Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference

What could be more exciting than an herb conference in the Land of Enchantment, full of people that love herbs and desire to teach or learn more about their ability to help so many situation.

The Traditions in Western Herbalist Conference was spearheaded by herbalist Kiva Rose and her partner Jesse Wolf Hardin.

This event was a gathering of many people seeking to learn more about the plants and how they can assist the body, mind and soul.

Many of our respected elder herbalists were present and the line up was an amazing array of ideas and values.

Making a decision on the classes to take is a difficult one indeed! Often many teachings were going on at the same time and I found myself bouncing back and forth in my mind as to which one I needed.

I want to take a few moments to share my experience in this event.

As often happens in my life, the finances came through at the last minute. Despite having my actual ticket for the venue purchased in December, I had incredible challenges throughout the year that often made me wonder if I could attend at all.

Once I got my financing (thank you Capital One credit card) I flew into Albuquerque, New Mexico and picked up my rental car. I reserved one of the small economy ones, which were all taken, so I was given a little higher quality car with a sun roof and Sirius radio.

Cruising a couple hours into Santa Fe, I spent my first night there, and once I hit my bed, I fell asleep,fully clothed and lights still on. When the alarm went off in the morning, I laughed that I was so exhausted I crashed so hard.

I checked out and grabbed a coffee at the Whole Foods and began my drive to Abiquiu, where the conference was held.

The drive was really beautiful and serene, and again, with the sun roof open and the music cranked, driving the New Mexico roads gave a feeling of freedom.

Arriving at the Ghost Ranch, where the conference was taking place, I took in amazing scenery.

I was a little confused as to what to do at first, but it did not take long to figure out where I was to be.

I walked into what seemed like the correct building and there was Kiva Rose, Wolf, and others that were volunteering with registration and helping us poor confused peeps.

It was really wonderful to have that little bit of time with Kiva and Wolf, because as it goes at the conference, you often don't see each other again, until the evening entertainment.

Upon receiving the beautiful conference booklet, gift bag from Mountain Rose Herbs, and other miscellaneous things, it was time to choose classes.

The first day I took in Matthew Wood. He is a great speaker, very calm and incredibly knowledgeable. It was really great to hear him speak after reading several of his books.

He had mentioned Phyllis Light and the Appalachian way with highest respect.It was then I knew that I had to attend her class too.

As the sun would rise in New Mexico, something would cause me severe allergies. I ran to the bathroom to blow my nose so often, I decided to leave the class and get some rest and quit interupting the amazing teaching and students deeply connected.

I drove to the nearest town to Abiquiu, called Espanola, and grabbed a hotel room there. I spent a bit of time resting, and then decided if I was going to be in New Mexico, I was going to eat some New Mexican food!!!

I found an herbalist in Espanola to obtain something for allergies, and she recommended a place to eat called El Paragua. Oh my gosh, the best enchilada.In fact I practically rolled out of there with all the food I ate.

I traveled back to my room and spent the evening looking through my booklet, still unsure of all the classes I should take the next day. They were all pretty intriguing and would have taught me wisdom.

But indeed, Phyllis was priority. I so much enjoyed her class. Hearing her explain her viewpoint from an Appalachian perspective was really deep and fascinating. She is the third generation herbalist in her family, so all this information had been passed down to her, and she had been effected by the plants even as a child.

The New Mexican sun began to shine, and once again, allergies were kickin my ass. So I took a drive to find a place I might be alone and possibly make peace with whatever was takin me down.

It was suspected the common allergens being sage or rabbitbrush, but we have these abundantly here in the Teton valley so I felt it must be something else.

I did find a sweet nook in the middleof junipers where I curled up on the earth and felt an understanding hug from these wonderful plants. I was missing my family and feeling odd being away from my kids and my heart was longing for them and my emotions were struggling.

 I picked up a couple of beer cans someone had thrown onto the road,and continued walking.I was fascinated by the beautiful plants growing in the middle of what many would consider deserted soil.

Look at these beautiful  plants!

I am having difficulties getting blogger to upload any more photo's so I will consider this part one and will write part 2 to share more