Urban Herbology Apprenticeships in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Oak group - began October 2012
Willow group - began March 2013
Rowan group - starting March 2014
12 or 18 month apprenticeship with Lynn Shore in Amsterdam Oost. Open to anyone who has a heartfelt desire to learn ways to live in harmony with nature, whilst residing in a town or city. The focus is on competently using urban herbs and engaging in nature based spirituality.
8 places max, are available for this practical course. Those wishing to apply must have walked with me, attended one of my workshops or have spent some time with me elsewhere. This is so that you have some idea of how I work. To apply, please email me (lynn.shore@gmail.com) with a brief outline of why you would like to take part in this course and tell me which areas of the following syllabus you have experience of or particular interest in. Please also mention which walk, workshop or other event you attended and something you remember from it.
The apprenticeship will be about 80% practical experience and 20% theory. There will be no examination and a certificate will be issued on completion of the 18 month course. The last 6 months will consolidate and add depth to learnings from the first year. There will be opportunities to continue study beyond this period and you will always have my support and encouragement.
The group will meet once a month for a few hours, working outside and indoors. Between meetings we will be connected by a private online group and by individual email contact, as and when required. There will be practical homework assignments each month, which will take as much time as you wish to give to them. The homework is to help you to assimilate new knowledge and practice new skills.
APPRENTICESHIP SYLLABUS
(Topics to be covered during the course - not necessarily in the order stated. A. and B. topics will be studied alongside each other)
A. URBAN HERBOLOGY
Understanding how to work with gifts of the Earth, particularly in urban spaces.
Plant identification, use and nomenclature.
Observing urban edibles and medicinals, throughout the year
Ethically wild crafting urban herbs
Using herbs within the Wise Woman Healing System.
Wild foods as part of a healthy diet.
Foraging and using herbs with children.
Growing useful herbs in urban spaces.
Making and using herbal preparations.
Herbal first aid.
Making and using fermented foods such as tempeh, yoghurt, zuurkool.
Developing your innate powers of healing.
Essentials of Precision Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Hands-on healing.
Growing herbs in shared green spaces, River of Herbs project.
Permaculture principles for Urban Herbologists.
B. NATURE BASED SPIRITUALITY
Ways to connect with the pulse and whisperings of Nature, throughout the year.
Moon cycle wisdom - manifesting dreams by aligning personal energies with the cycle of the moon.
Nurturing and trusting intuition and gifts by using the Tree Ogham, dreams, sensitivities and journeying.
Developing relationships with plants, finding a green ally, listening to plants and learning from them.
Nature spirit celebration at points throughout the year. Ways to connect with Nature privately or with friends; formally and informally.
Yoga breath, movement and energy practices for connection with Nature.
DATES
(all meetings are 3 hours long)
Oak group - 2nd Monday of the month
Willow group - one Saturday per month
Rowan group - 2nd Monday of the month from March 2014 (am)
COST
€ 60 per two months, payable in advance (€360 per year, payable in 6 instalments).
READING LIST
This course will be mainly practical and I'll provide useful written material, as well as book and website suggestions, for each topic.
Only one book is absolutely required, a good wildflower identification key, for this part of Europe. Such as the Flora (Dutch) or the Wild Flower Key by Francis Rose.
ABOUT LYNN
I grew up on the outskirts of Bristol in an old farmhouse, surrounded by fields, hedgerows and commuter traffic! After becoming a Biology teacher and moving to coastal West Somerset, I began professional training in natural therapies, Yoga teaching and herbalism. After 7 years teaching science and being a Science department head, I became a lecturer in Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Health Studies at Bridgwater College. I also ran a small complementary health practice, taught weekly Yoga classes and ran retreats. My herbal work at that time was to assist friends, family and clients who consulted me for manual therapies.
After moving to Amsterdam I began further study with Susun Weed and Kiva Rose, relearning herbalism in the context of the Wise Woman Tradition. Permaculture became an important part of my life, I studied with Patrick Whitefield and am now completing my full Permaculture Design Course with (www.Permaculturevisions.com). I gained a Master in Public Health degree in 2010, focusing on urban food security. In recent years have I have been leading urban herb walks, giving workshops about herbal preparations, giving public talks and am now writing books and magazine articles on the subject.
I am passionate about empowering city people to be able to care for themselves and feed themselves, at least in part. Last year I launched a project called River of Herbs (www.riverofherbs.org) to encourage more people to grow herbs in urban spaces. We are now collaborating with other groups to create a people and pollinator friendly corridor one east to west Amsterdam and a food forest in the east of the city.
I have a Dutch partner, a young daughter and teach part time at the British School of Amsterdam.