Elder Voices: Tobacco

The Nightshade family is full of plants that shift sensation and consciousness in ways so powerful that whether they bring medicine or poison, blessing or curse depends deeply on the ways we approach them. Perhaps none of these plants is more full of contradictions than Tobacco – a sacred plant of the Americas that became important in the folk magic of distant lands it was introduced to, but also has spurred a global health crisis. In this class, we will put judgement aside and try to speak of Tobacco on the plant's own terms. We will explore both responsible ways to work with the plant and strategies for navigating Tobacco addiction.