Brigid's Way

05/03/2026

Sister Proctetress
Aka Poison Ivy

This beautiful Plant is one of my allies, my Beloveds.

Ki teaches me about boundaries and respect.

Today I am removing some Sister Protectress who has spread into the yard. I enjoy this work as it gives me an opportunity to connect with ki.

Fortunately, I do not react to Sister Protectress like many do. However, I also remain in humility and take precautions including rubbing my hands with Jewelweed and wearing disposable gloves.

I always ask for permission to remove ki. Sister Protectress encourages the limits. Ki wants me to stand my ground and tell me what I need. Of course, I do have plenty of space where ki can grow freely.

And sometimes, Sister does not consent to being removed. When this happens, we might find a compromise. But most often, ki explains why - like, teaching my students to pay attention. Like any good partner, I respect ki's no.

One of the great benefits of my relationship with Sister Protectress is the incredible protection ki provides (hence the name). When a friend's abusive ex would not stop harassing her family and kept pushing the limits of a PFA, we brought in the Spirit of Sister Protectress. Suddenly, boundaries were respected and the harassment stopped.

I know that there are many who fear or despise this incredible Plant. How often do we fear those who we don't really know? Or how often do we despise those we were taught were bad?

In my experience, when we take the time to connect, we discover so much beauty. This is especially true with Plants. They have healing gifts and wisdom if we are willing to listen.

Our relationship with our Plant allies lasts our entire lifetime. We can try to ignore it, but our Plant allies are always waiting for us.

Once we accept a relationship with them, the world becomes transformed. We can no longer see enemies or "bad" Plants, we simply see Beloveds. Which is to say, we realize we are loved.

05/02/2026

In honor of Beltane, I'm sharing another Faerie spot in Scotland.

I can share the location of this one because ki is a popular spot, The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye.

Most ohh and ahh over the pools the waterfalls create, thinking these are the "faerie pools".

While the waterfalls, mountains, and river are absolutely gorgeous, the real faerie pools are more hidden and can easily be ignored (the last picture is an example).

Remember to give offerings to the Faeries.

When we visited the pools, the Faeries asked for coins, which we didn't have. They were willing to accept something shiny and metallic, which we also didn't have.

I told them I give food to the Faeries who live at Heart Springs Sanctuary. They responded, "We're not those Faeries."

Eventually we agreed upon an offering of song. Marcus and I sang several songs to them. Then they gave me a song. Though I lost it as I started to leave.

Beltane blessings 💖

04/30/2026

At this time of year, we celebrate Faeries and Elementals. (Though I think it's good practice to honor them all year round.)

The Faeries often have a bad reputation, considered to be troublesome or make-believe. While they can be mischievous, trying to teach humans not to take life so seriously, they are also quite helpful. At Heart Springs Sanctuary, the Faeries help to attune my students (and myself) to better connect with Nature.

I recently had numerous encounters with Faeries while in Scotland. The most powerful meeting occurred in a place that was least expected (whose name I'm not allowed to share.)

I originally planned to go here because I had Ancestors from this area. Then I realized the genealogy was wrong. I still felt a really strong pull to go there and followed my instincts.

This place would not be in any guidebooks. There are not even any signs. Yet the pull was strong.

I followed the pull down a path and directly to these 2 Hawthorn Trees, which was a Faerie portal.

So glad I followed my instincts. This was an incredible welcome to Scotland.

On our return I saw what looked like an old Tree stump covered in grass and moss. Upon closer inspection, I realized this was a Faerie mound. I call this a glimmer. I'm not sure if there's another name for the disguise.

The Faeries, Elementals, and Nature Spirits can be found, though often they are hiding for good reason. They are an incredible source of guidance and support, especially if we want to work in co-creative partnership.

May you experience their magic and have a blessed Beltane!

04/26/2026

Who goes to a Botanic Garden and takes a picture of Dandelion?!

Me! I do! 💖

I recently learned that there is a connection between Brigid and Dandelions.

Just adding to the very long list of reasons to love Dandelion.

04/22/2026

Life continues on

Standing by a burial spot that is thousands of years old when I look up and see the leaves unfurling.

I hear, "Life continues on."

A reminder of hope and second chances.

Life continues

04/14/2026

This is the anniversary of when I officially became co-steward of Heart Springs Sanctuary.

From the beginning, I've said co-steward because the Nature Spirits made it clear that they were in charge and I was their student.

I'm still their student, learning daily from them and so grateful for this place.

04/12/2026

BRIGID'S WAY GIVEAWAY 2026

I (Jen) recently turned 50 and I want to celebrate this next phase of my life with a Giveaway.

So many have supported me on my journey and added to the beauty of my life and I want to share the Love and generosity.

THE PRIZES:

A Private Session with Jen ($333 value) - 1 winner
see https://brigidsway.com/healing-sessions/ for more information

Communicating with Plants Package ($200 value) - 1 winner
Includes Communicating with Plants book, Communicating with Plants Companion Essence Set (https://brigidsway.com/product/communicating-with-plants-essence-set/ ), and an organic t-shirt featuring Lillian Edwards’ illustration (must be mailed to a US mailing address)

Communicating with Plants book https://brigidsway.com/communicating-with-plants-book/ ($24 value) - 2 winners

One Brigid’s Way Essence of Your Choice ($12 value) - 3 winners

TO ENTER:
Send us a short video or email answering one of the following prompts:

* Describe how the Plants have impacted your life.
* Tell us about a profound moment that you had with a Plant or in Nature.
* Describe a situation or challenge that you wish the Plants could help you with or give you guidance about.
* Tell us about a time when you experienced magic or synchronicity of any kind.
* Tell us about a Plant from your childhood. Maybe this is a beloved Tree or a family member’s favorite flower . . .

Send your submissions to inquires@brigidsway.com

Be sure to include your name and best email, so we can let you know if you won.

Get 2 chances of winning: use ki/kin as pronouns for our Plant and Nature allies in your video or email

Deadline: May 1st 11:59 PM EDT
Winners will be notified via email by Saturday, May 9th.

Good luck!
I'm looking forward to reading and watching your submissions.

Feel free to share!

Communicating with Plants: Heart-Based Practices for Connecting with Plant Spirits A step-by-step guide to Plant communication Everyone has the ability to consciously communicate with Plants. Jen Frey shows that if we are willing to listen, we can hear the Plants speak to our Hearts and teach us how...

04/11/2026

Surprise!!

I was introducing someone and their adorable little dog to the Sanctuary.

I was crossing the Creek, looking to see where to step next, was about to step on a rock when I saw a head move!!

I suddenly realized I almost stepped on a Snapping Turtle!

Fortunately ki was super chill. Still we found another way to cross.

As I look at these pictures, I see the Turtle so clearly. However, a Snapping Turtle in the creek wasn't even on my radar, so my eyes/brain saw rock until there was movement.

How often do we miss something right in front of us because we are not attuned to it?

04/09/2026

Exciting News!!

We have a baby Jack-in-the-Pulpit blooming at Heart Springs Sanctuary!!

This is the first year ki has bloomed. We planted Jack at least 3 years ago and have been excited to see the leaves every year.

It was such a sweet surprise to see the flower popping up. Ki is so tiny. 💖

04/08/2026

This little beauty is one of the most despised Plants in my area.

I see Nature lovers ripping ki out with glee, creating huge piles of discarded Plants. I know they feel that they are protecting Nature.

Years ago, one of my HEARTransformation students was struggling to find her Plant ally. This student's sense of self-worth was quite low and she struggled to think of herself as loveable. The concept that a Plant wanted to be in relationship with her was too much to consider.

So while the other students in her cohort were connecting and having incredible experiences with their Allies, she was still looking, convinced that there isn't a Plant for her.

Hours later (or maybe even the next day) she was stunned to discover a Plant growing in a little crevice all by kiself. She had a life-altering experience with this little Plant, amazed at the unconditional Love and connection.

When she showed me who she was working with, I chuckled. First, because ki was Garlic Mustard, the much despised Plant. And because there was a bunch of Garlic Mustard growing by the house.

I already was an advocate for Garlic Mustard and the so-called invasive Plants, but now how could I despise a Plant who brought such meaning, healing, and Love to someone in need? Garlic Mustard opened the doors to an incredible world for my student.

I'm not saying we should never remove Plants. I think it's important that we connect with the Plant and the Land 1st to see why the Plant is there, what role do they provide, what do we need to do if we do not want this Plant here. And we can remove the Plants recognizing that they are Sacred Beings with gifts and wisdom to share.

We can find our allies in the unlikeliest places. They can be large Trees or tiny Plants growing amongst the Grass. They can be showy and well-loved like a Rose or much maligned like Garlic Mustard or Mugwort. What matters is that they are calling us, they want to be in relationship with us, and they have wisdom to share.

Who's calling you?

04/06/2026

Redbud popping at the Sanctuary 💖

Do you know the flowers are edible?

I love to graze, nibbling on wild edibles as I walk bringing the Land in. Another way of connecting with my Nature kin.

Redbud reminds us of the joy and sensuality of life. Ki brings a sense of hope and lightness especially after deep grief or a period of intense challenges.

I often combine Redbud Spirit Essence with Service erry Essence.

I made both of these Essences weeks before my brother died suddenly. For about 6 weeks before his death, it seemed that every essence I made was connected to grief.

At the time, my friend and I were helping to support people in Japan who were impacted by the Fukushima Daichi nuclear disaster. So I thought these grief essences were to support them.

It was only after my brother's death that I realized the Plants were preparing me for my own experience with the Abyss of grief.

Just one of many examples of the wisdom of Nature and the many ways in which Plants and our Nature kin show up to support us. 💖

So grateful for their generosity

04/03/2026

Took my Soul for a walk 💖

Spring ephemerals are popping
Cut-leaf toothworr
Virginia bluebells
Trillium
Trout lily
Faerie Laundry aka Dutchman's breeches

I finally took a picture that somewhat captures the hillsides covered in blossoms, doesn't really convey the magic

As I sit with these Plants year after year, I am reminded that no matter what is happening in the world these Plants reimerge every year

So grateful for

This is truly my sacred place, my sanctuary, my church

As I gazed at the hills of Faerie Laundry, I wondered about all the sanctuaries, all the safe and sacred places that have been destroyed and are bring destroyed by war

I pray that one day we will learn to see the sacred in each other, only then will we experience Peace