Autumn Equinox
26 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Earth Based Ritual, Herbs, Mother
The first day of fall, and I can already feel the crisp leaves crunching beneath my toes. The air fresh against a bright blue sky, and the sun shining with a warmth more gentle than that of the summer. We gather as a community to honor this transition of the year. A time of balance as the scale tips towards shorter and darker days. Fall is the time of decomposition, of shedding our leaves, that which no longer serves us. As the long winter awaits, we want to rid ourselves of anything we do not need to carry with us.
Themes: Purity, Shedding, Harvest
Celebration: Autumn Equinox
Pagan Holidays: Lammas, Mabon, Samhain
Time of Day: Late afternoon-evening
Creation Story: Shrinking and condensing of the universe
Rhythm: Staccato
Color: White
Climate: Dry
Sound: Weeping
Emotion: Grief
Taste: Pungent
Smell: Rotten
Orifice: Nose
Fluid: Mucus
Indicator: Body Hair
Tissue: Skin/Hair
Yin Organ: Lungs
Yang Organ: Large Intestine
Movement: Pranayama, Yoga
Foods: Garlic, onion, radish
Fruits: Peels (bananas, mangoes, citrus)
Vegetables: Roots (potatoes, yams, carrots, beets)
Herbs: Astragalus, Ginger, Mullein
Human Development: Middle to old age. Turning inward. Weakened senses. Reflection.
Rite of Passage: Menopause
Women’s Wheel: Amazon, Matriarch, Priestess
Goddess: Artemis, Ceres
Menstrual Cycle: Cells in the ovary degenerate (if not fertilized) and cease to produce hormones for uterine lining. (Approximately day 21-28)
Moon: Third Quarter, Waning
In Balance:
Strong chi
Immune defense
Ability to let go
Ability to prioritize/discern
Ability to complete projects
Communication
Productive/disciplined
Quiet time
Out of Balance:
Skin problems
Weak voice
Coughing
Autoimmune disease
Easily sick/low immunity
Throat problems
Indecision
Confusion
Fatigue
Summer-South-Fire
27 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Earth Based Ritual, Herbs, Mother
Summer, a time of peak energy, where our passions come to fruition. Fire holds our desire, destruction, power, and expansion. The South, a direction of change, of transforming our lives.
Themes: Transformation, Ripening
Celebration: Summer Solstice
Pagan Holidays: Beltane, Litha, Lammas
Time of Day: Mid-daylight
Rhythm: Chaos
Color: Red
Climate: Heat
Sound: Laugh
Emotion: Joy-Sorrow
Taste: Bitter
Smell: Scorched
Orifice: Face
Fluid: Sweat
Indicator: Complexion
Tissue: Blood/Vessels
Yin Organ: Heart/Heart Protector
Yang Organ: Small Intestine/Triple Burner
Movement: Ecstatic Dance
Animal: Phoenix
Foods: Cucumber, cacao, rhubarb
Fruits: Pitted (Peaches, cherries etc.)
Vegetables: Branching (Leafy Greens: spinach, kale etc.)
Herbs: Schisandra, Honeysuckle, Chamomile, Hibiscus
Human Development: Adolescence to early adulthood. Transforming relationship to self and others.
Rite of Passage: Menarche
Women’s Wheel: Lover, Mother, Midwife
Goddess: Aphrodite, Demeter
Menstrual Cycle: Ovulation. Rise in estrogen. Release of Egg.
Moon: Full
Vernal Equinox Full Moon Perigee
19 Mar 2011 1 Comment
in Art, Asheville, NC, Baby, Birth, Doula, Earth Based Ritual, Herbs
In that magical moment of birth, another dies. One making space for the new. The birth of a baby, a passion, a love. The death of a pattern, a fear, a resistance.
Spring is a time of fertility, sexuality, cleansing, growth. Some rituals which may support the transition from winter to spring include:
Amy Swagman's Birth Mandalas
- Planting a garden
- Symbolically breaking or burning that which no longer serves us
- Dancing naked in the rain
- Engaging in safe sexuality
- Cleaning your space, physically and energetically
- Fasting
- Bathing in the sunlight
- Reflecting and harvesting from winter’s learnings
Mother earth provides for us. Look around to see what is sprouting up from her. You are likely to find plants which are cleansing especially for the liver and gallbladder which are the organs associated with this season. Suggestions of foods to nourish the spring element:
- Eggs
- Dandelion
- Chickweed
- Milk Thistle
- Purple dead nettle
- Spring fruits and vegetables
Remember as we enter this full moon equinox to stay connected to our roots. Feel these roots we grew strong which carried us through winter and continue to provide us with new life. Without winter, there would be no spring, without the dark moon there would be no full moon. We are invited embrace the wholeness of the cycles of the earth within and around us. To see the inseparability of birth and death.
On this vernal equinox full moon perigee…What are you releasing? What are you cultivating?
Birth Empowerment List – “Birth Plans”
07 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Art, Asheville, NC, Baby, Birth, Doula, Earth Based Ritual, Herbs, Mother
In many birthing practices today doulas, midwives and even some doctors recommend for mothers to create a “birth plan”. This term has since been renamed as “birth preferences” or “birth empowerment list” by those of us who realized that you really cannot plan birth. 
Nevertheless these plans, preferences or lists are an extremely useful tool for inviting the kind of birth experience you hope for into a tangible reality. You can include everything from which vaccines you want your baby to have, to what kind of essential oils you want burning, to positions during labor. This document can serve as a guide for all people involved in your birth process to better cater to your needs.
I have included a couple links to articles that further discuss the use of a “birth plan” below:
Birth Empowerment List by Jill Diana Chasse.
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June10/wisewoman.htm
The Win-Win Birth Plan by Penny Simkin’s (co-founder of DONA International)
http://www.pennysimkin.com/articles/The_WinWin_Birth_Plan.pdf
My Birth Plan by Rixa Freeze (not necessarily one you would use at a hospital but it is most definitely worth reading for the inspiration!)
Imbolc on a New Moon
06 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Art, Earth Based Ritual, Herbs
Imbolc is a celebration of the Goddess Brigid who inspires healing and growth as we move out of the depth of winter and into the light of spring. Brigid is the Goddess of Fire and Inspiration. This day, February 2nd, marks a time of initiation and renewal. Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first sights of green spring forth from the frozen Earth. 
Imbolc is a great time to share with your community what you have manifested since our last Winter Solstice. Art can be shared in the form of everything from poetry to food.
The most important part of celebrating this holy day (along with any other) is that you create, or re-create, a ritual that feels meaningful to you.
Deities of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.
Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.
Symbols of Imbolc:
Brideo’gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid’s Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.
Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.
Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, Breads and other Baked Goods, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.
Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.
Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, Green, Brown.
Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.
Activities of Imbolc:
Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo’gas and Bride’s Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit.
(The symbols above were adapted from The Celtic Connection)
For more on Pagan Holidays see Starhawk’s website for references and/or books. www.starhawk.org
Doula Association of the Mountain Area
23 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Asheville, NC, Birth, Doula
I recently joined this amazing organization of doulas in Asheville. Read more below or visit their website at www.wncdoulas.com.
The Doula Association of the Mountain Area, DAMA, is an organization of independent, professional doulas in the Western North Carolina region. DAMA’s intention is to connect expectant parents, new families, and care providers with local birth and postpartum doulas. Our member doulas are dedicated to providing the highest standard of support to expectant and new families, upholding a professional standard of doula service, and helping to educate the community about the benefits of doulas.
Waxing Moon Mama at Spa Materna
18 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Asheville, NC, Birth, Herbs, Mother, Salve
Waxing Moon Mama Salve For Childbearing Years: Can be used for healing cracked & sore nipples, reducing stretch marks and for perineal massage to prevent tearing.
The Waxing Moon Mama Salve is now available at Spa Materna. (www.spamaterna.com) Check out their new place! A great resource for Asheville mothers: massage, boutique and other educational opportunities.
Salve prices range from $8-$18 depending on size.
You can also order directly from me by checking the offerings page.
The Essential Ingredient: Doula
06 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Baby, Birth, DONA, Doula, Mother
DONA International has put out this video featuring commentary by DONA International’s esteemed founders on the origin and rationale of doula support. Their words are complemented by inspiring visuals of treasured birth and postpartum moments.
Beginnings…
15 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
in Art, Asheville, NC, Baby, Birth, DONA, Doula, Earth Based Ritual, Herbs, Mother, Salve, San Francisco, CA
I am just getting this web page started, so please email me with any questions to fill in the gaps. I invite you to browse through what I currently have posted and check back later for more. Enjoy, and have a beautiful day.
With Care,
Eliana Dora Rubin
