As herbalists, or enthusiasts of herbs, there is a common underlying fundamental belief that many of us hold, and one we tend to express here in this space over and over again with joy – Nature is truly one of our greatest teachers.

There is no doubt that once again, dear community, we find ourselves in a period of greatly turbulent times. While we have expressed deep resilience in the last decade in particular, overcoming great adversity, we also acknowledge and hold space for what we are witnessing today. It is a period of lots of uncertainty, emotional turmoil, distrust, and division. And in a world that is so intricately connected, it can feel like we cannot really escape distressing news headlines. While it is overwhelming to say the least, and it is important to take extra tender care of ourselves more than ever, taking breaks as we need, we also cannot blatantly look away.

Our friends and neighbors locally and around the world are experiencing oppression at unprecedented levels, and in order to live in the world that we dream of – the one where we remember that living in community-rooted values is intrinsic to our human nature, the one where we live by the honor code that is reciprocal relationship with one another and all beings – we must be willing to recognize our unique gifts, stand up for those whose voices are silenced, and come together in unity.

And how do we learn this lesson from nature? Springtime is such a beautiful time to observe this teaching. Each and every single year, we are reminded of the resilience and perseverance of the natural world. Without fail, regardless of how harsh the winter may be, nature always returns in the spring – awake, full of energy, and continuing to bloom – despite what might be happening in the day to day.

Without fail, the early spring greens sprout despite a few inches of snow on the ground, and we can trust that the trees will give us their glorious fireworks show of blooms, expressed with even more joy following the early and turbulent spring storms. They know that while the temperature fluctuates in March and April, that the Sun always brings the gift of warmth and longer days come May and June. Seeds emerge from soils where they have spent time in the dark, reaching up to greet the new season and begin anew.

We learn from nature that despite what challenges may lie ahead of us, that the plants always choose the courage to continue forward, open their hearts to the beings around them, and persevere. They encourage us to also find the courage within our own hearts to continue to stand strong and greet the Sun.

On Invoking a Courageous Heart

There is no doubt that a sense of weariness comes with turbulent times. It is exhausting, emotionally and physically, especially when it feels like we are truly constantly bombarded by negative or stressful events. And while we will encourage taking steps to invoke courage in our hearts, we also want to stress that this isn’t meant to be done by bypassing or ignoring what we are experiencing, or expressing positivity when it is not authentic or helpful. This is instead a practice in cultivating one’s own resilience and tending to one’s strengths to be better able to reinforce support to our communities. This is done through a delicate balance of care for oneself while also digging deep within our own integrity to continue to show up even when it feels like the odds are against us.

We can call upon the elements around us to invoke courage within our hearts:

Invoking the Element of Fire. It goes without saying that a large inferno can be started by a single spark. We should not underestimate the power of the individual to be able to drive a positive movement – we have seen incredible examples of this throughout history many times! We can call upon the element of fire as it is a powerful transmutator and brings forth transformation. If we find ourselves relishing in anger or powerlessness during these times, perhaps we can invoke the energy of fire to alchemize these less helpful feelings into feelings of empowerment, motivation, and drive. We can also take a moment to look inward, assessing what fuels our inner flame. What lights you up? What unique talents do you have, and how can you capitalize on these in supporting your community?

Align with the Energies of Spring. As we move from the winter season to the spring, we can find that naturally this comes with a boost of energy. We find ourselves expressing more creativity, wanting to be in nature more, wanting to be more in harmony with all that is around us. This can be a great time to also observe the energy of spring – can we watch with awe as the tulips bloom brilliant colors once again, or speak blessings or our dreams to the seeds as they begin to germinate? Take some time for real presence – ask how the spring can show us what resilience in community means, and how we can integrate these teachings within our hearts.

Find Strength in Interconnectedness. Turbulent times thrive when we allow ourselves to be divided. And yet, nature once again teaches us that strength and resilience exists in support systems. We know that forests are deeply interconnected, sharing nutrients and information, bringing additional reinforcement to members of the forest that are weak or struggling. It takes courage to step out of isolation and find connection, seeking relationships with others.

Courage in Vulnerability. There is a sense of fragileness that comes with the spring, but this is often embraced. In the spring we witness new babies, and tender shoots of freshly growing plants. Often these first stages are quite wobbly, but can be an example of how consistency, and embracing new beginnings with gentle encouragement and presence can be courage in action, versus acting from a place of bravado or lacking in authenticity. How might you demonstrate courage by allowing yourself to be centered in a place of vulnerability?

An Ode to Motherwort

The herbs are always eager to embrace us and help fortify what is missing from our hearts. Not only as teachers and guides, but also as support systems when we need additional encouragement. Herbs work with us on physical and energetic levels, stimulating what we might be needing emotionally as well.

When speaking to a courageous heart, there is an herb that is so revered and honored for its ability to invoke this within us – the beautiful Motherwort.

This incredible herb that has valiantly earned the nickname “Lion Heart,” demonstrates very openly, acts of perseverance and resilience. Often one of the first perennial herbs to arrive following the winter, it often doesn’t even wait for the first warm day – it is not uncommon to see Motherwort pushing through snow in the earliest weeks of spring. And it is an herb that grows tall, quite rapidly, regardless of challenging weather conditions or lack of soil nutrients.

This herb is also bitter to the taste, aligning with the ability to stimulate and spark our internal flame. It brings nourishment to the heart, helping to balance palpitations or blood pressure caused by anxiety. It acts with a gentle steadiness, helping bring courage to the heart through gentle calming of anxiety and restoration of the nervous system, reminding us of our ability to stand strong within our own strengths and uniqueness.

Motherwort is a powerful ally for helping us work not from a place of panic, but instead from a place of groundedness and truth. It is a shapeshifter, helping to stimulate energy if we are feeling dragged down, or helping to soothe and calm if we feel that the noise is simply too much. It is a plant that can evolve to meet the needs of the broader community, through many different chapters and stages.

We can call upon this powerful herb, commune with it, or sink into meditation to receive its teachings and guidance, bringing Motherwort along as a deeply beloved friend and partner in acting from a place of courage and strength. It is in this act of working in kinship with the plants that we remember who we are, remember what it is that matters most, and where we walk hand in hand toward the future we all know is possible and deserve.

Know that you have such strength in you, beloved community. We see you and acknowledge you, and are grateful for your courage. Each of you is needed now more than ever, and together, we shall persevere. And so it is!