I've found a unique way to fundraise for my beloved documentary and it may be just the holiday gift you're in need of (you can read more about this herbal guidance and custom botanical blend gift in the post script or you can go directly to my webpage to purchase by clicking here)!
Video notes:
Tapping has long been used by somatic practitioners to refocus anxiety caused by trauma. I’ve found that most practices that are used as a therapy for trauma, are also helpful for grief processing. Keep this in mind if you’ve already worked with your wounds or trauma in a therapeutic way- it’s very likely that the same tools that helped you there- will help you when you’re grieving.
In this video I share the common technique of tapping on the head and upper body, as a way to focus on the present and the physical, rather than what’s swirling around out of control in the mind. I then go on to demonstrate a less common technique of sacrum taps on the ground. Whenever I feel overwhelm taking over, or feel frozen with grief, tapping my sacrum on the earth has helped to shift these emotions and allowed me to focus on the physical sensation of my body rather dramatically coming into and out of connection with what’s below. Give it a try, and reach out with questions or musing if you like.
Video Credits:
I originally made this video as a bonus resource for my self-guided mourning ritual bundle. Check it out if you’re in need of support processing acute or lingering grief about the death transition of a loved one (human or companion animal), ecological grief, or the death of a circumstance (i.e. relationship, job, home).
Mourning singer, animal communicator, sonic journeyer FayePatrick Kennedy created the score for this video.
Recipe to sip while you follow along with the Video:
My herbalism teacher Marysia Miernowska shared this old folk remedy with me and it never ceases to support me in times of need.
Simple thyme tea with honey~
Ingredients for the tea:
2-3 large and fresh sprigs of thyme or 1 tablespoon from your kitchen spice jar
2 cups boiling water
Directions for tea:
Start the process of bringing 2 cups of water to boil. While that is working, turn your attention to your springs or loose leaf thyme (from you spice jar).
If using fresh springs, run them through your hands before dropping into jar, then smell your hands.
If using from your spice jar, measure 1 tablespoon into your hand, rub it around with the other hand, pour it into your jar, then smell your hand.
Once the water is boiled pour it into the jar in a circular motion (for fun).
Cover and let sit for 15 minutes and experiment with tapping on your upper body, or sacrum (see video instructions above).
Return to your jar, strain the contents into your favorite mug, now spoon (local if possible for allergy support) honey into your mug. Perhaps a teaspoon, perhaps a few tablespoons, sweeten to your taste buds needs.
Sip and then return to tapping if you found it helpful.
p.s. Are you in need of a holiday gift that’s an experience rather than a thing?
Give the Gift of Nurturing & Impact this holiday season:
Treat your loved ones to a personalized herbal guidance 1:1 with folk herbalist Lana (that’s me!) — a meaningful experience that supports a community service and documentary project (100% of proceeds go towards this cause)! You can go directly to Lana’s (my) holiday gift webpage to purchase by clicking this.
Perfect for those who cherish experiences over things and want their gift to give back.
Gift options with personalized herbal recipes start at $44.
If this isn't for you but you'd like to donate/support the final filming segments of "death, me, dying tree" we are always gratefully accepting donations- you can Venmo the projects account (@Lana-death-me-dying-tree and please select Friends/Family not Service/Seller).
We're headed to Wisconsin next to film my favorite green burial sanctuary which funds an organic teaching farm incubator that supports peace and justice initiatives (death feeding life)~ and I'm excited to announce that we'll be wrapping filming in under a year in Mexico~ we've been invited to stay with a family as they prepare for Day of the Dead and celebrate the day itself!
If this holiday gift idea isn't for you, but you know someone who needs to find a last minute non-physical gift, will you pass this along to them? All purchases of the gift will go towards getting my crew and I to Wisconsin and Mexico to finish this labor of love.
p.p.s. I hope you're supported during these times and holidays, I'm here to chat if not or just because. Just reply to this email.
p.p.p.s. I’ll be holding the new moon mourning gathering on:
Monday December 30th at 3pm eastern/12pm pacific
This will be a time to process grief through simple breathing techniques and movements and it may be helpful to carve out this time for yourself as an antidote to holiday intensity. I’ll send out the link and a reminder the day before.
Tea Time photo series by: Lana Smithner Greenleaf
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