Cultivating Mentorship Year
-Independent Study- Immersion
1,000 Hours Syllabus 2024
Start Date: On Going - for Student Graduates of 40+ hr. Basic Training
Graduation Date: when student attains 1000 hrs. and a peer reviewed paper.
To Register: Contact Marguerite at 3moonsisters@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest in EarthSchool at the Root Cellar. This is a certificate of hours becoming Nature communication mentorship and self-directed program. This will be on line and or in person that takes place from and on the unceded Haudenosaunee territory in the village of East Meredith, NY. Whether online or in person, class is at both the student and facilitators discretion.
We feel, you are here on this site because you are claiming and affirming ‘you belong to land and place’. [Thank you to Winona La Duke for sharing their Anishinaabekwe (Ojibwe) thinking.] You are here because you know you are at the forefront of societal transformation. You are here because you desire to be guided under the tutelage of Plant Life and Indigenous Peoples ways, in how we treat Land, Plants, Earth, Animals and each other.
Our part here is only as imperfect guides and facilitators.
The very core of this 1000 hour program
…is to Cultivate a Cognitive Agility with our Plant, Tree and Nature Allies Training in all parts of ones life.
The purpose of this 1000 hour mentorship is to bring being the Nature that we are, a living out of our cosmology into every aspect of our lives. Here, we’re developing out all the learned Basic Training objectives and applying them as daily practices of becoming and being Nature, seeing Earth and Nature in us, living Earth and Nature at work, at home and at play.
We are reawakening our ‘akiing’ as Winona LaDuke notes as being relatives of Earth and Nature).
Together we’ll acknowledge, release and allow to fall away learned and conditioned states of human exceptionalism, dominant colonial mind (Wetiko) and human centered thinking when it comes to Plants, Animals, Nature, Earth to the way we treat each other.
Here, we make room to empower each other under the tutelage of Plants, Trees, Land, Earth … with our own embodied Nature intelligence.
Here, we cultivate a shared ecology and re-claim inter-dependent living with our original Mother, - Earth. And treat her as so.
Shared teachings aka Knowledge Shares
There will also be some Plant Medicine teachings based on students needs and focus. From traditions of: Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Native American and Italian / European, as well as some key principles of nursing perspectives and experiences. However it is important to note here that some of my nursing book knowledge needs a complete over-haul due to its white male centered dominance views on health and wellness.
We’ll meet 1 to 2 days a week to no less than 2 days a month.
1 to 2 hrs per session which is guided by both student and facilitator.
Meetings are instructional, experiencial and encounter based.
We refrain from paper handouts and use electronic handouts.
Our purpose is to generate dialogue with our out doors relatives, and develop human-Plant relationships led by he Plants themselves.
Students are asked to infuse learned content and experiences into their lifestyle, developing skills and knowledge to the group of other mentors.
Everyone is a key player in this learning-scape.
Extra-curricular activities are encouraged and guided by both facilitators and student in your field of choice which enhances broader group perspectives and learning.
The foundation of this training is 1000 hours. This can be attained in one year or as long as one needs. It is up to the student. The only requirement for this independent study is that we have periodic connections at least twice a month. We have found that for us, this helps us fully de-condition from and become and live the Nature that we are. Enhancing our ‘communication’ skills to just happen and become us again.
We at EarthSchool are always here for you for your questions. Because we are all de-conditioning and remembering together.
Your questions feed us, as we in turn feed you.
Fees Please See - The Green Bottle Sliding Scale below.
Choose a payment tier that applies to you. Feel free to discuss if you’re unsure or have thoughts or questions.
-
Tier 3
$20 - $30 per 1-2 hr. session
-
Tier 2
$15 - $25 per 1-2 hr. session
-
Tier 1
$5 - $10 per 1-2 hr. session
A big thank you to Alexis J. Cunningfolk who freely shared this chart with anyone who wanted to adopt it. I’m grateful for her generosity. I feel she is part of our efforts in living in cooperation rather than force and greed.
Tier3: $20.00 - $30.00 per 1-2 hr. Session
Tier2: $15.00 - $25.00 per 1-2 hr. Session
Tier1: $5.00 - $10.00 per 1-2 hr. Session
PEER REVIEW and TESTING and BECOMING A TRAINER: once 1000 hrs. are complete, you can choose to take a peer reviewed test or not. Peer review testing is for your own self evaluation where you stand with knowledge and awareness.
FEE:
Tier3 - $150.00
Tier2 - $100.00
Tier1 - $50.00
BY COMPLETION - students will have enough general knowledge to be proficient in:
Interfacing, restoring, understanding, rewiring, interpreting and re-interpreting, gathering impressions from Plants, Trees, Land, Nature Elementals and Devas. You will be at the forefront for societal change with Plants as your guides. You will also have a basic understanding some herbal support for yourself and family. Be able to identify at least 25 + wild key Plants, 12 + trees and many mushrooms, depending on what you want to be applicable.
Some of you may also want to learn how to prepare herbal blends, oils, salves, creams, vinegars, extracts, oxymel’s, prepare wild foods; have basic superior herbal extract making; understand herbal precautions and contra-indications; moon-earth bio-rhythms; biodynamic gardening and more.
GUIDING POINTS
ITEMS NEEDED FOR CLASS, GARDEN AND HIKES:
favorite pen
dowsing rods
sleep mask
tick repellent (even though the gardens are dusted with natural organic tick powder; trails on hikes are not)
one notebook for regular note taking
one 3 ringed binder for Formulating / Recipe Book
one clip board to be left at the Root Cellar
strong clippers
sturdy garden gloves
sturdy field knife
sturdy scissors
hiking shoes / boots / rain gear
see resource section for books needed for program (*)
EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
respect Land, Plants and each others.
arrive to meeting on time.
extra fee for herbal products or field trips.
help with lunch prep and clean up at end of class day.
garden tools washed, dried & stored.
we ask that homework or reading or tasks be completed by next planned meeting.
if there’s ever any incongruencies around life words or thinking, we want everyone to know that
we are sensitive to everyone’s needs and if necessary, we will discuss needs as soon as ones
needs show up or on their own time frame. We want everyone to feel comfortable.
We want everyone to understand we do our best to walk our talk in equinimity, inclusivity, having
integrity, compassion and diversity on our hearts, minds and sleeves whether in class or in all parts
of our lives. And we do want all to know we understand that we all have blind spots. So with that in
mind, if we or any one of us makes a mistake due to our blindspot we will uphold that space for that
person or persons and together decondition from the structural dominant thinking and extractive
in this Western landscape to become the good relatives we were meant to be.the below six modules are only guides. Students choose from these modules what they would like to learn.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU:
we prioritize for you for each time we meet.
if one of us makes a mistake, please bring it to our attention during or after class, whichever is easiest for you.
DISCLOSURE: This has always been something we respect in each of us. Yet, we do have blind spots too and
am open to being called in on them for any insensitivities, which we hope we do not do.We will adapt and gear online meeting to your needs.
being available for your questions before, during and after class.
give credit to any and all indigenous traditional ecological knowledge we share.
THE GARDEN AS CLASSROOM
Garden time together depends on weather, what the land requests of us in how we practice, tending to the Soil, Trees, Plants, etc.
we ask for permission first and wait for consent, before doing anything.
we communicate the purpose we are with Land, Plants, Trees, Animals, Elementals, Devas, Ancestors, Spirit Guides.
we wait for their reply / consent.
and then we move based on their desires.
Suggested Book List
Herbal Books
* must have ** by June *** optional, one or the other
Resources
The Language of Plants – Julia Graves
Earth Emotions by Glenn A. Albrecht
Thinking Like A Mountain – John Seed, Joanna Macy, Pat Fleming, Arne Naess
Thinking Like A Plant – Craig Holdredge
First Nation peoples Science, their Physics and their wisdom as a guide for us to better our relationship on this unceded land that we live on.
Sacred Instructions by Sherri Mitchell
The Upshift – Wiser Living on Planet Earth by Ervin Laszlo
The Nature Institute, Objectification Exercises, Ghent, NY by Craig Holdrege.
The Untethered Soul – The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer (required audio)
Ecological theorist and psychologist Eleanor Gibson.
Brilliant biologist & scientist Lynn Margulis of Symbiotic Planet.
Nature Spirits & Elemental Beings, and, Dancing with the Earth Changes - Marko Pogacnik
The Deep Ecology movement of Arne Naess & George Sessions.
The Living Energy Universe – Russek and Schwartz
The Smell of Rain on Dust and Rescuing the Light – Martin Prechtel
A Language Older Than Words – Derrick Jensen
The Findhorn Book of Connecting with Nature – John R. Stowe
Goethe’s writings. Darwin’s plant research. Rupert Spira of The Nature of Consciousness.
The Silva Technique – by Jose’ Silva
Messages from Water by Dr. Masaru Emoto
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
Herbal Medicine Books / Resources
The Complete Woman’s Herbal by Anne McIntyre
** ‘The New Holistic Herbal’
Medical Herbalism’ both are by David Hoffmann. (The first is a workbook that we’ll use on a daily basis and the other is a text book.)
Healing Wise by Susun Weed
Henriette’s Herbal Homepage - https://www.henriettes-herb.com/ [extensive coverage on world wide botanicals]
A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieve Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
Herbal Therapy & Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn R.N., PhD and David Winston (RH) AHG
Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech
Adaptogens by David Winston and Steven Maimes
Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair by Dina Falconi
Herbal Antibiotics – revised edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Mayo Clinic – https://www.mayoclinic.org/ [complete coverage under the bio-medical model related to pathology, etiology, signs & symptoms, treatment, complications, prognosis]
Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar
NIH – National Institute of Health – Botanical Supplements Fact Sheet -
For extensive herbal data base, go to Henriette’s Herbal Homepage (above).
***Planetary Herbology – Michael Tierra [extensive traditional Chinese medicine herbal coverage on plant and people energetics. [About $25.00???]
Herbal For The Childbearing Year by Susun Weed
***Energetics of Western Herbs, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 by Peter Holmes. [About $100.00 for the two.]
The Imaginal Realm, Stephen Harrod Buhner
Science Direct – https://www.sciencedirect.com/ [botanicals, their constituents; Earth & Planetary Sciences & more]
Identification Books
*Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants by Steven Foster and James A. Duke
*Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide
Edible Wild Plants – John Kallas
Weeds of the Northeast – Uva, Neal and DiTomaso
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts – Frances Densmore
Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast – Peter Del Tredici
A Natures Guide to Wetland Plants – Donald D. Cox
Field Guide to the Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of the United States – Edward Knobel
Wildflowers & Grasses of Virginia’s Coastal Plain – Hamilton & Hall
Lichens of the North Woods – Joe Walewski
Ferns – Boughton Cobb
Mosses & Liverworts - Susan Munch
Field Guide to Trees of North America – National Wildlife Federation
Edible Wild Plants – Peterson Field Guide
Weeds in Winter – Lauren BrownForest Forensics – Tom Wessels
Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Mushrooms
Radical Mycology – Peter McCoy
Mycelium Running – Paul Stamets
Chaga, King of the Medicinal Mushrooms – David Wolfe
Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms – Paul Stamets
The Fungal Pharmacy – Robert Rogers
Flower Essence/Mata Gaia/Earth Medicine
Flower Power by Anne McIntyre
*Nature Spirits & Elemental Beings,2009 - Marko Pogacnik [gives us a foundation to help us better understand elementals and Nature spirits in a co-creative way]
Dancing with Earth Changes, 2021 – Marko Pogacnik [a guide to help us through the 21st century while keeping open dialogue with Mata Gaia]
Stars of the Meadow by David Dalton
Green Hope Farm Flower Essences Guide by Molly Sheehan, call 603-469-3662. Though this book is a catalog for purchasing flower essences, it is also an informational guide on flower essences.
On Gem Stones:
Love is in the Earth, Mineralogical Pictorial – Melody
Love is in the Earth, a Kaleidoscope of Crystals, UPDATED – Melody [detailed coverage on the metaphysical properties of the mineral kingdom]
Mind Body / Other
Heal Your Body by Louise L. Hay
Blackfoot Physics by F. David Peat
Inside a Magical Lodge – 2021 John Michael Greer [on traditional lodge methods for modern mages]
Vibrational Medicine – Dr. Richard Gerber, Michigan Internist
Tongue Body Analysis
Your Tongue Never Lies by Dr. Victor Zeines at www.natdent.com direct from author
Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine – Rev. Ed Maciocia
Ancillary Connections
Plant Intelligence and Plant Cognition research and scientists you may want to follow:
Dr. Monica Gagliano, Associate Professor, research fellow at the University of Western Australia.
Dr. Paco Calvo of University of Murcia, Spain.
Dr. Stefano Mancuso of University of Florence, Italy.
Dr. Craig Holdrege, of the Nature Institute, Ghent, NY.
Stephen Harrod Buhner of The Secret Teachings of Plants, and, The Imaginal Realm.
Earth spirit worker of EarthKeepers - Sarah Root - https://www.radiantalignment.com/
Professor Jem Bendell paper, “Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy”.
his Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1056764851177749
Wake Up To Nature - https://www.wakeuptonature.com/
Organization of Nature Evolutionaries - https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/
Collective Transitions - https://www.collectivetransitions.com/what-is-ct
Society of Plant Signaling and Behavior - https://www.plantbehavior.org/
Joanna Macy - https://www.joannamacy.net/
Kate Gilday of Woodland Essence. Herbal teacher, mentor, colleague. https://woodlandessence.com/
Collective Transitions – Systemic Constellations - https://www.collectivetransitions.com/