Dance of the Plants

BULLARTO DUMBALK (plenty winter) is here. Days are short, nights are long. WYEEBOO LARK(low,thin mist) falls over the tops of the tall trees,the temperature is low. BELLIN(Kurrawong) tells his story, he is the guardian of the CABBIN(cold) you will hear him bringing the frost on his breathe and in his call. Bunurong people have settled into warm sheltered MYA’MYA,s(houses). WILLUMS(camps) are either inside rock caves or in clearings amongst the woodlands. The BEEK(country)near the rivers and creeks is often flooded now, the lowlands wet and cold,MOORNMOOT(wind) blows in strong from the south, because of this WILLUMS(camps) are built amongst the shelter of KORAN’WARNAMBUL(the Dandenong Ranges) Food is no longer gathered from the WARRAIN(ocean) now but instead hunted from the land. KOIM(kangaroo) is fat, now is a good time to hunt, nothing is wasted. Small animals are snared, yams are harvested along with bush onions,BAMBRA(mushrooms) and the delicious fruit of the BALLART(native cherry). Winter orchids are everywhere . A lot of time is spent around the WEENTH(fire).WEEYUKABUL(Elders/old people) use this time to teach. There are important lessons in BEENAK(basket) weaving, artefact and tool manufacture and cloaks from KOIM(kangaroo) are stitched together and used for warmth. In the animal kingdom we see BIRRITH BIRRITH(masked plover) begin to build their nests, WARREN(wombat) is emerging and can be seen fattening up on the tussock grass as well as dry leaves and BAMBRA(mushrooms) BATH’MUN(wood duck) can be seen on the lakes and Powerful Owl is now nesting in the old large hollows amongst the forest trees. WAAKI(crow) often solitary can be seen flying in pairs now. Many animals are pairing up,preparing for DUMBALK(winter) and breeding season. Look to the TUTBYRUM(stars)we are coming into the constellation of BUNJIL(Eagle)-Aquila. It is the time to sit still, take in the DUMBALK sounds,look up to the BOORURN(sky) to see MEENIYAN(moon) so close now. It is the season of Family. This is an exert from my book Kulin Tales, find my book by following the link in my bio or in the comments♥️

And don’t forget those gorgeous native cockroaches who need leaves too 🪳 pop away the leaf blowers and let nature do it’s work

Don’t forget to make the most of our May special, tickets to our Tea for Two. How to build an Indigenous Tea Garden are reduced for the month of May. It’s going to be an incredible day learning all about what Native plants are used for tea for health and well-being. Work beside Miranda from Go To Ground who is an incredible permaculture teacher and Author of Plants of Power. 2 teachers who are passionate about plants. Head to my website dance of the plants dot org and find us under shop

I can’t for the life of me think what I can put in this blank spot😂🍃

In Love and Respect

Dumbulk(cold/winter) special. 2 bottles for $35. All organic, slow brewed and perfect for keeping you well in the colder months. Packed with immune boosting goodies they are both strong anti viral, anti bacterial tonics infused in apple cider vinegar and made to ward off the common cold and influenza.
Link in my bio and for Facebook followers find me in the comments.

The unsung hero,The Fly, in Kulin language his name is BIRMABUCK. Not only an incredible pollinator but recent research shows the common blow fly can carry more pollen stuck to its body than a honey bee. What’s even more amazing is its ability to consume half a gram of organic matter per day. They are such an important part of the environment, if it wasn’t for them we would have rubbish everywhere. I know some of you may be a little grossed out by them but if you look closely at their beautiful colours and think of their important role in our ecosystem perhaps you can learn to love them a little more 🪰

A little Friday Funny 🤣

Happy Murnalong Day… Today is World Bee Day. Sending love to each and every tiny guy, we love you little Murnalongs..

Don’t forget our special for the month of May.. Tea for Two..An Indigenous Tea Garden. For the month of May all tickets will be discounted to $100. This is going to be be such a special class, Miranda and I have put our heart and soul into this one. Learn how to plan and build an Indigenous Medicinal Tea Garden. What plants to plant and how to read the sun path. Mix and blend your own jar of Indigenous tea to take home, learning all of the health benefits along the way. Share a beautiful cooked lunch together. This will be an in depth day with 2 very passionate plant teachers. Beginners welcome. Head to my bio to book or for Facebook followers find me in the comments

Wyeeboo Dumbulk.. Early Winter ..The Yallock-Bulluk Bunurong people have begun their journey to Cape Woolamia on Korri’Yong(Phillip Island). It is here the Weeyukabul (old people) will sit and Yain Yang (sing), a special song,a song of giants that glisten and cast shadows across the surface of the cold blue Warrain(ocean). A welcome song, for it is time for Beta’Yil (whale) to arrive… she has travelled far, following the contours of the Warrain(ocean) floor, to find her way here now, to rest and raise her calves in the warmer water. As she dances so do the people….. exert from Kulin Tales Seven seasons of the Bunurong, written by Sonia Marie.

I wanted to thank you all for your understanding. Our little family had to unexpectedly move house due to the owners selling. We had to find a new home which was incredibly hard in the current climate. Thank fully we have been looked after and have now found a beautiful new home which we moved into officially yesterday :) . So I’m a little behind with orders and haven’t had a chance to post many stories these past few months. Please forgive me for that as you all mean so much to me :) I’m unpacking and getting settled but will be back on here more now. I have a new garden to tend to, it’s a clean slate with not many plants 😜 so I’ll be planting soon to welcome the new piece of ground and will share as I go along. Biggest loves to you all Sonia ❤️❤️❤️

Tea for Two..An Indigenous Tea Garden. For the month of May all tickets will be discounted to $100. This is going to be be such a special class, Miranda and I have put our heart and soul into this one. Learn how to plan and build an Indigenous Medicinal Tea Garden. What plants to plant and how to read the sun path. Mix and blend your own jar of Indigenous tea to take home, learning all of the health benefits along the way. Share a beautiful cooked lunch together. This will be an in depth day with 2 very passionate plant teachers. Beginners welcome. Head to my bio to book or for Facebook followers find me in the comments

That time of year again. If your quick you can pick some Murnong (yam Daisy) seeds up here and support a local Indigenous organisation https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fPA4uTt8HXLyMyzA/?mibextid=WC7FNe

My finger lime is flowering, super exciting for a plant nerd like me. It takes 3-6 years for this plant to bear fruit so I’m hoping all the little Murnalongs(bees) have done their job pollinating and I might get some fruit towards winter. Such an incredible plant and if you can get one I’d say do it. Super high levels of Vit E, 3x the Vit C of Mandarin, high in dietary fibre and a good source of protein. Indigenous uses apart from an excellent food source were mainly topical. The pearls applied as an antiseptic to the skin as they are excellent for boils and sores.

Especially for those around Phillip island/San Reno .Turn off your lights to help the Moonbird begin their flight. These dates are weather dependant, they will wait for a strong westerly, so extra care on a windy night link in the comments to follow updates

Beautiful Bunurong country, where God sleeps. Our boundary , our country, in a shape of a Kangaroo.

I couldn’t recommend to you enough to replace your “ordinary”pepper grinder with a native pepper version. Tasmannia lanceolata. This is exquisite, a stunning peppery taste with a very slight hint of eucalyptus. The best way to take medicine is to do so via your food. This is brilliant to add to your dishes to help digest your food,lesson bloating and help with stomach aches. It’s filled with Vit E, Zinc, magnesium and calcium and is a potent antioxidant holding 4 times the amount of a blueberry. The berries are fantastic to chew for a mid afternoon energy boost, trust me you will LOVE this one

I’ve just released this balm onto my website. So many love this one at my workshops and now you can buy it online. Made from Native wild violets and rose this one is incredible for lymphatic drainage. Lymph nodes need movement and stimulation to drain so this one is beautiful to rub from under your arms towards your bo***es and heart. Also brilliant for soothing period pain by rubbing around the tummy area. Pop over to dance of the plants dot org and find it under the shop tab. $20 for a 60ml tub, all organic,made from the plant

Dance of the Plants I blend and grow plants to make tinctures, balms and tonics. Everything is organic and made from Ind

Yep you’ll know 🤣

I’ve grown some gorgeous little red chillies this year and yesterday decided to make a little chilli oil infusion. So simple and so good for you. I’ll let this sit now for a few weeks and then use it on everything ;) . Health benefits, top of the list is it’s anti inflammatory, it’s brilliant for your heart health and blood circulation and boosts your metabolism helping with your health journey. Fantastic little plant to keep in a pot in a warm spot on the balcony 🌶️

A little visit, bringing good luck and perhaps a little prayer 💚

I have 4 places left for this workshop. My last one in this series. Follow the link in my bio or for Facebook followers in the comments. I’d love to see you there

My beloved BELLIN(currawong), you came to visit me yesterday, I hear your call as you bring the cold down the mountain now,
The season is changing.
On your breathe is the story of Autumn(monomeeth) and Dumbalk (winter) Soon you will work with the BALLUK(people), weaving magic across Kulin country, bringing in the rain with Nayook(cockatoo). I am grateful for your visits as day becomes night. We are old friends. Some say you are the sorcerers bird, working with Bunurong BALLUK(Bunurong people) the rainmakers. The blackness of your feathers matching the night sky, I welcome you 🖤

This little plant is called “heal all” or “self heal”. Prunella vulgaris. Some argue whether it’s endemic to Australia, I will say it has been here a loooong time. In fact you can find this plant all over the world, how amazing is that. It looks alot like lavender but it hardly has a smell. See the little flowers, if you look closely at them they look a lot like lots of tiny open mouths, it even has fine “hairs” just like your lungs, that’s because this is an amazing plant for sore throat and coughs. If you look around and you’re lucky enough you should have this flowering in your garden or nearby right about now. If your feeling run down a lovely tea made by chopping a few flower heads and some leaves and letting it steep for a few minutes before drinking. If your throat is sore gargle some of the liquid before swallowing. If you’re hungry pop the flowers and leaves in your salad it’s all edible. …A special little song plant…

As one blend is made another is poured off, the cycle of things. This one my popular Moonbird is incredible for aches and pains. I have lots of stock in my shop if you’d like to have a look dance of the plants dot org ;)

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I love creating blends, this one my popular Moonbird balm.
The smell is incredible. I’ve grown the Lemon Myrtle,Rosemary and River mint myself and collected the Eucalyptus from the bush garden. I will now add the traditional oils and olive oil and let it soak for 6-8 weeks. Plant balms, never under estimate their strength as they take their magic through the skin into your bloodstream and muscles.

Would you like to come learn about plants with me. I have a workshop Sunday April 7th which still has a few places. Walk through the bush garden with me while we identify food and medicine plants. Learn how to make a bush balm with Native plants. I will share my families culture and stories. This course is for beginners :) … find the link in my bio or for Facebook followers in the comments, take a read and see if it’s for you. This course cost is $50 which includes your bush balm you will take home and will be held in Selby Victoria

Native Ginger. Alpinia caerulea. I’ve been separating the roots and planting into a bigger pot. I’ve kept some to soak in apple cider vinegar and use as a remedy for upset tummies. This is a great bushfoods plant leaves can be used in cooking and the berries have this beautiful lemony ginger flavour. Best to suck the fruit and spit the pips. Fruit is used to moisten the mouth during long walks. Nice alternative to regular ginger in the garden. Flowers are a fantastic pollinator addition