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Ahhh, welcome to Eclipse season. For many of us, it has felt strange, challenging, stressful and energetically tumultuous. As we enter the month of April, we are standing strong in the heart of Eclipse season. With the lunar eclipse behind us last Monday, March 25, 2024, we now continue to move through the galaxy approaching the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. This solar eclipse, which will be mostly visible from North America and Central America, has been named “The Great Solar Eclipse”. Lore has it that the land that experiences the visual effects of the eclipse the strongest, is the land that will experience the most radical transformation and upheaval in the coming years.
For many Indigenous cultures, the eclipse is a time of introspection. A time to find stillness and centeredness. The sun is for many cultures viewed as the masculine father figure and is very much the energy of life. During the solar eclipse, the moon will be completely blocking the sun for about 3-4 minutes. Some believe that during this time, as we are unable to harness the energy of the sun, perhaps some of our cells are dying. In the spirit world, the energies are chaotic, unpredictable. Anything can happen. All this being shared, not to instill fear, but to instill respect, in these great cosmic events. To develop a greater awareness of what is happening and our soul connection to the cosmos.
Here is where our plant allies shine! In whatever ways feel best for you and your practices, I invite you to connect with whatever protection and strengthening you need. Maybe that’s crystals or breathwork. Maybe it’s anointing your chakras with a protector essential oil. Maybe it’s drinking a cup of calming and grounding tea such as chamomile and skullcap with lavender.
Speaking of lavender, that’s the herb I’ve chosen to spotlight this month. Her graceful and aromatic spirit can help shake off any lingering winter blues. Lavender, which is now cultivated worldwide for her aromatic properties and volatile oils, is believed to have originated in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and India over 2,500 years ago!
The early uses of lavender were many, but more medicinal in nature, whereas today Lavender is often used for her aromatic nature. Biblical references to lavender are found in the gospel of Luke by the name given to the plant during that time, spikenard. Lavender was also used in ancient Egypt for mummification, and the Romans scented their public bathhouses with it. The name lavender is derived from the Latin verb lavare —to wash.
Lavender can be used for a plethora of conditions/ailments/symptoms ranging from stress and anxiety, insomnia, depression, headaches, muscle tension, nausea, indigestion, bloating, peripheral nerve damage, first aid for burns, insect repellent, lice removal, joint pain all the way to the embalming of the dead.
Lavender is mostly known for her nervine properties. Nervines are herbs that work on our nervous system. Just the aroma of lavender herself can help reduce stress and anxiety in most people. In a study published by the journal Phytomedicine, lavender oil was shown to be just as effective as the pharmaceutical drug lorazepam, often prescribed for anxiety/panic attacks and insomnia and showed no side effects. Other studies have confirmed it can help with restlessness, nervousness, depression and insomnia. Of course, please check with your doctor before replacing any prescription with an alternative therapy.
Whether taken as a tincture or placed to steep as a tea, or even just smelling some from an essential oil bottle, lavender is very multi-purpose and easy to find virtually anywhere. Lavender works great in diffusers or even burned as an energetic protector and way to cleanse the space. Historically, lavender was burned during childbirth for peace, tranquility and joy.
If you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, lost in thought about the past or the future, I invite you to work with lavender in whichever way feels most comfortable and accessible to you and develop a relationship with this beautiful plant ally. She has so much to offer us in these turbulent times. May the eclipse season allow you to root down deeper into your practices and may the addition of some of these wonderful plant allies help you to feel more grounded, calm and present in your daily life.
Many blessings!
Krysten