Bonus Episode: The Waters of Life and Death and the Story of the Owl Witch

Content Warning: This episode discusses histories of desecration around wells and the people who tend them and using rape as a tool of empire building. (No graphic descriptions). It also contains a story about a young girl seeking answers to a devastating plague (that ultimately ends on a hopeful note).

Here's a little bonus episode on the healing lore and powers of the waters of life and death and a powerful story that came to me in 2019. I've been thinking about this idea of the necessity of the waters of death (and life!) and it seems a fitting exploration as I witness the deep drought and climate chaos of this time. I hope this episode brings some solace, some resonance and some hope.

My apologies that in the story of the Owl Witch I mention there being guardian oak growing in multiple places, and my little California heart forgot that Guardian Oak doesn't grow in Appalachia! I meant Guardian Ivy! I have much to learn about the plant beings there :)

Also, here is a link to the Fair Folk podcast I mentioned, which is produced by Danica Boyce. It is a great resource for people of European lineage to reconnect with some of their own lifeways. After spending some more time with this episode, I would have liked to include some advice for Mary to do that vital work of reconnecting to her own lifeways and lineage so that she has the strength and resilience to keep seeking healing and balance. It is so important that colonizer descended peoples do this so that we can remember how to be in the family of things.

https://soundcloud.com/fairfolkcast

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Herb at the End of the World is created by Samwise Raridon, community herbalist, teacher and organizer of the Self Heal Herbs Mobile Free Clinic based in unceded Ohlone and Southern Pomo Territory (colonially known as oakland and sebastopol CA).

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