Medicinal and Spiritual Plantas!

The Tobacco and Sage Garden is a very beautiful and aromatic garden.  Its shape is the Taino symbol for Fire, to represent the transformation from Physical to Spirit that occurs when tobacco and sage are burnt.  The tobacco is in the outer circle, the sage in the middle circle and various plants which change year to year are in the center.  We also allow a patch of "sweet annie" (artemisia) to grow in the outer circle.  

We began growing tobacco and white sage with excellent results several years ago out of a need from the Spirit of the Land to have tobacco and sage growing, and out of need to have these herbs readily available to use in Ceremony.  We grow sufficient tobacco and sage to not need to purchase these pricey items.  We also know that our tobacco and sage are grown organically and in a good energy!

In this post we also show several of the Medicinal Plants that are in a garden that incircles the Purification Lodge.

Tobacco is an amazing plant with many varieties, some small growing, some tall growing.  It is very heavily scented as is the sage.  Merely touching the plants transfers oils to one's hand and delivers a powerful smell.  The leaves are slightly sticky.

Tobacco is fairly easy to grow, its tiny seeds grow on the top of the soil that must be kept moist.   White sage is more difficult due to a low germination rate.  

Both the Tobacco and sage grow well on the Land.  They seem to like the soil, which has a lot of limestone.  

Before the frost we will harvest the sage and tobacco into bundles, and they will dry hanging from a ceiling.

Very beautiful Tobacco flowers, they become seed pods filled with seeds later.

The following photos show various medicinal and culinary herbs that are planted around the Purification Lodge.

Cuban Oregano (tropical) on the left, Basil on the right.

Basil

Pineapple Basil

Lavender

Rosemary

Feverfew (Headache Medicine)

Pineapple Mint

Oregano

Rue

Kiako Kiako

Learning is a process that occurs in all situations, especially with Children whose minds are constantly absorbing everything around them.  They learn naturally in a holistic way that the "educated" adult may find difficult to understand.  In this vibration today the Children are constantly bombarded with information, images, and endless sales pitches which they absorb readily.  Their attraction to color, texture, and music is exploited to raise them as consumers.  As Tainos and Paleros it is vital to bring holistic experiences to the Children so that "Mother Earth" can speak to them and they can explore the natural world.  We include Anani in virtually everything that goes on, with some exceptions.  She accompanies us on the various Caminos, and when we go into the forest to find soils or go to the River to talk to Chola Wengue.  In the following photos you can see her exploring the forest and picking up her own soils, looking at the different types of soil, plants, trees, and absorbing learning and wisdom as she moves.

Movement In The Sky! (Click on photos to enlarge!)