www.susunweed.com Meet Susun Weed


  Workshops at Home (NY)  
Workshops Nationwide
Shamanic Apprenticeships
Correspondence Courses
Articles to Help You!


About Susun Weed


 

Susun's Biography

Susun S. Weed has no official diplomas of any kind; she left high school in her junior year to pursue studies in mathematics and artificial intelligence at UCLA and she left college in her junior year to pursue life.

Susun began studying herbal medicine in 1965 when she was living in Manhattan while pregnant with her daughter, Justine Adelaide Swede.

She wrote her first book -- Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year (now in its 29th printing)-- in 1985 and published it as the first title of Ash Tree Publishing in 1986.

It was followed by Healing Wise (1989), New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way (1992 and revised in 2002), and Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way (1996).

In addition to her writing, Ms Weed trains apprentices, oversees the work of more than 300 correspondence course students, coordinates the activities of the Wise Woman Center, and is a High Priestess of Dianic Wicca, a member of the Sisterhood of the Shields, and a Peace Elder.

Susun Weed is a contributor to the Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women's Studies, peer- reviewed journals, and popular magazines, including a regular column in Sagewoman.

Her worldwide teaching schedule encompasses herbal medicine, ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, psychology of healing, ecoherbalism, nutrition, and women's health issues and her venues include medical schools, hospital wellness centers, breast cancer centers, midwifery schools, naturopathic colleges, and shamanic training centers, as well as many conferences.

Susun appears on many television and radio shows, including National Public Radio and NBC News.

Check out Susun's Publicity Schedule

 


In Susun's own words:

Dedicated to the Wise Woman tradition, I help women to learn the oldest ways of healing - together we are rediscovering the green witch/healer in each of us.

My goal is to change how we think about health and healing. May we all reclaim herbal medicine as the simple, safe primary care it is; a gift of health from the green nations.

My primary ally, my teacher in all things is Nature: the Earth and her many companions. I live with the plants, and the weather, and my goats.

I grow most of my own food, heat with wood, milk the goats twice a day. No radio, no recorded music, no TV, no newspaper intrudes on my day or interrupts my thoughts. I listen to the plants. I put their words into print. I publish their thoughts.

From March through November each year, I open my home to students, apprentices, and visiting teachers. Our workshops focus on the teachings of the Wise Woman Way, which nourishes wholeness through story, ceremony, and weeds. We have classes on herbal medicine, spirit healing, shamanic skills, priestess trainings, sacred sexuality, grief, chanting, and more.

Teachers from all over the world come to the Wise Woman Center, but the primary teacher is always Mother Nature, the Great Goddess. Each apprentice chooses a goddess archetype to live with during her stay, and she chooses a green ally -- one plant -- to work with for a year.

Part of their work is to herd the goats, which requires being alone in Nature for most of the day. I do my best to create for the apprentices the same situations that allowed me to hear the plants speaking, that opened my heart to the ways of Nature. We do trances, we chant, we listen to the plants.

I want my students to learn as I learned, not what I learned. I want them to find their own way and to trust their own intuition. This is the goal in my books, too. I am not telling women how to do it right -- because there is no one right way -- I am sharing all the ways there are to do it, so they can choose, so they have their own power.

Green Blessings, Susun Weed

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Susun's One Day Workshops
(Wise Woman Center, Woodstock, NY)

These one-day workshops (10AM-5PM) are taught outside among the plants, with Susun and the goats. Open to men and women, they include a wild-food lunch.

At each workshop we will identify, harvest, and use local plants for food and medicine.
Registration Fee: $75.

Women can join us for a moon lodge on the Friday of each of these weekends.

Overnight lodging for Friday and Saturday nights is available nearby.

 Please register by mail with a $25 deposit and remember to give us your address or fax number so we can confirm your place in class and send you a map of our location.

by mail: Susun Weed PO Box 64 Woodstock NY 12498
online:
www.ashtreepublishing.com

"In a time of increasing complexity. . .someone still teaches the simple things."

 

SUSUN WEED - WOODSTOCK, NY -
SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS 2008


“Your classes are more than expected: insightful, informative, joyous, and clear.”

 

AT-HOME WITH SUSUN

One-day workshops (10AM-5PM), open to men and women. You'll be outside among the plants with Susun and the goats, learning to identify, harvest, and use local plants for food and medicine. Fee: $75, includes lunch with a wild salad.

" The simplicity of your approach is amazing and empowering."


Spring Tonics Saturday/April 12, 2008

Treat your spring fever with birch water, root beer, dandelion wine, rampions, wild horseradish, and nettle soup! Bite buds, smell roots, laugh at goats, think green!

"You opened the door to quite an education and lots of fun, too."

 

Hands-on Herbal Medicine /Spring Sunday/April 13

You will identify, harvest, dry, prepare, and consume herbal remedies — teas, infusions, vinegars, tinctures, salads — from plants such as violet, garlic mustard, dandelion, burdock, cronewort, and chickweed. Great class for beginners.

"You opened a grounded, ancient, wise, visionary, magical world to me."

 


Herbal Medicine Chest Saturday/May 10

Identify, discuss, learn to prepare and use simple herbal remedies against headaches, sunburn, muscle pain, wounds, indigestion, parasites, Lyme disease and more.

"The lessons you've given me will be my companions forever."

 

Maidenwort, Motherwort, Cronewort Sunday/May 11

Triple-Goddess Herbs... Let me introduce you to some of my favorite plants: Maidenwort (Stellaria media), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), and Cronewort (Artemisia vulgaris). These wonderfully effective remedies are easy to find, grow, prepare and use. Free cuttings.

"You are a wonderful teacher and an incredible example."

 

Talking with Plants Saturday/June 14

Learn the language of plants. The Medicine Wheel of Plant Uses makes it easy. By tasting, smelling, feeling, looking, and even listening to the plants you can learn if they are poisonous, medicinal, or edible, and how to best use each one.

 

Hands-on Herbal Medicine /Summer Sunday/June 15

Get hands-on experience identifying, harvesting, and making herbal remedies from the marvelous plants of summer, including yarrow, motherwort, yellow dock, red clover, and comfrey. You'll create teas, infusions, vinegars, and tinctures.

"Your dynamic presence and remarkable story telling make
learning fun and easy."


Hands-on Herbal Medicine /Autumn Saturday/Sept. 13

Time to get ready to dig roots and make antioxidant honeys. Join me for a full day of identification, harvesting, preparing, and using the wild foods (including mushrooms) and medicines that grow all around us. Be prepared to get your hands dirty.

 


Chronic Problems Sunday/Sept.14

Wise Woman Ways and herbal helpers can relieve asthma, allergies, joint pain, candida, indigestion, headaches, backaches, PMS, menstrual pain, and lots more.

"I continue to relish the special communion I felt in that amazing circle of Wise Women."


Hands-On Winter Health Saturday/Oct. 4

Now's the time to make remedies to help prevent and treat winter's colds and flus, sore throats, coughs and fevers, sinus problems, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

 

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Join me for Work/Learn Days in 2008;
April 19, April 20, May 24, May 25, June 21, June 22, July 12, July 13, Aug.16, Aug.17, Sept.28, Oct.18, Oct.19


These one-day workshops (10AM-5PM) are taught outside among the plants, with Susun and the goats. Open to men and women, they include a wild-food lunch.

At each workshop we will identify, harvest, and use local plants for food and medicine.
Registration Fee: $75.

Women can join us for a moon lodge on the Friday of each of these weekends.

Overnight lodging for Friday and Saturday nights is available nearby.

 Please register by mail with a $25 deposit and remember to give us your address or fax number so we can confirm your place in class and send you a map of our location.

by mail: Susun Weed PO Box 64 Woodstock NY 12498
online:
www.ashtreepublishing.com

Women's Health Books at Ash Tree Publishing

 

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Susun's away from home schedule 2008

Contact individual sponsors for further information and registration details



February 14: Gainsville FL, 352-475-1258
March 14: Weekend at Pine Crone, Austin TX (Fern, 512-581-9939)
March 30 : Whole Life Expo in NYC (516-897-0900)
April 25: Menopause at Earth Spirits, Sturbridge MA (508-347-1180)
May 15 "Menopause Can Change Your Life!" Ashland, Oregon cancave@msn.com or (541)324-6021.
May 16-18: Wesak Gathering at Mt. Shasta CA (888-926-9255)
June 6-8: Midwest Herbal Conference in Winona MN (507-523-2447)
June 20 - Summer Solstice Weed Walk at Mirabai, Woodstock NY (845) 679-2100
www.mirabai.com
July 28- Aug 1: Goddess Conference, Glastonbury England (011-44-1458-833-933)
August 5-8: Findhorn Foundation, Scotland
September 5-7: Womens Mysteries with Z Budapest, Santa Cruz CA
September 19-21: Green Nations Gathering (802-293-5996)

 

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Healing Intensives for Women
with Susun Weed

these intensives are at the Wise Woman Center, Woodstock, NY

“Thank you for creating a place where women are challenged to know and share our deepest selves, our dearest dreams.”


GREEN WITCH INTENSIVE
Thurs-Sun/July 17- 20 2008

Reweave yourself in wholeness. Learn healing plants. Share sister spirit. Be initiated as a green witch.
4 days, 3 nights: $600. $100 deposit.

click here for more details...

 


 

 

 

GREEN GODDESS APPRENTICE WEEK
For women aged 14 - 84
August 18 - 24, 2008


A one-week apprenticeship for aspiring shamanic herbalists who want to learn from and play with the Green Goddess. And for past apprentices to share their wisdom and knowledge.
Class size limited


click here for more details on the green goddess week...
The cost of this one-week apprenticeship is $1300.



 

SPIRIT HEALING INTENSIVE
Oct 30-November 2, 2008

Celebrate the witches' new year and the Day of the Dead. Part the veil between the worlds and speak with the Ancient Ones. We'll journey deep, chant and craft a ritual of celebration and spirit healing.

4 days, 3 nights: $600. $100 deposit.


click here for more details...

 


 


susun weed travel schedule “To think I almost didn’t come to the Green Goddess Apprentice week.
You changed my life.” Green Blessings, Cindy


Register by mail: Susun Weed PO Box 64 Woodstock NY 12498
Register online:
www.ashtreepublishing.com

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Correspondence Courses

I offer four Correspondence Courses, each suitable for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. All courses are multicultural. Most students complete in 13-15 months, but there is no time limit. The course cost is the same for all students, regardless of where they live; international students are welcome!! Learn about my newest course -- ABC of Herbalism, click here to learn more about this correspondence course -- Study 52 herbs with Susun Weed.


Green Witch course helps you develop personal power in relationship to plants and the planet. You'll prepare an herbal first-aid kit, encounter your Goddess archetype, work with your menstrual/ menopausal energies, create rituals, and learn Wise Woman ways of living and healing. Includes 26 projects, books, tapes, talk time, gifts, more. Total cost $450

Spirit & Practice of the Wise Woman Tradition course helps you help yourself, your family, and others with the Three Traditions of Healing (Wise Woman, Heroic, Scientific) and the Seven Medicines (Serenity, Story, Energy, Lifestyle, Herbal/Alternative, Drugs, and Hi-Tech Medicine). Includes 26 projects, books, tapes, more. Total cost $450

Green Allies course teaches you all the basics, plus advanced workings, of herbal medicine. As you focus on one plant of your choice, you will learn the language of plants, connect with plant spirits (fairies, devas), make medicines, and discover the deep magic of plant give aways. Includes 26 projects, field guide, books, tapes, talk time, more. Total cost $450


ABC herbalism correspondence courseABC of Herbalism is a double-length course that guides you in the wise use of 52 herbs. You'll make teas, infusions, tinctures, vinegars, oils, honeys, poultices, soups, and beauty aids. Learn how to use herbs to build powerful immunity, boost nutrition, increase energy, and help ease problems of menopause, menstruation, asthma, allergies, cancer, headaches, heart disease, obesity, sleep problems, more. Develop a relationship with a green ally. Includes 52 projects, herbals, books, tapes, talk time, more. Total cost $550

Click here for lots more information about Correspondence Courses

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Shamanic Apprenticeships

Live-in shamanic apprentices join Susun's active, eventful life at Laughing Rock farm, learning as they work and play with the plants and animals. The program is intense: physically, emotionally, mentally.

If you just want a nice place in the country to study herbs, this is not it. But if you want to nourish your wholeness, to increase your wisdom as well as your knowledge, and to help reweave the healing cloak of the Ancients, then please read further.


Wise Woman Herbal Apprenticeship - Open to all

A live-out apprentice group limited to eight students. Begin April 5 with a special day for you, including a private tarot reading. After attending nine one-day classes, graduate (optional initiation) Oct. 5. Books, meals, camping, all materials included. Fee: $1100. (Work options available.)

“The strength I developed as an apprentice is rare in the world; it sustains me.”

“I can’t believe how much I learned in one week!”

 


Green Goddess Apprentice Week
for Women Only
Mon-Sun /August 18 - 24, 2008

Gather green allies, explore botany and plant spirit medicine, make remedies to take home, attend a moon lodge, learn yoga, find your Goddess archetype and your spirit shield, be initiated in a magical ceremony.
7 days, 6 nights, all supplies: $1300. (Work options available.)

“You are a wonderful teacher, with a skill for explaining things in a down-to-earth way that makes it easy to take the information and run with it, use it, live it."

 


Live-In Herbal Apprenticeships - For Women Only


Live with me for 6-13+ weeks as a Shamanic Herbal Apprentice.
You'll deepen with herbal medicines, spirit healing, green allies, Goddesses, consultations, trances, ceremonies, sisters, songs, tai chi, yoga, and surprises. Work exchange required.
Or live with me for 2+ weeks as a Simple Herbal Apprentice.

 


Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeships 2008 - For Women Only
April 1, May 6, June 10, August 12, Sept 9

 

“The Wise Woman Center is an incredible space for learning and growing:
the women are magnificent, the food stupendous, and the lessons continue to unfold.”

 

Click here for lots more information about Apprenticeships

 

 

"You are one of the few women in my life that I consider a way shower -- an example of my life-long quest -- learning to love myself. . . . Celebrate with me! I stood up for myself with the fierceness that I would use to protect my children -- without guilt."
Barbara ~ from a letter dated October 2002 (Barbara apprenticed in 1992 for two weeks)

 

"Exposure to the sun can burn my skin and hurt something wicked if I am unconscious and impatient and proud. But the sun's warmth and light nourishes me and fills me with energy and a clear vision of my path when I am conscious and respect Her boundaries. The sun's power is unquestionable, undeniable, and yet sort of invisible, important as breath. I will never forget to keep the 'sun' in Susun. Thank you for the exposure!"
Abbi ~ from a letter dated November 2002 (Abbi apprenticed in 2002 for 13 weeks)



"The days I spent apprenticing are unforgettable. Memories, daily tasks, objects, songs -- so many things remind me of those few weeks. Thanks for every word, thought, and hand you shared with me. And thanks to all the sisters I met during my stay. I think often of you and the generous energy that surrounds your house." Suzanne ~ from a letter dated January 2000 (Suzanne apprenticed in 1999 for 4 weeks)

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Susun Weed's Curriculum Vitae

 

Ms Weed has received the Twentieth Century Award for Achievement, is included in Who's Who of Intellectuals, was recognized as an Outstanding Person of the 20th Century, and was nominated as International Woman of the Year. Her books and appearances have helped millions of women attain better health and become more powerful in themselves.

Ms Weed has no diplomas of any kind, having left high school in her junior year to pursue mathematics and artificial intelligence at UCLA, and having left there in her junior year to pursue life. She began studying her study of herbal medicine in 1965.

Her areas of focus are: folkloric herbalism, eco-herbalism, ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, philosophy and psychology of healing, comparative religion, and women's health/spirituality. She is especially interested in altered states of consciousness as they pertain to learning, healing, birthing, and dying; and the role of plants in these states.

Ms. Weed has four books in print (Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year; Healing Wise; Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way; and Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way) in English, French, and German, is published in peer-reviewed journals ( Journal of Nurse-Midwifery), writes a regular column in Sagewoman, and is the star of two professional video tapes (Weeds to the Wise and Menopause Metamorphosis).

She sits on many advisory boards: Oregon Menopause Project, CIIS, Above & Beyond Hope Sanctuary, and Weston A. Price Wise Traditions Foundation. The Routledge Encyclopedia of Women's Studies includes her entries on herbalism, menopause, and nutrition. She's been on numerous radio and TV shows including Fresh Air Radio, National Public Radio, NBC News, Prescription for Health, Ask the Family Doctor, Wisdom Channel, and America's Talking.

Susun S. Weed has instructed students at venues such as: Yale Nurse Midwifery School, State University of New York (Scholar-in-residence), Kripalu Yoga Center, Benedictine Hospital, Vassar Brothers Hospital, Northern Dachas Hospital, Conn. Inst. for Herbal Studies,California School of Herbal Studies, New York Open Center, Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies, Florida School of Midwifery, American College of Nurse Midwives, University of Rhode Island, Uni. of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, Rowe Conference Center, Interface Institute, Sufi Order Healing School, Heart of the Goddess Center, John Bastyr Naturopathic College, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Hawkwind Earth Uni, and Self Heal Herbal Center.

She has also trained health-care professionals abroad at such prestigious schools as: The Kosmos/Amsterdam, Waikato College of Herbal Studies/New Zealand, Weg der Mitte/Berlin, Brustgesundheit Centrum/Germany, Arkuna/Munich, Frankfurter Ring/Germany, Australasian College of Herbal Studies/Australia, and Elfenbank/Holland.

During the past decade she has been a featured teacher at: Green Nations Herbal Gathering, International Herb Symposium, Women's Herbal Conference, Women's Spirituality Forum, HerbFest, Pacific Northwest Herbal Symposium, Midwifery Today Conference, Alaskan Midwives Conference, and Midwives Association of North America (MANA) conferences.

Susun is an initiated member of the Wolf Clan and the Sisterhood of the Shields; she is a Peace Elder. Her adopted Native American grandmothers are Twylah Nitsch and Keywaydinoquay. She is the founder of the Wise Woman Center and Ash Tree Publishing and the voice of the Wise Woman Tradition.

SUSUN WEED PO Box 64, Woodstock NY 12498

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Advice for You


Disclaimer: This information is shared with the understanding that you accept responsibility for your own health and well-being. The results of any treatment can not always be anticipated and never guaranteed. Consult your inner guidance, knowledgeable friends, and trained healers in addition to the writings here.


Below you will find a sampling of past questions and answers:

January 2002

Sheep sorrel and nursing is it safe?
Oatstraw infusion increases sexual desire
So you want to study herbal medicine?
Six steps of healing for bladder kidney health
Flax seed oil goes rancid in five minutes!
Soy products should be avoided
Witch hazel eases hemorrhoid swelling
Comfrey leaves no problem; comfrey root, watch out
Low-fat diet can be causing sporadic periods
Our grandmothers had kids into their fifties!
Echinacea and yarrow help for bacterial vaginitis
Hysterectomy does not mean you need to take hormones

December 2001

Avoid Echinacea on a daily basis
The "disease" Candida is a myth
Rosecea - use burdock, yarrow, or aloe vera gel
Infusions or tinctures? There are differences..
Increase your bone mass naturally - not with Fosomax
Wise Woman Ways for You - nourishing our own unique wholeness
Wild Yam Cream does nothing - don't buy the hype
Ten tips for women with PMS - and why to avoid supplements
Does wild yam tincture work? It depends on your body...
Avoid using sheep sorrel while nursing - it's dangerous!
The path to success is strewn with failure

November 2001

Bones Need High-Quality Fats
Infusion of Raspberry leaf - uterine tonic
Orgasms increase fertility!
Hypericum perforatum is the herb for herpes
Hot flashes are healthy!
Recipe for Brewing Infusion of Red Clover
Initiating Delayed Labor Naturally

October 2001

Seaweed helps to remove heavy metals
Nettle strengthens the kidneys, adrenals, and liver
Nourishing Herbal Infusions rather than estrogen and progesterone
Motherwort tincture to lower blood pressure
Use Wild Yam or Vitex to increase fertility
Red Raspberry strengthens uterus and prevents miscarriages
Red Clover, Nettle, and lots of lentils boost phytoestrogens and reduce cancer risk
Thank you for the blessing of your books - from childbearing to menopause - Beth

September 2001

Use Burdock for a healthy cervix!
Yellow Dock root is an excellent iron tonic...
Motherwort tincture for a healthy heart...
Menopause and Heart Palpitations?

August 2001

Cayenne and Flooding


If you have a personal health question for Susun, she has a free hotline

Every Tuesday evening (from Mid-April to the end of October) from 7:30 to 9:30 EST

Call: 845-246-8081

NOTE: It is helpful if you have read Susun's article and books before calling her, as you will find answers to your preliminary question there and so Susun will be able to help you with more indepth questions you may have.


visit www.healing-wise.com for more questions and answers

 

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