36 The Body Knows Before the Mind

"You are not falling apart — you are thawing. The body knows before the mind does. And the plants growing quietly in the cold right now know exactly what you need." Early spring arrives quietly in New England — not with fanfare, but with a loosening. The snowpack recedes. The bluebirds return. And somewhere in the damp, cold edges of the garden, two small plants are already growing before the ground has officially thawed. In this episode, herbalist Brenda Sullivan explores violet and chickweed as herbs for the emotional thaw of early spring — the season when the body begins releasing what it held through winter, long before the mind believes spring has arrived. Drawing on 27 years of herbal practice, Brenda weaves together the physical medicine of these overlooked early spring herbs with the deeper wisdom of the body-nature connection, and shares honestly about navigating one of the most astrologically intense stretches of 2026. Rick Levine's March 2026 Astrological Forecast https://youtu.be/5BfTBJy6KgQ?si=XbsxV3Zpl6aEEg0- 🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Violet Tincture https://amzn.to/4sKEeBe Note: Finding dried violet flowers and leaves commercially is difficult to source. If you can't find it fresh in the wild try using a tincture. 2. Dried Chickweed https://amzn.to/4lKeWB3 My favorite tea-making tools: BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker https://amzn.to/4r4LYNH Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar, https://amzn.to/4qWQr4L Heat proof wide mouth mason jars https://amzn.to/4pNflmq Bookstore - Brenda J. Sullivan Books https://www.brendajsullivanbooks.com/ 🌱 My Garden Journal – A How-To Garden Book for Kids Because every gardener starts with a single seed — and a little curiosity. My Garden Journal is part how-to guide, part creative keepsake, designed to help children (and their grown-ups) learn the basics of growing food and flowers while documenting their journey. Inside you'll find: Simple planting guidanceSpace for drawings, photos, and notesImaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef's Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden) Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants. ✨ You'll be amazed at how much you — and your garden — grow when you take time to journal the journey. 🌿 Work With Me 🌙 Herbal Consultations (Now Open) Root your wellness in the wisdom of the plants — and the stars. My one-on-one consultations offer gentle, grounded guidance rooted in traditional herbalism, vitalist principles, and (if you wish) astrology. Each session begins with listening. 👉 Learn more here: https://mailchi.mp/351efb18cd6b/one-on-one-consultations-landing-page 🌿 Join Me on Patreon Support this work and receive exclusive herbal & holistic content ✨ Membership includes:✔ Monthly herbal & lunar insights✔ DIY recipes & printable guides✔ Free class replays✔ Bi-annual personalized herbal consultations (Tier 3) Membership can be as little as a cup of coffee ☕️ 👉 Join here: https://patreon.com/ThompsonStreetFarm?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ♈ FREE Zodiac Herbs Guide Unlock the secrets of personalized wellness with my free Zodiac Herbs Guide. https://www.brendajsullivanteach.com/zodiacherbguidefreebieor ☕ Buy Me a Cup of Tea If this story brought you comfort, you can support the channel here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thompsonstg 🎶 Music Credits A heartfelt thank you to Alexander Nakarada for the music featured in this story. I am a Patreon supporter of Alexander's work. 🎼 Song: Planning - 320bit - September 5, 2021 🔗 https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 🌿 Stay Connected Website: https://thenewenglandherbary.com/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thenewenglandherbary?si=f7_MB0XEz0vn0Xr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewenglandherbary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578148227744 Thompson Street Farm LLC is the parent company of the New England Herbary: https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/ 💬 I'd love to hear how this story landed for you. Feel free to share your reflections in the comments.