Welcome to Herbal Musings and Updates brought to you by Moonwise Herbs. We offer this as an opportunity to inspire you to connect with the green world and whole as well as wild foods. Whether you simply read this musing, try a recipe, contact us for a consultation, participate in an event, visit our website and/or purchase our handcrafted wares we hope you will find nourishment and a connection to the natural world. 

If you have an herbal musing and/or recipe that you would like to contribute please feel free to send it my way. If it is seasonal and/or in line with our hopes of connecting with the green world, natural foods, wise woman etc. we will gladly include it in this monthly (or so publication). You will be fully acknowledged for your contribution and we will be happy to include your contact information. Send to rosemarygoddess@moonwiseherbs.com 

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 For more information, handcrafted herbal wares and 

handmade brooms see our website www.moonwiseherbs.com

Typically I write about the plants and food. Yet today, I am inspired by a connection to a human being. I am inspired to share with you the influence that one herbal pioneer has had on my life.  Juliette de Bairacli Levy is  a European herbalist, recognized in America as the grandmother of the modern herbal renaissance.  She is an herbalist, traveler, author and pioneer of holistic veterinary medicine. She has had a profound impact on my herbal/earthways journey.

As I pursued herbal wisdom and my own path as an herbalist, I sought mentors that not only share with me herbal wisdom, but who also embody the courage and strength it takes to embrace an unconventional lifestyle. Juliette is one of those mentors. I was introduced to Juliette’s work and books early on in my herbal path. Her books document herbal traditions that formally were passed on through oral traditions. In my formative years as an herbalist I devoured the many books she authored, on health, natural child rearing, veterinarian medicine and her unconventional lifestyle.  

While all of these titles inspired me it was her book titled Travelers Joy that spoke deeply to my spirit. In her own words Juliette describes this book as being about “how to live well and survive without electricity and other conveniences.” I marveled at her nomadic lifestyle and pursuit to learn herbal wisdom directly from gypsies, peasants and the plants. The people whose descendants passed this wisdom directly to them through an oral tradition. I found her lifestyle curious and the over riding theme that intrigued me was her everyday application of herbs, this is clearly a lifeway for her. For example she writes about her first task in each new homestead she occupied as to sweep and distribute herbs around doorways and other openings to deter insects and varminents. I remember thinking, “how did she know to do this?” I marveled at the wisdom that such a lifestyle requires and set out to experience this in my own unique way. While not squatting per se, I have sought to incorporate the plants in the reverent yet casual way that Juliette describes in her books.

After reading her books, I discovered that a documentary was being released entitled; *Juliette of the Herbs. I saw this film was to be previewed at the Seattle Women’s Film Festival and I was instantly committed to attend the showing. This film is exquisite and I feel fortunate to have seen it on the “big” screen. It describes the beauty and passion, which Juliette brings to her everyday life. The image I have of her larger than life, swimming is forever etched in my mind. It is clear that she is one with the elements. As I recall that image, I see a grandmother, who has etched a pathway for me to walk and I am eternally grateful.

Juliette is currently 95 years old and as I understand it she lives in Switzerland. When I was first introduced to her work over a decade ago, I assumed I would not have the opportunity to meet her in person. Yet when I was in New York apprenticing at the Wise Woman Center, my mentor Susun Weed announced one day that Juliette would be visiting. Well I have to say that I am not one for idolizing people, but I was delighted that I would get to meet a woman who profoundly influenced my passion for the plants and inspired me to embrace an herbal lifeway. As the other apprentices and I prepared for her visit, gathering gifts, I felt like a homecoming in my heart.

When she arrived, Juliette sat with us and imparted wisdom that could only come from a lifetime of living with integrity, of living with the earth and honoring plant/earth wisdom. We sat at her feet and took in whatever she wanted to share. As a lifelong environmentalist, she spoke of the detrimental and disconnecting effect that refrigeration has had on our culture and environment. She spoke so clearly and simply, that any hesitation I had of giving up refrigeration was quickly put aside. I wanted to absorb what she was saying and embrace a lifestyle, if not in reality, energetically that would keep me connected to the earth, rather than dependent on technology. As a veterinarian, turned nomadic herbalist Juliette is often quoted as embracing natural pet rearing and dismissing conventional scientific practices. She is a long time voice for the four legged.  I remember visiting the goats with her at the wise woman center and watching as she carried on a conversation with them that was inaudible to the rest of us.

It is interesting that while I have had full appreciation of Juliette’s writings and influence on my life, I more recently became aware of her presence in my relationship to the animal world. Historically I have applied the wisdom; promoting the health of and treating my own animals. It was not until recently, when I moved to the Midwest that the practical applications for everyday life and applications for livestock health became practical in my everyday life. It is amazing how what we learn in one decade of our lives can come full circle and we can see how that information that lay dormant can come alive in us.

This was my experience at the Midwest Organic Farming conference last year. I attended a session titled Stump the Vet, where folks brought their animal health concerns to a panel of veterinarians who work with organic farmers to rear and treat their livestock naturally. One farmer during this session stumped the vet with a question about drying up the milk of one of one of his heifers. The vets were stumped by this question and preceded to talk about how to care for the animal next year, in order for her to have an easier transition.

While this was interesting, my intuition went right to women’s health. I remembered how women have applied astringent herbs to dry up their milk for centuries. I began having sympathy pains, as the farmer spoke of the cow crying in the back of the barn in pain from not being milked. Finally, I raised my hand to suggest that he get a few women’s herbal books and enlist the herbs that women use and have used for centuries to dry up their milk. This wisdom came flooding through me and I realized that the plant wisdom I have been collecting was transferable to the animal world, particularly large livestock. I am grateful that this wisdom passed from Juliette and the many foremothers before her has not been lost and that I can continue to keep it alive by sharing it with others.

I have included the above photograph taken of me with Juliette, so you can have an image of this wise woman and her inspiring presence. Like the plants she exudes a presence that is simple, complex and elegant all at once. I hope that this articlewill inspire you to seek the writings of Juliette and perhaps the documentary of her life. I trust that you will be moved and inspired by her unassuming yet profound connection to the natural world!

Simple Living Series

2007 Traditional Food and Herbs Program

New session When? Saturdays March 17, 24 and 31, 2007 (10am -5:00pm) (a wild and whole food lunch will be provided)

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Spring Herbal Series    

Learn about the herbs of early spring!!     

Sponsored by and held at the University of Wisconsin, Sheboygan.

To register call 920-459-6617.  

April 18th, 25th and May 2nd and 9th (6:30-9:00pm)

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Broom Making: A Lost Art with John Holzwart
March 10, 2007 (10am-3pm)

This program will be held at Maywood Environmental Center in  Sheboygan, WI  call 920-459-3906 to register

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Introduction to Home Cheese Making

March 13, 2007 (6-9pm)

This program will be held at Maywood Environmental Center in  Sheboygan, WI  call 920-459-3906 to register

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Flap Jack Days Celebrating the Maple Sugar Harvest  

March 18, 2007 

We will be offering broom making demonstrations!! 

Maywood Environmental Center 

3615 Mueller Road Sheboygan, WI    53083

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Communicating From the Heart

April 12, 2007 (6:30-9pm)

Have you ever wondered if it were possible to meet adversity with honesty and compassion at the same time? If you have this workshop is for you. Join Linda Conroy as she shares a unique approach to communication that has the capacity to transform conflict into curiosity and connection. Learn practical skills for turning even the most challenging situation into one that fosters passion and compassion for yourself as well as others. This workshop is based on a model developed by international peacemaker Marshall Rosenberg. It can be applied in the workplace, home and community to create connection and ease.

Sponsored by and held at the University of Wisconsin, Sheboygan. 

To register call 920-459-6617

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The Basics: Cheese Making, Cultured Milk and Butter

April 14, 2007 (1-4pm)

This class will be offered in New Holstein, WI  

For more information and/or to register call Grassway Farm at 920-894-4201   

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More Cheese Making: Mozarella, Feta and Cheddar!

April 21, 2007 (1-4pm)

For more information and/or to register call Grassway Farm at 920-894-4201

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Earthday Celebration

April 22, 2007 (11am-4pm) 

We will offer a plant walk in addition to offering our wares!!

Maywood Environmental Center 

3615 Mueller Road

Sheboygan, WI    53083

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Nettle Mania! Wild Eats Community Meal

April 29, 2007 (6-9pm)

Nettle in every dish!!!

For reservations contact Linda 920-457-9290 or rosemarygoddess@moonwiseherbs.com 

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These classes are held at Swanstone Gardens in Green Bay, WI : to register call: (920) 866-9367

May 6, 2007 Introduction to Pine Needle Basket Weaving

May 8, 2007 More Pine Needle Basket Weaving: An all Day immersion

June 12, 2997 Introduction to Home Cheese Making

June 15, 2007 Home Cheese Making

June 9, 2007 Broom Making with Little John  A morning and afternoon program will be offered. In the morning participants will have the opportunity to make a hearth broom and in the afternoon 2 wisk brooms. Join one or both of these sessions.

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Women's 3 week Residential Herbal/Earthways Apprenticeship Program in Coon Valley, WI

Join Linda for this amazing opportunity to connect deeply with the plants, the earth, yourself and other wise women.

July 14-August 5, 2007

Women's Herbal and Seaweed Intensives on Lopez Island, WA

Herbal Wisdom, Wild Edibles, Whole Foods, Kayaking, Community

 and More!!!

June 14-21, 2007

Early registration discount deadline:  March 15, 2007

Some Scholarships and work trade available! Feel free to inquire.

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Home Cheese Making 

with Linda Conroy

Learn to make cheese in your own kitchen. 

"I loved your class. It, and you, were so inspiring".-cheese making student.

May 29th and June 5th, 2007 (6-9pm each evening) The University of Washington Women's Center For more information and/or to register call 206-685-1090

May 31st and June 7th, 2007 (6-9pm each evening) at North Seattle Community College. This is a two part class, which covers a wide array of cheese that can be crafted in your own kitchen!! For more information call 206-685-1090.

June 3, 2007 Introduction to Cheese Making (6-9pm) Cooks World. For information or to register see  www.cooksworld.net or call 206-528-2192

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