LITHA – Summer Solstice Offering

closed 05/28/2019

$333.00

description

This Offering was inspired by the Sabbath Litha or Summer Solstice. I’m using the Wheel of the Year as a jumping off point for each offering to honor and deepen my relationship with the seasonal cycles in my hemisphere. Each offering will be available for 2-3 weeks and then will end in time for me to make and ship your garment so that it arrives before that Sabbath. I’m so excited to share a more in depth journey into my life’s work as an herbalist, clothing designer, student, and environmentalist. It is my hope that through these offering we will connect more deeply with Gaia together.

The Design: The Flip V Kaftan has an extremely versatile Neckline that is a Low V on one side and a High V on the other. This garment can be flipped to have low V in front or back. The Kaftan shape is an oversized, shapeless silhouette that can easily be dressed up or down.

Spirits: Please scroll down the entire page to see a more in depth list of all beings involved with the making of this offering, their connection to Litha, and their energetic and medicinal properties. The quick list of all involved is Mugwort, Raw Silk, Chamomile, Calendula, Saffron, Rose, Marigold, Shatavari, Reishi, He Shou Wu, Pearl, Tacos, Ashwagandha, Pine Pollen, Artagulus, Flower Essence of Rhododendron, Indigo, Madder, Water, Fire, Metal, Air, and Earth. This is an example of how these energies combine, your Kaftan will be similar but also unique and One Of A Kind. All Kaftans will be made together in a group and each participant, including you, will be honored and represented during the Ritual of Making.

Ships June 14th: My apologies that garments shipped outside the U.S. may not reach you in time for Summer Solstice. There is a chance it could be held by your countries customs office and I have no way of predicting or controlling if this will happen. If you would like your garment to ship quickly once complete please choose EXPRESS Shipping during checkout.

Dimensions: Approximately 33 inches wide and 48 inches from top to bottom along side seam.

This product is no longer offered. See our other offerings.

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 Honoring Each Spirit

I am an Animist. I believe that everything has a dynamic life force, personality, and divinity that deserves respect an autonomy. You, Me, Animals, Plants, Rivers, Minerals, The Stars and Planets, The Sea, The Air, Mycylium, Gods and Goddesses, Celestial Beings, The Elements, Stories, language, micro-organisms and all things still undiscovered or simply unseen. It’s my goal to be in right relationships with all the Spirits or Beings around me.

I believe we have always had the ability to commune with the life forces that surround us and it is only in recent human history that we have forgotten. I’m so excited to see more and more people are starting to remember and are reactivating these relationships. I believe It is through this shift in consciousness we will return to a more sustainable relationship with Gaia. Thank you for joining me in my humble attempt to reactivate and honor these relationships in my work.

I will forever be a student in how best to do this. I’m currently learning through apprenticeship, classes, personal practices, and simply holding space for this to come forward or change at any given moment.

Below is a list of all Beings, known to me, who are present during the making of this specific offering. While I will give a brief descriptions of why I have chosen each for the LITHA Offering and their known energetics, this is mostly about holding space and gratitude for their presence. I would like to apologize to any beings I forget to mention and ask that I will have the humility and ability to see, hear, and feel you as I move forward with these offerings in the future.

Mugwort

Mugwort is the shaman of the plant world, a guide for both plants and animals to understand their own magic, their medicine, their souls. For Me Mugwort is a guide as I make each offering and it reminds me that all beings have a life energy, a “body” of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. To learn more about my personal relationship with Mugwort and how they are apart of this process visit here.

Raw Silk

This garment is made from Raw Silk or Tussah Silk which allows the Silk worm to emerge as a Moth before the silk cocoon is processed. The damage caused by the Moth leaving it’s cocoon gives the silk a more textured feel and appearance.

The Silk Worm becomes active as the weather warms up and are only active year round in warmer regions such as India and parts of China. To connect with the heat of Summer Solstice I’ve decide to use Silk as the base fabric.

On an energetic level one is able to connect with the imperfect beauty created through transformation. I invite you to imagine the hard work of each Silk Worm building it’s cocoon, transforming inside, then emerging to fly away into the night. Then hold space for all the people involved with gathering the silk cocoons, processing and spinning them into thread, then weaving this thread into fabric.

Chamomile

Chamomile is most in tune with and brings balance to the Solar Plexus Chakra. It Channels the gentle and warming sun to promote rest and relaxation. Much like a bright Summer Day It promotes a serene, happy disposition that is emotionally balanced.

Calendula

 Calendula was chosen for our Litha Offering because it brings gentle and effective communication with others, and empathy for the experiences of those around us. It strengthens the solar plexus chakra, known for dealing with issues of self worth, self-empowerment, clear decision-making, and gut level instinct.

Saffron (Crocus)

I chose Crocus to help us cast off skepticism and limiting beliefs so that we may open in softness to the Beings present in this offering. It promotes openness, clarity, and speaking ones truth.

Rose

I have chosen Rose for it’s ability to soften and open the heart, quiets the mind, and give the gift of remembrance of our essential nature.

Marigold

I have chosen Marigolds for the Litha Offering for it’s ability to tap into the beauty, energy and the warmth of the rising sun and it’s desire to promote Stamina, Longevity, and abundance in any form.

Shatavari

I added Shatavari to this offering for it’s cooling nature and desire to support the female reproductive system. It is here to balance the fiery Pitta energy of Summer Solstice.

 

YIN

Reishi, He Shou Wu, Pearl, Tacos, Ashwagandha, Pine Pollen, Artagulus

This is a tonic created by Sun Potion crafted to nourish feminine energy and harmonize the whole system. I use it daily and felt called to add it to the water bath during the bundle dyeing process. It balances Immunity, Creative Energy, Hormonal Balance, Mental Clarity, Stress Relief, Cellular Regeneration, Radiance, Healthy Circulation, Emotional Equilibrium, and Libido

 

Flower Essence of Rhododendron

I have added One Willow Apothecaries Rhododendron Flower essence to the water of the bundle dyeing process to help me locate and unfold my inner strength and ultimate heart, revealing myself as fertile, capable, and grounded in a place of self-sustainability that ultimately incites the growth of those around me.

Indigo

Madder, Yeast, Soda Ash, Water

I have added Indigo to the Litha Offering because it is profoundly calming to the nervous system and it promotes physical and mental Rest. The color created with Vat Indigo balances the heart, stimulates the lungs, Liver, thymus, and lymph system.

The Elements

Water, Fire, Metal, Air, and Earth

I would just like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the 5 elements and their crucial roll in making no only this offering, but life as we know it possible.

 

The Ritual of Making

The Process for the Litha Offering first starts with cutting and sewing the garment. I have chosen The Flip V Kaftan design for it’s flexibility and ample surface area for displaying the combined Natural Dye techniques. After mordanting the garment with Alum it is ready for eco printing or bundle dyeing. The Plant Spirits involved at this stage are Chamomile Flower, Calendula Flower, Rose Flower, and Saffron Flower. After being bundled and tied the garment is added to a pot of water with Marigold, Shativari, Yin Power, and the Flower Essence Rhododendron. I will also include your name written on the tag of your Kaftan to add your special medicine to the Ritual Making of these kaftans. After this part of the process is complete the garment is washed and cleaned of any remaining material. It is then dipped in our 10 year old Indigo Fermentation Vat. It then goes through a final rinse and loving Ritual before making it’s journey to you.

Meet The Maker

Meet the Maker

I am beyond excited to bring these Special pieces forward. It feels like the culmination of my 40 years earth side, yet I’m still only at the beginning of a very unique body of work. One that brings together many pieces of myself, while still allowing space for this to grow and change as I do. If you have made it this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me. I will be sharing more as these pieces develop.