This workshop will have two components, a discussion portion and a hands-on/skill development section.  The discussion portion will focus on:

1. The history of herbal medicine and development of the skill sets needed to practice as an herbalist.
2. Herbs found locally and suggestions of herbs to grow for your own garden supplies.
3. Medicinal herbs and essential oils as healing tools.
4. Putting together a reference library for your use.

The hands-on portion will allow the student to learn how to prepare:

1. An infusion.
2. A decoction.
3. A tincture.
4. A wash/compress.
5. A salve.
6. Bath salts and soaking salts.

Supplies will be provided for training. A list of suggested supplies for home use will be part of the hand-outs for the class.

Class will be taught by Susan Short-Gilbert.  Susan has been a practicing witch and Pagan for 50 years. Her earliest training came under her Irish grandfather, who taught her to read the cards and “see” the elemental spirits. She has studied extensively on magic, divination, herb lore, comparative religion, and historical women’s issues. Susan is working towards a bachelor’s degree in history. Susan was made an ordained minister in the Church of Spiritual Humanism in 1976. Susan and her husband were initiated into a Shoshone Sweat Lodge Society in Riverton, WY in 2005. The Shaman and Sweat Lodge Master is Willie Le Clair.

Susan trained under Linn Southard, a very accomplished astrologer, Zelpha Cane, and Cherokee healer Leslie Adams, one of the first people to hold a university degree in Historical Herb Lore.  She has worked in the theatre for 50 years and taken master classes in storytelling.  Susan has taught classes in the bardic arts and ritual as performance art. Susan’s special interest is the creating and powering of tools for magic. Her grandfather had a great gift for imbuing the work of his hands with power and he passed that on to Susan.