VOLVA

23/02/2026

Good morning!
This is Bleeding Heart (Dicentra). She did so well in her first year in the medicine garden and then it looked like she died. I was so disappointed as I had placed her in an area that suited her temperament.
As I wander round this morning, I see strong little shoots poking through the soil everywhere - Daffs, Tulips, Hyacinth. I came across a strange little bunch of shoots that weren't bulbs and at first I was confused. I had planted some extra Yarrow where she had been and I had forgotten about her. But she is slowly returning!

If you feel that you have lost a little of yourself over Winter - and Winter will do that to you - it is only that you have temporarily forgotten. Your body is of the same as the soil - we are all clay - and the Earth never forgets.

May the dawning of early Spring show you the wonders that are not lost.

Have a great week!
Andrea 💗🌿

21/02/2026

🎨 Jorge Mascarenhas (detail)

20/02/2026

The Real Unreal is about the rise of AI and my personal feeling on this, as well as the possible spiritual implications. I asked AI to create images of a chubby, middle aged, auburn haired woman in an apothecary and varieties of 'her' including clown outfits, ringmistress and going mad. This is what it produced. It is actually terrifying how much it has advanced since I wrote this late 2024. Images are clearer, initial issues with hands and feet are resolved and sometimes the only way to tell the difference between AI and a photo is your gut feeling. The eyes can be deceived but the intuition cannot.
This is the only time I will ever knowingly post AI generated images.

18/02/2026

In my Imbolc newsletter, Little Lantern, I had shared that I had suffered a family bereavement during Yule. Small glimmers of light are returning slowly but surely and I personally am so grateful for Snowdrop's appearance and medicine which I shared in the newsletter.

There is no 'getting back to normal' after the loss of a loved one because there is no longer the reality that was. We can only begin to forge a new reality.

New additions to the apothecary and online courses will be forthcoming, emerging - just like Snowdrop - in their own time. I know many of you are keen for courses to learn about plant medicine and for new products, and I so appreciate your patience.
Thank you.

Andrea 💗🌿

16/02/2026

Good morning!
Sometimes the thought of another week is a little overwhelming. I thought I would share a simple technique that helps communicate to your nervous system that everything is OK and to calm down. Everything might NOT be OK right now but it WILL be OK so we want our nervous system to help lead us to that place of safety.

Get comfy in a chair. Feet flat on the floor. Inhale as you normally would and then take a second smaller and quicker breath, like a wee sigh, an additional little scoop in of air. Then exhale nice and slowly. When your lungs are empty of air just hold that for 1 second, and then begin again. That second sigh helps to communicate to your nervous system that it's OK for you to breathe and release.

Have a great week!
Andrea 💗🌿

14/02/2026

🎨 The Uncivilised Cat by Agnes Miller Parker

13/02/2026

For this Friday 13th, what better than a story of a warrior goddess.
A tale of battles, of weak men and strong women, of turning life's s***e into gold.
Enjoy.
https://www.volva.co.uk/post/the-maiden-voyage-a-journey-of-revelation-and-reclamation

12/02/2026

Everything hurts. I've been saying for the past few weeks 'I'd love a day in bed' but there's always too much to do. I knew that by saying my wish out loud that my body wisdom would respond. Let's see how many days it thinks I need.

This swampy looking tea is not for the faint hearted but it's an amazing cleanser and there's nowt germ related that can win when it's doing its thing. I love it but it's not for everyone. Honey (single source) helps sweeten it but I generally prefer it without. This one has it, to take the sting out of the ailment.

The Familiar loves a day in bed so he's delighted and happily keeping me company with his healing purrs.

VOLVA 💗🌿

12/02/2026

11/02/2026

This month's Blessings For The Human Kin is tonight at 7.30pm - all details here https://www.volva.co.uk/event-list

Andrea 💗🌿