There is quite a bit of news this Moonth, possibly because so many of us have finally woken up from our winter slumbers. Below you will find news you can use, actions to help the planet and her people, and the usual archeology, herbal, nature, religion and Druid fare.
Regarding that horrible oil spill in California that is killing birds and sea life and the big drilling rig that everyone has been protesting in Seattle, here are my thoughts;
Instead of deploying troops to defend oil fields in the Middle East why not send troops to *protect* the Arctic from oil drilling? I believe a major strategic worry for our “leaders” is that if we don’t extract the oil someone else will. Send in the troops to keep others away from the land, animals, fish breeding grounds, etc. and for once, act in a way to protect the planet. At the same time we need a massive investment in wind, solar, bio-mass, geothermal and radical conservation. (Not nukes because we still have no idea how to handle the radioactive waste).

NATIVE AMERICANS IN NEW ENGLAND

A fabulous organization in Massachusetts that is building a center where local tribes can tell their version of history for the first time ever.

ACTIONS TO HELP THE PLANET

Bee friendly gardens
A list of bee killing pesticides to avoid
Bee deaths continue to rise dramatically
The plight of the pollinators (it’s not just bees)
The evidence that neonicotinoids are to blame
A Pagan Community Statement on the Environment(signatures needed!)The group’s goal is to get 10,000 signatures by mid-June. Why June? This is the scheduled time of Pope Francis’ publication of an encyclical on the environment. The organizers view this as “an ideal opportunity to share a Pagan vision of sustainability with the world.” Patheos blogger John Beckett agrees, saying, “If the leader of the world’s largest Christian denomination can issue a progressive statement on the environment, why can’t Pagans – most of whom hold Nature in much higher regard than do Christians – do at least as much?” The many people involved are now asking others to pass along the statement through social media and other sources. Where can it be found? The statement, its history and all the translations are available at Ecopagan.com.

NEPAL AID

*Please help send an acupuncturist to Nepal*Hello Dear friends, family, patients, acquaintances, etc.It is with the blessings and support of my family that I request need of your help to get to Nepal this October with Acupuncturists Without Borders. It has been a lifelong goal of mine to attend at least one Acupuncturists Without Borders Campaign. I was already considering the Nepal trip before the earthquakes and now I feel utterly compelled to do all I can to help.Any amount donated is helpful. Please spread the word far and wide on your social media and email accounts. I can’t do this without you.In love and service,Asherah Allen, Lic. Ac.

NEPAL UPDATE

As the Patrick McCollum Foundation prepares to fund and transport its second relief effort up into the high mountain villages in the northern regions of Nepal, major news sources report total devastation and extreme suffering in the area. As shared before, the Patrick McCollum Foundation had targeted the remote mountain regions early on, specifically because we believed that that would be the area least served by the major NGOs. As it turns out, our assessment was correct. Those areas are in exactly the predicament we most feared.Government aid and the large NGOs have been unable to reach the mountain areas due to muddy roads, steep trails, and lack of professional guides. This has left many still dying from injuries and exposure up there. The death toll continues to rise, and the area is now being called the hardest hit.We are still collecting donations and every little bit helps. Most importantly, the victims need tents, blankets, food and basic medical supplies which is what we are focusing on. These of course are only temporary solutions to ease the immediate suffering. The United Nations has issued an international plea for help and this will be a long hall situation. The Patrick McCollum Foundation is a small NGO. All of our projects are funded 100% by your donations, and our ability to respond is directly commensurate with your giving. While we do not have the ability to support larger long term aid, our international connections and local connections in the area combined with our quick assessment and response time, placed us amongst the first to respond where it mattered most. I personally am proud of that and of those in my community who showed up quickly.If you cannot donate, please take a moment to share your prayers with the people of Nepal. They need all of the help they can get!Donations can be made online.100% of all donations go to the earthquake victims, not our overhead.

Some of my upcoming speaking events

MUTTON AND MEAD REN FAIRE
Western Massachusetts
June 20/21
I will be signing books at “Ye Celtic Books and Herbals”
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 there is a Best Western 5 minutes away. Local campgrounds and on site camping are also available.
484-347-7489 for more info
A TALK ABOUT HERBS AND DRUIDS (podcast)
ADVANCED FORMULA MAKING AND CASE TAKING CLASS
September 25-26-27, Philo, California (near Mendocino)
Advanced case taking and formula making class with Ellen Evert Hopman, Herbalist AHG
A Friday night lecture on the Doctrine of Signatures.
On Saturday and Sunday you will learn basic Chinese Five Element Theory; seasons, flavors, taste, voice tone, emotions and the fundamentals of Facial Diagnosis; lines, colors, moles, blemishes
You will also 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;
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, MA)
October 17, 2015 – April, 2016
Two Saturdays a month, 1-5 PM
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

ACTION NEEDED, MORE THINGS YOU CAN DO

Fire Cider Update May 26, 2015 — Hello Free Fire Cider Supporters!
Check this new development out in our newsletter attached to this message…
SHOCKING NEW LAWSUIT! The cider is hitting the fan!Three herbalists have been sued by Shire City Herbals The “Fire Cider 3” need your support
RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN THE US ARMED SERVICES US Navy discontinues religious services for minority religions. I’m assuming you’ve seen the news about a Navy recruitment center’s discontinuation of religious services for minority faiths, including Pagans. Lady Liberty League is asking for contacts in the Navy and also for support from other Pagan groups in seeking a resolution to this issue. View the Wild Hunt article here.Some progress appears to be made, but things are still in process. Any Pagans, Heathens, Wiccans, Druids, Pantheists, and/or related paths who are active duty Navy, Navy veterans, Navy civilian support — please email ASAP.

Below you will find the last Moonth’s crop of archeology, religion, nature and ethics news. *Please remember – you can purchase signed books from this website!*