Blazing Star Herbal School:March 2022 Edition
I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud
(a relief print I made inspired by my morning at the bulb show)
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Williams Wordsworth's iconic poem may have been the first poem I memorized as a child. Do children still have to memorize poetry? It's amazing that I still remember some of the poetry and prose I memorized 45 years ago!
The first Tuesday after the 2021 Apprentices graduated I took myself to the Bulb show at the Smith College Botanical Garden- finally open to the public after a two year hiatus. It has always been a great time marker since March is traditionally a hard month for me and the energy, sight, and smell of flowers and thawing ground is the best seasonal medicine. I was again awestruck, it never gets old. This year drawn to the daffodils, sometimes known as ice follies as they are one of the first flowers to brave the lingering ice. According to the Daffodil Data bank (yes such a database exists) there are at least 25 different types of daffodils and up to 13,000 different hybrid varieties. I am convinced that I met the most beautiful daffodil of all, though the photo does not begin to do her justice!
Daffodils are also known as Narcissus, which is thought to derive from classical Greek mythology where a beautiful youth became so entranced with his own reflection that he pined away for himself. As a punishment for his vanity, the gods turned him into this flower.
In terms of medicine I recently saw a link between narciclasine in daffodil bulbs and brain cancer...now don't go drinking daffodil root tea as they are quite toxic to you and your pets! but an interesting story to follow.
Daffodils are so cheerful, bright yellow and white the colours symbolic of positivity. They seem like a happy go lucky flower that signifies joy, and an appreciation for being alive. One Willow Apothecary says Daffodil is an essence for bringing undimmed optimism and merriment into your life! Who could not use that energy today!
In a few weeks I am headed to the NYCBG for their annual Orchid Show- for my first time. Looking forward to that.
Welcome! If you are new to this space. This is a monthly newsletter I put out to share happenings related to Blazing Star Herbal School, our graduates and the local botanical community.
In the past month I graduated my 21st round of beginner/intermediate apprentices increasing my total grads to over 350! and sent out 16 Sunflowers relief prints as part of a fundraiser to support the people of Ukraine. #sunflowersfortheukraine and #makeartnotwar
Sending love to you all and praying for Peace for all beings.
Green Blessings
Tony(a) Lemos
https://linktr.ee/TonyaLemosArts
(even ready to be compost the energy radiates from the daffodils- inspiring me to be more like daffodils!)
Introducing Razz!
I am excited to introduce Razz Cacho-Nguyen to you all. You will be seeing much of them during our 2022 season.
Razz will be our first social media/video intern and I am so looking forward to working with them. I will let Razz introduce themself.
Hello, everyone!
My name is Razz. I'm so looking forward to being in community with you all on this beautiful journey. This is my 8th year in the valley. I love learning about the plants being around us, as well as other ancestral skills like making cordage out of nettles, or carving spoons out of pine. I also love karaoke, playing board games, going hiking, and reading fantasy books. I'm newly a carpenter's apprentice and was recently trained as a conflict mediator, as learning skills surrounding conflict transformation work is also a passion of mine. I'm excited to get to know all of you during our time spent together!
** There is still room for one more social media intern**
See listing below if you think you may be right for the job!
Feel free to forward this request to anyone who you think would be great for the job.
So very excited to have so many great herbalists and artists joining us for our first ever May Day Fair. I think if we offer this again next year we will add some free apprentice led workshop!
Details:
Sunday MAY 1st 11-4pm
Free and open to the public
Conway MA
(actual address will be released closer to the time)
We are full sadly have no room for more artists. We have commitments from
Devon Green @HedgerowHealingArts
Lizz Ziter @MuddyJane
Tynne Love @herbal_deva
Misa Chappell Artist @misachappel
Tracey Dresser @wingsofafairysoap
Joanna Garbler. www.joannagablerart.com
Helene Uprichard @uprichardhelene
Jennifer Goodheart @violet.hill.botanicals
Nancy Harver @nancyhaverart
Leslie Chaison @Peoplesmedicineproject
Megan Smithers Owl Studios @megansmithers8
Lainie Burgess @Virago
Emmy Howard Winding Path Herbs
Jim Markham Summit Sound Health
Molly Plankey @Paintings_by_molly
Kathryn Holmberg @wild.way.botanicals
A.T. Gibson Claywork https://atgibsonclaywork.bigcartel.com
Lilian Jackman wilderhillpress.com
Carolyn Walker www.CranberryHillHealingArts.com
Leslie Chaison. @peoplesmedicineproject
Denise Beaudet https://www.facebook.com/denise.beaudet/
and myself Tony(a) Lemos @365artlog
(artwork by Lainie Burgess (Virago) class of 2021)
I have made a sharable Facebook event page
I have made some collages sampling everyones work! see below. Please feel free to look them up on instagram, follow them and send them some love.If you are a vendor please please please share the also
Cyanotype 101
A One Day Workshop
Sat June 11th
11-4 pm
$160 (including all materials)
The cyanotype (Prussian-blue image on a white background) also known as ferro-prussiate or blue print process or simply sun prints, was invented and named by Sir John Herschel in 1842 and is one of the oldest photographic processes. It was popularized by Anna Atkins, one of a handful of women working in photography in the mid-1800s. Atkins also had the first published book (in1843) using images made with the cyanotype method, called 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants and Ferns.'
It is one of the easiest printing techniques you can do at home without expensive equipment or a photography darkroom. The chemicals needed are easy to find and inexpensive (because there are no precious metals involved) While this was a very popular printing process for engineers well into the 20th century, it is becoming increasingly popular with photographers and artist wanting to expand their creativity with printing.
In this workshop participants will make dry cyanotypes from found plant material, and digital negatives* as well as experiment with wet cyanotypes using suds and kitchen spices. At the end of the we’ll also discuss toning and staining cyanotypes, and how the process can be adapted to other surfaces.
Who is this workshop good for?
Any creatives – who want to jump into the world of alternative photographic printing techniques. This is one of the easiest printing techniques for photography. All levels welcome
Cyanotypes are amazing for making one-of-a-kind prints and collage papers for mixed media art. Sometimes results are predicable, sometimes they are not. We will work with the sun as our UV light source, and the sun and weather at the time will determine the intensity and sort of cyanotype prints we produce.
For Cindy - March 19th, 2020
Song of Spring (lyrics)
Spring crept in
In all of her glory
Silently
Willingly
With the rising of the sun.
And the wind
Howled so cold and
Bitterly
Chilling me
Oh, but the sun refused to dim.
And oh the night
Closing so dark around us now
But the moon opens wide
Like a mother's arms.
And how she sings
A song of Spring.
And oh the Green
Unfurling Her leaves
Unstoppable
Beautiful
Daffodils shake off their sleep.
And the Frost
Clings to the Earth
Unforgivingly
Cruelly
Giving way to Ostara's fire.
And oh the days
Aren't all warm as we want to be
But our hearts breathe in love
And joy like a child.
And how they sing
A song of Spring.
And oh the time
Is moving so fast
Like a waterfall flowing down
Now that the river has finally thawed.
And oh my heart
Wonders how much it can bear to hold
But I know
We are never alone.
And you are never alone
No, you are never alone.
We will sing
Yes, we will sing
We will sing
Your song of Spring.
A poem by current Year 2 Apprentice Carolyn Walker she wrote for her stepmother who recently passed.
You can find Carolyn at our May Day Craft Fair focusing on Reiki & Sound Healing, also she will have her Sound Healing album for sale.
Carolyn Walker (she/her)
Reiki Master & Sound Healer
Cranberry Hill Healing Arts
NEW DATE! NEW DATE! NEW DATE! NEW DATE! NEW DATE! NEW DATE!
BOTANICAL ART IN-STUDIO PROGRAM
beginning on Friday May 20th
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 MAY 20 (8 classes total + 9th for show and tell of final projects)
Class times: 10am-4pm
Cost: $850 (plus $80 materials fee payable in cash on class 1) Deposit of $200 holds your spot.
For more info BOTANICAL ART IN STUDIO PROGRAM 2022
Before Words, We Had Sight. (gleanings by Lisa Bassi)
The study of Plant Medicine changes how we see plants forever. It also changes how we relate to and connect with the landscapes we inhabit or visit. Maybe this idea is more present for me right now as I have been traveling and moving from my native landscape of Eastern Woodlands into swamps, bottomlands, sand hills and scrub.
I survey the landscape. I think about how and why it works as it does. And I zoom in on the plants and how they grow and what grows where. In a single short walk of 2.5 miles I discover more than 30 varieties of blooming plants. I notice how they change in areas that are wetter or drier. And this connection brings peace and joy. Here is a quote I am drawn to right now. “That we find a crystal or a poppy beautiful means that we are less alone, that we are more deeply inserted into existence than the course of a single life would lead us to believe.”
(John Berger Selected Essays)
Because as John Berger explains elsewhere, when we look at something and focus our energy, we receive an energy in return. Nietzche said when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you. I believe as we connect to plants they connect to us. I don’t have a name for what they share but I have a feeling. And it’s different with different plants and at different times.
So while I am grateful for plants’ medicine, I am even more thankful for this way of seeing that makes me part of a whole and places me in the world in a way that generates health for me and for others.
Lisa Bassi (everyones fairy godmother)
(Blazing Star Herbal School Class of 2017)
The roads and ways
On the shortest day of the 2020 apprenticeship, Dec 21 2020, I invited Devon Whitney (BSHS graduate 2015) to come and share her new work with Labyrinths with us. It was surely one of the month memorable days of a tough season. Thrilled to be able to share her writing article with you all.
Decomposing Mushroom Labyrinth
by Devon Green Whitney
On the summer Solstice new moon solar eclipse June 20, 2020, during the Covid-19 shelter in place in Massachusetts, I began construction on a new labyrinth. I had recently moved from my home of 15 years where we had built a classical 7-circuit labyrinth that I was working with for meditation, anxiety reduction and creativity. During these uncertain times of deep collective grief, I felt called to work with the labyrinth again in a new way. I found I needed help processing the changes, loss and trauma happening on a global level and knew that labyrinth building and walking would help with the difficult emotions that were arising within me. I wanted to create something that was symbolic of the shifts our society is facing, the crumbling of old, oppressive patterns and ways of being. The need to find a healthy outlet for reflecting on the massive influx of heartbreaking and terrifying news led me to back to the labyrinth.
The labyrinth I began building that day, is a work in progress that will shift and change with the seasons. It is a Hekate/ Chakra-vyuha style labyrinth of decomposing material. I gathered fallen branches and old rotting logs to create the labyrinth field in the woods behind the place where I am now living. The pathways are made of leaves from the giant Oak tree that stands at the center of the labyrinth. This labyrinth brings in the magic of medicinal, culinary, and poisonous mushrooms which break down decomposing material to create fruiting bodies of medicine and nourishment. I brought in straw and wood chips to create beds for growing oyster and wine cap mushrooms around the perimeter of the labyrinth as well as inoculating logs with shiitake and lion’s mane mushrooms. I found logs with turkey tail mushrooms and dragged them in to incorporate into the labyrinth pattern as well.
The mycelium of each different mushroom has its own growing pace in the substrate provided. This is symbolic of each labyrinth walker sifting through the material they are working with, releasing, and decomposing to create personal growth. The shiitake mushroom spores will take a year or more to infiltrate the logs they are embedded in and produce fruit, while the oysters and wine caps will only take a few months to begin fruiting in straw and woodchips. Meanwhile, a multitude of wild mushrooms come and go within the pathways and on the decaying logs in the labyrinth design. A few of the wild mushrooms that have blessed this place include: chantarelles, russulas, boletes, amanitas and a large heart shaped chicken of the woods high up in a crack of the old Oak tree. There is always growth cycling in and out of the various layers of decay.
Mushrooms teach us about the cycles of life and death, release and renewal. They break down what is no longer viable and create medicine from it. Mushrooms literally have the capacity to remediate damage caused to the earth by human greed, neglect and domination. Figuratively, they ask us to look within to see where we may be causing harm in our lives and ask us to grow out of that place. Currently our country is in a slow process of awakening to take a more serious look at the centuries of harm that have arisen from the systems that founded it-white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism. I have been in a long process of trying to acknowledge my own role within those systems and unravelling my unhealthy patterns where I can. I have a long way to go and I need help. Mushrooms and the labyrinth have shown me pathways to do some of this work. As I walk the labyrinth path grappling with and laying down my shadow material, I create a substrate for growing myself so I may offer better medicine to the world. It’s not easy or pretty work and it doesn’t end. It’s a process that must endure as the circumstances and environment are always changing and requiring attention.
There is also symbolism in choosing the Hekate style labyrinth for this work. Hekate is an ancient deity/archetype who works in the liminal spaces and represents the crossroads. She goes back and forth between the underworld and the above world carrying a torch to illuminate the shadows. She shows us the necessity of death in moving forward. She is a psychopomp, a path lighter, a way shower and a hand holder for this difficult process of witnessing, grieving and releasing what comes as we pause to reflect during challenging times. She helps us courageously face our fears and do what is necessary to stand in our strength and integrity. During this process, it did not surprise me at all to discover that the Oak tree is one of her sacred symbols, as the Oak also reminds us of our inner strength and the most solid energy at our cores. The Oak tree is at the center of this decomposing labyrinth. We can do this work of unraveling and growing anew. We are not alone in this. Nature and the divine are with us.
As I began building the labyrinth, the inspiration and ideas flowed in and I constructed it while in a sort of trace state. The symbolism slowly revealed itself and is still revealing itself. The process has been mysterious. I believe that each labyrinth has an energy and wisdom of its own and that energy is what stirred in me as I was building it. It guided me to create it the way it wanted to be created. The labyrinth worked through me to birth itself. I was the vessel it came through. I heard it calling and opened myself to it. I am still listening and open each time I walk. Each mushroom that pops up on the path seeds a spore of hope within me that growth and change can emerge from the waste.
To find out more about Devons Work
https://www.hedgerowhealingarts.com
Just a few spaces left in the 2022 apprentice program 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)
Letter From the Earth
I felt it on the breeze today
Warmth of touch...
Light returns to
Sky
Eyes
Hearts
Skin
Untouched for so long...
Lifted by the bard--
Music man sings my soul...
Limbs stretch luxuriously
Gloriously free
Breath
Gently
Generously
Rushes
In
And
Out
And
Back
In...
Lay down upon your back.
Colorful blanket
Splayed carelessly
On
Green
Meadow
Grass.
Me-
Center
Of verdant sky...
Orbited
By
A
Thousand
Yellow
Suns.
Laugh with me--
Talk of hope...
Do we dare hope?
Do we remember how?
Violet carpet
Spread before me.
Tiny purple faces
Smile
Sway
Wave...
I wait longingly
For the felted
Workers of gold
To emerge
Bleary eyed
And
Winter hardy...
I too long to be led
By their Majesty–
To stand virtuous keeper
Midst their harmonious chant–
Rhythmic riff.
We Humm–
You...
Our Queen...
Long live the Queen...
They say–
Spring grass
Is special.
New green...
Not yet
Sun-weary.
Surprise herbal posies
Planted pell mell by
Perched passerine...
Artists...
While as themselves
Living art.
Brights and dulls
Sparks
And
Darts
Not just visual artists...
Vocalists too.
Black sumptuous
Soil
Fills my hands.
I feel life
Flow
Into
My
Once
Heavy
Arms.
I am
Connected
Grounded
Roots
Reach
Deep
To
Place...
Drawing
Water
Elements
Nourishment
From
Unseen
Depth...
Rotate your crops
Mother says to me.
Do a different thing this year.
Dream
Hope
Plant
Stretch
Up
To sun--
Trust...
All is well.
All plants want to live...
Written by Laurel Joy Graceson
(known to us as Donna Motta )
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 and I will post them in further newsletters)
1) Of course I'm going to share our first brave crocus!
The first Coltsfoot flower appeared as if scheduled on the first day of Spring! March 21'22
and so the season begins!
2) Burdock! Everything about Burdock. I've drinking infusion from fresh roots regularly this winter and the vibrant teal colour alone is super healing. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading "Herbal Revolution's" Burdock Zine-
You've guessed it Burdock is my ally this year. Who's yours?
3) Loving that cafes are opening up again for mobile working! Looking forward to checking out two new to me cafes in NYC: Cafe Flor and Cafe 797. Working at cafes has always been inspiring place for me to get work done, away from the pull of laundry or one more quick house chore!
4) And while I am on the topic of NYC. I have been loving shuffling through the clearance art books/catalog racks at the Strand Bookstore
5 And on the topic of books two I'm presently reading and loving:
Stolen Focus Why you can't pay attention and how to think deeply again by Johann Hari
How creativity rules the World The Art and Business of Turning your ideas into Gold by Maria Brito. You can also sign up for "The Groove" the authors newsletter
6) Loving this show poster and looking forward to the show Tix here
7) My daily art challenge for 2022 @365artlog
A visual log of my 365 day art journey. Part exploration, accountability, documentation - all work in progress. To be totally honest it brings me joy and a little stress! Join me in this practice. #practicemakesprogress .
(this one is just a mark up of a larger piece I am doing on American Elms)
CLASSIFIEDS:
****** All past apprentices are welcome to send in related classified ads. We love to grow our community*****
A word from our neighbors Foxtrot Farm
(Blazing Star Class of 2020 gathering Calendula at Foxtrot Farm)
The Healing Foods CSA is equal parts: meal kit, veggie CSA, herbalism course, cooking adventure, and collective experiment in community food systems. We ask, "How do we eat and farm in the time of climate change?"
Over the course of the season, we will focus on seasonal, place-based eating to build a pantry and apothecary season by season. We have multiple share sizes and add-on options, so that you can choose exactly what fits best into your life.
Every share size is built around a DIY kit that includes all of the produce that you need to make one seasonal pantry or apothecary item. Think: ferments, herbal preparations, condiments, soup bases, and more. Your share, in addition to these pantry-building kits, comes with a mixture of heirloom vegetables and fruits, nourishing greens, culinary and botanical herbs, fungi, and wild-foraged foods.
To support you in using the share, we offer a newsletter full of everything from insights into ancestral foodways to inquiries into agriculture in the face of climate change. Each newsletter has gentle guidance on how to unpack, store, and use your share— including a suggested meal plan and corresponding recipes that incorporate all of the bounty of the share.
Pick-ups on-farm in Ashfield and at Great Falls Harvest in Great (aka Turner's) Falls.
Farm Manager
she/her/they
Foxtrot Farm
Ashfield, MA
foxtrotherbfarm.com
TALKING PLANTS
The Lonely Herb-Nerd memes really are hilarious … because they are so true!
I count myself lucky that my partner can spot some of my favorite neighborhood friends (mullein, meadowsweet, burdock), and once in a while, he even suggests that we go for a drive to look for them.
But when I start rhapsodizing about my relationship with holy basil, or try to explain why there is mushroom slurry spattered on the walls, and birch bark in my hair … I get a blank stare.
And Yet!
Talking about plants — in every facet, in all their glory — is one of my favorite things to do.
You, too?
Herbalist Tina Louise (Boon Botanics) and I are starting a monthly herbalist meet up at the Common Folk Artist Collective in North Adams, MA, starting Tuesday, April 12th, from 5-7.
We will meet on the 2nd Tuesday evening of each month at the Common Folk Artist Collective in North Adams, MA. .
The format is casual, drop-in, and open to all.
Email xomisa@gmail.com and visit our website at www.commonfolk.org.
Misa Chappell is a BSHS alumna class of 2020. She is also a visual artist, librarian, and curator at the common folk artist collective in the northern Berkshires
Thanks for reading!
See you all next time
xoxo Tony(a)