Michelle Racine, LAc, MAOM, LMT

06/21/2025

🌞 Happy Summer Solstice!
"Solstices and equinoxes mark the four movements in a celestial score. The older I get, the more I aspire to tap into the symphonic song of nature. To harmonize with the flow of seasons, the cycles in our landscapes, and the larger universe. This year, on June 20, Summer Solstice arrives in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer Solstice marks the time of the longest day and the beginning of summer. Where I live, it ushers in prime growing weather and a magnificent rush of flowers and produce to enjoy and share. In centuries past, Midsummer’s Eve was seen as one of the times that the fairies were supposed to come out and dance. Today a fairy house movement plays off this theme, inviting children lost in the pretend world of blue screens to take a closer look at nature and play for free in an outdoor world of imagination. For families it’s a time of garden salads, strawberry shortcake, picnics, and summer vacation.
Gardeners and farmers are perhaps tied to these cycles as much as any of us can be, living in the modern world. And as a gardener still crafting a life and livelihood from the land, I am touched and heartened by our human impulse to mark the seasons together with earthly and celestial rites and rituals that help us celebrate our circles around the Sun.
🌞*(from an essay on seasonality in my book "The Heirloom Gardener - Traditional Plants and Skills for the Modern World) 'Midsummer Eve' by artist Edward Robert Hughes (one of my favorite artworks)

05/15/2025

Loving these sunburst colored tulips in the fabulous bug inspired vase.

So glad it’s spring 🌷

03/15/2025

Transforming the Heart with Kindness — A 5-week Course on Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8pm, April 2nd to April 30th at 73 Court Street, Portsmouth
Link in bio.

Meditation practice helps us to develop contentment, clarity, integration, concentration, and a sense of peace. Whether you’re just looking to find some stillness in your life, or to directly explore the nature of consciousness, this class is a great way to begin!

In this introductory meditation workshop we will explore the Buddha’s teaching of kindness or metta, generally as a living principle, and more specifically as a meditation practice. Participants will learn the Metta Bhavana, or Cultivation of Loving-Kindness, a meditation that has been practiced for thousands of years. Described as ‘divine abiding’, the practice of loving kindness meditation opens new dimensions and depths of positive emotion within the heart. We will learn how to be with difficult emotion in a creative space, rather than a reactive cycle. We will explore the core Buddhist ethical principle of non-harm and its practical application in daily life, drawing out the rewards and challenges of a life lived with empathy and kindness.

Participants will learn everything they need to begin a regular and effective meditation practice. Suitable for complete beginners, or those looking for a refresher.

The course is by donation: we suggest $10-$15 per class or $40-$60 for the entire 5-weeks; it is also ok not to donate if your budget is too tight. Proceeds will be split between South Church and Portsmouth Buddhist Center. A donation bowl will be onsite. Although the course builds on the material of the previous week, it is also OK to just drop in. Chairs and cushions will be provided, but feel free to bring your own gear if you prefer. Dress in whatever way feels comfortable to you.

01/29/2025

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR – YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE
In Mandarin: "Xīnnián hǎo" (新年好),
In Cantonese: "Gong hei fat choy" (恭喜发财)
Among China’s traditional holidays and celebrations, none ranks higher in importance than the Lunar New Year (農曆新年). Also known as the Spring Festival (春節), or simply Chinese New Year, it marks the beginning of the year according to the traditional lunar calendar.
This year Lunar New Year 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 12th.
Traditionally it's a time to honor ancestors and deities, with family reunions and street parades, and fireworks to drive off evil spirits. While based on the Chinese lunar calendar, Lunar New Year is also celebrated in Korea, Singapore, Mongolia, Tibet, Vietnam and in Asian communities worldwide.
The Lantern Festival, a Chinese tradition celebrated on the first full moon of the year, marks the end of the New Year season. It occurs on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar -- this year, it lands on 5th February.
The Chinese Zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by a different animal. In 2025, we enter the Year of the Snake, the sixth animal in the zodiac cycle. Snakes are known in the zodiac for their wisdom, intuition, and mystery. Naturally strategic, they are excellent problem-solvers and skilled communicators.

At New Year and always may peace and love fill your heart, beauty fill your world, and contentment and joy fill your days

01/06/2025

It’s pomegranate season! Rich in anti-oxidants and vitamin C and so tasty.

Loving this tool gifted to me, made in Vermont. https://pomeasy.com/shop/ols/products/pom-easy

This kale apple pomegranate is simply out of this world: https://nyssaskitchen.com/kale-apple-pomegranate-salad/

And also enjoy mulled cider with pomegranate seeds and orange slices, crazy good!

12/31/2024

Curious about meditation? Looking to level up your mindfulness game in the new year? These intro to meditation courses are highly recommended.

Aryaloka Buddhist Center
Open to all!

https://aryaloka.org/civicrm/event/info%3Fid%3D215%26reset%3D1

Meditation for Beginners — Exploring Mindfulness
January 11, 10-4. Link in bio.

Meditation practice helps us to develop a sense of contentment, peacefulness, integration, clarity and focus.

Mindfulness practice is an excellent way to deepen our capacity for body awareness, awareness of what we think and how we feel, appreciation, kindness and connectedness.

Whether you’re looking to de-stress and find some stillness in your life, or to explore the nature of awareness, this class is a great way to begin!

In this introductory meditation workshop we will explore the Buddha’s teaching of mindfulness, generally as a living principle, and more specifically as a meditation practice. Participants will learn the mindfulness of breathing, a meditation that has been practiced for thousands of years.

Participants will learn everything they need to begin a regular and effective meditation practice. Suitable for complete beginners, or those looking for a refresher.

A vegetarian lunch is included. Participants may consider bringing a notebook with a pen, a water bottle, and warm socks or slippers. We provide meditation cushions and blankets, as well as meditation chairs and benches. Our onsite book and gift shop has many great titles on meditation and Buddhism. Click here for more useful info about attending events at Aryaloka.

Led By — Dh Suddhayu has been a practicing Buddhist since 1992. He is an ordained member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and has been teaching workshops and leading retreats since 1998. He currently works full time for Dharma initiatives as manager of Aryaloka Buddhist Retreat Center and Chair of Portsmouth Buddhist Center.

12/31/2024

Wishing everyone a peaceful transition into the new year.

🌚 Tonight is a rare double new moon known as a Black Moon (like a blue moon, the second new moon in one month)! 🍄 Heirloom Gardening perspectives have long looked to the dark of the moon as a time for deep rooted growth among plants and a time to go inward for us. The Black Moon offers a portal through which we might glimpse and consider new perspectives, elevate consciousness, manifest breakthroughs and recharge energy. Given proximity to a new year, tonight would be a great night to light some candles or go into the dark night to ponder what has been and all you hope to manifest in the new year 🌘 Image: New and Full Moon from the First Book in Astronomy, 1844

06/13/2024

I wish I could post the subtle aroma of these gorgeous peonies. Thank you to my first client this morning who gifted me this beautiful bouquet!