PART 1 OF 2: READING FOR AUGUST 1, 2023

Today I asked my ancestor, John Chapman, to come forward and provide us with a universal message. John, better known as “Johnny Appleseed,” has been on mind a lot since I planted two apple trees in my garden last year and they are now growing fruit. One of the trees is a Malus domestica "Johnny Appleseed" and it is documented to be a graft from one of Johnny's original trees planted in Ohio. As I watch the green apples growing on this tree, I consider them tangible gifts of John’s legacy.

John was born September 26, 1774, in Massachusetts, where my dad’s side of the family grew up. While there are many things John is remembered for, many being misrepresented, he is best known for establishing apple nurseries throughout the American Midwest. Over the course of his lifetime, John created and owned 1,200 acres of apple nurseries and left them to his sister.

John also grew medicinal plants and herbs to heal himself, settlers and Native Indians. He believed in fostering goodwill among differing people and as a deeply religious man, he lived by the Golden Rule. He never carried a gun or weapon, for he held compassion and kindness for all people and animals (he was a vegetarian), and even insects. It is said that John would not build campfires because he feared bugs would fly into the flame and be burned live. John was a spiritualist, environmentalist, horticulturist, and a businessman.

Since there are no actual photographs of John, I selected a painting of him to feature with the #39 Oracle card he drew for us from the "Gratitude Oracle" by Angela Hartfield.

With this “Sensitivity” card, John asks us if we are being sensitive to our needs. Are we taking the time to listen to what our bodies are saying to us and taking proper care of ourselves? Or are we pushing ourselves beyond our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and ignoring the "help me" signals? Are we prioritizing our “to do” lists over our self-care? Being self-aware and self-focused is not being selfish. In fact, when we are kind to ourselves, we have more energy, gratitude and desire to be kind to others.

John encourages us to consciously create or improve our self-care practice and make sure we are resting when needed, sleeping at least 7 to 8 hours a night, carving out quiet time, eating fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, and getting out in nature to reengage with our senses. Sensitivity is about being aware of our needs and advocating for them.

The girl on our Oracle card has a butterfly adorning her hair, which represents the small self-care changes we can make in our lives to transform our wellbeing. The shells and feathers she wears are a nod to the natural treasures we can find when we connect and explore mother earth.

So, today, let us be sensitive to our needs and prioritize our self-care. And if possible, John is advocating for us to become our own small organic gardeners and plant foods and herbs to foster goodwill with ourselves.

Be well.

John Chapman was born on September 26, 1774 and transitioned back into The Light on March 18, 1845