Inflammation plays a role in so many of the chronic health problems we face today – the "diseases of civilization." But inflammation is also essential to protecting and repairing our tissues, and medicines that shut down inflammatory processes create problems of their own. In this class, we will take a broad look at the different classes of herbs that can help modulate inflammation without suppressing it.
Join Seán as he shares about the nature and medicine of one of his most beloved allies – and how to relate with care and respect to this ecologically sensitive plant that cannot be cultivated by humans.
Where we place our attention and focus – and how we shift them – have a tremendous impact on how we experience the world. We will explore herbs that help us regulate, modulate, hold, and shift attention.
Few plants are more controversial among herbalists than Comfrey. Seán has long been very cautious and conservative when it comes to working with the herb, but he has begun to re-examine the assumptions and conclusions that have made him wary of this herb loved and honored by so may people across time and around the world. In this class, he will share his evolving thinking about Comfrey, and the importance of re-examining deeply held beliefs about plants.
Monoamine Oxidase A and Monoamine Oxidase B are enzymes that break down our neurotransmitters. People have long worked with plants to slow the action of one or both of these enzymes to shift perception and sensation and to potentiate other medicines. We will explore the blessings and risks of doing so.
Calamus is a plant known for its ability to help bring clear perception and clear expression. Join Seán for a deep exploration of the medicine of one of his most beloved plant allies.
Join herbalist and poet Seán Pádraig O’Donoghue as he takes you on a journey through the approach to working with plants and fungi as partners in healing, magic, and transformation that he introduces in his new book, The Silver Branch and the Otherworld. Each week, Seán will offer deeper insights and answer questions about the topics covered in one chapter of the book, and assign a set of practices to put the insights he shares to work in your own life. You will emerge with new ways of relating to the living world around you, and a new way of seeing the world.
In Irish tradition, sovereignty goddesses are embodiments of the spirit of the land who are the source of freedom and blessing. In this class, we will explore what it means to weave connection and relationship with these powerful beings while living an ocean away from the land that is sacred to them.
Dr. Timothy Leary famously defined "set" – a person's mindset and intentions – and "setting" – a person's surroundings – as factors shaping psychedelic experiences. In this class, we will explore ways of collaborating with the living world to shape the set and setting of our healing journeys psychedelic and otherwise, and touch on the dangers of letting human institutions set the parameters for our experiences.
Join Séan as he celebrates the release of his new book, The Silver Branch and the Otherworld. He will read passages from the book and answer questions about the approach to medicine and magic it is rooted in.
The air this summer feels thick and hazy with illusion – the kinds of illusions that keep us from seeing ourselves and each other clearly. Join us as we explore plants that can help us cut through the spiritual fog.
Midsummer Eve was once known in Ireland as "Oiche an tine cnámh" – "Night of the Bone Fire." As we gather on this holy night, we will speak about old and new ways of relating to the dead and the Otherworld at Midsummer.
