40 Fierce and Nourishing: What Nettles and Dandelion Teach Us About Strength

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A wooden table in a serene outdoor setting, adorned with a basket of bright yellow dandelions and a steaming teapot, surrounded by lush green grass and more dandelions under a soft morning light.


“Dandelion is the plant that will not be erased. Every attempt to remove her simply disperses her further — her seeds carried on the wind, landing in new places, beginning again.”

April is a season of fire and contradiction — warm one afternoon, cold the next, full of urgency and uncertainty in equal measure. In this episode, we settle into the waning moon energy of mid-April and turn to two of spring’s most fierce and nourishing plant allies for guidance.

We explore stinging nettle — why this week may be the most important harvest window of the entire year, how to find her, how to use her, and what she offers the adrenal-weary body in Aries season. We also spend time with dandelion leaf and flower in their spring expression — bright, bitter, solar, and deeply cleansing after the long heaviness of winter.

Along the way, we touch on the Aries stellium and what it means to tend yourself in a season that wants to burn hot, the vitalist tradition of nourishing before launching, and a simple waning moon practice to carry you toward the New Moon on April 17th.

This episode is for every woman who knows she needs to fill the well — and is finally ready to let the plants help her do it.

🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools

(affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work)

Herbs featured in this Show:

1. Dandelion Leaf

https://amzn.to/422orCk

2. Nettles

https://amzn.to/3ObOWSH

3. Table Top Hydroponics

https://amzn.to/4tFxLrQ

My favorite tea-making tools:

BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker, 

https://amzn.to/4r4LYNH

Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar, 

https://amzn.to/4qWQr4L

Heat-proof wide-mouth mason jars

https://amzn.to/4pNflmq

📚Bookstore – Brenda J. Sullivan Books

https://www.brendajsullivanbooks.com

🌱 My Garden Journal – A How-To Garden Book for Kids

Because every gardener starts with a single seed — and a little curiosity.

My Garden Journal is part how-to guide, part creative keepsake, designed to help children (and their grown-ups) learn the basics of growing food and flowers while documenting their journey.

Inside you’ll find:

  • Simple planting guidance
  • Space for drawings, photos, and notes
  • Imaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef’s Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden)

Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants.

You’ll be amazed at how much you — and your garden — grow when you take time to journal the journey.

🌿 Work With Me

🌙 Herbal Consultations (Now Open)

Root your wellness in the wisdom of the plants — and the stars.

My one-on-one consultations offer gentle, grounded guidance rooted in traditional herbalism, vitalist principles, and (if you wish) astrology. Each session begins with listening.

👉 Learn more here:
https://mailchi.mp/351efb18cd6b/one-on-one-consultations-landing-page

🌿 Join Me on Patreon

Support this work and receive exclusive herbal & holistic content 

✨ Membership includes:
✔ Monthly herbal & lunar insights
✔ DIY recipes & printable guides
✔ Free class replays
✔ Bi-annual personalized herbal consultations (Tier 3)

Membership can be as little as a cup of coffee ☕️

👉 Join here:

https://patreon.com/ThompsonStreetFarm?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

FREE Zodiac Herbs Guide

Unlock the secrets of personalized wellness with my free Zodiac Herbs Guide.
https://www.brendajsullivanteach.com/zodiacherbguidefreebieor

Buy Me a Cup of Tea

If this story brought you comfort, you can support the channel here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/thompsonstg

🎶 Music Credits

A heartfelt thank you to Alexander Nakarada for the beautiful music featured in this episode. Alexander is a gifted musician whose work I have long admired — and I am proud to support him as a Patreon member.

🎼 Song: Planning – 320bit –  September 5, 2021

🔗 https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/

🌿 Stay Connected

Youtube: 

https://youtube.com/@thenewenglandherbary?si=f7_MB0XEz0vn0Xr

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thenewenglandherbary/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578148227744

Thompson Street Farm LLC is the parent company of the New England Herbary:
https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

💬 I’d love to hear how this story landed for you. Feel free to share your reflections in the comments.

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