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The Pink Moon—which arrives each year in April—symbolizes the beginning of Spring. Although the moon itself isn’t actually pink, it was named for the Pink Phlox flowers that begin to bloom this time of year, reflecting just one of the beautiful blossoms springing to life in this season of rebirth, and renewal. The 2024 Pink Moon will arrive on April 23rd in the astrological sign of Scorpio, a water sign ruled by Pluto, the planet of transformation. For us humans, this full moon brings a time of heightened emotions, increased intuition, and self-growth. We may find ourselves re-evaluating our lives, letting go of things that no longer serve us, and embracing things that truly bring us joy. The Pink Moon is a time to celebrate new beginnings. Inspired by the approach of this powerful lunation, I created this art piece, Pink Moon. May it bring you a bit of inspiration too. The Pink Moon of rebirth awakens our land from the depths of darkness in renewal to stand, unfurling the beauty of growth and new life for all living beings in return of the light. Together in Wellness, Torie

Bonding with the growing beings in the great outdoors can be a soul-deep healing experience, but as we all know, some plants are just not human friendly. Poison Ivy is at the top of the list with the terrible itching it can cause after skin contact, so we do our best to avoid it. But, when we do accidentally contact Poison Ivy, Jewelweed is there to help stop the itch. Jewelweed is a lush, 2-5’ tall plant, with bright yellow, cornucopia shaped flowers that can quickly relieve itching skin. It can be found growing in damp, shady areas, and is usually springing up very near where Poison Ivy grows! For immediate relief when exposed to Poison Ivy (or any other itch-inducing plant) simply harvest some of the plant’s stem, leaves, and flowers, crush them in your hand until juicy, and apply to the affected area of the skin. Jewelweed’s medicine can also be preserved using this recipe, to have on hand for use at any time. Jewelweed is very effective for relief from itchy skin caused by bug bites, scrapes, and rashes too. Feel free to reach out with questions on the Jewelweed Remedy or any of Healing Path Studio's offerings. Together in Wellness, Torie

Creative endeavors are healing on every level of our being. When we create, we’re manifesting a part of our soul in a way that allows us to express, observe, and learn from our deepest feelings and desires—whether that creation is through cooking, building, gardening, music, performance, writing, art, or any means that calls to us. We can find healing in the creativity of others too. When observing another’s expression of the soul, we can often find understanding, guidance, and inspiration for ourselves. We feel a connection to the whole, and supported in our own ability to express our creative spirit. The Guides Collection depicts entities that have come to me throughout my life, leading me to  paths I was meant to travel, and creating roadblocks on those I needed to leave. The artwork of these beings was created at their insistence, to provide me with a tangible daily visual of their loving presence and guiding messages. I hope they speak to you too. Together in wellness, Torie

The weather is warming, and soon we’ll be spending a lot more time outdoors – yay! But this is also the season of those pesky insects that can bring irritation, bites, and disease. To make outdoor time more enjoyable and safe, we need protection from ticks, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, fleas, etc., without using toxic deterrents. Products like DEET or those containing Essential Oils do repel the bugs, but can also have long-term damaging effects on our bodies and our environment. I tried out this insect repellent recipe with fresh plants last year to be sure it worked before I shared it, and was very happy with the results. Although the growing season here in central NY means it will be a few months from now before plants are ready for harvest, the recipe can be made for use later in the season, and also be ready to go for next Spring. It can also be made with dried plant matter if it’s still fully aromatic. The finished product can be stored for up to 2 years. This insect repellent recipe is easy to make and works great. I sprayed my exposed skin and my clothing each time I went outside and was never bitten, saw no ticks, and found flying insects didn’t even come near. The instructions are for 2 quarts, but you can make larger or smaller quantities by simply adjusting the vegetable glycerin amount to the size of the jar you want to use. The recipe includes suggested plants, but any plant that is strongly aromatic throughout (not just the flowers) will work. The scent carried by these plants is a natural bug repellent, produced by the plant to protect itself from insects that would destroy it. The repellent is safe for humans and dogs, but do not use on cats as most scented plants are toxic to them. The vegetable glycerin in the recipe helps preserve the scent in the finished product, but can be made without it. The witch hazel (which is also a deterrent to bugs) binds it all together. Alcohol or vinegar can also be used in place of the witch hazel, but those substances tend to evaporate more quickly, so will not last as long once sprayed on the body. Please note: Do not use essential oils instead of plant matter! Essential oils are created from plants, but the end result no longer represents the natural healing components of a whole plant. Essential oils are created by a refining process that, instead of extracting the beneficial components of a plant in a balanced way, condenses enormous quantities of plant matter into the tiny amounts sold in each bottle. The resulting oil is highly concentrated amounts of the very chemicals that the plant uses to protect itself from predators. The heady aroma of an essential oil is condensed poison that endangers the health of humans, animals, and our environment. For more info on essential oils see my post Be Essential Oil Free. Let the bugs be gone in a healthy way for you and the great outdoors. Together in Wellness, Torie

There was a special magic in this morning’s walk—the kiss of warmth in the air, trills of returning birdsong, and blossoms just beginning to wake. With each step I could feel my body stretching forward in anticipation of leaving the Winter’s slumber behind and moving into the season of renewal. Spring Equinox officially arrives this year on March 19th, when Mother Earth begins her cycle of rebirth and fertility, awakening a season of growth in us humans too. The Equinox is also a time of balance, as the position of the Sun creates equal hours of dark and light, inviting us to bring balance into our lives as well. Nourishment for our own new beginnings can be found just outside the door. Spending time in nature during this season of fertility and balance helps bring us into harmony with the season. Even a few minutes a day helps us feel more grounded, calm, and open to new insights. Because we’re each made of the same elements as Mother Earth, time outdoors acts as a loving embrace of support on every level of our being. Should you feel the need for a bit of extra support on your journey, I invite you to consider the offerings of Healing Path Studio: A Reiki session of relaxation and alignment for body, mind, and spirit. Lilac flower essence to help you resonate with the vitality of the season. A Tarot reading of enlightenment, guidance, and empowerment. Enjoy the light, love, and abundance of this expansive season. Torie

Now available for purchase Flower essences are subtle yet powerful medicines for balancing our body’s energy. Healing Path Apothecary is a collection of 78 flower essences created from blooms surrounding my home, each with its own unique healing attributes. I created the Healing Path Apothecary Flower Essence Oracle deck—with a card depicting each of the essence flowers and their messages—as just one way to choose the essence that’s right for you. The Flower Essence Oracle allows access to your own inner wisdom to discover the flower energy to best support you on your journey. The Flower Essence Oracle is now available for purchase here if you’d like to own this beautiful deck. Or contact me below for an appointment to work with the deck in a complimentary consultation. I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have about flower essences or any of the offerings of Healing Path Studio. Reveal the flowers healing gifts. Together in Wellness, Torie

As we celebrate the beginning of a brand new year, we begin to imagine how we’d like the coming year to look. We contemplate changes big and small that would make our lives feel more fulfilling and easeful as we plan our path ahead. This year, let’s all begin by filling our hearts with love and compassion for each other, creating individual rays of light within the collective that can illuminate our world in peace. Many folks begin a new year with resolutions, vowing to change something in their life by stating “I want…”, or “I will…”. But what if we alter those statements to “I have…”, and “I am…”? When we offer an intention to the universe, it’s our focus that draws the manifestation of our desires. If we say “I want to get organized this year”, or “I will eat healthier food”, the focus is still on the lack of what we desire, and we are bound to bring more of the same into our lives. If, however, we phrase our intentions to reflect the desired outcome as affirmations—“I am an organized person”, or “I am a healthy eater”—we are attracting these ways of being in a very potent way. Words are a powerful, reverberating energy that communicates beyond the present moment. A thought flitting through the brain is intangible and fragile, just a blip in time that we may never recall. But when we form that thought into words it becomes an object of influence. Written words are even more powerful, as they then have substance and the capacity to communicate across time and space. Consider the power of affirmations to attract the blessings you desire in this new year. Give voice to them, write them down, repeat and re-read often, make them an entity of the universe. Words are the passkeys to manifestation. As you formulate the blessings you’d like to attract in 2024,  imagine receiving them, living with them, and the gratitude you feel for their presence. Gratitude is a great conductor for manifestation. what we think we become what we feel we attract what we imagine we create While creating your intentions for this new year, an energy balancing Reiki session, enlightening Tarot reading—or a combination of both in a Serenity session—as well as harmonizing Flower Essence therapy can help support you with clarity and empowerment for your year ahead. If these offerings call to you, I’d love to meet you on the healing path. Wishing you many blessings for the new year. Torie I invite you to get comfy in a quiet spot, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and listen to these soothing notes as you contemplate the blessings you’d like to bring to your life in 2024.

Wishing everyone a joyous, healthy, and magical holiday season! Torie

My path has been paved with steps of every ilk—from the dark, difficult ones that make the feet feel stuck, to the bright, beautiful ones that feel like an effortless stroll. And all along the way there’ve been signposts, pointing me in the right direction and steering me through the bends in the road. They appear as intuitive knowings, synchronicities, and magical happenings that let me know I’m on the right path. I call them Miracles. It was this time of year, many moons ago, when I first came to live in this place I call home. I was navigating a dark part of the path in this pre-holiday time, as I moved in and looked forward to getting settled. Though the house was in dire need of tending—hoeing out, cleaning, and repair—I’d bought it because of the way the property seemed to beckon me. It felt so right to be here, and I had an inkling that somehow the house and I could heal together. So, there I was on a Saturday, tackling the job of sorting through what looked to be years of accumulated junk in the garage. Halfway through the project I was covered in grime and starting to lose my positive outlook. There was so much this little house needed both inside and out—would I be able to accomplish it? Had I made a huge mistake? But I kept plodding away on the task at hand, now leading me to the dismal area beneath the stairway, stuffed with the relics of prior owners and thick cobwebs. I’d pulled out broken furniture, old tools, and some unidentifiable objects when I discovered what seemed to be a tree branch under a coating of dust, leaning against the far wall. As I wiped the webs from this woody artifact, I realized that its shape seemed oddly familiar—it looked quite like a cane. My heart leapt and my mind raced to a scene from one of my favorite holiday movies. In Miracle on 34th Street, little Suzie struggles to believe in the miracles that a dear old man named Kris Kringle has assured her are real. Her heart’s desire is the home of her dreams, and in the final scene she finds her dream come true. The house is everything she’d hoped for, and by the fireplace leans Kris Kringle’s cane, a symbol that miracles can happen if only we believe. And here I stood, holding what seemed to mirror this story as a sign for me just now. Over the years this house has indeed been a miracle for me in oh so many ways. The found cane is now a cherished treasure with a special spot in my home and in my heart, for showing up that day to renew my faith in what can be. Its presence is a daily reminder to follow my heart, trust in signs, and always believe in miracles. Wishing everyone the blessing of miracles this holiday season. Torie

Holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes a myriad of intensified emotions. Whether you’re looking forward to this celebratory time with joy, dread, or a combination of both, navigating the heightened feelings of the season can be a challenge. Expectations we hold—our own and those of others—for how the holiday time should look magnify our emotions, and stress is a common response. We tackle long to-do lists and packed schedules as we try to meet these expectations, but often find ourselves in a state of overwhelm, obscuring the joy we’d hoped to find in the results. But if we look at the season from a different perspective, prioritizing our own self-care, we can better balance our emotions, reduce the stress response, and create a more enjoyable holiday time. Take time for yourself. You can only give what you have, so making time for self-care during the holidays leads to a more positive outlook for you and those around you too. Do something each day that helps you relax, ground, and simply smile. Take a walk in nature, enjoy a tub soak, read a book, or do whatever lights you up to bring a more contented you to the season. Set boundaries. It’s OK to say “no”—and it’s especially important this time of year. Maybe that means eliminating or re-framing a get-together, gift exchange, or meal prep. Perhaps some tasks could be simplified or skipped. Recognizing and releasing things that make you feel stressed leaves you better able to enjoy and be enjoyable during the holiday time. Set realistic expectations. Concentrating on the way things have always been done, or those pictures of holiday perfection we see can make us feel obligated to measure up to unreal expectations. Making a list of things that create meaningful holidays for ourselves is a good starting point for re-arranging our priorities and creating holiday celebrations that bring us joy. Seek Support. An energy balancing Reiki session, an empowering Tarot reading, or a harmonizing Flower Essence such as Plum can offer clarity and calm to support a more optimistic outlook for the season. Holiday time is bound to hold extra tasks and highly charged emotions, but our stress response can be minimized or even eliminated by focusing on what really matters to ourselves and our loved ones. Step back, take a new view, keep what works and release what doesn’t to create healthy emotional balance—you may find a whole new appreciation of the season. Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season. Torie

As I strolled about on my morning walk today, I was struck once again by the healing offered in just being outside. I’d started out feeling a bit yucky, but with each step I found my spirits lifting and my body feeling lighter too. The beauty of the plants and trees with their fall colors glimmering in the sun, swaying in the crisp autumn breeze as they create a lovely carpet below encouraged each step forward and made me feel hopeful. The daylily blooming unabashedly on the first day of November reminded me to never give up. And the snow falling over the pond at the conclusion of my trek was a lesson to appreciate each moment. The healing path is a journey unique to each of us, yet we can all find inspiration in the arms of Mother Nature. Even a brief walk can allow us to ground into the supportive earth, be invigorated by the fresh air, feel the energy of the sun’s rays, and be soothed by a flowing stream. Spending time outdoors reminds us that we are one with the ever-changing cycles of life, and the beauty within each season. A powerful medicine available at any time. Sometimes we also need a little extra support on the healing journey, and Healing Path Studio offers this in several ways. A restorative Reiki energy session, an empowering Tarot reading, or a balancing Flower Essence can each be powerful methods of enlightening your path. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about these transformational energy healing modalities in the contact space below. I wish you well on your journey. Together in wellness, Torie

Greetings to all, and welcome to the folks who are new to Healing Path Studio! I’d like to thank everyone who braved the inclement weather to stop by during the open studio weekends. The beautiful energy of your smiling faces and great conversations brightened the studio space and my heart too. A special thanks to those who made purchases, as you’ve helped me extend a hand to our brothers and sisters being impacted by the ravages of war. On behalf of all of us, one-half of all receipts for both weekends has been donated to World Central Kitchen, a wonderful organization feeding families impacted by the conflict in Gaza and Israel. Should you feel called to make a personal donation, info can be found here. Wishing you love and light on your journey, it was a pleasure to see you all! Blessings, Torie