the “thinning of the veils” occur at two times regularly in each year. it refers to our ability in clarity of vision (pineal) to connect with the Spirit of living with it’s ebbs and flows of the changes we experience in plant and animal growth and the expansions and contractions of matter occurring at these seasonal times. they are calendar times half way between Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. Late May and early June, ie. Beltane, May Day and Easter are celebrated when life emerges, resurrects or Springs upward. In mid Fall during late October and early November the wholidays of All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, Halloween and Samhain, etc. are celebrated in the Northern Western World. this next week marks this time when we descend, to collect with harvesting, grounding into ourselves and preparing to hibernate with the darker months of Winter. 
~it is a time for openess and flexability in preparation for standing our grounded being and expanding with contraction in embracing all creation~...
To every one, enJoy this whole week with the connections and celebrations!...

skulls

pencil on paper

18" x 24"

1980

Fall with 66 #2

installation with Earth pigments & og wheat on fallen leaf ground

Fall with 66 #1

installation with Earth pigments & og wheat on fallen leaf ground

"dial de Sol tabla"

(in the belly of my yang years)

this repurposed weathered shale tile patio table as a Sun dial with South at top, for lack of my shadow, says it is "Midmorning" real time in Wilmington, NC 34˚14'25"N, 77˚54'5"W as I stand at my Solar return time/space 11/29/13 in the belly of my yang years as I receive a new impulse from the energy center without/within as symbolized by the Sun...
enThanks to their/our/my and their/our/my many givens & receiveds...

"Dock and the Apple Tree"

                                                         9/7/13

3 mother Turkey and their charge of 15 - 16 (presently) have been grazing, roosting in the Pines and community schooling each other in the yard. They neither seem to be fearful of the installation and graze and weave in and about it... Welcome Turkey enThanks!

an overview is shot from the deck of the house approximately 6’ above the higher ground plane of the piece.

a mid Lammas  (late Summer for those who follow the 4 season system) NE seasonal cocreative and collaborative with Nature installation “Dock and the Apple Tree” is 30’ in length , the Rumex stalks are 15” to 30” in height. the line plays upon the outer rim of a semicircular concave disc of the ground plane that the Apple Tree is centered within. an area of lower growing vegetation lay beyond the Apple Tree. it creates forms and shapes reinforcing the circular forms and lines with the piece. toward the NW the ground plane flattens and extends out to the wood’s edge over 100’ away. further to the West is an ovular garden highlighted by tall grasses, Hydrangea and lower perennials. another circular is formed by the dirt/stone path of the driveway. to the East and South are extended lawns and more bordering woods. the mown lawn, driveway space and the perpendicular vegetation help to define the entirety of the piece with the ground, horizontally and vertically, and into the skies’ constantly changing spatial atmosphere.

the line drawn with the Docks, Curly/Yellow Rumex crispus, is pervious and does not physically extend to other forms, it is implied by the eye as it picks up other lines and forms in the overall landscape. the red/purple/orange colors of Yellow/Curly Dock seed heads play with the greens/blues and yellows complimentarily. the line of Docks lay on the NW arc of the semi circle around the Apple Tree and connect visually with the entire landscape.

these next shots taken from the Four Directions were taken 8/30/13

“Dock and the Apple Tree” from the East

“Dock and the Apple Tree” from the South

“Dock and the Apple Tree” shot from the West

“Dock and the Apple Tree” shot from the North

                        

heavy rains during the night two days after I installed the Dock seed heads lay some of the stalks down on the ground changing the character expression of its lines under the tree. falling apples (fruit/seed) assist in the lay down and with a vertical to horizontal movement.

9/1/13 with the South toward North

and on 9/5/13 with the North perspective toward the South

a small stand of blossoming Motherwort Monarca cardiaca at the base of the Apple Tree is seen clearly in this photo and accents the lineality with the Dock and the Apple Tree. 

bright clear days see shadow play with the geometrics of the installation. colder temps; last night’s 40˚  temps, down from low 60˚s during the rains of the weekend and daytime high in the 70˚s came down low 60˚s and 50˚s at night have broken down cellulose and cold snapped seeds and branches to the Earth. I have also noticed unidentified small seed eating birds’ feeding on the seeds from their perch in the Apple Tree. this activity creates lively lines and form, activating the relationships.

the environment, all, micro and macro cosmically play with the installation and with our own personal perspectives with it…

and from the North toward the South Sun Rays and Light Orbs infused magical light energetics with the “Dock and the Apple Tree installation as I begin to set in place my trip back to Wilmington, NC

for the warmth of the Sun.......................

9/10 the line of Docks fall and disperse more creating changes with new lineal and formatic concepts.
the entire environment evolves; mushrooms to the left and the apples' color and density. light rays with
photo juxtapose with the tree trunks, accenting the "Fall".

"Yellow Dock Rumex crispus Field theories"

As spring bounces back and forth, cold to warm, and we dream of fresh cooling fruit and yet it's too chilly yet this recipe can answer both urges, As friends attest all my recipes are about this much or that instead of this... be creative, individualize with your taste buds! and organic ingredients, or else!...

Spiced Pineapple cubes

@ one fresh Pineapple cubed

@ tbs of warming Sesame oil

@ 1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper

@ 1 - 2+ ground(s) Clove(s)

big pinch of Cinnamon pwd

@ tsp Honey, Maple Syrup and/or Barley Malt, etc...

dazzle with Salt and Black Pepper

semi cook/saute in a cast Iron skillet

 Water bearer ring

Sun set 

we journey 

with last quarter

dark of Spring Equinox

 tomorrow

 light increasing

 inspiring

 ring

growth

ringWater

ring...

 egg carton foundation for the art (40 weeks in the compost) mid day

1:02 PM (Gregorian time) Vernal Equinox time as half way between Sunrise and Sunset

enJoy the Spring Equinox 2013 with creative Body, Mind and Spirit as One

young Fig leaves rising with the Vernal Equinox

Patterns of emerging greens out of the browns/reds of winter here in coastal SE North Carolina. These plants are here with/for us to cleanse our stuck and thickened blood and fat, stored initially for nourishment, that await lymphatic and blood rinsing of unprocessed wastes with the assistance of rains. This early Spring call with Earth and with our plant allies is eliminating and repurifying stagnant wastes from Earth as well as with our own bodies. It is an essential synchronicity of our wholeness with Earth and with the elements. Rich in minerals and vitamins for all who rely on Earth's Cornucopia of Plenty. With gently applied nurturing our existence smoothly flows with the seasons.
My understanding of many of the local greens is too limited for bioregional specificied recommendations with all the plants in the above photograph. Neither do I recommend working with these plants or with other cleansing tonifying herbs on your own without consulting an experienced practitioner.
The roots, greens and/or blossoms of plants we generally might consider during early Springtime lymphatic and blood cleansing worth considering in western traditions are Burdock (Gobo) Arctium lappa, Cleavers Galium aperine, Dandelion Tarraxacum off. (over 500 bioregional varieties depending on where in the world one lives), Plantain Plantago major & lanceolata, Red Clover Trifolium pratense and Yellow or Curly Dock Rumex crispus.
Green Blessings...

NC Cotton Field                                              digital

Aside from stark aesthetic expression Hemp, Cotton and Synthetic Polyester production comparisons for me comes down to which least effects the environment? Hemp clearly is superior in what it gives back to Earth. 

from Stockholm Environment Institute:
http://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/cotton%20hemp%20polyester%20study%20sei%20and%20bioregional%20and%20wwf%20wales.pdf

from Slate written by Brian Palmer;
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_green_lantern/2011/04/high_on_environmentalism.html (spends more line space trying to be a non partial journalist.)

Imbolc, Candlemas and/or a the day the Sun has returned half way to the Equinox

My small kitchen garden of hardy organic Kales, a Cauliflower, Arugula, green and red leaf varieties I picked up at Progressive Gardens in Wilmington, NC in mid November along with garden Daffodils & Red Yarrow have stayed through more than half a dozen freezing night temperatures.

Am seeing a well fed Feast Celebrating Imbolc, Candlemas and/or the day the Sun has returned half way toward the light of the Equinox! 

to all our falling warriors

Loquat falling warrior feather                                               ©Greg Patch        

Duckweed Grid

Duckweed; family Lemnaceae

Duckweed Grid                                                           ©Greg Patch

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemnoideae;

Classifications created prior to the approximate end of the twentieth century tend to classify them as a separate family,Lemnaceae.

Duckweed is an important high-protein food source for waterfowl and also is eaten by humans in some parts of Southeast Asia. As it contains more protein than soybeans, it is sometimes cited as a significant potential food source.^[6] The tiny plants provide cover forfry of many aquatic species. The plants are used as shelter by pond water species such as bullfrogs and bluegills. They also provide shade and, although frequently confused with them, can reduce certain light-generated growths of photoautotrophic algae.

The plants can provide nitrate removal, if cropped, and the duckweeds are important in the process of bioremediation because they grow rapidly, absorbing excess mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphates. For these reasons they are touted as water purifiers of untapped value.^[7]

The Swiss Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries, SANDEC, associated with the Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, asserts that as well as the food and agricultural values, duckweed also may be used forwaste water treatment to capture toxins and for odor control, and, that if a mat of duckweed is maintained during harvesting for removal of the toxins captured thereby, it prevents the development of algae and controls the breeding of mosquitoes.^[8] The same publication provides an extensive list of references for many duckweed-related topics.

These plants also may play a role in conservation of water because a cover of duckweed will reduce evaporation of water when compared to the rate of a similar size water body with a clear surface.

Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

There are many questions about this beautiful classic Southern plant...

"reformed fallen to ground Spanish Moss Tillandsia usneoides placed in green space"  ©Greg Patch

from http://www.ehow.com/list_6504160_uses-tillandsia-usneoides.html;

"Tillandsia usneoides--also called Spanish moss, long moss and graybeard--is an epiphytic plant. An epiphytic plant is one that hangs from the branches and trunks of a host plant but derives nutrients from the rain and air. It is not parasitic and requires its host for physical and mechanical support only. Tillandsia usneoides commonly grows on the bald cypress and southern live oak trees. The plant has been harvested for centuries and is used in numerous commercial applications--one of which was as stuffing for the seats of Ford Model T cars."
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss;

"The plant's specific name usneoides means "resembling Usnea", and it indeed closely resembles its namesake Usnea, also known as beard lichen, but in fact Spanish moss is not biologically related to either mosses or lichens. Instead, it is an angiosperm in the family Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) that grows hanging from tree branches in full sun or partial shade. Formerly this plant has been placed in the genera Anoplophytum,Caraguata, and Renealmia.^[2] Its natural range is from Virginia Beach, Virginia in thesoutheastern United States to Argentina, growing wherever the climate is warm enough and has a relatively high average humidity. It has been introduced to similar locations around the world, including Hawaii and Australia."

from Herbal Therapeutics David Winston, Herbalist AHG;

Usnea Usnea babata is a symbiotic life composed of an algae and a fungus. Medicinally Usnea is a powerful antibacterial agent inhibiting gram positive bacteria (Streotococcus, Staphyloccus, Pneumococcus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It is also an antifungal agent (ringworm, atheletes foot,) that kills trichomonas and candida. Usnea is an antispasmodic to the lung and large intestine. It is indicated for spastic colon, strep throat, bronchitis, pleuresy, pneumonia and cystitis."

Are their similarities beyond appearance?

what uses medicinally are there for Spanish Moss? 

For starters it is rich in calcium... 

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss

"Spanish moss is an epiphyte which absorbs nutrients (especially calcium) and water from the air and rainfall."

and also pollutants in industrial and vehicular areas that it has absorbed. We could line our highways with Spanish Moss farms. A medicinal from it would need to be grown securely away from these high pollutant areas.

In what form does Spanish Moss return these nutrients to Earth?

these four sketches done on my trip to the NE.

I used fresh green Black Walnut Juglans nigra husk and fresh violet red Poke Phytolacca americana berry dyes gathered from Beacon, NY & Greenfield, MA...each are medicinally different as fall cleansers in traditional herbalism. Black Walnut husk a vermifuge & anti fungal (http://gregpatch.blogspot.com/2012/09/black-walnut-juglans-nigra.html); Poke br is carefully used for arthritic or cystular growth conditions

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

green Black Walnut Juglans nigra fruit dye drawings. cutting into the green fruit

like with lino or wood cuts and pressing or rolling the whole fruit with dark walnut ink dye oozing from the cut designs on to the paper... and using various tools for design weight...

the fresh walnuts from a tree nearby; a local, and an indiginous to Beacon, NY and the NE 

deciduous tree populations/communities...

Juglans niger is used in traditional medicines and in its perfection nature gifts us with this medicine during the change from summer to fall when summer seasonal parasites and fungus are among us with heightened exuberance;

from David Winston RH (AHG),

http://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/DWinstonWhatsGoingOn_BlackWalnut.htm

"black walnuts (Juglans nigra). The nuts can be eaten and the green hulls are used to make medicine. Black walnuts have a long history of use especially topically and internally both as antifungal agents and as a vermifuge. Black walnut is traditionally used for amoebic infections such as Giardia, Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Cryptosporidium. A wide range of amoebic and amoeba-like organisms can be treated using black walnut. I prefer this herb for adults; it is a bit too strong to be used in children. And for those of you who are horse lovers do not use black walnut products with your horses because it is toxic to horses. But in humans, it is relatively non-toxic although incredibly bitter and horrible tasting. The extract of the green hulls ranks it as one of my top five worst tasting plants extracts. It can also be used topically for fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm. Be very careful with fungal infection in very sensitive areas such as the groin as it can cause irritation and swelling. Phyllis Light RH(AHG) who is a wonderful herbalist from Alabama also says that black walnut stimulates thyroid function. This is not something I've used it for, but when you have somebody who is as experienced an herbalist as she, is stating that it has that activity, I have no doubt that it does."