Like many other native plants this year, black gooseberry bushes are starting to leaf out several weeks ahead of their normal cycle. Seeing the green buds in early Spring brings joy to my heart and reminds me of the wonderful gifts that the plant people bring to us. In times of doubt, when it is challenging to judge what is accurate or double speak, or when you need help with discernment, black gooseberry offers a reminder to turn your gaze inward — as you do in gatherings with spiritual friends — to connect to the wisdom that is deep within.
Inner Wisdom
Black Gooseberry(Ribes lacustre),is a Pacific Northwest native deciduous perennial shrub that grows to 4 feet with small “fuzzy” golden prickles along the stalk and thorns at leaf nodes. Its has small maple-leaf shaped leaves, small reddish saucer shaped drooping flower clusters and black fruit in early Fall. Black gooseberry flowers provide food for hummingbirds and the berries are eaten by humans and other critters. Some indigenous peoples believed the spiny stalks had protective powers.
Black Gooseberry says of itself:
Like a circle of spiritual friends reaching toward inner guidance, search your inner counsel for the truth of your deepest wisdom.
I AM wisdom emanating from the core of your Being.
Watch for the upcoming website update! Each essence will have its own detailed page with definition, medicinal food and wildlife uses, related symptoms and the action of the essence. Our intention is to provide more information while keeping the website easy to navigate. We are happy to be available to answer your questions about our products during our regular business hours – Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm Pacific Time.