Earth Temple Retreats

07/28/2025

Medical astrology, alchemy and spagyrics recognizes that each plant has a planetary ruler. This means that each plant has extra influence from one or sometimes two planets.

In the case of cedar, it is ruled by Jupiter. The energies and archetypes of Jupiter are expansion, benevolence, healing, compassion, spiritual growth, ambition and luck. Anyone who has done a dieta with Cedar will attest to the healing, forgiveness and abundance aspects of this plant spirit.

These qualities of regeneration would be focused on the organs and body systems that are ruled by Jupiter (another facet of medical astrology). Jupiter rules the liver, pituitary, the reproductive glands (and fertility) and enriches the blood.

It doesn’t take a lot to see how the spiritual impact of cedar is mirroring the physical impact and vice versa.

A reminder to keep a balanced relationship with the medicine from this benevolent tree. A little goes a long was with tea and tinctures should only be used for 2 weeks at a time.

Have questions ? Put them in the comments and our in house shamanic herbalist will answer to the best of their ability.

07/21/2025

Smudges are commonly used these days to clear a space energetically, and for protection from negative energy. But it is also known that using the smoke of plants will rid the air of bacteria and viruses. This is one example of the multidimensional qualities of plant medicines!

When using cedar as a smudge, it is easier to dry the cedar fully and then grind it to a fine powder. This can be done in a coffee grinder that is dedicated to herbs.

As a fine powder, it lights easily and burns smoothly with a beautiful aromatic scent. The medicine of cedar can fill the space around you.

Have questions about this post? Put them in the comments and a herbalist will answer to the best of their ability. Please know that we can’t give health advice here.

07/19/2025

One of the actions of Cedar is that it’s ‘diaphoretic’. This means that it helps to open the pores in our skin to promote sweating. This is one of the channels that our body has to clean and clear out debris. When the blood cleans up metabolic waste or infection then it would take it into the lymph glands to be moved out through the sweat. Cedar assists this process to work better, so this is how it’s helping with colds and flues.

Cedar tea is a good option here or even using a strong decoction in a bath. (Decoction simply means to boil in water for 20-40 minutes).

Cedar can be used in preventative care or as a way to support the body during colds and flu.

Have questions about this post? Put them in the comments and a herbalist will answer to the best of their ability. Please know that we can’t give health advice here.

07/17/2025

Cedar can change our internal environment. In a modern medical context, the words used are anti-microbial, but herbalists didn’t ever use these terms. We have different words to express these actions, and it is an important mindset shift. Another way to say this is that is improves our internal environment which then becomes inhospitable to viruses, bacterial, fungi and parasites that can make us unwell. Anti is against, we hope to shift the mindset to how to work ‘with’ our natural environment.

It is important to note that it’s doing that with a constituent called Thujone. Taken in small quantities for a defined period of time, this is quite safe for our human bodies, but can accumulate in the body and cause serious problems if used for a long time and/or in a concentrated form like an essential oil. Over-use can lead to serious nervous system damage, so here are some helpful guidelines.

Taken as a tea, the water doesn’t extract the Thujone. This is the safest preparation. There are many traditions that will use Cedar tea regularly. The tea can also be used in a bath or as a spray.

If a stronger medicine is desired (often used for herpes simplex, warts) then a tincture can be used (usually 1-2 ml/day of regular tincture or 0.5-1ml per day of spagyric tincture). However, this kind of dose should only be used for 2 weeks at a time. If needed for longer periods, then at least two weeks should be taken off between courses. Tinctures are too strong to be used in pregnancy, lactation or for children. Essential oils should also be avoided during pregnancy. Any time using essential oils, dilute them into a carrier oil.

Have questions about this post? Put them in the comments and a herbalist will answer to the best of their ability. Please know that we can’t give health advice here.

05/30/2024

A special invitation by Carolyn from Earth Temple

Every dieta has its magic and beauty, though I’ll admit one of my favourite master plants is Bobinsana. Wow, wow wow! She showed how often I twirl in processes. How my energy gets distracted from what truly matters. And how to step into greater responsibility within myself and the world around me. Bobinsana gave me a confidence boost in activating and sharing my dharma from a place of love.

“Be empty” I kept hearing over and over and over during dieta. I’d pause, take a deep breath and feel the simple joy of the moment. In letting go of the distractions, a higher guidance would arise and nudge me into greater alignment. In ceremony, she'd show me magical rainbow gardens! And as I'd integrate by Kootenay Lake, I'd have eagles, otters, black bears, hummingbirds and crows come visit. It was pure magic.

This July 23-Aug 1st we are holding a 10 day in person Bobinsana master plant dieta retreat with the option to combine it with Noya Rao, the Tree of Light. It will be an epic duo. We will be nestled into the majestic Kootenay mountains near a sweet little creek. Bobinsana loves water, hence Sirenita de los rios - Mermaid of the rivers.

Noya Rao is a master teacher and is what many healers in the jungle dieta in order open their vision and enhance their healing abilities.

Life is a beautiful journey and sometimes all we need is a little break to retreat within and learn from the masters to recalibrate our lives and come back to the resonance of magic.

If you feel the pull feel free to write to us and check out the site for more details! Link in comments.

We would love to see you there,

Carolyn and the Earth Temple Team

02/13/2024

Only 3 spots left for noyarao dieta in Hawaii.

Come tonthe jungle with us!

March 19 to 27

08/05/2022

04/16/2022

12/30/2019

So you know what the number one new year's resolution is?
Yes get ready, the # 1 new years resolution people commit to is...... to evolve into their greatest spiritual potential and open into the deep reslization they are God in form

Hah psyche!
No
The number one goal is to lose weight😊

Yes that's what the majority of people put for their new years resolution.
And I mean no disrespect
I'm all about being healthy.
But I remember when I first got to peru how relieved I felt from the psychic energy released around a collective not completely obsessed with body image. And the pressure put on us that says we are never good enough is a real thing.
I have worked with hundreds of women and all of them have dealt with body shame and learning to reprogram their beliefs.
We share a field of energy and when women or men or whoever else feel crappy about themselves all the time it feeds that field. That's why loving yourself is such a radical act. It's a wonderful form of activism that says no I will not believe the lie and root myself in the love of truth. I am a miracle. I am worthy. I am enough. I am a child of the God and Goddess and I am willing to stand tall and claim it as so. Blessings to all you are today. Remember how amazing you are and for a minute just give yourself some credit for what you have been through, some of you Barely even surviving! And whether we see it or not, on some level we are already whole, and there's nothing to fix and nothing change.
medicine

04/09/2019

We have a few spots left in this northern retreat in Canada this Spring. Please be in touch if you may feel the call to join us. Boundless love

04/01/2018

Life is a spiral. Moving through cycles and moments that are so close but never touch. Circles of time teaching us, showing us, revealing to us all the teachings not yet learned.

03/29/2018

The sweet scent of crushed herbs and flowers always wakes a memory in me that traces through lives and times. when we gather with the plant nations and feel the sweet feeling of partnership and friendship we become stronger, wiser, less inclined to put up with bu****it. Deepening our relationship with ourselves and who we are. We cannot understand ourselves if we do not have a relationship with the earth. We can only go so deep if we do not romance the waters, winds, stars, sun and moon. We can only move so far if we keep seeing ourselves as separate. Relationship takes work. And that includes our relationship with our first home.. Our amazing planet. So go talk to the big old trees. Make your Wishes upon the stars, dream with the flowers, pray with the waters. Watch the sunset birth night and give thanks. For the spirit of the lands will always feed a tired heart.