LIVING EARTH WORKSHOP PROGRAMME FOR 2007
WONDERING THROUGH THE WEEDS is a one-day workshop in two sections: in the morning Judith Hoad leads the group around any available – and relatively unkempt – garden, lane, field, or park. As they are found, she discusses the culinary, domestic and medicinal uses to which each plant, (predominantly wild ones), is put. Worksheets are provided for notes. In the afternoon, Judith does the ‘cookery demonstration’ during which she demonstrates the methods for making infusions, decoctions, macerated oils, tinctures and ointments. She gives clear information on terminology and recipes, or formulae. There is a further sheet of notes that complements the afternoon’s work. Judith keeps the day informal and encourages relevant questions and comments about our herbal heritage.
FLOWER ESSENCES is a back-to-front workshop: it begins early in the morning using the light of the Sun to potentise the energetics of a flower into pure spring water. As the day unfolds, the meaning of what has been done emerges. The process involves the participant in choosing a flower to work with; in meditation to discern the potential of each essence after it has been made; in demonstrations, using dowsing, of the choice of essence to adjust imbalance. Participants end the day with their own essence to take home. Prayers for a sunny day are in order!
COME DOWN TO EARTH is a way to reconnect with All-Our-Relations, to meet with the Spirit of Nature and all the Sidhe that live around us. Dowsing – also called ‘divining’ – is a skill that may be taught for those unfamiliar with it. Be prepared for surprises, gentle and subtle, but real…The character of the workshop will largely depend on the venue and the predominance of different species present.
LOTIONS AND POTIONS is a workshop led by herbalist Judith Hoad during which participants learn not only how to make lotions, creams and ointments, but how to prepare and make the components beforehand. Working in pairs, each person makes two recipes – their own and their partner’s. Each person makes enough of each of the two recipes to share with all the other participants – you go home with a shelf full!
Judith, working with and writing about herbs for over forty years, has been making cosmetic and remedial creams for over ten years and happily shares her herbal knowledge with anyone, so that our symbiotic relationship with Mother Nature has a chance to live on for future generations.
WATER – THE TRUE ELIXIR OF LIFE Two-thirds of Planet Earth is covered with water; up to 80% of the bodies of all living creatures – fish, trees, birds, rose-bushes, animals, insects, people – is water’ If we have nothing to drink for four to five days, we run the risk of dying. We baptise people in water; we flush toilets with water, but what do we know about water? In this workshop, participants will learn of the work of the late Viktor Schauberger and the work of Masaru Emoto, whose photographs of water crystals are both informative and inspirational. Purifying water using various sorts of energisers and learning to use rods and the pendulum to find and to test water are some of the skills to be learned in the day.
DATES
June 30th/July 1st
Saturday: WONDERING THROUGH THE WEEDS
Sunday: FLOWER ESSENCES
July 28th/July 29th
Saturday: LOTIONS AND POTIONS
Sunday: WATER – THE TRUE ELIXIR OF LIFE
August 25th/August 26th
Saturday: WONDERING THROUGH THE WEEDS
Sunday: COME DOWN TO EARTH
September 22nd/September 23rd
Saturday: LOTIONS AND POTIONS
Sunday: WATER- THE TRUE ELIXIR OF LIFE
All the courses are the same price, €70 for the day. A mid-day meal is provided and other refreshments as appropriate.
Please bring: weather proof clothing, a pen and note-book and an open mind.
Image courtesy of Sue Cowburn
