Becoming A Bioregional Herbalist - Plant Energetics, Developing Relationship to Place, and an Introduction to Ogham the Ancient Tree Language

with herbalist & forager, John Slattery

Austin, TX

Pedernales State Park

April 21, 2018

Saturday 1-6p  

Workshop fee - $55 *$42 before April 1  

CLASS CANCELLED

Bioregional herbalism is a thing of the past. So old it is new again. It’s the way that people all over the country are seeking to engage with plants in their back yards to find inspiration and the tools for optimal nourishment for their physical body as well as their soul, and the tools to take care of themselves and their community members with integrity, effectiveness, and compassion.

Learning to become a bioregional herbalist is as simple as going for a walk. Many walks. Spending time observing Nature, looking at plants closely and talking to elders within your community whenever possible. Learning about plants which naturally grow and thrive around you by developing relationship with the place in which you live is part of who we are, each and every one of us. It’s simply time to wake up to this and embrace it.

Deep connection through continued observation is the foundation for a bioregional herbalist. Knowledge is derived from experience, and wisdom through continued practice and observation of Nature (people, place, and plants). Learning about the plants found naturally occuring around us, in their natural habitat, begins to deepen our relationship to place. Little by little, patterns begin to emerge which inform us as to how we can use plants for medicine. 

If you are called to develop relationship with the plants around you for food and medicine, but unsure how to begin, then this workshop is just for you.

If you have been gathering knowledge about the plants around you, but would like to go deeper, this workshop is also for you.

In this afternoon workshop we will explore the fundamental aspects of becoming a bioregional herbalist: developing relationship with place and the plants within it as we go for a walk through the lush spring hill country landscape of Pedernales State Park where drier upland ridges of southern live and post oak, and cedar elm, converge with shady glens housing red buckeye, ferns, and other lush undergrowth, and thick river bottom vegetation ruled by the majestic bald cypress. 

We’ll touch on the subject of field botany, respectful wildcrafting and participation with our environment, plant energetics, landscape observation, developing and exercising the senses (particularly the feeling sense), herbal medicine making, and applying these medicines for well-being and healing utilizing our knowledge of our homeland and plant energetics. 

The exercises in this workshop will introduce the participant to a method of learning which is empowering, distinctly individualized, unusually contextual, and highly experiential. 

Bringing together concepts which are deeply familiar, yet widely applicable serves to uplift the participant to a new level of growth and learning.

Additionally, John will be introducing Ogham, the Language of the Trees. This ancient Irish language is rooted in deep relationship to all of creation. It is an outpouring of the metaphysical Tree of Life, and it connects us with all aspects of the natural, and supernatural world. 

In this introduction to Ogham (pronounced OH-um) we'll explore some key aspects of the language including its origins, how it's written, what it was used for, how it relates to the local vegetation, and various associations with divination, integrated knowledge of the landscape, and spirituality, in general. For those seeking to reconnect to your ancient northern European roots, or "Celtic" ancestry, this is a wonderful way to begin to tap into the wisdom that was once held sacred by many. 

Join bioregional herbalist, John Slattery, for this experiential plant walk to begin to transform your approach to working with plants. Starting in your own backyard you can become a master of the wild food and medicine that grows within arm’s reach. Then begin to branch out with the basic principles and practices learned in this workshop to continually learn more about your local environment including unique ways to apply the herbal medicines you discover. Becoming equipped with a hands-on approach to field botany can open up many opportunities for gaining unique knowledge about the plants you work with, and support further research into the ethnobotany and scientific research of other cultures across the globe. 

Our specific meetup location including any further required info for the class will be provided upon registration. 

John Slattery, Bioregional Herbalist

Tucson, AZ

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www.johnjslattery.com