La'au lapa'au on the Full Moons ... gathering St. Joan's Wort for sunscreen

Yesterday, late morning, I wrapped my head up with a bandana, put on my floppy hat, buttoned up my long-sleeved shirt and put my apron on. I was on a foraging outing. I spotted St. Joan's/St. John's Wort the day before, Nature's sunscreen.

With the temperatures in the high 80's and beyond here in usually shady Pacific Northwest country the urge to forage is keen in me. Choosing not to buy sunscreen off the shelf, I consulted Susun Weed, and took myself outside. Here are a couple pictures of a tincture, and an oil in the making.

Here's the tincture, after 24 hours. The bright yellow wildflower and green stems have already turned the Vodka red.
Tincture needs to 'brew' for at least 6 weeks. I gathered these flowers on the corner of a busy highway and cross street.

This is the St. Joan's Wort Oil, made with flowers gathered along a beautiful country road not far from our home.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT nature's sunscreen I put up YouTubes over on my HO'OMOKU Blog ... here. 

Kani a u'ina on an Akua Morning

Lightning followed by thunder "Kani a u'ina" Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui & Elbert

In the pre-dawn hours the air was heavy, thick with pressure. Mars and the Sun in Cancer are conjunct, there! Opposing the Moon in Capricorn soon, the square is harsh. Depressed moon squares the ego and action is overt.

Outside the space opens, inside and outside.

The floor of the orchard is kapa verdant with laukahi, English daisies, hearts of the lion.

Come, the agitated pines call.

Cool the air outside. Quickly it is so inside.

Small at first the uila. Did I see it?

Again, this light is unmistakable.

Breathing becomes easier.

Under the green apple tree, green blessings.

Kani a u'ina

Lightning followed by thunder

Then the rain.

A little.

Sufficient.

Piha.

I dance bare.

Clearing.

Healing.

Now, kani na manu.

Now, the birdsong.

Soon, e ala e.

Mahalo

Na Aumakua

Gathering on Hoku Po UPDATE (Slowing down and Catching a mis-identification!)

The sun has been strong this week. The stillness is loud, the clouds gathered early before sunrise. I noticed how they clustered around the stars still visible at pre-dawn time. Mid morning thunder rolled across the heaven. A few drops of life-giving rain came. Mahalo Kane.

Later, after noon I am back from a short venture to the Farmers' Market at Tilth. The brilliant yellow dandelion flowers called, "Hear! We are here." A powerful shift is taking place within, a lifetime of resistance is moving. I pray for the courage to allow it ... to flow with it and make positive use of the energy of a Scorpio South Node to move to Taurus in the North.

Listening to their call I took a clean quart canning jar, and gathered the long-stemmed dandelions. Conscious of the gathering, I asked what will I do with you?

I went here, and followed Susun Weed's directions for DANDELION OIL

Akua Moon (today) is one of the po of Anahulu Poepoe ... the week of fattening, rounding into her fullness. Akua  "God, goddess, spirit, ghost, devil, image, idol, corpse; divine, supernatural, godly; (Cap) Name of the Full Moon.- Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui & Elbert. In the Hawaiian Moon Calendar there are more than one 'full' moon. Our practice names four full moons, Akua is one of them.

To gather on a full and potent moon, I fill the jar with bright yellow hearts of the lion, and consider the health benefits of making medicine for breast health.

"Dandelion has a special affinity for breasts. Regular use of dandelion flower oil promotes deep relaxation of the breast tissues, facilitating the release of held emotions. Applied regularly to the entire breast area, glowing golden dandelion flower oil can strengthen your sense of self worth as well as your immune system. Easily made, this oil is a superb ally for regular breast self-massage, and highly praised by those doing therapeutic breast massage..." - Breast Health Tips by Susun Weed

Do you have experience with gathering and making your own la'au lapa'au (herbal/vegetable medicine) using the moon as your calendar? 

UDPATE: It must be the ozone from my dance with lightning, OR a bit of mischief thanks to JOTS! ... My collection of bright yellow flowers were of Cat's Ear, and NOT, dandelions. False dandelions with hairy leaves, similar to a cat's ear. Eatable just as dandelion. A "wild edible less bitter than dandelion ... a great addition to your diet."

Full Moon (Mahealani) in Capricorn, July 1, 2015 ... applying knowledge

Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Leo with the Moon not far(New Mexico)

The night sky above us in the woods changes to a smaller slice of the heavenly pie especially in the summer. The view of the Venus-Jupiter close-up with Mahina (the moon) is not one we can easily spot from our place on the Planet. But, the feel? There is feel! To explore that feeling, I kilo (look) to astrology for a partnering.

Mahealani filling up the light of the Moon happens late in the evening of July 1st here on the Western coast of America. My astrology Elsa, entitles this moon as "Not to be taken lightly." Mahina will be in the sky exactly where she was when I was born. The moon will oppose Mars and the Sun in Cancer.

More from Elsa ... "First, the Moon in Capricorn is depressive. Add Mars and you got someone who is angry and depressed.  Add the Sun in the mix, aka as the ego / attention-seeking. There is definitely cause for concern.
However, simultaneously, Venus will be conjunct Jupiter in Leo.  That conjunction is very well aspected and may manifest as some kind of saving grace..."

Full moon's are powerful I pay attention, and apply wisdom as well ... trying to remember what the Nodes of the Moon offer me as 'ike(applied knowing).  I pull that 'ike into the fix. This Capricorn Moon has my name on it. How can I apply the invocation, "E ho mai i ka 'ike papalua" ? How can I apply this information to gain insight?

The visible Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Leo aspects the position of my deeply imprinted network -- my natal chart. Mars and Saturn are in Leo with Pluto not far behind when I was born. Those three planets aspect (affect) the rest of my network. Therefore, the potential to incite something of value is great! I see that.

If I recognize how valuable it is for me to believe deeply (Pluto-Moon)that the 'war is over' and to consciously step away and disconnect from the hihia (conflicts) internal and external power (Mars) struggles ... this full moon in Capricorn could be a brilliantly healing Mahealani. 

More 'Ole Po (Monday through Thursday)

 The la'i logs soaked over the winter, have sprouted, but their wilting leaves are a signal: LOOK MORE CLOSELY!

The roots of the two logs have become entangled, strangling their 'ike, their potential for more growth requires attention. Yesterday, I slowly untangled the roots, making sure I didn't break them. The pitcher above is a larger vessel than the glass they'd soaked in for the winter. I added fresh lepo (dirt) to water and have the untangled roots and logs preparing to be planted, after the 'ole po have passed.

 The Blue Lake pole beans I planted last Mahealani are up. One or two planted around the 'ohe (bamboo) have sprouted. During the Ku po I soaked and replanted. Now the 'ole times are a good time to weed the small weeds in the garden.

 The old Gravenstein Apple Tree is filled with growing green apples.

 If you look closely, the small cluster of grapes is forming. I watched a bee circulating. That is a good sign ... pollinating.

 Above, the gentle breezes move the ao (clouds) slowly. This one i ka halawa (over my head) was fat ... but only for a few moments.

 Before I was pau noticing, and recording with these pictures, the clouds had dispersed. It is a dry time.

 Our building projects (a new bath and toilet hale) is coming along, slow and steady. Pete has set cement block floor after pouring foundation for the metal framework you see.

The inverted triangle 'prayer flags' the banner for HO'OMOKU is airing out, and slowly I add newly found 'treasure' from our local thrift shop to prepare for our Open House July, 10, 2015. Again, if you look closely, (click on the image for a bigger view) you'll see how the safety pin continues to be a vital part of our journey. Makawalu ... unfurling from the medicine of story, and my Ma's safety pins.

He hua li'ili' na'e koka 'io

The egg of the hawk is nonetheless small.

Significant things may arise from humble beginnings

-'Olelo No'eau

'Ole Po are good times for preparation, weeding, noticing the direction of your journey, the quality of your kuleana making adjustments as necessary.

'Aia la Summertime!

We celebrated the Summer Solstice at the beach with friends and rocky mud play.

E ala e!

The tide was low, the mud flats deep; muliwai trickling freshwater into the Salish Sea. The day was warm, and a very gentle breeze refreshed us as the day grew fully into summertime.

 Perfect antidote for sorrow.

Mo'o hihia on a Hoaka Moon

When I was a little girl my Aunty Lily showed me how to notice clouds. I have never stopped noticing. The sky and the clouds changed in a matter of minutes yesterday before sunset. Hoaka Moon.

Mo'o. lizard, reptile of any kind, dragon, serpent; water spirit

Mo'o hihia. series of difficulties, troubles

- Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui & Elbert

I noticed the lizard skin, mottled or perhaps breaking apart like the shedding of skin too small to contain the mo'o growing. As I watched I searched for the 'ike papalua the insight. The loss and grief, the difficulties and challenges. E ho mai i ka 'ike papalua. On the shoulders and backbone of my ancestors, and the gift given me as a little girl in Kuli'ou'ou Valley. The ao mo'o ... the clouds of the water spirit remind me to notice and listen with my whole body.

E Mauli Moon ma ke kai a ma uka (from ocean to upland)

The raspberries are coming ripe in the orchard in the woods (ma uka).
 The temperatures are summer-time warm. Cool breezes caress.

The canes are tall, and ever growing. Pete is over 6 feet tall for comparison.

Just before dusk we sit on the bench in the woods to remember our old friend Jots. 

E ‘elekule (click to read the Mele Inoa (name chant) for Jots)

nou e koʻu hoaloha

At noon, on my way north to visit our haumana the sky was showing me the meaning ... 'ai ... eat the mana.

The tide was very low at noon. Dried kelp unanchored on the shore.

From the land sloping into the water off of Penn Cove, the place I went to visit

A woman's herb grows strong and abundant 

It's Aloha Friday!

Yesterday. Hanging out at da beach. After lunch,

Possession Point

ahhhhhh ..........

Kaloa ao (Kaloa po clouds)

 "How's the weather up there?" It was my nephew Kawika emailing me. "Sunny!" I wrote back, and sent him a photo of mahina in the sky at nearly awakea. Today, at that same near awakea, the sky is moving with long stretch of ao ...

 Over to the left where I am standing, the streaks stretch. The wind must be playing. (That's my bruddah, David!)

Below, on the ground the gentle, and cool breeze moves the fingers of the ferns very slowly. A fan moving the air. Malia. The temperature is cool, the sun is bright. I feel the cool touch of wind on my bare calves and feet.

Kaloa kukahi morning, midday

 Aia la ka this morning. Notice the two dominant trees? Keep your eyes on the big one on the right, we call her Kupuna La'au Nui.

And he rose on a May morning kela (over there).Ka la shifts his path, rising on the other side of Kupuna La'au Nui (the grand auntie).

Mahina at near zenith (11 am PDT)

Kitty doing her best Kaloa imitation ... just cruisin' while I look for the moon

'Ole Pau Berry time

 A sweet and cooling high makana breeze stirred the tips of the Tall Ones, with streaks of clouds high in the sky to add to the morning dance. BEAUTIFUL!

 In the bushes beside the Quonset the reward of that rain that soaked the forest is showing up in plump golden salmonberries. (Click to see the timing of the first salmon berries.) Funny how before the rain the small and hard berries gave what they could. And then

"Hahai no ka ua ia ka ulula'au. Rains always follow the forest. The rains are attracted to forest trees. Knowing this, Hawaiian hewed only the trrees there were needed. - 'Olelo No'eau. Mahalo na kupuna! Your wisdom is never-ending ('ole pau). 

The red and ripe Elderberries! They don't usually ripen till much later in the summer.