Spring Equinox & Wild Garlic
Early on Sunday morning, in the crisp cold sunshine, I sat amidst this woodland of wild garlic, mesmerised by its beauty and smell.
Even though there was no one else to be seen, I could feel life all around me. The birds singing their gentle song, wild garlic dancing in the breeze, the trees standing tall like protective bodyguards, and the sun shining down with rays of love.
I was reminded once again that we are never alone.
As we come to the end of the 21-day, Love Your Liver Spring Cleanse, my senses feel alive and sharp. Yet another deep journey with a beautiful group of beings.
I take a deep breath of gratitude before kneeling down to gather my stocks of wild garlic. But first, I ask permission of the plant, only moving ahead once I feel welcomed.
The more I have made this is a conscious practice, the more I have felt the plant world open up to me. An act of reciprocity that gives thanks to the earth for the abundance and gifts she provides.
Even though plants doesn’t speak to us in the way we speak to eachother, they still speak. It’s just a question of becoming familiar with their way of communication.
Wild garlic’s common name is ‘bear garlic’ stemming from the belief that the bear’s ate this plant after a long winter of hibernation, in order to restore their strength. For sure, this is a plant of strength, from smell to taste, to its many medicinal properties.
Traditionally, wild garlic it was used for all sorts of ailments ranging from snakebites to swellings to infected wounds, toothe aches and stomach aches, as well as measles, mumps, TB and asthma.
Nowadays, it is commonly used to purify and improve circulation of the blood, clear out infected wounds, soothe skin conditions, relieve stomach aches and boost the body’s immune function. It is an all rounder, both medicinally and in the kitchen, where it is easily prepared into teas or tonics, added to soups or stews, crushed to make pesto or macerated in olive oil.
Just like the bear gathers its strength from wild garlic before moving out into spring, we can do the same, and Spring Equinox is the perfect time. These few days around the Equinox are deeply powerful, making it the perfect time for setting out your stall and making your intentions clear.
Perhaps you could make a tea of wild garlic by adding the leaves to boiling water and allowing it to brew for ten minutes or so, and as you do so, light a candle before writing out your intentions, both what you are ready to let go of and what you would like to call in. Now is the time while the energy is strong and wild garlic abundant.
Wishing you much love, health & happiness,
Rebecca