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The Tracker Trail website has no
official connection to the Tracker School or Tom Brown Jr. whatsoever
On Monday morning and afternoon Ruth Ann and Christine took
us on a plant walk that covered the edibility and medicinal properties of 26
species around the Tracker Farm. Next in groups we dug holes ~ 8" deep in a
line down a slope and noted the difference in surrounding vegetation, smell,
color and texture of soil layers. Also dug up a plant as a group we were IV
led to and potted it. On and off during the week we were to individually
talk out loud to it in order to learn the language of plants.
Tues: Tom discussed ancient vs. modern herbalism also how
GF and the ancients would always talk out loud to nature and plants. We did
exercises talking to plants and asking what we can do for them and then
caretaking them. Other exercises included using Breath to Surrender to sense
plants energy and travel into plants to determine their root system. We did
an amazing exercise called the Plant Dance where we let ourselves be drawn
about the landscape feeling the collective aura of the plants and ended with
a stream float. Had 3 sweatlodges during the week including an herbal sweat.
Weds: Tom introduced Presence and followed it with several
exercises to sense Presence. He pointed out that Presence is used
differently for herbs then for Healing or the Scout. Tom was originally
going to teach herbalism through meditation and breath to surrender, as is
done in the Healing class. Then Ruth Ann and Christy taught the preparation
of and the various equipment and solvents used for making herbal remedies.
Thurs: More discussion of Presence and more Presence
exercises. With partners we both described plants blindfolded by touching
them and identified plants from touching a leaf fragment. We also were able
to sense the medicinal properties of a plant and which other plants it
worked with. Then using smudge and tea, we identified what plants were used
and their quantities by sensing their Presence.
Fri: Exercises included: going to a group of like species
and identifying the most powerful, using Presence to manipulate tea taste to
bitter or sweet and uplift or diminish power of a plant. For supper the
class collected herbs reverently and prayerfully while talking and singing
to them. Permission was asked of the chief plant to harvest some of his/her
people and if any caretaking could be done also. Preparation of and eating
them was done in a near meditative state; intensely absorbing their Presence
into ourselves, feeling how they nourished our body and sensing some of
their healing properties.
Absolutely one of the best classes I've had!
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