Gentle Fridays: Plant Spirit Support for Changing Times #1

Sometimes, the world asks us to hold more than we thought possible. In these changing times, how do we stay rooted, regulated, and connected to our own sense of strength?Welcome to Gentle Fridays. This is a space of quiet gathering, a co-regulatory container for our collective nervous systems. Together, we practice the ancient, mammalian art of finding calm alongside others—through breath, shared silence, and honest check-ins.In this first session, we explore the concept of robustness—the health found in meeting the world with a vulnerable and firm presence. We share simple, grounding practices for daily life: vocal toning for release, candle gazing for a wandering mind, and the protective ritual of body oiling. We also discuss plant allies like motherwort for the heart, passionflower for the unraveling grip, and the elemental medicine of sea salt.We close with a message from the plant spirits, drawing the Sunflower card—a reminder that true leadership and radiance begin within, especially when we feel our light is dim.Join me, Ashley Elenbaas, a clinical herbalist, as we tend to the body, mind, and spirit through plant medicine and shared humanity. This is a practice of resilience, a return to the quiet center from which we can rejoin the fray.In this episode, we explore:The science and soul of co-regulation and nervous system support.Grounding practices for overwhelm: toning, candle gazing (trataka), and body oiling.Herbal allies for the moment: motherwort, passionflower, and sea salt.A community check-in and a plant spirit reading for collective insight.Resources:The book referenced is Consolations by David Whyte.Learn more about my work at Sky House Herb School: http://skyhouseherbs.com/ If this space offered you solace or strength, please subscribe. New episodes arrive each Monday on the main podcast. May you carry a sense of robustness and gentle connection into your week.🌿 Subscribe for herbal tips and wellness insights: https://bit.ly/4iRnpyX🎫 Upcoming Events - https://tinyurl.com/3y4xp6kc 🔗 Sky House Herb Website - https://www.skyhouseherbs.com/ ———— MY ONLINE COURSES 🌱🌝 Roots & Spheres Class: https://bit.ly/RootsAndSpheres  🌿Herbal Foundations Apprenticeship: https://bit.ly/HerbalProgram