Why did you choose to continue to learn herbal medicine with us for another year?
I love the community that Meghan has created and I thrive on the learning experience. There is so much knowledge to gain and it's definitely not achievable in just one year. I don't think it should ever end!
How has your understanding of herbal medicine deepened during the second year of the course?
Year one definitely whet my appetite and getting to know the herbs created more curiosity for nature and what I was putting in and on my body. I knew year two would help me apply the learning to my own life and create even more exploration.
How has your relationship with the seasons changed as you learn herbal medicine?
I love that I take more notice of the changes to the season and how my body is affected and how I can prepare it better for the upcoming turbulent times. I'm hoping by the end of year three I will have it down to a fine art.
What did you most enjoy about your second year learning herbal medicine with us?
I just love being part of the community. I wish we could all go and live off grid, live off the land and be self-sufficient in our own little world.
What most surprised you?
As I am almost at the end of year two, I am going to be just as sad as at the end of year one to go on winter break and hit pause on my learning. As much as I promise myself to go deeper on my own, the accountability of weekly catch ups isn't there.
What's the one word you would use to describe how you feel having completed two years of Awaken Herbal Wisdom?
Empowered
If you could share one piece of advice to someone considering joining Awaken Herbal Wisdom, what would you tell them?
Do it, do it, do it!!!!!! Absolutely, 100% do it, in fact I have said that to many friends!
What's the next step for you on your herbal journey?
Signing up to year three!
Meghan’s reflections on Shelley's journey
Shelley’s words ring true for her whole cohort and myself, included. Her group has become such a tight-knit community of friends. Every time we gather in the yurt, it’s an explosion of massive hugs and cheek-hurting smiles and exchange of herbal experiments and goodies. None of us want the days to end, and I’ve had to keep my eye on this group more than once lest they stage a sleep-in in the yurt! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Shelley and her entire cohort bring such a richness of experiences, perspectives and questions to the conversation as they learn herbal medicine, tune into the seasons and themselves and ask increasingly bigger and deeper questions of life. And with Shelley and the rest of the cohort’s passion, I don’t think they’ll allow the course to stop after year three!
If you’re feeling inspired by Shelley's experience on our intensive herbal medicine course, you’re very welcome to take the next step on your journey learning herbal medicine with us. The course - Awaken Herbal Wisdom - spans all four seasons and gets herbalism both deep into your bones and your daily life. Registration for our herbal medicine course opens each autumn to the waiting list first, so click here to make sure your name is on it. You’ll receive updates on the current year’s cohort as they go on their own journeys and then first access when enrolment opens. For more details about the structure, content and energy of our intensive herbalist course, you can learn more here.
Whatever your next step is as you learn herbal medicine, I hope you enjoy the journey!
At Rhodes Roots & Remedies School of Herbal Medicine, our practice of herbalism is rooted in the belief that we must remember, reclaim and relearn our knowledge of our bodies, our autonomy and how to work with plant medicine in order to bring control of our own health back into our families and homes for a sustainable future for ourselves and the planet. Through our intensive herbalism course, we facilitate the development of confident, empowered herbalists, attuned to the messages of their bodies and the natural world. Living the deep wisdom of herbal medicine within themselves, their homes and their communities, they uplift themselves and others, creating a stronger society organically. We do hope you'll join us on your journey!
