[Douglas]

An interesting thing about the Great Unconformity in the grand Canyon: the rocks where the Colorado River now flows are masses of rock that were molten or became metamorphosed (were changed, or transmuted, in their form through great pressure and heat) and formed mountains that were then worn down into level plains; then great thicknesses of rock were lain down upon those plains over many millions of years, until they were faulted (broken) and thrust up into mountains which were, again, eroded flat into plains, on which oceans and deserts ebbed and flowed until the entire region was uplifted becoming the Colorado Plateau, with the Colorado River cutting down through the layers of rock like a knife cutting into a layer cake as the cake is lifted around the knife. Ét voilá…

[Douglas]

Well, when I saw the Grand Canyon the first time it was a let-down. As a 14 year old geology enthusiast, when I looked out over the Canyon I could not comprehend it, it was too much for me to grasp, even though I “knew” a lot about it. Then I took a trip to the bottom of the canyon (where it was 120 degrees [F]) on the back of a mule on Bright Angel trail, and got to touch the waters of the Colorado River that had made this enormous thing; crossed the Great Unconformity into the Vishnu Schist on the way down, and then on the way back again to the surface. Then I found I could appreciate the enormity of the place even though much of it was unknown to me. However, I did get some maps before leaving.

[Douglas]

Thank you Kevala. Excuse me while I jump into this rabbit hole…

[Douglas]

I apologize for a lack of understanding, but can you clarify what you mean by “planet to plant ratio system”. I appreciate it.

[Douglas]

This is very interesting, Lisa. Can you share some references that indicated that cinnamon contains lead and the level of the lead? Some things are higher in some geographic areas, like lead in the soil, or background radiation (radioactive elements are common in the bedrock in most of New England, for instance), but don’t necessarily rise to a level that becomes a problem unless the toxic substance becomes concentrated somehow. If you could provide more info that would be great, and clarifying.

[Douglas]

I am pretty sure the time for harvesting Horsetail is gone by where I am (Berkshire hills in western MA), and it is tricky to find it away from roadways at the optimum time. I am just beginning on the investigation of Horsetail so I’ll be interested to see where this leads.

[Douglas]

Thanks Katerina, but when I click on the link to, for instance, Erigeron, I get a page with the title and type of file, but I am not able to open the file. Any pointers?

[Douglas]

I feel that my first interaction with the spagyric, or any tincture, is through the taste, so I squirt it on my tongue. If that is too harsh then I would put the dose into a small amount of water so the taste comes through.

• This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by  Douglas. Reason: Clarity

[Douglas]

Joumana Medlej is a Lebanese artist who has a substack blog concerned with inks, dyes, and paints used in medieval Middle East, mostly from plant materials, as well as minerals and metals. She has produced two books on the subject with recipes, as well as two translations of medieval treatises on inks and pigments. The two books on dyes, paints and inks are both available as e-books on her website: https://majnouna.com/shop/digital/

[Douglas]

I want to add that her interests lie in the use of the dyes, inks and paints she writes about in manuscripts for calligraphy and illumination. There are links with medieval Arabic alchemy as well.

[Douglas]

One last bit: I should have mentioned her substack blog is called Caravanserai and here is a link: https://majnouna.substack.com/

• This reply was modified 4 months ago by  Douglas. Reason: Clarificati9on & proofreading

majnouna.substack.com

Caravanserai | Joumana Medlej | Substack

An artist lighting her way through dark times by relearning forgotten art practices and natural ways. Click to read Caravanserai, by Joumana Medlej, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

[Douglas]

Well, Lisa thank you very much for that information. It is certainly an eye-opener. Happily the cinnamon brands we use are both in the safe zone. Also, cinnamon is not a spice we use a lot of, but of course it is just one example. Thanks again!

[Douglas]

Thanks Brian!

[Douglas]

Aloha Chad, but… but… I like the taste of most herbal medicines. Not like candy or anything, but I don’t have to put into water or juice unless I am just not in the mood. I like the bitterness of Blue Vervain, for instance, or Boneset. I put together a sleep-aid that is kind of nasty tasting, but it still starts out on the tongue.

[Douglas]

Thanks for this Katerina! Raven Crest is less than a 2 hour drive from here. Looking into making a visit.