Echinacea (or coneflower) is good medicine. It helps us stay healthy and it’s a popular pollen source among bees. Where we live, every winter the visible plant dries out and hardens, becoming a perch for the birds who stick around through the frost and snow. Each spring the plant comes back stronger. When you plant echinacea from seed you have to wait two years for the plant to reach maturity. The year after I planted seeds I accidentally pulled out many of the seedlings forgetting that I had planted them the year before. In year three I recognized the young plants early on and left space for them to grow. There were more echinacea than my veggie garden had room for that summer so I transplanted some in other gardens.
Reflective practice is also good medicine, and in similar ways. The seeds we plant this year may settle in quietly, slowly. It may take a few years for the ideas and concepts to fully bloom and serve as a resilient source of nourishment. There’s composting of ideas and periods of rest to make way for new growth. Last week we had a moving retreat experience. There were opportunities to hear what other teachers are up to, to be quiet, and to go below the surface of learning outcomes and grades – to reconnect with the most important work of reimagining, redesigning, and resting. All this in the interest of the long-term wellbeing of our communities. We played in and grappled with the full spectrum nature of showing up human in education. We started dreaming about Sacred’s second season and planted some seeds for developing that curriculum when it’s time.
What seeds have you planted recently? What is sprouting for you? And what’s in full bloom? What is your medicine?
And, here are the Sacred, Episode 3 Campfire Chat info & journal prompts. We went deep in rethinking/reframing in our conversation with mom and advocate, Latoya Gayle.
Have a listen to Episode 3 at any of these locations: Youtube (includes captions), Apple, Spotify, Website
Want to excavate something you heard in Episode 3? Or maybe you just want to connect with us and other educators and caregivers? Join us for the August Campfire Chat! We’ll gather by zoom on Tuesday, August 15. 7:00-8:00pm ET. Register for the event here.
Want to excavate solo? We created some Episode 3 Journal Prompts for you. Contemplate the ones that call you:
- How are you feeling right now? What’s coming up for you in this moment?
- Who are you besides your professional title? How do these aspects of your identity inspire and/or shape your work? Where or when might you allow other aspects of your identity to show up where you’re currently holding them back?
- How might you unintentionally be playing into institutionalization (for yourself or your students)? Which conditions are potentially leading you there? How might you begin to resist and/or change those conditions? How might you care for yourself in the meantime in a way that helps you feel human?
- When’s the last time someone resisted your expectations? Why do you think that happened? What was the need that they were saying “yes” to in that moment? How might this new awareness be used to guide you next time?
For ongoing conversation join our Sacred Conversations Group on FB and/or follow us on Instagram.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
With love and gratitude,
Lauren & Angela Carolina
Echinacea’s Common Names: echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, American coneflower
Latin Names: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallidaBackground: There are nine known species of echinacea, all of which are native to North America. They were used by Native Americans of the Great Plains region as traditional medicines [and continue to be used today]. Echinacea is promoted as a dietary supplement for the common cold and other infections, based on the idea that it might stimulate the immune system to more effectively fight infection. Echinacea preparations have been promoted for topical use (application to the skin) for wounds and skin problems.