The Atlas Apothecary Sourcebook
a treasure chest of writing on plant crafts, the natural world and the sacred
~ Monday 2nd June ~
In the dimming light of early June, dhul-Hijjah’s half moon rises as the parties of swifts gather for their last daytime screeches. The first of the snapdragon flowers have emerged today, self-seeded from former broods, four years and counting of tending our humble backyard.
Continue reading “Earth Prayers from June”~ 12th May ~
There is a thinness, like glass, to the gaps between the clouds, and as the swifts rise up through them it seems they could go on through, on and on until the limits of the unknown. I wonder, my chest heavy at the thought, what it must feel to be so limitless. As they disappear back down behind the dark row of rooftops I long for their freedom, the sheer thoughtlessness of their cross-continental migrations. What could there possibly be between the limitlessness of swifts and me? That is a space I pray to open, a gap, cloudless, between all that could be, a space of ascension.
Continue reading “Earth Prayers from May”The sky is grey again for the first time in a season, and the swifts have returned – breathtakingly – from their continental journeys. Reunited above the terraced rooves of our coastal city streets a-slumber, arriving with the aseasonality which claims to be such a gift. A sunny sea-soaked weekend again and the joy of dipping in a still-bracing ocean.
Continue reading “on the return of swifts and the company of cormorants”This may very well be a beaconing in, a homecoming of sorts, but not at any remarkable point on this journey, however, it is a threshold all the same and one which has been brewing for some time.
Welcome to Earth Prayers, a collection of nature writings from deep down the garden. Mostly written from the table my mother gave me when we moved to this house, a little rusted, but a good spot to lean back and watch the bats as they pass, fleetingly before the dusk truly settles.
Continue reading “Earth Prayers: An Introduction”Hello friends,
I am just popping a note here to let you know that I have a few little bottles of orange blossom and rose water for sale, and I would be very happy to share them with you if you would like! This is a very tiny batch from the spring, and I found this year’s distillate particularly special.
Each one is 100ml and bottled in amber glass. Any questions give me a shout, you can find plenty of other information about orange blossom and rose here on the blog!
Each bottle is £10, I am happy to offer a little discount if you would like more than one. Shipping is on top, preferably UK shipping only but I am happy to discuss international too.
Get in touch with me at miriam.hicklin@gmail.com.
The following reflections were written on return from the Walking with the Land Retreat, organised by the Rabbani Project (Green Deen Tribe). My immense thanks goes to them, for the work they do to create meaningful connections between women, the land and Allah.
Of all the plants that speak to me of the careful balance of life, blackberry is the strongest. She appears at the Lammas portal of the year and shows in her life cycle what it looks like to gracefully bloom, fruit and die. Like this time of year, she celebrates glorious full bodied abundance, whilst signalling the inevitable comfort of its slow decline into winter.
Continue reading “~ Returning From the Land ~”
Dear ones,
We enter the solstice with the striving energy of Spring growth behind us, and reaching its high peaks, ask ourselves the questions “Who am I?” and “How did I get here?”. Like the flower buds that break at the tips of the herb branches, we are suddenly awakened in a new and intoxicating space that feels enticing and terrifying all at once. Dive deep – and you will meet the waves of joy, gratitude and comfort you have been seeking.
Continue reading “~ Love Notes from the Summer Solstice ~”
Dear ones, I write from the mists of orange blossom and rose. These two friends have walked with me the strange pathways of my adult years, from my early days in Morocco as a young woman, to motherhood, and through many changes. Their medicines are of the heart, of ease and of a special feminine power and magic.
Continue reading “Lessons from Orange Blossom and Rose”Some favourite photos from my years of distillation so far…
Continue reading “Distillation Gallery”Description:
From the genus of fragrant herbs, and there are many types of it. With a fresh scent, it is found in gardens. It is formed of many creeping branches that spread widely across the soil. It has a white blossom and the leaves are similar to that of marjoram.
There are two main types: one with a small leaf, known to the people of Fes as clove herb, and one with a larger leaf, known as the barbaris herb. Its name in Farsi means that of royal scent, and it is known as the one that brings joy to the sad-hearted.
Continue reading “Lemon Balm: A Translation from the Garden of Blossoms”
The Atlas Apothecary Sourcebook 