Moon Woman Rising

Moon Mama

Just before the birth of my own baby, the latest issue of Sacred Pregnancy Magazine came out which features an article I wrote on herbal medicine that supports a healthy labor. Having just experienced the birth of my daughter two weeks ago, I can attest to the nourishing power of the herbs I reccommend, specifically Chamomile, Rose Hips and Alfalfa. Here's a little exerpt from my article:

"The experience of labor is powerful, dynamic and fluid. It is that sacred moment when a woman
is called forth to step into her body fully and finally meet her baby. As a woman pregnant with
her first child in my ninth month, I confess that there is part of me that wishes there was some
magic herb or spice to stimulate labor to arrive when I choose or some magical concoction that
will create a a perfect birth of ease.

However, there is another part of me, my sacred intuition as a mother-to-be, living fully in this
pregnancy, that knows there is no such thing as a perfect labor; it will be as it needs to be for
me and my baby."

Looking back on my birth experience, what I said was very true - it was as it needed to be for me and my baby. 

The entire magazine is gorgeous and full of amazing and inspiring information. Its more of a book really, with the wealth of knowledge it offers and the beautiful imagery. If you have any interest in birth, motherhood or women, you will love it. You can read a preview of the issue and purchase here. Enjoy!

X.Aja 

moon mama

Last week on January 2nd, 2013, when the moon was in Virgo and Sun in Capricorn, I gave birth to my daughter Viela Roy - a beautiful, healthy girl at 8.5 lbs and a long 22 inches. I had a wonderful, but oh-so-fast, homebirth. It was under 5 hours total, from the first contraction to her arrival. The first words she heard were "I love you" and she has heard those words so many times in the past 9 days. I will never get tired of saying them. Mama and papa are doing well and letting this tidal wave of love and new experiences wash over us. If the past 9 days are any indicator, clearly folks are right when they say time moves so quickly.

I will be checking in as much as possible in the days to come here on the blog and facebook page. I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and kind thoughts through out my pregnancy - I am beyond blessed to have this being in my life. She fills up my heart until I think it might burst.

X.Aja

Healing + Growing

Today, the moon holds her place in Capricorn ♑. 

My herbal medicine shelves have been put to good use recently. Those jars of dried herbs, flowers and roots are keeping me healthy during my pregnancy. They are getting filled too, from my small but productive urban garden. Would you just look at that passion flower? She's gone wild! I suppose I need to cut some down and dry the leaves and flowers for medicine. At least I will get some light back in that window. Even though I make herbal medicine, I always get a little sad when I take cuttings from a plant. I always say thank you and offer up a simple blessing. 

The above planter is just one of our many small plots. Remember it last year? It sure has grown. Just because you live in an urban space doesn't mean growing plants, flowers and vegetables (and medicine too) isn't possible. The above planter is only 8 ft. by 3 ft. and in that smallish space I am growing: sage, lemon thyme, thyme vulgaris, poppies, 2 varieties of seedum, 3 lavender plants, passion flowers, magic carpet, anise hyssop, valerian, rosemary, ivy, nasturtium and little purple flowers that I can't remember the name of at the moment. In my other planters I have vegetables, fruit and more medicinal herbs. 

The planting season started this year at the same I found out I was pregnant. These plants have grown alongside the little being growing inside me. The plants heal me and nourish me. Growth is all around, inside and outside, in my body and spirit. Its a magical time, healing time. 

"Every breath is a giveaway dance between you and the plants." - Susun Weed

X.Aja