It is the end of February and trip to Cooper Lake in Bearsville, New York reminds me that spring is almost here. As I stood listening the water gurgle under a sheet of ice covering the lake's surface and the trickle of water from icicles on the cliffs behind me, I knew the spring thaw had begun. The tall slender pines swayed and creaked in the stiff wind. But, underfoot grasses began to sprout shoots for the new season.
I always consider the Spring Equinox the beginning of the New Year and see this as a time for preparing for the new cycle of growth and learning. I had spent my winter observing nature's affect on itself and soon I will be able to enjoy it emerging from its slumber. Soon I will be gathering leaves and flowers from these cold and sleeping stems.
Wildcrafting is as much as a discipline as it is skill. Knowing what herbs to pick, when, how and where takes patience and understanding. Seeing this as a discipline makes one's whole being (mind, spirit and body) vulnerable to its subtle lessons, which have long reaching affects. Books and teachers are essential for beginners getting started. But, experience must then continue the learning process. Last year I learned that I needed a few more tools to better my practice and spent the winter months acquiring some of them.
My basic tools include: a back pack (only to be used for Wildcrafting and foraging), a small smudge kit for offerings and blessing, paper bags to hold the gathered plants, a flower press to keep samples of unknown plants to be studied later and for pressing flowers, a bottle of filtered water for drinking and sharing, a trowel for digging small roots, a journal, herbal insecticide, herbal antiseptic, plastic bag (for picking up discarded trash) and at least two reference books.
This year I am adding, a pair of scissor-shaped pruning shears (they cut through small branches wonderfully), even more paper bags (I never seam to have enough), small jars of vinegar and vodka (to bottle the herbs for tinctures an infused vinegars while I'm on the trail).
Audie Odum-Stellato