A reading and study group for people interested in herbal lore, medicinal plants, and herbal properties will first meet at the Cacapon State Park Lodge on Tuesday, April 16, under the direction of local herbalist Iris Kirsch. It will be held. This group is free and open to the public. 
The first meeting on April 16th will be held in the Park Lodge lounge area from 4pm to 6pm and will focus on energetics/element theory.
Many traditions, including Appalachian Indigenous, European Eclectic, Himalayan Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, recognize essential elemental properties of herbs, foods, behaviors, and emotions.
“It may sound strange, but most of us can agree that cinnamon, garlic, whiskey, sunshine, dancing, and anger are all healing. In energetic terms, they are It all has an element of fire in it,” Kirsch said. “This is obviously a big topic and we can only scratch the surface, but over the next few months we will be returning to the energetics concept many times and understanding it more and more each time.”
Join a group that explores different aspects of herbalism, from energetics to growing herbs to nourishing your health.
The meeting will be held at the Cacapon State Park Lodge. Enter through the main door and turn right. Walk past the gift shop and find a group in a cozy seating area. Monthly meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month until September. The meeting dates are May 21st, June 18th, July 16th, August 20th, and September 17th.
The group reads a text that explores energetics and herbs.
Below are some suggestions.
– Energetic Herbalism: A Guide to Sacred Plant Traditions
– Integrating Elements of Vitalism, Ayurveda, and Chinese Medicine, by Kat Meyer, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2021
– Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing: A Practical Guide, by Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, 1985
Do you have a lot of time to read?try A Web Without a Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine Ted Kupchak, McGraw-Hill, 1983.
Don’t have time to read? You can watch a conversation between Kat Meyer and Rosemary Gladstar on YouTube about this very topic.
Don’t have time to read? no problem! The group welcomes members’ curiosity, insight, and lived experience.
Do I need to bring my kids? No problem! As long as they can sit quietly (or struggle or fidget), they are welcome. Please bring your own coloring books and art supplies.
Should I bring dad? no problem! We welcome participants of all ages, whether or not they can drive themselves.
Iris Kirsch is a local herbalist and herb grower who is as passionate about reading and bringing people together as she is about the magic of plants. Along with her loving family, she grows healing plants and crafts them into fun and nourishing potions. The address is at Warm Springs Herbal (9696 Valley Rd), just outside Cacapon State Park. Her roadside pharmacy will reopen this summer with a variety of events and experiences.
Have questions? Call Iris at 304-969-5699 or email Iris@insideoutwholeness.net.
