Share the Talking Stick

Former Apprentice testimonial

October, 2007

Dear Susun,

I'm not sure if you remember me, but I apprenticed with you a couple years ago. I just wanted to write you a letter to tell you how much I have grown over the last couple years. I am months away from completing my Bachelor's in Natural Health Sciences and then I will be continuing on to my Natural Health Doctorate.

I have taken many herbal and all natural classes and I have to tell you that I think I learned more in your apprenticeship than anywhere else. All the lessons I learned with you have y stuck with me. You have a phenomenal teaching ability. Your wisdom has resonated within me from the moment I left.

As I gain years of knowledge, I realize that your power and "angry" moments stem from a much deeper knowledge and respect of our heritage than the anger that I have always been accustomed to. I wanted to tell you that I now realize that it is all for the power of the lesson learned, not to cause guilty or unworthy feelings. On that note, I would like to say that the reason I left was because of this misinterpretation. I have always been very sensitive and tend to shut down and not listen any more when I am being yelled at. You forced me to listen and to separate myself from my actions. That was an invaluable lesson to learn so early on in life.

I wanted to thank you for being part of my life, even if briefly. . . . Please accept this letter as my life teacher, the person I still to this day believe taught me more about the universe, plants, and the Goddess within than anyone else I've met so far. I would like to capture my Green Goddess and live as her always. May I resume my studies with you?

In thanks,

Core Issues

I was guided to go back into the womb . Once their I relived the emotions that I had experienced. I did not feel safe , I was panicky and wanted to get out , but it was too early. I felt distress and fear. I was picking up my mothers emotions about her fear of giving birth again . Her emotions and memories  around the fear of another dry birth , a stillbirth and a miscarriage . Also the distress of my 3 sisters who had passed this way.One alive now 2 dead from the stillbirth and miscarriage.I was also picking up the tensions of a not very harmonious household where there were 2 dominant males , my grandfather and father.I was born prematurely and was not expectd to live and did nearly die. The emotions that I experienced at this time made up my core emotional make-up.I have been most fortunate to be able to embrace and transmute this deeply held emotional energy from my tissues.Many people at this time are having this opportunity. I would also reinforce how important it is to have a calm , serene and harmonious pregnancy.

Robina Hearle.  Flower essence therapist and Reiki Master.  www.rosecottagefloweressences.co.uk

A Moment In Time

A Moment In Time

Looking through the window that frames time in a painting; is a frame of time within time. 

Once again the house that sits, on a wind swept beach some place in the corner of an Island off the coast of Maine.

Lace curtains blowing from the off shore breeze, while summer fills the air with flower and ocean smells, that hint of salt and spices.  The gray weathered porch boards with paint peeling from the clapboards, speaks of long ago visitors to this land. The porch swing hooked to the rafters’ moves slowly in the wind.  My work done, pies on the window sill to cool,  I sit in the rocker listening to the sounds of ocean  and music.

This moment in time captured in a painting, remains frozen for all who come to listen.

Looking out over the empty beach, you can see the grasses sway to the rhythm of the haunting music that fills this old house with such joy.

Waves roll in and out, nothing changes no matter what is happening in this world, some things just stay the same.

Long legged gulls do their high step dance in the foam along the shoreline. They search the sand while skirting the larger waves as they explore for food.

Warm sunny weather leaves the body relaxed and free to float in the dream.  My thoughts drift on the ocean as the afternoon sun prickle my skin.  I look down at the hands that are folded in my lap they do not look familiar to me.   Weathered brown hands that once were so busy, lay at peace, perfectly content to remain idle for a while.

Such is my soul on this summer day, listening to the music in my memory through the window of time. All is alive, in this corner of the world, all is at peace.

Some paint with colors some paint with words of the mind but together we paint the creation of all things. The mind is the most powerful gift you will possess use it wisely.

Blessings Waynonaha

Copyright © by Waynonaha Two Worlds
All publication rights reserved.

No to licensing of herbalists

2 February 2006 Feast of Flames

Dear Marguerite, and anyone else who thinks herbalists need licenses:

No to all licensing of herbs and herbalists. Never. No way.

Ask the midwives of North America. They fell for "let's regulate ourselves before the big boys do." And they regulated themselves out of existence. There are no midwives left, according to Jeannine Parvati; only medwives. I agree. Let us learn from their mistake. No licenses for herbalists.

Herbal medicine is people's medicine. People don't need licenses to care for themselves and their families. Licenses don't protect people; they protect, and create, institutions. Herbalism is change, individuality, and uniqueness. Institutions don't change. Licensing herbalists kills herbal medicine. Licenses, and their companion, liability insurance, set up protocols. The art of herbalism is re-placed with "evidence-based" science designed to protect healers, not heal patients. No licenses for herbalists.

I have taught and lived in Germany, where herbs and herbalism are licensed. In daily life, this meant my access to herbs was limited, and my students -- many of whom are professional, licensed healers -- were threatened with loss of their licenses when they recommended home-made medicines such as dandelion vinegar and St. Joan's/John's wort oil. No licenses for herbalists.

Any American who wants a license to heal with herbs can get one. There are plenty available. Be an herbalist and a massage therapist, an herbalist and a chiropractor, a naturopath specializing in herbs, an acupuncturist/herbalist, even an M.D. herbalist. Surely these are enough. No more licenses.

Licenses do not confer credit or merit or worth. They replace these things. We have an excellent system already in place for "certifying" herbalists: the apprentice system. We know each other, our strengths and foibles. We know who we have trained. And we talk openly. Licenses make people less secure, less likely to trust each other, less open, more protective. No licenses for herbalists.

Herbs are not manufactured. They grow. Besides standards of purity and identity -- which are in place -- we do not need rules. Except perhaps to consider banning the use of herbs in capsules, which, to my mind, are more likely to be harmful than any other dosage form available.

I stand firm and proud for herbal medicine free of licenses. Reconsider your plan. Herbalists have a long heritage as revolutionaries. Don't make Culpepper and Euell Gibbons, Maude Grieves and Adelma Simmons rise from their graves to remind us: No licenses for herbalists.

I, personally don't want to be forced to go underground, like the Chinese acupuncturists in my area, who cannot legally practice because they don't speak enough English to pass the exam and get a license. No licenses for herbalists.

I say "NO" to all attempts to license herbalists. Please raise your voices with me, in a lusty green yell:

TRUST YOURSELF; TRUST THE EARTH; NO LICENSES FOR HERBALISTS!

Green blessings, Susun S. Weed www.susunweed.com

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