“What we say before we do anything important.”
~ Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

Note: Punctuation and capitalization of words are from the original address. 

Narrator: Today we have gathered and when we look upon the faces around us, we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living
beings. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give our greetings and our thanks to each other as People.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of Time. To our Mother, we send thanksgiving, love, and respect.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst, providing us with strength, and nurturing life for all beings. Water is life. We know its power in many forms — waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans, snow and ice. We are grateful that the waters are still here and meeting their responsibility to bring life to all of Creation. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to the spirit of Water.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We turn our minds to all of the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. We are grateful that they continue to do their duties, and that we can still find pure water. So we send to the Fish our greetings and our thanks.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plants. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give our thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life continue for many generations to come.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​When we look about us, we see that the berries are still here, providing us with delicious foods. The leader of the berries is the strawberry, the first to ripen in the spring. Can we agree that we are grateful that the berries are with us in the world and send our thanksgiving, love, and respect to the berries?
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden who feed us with such abundance. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and fruit have helped the people survive. Many other living beings draw strength from them as well. We gather together in our minds all the Plant Foods and send them our greetings and our thanks.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​Now we turn to all the Medicine Plants of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy that there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind we send thanksgiving, love, and respect to the Medicines, and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We gather our minds together to send our greetings and our thanks to all the Animal life in the world, who walk about with us. They have many things to teach us as people. We are grateful that they continue to share their lives with us and pray that it will always be so. Let us put our minds together as one and send our thanks to the Animals.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. The Maple is the leader of the Trees, to recognize its gift of Sugar to the People when they need it most. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to the Tree of life.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them the gift of beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader, and to watch over the world. To all the Birds — from the smallest to the largest — we send our joyful greetings and our thanks.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to the Four Winds.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send our greetings and our thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.
.
Narrator: ​We now send our greetings and our thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night‐time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We give our thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewels. We see them at night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing beings. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send our greetings and our thanks for the Stars.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We gather our minds together to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help us throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to these caring Teachers.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, the Great Spirit,* and send our greetings and our thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on Mother Earth. Let us pile up our thanks like a heap of flowers on a blanket. We will each take a corner and toss it high into the sky. So our thanks should be as rich as the gifts of the world that shower down upon us. For all the love that is around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

Narrator: ​We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it is not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send their greetings and their thanks in their own way.
Everyone: Now our minds are one.

THE END
* Shonkwaia’tîson

We have been invited to include anything we think was missing. Did you think of any additions?

​If you find the Haunoshaunee Address valuable and decide to use it, individually or in groups, I’d love to hear about your experience. Please consider using it not only at Thanksgiving, but all year through. 

My Japanese maple is the most gorgeous shade of rosy red! It took longer than usual for it to get its colors this autumn, and at first it seemed it wouldn’t be as vivid as usual. It was worth the wait! The mountain and sugar maples leaves have already fallen, but were gorgeous as well.  Autumn colors were predicted to be  a bit disappointing this year because of our dry summer,, but it seems they were more spectacular than usual! 

The Japanese maple is noted for its ability to create a calm, peaceful mood. It is know for reducing stress and contributing to a happy life! In Japan, the trees are called “kito” which means calm, peaceful, and at rest. The tree is so cherished that there is a Japanese phrase, “momiki-gari”, which means maple viewing or maple hunting. The viewing of maple trees is actively pursued in the fall. 

My daughters and I have spent many hours this fall searching for autumn leaves. Spending time with them, while appreciating the spectacular fall foliage, is one of my favorite activities of the year. 

Spending time in nature is therapeutic and there are many ways to enjoy the seasons. Visiting gardens, spending time by a favorite lake or pond, watching sunrises and sunsets, stargazing, stopping by a roadside farmer’s market or orchard are a few examples. What are some of your favorite ways to seek out nature’s beauty?

Gender:    Hermaphroditic, in most cases
Element:  Water
Planet:      Moon 

Grapes were considered sacred to the Greek god Dionysus, and the Roman god Bacchus.. Both were associated with wine, and often the excessive use of it! Abundance, fertility and pleasure were also attributed to grapes, and associated with the ancient gods. 

Considered one of the oldest fruits, grapes are known to have been grown as early as 6500 B.C. in the Neolithic Era. Egyptian grapes were sun-dried and stored in tombs. In an extensive two volume set of the documentation of food in ancient Egypt, Food, the Gift of Osiris, Ramses III contributed 11,872 jars of raisins!

Grapes symbolized wealth in Greece and Rome, and homes of the wealthy and prosperous flaunted their status by displaying frescoes, mosaics and  paintings of grapes. The association continued and expanded.

You may be familiar with the Language of Flowers, used in the Victorian era (1837 - 1901).. Flowers and herbs were assigned meanings, and those who knew the them could send secret messages using bouquets. Seeing the vines and tendrils intertwine was associated with relationships, and the grape was linked to friendship and connection. 

Another positive characteristic is grapes are said to complement and encourage the growth of any other plants growing around them. ​All of these attributes, along with creating sweet dreams and making wine, make grapes one of my favorites! There are even spells to use grapes to make money! You know that if you read my newsletter! 

Aww, come on now!  You didn’t really think witches were scouring the forest to gather the eye of a newt or the toe of a frog, did you? I’ll admit, there was a time when I used to guard my dog in case the witches needed an extra dog tongue. Fortunately, I found out about the secret herbal codes!

Folk names were used for herbs long before Shakespeare came along It was a bit like the copyright protections we have today.  “Witches” were actually healers who were protecting their recipes and secret ingredients from those who had no  understanding of nature, plants and their magical powers. Secret code names were created to protect the identity of the ingredients as well as  give mystery to the herbal  cures. Many plants are still called by their folk names today!

Some names can be determined by the part of the plant associated with particular body part: for example, seeds were associated with eyes.  If Shakespeare had said mustard seed instead of “eye of newt”, a certain mystery would have been lacking. The toe of a frog was a leaf of cinquefoil, holly leaves were the wool of the bat, and hounds tongue was the tongue of the dog. Thankfully!

Even though his descriptions were visually stirring, they were not appreciated by the herbal healers of  the  time. His using their code names made them furious  and they  put a curse  on not only Shakespeare, but  anyone  who  dared  use the word ‘Macbeth’. Uttering the word in a theater is considered bad luck, to this day. Even witches who have dedicated their lives to healing can become enraged and vengeful if their secrets are exposed!  Hopefully,  I won’t  regret writing this article.   I  think I’ll  go gather some agrimony, for protection, just  in case!

Rosmarinus officinalis
​“Dew of the Sea"

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire

Smelling  rosemary  prevents aging,” I explained to my class of 25 students, as I handed each of them an eight to 10 inch sprigs from my garden. All were over 50 years old in the Renaissance Institute lifelong learning program.  “It will also keep you alert and help you remember the information you learn in class.” It was my first session in a series, over a period of 6  weeks, of my Enhancing Your Life with Herbs, and rosemary was the ideal herb to introduce the course. 
Rosemary’s well documented and legendary gift of preventing aging is one of the virtues I wish I had found out years ago - maybe when I was eighteen! Since I’ve learned of this magical power, I breathe in deeply  when the plant is nearby.  
Many virtues have been associated with rosemary throughout the centuries. He is one of 500 herbs featured in Eber’s Papyrus, found in the Valley of Tombs near Luxor. The 20 meter long scroll, about the  size of a bowling alley, was written in 1500 B.C., though believed to have been copied from an earlier document. It documents its use as an herbal remedy. Sprigs have been found in Egyptian tombs dated from 3,000 B.C. 
Its medicinal uses have been documented in Greece and Rome since 500 B.C. The “herb of crowns”  is also reputed to improve memory and mental powers. 
Priests burned it as incense and it has been used as a disinfectant and strewing herb. The pungent fragrances covers up unpleasant odors and purifies the air. It has been credited with protecting people from the plague and having a clean fragrance that is purifying in a sick person’s room. Once valued for medicinal uses, it is now mostly used in cosmetics and cooking. 
Friendship and love have long been associated with rosemary. It has been used in love spells and is credited with encouraging faithfulness, so it is often used in friendship and wedding bouquets. Both Sir Thomas More and Shakespeare have commemorated rosemary’s association with friendship and remembrance in well known quotes.  
Rosemary  is often found at with funerals. My rosemary sympathy cards and comfort journals for people who have lost loved ones encourage people to find easement in sacred memories.

If you love rosemary, check out my Rosemary Delights Giveaway on my home page! You can find out how to be entered into the drawing. But hurry! The winner will be chosen at noon, EST on Friday, September 22, 2023! Good luck!

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water

My grandmother made fabulous jellies, jams, marmalades and preserves. She always had an assortment on the breakfast table, often with homemade, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. She used a variety of fruits - grapes, apricots, apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, raspberries and there may be some I’m forgetting. My favorite by far was elderberry jelly. It’s still my favorite.

Elderberry is a powerful antioxidant. It boosts the immune system, is high in vitamin C, reduces inflammation, lowers stress, is good for heart health, as well as respiratory health. Many people, myself included, are convinced it lessons the chances of getting colds and the flu.  And I think it’s beautiful! 

One of my most memorable experiences with the American Elder was with the flowers, not the berries. I was on a camping trip, and one of the cooks was making pancakes for breakfast. She gathered a few of the white-blossomed umbrels, dipped them in pancake batter, placed them in the cast iron skillet, and snipped the stems off. They looked like lace doilies and tasted delicious!

Elder has been around a long time and is associated with numerous legends. The seeds were reportedly used in Switzerland in 2,000 B.C., and both Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder praised its medicinal properties. Over the years, it has had a wide variety of folk names. It was called Pipe Tree since the hollow stems were used as whistles . At one time, it was rumored to be the tree Judas was hanged on. It was condemned as the wood of the cross of Calvary and began to be analogous with darkness, sorrow and death. It was called the Tree of Doom and the Devil’s Eye.

Fear and superstition surrounded the elder. Trimming the branches or using the wood for firewood was certain to bring bad luck. If furniture was made from the wood, the bad luck was carried into the owner’s homes. Magicians, however, often took the risk to cut off a branch and use it for their magic wands. 

Another folk name, Lady Ellhorn, was associated with the belief that a witch lived in each bush, further substantiated by the red sap that bled when the tree was cut. To ensure safety before cutting down an elder plant, it was recommended that these words be used for protection: 

Saying these words before making the first cut gave the witch an opportunity to leave the tree without experiencing any harm. 

 In spite of the fears associated with using the plant, the elder is praised for its ability to protect.  If an elder is planted on a property, it will protect the family from lightning, negativity, snakes and evil spirits. Robbers will be unable to enter the home, and the occupants will be guaranteed prosperity. Placing elderberries under the pillow is said to ensure a good night’s sleep, as long as you aren’t the one who has to do the laundry the next day. 

When I was in middle school, I read that some plants are good for the eye, others are good for the soul. Elderberries are good for the eye, the soul and the body. If you aren’t familiar with this delightful plant, I suggested you take a proactive approach to meet it personally! A plant that contributes to good health and prosperity, and will protect you and your home is one to be treasured!

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
​Element: Fire

Sunflowers are associated with wishes, manifesting, spiritual enlightenment, optimism, and peace! What more could you ask for? The sunflower is one of the most powerful plants on the planet and simply looking at it can warm the heart and bring joy!

Golden sunflowers are associated with Lion’s Gate and serve as a catalyst for magnetizing dreams and wishes. On August 8 (8-8) every year, the Lion’s Gate Portal opens. It officially starts on July 26 until August 12, with August 8 being the most powerful time period. During this time, Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, aligns with Mars in Leo. The number 8 is associated with abundance and infinity, and during this brief opening, there are powerful opportunities for personal growth, transformation, wishes, and manifesting. You are encouraged to dream of your ideal life, and to have faith that through your unique talents and gifts they will unfold. 

Cutting a sunflower at dawn and making wishes on it at any time will result in your wishes coming true. Place the blossom under your bed and any secrets that have been kept from you will be revealed in your dreams. 

Sunflower seeds have been used for protection during times of illness and plague, and were carried in cloth bags, or strung like beads and worn as necklaces to prevent illness. The seeds are associated with fertility, and women who want to become pregnant have eaten the seeds to increase fertility. 

As the sunflower grows, it turns its head to follow the sun and look for the light. Its focus encourages optimism and growth. Wishing you a joyful Lion’s Gate Portal and an end of summer filled with belief in your talents and gifts, personal growth and transformation, and dream come true! 

Botrychium lunaria ​