the sacred garden: tending the soil & soul

welcome to the sacred garden ~
a workshop ceremony with kate clearlight

this listing is to purchase the 2023 recorded virtual class, which includes:

~ recordings of parts 1 & 2 of the class, and recorded audio meditations- a total of over 6 hours of class time {both parts are also available individually}
~ a PDF with invitations and practices for class prep
~ a resource list with books, tools, and supply resources mentioned during class
~ an audio recording of a Q&A with questions sent by participants

*~—~*

Did you know that within the roots of each plant lives a family of gnomes, working around the clock - with great joy- to transfer ancient nutrients from the soil into the body of the plant? To help each plant grow and become its most vibrant authentic self? We are allowed to take this as literally or as metaphorically as we please.

Scientific or spiritual, what matters is that we become curious about the myriad of efforts that allow one single flower, or stone, or cloud, or human, to simply exist. Does a flower have consciousness, like us? How does each flower long to be cared for? How do you long to be cared for? This mystical exploration has been the catalyst on my path as a gardener- I simply have not found a more potent place on earth to study this great mystery than the garden.

As we wander together in the curious realms of the gnomes, with an inquiry around the human ecological niche, participants will find that this is not an entirely practical gardening class. This class is an invitation into your own sacred apprenticeship as a gardener, entering into your own contract to be guided by the garden itself. My dream within offering this class is to help others find their own mythopoetic unfolding as a devoted tender of self and place - What is the story longing to be told within you, and how is it already alive in the land around you? The garden is a palette for these precious myths to unfold before your eyes.

And on that note, please know that you absolutely do not need to currently have a garden, or any gardening experience, in order to participate in this class. The dream of a garden is more than enough.

The class is split into two parts — The first part sets the foundation for deepening your relationship with Earth as a conscious being, understanding the elements, the directions, and beginning to study the nature spirits at work in the garden. The second part is where we put these relationships into practice, brewing potions for soil health and plant vitality, as we discuss the plants, the moon and stars, and many other ways of interacting with the beauty and magic of the garden.

Here is a bit more of what each part of the class will touch upon:  

part 1 — the hidden folk (the underworld)

This class is an invitation into partnership with the nature spirits, elemental beings, and ancestral allies, as a foundational starting place for co-creating beauty with the Earth. this is a study of the imaginal and the unseen friendships in the realms of Earth's mystery. we will discuss the question of the human ecological niche, and how we fit into the conversation with the wild ones, the soil beings, the stone people, and so on.

-We will take a deep dive into the role of the 4 elements in the garden space, as animated and cared for by the mythical and literal elemental beings

-We will cover nature spirit communion and communication, meditations and earth altars. How can we court the nature spirits and invite them into partnership with us in our gardens?

-Orienting ourselves with the four directions as archetypal allies and a map for the soul journey

-Cultivating sacred reciprocity and working with the garden as a soul mirror and a Muse Beloved. Creating altars and offerings.

part 2 — the star water cauldron (the upperworld)

This class focuses on creating cosmic magical brews and love potions to offer to the earth, to your garden, the trees, or any place that you wish to imbue with life force and consciousness. Infused with the signature of the cosmos and the power of ancient earth minerals, and activated by your intention, these potions contain a unique and varying array of nutrient-rich fresh plants along with vibrational essences, ferments, extracts and floral, root, leaf, seed and fungi powders.

-We will cover both magical and practical applications of *garden elixirs*, in order to enhance overall vitality and aliveness of the garden. This will include discussion of biodynamic preps as well as other biodynamic-inspired potion recipes

-We will discuss the theories behind Rudolf Steiner's work with the relationship between the plants and cosmos

-An exploration of the cosmic planting calendar for understanding how to work with the celestial forces for activating our gardens and our garden preps

-A dive into working with Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO's) as well as specific vibrational remedies for land healing and other applications specific for activating elemental forces that may be depleted or out of balance

-My favorite plants to grow in my garden, based on each plant's elemental correspondence. Includes medicinal herbs, edible flowers, veggies, and plants for magic and ceremony,

-Ideas on soil health, compost, mulching, tools, watering systems

*~ PRACTICAL DETAILS ~*

Once you have registered, you will receive a PDF file via email containing a list of pre-workshop "invitations" - meditations and explorations to begin working with. These are all optional, but will greatly deepen your experience of the class if you do choose to dive in!

In the days following the new moon and Equinox, you will receive an email with the class recordings. These will be sent one week apart. These will be attachments via google drive which you can then download to your phone/computer.

The class prep PDF with pre-class invitations will be sent starting 3/1

Please reach out to me if you have questions about either the content or logistics of this class, or if financial help is needed in order to attend!! Please know your presence in the class is valuable regardless of financial exchange. Members of the BIPOC community are also invited to reach out to me to be added to the class free of charge.

If you attended this class in the past, know that there will be some overlap info shared, as well as a lot of new content. This class continues to evolve as my own relationship with Earth grows and deepens.

A few words from students in the past year' classes:

"Kate opens doorways to the mystery! I have taken this class every time she's offered it and will continue to sign up forever! My garden altars keep getting more elaborate each year as the fairies help me decorate. I didn't know my life could be this magical." -Abby, California

"Kate's teachings are a gift to the world. Everyone needs to experience a class with her to know what I'm talking about. Your heart will be touched in the best way." -Sarah, Oregon

"I have watched my garden become a radiant living being, thanks to the sacred garden classes. We have deep conversations and I keep meeting new parts of myself and the earth. I have been taking classes with Kate since the 2017 International Herb Symposium and always sign up right away when I see she's offering a class. She helps something wake up within me that I have not found access to elsewhere." -Katherine, Maine