October 2005

For the last workshop in October, we looked at using Roots and Barks for medicinal purposes, and also considered the energetic properties of trees, such as Hawthorn for issues to do with the heart, Ash for connecting to all things and Rowan for protection. Participants tasted dandelion roots to experience the sweeter taste compared with the bitter roots of springtime and talked about the uses of burdock root for blood cleansing, diuretic support and supporting the liver. We also talked about drying roots and then re-using them in macerations and decoctions.

This was a very practical workshop. Participants made bark rubbings from many of the trees in the Sanctuary glade and then spent time in meditation with trees of their choice. They also experimented with cupping their hands against the barks of young and more mature trees to see what differences in energies could be found. After lunch everyone made their own set of Ogham sticks from seventeen of the twenty sacred trees of the Druids, leaving them three trees to search for in their own locality.

Recipe: To make a decoction

Recipe: To make a maceration

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