ximpanotli/welcome to module 1 of teomauistli year 1: xinachtli/seed. During module 1 we are co-creating our container, setting and entering our sacred community as well as preparing our bodies to meet our beloved ass plant ancestors. Our offerings are in service of gently and consensually peeling back the layers of socialization that keep us unfree. The layers that live as our subconscious holding ourselves back from ancestorfesting the visions we have, the layer that tells us we are not enough, the layers that say we are too black, too brown, too queer, too much woman, too different to have a voice. Today you begin a journey back into your original form, your birth right, your truth: freedom.
We begin the journey centering nourishment and the healing practices that have always been ours with the support of nourishing herbs and blessing herbs. We set the soil to nurture our souls back by creating safety + ritual within our physical bodies through meditation and rituals of clearing. During this module 1 we begin our practices of (re)membering: embodying ourselves whole again. We (re)member with nourishment + ancestor at the center.
We begin the journey centering nourishment and the healing practices that have always been ours with the support of nourishing herbs and blessing herbs. We set the soil to nurture our souls back by creating safety + ritual within our physical bodies through meditation and rituals of clearing. During this module 1 we begin our practices of (re)membering: embodying ourselves whole again. We (re)member with nourishment + ancestor at the center.
Week one
Distance Gathering 1
MONDAY April 12, 2021 7-10p EST
WEDNESDAY April 14, 2021 7:30-10:30p EST
SUNDAY April 18 6-9p EST
To prepare for session 1 gather
Prepare your space
Journal + writing/drawing tools
Herbal tisane: LINDEN [Tila spp]
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material
[fresh or dry] inside the pot of water, allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
All handouts
Download or print the following handouts
[available 1-3 days before each gathering]:
Supplies for medicine makers
Nourishing + restorative herbs
Nourishing + restorative herbs List
Blessing herbs
Blessing herbs list
The subtle body + energetic healing
Energy work
Botanical Cards [Opening our container]
Herb Action glossary
Linden/Tila spp [Plant Profile]
MONDAY April 12, 2021 7-10p EST
WEDNESDAY April 14, 2021 7:30-10:30p EST
SUNDAY April 18 6-9p EST
To prepare for session 1 gather
Prepare your space
Journal + writing/drawing tools
Herbal tisane: LINDEN [Tila spp]
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material
[fresh or dry] inside the pot of water, allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
All handouts
Download or print the following handouts
[available 1-3 days before each gathering]:
Supplies for medicine makers
Nourishing + restorative herbs
Nourishing + restorative herbs List
Blessing herbs
Blessing herbs list
The subtle body + energetic healing
Energy work
Botanical Cards [Opening our container]
Herb Action glossary
Linden/Tila spp [Plant Profile]
Prepare your herbal tea [tisane]
gather
5 finger pinch of linden flower + leaf [Tilia spp]
2-3 cups of water
pot/tea kettle
strainer
instructions
bring your water to a boil
add linden
bring to simmer for 15-20 mins
strain
*your tisane will be stronger the less water you use
**there are no contraindications notes for this plant ancestor
gather
5 finger pinch of linden flower + leaf [Tilia spp]
2-3 cups of water
pot/tea kettle
strainer
instructions
bring your water to a boil
add linden
bring to simmer for 15-20 mins
strain
*your tisane will be stronger the less water you use
**there are no contraindications notes for this plant ancestor
Access our distance gathering session 1 via Zoom link: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEEKEND
You are encouraged to log on to our Zoom meeting 5-10 minutes before our set gathering time
Monday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89319948212?pwd=bUhDdGt1NFYvdkZqMEMzaTBSRkNMQT09
Meeting ID: 893 1994 8212
Passcode: seed
Wednesday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81379949106?pwd=bmZnU0xVVWc2NUpnQ3VmRzJCL29sUT09
Meeting ID: 813 7994 9106
Passcode: seed
Weekend
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87269285806?pwd=alhLZFRkR3dwNmdSVDNXUzh0UFhodz09
Meeting ID: 872 6928 5806
Passcode: seed
April Gathering Recording #1
[link will be available here up to 36hrs after the gathering date via email and on your respective WhatsApp thread]
You are encouraged to log on to our Zoom meeting 5-10 minutes before our set gathering time
Monday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89319948212?pwd=bUhDdGt1NFYvdkZqMEMzaTBSRkNMQT09
Meeting ID: 893 1994 8212
Passcode: seed
Wednesday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81379949106?pwd=bmZnU0xVVWc2NUpnQ3VmRzJCL29sUT09
Meeting ID: 813 7994 9106
Passcode: seed
Weekend
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87269285806?pwd=alhLZFRkR3dwNmdSVDNXUzh0UFhodz09
Meeting ID: 872 6928 5806
Passcode: seed
April Gathering Recording #1
[link will be available here up to 36hrs after the gathering date via email and on your respective WhatsApp thread]
Week one
Self-healing practice #1
EXPLORE + COMMITMENTS
Explore
Our blessing herb + choose 1 to open/close your day with
Our nourishing herb list, choose 1 to journey with until our week 3 gathering
Commit
Blessing smoke to open/close the day [daily]
Drink 1 quart infusion of a nourishing herb + musculoskeletal herb, if needed [daily]
WATCH
Herbal preparations: Tisane, Infusion + Decoctions
PLANT JOURNAL
Spend 10 minutes journeying with the spirit and physical [make an herbal tisane/tea, see instructions above] medicine with one our nourishing herbs. You are welcomed to replay my the guided plant meditation during our last session [go to the recording, available on your WhatsApp thread], journey with your own instruments or silence. Spend 5 minutes writing your downloads, messages, images, and the places the plant ancestor went in your body.
At least 1x before we gather next.
REVIEW
Supplies for medicine makers
Nourishing + restorative herbs
Nourishing + restorative herbs List
Blessing herbs
Blessing herbs list
The subtle body + energetic healing
Energy work
Botanical Cards [Opening our container]
Herb Action glossary
Linden/Tila spp [Plant Profile]
GATHER
Continue to gather your heart, materials, plant ancestors, and building your sacred altar that will hold the medicine of our journey together. Let's practice gentleness as we navigate the limitations + expansion of this time, our capacities, and the sacred truth that.... You have everything you need for this journey, with these materials or plant ancestors.
Supplies for medicine makers
Plant ancestors for Modules 1-3
minimum 1oz of each for guided plant meditations [leaves you with 4-7 more sits/cups];
4oz+ to make plant medicines with them too
my intention is to send you *most* plant ancestors for Module 2-9, there are few that are not available in the moment so I will not be able to provide them for you and some that feel important you gather yourself.
Module 1
Week 1: Linden leaf + flower [Tila spp]
Week 2: Nettles leaf [Urtica dioica]
Week 3: Oatstraw [Avena sativa]
Module 2
Week 2: Cinnamon sticks or powder [Cinnamomum zeylanicum]
Module 3
Week 2: Mugwort [Artemisia vulgaris]
*most likely be growing in most places in the Northern Hemisphere
READ
Understanding and Identifying Basic Herbal Actions (pages 11-25) and Preparations Basics (pages 33-34) in Liberatory Medicine Making*
**BIPOC magickkkkk prepared by Toi Scott of Queering Herbalism [on Facebook as Queering Herbalism- Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)]
OPTIONAL: Read Ch 4 Herbal Preparations in The Gift of Healing Herbs*
*Author is yt heterosexual woman
Explore
Our blessing herb + choose 1 to open/close your day with
Our nourishing herb list, choose 1 to journey with until our week 3 gathering
Commit
Blessing smoke to open/close the day [daily]
Drink 1 quart infusion of a nourishing herb + musculoskeletal herb, if needed [daily]
WATCH
Herbal preparations: Tisane, Infusion + Decoctions
PLANT JOURNAL
Spend 10 minutes journeying with the spirit and physical [make an herbal tisane/tea, see instructions above] medicine with one our nourishing herbs. You are welcomed to replay my the guided plant meditation during our last session [go to the recording, available on your WhatsApp thread], journey with your own instruments or silence. Spend 5 minutes writing your downloads, messages, images, and the places the plant ancestor went in your body.
At least 1x before we gather next.
REVIEW
Supplies for medicine makers
Nourishing + restorative herbs
Nourishing + restorative herbs List
Blessing herbs
Blessing herbs list
The subtle body + energetic healing
Energy work
Botanical Cards [Opening our container]
Herb Action glossary
Linden/Tila spp [Plant Profile]
GATHER
Continue to gather your heart, materials, plant ancestors, and building your sacred altar that will hold the medicine of our journey together. Let's practice gentleness as we navigate the limitations + expansion of this time, our capacities, and the sacred truth that.... You have everything you need for this journey, with these materials or plant ancestors.
Supplies for medicine makers
Plant ancestors for Modules 1-3
minimum 1oz of each for guided plant meditations [leaves you with 4-7 more sits/cups];
4oz+ to make plant medicines with them too
my intention is to send you *most* plant ancestors for Module 2-9, there are few that are not available in the moment so I will not be able to provide them for you and some that feel important you gather yourself.
Module 1
Week 1: Linden leaf + flower [Tila spp]
Week 2: Nettles leaf [Urtica dioica]
Week 3: Oatstraw [Avena sativa]
Module 2
Week 2: Cinnamon sticks or powder [Cinnamomum zeylanicum]
Module 3
Week 2: Mugwort [Artemisia vulgaris]
*most likely be growing in most places in the Northern Hemisphere
READ
Understanding and Identifying Basic Herbal Actions (pages 11-25) and Preparations Basics (pages 33-34) in Liberatory Medicine Making*
**BIPOC magickkkkk prepared by Toi Scott of Queering Herbalism [on Facebook as Queering Herbalism- Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)]
OPTIONAL: Read Ch 4 Herbal Preparations in The Gift of Healing Herbs*
*Author is yt heterosexual woman
Post your plant journal reflections, questions + any wisdom pouring through you informed by our gathering +
healing together to our WhatsApp thread to message xóchicoatl privately
photos, posts, memes, videos, poetry, music all welcomed as expressions on our thread!
healing together to our WhatsApp thread to message xóchicoatl privately
photos, posts, memes, videos, poetry, music all welcomed as expressions on our thread!
OPTIONAL
*Author is yt heterosexual woma
Week two
At your own pace engage with each part of the exercises that bring us to the physical manifestation of nourishment and connections with our musculoskeletal system. What does it look, feel, taste, smell, sound like to nourish ourselves? May this week of meeting the literal skeleton holding your physical health be nourishing and support you in inviting nourishment unapologetically.
To prepare for our pre-recorded session gather:
Prepare your space
Journal + writing/drawing tools
Herbal tisane [aka tea]: NETTLES [Urtica dioica]
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material [fresh or dry] inside the pot of water,
allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
All handouts
Download or print the following handouts:
Holistic Anatomy + Physiology
Musculoskeletal System
Musculoskeletal System Herbs List
Nettles/Urtica dioica [Plant profile]
After you have gathered your belongings, settle into the pre-recorded Session #2 of Module 1: Creating our container
[note this video was recored in 2020 there may be references specific to that year present]
Week two
Self-healing practice #2
ANCESTOR CONNECTIONS
Create a permanent altar for this prayer you are planting in our journey together. Over the next 9 months we, like the plants, your ancestors + your own intuitive body will offer suggestions for what to feed your altar. On your altar include a representation for the four elements [fire, water, air, earth], a representation of NOURISHMENT, and a letter to your ancestors.
Letter to your ancestors
When we speak directly to our ancestors we deepen our bonds, deepen and blur the veil that they some times hide behind to not scare our colonized asses out of our skins. Offer yourself the gift of energy work, a plant meditation or embodiment practice before opening your heart and pouring into the letter. This letter is written for you. It may be in your own languages and artistic style. Allow what needs to flow out of you to flow. This is space where you may ask your ancestors for specific support during our journey, call them by name, remember the nameless, hold the tenderness of being children of lands ruptures, but DNA that's gone nowhere. You may choose to re-write or write a letter with every module or season, whatever your practice is, it's perfect.
Letter to your ancestors
When we speak directly to our ancestors we deepen our bonds, deepen and blur the veil that they some times hide behind to not scare our colonized asses out of our skins. Offer yourself the gift of energy work, a plant meditation or embodiment practice before opening your heart and pouring into the letter. This letter is written for you. It may be in your own languages and artistic style. Allow what needs to flow out of you to flow. This is space where you may ask your ancestors for specific support during our journey, call them by name, remember the nameless, hold the tenderness of being children of lands ruptures, but DNA that's gone nowhere. You may choose to re-write or write a letter with every module or season, whatever your practice is, it's perfect.
PLANT CONNECTIONS
Explore
Our musculoskeletal herb list, do you need to journey with a plant ancestor to support your musculoskeletal system?
Add this babe to your daily nourishing herb infusion
Continue your commitment
Blessing smoke to open/close the day [daily]
Drink 1 quart infusion of a nourishing herb + musculoskeletal herb, if needed [daily]
PLANT JOURNAL
Spend 10 minutes journeying with the spirit and physical [make an herbal tisane/tea, see instructions above] medicine with one our nourishing herbs. You are welcomed to replay my the guided plant meditation during our last session [go to the recording, available on your WhatsApp thread], journey with your own instruments or silence. Spend 5 minutes writing your downloads, messages, images, and the places the plant ancestor went in your body.
At least 2x before we gather [1x a week], if you are on that disciple game: EVERYDAY until our Week 3 gathering
Our musculoskeletal herb list, do you need to journey with a plant ancestor to support your musculoskeletal system?
Add this babe to your daily nourishing herb infusion
Continue your commitment
Blessing smoke to open/close the day [daily]
Drink 1 quart infusion of a nourishing herb + musculoskeletal herb, if needed [daily]
PLANT JOURNAL
Spend 10 minutes journeying with the spirit and physical [make an herbal tisane/tea, see instructions above] medicine with one our nourishing herbs. You are welcomed to replay my the guided plant meditation during our last session [go to the recording, available on your WhatsApp thread], journey with your own instruments or silence. Spend 5 minutes writing your downloads, messages, images, and the places the plant ancestor went in your body.
At least 2x before we gather [1x a week], if you are on that disciple game: EVERYDAY until our Week 3 gathering
REVIEW
Holistic Anatomy + Physiology
Musculoskeletal System
Musculoskeletal System Herbs List
Nettles/Urtica dioica [Plant profile]
Musculoskeletal System
Musculoskeletal System Herbs List
Nettles/Urtica dioica [Plant profile]
CHOOSE 1 of the following:
READ
WATCH
*this creator or organization is non black, indigenous, API, person of color
REFLECT
Describe your relationship with your musculoskeletal system.
What questions do you have about the musculoskeletal system?
What questions do you have about the musculoskeletal system?
Week three
Distance Gathering 2
MONDAY April 26, 2020 7-9:30p EST
WEDNESDAY April 28, 2020 7:30-10p EST
To prepare for session 2 gather
Prepare your sacred space with an altar representing the 4 elements and any objects that ground you on why you are on this journey
Prepare to name the lands, ancestors, people you come from in our talking circle
[breathe into this ask, know we are all working to meet more info about our roots. where you are is just right]
If you have a song you want to sing to our crew during our ceremony to root us in nourishment let me kn
Bowl of water [for holding our circle]
Water [for drinking]
Journal + writing/drawing tools
Herbal tisane: Oatstraw [Avena sativa]
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material [fresh or dry] inside the pot of water, allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
For ceremony
-letter to your ancestors [self-healing practice Week 2]
-a representation or embodiment of the 4 elements: earth, water, air, fire
Prepare your herbal tea [tisane]
3 finger pinch of oatstraw [Avena sativa]
instructions
bring your water to a boil
add oatstraw
bring to simmer for 15-20 mins
strain
*your tisane will be stronger the less water you use
**there are no contraindications notes for this plant ancestor
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material
[fresh or dry] inside the pot of water, allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
All handouts
Download or print the following handouts
Oatstraw/Avena sativa [Plant Profile]
Access our distance gathering session 2 via Zoom link: MONDAY, THURSDAY
You are encouraged to log on to our Zoom meeting 5-10 minutes before our set gathering time
Note: Zoom links for each cohort and between our 1st + 2nd sessions are different.
Follow the link posted by your cohort + date also found in your google calendar.
April Gathering Recording #2
[link will be available here up to 36hrs after the gathering date via email and on your respective WhatsApp thread]
MONDAY April 26, 2020 7-9:30p EST
WEDNESDAY April 28, 2020 7:30-10p EST
To prepare for session 2 gather
Prepare your sacred space with an altar representing the 4 elements and any objects that ground you on why you are on this journey
Prepare to name the lands, ancestors, people you come from in our talking circle
[breathe into this ask, know we are all working to meet more info about our roots. where you are is just right]
If you have a song you want to sing to our crew during our ceremony to root us in nourishment let me kn
Bowl of water [for holding our circle]
Water [for drinking]
Journal + writing/drawing tools
Herbal tisane: Oatstraw [Avena sativa]
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material [fresh or dry] inside the pot of water, allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
For ceremony
-letter to your ancestors [self-healing practice Week 2]
-a representation or embodiment of the 4 elements: earth, water, air, fire
Prepare your herbal tea [tisane]
3 finger pinch of oatstraw [Avena sativa]
instructions
bring your water to a boil
add oatstraw
bring to simmer for 15-20 mins
strain
*your tisane will be stronger the less water you use
**there are no contraindications notes for this plant ancestor
To prepare your herbal tisane bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the herb material
[fresh or dry] inside the pot of water, allow to simmer for 15 mins minimum
All handouts
Download or print the following handouts
Oatstraw/Avena sativa [Plant Profile]
Access our distance gathering session 2 via Zoom link: MONDAY, THURSDAY
You are encouraged to log on to our Zoom meeting 5-10 minutes before our set gathering time
Note: Zoom links for each cohort and between our 1st + 2nd sessions are different.
Follow the link posted by your cohort + date also found in your google calendar.
April Gathering Recording #2
[link will be available here up to 36hrs after the gathering date via email and on your respective WhatsApp thread]
Self-healing practice #3
PLANT CONNECTIONS
All healthy relationships grow from self-reflection and open communication. Before our next gathering:
Ask your NOURISHING HERB
Ask your BLESSING HERB
Ask your HEART
if you would like to continue the journey working with them.
Allow tension to exist. Some times we need to work with the emotions, energies, plant ancestors that bring us the most discomfort, for here lies the medicine of our psychic surrender and deep physiological realignment.
If you have a clear INVITE AN ANOTHER plant ancestor to nourish your journey welcome the change. You will have the opportunity to do this at the end of each month. The intention is to commit to building an intimate relationship with at least 1 nourishing herb and bless herb. Nourishing herbs can only do their work through long-term commitment, our physical body takes a bit to acclimate, purge, and then assimilate nutrients
Ask your NOURISHING HERB
Ask your BLESSING HERB
Ask your HEART
if you would like to continue the journey working with them.
Allow tension to exist. Some times we need to work with the emotions, energies, plant ancestors that bring us the most discomfort, for here lies the medicine of our psychic surrender and deep physiological realignment.
If you have a clear INVITE AN ANOTHER plant ancestor to nourish your journey welcome the change. You will have the opportunity to do this at the end of each month. The intention is to commit to building an intimate relationship with at least 1 nourishing herb and bless herb. Nourishing herbs can only do their work through long-term commitment, our physical body takes a bit to acclimate, purge, and then assimilate nutrients
Commit
Blessing smoke to open/close the day [daily]
Drink 1 quart infusion of a nourishing herb + musculoskeletal herb-if needed [daily]
Blessing smoke to open/close the day [daily]
Drink 1 quart infusion of a nourishing herb + musculoskeletal herb-if needed [daily]
Plant Journal
Spend 10 minutes journeying with the spirit and physical [make an herbal tisane/tea, see instructions above] medicine with one our nourishing herbs. You are welcomed to replay my the guided plant meditation during our last session [go to the recording, available on your WhatsApp thread], journey with your own instruments or silence. Spend 5 minutes writing your downloads, messages, images, and the places the plant ancestor went in your body.
At least 1x a week, if you are on that disciple game: 3-6x a week
OATSTRAW MEDITATION
Spend 10 minutes journeying with the spirit and physical [make an herbal tisane/tea, see instructions above] medicine with one our nourishing herbs. You are welcomed to replay my the guided plant meditation during our last session [go to the recording, available on your WhatsApp thread], journey with your own instruments or silence. Spend 5 minutes writing your downloads, messages, images, and the places the plant ancestor went in your body.
At least 1x a week, if you are on that disciple game: 3-6x a week
OATSTRAW MEDITATION
REVIEW
Return to each week on this online portal, in your notes, your journal entries, and in your heart. With much compassion, practicing less judgement about what you were not able to get to, really hold, read or practice, come to experience the journey. There is no shame between us. I, like our community holds that the world is spinning, it's difficult to feel into the healing spiral these moments are bringing. That's okay. Let it take as long as it needs to take. Return to the places you want to deepen, the practices you want to nourish, and with much honor to yourself, honor your capacity at this moment.
If you have been able to keep with the material + connections, and want to deepen with some of the topics I identify within each module, you're welcomed to spend some time in our Additional Resources.
If you have been able to keep with the material + connections, and want to deepen with some of the topics I identify within each module, you're welcomed to spend some time in our Additional Resources.
ANCESTOR CONNECTIONS
Meeting our ancestors is an intimate journey. It is one that we are taking with intention and awareness. Not all ancestors are ready to do spirit work with us, we are not ready to do spirit work with all ancestors, and some of our ancestors were colonizers, sold our people to other bipoc hands, which landed them in white hands, some of our ancestors were assholes. Before we move any further, over the next couple of weeks anchor into the ancestors you intentionally are inviting to journey with you, keeping track of those who are with you without the invitation.
OPTIONAL: Read
***the author of this article is a white, cis heterosexual man. There is never an expectation that you read white authors, this is an invitation.
Key points
The Ancestors Redeem Themselves Through Us
Recognize what you’ve inherited
Assess if you are ready to work on forgiving this ancestor
The Ancestors Redeem Themselves Through Us
Recognize what you’ve inherited
Assess if you are ready to work on forgiving this ancestor
REFLECT
Who are your ancestors? Who are ALL your ancestors?
Which ancestors are your specifically working with during this journey?
What are specific ways these ancestors want to work with you?
How do you want to work with them?
Share a written reflection on our WhatsApp thread or text/email it personally to xochitlcoatl
Which ancestors are your specifically working with during this journey?
What are specific ways these ancestors want to work with you?
How do you want to work with them?
Share a written reflection on our WhatsApp thread or text/email it personally to xochitlcoatl
Week four
REST
LISTEN
In the first offering, Mama Hersey of the Nap Ministry offers powerful truth telling on the importance of building up our capacity, guilt-free experiences of rest. In the second offering, Mama Hersey ushers you into a space of rest, and hopefully a nap!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The follow are resources for your continued learning, download it and put it aside if you have not already.
BONUS
Our ancestors rest by laying their bodies on the earth, cooling off by the waters, resetting their altars, creating sacred items. As part of a yearly sacred practice, I create a medicine item specific for the medicine I am inviting that year. A medicine pouch bundle is a sweet way to hold your daily herbal medicines or to carry your altar with you everywhere you are.