Winter Solstice and the Hawk

Winter solstice. I celebrated this day when the light returns to its long path. It reminded me that when I fall into a dark hole where the light cannot penetrate, the winter solstice proves me wrong. The light never disappears. As the sun faded, I lit white candles in celebration of light’s return, with the gifted feather next to the flickering candles.

A “Preemie’s” Parallel: Mullein, the Plant

Like the mullein, I was seeded in difficult soils (womb). I was a post war lover’s Whoops! In other words, my parents married incognito in Yuma, Az, conveniently three months after my conception. Until I found my parents marriage license on the internet, in my adulthood, I thought I was a preemie. At least that’s what all the grown-ups told me, ignoring the fact that I weighed 8.5 pounds at birth, with a full head of dark brown hair. I was one heck of a preemie!

Magic, Surprise, & Healing

Besides mullein’s unique look, soft leaves and medicinal value, in truth, what really attracts me to mullein is its history and hints of its ability to ward off evil. Blame it on my Catholic upbringing. If holy water could defer the wicked from my soul, why not a plant?