About

I grew up at countryside, spent 10 years in the city and recently at the beginning of 2017 returned for life in the countryside until... you know, the last breath. That's just my place - in meadows, forests, garden and greenhouse - planting, growing, searching, learning, re-purposing and up-cycling, harvesting, drying, canning and fighting with all kinds of insects (I don't take any kind of pleasure in it, but that's the reality of countryside life). And crafting - I just can't sit with my hands free and still, except when reading a good book, that's when my hands are allowed to rest. I'm also a keen beeswax candle maker and make each one of them sculpted by hands. I'm trying to use everything as much as possible, learning to do everything on my own, eat well and keep things simple. That's my definition of clean living.

Besides writing, earning money by ghostwriting, crafting and selling my crafts, recycling, drawing, painting, playing violin, gardening, harvesting and simply dwelling in nature my true passion is using, studying, experimenting with and learning about natural remedies, more precisely, plants. Since early childhood I was living in meadows harvesting herbs for tea, later learnt that I can take them also in the steam-bath for health and beauty care (I live in Northern-Europe, and that's where regular use of steam-bath or, in my case, so called "Russian sauna" or black sauna is cultural heritage. A very healthy tradition.). Since I'm back in countryside, I'm, of course, growing my own herbs as well, and planning to expand in growing, spotting herbs, researching them and telling about them. Well, there is a plan in the stage of maybe 5% from 100%. I'm on my way together with my beloved husband, who owns the land we could turn into a place for herb walks. Of course, that's a long-term plan.

I don't call myself a witch, I'm also not a certified herbalist or a doctor. I'm an avid learner and researcher with interest in all kinds of herblore. Herbs + lore:  it includes folklore, folk medicine, superstitions, legends, myths, scientific researches that prove or disprove anything herbal medicine related, culinary, use of herbs around the household, physical and mental effects of specific herbs, ethnobotany and psychonautics. I stick my nose also in witchcraft, folkmagick, esoteric matters, shamanism and linguistics - whatever herb-related appears on my way. I love putting together the whole picture like a puzzle of pieces from different fields. And in some form I use herbs and stay in contact with them every single day of my life.

My mom is a folklorist and I think she is the one to blame for my love for herbs (and folklore). I grew up with herbs and pagan traditions (in the sauce of Christianity - very common in the Baltics), with books about folklore and one specific grandma's book about wild medicinal plants from 1968 - it looked well-used already in my childhood (what definitely adds the vibe of magick) and it is still in use. I spent a lot of time with that one book - it was my textbook for learning herbs walking with the book in meadows learning to identify plants and reading indoors to learn what for I can use each of those herbs. Basically, as far as I acknowledge, that's where my affairs with herbs started.

I'm a living soul who is learning to listen to my inner voice, to my body. I'm also here to study the healing and balancing power of nature, and besides that I've heard that "sharing is caring". That's why this blog is here. Psychologists say that hobbies is one of those things that keep people sane and help to find balance in life. The strongest and liveliest of my hobbies (or maybe that's not a hobby, but the essence of me) is curiosity, and that's what I'm sharing with you here.

In the map of world you can find me here:

Want to know why Mugwort has got the place in the blog title? Check it here: Mugwort - Simple, yet Very Special Plant.

Enjoy! And I hope you'll find it useful!

Disclaimer: 

All the information here is based on traditions, observations and studies, but I’m not a doctor or  a scientist, but enthusiast who is researching and sharing my knowledge. Please remember that people are different and what works for one person, might not work for another one. Respect your individuality and specific conditions. If you are not sure about using any of the natural remedies mentioned here, talk to your doctor! Professional assistance might help you to understand what’s good for you and what you should avoid. Through this blog I’m representing my interests, knowledge and views, but it might not be the only and absolute truth. Share love, peace and take care of yourself and your loved ones!