Bioregional Herbalism: Plant Energetics and Healing with Nature

with herbalist, John Slattery

Silverado, CA

Big Oak Canyon

Earth Roots Field School

March 9, 2019

Saturday 9-12p  

Workshop fee - $35  

Bioregional herbalism is about getting to know the plants within your home environment. But not just by name. The sensorial relationship of knowing a plant within its natural home landscape carries with it a rich fabric of information and inter-relatedness that hard data does not possess. The intimacy experienced through this type of relationship is what strengthens our connection to all of Nature and informs us about our place in it and what is happening all around us. This includes how to heal ourselves.

This simple approach to working with plants is the way that our ancestors of the ancient (or not-so-ancient) past once worked with plants to feed not only their bodies, but also their souls. This approach holds tremendous potential for healing and knowledge, and it is openly available to us to explore.

Finding healing for ourselves within Nature is all about relationship. As we begin to listen and observe what is right before us more clearly we open ourselves to a field of healing energy that is meant to keep us healthy (physically, mentally, and emotionally) and preserve us and all of life. 

In our busy lives we lose sight of this. In fact, we are trained to not see it but to otherwise distract ourselves with matters of less importance. Our own individual health is primary, even as parents to young children. For if we aren’t healthy, then who can mind our children?

We all know how valuable health of mind and body is. This can be especially evident once we lose it, and then suddenly regain an aspect of what was temporarily lost, feeling renewed and ourselves again. 

This is the healing power present within Nature, and the plants are there to guide each of us. Their intelligence is beyond measure and they are available to listen to us and reflect back to us what we may need at any given time.

Learning about what plants “do” can be an exciting and fascinating subject for many people. However, there is more to the story. Plants simply “are”. This being-ness is present within all life around us, including ourselves. Allowing ourselves to “be” in Nature is a profoundly transformative practice that can open us up to truly unlimited possibilities. With patience, we can begin to transform the things in our lives which we see as inherently limiting, and begin moving towards those things (experiences, self-awareness, personal achievements) our hearts truly desire. 

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 occurring 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. 

In this 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 local landscape exploring what the winter rains have brought back to life in the hills and canyons of southern California. 

In fact, this is where the work of herbalism begins… and ends. It is all encompassing, ever changing, and the knowledge available to us is unlimited.

If you are seeking personal healing, to connect to your inner guidance, or to transform your life in a meaningful way, this workshop is for you.

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

Bioregional herbalism covers many subjects including the study of field botany, ethnobotany (how people have used plants), respectful wildcrafting, plant energetics, landscape observation, developing and exercising the senses (particularly the feeling sense), herbal medicine making, herbal formulation, as well as developing deep relationship with plants, a knowledge of the seasons and all the elements. Working to apply these medicines for well-being and healing of oneself and the community is the primary goal. Through respectful relationship our ever-expanding knowledge of our homeland can be utilized to uphold balance and harmony within our communities. 

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

Join bioregional herbalist, John Slattery for this experiential herbalism workshop to begin to transform your approach to working with plants. 

We will explore the local terrain of the Earth Roots campus comprised of riparian woodland, mature coastal live oak groves, and chaparral vegetation. Throughout it all we will practice connecting with the plants and the landscape with our senses while being led through the process. The reality of plant energetics emerges from within each of us as we come to learn about ourselves, the landscape, and the effects the plants have on us. A truly holistic system is experiential, nonlinear, alive and flowering.

Starting in your own backyard you can become a master of the medicine that grows within arm’s reach. Continue your progression by applying the basic principles and practices learned in this workshop. Your learning will continue as you explore your local environment and apply the herbal medicines you discover. Allow learning to happen at your own pace and be gentle with any learning curves you may encounter. As long as you persist, you will continue to learn.

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

John J Slattery LLC

Bioregional Herbalist

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www.johnjslattery.com