Brighid’s Academy of Healing Arts: A School of Radical Herbalism, Celtic Culture & Holistic Healing
Greetings!
Thank you for your interest in Brighid’s Academy! Located in the ancient Centre of Celtic Ireland, 10 minutes from the sacred Hill of Uisneach, the house and gardens are nestled in the midst of country pastures.
Brighid’s Academy is inspired by the Hedgerow schools of old Ireland and the Greek temenos, a sanctuary for education and spiritual exploration.
I am a practising herbalist for 37 years, so fortunate to have studied with Rosemary Gladstar, Susun Weed, Grandpa Roberts (a Cherokee Medicine man) David Hoffman and many others. I was originally initiated into the world of herbal healing by my grandmother, Ethel McGarry, who was her village’s herbalist and midwife. I pray I do them all honour.
My home and school are dedicated to Brighid as a sanctuary for Peace and Harmony. I chose the word Academy purposely. It’s original meaning is a grove of trees where Plato, the philosopher, taught. Brighid’s Academy is set in a grove of trees and philosophy is taught here. Wictionary defines Academy as “A school or place of training in which some special art is taught”. The art of Herbalism is taught here. Druidic teachings were imparted in groves of trees. Brighid’s Academy is in the style of the ancient Druid schools, the Native American Medicine Lodge, the Hindu ashram and the like.
The courses offered are aligned with certain traditions of the ancient Mystery Schools. They are about personal empowerment and transformation, healing and connection to Nature and Source. It is an opportunity to gather tools and develop skills for living in deeper harmony with All-That-Is, for living a more natural life, aligned with Who You Really Are….for falling ever more deeply in love with the Earth and with Life.
Drawn from Celtic and pre-Celtic thought, the curriculums have been designed and developed over 30 years. The philosophies and disciplines are as seemingly diverse as humanistic astrology and human anatomy; as controversial as past-life regression and the suspicion that power is transmitted through crystals, as inseparable as herbal magic and Mother Earth, and as factual as modern science and medicine.
There is magic that isn’t illusion, handed down since ancient times from our forebears. They offer the connection to who we are and who we can become.
