URBAN FORAGING - A TASTE OF WILDERNESS AND WELLNESS IN THE CITY

We will explore the wilder, less walked parts of Leazes Park where the native medicinal plants thrive. You will learn to identify the medicinal and edible plants available at this time of the year in one of the central parks in Newcastle. 

Yes, you heard me right!  There are glimpses of wilderness,  much food for free and herbal medicine, even in the city, for those who have the eyes to see it.

In this outdoor activity you will have the opportunity to train your eyes to see the plenty that surrounds us in nature. You will be invited to connect deeply and somatically to the environment and to listen to the land through simple rituals and mindfulness practices which will help you to develop reciprocal a relationship with the beings of the land. 

You will learn how to forage sustainably and how to give thanks to the land and the plant beings who share their medicine with you. You will learn the medicinal properties of the herbs we encounter and how to use them for remedies, food, art and rituals.

And lastly you will receive herbal spreadsheets to take home which will help you with plant identification and experimenting in your own kitchen with the plants we collect. Covered will be things like how to dry and preserve the herbs, their medicinal uses, recipes and easy to make herbal remedies as well as some plant-lore.

What to expect:

• Introduction with somatic mindfulness exercise - grounding us  in the body and the environment, and opening us up energetically for connection& communication with the plants.
• Foraging walk in Leazes park
• Picnic Time - vegan, gluten-free snacks made with foraged ingredients will be available.
• Brewing tea from the herbs we’ve collected on a camping stove (bring big bottle of water with you for the tea and to wash the herbs)
• Tea Ritual & Sharing Moon Circle
• Creating Flower Mandala to offer to the land as thanks for allowing us to forage there.
• Closing the space