Winter 2008 Mailing
January 2008
Hola Mi Familia y Amigos!
I began this new year during my third visit to the tropics of Costa Rica. I taught at an herbal symposium attended by 30 people from all over the world. (See the www.artofunion.com for pictures and stories) During the four days of the symposium we went on daily plant walks learning the foods and medicines from forest and garden. One morning I awoke to find a freshly fallen giant sweet sop (Annonaceae) near the trail. It had broken open like humpty dumpty and we all enjoyed its custardy flavor. We ate salads full of wild greens including lots of hibiscus leaves. This is a land were dandelions are cultivated; where plantain is honored. We met a large number of Euphorbs eaten as food including: katuk, chaya, vining nut, yucca as well as medicines like sangre de drago. We ate lots of little cucumbers growing wild all over from the Sechium genus. Check the website in the near future for a complete plant listing.
We welcomed the new year in a morning sweatlodge and spent the day in reflective silence. It was wonderful to have Mary joining me on this journey as well as a core group from previous years. After the symposium a group of us went to the Seelye’s Retreat Center up to 9,000 feet on Cerrro del Muerte (Mountain of Death) for 4 days in this special ecosystem. We walked among Podocarpuses thousands of years old with the jungle floor littered with fallen orchids. I had my mind blown open again by the wonders of this mountain land and this kind family.
The last 10 days have included time at the beach and facilitating plant walks on permaculture lands in the region. We took a short trip to the Osa Pennisula to be with Toucans and Macaws in pristine forests. Talk has already begun of doing it again next year. Perhaps you will join us.
When I look back into 2007 I feel a full sense of wonder at this unfolding life. I was blessed to have spent time with many of you dancing with the green beings. I was forever changed from my two months downunder in NZ and Australia last winter. Then I enjoyed a incredible spring in the East with one of the highlights being an earth day plant walk with my mentor James Duke in my parent’s neighborhood. Preliminary plans are coming together for another trip through the northeast in May. Any suggestions?
Each year I am feed deeply by my summer gatherings with our tribes. Thank you for showing up in CA, Arkansas, NC and the other dozen states I was able to get to this year. I was honored to continue teaching at two stellar Herbal Schools—Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism (www.herbsheal.com) and The Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine (www. chestnutherbs.com). If you feel ready to walk more deeply along the greenpath consider these schools as well as my alma mater in NY: The Northeast School of Herbal Medicine (www.7Song.com). Each has its unique offerings.
In August I went through severe tests of fire as I prepared for returning to school for the first time in a dozen years. I passed the early tests (thanks to the help of many of you!) and spent the last four months of 2007 in Devonshire, England pursuing a Masters in Holistic Science at Schumacher College. That was the longest I stayed in one place in at least a dozen years! School met all my hopes and expectations with great teachers, a vibrant community, and adventure on many levels.
As I prepare to leave the land of tropical fruit and pura vida, I look ahead to two weeks in California (We will be having plant circles on the 18th, 19th, and 25th—contact me if you want to know more) for time with my west coast family then back to school in England. My second tuition payment is due very soon. Many have come forward to help so far but I am still not there yet. I reach out to this magical circle and ask you to help me over this hurdle. I feel surrounded by allies and know that faith will pull me through. Read below for details of how you can help. Also I would love pictures and cards from you to enliven my simple room at school. I was so fed by those I received last semester!
For 2008 I am excited to bring to you my new stories of Gaia, Holistic Science and Goethe’s ways of seeing. I very much look forward to our time of sharing. I will be hard at work on my MSc dissertation due at the end of August and also am steadily getting my revised editions of the plants and healers books ready for sharing.
Well, that seems like enough for now. Please check out my new, improved book list on my website where you can order books you like. www.plantsandhealers.com. Thank you, Barry!
My wish for you in this balancing year of 2008 is that the old ways not serving us continue to fall away so that we can embrace a new world rising. Goodbye Piscean Age. Hello Aquarian Age. Feel it! Don’t get stuck in the last era. Adapt and Evolve!
See you along the path!
Love and Light,
Frank
Address at School:
Frank Cook
c/o Schumacher College
The Old Postern
Dartington, Devonshire TQ9 6EA United Kingdom
Tuition Assistance Appreciated
Please help as best you can. If you have thought about helping out, now is the time. If money is something you feel is a scarcity for you, than offer what you feel abundant in. Offer prayers for this to come about. I need your help in whatever way you can give it. I am open to one person coming forward with the full amount needed and I am open to 1000 people giving $15 each. However it can come about. Please look inside and see what you can share.
There are several ways this energy can get to me:
1) You can send it directly to the school—ask me how.
2) You can pay it to my paypal account: green@plantsandhealers.com
or
3) You can send it to my parents who will deposit it in my account. Their address is:
Kaye and Frank Cook
6108 Welborn Drive
Bethesda MD 20816
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please share so that I can continue to do my work for Gaia.
Love to you,
Frank