blissful heights scented with lilac and Trillium blossoms, and we want to get ready for the ride.

Sprouting Our Potential

As vibrant energy rises upwards from the roots of our plant allies and their shoots begin to grow with fervor, we can infuse this energy into our own lives as well. I invite you to try this simple, meditative sprouting ritual…

Gather these items:

  1. a clean wide-mouth glass quart-sized jar
  2. a 2 Tbs to a 1/4 cup of seeds to sprout of your choice (alfalfa, clover, lentil, sunflower, etc.)
  3. a piece of cheesecloth and a rubber band
  • Pour your seeds into your palm. Look at them closely, feeling how smooth and hard they are. Seeds are such a wonder. Little miracles. How is it that something so tiny and non-alive can grow into a full-fledged plant? All the information is in there. It’s just dormant. Seeds are sleepy. They just need a little nurturing to reach their potential — and the same it true for all of us.
  • What would you like to come alive in your own life? What do want to grow in yourself, in your home, and in your community? Which of your gifts and qualities would you like to expand in the months ahead? Infuse your seeds with these intentions and dreams as you pour your handful into your jar.
  • Cover your seeds with 2″ of warm water and allow them to sit overnight.
  • The next day secure a piece of clean cheesecloth over the top of your jar with a rubber band.
  • Strain the water from your seeds. Fill with cool, fresh water. Swirl your seeds around a few times and strain again. Set jar on a quiet spot of your counter. I like to invert the jar in a bowl to catch any free water.
  • Continue watering, swirling, and straining your seeds once or twice daily for a few days. Each time you do, look closely to see how your seeds are changing and G R O W I N G!
  • Once your seeds have sprouted, allow them to grow for another day or two, then place them in a sunny spot (but keep them cool if you can) where their tiny leaves will become a vibrant green.
  • Choose an individual sprout to hold. You have a little newborn plant! At what point did the seed actually become A L I V E ?!? Where was all this life-force hiding? Look at how much it has changed from the seed of potential you held just a few days earlier. Examine the colors, textures, and fragrance. If this little seed can grow towards its potential with a little nurturing so can you! Thank your sprout for its inspiration. Take a moment to center yourself and reconnect with the intentions you infused these seeds with. Eat your sprout, enjoy its flavor, embody its lively energy, and feel your own vibrant growth towards your intentions.
  • Line a glass storage container with a paper towel or small clean cloth, place your beautiful, lively sprouts inside, and store in your fridge. Enjoy eating them all up within 3 days.

Now go ahead stretch those dormant parts of yourself that want to grow, and heal, and blossom. Your first new leaves may be tender, but wow are they vibrant. Remember: Not only do you have the Earth’s permission, you have her blessing.

Written by:
Allison Poklemba
Published on:
February 1, 2022
Thoughts:
5 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ramona

    February 1, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    INSPIRATION TO SPROUT GROW THRIVE!

    Reply
  2. Lorraine Carolan

    February 2, 2022 at 9:33 am

    This is wonderful…simple, lovely …and keeps the intention (s) going.

    Reply
  3. Megan

    February 2, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    What a great thing to share, what a great idea for a group of kids that have something to take home with them and grow

    Reply
  4. Susan Leroy

    February 3, 2022 at 5:11 am

    What lovely inspiring words! Thank you

    Reply
  5. Jane Bothwell

    March 31, 2022 at 2:46 am

    I feel brighter and more alive just reading this ritual ! On to the sprouting! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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❄️🌿❄️ Walk along with us to visit our p ❄️🌿❄️ Walk along with us to visit our plant pals on this snowy day

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💧We’re dipping a pinky toe in the podcasting 💧We’re dipping a pinky toe in the podcasting pool!

We’ll be sharing tales from our Herb School on the North Coast of California, take you on Herb Walks, and chat with inspiring people collaborating with plants to create art, medicine, community, and so much more.

In this first episode Dandelion’s co-directors, Allison Poklemba @earth2allison and Jessica Shepherd @shepherdspursebotanicals, sip tea and reflect on the evolution of their relationships with plants, and the completion of their first year carrying Dandelion’s founder, Jane Bothwell’s, hefty and illuminating teaching torch.

In the flow of their conversation you’ll get a sense of the joy, the wonder, and the meaning that fills both their tea cups through the good work of connecting people with plants for healing & happiness, and for community connection & nature connection.

We invite you to take a listen
at our L I N K

(Spotify is being glitchy, but 🤞that bit will work soon!)

P.S. Choosing a name for this project was HARD, but then @kristensmith436 told me that “Diaries are sexy!!! Full of magic and secrets!” so how could we not go with Dandelion Diaries?!?

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https://dandelionherb.com/podcast/tea-time-with-allison-jessica/
💚 A “Hello” and mini DHC tour from Jane 💚

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The Ten Month Herbal Studies program meets for 1 weekend a month, beginning Feb. 11 & 12! Sign up with a friend using code PLANTPAL and you each save $150 🙌

Thinking about circling back to class for another round? Use code HERBNERD for 10% off 🌻

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A Cross-Quarter Day visit with our Algal Pals. Lot A Cross-Quarter Day visit with our Algal Pals. Lots of baby Nori ready to grow grow grow!

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#imbolcblessings #crossquaterday

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An Imbolc Ritual - 🌱- Sprouting Our Potential An Imbolc Ritual - 🌱- Sprouting Our Potential

You always take me by surprise, Spring.

And it is always Elderberry who is the first to catch my breath with your announcement: pair of fresh, day-glow green leaves bursting forth from a gray skeleton of a shrub.

In the moment it seems so unexpected.

Weren’t we just playing in the snow up on the mountain?

Aren’t we still in get-cozy-and-hibernate mode?

Half of my being shouts “Wait! Slow down. I’m not ready!” while the other is tugged joyfully towards garden daydreams.

If you are feeling the energy of this in-between time as well, then you are right on schedule.

The halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox falls on (roughly) February 1st.

As vibrant energy rises upwards from the roots of our plant allies and their shoots begin to grow with fervor, we can infuse this energy into our own lives as well.

We invite you to try this simple, meditative sprouting ritual…

🌱 Find the step by step at our @dandelionherbalcenter L I N K

Now go ahead stretch those dormant parts of yourself that want to grow, and heal, and blossom. May they be awakened like vibrant sprouting seeds!

#imbolcblessings #imbolc #plantallies #plantmagic #herbschool #redwoodforest #humboldt #humboldtcounty #herbalism #herbalist #herbalmedicine

https://dandelionherb.com/2022/02/01/sprouting-spring-surprises/
We begin Feb. 11‼️ Sign up with a pal and save We begin Feb. 11‼️ Sign up with a pal and save $150!

We've been told that this class experience is like a weekend retreat each month for 10 months.

Honestly for the last 23 years Dandelion Herbal Center has felt like my sanctuary.

When you come to class, you come to a sanctuary—the experience truly fills your cup.

When we head out on amazing field trips to the tide pools, to the herb farms, to the mountain tops, we carry that sense of sanctuary with us.

💚+💚 Because everything is more fun with a friend, sign up with a pal and you'll each save $150!

Just use the coupon code PLANTPAL at checkout and be sure to tell us your friend's name.

Our small class size means we form a tight group of Plant Pals that stay connected for YEARS after class.

After all, that's how Jessica and I met in the year 2000!

☺️ It also means if you're interested you should save your spot ASAP.

This monthly deep dive for the passionate herb student takes a body systems approach to plant medicine and includes the types of field trips Herbalists dream of!

Hope to include you in our class sanctuary!

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With love,
Allison

P.S. You’re welcome to repeat this class! If you’re coming back for round 2, Use code HERBNERD to save 10%.

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