Classes Session 2 • May 23-26, 2025
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After getting out of your vehicles, come and enjoy the beautiful welcome from the amazing green beings who open their home to us. Learn a bit of their magical attributes which they so sweetly offer us. Ground yourself in the peace and beauty of Black Oak Ranch.
Come visit our plant elders and experience their habitat and companion choices. We will discuss their preferences and needs. We'll also discuss their many gifts, and how sometimes their habitat makes them not appropriate for medicine making.
Journey through the enchanting realm of scent. Aromatic botanicals have been revered across cultures throughout the ages as a portal through our emotions, desires, and dreams. Perfume has held a core place in our rituals, from those celebrated in ceremony to even the most intimate ones of our daily lives. From medicine to magic, botanical essences have been a part of our lives for centuries. Engaging with them is akin to time travel, where we can smell and experience the same aromas our ancestors did, straight from the earth. Enveloping ourselves daily with the life force of botanicals through perfumery is one of the great pleasures of life, and engaging in the art of creating perfume is a reward in its own rite.
We will cover the foundation and the art of natural perfumery, including some key concepts from Mandy Aftel's Slow Scent® method. We will explore the rich history and the elusive mystery of botanical essences as we also indulge our senses in exquisite, otherworldly aromas. We will experience beautiful aromatic rituals and then engage in a blending workshop where we will create our very own signature scent from a botanical perfumer’s organ of 18 key absolutes and essential oils. Carole is Nomad Botanicals Founder and has been working with medicinal and aromatic plants for the past three decades, from distilling essential oils and creating products to sharing the wonders of perfumery and aromatherapy in classes and seminars throughout the country.
Build a bridge between beauty and function as we discover both the enchanting and protective elements of essential oils and absolutes. We will cover aromatherapy principles that explain why essential oils heal and protect us, exploring their physical, mental, and emotional benefits, while also learning how to create formulas, including absolutes, that become perfumes with a purpose. After smelling and learning about the properties of 12 important essences (essential oils & absolutes), we will each create a functional perfume.
Our herbal elder, Catherine Abby, will introduce us to Flower Essences for releasing known or hidden trauma, historic or present, and address loss, grief, death, acceptance. Essences can direct us to our true path, remove blocks that stand in the way of our healing, stand in the way of us loving.
In this class, 'Abby’ will help us formulate our intention. At Marketplace, she can create a bottle for each of us to take home, to center and protect ourselves, navigating shifts in attitude and action necessary to heal.
An active/contemplative class/ceremony
A comprehensive look at Motherline Medicine as a practice for living life as a spirited woman. Earth, air, fire and water will guide us. Plant medicine is at the heart and hearth. The sun and moon will provide navigational aids. And we, the crew of starship earth, will learn how to fly. Are you ready? Buckle up your seat belts and join this adventure of a lifetime! This workshop is for the courageous/reserved woman in each of us! We're going to use outside voices, romp and stomp, and engage in rough and tumble play! See you there!
Linden, comfrey, marshmallow and slippery elm come to mind when we think of demulcent herbs but who are the Moisteners on the Edge that are also slippery, slimy and soothing and of special interest to women? You'll meet Wild Yam, Asparagus, Corn Silk & Codonopsis + 1 Earthly mystery demulcent…Let’s talk about the demulcent and emollient properties of these slimy plants. How they relieve dryness, soften hardness, hydrate tissue, nourish and promote cell growth in our bodies. Juicy herbs are ever so useful for a woman’s ever changing body and bodily processes…Guaranteed to be a fun, messy, hands-on experience stimulating your mind and pleasing your senses!
Over the last 30 years the genius of the Crataegus species slowly began to seep into EagleSong’s cells, right down to the level of the mitochondria, the tiny, invisible engines that support life on earth since before time out of time.
Maiden, Mother and Crone trees appeared to EagleSong as she drove on a 10,000 mile journey around the western United States in the summer of 2021. She brought some of each home in different forms. They hung out together for a few years and EagleSong kept asking them, "What are we doing now?" Last summer, the Crataegus introduced her to a new way of seeing this genius and invited EagleSong to share it with other women. A form of medicine was born out of this counsel that we have no words for! It is that new/old. Please join for a cup of tea and a look at our lineage as women.
Ancient, mystical gingko has lots of tricks up her leaves – in her roots and fruits, too! Learn to relate with, and appreciate, one of humanity’s oldest plant allies. We will discuss the uses of leaves, nuts, and the trees themselves, as well as simple propagation methods. We will also work with the fruits (harvested and frozen last fall) to extract the delicious, medicinal nut…yum. There will also be a small number of sexed, female and male gingko trees available to purchase during class.
Fortify the life of your vaginal microbiome, protect from flora imbalance and infections, and learn how to effectively treat vaginal infections. Learn specifics around yeast infections & BV/bacterial vaginosis states of vaginal dysbiosis. *Bring your cup for a sample of supportive tea.
Its always happening! Come along as we illuminate the forgotten aspects of the monthly adventure, collectively re-membering the strengths offered by the distinct phases. Through story, song, and teachings we will take a mythic journey with the Moon as our mentor, moving around campus, through the cycles of the month in co-relation with the menstrual cycle. We will experience the two dynamic and complimentary arcs of the on-going cycle, seeing the potent hormonal dances, exploring the gifts and powers of each arc, and naming and tasting ways to tend our ever-shifting bodies, minds, and hearts.
This journey is for all stages, those approaching menarche, bleeders, and menopausal folk.
We will come away with a personalized moon manual to guide your deepening relationship with the cycles. Bring a cup!
Hawaiian Salt from the ocean is part of the healing tradition and cleansing tradition of the Hawaiian people. Before ceremonies a cleansing bath in the ocean is taken, prayers are spoken for the community, the family/Ohana, ourselves and the ancestors. We will explore and engage in a cleansing salt ceremony along with the E Ho Mai Hawaiian chant which will open us up to receive the wisdom of the messages for our weekend together as well from the sacred teachers, healers, and the land.
Taro is the food of the Aina/land of Hawai'i Nei. We use and eat the leaf and the root. It is also believed that we are children of the taro plant and it is part of our Ohana/Family. The growing of taro is built on a community system between the Earth, Land, Sea and Rain and those who tend the Lo'i/taro fields. The health benefits are many as well as the spiritual benefits of eating from the Poi bowl together. Poi is a staple of Hawaiian food made from the taro root but eating from the poi bowl together also brings us more in connection with one another and is also a way of clearing energy and conflict. We will also touch on Ho'oponopono-Hawaiian conflict resolution and eat together, pray together and reunite more deeply to one another.
Turmeric in Hawai’i, known as Olena, is part of ancient Hawaiian agriculture. It has numerous benefits for health as well as being held as a plant of great Mana/spiritual power in cleansing spaces, people and objects. It is considered a canoe plant being brought on voyages by ancestors to travel across the ocean. Coconut/Niu also has many benefits for the body. We will use coconut oil to nourish, massage and heal our skin and hair. Known as the Tree of Life for its many uses for sustainability, food and crafts.
Come join your symposium sisters in a healing rest journey! This Rest Camp will provide a guided “napping meditation” to induce a deep state of relaxation and healing. Lila will briefly introduce the ancient South Asian practice of yoga nidra, guide you through your nap, and prompt journaling and reflection to harvest your rest medicine. This script focuses on giving ourselves permission to rest as an access to deep acceptance and loving ourselves back to wholeness. It touches on quantum physics, employs imagery rooted in connection with the land and the healing power of grandmother tree, and shares poetry by Liezel Graham about being intentional and empowered in the words we use to speak to ourselves. Bring a notebook/journal, camping mat, blanket and pillow, and come ready to break your cycle of fatigue in playfulness and ease!
Most herbs are pretty tough plants. Even if our green thumb has turned brown, we can grow herbs in the ground, raised beds, or in pots on a balcony. We will explore a list of common beginner herbs with information on soil type, watering needs, sun exposure and fertilization needs (or lack of). We will also discuss good places to buy healthy plants by mail order or get easy to start seeds. MarionAlysia will give away some herb seedlings that are hard to find at most nurseries, including Elecampagne, Marshmallow, Skullcap, Spearmint, Catnip, Plantain, Valerian and maybe a few others.
Health begins in the effectiveness of your digestive system. Keeping your digestive system in tip-top shape is strongly related to the bitter herb group. Most Americans do not eat bitter greens anymore nor know how to use common herbs to make herbal teas or tinctures to support digestion, nutrient uptake and efficiency. This can result in a plethora of digestive inefficiencies or illnesses. I will teach you what, how and when to use foods and herbs to improve your digestive function. Hands On Class. Bring your meal kit to class.
Join us for a transformative workshop where we’ll explore holistic and Ayurvedic strategies for lifelong bone health. Whether we’re looking to prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis or stay proactive, this class will empower us with practical tools to support strong, resilient bones.
We’ll learn Mary Sheila’s B.O.N.E.S. Framework, a comprehensive, actionable approach to bone health, along with the key nutrients, ancestral foods, and preparation techniques that nourish your bones. We’ll dive into the connection between hormones, digestion, inflammation, and self-care, exploring how each plays a vital role in bone strength. Through guided movement and meditation, we’ll experience practices that support both body and mind. This workshop also offers interactive learning and group conversation, providing space to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others on the same journey.
Join us for a deep dive into thyroid health, where we’ll explore both Western and Ayurvedic approaches to nourishing this vital gland. Learn how to support metabolism, energy, and emotional balance with adaptogens, herbs, and nutrient-dense foods. Discover ways to strengthen immunity, manage stress, and prevent depletion by understanding the connection between the thyroid, autoimmune system, and nervous system. This class will also cover herbs for metabolism and thyroid function, offering practical tools to help us feel vibrant and resilient. Perfect for anyone looking to restore balance and vitality through holistic nutrition and plant medicine.
Perimenopause and menopause bring profound changes to the body, but with the right support, this transition can be one of empowerment, with less struggle. In this workshop, we’ll explore holistic strategies and Ayurvedic approaches to balance hormones, ease symptoms, and build metabolic resilience through nutrition, lifestyle shifts, herbal remedies, and mindset work. Learn how blood sugar regulation, meal timing, sleep, movement, and stress management impact your hormones and overall well-being. Discover the best herbs, adaptogens, and nutrients to support energy, mood, metabolism, cardiovascular and bone health. We’ll also discuss HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) —separating fact from fear—so we can make informed decisions about our health. Whether we’re struggling with hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, or sleep issues, we’ll walk away with practical tools to nourish our body and thrive through midlife and beyond.
Herbs are great to flavor foods but they also act as healing agents. So much of our medicine can be consumed in what we eat. Introducing herbs into your regular diet will nourish your body and strengthen your core. Experiment with a variety of recipes in this class.
A strong immune system in necessary for healthy life. Daily care will allow your body to avoid colds and other ailments more easily. Learn some tips and recipes to strengthen your immune system through herbs and diet.
The building blocks for good health come in a variety of forms. When the foundation for health is laid then the infrastructure for quality living can be created. Learn some tools for being well and recipes for nourishment.
This workshop is an immersive journey into reconnecting with the wild, untamed feminine essence through nature, plants, and play. Participants will explore practices that deepen their connection with the Earth, reawaken their innate creativity, passion, and encourage authentic self-expression. Through hands-on engagement with plant allies, playful exercises, and grounding rituals, attendees will learn to embody their awakened feminine spirit in harmony with the natural world. This workshop provides a sacred and joyful space to rediscover one’s true self, reconnect with nature, and cultivate practices for ongoing personal and spiritual growth.
The first part of the workshop introduces the concept of rewilding and the vital connection between feminine energy and the natural world. Attendees will engage in practices such as earthing, intuitive movement, playful practices and guided visualization to foster this connection. The second part will be hands-on, with participants creating plant-based tools for self-care and reflection to take with them, The session concludes with a reflective circle, grounding practices, and ideas for incorporating rewilding into daily life.
This workshop empowers participants to find and embody their truest inner voice through vocal activation practices supported by plant allies, tea, and ceremony. Drawing on the wisdom of plants known for their energetic and throat-related properties, attendees will explore the intersection of voice, breath, and intuition. Through guided exercises, sound healing techniques, and herbal remedies, participants will learn to unlock the power of their voice, express themselves authentically, and carry these practices and plant allies into their daily lives.
If you are a lover of plants, and feel a deep connection with nature, you have no doubt stumbled upon a plant that gave you a sense of remembrance. Or maybe you felt the plant speak to you. In this class, we’ll gain insight on ways to connect with plants through an intuitive and natural way - the way of knowing. In this class, we will explore the ways in which plants can, and do, communicate, and how to deepen that intuitive connection.
The heart is one of the most, if not the most, vital organ in our bodies. In this class we will gain knowledge on herbal plant allies that will help in opening and strengthening the heart. Metaphorically and physically. Join us as we are also guided in internal open heart exercises.
This is a craft class in which we will construct a fabric doll using magical intention with materials and contents. It will include instruction on basic pattern making, hand sewing, and materials including a small selection of magical herbs which can be used to fill the doll. Materials for basic construction are included. Dolls activate our imagination in the childlike spirit of play. We are able to imbue a doll with qualities that comfort us and utilize them to play pretend to learn new skills.
There is power in the choices we make and our intentions when we create. The fabric we use: the colors, patterns, and stories behind the fabric and why. What does the thread looks like and why? What does it mean to bring something together? To mend? The thoughts and actions we take when we are joining things together weave our intentions into the piece and thereby imbue the object with a special power. We can take this further by adding magical elements to the construction of our dolls such as stones, herbs, hair, bones, (anything that will fit inside of a standard size fabric doll)
Bring any objects, herbs, special fabrics etc. that you wish to include in your doll with the awareness that materials that are not dry may not keep.
All dolls are made with healing intentions (no dolls to harm, only dolls to help).
Learn traditional dances from Ghana, West Africa
Learn traditional dances from Ghana, West Africa
Give yourself an hour to drop inward, lay on the earth and experience the restorative and healing medicine of the sound current, as we are bathed in a variety of instruments and song. Bring a blanket and pillow or simply come as you are. This is offered twice.
This discussion is an opportunity for white women to bring our questions, concerns, and hopes to address the ways that we unintentionally hold white supremacy culture and racism. Let’s start to unpack the difficult legacy we carry, with care, compassion, and courage, knowing that the same structures that uphold patriarchy and. destruction have also created the wounds of white supremacy culture, and we have the power and responsibility to start to dismantle these structures within ourselves and our communities.
Crones
Crones, come share lunch with other Wise Crones. We will discuss loving life after menopause, finding joy, appreciation, and health in our Crone years. We will also discuss our part in the Maiden’s Rites of Passage Ceremony and our own Crone’s Honoring Ritual.
This is time to reflect and share our experiences of Cronehood and our love for our Wise Crone ways and bodies. Past menopause and into memorypause, we will tell our stories. A time to make a ritual Crone Broom will follow.
Crones, come share another lunch with other Wise Crones. We will continue our plans for the Maiden’s Rites of Passage and our own Crone’s Honoring Ritual.
Join us for a quiet honoring of the loss of an unborn child through miscarriage or abortion.
Young Women ages 12-21
Curious about poi spinning? Have you ever seen fire dancing? Poi spinning is good introduction to flow arts. Join poi-teacher Loreta to learn and master the fundamental moves and transitions of poi! Move your body while enriching your mind! Poi spinning is a beautiful art. If you ever wanted to try this, this is your chance. Or maybe you already know some of the moves and want to improve it, this is a class for you too. We will cover the basics, turns, transitions, stalls and other techniques. We will have some sets of poi to play with.
Welcome maidens, to the Circle of Women! Join us in celebrating the beauty and strength of this phase of your life, the time of your bloods. We will explore ideas and feelings, hear stories, make things to care for ourselves and prepare for the Maiden’s Rites of Passage Ceremony to be held Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Any young woman who would like to go through the Maiden Ceremony must attend this class.
Mid Kids ages 7-11
Hey Midkids! Come join Diem Amore and her grandmother Copperwoman and create with various sizes, shapes and colors of beads. We will make a necklace, bracelet, barrette or whatever we dream up with the materials provided. There will be fishing line, magnetic clasps and crimps to finish off our creations.
This year you will learn how to finish off your creation with the crimps.
Midkids 6 years and under, please bring an adult!
Curious about poi spinning? Have you ever seen fire dancing? Poi spinning is good introduction to flow arts. If you ever wanted to try it, this is a class for you. Or if you already know some moves, we can learn more tricks. Come and learn and we can perform together during the talent show on Saturday night. We will have some sets of poi to play with.
Young Children
Early Morning Classes
Wear loose clothes and bring a yoga mat if you have one.
The ancient practice of Vipassana, or Insight, meditation is one of observing—and coming into balance with—life as it is. This technique results in a foundational restructuring of the mind, by learning to perceive subtle and profound expressions of natural law (universal truth) through one’s own direct experience.
Long-term practitioners report:
Relief from destructive mental habit patterns
A general sense of happiness and well-being.
Release from addiction.
Greater confidence
Higher productive capacity
A greater understanding of one’s own path and purpose
Developing mental concentration through observation of breath related sensation
Expanding practice by observing sensation throughout the body
loving compassion meditation
We will do movements for deep medical healing- using sounds, images, emotions and movements to get to know the personality of each organ system for deep healing.
Other Classes
Come join us for an evening under the late spring constellations. Guided by a green laser wand, you’ll learn to find your way around the night sky and the names of the stars and constellations, while hearing folklore from different times and cultures. We’ll meet the bright shining stars of the Twins, the Lion, Virgo, the Scorpion, and more… You will also be dosed with Essence Elixirs!
Intensives
1. Botanical Perfumery Class - Carole Addison-Goyne
2. Heirloom Practices in Home Death: Herbal Allies In End Of Life Care - Trish SeaWytch Gallagher & Amber Young
3. Lymphatic Breast Health - DeAnna Batdorff
4. Strengthen Your Bones: A Holistic & Ayurvedic Approach - Mary Sheila Gonnella, BCHN