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 Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks

MidAtlantic Women’s Herbal Conference is a Gathering of Brilliant Gifts

The sixth annual MidAtlantic Women’s Herbal Conference (MAWHC) will be held on October 1 and 2, at the Kempton Community Center, in Kempton. The weekend-long event honors the age-old wisdom of herbal and natural remedies, and provides a unique opportunity to learn from some of the most accomplished herbalists and teachers of natural medicine in the country. Amikaeyla Gaston, founder and executive director of the International Cultural Arts & Healing Sciences Institute, will provide the Saturday evening keynote address.

The conference theme––Be Naturally Brilliant––is woven throughout the weekend’s events. Experts in the fields of botanical healing, herbalism, biodynamic gardening and more will teach over 20 workshops on women’s health, herbal medicine, gardening and plant identification. Participants will learn more about using, identifying, preparing and growing herbs and will connect with like-spirited women.

Activities include herb walks, yoga, herbal remedy preparation, a drum circle, singing and dancing. Kids’ Camp, for children ages 3 to 12, runs during class and keynote hours. The Herbal Emporium features shopping and vending opportunities from local vendors, as well as lunch and dinner options, teas, fair trade coffee, vegan and gluten-free alternatives. Rustic camping is available on-site for a nominal fee.

Charis Lindrooth, founder and director of MAWHC, is grateful for the amazing team of teachers that will pass along wisdom, create connections and provide learning tools for participants. “My goal is to create a gathering that weaves together individual gifts and creates a network where mentorship, support, nurturing and love easily happen,” shares Lindrooth.  “This is healing. If we allow our roots and branches to stretch, the potential for something big to happen within us rises.”

Gaston, keynote speaker, travels the world extensively as a Cultural Arts Ambassador, in partnership with organizations such as the U.S. State Department and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She is renowned for her vocal accomplishments and healing brought through music and the arts to refugees, victims of violence and to those suffering around the world. Gaston’s workshop will encourage participants to feel the power of their breath and voice, and learn how healing can be brought through sound and song.

“Through the generosity of our sponsors Motherlove, Herbalist Alchemist, Sacred Plant Traditions, Frontier Co-op, Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks, Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat and Woodland Essence,” explains Lindrooth, “our new scholarship program has been given root. Tuition assistance is provided to women in need.”

Cost: Varies; see website for further details. Location: 83 Community Center Dr., Kempton. For more information, call 610-683-9363, email [email protected] or visit WomensHerbal.com.

Gisele Rinaldi Siebold is a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks edition. Connect with her at [email protected].