In Case You Missed It: Alchemy of Pain Ritual to Carry Out On Your Own
Many people expressed that they wished to be at the Alchemy of Pain ritual held by the Strega Tree Collective last week but had conflicting events on their schedule or they were not well enough to come out to the park. Therefore, we are offering a version of it here for you to do yourself or with others.
A note from Theresa on her experience at the ritual:
Strega Tree diviners often say that the style of divination we do is “prescriptive.” This means that rituals are given for the client to carry out on their own based on issues that are diagnosed by the wedeme and kontomble.
I cannot emphasize enough how this is the magic of this style of divination that the Dagara people of Burkina Faso are so generous to share with us. These “hand-crafted” and personalized rituals are the unique signature of this style of divination. While there is so much that comes through in the divinations themselves, you only feel the full power when you carry out the ritual prescriptions.
After being engaged with this work for 13 years, it still surprises, delights and impresses me.
Event: Ancestral Herbs and Tree Medicine of My Italian Great-Grandmother, the Strega
April 28th 6-8pm PST
$10-$30 Donation
A benefit for the Sonoma County Herb Association/Exchange
sign up and gets tickets for this online event here.
Time Creates Everything
Here is a fundamental fact to understand about Time: Without Time there would not be anything material, no physical manifestations.
A few years back my daughter and I were in a minor car accident. The next day I felt jarred by the experience and decided I needed to go for a walk to ground myself. I was glad to be alive and deep into that appreciation as I walked along a dirt path surrounded by oak trees, wildflowers, green grass, a beautiful blue sky. As I observed the natural world around me in this vein of gratitude, I suddenly had the understanding that without Time, none of it would exist. There would be no flowers, no trees, no me, no you, no car accident, no walk the day after, none of it would be possible without the phenomenon of Time.
Finding Your Tree Allies
Many people are finding tree allies these days. It seems at this time on the planet the trees have much to say to humans. If you feel drawn to the trees but don’t know where to begin, here is a simple way to get started on deepening your relationship with them.
First, know that even trees that have been cut down are still here in spirit form. If there is a stump that is calling to you, do not disregard it. The spirit of the tree may still be there wanting to interact with you.
To form a relationship with one or more trees, begin by noticing which trees want to speak to you. You will know this by the trees you find yourself attracted to. Once you determine which tree or trees this is, make an offering of milk at the base of the tree. Tell the tree you wish to begin to form a relationship with it and if it has things to tell you, you are open to listening.
The Cimaruta
The Cimaruta is an ancient symbol and charm that represents the Streghe/Janarre (Italian medicine) lineage and is also seen to be a potent tool against the evil eye.
The symbol is a stylized sprig of the rue plant (ruta) with various charms hanging off of it, all representative of the craft in varying ways. On the Strega Tree Apothecary’s cimaruta logo hangs the moon, a key, the snake and a flower. We chose these for our logo as they represent the powers that we work with.
Theresa and Annie are a direct descendants of a Strega lineage through their great and great-great-grandmother on their father/grandfather’s Italian side This ancestress is a powerful ally in our work. All Strega Tree diviners are initiated into this lineage since they are initiated through Theresa, Annie or one of her mentees. Janarra is the deeper layer of this lineage.