Through the past several months, we have been spending time with plants and fungi that produce compounds that have played a role in shaping the consciousness of all living things. In this year's final installment of the "Elder Voices" series we take a broad look at the role of psychedelic/neurognostic medicines in the ecology of consciousness.
It is far too easy to fall into a fog of despair and confusion in these times, and it can feel hard to relight the fire of insight, the fire of inspiration, and he fire of will when they seem to dwindle and smolder. We will spend time with plants that can help kindle and nourish the fires of the heart and mind and spirit, bringing back the clarity and vitality required for us to bring forth blessing in the world.
Each of the molecules we call "psychedelic" or "psychotropic" and each of the organisms that produce these molecules is a unique expression of the intelligence of life itself. Once a month, in a series we are calling "Elder Voices," explore one of these medicines and the ways it interacts with human minds. This month, we will explore the unique medicine of mescaline and the cacti that produce it.
In a time when fear, anger, anxiety, and reactivity abound, we could all use help keeping a cool head. Come learn about plant allies that can help soothe agitated minds and bring clarity and calm.
"As above, so below. As within, so without." So goes a well known Hermetic maxim that has guided magicians, astrologers, and alchemists for millennia. In this class, we will explore the connections between personal and planetary healing, and how to find balance within ourselves in turbulent times so we can better bring blessings to the world.
Irish tradition tells of how the great god Manannán, son of the sea, would come bearing a silver branch that could help humans hear the music that wove the world into being and see the sacred dimensions of everything. The late John Moriarty said that developing the capacity for "Silver Branch vision" was the key to transforming our hearts. On the eve of the beginning of the dark half of the year, we gather to speak of Silver Branch Vision and the plants and fungi that can help us cultivate it.
In many parts of Ireland, Samhain was the time when the Rí, the "Sacral King," ritually wed the spirit of the land in the presence of his ancestors, his living kin, and his descendants. Join us as we explore what we know of this ancient tradition, and how animists can breathe life into it today in new ways.
As Samhain approaches, the spirits of the dead are close at hand. Join us as we explore plants like Cannabis, Henbane, and Mugwort that can help us connect with the spirits of the dead, and plants and fungi like Wood Betony, St. John's Wort, and Diamond Willow Fungus that can help keep unwanted spirits at bay.
People dealing with chronic infections like Lyme disease have been dealing with challenges to their cardiovascular health for years. Recently, research on Long COVID has brought medical science closer to understanding how chronic infections affect the heart and the blood vessels -- but conventional medicine has few solutions to offer to ameliorate people's symptoms and challenges. Fortunately, herbs can help. Join us as we explore the role herbs can play in helping to address the cardiovascular dimensions of these chronic infections.
Each of the molecules we call "psychedelic" or "psychotropic" and each of the organisms that produce these molecules is a unique expression of the intelligence of life itself. Once a month, in a series we are calling "Elder Voices," explore one of these medicines and the ways it interacts with human minds. This month, in the fifth class of this series, we will explore the unique nature of Cannabis and its Cannabinoids.
In recent decades, many herbalists have looked to biomedical research about plant constituents to guide their practices. Like any model, the model that biomedical research uses in approaching herbs is useful, but flawed. The model assumes that plants have fixed levels of constituents, that each medicinal plant has one or two "active compounds," that these compounds act like "keys" in the "locks" that are our receptor sites, and that they will act in similar ways in most people's bodies. None of these assumptions is true – but they can provide a framework for generating useful information. Join us as we talk about how to critically evaluate biomedical research about herbs and human bodies.
Grief weighs heavily in so many hearts right now – grief for the world, grief for the nation, grief for the dead, grief for the suffering of those we love. Our wild green kindred from the plant world can be profound allies in helping to move, and move with, grief. We will explore some of the plants that can be especially good companions as we navigate grief.
