Elk & Ash + Hawk & Thistle // Graceful Strength Blend
I've decided that one of the things I'd like to do here is combine two of my biggest passions within my craft: divination and herbal tea! So I'll be doing a reading to ask my oracle cards what kind of energy my tea should carry, and then I'll pick the herbs based on that and share the blend with you! The deck I'll be using is Woodland Wardens.
Today's cards were The Elk & Ash - Strength Rx and The Hawk & Thistle - Graceful Persistence.
When The Elk & Ash shows up reversed, it can indicate that we may be feeling overwhelmed. Obstacles just keep showing up in our way, the mountain somehow seems to keep getting steeper, and it just feels tough. The Hawk & Thistle is a nod to resilience. The ability to thrive in any environment and keep your claws sharp while still moving gracefully. This card often shows up to remind us that ferocity and grace can coexist. Like the thistle, we protect our flower, but we remember to not let our crown fall.
I ask myself today, 'Am I giving myself enough credit for how far I have come? Do I trust in my own strength? How can I stand tall in the face of chaos without letting it make me brittle?'
The Blend: Graceful Strength
I made this blend to help me stay grounded while moving forward with clarity, strength, and grace. (Cursing myself for not currently having thistle cause this is a missed opportunity lol).
Ingredients (one 6-8oz cup):
1 tsp Nettle - for endurance and grounding
2 lightly crushed Juniper berries - clarity, protection, inner strength
1/2 tsp Blue Vervain - calm focus and nervous system support
1 tsp Red Clover - graceful persistence, grow through the bs type vibe
1/4 tsp Ginger - fire in the belly, keeps you moving
1/2 tsp Rose Petals - for emotional balance and softness among strength
(Optional) A pinch of Cinnamon - a lil extra solar flare
To Brew: Steep covered for 7-10 mins. Strain, sip, and reflect on what it looks like when you trust your own strength and remember that you are, in fact, THAT bitch.
THIS IS NOT A SAFE BLEND FOR DAILY USE. OCCASIONAL MAGIC USE ONLY !!!
Juniper: Not safe if pregnant, trying to conceive, or have kidney issues. 2 berries is a tiny dose, but juniper should not be used daily.
Blue Vervain: Avoid if pregnant. Large doses mean tummy trouble.
Red Clover: Contains plant estrogens, so if that's a concern for you, sub it or skip it.
I'm not a doctor, just a witch with a tea obsession. Always consult with a medical professional before herbal use, especially if on medication.
Be soft and spiky. Graceful does not equal passive. Strong does not equal loud. Ground yourself, sharpen that gaze and those claws, and keep trudging on.
(divider by @sweetmelodygraphics)