Once again, the Olympia Free Herbal Clinic is doing a series of workshops this quarter at the Organic Farmhouse of the Evergreen State College. All free and open to the public. Tomorrow night’s workshop is The Basics of Herbcraft, presented by yours truly. We’ll talk about core principles of medicine making, with a special eye [...]
I had a great experience last night. Can I tell you about it? I took a bath. A bath with Western Red Cedar–with tea made from the fresh boughs, essential oil, flower essence, capped with a hydrosol (via Marcus McCoy) and spagyric tincture (via Sean Croke). And it was the best medicine for how I [...]
“If natural diversity is the wellspring of human intelligence, then the systematic destruction inherent in contemporary technology and economics is a war against the very sources of mind . . . It is impossible to unravel natural diversity without undermining human intelligence as well.” -E.O. Wilson Articulations are powerful. Good articulations shape our thinking and [...]
After the blizzard of last week, the snow is melting and us Northwesters are finally and frantically busting out of our houses. I was especially excited to see what branches had fallen, and was particularly hoping that Cottonwood would bestow some blessings onto me. So I drove out to the wildlife refuge and walked around [...]
Snowstorms are conducive to being tucked in lots of blankets on the couch, fire blazing, tea in hand with a book (or 2 or 3). So I’ve assembled for you a list of books I’ve enjoyed that you may find delight in. (And one thing: if you click on the links to the books, it’ll take [...]
Whatever it is, best follow it. Cultivating and honoring your innate curiosities about the world, life, society and yourself brings you closer to your true work and encourages the emergence of true self.
It’s a terribly chilly day here in Olympia. I’ve spent most of the day at my desk, drinking puerh tea, brow furrowed in intense contemplation over some aspects of my developing thesis. I’m exploring the question of the contribution of ethnobotanical knowledge & practices to public health and I face a number of challenges. And [...]
Over the holidays, I was visiting family in New York. On the top of my list of museums to visit (I love museums) was the American Museum of Natural History. The featured exhibit was Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration, which focuses on humanity’s next steps regarding space exploration, travel and colonization. The [...]
This day marks the darkest day of the year, with the Sun pulled back from the Northern hemisphere. To honor this day and the beginning of Winter, I’ve collected some works to share with you.
I woke up just a few minutes ago, lurked over to the kitchen to greet the day with my usual blend of yerba mate, nettles, oatraw, raspberry leaf & rose petals. I then checked my email and received a flurry of freak-out emails from some of the global health foundations and nonprofits that I follow, [...]
It’s high time for us Northern hemisphere dwellers to gather the goods to keep us warm and cozy for the winter. These include good books, dried herbs we gathered over the growing season, and—very importantly—music. There are few things more pleasurable than waking up on a cold morning, climbing into wool sweaters, making a fire [...]
The Wheel of the Seasons is turning, and we’re entering the Season of Water here in the Pacific Northwest. The light and warmth of the Sun has waned, and the plants have drawn their energy downward into their roots. The leaves are brown, the clouds and rain have turned the forests into misty, secretive cathedrals. [...]
For those of us residing in the Northern hemisphere, Winter’s knocking on our door. Now that we’ve travelled, harvested and feasted, we’re ready to get cozy by the fire and do some serious reading and tea drinking. I tend to keep all the books I’m currently reading stacked next to the bed and piled on [...]
Lately I’ve been really curious about what’s considered innovative in mainstream healthcare. I have my views and visions for what I think are good next steps for a sound health system–one based in communities and ecosystems, that takes into account ecological and animal health, based on positive health principles and prevention. But hey, that’s me, [...]
It’s a cold, rainy Wednesday night here in the Pacific Northwest. When the rain returns, the whole mood of this terrain shifts. You feel the pull downward, the crystalizing and cleansing qualities of water rinsing everything. It’s a good time to take stock, and reevaluate. I’ve also been dealing with health challenges that have been begging [...]