Musings on Insight Herbalism, with Clary Sage
Liquid stream of silver hope
Portal to possibility
Spirit sky dreamer of cosmic potential
Clary sage… bodily uniting spirit and earth
Meeting plants, sitting in contemplation or meditation with them, gives us the space to connect to ourselves in a different way of being. Stepping away from the busyness of our day to day life with all of the demands and expectations this can have on us, to slow down into the time realm of plant beings, is a time of contemplation and insight. The plant world, in my experience, doesn’t pay much attention to who we are on a superficial level of the persona we meet the world with, but goes directly into who we are in our essence. Spending time getting to know this relationship with plants and with ourselves gives an opportunity for self reflection, and when dedicated time is given to this space on a regular basis, it enables us to bring more of our being - more of who we truly are, back into the world and the life we are living.
I often find it hard to answer the question what it is I do as a herbalist. In fact ‘Herbalist’ is a broad term, and there are many faces to herbalism and different ways of practicing and living this path in the world. The path I am currently following with The School of Intuitive Herbalism is that of Insight Herbalist. What is it that the plants offer us when we meet with them that gives us insights into our lives? At essence the work is about coming back to essence. Who is this plant in front of me? What does it show me and where does it meet me in my body? How can I draw on this reflection and relationship? These are all questions that can’t really be answered or explained in a summative way of what is it that I do. It is a felt and lived experience. An experience discovered in relationship, with the plants with ourselves, and with others.
So to help answer this question, here is a short video of my teacher Nathaniel Hughes, and myself, in conversation with Clary Sage. This was recorded spontaneously after breakfast during a residential teaching week a few weeks ago. We had had a deep session with the group and Clary the day before, and her presence was still fresh within us. I hope sharing this goes a little way to explaining what Insight Herbalism is, to you. We hope this to be the first of many such sharing’s, insightful snippets of our musings and love of plants.
Enjoy! x