The Plant Spirit Podcast with Sara Artemisia

#032 - Join us for an amazing conversation with Flower Farmer, Floral Designer, and Flower Fairy Melanie Plies on the joys of collaborating with flowers throughout the seasons.

In this episode, Melanie shares how working closely and being in relationship with flowers can support the healing journey, with special insight into the timeless wisdom of Tulsi Basil. She also offers ways to connect deeply with plants and flowers in the winter months through crafts, botanical adornments, medicine making, plant dances, and working with flower essences.

Melanie Plies is a Flower Farmer, Floral Designer, Flower Fairy, and Founder of Waterleaf Farm. She grows flowers in Ashland, Oregon, ancestral homelands of the Takelma and Shasta peoples, on a land conservancy where she offers U-pick flowers, experiences, and workshops where people can deepen in relationship with the flowers and the Earth.

She loves playing and co-creating with the flowers through growing them, designing arrangements, (body flower adornment), flower essence making, plant forms and dances, and plant meditations. Being with her other plant loving humans in ritual with the plants is one of her greatest joys. As winter is coming, she dreams of being with her kin, the flowers, in the tropics, as the flowers bring so much light and beauty to her life.

You can find Melanie at https://www.waterleaffarm.com and on IG @waterleaffarm

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#031 - Join us for a wonderful conversation with 5th generation Australian herbalist Ian White on the power of flower essences as a potent modality for healing.

In this episode, Ian shares about the power of listening and collaborating with the plant realm and some specific essences that are supportive for collective challenges people are currently experiencing, particularly with stress and sleep issues.

He also offers deep insight into the results of global research being done with flower essences and how essences work with the emotional, energetic, and physical bodies. And he shares about his experience of the pure joy and wisdom that arises in connecting directly with flowers.

Ian White is the Founder & CEO of Australian Bush Flower Essences. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science from the University of N.S.W. and graduating from the N.S.W. College of Natural Therapies, Ian has been practicing successfully as a Naturopath for over 40 years, and he is a 5th generation Australian herbalist.

Ian has spent over 35 years travelling all over Australia researching and developing a range of 69 specific Bush Essences. He is also the author of five major books and runs regular seminars and workshops on the Bush Essences in over 30 countries throughout the world.

You can find Ian at https://ausflowers.com.au/ and on IG @ausflowers.com.au

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#030 - Join us for an incredible conversation with Storyteller, Writer, and Herbalist Robin Rose Bennett on the joy and wisdom of connecting with our Plant Elders.

In this episode, Robin Rose shares about the power of connecting with joy as medicine and how herbalists can help connect people with plants for healing. She also offers deep insight into the nature of Rose medicine and how we can embody the teachings of the plants. 

She also shares a bonus sneak peak into the life wisdom of her soon–to-be published book: A Green Witch’s Pocket Book of Wisdom: Big Little Life Tips. Stay tuned for this one, as it is sure to be magical!

Robin Rose Bennett is a story-teller, writer, and herbalist. She has been offering classes in WiseWoman Healing Ways: Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986 - at herb conferences, festivals, clinics, medical and nursing schools, and most joyously, outside with the plants. Robin Rose shares herbal medicine with gratitude for the loving generosity of the plants and the magic, mystery, and beauty of the web of life.

She is on the faculty of the New York Open Center and the Arbor-Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism, and is the author of two meditation MP3’s and the books: Healing Magic- A Green Witch Guidebook to Conscious Living and The Gift of Healing Herbs - Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life.

You can find Robin Rose at https://www.robinrosebennett.com and on IG @robinrosebennett

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#029 - Join us for an amazing conversation with seed grower Chris Hardy on the regenerative power of biodiverse seed saving, and why this practice is so key for supporting long-term food systems.

In this episode, Chris shares about regenerative farming practices, how people can get involved with the heritage grain seed library, and how connecting with ancient diverse grains around the world have impacted his work with seeds and growing food. He also shares about his experience with initiating the GMO crop ban in Southern Oregon and tips for people who are interested in doing the same in their local areas.

Chris Hardy is the owner and lead grower at Hardy Seeds, and he’s been challenging the paradigm of modern agriculture since he began farming over 20 years ago. In 2015, Chris founded Hardy Seeds to continue the work his grandfather inspired, and he now oversees an extensive collection of heritage grains, legumes, herbs, and vegetable seeds.

Chris was the initiator of the historic campaign in Southern Oregon to ban genetically engineered (GMO) crops to protect traditional seeds from the threat of contamination, and he serves on several nonprofit boards and associations committed to actively supporting seed diversity and small farm resilience. His extensive travels abroad have kept his passion high for cultural diversity, regenerative farming and community engagement.

You can find Chris at https://growhardyseeds.com/ and on IG @hardyseeds 

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#028 – Have you ever had a plant teacher whose clarity and depth of humble wisdom resonates as clear as a bell in the core of your being?

Olatokunboh Obasi is an herbal teacher like this, and in this very special Plant Spirit Podcast episode, she shares profound insight into the nature of our connection with plants, the elements, and all Nature. She also offers wisdom on the value of connecting with the plants that grow directly around us, and how plants teach us how to relate better to people and all life.

We first recorded this conversation for the Plant Spirit Herbalism Summit. And in the wake of the recent Hurricane Fiona, we are sharing it here today as part of a GoFundMe fundraiser that will allow Olatokunboh to stay in her home in Boriké (Puerto Rico), which is a foundational place for healing and herbal teachings that support so many.

This will in turn allow her to rebuild her healing gardens from the recent devastation of Hurricane Fiona and continue to serve as a pillar of healing and Afro-indigenous herbal teachings for both the local and global healing community.

Olatokunboh Obasi MSc, RH (AHG), CNS is a Clinical Herbalist & Educator, and founder of the Well of Indigenous Wisdom school for herbal medicine and African cosmology. She’s the Boriké (Puerto Rico) Coordinator for Herbalists without Borders International, and up for elections as a Board Member for the American Herbalists Guild.

She’s also the Owner of Omaroti, a wellness shop for wellbeing, and the visionary founder for the upcoming Caribbean Herbal Symposium. Her devotion is to serve humanity and care-take the earth.

Olatokunboh’s home in Mayagüez is the foundation for the healing work, herbal gardens, apothecary, and teachings that support so many people in the local and global community.

In the recent Hurricane Fiona, her home was damaged and the healing gardens she has invested so much in, were devastated.

As you listen to this podcast and incredible conversation of deep plant wisdom, I invite you to please go to the GoFundMe link below, and contribute any donation that you are able to at this time.

https://gofund.me/0246163d

Thank you so much for your time, generosity and contributions. And enjoy the incredible teachings and conversation with Olatokunboh on herbal and Indigenous wisdom!

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#027 - Join us for a wonderful conversation with Flower Essence Practitioners Kathleen Aspenns & Rochana Felde on how flower essences offer wisdom and support to people in times of transition and healing. ⁠

In this episode, Kathleen and Rochana share key messages from essences they’ve been working with recently and why flower essences are such an effective medicine for highly sensitive people. They offer wisdom on the value of plant-centric flower essence education and how an experience of holographic, open-source healing is available when we connect directly with Nature. They also share about the inspiration and experience of collaborating on The Flower Essence Podcast, and how that led to the Flower Essence Conference and School for Flower Essence Studies.

Rochana Felde and Kathleen Aspenns are the co-producers of The Flower Essence Podcast, co-hosts of the Flower Essence Conference, and co-founders of the School for Flower Essence Studies with Ruth Toleldo Altschuler. 

For over a decade, Kathleen Aspenns has been helping her clients overcome challenges, heal from traumatic experiences, and find a greater sense of connection to themselves and to Nature. She is a Nature Intuitive and practices Flower Essence Therapy specializing in women and their beloved animal companions. 

Her ability to listen deeply and compassionately, and to select precisely the right flower essences, helps each client feel fully supported as she takes the next step in her journey of healing and personal evolution. Kathleen has developed her own line of flower essences, the Flora of Asia. Many of these plants have been used for thousands of years as herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine and are available now for the first time as flower essences.

Rochana Felde is a flower essence practitioner, researcher, educator, and co-founder of The School for Flower Essence Studies. She and Kathleen Aspenns have been producing the Flower Essence Podcast for 3 years, and co-hosted the Flower Essence Conference earlier this year. In her private practice, Rochana formulates custom essence blends for clients needing support with high sensitivity, self-acceptance, life direction and empowerment. She lives in a small forest community on the North Coast of California with her husband and many plants.

You can find Kathleen and Rochana at www.floweressencestudies.com,  https://thefloweressencepodcast.com/,  https://wiseflowerwellness.com/, and https://floraofasia.com; and on IG @flower.essence.studies, @thefloweressencepodcast, @wiseflowerwellness, and @floraofasiaflowers

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#026 – What are the ancient teachings of primordial plants, and what messages of healing are they offering to us now?

Join us for a very special Plant Spirit Podcast conversation with Culturalist and Alchemist Ke’oni Hanalei, who honors the ancient plant medicine lineage of his Maui grandmother (tūtū), Kau'ikeonalani, in his work and connection with plants.

In this episode, Ke’oni offers profound insight into the ancient, timely wisdom of Pohala (to recover consciousness), and how plants can support this process. Recognizing that the vast majority of what he knows regarding plant medicine comes from his direct lineage where plants are gathered and honored in ceremony and in connection with the moon phases, Ke’oni shares about the protocols of plant medicine collaboration.

He also shares about his experience and direct knowledge of Pua’aehuehu, which is Fern Medicine, or emotional intelligence. He offers messages and wisdom on the healing gifts of Ferns, including what they can tell us about coming into balance and homeostasis on the planet at this time.

Ke’oni Hanalei is a descendant of the Mū people, the inhabitants of Papahānaumokuakea (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) before the migration of the Polynesians, through the lines of Kā’ō’u’ikalanikaleimaumau, Ololu on his maternal grandmothers line, and Mahat on his maternal grandfathers line.

Ke’oni comes from a long line of healers, mystics, fisherman, navigators, and farmers embedded in ‘ike, or knowledge, and he is the founder of PōHALA Hawaiian Botanicals, based in Maui and Kaua’i in the Hawaiian islands.

A vast majority of what Ke’oni knows regarding plant medicine and distillation comes from this direct lineage. His grandmother and female elders taught him the trade of plant extraction. Most of the methods he resources in medicine making remains loyal to these practices. Medicinals, including the oils, tinctures, hydrosols, and essences and essentials, are gathered and honored in ceremony and thus extracted in small batches over a period of time loyal to distinct moon phases which place a botanicals specific house of power. This is the old way and ensures a plant transfers its life-force (mana) into product form.

Pua’aehuehu, Fern Medicine, or emotional intelligence, is one aspect of this ‘ike, and dominates what he expresses today. This is the legacy of his lineage. Fern Medicine is the awareness of the movement of emotions, and the release from control fixation. Ke’oni is also versed in ancient primal, meditative, and movement practices, such as ‘Ulu, which incite cellular memory, DNA activation, and the comprehension of familial and lineal wisdom through the reading of the nervous system and DNA.

To connect with Ke’oni, please visit www.pohala.net and IG @pohala_hawaiian_botanicals 

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#025 - What can plant music teach us about being human?

Join us for an amazing conversation with Plant Music Composer & Sound Healer Shane Mendonsa on his experience of co-creating with the plants through generative music.

In this episode, Shane offers deep insight into how connecting with plants through plant music can help us connect to a state of healing. We first recorded this for the Plant Spirit Herbalism Summit, and it was such a gem of a discussion that I wanted to share it with you here. Such wonderful medicine for these times!

Shane Mendonsa is a music composer and sound healer who creates plant music, which allows him to explore his relationship with Nature. He also practices sound healing with tuning forks. This is an extension of his work that allows him to explore the healing effects of music on bodies and spaces.

You can find Shane at www.shanemendonsa.com,  on IG @shanemendonsa, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpjl7axNrHYPh53gezouYxA

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#024 - What does it mean to be a Green Witch?

Join Sara Artemisia for an incredible conversation with Herbalist Lupo Passero of Twin Star Herbal Education and Community Apothecary on the experience of remembrance and the path of the Green Witch.

In this amazing Plant Spirit Podcast episode, Lupo shares about the importance of listening to plant and human elders, how we all have plant people in our lineage, and the importance of coming from a space of gratitude and love when reclaiming the power of the word 'Witch.' Lupo also offers deep insight into how flower essences can support releasing trauma and how people can strengthen their own power of recognizing or becoming a Green Witch.

Lupo Passero is the Herbalist Director of Twin Star Herbal Education and Community Apothecary. She brings over 20 years of knowledge, intimate relationship, and understanding of the plants and essences, and she pairs this with a deep appreciation for the healing connection between the mind, body and spirit.

To connect with Lupo, please visit www.twinstartribe.com and on IG @twinstartribe

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

#023 - Join us for an amazing conversation with flute player and crafter Geri Littlejohn on the reciprocal nature of our relationship with trees and the sacred process of making and playing flutes.

In this episode, Geri shares about her process of connecting with the spirit of trees and the experience of working with the breath as an instrument. She also graciously plays a song on an Elder tree flute that she recently made and shares about the journey and process of making this particular flute. A very special experience!

Geri Littlejohn is a flute player, crafter, and founder of Wicozani Flutes, where she brings woodworking and soulcraft together in honor of music and the spirit of Nature.

In deep connection of honoring Nature and Spirit, Geri weaves together the wisdom of the trees with the prayer of breath through the flutes she’s been making for 30 years in sacred reciprocity. 

You can find Geri at www.wicozaniflutes.com and on IG @geri_littlejohn  

For more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantspiritherbalism
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisia
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@multidimensional.nature
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multidimensionalnature/

Learn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/