Women's Herbal Conference 2015

Rosita Arvigo, all bundled up.

October is fast becoming one of my favorite months, what with all the fun stuff that's happening!

The first weekend of the month brings the Mid Atlantic Women's Herbal Conference in Kempton PA. Kempton is a a map dot outside of Allentown, and just happens to be next-door to the village that houses HQ for the children's theater I worked with during high school and college. Coincidence? I dunno, there are a LOT of map dots in PA and it just so happens...

This was my third year attending the MAWHC, and maybe their fourth or fifth year in existence. It's a small conference, held in fields and under tents. The teachers are fantastic, women who love being close to their students and close to the land. So far I've met and learned from Rosemary Gladstar, Deb Soule, Rosita Arvigo, Kate Gilday, and many others.

This year the weather was wild, in the 40's (Fahrenheit) and windy. The previous Monday it was 80 degrees! As the week passed I continually refined my clothing choices until I was in full winter gear, including down coat and 3 pairs of thermal pants. Hey, it kept me warm. :)

I heard lots of interesting bits from the keynote speakers and the workshop teachers. Some were thought-provoking and profound, others were articulations of unconscious choices I'd been making myself for years. This was the first year the conference organizers tried recording the teachers, and I hope they worked because there are many moments I would like to revisit and re-hear, and re-think about.

The company was great, too. Three of us carpooled early in the morning, my friends Kristen and Linda. During the day I got to see old friends and chat with many new faces. There was a lot of friendly chatter- what classes did you take? Where did you travel from? Which soup did you have? (Chicken and cashew chili with pineapple. Twice.) Yes it was cold and windy and damp and yucky, and I didn't hear anyone lamenting it. Although I have to say, the best part was when Kate Gilday played her flute for us under the Black Walnut trees and the wind didn't blow on us for the next hour. That was a special kind of magic.

Thank you, Charis, for again hosting such a great conference. See you next year!

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