I am so glad to finally be in the midst of spring’s beginnings – I’ve spent the winter months gathering my thoughts and research in preparation for the Good Medicine Confluence in Durango, Colorado, where I will be teaching four classes. I’m excited to resume teaching – first at the Confluence and later in the season with herb walks, community classes, and some new offerings. I have really enjoyed delving deeply into reading and research and dreaming of growth.
So what is the Good Medicine Confluence and why is it so exciting? Well friend, The GMC is a super rad conference for herb nerds, nature folk, and magical beings from all walks of life – class offerings at this gathering are extremely unique and there are all kinds of community-building inclusions (Art workshops? Dance concert? Springtime stargazing? Masquerade ball, anyone????) It takes place from May 15th-19th, and I can’t wait to commune with amazing plant folk from all over the country and learn everything I possibly can. The gathering will be held at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado which overlooks the Animas River Valley and downtown Durango. A network of trails as well as city bus service connects the campus and town. Durango is super beautiful and there are several
For those seeking a community experience for loving outliers, and a safe sanctuary from bias and marginalization, the 5 days long Confluence in Durango this May provides the opportunity. Whatever your bioregion, education level, skin color, politics, cultural or gender identity, you will find yourself feeling at home at this gathering of plant lovers, excited by the care and celebration, enchanted by the surrounding nature of S.W. Colorado, and enamored by the 150 never before taught class topics being presented by both long known and newly discovered voices of the plant healer movement. From medicine making and ancestral herbalism to herbal beer brewing and mushroom magic, the stress will be not only helping to heal physical, emotional, and cultural woundings but on the twin mantras of savoring and satisfaction!
– Jesse Wolf Hardin
(amazing human and co-founder/co-organizer of the event)
One hundred fifty glorious classes. I feel like Hermione Granger – can anyone tell me where to purchase a time-turner so that I may please come to Every. Single. O
Here is just a light sprinkling of class titles and teachers to pique your interest. Links to class descriptions, teacher bios, and a stunning multitude of other info are featured
- Herbal Basics: The Fundamentals of Making Skin Care Medicines of All Kinds
- Carol Batey-Prunty
- The Poison Plants of Appalachia: Towards a Bioregional Poison Path
- Becky Beyer
- Cannabis Materia Medica For Herbalists: Utilizing The Medicine of The People in Times of Commodification
- Stephanie Boucher
- Botanical Dyes & Fabric Art
- Kristen Davenport
- Botanical Drawing: Distinguishing Plant Form & Composition
- Amy Glasser
- Three Faces Under A Hood: The Lore & Medicine of Elder, Perovskia, & Sweet Violet
- Kiva Rose Hardin
- Mushromatherapy: Mushroom Aromatics in Perfumery, Health & Ecology
- Marija Helt
- Winter is Coming: Warm Remedies For Cold Constitutions
- Juliet Howard
- Goldrush Brides: Herbal Medicine & The Bravely Feminine of The Frontier
- Heather Irvine
- Babas & Botany: Flora, Fauna & Cosmology in Ukrainian Healing, Ritual & Folk Art
- Dionne Jennings
- DIY Mushroom Cultivation For The Common Wizard
- Jasmine Kocie
- Sacred Brewing & Mythological Meads
- Amber Pixie Shehan
- Kick-Backs: A Kickboxing Workout For Plant Healers
- Shiann Swapp
- Student Clinic: Consultations, Intakes, & Treatment Strategies
- 7Song
- Death & Dying Part I: Preparation, Acceptance, & Herbs For Grieving
- Julie James
My work in preparation for Good Medicine Confluence has included gathering wisdom and myth on my very favorite plant (Milkweed Medicine: Healing Wisdom of Asclepias), exploring medieval herbals for botanical remedies and charms (Medieval Remedies: A European History of Nine Sacred Herbs), learning everything I possibly can about glycerin (Sweet Remedies: An Herbalist’s Guide to Glycerin in Medicine Making), and revisiting America’s foremost fairy tale with an abstract mind for herbalism (Hearts, Brains + Courage: Archetypal Medicines of Oz).
Visit these Plant Healer links for all of the particulars.
Looking for a delicious taste of Plant Healer wisdom before the Confluence? Check out the March issue of Herbaria, Kiva and Wolf’s extensive free monthly publication.
You can hit the “Subscribe” tab on the Plant Healer website to have future botanical delights delivered straight to your email inbox.
I hope you’re feeling as psyched about this as I am. If you’re planning to attend, comment or email me – I would love to connect at the Confluence!
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