Healing our hearts begins in the garden. Learn how to connect deeply with plants and the other-than-human world at a magical herb farm in upstate NY. Susanna Raeven, herbalist, Earth Wisdom Keeper and owner of Raven Crest Botanicals, will take you on a green journey into the realm of plants and their many medicines for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. We will experience the animals, flowers and trees in our woodlands from a place of deep connection with the natural world and open up pathways to let LOVE flow freely between all beings in the garden. 

Together, we will practice the honorable harvest, gather fresh herbs and prepare herbal medicines, experience the alchemy of a hydrosol distillation, make a flower essence and pray for the waters. "Green Yoga" with sound bath,  guided meditations, dipping in our lovely swimming pond and loving the land will fill our days together. 

This is going to be a truly magical weekend with our herb garden in bloom, the woodlands full of moss and fragrance and the creek rushing with sacred waters. The spirits of the plants and the land can't wait to meet you. 

Susanna Raeven: Susanna is a community herbalist, wise woman, medicinal herb grower and owner of Raven Crest Botanicals. She holds in her heart awe and deepest appreciation for the plant world and the passion to connect people with plants for healing. She lives and breathes with the plants in her gardens. Her prayers are for the Earth and all precious beings who flourish on her. While practicing Western herbalism, Susanna applies the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and calls on the wisdom of healing master plants from the Amazon. She offers herbal consultations, leads plant walks, is a guest teacher at Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism and hosts herbal retreats.

Samuel Perry:

Samuel Perry is a clinical herbalist and dedicated student of Buddhism. Having engaged extensively in both the Tibetan Lam Rim and the rigorous training of the Zen tradition, Sam carries a deep understanding and practical experience of meditation.  His work as an herbalist and his knowledge of and love for the living world offers a unique vantage point from which to engage these practices. His commitment to the ever-unfolding awakening of all beings is expressed in a playful and fluid style.

Katya Vasilyeva –  Chef:

We are excited and grateful to have Katya back as our retreat chef this season! Her delicious vegetarian and vegan meals are healing to the body and exciting to the senses alike. For Katya, eating healthy is a way to nourish a deep connection to Nature. Her culinary creations are attuned to the principles of Ayurveda, one of the oldest known teachings of food as medicine. Katya believes in the power of whole foods to nurture and heal. Her multi-cultural recipes are deeply in tune with the energies of the seasons and include local fruits and vegetables, organic whole grains and legumes.

The joy of food is a key elements in Katya's cooking. Tasting her food during our retreats is a multidimensional experience. Fresh edible flowers from our garden are decorating every dish. She enjoys how much pleasure a meal cooked with love brings, and how people share warmth and conversations over food. To her, food is about togetherness, joy, celebration, vitality and life!

COVID REQUIREMENTS It is most important to us to provide a safe and COVID free environment during our events. Due to the ongoing pandemic we require all instructors, helpers, volunteers, chefs and participants to provide a negative COVID test (Antigen or PCR) taken within 24 hours before the start of the retreat. We are asking for proof of negative test results with the full name of each person before being admitted to the event. We are also asking participants, helpers and instructors to limit their contact with other people in the preceding days before the event and follow general covid safety guidelines. Summer 2022 is still a while away and these requirements are subject to change as our journey during these times continues. 

• Delicious vegetarian and vegan meals

• Beautiful accommodations

• Yoga/soundscape, herb harvests, song circle,  making herbal medicines, guided meditation, making flower essences, water blessing... and more green magic that does not fit on this page

Your non-refundable $200 deposit will reserve your spot.