Spring is in full swing. All life on earth is starting to feel frisky. Depending on the moon calendar you might follow,
On May 7th, our moon entered the sign of Taurus, joining together the indulgent qualities of Venus with the steadfast nature of the Bull.
Taurus, an earth sign ruled by Venus, the archetype of love and beauty. This epitomizes the qualities of determination, practicality, and indulgence in life’s pleasures. I am married to a bull, all of these qualities are spot on and bring so much joy to my life. I am forever in love with my Bull.
This new moon (building energy) enters Taurus and magnifies these energies, inviting us to cultivate a deep connection with the natural world and our physical senses. Sensuality, Beauty and Indulgence.
So I thought a couple of aphrodisiac Recipes might be in order.
Cosmic Surrender Bath (from Kimberly Gallagher)
1 ounce Damiana leaf
1 cup kava powder
Muslin bag
Make an infusion of the damiana leaf. Place plant material in a quart canning jar and pour boiling water to fill the jar. Place a lid on the jar and steep for at least 4 hours. Strain the infusion and compost the leaves. Pour the cup of Kava Root powder in the damiana infusion and kneed for at least 10- 20 minutes. Fill the bathtub with warm water and pour the infusion into the bath water. Relax and enjoy.
The skin absorbs more than it releases! It’s the largest organ of the body and does a great job bringing in what we need and expelling what we don’t. Baths are a lost art of healing. Many midwives still use baths for healing after birth. If you are building a relationship with a plant, try adding a foot bath to your routine.
Damiana Leaf
Damiana is my favorite herb for bringing down walls we no longer need. Many use alcoholic drinks for this purpose unconsciously. Damiana allows you to stay completely present for yourself and others. No need to wake up the next day wishing you had done something different the night before. I rely on Damiana for challenging close relationship work.
Kava is a reliable warming, deeply relaxing ally. It affects the nervous system in a way no other plant does. A simple drop of Kava root tincture on the tongue will show you the numbing effects possible.
This is a bath time for you or even better shared with your companion.
This sensual bath deserves a warming massage oil.
Warming body oil
1/4 cup freshly grated ginger root.
2 tablespoons of dried lavender buds
3/4 cup apricot oil
Pour ginger and oil into a jar and place a lid on the jar. Let sit for 1 day. Strain the ginger and place the oil in a clean container for storage. I like to use colored glass jars. This oil is not meant to be stored for a long period. Use within 2 weeks and apply liberally. You can add 10 drops of Lavender essential oil if you’re not trying to conceive. I don’t recommend lavender essential oil during this time.
Oarstraw Infusion–
1 ounce oat straw
1-quart jar
Boiling water
Place plant material in a jar. Pour boiling water over the Oatstraw and fill the jar. Place a lid on the jar and infuse overnight. Strain the plant material and enjoy the entire jar that day. Use this daily for a month.
Supporting our male companions: Some men can experience pain after an intense orgasm. Working with oat straw can alleviate this very uncomfortable situation.
Oatstraw also helps a woman keep all her internal and external moisture. Making physical connection more pleasurable at every age.
Wishing everyone beauty, pleasure in all it’s forms, and green blessings.
Happiness and Health,
Chrystal Cocek
Loveland, CO herbalist
Integrated Earth Medicine