The Living Earth Herbal Gathering

Join renowned herbalists Matthew Wood, MS and Seán O’Donoghue for an immersive four-day exploration of herbal medicine, our immune system, and the living intelligence of nature.

Matthew will offer an expanded understanding of the immune system—moving beyond the conventional innate and adaptive branches to explore cellular immunity, antioxidants, molecular chaperones, and the immuno-regulatory system of warm-blooded animals.

Participants will discover how these systems respond to hot and cold, dampness and dryness, and how modern biomedical insights can deepen our understanding of traditional herbal energetics. The retreat will also explore herbs and therapies that support the immune system as a dynamic, interconnected whole.

Together, Matthew and Seán will guide participants into the subtle realms where plants, perception, healing, and the Otherworld meet. Matthew will share teachings on the wisdom of living nature, shamanism, animal consciousness, dreaming, intuition, and the faerie realm, accompanied by plant allies such as Mullein, St. John’s Wort, Goldenrod, and Elder. Seán will illuminate neurotransmitters as forces that shape consciousness—exploring serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine alongside the plants and fungi that influence them—while offering a perspective rooted in healing, meaningful engagement, and grounded presence.

Drawing from Irish, Scottish, Appalachian, and shamanic traditions, the retreat will also explore the Otherworld as a living dimension of reality: the realm of ancestors, deities, and the faerie people, often encountered near wild springs, ancient burial mounds, deep lakes, mountains, and sacred trees. Through teachings on Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Black Cohosh, Ghost Pipe, Psilocybe, and other botanical allies, participants will deepen their relationship with the intelligence of plants and fungi while exploring the meeting place between science and spirit, physiology and consciousness, and the visible and unseen worlds.

This will take place at Mandala Springs outside Asheville, NC – There are ample hiking trails and a beautiful river running through it so please bring a bathing suit and items to enjoy the land during our break times. We also invite you to bring a chair or something comfortable to sit in the grass, as if the weather allows for it, we will likely be receiving some of the teachings outside. 🌞

Camping is available for an added fee (payment button to come- for now simply save your space for the curriculum)

Below is your registration link to sign up for the curriculum portion of the program. There are unlimited camping spaces available and organic meals will be available on site. You’re also welcome to bring your own lunch.

➡️ Reserve Your Space Here!

FAQ:

What to Bring: Towels for the sauna, swim suit, camping chair

Meals: Organic meals will be available on site for purchase

Dogs & Children: We welcome both children and dogs and ask that folks only bring their dogs if they are well behaved and leashed at all times for the wellness of the container.

Teaching Space: If weather allows, the outdoor teaching space is stunning and is also 1/4 mile hike and quite steep from an accessibility standpoint. We will plan to have class indoors and if we decide to go outside it will be up to the teachers.