Sacred Teachings of the Plants
Exploring the Heart of Green Medicine
July 23 ~ 25, 2010
- Registration begins at 1 o’clock on Friday;
- Opening Circle is at 3 p.m.
- Program concludes at approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for joining us for Sacred Teachings of the Plants. It had been a long time dream of ours to offer an herbal retreat where our entire focus was on the sacred nature of plants and deepening our connection to that sacredness. 4 years ago, we offered the first Sacred Teachings of the Plants Herbal Retreat on Sage Mountain and it’s quickly grown to be one of our favorite programs. Using ceremony, ritual, workshops, story telling, song and celebration, we venture into the magical realm of plants, allowing each person to deepen their connection. Life changing events often occur from such connection…
We have an outstanding group of teachers who will be joining us for this event, all of whom have devoted a large part of their lives to being in ‘sacred relationship’ with plants. The focus of the weekend will be experiential with lots of opportunities to be with and relate to the plant spirits that are everywhere around us. We’re delighted you’ve chosen to join us ~ Come prepared to celebrate, drum, sing and communicate with plants, to explore and experience the heart and soul of green medicine….
Schedule
- * A full schedule is planned that includes workshops, `hearts on’ experiential activities that are designed to give you a direct experience with plants. There will be plant medicine walks, a purification lodge, sauna, and time to just relax and renew in the wild hearted beauty of Sage Mountain. A complete schedule of classes and events will be given to participants upon arrival.
- * Registration beings at 1 p.m. on Friday. You’re welcome to arrive any time after noon to set up camp, soak in the hot tub, hike, enjoy a cup of tea and relax a bit from your travels.
- * Opening circle and ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.
- * Dinner will be served at 6 o’clock.
- * Be sure to have lunch before arriving or bring a picnic lunch with you as the first meal begins with dinner Friday night. Tea and light snacks will be available upon arrival.
- * The retreat will be over around 3 p.m. on Sunday
Accommodations & What to Bring
Our facilities are rustic but comfortable. We have a classroom with a sleeping loft, a large yurt that doubles both as a classroom and sleeping area, and massage room that doubles as an indoor sleeping area. All of these spaces, though warm, dry, and comfortable, are shared sleeping areas, and do not offer privacy or the comfort of private bathrooms. If planning to sleep in any of these areas, be sure to bring a sleeping bag and pad. Because there is limited indoor sleeping space and it gets crowded, we highly encourage camping as it provides peace, privacy, and the opportunity to experience nature closely. We have a beautiful meadow and woodland camping areas. There are indoor bathrooms/showers for your convenience. If you wish for more comfort and privacy, we’ve included a list of B & B's and inns in the surrounding area. You can also inquire at the Barre/Montpelier Chamber of Commerce for a more extensive lodging list.
July is the height of our summer and is generally quite lovely. However, we are situated in the mountains and throughout the year the weather can change dramatically moment by moment, part of the beauty and wonder of our surroundings. Bring casual comfortable clothing for all kinds of weather including cold weather clothing, good hiking shoes, a warm sweater or jacket, and rain gear is always a must on the mountain.
Bring the following items:
- Please note; we ask people to remove their shoes in the classrooms; you might wish to bring slippers or heavy socks and shoes that are easy to slip on/off
- Also, we don’t get cell phone reception at Sage Mountain; we do have a phone for student use in our library (short quick calls only).
__ Rain gear (a must) __ Water proof tent __ Warm Sleeping Bag/pad
__ Flashlight __ Comfortable clothing for all types of weather
__ Swim suit (optional for hot tub/sauna/purification lodge) __ jacket for evenings
__ Good comfortable walking shoes (best if they slide off easily for ‘no shoes’ classrooms)
__ Slippers or heavy socks are nice for classrooms as shoes are not allowed indoors
__ Personal toiletries I __ insect repellent __ Sun screen
__ Towels (at least two) __ Note pads/pens/pencils __ Personal snack items
__ Coffee (if you have caffeine needs) __ Ceremonial objects such as drums, rattles, etc.
Nearby Hotels and Inns
If you prefer to stay in town, we’re located approximately 15 minutes from Barre and 25 minutes
from Montpelier. Both towns have a variety of nice lodging options. For more options, contact the Barre or Montpelier Chamber of Commerce. The following often offer discounts to Sage MT Students so inquire when phoning:
- The Millstone (the closest to us). Very nice accommodations: 802-479-1000
- Maplecroft B & B, 802.476.0760 Barre, Vt. (Mention you’re with Sage for a discount)
- The Hollow Motel, Barre (802) 479-9313 (Mention you’re with Sage; they often offer a discount)
- Betsy Bed & Breakfast, Montpelier, (802) 229-0466
- Seyon State Park, Groton. (lodging in big old rustic home; very nice) (802) 479-3241.
Meals
- Catered meals included in your program begin with dinner on Friday and conclude with lunch on Sunday. Meals are delicious, home cooked, and primarily lacto-vegetarian (vegetarian with eggs and dairy). Occasionally fish and/or chicken are served. If you have special dietary needs and contact us in writing at least two weeks in advance of the program, we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs. Though you’re fed well at these events, you may wish to bring personal snack items; the nearest store is a few miles away. Herbal tea & spring water is available throughout the day. We don't serve coffee, but you're welcome to bring your own.
When We Begin & End
- Sacred Plant Medicine begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 23 and concludes around 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2010. Registration will begin at 1. You’re welcome to arrive anytime after noon on Friday to set up your campsite; however, due to our busy schedule at Sage, we’re unable to extend an invitation to spend either Thursday or Sunday night. Thank you for your understanding. We will be happy to send a list of lodging options for those evenings, if requested. .
Miscellaneous Details
- * For your enjoyment: We have a large outdoor Jacuzzi which is lovely for star gazing and a large cedar sauna that we can fire up one evening. Swimsuits optional.
- * Because of limited space, only registered participants will be able to stay at Sage. If camping with family members, contact Groton State Forest. They have lovely family camp sites on a lake.
- * Please no pets. We love animals; but we also have lots of wild animals that we encourage to live here. For that reason and several others, we request that you leave your pets at home. Thank you.
Travel Information to Sage
- If driving see directions below. To estimate driving time: Sage Mountain is a good healthy three hour drive from Boston; 5 hours from New York City; 1 1/2 hours from Burlington; 30 minutes from Montpelier; and 20 minutes from Barre.
- If flying: fly into Burlington International Airport, Burlington, Vermont. It is approximately 1 ½ hour from the airport to Sage Mt. If you need us to arrange pick up service from the airport, you must plan your flight to be at the airport before noon on Friday. Pick up service is generally around noon so we can get everyone back to Sage MT in time to register and for opening circle.
- Plan your departure flight for Sunday evening after 6 p.m. or, alternatively, plan to spend the night in the lovely lakeside town of Burlington and fly out the following morning.
- We can help arrange pick up and drop off services to the airport if we know your schedule in advance (at least two weeks in advance, please). There is an additional fee for this (usually around $45 dollars round trip), depending on how many people need to be picked up at the airport.
"If it's the greatest and the highest that you seek, The plant can direct you. Strive to become through your will what, Without will, it is".... Goethe
Registration Information
- Cost of Sacred Teaching of the Plants is $325 and includes catered meals, camping, and all activities.
- A $100 non refundable/non transferable deposit is required to hold you place.
- Your final payment is due by June 1st.
- Make checks payable to Sage/Sacred Plant Teachings, P.O. Box 420, E. Barre, VT 05649.
- Neither deposits or tuition are refundable or transferable.
- This workshop fills up quickly, so register early to avoid disappointment.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call our office.
Sage Mountain Herbs; P.O. Box 420, E. Barre, Vermont, 05649 (802)-479-9825
DIRECTIONS TO SAGE MOUNTAIN
- 133 Provencher Lane, E. Barre (Orange), VT 05649
- P.O. Box 420, E. Barre, VT 05649; 802.479.9825
Use these directions with a Road Map!
From Barre/Montpelier area:
- Get onto 302 East. Go about 5 miles to E. Barre. There's a convenience store with gas pumps (Roland’s) on the right hand side of the road. Continue on 302 E. through E. Barre for about 5 miles. Next town is Orange. (Don't blink. You might miss it!) 2 miles past Orange you'll start down the backside of a mountain. At the bottom of the long downhill grade is our dirt road on the left, Provencher Lane (TR19). On the right side of the road is a large swampy pond. (Look for the Beaver houses and moose). Turn left on Provencher Lane and follow the road to the end (about 1/2 mile). It’s a well-maintained road so you'll have no trouble navigating it.
- At the very end of Provencher Lane is our driveway on the left with a sign saying Sage Mountain. It’s the only driveway on the left. You will see a small A frame and two houses on the right as you go up Provencher Lane before you get to our driveway.
From the South (Mass. & New Hampshire):
- Take RT. 91 N to Exit 16 at Bradford. At the end of the exit ramp turn left onto Rt. 25 W. Follow 25 W. to the end (approximately 17 miles) where it comes to a stop sign at RT. 302. Turn left onto 302 W. Go 1.7 miles. As you are going around a large S curve look for a small dirt road, Provencher Lane, on your right. (On the left will a large swampy pond area; look for the beaver houses and moose). Turn right onto Provencher Lane and follow it to the end. See paragraph above for directions to our driveway.
From the East (Northern NH or Maine):
- Check your map for Rt 25, Rt 302, or Rt 2; whichever is closest to you. Rt 25 West comes right into Bradford, VT and you can then follow the directions in the paragraph above. Rt 302 runs right by the turnoff for Provencher Lane. If you come this way, look for the junction with Rt 25, then go 1.7 miles as above and turn right onto Provencher Lane. From Rt 2 go to St. Johnsbury, get on Rt 91 South to exit 17 (Rt. 302) follow it west. See directions above for Rt 302.
From New York:
- Depending on whether you are coming from downstate or upstate decide if you want to get on Rt 91 north or follow 87 above Albany where you can cut across to Rt 4 into Rutland. You can reach Rt 91 from Rt 95, Rt 84 or the Mass Turnpike (Rt 90). Then follow it north to exit 16 in Vermont. See directions above. If coming from Rt 4 follow it through Rutland to Rt 100 North to Rt 107 (towards Bethal) to Interstate 89. Go North on I-89 and take Exit 7 to Barre. Follow the signs into Barre. At the 5th light turn right onto Rt 302 and follow the directions above.
CALL IF YOU GET LOST: 802/479-9825; 133 Provencher Lane, E. Barre, VT 05649
~ IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DRIVE SLOWLY WHEN GOING BY OUR NEIGHBORS HOUSES ~ 10 MILES AN HOUR, PLEASE