with Folúkẹ́ Akínyẹmí & Song of the Spirit Institute

Yorùbá medicine, known as Egbò Igi, combines both natural plants and the essence of animals found in one's immediate environment. African and Yorùbán people are innately very spiritual thus making daily life practices very ceremonial and ritualistic. For example, curing common colds or other illness found in the body, mind or spirit are directly aided with the presence of deities or elemental guides known as Òrìṣa.

In this 3 part, 3 day Yorùbá herbal medicine class we are going to learn about the Yorùbá people, the Òrìṣà and the role of the Òrìṣà in everyday life, as well as the place of the Òrìṣà in the study and practice of Yorùbá herbal medicine

with Dori Midnight

In this immersion, we will dream deep into the rich lineage of protection magic from throughout the Jewish diaspora, from the Levant/SWANA/MENA regions, the Balkans and Mediterranean, Southern and Eastern Europe, from ancient times through the present. For thousands of years, Jews have woven rituals and remedies for protection against sheydim (often translated as “demons”) and ayin hara (evil eye), enlisting the support of plants, amulets, sacred symbols, ritual, prayer, and texts. We will learn about ancient boundary and blessing practices, amulets, incantation bowls, mezuzot, and plants for protection, and discuss ways we can integrate some of these practices in our lives. As we re-enliven and reconnect with these ancestral traditions of protection, the prayer is that these practices support us both personally and collectively, grounded in a theology of abolition, presence, and collective care.

with Olga Tzogas

In this four month immersion, we will come together to learn about the vast & diverse world of mushroom & fungi. Examining their ancient story that connects humans and all life to them, we will gain comprehensive training to start seeing and sensing the mushrooms and Fungi all around us!! We will see them exist in their wide ranging habitats, from the city to the forest and field.

with Antonia Estela Pérez

The intention for this intro to herbalism course is to grow each individuals awareness and relationship to their own internal ecology, territory they are on and the messages the plants growing in the North East bioregion are sharing with us.

with mandana boushee

Let’s move through space and time. Untangle puzzles from our sleep soil. Put words to our lineal memories. See our future told in falling leaves, porcelain teacups, coffee grounds, flickering fire. Allow our voices to mourn and moan, as we begin to read our souls stories. We will investigate oral storytelling through the realms of dreamwork, ancestral remembrance & technology, divination, movement, and guided exercises.