Between the eclipses, 'Ole Ku Moons for gathering pine needles

There was an eclipse on the New Moon and a total lunar eclipse will happen with the Full Moon coming up next week (September 27, 2015) . Plenty of give-and-take and retakes happening as Saturn moves from one sign (Scorpio) to the other (Sagittarius). One way of looking at it is we collectively move from a time (2.5 yrs worth) of investigation (Scorpio) to a period of exploration (Sagittarius).

Personally, after a summer of illness and acknowledging the sacrifices being made (by the Forests' burning) I appreciate the slow breakthrough of ease I begin to feel. Slowed to the pace of a wild snail, my world becomes smaller not for the first time, but, smaller and closeted. I turn in, and come to know the Nature of Nature here where I live.

Today the Winds are strong.
Trees sway, a robust hula.
Pine needles rain down.

They do every year around this time turning the Forest floor golden. This year my attention is more attuned to the golden rain. I stop, stoop, and gather. Good exercise for dumpling women.

I hope to gather enough of the beautiful palm-size needles to make my first pine needle baskets. We'll see. The needles are beautiful, and many different colors from green to many shades of gold and reddish-brown. Hulo! Hurray! Never too old to stop, stoop, and gather miracles. Mahalo!

Pehea kakou? And what falls where you are?

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."