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Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

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SCHOOL | 7SONG | | Blog

Chaga

October 22, 2017 by 7Song

Sulphur Shelf, Chicken-of-the-Woods
St. Johns Wort

Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Inonotus obliquus

Common Name: Chaga

Family: Chaga

Common Name: Hymenochaetaceae

Locale:

Specific Region: Adirondacks, NY

Description: Growing on Black Birch (Betula lenta). Photo ©2017 7Song. All rights reserved.

Date: August 3, 2003

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No Widgets

"Secondary" needs some widgets.

The students accompany me each year to the Gatheri

The students accompany me each year to the Gathering. It is not always easy and can definitely bring up social anxiety. Also, many of the students have not done this kind of first aid work, and if one does not have good boundaries, it can be mentally and physically exhausting. Fortunately, we have an MD, PA, and RN amongst the students to help at the clinic. None of this year's students has been to a Rainbow Gathering, so there were quite a few talks on what to expect and how to take care of oneself over the past few weeks.

We are starting a new first aid station this year called 'Everybody's Medical First Aid and Wellness Station. Our goal is to create a safe, caring environment. We hope to have a diversity of health care workers, both holistic and conventional. And also have a teaching area for people interested in teaching and learning various aspects of health care.
After the Rainbow Gathering, the class will go on a field trip into the Rockies. I look forward to being in this beautiful part of the world and visiting the plants (without the drumming).

That’s enough for now, time for a bit more packing. Be prepared for post Rainbow Gathering stories soon. ~7Song

To see the checklist-go to 7Song.com>Resources>Handouts & Articles> and scroll down to
First aid>First Aid Checklist 2022
Or use this link
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.128/039.b3c.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Rainbow-Gathering-First-Aid-Checklist-for-Website-2022.pdf

Rainbow Gathering 2022 Take a deep breath and get

Rainbow Gathering 2022
Take a deep breath and get a snack, this is going to be a long post.

It's been a while since I have last written, as this is about the busiest time of the year for me, preparing for the upcoming Rainbow Gathering.
I have previously written about the Rainbow Gathering, so I will only cover a few details here. But one thing to know is that this is the 50th year. It will be in Routt Medicine Bow National Forest, Colorado, at about 8500'. Back to this later

I have been going since 1981. I have only missed 4 Gatherings, two due to the recent pandemic. I have mixed feelings about the Rainbow Gathering, though I have learned a tremendous amount there, especially working at the first aid stations since 1990. Over the years, I have been involved in various ways, including setting them up from scratch, something I appreciatively have not had to do in the past 10 years.
I have always been an herbalist and health care practitioner at these free events. They are off-the-grid and far from any local medical clinics, so we have to take care of all medical needs, from simple issues such as sunburns to emergencies.

A big concern this year is that some elderly folks (looking at myself) will be coming to celebrate the 50th. But the altitude and strenuous walking, especially carrying gear, will be difficult for some. I hope there will be a satellite first aid station close to the parking area.

I have been packing, packing, packing for the past few weeks and have little time for much else. Yes, I am complaining. I have finally packed my car to the hilt and will spend tonight and tomorrow morning getting my personal gear together. I am carrying a lot of herbal preparations (see checklist), and the students will help me haul my sh*t-ton of gear into the Gathering.

These Roses are dry Their aroma, sublime The poetr

These Roses are dry
Their aroma, sublime
The poetry still awful
But Roses can help the mind unwind

Tonight, I gathered the Rose petals and buds while they were dry. And their aroma sweeps across my senses, delightful in every way. Tomorrow I will prepare a tincture from them.
While Roses can bring joy, my mood is still melancholy, so I listen to The Brian Jonestown Massacre song- David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTc4C3vWows...
And a very good night to you all.

Roses are pink These Roses are wet This is some te

Roses are pink
These Roses are wet
This is some terrible poetry
But take Roses when you are upset

Ride from the Airport-part 2of 2 The ride continue

Ride from the Airport-part 2of 2
The ride continued to take unexpected turns.
We were driving along town roads to avoid the traffic on the interstate and came up onto a car accident that had very recently happened. I asked Terry if she wouldn’t mind waiting while I went to see if I could help. I jumped out of the van and saw that the people helping were kind but inexperienced, so I went into the back seat and gently stabilized her head while someone sat and spoke with the driver while we waited for the ambulance. The driver was incoherent, but she seemed stable, though her head was bleeding. There was some smoke, but it was just coming from the deflated airbag, so she didn't have to be moved from the vehicle, which was very fortunate.
The ambulance and fire truck soon arrived, and I was glad to let them take over.
So, back in the van and off to the conference with more lively conversation.
As we got close to the conference, we saw a black bear and 2 young cubs, and so once again, we stopped while I took some photos and felt like this will be the beginning of a very interesting conference. ~7Song, Black Mountain, NC. June 3, 2022

Ride from the Airport-part 1 of 2 I had one of my

Ride from the Airport-part 1 of 2
I had one of my most unique rides from an airport yesterday.
I had to wake up at 4 am to catch a morning flight to teach at the Medicines from the Earth conference in North Carolina. I am one of those people who does not usually sleep well when they have to get up early. Instead, I wake up regularly throughout the night to check the time (even with 2 alarms set).
This just sets the stage for my weary traveling self.
After 3 flights, I arrived at the Asheville airport, where a designated taxi was giving me a ride to the conference. And here is where it starts to get interesting.
I felt like I would just fall right asleep as soon as I got into my ride. Instead, I started speaking to the driver and found out that for the past 30 years, she had been part of a female empowerment organization, which piqued my interest, which started a long and interesting conversation. I asked if she ever thought about running for political office, and she said, "I've been mayor twice and also on the city council." Well, I felt a bit foolish, but also was thinking, 'did she just say she was mayor?’. And in fact, she had been the Asheville mayor for 2 terms (her name is Terry), which of course, just kicked the conversation up a few notches. I mentioned that I previously had a student whose mother had been mayor of Asheville (Leni Sitnick)and Terry said she had worked with her, and that Leni had helped her get more involved in politics. And conversation continued.

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