Learning from the Plants

Happy June to you!

As we enter into June, so many plants are either flourishing or are on their way toward flourishing.

Throughout the summer I find myself often meandering through my chaotic yet “organized” garden, admiring each of the plants. Noticing them. Learning from them.

Marshmallow as the sun sets.

Within the last week, I’ve really noticed their vibrancy.

The Yarrow is forming flower buds.

The Elecampane is sending up its flower stalks.

The Marshmallow nearly comes up to my shoulder.

The Red clover is in full bloom.

The Agrimony is thriving and already offered me a harvest.

I could go on. The plants are thriving.

Summer is an amazing season to lean into learning about the plants from the plants.

So often, I hear about how overwhelming herbalism is when you either start learning or continue learning… How complex and intricate it is. How deep it can go.

Where does a person start??

And so this week, I offer you a loving challenge, an invitation to start learning with the plants themselves:

Take some intentional time (even if it's dual-purpose time) to really observe the plants growing around you.

Notice which plants are there (or get curious about the plants you don’t know the names of yet).

Notice how the plants might move location year to year (especially around your home).

Notice how they are growing and what stage of growth they are in.

Notice what plants might like growing together, which love the sun and which don't.

Notice.

Notice anything and everything that piques your senses and interest.

And be curious.

Start here.

Then you might decide to dive a bit deeper by working with the plant in some way (verifying with certainty it is the plant you think it is and that it is safe to work with internally).

Learning about plants and herbs is far more than what we can learn in books.

Don’t get me wrong, books are phenomenal resources to learn with, but also, the plants are living beings who are ever-changing. Whenever we can build a relationship with the plants in their living form, we experience a depth of understanding that is undeniable and priceless.

Plus, you get the bonus of inviting curiosity, slowness, wonder, and ease into your day.

Please also remember: herbalism thrives in community.

Invite loved ones into your explorations and “plant noticings”.

And/or take part in one (or more) of the monthly plant walks I offer throughout summer into fall.

May this be a summer of inviting in more moments of curiosity, slowness, wonder, and ease.

And may this be a summer of growing in relationship with the plants.

Be well 💜

~ Kara