I moved here to Claremont, last year, after an unexpected series of life events (and I mean, who expected the pandemic, yikes!) But Claremont was also a surprise, for me. I had to move, suddenly, to a place I hadn't visited many times, but a friend was able to help me find a place to live, at a time when the rental market was ruthless.
I found myself in what I've learned is a really beautiful place. I'm lucky to be able to spend a lot of time outdoors here, getting to know the plants, the animals, the seasons.
As I sit here, working with locally foraged and locally grown plants, making magical things for the shop, I'm so delighted to be able to work with all of this home grown magic. All of these natural elements of our environment here, are full of energy, and intelligence. We are surrounded by natural allies.
Pine, for example, is abundant, here in Claremont, much more so than in other places I've lived, in New Hampshire. Pine is a tall, sturdy, protective ally. In astroherbalism, it's associated with the planet Saturn, a protective, fatherly energy, which can help ground us and remember the value of incremental change. Pine is also an incredibly edible tree, and can be used for lots of different things. Pine needle tea is a thing, pine resin can be used for making salves and perfumes, and the wood itself has so many uses. If you listen closely, too, it really does have peaceful, reassuring energy.
Listen, Claremont. We're surrounded by magic.