Blazing Star Herbal School:March 2022 Edition
A Prayer for Peace
For those who are fleeing: Sanctuary
For those who are staying: Safety
For those who are fighting: Peace
For those whose hearts are breaking comfort
For those who see no future: Hope
(anonymous)
( a recent linoprint inspired by the following story in the guardian in the spirit of #makeartnotwar)
Welcome! Hard to believe we are a month away from welcoming our 22nd season of herbal apprentices. To say the past two years have been challenging is an understatement but I prefer to focus on the amazing apprentices and students I have had the pleasure to work with since March of 2020. You will have the pleasure of reading and viewing some of their work in this newsletter. There are some major changes in the works that I am super excited about. I'll be rolling them out slowly over the next few months and will high light them here in the newsletter. The first such change is that I have opened the newsletter up to present and past apprentices to submit articles, plant related art, poetry and happenings! There will also be a community section for local events of interest. I am thrilled to be offering the Botanical Art In- Studio program again this Spring(details below), it was such a great experience to see students connect with plants in a different way- I learned so much and my love of plants grew! Here is what one student had to say about the program "I took Botanical In-Studio Art class with Tonya Lemos (Blazing Star Herbal School Fall 2021) having no prior background in art or herbalism. I was intrigued by the topic and felt it might help me expand my sense of connection to and understanding of plants and beauty in my backyard while inspiring creative play in the visual arts. OMG has this been true! I’ve had the time of my life printing, playing, and eco-dying using plants on fabric and paper, and also cyanotype! Tony’s been an outstanding teacher– clear, organized, warm, generous, and intentional as she’s built community, and nurtured skills and artistic inspiration in each one of us. This course truly opened my eyes much wider to the beauty and wonder all around. Thank you Tony for sharing your gifts, passion, materials, and knowledge in this class that has been magical for me!!!" AJK Sending love to you all and praying for Peace for all beings.
Green Blessings
Tony(a) Lemos
https://linktr.ee/TonyaLemosArts
New!!! Blazing Star Herbal School stickers available designed by my daughter Zoe @LemonateStudio. If you are looking for album covers, lyric videos or stickers hit her up!
There are still a few openings in our 2nd rotation of the
BOTANICAL ART IN-STUDIO PROGRAM
beginning on Friday April 8th
Course covers:
Basics of eco-printing (paper and fabric)
Botanical Dyeing
Botanical Paper Making
Intro to Printing (monotype/gel/relief)
The language of plants
Creating herbariums
Alternative processes in Photography (Anthotypes + Cyanotypes)
Seed and Earth Art
Getting + Staying creative (practices)
The Art of Seeing
Finding and developing your unique style
Finding inspiration from the world around you
Learn "new" ways to connect with the magic and medicine of plants. Our ancestors drew health, strength, nourishment, and meaning from their relationship to the natural world, and yet today most of us have lost that vital connection leaving us ungrounded and lacking a deep sense of place. There is such healing when we connect materials to place, I use found materials from a particular place to help establish a relationship with it. The result has me feeling more grounded, content and spiritually freer. We will explore a series of ideas working with nature—in its widest sense—to nurture our creativity, inspire us, make us more sustainable as artists, and breathe back energy and flow when our artistic streams run dry. The study of nature through art allows the “student-artist” to experience, observe, value, analyze, synthesize and express their understanding of, and relationship to, nature, the environment and elements.
Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world," says Christianne Strang, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Alabama Birmingham and the former president of the American Art Therapy Association."Anything that engages your creative mind — the ability to make connections between unrelated things and imagine new ways to communicate — is good for you," says Girija Kaimal. She is a professor at Drexel University and a researcher in art therapy, leading art sessions with members of the military suffering from traumatic brain injury and caregivers of cancer patients.In 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published a review titled, The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health The creative process relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, boosts self-esteem, and provides a sense of accomplishment.
This is a journey to find new creativity through our connection with the natural world and is suitable everyone who is curious about the world around. No prior herbal experience necessary.
Studio Class Dates: Alternative Fridays beginning April 8th (8 classes total + 9th for show and tell of final projects)
Class times: 10am-4pm
Final Circle/Show and Tell: Friday August 6th
Cost: $850 (plus $80 materials fee payable in cash on class 1) Deposit of $200 holds your spot.
For more info https://blazingstarherbalschool.typepad.com/blazing_star_herbal_schoo/2021/10/botanical-art-studio-program-new-program-2021.html
Feel free to forward this request to anyone who you think would be great for the job.
Miss Burdock by Misa Chappell
https://linktr.ee/misachappell
So very excited to have so many great herbalists and artists joining us for our first ever May Day Fair. So far we have commitments from
Devon Green @HedgerowHealingArts
Muddy Jane @MuddyJane
Tynne Love @herbal_deva
Misa Chappell Artist @misachappel
Tracey Dresser @wingsofafairysoap
Lainie Burgess
Joanna Garbler. www.joannagablerart.com
Helene Uprichard @uprichardhelene
Jennifer Goodheart @violet.hill.botanicals
Nancy Harver @nancyhaverart
Leslie Chaison @Peoplesmedicineproject
Megan Smithers Owl Studios @megansmithers8
and are more awaiting confirmations.
Still some more spots so please let us know if you are interested in vending. $20 Sunday MAY 1st 11-4pm
Registration is now open for the 2022 season Join us as we celebrate 22 years!
Become part of the 22nd apprentice group!
(Limited spaces left- filling fast!)
Immerse your heart & soul in the exhilarating world of herbs! Beginner/Intermediate Apprenticeship 2022
Topics covered:
Traditions of Healing:
Shamanism, Indigenous Healing, Traditional Medicine, Wise Woman Tradition, Science, The Witch
Herbal Allies:
How we communicate with plants, Plant Meditation, Doctrine of Signatures
Nourishment:
Food and Nutrition, Self Nourishment and Understanding, Seasonal Medicine
Herbal Energetics:
Tastes, Vitalism, Energetics of Disease, Chakras
Tools of the Trade:
Books, Tools, Organizations, Resources, Understanding Herbal Actions,
Medicine Making:
Water Based, Oil Based, Spirit Based, Honey Based, Vinegar Based
Materia Medica:
Profiles of 64 Western Herbs, 10 Chinese Herbs, 10 Ayuervedic Herbs Sea Weeds, Mushrooms
Herb Gardening:
Growing from Seeds, Propegating, Seeds Saving, Optimal Harvest Times, Design, Gardening by the Moon
Botanical Art:
Photography, Drawing, Watercolor, Pressing
Herbs for Common Ailments:
Chronic Vs Acute Conditions, Family Health, First Aid
The Art and Ethics of Wildcrafting:
United Plant Savers, Global Survey, Gratitude, Medicinal and Edible Mushrooms, Field Identification, Sustainability
Creating powerful and effective Healing Ceremonies:
Ceremonial Uses of herbs, Medicine Wheels, Earth Awareness, The Four Directions, Animal Allies
Herbal Body Care: Facial, Skin, Hair, Body Care and Pampering!
Global History of important Food, Trade and Medicine Plants
Understanding and Connecting the Bodies Systems:
Nourishment and Support for the nervous, digestive, immune, respiratory, reproductive, cardiovascular, urinary and muscular systems
A study of Water: water ceremony and energetics
Now accepting applications for 2022!
Begins April 2022 Ends Feb 2023
(This program meets in person outdoors weekly on Tuesdays in Conway MA)
Loving this poster created by Lainie Burgess (Apprentice class of 2021) Input provided by Christina Fales, Melissa Vanek, Parker Kelly, Lauren Rendero.
The Healing Power of Footbaths
by Maggie Ruth Haaland
During these pandemic times, as the day winds down I often get in my bed and stick my feet in a pot filled with herbs and warm water, careful to balance and not spill into my blankets (it happens… the bed footpath is quite the advanced practice!) If you follow me on instagram, you’ve most likely seen my stories where I share my daily “feet in the pot” photo, including a list of the herbs I am soaking with that day. I’ve been doing an almost daily foot bath for a little more than two years.
I don’t fully remember how it started, but it has held me well through the past few years. For me, alongside writing and cooking, foot bathing is a daily practice, offering small pockets of ease and calm as the world outside rages on. The commitment to doing it every day reminds me that I am devoted to my own healing, and willing to sit with myself. It strengthens that self trust, and offers a deep nourishment so I am able to show up in a more present way in the world. It is a time to come back to myself, a time when I am not required to do anything else for anyone else. A rest practice. I usually fill up my foot bath pot (I use an old crock pot pot, but you could use a kitchen pot, a plastic or ceramic basin, a bucket, a bathtub….), make a cup of tea and heat up my cherry pit bag, and then sit for 10-20 minutes. I most often start in silence to give myself space to arrive and my mind to quiet, and then turn on some music or a podcast. As someone who lives with pretty intense anxiety, it is one of my most favorite ways to calm the mind and get back into my body.
When visiting family, I have been known to root around to find a pot that is big enough to accommodate this practice while traveling. Sorry aunt Katie! A favorite foot bath on the road this past year was at my friend Julia’s house sitting at the kitchen table after a cold rainy day outside, eating chicken soup. It’s also super sweet to go on a foraging mission and then do an outdoor footbath in warmer months! The places and situations for foot bathing are endless :).
It is also a great way to connect with the plants and take your medicine. The feet, like the hands or tongue, are really receptive to what is offered, and they can absorb plants quite easily. In fact, Tony turned me on to an herbalist, Maurice Messenger, who practiced in Europe and foot baths were the only prescription he gave his patients! In addition to being able to choose herbs for whatever is ailing someone, it is an ask, or a permission slip, for them to take time to slow down. Stop, even. A radical act in a society that praises grind culture and non stop production and engagement.
Day to day, I tend to use calming nervous system supporting herbs in my footbaths. A few favorites are tulsi, roses, oats, rosemary and pine. These are great if you want to offer space come back to yourself. I also tend to work with seasonal plants, collecting a few twigs or flowers from the woods or garden as I go about my day to use in the pot that night. You could also use herbs to work with a more acute condition, like wood betony and rosemary for a headache, or calendula and plantain if you had a wound or bug bites on the foot.
If you have small kids, or long days at work, or any other number of responsibilities, and 10-20 minutes feels like too much, even just setting aside 5 minutes to tend to yourself makes a big difference. Once you have your pot and herbs, it is a simple and quick process to set up the ritual, and it is a convenient and more ecological option than taking a full tub bath.
In these times of upheaval and collective grief, it is more important than ever to take good care of ourselves and our nervous systems. Perhaps a warming footbath can offer some reprieve, pleasure and rest as we round out this second half of winter.
Be well,
Maggie Ruth
If you’d like to connect to my work, follow me on instagram at @maggieruth, or check out my Etsy page, Maggie Ruth Herbals, where I offer herbal bathing salts alongside naturally dyed clothing, essences, and salves. I also offer seasonal natural dye classes (more herbs in warm water). Feel free to reach out to collaborate, connect, or if you have a space to host a dye class or community footbath :)
Holistic Anatomy, an integrative guide to the human body, by Pip Waller
Recently, in herb school, the class was tasked to draw a schematic of the human body with its various organs and systems. We were then instructed to illustrate the interrelationships between the systems.
The assignment appealed to me because I am an artist, and a visual learner. But I quickly realized that I had only a vague image of my inner landscape and its parts, especially with regards to how they exist in relation to one another. The liver that I drew on my body map looked like a sweet potato stuck onto my hip. I suddenly felt fraudulent -- I could easily picture my body “bathed in a healing white light," but I could neither locate nor describe my own spleen. How could I care for my spleen -- or *any* of my body's internal mechanics -- if I couldn't even picture it?
The teacher shrewdly recommended Pip Waller's book, Holistic Anatomy. Waller's introduction reads that the book was for "healers and energy workers who need to bone up on how spirit looks when it's in the flesh," and "anyone with a body and a thirst for knowledge about it who likes to look at life sideways."
Hello, that’s me!
I'd venture that humans naturally intuit that everything is connected -- "i.e., the leg bone connected to the arm bone" -- we've all personally experienced how hunger affects digestion affects mood affects action affects cardiovascular etc.
Yet Western medicine compartmentalizes our physicality in order to "treat" (or suppress) specific symptoms, as if they sprung individually from a vacuum. How can we reconcile such disparate views? How can we truly know ourselves?
This book nails the answers for such questions. The author, UK-based Pip Waller, is an herbalist, body worker, spirit plant medicine and shamanic practioner who teaches anatomy and physiology to students of natural medicine.
Waller's written tone is erudite but never condescending. The chapter headings use analogy to great effect -- "Wiring" about is the nervous system; "Dropping the Robe" describes the process of death. Chapter 19 is dedicated solely to interrelationships, and Annexes touch on TCM and Shamanic approaches. Chapter 22 is a stand-alone discourse, titled "Toward a Holistic Paradigm."
The Endocrine chapter in particular blew my mind. I have heard, and even have used, word "endocrine" with a scant understanding of what it was. The first startling fact I learned is that every organ in our body makes hormones -- the heart is one of the major endocrine glands in the body! Waller is sympathetic here, writing that "no wonder it's easy to become confused with the endocrine system! As well as being a figment of our imagination, it is a beautiful and complex system of completely different hormones...that regulate, with amazing intelligence, many functions of the body." The chapter discusses the chemicals, mechanics, and balance of "too much or too little" within the pituitary, thyroid, thymus, pineal, pancreas, adrenal, gonads, and more. The final part of the chapter illustrates how the endocrine glands correspond to the body's Chakras.
This is no "Dummies" book; there are no goofy cartoons, silly re-caps, or veiled shaming. Holler never underestimates the reader's intelligence; scientific graphics are presented straightforwardly, and definitions are judiciously scattered. The bibliography in itself is inspiring -- a comprehensive gem of a source for deeper reading.
.
"Holistic Anatomy" is a key reference book that is also a pleasure to read. This morning, as I flipped through it looking for the myelin sheath, I got sidetracked by an engaging diagram of a synovial joint.
And there, again, is that blessed interconnectedness: a fresh desire to paint a beautiful synovial joint. Maybe even sideways.
Blazing Star Herbal School Class of 2020 Misa Chappell is a visionary artist, curator, and the director of the Florida Free Library in the Berkshires. Her passion is the intersection of visual art and herbalism. She lives on Florida Mountain with her husband & five cats @misachappell on Insta and misa chappell artist page on Facebook.
Book report by current apprentice Donna Motta
Southern Folk Medicine
By Phyllis D. Light
As a young girl, I was fascinated by my Mom. Of course, as I grew that fascination took the expected turn toward embarrassment and second guessing that only adolescence can bring.
Thankfully, as I grow older, the mother code kicks in. My skin vibrates with her energy, and ancient neural pathways glow with life and recognition.
This is the way. She, and all my mothers before me, take part in teaching me universal truths, which I pass on to my daughters.
Cycles.
I loved Southern Folk Medicine for many reasons. I was originally drawn to this incredible body of work because I was born and raised in Alabama. I was excited the author Phyllis D.light is
also from Alabama, (She is from the northern part, while I am from the Southern part.) She, like me, moved to the Northeast/New England as part of our life paths.
I was hooked!
My mother, my grandmother, and most of the women around me practiced Southern folk medicine. This was not because of some trendy sophistication, or even because of moral/ethical beliefs.
Rather, they practiced Southern folk remedies because that was the way; that is what their Mama taught; and truth told, they were just country and poor.
Sadly, I forsook all my country ways because of shame and "higher education." As per my path of choice, I studied and became a Registered Nurse. My fields of choice in my nursing practice were the ER, Post- Surgery, and ICU. I was a reputable practitioner of accepted Western Medicine.
I made rare mention, if any at all, of my knowledge of Southern healing practices; often I would only mention to scoff.
I then fell from physical grace. A diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy grounded me from my nursing career, and I began teaching my daughters at home instead. However, once called to healing,
all callings are without repentance. I have always been led to heal.
As the universe would have it be so, spiritual healing and Folk healing ambled graciously back onto my path, or rather, accepted me back on to theirs.
In Light's book, the roots of Folk Medicine are clearly and lovingly exposed. As it happens, Folk Medicine is an ancient art with its foundations firmly placed in Greek, Roman and Indigenouus
history, much of which is also the foundation for traditional Western Medicine.
One solid example of this crossover is the use of the herb foxglove to treat cardiac disease. Foxglove is also used to make the mainstream medication Digoxin, which is one of the golden
prescriptions in modern medicine today. There are so many more! Granted, tech has evolved, and there are now just as many chemical substitutes for herbal ingredients; but the origin of
most modern medicine cannot be ignored.
Ms. Light discusses "Healthcare for all." She discusses how Mother Earth provides everything we could need to nourish and heal our bodies, spirits and minds. I was moved to hear of her
thoughts on accessibility and equity in Folk medicine. Sadly, much medical care is out of reach for many humans. Not so with Folk Medicine. The main barriers to this particular modality of
healthcare are lack of knowledge and a misunderstanding of Folk Medicine measures within the general public.These barriers are two areas upon which we can affect change.
It was not always so. There was a day where nearly every average person had some personal knowledge of herbal medicine; and if not personally adept at medicine making, they had knowledge of the village healer (who was often later persecuted for witchcraft.)
She also discusses the different types of callings to healing, and the different types of Healers. I fell in love with her perfect mix of scientific language and lore. She speaks the language of
Southern Folk Healing directly from her DNA. Her discussion of the types of calls to healing are almost spooky to me in that I grew up hearing all of this, thinking my Mom was making up tales.
Then, to my surprise, she was right! There are several folklore callings, one of which is being born with a literal caul ( birth-sac) over one's face.
Several other scenarios of being called as a healer are mentioned, including birth order. Personally, I am the first born daughter of the first born daughter of the first born daughter, of the first born daughter... that I am aware of. Another birth order of calling is that of the seventh born child. My second daughter is the seventh born child of eight, and she also appears to have a
huge call to healing on her life. I have also known I am a faith healer, as well as blood stopper, kidney stone prayer, and asthma healer well before reading this book.
While reading this book I read mention of a wart remover. I decided to step out and attempt, and sure enough, I operated within that healing gift too. I credit any and all my own healing power to my faith in my Creator's ultimate power, and I believe I am a conduit of that incredible power; but the healing power is indeed there!
I found her discussion of the mixed influences of First Nation, African, and Irish cultures on our "American" culture and medicine to be humbling! Myriad cultural nuances have formed our
current understood culture; all these same influences, ideas, stories, recipes, prayers, etc. have
converged to create our medicine as well. Ms. Light illustrates beautifully the rich, variegated texture of cultural threads that create our "American" tapestry. Her account of the history of the
Era of early America is accurate and interesting. I used this history portion of her book as part of my High School Curriculum that I use for teaching my daughters.
I picture sitting around my grandma's cast iron stove by low lamplight, listening to her stories about making tinctures, or drying beans to make "leather britches", or a gourd shaker to scare
the "haints" away. This brings to mind Ms. Light's discussion of Family trees and branches. She references a strong trunk with multiple branches of various lengths and strengths. She also
discusses deep roots in fertile soil, and knowledge of where we come from. As an amateur genealogist who is learning the stories of all of my mothers, this touched and inspired me deeply. I was especially excited to read that she mentions Chief William McIntosh and Alexander McGillvary of the Creek Wind Clan (my grandfather and uncle) when discussing First Nation history.
I love the serendipitous timing of being led to this book, which I consider one of my dear friends to guide me as I wind my way through this most recent branch of self discovery. Ms. Light is also
the woman who taught me we inherit our Mitochondria from our mothers. Since reading this fact, I have meditated on this truth quite often. So much of my mother and grandmother, and
their mothers are imprinted on my soul, and the souls of my children. Genealogy has revealed many mysteries to me as of late, and this mitochondrial phenomenon has shown its beautiful
face time and again!
By no accident, everything my Mom (also a healer) taught me as a girl now regularly manifests in my life unannounced, yet pleasantly welcome. Thank you Mom.
Ms Light also teaches the four humors (bitter,salty, sour and sweet), which are completely decried by Western Medicine as fool's rantings.
In my reading of these humors, as well as the four personality types (fire, water, air, and earth), I have learned a great deal about myself as a person. No one is really "one" type of personality; rather a main personality with a mix of other traits. In Southern Folk Medicine, she provides an excellent assessment tool which I found to be frighteningly accurate! The beauty of her
assessment tool is the accompanying comprehensive, therapeutic needs approach for each personality. This has not only helped me learn my own needs and how to meet them, but it has
helped me learn the needs of and best approaches to those around me as well.
The book ends with an accurate reference index that is precisely numbered with page references to important highlights. Throughout the book, Ms. Light mentions numerous artists,
approaches, other helpful reference books, and several medicine makers/practitioners.
I find Ms. Light's tone gentle and informative, entertaining and factual. This is not a dry document on the chemical composition of multiple compounds (though that also has its place), nor is it merely a light hearted tale of a girl growing up in the deep south amidst colorful Appalachian Mountain characters. But it is a colorful combination of both of these components. Ms. Light has achieved perfect balance in her writing, if not in her entire existence.
I will be forever grateful to Phyllis D. Light for her teaching and kind literary mentoring. I am thankful she undertook the kind work of writing and compiling such life altering information! She has inspired me to settle in and complete a book of my own writing.
Through this work, I have been drawn into the family healing circle by the strong, gentle hands of all my Healer Mothers. I have gained awareness of my identity; all those quirky interests and
penchants toward meditation, sound and touch healing, faith healing, weather and wind control, herbalism, and much more, now makes complete sense to me. I am grateful.
To me, a beautiful book is one that permanently changes my thoughts and soul for the better. Southern Folk Medicine is one of those gems!
By Donna Motta
(Pseudonymn) Laurel Joy Graceson
Being a Virgo, I love Lists so much so its not a newsletter without one 7 Things which are (presently) Inspiring me! and making me happy.
(Please do share your lists with me)
1) The Marginalian (the flower and the meaning of life)
2) Weekly Scourering of Hyperallergic.com
3) As always Books on Tape! ( I drive to NYC several times a month so I rely on the Books on Tape. I love the Libby App.
Some of my recent favs.
- The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See (I loved this book soooo much)
- Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman
- Saved By a Song by Mary Gauthier
- The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson
- Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
4) Central Park! I have fallen in love with the American Elm Grove in the park. I am presently creating a few art projects based on these trees through out the seasons (more to come)
5) Two new herbals I love!
The Art and Practice of Spiritual Herbalism
Transform Heal and remember with the power of plant and ancestral medicine
By Karen Rose
When I first picked up “The Art and Practice of Spiritual Herbalism” I felt the energy, this was no ordinary herbal but a sacred work- the book radiates a certain energy. All the photographs of the authors healing hands through out the book are not only beautiful and poignant but also calming. Hands are so important in healing work. The book begins with a framework for Spiritual Herbalism. Then goes through the systems addressing the Spiritual Connection associated with that system, highlighting plants, recipes, ancestral practices and Orishas (forces of nature, parts of deities). The simple drawings of the plants help highlight the plant Material Medica section which all begin with an anecdote. Happy to recommend this book to all herbal practitioners (community or clinical) and a must have for all herbal schools.
Energetic Herbalism: A Guide to Sacred Plant Traditions Integrating Elements of Vitalism, Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine By Kat Maier
Wow! This book is now required reading for the second half of my herbal apprenticeship starting 2022. It covers ideas and philosophies of earth reverence, reciprocity, patterns and connections and also a very precise and thorough curriculum on the language, history of vitalism/plant energetics/tissue states along with a thorough Materia Medica framed in the sacred.Kat addresses the energetics of TCM and Ayurveda in the most understandable way. The authors extensive experience and wisdom is evident as you read this book.
6) My daily art challenge for 2022 @365artlog
A visual log of my 365 day art journey. Part exploration, accountability, documentation - all work in progress. Join me in this practice. #practicemakesprogress
7) The Cosmic Breadcrumbs Show at Common Folk Collective in North Adams up until March 18th curated by two past apprentices Misa Chappell and Megan Smithers - featuring several herbalists work
Thanks for reading!
See you all next time
xoxo Tony(a)