When you stop silencing your body, you start hearing the truth.
~Barbara O'Neill
At the start of the new millennium, I was guided into the fascinating world of natural healing. I was surprised to discover that to use the tools effectively, I had to master an entirely new language. This is no small feat, as it required me to attend to what I had been conditioned to ignore for the first forty years of my life. When I began to share the wisdom I had gained, I discovered I wasn’t alone in my struggle to listen to my body. Within most of us is a deep-seated resistance to listening to, comprehending, and responding to our body's needs.
I believe this is a universal experience that impedes collective healing. And if that is so, how do we overcome it? I certainly don’t hold any lofty aspirations that a few lines here can change something so fundamentally entrenched in our culture, but calling it out might stir up some curiosity in you. And that, of course, is how any change begins, one person at a time.
This particular topic is up for me for two reasons. First, I am bringing my next book, A Guide to Supporting Colds, Flu, and Viruses, to completion. Counting on the onset of Virgo season to fuel the crossing of the t’s and putting things in order I expect it to be in circulation well before winter.
This book is a how-to guide for tending to yourself and loved ones through the common acute symptoms associated with colds, flu, and viruses. I do realize though that all of the clear instructions and a cabinet full of extracts are only useful if the language the body uses to express itself is heard and addressed. Self-care for acute symptoms is a beautiful place to begin and practice listening. There happen to be three key, very reliable guides: appetite, energy, and mood. Each of these diminishes as energy is diverted into the immune response. Becoming skilled in noticing these subtle shifts in yourself is a significant first step in learning the language of your body.
The second reason this theme is on my radar is that while I was proofreading the book, I encountered a mild virus. This personal review session quickly reminded me that a mood shift and increased irritability are always what I first notice. In this case, suddenly, everyone seemed so loud! Even Joachim’s gentle barefoot steps sounded as if he were wearing hiking boots. What did you notice in yourself at the start of your last cold, flu, or virus?
On the first morning of tending my symptoms, it rained, a delicious soft steady drizzle that cleansed the plants and my spirits. It had been weeks since a real rain, and the forest plants were sadly bowing their heads in need of a good drink. My heart swelled with relief for myself and all beings dependent on regular rainfalls. The rain extended my daypass to go slow and tend to whatever needs tending, beginning always with myself. Some fruit and green tea on a tray in the candlelit living room felt just right for starters. What does this day call for, I ask myself? No doubt a soup bubbling on the stove, some sourdough starter proofing, and a nap after lunch. Tending to my needs led me to look up the origin of the word “tend”. Short for “attending,” it can mean being present at, giving one’s attention to, caring for, or looking after. You tend so much in life; isn't it time to tend to yourself? Learning to do so graciously is a true art.
Today is day two of the Sun’s transit through Gate 59, represented by the Hexagram Dispersing. In Hilary Barrett’s translation of I Ching, she states,
Dispersing means a change of state: ice melting, water evaporating, clouds dissolving. At every stage, there is more free movement, more space, and longer perspectives for clear vision.
She asks her readers to ponder these questions,
Where and how can you be less rigid?
As energy and vitality are liberated from old boundaries, where will it go?
Perhaps it’s a good week to release the resistance that prevents you from listening to your body speaking.
Drop in here for my conversation regarding Gate 59 with Christine and Lois.
It’s Virgo season. You’ll need to grab your notebook and sharpen your pencils. It’s time to plan the details for your next endeavor. Before heading off to do so, I suggest tuning in to this conversation with the articulate Anastasiia Koryttseva. Keep in mind that we are all practicing now for what’s ahead in 2026, so every lesson learned will be one less challenge next year.
Finally, this call goes out to all early adopters, you know who you are! Gain entrance into the all-new Gemmo School at the introductory rate of $75 for an entire 12 months while I complete the build-out. As it expands, take advantage of all the Acute Care and Nervous System mini-courses, live quarterly meet-ups, and a coming soon forum in addition to the searchable materia medica. Sign up here for Option Two. Scroll down to the bottom of that page to discover the recording of our recent Open House to learn more.
Until next week
