Ocotillo Immersion

An exploration into the Heart & the World of Ocotillo

*Field Study with Vitalist Bioregional Herbalist, John Slattery

*Hybrid Field & Online, 8 sessions from Feb. 7 - June 14, 2026

*Field Classes located in the Sonoran desert of Southern Arizona

Course Tuition - $625

Discounted Tuition - $555 (Limited spaces available)

Many years in the making, this course is a short walk down the path of all things Ocotillo. Rooted in connection to Self, Land, and Ocotillo, this course is an endeavor to gain knowledge and explore the possibilities of self-healing while joining others who are similarly engaged.

Ocotillo has become known as a Healer of the Heart. This can be true in a great variety of ways but often requires careful attention, patience, and a willingness to feel; all things we’ll be exploring and expanding upon in this course.

Course Content

• 5 Field Days, 3 Live Zoom Sessions

• Introduction to Ocotillo in the Field, including habitat, botany, ethnobotany, wildcrafting, processing, making remedies, and more

• Structure and focus to allow each participant to experience what Ocotillo has to offer them, both in session and in between sessions

• Hands-on Wildcrafting Guidance (Flowers in April, Bark in May) including processing and remedy preparation

• Deep exploration of the internal and external landscape, both in the field and online sessions

• Study materials to support and deepen the learning process

• At-home exercises to maintain and develop the connection

Field Session Format

The field sessions are focused on developing relationship to the place and the stands of ocotillo we’ll visit. Our movements will often be slow and deliberate with a focus on becoming receptive to what the plants and the landscape has to offer us.

Each session will involve some guided experience with ocotillo which could be referred to as a plant meditation. These will serve as the centerpiece for our group discussions and the developing knowledge base of each participant.

Two of our five field sessions will be devoted to gathering two different parts of the ocotillo - first the flowers in April, then the bark in May. The first two sessions (Feb & Mar) are devoted to building a foundation of relationship (with online sessions and homework to support this). The course is completed by one more field outing in mid-June.

This course is limited to 12 participants to ensure the experience remains intimate and secure.

Live Zoom Session Format

Each of the three live Zoom sessions will provide a place to reflect on our prior experiences as well as the at-home work each participant is offered to explore. We will engage in a similar plant meditation for each Zoom session followed by a discussion. This will also provide an opportunity for Q&A regarding all relevant material to our endeavor.

Private Online Community

To support these efforts, a private online community dedicated to those in the 2026 Ocotillo Immersion course will be provided for all those enrolled.

Locations

All field locations will be within about 30-120 minutes of Tucson with 1-2 sessions possibly held near Phoenix. Some sessions (April 11, for example) may be dictated by weather conditions leading up to our class date.

If you know this is where you need to be, then you can simply register below.

If you have any questions about the structure or content of this course, you are welcome to email me or set up a quick call to discuss it.

Whether online or in-person, I look forward to seeing you take part in this powerful journey of transformation.

If you feel called to take this course but feel that you are in need of a small discount, there are a limited amount of discounted course registrations available below.

If you are unable to join us for the Field course but would like to participate in the Online course simply click the link below.