Earth Etude for Elul 21

GoldenRod’s Teaching for Elul

by Kohenet Sephirah Oshkello

~As we journey through the Wheel of the Year, it is a gift to cultivate the soil and learn from the cycles of the earth.

Elul – a month of reflection and growth; emulated in the GoldenRod sparkling all around us amongst the shifting seasons in Vermont. Elul and GoldenRod connect us to our sovereignty, reminding us that we have agency on who we want to be, how we behave, and the legacy we leave behind. A month and a plant to deepen our connection to Our Beloved (self, community, earth, Goddess).

As Psalm 27:4, which we chant during Elul says:

One thing I ask from Goddess, one thing I desire
That I might dwell in Your house all the days of my life
To behold Your graciousn​ess, and to enter Goddess’s sanctuary​.

The GoldenRod reminds us of ways to dwell in Goddess’ sanctuary.

Her yellow flowers open to the heavens as she stands tall in her full radiance.
These beautiful flowers attract pollinators to support life and healing on earth.
Her backbone is tall and straight – knowing her purpose and feeling confident in who she is.
Growing amongst supportive community while making room for other
Dancing in the wind with her companions, yet not sacrificing herself.
At times bowing in gratitude and humility in reverence and gratitude for all of the earth’s abundance
Always ready to share the sweet gifts with all life forms, yet receive what is needed for her own growth.

GoldenRod shines her light,
brightening up the world,
providing food for the pollinators
Grounded in earth, bending in gratitude and humility.

How can you learn from the wisdom of the Golden Rod so that you can create a life that dwells within the Earth’s sanctuary with reverence and joy?……
Can you try practicing this month:
-Pausing to feel the sun’s embrace on your crown
-Rooting in the earth with bare feet
-Standing tall in all your radiance, accepting and loving who you are
-Taking enough for yourself and sharing the abundance with those in need
-Bowing in gratitude, humility, and joy.

Thank you for crowning us each as sovereign beings reminding us to strive for our highest self while staying grounded as we shine our light with love and humility, finding sanctity within the Earth.

Kohenet Sephirah Oshkello is a holistic nutritionist, compassionate health coach, Hebrew Priestess, and Founding Director at Living Tree Alliance. She organizes community festivals and education programs for Living Tree Alliance that integrate the New England seasons with the Hebrew calendar. Living Tree brings wisdom, joy, and connection through regenerative agriculture and earth based Jewish programs. As a holistic practitioner at Sephirah Nutrition & Wellness, she supports and guides motivated people to heal from chronic inflammation, emotional eating, blood sugar imbalance and digestive distress through earth based integrative nutrition.

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