Monday, 23 August 2010
We've Moved!
You will now find us at www.rowanremedies.com the home page is the blog and there is much more informative content about natural remedies, holistic anatomy and sustainable living
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Is it just me or does it feel like Autumn?
What with all this rain and lack of sunlight it's been feeling more like Autumn in NYR-Blackheath the last few days. I've been getting this urge to drink some elderflower tea which is great for colds, flu's and to clear a phlegmatic condition. I'm not helping myself with all the dairy rich chocolate I'm having but there we go. I had some elderflower tea today and realised just how long it's been since I had a proper herbal tea. The sensation was quite amazing. So refreshing, so harmonising, so relaxing. I took a sip and just thought; "what on earth have I been doing? Why haven't I been doing this more often?".
I think it's the busy lives of capitalism we lead, we forget to relax till we get symptoms of illness. What shocks me is when people (often men) ignore their symptoms of illness and try to push through it anyway. I can't think of a more disrespectful thing to do to your body. It is giving you screaming signs to slow down and you simply ignore it and carry on. Well, that's just asking for trouble isn't it?
I'm happy to say my website is up and running and I will be adding to it weekly. So from now on expect my more factual articles to be found on the website whereas my opinion, musings and rantings will be found here. I don't expect you to agree, disagree, get angry or inspired by my blog. It is what it is I just hope you enjoy it in all it's amateur glory.
www.rowanremedies.com for the facts!
I think it's the busy lives of capitalism we lead, we forget to relax till we get symptoms of illness. What shocks me is when people (often men) ignore their symptoms of illness and try to push through it anyway. I can't think of a more disrespectful thing to do to your body. It is giving you screaming signs to slow down and you simply ignore it and carry on. Well, that's just asking for trouble isn't it?
I'm happy to say my website is up and running and I will be adding to it weekly. So from now on expect my more factual articles to be found on the website whereas my opinion, musings and rantings will be found here. I don't expect you to agree, disagree, get angry or inspired by my blog. It is what it is I just hope you enjoy it in all it's amateur glory.
www.rowanremedies.com for the facts!
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Reality Tv's Good Side
We have probably always observed ourselves as a human race but with our ever expanding ability to gather and record information we appear to be observing ourselves now more than ever before. Reality TV is one of the ways in which we do this.
When we observe others we are inevitably reflecting upon our own choices as well. I wonder, if we are continuously approving our own choices by observing others do we ever really nurture love of our selves? Although, indirectly this may be the aim of the exercise, perhaps we are missing the point.
Arguably the increase in ways to observe others gives us a greater capacity than ever before to accept others and love ourselves, but this does not seem to be the case.
If, rather than revelling in judging people for not being like ourselves we used this time to open our minds to others and try to empathise more with others surely the world would be a better place.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
When we observe others we are inevitably reflecting upon our own choices as well. I wonder, if we are continuously approving our own choices by observing others do we ever really nurture love of our selves? Although, indirectly this may be the aim of the exercise, perhaps we are missing the point.
Arguably the increase in ways to observe others gives us a greater capacity than ever before to accept others and love ourselves, but this does not seem to be the case.
If, rather than revelling in judging people for not being like ourselves we used this time to open our minds to others and try to empathise more with others surely the world would be a better place.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Intensive Cow Farming
You may or may not be aware that there have been plans recently to bring intensive cow farming to Britain. It is something more commonly placed in the USA. However, it has already spread to China, India, the Philippines, Australia and Brazil (WSPA, 2010). In this practice cows are housed in large quantities on small amounts of land, usually in doors all of their life on concrete floors shuffling about in their own faeces. In order to maintain this environment the cows need to be given antibiotics regularly and artifical feed.
In Britain we have a tradition of small livestock farms. However, these have become less profitable over the years due to the nature of supermarkets competitive prices. The savins we make at the supermarket are almost always to the loss of the farmer. Therefore, these intensive methods of farming are far more profitable for them. There are 2 intensive farms (for cows) planned for the UK at present; Nocton and South Witham. For details about the set-up planned check this link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/revealed-how-zerograzing-is-set-to-bring-usstyle-factory-farming-to-britain-2010107.html.
It is clear to most that these systems are cruel to animals. However, what is not so clear is the impact these farms have on the environment. For each cow we rear we are creating twice as much of a carbon footprint because we are growing food to be fed to the cows, food which we could eat ourselves. The monoculture of this farming creates more lameness in the animals as well as many other diseases which are kept under control with antibiotics. Antibiotics which leak into our systems when we eat them or directly into our water supplies. The faeces created by the cows is not used as an energy source but is washed away into the water supplies causing great amounts of pollution to the water system by over-loading it with nitrate and can cause higher risks of miscarriage amongst humans. They also lead to a loss of soil fertility. In Brazil, the Amazon rainforest is being felled to make room for these farms.
I hope that adds some more depth to the ethical/vegetarian/vegan etc.etc. argument. Even if you do eat meat (as I do) it's possible to do it with more attention when you have all the facts.
REFERENCE: WSPA (2010) [online] http://www.wspa-international.org/Images/cattleleaflet_tcm25-2619.pdf [Accessed: 19/07/2010]
In Britain we have a tradition of small livestock farms. However, these have become less profitable over the years due to the nature of supermarkets competitive prices. The savins we make at the supermarket are almost always to the loss of the farmer. Therefore, these intensive methods of farming are far more profitable for them. There are 2 intensive farms (for cows) planned for the UK at present; Nocton and South Witham. For details about the set-up planned check this link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/revealed-how-zerograzing-is-set-to-bring-usstyle-factory-farming-to-britain-2010107.html.
It is clear to most that these systems are cruel to animals. However, what is not so clear is the impact these farms have on the environment. For each cow we rear we are creating twice as much of a carbon footprint because we are growing food to be fed to the cows, food which we could eat ourselves. The monoculture of this farming creates more lameness in the animals as well as many other diseases which are kept under control with antibiotics. Antibiotics which leak into our systems when we eat them or directly into our water supplies. The faeces created by the cows is not used as an energy source but is washed away into the water supplies causing great amounts of pollution to the water system by over-loading it with nitrate and can cause higher risks of miscarriage amongst humans. They also lead to a loss of soil fertility. In Brazil, the Amazon rainforest is being felled to make room for these farms.
I hope that adds some more depth to the ethical/vegetarian/vegan etc.etc. argument. Even if you do eat meat (as I do) it's possible to do it with more attention when you have all the facts.
REFERENCE: WSPA (2010) [online] http://www.wspa-international.org/Images/cattleleaflet_tcm25-2619.pdf [Accessed: 19/07/2010]
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Making friends in allotments
I had a lovely afternoon with a friend Chiara on her allotment. I helped her I.D. a plant for her ( a beetroot we thought might be a chard) and met her allotment neighbours.
Her neighbours were interested to learn the weeds they keep pulling up are in fact medicinal herbs. I explained plantain is for skin problems, calendula for wounds, chickweed for itches and horsetail for skin and nails. Horsetail was the most prolific.
They say what you need grows around you. I have heard reports from word of mouth that the hard water in London thins the hair so perhaps this is why it grows so much in that allotment.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Her neighbours were interested to learn the weeds they keep pulling up are in fact medicinal herbs. I explained plantain is for skin problems, calendula for wounds, chickweed for itches and horsetail for skin and nails. Horsetail was the most prolific.
They say what you need grows around you. I have heard reports from word of mouth that the hard water in London thins the hair so perhaps this is why it grows so much in that allotment.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Spirituality and ignorance
Today I heard someone say they think spirituality is a symptom of ignorance. He argued that we use spirituality to justify things we don't understand but in actual fact we just havnt discovered it yet.
I particularly didn't like that he equated spirituality with ignorance. However, I agree that spirituality provides us with general patterns and theories to explain things we are yet to understand by science.
However, I don't believe science is superior. In fact, I believe spirituality can be key to morality and humility for some and these human and social facets are more important than how we understand the world. I also believe it's probable that as humans we never will understand all the intricacies of nature. I think it's too clever for our minds and that is oddly comforting to me. It gives me the sensation of something being bigger and better than us, similar to this 'god' or 'spirit' we hear so much about. This is where I find my humility.
-- Post From My iPhone
I particularly didn't like that he equated spirituality with ignorance. However, I agree that spirituality provides us with general patterns and theories to explain things we are yet to understand by science.
However, I don't believe science is superior. In fact, I believe spirituality can be key to morality and humility for some and these human and social facets are more important than how we understand the world. I also believe it's probable that as humans we never will understand all the intricacies of nature. I think it's too clever for our minds and that is oddly comforting to me. It gives me the sensation of something being bigger and better than us, similar to this 'god' or 'spirit' we hear so much about. This is where I find my humility.
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Ecology and Capitalism
I've just finished reading a very basic book which outlines the subject of ecology. It used mostly pictures and cartoons with easy to read language. However, if you've never approached the subject of ecology before it's a very informative introduction. You can find a link to it on the facebook group.
Naturally, as any good book should do, it's got me thinking. I have found it very difficult in the past to sum up my political beliefs but this book has really helped me.
With the current issues of climate change, obesity in the west, famine in the third world, and pollution we clearly need to reasses our current life styles. At the moment we aim to gain material things rather than concentrate on being. These aspirations come from the idea that the world we live on is a resource to be exploited. When this was originally concieved it was also thought that we have infinite supplies of resources. However, we know now this is not the case.
These ideas of resource exploitation and materialism come under the economic system of capitalism whereby power, money and resources are centralised and profit, above all else, is sought.
Ecology does not react well to capitalism. If we want to save ourselves from our own demise (in the form of climate change) other alternatives would need to be embraced.
A decentralised system whereby resources are either shared nationally or grown close to where they are needed in a method which mimics natural ecology is what I think is needed. Sustainable energy supplies using water, wind, waste (methane) and the sun would be utilised. A decentralised system gives a bigger variety of jobs needed more frequently as there is a plethora of different jobs in every small town. Plus, with the increased efficiency of the decentralised system less work is needed. Quality goods are made to last and be easily repaired. This allows more time to be spent on the social side of life and furthering our knowledge.
So what actions can you take? Being aware of where your things come from is one step but just taking green decisions within the capitalist system does not promote true revolutionary change away from it. Try setting up your own co-op, grow your own food, squat, join your unions and force quality made things, oppose nukes, oppose wasteful developments in your area, boycott big unethical brands and support the ones that arn't unethical. I know I will.
-- Post From My iPhone
Naturally, as any good book should do, it's got me thinking. I have found it very difficult in the past to sum up my political beliefs but this book has really helped me.
With the current issues of climate change, obesity in the west, famine in the third world, and pollution we clearly need to reasses our current life styles. At the moment we aim to gain material things rather than concentrate on being. These aspirations come from the idea that the world we live on is a resource to be exploited. When this was originally concieved it was also thought that we have infinite supplies of resources. However, we know now this is not the case.
These ideas of resource exploitation and materialism come under the economic system of capitalism whereby power, money and resources are centralised and profit, above all else, is sought.
Ecology does not react well to capitalism. If we want to save ourselves from our own demise (in the form of climate change) other alternatives would need to be embraced.
A decentralised system whereby resources are either shared nationally or grown close to where they are needed in a method which mimics natural ecology is what I think is needed. Sustainable energy supplies using water, wind, waste (methane) and the sun would be utilised. A decentralised system gives a bigger variety of jobs needed more frequently as there is a plethora of different jobs in every small town. Plus, with the increased efficiency of the decentralised system less work is needed. Quality goods are made to last and be easily repaired. This allows more time to be spent on the social side of life and furthering our knowledge.
So what actions can you take? Being aware of where your things come from is one step but just taking green decisions within the capitalist system does not promote true revolutionary change away from it. Try setting up your own co-op, grow your own food, squat, join your unions and force quality made things, oppose nukes, oppose wasteful developments in your area, boycott big unethical brands and support the ones that arn't unethical. I know I will.
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, 14 June 2010
Birth Story
Birth Story of Rowan James Hayes-Webb, 22.51 19th February 2010.
I have newborn baby boy, and his birth was absolutely beautiful. People ask me 'how was the labour?' with this pained/sympathy look on their face, and I tell them that the birth was wonderful! They tend to look shocked and don’t believe me. They keep talking about pain, whereas I talk about the powerful rushes of energy which got me really excited. I wish I could do it all over again!! I used herbs and a birth pool to help me manage the energy best. I got so high off the heat of the room, the endorphins and the support of my 3 birth partners, I have never felt so happy in all my life as when sitting in that water surrounded by people doing the best for me and my baby. I kept myself loose and open by saying 'I love you' to my baby, and thanking him for all the hard work he was putting in. The two highest emotions I felt were ecstasy and immense gratitude, more than I’ve ever felt them before.
It was a gorgeous adventure in learning what my body is capable of and I am still in awe. I have such a calm, contented little baby, I didn't really believe this kind of birth and motherhood experience was possible, but now I've had it, I can honestly say it was the most empowering, emotional experience of my life. From start to finish I felt so excited, happy, grateful and loving. Here’s what happened:
It was 5 days after my ‘official due date’ when I woke up at about 8am to my waters breaking in bed. I had been using herbs to encourage labour for the last few days as I wanted desperately to avoid a medical induction at 42 weeks. I felt so excited and rushed to tell my parents, with whom I am currently living. I was having cramps, like period pains, and had been all night and on/off for several days. They didn’t hurt – I used to have horrifically painful periods (all the ladies in my family do) so I always anticipated being able to cope naturally with the sensations of birth (note I won’t use the term ‘labour pains’, as I didn’t feel this way about my birth – that sounds too negative!). I called my birth partners and arranged for them to meet me later at the birth centre 30mins from my house. I ate some breakfast even though I felt sick with excitement, and pottered around the house, bounced on my birthing ball, chatted to friends on the internet, and played on the PlayStation! I had 3 rushes (contractions) about 25 minutes each apart, lasting about 30 seconds, and I got the urge to kneel over my bed, close my eyes and breathe deeply through them. I wouldn’t call them painful but they increasingly demanded my full attention. My sister arrived (one of my birth partners) and I decided to have a bath. I hated being in there, as I had to lie down, and I had 3 rushes in the 20mins I was in there. I got out and didn’t say anything to my family about the increased rushes as I thought they might wane again whilst out of the water. But my sister noticed while I was getting dressed, and said she thought we should go to the birth centre now! It was lunchtime and they were indeed coming every 10 minutes, so we grabbed our bags and got going. We stopped at a supermarket so I could wee and it was really funny waddling slowly through, being stared at by shoppers! We joked to my dad that we might stop to buy snacks and he didn’t see the funny side...!!
It was snowing, and everything felt so magical, knowing I would meet my baby very soon. I felt hugely positive about everything and was so excited to have started naturally and be going to the lovely birth centre I’d chosen, not a hospital. I sat very still in the car and breathed through my rushes, asking my parents to turn the radio up so they couldn’t hear me – I closed my eyes and went into myself. Once at the birth centre, the baby’s dad arrived and the midwives settled us into a side room. My sister unpacked the many bags I’d brought and we made the room our own. A midwife observed my rushes every now and then and late afternoon, she checked my cervix once, at my request – I was 3-4cm dilated and she said to expect 1cm an hour from then on. I personally thought it would be quicker than that (I turned out to be right!). My doula Becky (birth partner) arrived at the centre and things really got going then, I think it was because I felt so safe with her. I started having stronger, longer rushes, and needing to bend over a birth ball or the back of a chair, I breathed deeply and Becky massaged my back with oils, which felt amazing. Adam (the baby’s dad) held my hand and made me laugh, my sister offered water and food in between rushes and took lots of photos as I requested. At one point I had a glass of orange juice and was instantly sick into a bowl Adam held! Puking felt amazing, I literally felt myself open up and let go all inhibitions. I think the way a person pukes says a lot about how they feel about their body – I just did it, not caring or apologising for the mess – it was helping get my baby born!
From that moment on, everything intensified, and it wasn’t long before I decided to get into the pool – I wasn’t sure I’d like it because I hated being in the bath earlier, but the warm deep water felt great. I was 7cm dilated when I got into the pool. We put a meditation cd on, low lights, and Adam got into the pool with me. I lay on my side next to him, closing my eyes through rushes, breathing deeply and making low, moaning sounds – these help to open up the pelvis. My legs were trembly and crampy, and I was slightly ketonic, so kept being fed salty crisps and bits of gingerbread between rushes. I asked people to be quiet during rushes, not to waste energy nattering, and I made sure to keep the atmosphere sweet by still saying please and thank you when asking for things – the sweeter you can keep it, the more gracious you can be, the higher you can get off the birth. I started to use the herbs more to help manage the energy and keep on top of it. I felt really ‘high’ happy, teary, but at one point I panicked about how quick everything was happening, and felt myself tear at that exact moment – it didn’t hurt cause I was so high but it bloody did after!!! (2nd degree tear, loads of stitches, couldn’t sit or walk for a week and was sore for weeks after that!) The crowning took a while, as he had his hand up by his head and he was bigger than anticipated (estimated 7lbs, actually 8lb 10oz!), I put enormous effort into the last few pushes, my birth partners literally cheering me on, really made me believe we could do it. The burning feeling of crowning was intense – still, not what I would call painful, but really overwhelming. It felt great because I knew so much progress was being made, and it was all so expulsive and felt gorgeous...
Rowan James was born at 22.51, I was absolutely ecstatic and as I cuddled him, felt like I’d known him forever. Adam sat behind me and cuddled us both, my sister took pictures and my doula made sure the midwives knew how I wanted the rest of the delivery/aftercare to go as I was in no position to care at that point (but I would have done after)!! I delivered the placenta about 10mins after and Adam cut the cord (after people had to run round the unit to find him, as he’d gone to change out of very messy swim trunks!!). I was helped out of the pool, practically carried to be honest as I just couldn’t walk for trembling, Rowan and I had skin to skin and breastfeed briefly, gazed at each other and had pictures, I asked the midwife to see the placenta and she examined it and explained it in front of me, it was amazing! I’m really interested to see this organ that nourished my baby for 9 months and helped him get so fat and gorgeous.
Then Adam, Rowan and I went back into our side room for me to get repaired! I was shakey, trembly, couldn’t walk or move from hunger and (happy) shock and the sheer emotion of it all, not to mention the massive, apparently ‘difficult’, tear. I chose to have no anaesthetic or gas and air while being stitched up (I was curious to see what it felt like!) and just breathed my way through the pain – the midwives thought I was barmy, they said it would hurt, I said, ‘does it hurt more than childbirth’ they laughed and said no of course not, so I said, ‘well I just did that without drugs so let’s get on with it...while I’ve still got pain-killing endorphins floating around my body!’ Yes, it was sore but I didn’t really care, I was glad to be feeling every single sensation of my baby’s birth and the way my body felt after. I wanted to savour it, and I’m so glad I did it all my way. Adam and Rowan sat in an armchair next to me cuddling and falling in love, it was lovely to see and made me cry loads!
After the repair work, baby checks were done (no vit k though), baba was washed and dressed, mama had a brief wash and put a nightie on with much assistance and difficulty, we had a proper feeding session, Adam fell asleep, and I sat staring at Rowan all night, falling in love!
'yes i know i'm gorgeous...'
I have newborn baby boy, and his birth was absolutely beautiful. People ask me 'how was the labour?' with this pained/sympathy look on their face, and I tell them that the birth was wonderful! They tend to look shocked and don’t believe me. They keep talking about pain, whereas I talk about the powerful rushes of energy which got me really excited. I wish I could do it all over again!! I used herbs and a birth pool to help me manage the energy best. I got so high off the heat of the room, the endorphins and the support of my 3 birth partners, I have never felt so happy in all my life as when sitting in that water surrounded by people doing the best for me and my baby. I kept myself loose and open by saying 'I love you' to my baby, and thanking him for all the hard work he was putting in. The two highest emotions I felt were ecstasy and immense gratitude, more than I’ve ever felt them before.
It was a gorgeous adventure in learning what my body is capable of and I am still in awe. I have such a calm, contented little baby, I didn't really believe this kind of birth and motherhood experience was possible, but now I've had it, I can honestly say it was the most empowering, emotional experience of my life. From start to finish I felt so excited, happy, grateful and loving. Here’s what happened:
It was 5 days after my ‘official due date’ when I woke up at about 8am to my waters breaking in bed. I had been using herbs to encourage labour for the last few days as I wanted desperately to avoid a medical induction at 42 weeks. I felt so excited and rushed to tell my parents, with whom I am currently living. I was having cramps, like period pains, and had been all night and on/off for several days. They didn’t hurt – I used to have horrifically painful periods (all the ladies in my family do) so I always anticipated being able to cope naturally with the sensations of birth (note I won’t use the term ‘labour pains’, as I didn’t feel this way about my birth – that sounds too negative!). I called my birth partners and arranged for them to meet me later at the birth centre 30mins from my house. I ate some breakfast even though I felt sick with excitement, and pottered around the house, bounced on my birthing ball, chatted to friends on the internet, and played on the PlayStation! I had 3 rushes (contractions) about 25 minutes each apart, lasting about 30 seconds, and I got the urge to kneel over my bed, close my eyes and breathe deeply through them. I wouldn’t call them painful but they increasingly demanded my full attention. My sister arrived (one of my birth partners) and I decided to have a bath. I hated being in there, as I had to lie down, and I had 3 rushes in the 20mins I was in there. I got out and didn’t say anything to my family about the increased rushes as I thought they might wane again whilst out of the water. But my sister noticed while I was getting dressed, and said she thought we should go to the birth centre now! It was lunchtime and they were indeed coming every 10 minutes, so we grabbed our bags and got going. We stopped at a supermarket so I could wee and it was really funny waddling slowly through, being stared at by shoppers! We joked to my dad that we might stop to buy snacks and he didn’t see the funny side...!!
It was snowing, and everything felt so magical, knowing I would meet my baby very soon. I felt hugely positive about everything and was so excited to have started naturally and be going to the lovely birth centre I’d chosen, not a hospital. I sat very still in the car and breathed through my rushes, asking my parents to turn the radio up so they couldn’t hear me – I closed my eyes and went into myself. Once at the birth centre, the baby’s dad arrived and the midwives settled us into a side room. My sister unpacked the many bags I’d brought and we made the room our own. A midwife observed my rushes every now and then and late afternoon, she checked my cervix once, at my request – I was 3-4cm dilated and she said to expect 1cm an hour from then on. I personally thought it would be quicker than that (I turned out to be right!). My doula Becky (birth partner) arrived at the centre and things really got going then, I think it was because I felt so safe with her. I started having stronger, longer rushes, and needing to bend over a birth ball or the back of a chair, I breathed deeply and Becky massaged my back with oils, which felt amazing. Adam (the baby’s dad) held my hand and made me laugh, my sister offered water and food in between rushes and took lots of photos as I requested. At one point I had a glass of orange juice and was instantly sick into a bowl Adam held! Puking felt amazing, I literally felt myself open up and let go all inhibitions. I think the way a person pukes says a lot about how they feel about their body – I just did it, not caring or apologising for the mess – it was helping get my baby born!
From that moment on, everything intensified, and it wasn’t long before I decided to get into the pool – I wasn’t sure I’d like it because I hated being in the bath earlier, but the warm deep water felt great. I was 7cm dilated when I got into the pool. We put a meditation cd on, low lights, and Adam got into the pool with me. I lay on my side next to him, closing my eyes through rushes, breathing deeply and making low, moaning sounds – these help to open up the pelvis. My legs were trembly and crampy, and I was slightly ketonic, so kept being fed salty crisps and bits of gingerbread between rushes. I asked people to be quiet during rushes, not to waste energy nattering, and I made sure to keep the atmosphere sweet by still saying please and thank you when asking for things – the sweeter you can keep it, the more gracious you can be, the higher you can get off the birth. I started to use the herbs more to help manage the energy and keep on top of it. I felt really ‘high’ happy, teary, but at one point I panicked about how quick everything was happening, and felt myself tear at that exact moment – it didn’t hurt cause I was so high but it bloody did after!!! (2nd degree tear, loads of stitches, couldn’t sit or walk for a week and was sore for weeks after that!) The crowning took a while, as he had his hand up by his head and he was bigger than anticipated (estimated 7lbs, actually 8lb 10oz!), I put enormous effort into the last few pushes, my birth partners literally cheering me on, really made me believe we could do it. The burning feeling of crowning was intense – still, not what I would call painful, but really overwhelming. It felt great because I knew so much progress was being made, and it was all so expulsive and felt gorgeous...
Rowan James was born at 22.51, I was absolutely ecstatic and as I cuddled him, felt like I’d known him forever. Adam sat behind me and cuddled us both, my sister took pictures and my doula made sure the midwives knew how I wanted the rest of the delivery/aftercare to go as I was in no position to care at that point (but I would have done after)!! I delivered the placenta about 10mins after and Adam cut the cord (after people had to run round the unit to find him, as he’d gone to change out of very messy swim trunks!!). I was helped out of the pool, practically carried to be honest as I just couldn’t walk for trembling, Rowan and I had skin to skin and breastfeed briefly, gazed at each other and had pictures, I asked the midwife to see the placenta and she examined it and explained it in front of me, it was amazing! I’m really interested to see this organ that nourished my baby for 9 months and helped him get so fat and gorgeous.
Then Adam, Rowan and I went back into our side room for me to get repaired! I was shakey, trembly, couldn’t walk or move from hunger and (happy) shock and the sheer emotion of it all, not to mention the massive, apparently ‘difficult’, tear. I chose to have no anaesthetic or gas and air while being stitched up (I was curious to see what it felt like!) and just breathed my way through the pain – the midwives thought I was barmy, they said it would hurt, I said, ‘does it hurt more than childbirth’ they laughed and said no of course not, so I said, ‘well I just did that without drugs so let’s get on with it...while I’ve still got pain-killing endorphins floating around my body!’ Yes, it was sore but I didn’t really care, I was glad to be feeling every single sensation of my baby’s birth and the way my body felt after. I wanted to savour it, and I’m so glad I did it all my way. Adam and Rowan sat in an armchair next to me cuddling and falling in love, it was lovely to see and made me cry loads!
After the repair work, baby checks were done (no vit k though), baba was washed and dressed, mama had a brief wash and put a nightie on with much assistance and difficulty, we had a proper feeding session, Adam fell asleep, and I sat staring at Rowan all night, falling in love!
'yes i know i'm gorgeous...'
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Making your own medicine
I'd like to encourage you all to do something simple yet effective. Go out in the sun and find a herb you recognise. Pick it and take it home with you. Wash it if necessary. Then buy a bottle of around 40% vodka and pour a little off so you can stuff as much herb in as possible. Label it with the date. In 6 weeks time you'll have your own tincture. It really is that simple.
The quality appears to be very different when you make tinctures yourself. It tastes very different, often sweeter. I would like to compare the methods described above to those employed with mass production of tinctures to begin hypothesising why they taste so differently and which one might be more effective. The best way to assess this would be through testing in a lab to compare the substances.
My taste buds tell me it's better quality because the taste it often stronger and often sweeter. However, my tinctures are always made wih fresh herb which should technically water them down. My logic says they will work better but unfortunately this can only be based on sensory perception and intuition; and that's not much of a logic at all! Still fun though ;)
-- Post From My iPhone
The quality appears to be very different when you make tinctures yourself. It tastes very different, often sweeter. I would like to compare the methods described above to those employed with mass production of tinctures to begin hypothesising why they taste so differently and which one might be more effective. The best way to assess this would be through testing in a lab to compare the substances.
My taste buds tell me it's better quality because the taste it often stronger and often sweeter. However, my tinctures are always made wih fresh herb which should technically water them down. My logic says they will work better but unfortunately this can only be based on sensory perception and intuition; and that's not much of a logic at all! Still fun though ;)
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Searching for enlightenment in self help books
I remember when I used to believe enlightenment would come upon me one day like a light switching on. I think self help books cultivate this idea. I've only read one which explained that enlightenment is something which comes gradually. I believe now that enlightenment is not something you learn or acquire but rather, it is a way of being.
It seems to be about being in the present moment.
With this presence of being often comes a sensitivity to the world via the senses. However, some are naturally sensitive to their surroundings, often to their annoyance, but most people can learn to be sensitive to their surroundings. This is not the aquirement of senses you havnt had before but more so a case of being more attentive to things when you experience them.
Although there appears an ethereal or subtle quality to nature I think most esoteric skills, such as intuition, are not as special and mystical as the books make out.
Our senses are magickal without the need for talking them up to be something they're not. Doing this makes them unatainable to some which is an unfortunate side effect.
Karuna; give life your full attention and it's intricate pattern will unveil itself before your very eyes.
-- Post From My iPhone
It seems to be about being in the present moment.
With this presence of being often comes a sensitivity to the world via the senses. However, some are naturally sensitive to their surroundings, often to their annoyance, but most people can learn to be sensitive to their surroundings. This is not the aquirement of senses you havnt had before but more so a case of being more attentive to things when you experience them.
Although there appears an ethereal or subtle quality to nature I think most esoteric skills, such as intuition, are not as special and mystical as the books make out.
Our senses are magickal without the need for talking them up to be something they're not. Doing this makes them unatainable to some which is an unfortunate side effect.
Karuna; give life your full attention and it's intricate pattern will unveil itself before your very eyes.
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Nettles and blessings
Made myself some Nettle syrup (with brown sugar! yumyum) and it's been sweetening my tea ever since. It's beautiful.
There is a satisfaction that comes from making your own delicious treats which is quite like no other. It is sensations with qualities like this which should be emphasised in our society. The euphoria of childbirth, the amazement when meeting something wild up close, the satisfaction of home made bread... The greed of money, the longing for romance, the sadness of war are all things we need less of in our lives.
Children are being born left right and centre in my life at the moment. My friend Charlie has a beautiful birth story which I hope to share with you soon.
Blessed be my witchy brethen
There is a satisfaction that comes from making your own delicious treats which is quite like no other. It is sensations with qualities like this which should be emphasised in our society. The euphoria of childbirth, the amazement when meeting something wild up close, the satisfaction of home made bread... The greed of money, the longing for romance, the sadness of war are all things we need less of in our lives.
Children are being born left right and centre in my life at the moment. My friend Charlie has a beautiful birth story which I hope to share with you soon.
Blessed be my witchy brethen
Friday, 7 May 2010
The bigger picture
I'm sat up watching the elections. It looks like it's going to be a hung parliament which dosn't bother me as much as conservatives being in power. I am concerned about what is going to happen to us as a country and how that will affect the earth. However, the bigger picture is all about the individual.
I think after this vote I will make more effort to put good intentions into the world. From what I've seen it is possible to change our world by the way we choose to see it. At least, there is nothing to gain by feeling negatively about the world unless, of course, this drives you even more to take action to improve it.
It's very easy at times like this to see the individual as insignificant but this is not the case for it is the individual that makes the masses. Moreover, let us never forget all the individuals that have changed the world over! Live as you should like to see others do so. You can inspire others.
Let us be inspired by one another
I think after this vote I will make more effort to put good intentions into the world. From what I've seen it is possible to change our world by the way we choose to see it. At least, there is nothing to gain by feeling negatively about the world unless, of course, this drives you even more to take action to improve it.
It's very easy at times like this to see the individual as insignificant but this is not the case for it is the individual that makes the masses. Moreover, let us never forget all the individuals that have changed the world over! Live as you should like to see others do so. You can inspire others.
Let us be inspired by one another
Monday, 26 April 2010
The Sorceresses Power
I have come to realise over time that the power of an alchemist or sorceress comes not from their ability to change the world around them but rather to change themselves.
Power over the mind is key to success in life. This is much harder for a woman because we have our hormonal cycles to compensate for. However, there is much strength to be found in these cycles with the correct knowledge. If you are properly educated and aware you can optimise productivity by embracing the strengths of each part of the cycle. I don't know a better way to learn this than by being attentive to your desires and needs.
It is the changability and adaptability which gives woman her strength. We thwart this strength when we try to ignore our needs to fit into a patriarchal system.
Realise this; just as our opinions change with our hormones we can use our control over our minds to change our hormones, or wealth, self-love, confidence, anything! Just put your mind to it and it can be achieved. Women are natural sorcesses.
-- Post From My iPhone
Power over the mind is key to success in life. This is much harder for a woman because we have our hormonal cycles to compensate for. However, there is much strength to be found in these cycles with the correct knowledge. If you are properly educated and aware you can optimise productivity by embracing the strengths of each part of the cycle. I don't know a better way to learn this than by being attentive to your desires and needs.
It is the changability and adaptability which gives woman her strength. We thwart this strength when we try to ignore our needs to fit into a patriarchal system.
Realise this; just as our opinions change with our hormones we can use our control over our minds to change our hormones, or wealth, self-love, confidence, anything! Just put your mind to it and it can be achieved. Women are natural sorcesses.
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Can Spirituality be Taught?
I believe that spirituality is a state of mind. Never forget the power of the mind. It can cause hallucinations of sight touch and sound. It can make our body heal at miraculous rates. We can push our hands through bricks if we want. It is quite an incredible thing and the boundaries of it are yet to be found.
In my teenage years my parents were splitting up and my coping mechanism was to delve into the wonderful world of magick. I would fantasise about the Goddess taking care of me and the Gods wildness. They were and always will be my true parents because I have created them and I have chosen them to behave in whichever way I want. Whilst I believed in magick as though it was something in existence outside of me I saw and did amazing things which I didn't think were possible. I increased my funds, I changed my eye colour and I found items which I thought lost to me. This was just the tip of the ice berg. I also had experiences in nature with spirits and such.
When I joined university I had lost my faith in magick entirely and found it again when 'The Witches' Karen and Fi (of sensory solutions) came to visit. They showed me how I could apply my spirituality to my physical practice as a herbalist. They were the witch I always wanted to be; the old wise woman in the house in the country with her spells, secrets and wisdom.
What I came to realise was that while I believed I managed to give myself the power to experience the world in a different way and when I didn't believe I couldn't see these things. This leads me to the conclusion that while it is possible for these esoteric things to exist outside ourselves I think that it is mostly down to our individual perception of the outside world. This does not take away from the magick for me though. Is it not amazing that our minds can give us miraculous capabilities?
I think so.
I recognise that my mind has these abilities but I also know that knowing that doesn't give me the ability to do whatever I want. I know that ritual and spells are carefully designed to bring the mind into a place where I can do those things. This is why I still practice ritual, spells and meditation. This is why I am still successful.
I believe it is possible that our minds abilities stretch outside ourselves into the outside world though. I believe it is possible we can influence things outside ourselves more than just changing our mind set. These are simply possibilities to me though and I do not profess them to be truths. I do however, stay open minded to this possibility. I see no harm in belief. If those beliefs give a person the ability to pull themselves out of cancer then so be it!
The reason why I do not like people that tell the 'believers' they are talking a load of crap is because; YES, they are talking a load of crap. What's it to you? Is it harming you in any way directly? If a belief does not cause harm do not hunt them down and do not seek them out. Stop the witch hunt, for we have not harmed you.
In my teenage years my parents were splitting up and my coping mechanism was to delve into the wonderful world of magick. I would fantasise about the Goddess taking care of me and the Gods wildness. They were and always will be my true parents because I have created them and I have chosen them to behave in whichever way I want. Whilst I believed in magick as though it was something in existence outside of me I saw and did amazing things which I didn't think were possible. I increased my funds, I changed my eye colour and I found items which I thought lost to me. This was just the tip of the ice berg. I also had experiences in nature with spirits and such.
When I joined university I had lost my faith in magick entirely and found it again when 'The Witches' Karen and Fi (of sensory solutions) came to visit. They showed me how I could apply my spirituality to my physical practice as a herbalist. They were the witch I always wanted to be; the old wise woman in the house in the country with her spells, secrets and wisdom.
What I came to realise was that while I believed I managed to give myself the power to experience the world in a different way and when I didn't believe I couldn't see these things. This leads me to the conclusion that while it is possible for these esoteric things to exist outside ourselves I think that it is mostly down to our individual perception of the outside world. This does not take away from the magick for me though. Is it not amazing that our minds can give us miraculous capabilities?
I think so.
I recognise that my mind has these abilities but I also know that knowing that doesn't give me the ability to do whatever I want. I know that ritual and spells are carefully designed to bring the mind into a place where I can do those things. This is why I still practice ritual, spells and meditation. This is why I am still successful.
I believe it is possible that our minds abilities stretch outside ourselves into the outside world though. I believe it is possible we can influence things outside ourselves more than just changing our mind set. These are simply possibilities to me though and I do not profess them to be truths. I do however, stay open minded to this possibility. I see no harm in belief. If those beliefs give a person the ability to pull themselves out of cancer then so be it!
The reason why I do not like people that tell the 'believers' they are talking a load of crap is because; YES, they are talking a load of crap. What's it to you? Is it harming you in any way directly? If a belief does not cause harm do not hunt them down and do not seek them out. Stop the witch hunt, for we have not harmed you.
Friday, 26 March 2010
A Holistic Look at the Symptom of Pain
Pain is something which remains quite mysterious in science as it is quite common for people to experience pain with no known cause. It is a signal to us that something is wrong and without it we are in grave danger. Most of the time it is clear what the cause is; such as injury but often it is not. Fear is often experienced as an emotional response to pain; either fear of the unknown but also fear of the known.
Fear of the unknown is a basic feeling we remember from our history as man. This impacts on our adrenals and so pain can lead to lethargy when we experience the low following an adrenaline boost or (if long-term) we deplete our adrenaline supplies. Sometimes pain can become less severe when a diagnosis can be given as it is no longer associated with the emotion of fear. However, there can also be fear of the known in patients such as those with arthritis where the pain is chronic. In this case knowing that something will cause you pain causes fear and also avoidance. This can mean that people that might improve by activity do not do so because of the pain.
In our modern society pain is seen as inconvenient and unpleasant. Aches are shunned as signs of an underlying pathology in favour of popping a few paracetomols. This encourages disconnection between the mind and body and is in contradiction with wholism. Similarly in hospitals pain killers are often prescribed without consulting the patient what so ever as it is assumed that they are wanted by each individual. Pressure may be put upon you to take what has been prescribed as though it is a binding contract. As pain is an important signal to us that we need to give our body attention and investigate the cause it can be dangerous to simply take things which stop that signal as improvements are more difficult to monitor.
A common cause of abdominal pain which is medicated regularly with pain killers is period pain. Presently, period pain is common and often thought of as a normal part of the period. For this reason, and others, periods are often viewed as an inconvenience and unpleasant. Although cramping pain is usual as the uterus contracts 50% of women experience dysmenorrhoea (severe period pain) and 10% experience pain which leave them bed bound for 1-3 days every month. If the pain is not caused by an organic pathology one has to wonder what the pain is signalling.
It is possible that the pain is a signal that we should pay attention to wherever the pain is coming from; in this case, the womb. This could indicate psychological issues with the womb, but considering the high incidence rates it is quite logical to assume the problem is one found in society rather than individuals. It would be interesting to see what the incidence of dysmenorrhoea was when periods were still respected and revered and seen as a powerful time for a woman. Perhaps, the pain we experience now is due to our patriarchal society which does not have time for female bodily functions and as we ignore the power of our wombs our bodies respond by causing pain and bring our attention back to them.
Here's an idea for the theory: Respect your womb. Take some time out when you have your period and see whether it eradicates your period pain. Remember it's not what you do but how you do it; with respect and reverence. xx
Fear of the unknown is a basic feeling we remember from our history as man. This impacts on our adrenals and so pain can lead to lethargy when we experience the low following an adrenaline boost or (if long-term) we deplete our adrenaline supplies. Sometimes pain can become less severe when a diagnosis can be given as it is no longer associated with the emotion of fear. However, there can also be fear of the known in patients such as those with arthritis where the pain is chronic. In this case knowing that something will cause you pain causes fear and also avoidance. This can mean that people that might improve by activity do not do so because of the pain.
In our modern society pain is seen as inconvenient and unpleasant. Aches are shunned as signs of an underlying pathology in favour of popping a few paracetomols. This encourages disconnection between the mind and body and is in contradiction with wholism. Similarly in hospitals pain killers are often prescribed without consulting the patient what so ever as it is assumed that they are wanted by each individual. Pressure may be put upon you to take what has been prescribed as though it is a binding contract. As pain is an important signal to us that we need to give our body attention and investigate the cause it can be dangerous to simply take things which stop that signal as improvements are more difficult to monitor.
A common cause of abdominal pain which is medicated regularly with pain killers is period pain. Presently, period pain is common and often thought of as a normal part of the period. For this reason, and others, periods are often viewed as an inconvenience and unpleasant. Although cramping pain is usual as the uterus contracts 50% of women experience dysmenorrhoea (severe period pain) and 10% experience pain which leave them bed bound for 1-3 days every month. If the pain is not caused by an organic pathology one has to wonder what the pain is signalling.
It is possible that the pain is a signal that we should pay attention to wherever the pain is coming from; in this case, the womb. This could indicate psychological issues with the womb, but considering the high incidence rates it is quite logical to assume the problem is one found in society rather than individuals. It would be interesting to see what the incidence of dysmenorrhoea was when periods were still respected and revered and seen as a powerful time for a woman. Perhaps, the pain we experience now is due to our patriarchal society which does not have time for female bodily functions and as we ignore the power of our wombs our bodies respond by causing pain and bring our attention back to them.
Here's an idea for the theory: Respect your womb. Take some time out when you have your period and see whether it eradicates your period pain. Remember it's not what you do but how you do it; with respect and reverence. xx
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Spring Equinox
Happy Spring everyone!
Today is the first day where night and day are of equal length this year. This means of course that summer is coming. It is officially spring; daffodils are showing their heads as are the snow drops. Spring seems to have been late coming this year but thankfully it is here now, in force! The sudden change in temperature has been a bit of a shock but one very welcome.
Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. Sometimes it is referred to as the quickening and it often feels as though the pace of life has suddenly kicked up a notch during this time. As the days get longer we find ourselves waking earlier with the sun and feeling more enthusiastic about getting out of it.
The Spring equinox is a time to cleanse (the spring clean is traditional) our old ways in order to make room for the new patterns. You may wish to take a cleansing bath or burn paper with old problems on them. Either way this is a celebration of cleansing. Personally I tidied my room today then smudged it with a sage stick. I also made a huge pile of Easter (Ostara) cup cakes with lemon (another cleansing agent) and infused them with creativity. I also kept the eggs with which i made the cakes (i blew the yolk out a hole) in order to decorate. If you do nothing else, go for a walk and try to notice spring everywhere you look, all you have to do is notice it and you will feel the creative energy rising!
Today is the first day where night and day are of equal length this year. This means of course that summer is coming. It is officially spring; daffodils are showing their heads as are the snow drops. Spring seems to have been late coming this year but thankfully it is here now, in force! The sudden change in temperature has been a bit of a shock but one very welcome.
Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. Sometimes it is referred to as the quickening and it often feels as though the pace of life has suddenly kicked up a notch during this time. As the days get longer we find ourselves waking earlier with the sun and feeling more enthusiastic about getting out of it.
The Spring equinox is a time to cleanse (the spring clean is traditional) our old ways in order to make room for the new patterns. You may wish to take a cleansing bath or burn paper with old problems on them. Either way this is a celebration of cleansing. Personally I tidied my room today then smudged it with a sage stick. I also made a huge pile of Easter (Ostara) cup cakes with lemon (another cleansing agent) and infused them with creativity. I also kept the eggs with which i made the cakes (i blew the yolk out a hole) in order to decorate. If you do nothing else, go for a walk and try to notice spring everywhere you look, all you have to do is notice it and you will feel the creative energy rising!
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Herbs vs. Drugs
This is an account of personal opinion it should not be taken as gospel
Drugs evolved as our scientific knowledge has grown over the years. With our knowledge of science (more specifically chemistry) we have become capable of separating a substance into its active constituents. The main benefit of this is we are able to test the substance reliably using randomised controlled trials. It is no secret that drugs have side effects. This is something which is a recognised and (for some reason) accepted bad point to using drugs. The BNF.org lists each drug, what it does and its side effects and contraindications should you be interested in finding out more. Why these side effects occur is yet to be discovered but there is a theory which says that we cannot process these pure substances very well because our bodies have not evolved to handle such things.
For this reason, sweeping statements that natural remedies are safer alternatives are made. Personally, I do not believe all natural remedies are safer, some are quite toxic. However, I do believe our bodies are better at dealing with these toxins as we have dealt with them in our past (in evolutionary terms).
Drugs are not all bad, some are life saving and this should not be taken for granted. Although herbs work instantly I would not want to use them in an emergency situation because of the variation of response between individuals. They can be highly effective in first aid but I would not take the chance when it comes to life or death situations. Drugs are useful because of their reliability and the quickness with which they work. However, it is my experience that drugs given in hospital situations such as pain killers are not always necessary and are often handed out with little transparency and little choice to the individual.
This is simply one example of how our current health care system takes the control from the patient and puts it into the doctor giving patients an ever increasing feeling of helplessness. My aim as a herbalist and person is to return the empowerment to the patient, to educate them on their health so they can make informed decisions.
I believe that herbs are better because of their complexity. The mystery about synergy and how chemicals work together to create a substance the body is more familiar with makes herbs all the more interesting to me. These are the same reasons a scientist would discredit herbal medicine. However, I believe the complexity and synergy are the most important parts therefore; when scientific evidence warns against the use of a herb because of one constituent it contains I take it with a very large pinch of salt. These research papers may be reliable but they are not particularly valid to a practicing herbalist as we take into account individual variations between people and also the synergy of a natural plant.
Let us never forget that our drugs were made from plants and to plants we will return!
Drugs evolved as our scientific knowledge has grown over the years. With our knowledge of science (more specifically chemistry) we have become capable of separating a substance into its active constituents. The main benefit of this is we are able to test the substance reliably using randomised controlled trials. It is no secret that drugs have side effects. This is something which is a recognised and (for some reason) accepted bad point to using drugs. The BNF.org lists each drug, what it does and its side effects and contraindications should you be interested in finding out more. Why these side effects occur is yet to be discovered but there is a theory which says that we cannot process these pure substances very well because our bodies have not evolved to handle such things.
For this reason, sweeping statements that natural remedies are safer alternatives are made. Personally, I do not believe all natural remedies are safer, some are quite toxic. However, I do believe our bodies are better at dealing with these toxins as we have dealt with them in our past (in evolutionary terms).
Drugs are not all bad, some are life saving and this should not be taken for granted. Although herbs work instantly I would not want to use them in an emergency situation because of the variation of response between individuals. They can be highly effective in first aid but I would not take the chance when it comes to life or death situations. Drugs are useful because of their reliability and the quickness with which they work. However, it is my experience that drugs given in hospital situations such as pain killers are not always necessary and are often handed out with little transparency and little choice to the individual.
This is simply one example of how our current health care system takes the control from the patient and puts it into the doctor giving patients an ever increasing feeling of helplessness. My aim as a herbalist and person is to return the empowerment to the patient, to educate them on their health so they can make informed decisions.
I believe that herbs are better because of their complexity. The mystery about synergy and how chemicals work together to create a substance the body is more familiar with makes herbs all the more interesting to me. These are the same reasons a scientist would discredit herbal medicine. However, I believe the complexity and synergy are the most important parts therefore; when scientific evidence warns against the use of a herb because of one constituent it contains I take it with a very large pinch of salt. These research papers may be reliable but they are not particularly valid to a practicing herbalist as we take into account individual variations between people and also the synergy of a natural plant.
Let us never forget that our drugs were made from plants and to plants we will return!
My First Blog
It's a beautiful spring morning and I've been working on my dissertation. It is so beautiful outside and every day I see a clear sky and the sun out I'm filled with hope about the coming summer. Spring seems slow to start this year. It is still bitterly cold outside and I have yet to notice much budding although the spring bulbs are out. The garden could use a bit of a tidy but these things are so low on the agenda of a final year degree student I doubt it will get done this year. Not to mention our lack of gardening tools! Lincoln is so beautiful and I will miss it; but, onwards and upwards.
I met with Rachel Burr yesterday to discuss my future as a herbalist in her clinic at HeathcoatStreet. It is a beautiful place just off Lace Market in Nottingham and has so much potential! It's only just starting out though and there is much to do. Lots of ideas, not enough time to do them.
I'd better get back to the dissertation or else Alison will have my guts for garters.
I met with Rachel Burr yesterday to discuss my future as a herbalist in her clinic at HeathcoatStreet. It is a beautiful place just off Lace Market in Nottingham and has so much potential! It's only just starting out though and there is much to do. Lots of ideas, not enough time to do them.
I'd better get back to the dissertation or else Alison will have my guts for garters.
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