The Solar Plexus & Digestive System

October ~ Harvest Moon

I am safe and held in the protective light of my own soul.
Here in my center, there is no one here but me.

Hello beautiful beings!
Welcome to the seventh month of A Year of Gaia. The fall is almost here, and we’ll be putting the gardens to bed, preparing for the cold to come in Vermont.  It feels like the perfect time to welcome in the warming strength of the solar plexus and connect to our own inner fires!

The solar plexus is where we come home to the light of our own being. It is the chakra where we can find incredible self love, self compassion, and peaceful joy. I personally am ready for it after a long season of growth and healing. I hope you are needing some deep self tending right now too! As well as a growing inner fire to keep you warm through the colder months.

I find the solar plexus journey is most needed when I've gotten lost in the realms of relationships. I am always so relieved when we arrive at the solar plexus because I get to retreat into the blazing fire of protection that is my own soul. These plants can bring me there... to that light and strength. Moving out of some of the challenges of the first two chakras, and into the strength of my own self. A solitary retreat into my inner world where I have full access to inner wisdom. Your inner light becomes the gateway into your heart's conscious intelligence. I invite you to draw closer to the hearth of your own being when you are ready for this journey, and warm yourself by its fire.

Life can be such a wild ride of challenges and blessings all mixed together. We are often struggling with relationships on many different levels, from our root chakra relationships around community, family, and society... to the sacral chakra intimacy, emotions, and vulnerability. Many opportunities for healing and love, as well as so many challenges and wounds to tend. The first two chakras can occupy a lot of our energy and medicine... which can make it very difficult to move into deeper connection with our own self.

For me spending intentional loving time with myself has always been one of the biggest priorities of my life... It's the well of light and love that I drink from. Closeness to myself helps me hear what I am most needing, and the guidance coming from deep within me. Trusting ourselves and our inner voice rather than someone else's. Sometimes through harmful relationships we exit the second harm occurs and lose some access to our own inner voice. We need to continually call our whole being back to the safety of our own being. This helps us maintain healthy boundaries, exit harmful relationships, and tend to our most cherished beloved well. After being tended and loved by ourselves, we can return again to connection with others with more awareness.

This month we focus on plants and practices that will help to strengthen your relationship to your beloved self! This may be especially hard in cases of caring for children or those we love who might be living with illness... There are times when we are sacrificing a lot of ourselves to care for another who needs us. If you are needing to do a lot of care taking of others at the moment be gentle and kind to yourself in any way you can. Take moments to yourself anytime you can. Resting when you need to and asking for help if you need it. Treating yourself with gentleness as often as you can. We are all dealing with the illness and wounds within our society and beloved earth, which can often cause us to focus on caretaking others before ourselves. You are the one you need to serve and care for first, which is needed in order to be there for others. It will help you learn what you most need in order to see your needs are equally important as others! You are your biggest constantly accessible source of kindness, unconditional love, and compassion. You are the one that can hear what is happening within your own body and being. It takes time to decode and understand the signals our body and soul is giving us. If we are lucky the strength of our own soul can light the way through the darkest places. Where parts of us are needing to be safely loved and embraced.

The plants this month will help guide you towards your own inner light. Your inner joy, radiance, humor, playfulness, confidence, and strength. Choose a few plants in this module to journey with that you feel drawn to! Get to know a few of the solar plexus plants one at a time through your tea meditations and medicine making. Write down how each plant feels in your body when you drink it… What messages come through from the plant? As usual I recommend incorporating some of the healing practices for this chakra along with drinking the plants. Throughout the module I will have guided exercises to help support your journey through the solar plexus.

Write in your journal about any experiences with the plants, and what arises as you explore this chakra. What do you notice as you journey into the feelings, sensations, memories, and energy residing in your solar plexus? The plants will help you to receive the medicine you need, and support you in listening more deeply to yourself.

Love up your most precious beloved.
Sage

October Welcome Video

Forget my name, I am the formless coming into form.
I will wear a skin of stars.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

Manipura ~ City of Jewels

The solar plexus chakra is where I go the most often to heal and retreat. It feels like the hearth fire of my soul calling me home to its warmth and love. In the solar plexus we move out of the root chakra and sacral chakras full of relationships, and the wounds that have happened to us through different relationships throughout our life. In the solar plexus we let go of everyone and everything but ourselves, resting in the safety of our own loving presence. The fire of the solar plexus can burn away anything that has distracted us from ourselves, or disconnected us from our own souls. This can be family, community, home, our environment, and our relationships.

You are made of the love intelligence and spirit of the Divine. In connecting to our own soul, you will meet the presence of Spirit. I find that when I turn deeply inward, I meet the sacred that resides inside of me. It is the most powerful place I can go to connect to the presence of Spirit, and receive the healing and love I need. For many years I felt like the relationships in my life were distracting me too much from feeling deeply connected to myself and to the divine. Over time I developed practices to help me stay anchored in connection to myself, and my connection to Spirit. In my solar plexus and my heart, I find the presence of the holy. It feels like a temple inside of myself where I go to pray and be held in the presence of Love. 

You are not the roles you play. 

In the root chakra we define ourselves by the relationships we are in with others in our community. We define ourselves by the roles that we play in the world, how we help to care for others, the earth, and other life. We see ourselves in relation to others in our community. We define ourselves by what we do in the world, what we are skilled at, where we feel we belong, our ancestry, our ethnicity, friends, lovers, and our culture. In the sacral chakra we experience ourselves in intimacy and relationship with others… feeling ourselves mostly in connection and union/intimacy with another. In the solar plexus, all of this falls away and we do not define ourselves by anything external. Not by any roles that we play or by any of our relationships… We meet the divine presence residing inside of us, our incredible shining spirit.  

What brings you closer to your soul?

I have found ritual, prayer, dance, art, meditation, time in nature, and deep rest help me to feel the presence of my soul more deeply. When I turn inward to this presence within I feel centered and grounded, less easily pulled off into stress by external changes in my environment or by relationships. Alone time is the best way that I connect to myself. Creating time where I can journal, meditate, tend to myself, and do inner healing work. Therapy of any kind, receiving massage, energy work, acupuncture, or support focused on my own healing helps me connect to myself more deeply. 

When you need to center on yourself and strengthen your solar plexus I recommend creating time daily for self reflection and self care. Do a simple practice daily that helps to connect you to what you most need that day, incorporating in any self healing practices or time for reflection.  

Journal prompt - What healing practices help connect me to myself? What can I do daily that will help to anchor me in connection to my own soul and create time for inner listening? 

Video ~ Self Energy Healing

View Self Reiki hand positions HERE.

Daily Self Massage - Abhyanga

Daily self massage with herbal oils has become one of my most important self care practices. I find it helps me give love and care to myself and my body in a way that feels so pleasureful and decadent. I covet receiving healing touch, and this is a really powerful way to enjoy receiving it daily! I love covering myself with the plants, and spending time massaging the parts of my body that need a little extra love.

I use different oils for self massage, and some of my favorite oils are made from evergreen needles like spruce, pine, hemlock, juniper, and fir. I make the oil by chopping up evergreen needles and steeping them in olive oil for a month, then blending and straining the oil into a jar. Black birch oil, st. john’s wort oil, and calendula flower infused oil are other favorite oils of mine for self massage. The herbal oil that I use the most is an Ayurvedic blend of plants that are warming, adaptogenic (from our August Root Chakra module), anti-inflammatory, relaxing, and healing to tissues. I recommend using this warming Ayurvedic Mahanarayan Oil, which will help to strengthen the solar plexus with its spicy and adaptogenic plants. Mahanarayan oil is made with turmeric, cardamom, calamus, ginger, ashwagandha, shatavari, holy basil, licorice, gotu kola, calerian, and other healing herbs steeped in sesame oil. You can find good Mahanarayan oil for Abhyanga (Ayurvedic self massage) from Banyan Botanicals.

Instructions for Abhyanga ~

After a shower or bath, massage warmed or room temperature herbal oil into your skin. Really get into your muscles, and help the oil to sink into your skin as you massage. Allow the oil to finish absorbing for about 20 minutes, and feel the effects of the massage. I notice pain relief, increased circulation, calming of my nervous system, and a feeling of general wellbeing as the plants are received by my body. If you find the oil doesn’t fully absorb, you can do the oil massage before a shower or bath instead of afterwards. Revel in the delicious feeling of the plants covering your whole body… it is DIVINE!!!

Here are a couple instructional videos on enjoying the healing practice of self massage ~ Abhyanga Video One, Abhyanga Video Two, Abhyanga Video Three. If you are interested in making your own warming Mahanarayan Oil you can view a recipe here where some white guys (putting on an Indian accent and heavily culturally appropriating) try to make the traditional recipe. It’s the only source I can find on how the incredible traditional oil is made, but I think we can take inspiration from these methods. I would say just make your own variation using some of the same plants as Banyan Botanicals sells in their recipe, or just make up your own! Mahandarayan oil for me has been life changing and definitely worth experiencing. It feels like it warms us to the depths… If you have joint pain, anxiety, depression, poor circulation, irritability, stress, or low energy. I think you’ll find this daily self massage to be life changing! It has been for me.

Belly Massage

If you feel drawn to give your solar plexus some love, spend a little time giving your belly a massage. Take your time really loving on your whole belly and digestive organs. Choose an oil for some belly massage such as St. John's Wort oil, Calendula oil, or Sweet Annie oil. I also love the essential oils of Sweet Orange, Ginger, Lemon Balm, Grapefruit, or Mugwort for belly massage. You can use carrier oil such as sesame, almond, olive, or coconut oil and add a few drops of any of these oils. As you massage, send in loving thoughts of self appreciation. Pause and send in healing energy when you feel called to... thanking your sweet body and belly for all the incredible work it does transforming the living world outside of us into fuel for your life... Feel the energy and power of your digestive organs. Their incredible ability to break down and receive what your cells need for life, healing, and repair. If you are ever unkind in your thoughts to your belly, or challenged by poor digestion, send extra compassion and kindness in. Your digestive organs do such incredible hard work for you!

Enjoy the daily self love!

Gaze into the light that is your spirit. Greet yourself each moment as Beloved.
You are fulfilling your soul's expression at every moment.

In the solar plexus we burn away ego and enter into our own sacred self, removing layers of illusion to reveal the light/spirit within. In the solar plexus we free ourselves of the roles and responsibilities of our relationships, and turn into the inner world. As the outside world dissolves away, we arrive to the inner presence of our own consciousness, and we meet ourselves free of false identity, attaining freedom, joy, and peace. In the solar plexus we come to love ourselves deeply, and care for our own needs over the needs of others. Loving the mystery that we are, exploring our own consciousness and soul’s expression as it shines into the world. We learn here of our own importance and beauty, as unique expressions of the divine.

Aspects of our being ~

~ Self ~ Joy ~ Vitality ~ Energy ~ Power ~ Willpower ~ Self-love ~ Freedom from Ego ~ True Self ~ Laughter ~ Excitement ~ Action ~ Transformation ~ Light ~ Warmth ~ Confidence ~ Courage ~ Identity ~ Self discipline ~ Self Care ~ Movement ~ Change ~ Proactivity ~ Self worth ~ Self acceptance ~ Presence ~ Fire ~ Source ~ Inner Truth ~ Play ~ Child self ~ Self expression ~ Solitude ~ Bliss ~ Independence ~ Freedom from roles/relationship ~ Warrior ~ Protection ~ Boundaries

Video ~ Solar Plexus Chakra Talk

The Solar Fire

The solar plexus is ruled by the element fire, where we enter into the purifying flames of our own inner light. All other relationships burn way and are released, bringing us in close connection with the light of our soul’s presence. This inner fire brings us in connection to the divine being that we are. I feel that when I enter into the solar plexus I can release all the false identities, and feel the presence of my spirit beyond the skin I wear, beyond the roles I play for others, and beyond all incarnations I take. In the solar plexus we meet the eternal part of us that does not die when we leave the physical body.

This inner light can help to guide us through periods of darkness and confusion. Our soul helps to guide us along our paths, offering us powerful insight and wisdom along the way. I feel tremendous love and safety when I connect to the presence and intelligence of my soul. No matter what the circumstances are around you, you can turn inward to the safe inner realm of your own being where there is no one else but you. Feel the part of you that is so much more than the roles you play in the world. The part of you that resides in the mystery…. Held in the arms of Spirit.

All the roles I play, all masks or skins I wear, burn away...

Solar Plexus Wounds & Challenges

What disconnects you from yourself? Take a few minutes to write down in your journal what you notice in your life pulls you away from connection to your beloved self. Common things that disconnect people from themselves can be family, work, society, technology, information from the outside environment such as news, romantic relationships, external stimulation, and survival needs. Anything impacting us in the root chakra and sacral chakras tend to pull us out of connection to ourselves in the solar plexus. This could be romantic relationships, lots of social activity, or tending often to the needs of others.

Messages from society that try to sell us images of fantasy, of what we should look like, what we should feel like, how our lives should be, what we should be doing, can all contribute to disconnection from ourselves. These messages are marketed to us, (daily through TV or internet) and keep us often stuck in false ideals/wounds in the first two chakras. Comparing yourself to others and receiving internal messages about yourself or how you should be is damaging to the solar plexus. Pressure from family, society, or or other relationships can often bring us out of inner listening and inner trust. They can at times disconnect us from our true selves and authenticity. I recommend that you spend some time journaling about what is wounding to your solar plexus, and what pulls you out of connection to yourself. If you don’t want to dig all of that up, just feel into this in your own body and being.

Causes of solar plexus wounds ~

Oppression, violence, and abuse of any kind. Negative messages from your culture, family, or communities related to your value or worth. Cultural disconnection from self exploration or listening to your inner truth. Cultural messages of false identity - finding worth in money, possessions, career, accomplishments. Self abandonment, lack of boundaries (over self sacrifice), lack of self care. Wounding of root chakra & sacral chakra in the realm of relationships. Internalized messages of self-hate. Self harm. Clinging to false identities, or false concepts of self. Disconnection from inner truth and wisdom. Lack of alone time. Self-sacrifice for the sake of others. Lack of self protection or care for the self.

Here in my center, there is no one here but me. I am safe and held in the protective light of my own spirit.

 Expression of wounds ~ Solar Plexus

Please take our your journal and write down any of these you resonate with. You may have felt many of these, currently or in the past. If there is anything you see missing, go ahead and add it in. You do not always have to know the source of the wounds, but I do find it helpful to release any emotions trapped in the body connected to certain experiences. We don’t want to relive a painful experience, but we do want to release the grief or pain still carried. Over time, and with other therapies, as well as the healing energies of the plants, we can slowly heal.

• Shame

• Low self-esteem

• Lack of joy

• Lack of play & fun

• Depression

• Disconnection from child self

• Repression

• Denial of self

• Poor ability to take care of self

• Lack of self protection

• Sensitivity to criticism

• Identification with Ego self

• Anxiety, fear, worry

• Insecurity

• Lack of willpower

• Lack of self-discipline

• Poor body image/hate of body

Physical illnesses ~ Digestive imbalances, Anxiety & Fear, Depression & Nervous system imbalances, Autoimmune disorders (attacking self), Malnutrition & Weakness, Low energy & Fatigue, Weight gain, loss, Metabolic imbalances, Eating disorders

I play joyfully with all that is, knowing that Joy is the true nature of my spirit.

Healing the Solar Plexus

We can heal the solar plexus through many therapies, and I’ve found time with ourselves in self reflection and self care to be often the most powerful. What do you do to love on yourself? Do you have practices of self reflection and inner journeying that feel nourishing to you? Any practice that helps you to listen more deeply to yourself I recommend to strengthen the solar plexus. I’ve noticed for many people they just need time alone, free of distractions (including screens and phones…), doing something they love that brings them back to themselves. For some it might be art, or dance, gardening, or cooking… taking walks alone in nature. Meditation, baths, or naps. Things you find fun, playful, and enjoyable.

Playful, Joyful, and Fun!

The solar plexus needs PLAY and FUN! What does the inner child inside you love to spend time doing? Let loose, take yourself and life less seriously when you can… Laugh and play! Your inner child wants to have fun, be silly, and enjoy a good giggle. Laughter is one of the best medicines for your solar plexus! Have a giggle party. Let yourself be wild and free… playful in the moment, allowing your inner child some space to lead the way. What would feel the most fun for you in this moment? Sometimes it’s rolling around on the ground, or tackling someone, or making some messy art. Let go of responsibilities and allow yourself to play… You’ll find your joy returning and life seem a bit lighter.

Therapies for Healing

Healing wounds of the solar plexus takes time, especially when there is harm still coming at us from society, family, or other relationships that damage our sense of self and inner light. Loving self talk, healthy boundaries around harmful relationships, limiting negative messages from society or family that feel wounding… Affirmations, self loving behavior, and practicing inner listening/trust. Allowing yourself to be fully yourself without judgment.

Here is a list of some of what I’ve found helps to heal the solar plexus. Write down in your journal what you feel drawn to!

• Building a healthy loving relationship to yourself

• Daily self care

• Play & Laughter

• Practicing freedom of Self Expression

• Daring to be Different

• Healthy Body Image/Affirmations

• Compassion for Self

• Alone time

• Practicing Metta (Loving-kindness) to self & others

• Disconnecting from harmful relationships or over dependency

• Self sufficiency

• Independence

• Self exploration

• Self listening practices (meditation, movement, writing, art, therapy etc.)

• Herbal medicines & Flower essences

All the roles I play, all masks or skins I wear, burn away in the flames of my soul.

Solar Plexus Plant Allies 

Ginger, Lemon balm, Sweet & Bitter Orange, Yellow dock, Chamomile, Angelica, Calamus, Lemongrass, Turmeric, St. John’s Wort, California poppy, Calendula, Damiana, Marshmallow, Dandelion, Goldenrod, Wormwood, Elecampane, Daisy & Sunflower

Warming Spices & Aromatics ~ Ginger ~ Cardamom ~ Turmeric ~ Cayenne ~ Clove ~ Sassafras ~ Sarsparilla ~ Cinnamon ~ Angelica ~

Solar Energy Plants ~ St. John’s Wort ~ California Poppy ~ Lemon balm ~ Oatstraw ~ Calendula ~ Safflower ~ Linden ~ Damiana ~ Chamomile ~ Marshmallow root ~ Sweet & Bitter Orange

Digestive Tonics ~ Yellow dock ~ Dandelion ~ Burdock ~ Bitter orange ~ Goldthread & berberine plants ~ Peppermint & Mints ~ Ginger, turmeric, spices ~ Chamomile, lemon balm ~ Marshmallow root

Warriors & Protectors ~ Wormwood ~ Osha ~ Angelica ~ Calamus ~ Sarsaparilla ~ Ginger & Turmeric ~ Cayenne ~ St. John’s Wort ~ Yarrow ~ Elder ~ Sweet Annie

Energizing Plants ~ Cacao ~ Ginseng ~ Schisandra ~ Maca ~ Ginger
Citrus & Sours ~ Lemon ~ Orange (sweet or bitter) ~ Lime ~ Grapefruit ~ Lemongrass ~ Schisandra

Plants to increase Self Love ~ Rose, Linden, Oatstraw, Lemon balm, St. John’s Wort, Dandelion, Cacao, Sweet Orange, Lemongrass, Maca, Angelica, Damiana

Joy Plants ~ Sweet Orange, Lemongrass, Oatstraw, St. John’s Wort, Damiana, Schisandra, California Poppy, Lemon balm, Cannabis, Cacao, Peppermint, Calendula

Warrior Plants  - Protection & Banishing ~ Wormwood, Sweet Annie, Mandrake, Yarrow, St. John’s Wort, Ginger, Mugwort

Plants for Solar Plexus Healing

You are a hot flame!
Careful, you might cause blindness in the light of your beauty.

Solar Plexus Prayers

You are a bright light.
Careful, you might cause blindness in the light of your beauty.

In this moment I meet my true self, my most precious Beloved. I am my most cherished companion, friend, lover, guardian, companion, and care taker.

All the roles I play, all masks or skins I wear, burn away in the flames of my soul.

 All my names dissolve and are freed.

 I am here to play! The universe smiles at my joy, and I smile back, knowing that I am making all joyful.

The light of my spirit shines into the universe, one loved star burning in the dark arms of Spirit.

 The cosmos and I are playing together,
I cannot help but smile. 

I play joyfully with all that is, knowing that Joy is the true nature of my spirit.

 From the courage of my inner fire, I meet the world peacefully.

Sun, lend me your radiance so that I may clear out any blocks to joy.

In the fire of my belly, I purify all illusion, and releasing the garments of my ego, I enter the gates of heaven in my heart.

Here in my center, there is no one here but me. I am safe and held in the protective light of my own soul.

~ Sage Maurer

Solar Plexus Worksheet

Use these questions for Journaling or Reflection

1. Is self care a priority in your daily life? What is your daily self care vs. “shoulds”?

2. What are the parts of yourself do you try to deny or repress? What parts of yourself want to be loved and embraced.

3. What concepts of yourself are you wanting freedom from? What authentic parts of you are wanting more freedom?

4. What can you imagine for yourself in the most free place of being? Do you allow people to see your true self? What would that look like to show?

5. When do you hide the most, and when are you the most real and truthful?

6. Do you seek guidance from your own inner knowing and truth? How do you express yourself? What is expressed?

7. When do you feel the most joy? Do you spend time playing, laughing, and having fun?

8. Do you feel independent and free? Where does the lack of freedom come from? How might you balance these things?

9. What adds to your confidence and belief in yourself ?

10. How do you connect and tend to your child self ? What would your child self express to you?

Plant Allies of The Solar Plexus
& Digestive System

Continued in Part Two

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