From the market garden.

On a whole we feel it’s been a great season for the market garden.  

We have had some stunning crops throughout the season with some of the favorites being the late carrots, dill, sweet corn, Chinese cabbage and the consistent crisp salad mix.  

The long dry period late summer and autumn gave our autumn and winter crops a bit of grief such that our cabbages, Japanese turnip, broccoli and cauliflower yields have not been so great.  As a testament to the diverse CSA seasonal veggie box model, we have still been able to provide a great value and a  range of veggies each week.

Winter boxes will be a little less abundant for the last few weeks and the last box will be on the 24^thof July.  As hard as it is not to see our crops reach their full potential and make it to our valued customers place , we have to accept that we can't “win them all” and plan to improve for next time.  

In terms of box numbers, demand continues to increase and at times we have had a small waiting list.  More and more people are seeking out farm direct veggies from the Jing Clinic in Lilydale and Upwey food hubs which has been great.   

A massive thanks to all our members and special acknowledgement to our members who made the time to come to help out on a Tuesday and for the hands on the land days. This connection and participation is at the heart of our CSA model and it really warms my heart and gives me a boost to see big smiles on our member’s faces getting out on the land!  

Thanks again for playing your part of the CSA and we hope you can join us next season when we start back up again in late December.

Why is balance so important in relationships?

You’ve probably experienced being thrown off balance and you grab onto anything within reach to stop you from falling.

This is what it’s like in relationship when you don’t take care of your own  balance. We grab at, clutch and cling to those around us in an attempt to stabilise ourselves. The problem is that everything around us is inclined towards movement (unless it’s dead, in which case it’s probably time to let it go). When we’re depending on someone or something to stabilise us we tend not to appreciate it moving on us.

In the case of a relationship we’ll be compelled to, in some way, influence, control or manipulate another in order to maintain some semblance of stability.
Of course, it’s not going to create long lasting stability. Everything changes and we must perform our own balancing act and in doing so, leave others free to develop their own balancing abilities. Of course it’s hard to let others go sometimes, for example, one’s own children as they head off to forge their own path in life but at this stage you can only hope that you’ve sufficiently modelled how to stand on “one’s own two feet” well enough that they’ve become proficient enough at it by then. The more we cling the more we limit others’ opportunity to grow and learn and practice. 

So if you’ve been sufficiently interested in the subject presented here to read this far you might be wondering in which context I’m using the term “balance”. “Does he mean mental balance, emotional balance, physical balance....?”

Well the amazing thing about balance is that it crosses all these divisions, meaning that physical balance effects emotional balance effects mental balance, etc....and because that’s the case, balance always points back to the centre.

What centre? The centre of your universe. You. Just below your belly button. The expression, “to contemplate your navel” is a bit of a backhanded way to refer to someone who likes to meditate. But in light of what we’ve been talking about but in another light it’s actually not a bad idea. To pose the question in relation to anything, inverted Commers where is my centre in this? Is a very fundamental question in reaching confidence debility insurance within oneself in a changing world where things often move in and unpredictable way

In therapy sessions people commonly experiencing stress and doubt in relation to situations in which they are facing. Sometimes there is an appeal and the client for some advice on the matter. The best advice I can give in any case is to invite encourage the person to find a balance in the face of the challenge course when you can find your balance with something you are not dependent on the outcome the surfer does not need to know how the way the scanner ultimately crash so long as he can maintain centre of balance. So what is the golden nugget, the secret to maintaining one’s balance.? Well I don’t think anyone can answer this question for anyone else but the best I can offer is to say that asking the question is the first step. Because when we asked the question we move the focus away from controlling another’s actions and look towards Our own Centre for the answer

How medicine drumming became part of my life?

My main use of the medicine drum is through Drum Journeys. It's when a drumbeat is played at a rapid rate allowing your brain waves to harmonize, dive to a deep state of meditation and receive messages from a deep wise inner place. The benefit of these inner journeys took full meaning for me during my birthing journeys.

I came across the School of Shamanic WomanCraft when I was pregnant with my first baby, and a new path opened to me. I’ve learnt to use and understand deeply the benefits of the medicine drum thanks to the Four Seasons Journey where I have connected and continue to learn about womanhood, honoring the rites of passage of birth, menarche, childbirth, menopause and death, and connecting with the Cycles.

Drumming is one tool, amongst many others, I’ve learnt to be very familiar with and I found it very useful in my life journey especially in time of crisis.

For example, one difficult time was when I went though the experience of my second miscarriage. I was 10 weeks pregnant, and it was very painful emotionally as I had to face myself again in the grieving process.

I’ve reached for the first time for support, and during a drum journey I have been able to connect with my baby, I saw her, I received a name and important messages from her. I’ve been able to have a better sense of clarity and being able to say goodbye and let go. This experience totally shifted my experience of a miscarriage because I didn’t feel guilty or victim of a loss but I felt gifted with a story and a strong sense of connection with my baby. She existed. Her birth was really beautiful at home and for the first time of my life I truly felt like being a goddess when she was born and I was proud to bring her to my hands and heart. I am grateful for that honoring and healing experience, made it possible thanks to an amazing trustful support.

We live at a time where natural birth has become “endangered”. My first experience of giving birth in a hospital with an unexpected pre-eclampsia condition, was a real waking up call for me, realizing the impacts and reality of the hospital policies, routine, and way of communication to the birthing mother. Since then, part of my personal journey has been to reclaim trust and surrender with birth and it's mysteries. For my last pregnancy, I chose to receive regular drum journey sessions as a way to check in and connect with my baby. My baby gave me clues on how he wanted to be born. He always told me about a straightforward birth at home, with our little family, me being the one who catches my baby in my hands. I chose to trust those messages. It was actually huge to follow this guidance and act accordingly to prepare for birth while facing doubts and fears. It felt like a huge inner battle between the rational mind and the heart. I was blessed that the birth unfolded exactly as my baby told me.

So the drumming and the messages I got from it, showed me a new way and informed clearly my decisions. From fear, I’ve learnt to connect, trust and surrender. This has transformed my life completely. It’s why I’m now sharing that amazing tool with women.

For this reason, you have now the possibility to make your own medicine drum. 
Sarah  (shamanic craft woman, dancer and creator of :  www.embodimentsdance.com.au), and myself (shamanic craft woman, dancer and creator of womb connect) are so honored to work together to offer a sacred space and to hold you while you are birthing your drum.

If making a medicine drum calls you, feel free to contact us for more info or book in your place through that link:
https://www.embodimentsdance.com.au/product/shamanic-drum-making-two-day-workshop/
 
Blessings to all!