Inner and Outer Alchemy

Distillation is as old as Mother Earth herself. With the warmth of the

Sun shining on the oceans, Nature has always been distilling fresh water

to nourish life. Distillation practiced by Humans goes back thousands of

years, where we can find the earliest form of Alchemy - cooking!

Over time, alchemy evolved into the art of preserving the fragrance and

essence of aromatic Flowers and Plants — first for ritual perfumes,

medicines, later for alcohol distillation. The alchemists of the 1600s

even tried transforming metals into gold and discovering the elixir of

eternal life. At its heart, alchemy has always been about following the

ways of nature and transformation.

In this course, we bring alchemy back to the kitchen table, in a way

that is both magical and practical for everyday life. Together, we will

create powerful hydrosols, explore the transformation of Plants through

the help of the four elements, and train our senses to support the

journey from physical Plant to fragrant hydrosol.

Alchemy is not only something that happens in the distiller, it also

happens within us. Through rituals we will explore how working with

Plants can awaken our senses and support our own inner transformation.

Our sense of smell plays a central role in this process. Smell as our

most primal sense is directly connected to the emotional centre of our

brain. This is why a fragrant hydrosol can connect us so deeply — both

to the essence of the Plant and to our own inner landscape.

Facilitators:

**Lisa Raimund **

For the past eight years, I have been practicing the art of distillation, coming to know the transformative cycles of "die and become" that are required for a plant water to come into being. Distillation, as a process of transformation, has accompanied me throughout my own personal growth, and I have come to see it as an integral part of my spiritual practice.

I feel called to serve as a guardian of this ancient art, helping to ensure that the knowledge and practice of distillation continue to be explored, practiced, and passed on to future generations.

Intuitive Herbalist, Permaculturist, Alchemy and Ritual teacher

Tara Devine

My work with the Plants focuses on bridging the gap between understanding and experiencing, within the Nature realms. Co-creating with the Plants to anchor experiences that remind us as Humans of our true place within the Web of Nature, which is healing for the whole web of life.

Plant Spirit Initiation facilitator, Plant Spirit Healer, student at The School of Intuitive Herbalism