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BellaDonna Day 5

4/21/2018

11 Comments

 
Picture
I planted Belladonna seeds today; I found the seeds in my seed box in an envelope with a hand written label that I don't recognize. I received belladonna seeds before; they were a gift from one of my cultural anthropology teachers many years ago. She is also a high priestess in the Wiccan tradition. I first met her in 1996 when I was attending the local community college. I took every course she offered in the Anthropology department and went on to earn my bachelor's degree in Anthropology. I didn't plant the seeds then; I didn't think I was ready for that kind of power.

During that time frame, I would happen across my teacher's path at the most interesting times in my life; usually times of personal upheaval.  Somewhere around the year 2000 I met year at a home department store and she mentioned she would be teaching a class on roses for the Learning Exchange. How could I possibly resist that invitation?  I didn't know why but the appeal of taking a class on the culinary use of roses was tremendous. I went home and registered.

The afternoon of roses was delightful.  She taught us about the history of the use of roses as well as some of the culinary benefits, medicinal uses, and the magic that comes with every herb in the kingdom. We made rose hip jelly, rose bath salts, rose skin salve, and made rose garland for the holidays. At the end of the afternoon she casually mentioned that she would be teaching an herbal apprenticeship that would begin the following month in her home. I didn't really know what that was but I felt absolutely compelled to join in.

I was a little apprehensive as the beginning of the course came around. When I arrived at her house I felt like I had entered a magic place like no other.  Her herb garden, at the entrance of the house was amazing; the house itself was crazy!  There were books, art, talismans, magic items, fabrics, tarot decks, tapestries, antiques and things I didn't have any idea about. I felt like I walked into a powerful folktale and that my personal transformation was inevitable. We met one weekend a month for nine months and I learned about so many beautiful herbs.  Some of my favorite include lemon balm, lavender, jasmine and rosemary.  Oh, and roses of course.

At the end of this program, she mentioned she would be co-teaching in another herb program at the Morning Sun Herb Farm starting the following summer. How could I possible resist? A year later, I started in yet another apprenticeship program with her, this time connected to earth based spirituality and my interest in women's circles with a focus on spirituality blossomed into a twenty plus year experience which includes a master's program in Women's Spirituality.

Somewhere along the timeline, she invited me to attend a program she called Magical Middle School!  No surprise, I couldn't resist. At the end of the this program she offered participants the opportunity to go through an initiation to mark the completion of the second level of study. This would be my first experience in a ritual and I was a little nervous.  The ritual was beautiful, and very significant. At the end of the journey she offered Belladonna seeds to me; I accepted even though it was apparent the seeds were for a powerful plant.

Belladonna has quite a history with connections to Romeo and Juliet and to the renaissance women of Italy. It is also known as Deadly Nightshade. Belladonna is highly toxic yet is used in a variety of medicines; it is an ingredient in the medicine that dilates your eyes at the optometrist's office. It is also an ingredient in witches flying ointment which is a green salve with hallucinogenic properties; this also dates back to the middle ages.  I've never tried flying ointment myself.

At this point in my life, I feel that I am ready for the lessons that will come with inviting such a powerful entity into my space. The planting of the seeds invited reflection and gratitude to all of my teachers along the way; humans, plants, experiences and the process of using art as personal sacred practice.

On an energetic level, I feel that belladonna is quite a seductress and if she were in human form I'm confident she would be wearing dark purple flowing silk and lots of sparkly silver jewelry with ribbons woven into her long hair. And then there is Stevie Nicks' version as well. 


​www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXwo-cU5S0
11 Comments
Karen Harwell
4/21/2018 09:56:46 pm

I love the description of your teacher's home. I've had an ache to redo my living space to suit me, and I want something full of learning and magic. Congratulations on taking the big step with your special plant. I hope to hear more about that. xo

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Jess
4/22/2018 05:51:25 pm

Thank you Miss Karen, share your pics once you redo your space!

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superiorpapers com link
5/16/2018 08:37:25 pm

Who wouldn't want to be creative? Everyone wants to be creative once in a while. Some of us are just overly bound by the things we need to conform to at a daily level. It took me years to break free from all of these. I am done wearing office attire and commuting daily. I found a way not to do that anymore. My son does not need to suffer in traditional school just like I did. I can see he is also different and being in an overly controlled environment might not be good for him. I am glad more and more people are into homeschooling and home based jobs lately.

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Jana
4/22/2018 12:28:23 am

Sounds like a very powerful plant indeed

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Jess
4/22/2018 08:00:06 pm

Thank you Jana.

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Patty link
4/22/2018 01:51:15 am

Hello:
Reading this post in this early morning as the mmoon waxes gives me inspiration.
I've just moved into a new home am starting into my third year in my magik life, and have been resistant of decorating my new living space.
I moved under what I felt were forced circumstance and I guess I've been throwing a bit of a hissy fit.
Reading the description of your teacher's home, and feeling the power of your post has somehow lightened me and increased my desire to make this new house a home.
I have very little money to work with but have decided I must take a risk, and plant something that will assist in the drawing of prosperity.
Wishing you great success, and sending you thanks for this post.
Hope yall all have a great time at camp retreat this year.
That is something I won't be able to do but I can hope for years to come.

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Jess
4/22/2018 05:52:18 pm

Hi Patty,

I look forward to meeting you at camp someday.

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Diana link
4/22/2018 06:53:18 am

Wow......loved this post❤️ I’d love to learn more about some of the things you write about. I’m especially interested in the practice of art as sacred, Female empowerment, and about the gifts we each have to offer. My mother was a huge herb gardener as well as organic vegetable gardener. Growing up I ate all organic veggies. We even had a bee hive in the backyard which was professionally taken care of so we could get it’s raw honey each year! My mother is now 95 and has been a strong female role model for me representing strength of female energy and yet she was unfortunately not a great nurturer of me. She was instead a great nurturer of her garden. TFS ❤️❤️❤️

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Jess
4/22/2018 05:53:16 pm

Hi Diana,

You can email anytime if you have questions about... whatever! manifest_dreams@yahoo.com. Thanks for the nice response, I appreciate it very much.

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Patty link
4/23/2018 02:15:49 am

That would be awesome. I have a wonderful place to plant things, and have decided to do some research to see what grows best in this part of the world.

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Corpus Christi Office Cleaning link
8/2/2022 06:10:23 am

Greatt post thanks

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