Embracing the Spirit of Winter into Spring from the Pacific Northwest
Welcome to the 2026 revised edition of my 2019 zine, All The Wild! A zine that features inspiring recipes to compliment each month with an astrological and planetary connection.
I’m overjoyed to share this new issue with you, released in tandem with my botanical print, Moon Plants and Planets for the 5th year anniversary of this project.
hope you’ve had the chance to enjoy both!
As always, I approach each artistic project associated with herbalism with an open heart and curious mind—exploring new culinary themes, recipes, and self-care practices. It brings me deep joy to integrate artistic expression that awakens the senses and nurtures the journey of nourishment and self-love.
This issue took a little longer to revisit and revise, but the process of stretching beyond my usual rhythm proved both challenging and deeply rewarding. In this edition I've included elements of Tarot to highlight my own Tarot Deck, Solas Cártaí Tarot, which I recently published a 2nd edition!
For the 2026 edition I also set out to explore recipes that reach beyond the kitchen. The plants featured here offer far more than flavor—they hold rich stories, medicinal uses, and folkloric roots. Choosing which elements to highlight was no small task, but I focused on crafting recipes that are accessible and relevant for modern life, while honoring each plant’s history with reverence and wonder.
Thank you for joining me on this journey—may it nourish, inspire, and connect you to the wild beauty all around.
Moss
January | Saturn | Capricorn
Welcome to the sensory and tactile world of moss—a velvety soft, cooling, earthly scented alternative to conventional lawns. Water-wise and wondrous, this living carpet invites us to reimagine what a truly beautiful, thriving landscape can be. Unlike traditional grass, moss never needs mowing and thrives with minimal water, drawing much of its nourishment directly from the air. Its dense, living mat naturally suppresses unwanted plants, making herbicides unnecessary—and as we deepen our understanding of nature’s intricate symbiosis, we begin to see how every element, even so-called “weeds,” plays a role in the larger ecological story.
Moss is incredibly versatile and surprisingly resilient. It can insulate rooftops while helping to manage rainwater runoff, or serve as a cooling, moisture-retaining ground cover in community gardens during hot, dry spells. Some may view moss as a luxury or underestimate its ability to control weeds, but many discover how easy it is to cultivate—and how beautifully it thrives when given the chance.
Beyond its practicality, moss offers sensory delight. It’s soft underfoot, soothing to the eye, and breathtaking in the landscape—especially under the dappled shade of trees or hugging the curves of stone lanterns and deer paths. Moss is a staple in traditional Japanese zen gardens and English landscape designs, and here in the Pacific Northwest, it adorns the cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge in vibrant waves of green, mirroring the nearby waterfalls in their strength.
As we seek healthier, more sustainable ways to care for the land, moss reminds us that beauty and balance can go hand in hand. Now more than ever, natural methods of weed control are essential. The overuse of chemical herbicides and pesticides has disrupted delicate ecosystems, contributing to the rise of resistant weeds and superbugs while harming pollinators, wildlife, and people. These chemicals don’t just affect insects—they impact the entire food web, from farm workers to fish, bees to birds.
But there is hope—and it's growing right at our feet. By turning to living solutions like moss and embracing nature’s own intelligence, we can restore harmony to our landscapes and communities. When we work with the Earth rather than against it, we invite resilience, regeneration, and beauty to take root once more.
The truth is clear: we are not at odds with Mother Nature—we are a part of Earth. While some human activities and industrial chemicals have caused harm, this only highlights the importance of choosing a more mindful and regenerative path forward.
The good news? A better way is not only possible—it’s already within reach. Now is the perfect time to embrace changes in our lives that support and nourish the Earth—for our well-being today, and for the generations still to come.
Take moss, as our shinning example here. Few things embody the quiet resilience of nature more than moss-covered stones. Moss is connected to the planet Saturn and the sign of Capricorn, the cardinal earth sign of the zodiac. Its presence reminds us that nature already knows how to thrive in balance—and that harmony begins with simple, symbiotic relationships, whether in the wild or in our gardens.
Unlike traditional mulch, moss is a living, breathing ground cover. It processes nutrients, adds organic material to the soil, resists compaction, and doesn’t need to be replaced year after year. It also provides a haven for beneficial insects and supports the vital symbiosis between plant roots and mycelium—helping to foster healthier, more vibrant ecosystems right beneath our feet.
Moss Gardens
It’s true that a rolling stone gathers no moss. Time, stillness, and a few of the tips below in this “recipe” should do the trick.
Ingredients:
A suitable area that allows moss to develop—free from competition such as debris, leaf or twigs, loose and irregular surfaces.
Moisture to start—moisture helps young moss perform photosynthesis and promote growth.
Large rocks, stone sculptures, flat slate, or other yard/garden accessories or decorations.
Patience and time. Moss grows slowly, but it’s worth the wait.
Instructions:
Clear and smooth the surfaces where moss will be introduced.
Plant companion plants first, then the moss last. Companion plants include, but are not limited to: ferns, hostas, wildflowers, pennywort, lungwort, liverwort, kidneywort, heuchera, poppy, strawberry, and wild ginger.
Slightly disturb the soil where moss will grow using a rake or by light combing with your fingers.
To start moss, water every day for the first two months. By month three, reduce to watering 1-2 times a week. By the fifth or sixth month, water only when there has been no rain for over 3-4 weeks. Once established, moss requires very little watering. It may yellow somewhat during hot times, but it will return to its deep, jade green as the weather cools and rainfall increases. Moss is very resilient.
About the Creator
Kelsey Crawford is a Certified Wholistic Nutritionist, Licensed Manual Therapist, and Usui Reiki Master. She is currently pursuing certification as a CranioSacral Therapist.
A lifelong artist, musician, Astrology and Tarot enthusiast, and inspired herbalist, Kelsey lives and creates in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
A Note on This Zine
The content in this publication is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Original recipes, artwork, and photography by K. Crawford, CN, printed in 2019, as Go Forth Culture LLC © 2013, revisited and renewed for Winter 2026, Painted Water Therapy Blog
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