Hearth & Heather Kathy & Kateri

Virgos navigating somatics! Habit-soothed people realizing none of our practices feel authentic right now. We’re in exploration mode, our feelings are itchy, and we’re talking about tarot fatigue, changing spiritual practices, honoring our bodies when we have low energy, letting go, trauma-sensitive yoga, breathwork, and polyvagal theory. Shoutouts to our therapists and to anchoring our bodies in bright, visceral joys. We also share an oracle card reading for the energy to bring into this Spring [cleaning] season.
Mentioned in episode:
Tarot folks we like: Zeta Zuri, Sarah Vrba, and Corina DrossWTF is Tarot? by Bakara WintnerDecks used: Brady Tarot and Urban Crow OracleAnchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb DanaThe Power of Breathwork by Jennifer PattersonMarshmallow root infusionRise Up Remedies Organic Herb FarmDiana Rose’s tarot insightsLater this year, we’ll be posting a downloadable description of the solstice candle practice that Kateri describes in this episode. This practice was created by Shanalee Hampton. 

We talk about our adoration of Mole and Rat’s friendship in Kenneth Grahame’s classic, The Wind in the Willows, and why Toad can just eat a bag of *****. We also lust after Mr. Badger’s cellars and general domestic situation, dream about fictional food, and revel in how this book is a love letter to bioregion.
Mentioned in episode:
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth GrahameChris Dunn’s illustrations for Wind in the WillowsVesper Flights by Helen MacdonaldSarah Andersen comicsEvergreen Chase (part of the Shady Hollow series) by Juneau BlackFir needle shortbread

It’s death season, we’re leaning in! Don’t worry, there’s still swearing. We start out with goddesses, take a long walk through our altar habits, and their connections to the dark moon. We discuss the intersectional practices of deathwork and herbalism, dig into grief and where it lives in our bodies, talk about our favorite ritual oils, and using oracle decks for clarification. Finding meaning is at the heart of this episode: where do we look for it? How can we uphold it for each other, and make more room to honor it?
Mentioned in episode:
Intro to Thanabotony class from Cole ImperiPiñon Pine Sacred Resin Oil from DeschampsiaArtemisia Trinity Oil from With/In HerbalsRadical Remedies: An Herbalist's Guide to Empowered Self-Care by Brittany DuchamLune Innate and Whispers of the Wolf Reiki ASMR on YouTubeThe lungs are associated with grief in traditional Chinese medicineBeing Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul GawandeAccompanying the Dying: Practical, Heart-Centered Wisdom for End-Of-Life Doulas and Health Care Advocates by Deanna Cochran

Pickled Scottish birds, Street Art and it’s ephemeral nature, bird song, holly for protection and boundary magic, cheese in Spain, fertility rocks, chalk path in England.
We begin by comparing notes on two books by naturalist and wanderer Robert MacFarlane, and we end by making a pact to eat pickled birds in Scotland. Along the way, we get into the reasons why we’re drawn to street art, ways to use holly in your magic practice, how bad we are at identifying bird songs, and what Kathy’s grandmother has to do with both Spanish cheese and fertility stones. We talk about friends we love, and we swear a bunch. It’s all pretty enjoyable.
Mentioned in the episode:
Landmarks and The Old Ways, both by Robert MacFarlaneLandscape artist Andy GoldsworthyCarolee, a California artistDonovan Beeson, a Chicago artistStreet artists Jason Kofke, Shepard Fairey, Banksy, Jim Bachor, David Zinn, and our friend Shana Hampton Alexis Nikole, BlackForager on InstagramThe Salt Path by Raynor WinnDark Skies: A Journey Into the Wild Night  by Tiffany FrancisA Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year by Ellen Evert HopmanCeltic Tree Rituals by Sharlyn HidalgoPerfect Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe by Christina Tosi

We talk about urban foraging and how that relates to focusing on small details and slowly gaining confidence in plant identification. We also explore how murder mysteries have influenced our herbalism education, the fear and allure of poison plant gardens, and the ever-relevant question of how to survive a zombie apocalypse. Lastly, Kateri talks about how she harvests and creates her conifer herbal oil.

Mentioned in episode:
Miss Polly, a Portland herbalistLeafsnap appPacific Northwest Medicinal Plants: Identify, Harvest, and Use 120 Wild Herbs for Health and Wellness by Scott KloosCarolee, a California artistRosemary & Thyme, BBC murder mystery and gardening showRebecca Altman's conifer infused oil recipeIntro & outro music: "Veracruz" by Quincas Moreira