Sacred Tree Crafting (Spring with Birch)

Part 1 of an internship, guided by the sacred seasons, elements, and the abundant arboreal beings; Birch, Rowan, Hawthorn & Scots Pine.

Trees can often be overlooked when it comes to their many uses and embodied wisdom. 

Working with trees can seem somewhat daunting, to overcome this and enhance your outlook, Lauren Lochrie of Herbal Homestead has developed this wonderful, seasonal course to help you 'pierce the green veil' by tuning into different trees and their uses across the year - working alongside different experts each season!

By practicing a range of hands-on activities, you will enhance your understanding of what wild parts are good to harvest when, and how to prepare and store them in different ways over the year. Learn how to do this mindfully, sustainably, and safely!

As we slow down to connect with seasonal rhythms and abundances, we too can learn to find a better rhythm within ourselves, appreciating what may have been overlooked before. This course will have something for the beginner as well as the expert.

Depending on the time of year and tree, participants will learn about and prepare different remedies, crafts, drinks, and food stuffs from sap, leaves, twigs, buds, flowers, berries, and medicinal fungi at the beautiful Cardross Estate, Stirlingshire.

This Spring Course can be attended as a one-off but learning and enjoyment may be enhanced if experienced as a four-season-internship (booking on to the Summer, Autumn, & Winter courses too). Throughout the year we will take different routes around the estate and more information will be sent out beforehand, as well as recipes and rescources afterwards.

Contact Lauren on hello@herbalhomestead.org to get an internship discount/ pay a deposit directly.

What to expect:

- Birch tree & associated fungi identification and habitat cues

- Exploring traditional and modern uses

- Trying pre-prepared foraged nibbles and remedies

- Exercises on how to connect with trees

- Birch sap tapping & polypore watercolour printing

- Handcrafting, birch-inspired jewellery

- Birch tree lore & storytelling

- Follow up recipes and information

Co-facilitaor:

Sarah Long has a deep love of the Celtic wheel of the year and celebrates the seasons with community celebrations, storytelling and song. She works as an organic gardener, an artist , a therapist/ teacher and has been following a Druid path for other 30 years. Living in Traquair with her dog Ziggy she loves to paint animals , goddess stones, creates stained glass and metal clay jewellery.

Sarah has been a member of the local ‘comunitea ‘ plant group at Peebles for the last few years. She has an infinity to birch, seen as the tree of the Bard in Druidry, connected to goddess Brigid. Birch is ‘Beith’ in ogham and known as a positive pioneer species symbolic of renewal, new beginnings and growth.

Fees & Participants:

£88 per head/ course (includes booking fee)

18 years+

10 participants maximum

TICKET LINK CLICK HERE.

Facilities:

Compost loo on site @Beewell Demonstration Garden on the estate (a few minutes walk from parking area).

Course 1. Sacred Tree Crafting (Spring with Birch) - Saturday 23rd March 2024 (10am - 3pm) @Cardross Estate, Stirlingshire FK8 3JY.

This ticket is for the Spring Course only.

Website: www.herbalhomestead.org

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