June 27th, 2026
Rosemary for Remembrance: Sowing Herbal Hopes and Wishes
“Balm brings you sympathy and Marjoram joy
Sage is long life…Sweet Woodruff augurs well for health–
A blessing richer far than wealth.
While Lavender means deep devotion, Herb of sweet omen, Rosemary conveys
Affection and remembrance all your days.
May Heaven and Earth and Man combine
To keep these blessings ever thine.”
Rachel Page Elliott (Author; February 27th, 1913 to March 20th, 2009)
“King Charlemagne of France, the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, believed that herbs were ‘the friend of the physician and the pride of cooks’ and ordered the planting of a royal herb garden in the ninth century. Herbs were considered essential for a long, happy, and healthy life.”
“Jeri performs a Native American ritual as she collects herbs. She wears a sacred pouch that carries wheat seeds. As she gathers from the earth, she personally returns an offering by scattering seeds. And even if the seeds don’t sprout, at least she is feeding the earth’s creatures. ‘The Native Americans have a chant that they invoke when they gather.’ Jeri says. ‘The Earth is my Mother, I take care of Her.”
“Today, sow some symbolic seeds, even if you don’t have a garden, as a gesture to ritualize the new life you are creating within. Ask for blessing of Spirit and the nurturing of the Great Mother and know that in due time there will be an abundant harvest for yourself and those you love.”
“In search of my mother’s garden I found my own.”
Alice Walker (American Novelist & Short Story Writer; February 9th, 1944)
“The idea that even in the 9th century, man knew the value of plants to a healthy life. I love the idea of sowing seeds as a gift to Mother Earth. To return to this gifting might yield a a beautiful canvas or sorts. This gives me hope to be an artist after all.”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 228 to 229 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
