Ancestors

An Acknowledgement

In Gnosis, we’re utilizing this moon phase to uncover our connection to ancestors who are by birth and reincarnated lives. In conjunction with our ancestors, we’re reflecting on decolonizing our medicine, thoughts, actions, and more.

I’ve found that herbal allies best support the layers being uncovered. I see how we in Gnosis find that the herbs we’re working with open our hearts to discovery, and forgiveness is the most critical aspect of decolonizing our minds.

Moving through difficult, eye-opening experiences about our past, our ancestors’ past, and how we’ve moved through the world without understanding requires forgiveness on the deepest level.

Through forgiveness, we can look at the more challenging parts of ourselves, the parts that we might not love, the parts that are not awake and haven’t learned what is necessary to live in a world without noticing differences but seeing similarities. Without blame and shame to yourself and the rest of the world.

Today, Juneteenth, I acknowledge my ancestors, who have lived on these lands for centuries. As a multi-cultural human, preparing an herbal blend to share with my community on the herbal pathways of African Americans, it’s always worth acknowledging that when all our cultures came together at any point in history, a sharing of herbal knowledge was always passed from group to group.

No matter the grievances, shared knowledge on how to heal, survive, eat, and live in new environments was shared. As time passed and more cultures began to migrate, so did the knowledge of herbs and food.

Today, I thank all the cultures, all the ancestors, and all the people who crossed lines of perceived differences to share their oral traditions. They understand plants and how they provide our food, medicine, clothes, and technology.

You can tap into that Gnosis.

Thank you to your ancestors, and thank you to mine.

Thank you to my herbal kin who have changed my life, given me a purpose for living, and supported so many of my students and clients. The ancient future is here.

Journal Prompts
Are you connected to your ancestors?
What is your favorite food from your lineage? What herbs and plants are in that dish?