Herbalism

Traditional Herbalism

There are a number of excellent places where one may learn about Avalonian and Celtic healing and herbal practices, and while all of them include detailed information on the Doctrine of Signatures and plant materia media/materia magica, few offer in depth study and practice of the so-called "magical" aspects of healing and herbal preparations. We do.

The reason for this widespread omission is simple: offering this information leaves Healers vulnerable to attack by modern academics and corporate interests (not to mention religious fanatics), who consider such folk customs mere superstition, or worse, "evil." Laying aside any judgements about what constitutes "evil," hiding our ancestral culture and customs only serves to perpetuate the bias against Western European native cultures, beliefs, and customs.

By including this 'forbidden lore' in our teachings, we may be ridiculed or vilified... but when has oppression ever been ended through complicity? It is our belief that the more we stand behind our right to pass on our ancestral cultural heritage, the less oppression we will face -- if for no other reason than that, with familiarity, it becomes obvious that what we call "magic" is nothing more than folk descriptions of, and methods for working with, the natural laws and powers that drive observable, natural phenomena; concepts are already known to science by different names through "the New Physics."

Since, by whatever name we call them, the same natural laws govern all magical operations, we see no reason to abandon the teaching of our ancestral cultural heritage simply because mainstream society desires it -- any more than Amerindians should have to abandon their ancestral culture and beliefs in deference to their "conquerors." As mainstream history itself attests, Druids, alchemists, and modern scientists are all expressions of one discipline; the main difference between them being that Druidism refuses to pursue science in isolation from the arts and humanities. Ours is a holistic approach, and we'd like to keep it that way.

Therefore all of the studies on offer here include all of the information that has been passed down to us on each of the given subjects. It is, of course, each individual's choice as to whether to make public their use of this information, but we strongly urge you to do so wherever it is reasonable to do so. Only thus will the teachings continue and our ancestors be remembered.

[Note to young visitors to our site:

Parental supervision is required! Please keep in mind that it is not our intention to operate outside the knowledge and approval of your parents or legal guardians. If you are under the legal age of responsibility (i.e. "underage" or "a minor"), you must have both of your parents or guardians' written permission for you to attend. This permission must be notarized and submitted with your payment for any coursework. Payments submitted without such permissions or where the applicant's true age has been misrepresented will be returned to the sender and the applicant will be refused admission. We do this for your own welfare, as well as our own. If your parents or guardians refuse to grant such permission, please wait until you are of legal age to apply as an adult. We know this is disappointing, but we assure you, it is necessary. We must all trust that the teacher will come when the student is ready. Your day too will come. Be patient, and we will welcome you when the time is right.

To those whose parents are willing to give consent, please ask your parents to review this site thoroughly before signing. By signing their permission your parents or legal guardians attest that they assume full responsibility for apprising themselves of the nature of the coursework, which may include sections on human sexuality, and that they understand all requirements and agree that the course is appropriate for you to take as is; we make no amendments for enrollees of different ages. They further agree to hold the Sanctuary harmless for any injury or damage incurred through misuse, mismanagement, or misunderstanding of this information or through use of cyber resources such as the Internet, email, chatrooms, etc.]

About Us

Our Healing Tradition

Resonance Healing

Traditional Herbalism

Links

Webpage Design:

The Doctrine ...

"Form and Function are not unrelated; a thing resembles the systems and personalities to which it corresponds and over which it has influence.

The kind of influence a thing will exert over systems and personalities with which it corresponds cannot be known without more direct investigation.

What can cure, can kill; what can kill, can cure." ~Traditional

... Of Signatures

"Nature marks each growth according to its curative benefit." ~Paracelsus

"The mercy of God ... maketh ... Herbes for the use of men, and hath ... given them particular Signatures, whereby a man may read ... the use of them." ~British Herbalist, William Cole (1626-1662)

"... And from Airmid's tears, falling upon her brother's body, there sprang up herbs of various kind and nature, corresponding to the places and parts from which they sprang. And Airmid, understanding their significance, collected and organized them on her cloak. But when Cainte discovered them he grew jealous again, and scattered them to the four winds so that no man could avail himself of their powers. And so Airmid alone remembers all of their uses." ~Celtic myth

Workshops

Avalon Spa* (Scheduled at mutually convenient times and locations. Please contact the Sanctuary to schedule your event. 1 Day, Noon to 6 pm, $75 USD per person includes all workshop materials, self-catered lunch. Use online enrolment form to register. Minimum enrolment applies.)

Experience Avalon's healing power while learning how to create your own luxurious spa experience in the privacy of your own home or garden! Enjoy refreshing, revitalizing foot baths, facials, nourishing teas, exotic body scents, and other deeply satisfying luxuries that you can create at home for yourself and your friends. Makes a wonderful basis for get togethers, supporting good friendships while promoting wellness!

Wild-Crafting (Scheduled at mutually convenient times and locations. Please contact the Sanctuary to schedule your event. 1 Day, 9 am - 6 pm, $75 USD per person, includes a picnic lunch. Use online enrolment form to register. Minimum enrolment applies.)

Learn how to identify and ethically harvest healing and nutritive herbs whilst enjoying a walk in the countryside. Discover the herbal faux amis ("false friends", dangerous herbs that resemble safe herbs) and learn how to give something back to Nature in gratitude for your harvests. After lunch, see demonstrations of how to make herbal teas, infusions and decoctions. [Note: Instructors must be familiar with the flora and fauna of the chosen location.]

Home Studies/Correspondence Courses

Faery Healing (9-months of monthly lessons, starts 21 September each year. $350 USD per person. Use online enrolment form to register.)

An overview of Traditional healing modalities, including Essence (Aura) Healing*, Healing Breath*, the Dragon's Breath, Revisioning, Faery Song*, Healing Dreams*, examples of how to compose traditional herbal charms, and more, all within a context of Traditional Avalonian Faery Healing*.

* Denotes name Trademark [TM] Avalon Sanctuary.

Summary

The Sanctuary offers a comprehensive approach to Traditional Healing and wellness that includes many aspects of ancestral practice that have been neglected out of fear of government, religious, and secular discrimination, oppression, or reprisal. We believe we have a right to perpetuate our ancestral heritage, just as do other peoples and groups. If you are uncomfortable with this approach, we ask you to reconsider whether the Sanctuary is right for you. If you are attracted to the idea of learning about the beliefs, customs, and healing practices of your forebears, or certain of the ancestral traditions of Western Europe, then we encourage you to make a thorough investigation of this site and of all the claims here made. Research the facts for yourself and come to your own conclusion. Please do not hesitate to write with any question you might have about our practices. We will do our best to be of help to you.

If after concluding your investigations you feel that enrolment in Sanctuary programme(s) is the right choice for you, we will welcome hearing from you!