A four part series of deep immersion with Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris). We will access the healing gifts of Mugwort through sensory immersions, plant journeying, breathwork, dreamwork, and handcrafts including papermaking, rolling incense (smoke medicine) and home brewing.
We will enter a sacred relationship with Mugwort where we work in community with this plant ally and experience personal and collective healing.
The series culminates in an extravagant feast featuring mugwort under the August Full Moon.
You will not want to miss this completely nourishing mind body and spirit connection with Mugwort! Join us for a Mug-load of fun and magic!
This class will be co taught by Devon Whitney and Tony(a) Lemos
Price for 4 part series including all supplies $395
This is a complete series which builds upon itself and culminates in a feast of knowledge and yumminess! We cannot accommodate partial attendance.
It was the early 1990’s and I was in my early 20’s like so many of my apprentices are now. I had arrived at the Wise Woman Center in Saugerties NY (by way of Kenya!) to become a live in apprentice with Susun Weed. Though already having a certificate as a Natural Therapist I could barely identify a dandelion but knew all the terminology, pathologies and products. Right away it became clear that Susun was an anomaly! So different to my previous teachers. Classes (can you even call them classes?) started late in the day, we sat on ground, goats trampled on us as we spoke and followed us as we wandered, note taking was not encouraged, and there were no term papers, no exams or curriculums to be followed. I spent the evenings perusing her books, what a collection she had! (life goal- no marie kondo 30 books limit!!) In no time having handled most volumes making note of where I could find what info and made a long list of books I would read over the next 9 weeks. I had a plan (after all I am a virgo), my own curriculum.
Or at least I thought I had a plan....My teacher had a different plan! a challenge for me “Do not open another book through out this apprenticeship” She wanted me to learn directly from the plants (20 years later I can honestly say WOW THAT was a perfect assignment for me, thank you Susun- i do often wonder whether the woman who was told not to speak again for a few weeks feels the same way!)
We were then told that we were to find a “green ally” to work with through out the program.
“Choose a plant that grows very near to you. . . You don't need to know the name of the plant, or anything about it. You will be sitting with your plant every day, dreaming with it, journeying and journalling with it. . . You are to develop a special caring, nurturing, relationship with your green ally. Our green allies tend our souls along with our sores.”
I felt lost, no books, working with a plant I knew nothing about? A relationship with a plant? Talking with/to a plant? Is that really possible. How do you pick a plant? They pick you!!!! How do I know when I have been picked...then what? Introduce yourself? and they’ll speak back hmmm I was stuck here for 9 weeks and expected to learn, not take notes, learn herbal medicine, gain experience directly from a plant! I had no idea what plants were weeds and what were not, and which had all those good medicinal properties I had learnt about.
Day after day after our “Talking Stick Ceremony” in a cold sweat I would gather my journal and supples and head out to find me a plant ally, or to hide and make it seem like I was doing something, day after day i would come back a little more anxious. The next morning again, water bottle, bread and cheese in hand I would walk out the back door and get hit in the face or chest by some over grown, unruly plant that was trying to take over the cheese porch,! I would carefully put it back in place so as not to get it caught in the door wondering why Susun doesn’t she just cut this damned plant back as I balanced my belongings, held the door to move this plant out of my path and the door trying re-direct it, and yep everyday there is was back in my path. I do not remember how long it took, or when it finally occurred to me that that perhaps that plant was my plant, my ally. She had found me an ally indeed just as stubborn and persistent! I could not have chosen a better plant ally to get me started on this journey, she has taught me so much, named after the lunar goddess Artemis and, like the moon, she invites us to travel with her from the material world into the magical. Mugwort is particularly helpful when facing fears, working out problems and overcoming creative or emotional blocks, as she helps us to access deep memories (whether personal or collective) and bring them to light. Her intoxicating aroma has guided me for years.
Thats how Mugwort came to be my first green ally, a relationship that guided me, rooted me and very much helped form me into the woman I am today. Mugwort represents so many of the strong feminist women role models who have guided me some i have had the pleasure to meet in person, some just through social media and others just in spirit form. I have had many allies since Mugwort, not all of them have been tattooed onto by body but all have left a mark in my life.
To this day I carry Mugwort with me on my left arm along with a Poppy and some Mary Oliver wisdom from “Why I Wake Early”
“Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.”
Why am i telling this story now you might wonder.
Twenty two years later I am revisiting my first ally, reconnecting, starting in reverse order reading all the first books I read Witches Heal! Billie Potts, Juliette De Baraicli Levy, Maude Grieves, I remember the day Herbal Rituals: Recipes for Everyday Living by Judith Berger came out! (life changing) , followed some early Gail Faith Edwards! I met her as a young woman, since then I have become a mother and am soon approaching 50 years of age! She has been with me for many transitions and life changes, and I have so much gratitude to her for the guidance and support I don't think she has left my side since we first met in the cheese room at the Wise Woman Center! So this year I return to the beginning.
I’ve been doing a little seasonal formulating for the amazing Acadia Herbals (our local herbal store in downtown Northampton) this season.
☀️ ❄️ You'll find the “Bright Winter Light” tea blend, a long-time favorite of mine perfect for a dark cold winter afternoon combining the anti depressant properties of Citrus bergamia (bergamot) with, Pink Roses, st Joan's Wort and Goldenrod- capturing the light and essence of the Spring, Summer and Fall with a little caffeine boost offered by the “best” most fragrant Earl Grey Tea i have yet to try. This tea is meant to be sipped seated by the fire reading a book or perusing seed catalogs or having a captivating conversation, so that the flavors and essence of the herbs that fully integrate into your body.
🌎 🌲 🎄 🌳 To help you stay connected, clear and grounded through-out the season we have blended a bio-regional conifer “Forest Bathing” bath blend. Soak in it or perform a new moon 🌚 salt scrub and take in the forest smells of local Balsam, Juniper, Cedar needles with a little Black Pepper and Orange 🍊 peel blended into a base of sea salt and epsom salts. Best taken after a long walk in the snowy woods! This is based of the Japanese Art of Shinrin-yoku which basically involves the medicine of simply being in the forest or in our case bring the forest to your bath tub!
Go to a Forest. Walk slowly. Breathe. Open all your senses.
And finally an herbal powder based on the traditional balancing Ayurvedic "Golden Milk", to send you off to dream land feeling nourished and fulfilled after a long productive winters day ”Golden 🌅 Sunset Powder” (because it looks like a sunset) featuring Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Black pepper, Ginger, Sweet Cinnamon and Cardamom mix with raw milk or your fav milk alternative (mylk) and heat gently- especially good with a small amount of homemade tulsi honey!
Visit Acadia Herbals in Downtown Northampton to find these blend and so much more!
Are we still engaged? Still paying attention? Are we feeling burnt out? How's everyones holding up? How are the self care practices coming along. Having a strong self-care tool box helps us stay strong in the face of overwhelm, stress, anxiety, continued disappointment. Good self care practices also help us stay resilient and strong as we continue to participate in the resistance. May is Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) season, and we at Blazing Star Herbal School will begin a 4-6 week of daily nettle infusion, this should nourish and strengthen your adrenals and help increase your vital energy
Nettle as food, Nettle as Medicine
Challenge 1:
30 days of Nettle Leaf (Urtica Dioica) infusion!
Easy enough...
Use 1oz (30g) (2 handfuls) of dried plant matter (nettle in this case) in a quart jar. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water, put the lid on and let it steep for a minimum of four hours at room temperature. (Overnight is appropriate). When ready strain and squeeze out. Compost the herb. Drink the liquid, 2 cups daily. Drink at either room temperature iced or heated. Keep refrigerated. NB once prepared the infusion lasts only 2 days.
Prepare infusions in quart canning jar with a tight lid to prevent the volatile essences and vitamins from escaping. Also these jars are convenient to carry around with you.
Long steeping allow for the extraction of chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals. Steeping in a closed jar prevents the water soluble vitamins from escaping in the steam.
Why Nettle??
in summary:
”Nettle strengthens and support the whole body”- David Hoffman.
- Nettle is one of the most nutrient rich wild foods
- Rebuilds adrenal glands (which excessice coffee drinkers/worry-worts/ people feeling like their basic rights are one at a time being taken away over stress) As a general rule drink at least 1 cup more herbal infusion than coffee!! Builds stamina and gosh knows the fight will be going on for a long time!
-Strengthens the kidneys In Chinese medicine, the Kidney (organ-meridian system) is considered the foundation for good health and vitality
-Mineral/Vitamin Rich, Including Vit. K an anti Hemorrhage ingredient Therefore Nettle is useful for people with anemia or mal-nutrition and in Strengthening to the body after surgery/illness/ or periods of extreme stress.
- Helps eliminate fatigue and exhaustion. A great herbal ally for people with CFS and other compromised immunity diseases. An ally in many chronic conditions include allergies and nerve inflammations (sciatica) Improves body's resistance to pollens, molds, and environmental pollutants
- Good for adults or children who have over-used antibiotics and tend to get sick easily.
- Anti-rheumatic (Topically, fresh nettles have been used for arthritis as the stinging part brings blood to the affected area (somethinG known as a rubefacient), thereby increasing circulation and often relieving pain)
- Nettle is a prime remedy for treating fatigue and blood sugar balancing. Nettle can also help to regulate body metabolism and has been used for the entire endocrine system, from balancing the thyroid, strengthening adrenal function and restoring the reproductive organs. It works on blood sugar levels both directly and also indirectly as, by energizing us and increasing vitality, and reduces cravings.
- Helps Hair and skin nourisher
Nettles message to us for these time : To be aware/conscious/intentional
:: A few Fun Recipes::
Green Smoothie with Wild Dandelion, Nettle and Pineapple
Calories: 172 | Fat: 1 g | Protein: 5 g | Sodium: 34 mg | Fiber: 2 g
Mix together add to your favorile smoothie recipe and and store in the freezer between uses.
Feel free to let us know you are joining the challenge. At the end of the month let us know if you have experienced and health changes. At the end of 12 months of challenges I will put all monthly participants name in a hat and draw a prize! So the more months you participate in the better your chance of winning. Prize yet to be decided!
Oh the wise words of Mary Oliver. I know Fall has arrived when I am making big pots of soup and mixing herbs into new blends of herbal chai's, (hoping someone will stop by for a cup) dreaming about spending time on the couch reading Mary Oliver, quilting, planning next seasons garden and reminiscing about the fleeting days of summer!, like its been months since we saw the sun! I feel like I am chasing the last few Summer rays...still hoping to get to the coast one more time, maybe in early November.
We have been talking a lot about Gratitude over on the Blazing Star Herbal School Facebook Page- feel free to join in the conversation with your favorite Gratitude quote and activities. Gratitude is an emotion of connectedness, which reminds us we are part of a larger universe with all living things. It opens the heart and activates positive emotion centers in the brain. Regular practice of gratitude can change the way our brain neurons fire into more positive automatic patterns. The positive emotions we evoke can soothe distress and broaden our thinking patterns so we develop a larger and more expansive view of our lives. I have been doing a walking meditation daily focussing on being thankful. I have also been thinking a lot about creating a category of "Herbs of Gratitude" so far I have Tulsi, Cacao and Vanilla. What herbs would you put in that category. What would qualify an herb to be an herb of Gratitude? I would love to hear your opinion here or on FB.
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The 2012 Apprentices made vegetable based soap this month with out guest teacher Desiree Cohen. Soon there will be a post on the Apprentice blog with lots of pictures. Registrations are coming in for both the Beginner (tuesdays) and the Advanced Apprenticeship (thursdays) for 2013
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I am excited about this months "Harvest Moon Special" as it centers around one of my very favorite element of herbalism which is medicine making! and allows for much creativity! which is why I call it
(click on title and scrol down for more information)
It is the 4th offering in the DIY series, Do-it-Yourself Herbalism Series ...practical, thrifty and fun! It has been called "an Art Course for the Herbal Student", and a course "that will lubricate your senses" Why do I love creative medicine making so much? It adds opportunity to create beauty, nourishment and richness to an ordinary day, more blessings to be thankful for...and as your olfactory senses are stimulated it helps the brain register more happiness! This course is for everyone serious students of herbal medicine, homesteaders, urban dwellers, ...anyone that wants add a little colour and creativity to their kicthen!
This course covers:
Water Based Preparations (infusions (hot/cold), decoctions, medicinal baths, compresses,
formentations, mouthwashes, inhalants)
- Alcohol based preparations (tinctures; maceration,percolation & spagyric methods)
- Oil Based Preparations: Oils, Liniments, Salves, Cremes
- Acetates, Glycerites. powdered herbs and honeys
- Understanding basic interactions of plant phytochemicals to make better medicine
- Recognizing and assessing the quality of dried herbs
- Choosing the appropriate form of the remedy
- The importance of effective record keeping
- Terminology and definitions
- Equipment needed for creating herbal preparations
- Principles of Ethical Harvesting
- Basic Herbal First Aid remedies
- Intro to Food as Medicine
- Herbal Nourishment
- Grow (your own) Medicine!
here is a sample of creative, tasty and nourishing made my apprentice Shannon Toye for my birthday it's a cheesecake with a goldenrod, mango syrup glaze! Yum!
Learning to create your herbal medicine at home is both empowering and eye-opening. Herbs are magical but preparing and using them doesn't have to be mystical. Click on the link below to take advantage of this monthly special and begin this 12 module Harvest Moon Journey!
BUY NOW for just $175
I will give 10 spots away at this lowered price after that the price returns to $250 so act fast! to take advantage of this deal!!
The recipe I have to offer you this week one of my favorite nourishing seasonal recipes.
Favorite Fall Time Chai
Roasted Dandelion Root
Burdock Root
Chaga
Cocoa Husks
Orange Peel
Cinnamon
After decocting the herbs I steam a little milk (you can use coconut milk though I use raw milk) add a hint of Vanilla Essence and Maple Syrup and add a little to your chai. Sometimes I prefer to use a little Tulsi honey instead of the Vanilla and Maple Syrup for an alternative flavor! Yum!
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So while you enjoy your Chai, here is a little Mary Oliver to watch and listen to. If you have never listened to her read her poems you are in for a treat, I frequently start the day listening to her read a poem "Many Miles" is my favorite Collection but " At Blackwater Pond" is also fabulous.
Mugwort Soba! Jade Green pasta who can resist it! It is a treat! and today we topped it with another treat a green cashew creamy sauce.
2 Cups of cashews (soaked over night)
2 Cups of Cashew soaking water
2 limes (juice)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1 cup of basil leaves
1-2 cups of Dandelion greens
1 cup of Nettle Greens
1 cup of apple cider vinegar
A little seasalt
All together in the blender!
Put a generous helping over a generous helping of mugwort soba. (Parmesan optional) and a side of maple ginger glazed kale to balance out the greens! YUM!
- 1-2 cups of mushrooms ( we used shitake, maitake, oyster)
- 1 cup wild greens (we used dandelion)
- 2 cups parboiled fiddleheads, coarsely chopped
- 1 bunch of scallions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 or more ounces butter
- 18 ounces arborio rice
- 1 glass white wine
- 6 cups of chicken stock
- 2 ounces grated parmesan cheese
1) In a heavy bottomed pot, saute the ramps, mushrooms, greens, bacon and fiddleheads in the oil and butter for a few minutes
2) Add the rice and heat for a minute or so stirring gently to prevent burning. Add the wine and let it evaporate.
3. Cup by cup add the warmed stock and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Keep risotto at a gentle simmer throughout the cooking. As the stock is absorbed gradually add more. Continue to add the stock as required until the rice is cooked. The risotto should be runny but not liquidy. Toward the end of this process still in the parmesan!
Enjoy! No photos it was eaten to fast.
The remaining ramps and dandelion greens were made into pesto with some basils, lemon juice and cashews! Now to get over to Whole Foods to buy some Mugwort Pasta!
I am a huge fan of Seaweed!. It provides us with unbeatable nourishment, medicine, beauty and an opportunity feel so alive spending time at the ocean. My love for seaweed is not subtle for I have it tattooed all the way down my right arm! When I was at Pats Tats, in Kingston NY (BTW- she is the best tattoo artist) getting my seaweed arm she said that it is the medicine of the tattoo fan too as it helps eliminate heavy metals from the body and as much some of us herbalists love permanent body art we all know that the inks are not so great for us.
Gathering seaweed is both meditative and adventurous work that immerses one into the water element according to the cycle of the tides followed by long hours of drying and sorting under the baking sun. Drying seaweed rather than delivering fresh is much more economical because it can be done in bulk quantities and it stores well for many years. Seaweed can be easily soaked, re-hydrating the plant into a highly nutritious food- enjoy toasted as well.
When you integrate seaweed into your kitchen you are greatly enriching our food culture. Seaweed is a balancing food, and one that can be added to a daring or simple menu.
Here are some of the wide variety of locally gathered wild edible seaweeds that Kacie offers. She has both Pacific and Atlantic seaweed in stock.
Below you can read a short description of each seaweed.
Bull Whip Kelp- bright green and flaky. Salty flavor with a bit of sweet from the spore patches. Great ground into a furikake mixture with sesame seeds to shake on rice, eggs, popcorn and more.
Kombu- Sweet, smoky flavor. Best added to a pot of beans to tenderize, flavor and aid digestion. Highest in iodine. Detoxifying as a broth for miso soup.
Sea Palm- Toast for a crispy snack- toss with roasted almonds or cashews. Soak to reconstitute and use as a noodle. Complimentary to mushroom dishes. Unique texture.
Wakame- Soak to reconstitute. Taste reminiscent to chicken bouillon. Tasty in soups and with stir fried or steamed veggies especially carrots. High in vitamin C and calcium.
Nori- Strong ocean flavor. Best toasted or deep fried and eaten like a chip or crumbled into a variety of dishes. High in protein.
Dulse- Beautiful deep red hue. Versatile. Needs minimal cooking, just add to sautéed greens and soups just at the end of cooking. Fry and eat like chip.
Kacie will be sending one reader 2 oz packet of her Soup Seaweed Mix which is a flaked combination including atlantic kelp, kombu and wakame! All you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite seaweed recipe! and don't forget to wander over to She Sells Seaweed and support the amazing work that Kacie is doing harvesting amazing seaweed for us! We will choose a winner on April's New Moon Sat April 21st 2012.
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And the winner is #4 Nathalie Lewis!! Congratulations you will be sent a bag of soup mix seaweed! from She Sells Seaweed!
A wonderfully spicy sauce to use on cooked vegetables, grains, pasta & entrees. Especially decongesting for colds and scratchy throats.
10-13 cloves Organic Garlic
1/2 cup Sesame Butter or Tahini
1 inch piece Ginger Root, grated
4 tsp Dark Toasted Sesame Oil
1/4 cup Tamari or Shoyu Soy Sauce
Juice of 1 Organic Lemon (& grated peel)
Honey (to taste) or Maple Syrup
Water (to thin to gravy consistency)
Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. (It will be thick.) Dilute with water to gravy consistency. Add honey to taste, to mellow flavors.
Herbal Gomasio:
1 tablespoon 14 mushroom powder
1 talespoon ground Kelp/Dulse Powder
1 tablespoon hemp seed
1 tablespoon Milk Thistle Seed (ground)
1/2 tablepoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon course pink Himalayan Salt
1 cup sesame seeds.
Gently roast the Sesame Seeds. Once cooled grind the sesame seeds. Combine all ingredients and store in the refrigerator. Gomashio is used mostly in Japan and Korea. Traditionally, it is made using a suribachi, a Japanese grooved ceramic mortar with a wooden. Nutritious and super tasty what more can you ask for!
If interested in buying a Health Promoting Gift Certficateplease scroll down and read the post below. It is not too late and can be emailed directly to the recipient. And remember to comeback on friday for the Giveaway!
Add Astragalus, Kombu and 14 Mushroom blend to water, bring to boil. Simmer for 2 hours. Remove from heat and let stand overnight. Remove Astragalus. Add rice bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until done approx 1 hour. In a castiron pan with a little olive oil gently roast the pine nuts and chopped up garlic for about 5vmins over medium heat. Mix with the rice and enjoy.
Use rice as a base for meals.
Roasted Roots:
- Pre heat oven to 425 degrees
Ingredients:
Potatoes (several kinds)
Sweet Potatoes and Yams
Beets
Carrots
Parsnips
Jeruselam Artichokes
Garlic (peeled)
High Mineral Chicken Broth (see day 1 of Holiday Recipes)
Olive Oil
Tamari (we are in love with the miso from South River Miso) Lucky for us they are just down the street!
Juice of 1 Lemon
Prepare oven tray with Olive Oil, Tamari and Lemon Juice
Fill an oven tray with cut up veggies.
Cover with 1/2-1 cup Chicken Stock
Bake until ready
Enjoy!
All herbs can be purchased at Mountain Rose Herbs. They provide great quality organic herbs!
If interested in buying a Health Promoting Gift Certficateplease scroll down and read the post below. It is not too late and can be emailed directly to the recipient. And remember to comeback on friday for the Giveaway!
