Yesterday it was warm enough here for me to kick off my mud-caked boots and work barefoot in the sunshine, scrubbing roots and tossing dock leaves to the rabbits. What a rare delight that was for October.
I was harvesting medicine plants for the upcoming retreat – dock and dandelion, elecampane and horseradish, burdock and sage.
The retreat is just a few weeks away, so some of these roots will stay fresh in the fridge until then; the others are tucked into a borrowed dehydrator and will head into mason jars this morning.
Prepping these plants was deeply satisfying for me – in many ways. It was a glorious October day, so the sun on the autumn trees painted my experience, of course. And my children were away, so working alone in rare silence was something of a meditation.
But it was more than that.
At it's heart was the idea that not only will I will make medicines from these plants for my family, but I will place these plants in the hands of other women so that they may learn how to create their own medicine. To share not remedies but knowledge? That is something that will nourish these families far beyond a single season.
What a wonderful gift – for all of us.
Not so many generations ago I suppose this was simply how communities prepared for the coming season. To dig and prepare and teach and learn – together. As a community.
But today 'community' has so many meanings. It's more than the people who live in your town. I have a neighborhood community and a larger local community; a social media community and a blog community; a homeschooling community and a community of other medicine makers. And on and on and on.
And while I know the retreat is not a logistic or financial reality for everyone, I feel pulled to share this knowledge with more of you.
I'm not yet sure what that means, but I'm open to suggestions. Perhaps one-day gatherings or YouTube videos; books or blog posts.
It is something I feel incredibly called to do and something that is a synthesis of so many parts of who I am – the naturalist, the forager, the herbalist, the body care maker, the teacher, the writer, the photographer – it all comes together here. I'm just waiting to see how it unfolds.
If you have suggestions I'm all ears. Because the experience of this retreat is something I can't wait to share with the fifteen women who will attend, but I would love to offer something to the rest of you as well.
Indeed, I can hardly wait.
Love,
Rachel
I wish I could come. I like the idea of viewing your retreat via youtube or maybe even a paid workshop via your website. And books, which would definitely be awesome. You’ve taught me a lot already with your weedy Wednesdays blog posts. Thank you.
This is beautiful and exciting…I’m yearning for more herbs in my life. Every day that I pull down my jar of dried clovers that are absolutely gorgeous and smell divine I think about what the next jar of wildness I will take the time to gather. The key to that statement is taking the time!!!
Idea: what about a series of YouTube videos or blogs put together by a group of healers. You have so much to share as do so many others. Myself included. Tackling alone sometimes seems quite daunting. But to share the culmination of our teachings, now that would be a treat. I’m game to contribute of there are other women out there as well. What do you think?
YouTube posts/tutorials would be so awesome!
Thanks for chiming in Tameka!
Love this, Angie. There are some great places to forage in town if you need suggestions!
What a lovely idea! I’ll certainly mull over how this might work. Thanks Robin.
I think there is a lot to be gained by seeing something done rather than just seeing photographs, don’t you? It makes it somehow more possible to tackle a new project. (I know that’s how I feel about new knitting skills.)
Yes I absolutely agree–watching the process makes it so much more attainable.
I love the idea of a course online, really just a few videos.
Love, love, love it all!!! Reading your blog always brings me such joy, as do your products. Thank you.
Great choice of roots. Here in wild remote Wales, I use Comfrey, Moss and wild Violets for their well known healing properties. Both our children spend time identifying the plants that can help and sometimes hinder. They love to help me gather or plant anything to assist the bees.
found the blog accidentally, and love its vast expression of your freedom. Great to find people who have life priorities so well balanced.
To the Family Wolf of Wisconsin, from the Family Fox of Gwynedd, Wales
You are such an expert on herbs. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.