Blazing Star Herbal School

February Specials! The Complete DIY Herbal Distance Learning Series! Practical, thrifty and fun!

At this time half way between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, a time when we light Candles in honor of Brigid's Day,  Goddess of the sacred hearth flame and the patroness of poets, healers, and crafters.  We seek inspiration, to light the spark of passion.

So for this months Special  I offer to you the luxury of studying herbalism at home affordably and at your own pace. You will save $100! by buying these courses as a bundle!

The complete Series of DIY Herbalism , Practical, thrifty and fun! an adventure into the deep, magical and nourishing world of herbalism.

The courses:

 

Creative, Tasty  and Nourishing Medicine Making for the Beginner Student

 Optimum Winters Health

Spring Tonics and Wild Foods

 Summers Remedies and First Aid

For more info on each course click here!

Save $100! by buying these courses as a bundle!

Buying individually it would cost $700 you can now buy for just $600

Register for this deal below

If you prefer to pay by check just email and we will get back to you!

 

New Class: Creating a Wildcrafting Calendar

Sunday Feb 19th,  2012    ASHFIELD MA       

Wildcrafting is the practice of collecting plant materials from the wild for food, medicine, and craft.  In the past this was how people provided for their families. We can continue to provide for our families by harvesting such goodness as moss, ginseng and other medicinals, natural dyes, mushrooms, wildflower seeds, berries, and saps such as maple, pine or birch. Opportunities for wildcrafting are not just found in the countryside, but in suburban as well as urban settings..

By wildcrafting we can harvest the bounty of each season and should always approach collecting with respect and thankfulness. In this class we will learn the Art of Ethical Wildcrafting, what to harvest and when and how to process results into nourishing and vital medicine. Then we will hand-craft this information into beautiful calendars.

 

Sunday Feb 19th,  2012    10am-2:30pm

Location: ASHFIELD MA          $50

 

                                                                       

You can register using the above paypal button or you can drop us an email 

blazingstarclinic @ gmail (dot) com

and send us a check: BSHS Po Box 154 Ashfield MA 01330

 

New Class: Stocking the At-Home Apothecary

Have you dreamed about a home medicine cabinet stocked with home made remedies for you and your loved ones...

Sunday Feb 5th,  2012   

10am-2:30pm 

Making your own herbal remedies is a cost-effective, creative and empowering way to take control of your health care and helping your community. This class is perfect for the gardener who wants to use what they grow for healing,  the nature lover who yearns to identify and sustainably wildcraft indigenous herbs, and the DIY the crafter with the desire to turn the dried herbs from the farmer’s market into medicine, the mother yearning to take care of her families ailments or even the chronically ill patient who needs a regular supply of remedies.

We will learn how to set up your at home apothecary using your own low tech kitchen lab! We will learn how to use herbal remedies safely, responsibly and effectively for individual and family health care, we will select a handful of herbs that are necessary for “kitchen witchery!” to profile and learn methods of medicine making both simple and some less common methods. 

 Sunday Feb 5th,  2012 

  10am-2:30pm

 $50

         ASHFIELD MA      

                                                                                   

You can register using the above paypal button or you can drop us an email 

blazingstarclinic @ gmail (dot) com

and send us a check: BSHS Po Box 154 Ashfield MA 01330

 

 

Must Read article #3: The Herbalist Manifesto

 

The Herbalist Manifesto

Responsible herbalists live by a credo to live in accordance to the divinity of life. Our fingers are on the pulse of our little planet. We must act with compassion and prudence. It is our duty to serve. Our duty is tied to our knowledge and sensitivity yet the duty is greater than egos. With this in mind, we must follow the rules of this manifesto.

1. Live a life which celebrates health. The herbalist must strive to live a healthy life in order to serve as an example to others.

2. Be the perpetual student. The more that you learn, the more people you can help.

3. Be mindful of your environment. The disease of an individual begins in the environment. Observe unhealthy living conditions in the home, workplace and community. Strive to correct them for the benefit of all.

4. Give help where help is requested. Offer help to best your ability or refer assistance from a more qualified source.

5. Be cautious in your speech. Herbalists are leaders in the community so our words are catalysts of change. Think carefully before speaking.

6. Honor the plants that assist you. Be respectful when planting, nurturing and harvesting herbs. Be mindful of the plant community that the herb lives in. All things are connected and all actions have consequences.

7. Abandon selfishness. Harvest only what you need. Ignore the cravings of impulse. Live as part of the community not apart from the community.

8. Listen with an open mind. Research carefully. Be mindful of the past, stay grounded in the present and allow hope for the future.

Peace be with you. – Sue Sierralupe

 

Sue Sierralupe is a certified herbalist, sustainable landscape educator, and avid naturalist. She is also a writer, organic gardener, and permaculture pioneer. The Herbalist Manifesto is a more personal vision of her journey through the world of natural living than her other super informative choke full not to be missed blog The Practical Herbalist.  The Herbalist Manifesto is also blog that sponsors progressive stewardship.

 

If you are a new reader do check out our previous "must read" articles:

The New American Patient by Paul Bergner

Ten-Fold Path To Becoming a Community Herbalist by Gail Faith Edwards

 

 

 

 

Thank You for Choosing Blazing Star Herbal School.

We have some Thank-You gifts for You!

We have been around Ashfield for over 25 years! and I'd  like to Thank all you past apprentices and friends for keeping us going... We have had an Tuesday Apprenticeship running for that long...I myself have taught the program now for 12 cycles and I must admit that I still wake up on Tuesdays and say Yeah Tuesday! Wondering what where the plant spirits will lead us!

So here is my way of Thanking You...Paying it forward. . .

I know it is hard to decide which program to take these days... So many great programs to chose from. What we offer is a program that focusses on "Herbalism as a Way of Life" the many many ways in which you can integrate Plant Medicine, Spirit and Connection to enrich  your daily life. We learn derectly from the plants themselves, we learn about the plants that come to us, we learn to be a stewart of the Green World.

So here is the deal

 

Anyone who sends a deposit in for the 2012 Beginner/Intermediate Apprenticeship (click for details) between now and Dec 22nd will receive a package of Winters Medicine Goodies!

 

Winter Medicine Goodies Package:

- 1 oz of Boneset Tincture

- 2 oz Echinacea

- 1 oz Elderberry Syrup

-1 Chest Rub

-4 oz of FireCider

 

as a special THANK YOU GIFT for chosing to pursue your studies with us!

 

Words from past apprentices:

My experience as a first year herbal apprentice has been one of the best decisions I have made for myself. I am building a strong foundation in the basics of herbalism and have formed new and nurturing friendships. I have gained a new understanding of the global impact of food practices and its politics on the world and on our bodies. I have become aware of the importance of living organically and environmentally. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in enriching their lives and living more consciously! -Patty McKenizie

This herbal medicine apprenticeship has offered so much more than I anticipated. Not only am I learning about herbs and their uses, the class has also offered hands-on exploration of the plant world and medicine making, and in-depth discussion about food activism. Tony(a) has integrated into our study field trips to beautiful, local areas of interest, encouraged attending an array of noteworthy speakers and has created a meaningful, conscious attitude toward community.  -Kara Leistyna

The 10 month program is a perfect way to gain insight to the world of herbalism, learn about gardening and the harvesting of herbs, and making medicine and body products out of earth's natural gifts to us. Coming from the Boston area, I look forward to my weekly apprenticeship at BSHS and find it a good way to begin the journey into plant medicine, whole health and conscious living.-Amber Mamakos

This is where I see the garden changing my life. I knew on that higher level of knowing, that Blazing Star is not just a garden. It is a quieter space where I have one day a week to contemplate how the rest of my life can be spent-In a tornado or the eye of the hurricane.Tues has become one of my favorite days of the week. -Julie Robbins

 

The Art and Science of Herbal Medicine-

As many of you know one of my most influencial teachers of Herbal Medicine was Susun Weed of the Wise Woman Center. More often than not a  student tells me that it was Susuns brilliant book "Healing Wise" that got them going on the path of herbalism, and joining the growing numbers of people walking the herbal path.

Susun's books can be purchased here. Susun Weed is also a guest host on Wise Woman Radio, recently Susun caught up with me .......Here is the result!

An Interview on Wise Woman Radio with Susun Weed

Click here to hear the interview: Interview of Tony(a) Lemos by Susun Weed

 

 

Blazing Star Herbal School Fall Happenings Newsletter!

Please click on each page to read the full size version!

 

No Fear Flu Class Returns to Ashfield MA

The "No Fear Fu" Workshop returns after the popularity of this class last season.

This class is well suited for total beginners as well as for people with herbal experience. 

 

 

Sunday Nov 13, 1-6pm  $45

Ashfield MA (location tba depending on numbers)

 

 We will explore nourishing herbs, medicinal foods and tonic —recipes using ginger, astragulus, garlic, apples, sweet potatoes, and other root vegetables, that strengthen our terrain, build our immunity, while supporting optimum wellness. We become familiar with common anti bacterial and anti viral herbs, how to prepare them and how to use them in ways that are safe and health building for the entire family. We will look at ways to prevent getting the flu by building up the immune system and also become familiar with treatments for the flu.

There is nothing quite as empowering as knowing how to make your own medicines. Herbs are magical but preparing and using them doesn't have to be mystical. We will learn how to make simple medicines from common herbs and foods.

 

Register using paypal below or send check to:

Blazing Star Herbal School 

Po Box 154

Ashfield MA 01330

                                                                           

 

 

For More Info Please Contact:

Tony(a) Lemos

413.628 1655

blazingstarclinic(at) gmail (dot)com 

and remember to scroll down for our monthly special!

ON SALE UNTIL DEC 5:The Winters Health Empowerment Package!

 

This package includes the  Course 1: Optimum Winters Health of the 

Do-it-Yourself Herbalism    ...practical, thrify and fun! 

as well as the  Family Winter Health Package

which includes: 

4oz Echinacea

4 oz Elderberry C Syrup

1 oz of Boneset Tincture

1 oz of Elecampane Tincture

1oz of Calendula/Sage Tincture

Winter Warming Bath Salts

   1 oz of Thyme Elixir

 Winter Medicine Instruction Booklet

For a total of $175 (that saves you $75 ! deal or what!!)

   

Options

October Special! Combo $175.00 Family Winter Health Package $99.00 Optimum Winters Health Course $150.00

                                                                                    

 The Topics Included in the Optimum Winters Health Distance Learning Program include:

 

Immune System Overview

No Fear Flu

Building Immunuity

Cooking for Winters Health

Understanding Anti-Virals and Anti-Bacterials

Medicine Chest of Winter Recipes

Supplies Lists

 4 weeks of Reading, Assignments, and Medicine Making.

** This course will offered from December 1st to March 1st.**

 

 

Landed...or why it has been quiet around here

We've been busy! We have moved! From one side of Ashfield to the far side of town! One of the hardest part of the move for me was moving the gardens. Thanks to the willingness of this years apprentices and some friends we spent four long days digging and potting plants…As an herbalist it is so hard to decide what gets left behind……how does one decide? 

(plants packed up and ready to go)

planting the community garden. lots of echinacea, monarda,lungwort, wild yam, valarian, wood betony, skulcap, baptisia, yarrow, bl. cohosh, peonies, ladys mantle, lemon balm, and catnip here.

planting the beds with gotu kola, tulsi, elecampane, spilanthes, meadowsweet, hibiscus, boneset, eucalyptus, marshmallow, calendula and a tea tree!

(the chickweed tub pictured), a nettles patch, and a violet area is under cultivation...some transplants some seeds. Burdock has been planted by seeds in rich soft easy to harvest!! soil.

There is much under cultivation in the green house calamus, vitex, white sage, licorice, wisteria

 

and Passion Flower!!!  Soon to begin Slippery Elm, and Hawthorne. 

As well as getting plants settled we have been getting chicks settled!

Next project:

Beginning the Woodland Garden Goldenseal, Blue Cohosh, American Ginseng. Boy we are busy!

 

Courses presently running (and with room still):

2011 Tuesday Apprenticeship (info here)

DIY Summer Maladies and First Aid Correspondence Course (register and info here)

Family Health Distance Learning Course (register and info here)

 

.........we'll be back with more Plant Profiles, Monthly Specials, Must Read Articles and Health Challenges as we continue to get more settled!