Way of the Herbs: The Sacred Turnings with Plant Spirit Initiations

Journey in community, dream with a herbal guide, connect to the seasons, practice Irish folk magic and remember our ancestral traditions.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. We begin at Winter Solstice.

Join us for Way of the Herbs: Plant Spirit Initiations, a yearlong gathering honoring the sacred turnings of the ancient Irish Wheel of the Year. 

Over our year together we will welcome the mystery and enlivening, the imbas (wordless knowledge offered by nature and cosmic rhythms ) and draiócht (magic and enchantment) of eight herbs that align with the energies offered by each of the sacred turnings on the Irish Wheel of the Year.  We will dream with the plants in wake time and in sleep time, opening to their nonverbal messages through sensual engagement, deep listening and keen observation.

We will connect the herbs in a ritual tea ceremony, invoking their energy through the elements, be guided into a plant spirit journey, create altars and spells, and remember the wild within and without.  

We meet for ritual (via Zoom) on each of the sacred turnings beginning with Winter Solstice in December 2025 and ending with Samhain, the Celtic New Year, in November 2026.  For each of the celebrations, we will invoke a herb that aligns with the energies of that season, deepening with their wisdom through a plant spirit journey and invitations to engage with them.  

ALL SESSIONS WILL BE RECORDED AND THE REPLAY SENT OUT THE FOLLOWING DAY.

In dreaming with the herbs, we remember that gathering in community, honoring the seasons and the cycles of the cosmos, brings us back into relationship with the land and our intimate connection to them and each other. 

May we remember the magic found in honoring these turnings, reflected by the wisdom of the herbs.

In Way of the Herbs: Plant Spirit Initiations we will:

• Connect to honor the ancient turnings

• Celebrate with a herbal tea ritual

• Ally with a a herb for each turning

• Remember and embody what it means to engage with the wild Deepen into our relationship with the elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth

• Initiate spells and other rituals throughout the season

• Come into relationship and intimacy with the land and the seasons

• Connect with your wild nature, within and without

  GATHERINGS:

  We will meet for 2.5 hours, eight times throughout the year on Sundays at 9-11:30 PT/ 10- 12:30 MT/ noon- 2:30 ET/ 17- 19:30 GMT/ 

  All sessions will be recorded and the replay sent out within 24 hours.

  DATES, SACRED TURNING AND HEBAL GUIDE

  21 December 2025: Winter Solstice/ Elderberry

  1 February 2026: Imbolc/ Lady’s mantle

  22 March: Spring Equinox/ Vervain

  3 May: Bealtaine/ Rose

  21 June: Summer Solstice/ Motherwort 

  2 August: Lughnasa/ Angelica

  20 September: Autumn Equinox/ Mullein

  8 November: Samhain/ Yew (sacred tree in the Irish Wisdom Tradition, to be worked with energetically, not imbibed)

  
  Please gather an ounce or more of the designated herb before each gathering.  

  Reciprocation:

  $295/ 250 euro for the year

  Pay in full or pay ⅓ now ($147.50/ 125 euro) and ½ ($147.50/ 125 euro) in March 2026

  To register, please send payment via Venmo (@Tonja-Reichley) or PayPal HERE. Please include your email address in the notes section.

• Direct bank transfer also available, be in touch.

  Email with any questions: tonjareichley@gmail.com

  Scholarships (NON-needs based) are available to black, indigenous and women of color. Please contact me at tonjareichley@gmail.com.