Herbal Elder: Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the wandering herbalist

Juliette with Gypsy Friends via Ashtree Publishing

Born under the influence of Scorpio in Manchester England, in the year of the sinking of the Titanic and the founding of the Girl’s Scouts, Juliette de Bairacli Levy was a pioneer herbalist who travelled the world seeking out ancient remedies and herbal teachings from all she encountered. What I admire the most about her was her fearless sense of adventure and her insatiable curiosity that drove her to discover worlds and cultures otherwise hidden from view. Her herbal travels led her throughout Europe, Turkey, North Africa, Israel and Greece, where she stayed for spells amongst gypsies, farmers, mountain people, and livestock breeders, learning their medicinal wisdom and sharing her tales with them as friends. When reading her books, one is compelled to explore her own boundaries and limitations; Juliette’s unapologetic approach to raising children naturally, living in tune with nature, and trusting the wisdom of our own bodies rings with a deeply rooted truth, handed down with the confidence only someone living with their heart and soul can convey. Here are some books written by Juliette of the Herbs, and some photos of her travels to inspire the wandering herbalist inside each of us…

As Gypsies Wander: Being an account of life with gypsies in England, Provence, Spain, Turkey, London: Faber & Faber, 1962.

Spanish Mountain Life: the Sierra Nevada, London: Faber & Faber, 1955.

Wanderers in the New Forest, London: Faber & Faber, 1958

Summer in Galilee, London: Faber & Faber, 1959.

The Natural Rearing of Children, London: Faber & Faber, 1970

A Herbal Handbook for Everyone, London: Faber & Faber, 1966.

Juliette’s nature’s children via Susun Weed

Juliette’s daughter Luz with her owl

Juliette with her home-bred naturally raised Afghan in the 1960’s. Via greasy.

 

Travel Bliss: Unexpected Meetings at a Hidden Café in Prague

image by I Must Be a Mermaid

Dear Readers,
Check out a story I wrote during my travels in Prague, featured on Top Spot Travel.com, where inspiration meets destination. Thank you Jeremy A. for posting my work!

Love,

D.S.A.

Stellar Herb shop: evermore herbs & co. Historic smithville, nj

The herbal tour continues…I am always on the lookout for great herbal shops & gardens. Finding them is like finding gems. The Evermore Herb Shop is everything I think an herb shop should be: inviting, enchanting, and brimming with beauty and magic. They sell their own essential oils, tea/spice blends, gift baskets, sachets, and healing bundles as well as locally made jams, artisan made decor & trinkets, and brand name herbal beauty products. Evermore is tucked in amongst other specialty shops beside their own sweet herb garden on the Village Green at Historic Smithville. (Located 20 minutes from Atlantic City, NJ,  is a charming little village built around the Smithville Inn, built in 1787. The calendar of events includes a Renaissance Faire, and the Smithville Fife & Drum, coming up July 15th.) Though herb shops like Evermore are rare, like gems, they are always worth seeking out.

Evermore Herb Co.

Lotions & Potions

Enchanting Decor

Lights & Flowers

Big Nag Champa & Gardenia Grove