Dear First name / friend,

Happy (gregorian) New Year! If you've been a weekly jam subscriber for some time now, I've truly missed you over these last few weeks! If you're new here, big welcome. Thank you for being here. I love connecting with each of you and sharing my musings on herbs, wellness, social justice, earth intimacy, & the ways in which they all intertwine!

I've been in major slow down, reflection, reevaluation, & hermit mode since the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21, 2020). It is really nourishing my soul & I am grateful for the space & resources to tap into & embrace this seasonal change. I'm taking a big breather from social media to read more, explore fashion, rest, & dream. I'm cooking more foods that warm and nourish my body on deep, foundational levels. Making bone broth, herbal stocks, & keeping ginger tea on the stove are some things that have been pretty steady so far. My winter greens (like collards, chard, beet greens) are getting cooked into delicious stocks with herb friends (like cayenne, thyme, rosemary). It's so important that we are warming our bodies from the inside as the weather get's chillier! Giving our bodies the energy & nutrients they need with food is one of the foundations of herbal medicine. Herbs can enhance our food & sometimes be cooked as food, but they aren't a replacement.

Another winter time consideration is our Vitamin D intake. Vitamin D is usually absorbed topically, by exposure to the sun. When it gets colder, we tend to be indoors more than out. Low Vitamin D also "contributes to serious illness from Covid-19 infections." Low levels of Vitamin D are even more concerning for Black people because “while higher levels of melanin may shield against harmful UV-B ray effects, those same rays are needed to make Vitamin D.” Among many things, Vitamin D helps keep our immune systems strong, bones healthy, hair joyful, & moods balanced. To make sure you're getting enough, you can try Vitamin D supplements (I like these.. non sponsored link), spend some time out doors, & eat foods rich in Vitamin D!

Here's a bit more guidance for aligning with Winter time & what herbs, foods, & practices we can lean into this season:

(Click on the images to go to the original post!)

In creating these seasonal guides, I love seeing what's abundant & in season, what can balance the energetics of the season (ie: Winter = cold & moist.. so warming & drying herbs would balance this), seasonal traditions, common ailments of that season, & how nature responds to Winter.

The color associated with Winter is blue. It's that deep bruise-y, ocean blue that brings us to the depths of our souls. I appreciate this color for its energy of internal reflection & am also aware of the sadness & depression it can represent. Big Eeyore energy. Opposite of blue on the color wheel is yellow. Upon realizing that, I've been enjoying adding yellow to my wardrobe & working with sunshine herbs like St. J's Wort, Calendula, & Lemon Balm to guide me through some inevitable Winter Blue's. In going with the flow & rockin with the waves of emotion & uncertainty, I am grateful for these blues, knowing they will pass, & that I am supported to feel them.

In celebration of a slower pace this Winter, use code DEEPREST for 25% off the apothecary, through the end of January. Speaking of slowing down, please keep in mind, I'll be shipping orders out just 1-2 times this month. That said, your herbs are on divine timing, thank you for your patience.

As always… an honor & a blessing,

they/them/angel