Summer Solstice, Psychedelics, and Enchantment
A review of life this past week... and a book!
You do not need to walk in the wilderness to make contact with the wild. If you know your stories — if you understand the mythologies of your land — then you can leap from a sunlit stroll with your dog into the ancient, chthonic wood.
~ Katherine May, Enchantment
Happy Summer, friends! It feels like forever since I’ve written and that’s partly true. But so much has happened this past week, not least of all the hatching of baby chicks I can’t seem to stop sneaking peeps at.
They’re like little fluffy marshmallows on legs! Keep an eye on my Instagram stories for more adorable footage.
Welcome, Summer (and Campers)
We also celebrated the Summer Solstice last week — or the Winter Solstice, depending on which side of Earth you’re reading this from — and the shift into Cancer Season. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling some Big Initiating Energy combined with a hefty dose of Keep Going.
It feels good.
I don’t always feel so powered up this time of year. While the sun does seem to charge my batteries, it can also burn me out, leading me to seek solitude in shaded forests and cool off in nature’s swimming pools. But this year, the weather in Maine continues to switch between June and April, as I mentioned here.
Irregardless of the weird weather, we welcomed our first hipcampers to the farm this weekend. They’re a super cool young couple camping in an oversized tent with their three adorable Aussie Shepherds. Our campsite is advertised as an RV site, but these guys have a very sweet truck camping setup and are clearly no strangers to way-off-grid travel. I hope all our guests are this awesome!
Focus on Psychedelics
Psychedelic Science 2023 also happened last week, and while I didn’t attend, I appreciated the social media clips and a general boost in attention toward this vital field of research. It’s never been easier to learn accurate and science-based information about the power of psychedelic medicines.
Here are some good places to start:
Watch Micahel Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind as a Netflix docuseries
Google/read/watch/listen to interviews and articles containing “psychedelics” + Andrew Weil, MD/Rick Doblin, PhD/Paul Stamets
Read my own story (not science) about The Life-Saving Side of Psychedelics (side note: I recently had my annual wellness exam and told my health care provider about the severe depression I experienced last summer. When she asked what I did to pull out of it, one thing I mentioned was finding the nearest ketamine infusion center. I didn’t go, but just knowing that rapid relief was available in Maine was the thread of hope I needed. I was pleasantly surprised by how supportive she was when I brought up psychedelic therapy.
I also learned via Instagram that June 20 is officially World Psychedelics Day! Now that I’m aware, I’m very much planning to host an actual dinner and discussion on the topic next year.
On Enchantment
Another thing that happened last week is that I finished reading Enchantment by Katherine May.
It’s a beautifully written ode to the magic that exists around us and continues to flow through our lives, whether we take the time to stop and sense it or not.
Enchantment speaks directly to the post-Covid period of uncertainty and recalibration many of us have been moving through. However, the overarching theme of remembering our connection to the elemental forces of earth, air, fire, and water is timeless. Enchantment is available to all, regardless of age, ability, and where you’re at in life or the world.
I blazed through the first half of the book before I realized I was devouring it too quickly. May writes so poetically, it’s the kind of book you want to slow down and savor. The only other book I’ve felt that easy about was Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a book which May references in Enchantment and I recommend to absolutely everybody.
I hope you pick up a copy of each and revel in the wonder of being alive at this moment!
That’s all for now, friends. I’ve got to go fawn over some fluffy marshmallows on legs. Thank you for reading!
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XoLauren
PS - Because I’m feeling so energized by the shift in season, I decided to offer intuitive consultations with tarot at a special rate of $44 through August 1! You can book here or email me for additional info and availability. Please share with anyone you know who needs a little extra clarity and insight. Thank you!
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