Spirit

Do not feed the fears.

Amber Shehan February 2, 2017

I know, I know. This blog is supposed to be all about recipes, brewing, gardening, and you know what? I’m trying. Honestly, I am. I’ve been a bit of a mess since the election and it’s been worse since the Inauguration. I’m scared for my friends and for my family. I’m disturbed by the willful violence…

small but fierce

seen on "do not feed the fears" at pixiespocket.com

I know, I know. This blog is supposed to be all about recipes, brewing, gardening, and you know what? I’m trying. Honestly, I am.

I’ve been a bit of a mess since the election and it’s been worse since the Inauguration. I’m scared for my friends and for my family. I’m disturbed by the willful violence of those who hate others. The reckless and greedy desires that are damaging the earth are amplified.  There’s a push against compassion by those who bear senseless anger towards others different from them.  I try not to “feed the fears” but when I witness environmental damages, hateful graffiti, physical attacks, and American citizens decrying the right to protest (Boston Tea Party, anyone?!), the fears come unbidden.

I’m not a politically minded person, by nature. I am a hobbit. I want to tend my home and have guests and climb trees and put my hands in dirt. I’m a lover, not a fighter. But I feel a pull to witness the clashes around me and to speak out against what I see as wrong. Though I am small, I am fierce. The struggle between doing good, small, useful things and paying attention to the news is a tough battle, my friends. This article helped a bit: “How To Avoid Being Psychologically Destroyed By Your Newsfeed

But it is Imbolc. Happy Imbolc! Lá Féile Bríde!  We’re looking towards spring, hearing birds sing, seeing bulbs beginning to poke out of the earth. I’ve been sorting seeds, planning gardens, and looking ahead to what things I can do to help my family and my community.

I’m living for small reminders. For acts of beauty. Of fearless art. I’m living for compassion and love. 

‘It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.’ ~ Irish Proverb 

I gleaned that lovely quote above from the heartening post from Canadian food blogger, Aimee from Simple Bites, on their response to the tumultuous socio-political climate, “Do Small Things with Great Love.”

Merryn Dinely (one of my favorite people on Twitter!) shares “The juniper mystery” from Larsblog.  It gives a fascinating look into reconstructing the brewing methods of centuries ago, and the use of juniper in those processes.

A powerful poem called Protest by Ella Wheeler, as read by Amanda Palmer. Do not give up. Resist!

Here’s a lovely video from Folkstreams about Morel mushroom hunting – enjoy!

A friend of mine shares a post called You Can. It is a list of things that people can do when to support activism when they cannot march, cannot donate,  or cannot devote time because of responsibilities. There are always supportive actions, and they can make a big difference to folks who can be on the front lines.

Archaic Honey has an action list that balances my nature with my desire to take action and resist – “a list of actions, prompts for more learning and understanding andself-caree for the witch in these times.”

A recipe for a Chamomile Hot Toddy might help you. It helped me, that’s for sure!

be kind...but if you can't, then be ready. seen on "do not feed the fears" at pixiespocket.com

…but if you can’t, then be ready.

Keep posted. There’s bound to be recipes again…just you wait. 🙂

Get updates from Pixie's Pocket: brewing and herbs in your inbox:

Amber Shehan

Hi! I'm Amber Pixie, and this is my site. Enjoy the recipes, information, posts, and please feel free to message me if you have questions!

4 Comments

  1. Aimee @ Simple Bites on February 2, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    Beautiful words. I feel for you, I really do, but there is a lot of hope in this post. Thanks you for sharing hope – and my post.

    • Amber Shehan on February 3, 2017 at 9:21 am

      Thanks, Aimee. I’ve been a fan of your blog and writing for years, and hope and love is all we have in the face of oppression. That, and pitchforks and torches, judiciously applied. 😉 Feed the world!

  2. Mumsy B on February 12, 2017 at 9:19 am

    My fears and feelings are echoed here, dear one. I may not be little, but I am quietly fierce and working in my own quiet way.

    As I told one of my students, we have been through this before, and we will get through this again. Our nation is discovering it’s mistake. A little late, but it is happening.

    Take heart, stay strong. Bright blessings and peace be with you always.
    MumsyB

    • Amber Shehan on February 14, 2017 at 9:31 am

      Thanks, Mumsy! <3 It's a hot crucible that makes powerful medicine sometimes. <3 We've got this! Thank you for your words of encouragement.

Leave a Comment