Ellen Evert Hopman

Herbalist, Author, Druid Priestess

July Blog A Soggy Solstice and Happy Interdependence Day

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Solstice. I found myself dancing in my rain boots in a torrential downpour as a live hammered dulcimer player and guitarist played tunes in a soggy tent at 10:30 AM on the 21st. It was lovely.
Here on the mountain it has been a very rainy spring and June has brought back the possum or whatever critter is tearing up the front lawn. I have been busy stomping back the sections of turf that he or she has torn up in a quest for bugs. The solitary female turkey who crossed the yard every day all winter now has a passle of tiny babies in tow. I feel honored that she has taken up residence in this part of the forest.
I am hard at work wrangling Druids for a book of interviews that will be out later this year. Called  A LEGACY OF DRUIDS (Moon Books), it features interviews with many Druid luminaries, including some who are no longer with us such as Isaac Bonewits, Lady Olivia Robertson, and Tim Sebastian. Philip Carr Gomm is writing the foreword.
My newest herbal SECRET MEDICINES FROM YOUR GARDEN (Inner Traditions/Healing Arts Press) is also in production and will be out in spring of 2016. Stephen Foster, the amazing photographer who contributed to WALKING THE WORLD IN WONDER – A CHILDREN’S HERBAL will be doing the photos, last I heard. Stay tuned.

  • Announcing a book giveaway essay contest. Three copies of each book will be awarded to those who hand in the very best essays!
    1. A DRUID’S HERBAL OF SACRED TREE MEDICINE – send me an essay about Herbalism via this website
    2. PRIESTESS OF THE FIRE TEMPLE – A DRUID’S TALE – submit an essay about Druid spirituality via this website
    3. SCOTTISH HERBS AND FAIRY LORE– send an essay about Scottish lore or tradition via this websiteDeadline August 1. Length is up to you but I am looking for quality over quantity. I will ask for your snail mail address if you are a winner.I am not going to publish any of these essays, I will just look them over and pick the best! Good Luck and feel free to share this message!

Meanwhile, my book SCOTTISH HERBS AND FAIRY LORE (Pendraig Publishing) gets a wee mention in a blog.
And the third novel in my Druid trilogy PRIESTESS OF THE FIRE TEMPLE – A DRUID’S TALE gets a review in Aontacht, the magazine of Druidic Dawn
Upcoming workshops;

  •  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.
    484-347-7489 for more info
  • 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; 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

*Remember that you can purchase signed books from me via this site!*
Below you will find a collection of the past Moonth’s archeology, herb, nature, Druid, and religion news as well as some politics and ethics. It’s been an amazing Moonth legally; it’s refreshing that the Supreme Court has finally done some good things for the American people as a whole by preserving equal rights for all citizens in terms of marriage and  ensuring that millions will keep their access to health care via the Affordable Care Act (sadly, until we get national single payer healthcare/Medicare for all we will still have millions who are uninsured, a national disgrace)
Happy Interdependence Day and enjoy the reading!

ARCHEOLOGY NEWS

HERB NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

NATURE NEWS

RELIGION NEWS

NEWS ABOUT THE GOOD NEIGHBORS (THE FAIRIES)

PAGAN NEWS

POLITICS AND ETHICS