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Nature-based psychotherapist and author Jeanne Malmgren whose Rx Nature Substack encompasses the idea of Nature as her “co-therapist”, speaks to us from storm-ravaged Sunset, South Carolina in the immediate aftermath of the December wildfires in California as she explores several complex and evolving answers to her question: “Can we still love Nature?” (WPKN, February 12, 2025)
Born to German Jewish refugee physicians in Lahore (now Pakistan, then British India) Hazel has lived, studied and worked in many places–India, England, Australia, Israel and the United States. She makes her home in the woods of the eastern end of Long Island, New York where she produces the art of leafages, the radio sounds of Tidings and writes about growing up Jewish in Lahore. Read more about Hazel…
Leafages by Hazel Kahan are made from real leaves, vines and tendrils interwoven with calligraphy, decorative pen and ink flourishes and imaginary Latin botanical names. Leafages contain a philosophical or inspirational thought, quotation or verse from sages, poets or religious texts. Some leafages are specially created for an individual, a couple or a family with words or leaves reflecting their personal narrative. They are available on the Leafages shop on Etsy although the supply is low right now, all my energies having been absorbed by the book I’ve been writing. Do come back soon when the shop will be full of new leafage abundance or contact me.
One Response
Synergy.
This is the word that came to my mind half way through this intriguing discussion between Jeanne Malmgren, a former newsroom colleague of mine, and Hazel Kahan, a new voice that I welcome into my circle as I explore my relationship to Nature in the second half of my adult life.
Giving back and not just taking from is the synergy I lived with my biological Mother when I willingly agreed to be her primary caregiver when she battled lung cancer in the last four years of her life. Being under the same roof with her again was not all roses but I would not change a
single moment of the experience.
Now, after listening to this podcast, I have a new context to think about as I ponder my relationship with Nature — who is also my Mother.
As a lifelong Naturalist, I now have an evolving and even more personal way to embrace my relationship with Mother Earth who most recently battered me and my home during BOGO hurricanes in 2024 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
In my personal relationship with my Mother Nature, what can I give back in a loving and sustainable way in the same way that I gave back to my biological Mother that ultimately fostered a healing bond greater than we had before and gave us both the gift of peace?
I am a product of my biological Mother and of Mother Nature; By participating in the healing of both, I will ultimately heal myself.
Synergy.
My thanks to both of you for inspiring me to grasp my relationship in this new way.
And, as I evolve along my healing journey, I will be mindful as to how I may inspire others to do the same because to be successful, I cannot explore my Nature prescriptions and therapy independently. I seek connection, health and peace for me, all elements, all living things — Nature as defined by this planet along with all entities that exist beyond our atmosphere and dimension.