The trees are letting go of their leaves as a way to gather energy to produce new buds in the spring. Our own cycles of creation work just the same!

In this practice you will gather edible plant friends that inspire you (either by foraging, or by going to the herbal store) and make a special heart elixir. The elixir will be infused with your dreams and longings for the next season - and guess what? It will be ready right at the turn of the year. Leave it on your altar (away from heat and sunlight) and bring it to our intention setting ceremony on December 30th.

Begin with a short meditation to connect with our heart’s innermost longing. You’ll open your movement practice lying on your back in a comfortable position, connecting to the sound of your breath. Bring movement to the lower body and open with Reclined Supine Twists (Supta Matsyendrasana), before opening the hips through Reclined Pigeon (Supta Kapotasana). Briefly connect to your core before finding your seated position and opening through intuitive Cat-Cow (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana) movements in your seated position.

Bring yourself to Tabletop Pose (Bharmanasana) to continue your intuitive movement, then allow yourself to rest for a moment in Child’s Pose (Balasana). Continue by stretching through the side body, then transition to Malasana (Yogic Squat/Garland Pose) to connect with the heart and Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) to check in with the body as a whole. Lower the hips to connect to your core in High Plank Pose (Utthita Chaturanga Dandasana), then shift into Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) to create more space in the heart.

Make your way to Forward Fold (Uttanasana) to breathe and feel the support of the Earth then lift up to standing to find expansion in your chest and shoulders with wide cactus arms and standing twists. Create a bit more warmth in the body and space in the heart by flowing through a Vinyasa, Low Lunges (Anjaneyasana), and Revolved High Crescent Lunges (Parivrtta Ashta Chandrasana), then settle in Half Pigeon Pose (Ardha Kapotasana) to soften, breathe, and deeply connect with your heart’s innermost longing. Briefly reconnect with Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana), before settling into your final resting pose, Savasana (Corpse Pose).

To make your special herbal-infused Heart Elixir, you will need:

• One small-medium sized jar with screw-on lid
• One part (25%) liquid honey or maple syrup
• Three parts (75%) consumable alcohol of choice
• Plant friend(s) - dried or fresh - as long as it's completely non-toxic and 100% edible. You will need enough to fill your jar 2/3 full.
• Label or tape to label your jar + pen/marker

If you'd prefer to make your elixir non-alcoholic with vinegar instead of alcohol (this variation is called an Oxymel), you will need:

• One small-medium sized jar with screw-on lid
• One part (50%) liquid honey or maple syrup
• One part (50%) apple cider vinegar
• Plant friend(s) - dried or fresh - as long as it's completely non-toxic and 100% edible. You will need enough to fill your jar 2/3 full.
• Label or tape to label your jar + pen/marker

Tips when making your elixir:

• If using a jar lid that is metal, we recommend placing a piece of parchment paper between the lid and jar to prevent corrosion due to the alcohol or vinegar.

• For both honey and apple cider vinegar, we recommend raw, organic versions for added health benefits.

• When consuming store-bought plant friends, we recommend buying organic whenever possible or carefully washing/rinsing beforehand to lessen the amount of pesticides consumed. If foraging, avoid doing so close to roadways or polluted areas to avoid contamination.

• Plant friend options include, but are not limited to: Chamomile, Rose, Dandelion, Elderflower, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Stinging Nettle (be careful when handling to avoid stings!), Peppermint, Rosemary, Calendula, etc.

• If honey/raw honey is not an option for you, you can substitute (1:1) with coconut nectar or maple syrup.

• After preparing, you will want to store your jar containing your herbal mixture in a cool, dark place, and shake at least twice every week to assist the infusion.

• Infusing times may vary, but we recommend at least 2-6 weeks for both the regular (alcohol) elixir and the oxymel (vinegar) elixir. Note that longer infusing times will increase potency and concentration.

• Once infusion is complete, you will strain and store in a glass jar or bottle, away from moisture/humidity. Alcohol-based elixirs should be kept in should be kept in a cool, dark place (or refrigerator) with a shelf life of approximately 1-2 years. Vinegar-based (non-alcholic) elixirs should be kept in a cool, dark place (or refrigerator) with a shelf life of approximately 6-12 months.

Disclaimer: while herbal elixirs and oxymels are generally safe to consume for a majority of adults, some herbs, plants, and/or honey may cause adverse effects if one has a particular allergy, or if too much is consumed. Also, alcohol, as well as some herbs should not be consumed during pregnancy or if trying to become pregnant. Knowing this, please consult your medical doctor or herbalist before trying new herbal elixirs that you are unsure of or any that your body is unfamiliar with.

Spotify class playlist: Heart Elixir

Please note that while Spotify playlists are often provided, they are optional and will not negatively impact your experience if not used.

Oracle card deck is: The Wild Unknown Archetypes by Kim Krans

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