Cultivating Cognitive Agility Training and Plant Medicine
1,000 Hours Syllabus 2024
Start Date: March 24th, 12:30 to 4:30
Runs weekly for 42 weeks with a winter break
To Register: Contact Marguerite at 3moonsisters@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest in EarthSchool at the Root Cellar. This is a certificate of hours Nature communication life which takes place from and on the unceded Haudenosaunee territory in the village of East Meredith, NY. You are here because you are claiming and affirming we are ‘akiing’ – ‘the land to which the people belong’. [Thank you to Winona La Duke for sharing their Anishinaabekwe (Ojibwe) word.] You want to be here because you know you are the forefront of societal transformation. You are here because you desire to learn under the guidance of Plant Life and Indigenous Peoples in how we treat Land, Plants, Earth, Animals and each other and for our own work in healing. My part here is only as an imperfect guide and initiator.
The very core of this 1000 hour program
…is Cultivating Cognitive Agility with our Plant, Tree and Nature Allies Training (see Syllabus and Objectives for more info.) as this training is also given separately from this Plant Medicines Traditions program because not is ready to be in an intensive such as this. The purpose of this 1000 hour course is to quicken living our cosmological ecology which still very much lives within each and every one of us. It is also to develop out what we have not used possibly for too many centuries, our field coherence, body cognition (systems sensing) and somatic pathways to deepen our interdependence with the Plant Kingdom (Plants, Trees, Lichens, Ferns, Mosses, Fungi), Nature-Scape’s, Animals, Fire, Water, Earth, Sky and other non-human benevolent beings. Here we re-learn to walk our relationality. Whether we are by ourselves (in our office or kitchen or farm or …you name it) or, when with others (human or other) we live, breath and practice being in ‘akiing’. Together we’ll acknowledge, release and allow to fall away our human exceptionalism, dominant colonial brainwashing and human centered thinking when it comes to Plants, Animals, Nature, Earth and each other and make room to empower each other under the tutelage of Plant, Tree and Land intelligence. Here we cultivate shared ecology as we re-claim our inter-dependent living with our original Mother, Earth.
Shared teachings
There will also be Plant Medicine teachings from the following traditions: Native American, Italian / European, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as some of my nursing principles and experiences only, since much of our nursing book knowledge needs a complete over-haul due to its white male centered and power over views on health and wellness. We also include wild womyn ways; moon time, herbs as food, food as our best medicine; biodynamic practices, woodland field walks, forest walking; living through the seasons.
Classes are instructional and encounter based. We’ll refrain from using handouts on paper. All is hands-on. This helps generate not only a dialogue with the outside world but true human-Plant relationships. Students are asked to contribute their life skills and knowledge to the group. Everyone participates as key players in this learning scape. Other extra-curricular activities are encouraged in your field of choice which facilitates broader group perspectives and learning.
The foundation of this training is 1000 hours. Two hundred of those hours are for in person, hands-on and zoom training. The remaining 800 hours is your independent study and can be attained in one year’s time frame along with the 200 hours with us, or you can take longer to attain the independent study. The only requirement for this independent study is that we have periodic connections at least every two weeks and not longer. We have found that for us to fully transform, we live and breath this walk we choose everyday. So we are always here for you as inter-dependent species for your questions, readings, interactions with community, work and play and what this all means. We are all growing together here. And your questions fully feed us as we feed you.
Fees
Please See - The Green Bottle Sliding Scale below.
Choose a payment tier that applies to you. Feel free to discuss if you’re unsure or have thoughts or questions.
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Tier 3
$35 per 4 hr. session
or
$140 / for 4 sessions
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Tier 2
$25 per 4 hr. session
or
$100 / for 4 sessions
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Tier 1
$10 - $15 per 4 hr. session
or
$40 - $60 / for 4 sessions
A big thank you to Alexis J. Cunningfolk who freely shared this chart with anyone who wanted to adopt it. I’m grateful for her generosity. I feel she is part of our efforts in living in cooperation rather than force and greed.
Our ask for those in Tier3: Please consider donating to help make up for those in other tiers, if you can.
Here are some suggestions to help out for other Tiers:
Tier2: 12 months - $480.00 or $240.00 or $120.00 or whatever is comfortable for you. Thank you.
Tier1: 12 months - $1200.00 or $600.00 or $300.00 or whatever is comfortable for you. Thank you.
There is no fee for independent study, we will meet by zoom or in person to discuss your independent study.
Plan on one to two hours for this and the same Green Bottle Sliding Scale applies for these meetings.
PEER REVIEW TESTING – to become a Cultivating trainer in your own field of work.
Once the 1000 hrs. and Cultivating modules are completed you can choose to take a peer reviewed test.
FEE:
Tier3 - $120
Tier2 - $80
Tier1 - $40
BY YEARS COMPLETION - students will have enough general knowledge to be proficient in:
Interfacing, restoring, understanding, rewiring, interpreting, gathering impressions from Plants, Trees, Land, Nature Elementals and Devas. You will be at the forefront for societal change with our Plants by your side. You will also have a basic understanding in herbal support for yourself and family. Be able to identify at least 25 to 50 + wild plants, 12 trees and many mushrooms if applicable. Prepare herbal tea blends, oils, salves, creams, vinegars, extracts, oxymel’s, prepare wild foods; have basic superior herbal extract making; understand herbal precautions and contra-indications; moon-earth bio-rhythms; biodynamic gardening and more.
GUIDING POINTS
ITEMS NEEDED FOR CLASS, GARDEN AND HIKES:
favorite pen
dowsing rods
sleep mask
tick repellent (even though the gardens are dusted with natural organic tick powder; trails on hikes are not)
one notebook for regular note taking
one 3 ringed binder for Formulating / Recipe Book
one clip board to be left at the Root Cellar
strong clippers
sturdy garden gloves
sturdy field knife
sturdy scissors
hiking shoes / boots / rain gear
see resource section for books needed for program (*)
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
respect Land, Plants and each other
arrive on time, for example, if class begins at 11:00, please arrive by 10:45
extra fee for herbal products or field trips.
help with lunch prep and clean up at end of class day.
garden tools washed, dried & stored.
keep track of your hours and self-study.
if anyone makes an error in words, we will discuss as needed, no one is to feel uncomfortable, while on this land, and in this course, our words and behaviors are respectful and honor each other.
everyone brings a dish to pass for lunch.
MY RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU:
my preparation prior to each class is at least 2 hrs. before class and at least an hour after class.
we will support each other, if I make a mistake, please bring it to my attention during or after class, whichever is easiest.
DISCLOSURE: This has always been a standard of mine, yet, I do have my blind spots and
I am open to being called on them for any insensitivities, which I hope I do not do. I believe in being
corrected. I respect and honor you as a person and student. And I expect myself to be a respectable person.
I hold these same standards for each and every student. For each other and for me. We respect & honor each other.
that there will be a plant I.D.
I will adapt and gear class to your needs, questions, learning styles, for your future in herbalism as best I can.
be available for your questions before, during and after class.
share and give credit to the traditional ecological knowledge learned each class.
THE GARDEN AS CLASSROOM
Garden time and class time change between morning and afternoon depending on weather, what the land requests of us, biodynamic Earth energy practices, tending the Soil, Trees, Plants, etc. It is asked of each of us to remember basic, human-Plant relationship principles:
we ask for permission first, before doing anything.
we communicate purpose with Land, Plants, Trees, Animals, Elementals, Devas, Ancestors, Spirit Guides.
we wait for their reply.
only then we move based on their reply.
Suggested Book List
Herbal Books
* must have ** by June *** optional, one or the other
Resources
The Language of Plants – Julia Graves
Earth Emotions by Glenn A. Albrecht
Thinking Like A Mountain – John Seed, Joanna Macy, Pat Fleming, Arne Naess
Thinking Like A Plant – Craig Holdredge
First Nation peoples Science, their Physics and their wisdom as a guide for us to better our relationship on this unceded land that we live on.
Sacred Instructions by Sherri Mitchell
The Upshift – Wiser Living on Planet Earth by Ervin Laszlo
The Nature Institute, Objectification Exercises, Ghent, NY by Craig Holdrege.
The Untethered Soul – The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer (required audio)
Ecological theorist and psychologist Eleanor Gibson.
Brilliant biologist & scientist Lynn Margulis of Symbiotic Planet.
Nature Spirits & Elemental Beings, and, Dancing with the Earth Changes - Marko Pogacnik
The Deep Ecology movement of Arne Naess & George Sessions.
The Living Energy Universe – Russek and Schwartz
The Smell of Rain on Dust and Rescuing the Light – Martin Prechtel
A Language Older Than Words – Derrick Jensen
The Findhorn Book of Connecting with Nature – John R. Stowe
Goethe’s writings. Darwin’s plant research. Rupert Spira of The Nature of Consciousness.
The Silva Technique – by Jose’ Silva
Messages from Water by Dr. Masaru Emoto
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
Herbal Medicine Books / Resources
The Complete Woman’s Herbal by Anne McIntyre
** ‘The New Holistic Herbal’
Medical Herbalism’ both are by David Hoffmann. (The first is a workbook that we’ll use on a daily basis and the other is a text book.)
Healing Wise by Susun Weed
Henriette’s Herbal Homepage - https://www.henriettes-herb.com/ [extensive coverage on world wide botanicals]
A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieve Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
Herbal Therapy & Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn R.N., PhD and David Winston (RH) AHG
Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech
Adaptogens by David Winston and Steven Maimes
Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair by Dina Falconi
Herbal Antibiotics – revised edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Mayo Clinic – https://www.mayoclinic.org/ [complete coverage under the bio-medical model related to pathology, etiology, signs & symptoms, treatment, complications, prognosis]
Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar
NIH – National Institute of Health – Botanical Supplements Fact Sheet -
For extensive herbal data base, go to Henriette’s Herbal Homepage (above).
***Planetary Herbology – Michael Tierra [extensive traditional Chinese medicine herbal coverage on plant and people energetics. [About $25.00???]
Herbal For The Childbearing Year by Susun Weed
***Energetics of Western Herbs, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 by Peter Holmes. [About $100.00 for the two.]
The Imaginal Realm, Stephen Harrod Buhner
Science Direct – https://www.sciencedirect.com/ [botanicals, their constituents; Earth & Planetary Sciences & more]
Identification Books
*Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants by Steven Foster and James A. Duke
*Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide
Edible Wild Plants – John Kallas
Weeds of the Northeast – Uva, Neal and DiTomaso
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts – Frances Densmore
Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast – Peter Del Tredici
A Natures Guide to Wetland Plants – Donald D. Cox
Field Guide to the Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of the United States – Edward Knobel
Wildflowers & Grasses of Virginia’s Coastal Plain – Hamilton & Hall
Lichens of the North Woods – Joe Walewski
Ferns – Boughton Cobb
Mosses & Liverworts - Susan Munch
Field Guide to Trees of North America – National Wildlife Federation
Edible Wild Plants – Peterson Field Guide
Weeds in Winter – Lauren BrownForest Forensics – Tom Wessels
Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Mushrooms
Radical Mycology – Peter McCoy
Mycelium Running – Paul Stamets
Chaga, King of the Medicinal Mushrooms – David Wolfe
Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms – Paul Stamets
The Fungal Pharmacy – Robert Rogers
Flower Essence/Mata Gaia/Earth Medicine
Flower Power by Anne McIntyre
*Nature Spirits & Elemental Beings,2009 - Marko Pogacnik [gives us a foundation to help us better understand elementals and Nature spirits in a co-creative way]
Dancing with Earth Changes, 2021 – Marko Pogacnik [a guide to help us through the 21st century while keeping open dialogue with Mata Gaia]
Stars of the Meadow by David Dalton
Green Hope Farm Flower Essences Guide by Molly Sheehan, call 603-469-3662. Though this book is a catalog for purchasing flower essences, it is also an informational guide on flower essences.
On Gem Stones:
Love is in the Earth, Mineralogical Pictorial – Melody
Love is in the Earth, a Kaleidoscope of Crystals, UPDATED – Melody [detailed coverage on the metaphysical properties of the mineral kingdom]
Mind Body / Other
Heal Your Body by Louise L. Hay
Blackfoot Physics by F. David Peat
Inside a Magical Lodge – 2021 John Michael Greer [on traditional lodge methods for modern mages]
Vibrational Medicine – Dr. Richard Gerber, Michigan Internist
Tongue Body Analysis
Your Tongue Never Lies by Dr. Victor Zeines at www.natdent.com direct from author
Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine – Rev. Ed Maciocia
Ancillary Connections
Plant Intelligence and Plant Cognition research and scientists you may want to follow:
Dr. Monica Gagliano, Associate Professor, research fellow at the University of Western Australia.
Dr. Paco Calvo of University of Murcia, Spain.
Dr. Stefano Mancuso of University of Florence, Italy.
Dr. Craig Holdrege, of the Nature Institute, Ghent, NY.
Stephen Harrod Buhner of The Secret Teachings of Plants, and, The Imaginal Realm.
Earth spirit worker of EarthKeepers - Sarah Root - https://www.radiantalignment.com/
Professor Jem Bendell paper, “Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy”.
his Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1056764851177749
Wake Up To Nature - https://www.wakeuptonature.com/
Organization of Nature Evolutionaries - https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/
Collective Transitions - https://www.collectivetransitions.com/what-is-ct
Society of Plant Signaling and Behavior - https://www.plantbehavior.org/
Joanna Macy - https://www.joannamacy.net/
Kate Gilday of Woodland Essence. Herbal teacher, mentor, colleague. https://woodlandessence.com/
Collective Transitions – Systemic Constellations - https://www.collectivetransitions.com/