This past Moonth we experienced record heat here in New England, it was a record 96 degrees in mid-September and I found myself floating in a local pond, something New Englanders would not expect to be doing in early fall. I feel very grateful to be living in a rural area; a great blue heron flew overhead and the local kids screamed with delight and awe at the sight. No video games for them, they have the real thing in their back yard.

Late in September I went to California to visit the redwoods and the sea and to teach a class in formula making and case taking at the Philo School of Herbal Energetics, the weekend of September 26/27. This new book covers a lot of what I taught in the class. It will be out in March, 2016 but you can pre-order now.
Secret Medicines from Your Garden
Plants for Healing, Spirituality, and Magic
A guided exploration of herbal lore and healing plants found in yards, forests, meadows, and hedgerows
While there I and three others decided to go to a mountaintop to observe the Full Moon eclipse. We brought chairs and a bottle of wine and expected to have the view to ourselves. Much to our surprise when we got there, there was quite a crowd. Being Californians they turned the mystical event into a party, bottles of local wine and other smoked substances were passed around. Several folks brought telescopes and I was privileged to observe the Moon up close as the eclipse progressed. I had never looked through such a powerful scope; I could clearly see a huge crater and another big treat, I was able to see Saturn for the very first time. What a gorgeous yellow jewel of a planet Saturn is, the rings were clearly visible as golden haloes of light.
But the most amazing thing of all was the Milky Way, Caer Arianrhod, which stretched in all its glory and spangled with stars from one horizon to the other. The stars were clearer than even those I have seen in desert skies and an astronomer on the hill told me that the only time you can see it like that is during a Full Moon eclipse. That won’t be possible again for another thirty years!
Eclipses presage change and this one was exceptionally powerful. Shortly after the eclipse the speaker of the House resigned, Shell abruptly decided to cancel its plans to drill in the arctic, and China signed a ban on importation of ivory. It feels like we are entering a new and hopeful phase where many things are possible.

BOOK NEWS

I have a few bits in the debut issue of Mythology Magazine. A gorgeous issue and well worth the price!
SECRET MEDICINES OF YOUR KITCHEN gets a wee mention in this magazine
My newest Druid book A LEGACY OF DRUIDS (Moon Books) will also be out in Spring 2016 and is currently in the final phases of editing.

*Reminder – you can order my books from this web site and get a signed copy!*

UPCOMING CLASSES

My six month herbal intensive that I teach near Amherst, MA starts October 17. Write to me for further details;
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”I studied with Ellen Evert Hopman back in the late 90’s. The information she shared with me has helped me in many aspects of my life! I learned the skills to identify, and properly utilize, many herbs as; essences, teas, salves, poultices and tinctures. I found her program to be quite thorough!” ~A. Potter

Below you will find the usual past Moonth’s collection of archeology, nature, religion, herbal and ethics news. Enjoy!