The Joy Retreat May 2023

We are all sensual beings, this is evident in the language we use – ‘a sight for sore eyes’, ‘hard ears’, ‘heart-warming’. Sensuality is ‘the enjoyment, expression, or pursuit of physical, especially sexual, pleasure’ or ‘the condition of being pleasing or fulfilling to the senses.’ The terms sensuality and sexuality are often used interchangeably however, sexuality refers to our ability to experience and express our sexual feelings. Our sensual experiences do not have to involve sexual activities, but we cannot have sexual experiences without sensuality.

Sensuality connects us with our senses and our sensory organs – sight, taste, touch, hearing, smell and affects the way in which we perceive the world and how we are perceived. As we can see, being in tune with and expressing our sensuality may involve far more than just sex or sexual experiences. It is about connecting us with our bodies, our emotions, our memories, and with our truest expressions of self.

It has rained for the past two days which is ideal for a little at home facial.

This year marks ten years since I qualified as a Medical Herbalist. When I was planning to move to Barbados, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to source the herbs I was familiar with using and that I would be lost with the local herbs. During her recent lecture, the Healing Plants of the Ancestors, Dr Sonia Peter highlights how we are in danger of losing our biocultural knowledge.

My phone had become an extension of my arm and the constant notification sounds, flashing lights and vibrations had become addictive. I feared my happiness, sadness, anger, compassion were being dictated by an algorithm. Real, heart-felt interactions were being replaced by miscommunications and misunderstandings.

Over the last week or so I've noticed that the evenings are getting darker earlier and there is that slight nip in the air that signals colder days to come.

Despite the cold weather, I love autumn. The most stunning shades of gold, red and orange can be seen in nature and it is a time when we can start to reflect and welcome changes.

Check out these 10 tips to help you stay happy and healthy this autumn.

Hippocrates is credited with the saying "everything in excess is opposed to nature" and I often take that viewpoint when prescribing herbs or creating herbal remedies. 

Some herbalists choose to prescribe just one herb at a time known as “simples”, rather than combinations.