Eliot Cowan and Plant Spirit Medicine
Plant Spirit Medicine (or PSM) is not at all a new modality. It's quite old in both it's component parts, though it's currently a small and growing movement. Eliot Cowan's work has brought together 2 ancient healing techniques... the Chinese 5 Elements & Indigenous Herbalism (this isn't so much a specific modality as a world view and relationship with the living world).My teacher, Eliot Cowan, founded PSM after decades of acupuncture and a 14 year apprenticeship as Tsaurirrikame ("shaman" though only colonials use this term) in the Huichol tradition. He recently did an interview for a podcast called Future Primitive. Check out Feb.11 and give it a listen. He's an incredibly powerful speaker. The interviewer is so entranced by his words, at one point she forgets that she's leading the interview. it's cute. I'd encourage everyone to listen to it. He has remarkable things to say and I find it deeply nourishing whenever I have the opportunity to take in his teachings.He has 2 up-coming events that I'm really excited about. The first is a relatively new gathering in called Ancient Wisdom Rising. It's happening in Port Townsend in North Washington, so it's nice and close for us Northwesterns. 
What This Crazy World Needs NowWhy Are 7 Elders Coming To Port Townsend?Free Teleconference Feb. 24 with Mayan Daykeeper Erick Gonzalez |
My partner's currently in conversation with event organizers about how closely the event is embodying ancient wisdoms and traditional cultures specifically around celebration, acceptance and support of children and parents. They currently have no programing for children, but "may next year." My heart aches about this because I long to find a community that has both an earth-centred practice that's connected to traditional teachings and lineage and inclusivity of children.And the 2nd event, I'll be going to *yay!* because it's happening in Canada (a rare treat). Healing Retreat with Eliot Cowan May 2011 (click to open pdf) Eliot is offering a 5 day Healing Retreat at a beautiful retreat centre about 20 minutes drive (1 hr bike) from Collingwood, ON. The retreat centre is called Kimbercote. I used to be a board member there and spent a summer living on and exploring their 100 acres adjacent to the Bruce Trail. It's a truly magnificent place! And the week will no doubt be quite wonderful.Strength & Wisdom.
garliq