 When it’s cold and blustery outside, I like to warm my home with the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg by making a batch of one of my favorite recipes - St. Hildegard’s Joy Cookies. And it never fails….as the smell of spices floated through the air, my beloved family appears and gathers around me in the kitchen. Gone were any feelings of sadness or loneliness and in their place are feelings of joy and happiness as smiles, laughter, and conversation fill the room while we eat the warm cookies right from the oven. Once again, St. Hildegard has touched my life. She’s always an enduring inspiration to me! Find out more here about “Bring Spirit to the Holidays: 13 Sacred Night Challenge” inspired by St. Hildegard LINK. Sign up soon so that you can begin on the 24th! In the mid 12th century, St. Hildegard recognized the health benefits of many herbs and spices. It was then that she shared a basic recipe for ancient biscuits or cookies that are commonly called “Hildegardplätzchen” (Hildegard’s Cookies). Today we might call them "Cookies of Joy" as she said they lift any melancholia, open your heart, and bring you a sense of cheerfulness and joy. Something we all could use these days!  There are two powerhouse spices that St. Hildegard included in her Joy Cookies: nutmeg and cinnamon. Common, everyday spices, you may think. Yes, they are! And yet, they’re filled with health-giving properties. Nutmeg In her book, Physica, St. Hildegard recommended the use of nutmeg for its healing powers. “Nutmeg has great heat and good moderation in its powers. If a person eats nutmeg, it will open up his heart, make his judgment free from obstruction, and give him a good disposition. …It will calm all bitterness of the heart and mind, open your heart and impaired senses, and make your mind cheerful. It purifies your senses and diminishes all harmful humors in you. It gives good liquid to your blood, and makes you strong.” -Hildegard von Bingen, Physica -1153AD  Benefits of Nutmeg If we take this seed that was planted by St. Hildegard long ago into our current times within natural medicine, we see that nutmeg is known for many health benefits including the following: · Supports a Healthy Brain – nutmeg contains myristicin and macelignan, natural organic compounds that have a stimulating effect, supporting focus and concentration and also protecting the brain from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s · Eases Pain and Swelling – the essential oil of nutmeg helps to relieve muscular and joint pain resulting from injury, strain, or chronic inflammation such as arthritis · Improves Circulation – the potassium within nutmeg relaxes blood vessels, controls blood pressure, and improves blood circulation · Boosts Immune System – the minerals in nutmeg such as potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese help fight against bacteria and disease · Cures Insomnia – nutmeg has a high content of magnesium, a mineral that reduces nerve tension and supports the feeling of relaxation Cinnamon The second powerhouse spice is cinnamon. Cinnamon has been used for hundreds of years as a natural medicine. In Ayurvedic treatment, it’s often used to treat respiratory and digestive problems. St. Hildegard enjoyed cinnamon as a healing spice long ago, sharing that it was good for sinus issues.  What is Cinnamon? Do you know? Cinnamon is harvested from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen plant where it’s peeled and laid in the sun to dry. It curls into rolls which we know as cinnamon sticks. These sticks are ground into a powder form to become one of our favorite household spices. The distinct aroma and flavor of cinnamon that we recognize are due to the oil in the inner bark which is very high in the compound cinnamaldehyde. Scientists believe that it’s this compound that’s responsible for cinnamon’s powerful effects on health. The Benefits of Cinnamon There are many health benefits of cinnamon. Here are just a few: 1. Anti-viral and anti-bacterial - The essential oil of cinnamon that contains cinnamaldehyde has antiviral and anti-bacterial properties. 2. Lowers blood sugar- Cinnamon is known for helping to manage blood sugar, working in a way similar to insulin. 3. Supports brain health – Recent research indicates that cinnamon may support the health of the aging brain, possibly reducing the risk of such conditions as Alzheimer’s. Why not warm your home right now with the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg by making a batch of St. Hildegard’s Joy Cookies? And if you’re wanting to extend your joy this holiday season, check out the challenge below that I am hosting during the holidays. I want to warmly invite you to join me in a deeply meaningful and rewarding experience from the warmth of your home by participating in Bring Spirit to the Holidays for the 13 Sacred Nights of Dec. 24th – January 6th. As a spiritual community, we’ll explore together words of wisdom from St. Hildegard that can support us today, bringing nourishment to our souls. Find out more about the spiritual community coming together for “Bring Spirit to the Holidays: 13 Sacred Night Challenge” here. As we join together in this sacred experience through the 13 Sacred Nights, you’ll ….
Starting on the 24th of December through the 6th of January, I invite you to work with one meditation inspired by St. Hildegard of Bingen per day. As you do this, you’ll also pay special attention to your dreams and write down what you remember each day. You’ll notice if there are any connections between your dreams and the questions asked in the meditations.  You’ll be joining me and others in this spiritual community who are engaging in this same practice of inner work during the Sacred Nights. You can share your experiences and listen to others share theirs. Through this journey of meditation and journaling during this sacred time, you’ll come away with a sense of peace, hope, and joy as you digest the year that has passed. You’ll be ready to go forward into the new year with sacred guidance and momentum.  I look forward to seeing you soon! In the meantime, why don’t you make yourself some of St. Hildegard’s Joy Cookies?? Here’s the recipe that I use, based on St. Hildegard’s original ingredients, but adapted to our modern times. They’ll start filling your home with joy this holiday season.
Learn more here about “Bring Spirit to the Holidays: 13 Sacred Night Challenge.” Sign up NOW!
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We’re almost to the end of 2022. Just a few more weeks! And it seems that we’re moving out of the pandemic now, after 2 ½ years. If there is a lesson that we’ve learned during this time, one is that many of us have come to a clearer and deeper understanding of what’s important in our lives and what is not. I know I’ve experienced a greater appreciation for my connections to friends and family and my broader spiritual community. Now we even have the ability to gather in person in addition to online. What love, joy, and warmth! Find out more about the spiritual community coming together for “Bring Spirit to the Holidays: 13 Sacred Night Challenge” here.  As the holidays approach and the year 2022 comes to a close, are you wanting to experience connections with others in a conscious community? Are you longing for a meaningful experience during the holiday season? In this darker time of year, in the midst of the season of winter, we naturally experience a yearning to move inward and experience inner peace and deeper soul nourishment. We feel the rhythm of Mother Earth who is breathing in to nourish and renew. We too can turn inward. This year, I warmly invite you to join me to participate, as spiritual community, in Bring Spirit to the Holidays for the 13 Sacred Nights of Dec. 24th – January 6th and explore together words of wisdom from St. Hildegard that support us today. Find out more HERE. As we join together in this sacred experience, you will ….
 As these sacred nights approach, I remember warmly the dear friend and mentor that St. Hildegard had in her life. He supported her in following her divine calling, even when she felt like she couldn’t! This beloved friend, a monk named Volmar, was the first person to validate St. Hildegard’s visions as divine experiences. He recognized her rare spiritual gifts and became a good friend and mentor for many years in her life. St. Hildegard often doubted herself and her abilities to share her gifts with the world. When she turned to her teacher and friend, Volmar, she shared her self-doubt, and he strongly encouraged her to write about her experiences. Over the next 10 years, she shared her experiences in the text that would become her visionary work, Scivias, and Volmar became her secretary, writing down the words she dictated.  Volmar, St. Hildegard’s friend, confidant, and secretary, was in her life for over 60 years! It’s clear that St. Hildegard greatly valued and appreciated her dear friend who supported and encouraged her. We see how the steps on our journey are a little easier to follow when we have someone in our community that supports and encourages us. We don’t have to do it alone! Join me and our spiritual community this year in Bring Spirit to the Holidays: 13 Sacred Night Challenge from Dec. 24th – January 6th and explore together the wisdom that St. Hildegard offers us today. Discover more here. Starting on the 24th of December through the 6th of January, I invite you to work with one meditation inspired by St. Hildegard of Bingen per day. As you do this, you’ll also pay special attention to your dreams and write down what you remember each day. You’ll notice if there are any connections between your dreams and the questions asked in the meditations. You’ll be joining me and also others in this spiritual community who are engaging in this same practice of inner work during the Sacred Nights. You can share your experiences and listen to others share theirs. Through this journey of meditation and journaling during this sacred time, you’ll come away with a sense of peace and fulfillment as you digest the year that has passed. You’ll be ready to go forward into the new year with sacred guidance and momentum.  Don’t miss this challenge. It’s only offered this time of year!
Find out more here about “Bring Spirit to the Holidays: 13 Sacred Night Challenge.” Sign up soon. We begin on the 24th!  In this month of November, the cool autumn wind sends the leaves swirling about on the ground. We can see the holiday season approaching on the horizon. One of the greatest and simplest things we can do for ourselves this time of year is to be grateful. Each and every day. When we’re grateful for the many gifts that we’re given each day, we experience joy and meaning in our lives. “It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother David Steindl-Rast Sometimes it’s a struggle to feel gratitude. Especially when the challenges in our lives and in the world weigh us down. When you struggle in finding a feeling of gratefulness in your heart, I encourage you to read these incredible and touching words by Brother David Steindl-Rast on gratefulness. They are so inspiring and uplifting! I turn to them again and again at this time of year. Let’s all take one moment to stop and be grateful for this one special day that we have been given as a gift. “You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you. Today. It’s a gift. It’s the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness. If you learn to respond as if it were the first day in your life and the very last day, then you will have spent this day very well. Begin by opening your eyes and be surprised that you have eyes you can open. That incredible array of colors that is constantly offered to us… for pure enjoyment.  Look at the sky. We so rarely look at the sky. We so rarely note how different it is from moment to moment with clouds coming and going. Open your eyes. Look at that. Look at the faces of people whom you meet. Each one has an incredible story behind their face. Not only their own story, but the story of their ancestors. All that life from generations and from so many places all over the world…. flows together and meets you here. Like life-giving water if you only open your heart and drink.  Open your heart to the incredible gifts that civilization gives to us. You flip a switch and there is electric light. You turn a faucet and there is warm water and cold water. And drinkable water!  A gift that millions and millions in the world will never experience. So, I wish you that you would open your heart to all of these blessings and let them flow through you. That everyone whom you will meet on this day will be blessed by you. Just by your presence. Let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you. Then, it will really be a good day!  Watch the video with narration by Brother David Steindl-Rast here.
https://gratefulness.org/grateful-day/ I invite you to take a quiet moment right now. Identify 3 things that you can be grateful for right now in your life. Hold that feeling of gratitude for the great gifts that you’ve been given. Then step back into your day carrying with you that deep feeling of gratefulness. Try this at least one time each day. A moment of gratefulness. And see what happens! “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” ― Meister Eckhart Interested in more? I invite you to become a member of my Healing Library to discover songs, mantras, and guidance for free. Life can be challenging at times. The competing demands that you experience from your work, family, caring for your own well-being, and even friends can create a sense of overwhelm and even fear at getting out of bed in the morning. This diminishes our joy in truly experiencing a fulfilling and rewarding life.  If you experience this, you’re not alone! It’s common for most of us to feel overwhelmed in our lives at times. If you’re dreading getting up in the morning, then take a moment to shift your perspective. Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. Think of a time when you weren’t feeling overwhelmed, but were experiencing a sense of awe and wonder in life. Have you ever stood on top of a mountain and gazed out in the distance, filled with amazement at the vast expansiveness before you? Or have you ever held the hand of an elderly person with a short time left to live and been moved by the beauty and strength of the human being?  Or maybe held a newborn baby and delighted at their tiny fingers and toes? If so, then you’ve been filled with awe or wonder before. When we’re filled with awe, we experience an overwhelming feeling of admiration, respect, and amazement that arises when we’re faced with something wonderful and maybe even a little frightening. And when we experience wonder, we’re reminded of being a young child. As the great naturalist, Rachel Carson, wrote, “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.” When we can tap into that child-like experience once again, we delight in the feeling of surprise and joy at something beautiful or unexpected.  When we’re filled with a sense of awe or wonder in the world, we often feel a connection to something that’s greater than ourselves. We feel a part of the greater universe and held within it. We move out of our sense of overwhelm into one of belonging, beauty, and joy at being alive. Next time, you’re feeling overwhelmed in life, take a moment to shift your perspective. Where in your life can you experience a sense of awe and wonder at being alive as a human being on earth?  Interested in further awakening your creative and spiritual self? Consider private sessions with me!
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About JeannineI was born in London, England, educated in Switzerland, and am fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French. I hold a Doctorate in Ministry Degree and Masters Degrees in Counseling Psychology and Education. Also, I am an accomplished artist and educator. I use all of this and much more when helping others heal their souls. Archives
February 2023
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