During our time together we will be focusing on deepening our connection to some of our native Oregonian plant life. We will be focusing on creating our own relationship with the plants, finding which ones resonate with you along noticing which you have resistance to.  Forming a relationship with these beings is just like finding new friends. Some will be super easy to be around and communicate with others while others will be much more difficult. Everyone has their own unique way of life and it definitely is the same here. 

 

Most traditional healers work with only a select few plants that they have deeply connected with, they use these for all different issues. When Ryan Drum asked Ellen White, a Nootka elder and traditional healer, for what ailments the Nootka use Devils Club, she replied "for everything” I have heard this same sentiment from other traditional healers, they have formed a relationship with the plants that go far beyond the scientific actions that we learn about in western herbalism. 

 

We will meet up over the course of three months for 4 days a month in the homes of our new friends. During these meet-ups, we will be camping off the beaten path. On some trips, we may be in a campground but most of the time we will be off in our own special nook of the forest. 

Here we will set up sacred space for our sharing circles and ceremonies. Create a small kitchen area and set up our camping situation. The meals will be potluck style, focusing on simple organic vegetarian food, wild foods, and herbal teas.

 

Each weekend we will be working with 3-4 different plants, each one will have its own unique setting, vibe, and flow to it. It is structured yet free form. It is always important to set intentions and go in with an open heart and mind.

 

The general layout for the weekends-(Everything is open to change and we will flow with the vibe of the location, the plants, and our energies) There will also be time devoted to hiking, swimming, forest bathing, and general ecstatic nature exploration. The idea is to fully immerse oneself into the moment and let go into the power of the natural world.

 

Arrive by 9 am or better yet come the night before.

 

Day 1

- 9 am Sharing circle and tea ceremony to start the day 

-Light snacks/lunch

-Hike out to meet our first plant, where we will connect with and learn. Every time will be different in how we approach working with these beings.- 

-Afterwards, everyone will have free time to journal and process- 

-Learn some of the practical uses, harvesting, and identification-

-Dinner 

-Chill out and get ready for bed

 

Day 2- 

-8 am Breakfast

-9 am Sharing circle to start the day, along with a tea ceremony

-Hike out, connect and learn. Every time will be different in how we approach working with these beings.-

-Afterwards, everyone will have free time to journal and process- 

-Learn some of the practical uses, harvesting, medicine making, and identification-

-Dinner 

-Chill out and get ready for bed

 

Day 3-

-8 am Breakfast

-9 am Sharing circle to start the day, along with a tea ceremony

-Hike out, connect and learn. Every time will be different in how we approach working with these beings.- 

-Afterwards, everyone will have free time to journal and process- 

-Learn some of the practical uses, harvesting, medicine making, and identification-

-Dinner 

-Closing ceremony 

 

Day 4-

-Closing sharing circle to start the day, determining which plant you want to Diet with for the next month, along with a tea ceremony

-Clean up

-Depart by 2 pm

 

 

Plant Dietas-

In the Amazon jungle, many different tribes use Plant dietas as an approach to healing and learning. If you are studying a specific path with one of these Curanderos they will require you to study specific plants to gain their knowledge, spirit, and songs. With these skills, you can then call upon the spirit of the plant to heal. These are long intense ventures into solitude with very basic food and no stimulation. That means no books, music, or anything that will distract you from just being with the plant. It is just you and yourself in a hut in the jungle. During this time you will not have any contact with anyone except maybe your teacher or healer if you are doing a healing diet. It is a spiritual commitment somewhat similar to the type of commitment a Vipassana meditation retreat or participating in a vision quest.

 

During our time this summer we will be doing our own version of a plant dieta. Which I like to call an immersion or soft dieta. Each month we will all choose a plant to work with from our weekend retreats. During this time I encourage you all to experiment with different ways of connecting. Make medicine, drink tea, create an altar, meditate every day, etc.  If you are able to get away for a few days and escape the external stimulation and eat simply while working with these plants you will see, even in that little time, how profound it can be. 

 

That being said if you are unable to get away, the plants know when you set an intention and respect the bond you are asking. You will all find your own way to work with each plant and that is the beauty of this work. 

 

The thing I love most about doing this with a group is we all have our individual experiences and through those, we all learn so much about the plants and ourselves, and by sharing we all get different perspectives on these beautiful beings. I will be sharing with you more of the classic information ranging from traditional uses, western herbalism, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese medicine, where and how to find them, the best way to harvest, and medicine-making tips.

During this immersion, my hope is that you will gain some knowledge and intuition on working with these plants.  With respect, intention, and love they will open themselves up in many profound ways. It can be challenging at times and inspiring at times. This is not only a journey to learn from these plants but a journey to learn more about yourself.  

 

* These location can change depending on fire season

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- June 11- 14 SOUTHERN OREGON - Aralia/ Yerba Santa/ Yarrow/ St John's Wort/ Elder- WATER- Kapha-AWAKING - more playful, learning to connect

- July 5-8 Ochoco NF ( Juniper, Western Peony, Baneberry, Sweet Root, Valerian, Western Osha) EARTH/Fire -Pitta - BELONGING Deeper work

 

- August 19th-22th  Mt Hood (Devils Club, Mugwort, Goldenrod, Parrots Beak , Yarrow, Western Pasque Flower) AIR - Vata- SURRENDER - silence, grounding exercises, cactus ceremony

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-Cost-$1100 for all 3 retreats or $450 per retreat 

 

-Includes Herbal extracts and digital Materia Medica “Uses, Identification, Harvesting, Medicine making, etc” of all the plants

 

 

Some Recommend books:

By Stephen Harrod Buhner-Sacred plant medicine-Secret teachings of plants

-Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

-By Matthew Wood-The book of Herbal wisdom-Seven Herbs: Plants as teachers

-Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants: Identify, Harvest, and Use 120 Wild Herbs for Health and Wellness  by Scott Kloos

-The Weaving: Plants, Planets, and People: Explorations through Time By Abrah Ameson

-Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Jim Pojar (Author), Andy MacKinnon (Author)

_Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest By Michael Moore