This year's course is in full-swing. Contact us to be put on the waiting list for the 2024 course beginning next September.

Shamanic Herbalism is a path of personal empowerment. It is a way of consciously choosing to engage with oneself, the land, plants, animals and the world around us in a sacred way. Following the thread of observation and self discovery you will learn a variety of techniques to specifically enhance your connection to the seen and unseen world, attuning and fine-tuning your natural intuitive gifts. If you have ever wanted to learn to work with plants from an organic, informed and magical place this is a great place to start!

In this 7-part experiential on-line series you will learn, explore and implement skills that will support and nourish you for years to come. And, you will begin building your own Herbal Apothecary!  Topics to be covered and cultivated are:

• Herbal Energetics
• Elemental Theory
• Tissue States
• Healthy Boundaries
• Plant Journeying
• Herbal Allies
• Ethics
• Right Relationship with Nature
• Personal & Social Responsibility
• Offerings
• Plant & Flower Essences

Herbal Energetics Sept. 18 & 25.  Oct. 2 & 9. 6:00-9:00
Learning and understanding the language of Herbal Energetics is a natural, easy, exciting and empowering way to work with Herbs. Herbal Energetics has been used in India, China, Tibet and in the Americas by Indigenous Native Tribes for thousands of years. The Energetic system is a method to understand how a plant moves through the body, mind and senses affecting the different organs, body systems and tissue states. In these 4 classes we will be exploring the 6 tastes, the 20 attributes, the 5 elements and 6 tissue states by tasting a variety of herbs to acquaint our body, mind and spirit with Herbal Energetics.

• Sept. 18th - Sweet, salty, astringent tastes & their attributes
• Sept. 25th - Bitter, pungent, acrid, sour tastes & their attributes
• Oct. 2nd   - The 5 Elements
• Oct. 9th    - Tissue States

 Plant Journeying - Oct. 16 6:00-9:00
A plant’s story, medicine and magic is available to us at all times and in a variety of ways. In this experiential class, we will work with one plant to learn a variety of techniques to connect to the spirit of the plant including the states to enhance that connection. There will be a direct experience of Journeying with this plant in an in-bodied state through meditation by ingesting a small dose of tincture, tea or flower essence. A plant attunement will further foster the connection. There will be time for integration through writing, journaling and/or sharing our experiences. No previous experience necessary.

Tools of the Shamanic Herbalist - Oct. 23 6:00-9:00
In this class, we will sit in conversation over the hows and whys of some of the most important tools available to us as Shamanic Herbalists. We will delve into the subjects of offerings, ethics, wildcrafting, connecting to the land, choosing an herbal ally & personal and social responsibility and what it means to be a Shamanic Herbalist.

Connecting to the Land & Cultivating a Sense of Place - Oct. 28. 9-12 (Optional)
We will meet out in Nature (West Marin) to apply and experience what we have learned over the last 6 weeks. Focus will be on connecting to and exploring our relationship to the land, plants and animals around us. There will be a group meditation as well as time for private exploration and meditation. An individual Plant Essence will be made. The hike will be easy to moderate. Temperature is variable so layering of clothing is a good idea. Please bring a journal, pen or pencil, sunblock, hat, water and a snack. Heavy rain cancels.

To accomodate both locals and distance learners, this class is offered online or in-person with the field trip being optional. Classroom space is limited. Classes will be recorded and can be viewed at a later date should you need to miss one.

Cost: $850 includes all handouts, lectures and an herbal apothecary kit specific for the series.  A $250 non-refundable deposit is due to hold your space with the balance due prior to our first class.

The Herbal Apothecary Kit retails for $290 and is included in the cost of the class.  It includes 16 .5oz tinctures, 4oz of dried herbs, 4 elemental essences, 1 flower essence  and some surprises. The Kit can be picked up at Gathering Thyme or sent priority mail for an additional $20.  Kits will be ready the 2nd week of September.

Judy Lieblein (she/her) is an shamanic/clinical herbalist, energy medicine practitioner, and spiritual midwife in practice over 28 years.  She is co-owner and manager of Gathering Thyme an Herbal Apothecary in San Rafael, CA, founder of Sacred Rose Herbals a magical herbal product line and the primary teacher of herbal energetics, elemental theory and plant spirit medicine at Gathering Thymes School of Western Herbalism.

Bringing a varied and diverse background to her work Judy is able to weave together the sacred and profane and the practical and intuitive to facilitate understanding and growth at all levels.  She has a general practice with clients of all ages.  Her specialties are in spirit emergence/kundalini, transformational processes, plant spirit medicine, trauma and grief.  Judy's work is focused on cultivating health and well-being, empowerment, personal responsibility and independence with the assistance of medicinal herbs, flower essences and energy medicine.  

With much gratitude … Her herbal lineage is the Earth herself, the plants and animals that live on her, her clients, students and many herbal teachers.