37 Chickweed, the New Moon & the Body's Quiet Wisdom

There is a small green plant growing right now along the edges of your garden bed, tucked into the damp shadow beneath the stone wall, pressing itself quietly against the base of your fence. Most people walk past her without a second glance. She is not showy. She does not announce herself. She simply arrives — every year, before anything else dares to — and gets quietly to work. Her name is chickweed. And she has been tending human beings for a very long time. This week on The New England Herbary Podcast, we are deep in the threshold energy of Ostara — the Spring Equinox — and the powerful astrological crossroads that came with it: the final New Moon of the astrological year rising in Pisces on March 18th, Mercury stationing direct on the 20th after weeks of retrograde fog, and the Sun crossing into Aries to begin the astrological New Year. It has been a week of two worlds — the deep, dreaming dissolution of Pisces on one side, and the first spark of fire and new beginning on the other. We have just crossed the threshold, and chickweed has been waiting for us on the other side. In this episode, we continue our spring chickweed series with a deeper look at her traditional uses across the British Isles — from the Irish border counties where she was layered as a hot poultice over swellings and inflammation, to the Scottish Highlands where a decoction was drunk for insomnia, to the extraordinary record from the Isle of Skye where chickweed washes were used to bring on sleep after a fever. We then move into the herbal kitchen with three recipes built from a simple dried chickweed decoction: a lymph-moving spring tonic tea for the New Moon window, a chickweed and calendula threshold bath for Ostara, and a deeply nourishing chickweed and nettle mineral broth for the tender days of new beginning. This episode is for you if you have been feeling the fog of Mercury retrograde lifting. If your body is asking for something gentle and mineral-rich before spring fully arrives. If you have dried herbs in your pantry and you are wondering what to do with them. And if you, like me, find that the oldest, humblest plants in the hedgerow often have the most to teach. Chickweed is not dramatic. She is not rare. She is not expensive or exotic or difficult to find. She is simply ready — always before you expect her, always doing more than you realize — and that, I think, is exactly the kind of energy this season is asking us to embody. 🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Chickweed Dried Herb https://amzn.to/4uGz0bt 2. Chickweed Organic Tincture https://amzn.to/413MJvv 3. Chickweed Herbal Powder https://amzn.to/4bDWtBe 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:...