Editorial

Chiaroscuro

Kyra Pollitt

Down in the city, as the darkness gathers, the lights in the windows remind me of a primary school art project with black paper and translucent sweet wrappers. Our artist this month, Jenni Fagan, uses altogether darker, more poetic materials. Her magically charged ink on bone creations bring evocations of ancient shamanic practices to our pages. Meanwhile, Ella Leith conjures talking, truth-telling bones (Foraging through Folklore), and magic of a different, more modern kind is considered in our Book Club.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society assures us that there’s nothing magical about the care of our bones, offering solid, straightforward advice to guide us to better bone health (Our Editor in the Field). Ann King (Notes from the Brewroom) encourages us with two recipes; one for a bone soothing balm, and one for a relaxing tea. A key ingredient, of course is our Herb of the Month— Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) —profiled by Marianne Hughes, with a beautiful illustration by Hazel Brady. Rose Morley (Flower Power) explores further uses for both this and another Wintergreen, Moneses uniflora, whilst Dora Wagner (Anthroposophical Views) tells us of the wonderful medicinal plants that grew alongside Wintergreen in her grandmother’s forest.

Claire Gormley’s Chemistry Column asks why calcium is good for your bones, and discovers it’s also surprisingly important for plants. Our resident plant expert, Callum Halstead, gets festive with Christmas Cacti and, indeed, the whole Schlumbergera species, whilst Ramsey Affifi (Jazz Ecology) muses on whether one can, indeed, fall in love with a species.

Patrick Dunne (The Climate Column) is very much not in love with the species of politician seen at the recent COP26 gathering. He talks us through the disappointment. Joseph Nolan (Of Weeds & Weans) handles emotions of a different kind, with herbal helpers for those festive childhood ups and downs. Amanda Edmiston (Botanica Fabula) coories round the family hearth for a warming winter tale.

Finally, StAnza Presents its last poem— a beautifully evocative piece by Éadaoín Lynch. We thank our friends at StAnza for all their support over this past year and beyond, and wish them the very best with their exciting plans. Next year, the poetry mantle will be carried equally by Nine Arches Presents… and Red Squirrel Presents… We very much look forward to their contributions. Until then, everyone at Herbology News wishes you a wonderful festive season, full of rich darkness and colourful light, and enough joy to steep your bones. See you in 2022.