Our medicine of the month is about Drinking up life and we go on that journey with Hummingbird. Beltane’s journey on May 1st was led with three separate pollinators, and I think the message carries all month that we take in joy, nourishment, kindness, love, when we find it, and by doing that, seeking each moment of joy, we spread light, and remember when we spread light to one person, it pollinates them, and they can bloom. But it starts with us nourishing ourselves. As I said in the membership group, do no harm, but take no shit…this is the work on now. Hold boundaries but still be sweet.

HUMMINGBIRD

Let’s talk about hummingbird medicine. There are over 300 species of Hummingbird, and they are only found in the Americas.

Though she be tiny, the Hummingbird has much medicine to share with us. Hummingbird has an incredible memory, remembering every flower she visits and the intricate routes to return to them. She also knows just how long to wait for a flower to generate more nectar, so it can return to feed. Hummingbirds also recognize humans and knows who refills bird feeders and who doesn’t.

This is essential for their survival, as their constantly humming wings never stop, making their wisdom one of constant motion and quickness. Because they never stop flapping their wings, they need to eat every ten minutes, with a fast metabolism. Hummingbird brings a joyous energy to their environment, bearing light in their iridescent wings and energy.

Hummingbird travels more than 2000 miles in a single migration, beating its wings up to 5400 times per minutes so travel at speeds of 33 mph. But they don’t fly only in one direction. Hummingbird are extremely adaptable because they can hover, fly up, down, backwards and forwards…making them a beautiful ally of those who tap into the multidimensional universe. Hummingbird is seen as the medicine of the present, of joy, of playfulness, of happiness, of action, and of endurance. They are the bringers of light and the sacred.

Because Hummingbird is native to the Americas, but most specifically to South America, you find many legends of Hummingbird through the Aztec, Maya, and Inca. Mayan legends explain that the reason Hummingbird is so tiny is because it was created out of the scraps of feathers left over when other flying creatures were made. In both Mayan and Incan traditions, Hummingbird is the representative of the North and the ability to guide us to our ancestors. Hummingbird is known to accompany shamans to the Three Worlds, Upper, Middle and Lower, during the journeying process and also regarded as a psychopomp, or one who guides souls to the afterlife. Hummingbird is also a retriever of lost souls because it can fly quickly into small spaces and bring back the soul undetected. In many traditions, Hummingbird carried the prayers to the Gods, whispering on the wind the requests and gratitude of the shaman, and teaching the people to “drink deeply from the nectar of life”.

In some Peruvian shamanic traditions, the Royal Hummingbird is known as Siwar Q’enti in the Quechua language, the language of the Incan Empire. Hummingbird is one of the most important archetypal creatures, known for its ability to fly in many directions: up, down, backward, forward, and also to stay hovering in place. Maybe for that reason, Siwar Q’enti is also invoked during the calling in of the North direction during some shamanic opening ceremonies, “whispering to us in the winds” and “teaching us to drink deeply from the nectar of life.”

Don Oscar Miro-Quesada says “Hummingbird medicine takes our nectar and cross pollinates us with the universe so that we are always connected to the great web of life. When we call forth the energies of Royal Hummingbird, we open to a profound relationship that gives us the ability to weave the beauty, peace and lightness of the heavenly realm into our everyday for a greater sense of love, gentleness and service in our lives.” This tiny iridescent bird packs a huge amount of energy, darting tirelessly from flower to flower in search of nectar. She is full of life, energy, and bravery. Hummingbirds can teach us how to use flowers for healing and work with plant medicine. She also helps us relearn how to honor our body and reembody our body after trauma or illness. She is a symbol of healing and abundance.

Interested in working with hummingbird a little more intensely? Take this guided shamanic journey with hummingbird.

Calendula

Our plant ally this month is Calendula, a sunshiney bloom with ancient roots and modern magic. Officially known as Calendula officinalis, she’s not the same as the marigolds in your flower beds, even though folks often mix them up. Calendula is her own medicine—an herb of healing, protection, and joy. She’s been a companion in my practice for years, especially when my skin or spirit needs a little extra love.

Calendula is beloved in herbalism for a reason. She’s anti-inflammatory, soothing, and gently powerful—used traditionally to heal wounds, ease eczema, calm sunburn, and bring balance to irritated or inflamed skin. Even her slightly bitter taste carries that signature plant wisdom, that grounding earth medicine. And yes, she works just as beautifully in tea, oils, tinctures, and spiritual baths.

One of my favorite ways to work with her? A bano—a ritual bath. I boil water with intention, prayers, maybe a little song, and dissolve Dead Sea salt and Epsom salt into it. Then I turn off the heat and add calendula petals (and sometimes other herbs, depending on the moment). Let it steep like tea for the soul. Once it cools, I strain it through cheesecloth and pour it over my head in the shower—or soak in it if I don’t mind the cool water. That temperature drop shocks the aura just enough to shake off the dust of the day and realign your field. It’s like a reset button. Calendula is especially beautiful for this kind of energy work. She helps clear, soothe, and bless.

Beyond the body, Calendula is pure solar magic. She’s tied to the sun and the element of fire but holds a gentler flame—one that heals instead of scorches. In witchcraft and folk magic, she’s long been used to ward off negativity and invite in love, luck, and protection. Hanging dried calendula above your door is an old tradition for keeping unwanted energy out. Her petals can be scattered in ritual circles, tucked into dream pillows, or used in spellwork for justice, healing, and clarity.

Calendula has that kind of “speak truth with warmth” energy. She teaches us to rise up like the sun and still remain soft. She’s about abundance—not just in finances (though yes, she’s a great ally for money magic and job success), but in attitude. In beauty. In resilience. If she’s blooming in your life, there’s a message there: keep creating the environment where joy can grow.

And if you want to grow her? Calendula is easy. She thrives in compost-rich soil and full sun but doesn’t like intense heat. She reseeds herself if you let her, which is the most Calendula thing ever—always showing up again, ready to heal, ready to brighten. Just keep deadheading the spent flowers to prolong her bloom time. The sticky resin at the base of the flower heads is part of her medicine, so don’t be afraid to get your fingers a little tacky.

You can eat her too—those golden petals can be sprinkled in salads, stirred into eggs, frozen into herbal ice cubes, or steeped into teas and butters. I remember once, in the deep heart of winter, an herbalist friend brought me a quiche speckled with calendula petals. It felt like sunshine on a fork.

Calendula reminds us that beauty is medicine. That healing can be soft. That even in hard seasons, we can bloom.

Emerald

So, what’s the deal with Emeralds? I mean, aside from being absolutely gorgeous, they’re packed with history, healing, and symbolism. St. Hildegard of Bingen (a badass medieval mystic who loved her crystals) once said, “All the green of nature is concentrated within the Emerald.” And honestly? That’s exactly how it feels when you hold one.

Emerald is a variety of Beryl (yes, the same mineral family that gives us Aquamarine and Morganite), and it’s been adored for literally thousands of years—like, it was sold in Babylon as early as 4000 BCE. Cleopatra was obsessed with it. The Incas worshipped it. The name even comes from a Sanskrit word that basically means “the green of growing things.” How poetic is that?

Known as the “Stone of Successful Love,” Emerald is all about heart energy. It opens up the Heart Chakra, bringing in love, compassion, and a little bit of domestic bliss. Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationships, attract a soulmate, or just feel more connected, Emerald’s got you.

But it’s not just a love stone. It’s also incredible for intuition and insight—especially anything connected to vision, both literal and metaphorical. People have long believed Emerald could sharpen the mind, enhance psychic abilities, and even help you see the future. It’s associated with wisdom, clarity, memory, and discernment. Basically, it’s the go-to if you need your heart and your head working together.

On the physical side, Emerald’s thought to be a rejuvenator. It's said to help with everything from eyesight and sinuses to the heart, liver, and spine. Some traditions even say it can aid fertility and recovery from illness. It’s that whole green, life-giving vibe—it just wants everything to grow and heal.

In terms of emotions, Emerald is like a soft hug for your soul. It’s said to soothe heartbreak, lift heavy energy, and help clear away old wounds—especially those that left you feeling powerless. It encourages you to live from your heart with trust, hope, and compassion—not just for others, but for yourself, too.

Spiritually, it connects you to Divine Love and abundance—not just money (though, yes please), but a kind of holistic, soul-deep abundance. It reminds you that there is always enough, and that the universe wants to support your joy.

Whether you’re wearing it, meditating with it, or placing it on your altar, Emerald helps bring balance, beauty, and emotional harmony. And hey, if you’ve got something creative or visionary you’re working on, this stone will happily sit by your side, cheering you on with ancient wisdom and good vibes.

As I began exploring stones and crystals on my blog, one of the first crystals I covered was Amethyst. So, here are my thoughts now, and then: It is kind of interesting to see how I have evolved in the 11 years since this was first published.

From Baby Angie:

Amethyst draws you in with its beautiful color, which ranges from pale lavender to a deep purple. And a deep deep purple that appears almost black. There is a type of amethyst called chevron amethyst, which is banded in a chevron pattern. Gorgeousness. It has a Moh's hardness of 7 and is indeed a member of the quartz family, making it resonate beautifully with other quartz stones like citrine, clear quartz, smoky quartz, aventurine, chalcedony, agates, carnelian, among others. Amethyst, like malachite and lapis lazuli, has a rich history and mythology. It is said to be in the ninth stone on the breastplate of the high priest of Israel. And amethyst was one of the stones where each of the twelve tribes were written. In medieval times, soldiers wore it as protection on the battle field. As far back as the Neolithic era, 25,000 BCE, amethyst was found in archaeological digs as part of gravesites and ritual. Through the Common Era, amethyst was seen as a stone of royalty, and used in crowns and rings of Kings and Queens.

Amethyst's name is derived from the Greek word for drunk (methustos). Actually, amethyst is a translation of amethustos, or not drunken. The Ancient Greek wore amethyst, and made wine glasses from amethyst, because they believed amethyst prevented intoxication. Indeed, amethyst today is considered the stone of sobriety, worn to help balance the mind, and bring clarity. It also emits calming energy, which helps relieve the frustration that often brings the first drink. I am personally working on a list of stones to be used with each of the Twelve Steps and the virtues associated with each step. I think amethyst is a beautiful first step stone, and one that works well with each stage of recovery.

The belief of amethyst's power of sobriety may stem from the myth of Amethyst in Ancient Greek Mythology, which may or may not have first derived from the French poet, Remy Belleau, who wrote often about crystals and precious stones. I can't find any documentation besides Wiki either way, so I am just sharing the entire mythology part of from Wikipedia page on amethyst.

In his poem "L'Amethyste, ou les Amours de Bacchus et d'Amethyste" (Amethyst or the loves of Bacchus and Amethyste), the French poet Remy Belleau (1528–1577) invented a myth in which Bacchus, the god of intoxication, of wine, and grapes was pursuing a maiden named Amethyste, who refused his affections. Amethyste prayed to the gods to remain chaste, a prayer which the chaste goddess Diana answered, transforming her into a white stone. Humbled by Amethyste's desire to remain chaste, Bacchus poured wine over the stone as an offering, dyeing the crystals purple.[16][17]

Variations of the story include that Dionysus had been insulted by a mortal and swore to slay the next mortal who crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wrath. The mortal turned out to be a beautiful young woman, Amethystos, who was on her way to pay tribute to Artemis. Her life was spared by Artemis, who transformed the maiden into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears then stained the quartz purple.[18]

This myth and its variations are not found in classical sources. Although the titan Rhea does present Dionysus with an amethyst stone to preserve the wine-drinker's sanity in historical text.[19]

Because of its association as an anti-intoxicant, in medieval times, it was said to also prevent the intoxication of love, so priests and monks often wore amethyst as a symbol for their vows of chastity. It has strong spiritual roots. Even Buddhists in Tibet used amethyst in prayer beads and carvings.

This makes perfect sense to me, because amethyst is a beautiful meditation ally, because it resonates and stimulates the crown chakra, as well as the third eye. It is also an incredibly protective stone, and I encourage people to use it in their toolkit of protection right alongside black tourmaline, onyx, smoky quartz, and other stones. It enhances your intuitive abilities and helps you activate your Higher Self. It is wonderful in environments, and works well in grids for protection and transmuting energy. Or just sitting in a room that you want purified and high vibrational. So, a large cluster of amethyst is a great addition to any room, but particularly a room for healers. It helps shield energy, as well as assist healing. One of the most beautiful aspects of amethyst is how it gently helps you see the root of your dis-ease. Naisha Ahsian says that amethyst assists "in eliminating emotion-based decision-making, allowing one to take actions based on higher guidance and spiritual understanding." WOWEE!

Amethyst works well with other stones. Amethyst works beautifully in grids for addiction, protection, healing, health, disease, emotional balance and a whole host of other things. I personally love using amethyst in grid with black tourmaline as a protector, purifier, and transmuter of negative energy.

Because it works so hard for you, work hard for you amethyst by re-tuning it fairly often with a tuning fork, singing bowl or other resonator. Amethyst is particularly sensitive to sunlight, so be kind to her and help amethyst keep its beautiful color by keeping her out of sunlight. Amethyst is able to withstand water, so cleanse her through running water of the ocean, a stream or other natural body of water, and of course, you can set amethyst out in full moon light to soak up all that wisdom.

A beautiful affirmation for amethyst comes from Naisha Ahsian's work in Book of Stones.

I am purified, uplifted and protected through my connection to the Divine.

Okay, Modern Angelica Yingst, aged warrior of the Earth Medicine:

I agree with all Baby Angie said. Amethyst is the jack of all trades crystal. One of the most abundant on earth. Amethyst is a purple Quartz crystal with colors that range from light lavender to dark almost black purple. It is one of the most prevalent and recognizable crystals out there. The name derives from the Greek for Drunk (Methustos). Amethyst actually means Not Drunk. The Ancient Greeks took this a step further by making wine goblets of Amethyst to help them not feel as intoxicated while drinking from it. Today, Amethyst is considered the stone of Sobriety, and it helps with clarity,

Amethyst probably remains the most popular, easily obtained and effective crystal for crown and third eye work. Amethyst, like malachite and lapis lazuli, has a rich history and mythology. Amethyst is a beautiful meditation ally, because it resonates and stimulates the crown chakra, as well as the third eye. It is also an incredibly protective stone, and I encourage people to use it in their toolkit of protection right alongside black tourmaline, onyx, smoky quartz, and other black stones. It enhances your intuitive abilities and helps you activate your Higher Self. It is wonderful in environments and works well in grids for protection and transmuting energy. Or just sitting in a room that you want purified and high vibrational. So, a large cluster of amethyst is a great addition to any room, but particularly a room for healers. It helps shield energy, as well as assist healing. One of the most beautiful aspects of amethyst is how it gently helps you see the root of your dis-ease. I also find it really useful for honesty with oneself. It is wonderful for sleep and dream work, working with anxiety and depression, overcoming addiction and working with panic attacks and trauma. Holding an amethyst in each hand can bring energy down and calm an individual in the midst of a panic attack.

I personally use Amethyst a lot for trauma work with clients, holding space for healing old wounds—generational, karmic and whatnot. It is a beautiful ally and it is a goto for so many of us. I am particularly fond of elestial amethyst or elestial smoky amethyst for shamanic work…and I love the scepters if you can find them.