The big story around here lately has been the weather. Last week there were blizzards to the east of me and blizzards to the west. In the sheltered Valley where I live we only (only!) got twelve inches of gentle snow on top of the eight or so inches we had already from previous storms. This week we got another twelve inches or so and a few more storms are expected in the coming days. Neighbors to the east report fifty five inches, so far. It makes one grateful for simple things like heat, light and electricity.
Last week while out on my nightly Moon walk I watched a coy-wolf shoveling along with its nose, looking for mice. Being half wolf they are far less fearful than coyotes. I stopped to howl at the creature and it only looked at me quizzically for a moment then resumed its hunting.
This week was also the Fire Festival of Imbolc (in the bag) or Oimelc (ewes milk) in the ancient Celtic calendar, a celebration of the lactation of the ewes and of the Goddess Brighid. It is said that where She walks the grass turns green and the ice melts. Well, maybe that happens in Ireland and Scotland. Here we were blessed by a sunny day that almost reached thirty two degrees, a veritable heat wave. The next day we were back into the single digits and a wind chill of minus twenty.
Imbolc/Oimelc (video)

BOOK NEWS!

I have a little book news. I finally finished my newest herbal, currently titled THE SECRET MEDICINES OF YOUR GARDEN, and have submitted it to a publisher. The acquisitions editor says he likes it and book blurbs and endorsements from prominent herbalists are already coming in. Now the owner of the publishing house just has to sign off on it.

MORE BOOKS NEWS:

My book A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year got a wee mention in this blog post about Basil.
Here is my updated schedule for the year, so far. Stay tuned as more gigs come in, I am firming up a workshop in Seattle just now;

TREE MEDICINE TREE MAGIC
May 29, 2015 at 3:30pm to May 31, 2015 at 4:00pm
119 Cherry Ct Matamoras PA 18336
Weekend Workshop Hosted by Ellen Evert Hopman
A Friday night slide show of some common North American trees illustrating their medicinal and magical properties. On Saturday morning we learn about the Irish “Tree alphabet” and then go outside to perform a traditional Druid tree meditation and learn to listen to the trees. Saturday afternoon we learn more about the “Tree Alphabet” and then gather tree medicines such as leaves, pine needles, flowers, barks, etc. Sunday we prepare medicines from the ingredients we have gathered. Each student will leave with a hand-made set of Ogham divination cards, based on the ancient Irish Ogham “Tree Alphabet”. Please bring a notebook and pen, and wear comfortable shoes and outdoor clothes as you will be outside part of the weekend.
Weekend Fee $125 which includes class, lunches, and supplies.
Please send fee to Marjorie Forbes Spadoni 119 Cherry Ct Matamoras PA 18336
If you need to stay over locally we have a Best Western 5 minutes from my house. Call 484-347-7489 for more info
ADVANCED FORMULA MAKING AND CASE TAKING CLASS
September 5-6, 2015
119 Cherry Ct, Matamoras PA 18336
Advanced case taking and formula making class with Ellen Evert Hopman, Herbalist AHG
Learn Basic Five Element Theory; seasons, flavors, taste, voice tone, emotions. Learn the basics of Facial Diagnosis; lines, colors, moles, blemishes. And learn an advanced formula making technique to design individually crafted remedies for individuals. In-between we will walk outside and meet some of the plants and trees in the garden and make some remedies to take home.
Weekend Fee $125 which includes class, lunches, and supplies.
Please send fee to Marjorie Forbes Spadoni 119 Cherry Ct, Matamoras PA 18336
If you need to stay over locally we have a Best Western 5 minutes from my house. Call 484-347-7489 for more info
ADVANCED FORMULA MAKING AND CASE TAKING CLASS
September 26-27, Philo, California (near Mendocino)
Advanced case taking and formula making class with Ellen Evert Hopman, Herbalist AHG
Learn Basic Five Element Theory; seasons, flavors, taste, voice tone, emotions. Learn the basics of Facial Diagnosis; lines, colors, moles, blemishes. And learn an advanced formula making technique to design individually crafted remedies for individuals. In-between we will walk outside and meet some of the plants and trees in the garden. The Philo School of Herbal Energetics website has information on directions & lodging. $150 for the weekend; register here.
Lodging: They do not offer lodging. Please go to the Anderson Valley Chamber of Commerce page for available lodging.
SIX MONTH HERBAL INTENSIVE IN WESTERN MA (near Amherst)
October 17, 2015 – April, 2016
Two Saturdays a month, 1-5 PM near Amherst, MA
The Western Massachusetts School of Herbal Studies
Intro to Herbalism and Self Care
With Ellen Evert Hopman M.Ed. ~ Registered Herbalist AHG, author of “Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore“, “A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year”, “A Druids Herbal – Of Sacred Tree Medicine” and other books and DVDs
Covers Western herbal Materia Medica, formula making, case taking, Chinese Five Element Theory, Homeopathic First Aid, Flower Essence Counseling, plant identification, ethno botany, an herb walk outdoors and hands on herbal techniques such as poultices, tinctures, salves. Over 550 pages of handouts are included with the course. A certificate of completion is offered at the end.
Cost: $1,000.00 (plus a $100.00 non-refundable Xeroxing fee)
MA NURSES CAN GET CEUS BY TAKING THIS COURSE
Below you will find the usual Moonthly assortment of archeology, nature, religion, herb, health, politics and ethics news. Enjoy!
*Remember – you can order books from this website and get a signed copy with a personal note. *