Check out our new Patreon! And give a welcome to our guest this week, herbalist, educator and author Tammi Sweet. We talk about the endocannabanoid system, why it's so important, about the differences between "sativa" and "indica" (hint, they're both C. indica subspecies) , what "terpines" are (and why just hanging out with the plant is so amazing), what right relationship with Cannabis looks like, why it's a "master plant" and how to make your own medicine at home! Check her out at https://www.heart-stone.com/ and find her book The Wholistic Healing Guide to Cannabis at your usual book place, or directly from her. 

We welcome back JMG to the podcast in this joyful, historical, and advice packed episode. "In every person is the seed of some kind of magnificence," he says at one point encouraging our listeners to grab life by the horns and make it magical, interesting and meaningful in their own weird way. Johnny Appleseed was a person who did just that, planting seeds of magnificence and literal seeds every where he walked (usually barefoot). JMG tells us about his story including some parts that you don't hear about in the nursery rhymes. He talks about the importance of remembering and honoring those folks who came before us that held a vision for something different than the mainstream paradigm. We also talked about the vision of the 1970's appropriate tech movement and how those skills that scientists and homesteaders alike learned back then are still quite applicable today. We got into some of those tangible skills and techniques on consuming less energy and being self sufficient, for example solar ovens and insulated curtains. He offers a lot more in depth skills, resources, practices in his book Green Wizardry which we love. Isaac offers a little something special at the end for you too. Enjoy the show. 

If you haven't already, check out our previous interview with John Michael Greer, Episode 4 on Natural Magic to learn more about his history and bio as we just dove right into the chat for this one. 

We talked a lot about his book Green Wizardry but please check out his MANY other books here: https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=john+michael+greer

He blogs at https://www.ecosophia.net/ and https://ecosophia.dreamwidth.org

Also check out our shiny new Patreon Page and support the show with a monthly donation if you're willing and able to help us keep this going smooth as buttah. Our patrons will directly influence the direction of the show as we will have polls about who to have on next and what topics you'd like us to cover. Plus some other perks like members only episodes and classes on regenerative farming and herbalism. 

Amy Blackthorn, a Green Witch and author of three books on botanical magic was a blast to have on the podcast. She taught us lots about using plants in magical workings including as essential oils, smoke bundles and incense, tea and delicious elixirs. She tells us about keeping a magical diary with homemade poke berry ink. Try not to drool while she describes the recipe for Watermelon Cucumber shrub (cocktail or soda mixer). We look forward to hearing more about her book coming out this year on protection.

Be sure to check out her current books, "Blackthorns Botanical Magic: A Green Witchs' guide to essential oils for spellcraft, ritual and healing," "Blackthorn's Botanical Brews: Herbal Potions, Magical Teas and Spirited Libations," and "Sacred Smoke: Clear away negative energies and purify mind, body, and spirit."

Find her at on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter 

In this episode we speak with jim mcdonald, a folk herbalist and educator from Michigan about how he fell in love with plants, using pool noodles to teach complicated scientific concepts, "herbal energetics", the importance of using common plants and wildcrafting ethics, and how he found out new uses for New England Aster.

You can find his website here: https://www.herbcraft.org/ and don't forget to sign up for his new classes at https://herbcraft.podia.com/

In this episode we are honored to speak with Stephanie Rose Bird, author of some of the most important practical guides to Hoodoo, including "Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones" and "365 Days of Hoodoo." We speak with her about growing up in the country (her dad built their house!), what "Hoodoo" is, how to use roots, herbs, stones, sticks, candles, mojo bags and other elements of hoodoo to help yourself and your community, and about her new herbal product line she started with her daughter.

Here's a link to her website.

We talk with esteemed permaculturist Michael Pilarski about Bill Mollison, science & "woo", working with nature spirits, "Restore the Earth" party, restoring the earth, and making $$$ from growing herbs in a regenerative way.

https://friendsofthetrees.net/michael-pilarski-blog - Michael's site

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4uqbuuwBGAgC02SHLTnXg - Anna Pallota Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCylekw2DaAsQHsIWaR-js_A - Friends of the Trees Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPSTkjWIrl7FD31xbJ5STg - Global Earth Repair Channel

In this episode we speak with herbalist, permaculturist, blogger, artist and current Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America, Dana O'Driscoll. The topics include growing up in the forests of Western PA, studying with herbalist Jim McDonald in Michigan, working with New England Aster to heal her own asthma, art, blogging and divination.

You can find Dana's blog at: https://druidgarden.wordpress.com/, and her etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Phyteasana

In this episode we talk to Kate Miller of Weathertop Farm about how she became a farmer, how to be adaptable, and what a "switchel" is.

You can find her website at: https://www.weathertopfarmny.com/

And on IG at @weathertopfarmny

In this episode we speak with community herbalist, writer, earth poet and animist mystic Stephen Harrod Buhner about using the heart as an organ of perception, following the "Golden Thread", having plants as primary teachers, pantheistic animism, becoming your own authority, and a bit about his own journey. 

Stephen has written a lot of books, and you should check them all out, but the ones that form the basis of our conversation are "The Secret Teachings of Plants", "Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm" and the others in that series. These books give exercises for developing the heart as an organ of perception, adjusting sensory gating and communicating with plants. 

In this "Intro to Spagyrics" episode, we speak with herbalist and alchemist Shannon Garity about what spagyrics are, how to make them, and some of her experiences with them.

You can find her on IG and FB under @RipplingMedicinals